An extensible cord lead comprising a casing (11) containing a winding wheel (13) equipped with housings (15) intercepted by a pushbutton (16) to allow the partial or total blocking of the cord, the pushbutton (16) being equipped with a forward position blocking device consisting of a cursor (20) which slides or rotates in a transverse direction with respect to the axis of the pushbutton (16) in which it is inserted, said cursor (20) being activated by a thumb-turn (21) located on the head of the pushbutton (16), said cursor (20) being able to move from a blocked position to free sliding of the pushbutton, entering and exiting transversally to the sliding axis of the pushbutton (16), in a housing (22) in the box-like casing (11) of the winding device.

Pets that need to be walked are usually accompanied using leads equipped with a grip to be held by the user and a coupling element, generally the spring-clip type, which is attached to the pet's collar.
Some types of background art leads also foresee the use of a wind-up type cord which can be extended to allow sudden movements by the animal and also to give the pet greater freedom with a wider range of movement.
Winding devices for leads normally consist of a box-like body, provided with an anatomical grip, inside which is a wheel which can wind up the cord. The end of the cord or tape protrudes through an appropriate opening and is equipped with a spring clip which is attached to the pet's collar.
The tape which protrudes from the casing is short, that is to say the length of a normal lead, while the extensible cord attached to the tape can extend for several metres when unwound, then rewinding automatically by intervention of an internal steel mechanism.
The retractable tape can easily be blocked by means of the temporary block or fixed block, by slightly pressing the pushbutton which acts as a stop element or brake of the winding device.
There are numerous different means currently in use which block the winding device partially or completely.
For temporary blocking it is sufficient to press the pushbutton, so that the brake blocks the winding device for as long as the pushbutton is held down, preventing the pet from moving away.
In some cases, in addition to the temporary block pushbutton, useful for example when the dog should walk in step with the user, there is also a safety pushbutton which blocks the lead even when the temporary pushbutton is released, allowing the lead to remain at a fixed length.
The safety pushbutton on traditional lead winding devices presents a series of problems, however, making it difficult to use since it is usually positioned beside the temporary pushbutton. It also involves construction problems due to the presence of auxiliary mechanical components alongside the main mechanical device.

Lead equipped with means for blocking the extensible cord


An apparatus and method for encoding/decoding a speech signal which determines a variable bit rate based on reserved bits obtained from a target bit rate, is provided. The variable bit rate is determined based on a source feature of the speech signal and the reserved bits is obtained based on the target bit rate. The apparatus for encoding the speech signal may include a linear predictive (LP) analysis unit/quantization unit to determine an immittance spectral frequencies (ISF) index, a closed loop pitch search unit, a fixed codebook search unit, a gain vector quantization (VQ) unit to determine a gain vector quantization (VQ) index, and a bit rate control unit to control at least two indexes of the ISF index, the pitch index, the code index, and the gain VQ index to be encoded to be variable bit rates based on a source feature of a speech signal and the reserved bits.

1. Field
One or more embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for encoding/decoding a speech signal, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for improving a sound quality of a speech signal by encoding and decoding the speech signal based on a variable bit rate.
2. Description of the Related Art
Speech transmission using digital technologies is widespread and such a trend is more noticeable in long distance and digital wireless telephone applications. Consequently, there have been increased interests in determining the minimum amount of information that would need to be transmitted via a channel while maintaining sufficient quality for speech restoration. When speech is transmitted using simple sampling and digitizing, a data transmission rate of 64 kbps is required for speech quality matching that of a conventional analog telephone. However, even with adequate coding and a speech analysis after restoration in a transmission unit and a receiving unit, there may be significant reduction in a data transmission rate.
Accordingly, there have been attempts to overcome these drawbacks by the use of speech coders that utilize speech compression techniques based on extracting parameters related to a modeling of human speech generation, i.e., rather than a straight sampling and digitalizing of a speech signal. Such speech coders divide input speech signals into time blocks or analytic frames. In general, speech coders include an encoder and a decoder. The encoder analyzes input speech frames by extracting such specific related parameters, and performs quantization so that the input speech frames may be expressed in binary such as sets of bits or binary packets, for example. The data packets are transmitted to receiving units or decoders using the communication channel. The decoder processes the data packets, and performs a quantization for the data packets to generate the parameters, and restores speech frames using the generated parameters.
One such speech coder is the Code Excited Linear Predictive (CELP) coder, cited as a reference in L. B. Rabiner & R. W. Schafer "Digital processing of the speech signals 396-453 (1978)". In the CELP coder, short term relations or redundancies in the speech signals are removed by linear predictive (LP) analysis which looks for the short term Formant filter coefficients. By applying the short term predictive filters to input speech frames, LP remaining signals are generated, and these signals are further modeled, and quantized into statistic codebooks in which they are with the long term predictive filter parameters.
Consequently, CELP coding separates an encoding task for a speech waveform of a time domain into an encoding of the short term filter coefficient and an encoding of the LP remaining signals.
CELP coding may be performed at a fixed rate (for example, identical bits per frame). However, it may not be efficient as identical bits are allocated in both cases of when a larger number of bits would be required due to existence of speech signals, compared to when a smaller number of bits would be required due to non-existence of speech signals such as with silence.
Also, CELP coding may be operated at variable rates (different frame rates applied to different types of frame contents). A variable bit rate coder performs encoding of bits required at a level adequate for codec parameters to achieve a target quality. However, the coding methods based on the variable bit rates which are presently used only select a bit rate appropriate for circumstances from among several bit rates, and thus there is a limit in applicable bit rates.

Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding speech signal


A draw extending archery system enables a user to draw a draw string multiple times to store energy. Embodiments of the system include a transmission that operatively engages the draw string and a flexible limb. From an initial rest position, the user initiates a charging stroke on the draw string. During a first charging stroke, the transmission engages to store energy during the draw. At the end of the charging stroke, the transmission engages to prevent release of stored energy. The transmission also disengages the draw string to enable a subsequent charging stroke from an intermediate rest position. From a final rest position, the user initiates a firing stroke on the draw string. At the end of the firing stroke, the transmission couples the draw string and the flexible limb to release stored energy through the draw string.

1. Field of Art
The disclosure generally relates to the field of archery and more specifically to a system for storing energy through multiple draw strokes.
2. Background Information
Ever since the bow and arrow first appeared in the late Paleolithic period, man has sought to improve its performance. Relatively speaking, however, operation of the modern bow is similar to that of historic specimens found in Holmegaard, Denmark, dating back over 8,000 years. The historical bow itself evolved into various forms such as the recurve bow, composite bow and other designs as makers sought to improve efficiency, arrow speed, accuracy and other performance characteristics. Historical development of the bow reached its peak in both complexity and power in the form of the crossbow, which was phased out in favor of firearms.
In recent times, however, the bow has made a comeback as a tool for hunters and hobbyists seeking a traditional experience. The 1960's saw a revolution in bow technology with the advent of the compound system for bows and crossbows, or simply "compound bow". The compound bow increases accuracy and mechanical efficiency over historical designs. Following conception of the compound bow, a number of different designs involving a single draw of the draw string for every shot have been developed and commercialized. Though an improvement over historical designs, the single draw compound bow has its own limits.
Generally, as the energy stored in a bow is equal to the force of the draw multiplied by the distance of the draw, energy output is limited by user capability. For example, draw force is limited by the strength of the user and draw distance is limited by the reach of the user, both of which have upper limits. Some attempts have been made to design a bow that will shoot arrows faster than a standard compound bow, but nearly all involve a power assist.


A reframe circuit in a synchronous multiplexing device comprising a frame synchronizing pattern detection circuit, a frame pattern bit error detection circuit responsive to a serial data stream from the frame synchronizing pattern detection circuit, an in-frame/out-of-frame state discrimination circuit responsive to the output signal from the frame pattern bit error detection circuit and the output signal from the synchronizing pattern detection circuit, a counter phase synchronizing circuit responsive to the output signal from the in-frame/out-of-frame state discrimination circuit, the output signal from the frame synchronization pattern detection circuit and a reference phase signal, and a counter and timing generation circuit responsive to the operating mode control signal from the counter phase synchronizing circuit.

The present invention relates to a reframe circuit in a synchronous multiplexing device and more particularly, to a reframe circuit which maintains in the in-frame state for a long period of time even though the error rate on a transmission line is high, and minimizes the time required to detect an out-of-frame state for regaining the in-frame state in the out-of-frame state, resulting in minimization of information loss of received, multiplexed data streams.
In a digitalized telephone and data transmission network, frame synchronization performance of multiplexing device including a switching system and a transmission system which construct the network is an important parameter on which data transmission quality depends. Frame synchronization performance of the sychronous multiplexing device mainly depends on the performance of the reframe circuit and the synchronization performance of the reframe circuit depends on data transmission rates, a frame repetition period, overheads for frame synchronization, line conditions, etc. Accordingly, any common reframe circuit providing frame synchronization performance satisfyingly to all the multiplexing devices has not yet been developed.

