A client network implements data locality-aware MapReduce using IoT devices. An IoT service of a provider network receives configuration settings from a user to implement map nodes and reduce nodes at the client network. Each map node is configured to receive its own locality-based partition of data from one or more data sources (e.g., sensors) that are within a map function data locality (e.g., a particular location of the network). Each map node then processes the locality-based partition of the data, generates results, and sends the results to a reduce node. The reduce node may be located at a remote provider network. A coordinator node may also be deployed to one or more devices of the client network. If a map node or a compute node becomes overloaded, the coordinator node may redirect some data to a map node or a reduce node of a remote provider network.

With the increased availability of different smart devices that access the internet, many new applications have been developed that leverage internet connectivity. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a phrase given for the interconnection of computing devices scattered around the globe within the existing internet infrastructure. IoT devices may be embedded in a variety of products, such as home appliances, manufacturing devices, printers, automobiles, thermostats, smart traffic lights, environmental sensors, etc.
Due to the large volume of data generated across numerous IoT devices, it may be helpful to aggregate the generated data in a cloud service. For example, data from many different IoT devices may be processed by a cloud service using data processing techniques such as MapReduce, which is a framework that can be used in big data analysis. However, the cost associated with transferring huge volumes of data to a centralized cloud service is high, both in terms of bandwidth used and amount of time required. Furthermore, in some cases it may be difficult if not impossible to send a large volume of data to the cloud when internet access is limited (e.g., due to a slow or intermittent connection) or is prohibited (e.g., due to regulatory constraints).
While embodiments are described herein by way of example for several embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments are not limited to the embodiments or drawings described. It should be understood, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit embodiments to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope as defined by the appended claims. The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words "include," "including," and "includes" mean including, but not limited to.

Data locality-aware MapReduce using IoT devices


This disclosure describes techniques for configuring and managing scalable global private networks associated with a service provider. Different input mechanisms, such as an API, a UI, or a CLI may be utilized to configure, and manage a global private network that spans across the cloud in different geographic locations and connects to different stand-alone networks. The user may proactively use the input mechanisms to configure and query different network resources to reactively configure settings for reacting to one or more events. The input mechanisms may also be utilized to define the network resources to be modeled within the global private network as well as connections within the global network. A user may configure events/metrics to be monitored, tasks/workflows to be performed, and the like. In some configurations, a network management service (NMS) may perform health monitoring and reachability monitoring to identify possible issues in the global network.

Companies of all sizes are challenged with efficiently and reliably networking their branch offices. To connect a remotely located branch office, a company may utilize a private network that includes leased line circuits that are backhauled to a corporate data center and/or the use of lower-cost broadband Internet. As a company that utilizes leased line circuits expands and add more branches, the company continues to add physical, leased line wide area networks (WANs). Scaling out these traditional WANs can be costly as companies have to provision and manage expensive new leased-lines and hardware. While some companies may attempt to utilize lower-cost broadband Internet to connect remote branches, the use of lower-cost broadband Internet to expand can also be difficult and time-consuming. For example, a company may spend a significant amount of time and money developing custom solutions to utilize broadband Internet. These custom solutions may include custom software and may use software, and devices from various networking vendors. The company may also have to obtain Internet services from a variety of different broadband providers.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Configuration and management of scalable global private networks


An apparatus for increasing data transmission efficiency in an international mobile telecommunication-2000 (IMT-2000) base station controller includes a) user message determining unit for receiving a user message from an exterior; determining whether the user message is control data or traffic data; and transmitting the control data or the traffic data; b) channel interface unit for receiving the control data or the traffic data from the user message determining unit and transmitting the control data or the traffic data; c) traffic data controlling unit for receiving the traffic data and information about quantity of data and transmitting the traffic data; d) storage unit for storing the control data or the traffic data; and e)storage managing unit for measuring quantity of data stored in the storage means and transmitting measured quantity information.

This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for increasing a data transmission efficiency in an international mobile telecommunication-2000 (IMT-2000) base station; and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for enabling a dispersed transmission and a priority transmission to increase a data transmission efficiency in an international mobile telecommunication-2000 (IMT-2000) base station.
In case of a conventional multiplexer (MUX) equipped in an international mobile telecommunication-2000 (IMT-2000) base station, when a control message and traffic data are transmitted from a radio link control unit, a higher-leveled processor of the MUX, the MUX stores the inputted traffic data in a buffer for a traffic channel and performs a data transmission. On the other hand, the MUX stores the inputted control message in a buffer for a control channel and performs a data transmission.
However, because there is more quantity of the traffic data than that of the control message during a communication service, usable extra resources are wasted unused in the control channel and the buffer for the control channel. Also, because packet data of high speed is transmitted only through the traffic channel, many delays and loss of data are caused to thereby lower quality of a service.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for increasing data transmission efficiency by providing dispersed transmission and priority transmission in an international mobile telecommunication-2000 (IMT-2000) base station controller.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for increasing data transmission efficiency in an international mobile telecommunication-2000 (IMT-2000) base station controller, including: user message determining means for receiving a user message from an exterior; determining whether the user message is control data or traffic data; and transmitting the control data or the traffic data; channel interface means for receiving the control data or the traffic data from the user message determining means and transmitting the control data or the traffic data; traffic data controlling means for receiving the traffic data and information about quantity of data and transmitting the traffic data; storage means for storing the control data or the traffic data; and storage managing means for measuring quantity of data stored in the storage means and transmitting measured quantity information.
Also, there is provided a method for increasing data transmission efficiency using an apparatus for increasing data transmission efficiency which includes user message determining means, channel interface means including control channel interface means and traffic channel interface means, traffic data controlling means, storage means including a first storage unit and a second storage unit, and storage managing means including a first storage managing unit and a second storage managing unit in an international mobile telecommunication-2000 (IMT-2000) base station controller, the method including the steps of: a) by the user message determining means, determining a data type of a user message inputted from an exterior; b) if the data type is traffic data, by the user message determining means, transmitting the traffic data to the traffic data controlling unit through the traffic channel interface means; c) by the traffic data controlling unit, receiving information about quantity of data that are stored in each of the first storage unit and the second storage unit from the first storage managing unit and the second storage managing unit, respectively; d) by the traffic data controlling unit, determining one of the first storage unit and the second storage unit; and e) by the traffic data controlling unit, transmitting the traffic data to the determined storage unit wherein the traffic data are stored.

Apparatus and method for increasing data transmission efficiency in IMT-2000 base station controller


A Cartesian scanning system for scanning a surface of a sample. The scanning system includes a light source assembly configured to produce at least one collimated beam of light, a light sensing system, a stage configured for mounting the sample thereon and a linear track having a direction of elongation. The linear track and the stage are configured to move relative to each other. The scanning system also includes a scanning head having a reflecting system which is configured to direct the collimated beam of light onto the surface and to direct a beam of light reflected from the surface to the light sensing system. The scanning head is slidably associated with the linear track so as to be moveable in a direction parallel to a direction of elongation of the linear track. Also included are a position determination system and a scan displacement correction system.

