The present invention provides a plasma display driving device capable of enhancing contrast by adjusting in accordance with the ambient illuminance of a plasma display panel the level change rate at the leading edge portion of a resetting pulse for causing the occurrence of a resetting discharge, which initializes all the discharge cells of the plasma display panel. The present invention also provides a plasma display panel driving method for enabling power consumption to be held in check by changing the number of sustaining pulses per unit time to be applied to each discharge cell in an emission sustaining step in accordance with the ambient illuminance of the plasma display panel, and, in addition, by adjusting the pulse width of at the least one of the above-mentioned sustaining pulse and scanning pulse for pixel data writing. The present invention also provides a plasma display panel driving device that enables power consumption to be held in check by determining a frequency of application of a displaying pulse to be applied per unit time based on the average brightness of an input image and the illuminance around a PDP, and by applying displaying pulses to each discharge cell in accordance with the frequency of the application.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a driving method and a driving device for a matrix display-type plasma display panel (hereinafter referred to as PDP)
2. Description of Related Art
AC (alternating current discharge) type PDP is well known as one such matrix display-type display panel.
The AC-type PDP comprises a plurality of column electrodes, and a plurality of row electrodes, which are arranged orthogonal to these column electrodes, and which form one scanning line per pair of electrodes. These respective row electrodes and column electrodes are covered with a dielectric layer for the discharge space, and assume a structure, wherein a discharge cell, which supports a pixel, is formed at each intersecting portion of a pair of row electrodes and a column electrode.
Here, a subfield method is known as one method for implementing an intermediate brightness display for this PDP. In a subfield method, the display period of one field is displayed by being divided into N subfields, which emit light only for a time corresponding to the weighting of each bit digit of N-bits of pixel data.
When using the subfield method, if it is supposed, for example, that the pixel data being supplied is constituted by six bits, a period of one field is divided into six subfields SF1, SF2 . . . , SF6, and emission driving is performed for each subfield.
Each subfield is constituted by a simultaneous resetting step, a pixel data writing step, and an emission sustaining step. In a simultaneous resetting step, by simultaneously causing discharge excitation (reset discharging) of all the discharge cells of the above-mentioned PDP, the wall charges of all the discharge cells are uniformly erased. In the subsequent pixel data writing step, a selective write discharge corresponding to pixel data occurs in each discharge cell. In this state, a wall charge is formed inside a discharge cell in which a write discharge occurred, and this discharge cell is set to an xe2x80x9clight-emitting cell.xe2x80x9d Conversely, since a wall charge is not formed in a discharge cell in which a write discharge did not occur, this cell becomes a xe2x80x9cnon-light-emitting cell.xe2x80x9d In an emission sustaining step, only a discharge cell, which has been set to an xe2x80x9clight-emitting cellxe2x80x9d, is discharged repeatedly during a period of time corresponding to the weighting of each subfield. In this process, a brightness corresponding to the total discharge period implemented in the emission sustaining steps of subfields SF1 through SF6, respectively, is visible. That is, if discharge periods of ratios of 1:2:4:8:16:32 are allocated to each subfield SF1 through SF6, then an intermediate brightness of 64 grayscale levels can be represented.
However, the reset discharge, which was implemented for all discharge cells in this simultaneous resetting step, is accompanied by a relatively strong discharge, that is, an emission of light that is a high level of brightness. The problem is that, since an emission that has nothing in the least to do with pixel data is generated by the reset discharge at this time, this causes a drop in dark contrast when enjoying a darker image, especially inside a darkened room.
Furthermore, in another example, when the pixel data for each pixel based on an input picture signal, for example, is eight bits, a one field display period is divided into eight subfields, and a simultaneous resetting step, a pixel data writing step, and an emission sustaining step are executed sequentially inside each subfield.
In a simultaneous resetting step, discharge excitation (reset discharging) is caused in all the discharge cells of the above-mentioned PDP simultaneously, thereby causing wall charges to be formed inside all the discharge cells. In a pixel data writing step, a discharge occurs selectively (selective erase discharge) for each discharge cell according to the logic level of the pixel data bit corresponding to the subfield thereof. In this process, the wall charge inside a discharge cell in which a selective erase discharge occurred is erased, and this discharge cell is set to a non-light-emitting cell state. Conversely, since the wall charge inside a discharge cell in which a selective erase discharge did not occur remains unchanged, this discharge cell is set to an light-emitting cell state. In an emission sustaining step, only a discharge cell, which has been set to the above-mentioned light-emitting cell state, is repeatedly discharged (sustain discharged) during a period of time corresponding to the weighting of each subfield. In this time, a brightness corresponding to the total number of sustain discharges, which occurred in the respective emission sustaining steps of the eight subfields, is visible. In other words, if numbers of sustain discharges having the ratios of 1:2:4:8:16:32:64:128 are allocated to the eight subfields, respectively, by combining the subfields in which sustain discharges occur within a one field display period, an intermediate brightness of 256 (=28) grayscale levels can be represented.
In driving a PDP in this way, a plurality of discharge cells are subjected to repeated sustain discharges in the emission sustaining steps of the respective subfields to achieve a display of intermediate brightness corresponding to input picture signals. Consequently, the problem is that, since current is applied to the respective discharge cells each time this sustain discharge occurs, a lot of power is consumed.
Furthermore, when a picture signal, which represents a high brightness picture, is supplied, the problem is that, since the number of sustain discharges occurring per unit time to realize this high brightness picture display increases, the power consumption increases in accordance with this.
An object of the present invention is to provide a plasma display driving device, which is capable of enhancing contrast.