Reframe circuit in a synchronous multiplexing device

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


An apparatus for towing cargo behind a watercraft that includes a floating assembly for towing behind the watercraft and comprising a frame and at least one floatation device mounted on the frame. The apparatus further includes a linking assembly mounted on the floating assembly for linking the floating assembly to the watercraft. The linking assembly comprises a pair of longitudinal linking elements, with each of the linking elements having a forward end and a rear end. The rearward end of each of the linking elements is mounted on the floating assembly and extends forwardly from the floating assembly for mounting on the watercraft.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to watercraft and more particularly pertains to a new pontoon float towable behind a watercraft for increasing the amount of supplies and other items that may be transported when operating the watercraft.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Watercraft, especially relatively small watercraft such as kayaks, are a popular means of recreation for outdoors people. The relatively small size of these craft make them easy to paddle and maneuver by a single person. However, while there is typically some provision on these small craft for carrying provisions, the small size of the craft significantly limits the amount of such provisions that may be carried, and overloading the craft can make the craft unstable and more difficult to maneuver. While this limitation may not affect a day-long trip using the watercraft, it can limit the user's ability to take journeys of longer duration into wilderness, such as overnight or over a number of days, as the greater quantity of provisions required cannot be safely carried by the water craft. The user is thus face with the dilemma of taking only shorter trips that do not require a significant amount of pack and food, or use a larger craft that is able to carry the provisions but is less easily paddled and maneuvered than the small craft.
It is therefore believed that there exists a need for a solution to this problem that does not require the user to obtain a larger craft for occasional longer excursions, but does allow for the carrying of larger amounts of provisions on those occasions that this capability is needed.

Pontoon float towable behind a watercraft


A receptacle for packaging particulate ice and for selectively storing and cooling consumables including a box type receptacle with an extendable upper portion consisting of folded cardboard flaps. The upper portion of which includes expanding top flaps which fold to form a top seal through the use of frictional engagement offset notches. The upper portion of the structure is provided with circular access areas through which drinks may be inserted while being consumed.

This invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for packaging ice or other commodities and for storing articles to be kept cool. More specifically, this invention relates to an expandable package which can be used both to market granulated ice or other commodities as well as to be used as a portable ice chest.
In order to accommodate the various outdoor activities enjoyed by people today, it has long been known to utilize various portable ice receptacles to keep food and drinks cool while away from sources of power and refrigeration. These so-called ice chests have taken on various forms. The earliest form of ice chest was a double walled metal container with the space between the walls filled with some type of insulation. Such ice chests, or ice boxes as they were known, were prevalent throughout the early part of the century and were used to a fair extent. Unfortunately, these presented problems of both weight and bulkiness in use and led to later developments.
Subsequently, the advent of the plastics age brought with it the development of the insulated plastic ice chest. While the weight required to provide refrigerated goods and ice with a significant degree of insulation was significantly reduced, these plastic ice chests remained bulky and relatively difficult to store and produce for use when needed.
Users of portable ice receptacles have always been faced with the problem of transporting bulky ice chests when embarking on long outings, only to be again faced with the problem of retrieving the receptacle for storage after use. In order to overcome these difficulties, several solutions have been proposed. Relatively light ice chests made out of styrofoam or similar materials have found fair acceptance among the consuming public. Unfortunately, such containers while reducing the weight of such devices considerably have retained the disadvantages of being bulky and difficult to store and produce for use when needed. These devices have the added disadvantage of being very brittle and susceptible to breakage and leakage when in use.
In order to more fully address these problems, some have proposed solutions incorporating lightweight designs. One of the earliest was a five-walled jacket type container, the walls of which were independent flaps and would simply fold up around objects to be kept cool. This design was not waterproof and met with limited acceptance. A more modern concept has employed a composite layer design consisting of plastic and nylon layers in a soft sided, box-type construction. Still others have proposed a design employing an inflatable plastic envelope into which articles to be kept cool are inserted.
Perhaps the most basic cooler has employed a simple insulated bag into which both ice and objects to be kept cold are inserted. While such a device is convenient, it lacks any structural integrity and is prone to leakage and rupture.
Like those who proposed solutions in the portable ice chest art, those seeking to provide designs for the packaging and marketing of ice have similarly failed to appreciate the advantages set forth in the present invention. The most widely used package for marketing ice is a clear plastic bag. Such packaging is satisfactory provided the ice sold is transported only a short distance from factory to retail outlet and is displayed for sale in a relatively protected environment. Consumers are quite familiar with the hazards of handling such bags of ice without a great amount of care. The thin plastic used in such bags tears easily even under normal handling. Spillage, leakage, and general contamination of the ice occurs upon rupture of the plastic package.
Ice as it is presently sold must be displayed for sale in refrigerated containers in which the ice to be sold cannot be stacked more than a few feet deep. The fragile nature of the bags in which the ice is marketed requires retailers to insure that the ice is not stacked beyond this relatively low level. In addition, the irregular shape of the cylindrical bags of ice make stacking and shipping a difficult and unstable task.
The above noted designs fail to accommodate several of the principle difficulties encountered with the use of portable ice chests and traditional ice packages. The difficulties enumerated in the proceeding are not intended to be exhaustive but rather illustrative among many which may tend to reduce the effectiveness and ease of use of such portable cooling devices and ice packaging methods. Other noteworthy problems may also exist; however, those presented above should be sufficient to demonstrate that the portable ice chest designs appearing will admit to worthwhile improvement.

Combination ice package and expandable cooler


An imaging module includes a front case which is configured to mount a lens unit on a subject side, a rear case which is mounted to the front case and configured to seal an imaging substrate in an interior space between the rear case and the front case, and a bracket mounted to the rear case. The rear case is mounted to the front case with first screws which is screwed into screw fastening holes and first screw fastening through-holes, and the bracket is mounted to the rear case with second screws, which are screwed into the first screw fastening through-holes and second screw fastening through-holes and have a diameter larger than that of the first screws.

A conventional imaging module having a bracket for mounting to an automobile or the like has, for example, the following construction.
Specifically, the imaging module comprises a front case which is configured to mount a lens unit on a subject side thereof and is configured to install an imaging substrate, mounting an imaging device thereon, at a position on a side opposite to the subject side with the imaging device facing the lens unit, a rear case which is mounted to the front case and configured to seal the imaging substrate in an interior space between the rear case and the front case, and a bracket mounted to the rear case.
In the conventional imaging module constructed as described above, the front case and the rear case are mounted to each other with first screws, and further, the rear case and the bracket are mounted to each other with second screws. And, the first screws and the second screws are respectively screwed into separate screw-fastening portions.


A method for online marketing provides that one or more processors receive content from an online social media site that is a review of a product of a product type. One or more processors determine a reviewer of the content that generates at least one positive review associated with the product of the product type and determines a reputation score of the reviewer based, at least in part, on the quantity of positive reviews and response data associated with the positive reviews, and one or more processors determine whether the reputation score of the reviewer of the at least one positive product review meets a predetermined threshold condition.

The present invention relates generally to the field of online marketing, and more particularly to a method of marketing by selection of positive social networking reviewers.
Retail businesses often create online marketing campaigns to target existing and potential customers based on tracking of their expressed interests, by search history and/or previous purchases. Additionally, online marketing may also target customers that have made a purchase, or are in the process of making a purchase, by presenting additional products based on additional searches and purchases other customers have made that have purchased the same product
Being able to focus marketing efforts on target audiences with a higher propensity of purchasing a particular product or type of product, can improve sales and reduce marketing and advertising costs.

Cognitive marketing based on social networking of positive reviewers

International Business Machines Corporation


The invention relates to a programmable radio having an internal packet network for communicating between the functional modules of the radio. Modules may have a network controller, a network connector, memory for storing the instructions and processors to execute the instructions to implement the functional aspects of the radio, such as signal reception and conversion, internal data routing and output signal transmission. The network may be configured as a bus, a daisy chain or a central hub, and may be implemented using twisted pair, cable, fiber, or a wireless link. The network itself may use standard network protocols applicable to Ethernets, asynchronous transfer mode networks, token ring networks, resilient packet ring networks, or other similar “internet” networks.