The present invention relates to a Cartesian scanning system and, in particular, it concerns optical non-contact scanning devices for determining the physical condition of a specimen.
One of the problems encountered in relation to Cartesian scanning systems is the frequent velocity reversals required at the end of each swath. Such reversals use large quantities of energy and introduce vibrations and mechanical distortion into the system. In order to reduce these problems the scanning head needs to be very small and lightweight.
The above problems are compounded in relation to a wafer inspection system where a high degree of accuracy is required. By way of introduction, semiconductor wafers are produced by a complicated multi-step process and involve sub-micron range technologies. Technologies in the sub-micron range are very delicate and error or malfunction needs to be detected as soon as possible. Effective inspection of wafers is therefore required. Automated devices for inspection have been developed since the 1970""s including precision stage positioning systems and auto-focus systems. Further developments in the Art included the introduction of automatic inspection machines, which analyze inspected wafers and determine a defect location automatically. The future generation of wafers, which will require a scanning resolution of less than 0.1 microns, cannot be scanned using current available mechanical structures as they are not rigid enough to provide the required accuracy at the required throughput. Therefore, designing a wafer inspection system for the sub 0.1 micron range places the repeatability and accuracy tolerances of the inspection system to the 10 nanometer range. Working at the nanometer range, most mechanical systems are xe2x80x9crubber likexe2x80x9d due to the limited rigidity of the structures at this resolution. Therefore, designing and manufacturing mechanical structures that conform to such high demands is expensive and the resulting systems are bulky and difficult to maintain. High resolution can be achieved by scanning a flat specimen at a low speed, by keeping the scanning head stationary and mechanically floating above a moving specimen.
Of most relevance to the present invention is U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,579, a polygon scanner. The polygon scanner allows scanning a surface with a minimal number of moving parts. However, a shortcoming of the polygon scanner is the requirement to vary the distance between the specimen and the camera, leading to a distortion of the image at high resolutions. A further shortcoming of the polygon scanner is the inherent change of angle of reflectance in the system. This shortcoming is correctable using a special correcting lens but this also leads to image distortion and increased cost.
Also of relevance to the present invention is U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,622 to Johnston et al. relating to a high resolution scanning apparatus. However, the Johnston et al. patent does not produce high throughput.
There is therefore a need for a high throughput scanning system that operates at a resolution in the nanometer range.
The present invention is a Cartesian scanning system and method of operation thereof.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided, a Cartesian scanning system for scanning a surface of a sample comprising: (a) a light source assembly configured to produce at least one collimated beam of light; (b) a light sensing system; (c) a stage configured for mounting the sample thereon; (d) a linear track having a direction of elongation wherein: (i) the linear track and the stage are configured to move relative to each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of elongation; and (ii) the light source and the light sensing system are mounted in fixed spatial relation to the linear track; and (e) a scanning head including a reflecting system wherein: (i) the reflecting system is configured to direct the collimated beam of light onto the surface and to direct a beam of light reflected from the surface to the light sensing system; and (ii) the scanning head is slidably associated with the linear track so as to be moveable in a direction parallel to the direction of elongation.
According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided a beam splitter configured to enable a beam of light being transmitted by the light source and a beam of light being received by the light sensing system to share substantially a same path between the surface and the beam splitter.
According to a further feature of the present invention the beam splitter is a polarizing beam splitter.
According to a further feature of the present invention the light source is configured to produce a plurality of light beams that are collimated.
According to a further feature of the present invention the scanning head further includes an objective lens disposed between the reflecting system and the surface and wherein the objective lens is configured to focus a light beam onto the surface.
According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided at least one bearing disposed between the scanning head and the linear track.
According to a further feature of the present invention: (a) the stage is configured to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of elongation; and (b) the linear track is configured to be stationary.
According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided a position determination system configured to determine a position of the scanning head in relation to an X-position on an X-axis and a Y-position on a Y-axis, the X-axis and the Y-axis being defined in relation to the stage, the X-axis being parallel to the direction of elongation of the linear track and the Y-axis being orthogonal to the X-axis, the position determination system including: (a) a first reflecting element mechanically connected to the scanning head; (b) a first optical displacement measurement device configured to measure the distance between the first optical displacement measurement device and the first reflecting element to determine the X-position wherein the first reflecting element faces the first optical displacement measurement device; (c) a second reflecting element mechanically connected to the scanning head; (d) a third reflecting element mechanically connected to the stage wherein the third reflecting element is substantially parallel to the direction of elongation of the linear track; (e) a second optical displacement measurement device configured to measure the distance from the second optical displacement measurement device to the third reflecting element via the second reflecting element wherein the second reflecting element is positioned to enable a light beam to be transmitted between the second optical displacement measurement device and the third reflecting element; and (f) a feedback system configured to determine the Y-position of the scanning head from an output of the first optical displacement measurement device and an output of the second optical displacement measurement device.
According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided a scan displacement correction system configured to perform a real-time correction for a position of the scanning head, the position of the scanning head being defined in relation to an X-position on an X-axis and a Y-position on a Y-axis, the X-axis and the Y-axis being defined in relation to the stage, the X-axis being parallel to the direction of elongation of the linear track and the Y-axis being orthogonal to the X-axis, the scan displacement correction system including: (a) a control system configured to determine a real-time correction command from the X-position of the scanning head and the Y-position of the scanning head; and (b) a deflection apparatus disposed between the light source and the scanning head, the deflection apparatus being configured to deflect parallel to the Y-axis a position of a light beam that is within a viewing window of the scanning head in response to the real-time correction command.
According to a further feature of the present invention the deflection apparatus is implemented as a piezoelectric crystal.
According to a further feature of the present invention the deflection apparatus includes: (a) a first reflecting element; and (b) an actuator which is configured to move the first reflecting element in response to the real-time correction command.
According to a further feature of the present invention the actuator is a piezoelectric actuator configured to move the first reflecting element.
According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided an auto-focus configuration disposed between the light source, the light sensing system and the reflecting system.
According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided a confocal optical configuration disposed between the light sensing system and the reflecting system.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is also provided, a method to scan a surface of a sample using a linear scanner, the scanner including a stage and a scanning head, the scanner having a light source assembly that is configured to produce a scanning beam having an adjustable intensity, the scanner having a light sensing system, the light sensing system having an associated interval between exposures of the light sensing system, the sample being mounted on the stage, the surface having an inspection region, the method comprising the steps of: (a) moving the scanning head through a scanning path, the moving including accelerating and decelerating the scanning head wherein at least part of the accelerating and decelerating occurs over the inspection region; (b) adjusting the interval between exposures of the light sensing system in order to maintain a substantially constant pixel size during the accelerating and the decelerating; and (c) adjusting the intensity of the scanning beam in an inversely proportional relationship to a exposure time of the light sensing system.
According to a further feature of the present invention part of the acceleration and part of the deceleration occurs outside of the inspection region.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is also provided a position determination system configured to determine a position of a scanning head of a Cartesian scanning system, the scanning system having a stage configured to mount a sample thereon, the scanning system having a linear track having a direction of elongation, the linear track and the stage being configured to move relative to each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of elongation, the scanning head being slidably associated with the linear track so as to be moveable in a direction parallel to the direction of elongation, the position of the scanning head being defined in relation to an X-position on an X-axis and a Y-position on a Y-axis, the X-axis and the Y-axis being defined in relation to the stage, the X-axis being parallel to the direction of elongation of the linear track and the Y-axis being orthogonal to the X-axis, the position determination system comprising: (a) a first reflecting element having a plane of reflection that is parallel to the Y-axis wherein the first reflecting element is mechanically connected to the scanning head; (b) a first optical displacement measurement device configured to measure the distance between the first optical displacement measurement device and the first reflecting element to determine the X-position; (c) a second reflecting element mechanically connected to the scanning head; (d) a third reflecting element having a plane of reflection that is parallel to the X-axis wherein the third reflecting element is mechanically connected to the stage; (e) a second optical displacement measurement device configured to measure the distance from the second optical displacement measurement device to the third reflecting element via the second reflecting element wherein the second reflecting element is positioned to enable a light beam to be transmitted between the second optical displacement measurement device and the third reflecting element; and (f) a feedback system configured to determine the Y-position of the scanning head from an output of the first optical displacement measurement device and an output of the second optical displacement measurement device.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the position determination system being further configured to perform a real-time correction for the position of the scanning head, the scanner including a light source, the positive feedback system further including: (a) a control system configured to determine a real-time correction command from the X-position of the scanning head and the Y-position of the scanning head; and (b) a deflection apparatus disposed between the light source and the scanning head, the deflection apparatus being configured to deflect parallel to the Y-axis a position of a light beam that is within a viewing window of the scanning head in response to the real-time correction command.
According to a further feature of the present invention the deflection apparatus is implemented as a piezoelectric crystal.
According to a further feature of the present invention the deflection apparatus includes: (a) a fourth reflecting element; and (b) an actuator which is configured to move the fourth reflecting element in response to the real-time correction command.
According to a further feature of the present invention the actuator is a piezoelectric actuator configured to move the fourth reflecting element.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is also provided a scan displacement correction system configured to perform a real-time correction for a position of a scanning head of a Cartesian scanning system, the scanning system having a stage configured to mount a sample thereon, the scanning system having a light source, the scanning system having a linear track having a direction of elongation, the linear track and the stage being configured to move relative to each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of elongation, the scanning head being slidably associated with the linear track so as to be moveable in a direction parallel to the direction of elongation, the position of the scanning head being defined in relation to an X-position on an X-axis and a Y-position on a Y-axis, the X-axis and the Y-axis being defined in relation to the stage, the X-axis being parallel to the direction of elongation of the linear track and the Y-axis being orthogonal to the X-axis, the scan displacement correction system including: (a) a control system configured to determine a real-time correction command from the X-position of the scanning head and the Y-position of the scanning head; and (b) a deflection apparatus disposed between the light source and the scanning head, the deflection apparatus being configured to deflect parallel to the Y-axis a position of a light beam that is within a viewing window of the scanning head in response to the real-time correction command.