A driving device of a plasma display panel according to a first aspect of the present invention is a plasma display panel driving device for driving, in accordance with picture signals, a plasma display panel, in which a plurality of discharge cells supporting display pixels are arranged in a matrix, having resetting means for generating a reset step for causing the occurrence of a reset discharge, which initializes each of the above-mentioned discharge cells to one of either an light-emitting cell state or a non-light-emitting cell state, and applies this to each of the above-mentioned discharge cells; pixel data writing means for applying to the respective above-mentioned discharge cells a scanning pulse for causing the occurrence of a selective discharge, which selectively sets the above-mentioned discharge cells to either the above-mentioned non-light-emitting cell state or the above-mentioned emission-cell state in accordance with pixel data corresponding to the above-mentioned picture signals; emission sustaining means for applying to each of the above-mentioned discharge cells a sustaining pulse for causing the occurrence of a sustain discharge, which causes light to be emitted repeatedly only from the above-mentioned discharge cells that are in the above-mentioned light-emitting cell state; a light sensor for detecting the ambient illuminance of the above-mentioned plasma display panel; and reset step waveform adjusting means for adjusting the level change rate at the leading edge portion of the above-mentioned resetting step in accordance with the above-mentioned illuminance.
Furthermore, a driving device of a plasma display panel according to a second aspect of the present invention is a plasma display panel driving device for driving, in accordance with picture signals, a plasma display panel, in which a plurality of discharge cells supporting display pixels are arranged in a matrix, having resetting means for generating a reset step for causing the occurrence of a reset discharge, which initializes each of the above-mentioned discharge cells to one of either an light-emitting cell state or a non-light-emitting cell state, and applies this to each of the above-mentioned discharge cells; pixel data writing means for applying to each of the above-mentioned discharge cells a scanning pulse for causing the occurrence of a selective discharge, which selectively sets the above-mentioned discharge cells to either the above-mentioned non-light-emitting cell state or the above-mentioned emission-cell state in accordance with pixel data corresponding to the above-mentioned picture signals; emission sustaining means for applying to each of the above-mentioned discharge cells a sustaining pulse for causing the occurrence of a sustain discharge, which causes repeated light emissions only in the above-mentioned discharge cells that are in the above-mentioned light-emitting cell state; and a light sensor for detecting the ambient illuminance of the above-mentioned plasma display panel, and the above-mentioned resetting means changes the number of times, which the above-mentioned resetting step is applied to each of the above-mentioned discharge cells in accordance with the above-mentioned illuminance.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a plasma display panel driving method and driving device, which are capable of holding down power consumption.
A driving method of a plasma display panel according to a third aspect of the present invention is a plasma display panel driving method for driving, in accordance with picture signals, a plasma display panel, in which a plurality of discharge cells supporting display pixels are arranged in a matrix, comprising a pixel data writing step for applying to each of the above-mentioned discharge cells a scanning pulse for causing the occurrence of selective discharge, which selectively sets the above-mentioned discharge cells to either the above-mentioned non-emission state or the above-mentioned emission state in accordance with the pixel data of each of the above-mentioned display pixels corresponding to the above-mentioned picture signals; an emission sustaining step for repeatedly applying to each of the above-mentioned discharge cells a sustaining pulse for causing a sustain discharge only in the above-mentioned discharge cells that are in the above-mentioned light-emitting cell state; and an adjusting step for changing the number of the above-mentioned sustaining pulses per unit time applied to each of the above-mentioned discharge cells in the above-mentioned emission sustaining step in accordance with the ambient illuminance of the above-mentioned plasma display panel, and, in addition, for adjusting the pulse width of at the least one of the above-mentioned scanning pulse and the above-mentioned sustaining pulse.
Furthermore, a driving device of a plasma display panel according to a third aspect of the present invention is a plasma display panel driving device for driving, in accordance with picture signals, a plasma display panel, in which a plurality of discharge cells supporting display pixels are arranged in a matrix, having pixel data writing means for applying to each of the above-mentioned discharge cells a scanning pulse for causing the occurrence of a selective discharge, which selectively sets the above-mentioned discharge cells to either the above-mentioned non-light-emitting cell state or the above-mentioned emission-cell state in accordance with the pixel data of each of the above-mentioned display pixels corresponding to the above-mentioned picture signals; emission sustaining means for repeatedly applying to each of the above-mentioned discharge cells a sustaining pulse for causing a sustain discharge only in the above-mentioned discharge cells that are in the above-mentioned light-emitting cell state; an external light sensor for detecting illuminance surrounding the above-mentioned plasma display panel; and adjusting means for changing the number of the above-mentioned sustaining pulses per unit time applied to each of the above-mentioned discharge cells in accordance with the above-mentioned illuminance, and, in addition, for adjusting the pulse width of at the least one of the above-mentioned scanning pulse and the above-mentioned sustaining pulse.
A driving method of a plasma display panel according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a plasma display panel driving method for carrying out a display corresponding to input picture signals by causing discharge to occur by repeatedly applying displaying pulses to each of the above-mentioned discharge cells of a plasma display panel comprising a plurality of discharge cells supporting display pixels, having an average brightness computing step for computing the average brightness of an image displayed in accordance with the above-mentioned input picture signals; an illuminance detecting step for detecting the ambient illuminance of the above-mentioned plasma display panel; and a driving step for computing the application frequency at which the above-mentioned displaying pulse is to be applied using a conversion function, which has the above-mentioned average brightness and above-mentioned illuminance as parameters, and applying to each of the above-mentioned discharge cells the above-mentioned displaying pulse in accordance with the above-mentioned application frequency.
Furthermore, a driving device of a plasma display panel according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a plasma display panel driving device for carrying out a display corresponding to input picture signals by causing discharge to occur by repeatedly applying displaying pulses to each of the above-mentioned discharge cells of a plasma display panel comprising a plurality of discharge cells supporting display pixels, having average brightness computing means for computing the average brightness of an image displayed in accordance with the above-mentioned input picture signals; illuminance detecting means for detecting the ambient illuminance of the above-mentioned plasma display panel; and driving means for computing the application frequency at which the above-mentioned displaying pulse is to be applied using a conversion function, which has the above-mentioned average brightness and above-mentioned illuminance as parameters, and applying to each of the above-mentioned discharge cells the above-mentioned displaying pulse in accordance with the above-mentioned application frequency.