In recent years, there has been extensive activity towards producing devices that are termed programmable, modular radios, or software defined radios. The term Software Defined Radio (SDR) is used to describe radios that provide software control of a variety of modulation techniques, wide-band or narrow-band operation, communications security functions (such as hopping), and waveform requirements of current and evolving standards over a broad frequency range. For a transmitter, this means that waveforms are generated as sampled digital signals, converted from digital to analog via a wideband Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), and then upconverted, possibly through an Intermediate Frequency (IF) to Radio Frequency (RF). Similarly, a receiver employs a wideband Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) that captures all of the channels of the software radio node. The receiver then extracts, downconverts, and demodulates the waveform digitally. Software radios employ a combination of techniques that include multi-band antennas and RF conversion, wide-band digital-to-analog, IF, and analog-to-digital conversion, base-band and digital signal processing functions. The fundamental idea is that an SDR has one or more Central Processing Units (CPU's) and the SDR provides much of its functionality through software running on the CPU's. As an example, one set of programs may implement FM voice waveforms, another may implement Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) cell phone waveforms, etc. Thus, one standardized radio may be very quickly reprogrammed from one such application to another by installing a new set of software on that radio's hardware.
The SDR architectures that are currently being defined are highly generic and may typically employ a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) backplane to join the various hardware components. Specific implementations, by contrast, typically use specialized protocols for communication between sub-components within a given radio device. One well-known example employing a PCI backplane is the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) 2C radio. Communication between software entities is accomplished by a specialized set of messages defined in the Software Communications Architecture (SCA) which employs its own unique set of messages, layered atop Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), layered atop a specialized way to communicate across a PCI bus.
The JTRS architecture is illustrative of current SDR architectures having features which may exemplify a large group of prior art SDR devices. The SDR may include a series of integrated circuits, each of which may have one or more Central Processing Units (CPU's) and which implement the various functions of the SDR through software running on the CPU's. For example, an RF module may include multi-band antennas and RF conversion, wide-band digital-to-analog, IF, and analog-to-digital conversion, base-band and digital signal processing functions. A modem module may include processing similar to the RF module for signals received via a modem connection, which may be one or more of many well known connection types, such as twisted pair, cable, or wireless connections. A system control module may provide routing between the various modules, may include system security procedures and, in general may provide functional control for the SDR. The modules may be connected by a Peripheral Component Interface (PCI) bus. Thus, the architecture may employ an organization akin to a personal computer. That is, the modules may be implemented as hardware cards containing processors, memory, etc., and the critical system interconnects may be implemented via the PCI bus. In addition to processing connectivity, the PCI may also provide power to the modules.
For the military JTRS implementation, the SDR may further include an infosec module, which may provide an internal link between non-secure and secure communications and may include encryption/decryption software. The secure communications portion of the SDR may include a secure network module, a secure system control module and a secure Human Computer Interface (HCI) module. The secure network module may include processing requirements specifically implemented for secure and/or encrypted information, while the secure system control module may have a functionality similar to the non-secure control module. The HCI module may provide necessary processing, such as a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), so as to transmit secure information to a user, as through a speaker. The secure communications portion may also include a secure PCI bus, which may correspond to the non-secure PCI bus. Commercial implementation of the JTRS SDR may include only the non-secure modules as the non-secure control module may provide adequate communications security for normal operations. Depending on the functionality of the other modules, a commercial implementation may also include an HCI module.
With such SDR's, however, the customized software may impede connectivity amongst components. As these sets of protocols have been especially designed for SDR's, their have taken considerable time and effort. Indeed, for some sets of protocols, design and implementation tasks still remain.


The present method and system provides for interacting with a display device including accessing an external content database having images stored therein, and storing a plurality of the images to a local memory device associated with the display device. The method and system includes displaying a user interface screen on the output display of the display device and detecting, via at least one of a plurality environmental sensors, a user gesture external to the display device, the user gesture engaging in a commercial transaction relating to the display of at least one of the plurality of images on the output display. The method and system includes accessing a financial services processing system, verifying user acknowledgement of the commercial transaction, and updating the output display based on the interface command.

Existing technology provides for digital picture frames looping electronic images. These digital picture frames include a small microprocessor with limited processing technology and a memory device. The microprocessor includes functionality for advancing and transitioning between images.
Advancements in the digital picture frame technology include improvements in loading images into the local memory. For example, current techniques allow for wireless connectivity, such as a Bluetooth connection, for the uploading of images. In another embodiment, the connectivity may allow for the streaming of content onto the screen using an active network connection.
Where a digital picture frame is a smaller screen, a flat screen television is more commonly available. Flat screen televisions, when idle, can serve as an electronic canvas such as using screensaver technology.
The growth of smart television technology further enhances the ability to stream and provide content to an idle television screen. This technology may be embedded within processing technology of the television itself or can be enhanced or supplemented by a connected device. Where a smart television includes functionality for wireless connectivity to the Internet, this allows for a user to access Internet-based content for display on the screen.
Similarly, connected technology allows for the importation of content for display on the screen. One example is an AppleTV® available from Apple, Inc. of Cupertino Calif. This product connects via a USB connection and receives content via either a local computer or direct connection to the Internet. Via the USB-connected device, the user can load content onto the screen.
Existing technology suffers from a disconnect between environmental factors/conditions and output content. The output on an electronic screen is predicated on the user's select engagement of content. Thus, existing display technology is based on user selection of content.
One form of technology using sensors for display adjustment is a reactive technology for adjusting the quality of content, not the content. Adaptive brightness systems determine the brightness of a particular room and automatically adjust the brightness level of the television display. This adjustment does not relate to type of content, but makes existing content more visible.
Digital display technology suffers from limited techniques for user interfacing. Techniques include touch-screen technology, buttons on a frame or a combination of external buttons and menu(s) that pop-up on the display. Another technique is using a remote control with directional buttons.
Existing techniques for user interfacing suffer from needing either external buttons, touch screen technology, or an external device synched with the display. As such, there is a need for improved user interfacing with a display device.

System and method for interfacing with a display device


A method is provided for encoding a digital video to improve perceptual quality. The method includes receiving a digital video at a video encoder, providing a perceptual quantizer function defined by

High Dynamic Range (HDR) video and Wide Color Gamut (WCG) video offer greater ranges of luminance and color values than traditional video. For example, traditional video can have a limited luminance and color range, such that details in shadows or highlights can be lost when images are captured, encoded, and/or displayed. In contrast, HDR and/or WCG video can capture a broader range of luminance and color information, allowing the video to appear more natural and closer to real life to the human eye.
However, many common video encoding and decoding schemes, such as MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding (AVC) and High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), are not designed to directly handle HDR or WCG video. As such, HDR and WCG video information normally must be converted into other formats before it can be encoded using a video compression algorithm.
For example, HDR video formats such as the EXR file format describe colors in the RGB color space with 16-bit values to cover a broad range of potential HDR values, while 8 or 10-bit values are often used to express the colors of non-HDR video. Since many video compression algorithms expect 8 or 10-bit values, 16-bit HDR color values can be quantized into 10-bit values that the compression algorithms can work with.
Some encoders use a coding transfer function to convert linear values from the input video into non-linear values prior to uniform quantization. By way of a non-limiting example, coding transfer functions are often gamma correction functions. However, even when an encoder uses a coding transfer function to convert linear input values into non-linear values, the coding transfer function is generally fixed, such that it does not change dependent on the content of the input video. For example, an encoder's coding transfer function can be defined to statically map every possible input value in an HDR range, such as from 0 to 10,000 nits, to specific non-linear values. However, when the input video contains input values in only a portion of that range, fixed mapping can lead to poor allocation of quantization levels. For example, a picture primarily showing a blue sky can have a lot of similar shades of blue, but those blues can occupy a small section of the overall range for which the coding transfer function is defined. As such, similar blues can be quantized into the same value. This quantization can often be perceived by viewers as contouring or banding, when quantized shades of blue extends in bands across the sky displayed on their screen instead of a more natural transitions between the colors.
Additionally, psychophysical studies of the human visual system have shown that a viewer's sensitivity to contrast levels at a particular location can be more dependent on the average brightness of surrounding locations than the actual levels at the location itself. However, most coding transfer functions do not take this into account and instead have fixed conversion functions or tables that do not take characteristics of the actual content, such as its average brightness, into account.
What is needed is a method of adapting the coding transfer function, or otherwise converting and/or redistributing input values, based on the actual content of the input video. This can generate a curve of non-linear values that represents the color and/or intensity information actually present in the input video instead of across a full range of potential values. As such, when the non-linear values are uniformly quantized, the noise and/or distortion introduced by uniform quantization can be minimized such that it is unlikely to be perceived by a human viewer. Additionally, what is needed is a method of transmitting information about the perceptual mapping operations used by the encoder to decoders, such that the decoders can perform corresponding reverse perceptual mapping operations when decoding the video.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Adaptive perceptual mapping and signaling for video coding

Abstract: PQ                    (        L        )              =                  (                                            c              1                        +                                          c                2                                                          L                                  m                  1                                                                          1            +                                          c                3                                                          L                                  m                  1                                                                    )                    m        2              ,wherein L is a luminance value, c1, c2, c3, and m1 are parameters with fixed values, and m2 is a parameter with a variable value, adapting the perceptual quantizer function by adjusting the value of the m2 parameter based on different luminance value ranges found within a coding level of the digital video, encoding the digital video into a bitstream using, in part, the perceptual quantizer function, transmitting the bitstream to a decoder, and transmitting the value of the m2 parameter to the decoder for each luminance value range in the coding level.