According to a further feature of the present invention the deflection apparatus is implemented as a piezoelectric crystal.
According to a further feature of the present invention the deflection apparatus includes: (a) a reflecting element; and (b) an actuator which is configured to move the reflecting element in response to the real-time correction command.
According to a further feature of the present invention the actuator is a piezoelectric actuator configured to move the reflecting element.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is also provided a method to perform a real-time correction for a position of a scanning head of a Cartesian scanning system, the scanning system having a stage configured to mount a sample thereon, the scanning system having a linear track having a direction of elongation, the linear track and the stage being configured to move relative to each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of elongation, the scanning head being slidably associated with the linear track so as to be moveable in a direction parallel to the direction of elongation, the position of the scanning head being defined in relation to an X-position on an X-axis and a Y-position on a Y-axis, the X-axis and the Y-axis being defined in relation to the stage, the X-axis being parallel to the direction of elongation of the linear track and the Y-axis being orthogonal to the X-axis, the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining a real-time correction command from the X-position of the scanning head and the Y-position of the scanning head due to a misalignment of at least one of the X-position and the Y-position of the scanning head from an expected position of the scanning head; and (b) deflecting a position of a light beam parallel to the Y-axis in response to the real-time correction command, the light beam being within a viewing window of the scanning head.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is also provided a Cartesian writing system for writing on an optically recordable surface of a medium comprising: (a) a light source assembly configured to produce a collimated beam of light having an adjustable intensity; (b) a stage configured for mounting the medium thereon; (c) a linear track having a direction of elongation wherein: (i) the linear track and the stage are configured to move relative to each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of elongation; and (ii) the light source is mounted in fixed spatial relation to the linear track; and (d) a writing head including a reflecting system wherein: (i) the reflecting system is configured to direct the collimated beam of light onto the optically recordable surface; and (ii) the writing head is slidably associated with the linear track so as to be moveable in a direction parallel to the direction of elongation.
According to a further feature of the present invention the writing head further includes an objective lens disposed between the reflecting system and the optically recordable surface and wherein the objective lens is configured to focus a light beam onto the optically recordable surface.
According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided at least one bearing disposed between the writing head and the linear track.
According to a further feature of the present invention: (a) the stage is configured to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of elongation; and (b) the linear track is configured to be stationary.
According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided a position determination system configured to determine a position of the writing head in relation to an X-position on an X-axis and a Y-position on a Y-axis, the X-axis and the Y-axis being defined in relation to the stage, the X-axis being parallel to the direction of elongation of the linear track and the Y-axis being orthogonal to the X-axis, the position determination system including: (a) a first reflecting element mechanically connected to the writing head; (b) a first optical displacement measurement device configured to measure the distance between the first optical displacement measurement device and the first reflecting element to determine the X-position wherein the first reflecting element faces the first optical displacement measurement device; (c) a second reflecting element mechanically connected to the writing head; (d) a third reflecting element mechanically connected to the stage wherein the third reflecting element is substantially parallel to the direction of elongation of the linear track; (e) a second optical displacement measurement device configured to measure the distance from the second optical displacement measurement device to the third reflecting element via the second reflecting element wherein the second reflecting element is positioned to enable a light beam to be transmitted between the second optical displacement measurement device and the third reflecting element; and (f) a feedback system configured to determine the Y-position of the writing head from an output of the first optical displacement measurement device and an output of the second optical displacement measurement device.
According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided a displacement correction system configured to perform a real-time correction for a position of the writing head, the position of the writing head being defined in relation to an X-position on an X-axis and a Y-position on a Y-axis, the X-axis and the Y-axis being defined in relation to the stage, the X-axis being parallel to the direction of elongation of the linear track and the Y-axis being orthogonal to the X-axis, the displacement correction system including: (a) a control system configured to determine a real-time correction command from the X-position of the writing head and the Y-position of the writing head; and (b) a deflection apparatus disposed between the light source and the writing head, the deflection apparatus being configured to deflect parallel to the Y-axis a position of a light beam that is within a viewing window of the writing head in response to the real-time correction command.
According to a further feature of the present invention the deflection apparatus is implemented as a piezoelectric crystal.
According to a further feature of the present invention the deflection apparatus includes: (a) a first reflecting element; and (b) an actuator which is configured to move the first reflecting element in response to the real-time correction command.
According to a further feature of the present invention the actuator is a piezoelectric actuator configured to move the first reflecting element.
According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided an auto-focus configuration disposed between the light source and the reflecting system.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is also provided a method to write on an optically recordable surface of a medium using a linear writing system, the writing system including a stage and a writing head, the writing system having a light source assembly that is configured to produce a writing beam having an adjustable intensity, the medium being mounted on the stage, the optically recordable surface having an writing region, the method comprising the steps of: (a) moving the writing head through a writing path, the moving including accelerating and decelerating the writing head wherein at least part of the accelerating and decelerating occurs over the writing region; (b) adjusting the interval between shots of the light source assembly and the duration of the shots in order to maintain a substantially constant pixel spacing and a substantially constant pixel size, respectively, during the accelerating and the decelerating; and (c) adjusting the intensity of the writing beam in an inversely proportional relationship to the duration of the shots.
According to a further feature of the present invention part of the acceleration and part of the deceleration occurs outside of the writing region.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is also provided a position determination system configured to determine a position of a writing head of a Cartesian writing system, the writing system having a stage configured to mount a medium thereon, the writing system having a linear track having a direction of elongation, the linear track and the stage being configured to move relative to each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of elongation, the writing head being slidably associated with the linear track so as to be moveable in a direction parallel to the direction of elongation, the position of the writing head being defined in relation to an X-position on an X-axis and a Y-position on a Y-axis, the X-axis and the Y-axis being defined in relation to the stage, the X-axis being parallel to the direction of elongation of the linear track and the Y-axis being orthogonal to the X-axis, the position determination system comprising: (a) a first reflecting element having a plane of reflection that is parallel to the Y-axis wherein the first reflecting element is mechanically connected to the writing head; (b) a first optical displacement measurement device configured to measure the distance between the first optical displacement measurement device and the first reflecting element to determine the X-position; (c) a second reflecting element mechanically connected to the writing head; (d) a third reflecting element having a plane of reflection that is parallel to the X-axis wherein the third reflecting element is mechanically connected to the stage; (e) a second optical displacement measurement device configured to measure the distance from the second optical displacement measurement device to the third reflecting element via the second reflecting element wherein the second reflecting element is positioned to enable a light beam to be transmitted between the second optical displacement measurement device and the third reflecting element; and (f) a feedback system configured to determine the Y-position of the writing head from an output of the first optical displacement measurement device and an output of the second optical displacement measurement device.
According to a further feature of the present invention the position determination system is further configured to perform a real-time correction for the position of the writing head, the writing system including a light source, the positive feedback system further including: (a) a control system configured to determine a real-time correction command from the X-position of the writing head and the Y-position of the writing head; and (b) a deflection apparatus disposed between the light source and the writing head, the deflection apparatus being configured to deflect parallel to the Y-axis a position of a light beam that is within a viewing window of the writing head in response to the real-time correction command.
According to a further feature of the present invention the deflection apparatus is implemented as a piezoelectric crystal.
According to a further feature of the present invention the deflection apparatus includes: (a) a fourth reflecting element; and (b) an actuator which is configured to move the fourth reflecting element in response to the real-time correction command.
According to a further feature of the present invention the actuator is a piezoelectric actuator configured to move the fourth reflecting element.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is also provided a displacement correction system configured to perform a real-time correction for a position of a writing head of a Cartesian writing system, the writing system having a stage configured to mount a medium thereon, the writing system having a light source, the writing system having a linear track having a direction of elongation, the linear track and the stage being configured to move relative to each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of elongation, the writing head being slidably associated with the linear track so as to be moveable in a direction parallel to the direction of elongation, the position of the writing head being defined in relation to an X-position on an X-axis and a Y-position on a Y-axis, the X-axis and the Y-axis being defined in relation to the stage, the X-axis being parallel to the direction of elongation of the linear track and the Y-axis being orthogonal to the X-axis, the displacement correction system including: (a) a control system configured to determine a real-time correction command from the X-position of the writing head and the Y-position of the writing head; and (b) a deflection apparatus disposed between the light source and the writing head, the deflection apparatus being configured to deflect parallel to the Y-axis a position of a light beam that is within a viewing window of the writing head in response to the real-time correction command.
According to a further feature of the present invention the deflection apparatus is implemented as a piezoelectric crystal.
According to a further feature of the present invention the deflection apparatus includes: (a) a reflecting element; and (b) an actuator which is configured to move the reflecting element in response to the real-time correction command.
According to a further feature of the present invention the actuator is a piezoelectric actuator configured to move the reflecting element.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is also provided a method to perform a real-time correction for a position of a writing head of a Cartesian writing system, the writing system having a stage configured to mount a medium thereon, the writing system having a linear track having a direction of elongation, the linear track and the stage being configured to move relative to each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of elongation, the writing head being slidably associated with the linear track so as to be moveable in a direction parallel to the direction of elongation, the position of the writing head being defined in relation to an X-position on an X-axis and a Y-position on a Y-axis, the X-axis and the Y-axis being defined in relation to the stage, the X-axis being parallel to the direction of elongation of the linear track and the Y-axis being orthogonal to the X-axis, the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining a real-time correction command from the X-position of the writing head and the Y-position of the writing head due to a misalignment of at least one of the X-position and the Y-position of the writing head from an expected position of the writing head; and (b) deflecting a position of a light beam parallel to the Y-axis in response to the real-time correction command, the light beam being within a viewing window of the writing head.