Provided is a method a method for reworking an article. The method includes forming a patch over an area of a composite structure requiring rework. The forming includes placing a first film-adhesive over the area of the composite structure requiring rework, wherein the first film-adhesive extends over a first surface area of the structure including beyond an entirety of the area requiring rework, placing a first pre-cured ply stack over the first film-adhesive, wherein the first pre-cured ply stack extends over a second surface area of the composite structure; placing a second film-adhesive over the first pre-cured ply stack, wherein the second film-adhesive extends over a third surface area of the composite structure; and placing a second pre-cured ply stack over the second film-adhesive, wherein the second pre-cured ply stack extends over a fourth surface area of the composite structure.

Composite materials are typically made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties. Typically, the constituent materials include a matrix (or bond) material, such as resin, and a reinforcement material, such as a network of fibers. When combined, the constituent materials typically produce a composite material with characteristics different from the individual constituent materials, even though the constituent materials generally remain separate and distinct within the finished structure of the composite material. For example, composite materials may be stronger and/or lighter than traditional materials. Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer is an example of such a composite material.
Composite structures—those made fully or partially from composites—are used in a wide variety of applications in aircraft construction to form highly loaded primary and secondary structural components including the fuselage, wings, and other components of the aircraft. For example, the wings and wing components of an aircraft, such as flaps, may be constructed of composite skin members. Generally, such composite items are built up, layer upon layer on a mold, or the fiber component is placed and then impregnated with resin.
While composites are quite strong, they are generally not as tough as metals' and are, therefore, susceptible to damage or deformation during assembly, during servicing, or during operation. Repair of such components may require several steps, including taper sanding which is time consuming. Accordingly, improved structures, methods and kits for repairing composite structures would be a welcome addition to the art.

Structural pre-cured repair patch for repair to highly loaded primary and secondary structural components


An architecture integrates spreadsheet functionality into tables commonly used in word processing programs and HTML documents. The architecture presents a table user interface (UI) that resembles a table when not being edited and adds spreadsheet elements to the table when being edited. Underlying the table UI, the architecture separates data handling functions from presentation functions. The architecture includes a table appearance manager to manage how the table appears in a document including such characteristics as table resizing, selection, cut, copy, paste, split, merge, table formatting and so on. The architecture also has a spreadsheet functionality manager to manage the spreadsheet functions for the table, such as recalculation, formula handling, sorting, referencing, and the like. The bifurcated architecture supports cross-table referencing, reference editing, automatic universal recalculation throughout all tables in the document, and nested table structures in which one table is nested within a cell of another table.

Word processing and spreadsheet programs are two well-known and widely used software applications. Word processing programs permit users to draft letters, write books, and create other word-centric documents on a computer. Word processing programs are typically designed with the author in mind by offering tools and user interfaces that make writing easier, such as edit functions (e.g., cut, copy, paste, find, replace, etc.), spell and grammar checking, document formatting, and the like. Examples of word processing programs include "Word" from Microsoft Corporation and "WordPerfect" from Corel Corporation.
Spreadsheet programs enable users to create financial records, accounting spreadsheets, budgets, and other number-centric documents on a computer. Spreadsheet programs are developed with the accountant in mind, focusing on tools and user interfaces that simplify data entry and data manipulation. Spreadsheets typically offer such functionality as in-cell formulas, automatic recalculation as data changes, multi-sheet referencing, cell formatting according to data type (e.g., dates, currency, percentages, etc.), and the like. One example of a spreadsheet program is the "Excel" application from Microsoft Corporation.
In the past, computer users who wanted to create primarily word-based documents would select a word processing program, while users who wished to produce number-oriented documents turned to spreadsheet programs. In some situations, however, word processing users might need to include numbers and a spreadsheet "look" to an otherwise word-dominated document.
To accommodate such crossover situations, word processing programs evolved to offer tables, a visual structure that could be used to hold and organize numbers and other types of data. Tables arrange data in columns and rows, thereby emulating the spreadsheet "look". Word processing users can insert a table, modify its layout, and change cell formats to achieve a specific visual appearance to their data. Some tables even support rudimentary functions, such as adding a set of contiguous cells. However, these functions do not automatically recalculate. Accordingly, while visually similar to spreadsheets, word processing tables do not support full spreadsheet functionality.
More recently, object-oriented programming and OLE technologies have been used to provide a richer integration experience. With OLE, word processing users who want greater functionality can embed spreadsheet objects into their word processing documents, instead of tables. Essentially, this is akin to embedding an "Excel" spreadsheet (or other spreadsheet program) into a document running on the "Word" program (or other word processing program). The embedded object carries sufficient functionality to allow the user to enter formulas, format cells, recalculate functions, and do all of the things he/she would normally be able to do on a spreadsheet program.
Though the embedded spreadsheet visually resembles a table and provides the desired spreadsheet functionality, it logistically remains a separate program that must be invoked by the user. OLE requires that both types of application programs—a word processor and a spreadsheet—be installed on the computer. When the user wants to update the embedded spreadsheet, the user invokes the spreadsheet object by moving a mouse pointer to anywhere on the embedded object and double clicking the left mouse button (or via some other actuation mechanism). In response, an instance of the spreadsheet program is executed and the spreadsheet changes appearance from a "table look" to a reduced size spreadsheet program with numbered rows and lettered columns and program specific menus. In this state, the user can change functions, modify data, reformat the spreadsheet, and perform other spreadsheet tasks. When the user is finished, the user returns focus to the word processing document by moving the mouse pointer outside the spreadsheet object and single clicking the left mouse button.
While the OLE approach offers the full spreadsheet functionality within a word processing document, the process is somewhat sophisticated and typically performed by experienced users who are familiar with both spreadsheets and word processing programs. For novice or less experienced users, it may be confusing to see a table and not appreciate the difference between a word processing table and a full-functioning embedded spreadsheet object. From the user standpoint, different operations are used depending upon whether the visible structure is a table or a spreadsheet. Furthermore, common services such as text formatting, spell checking, and the like do not "tunnel" into the embedded OLE objects and thus, the user is forced to run such services for both the document and the embedded spreadsheet.
Thus, even though the final appearance may be visually similar, word processing tables and spreadsheets provide two completely separate mechanisms for displaying information. Accordingly, there remains a need for better integration of spreadsheet functionality into word processing tables.
With the rapidly growing popularity of the Internet, many documents delivered to and rendered on computers are written in markup languages, such as HTML (hypertext markup language). Markup languages can allow authors to easily construct a desired visual layout of the document. Some HTML documents provide tables that look and function as if they were integrated with the surrounding text. For instance, financial Websites commonly offer informative discussions on retirement planning, college savings, or buying a house and include with those discussions one or more tables that invite the user to fill in their personal financial information and goals. When the user finishes entering the data fields, the document appears to make on-the-fly calculations and present the results together with the discussions.
Despite the appearance of in-document calculations, the HTML document is nothing more than an electronic form that receives data entered by the user. When the user completes entry, the HTML document is submitted to a Web server that extracts the user data and makes the appropriate financial calculations. The server places the results in another HTML document and serves the document back to the user's computer. The submit and reply occur very quickly, so the user may be unaware that the HTML document holding the results is different than the HTML document into which he/she initially entered data. In any event, the traditional separation between spreadsheets and tables has persisted into the Web-based era.