A silver halide fiber optic for the detection and identification of petroleum. The fiber optic serves both as a waveguide for transmitting a signal to and from petroleum in remote locations and also as an intrinsic part of the sensing element to obtain evanescent wave spectra. The evanescent wave is attenuated at various wavelengths based on the chemical composition of the petroleum in which the sensor is immersed. The spectrum obtained from an unknown sample is compared with the spectrum of known samples from a library to identify the unknown sample.

It is important to find suitable analytical techniques to detect and characterize petroleum products. Several methods have been proposed to provide identification of crude oil, fuel oil and residual distillates, Adlard, E. R., J. Inst. Petroleum, 1972, 58, 63; Baier, R. E., J. Geophys. Res., 1972, 77, 5062; Cole, R. D., J. Inst. Petroleum, 1968, 54, 288; Kawahara, F. K., J. Environ. Sci. Technol., 1969, 3, 150; and Mattson, J. S., Anal. Chem., 1971, 43, 1872. Infrared spectroscopic data analysis has been used to identify the type and source of a large number of petroleum samples, Lynch, P. F. and Brown, C. W., Environ. Sci. Technol., 1973, 13, 1123; Brown, C. W., Lynch, P. F. and Ahmadjian, M., Anal. Chem., 1974, 46, 183; Brown, C. W., Lynch, P. F. and Ahmadjian, M., Appl. Spectro. Rev., 1975, 9, 223; and Brown, C. W. and Lynch, P. F., Anal. Chem., 1975, 48, 191. Most of these methods used bands in the region of 650-1200 cm.sup.-1 to characterize petroleum samples, since crude oils and their various distillates provide unique finger prints in this region, which can be used to identify the source of oil slicks.
The present invention embodies a metal halide fiber optic to measure the spectra of petroleum. The fiber optic serves both as a waveguide for transmitting the signal to and from petroleum in remote locations, and also as an intrinsic part of the sensor element to obtain evanescent wave spectra. Light travels down the core of the fiber with total reflection at each interface of the core and the cladding or surrounding material of lower refractive index. Preferably, the light penetrates the cladding or surrounding material by approximately 0.1.lambda. (.lambda.=wavelength) and sets up a standing evanescent wave in the surrounding material. During this short penetration, the evanescent wave is attenuated at various wavelengths due to vibrational transitions of the chemical groups in the cladding or the surrounding material. Thus, the light is not totally reflected at all wavelengths because of the attenuations. The resulting absorption spectrum is referred to as evanescent wave or attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectrum of the cladding or the surrounding material.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a silver halide fiber without a cladding, is placed directly in a petroleum sample to obtain an evanescent spectrum of the petroleum sample.

The Board of Governors for Higher Education, State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations


A stencil mask (12 or 12xe2x80x2) has both a thin membrane layer (106) and a stress controlled layer (104) for enabling electron and ion projection lithography at very small geometries. The thin membrane layer (106) is within a range of substantially forty to two hundred nanometers and is preferably silicon nitride, and the stress controlled layer is preferably a metal or a metal alloy. Annealing of the stress controlled layer (104) may be performed to obtain a desired stress characteristic. Semiconductors are made using the mask by projecting radiation through the thin membrane stencil mask and reduction optics (30) onto resist (44) formed on a plurality of die, the radiation forming a contrast image on the resist that is subsequently developed. Commercially available lithography equipment is compatible with the thin stencil mask.

This invention relates generally to lithography masks used for patterning layers of integrated circuits, and more specifically, to methods for making a stencil mask as can be used in conjunction with electron projection lithography, ion projection lithography, electron proximity lithography, and ion proximity lithography.
Electron projection lithography is a competing technology for future generations of lithography in semiconductor manufacturing (e.g. less than 70 nm feature sizes). Electron projection lithography projects electrons through a mask that has a pattern that correspond to the desired features to be patterned in a semiconductor wafer. In one form, the mask can have a continuous membrane through which the electrons pass, such as used in a technology known as SCALPEL(copyright) (SCattering Angular Limited Projection Electron Lithography). In another form, the mask membrane is discontinuous, having openings that correspond to desired features to be patterned in the semiconductor wafer. These are known as stencil masks. Stencil masks are also used for ion projection lithography that use ions as radiation source instead of electrons.
Existing stencil masks typically are formed from a silicon substrate, usually a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate. Silicon is used as a support structure, and is also used to form a membrane layer that forms the stencil. The silicon membrane layer may be doped with boron or other dopant to control the stress in the membrane layer. A membrane window is formed by etching the silicon support structure, and the stencil pattern is formed by etching the silicon membrane layer. Typically, the silicon membrane layer has a thickness of approximately 1.5-3.0 xcfx80m when used in electron projection lithography applications. This thickness is required to provide a sufficient amount of electron scattering. In ion projection applications, the membrane layer is even thicker (approximately 1.5-10 xcfx80m). A thicker membrane layer is required in ion projection masks because the membrane window is usually much larger in area, thereby requiring more structural support.
There are two principal problems associated with existing stencil masks, both of which are related to the thickness requirements of the membrane layer. One problem is the ability to etch openings in the membrane layer that have high aspect ratios because it is difficult to control the sidewall profile of the opening through the membrane layer from top to bottom. The second problem is one known as image blur. As electrons or ions travel through a thick opening, some of the electrons or ions are drawn to the sidewalls of the opening due to interactions with the membrane materials. As a result, the electrons or ions passing through the opening are no longer as collimated as upon entering the mask opening. This causes the final projected image to be blurred in comparison to the desired pattern.
Materials other than silicon have been proposed for use as membrane layers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,726 B1 by Brooks et al. proposes using a diamond, silicon carbide, diamond-like carbon, amorphous carbon, carbon nitride, or boron nitride to enhance the structural integrity of the membrane layer. However this patent requires a stencil membrane thickness of 0.5-5.0 xcfx80m, and therefore also suffers from the aforementioned problems.

Method for fabricating a thin-membrane stencil mask and method for making a semiconductor device using the same


A system and method for accessing a memory array where retrieved data is stored in a memory and upon the writing of the data in its modified form, the originally stored data is updated with the modification prior to being written back to the memory array. In this manner, a new error correction code can be calculated prior to writing the data without the need to access the memory array again.