A stop-start system and method for a motor vehicle include a controller configured to shut down an engine of the motor vehicle automatically when the motor vehicle is moving and a predetermined engine shut down condition is achieved, to perform a rolling stop-start operation; and a mechanically driven auxiliary vacuum pump coupled to a transmission gear or output shaft and configured to provide vacuum pressure to a brake booster of the motor vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to operate the auxiliary vacuum pump during the rolling stop-start operation.

Many motor vehicles include a stop-start (or start-stop) system configured to automatically shut down an engine of the motor vehicle when the vehicle is stationary to reduce the time the engine spends idling, thereby reducing the fuel consumption of the motor vehicle.
Conventional starter motors are only able to operate to restart the vehicle engine when the vehicle is in a neutral gear. Hence, conventional stop-start systems typically operate to shut down the engine of the vehicle when the vehicle is stationary and in a neutral gear.
Modern mild hybrid vehicles often include a Belt Integrated Starter-Generator (BISG), which enables torque to be provided to the engine, to crank and re-start the engine, while the vehicle is moving and is in gear.
The inclusion of the BISG within the motor vehicle enables the stop-start system of the motor vehicle to be extended so that the engine can be stopped while the vehicle is in gear and is moving, with the option of restarting the engine if the driver wants to accelerate the vehicle. This may be referred to as a rolling stop-start operation of the motor vehicle.
A limiting factor for the ability of a motor vehicle to perform a rolling stop-start operation is often the availability of vacuum pressure within a brake booster of the motor vehicle, which is only supplied to the brake booster while the engine is running. As the vehicle is moving during a rolling stop-start operation, it is more likely that a driver of the vehicle will apply and modulate the brakes during the rolling stop-start operation, compared to during a stop-start operation performed while the vehicle is stationary.
It is desirable to ensure that brake booster vacuum pressure is available to assist a driver in braking the vehicle, and hence, stop-start systems are typically configured to restart the engine when the vacuum pressure drops below a desirable level, ending the stop-start operation.


A method for selecting an optimum subset of images from a larger set of images for optimal HDR image creation. For each of the set of images, an exposure quality map is computed by assigning, to each pixel of the image, an exposure quality value based on the pixel brightness value of that pixel. A suitable exposure quality function, typically reflecting the properties of the imaging device, is used for this purpose. Then, for each possible subset of images, the exposure quality maps for the images in the subset are combined using a max operation to generate a combined exposure quality map for the subset. An average pixel value of the combined exposure quality map of the subset is then calculated and serves as a quality score. The subset of images processing the highest quality score are used to generate the HDR image.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to high dynamic range (HDR) imaging, and in particular, it relates to selection of a subset from a set of images of different exposure levels for creating an HDR image.
2. Description of Related Art
High dynamic range (HDR) imaging is a technique used in image processing and digital photography to handle sources that have extremely large ranges of brightness (light intensity). For example, an outdoor scene in daylight may include blue sky and sunlit objects as well as objects in shadows; a night scene may include neon lights and brightly lit objects as well as poorly lit objects; an indoor scene may include bright windows as well as darker areas, etc. These scenes pose a challenge for imaging devices such as digital cameras; the dynamic range of the image sensor of currently available digital cameras often cannot adequately image such scenes. If the exposure level is adequate for capturing details of darker areas of the scene, the brighter areas will often be overexposed with details lost; conversely, if the exposure level is adequate for capturing details of brighter areas of the scene, the darker areas will often be underexposed with details lost.
HDR imaging techniques deal with this problem by taking multiple images of the same scene at various exposure levels, and then digitally merging the multiple images to create an HDR image that contains information from the original multiple images, so that details in both brighter and darker areas are adequately expressed in the HDR image. Methods for creating an HDR image from multiple images are generally known.
Bracketing is a technique in photography for taking multiple images of the same scene using different exposure levels or other different setting values such as focus, depth of field, etc. Some cameras can perform autobracketing, i.e., automatically changing the setting multiple times and take multiple images. Multiple images generated by exposure bracketing can be used to create HDR images.

Method of selecting a subset from an image set for generating high dynamic range image


Storage-stable pesticide compositions comprising azadirachtin or an azadirachtin derivative as the active ingredient and an epoxide as the stabilizing agent.

The present invention relates to storage-stable pesticide compositions and to methods for their preparation. In particular, the invention relates to storage-stable pesticide compositions containing azadirachtin as the active ingredient and an epoxide, preferably an epoxidized vegetable oil, as the stabilizing agent.
Extracts of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) and the chinaberry tree (Melia azedarach) have long been known to have insecticidal activity (Natural Pesticides from the Neem Tree, Proc. 1st Int'l Neem Conf. 1980, 129 (H. Schmutterer, et al. eds. 1981)); Natural Pesticides from the Neem Tree and Other Tropical Plants, Proc. 2nd Int'l Neem Conf. 1983 (H. Schmutterer and K. R. S. Asher eds. 1984); Natural Pesticides from the Neem Tree and Other Tropical Plants, Proc. 3rd Int'l Neem Conf. 1986 (H. Schmutterer and K. R. S. Asher eds. 1987)). The active ingredient of the neem and chinaberry extracts, azadirachtin, is a limonoid of the tetranortriterpenoid type. Azadirachtin has been shown to be a potent insect growth regulator and feeding deterrent (Yamasaki, R. B., et al. (1987) J. Agric. Food Chem. 35:467-471).
Azadirachtin is a large and complex molecule. Its molecular weight is 720, and it has a number of reactive functional groups (including ester, epoxide, and vinyl ether moieties) which render the compound unstable under a variety of conditions. Azadirachtin is reported to decompose in the presence of acids, bases and water. E. D. Morgan, "Strategy in the Isolation of Insect Control Substances from Plants," Natural Pesticides from the Neem Tree, Proc. 1st Int'l Neem Conf. 1989, 45 (H. Schmutterer, et al. eds. 1981); S. V. Ley, et al. (1989) Tetrahedron 45:2143; S. V. Ley, "Synthesis of Insect Antifeedants," Pesticide Sci. Biotechnol., Proc. Int'l Cong. Pestic. Chem. 6th, 25-35 (R. Greenhalgh and T. R. Roberts, eds., 1987); J. A. Klocke, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,149; Fessenden and Fessenden, Organic Chemistry, 2nd Ed., 297,628 (1982); Morrison and Boyd, Organic Chemistry, 3rd Ed., 564, 675-684 (1974); G. F. Woods, Jr. (1955) Org. Syn. 3:470; M. Shiraishi and S. Terao (1983) J. C. S. Perkin I, 1591; and T. W. Greene, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 21 (1981). In addition, J. B. Stokes and R. E. Redfern (1982) J. Environ. Sci. Health 17 (1):57-65, report rapid degradation of azadirachtin by heat and sunlight. K. Ermel, et al., Proc. 3rd Int'l Neem Conf. 1986, 171 (H. Schmutterer and K. R. S. Asher eds. 1987), report that azadirachtin rapidly decomposes in neem kernels stored at 60.degree. C. under humid, as compared to dry, conditions.
Chemical instability poses a serious impediment to the use of azadirachtin as a pesticidal agent. In short, the molecule tends to have a short shelf life in technical and formulated forms, as prepared by those skilled in the art. Short shelf life, in turn, poses problems for building and storing inventories, carrying product over from one year to the next, and guaranteeing product potency in the consumer's hands. To avert these problems, most chemical pesticide manufacturers require that their products have shelf lives of 2-3 years or more. Azadirachtin does not meet this criterion under most conditions. As such, means for improving the molecule's stability and, hence, its shelf life are of considerable commercial importance.
Storage-stable azadirachtin formulations and methods for preparing stable azadirachtin compositions have been proposed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,562 reports that the stability of azadirachtin in ethanol emulsions increases by diluting the concentration of azadirachtin to between 2000 and 4000 ppm and adjusting the pH to between 3.5 and 6.0. U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,146 discloses that azadirachtin stability is improved adjusting the concentration of polar aprotic solvent to at least 50% by volume and by decreasing water content to less than 15% by volume. Both of these prior art formulations were prepared to contain very low concentrations of azadirachtin (0.2-0.4% and 0.3% respectively). This fact places severe constraints on product composition, quality, utility, and consumer acceptance. Pesticides containing low concentrations of active ingredient must be applied at correspondingly high volumes in order for efficacy to be achieved. As such, high volumes of product must be manufactured, shipped, and stored. This factor adds to the costs incurred by manufacturers, distributors, and end users. Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,146 teaches that azadirachtin stability depends upon the type of solvent employed, and that stability requires storage in certain enumerated aprotic and alcohol solvents. This factor constrains the use of a broader range of formulation ingredients, many of which are desirable from perspectives of product cost, product performance, user safety, and environmental compatibility.
It is known in the art that various antioxidants, inhibitors and scavengers can stabilize pesticidal compounds against spontaneous decomposition. It is further known in the art that addition of an epoxide compound to N-aminosulfenylated derivatives of carbofuran (U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,014), organophosphate (U.S. Pat. No. 3,867,526) and chlorinated hydrocarbon (U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,102) pesticides increases their shelf life. In general, however, different classes of chemical compounds require different stabilizers because mechanisms of decomposition vary from one pesticide class to the next (U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,014). Selection of a stabilizer is therefore an empirical process.
Azadirachtin is a biologically derived natural product obtained as a complex mixture of compounds by extraction from the seeds of the neem tree. It does not contain N-aminosulfenylated carbofuran, organophosphate or chlorinated hydrocarbon type functional groups found in the synthetic compounds previously mentioned. Nevertheless, it has been unexpectedly found that the stability of azadirachtin in solution is enhanced by the presence of an epoxide, preferably an epoxidized vegetable oil. Use of such an additive improves the stability of pesticide compositions containing a wide range of concentrations (including high concentrations) of azadirachtin. It also permits formulation in a broader range of solvents and other adjuvants that contribute to product performance and safety.