System and method for integrating spreadsheets and word processing tables


This invention is a process for controlling odor and septicity of sewage or wastewater and for purifying sewage or wastewater by biological active substances, A source of sulfur dioxide is added to sewage or wastewater along with metal catalyst and sewage or wastewater is aerated. The effect of this treatment is to reduce the generation of hydrogen sulfide and the odor and corrosion associated with this compound and to reduce the need for aeration in the treatment of sewage or wastewater and to purify sewage or wastewater by increasing the metabolic activities of biological active substances added therein, This results in substantial savings in aeration costs.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process for control of odor and septicity of sewage or wastewater by adding a source of sulfur dioxide to sewage or wastewater, sewage conduit, and sewage systems in the presence of metal catalyst(s). The invention also relates to a process for purification of sewage or wastewater by biological active substances after adding a source of sulfur dioxide therein. A source of sulfur dioxide is selected from the group consisting of sulfur dioxide, sulfite, bisulfite, metabisulfite, pyrosulfite, sulfurous acid, a solution of sulfur dioxide or sulfurous acid in sodium hydroxide or lime or any other alkali. Henceforth, "source of sulfur dioxide" or "sulfur dioxide species" or "active sulfur dioxide species" will be used for any one of the compounds: sulfur dioxide, sulfite, bisulfite, metabisulfite, pyrosulfite, sulfurous acid, a solution of sulfur dioxide in sodium hydroxide or in lime or in any other alkali, and a solution of sulfurous acid in sodium hydroxide or in lime or in any other alkali. The invention also prevents further formation of odoriferous compounds in sewage, and sulfide-induced corrosion.
The invention is particularly addressed to the problem of recovering sewage or wastewater from septicity. In the presence of a source of sulfur dioxide or mixtures thereof, the metabolic conditions of the microorganisms present in sewage or wastewater are modified and improved. In the presence of a source of sulfur dioxide, or mixtures thereof, the microorganisms regain their ability to absorb oxygen from the atmosphere or any other oxygen-containing source and ability to metabolize. The conditions and substances which are detrimental to microbial metabolism are reduced in the presence of active sulfur dioxide species. The seeds of biological active substances added to sewage or wastewater or the microorganisms already present therein, will rapidly remove nutrients from sewage or wastewater in the presence of a source of sulfur dioxide or mixtures thereof. Thus the invention is directed to initiation and promotion of biosynthesis by uptake of oxygen, and purification of sewage or wastewater by increasing the efficiency of the biological active substances.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The characteristics of sewage or wastewater is its highly disagreeable odor. Many organic and inorganic compounds contribute to the formation of this odor. But mostly inorganic and organic sulfur compounds are held responsible for the odor. The principal among the sulfur compounds is hydrogen sulfide. It is also easy to detect . When almost no hydrogen sulfide formation takes place in sewage or wastewater, it is considered as odorless. Therefore, hydrogen sulfide is taken as a representative of odor forming compounds. Hydrogen sulfide in sewage or wastewater creates a public nuisance because of its highly disagreeable odor at level as low as 0.01 parts per million (ppm) in the atmosphere. Breathing by humans of air containing as low as 10 ppm of hydrogen sulfide for a period of time can prove fatal; such accumulations are likely to occur in covered or doomed clarifiers or settling tanks in treatment plants, or in manholes or wet wells in sewerage systems. Besides odor, hydrogen sulfide formation results in heavy corrosion of metal and concrete sewer lines, concrete and metal structures, and metal equipment and machinery. The corrosion is greatly reduced when the formation of hydrogen sulfide can be reduced in sewage. So far it is known, the presence of hydrogen sulfide is also detrimental to the growth of the microorganisms and other biological active substances. The microorganisms and biological active substances can not properly metabolize in the presence of hydrogen sulfide . Thus the efficiency of purification of sewage or wastewater is decreased.
Hydrogen sulfide is also not easily oxidized. It can exist being supersaturated with oxygen in aqueous solution. The occurrence of hydrogen sulfide in the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean supersaturated with oxygen has been reported (Leck, C. and Bagender, L. E., Anal. Chem., 1988, 1680-1683).
Although hydrogen sulfide is almost always formed in wastewater or sewage, sewage conduit, and sewage systems, the rate of formation is greatly enhanced in sunder temperature and prolonged anaerobic condition.
The conditions under which hydrogen sulfide is formed in sewage or wastewater is called septic. In fact, the microorganisms present therein turns black and seems lifeless or in serious metabolic disorder. Until this condition is reversed, sewage or wastewater can not be efficiently purified by biological active substances. Any seed of biological active substances added therein will not function, properly in septic condition and will fail to remove the nutrients properly from said sources. By adding a source of sulfur dioxide or mixtures thereof, the altered conditions of sewage or wastewater can be corrected.
Although, many treatments to control formation and regeneration of hydrogen sulfide in sewage or wastewater have been tried, none has been uniformly satisfactory or successful in both gravity systems and force main systems. Among those treatments used have been aeration, chlorination, ozonation, lime, sodium nitrate, activated carbon filtration, odor masking, hydrogen peroxide oxidation, and iron salts.
Ferric Chloride is widely used to control odor as well as for separation of phosphate in many treatment plants with moderate success. Many treatment plants in Europe and some in America have started to treat sewage or wastewater with pure oxygen. By treating with pure oxygen, the problem of odor, corrosion, and septicity have largely been overcome in sane treatment plants. But pure oxygen is not very satisfactory for controlling odor. One plant in Chicago which injects pure oxygen in the force main to control hydrogen sulfide, has to add hydrogen peroxide in the sun, her months in addition to pure oxygen to control hydrogen sulfide.
Pure oxygen is also expensive. It is not a cost-effective process for small plants. Many treatment plants in America are trying to explore some other alternative methods.
To evaluate the possibility of using alternative methods for controlling sewage odor, a literature search was conducted. Several patents were discovered which used sulfur dioxide or sulfurous acid for purification of sewage or wastewater in presence of iron and other metals preferably at a low pH. All the patents discuss methods for purification of water by chemical oxidation. No attempts have been made to purify sewage or wastewater by modifying or improving the biological process. No attempts have been made to purify sewage or wastewater by sulfur dioxide or sulfurous acid followed by biological active substances. None of these methods have been commercially accepted.