The present invention is related generally to the field of computer graphics, and more particularly, to an embedded memory system and method having efficient utilization of read and write bandwidth of a computer graphics processing system.
Graphics processing systems often include embedded memory to increase the throughput of processed graphics data. Generally, embedded memory is memory that is integrated with the other circuitry of the graphics processing system to form a single device. Including embedded memory in a graphics processing system allows data to be provided to processing circuits, such as the graphics processor, the pixel engine, and the like, with low access times. The proximity of the embedded memory to the graphics processor and its dedicated purpose of storing data related to the processing of graphics information enable data to be moved throughout the graphics processing system quickly. Thus, the processing elements of the graphics processing system may retrieve, process, and provide graphics data quickly and efficiently, increasing the processing throughput.
Processing operations that are often performed on graphics data in a graphics processing system include the steps of reading the data that will be processed from the embedded memory, modifying the retrieved data during processing, and writing the modified data back to the embedded memory. This type of operation is typically referred to as a read-modify-write (RMW) operation. The processing of the retrieved graphics data is often done in a pipeline processing fashion, where the processed output values of the processing pipeline are rewritten to the locations in memory from which the pre-processed data provided to the pipeline was originally retrieved. Examples of RMW operations include blending multiple color values to produce graphics images that are composites of the color values and Z-buffer rendering, a method of rendering only the visible surfaces of three-dimensional graphics images.
In conventional graphics processing systems including embedded memory, the memory is typically a single-ported memory. That is, the embedded memory either has only one data port that is multiplexed between read and write operations, or the embedded memory has separate read and write data ports, but the separate ports cannot be operated simultaneously. Consequently, when performing RMW operations, such as described above, the throughput of processed data is diminished because the single ported embedded memory of the conventional graphics processing system is incapable of both reading graphics data that is to be processed and writing back the modified data simultaneously. In order for the RMW operations to be performed, a write operation is performed following each read operation. Thus, the flow of data, either being read from or written to the embedded memory, is constantly being interrupted. As a result, full utilization of the read and write bandwidth of the graphics processing system is not possible.
One approach to resolving this issue is to design the embedded memory included in a graphics processing system to have dual ports. That is, the embedded memory has both read and write ports that may be operated simultaneously. Having such a design allows for data that has been processed to be written back to the dual ported embedded memory while data to be processed is read. However, providing the circuitry necessary to implement a dual ported embedded memory significantly increases the complexity of the embedded memory and requires additional circuitry to support dual ported operation. As space on an graphics processing system integrated into a single device is at a premium, including the additional circuitry necessary to implement a multi-port embedded memory, such as the one previously described, may not be an reasonable alternative.
Another issue that can further complicate efficient utilization of read write memory bandwidth is implementing an error correction code (ECC) scheme in an embedded memory system. In general, ECCs are used to maintain the integrity of data written to memory, and can, in some instances when an error in the data is detected, correct the errors. In operation, when data are written to memory, a calculation is performed on the data to produce a code. The code, which is stored with the data, is used to detect and correct errors in the data. When the data is read from memory, the code calculation is once again performed on the retrieved data, and the resulting code is compared with the code that was stored with the data. Ideally, the two codes are the same, indicating that the data has not changed since being written to memory. However, if the two codes are different, an error in the data has occurred, and, through the use of the code, a corrected set of data may be produced. Thus, although the data retrieved from memory may have an error, the data that is actually provided to a requesting entity will be correct. In the case the error in the data cannot be corrected by the code, the condition is reported.
The general use of ECC techniques in memory systems is known in the art. For example, use of Hamming codes, Reed-Solomon codes, and the like, for ECC is well understood. Such techniques have been used at various memory levels, including at the embedded memory level. However, these ECC schemes are generally cumbersome and negatively impact memory access rates. In systems where high data read and write throughput is desired, overcoming these issues while maintaining data throughput becomes a daunting proposition.
Therefore, there is a need for a method and embedded memory system having ECC capability that can utilize the read and write bandwidth of a graphics processing system more efficiently during a read-modify-write processing operation.
The present invention is directed to a system and method for accessing a memory array where retrieved data is stored in a memory and upon the writing of the data in its modified form, the originally stored data is updated with the modification prior to being written back to the memory array. In this manner, a new error correction code can be calculated prior to writing the data without the need to access the memory array again. The system includes a memory having a plurality of memory locations for storing data in a first-in-first-out (FIFO) manner, a content addressable memory (CAM) coupled to the memory and having an input to receive memory addresses and having a plurality of memory locations for storing memory addresses, each of which corresponds to a memory location of the memory. The CAM provides an activation signal to access a memory location of the memory in response to receiving a memory address matching the corresponding stored memory address. The system further includes a first switch coupled to the output of the memory to selectively couple the output of the memory to the write bus or an output bus, a combining circuit having a first input, a second input coupled to the output of the memory, and further having an output coupled to the input of the memory, the combining circuit combining data applied to the first and second inputs and providing the result at the output, and a second switch to selectively couple the first input of the combining circuit to the read bus or an input bus. A FIFO control circuit is coupled to the combining circuit, the first and second switches, and the memory. In response to receiving a read request, the FIFO control circuit coordinates the storing of the requested data in the memory and providing the requested data to the output bus, and in response to receiving a write request, the FIFO control circuit coordinates the combining of modified data received from the input bus with corresponding original data previously stored in the memory and providing the combined data for error correction code calculation and writing to the location in the memory array from where the corresponding original data was originally read.

Embedded memory system and method including data error correction


An early warning system for detecting the UV from a missile plume has a wide field of view, large spectral bandwidth, solar blind detector. A coated detector passes only a spectral region that embraces UV signals of interest and a wavelength shifter includes a material that shifts the impinging UV energy into a spectrum that embraces the frequencies emitted by fluorescent photons. A photomultiplier tube responsive to the fluorescent emissions provides a responsive read-out indicative of an incoming missile.

Strike and interceptor aircraft operating in a hostile environment need a wide variety of increasingly sophisticated devices to assure their survival. Air or ground launched radar or infrared guided rocket propelled missiles can take a fearsome toll if their presence is not detected soon enough. When an early enough detection of these incoming missiles positively can be made, evasive action, flares, electronic counter measures, etc. can and greatly do reduce their effectiveness.
Early warning systems that detect UV from the missile plume require large area, wide field of view detectors. In addition to the need for being highly reliable and compact in size it is highly desirable that the detectors be sensitive in the region of the missile plumes+ UV radiation, from 230 to 280 nanometers, to reduce false alarms. Contemporary filters that use absorption type materials are expensive since they require large single crystals of nickel sulphate or the like. In addition, the solar-blind photomultiplier tubes that have been used with the large crystals also are expensive. As a consequence, technology and funding constraints may limit aircraft from having an appropriate detector in some high technology combat zones.
Thus, a continuing need exists in the state of the art for a large area, wide field of view detector of the UV radiation in a missile plume to assure the timely warning of an incoming missile.

Large spectral bandwidth, U.V. solar blind detector

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A self-cooling exhaust gas injection device making it possible to inject heated gases, for example recycled exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine, into the air intake distributor of this engine, characterized in that it comprises a return pipe for the exhaust gases (1) which extends in the distributor (2) to the downstream end thereof in the direction of the transfer of the recycled gasses and is equipped in this area with a series of outlet orifices (4) positioned so as to uniformly distribute these gases between each of the cylinders of the engine.

The subject of the present invention is an exhaust gas recirculation device for an internal combustion engine. Many internal combustion engines and the majority of diesel engines are equipped with exhaust gas recirculation devices. Exhaust gas recirculation devices makes it possible to recycle a part of the exhaust gas from the engine into the air intake distributor thereof. The proportion of the gasses thus recycled is of order 5 to 50% as a general rule.
An exhaust gas recirculation device, usually called EGR, more specifically has the function of reducing the pollution generated by internal combustion engines so as to satisfy the standards imposed by regulatory authorities. Such pollution limiting regulations tend to become stricter over time.
The recirculation of a part of the exhaust gases from an engine slows the combustion of the gaseous mixtures supplying the cylinders and absorbs a part of the calories (heat), thereby reducing the combustion temperature.
Further, the presence of an EGR device leads to a limitation of the quantity of oxygen present in the cylinders.
These two effects combine leading to a reduction of the nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are the origin of atmospheric pollution by ozone.
Engine exhaust gas recirculation however has the disadvantage of increasing the production of polluting particles, particularly in the case of diesel engines. It is therefore necessary to find a compromise between the reduction of the nitrogen oxides NOx and the increase of the polluting particle emissions.
For this purpose, it currently is proposed to cool the gasses before they enter into the air intake distributor. In fact, the reduction of the temperature of these gases makes it possible to notably lower the particulate pollution for the same proportion of recycled gasses.
Subsequently, the exhaust gas recirculation devices currently offered on the market comprise a pipe for return of these gases to the intake distributor provided with a heat exchanger, as a general rule equipped with a cooling water circuit.
However, the presence of a heat exchanger has the disadvantage of notably increasing the cost of the EGR devices.
Therefore, there remains a need in the art for an exhaust gas recirculation device configured to provide cooling of recycled gases without requiring the use of a heat exchanger.

Self-cooling exhaust gas recirculation device for an internal combustion engine


A vehicle door structure includes an outer panel, an inner panel assembled to a vehicle width direction inner side surface of the outer panel so as to form a panel space with the outer panel, a cover assembled to the inner panel so as to close a service hole, which is a through hole formed in the inner panel in order to facilitate a work in the panel space, a control box assembled to the cover and configured to control input/output of electric power and/or control signal to/from at least one of electric components disposed on a vehicle door; and a door trim assembled to a vehicle width direction inner side surface of the inner panel so as to cover the cover and the control box.

In the related art, a vehicle door structure including an outer panel, an inner panel assembled to a vehicle width direction inner side surface of the outer panel, and a door trim assembled to a vehicle width direction inner side surface of the inner panel is widely known (see, for example, Patent Literature 1).


An ink jet recorder includes an ink jet head that is movable in the vertical direction, an ink tank for supplying ink to the head, a detector for detecting the position of the head in the vertical direction, and a moving device for raising and lowering the ink tank. The ink tank moving device changes the vertical position of the ink tank in response to vertical positions of the head detected by the detector. The ink tank moving device is made up of a rack attached to the tank, a pinion gear, and a pinion drive motor. The pressure on the ink supplied to the ink jet head from the ink tank can be made more or less constant, irrespective of the height position of the ink jet head, so that good printing performance can be secured.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an ink jet recorder that comprises a print head capable of moving vertically up and down relative to the recording paper, and particularly to an ink jet recorder exhibiting good printing performance irrespective of the vertical position of the print head relative to the recording paper.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are two common types of ink jet recorder, namely the integrated head-ink tank type of recorder wherein a small capacity ink tank is contained integrally in the print head, and the separate head and ink tank type of recorder which comprises a large capacity ink tank positioned independently of the print head and wherein ink is supplied to the print head via a tube from the ink tank. Among the latter type of recorder are those which, in view of design or space considerations, or because of the existence of a plurality of printing areas, comprise a print head that can be moved vertically inside the main recorder unit and thus have its up and down position changed.
In the separate head and ink tank type of recorders having print heads that can be moved up and down, the ink tank is fixed in a stationary position, wherefore, when the vertical position of the print head is changed, the positional relationship in the vertical dimension between the print head and the ink tank changes accordingly. As a result of changes in this positional relationship, the back pressure (water head) acting on the print head varies, which can have an adverse effect on printing performance.