Storage stable pesticide compositions comprising azadirachtin and epoxide


Processes and hydrocarbon processing apparatuses for preparing mono-olefins are provided. An exemplary process includes separating a hydrocarbon feed into a first fraction of carbon-containing compounds having less than or equal to 5 carbon atoms and a second fraction of compounds that have a lower vapor pressure than those in the first fraction. Dienes and/or acetylenes from the first fraction are selectively hydrogenated into corresponding mono-olefins. Paraffins from the first fraction are converted into corresponding mono-olefins. The converted mono-olefins are contact cooled with an impurity-containing liquid hydrocarbon stream, with the impurities in the impurity-containing liquid hydrocarbon stream having a lower vapor pressure than compounds in the first fraction. The dienes and/or acetylenes from the first fraction are selectively hydrogenated prior to converting the paraffins from the first fraction into mono-olefins and after separating the first fraction from the hydrocarbon feed.

Light mono-olefins, such as ethylene, propylene, and butylene, serve as feeds for the production of numerous chemicals including hydrocarbon-based polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like. Light mono-olefins are generally prepared from a hydrocarbon feed, which may be derived from petroleum or renewable feedstocks. Hydrocarbon feeds generally include a mixture of paraffins and other hydrocarbons such as dienes, acetylenes, and the like, as well as various impurities such as sulfur-, mercury-, arsenic-, nitrogen-, and/or oxygen-containing compounds.
Processes for preparing mono-olefins from hydrocarbon feed are well known in the art and generally involve a combination of separation steps and reaction steps to optimize yield of desired mono-olefins. In particular, processes for preparing mono-olefins generally involve separating the hydrocarbon feed in one or more fractionation columns, thereby separating fractions of higher vapor pressure from fractions of lower vapor pressure, with progressive fractions being separated, from those having higher vapor pressures to those having lower vapor pressures, in successive fractionation columns that operate in series. The separated fractions are then subject to cracking or dehydrogenation reactions, depending upon the content of the feed and particular process design, to yield mono-olefins. The cracking and dehydrogenation reactions also produce dienes and/or acetylenes which, if recycled back to the cracking or dehydrogenation reactions in a recycle stream, may result in deposition of coke upon conversion catalysts, such as dehydrogenation catalysts, used in the cracking and dehydrogenation reactions. Deposition of coke on the conversion catalysts used in the cracking and dehydrogenation reactions is undesirable and, therefore, the separated fractions are generally subject to a selective hydrogenation reaction to convert dienes and/or acetylenes from the separated fraction into corresponding mono-olefins after the cracking or dehydrogenation reactions.
After the separated fractions are subject to cracking or dehydrogenation reactions and selective hydrogenation, mono-olefins are then separated therefrom, with unreacted paraffins and other components recycled back to the fractionation columns. To separate the mono-olefins, the product stream to be separated must be in liquid form. However, the cracking and dehydrogenation reactions occur under harsh conditions, with the product stream generally in vapor form. As such, the product stream from the cracking or dehydrogenation reactions requires cooling and condensation prior to separation of the mono-olefins.
Various apparatuses and devices are known for cooling and condensing vaporized product streams from the cracking or dehydrogenation reactions. Air and water-cooled apparatuses are generally employed to cool the vaporized product streams prior to compressing the vaporized product streams in a compressor. Such air and water-cooled apparatuses generally exhibit a pressure drop of about 27.5 kilopascals (kPa) across the air and water-cooled apparatuses, thereby requiring the cracking or dehydrogenation reaction to occur at pressures of about 35.5 kPa to maintain flow of the vaporized product streams through the air and water-cooled apparatuses and into the compressor.
The vaporized product stream is then compressed to sufficiently high pressures (generally in the range of from 700 to 1400 kPa-g (100-200 psig)) to allow for cooling and condensation using air or water cooling after compressing. In order to minimize the energy associated with compression of the vaporized product stream, it is common to cool the vaporized product stream to about 38° C. using air or water cooled exchangers before entering the compressor. However, the associated pressure drop of the vaporized product stream through such air or water cooled exchangers, typically from 10 to 20 kPa, forces the cracking or dehydrogenation reaction to occur at higher pressures, which are not as favorable for the reactions. In particular, lower reaction pressures are generally desired for cracking and dehydrogenation reactions, with higher paraffin to olefin conversion obtainable due to favorable dehydrogenation equilibriums at lower pressures.
In an industrialized setting, it may be desirable to employ contact cooling to cool the vaporized product streams with a cool impurity-containing liquid hydrocarbon stream, such as a light cycle oil stream, after the cracking or dehydrogenation reactions due to ready availability of such cool impurity-containing liquid hydrocarbon streams. Contact cooling may be desirable due to low pressure drop of about 3.5 kPa that is generally attendant across the contact cooling apparatuses, thereby enabling the cracking and hydrogenation reactions to occur at lower pressures that enable maximized paraffin to olefin conversion to be attained. However, selective hydrogenation catalysts that include noble metals are sensitive to many impurities that are prevalent in the impurity-containing liquid hydrocarbon streams, such as light cycle oil, and may experience deactivation or reversible inhibition that requires catalyst recovery when exposed to such impurities. As such, contact cooling of the vaporized product streams using a cool liquid hydrocarbon stream is often unfeasible or requires non-traditional selective hydrogenation catalysts, which are free from noble metals, to be employed in the selective hydrogenation reaction.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide processes for preparing mono-olefins that enable contact cooling using an impurity-containing liquid hydrocarbon stream to be employed in conjunction with selective hydrogenation of dienes and/or acetylenes, even while employing selective hydrogenation catalysts that include noble metals. It is also desirable to provide apparatuses configured to support processes for preparing mono-olefins that include a selective hydrogenation stage and a contact cooling stage in which an impurity-containing liquid hydrocarbon stream can be employed in the contact cooling stage with minimal effect on selective hydrogenation catalysts, even when the selective hydrogenation catalysts including noble metals are employed. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.


An integrated artificial neuron device includes an input signal node, an output signal node and a reference supply node. An integrator circuit receives and integrates an input signal to produce an integrated signal. A generator circuit receives the integrated signal and, when the integrated signal exceeds a threshold, delivers the output signal. The integrator circuit includes a main capacitor coupled between the input signal node and the reference supply node. The generator circuit includes a main MOS transistor coupled between the input signal node and the output signal node. The main MOS transistor has a gate that is coupled to the output signal node, and a substrate that is mutually coupled to the gate.

A biological neuron comprises a plurality of parts, including: one or more dendrites that deliver(s) an electrical input signal; the body of the neuron or soma which accumulates the input signal in the form of a potential difference between the interior and the exterior of its membrane; and an axon configured to deliver an output signal or action potential when the voltage between the exterior and the interior of the membrane reaches a certain threshold. In a biological neuron, electrical leakages occur through the membrane if electrical equilibrium is not achieved between the interior and the exterior of the membrane.
An artificial neuron should mimic the biological neuron and thus be capable of receiving an input signal, integrating the input signal and, when the integrated signal reaches a threshold, emitting an output signal in the form of one or more voltage spikes.
In the field of networks of artificial neurons, the acronym LIF ('Leaky Integrate-and-Fire') denotes a simple behavioral model of the artificial neuron, in which the artificial neuron receives and accumulates an input signal until a threshold value is exceeded, beyond which threshold value the neuron emits an output signal.
This model takes into account, in particular, the electrical leakages of the neuron through the membrane of the neuron.
The neuron may either receive a series of successive current spikes until an output current spike is generated, or receive a continuous signal at the input and generate a train of current spikes at the output.
Solutions exist for the creation of artificial neurons in accordance with the LIF model including, for example, the use of several tens of transistors and at least one capacitor of large size, typically one hundred square micrometers.
Because of the large size of the capacitor, the reaction time of this type of circuit is of the order of one millisecond.
Moreover, applications in the field of artificial intelligence, such as, for example but without limitation, the simulation of brain activity, require the creation of networks including a very large number of artificial neurons, typically of the order of one billion. It would thus be very advantageous to use integrated circuits of reduced size.
Solutions exist that use neurons of more reduced sizes and that make it possible to achieve higher operating speeds, but these solutions require the implementation of specific manufacturing methods.