One example is U.S. Pat. No. 653,741 issued to Jewell in 1900, involves the use of sulfurous acid solution and scrap iron to produce a reactant solution that is mixed with water to be treated in a liquid process.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,171,203 to Urbain et al. teaches purification of organically polluted water such as sewage by generating Fe.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3 in situ by passing sulfur dioxide through a bed of scrap iron. The oxidizing power generated by this process is responsible for purification of sewage by chemical oxidation. U.S. Pat. No. 3,522,173 to Lindman et al. teaches the treatment of wastewater by the use of sulfur dioxide as an acidifying agent and iron as a flocculating agent to purify sewage or wastewater. However, the Lindman et al. process requires sulfur dioxide gas stream with large amounts of oxygen containing gases for the method to be effective. U.S. Pat. No. 3,948,774 issued Apr. 6, 1976 involves purification of water by treating wastewater with sulfur dioxide and iron between pH 2.4 and 2.6. Further, the use of sulfur dioxide for purification of wastewater is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,123,355. In this process, sufficient sulfur dioxide is used to reduce the pH of the wastewater, generally in the order of 2 to 3.
Two patents to Maclachan, U.S. Pat. Nos. 511,418 and 1,543,939 each discuss the treatment of sewage sludge with sulfur dioxide gas. However, the patents make no mention of the process as being applicable to water treatment, and neither patent discuss the use of the method for water purification purposes.
Sulfur dioxide is also used as a disinfectant. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,304,673 and 4,340,489 discuss processes by which wastewater is continuously disinfected by combining with wastewater with sufficient sulfur dioxide so that the wastewater has a selected free sulfur dioxide content of at least 5 mg/liter.
Cyanide can be almost completely oxidized by taking advantage of the oxidative power generated by sulfur dioxide oxidation. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,537,686, and 4,615,873, and 4,622,149 claim that the cyanide content of industrial wastewater containing the same is removed by treatment with sulfur dioxide or an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite or bisulfite in the presence of excess oxygen and a metal catalyst which is, preferably, copper.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,87,177 issued Mar. 10, 1959 discusses a process of treating highly colored and odoriferous sulfur dyes waste liquors containing alkali metal sulfides with sulfurous acid and thereby converting them into a colorless and odorless liquid.
In all the patents, it appears that the oxidation of sulfur dioxide or other source of sulfur dioxide generate oxidizing power. The sewage and industrial waste has been purified by the oxidative power generated by the oxidation of sulfur dioxide and active sulfur dioxide species. By this way sewage and industrial waste has been purified chemically. But no attempt has been made to purify sewage and industrial waste by biological active substances after modifying and improving the condition of sewage with addition of a source of sulfur dioxide.
Recently, it has been claimed (Kotronarou et al., Research Journal, Wat. Env. Techn, 63(7) 1991, 965), that peroxymonosulfate is a more rapid and efficient oxidant of hydrogen sulfide and as a viable alternative to hydrogen peroxide for the control of sulfide-induced corrosion in concrete Sewer.
In mechanical treatment plants, wastewater is usually purified by activated sludge after some primary treatments. However, efforts are in progress to replace activated sludge by other biological active substances such as algea, and aquatic plants.
Research has been conducted for more than two decades on the use of water hyacinth, an aquatic plant, for treating domestic wastewater. Currently, at least five full scale water hyacinth systems are being used in the U.S. for removing nutrients--nitrogen and phosphorus from secondary effluents. Water hyacinth systems occupy more land than mechanical plants. As such have not been widely used. (DeBusk et al. J. Water Env. Techn. 61(7), 1989, p. 1217).
Smaller aquatic plants such as Duckweed, Pickerel Weed, Cattail, Bulrush, Elodea nuttallii have been proposed by many small communities for efficient purification of wastewater by natural process. However, further research are needed in order to find these plants useful in purification of wastewater (Buddhavarapu et al. Water Env. Techn., 3(3) 1991, 41; Bishop et al., J. Water Poll. Control. Fed. 61(5) 1989, 641; Zirschky et al. Water Env. Techn. 2(8) 1990, 37).
Algae known as activated algae or algal turf has been regarded as one of the most promising process in removing the nutrients from wastewater. Its use in wastewater treatment is a significant development, but it has not been fully explored (Maity et al. J. Water Poll. Control Fed. 60(10), 1988, 2115).
Algal turf has been found useful in purification of water in lagoons, and reefs. U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,263, on algal turf, has been issued to Walter Adey . These group of workers are trying to apply their method in purification of wastewater. Further research and development are needed in order to make activated algae or algal turf useful in purification of sewage or wastewater.
In order to understand the condition of sewage when it is confined in sewage conduit for a long time in the absence of oxygen and at high temperature, a study was made in the laboratory with said source of sulfur dioxide and activated sludge. During the course of the study, said source of sulfur dioxide were added together with metal salts to odoriferous black septic activated sludge. The black color of the activated sludge gradually turned gray and odor greatly reduced. The gray activated sludge turns black when it was allowed to sit in the laboratory in the absence of oxygen and gradually it becomes an increasing source of odor formation. However, on addition of said source of sulfur dioxide and iron salts, the black sludge again regain their gray healthy look and odor was also reduced. Thus it appeared that said source of sulfur dioxide could prevent activated sludge from being septic and essential for the metabolism of the activated sludge.
It is also believed that sulfur in the form of sulfite enters in biological reaction. Thus it appeared that sulfite and other source of sulfur dioxide have great potential in controlling sewage odor, recovering sewage from septicity, modifying the altered biological condition, increasing oxygen uptake in sewage, and promoting microbial metabolism, but said source of sulfur dioxide had never been used as such.
The problem of controlling sewage odor and purification of sewage in a cost-effective way by improving and modifying biological process, has basically not been solved.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a process for the elimination of odor in wastewater or sewage, sewage conduit, and sewage systems by aerating and sulfur dioxide-sodium hydroxide treatment in the presence of metal catalysts. Instead of sulfur dioxide-sodium hydroxide solution, sulfite, bisulfite, metabisulfite, or pyrosulfite salts, preferably, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts, sulfur dioxide gas, a solution of sulfur dioxide in water, or sulfurous acid as well as mixtures of the various sulfur dioxide sources can be used. The source of sulfur dioxide can be added directly to the sewage or wastewater being treated. In the alternative, the source of sulfur dioxide can be first dissolved in water or in an alkaline solution, such as sodium hydroxide or lime, prior to be added to the sewage or wastewater.
Metal salts such as iron, copper, nickel, manganese, chromium, titanium, vanadium, and any other metals and compounds such as zinc, platinum, peroxydisulfate, peroxydiphosphate, and the like which promotes oxidation of sulfur dioxide or said sulfur dioxide species may be used.
It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a process for the recovery of sewage or wastewater from septicity, increase uptake rate of oxygen therein, and purify sewage or wastewater by initiating and promoting metabolism of biological active substances. It is also an object of the present invention to utilize oxygen injected in the form of any oxygen containing gas in sewage or wastewater and activated biological reactors as fully as possible by increasing oxygen absorbing capacity of said sources and thereby reducing the cost of the operation.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a process by which sulfide-induced corrosion of sewage treatment plants can be overcome.