Novel liposoluble and photostable N-substituted benzimidazole/benzofuryl-benzazole silicon-containing compounds are conspicuously excellent UV-absorbers and are conveniently formulated, e.g., into topically applicable sunscreen/cosmetic compositions well suited for the UV-photoprotection of human skin and/or hair.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to novel liposoluble, photostable N-substituted benzimidazolyl-benzazole or benzofuryl-benzazole silicon-containing compounds which have excellent absorbing power in the UV radiation range.
This invention also relates to photoprotective compositions of matter, in particular, cosmetic sunscreen compositions containing the subject novel compounds which are useful for photoprotecting human skin and/or hair against UV radiation, in particular solar radiation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known to this art that light radiation of wavelengths of from 280 nm to 400 nm promotes tanning of the human epidermis, and that irradiation of wavelengths, more particularly ranging from 280 to 320 nm, i.e., UV-B irradiation, causes skin burns and erythema which may be harmful to the development of a natural tan. For these reasons, as well as for aesthetic reasons, there is an increasing demand for means for controlling this natural tanning in order thus to control the color of the skin. This UV-B radiation should thus be screened from the skin.
It is also known to this art that UV-A radiation, of wavelengths of from 320 to 400 nm, which causes tanning of the skin, is also likely to adversely affect it, especially in the case of sensitive skin or of skin which is continually exposed to solar radiation. UV-A rays cause, in particular, a loss of elasticity of the skin and the appearance of wrinkles, promoting premature skin aging. Such irradiation promotes triggering of the erythemal reaction or amplifies this reaction in certain individuals and may even be the cause of phototoxic or photoallergic reactions. Thus, for aesthetic and cosmetic reasons such as conservation of the natural elasticity of the skin, for example, an ever-increasing number of individuals wish to control the effect of UV-A rays on their skin. It is thus desirable to also screen out UV-A radiation.
A wide variety of compounds intended for the photoprotection (against UV-A and/or UV-B) of the skin are known to this art.
Most are aromatic compounds which exhibit absorption of UV radiation in the region from 280 to 315 nm, or in the region from 315 to 400 nm, or in both of these regions. These are typically formulated into sunscreen/antisun compositions in the form of an emulsion of oil-in-water type (i.e., a cosmetically acceptable support comprising an aqueous dispersing continuous phase and an oily dispersed discontinuous phase) and which thus contain, in various concentrations, one or more conventional lipophilic and/or hydrophilic organic screening agents containing an aromatic function, which are capable of selectively absorbing the harmful UV radiation, these screening agents (and the amounts thereof) being selected as a function of the desired sun protection factor (the sun protection factor being expressed mathematically by the ratio of the irradiation time required to attain the erythema-forming threshold with the UV screening agent to the time required to attain the erythema-forming threshold without UV screening agent).
Other than their screening power, these compounds exhibiting anti-UV activity must also have good cosmetic properties in the compositions comprised thereof, good solubility in the usual solvents, and in particular fatty substances such as oils and fats, as well as good water-resistance and resistance to perspiration (remanence).
Among those aromatic compounds to date proposed for this purpose, exemplary are the N-substituted benzimidazolyl-benzazole compounds described in EP-A-0,843,995 or the benzofuryl-benzoxazole compounds described in EP-A-0,722,714. The solubility of these molecules in various formulations suited for photoprotection, however, still remains insufficient.

Benzimidazole/benzofuryl-benzazole silicon compounds and UV-photoprotective compositions comprised thereof


An RF addressable sensor network architecture is provided. The RF addressable sensor network includes one or more RF addressable sensors, one or more wireless sensor readers coupled to a communications network, and one or more end user devices coupled to the communications network. The RF addressable sensor network may also include a sensor network processor. An RF addressable sensor includes one or more sensor elements, one or more antennas for communicating with the wireless sensor reader, an RF power and communications interface, and RFID control module, and a sensor interface. The wireless sensor reader includes one or more antennas, a user interface, a controller, a network communications module, and an RF addressable sensor logic module.

The ability of wireless sensors to remotely provide data in real-time opens up a wide variety of health and safety applications. From the perspective of an individual, the ability to determine, prior to consumption, whether a food item contains harmful bacteria or ingredients to which the individual is allergic is highly desirable. From a community perspective, recent national and international events have increased the need for distributed systems for the continuous, real-time monitoring and detection of chemical agents, biological agents, radiological agents, and other hazards over wide geographical areas.
Because of the cost of sensors and sensor readers, broad deployment of a sensor network over a large geographical area or widespread use by individuals is currently not feasible. In addition, the imprecision of sensors generally requires cross validation to eliminate false positives, adding to the number of sensors that must be deployed for each application. Another problem with large geographical deployment is that the wear of sensors or sensor surfaces requires sensors to be replaced on a regular basis, adding to the cost.
Hence, what is needed is a wireless sensor that is inexpensive, small, and flexible. Furthermore, what is needed is a sensor reader that is inexpensive and accessible to the general population.
The need also exists for distributed sensor networks for the real time monitoring and detection of hazardous materials and/or conditions in a highly cost effective way.

Radio frequency identification (RFID) based sensor networks


In an oscillator (100), a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators (111 to 113) supported by vibrator support mechanisms (120) individually output highly directional sound waves. The plurality of piezoelectric vibrators (111 to 113) is formed by dividing a laminated body of an elastic member and a piezoelectric substance by the vibrator support mechanisms (120). Since it is not necessary to arrange the plurality of piezoelectric vibrators in a matrix, the entirety of a device can be small-sized. A sound deflection unit that deflects a sound wave which is output by at least one of the piezoelectric vibrators may be further included.

In recent years, demand for portable electronic devices such as a cellular phone and a notebook computer has grown. In such electronic devices, thin portable terminals having sound functions such as a video phone, a movie play, and a hands-free phone as commodity values have being developed. In the development thereof, the requirements for a high-quality sound and a reduction in size and thickness have increased with respect to an electro-acoustic transducer (speaker) which is an acoustic component.
Presently, in electronic devices such as a cellular phone, an electro-dynamic electro-acoustic transducer has been used as an electro-acoustic transducer. The electro-dynamic electro-acoustic transducer is constituted by a permanent magnet, a voice coil, and a vibrating membrane.
However, the electro-dynamic electro-acoustic transducer has a limit to a reduction in thickness due to the operation principle and the structure thereof. On the other hand, Patent Documents 1 and 2 discloses that a piezoelectric element is used as the electro-acoustic transducer.
In addition, as another example of an oscillator making use of the piezoelectric element, in addition to a speaker, various electronic devices or oscillators such as a sound wave sensor (Patent Document 3) that detects the distance to an object using a sound wave oscillated from the piezoelectric element are known (Patent Document 4).


An improved central lock control system adapted for automatically locking and unlocking all the four doors by way of operation on the lock knobs mounted on the two front doors, and only permitting to automatically unlock all the four doors by way of operation on the lock knobs mounted on the two rear doors for safety consideration; the present lock control system is characterized in that the motor, used to control the motion of an actuator which enables the lock knobs of the doors to perform the locking and unlocking operation, is able to spin clockwise or counter clockwise to generate an inductive voltage on the lock knob being pulled up to unlock or pushed down to lock the doors; the generated inductive voltage is input into an electronic module for logic comparison so to effect the above cited control operation; whereby the control circuit is simplified to a large extent and the mounting of the present system is made easy; besides, the production cost is effectively lowered as a result of the removal of a signal switch.