A filter arrangement may include a filter housing and a ring filter element arranged in the filter housing. The ring filter element may include an upper end plate, a lower end plate, and a filter material arranged therebetween. An axially projecting pin may be disposed on the lower end plate and may engage into a channel on a filter housing side. The filter arrangement may also include a tubular dome which may engage into an interior of the ring filter element. The tubular dome may have a guide contour. The guide contour may cooperate with a guide element arranged on the ring filter element and may have an axial groove. The guide contour may be configured as at least one of a circular ramp and a chamfered cannula. On the upper end plate, an axial stop may project into the interior of the ring filter element.

From EP 2 490 786 B1 a generic filter arrangement with a filter housing is known, in which a ring filter element is arranged. The ring filter element has here a pin projecting axially from a lower end plate, which pin, when the filter arrangement is mounted, engages into a channel on the filter housing side, in particular into an idling channel, and closes the latter. In addition, a tubular dome is provided which, when the filter arrangement is mounted, engages into an interior of the ring filter element. In order to be able to position the pin on the filter element side with respect to the channel on the filter housing side, in addition a guide contour is provided at a free end of the tubular dome, which cooperates with a guide element arranged on the ring filter element.
A disadvantage in the filter arrangement known from the prior art, however, is that an axial stop of the ring filter element in the filter housing takes place via the lower end plate on a component which is fixed to the filter housing, which, however, generally makes difficult the determining of tolerances between a filter housing cover, a filter housing bowl and the ring filter element arranged therein, because the filter material, for example a bellows, situated between the upper and the lower end plate, is included with its tolerances into the determining.


Relatively high speed methods for increasing the bulk density of coal particles, apparatus for increasing the bulk density of coal particles and methods for making metallurgical coke. Once such method includes depositing coal particles onto a charging plate external to a coking oven to provide an elongate bed of dry, uncompacted coal having an upper surface of the charging plate. The charging plate has side walls, and at least one movable end wall An impact pressure is applied to the upper surface of the bed of dry, uncompacted coal while degassing the coal to provide a dry, compacted coal bed having a bulk density ranging from about 960 to about 1200 kilograms per cubic meter.

Coke is a solid carbon fuel and carbon source used to melt and reduce iron ore in the production of steel. During an iron-making process, iron ore, coke, heated air and limestone or other fluxes are fed into a blast furnace. The heated air causes combustion of the coke that provides heat and a source of carbon for reducing iron oxides to iron. Limestone or other fluxes may be added to react with and remove the acidic impurities, called slag, from the molten iron. The limestone-impurities float to the top of the molten iron and are skimmed off.
In one process, known as the "Thompson Coking Process," coke used for refining metal ores, as described above, is produced by batch feeding pulverized coal to an oven that is sealed and heated to very high temperatures for 24 to 48 hours under closely controlled atmospheric conditions. Coking ovens have been used for many years to covert coal into metallurgical coke. During the coking process, finely crushed coal is heated under controlled temperature conditions to devolatilize the coal and form a fused mass having a predetermined porosity and strength. Because the production of coke is a batch process, multiple coke ovens are operated simultaneously, hereinafter referred to as a "coke oven battery".
At the end of the coking cycle, the finished coke is removed from the oven and quenched with water. The cooled coke may be screened and loaded onto rail cars or trucks for shipment or later use or moved directly to an iron melting furnace.
The melting and fusion process undergone by the coal particles during the heating process is the most important part of the coking process. The degree of melting and degree of assimilation of the coal particles into the molten mass determine the characteristics of the coke produced. In order to produce the strongest coke from a particular coal or coal blend, there is an optimum ratio of reactive to inert entities in the coal. The porosity and strength of the coke are important for the ore refining process and are determined by the coal source and/or method of coking.
Coal particles or a blend of coal particles are charged into hot ovens on a predetermined schedule, and the coal is heated for a predetermined period of time in the ovens in order to remove volatiles from the resulting coke. The coking process is highly dependent on the oven design, the type of coal and conversion temperature used. Ovens are adjusted during the coking process so that each charge of coal is coked out in approximately the same amount of time. Once the coal is coked out, the coke is removed from the oven and quenched with water to cool it below its ignition temperature. The quenching operation must also be carefully controlled so that the coke does not absorb too much moisture. Once it is quenched, the coke is screened and loaded into rail cars or trucks for shipment.
Because coal is fed into hot ovens, much of the coal feeding process is automated. In slot-type ovens, the coal is typically charged through slots or openings in the top of the ovens. Such ovens tend to be tall and narrow. More recently, horizontal non-recovery or heat recovery type coking ovens have been used to produce coke. Horizontal ovens are described for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,784,034 and 4,067,462 to Thompson. In the non-recovery or heat recovery type coking ovens, conveyors are used to convey the coal particles horizontally into the ovens to provide an elongate bed of coal having a height of about 101 centimeters, a length of about 13.7 meters, and a width of about 3.6 meters.
As the source of coal suitable for forming metallurgical coal has decreased, attempts have been made to blend weak or non-coking coals with coking coals to provide a suitable coal charge for the ovens. One attempt is to use compacted coal. The coal may be compacted before or after it is in the oven. While coal conveyors are suitable for charging ovens with particulate coal that is then partially compacted in the oven, such conveyors are generally not suitable for charging ovens with pre-compacted coal. Ideally, the coal should be compacted to greater than 50 pounds per cubic foot in order to enhance the usefulness of lower quality coal. It is well known that as the percentage of lower quality coal in a coal blend is increased, higher levels of coal compaction are required up to about 65 to 70 pounds per cubic foot
However, currently available processes are not suitable for providing a compacted coal charge that has a substantially uniform bulk density throughout the entire depth of an elongate coal charge bed. Such processes are also complicated and time consuming. There is a need therefor, for a method and apparatus for compacting coal and charging coking ovens with pre-compacted coal. There is also a need for an apparatus for minimizing the amount of time required to provide a substantially uniform bed of compacted coal for use in making metallurgical coke.
In accordance with the foregoing and other needs, the disclosure provides relatively high speed methods for increasing the bulk density of coal particles, apparatus for increasing the bulk density of coal particles and methods for making metallurgical coke. Once such method includes depositing coal particles onto a charging plate external to a coking oven to provide an elongate bed of dry, uncompacted coal having an upper surface of the charging plate. The charging plate has side walls, and at least one movable end wall. An impact pressure is applied to the upper surface of the bed of dry, uncompacted coal while degassing the coal to provide a dry, compacted coal bed having a bulk density ranging from about 960 to about 1200 kilograms per cubic meter.
In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure provides a coal compacting and coke oven charging apparatus. The apparatus has a coal bed transfer plate having side walls, at least one movable end wall, and a transfer plate translating mechanism for transporting compacted coal into the coke oven. A coal compaction device is provided to compact the coal. The coal compaction device has a pressure plate for applying pressure to an upper surface of a dry, uncompacted bed of coal deposited on the transfer plate. A vacuum source is used for degassing the uncompacted bed of coal during the compaction process to provide a dry, compacted coal bed having a bulk density ranging from about 960 to about 1200 kilograms per cubic meter.
In yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure provides a method for operating a horizontal non-recovery coke oven using a relatively low quality coal source. The method includes depositing coal particles on a transfer plate device to provide an uncompacted bed of coal. The transfer plate device has a translatable spatula, side walls and at least one movable end wall. A pressure is applied to an upper surface of the uncompacted coal bed while degassing the coal bed to provide a dry, compacted coal bed having a bulk density ranging from about 960 to about 1200 kilograms per cubic meter. The spatula containing compacted coal is translated into the coke oven and is removed from the coke oven while retaining the compacted coal in the coke oven. A coking process is then conducted on the compacted coal in the coke oven.
The method and apparatus described herein provide unique advantages for coking operations including providing coal with a relatively high bulk density in a relatively short period of time. Another advantage of the method and apparatus is that relatively simple mechanical devices may be used to compact the coal and transfer the compacted coal into the coke oven. A further advantage is that the resulting coal bed is substantially compacted throughout its depth to about the same uniform bulk density.

Method and apparatus for compacting coal for a coal coking process


The invention provides an electrophoresis cassette, methods for making the electrophoresis cassette, and method of fractionating analytes from a sample based upon electrophoretic mobility in a single application of the sample to an electrophoretic system.

Electrophoretic separation of DNA fragments is used for a number of purposes in molecular and clinical biology and medicine, including next generation DNA sequencing, medical diagnostics, forensic science and DNA computing.
Preparative gel electrophoresis of DNA has good resolution, adequate capacity and ease of use on a small scale. However, the manual process is both time and labor intensive. Critically, it is difficult to remove the desired DNA fraction from the gel. This removal process routinely entails excising a band or portion from the gel containing the DNA of interest and then extracting it by a variety of chemical and physical means including the use of enzymes, centrifugation, freezing and more. Importantly, these methods substantially reduce the amount of DNA harvested and dilute the resultant DNA into large volumes of fluid, therefore, requiring additional time and expense to re-concentrate it into a smaller, usable, aliquot. This problem is so significant to the field of molecular biology, in fact, that the removal of DNA from gels in small volumes of fluid has spawned a separate industry for making various types of kits, reagents and devices to accomplish the task. However, despite a demonstrated need and the efforts of skilled artisans, a solution has not yet been developed.