Control of odor and septicity and purification of sewage and wastewater


A method of manufacturing a waterproof paper container which is a thick paper tube made of multiple paper layers by adhering an adhesive and coating a thermofusible synthetic resin on the surface of the adhesive.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a waterproof paper container for storing ammunitions and more particularly, a method of manufacturing a waterproof paper container which is a thick paper tube made of multiple paper layers by adhering an adhesive such as a hot molten adhesive on the exterior surface of the thick paper, and thereafter, coating by extruding a thermofusible synthetic resin on the surface of the adhesive.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, ammunition containers such as a fiber container or a fiber drum for storing ammunitions known in the art have a plurality of cases for storing the ammunitions for a long period of time and a plurality of cases for storing by heaping up in a warehouse. In as much as these conventional ammunition containers are structured with a cylindrical container simply folded in multiple with thick papers, it is real situation that great problem has been pointed out which may cause the inefficient result in detonation such as an early explosion, delayed explosion, or nonexplosion of the ammunitions owing to the deterioration of waterproof effect.
Accordingly, the present applicant developed an improvement in such ammunition container as disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,119 entitled "WATERPROOF PAPER CANISTER". However, since a thermofusible synthetic resin is coated integrally on the surface of the paper tube body, the paper tube and the thermofusible synthetic resin are different materials one another and a film is formed with polyethylene or polypropylene, the polyethylene or polypropylene cannot be penetrated into the paper tube and becomes impossible to maintain the strong adhesive strength.
Furthermore, since, when the thermofusible synthetic resin is coated by extruding on the external surface of the paper tube, the thermofusible synthetic resin becomes expanded at a high temperature and the paper tube is dehumidified causing the high temperature, it becomes a contracted state. Therefore, since, when the extruded and coated paper tube is cut by some voluntary size, the thermofusible synthetic resin is expanded while the paper tube is contracted in a normal temperature state, a moisture in the atmosphere becomes to penetrate into the paper tube and that the paper tube becomes expanded by the moisture.
Thus, since it is an unstable state that the adhering strength between the paper tube and the thermofusible synthetic resin is not present and they are loose from one another, the paper tube becomes expanded by the moisture in the atmosphere.
Therefore, since the magnitude of the paper tube becomes larger than that of the thermofusible synthetic layer for waterproofing, there are many disadvantages such as a bad waterproof effect.

Method of manufacturing a waterproof paper container

#803, 23-Dong, Hanyang Apt. San 2-21, Apkujung-Dong


A voltage detection circuit is provided for measuring each cell voltage of an assembled battery configured by connecting a plurality of cells in series. The voltage detection circuit is defined as a first voltage detection circuit. The voltage detection circuit includes a downstream communication circuit that communicates with a host apparatus to communicate with a plurality of voltage detection circuits connected in series with each other; a reply signal generation circuit that generates a reply signal containing data detected by the first voltage detection circuit; an upstream transfer circuit that transfers a signal received by the upstream communication circuit to downstream; a dummy current consumption circuit that consumes a predetermined dummy current; and a control circuit that controls the reply signal generation circuit, the upstream transfer circuit, and the dummy current consumption circuit to selectively operate any one of them.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a voltage measurement apparatus showing data acquisition from a voltage detection circuit 101 in a voltage measurement apparatus of a conventional example. FIG. 1B is a block diagram of the voltage measurement apparatus showing data acquisition from a voltage detection circuit 103 in the voltage measurement apparatus of the conventional example. Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the voltage measurement apparatus of the conventional example is configured to include a host apparatus 100 made up of a micro control unit (MCU) and a communication circuit, and voltage detection circuits 101, 102 and 103. In this case, each of B1, B2 and B3 is a battery cell (hereinafter, referred to as cell). For example, a plurality of batteries is connected in series, and BA is an assembled battery configured by connecting the cells B1, B2 and B3 in series.
In the conventional example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the MCU transmits a data readout command to one of the three voltage detection circuits 101, 102 and 103 connected in a daisy chain. The command is delivered to all the voltage detection circuits 101, 102 and 103 connected in the daisy chain, and only the voltage detection circuit having become a target transmits reply data. The reply data is sequentially delivered through the daisy chain, and the MCU receives the returned data.