Generally speaking, the lock control systems of the prior art are equipped with a lock acutuator disposed on the door adjacent to the driver's seat whereby the driver can effect the locking and unlocking operation of all the doors of a vehicle at the same time.
As shown in FIG. 1, the actuator 1 is provided at the top end thereof with an engagement ring 11 connected upward to a lock knob by means of an attachment rod and other necessary links. The engagement ring is downward coupled to a rack member 13 disposed within a casing 12. The rack member 13 disposed within a casing 12. The rack member 13 is further extended into an actuation rod 14 at the bottom end thereof. On the engagement ring being depressed to its lowest position, the actuation rod 14 is moved to abut a limiting switch 15. The rack member 13 is in engagement with a gear 16 of a set of coaxially disposed gears. A gear 18 attached to the shaft of a motor 17 is engaged with the largest gear of the gear set so that the actuator 1 can make the engagement ring 11 to move upward or downward by the operation of the motor, resulting in the automatic lift and depression of the lock knob.
In the prior art lock control systems, the limiting switch 15 is only mounted in one of the actuators generally disposed on the front door next to the driver's seat. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the wiring diagram, the actuator 1A has two wires W1, W2 associated with the motor; and two signal wires S1, S2 and a ground line G are coupled to the limiting switch 15. In the meanwhile, the other actuators 1B, 1C, 1D mounted respectively on the other doors. As clearly shown in the same figure, all the actuators are coupled to an electronic module 2, the signal output from the limiting switch 15 is transmitted by way of S1, S2 to the electronic module 2 which effect the control of other actuators 1B, 1C, 1D to perform the same operation.
It is now clearly seen that the prior art lock control system has a relatively complicated wiring connections. Thus, the installation of the system is not easily performed. This constitutes one of the disadvantages of the prior art. Furthermore, only one of the actuator is equipped with the limiting switch such that the doors can be automatically operated by this actuator. If all doors are desired to effect automatic control over the others, each actuator must be installed with an extra limiting switch accordingly, causing the raise of the cost with the wiring becoming more complicated.
Besides, in the prior art lock system only the driver's door is equipped with the limiting-switch operated actuator so that the driver is not able to detect the rear doors being opened by the passengers, especially small children Thus, accidents can be easily caused as a result thereof.
Therefore, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved central lock control system which eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art power lock system.
One other object of the present invention is to provide an improved central lock control system which can transform the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the motor, produced by the pull or depression of the lock knobs of the front doors, into an inductive voltage signal which is delivered to an electronic module to be amplified, shaped and compared, and actuates a relay to cause the other motors of the actuators to spin clockwise or counterclockwise accordingly.
One still other object of the present invention is to provide an improved central lock control system which is free of the use of a limiting switch so that the installation thereof is made simplified. Besides, the actuation of any lock knobs of the doors can be transformed into signals delivered to an electronic module for effecting the control of other doors.
One still other object of the present invention is to provide an improved central lock control system which is characterized in that the door-locking signal from either of the rear doors is transferred to a semi-automatic circuit, and the signal produced by the motor in locking the rear door is crossed out; only the signal produced by the motor in unlocking the rear door is delivered to the electronical control unit so to simultaneously unlock the other doors. Thus, the driver can notice immediately the rear doors being unlocked by kids sitting in the back seat, and take thereby proper actions small children can be protected in a safer manner from possible accidents.

Central lock control system adapted for automobile


A new and distinct Hybrid Tea Rose plant having attractive red and white bicolor flowers.

Classification: The present invention relates to a new Rosa hybrida L. plant.
Varietal denomination: The new plant has the varietal denomination xe2x80x98RUIY5991xe2x80x99.
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of rose plant of the Hybrid Tea rose class, which was created by crossing as seed parent an unnamed, undistributed seedling and as a pollen parent the variety known as xe2x80x98RUIZONxe2x80x99, unpatented.
Among the novel characteristics possessed by this new variety which distinguishes it from its parents and all other varieties of which I am aware are its attractive red and white bicolor flowers.
Asexual reproduction by propagation by grafting of the new variety as performed in De Kwakel, The Netherlands shows that the foregoing and other distinguishing characteristics come true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding propagation.
Among other respects, the new variety differs from its parents in flower color, inasmuch as the seed parent has flowers that are red inside and white outside; and the pollen parent has red flowers, whereas the new variety has flowers that are red inside and white outside with the red color being brighter than the seed parent.

Hybrid Tea rose plant named xe2x80x98RUIY5991xe2x80x99


Provided herein are, inter alia, compositions including a surfactant and a novel compound useful in enhanced oil recovery. The compositions and methods provided herein may be particularly useful for oil recovery under a broad range of reservoir conditions (e.g. high to low temperatures, high to low salinity, highly viscous oils).

Enhanced Oil Recovery (abbreviated EOR) refers to techniques for increasing the amount of unrefined petroleum, or crude oil that may be extracted from an oil reservoir (e.g. an oil field). Using EOR, 40-60% of the reservoir's original oil can typically be extracted compared with only 20-40% using primary and secondary recovery (e.g. by water injection or natural gas injection). Enhanced oil recovery may also be referred to as improved oil recovery or tertiary recovery (as opposed to primary and secondary recovery).
Enhanced oil recovery may be achieved by a variety of methods including miscible gas injection (which includes carbon dioxide flooding), chemical injection (which includes polymer flooding, alkaline flooding and surfactant flooding), microbial injection, or thermal recovery (which includes cyclic steam, steam flooding, and fire flooding). The injection of various chemicals, usually as dilute aqueous solutions, has been used to improve oil recovery. Injection of alkaline or caustic solutions into reservoirs with oil that has organic acids or acid precursors naturally occurring in the oil will result in the production of soap (i.e. in situ generated soap) that may lower the interfacial tension enough to increase production. Injection of a dilute solution of a water soluble polymer to increase the viscosity of the injected water can increase the amount of oil recovered in some formations. Dilute solutions of surfactants such as petroleum sulfonates may be injected to lower the interfacial tension or capillary pressure that impedes oil droplets from moving through a reservoir. Special formulations of oil, water and surfactant microemulsions have also proven useful. Such formulations may further include co-solvent compounds which have the capability of increasing the solubility of the solutes in the presence of oil and are able to decrease the viscosity of an emulsion. Application of these methods is usually limited by the cost of the chemicals and their adsorption and loss onto the rock of the oil containing formation.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for cost effective methods for enhanced oil recovery using chemical injection. Provided herein are methods and compositions addressing these and other needs in the art.

Short chain alkylamine alkoxylate compositions

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System


A web handling system is disclosed. The web handling system includes first dancer rollers coupled to engage and move a web of a print medium in a forward and backward direction upon stopping a printing operation and allow forward motion during the printing operation.

Entities with substantial printing demands typically implement a high-speed production printer for volume printing (e.g., one hundred pages per minute or more). Production printers include continuous-forms printers that print ink or toner on a web of print media stored on a large roll. An ink jet production printer typically includes a localized print controller that controls the overall operation of the printing system, and a print engine that includes one or more printhead assemblies, where each assembly includes a printhead controller and a printhead (or array of printheads). An individual ink jet printhead typically includes multiple tiny nozzles that discharge ink as controlled by the printhead controller. A printhead array is formed from multiple printheads that are spaced in series across the width of the web of print media.
While the ink jet printer prints, the web is quickly passed underneath the nozzles, which discharge ink onto the web at intervals to form pixels. A dryer, installed downstream from the printer, may assist in drying the wet ink on the web after the web leaves the printer. In an electrophotographic production printer, the imaged toner is fixed to the web with a high temperature fuser. Handling the web can prove challenging due to variation of a number of factors.
One such factor occurs when the printer stops printing, at which time curling and browning of the web around small diameter, high temperature rollers may occur. Rollers attain high temperature either directly from heaters or indirectly such as from contact with a heated web. A web engaged in a dancer roller mechanism is susceptible to this issue. Dancer rollers mechanisms may be used at various points in a web handling system in order to buffer the web or maintain web tension despite the different web handling characteristics (e.g., speed variations, acceleration and deceleration profiles) of the different pieces of web handling equipment that compose a web handling system. Dancer roller mechanisms can also be used to cool the web, such as by exposing the web to cooling airflow or through chilled rollers. Existing external dryers may include a dancer roller mechanism on the exit end of the dryer to buffer the web, maintain tension and cool the web during printing. However, the dancer roller mechanism does not address the curling or browning issue when printing stops.
Accordingly, a curl resistant web handler is desired.


The present invention relates to a biodegradable softener compounds with an acid value of no more than 6.5. A process for making said compound is also provided. The softener can be incorporated into softener compositions to form solid and liquid compositions, including liquid dispersions and clear compositions.

The present invention relates to fabric softening compounds and composition thereof useful for softening fabrics. It especially relates to fabric softening compounds and/or compositions suitable for formulating textile softening compositions for use in the rinse cycle of a textile laundering operation to provide excellent fabric-softening/static-control benefits, the compositions being characterised by, e.g., reduced staining of fabric, excellent water dispersibility, rewettability, and/or storage and viscosity stability at sub-normal temperatures, i.e., temperatures below normal room temperature, e.g., 25xc2x0 C. The compositions of the invention are preferably liquid softening compositions, and more preferably, translucent or clear liquid softening compositions.
Clear softening compositions are known in the art. For example, EP-A-0,404,471 discloses clear softening compositions with at least 20% by weight softener and at least 5% by weight of a short chain organic acid.
Formulating softening compositions which are clear is however not the only condition required of softening compositions. Indeed, such compositions are expected to provide an effective softening performance on the treated fabric. In this respect, EP-A-0,550,361 discloses softening compounds with specific molar ratios of fatty acid fraction to tertiary amine which provide effective softening performance without being detrimental to the fluidity and stability of composition containing said compound.
It is now an object to provide a softening compound which provides effective softening performance.
Still another object of the invention, is to provide a composition containing said compound which are clear but still not detrimental to the fluidity and stability of composition.
These objects have now surprisingly been met by producing the softening compound from the condensation of fatty acids with triethanolamine, wherein the condensation occurs for a period such that the condensation product has an acid value (AV) of less than 6.5, the condensation product subsequently being quaternized.
The AV of the compound is measured on the condensation product before the quaternisation step by the test method defined hereinafter.
For optimum softness benefit, it is preferred that the reactants are present in a molar ratio of fatty acid fraction to triethanolamine of from 1:1 to 2.5:1.
The finding that a lower acid value of the invention compound leads to higher softness performance when using the invention compound is very surprising and unexpected. Indeed, as known from GB 2,039,556, the addition of fatty acid provide an increase in the softness performance of the softening composition. The Applicant, in this respect, has found that the addition of fatty acid, instead of decreasing the acid value, increased the acid value. Accordingly, it was generally believed that the softness performance in relation to the acid value followed a curve showing a maximum at an AV above 10. To the contrary, it has been found that the softness performance followed a line whereby the higher the acid value, the less softening performance is obtained.
By effective softening performance, it is meant that the compound of the present invention provides better softening performance to fabrics compared to fabrics which have been treated with a similar compound but with an AV above 6.5. In a preferred embodiment, the compound of the invention provides better softness performance on treated fabrics therewith compared to compounds having the hereinbelow described molar ratios but not the specified AV.
The present invention relates to a biodegradable fabric softener compound comprising a quaternary ammonium salt, the quaternised ammonium salt being a quaternised product of condensation between:
a)xe2x80x94a fraction of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched fatty acids, or of derivatives of said acids, said fatty acids or derivatives each possessing a hydrocarbon chain in which the number of atoms is between 5 and 21, and
b)xe2x80x94triethanolamine, characterised in that said condensation product has an acid value, measured by titration of the condensation product with a standard KOH solution against a phenolphtaleine indicator, of less than 6.5.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fatty acid fraction and the triethanolamine are present in a molar ratio of from 1:1 to 2.5:1.
The present invention also relates to a process for making a softener compound, and in particular said compound.
Also provided herein is a softening composition containing said softening compound.