Multichannel preparative electrophoresis system


Provided is a method of establishing communication between a plurality of terminals by a first client terminal of the plurality of terminals, the method including: receiving an initiation signaling message comprising a communication initiation tag and a terminal list of terminals from a host terminal of the plurality of terminals; determining whether to establish communication with the host terminal, based on a communication state of the first client terminal; generating connection information indicating whether to establish communication with the host terminal; determining a second client terminal of the plurality of terminals as a next priority terminal based on the terminal list of terminals; and transmitting the connection information and a trigger signaling message comprising a communication extension tag to the second client terminal.

Methods and apparatuses consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to establishing communication between a plurality of terminals, and more particularly, to establishing full-mesh communication between a plurality of terminals.
Recent improvements in network and device performance has resulted in a changed communication culture. That is, terminals such as smartphones may provide various communication services in addition to a voice communication service, including a multipoint communication service.
Examples of a multipoint communication method include a server microcontroller-based communication method in which a server receives and mixes media content and transmits the same to participant devices, and a full-mesh communication method in which all clients connect a media session with other participants and media content is transmitted and received through channels of the participants. In the related art, because a client device has difficulty in processing a plurality of media due to restrictions of the client device, the server microcontroller-based communication method is used rather than the full-mesh communication method.

Method and apparatus for establishing communication between terminals


A burner has: a combustion plate part for ejecting air-fuel mixture; and a flame rod which lies opposite to a portion of the combustion plate part which has a picture-frame-like burner frame; a metal-fiber knit which covers an opening enclosed by the burner frame; and a distribution plate which has formed therein distribution holes and which sandwiches the metal-fiber knit between the burner frame and the distribution plate through the distribution holes and the metal-fiber knit. The flame rod has: a rod base part which lies opposite to a portion of opening peripheral part of the burner frame which is positioned on the same surface level as the opening; and a rod main body part which lies opposite to a portion of the metal-fiber knit. The distance between the rod base part and the opening peripheral part is made smaller than the distance between the rod main body part and the metal-fiber knit.

In this kind of burner, there is conventionally known one in which the combustion plate part is constituted by: a burner frame in the shape of a picture frame; a metal-fiber knit (i.e., a metal knit formed of a heat resistant metal fiber) which is disposed to cover an opening enclosed by the burner frame; and a distribution plate which has formed therein a multiplicity of distribution holes and which sandwiches the metal-fiber knit between the burner frame and the distribution plate. Air-fuel mixture is thus arranged to be ejected through the distribution holes and the metal-fiber knit (see, for example, JP-A-2014-9839). Further, the flame rod is disposed in a manner to lie opposite to a portion of the opening enclosed by the burner frame, i.e., to lie opposite to a portion of the metal-fiber knit.
When the flame rod gets heated as a result of exposure to the flame, components such as aluminum and the like contained in the constituent material of the rod will be precipitated on the surface and are oxidized, and will be coated by an oxidizing film such as aluminum oxide and the like. In this manner, thanks to the oxidizing film the heat-resisting property of the flame rod can be secured. Although the oxidizing film has insulating properties, the oxidizing film will give rise to cracks, during burner combustion, due to expansion by heating of the flame rod. As a result, ions in the flame will come into contact, through the cracks, with the base material of the flame rod, thereby causing flame current to flow. However, it takes some time for the oxidizing film to give rise to cracks after ignition, and therefore the flame detection cannot be made during that period of time.


A lift assembly includes four swing arms interconnecting a base member and lift platform. A hydraulic cylinder selectively elevates the lift platform relative to the base member. A stiff leg also extends between the base member and the lift platform and cooperates with a series of stop blocks for locking the lift platform at predetermined heights above the base member. A link is associated with the stiff leg to selectively support the stiff leg above the stop blocks and permit an operator to move the lift platform between the predetermined heights. The link automatically positions the stiff leg for engagement with the stop blocks if the direction of movement of the platform is altered.

This invention pertains to the art of lift assemblies and more particularly to lift assemblies for elevating automotive vehicles above the ground surface for servicing and repair.
The invention is particularly applicable to a four bar linkage lift assembly and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it will be appreciated that certain aspects of the invention have broader applications and may be advantageously employed in other environments and applications.
Prior lift devices oftentimes employ two pairs of swing arms interconnecting a base member and a lift platform. The swing arms are disposed on opposite sides of the base member and lift platform, and pivotally secured thereto. One or more hydraulic cylinders elevate the lift platform to selected heights above the base member to permit a mechanic to work on a vehicle raised by the platform. This arrangement is commonly known as a four bar linkage lift assembly.
Typically a stiff leg extends between the base member and lift platform to provide a back-up or safety locking arrangement should any problems arise with the hydraulic cylinder once the platform has been raised. One end of the stiff leg is pivotally secured to the lift platform while the opposite end is adapted for selective sliding movement along the base member. Raised stops or locking members are provided on the base member to cooperate with the stiff leg and prevent inadvertent descent of the lift member relative to the base member.
According to one lift device of this type, the lift platform is a generally rectangular member that is adapted to engage the vehicle at an area between the front and rear axles. For example, a series of rubber pads or "bricks" are positioned on the platform to define the points of contact with the underside of the vehicle. The higher, though, the platform is elevated, the longer the swing arms must be to provide this increased height. In turn, the rear wheels of certain vehicles will therefore have a tendency to impinge on the rear swing arms that extend axially beyond the platform. The problem with such an arrangement is that as the platform is raised, the vehicle may have a tendency to move or roll because of the contact between the rear wheels and the rear swing arms.
Shortening the axial length of the platform encounters the problem that the center of gravity of large wheel base vehicles could extend beyond the surface area of the platform if the operator is not careful in positioning the vehicle over the platform. Thus, there is a tradeoff between the size of the platform, the goal of raising the platform to a predetermined height, the length of the swing arms, and the ability to accommodate as many different size vehicles as possible.
Another characteristic of lift assemblies of this type is that preferably the two front swing arms are folded or stored beneath the lift platform when the platform is in a lowered or down position. This is useful from the standpoint that those swing arms are protected by the lift platform in a lowered position. On the other hand, the height of the lift assembly in its lowered position must be minimized so that it does not interfere with the undercarriage of an automotive vehicle that is driven over the lift assembly to prepare the vehicle for lifting. Minimizing the height, though, restricts the initial lifting ability of the hydraulic cylinder since it must operate through extremely small angles. Thus, a difficult tradeoff exists between the storage of the swing arms, the height requirements, and the lift capabilities of the design.
Another lift device of this general type uses an elongated member that fits laterally between the wheels of the vehicle. The member is sized to permit the wheels of an associated vehicle to straddle either side of the elongated member and the wheel base dimension between the front and rear wheels is not the limiting factor. Dimensional tradeoffs, though, exist with this type of lift device. Particularly, the elongated member is sensitive to the lateral dimension between the insides of the tires.
It is still desirable, though, to engage the underside of a vehicle at selected points with this type of lift device. That is, the undercarriage is not directly engaged but rather it has been deemed desirable to provide an adjustable frame engaging member so that different frame points on various vehicles can be universally accepted.
Another problem associated with lift assemblies of these types is associated with changing the elevated height of a vehicle. For example, if the vehicle is elevated approximately 30 inches above the ground surface and it is desired to lower the vehicle to an intermediate height, currently available lift assemblies require that the platform be completely lowered before it is elevated again to an intermediate height. Of course, this is cumbersome for the lift operator o mechanic to follow this process.
It has thus been deemed desirable to provide a lift assembly that overcomes these various problems and provides a suitable tradeoff between these seemingly incompatible requirements.