Voltage detection circuit for voltage measurement apparatus for use in assembled battery system


In order to obtain a thin plate manufacturing method capable of extremely increasing manufacturing efficiency by enlarging the production scale and remarkably reducing the manufacturing cost per unit area and an apparatus for manufacturing this thin plate, a method and an apparatus performing introduction of a substrate into a main chamber and discharge of the substrate from the main chamber through at least one subsidiary chamber (3, 4) adjacent to the main chamber (1) are employed when manufacturing a silicon thin plate by dipping a surface layer part of the substrate into a silicon melt (7) in a crucible (2) arranged in the main chamber (1) for bonding silicon (5) to the surface of the substrate.

Silicon is employed for a public solar cell. While conversion efficiency is decreased in order of single-crystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon and amorphous silicon, the cost is reduced in the aforementioned order to readily implement a larger area. Among these, amorphous silicon, which can be deposited from a raw material of SiH4 on a substrate of glass, plastic or metal by CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition), is at a low cost and can be readily increased in area. The conversion efficiency is about 12% at the maximum.
As to single-crystalline silicon, an ingot having a diameter of 150 mm (6 inches) or 200 mm (8 inches) is manufactured by the CZ (Czochralski) method and can be increased in size, and the conversion efficiency thereof can exceed 15%.
As to polycrystalline silicon, a method of solidifying/growing the same from a liquid phase or a method of depositing the same from a vapor phase is researched. While polycrystalline silicon can be readily increased in area similarly to amorphous silicon, the conversion efficiency thereof is on an intermediate position between those of single-crystalline silicon and amorphous silicon.
Each of the aforementioned various types of silicon manufacturing methods increases the area, improves of the conversion efficiency and reduces the manufacturing cost. However, the unit generating cost thereof is rather expensive as compared with the present large-scale power generation system such as nuclear power generation or thermal power generation, and the manufacturing cost must be reduced.

Thin plate manufacturing method and thin plate manufacturing apparatus


A rotation speed controller performs a rotation speed control to allow the rotation speed of a first rotating electrical machine to be equal to a start up target value, when an internal combustion engine is started while a frictional engagement device is disengaged. An engagement controller controls a non-synchronization engagement of the frictional engagement device and allows the frictional engagement device to be in a direct engagement state when performing the rotation speed control. A start up instruction unit gives a start up instruction with respect to the internal combustion engine on condition of being directly engaged. The rotation speed controller sets the start up target value so that a rotation speed at the time of a direct connection, which is a rotation speed of the engine while in direct engagement, becomes a start up rotation speed that is set within a startable rotation speed range of the engine.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a driving device for a vehicle, which is provided with an input member that is connected in a driving manner to an internal combustion engine, an output member that is connected in a driving manner to wheels, a first rotating electrical machine, a second rotating electrical machine, a differential gear unit including at least three rotational elements, and a control device.
2. Description of the Related Art
For example, a technology disclosed in JP-A-2010-76678 may be exemplified as a driving device for a vehicle as described above in the related art. JP-A-2010-76678 discloses a configuration in which the differential gear unit includes a planetary gear mechanism having three rotational elements, the first rotating electrical machine is connected in a driving manner to a sun gear, the input member is connected in a driving manner to a carrier, and the second rotating electrical machine and the output member are connected in a driving manner to a ring gear. In addition, the driving device for a vehicle includes a frictional engagement device that is capable of releasing the connection in a driving manner between the carrier and the input member (internal combustion engine), such that the internal combustion engine is detachable by making the frictional engagement device be in a released state, during executing an electric traveling mode in which a vehicle is made to travel by torque of the second rotating electrical machine in a state in which the internal combustion engine is stopped. Therefore, during executing the electric traveling mode, the rotation speed of the sun gear (the first rotating electrical machine) or the carrier may be set independently from a vehicle speed. As a result, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-2010-76678, the carrier is made to rotate by actively controlling the rotation speed of the first rotating electrical machine, and auxiliary machines may be driven using the rotation of the carrier.
However, in a configuration in which the frictional engagement device is made to be the released state during executing the electric traveling mode like the configuration of JP-A-2010-76678, when it is switched to a split traveling mode in which the traveling is performed by using torque of the internal combustion engine due to an increase in torque required to a vehicle, or the like, it is necessary to switch an engagement state of the frictional engagement device to a direct engagement state, and to increase the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine to a rotation speed at which ignition is possible. In regard to a control at this time, paragraphs 0073 to 0076 of JP-A-2010-76678 discloses a configuration in which the frictional engagement device is switched from the released state to the direct engagement state in a state in which the rotation speed of the first rotating electrical machine is made to decrease until the rotation speed of the carrier is equal to zero that is a rotation speed of the internal combustion engine, and then the rotation speed of the first rotating electrical machine is made to increase until the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine becomes a rotation speed higher than a rotation speed at which ignition is possible. That is, in the configuration disclosed in JP-A-2010-76678, it is necessary that the frictional engagement device is made to engage after the rotation speed of the first rotating electrical machine is made to decrease until it reaches a state indicated by a bold broken line shown in FIG. 9 of JP-A-2010-76678, and then the rotation speed of the first rotating electrical machine is made to increase until it reaches a state indicated by a bold solid line shown in FIG. 9 of JP-A-2010-76678.
However, in the above-described configuration, in a case where an internal combustion engine starting up condition under which the internal combustion engine is started up is established (particularly, when it is determined that the switching from the electric traveling mode to the split traveling mode in JP-A-2010-76678), it is necessary to change the rotation speed of the first rotating electrical machine until the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine reaches a rotation speed at which the ignition is possible, after the frictional engagement device is made to be the direct engagement state. Therefore, there is a concern in that time is necessary to some degree until the internal combustion engine is started up after the starting up condition of the internal combustion engine is established.