A method of managing notification message reception corresponding to natural disaster warning for a user equipment of a wireless communication system includes activating the notification message reception when reception indication message indicating reception of the notification message is received, selecting a cell after the notification message reception is activated, and stopping the notification message reception after completion of selecting the cell.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for message transmission and related communication device in a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a method and related communication device of the wireless communication system for managing notification message reception corresponding to natural disaster warning.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Earthquake and Tsunami Warning System (ETWS), set forth by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), is a natural disaster warning system for delivering Warning Notification simultaneously to many mobile users who should evacuate from approaching Earthquake or Tsunami. The ETWS consists of a PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) that is capable to deliver Warning Notification and user equipments (UEs) that are capable to receive Warning Notification. The PLMN of the ETWS can be a GERAN (GSM/EDEG radio access network) of a 2G/2.5G GSM system, a UTRAN (UMTS radio access network) of a 3G UMTS system, or a EUTRAN (evolved-UTAN) of a long term evolution (LTE) system. Warning Notification Providers, which are usually run by local governments, produce Warning Notification to PLMN operator when an earthquake or tsunami event occurs.
Warning Notification is classified into two types depending on the purpose and urgency of the notification. The first type of Notification is called Primary Notification that delivers the most important information of the threat that is approaching to users (e.g. the imminent occurrence of Earthquake or Tsunami) and shall be delivered to the users as soon as possible. The second type of Notification is called Secondary Notification that delivers additional information, such as instructions on what to do or where to get help.
The Warning Notification Provider publishes a Primary Notification to PLMN and specifies the Notification Area where the Warning Notification is expected to be distributed when occurrence of a natural disaster is detected. Single or multiple Secondary Notifications are published following the Primary Notification. Finally, the Warning Notification Provider may request dissemination of notification to the PLMN to stop.
According to the prior art specification, the GERAN, the UTRAN, or the EUTRAN can use paging message to send a primary notification message since the primary notification message shall be delivered to the UE within 4 seconds. Alternatively, system information is utilized to send the primary notification message, and a paging message is then sent to notify UE to receive the primary notification message by receiving the broadcasted system information in a serving cell. As for delivery of a secondary notification message, Broadcast/Multicast Control (BMC) is used in the UTRAN, system information is used in the EUTRAN, and SMS-CB (Short Message Service—Cell Broadcast) is used in GERAN.
In the prior art, an ETWS capable UE in an idle mode starts to receive the secondary notification messages once one or more primary notification messages are received. However, the prior art neither specifies when the ETWS capable UE shall stop receiving the secondary notification messages if the warning notification providers stop delivering secondary notification messages nor specifies UE reactions to secondary notification message reception when cell selection or reselection, out of service, a RAT (Radio Access Technology) change, and other situation occurs. The main drawback is that the UE power drains if the UE cannot stop receiving secondary notification messages when no secondary notification message is delivered. Some examples are provided below to illustrate the drawback.
Issue 1 is described in this paragraph. The UE receives a paging message including a primary notification message from a warning notification provider in a GREAN cell. The UE starts to receive cell broadcast (CB) messages including secondary notification messages by listening to CBCH (Cell Broadcast Channel). After a while, the warning notification provider stops delivering the secondary notification messages. However, the UE still keeps receiving CB messages on CBCH.
Issue 2 is described in this paragraph. The UE receives a paging message including a primary notification message from a warning notification provider in a UTRAN cell. The UE starts to receive cell broadcast (CB) messages including secondary notification messages by listening to SCCPCH (Secondary Common Control Physical Channel). After a while, the warning notification provider stops delivering the secondary notification messages. However, the UE still keeps receiving CB messages on SCCPCH.
Issue 3 is described in this paragraph. The UE receives a paging message including a primary notification message from a warning notification provider in a EUTRAN cell . The UE starts to receive system information message including secondary notification messages. After a while, the warning notification provider stops delivering the secondary notification messages. However, the UE still keeps receiving system information.
Issue 4 is described in this paragraph. After the UE receives a primary notification message and then enters RR (radio resource) dedicated mode or a packet transfer mode in a GERAN cell or RRC (radio resource control) connected mode in a UTRAN/EUTRAN cell due to a MT (Mobile Terminated) call or web browsing, the UE cannot receive the secondary notification messages. When the UE enters the idle mode, the prior art does not specify if the UE continues to receive secondary notification messages or not. If the base station (GERAN/UTRAN/EUTRAN) has stopped sending secondary notification messages but the UE keeps secondary notification message reception, the UE power drains.
Issue 5 is described in this paragraph. After the UE receives a primary notification message in a cell with a certain RAT (RAT 1) and then suddenly detects out of service, the UE cannot receive the secondary notification messages. When the UE re-enters in service area in the same RAT (RAT 1), the prior art does not specify if the UE continues to receive secondary notification messages or not. If the base station (GERAN/UTRAN/EUTRAN) has stopped sending secondary notification messages but the UE keeps the secondary notification message reception, the UE power drains. When the UE re-enters in service area in a different RAT (RAT 2), the prior art does not specify if the UE continues to receive secondary notification messages or not. The secondary notification messages may not be sent in the RAT (RAT 2). As a result, the UE power drains since the UE keeps receiving secondary notification messages.
Issue 6 is described in this paragraph. After the UE receives a primary notification message in a cell and then reselects to another cell before starting to receive secondary notification messages, the prior art not specify if the UE continues to receive secondary notification messages or not. If the reselected cell belongs to a different RAT, the secondary notification messages may not be sent. If the UE keeps receiving secondary notification messages, the UE power drains.
Issue 7 is described in this paragraph. The UE may miss primary notification messages (e.g. paging messages) due to cell reselection or a short interruption of service (e.g. entering elevator). In this case, the UE will not receive secondary notification messages after reselecting or re-entering the service area until the UE receives a primary notification message.
Issue 8 is described in this paragraph. The prior art does not specify how the warning notification provider only sends primary notification messages, i.e. no secondary notification message.
Issue 9 is described in this paragraph. The UE may not be able to receive paging and secondary notification messages simultaneously. For example, the reception of paging message has higher priority than normal CB (cell broadcast) messages in the GERAN/UTRAN. However, this specification may not be proper for CB messages including secondary notification messages because the secondary notification messages may contain more important information.
Issue 10 is described in this paragraph. A UE camps on a cell that the system information does not have configuration for secondary notification message. The warning notification provider requests to activate ETWS and provides primary notification and secondary notification messages. The base station controlling the cell changes system information to include configuration for UE to receive secondary notification messages. The base station sends a system information change notification message to notify UEs system information changed. The UE receives the changed system information. The base station sends a primary notification message. The UE receives a primary notification message and then receives secondary notification messages. This delivery is not efficient because the base station has to send a system information change notification message in advance of the primary notification message.
Issue 11 is described in this paragraph. The LTE base station, i.e. eNB, may not have good support for ETWS in the first launch. If paging is used to send primary notification messages, the primary notification message is easily introduced into a paging message by doing a little modification to the paging message. However, it needs more effort to support secondary notification messages. Another example is that LTE cells with a small bandwidth (e.g. 1.25 MHz) may have insufficient resources to send the secondary notification messages.

Method of managing reception of natural disaster warning notification messages for a wireless communication system and related communication device