An information processing apparatus switches a clock to reduce power consumption of an information processing unit. In order to reduce an overhead time in switching, the information processing apparatus includes an interrupt controller for generating a clock switch signal by accepting an interrupt to each information processing unit and a clock switch circuit for switching the clock to be supplied to the information processing unit. Using a hardware interrupt signal to switch the clock to be supplied to circuits, the circuit clock can be switched real time, and reduction of the power consumption can be achieved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to information processing apparatus which switches an operation clock depending on necessity to reduce power consumption, and a media storage apparatus using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the development of data processing technology in recent years, use of peripheral apparatuses, such as magnetic disk apparatuses, each having a processor that is operated by a firmware program, has increased. In a so-called information processing apparatus operated by such a processor, each individual circuit operates in synchronization by receiving a clock.
As high-speed information processing apparatuses have been required in recent years, in particular, processors, operating at high speeds using fast clocks are coming into use, as well as peripheral circuits connected to the processors. Such a fast clock is accompanied with an increase of power consumption and heat quantity. Meanwhile, when the information processing apparatus is operated with an external power supply, such as a battery, etc., reduction of power consumption is required in the information processing apparatus.
As a method for realizing both high speed and low power consumption in the information processing apparatus, it is effective to employ such a method that, when there is no request for processing during operation of the information processing apparatus, the clock supply is either switched to a low-speed clock, or suspended; and when the request for processing arises, the clock is restored to a high-speed clock, or the clock supply is restarted.
Conventionally, the above-mentioned clock switch operation has been performed in such a way that, when the processor supplied with the low-speed clock receives an interrupt request, the request is recognized by firmware processing (interrupt processing), and a clock mode register is set to a high-speed mode. Thus, a clock gate is switched, and thereby high-speed clock is supplied, as an example, in the Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. Hei-8-087818.
According to the conventional method of switching the clock by the firmware, clock switching can be performed as a part of firmware interrupt processing, and accordingly, no extra hardware is needed. On the other hand, a problem of an overhead time arises when switching the clock.
Namely, upon receipt of the interrupt request, the processor interprets the request by firmware, performs clock switching processing as a part of the interrupt processing, sets the clock mode in the register, and finally switches the clock. Thus, considerable time is needed to complete the switching.
Therefore, the switching processed by firmware requires a certain time period. Furthermore, since the above operation is performed while the processor is running with a low-speed clock, the processing itself is performed at low speed, and it takes time to handle the interrupt request before the inherent interrupt processing is performed with a high-speed clock. As a result, time responsibility against the interrupt request becomes degraded, caused by the clock switching performed in a low power consumption state. This impedes the merit of switching over to the high-speed clock.

Information processing apparatus and media storage apparatus using the same


A drive system for a movable crossover box includes a pair of pulleys located at the rearward side ends of the truck body; a pair of pulleys mounted at each of the upper front corners of the truck body, with a continuous strand of cable threaded around the pulleys so as to create an upper strand portion and a lower strand portion. A drive winch is operatively secured to the cable and is adapted to rotate in opposite directions at the selection of the operator so as to move the cable in one direction or the other. The crossover box is mounted for longitudinal movement on the upper portion of the truck body, and the box is affixed to one strand portion of the cable whereupon the box can be moved longitudinally forwardly or rearwardly on the truck body depending on the direction that the winch moves the cable.

This invention relates to a drive system for a movable crossover box for pickup trucks and the like which is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,647. While the crossover box of the ""647 patent can be moved manually, and locked in various positions, the manual movement of the box is sometimes difficult by reason of the box being loaded very heavily.
It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide a drive system for a movable crossover box that is electrically powered and which is economical of manufacture, and convenient to use.
A drive system for a movable crossover box includes a pair of pulleys located at the rearward side ends of the truck body; a pair of pulleys mounted at each of the upper front corners of the truck body, with a continuous strand of cable threaded around the pulleys so as to create an upper strand portion and a lower strand portion. A drive winch is operatively secured to the cable and is adapted to rotate in opposite directions at the selection of the operator so as to move the cable in one direction or the other. The crossover box is mounted for longitudinal movement on the upper portion of the truck body in accordance with the ""647 patent, and the box is affixed to one strand portion of the cable whereupon the box can be moved longitudinally forwardly or rearwardly on the truck body depending on the direction that the winch moves the cable.
The forwardly pairs of pulleys are laterally adjustable so as to accommodate truck bodies of different widths.

Drive system for a movable crossover box


Methods and apparatus to identify layer boundaries in subterranean formations are described. An example method of identifying a layer boundary of a subterranean formation includes transmitting an acoustic signal from a transmitter into a borehole of the subterranean formation and receiving the acoustic signal at a receiver coupled to the downhole tool and spaced from the transmitter. Additionally, the example method includes logging an energy value associated with the acoustic signal received by the receiver as the downhole tool is moved in the borehole and identifying a change in the logged energy value associated with an impedance change in the subterranean formation to identify the layer boundary.

During sampling and/or drilling operations, sonic measurements may be obtained using a wireline tool to radially image the formation, for example. The radial imaging may be used to obtain a better understanding of the formation. However, in some instances, the radial imaging may be improperly interpreted because portions of the formation are inaccurately identified.


Altered IGFBPs are able to bind IGF, but the release is inhibited by resistance to protease cleavage and/or reduced binding to extracellular matrix (ECM). Alterations have been made in IGFBP-2 to the linker domain in particular and to two amino acid motifs found to be important for ECM binding. IGF-1 mediated proliferation of cancer cells have been inhibited by use of the altered IGFBPs.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) are small, highly-related proteins (˜7.5 kilodaltons) which mediate anabolic, mitogenic and anti-apoptotic activities in a wide variety of cell types. These actions result from IGF interaction with and subsequent activation of the type 1 IGF receptor (IGF1R) (Sepp-Lorenzino, (1998), Baserga, 1999). A second unrelated receptor (the type 2 IGF receptor or IGF2R) has the major function of regulation of IGF-II levels by internalisation and degradation (Wang et al., 1994) and current evidence suggests that the IGF2R acts as a tumour suppressor of IGF-II-dependent tumours (Braulke, 1999).
IGFs are produced by the liver, providing circulating IGF, and are also secreted locally in most tissues. A family of 6 high-affinity IGF binding proteins (IGFBP-1 to -6) act to increase the half-life of IGFs in circulation (predominantly as the IGFBP-3·ALS·IGF complex) and also to transport IGFs to target tissues. Within target tissues IGFBPs can either enhance or inhibit IGF action. IGFBPs can inhibit the interaction of IGF by blocking binding to the IGF1R. However, under certain circumstances IGFBPs can release IGF, thereby making IGF available for binding to the IGF1R. This results in an enhancing effect on IGF action. Release mechanisms include 1) proteolysis of the IGFBPs and 2) IGFBP binding to the extracellular matrix (ECM), both of which lower their affinity for IGF. Extracellular matrix binding is also believed to assist the localisation of IGF close to the cell surface and therefore near IGF1Rs. The outcome of IGFBP action is controlled by a balance between local proteolytic activity and the binding of IGFBPs to the ECM.
Substantial evidence (in vivo and in vitro) implicates insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) in cancer. Many tumour cells (including prostate and breast) secrete more IGF-II and IGFBP-2 than their normal counterparts and their serum levels commonly rise as cancers progress (Cohen et al., (1994); Thrasher et al.,(1996); Ho et al., (1997); Chan et al., 1998). IGF secreted by tumour cells binds to the Type 1 IGF receptor potentiating tumourigenesis and metastasis (DiGiovanni et al., 2000).
The proteolysis of IGFBP-2 has been detected under a number of normal and abnormal physiological conditions. For example, IGFBP-2 fragments have been detected in human milk and cleavage occurred predominantly in the linker region between the N- and C-domains and including sites at residues 168 and 180/181 of hIGFBP-2 (Ho and Baxter, 1997; Elminger et al., 1999). Proteolysed IGFBP-2 is also found in serum during pregnancy. IGFBP-2 is also cleaved by proteases produced by cancer cells (Michell et al., 1997). The specific cancer cell proteases have not been well characterised although Cathepsin D produced in vitro by prostate epithelial cells has been shown to degrade IGFBP-2 (Kanety et al., 1993; Nunn et al., 1997). Preferential proteolysis of IGFBP-2 has been demonstrated in colonic cancers (Michell et al., 1997) and neuroblastoma cells (Menouny et al., 1997). Specific cleavage sites have not been described for proteolytic products generated by cancer proteases.
Protease cleavage sites have been identified in the IGFBP-3, -4 and -5 sequences. Proteolysis is generally within the linker regions of these proteins although it can be in the C-domain. Protease resistant IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5 (Imai et al., 1997) have been generated by mutating specific residues at cleavage sites or by deletion of some linker region residues (deletion of 121-141 of IGFBP-4 rendered it resistant to a protease in pregnancy serum (Byun et al., 2000).
IGFBP-2 binds to human fibroblast extracellular membrane preparations (Arai et al., 1996) and glycosaminoglycans (Russo et al 1997, Arai et al., 1996). There are 2 potential matrix binding sites within the IGFBP-2 sequence. Current evidence suggests that the basic region of hIGFBP-2 (residues 227-244), corresponding to residues 201-218 of hIGFBP-5, may act as a site for matrix binding (Arai et al., 1996). Using a synthetic peptide based on residues 201-218 of hIGFBP-5 (residues known to be important for matrix binding) Arai et al., 1996, inhibited IGFBP-2 binding to heparin-Sepharose. Hodgkinson et al., (1994) predicted a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) binding site in IGFBP-2 based on a short GAG-binding consensus sequence described by Cardin and Weintraub (1989). This XBBXBX (B=basic, X=undefined) motif at residues 179-184 of hIGFBP-2 lies in the central domain. There is no published evidence that this motif plays a role in GAG binding.
For the purposes of this specification the word "comprising" means "including but not limited to", and the word "comprises" has a corresponding meaning. Also a reference within this specification to a document is not to be taken as an admission that the disclosure therein constitutes common general knowledge in Australia.

Altered insulin-like growth factor binding proteins