The present invention relates to a system and method for rolling a seamless tube. The plant comprises a main rolling mill with adjustable rolls for mandrel-rolling a semi-finished tube. The plant also comprises a fixed-roll extracting/reducing mill positioned downstream of the main rolling mill. The extracting/reducing mill is designed to extract the semi-finished tube from the mandrel and reduce its diameter to a predetermined value close to that desired for the finished tube. Finally, the plant comprises a adjustable-roll sizing mill. The sizing mill is positioned downstream of the extracting/reducing mill. This sizing mill is designed to adjust the radial position of the rolls and define the diameter of the outgoing tube.

Seamless metal tubes can be produced by successive plastic deformation of a starting billet. First, the billet is heated in a furnace to a temperature of about 1220-1280° C. Then the billet is pierced longitudinally to obtain a pierced semi-finished article with a thick wall and a length 1.5 to 4 times longer than that of the starting billet. Next, a mandrel is introduced into this semi-finished article. This semi-finished article is then passed through a rolling mill (referred to below as "main rolling mill") that can gradually thin the wall by means of suitable diameter-reducing operations and increase the length of the finished product. As is well known, the rolling mill comprises a plurality of rolling units. Each unit comprises a stand on which rolls with profiled grooves are mounted. Usually, a system comprises three profiled rolls and the profiles of the grooves of the three rolls, all connected together, define the outer profile of the tube produced by the rolling unit.
As mentioned above, the main rolling mill requires the arrangement of a mandrel inside the tube being processed to counter the radial thrust exerted by the rollers during rolling. In order to exert this counter action, the mandrel must be extremely stiff in the radial direction. Moreover, in order to ensure a high-quality finish for the inner surface of the tube, the mandrel must have an outer surface which is as smooth as possible. Because of this requirement, it would be extremely difficult to manufacture mandrels consisting of several parts joined together. The joining zone is in fact necessarily characterized by an irregular surface. Moreover, this zone would be too delicate to withstand the radial rolling pressure.
Use of a retained mandrel, where the mandrel is both axially constrained and retained so as to advance at a controlled speed, is well known. This solution has a notable drawback. The single section of the mandrel, while being constrained, is advanced axially along the rolling mill and is thus engaged in full deformation conditions in successive rolling stations. Inside the rolling stations, the mandrel is subjected to high thermal and mechanical stresses due to the deformation energy and the friction produced by the sliding contact of the tube material. The passage through more than one rolling station therefore causes a significant increase in the mandrel temperature, thereby resulting in the need to provide several mandrels which are identical to each other. The multiple mandrels allow each one of them to be suitably cooled at the end of rolling and then lubricated for the next rolling cycle. In addition to this, it must be considered that the individual mandrel must be made entirely of a particularly high-quality material in order to withstand the stresses typically arising during rolling. From the above, it is clear that a considerable outlay is required for the mandrel stock in order to be able to ensure operation of the main rolling mill.
Downstream of the main rolling mill, the tube is extracted from the mandrel and the final finishing operations are performed so as to obtain a tube which is able to comply with suitable quality control standards. The main parameters which must be verified are the wall thickness and the outer diameter of the tube. At present two different types of plant which are able to perform the final finishing operations are known.
A first type of plant envisages an extracting mill, downstream to the main rolling mill and in series, capable of extracting the semi-finished tube from the mandrel. This extracting mill usually comprises three stands.
During the subsequent processing operations, it is no longer possible to directly modify the thickness of the tube wall. It is therefore advisable, in this type of plant, to carry out a control of the wall thickness soon after the extractor. In this way, if the semi-finished tube has a wall thickness which is different from the desired thickness it is possible to perform automatic adjustment of the main rolling mill so as to correct the thickness along the following tube sections.
A sizing mill is positioned, off-line, downstream to the extractor and the thickness control point. This sizing mill comprises a plurality of fixed stands (usually 10-12) which are able to define the final diameter of the tube so that it complies with the required standard. In order to obtain a good result in terms of the diameter, it is advisable to ensure a uniform temperature for the tube inside a suitable furnace so that uniform contraction of the tube is also achieved during subsequent cooling. During this processing step, the tube exiting from the main rolling mill may have different temperatures along the various sections, depending on the geometric conditions of the tube and transient factors during the process. Therefore, the furnace which precedes the sizing mill must have dimensions that allow the entire tube to be housed internally so that the tube may have a uniform temperature of about 950° C.
Following the action of the sizing mill, the final diameter of the tube is brought into compliance with the desired standard. The wall thickness, however, may fail to comply with the standard because sizing mill modifies the thickness of the wall in an uncontrollable and sometimes unpredictable manner. Downstream to the sizing mill, a station for controlling the final thickness of the tube may also be provided and may, if necessary, correct the thickness of the semi-finished article upstream, within the main rolling mill. It is clear, however, that this control operation is performed at a later stage and that the conditions which caused a deviation of the thickness from the required standard may have, in the meantime, changed again, thereby invalidating the effectiveness of the control operation.
This first type of plant, although widely used, is not without drawbacks. Firstly, the furnace arranged between the extracting mill and the sizing mill represents an additional outlay and, since it must remain constantly in operation, generates high running costs. Moreover, from a logistical point of view, the fixed-roll sizing mill requires a large mandrel stock in order to be able to adapt to the different diameters required, different steels used and their characteristics. Finally, as mentioned above, a control of the final thickness of the tube wall is performed indirectly and is thus unable to ensure small tolerance values.
A second type of known plant envisages the arrangement, extracting/sizing mill downstream and in series to the main rolling mill. This extracting/sizing mill comprises a plurality of adjustable-roll stands and is thus able to extract the tube from the mandrel and control the final tube diameter. A control of the wall thickness is performed just after the extracting/sizing mill. In this way, if the finished tube has a wall thickness which is different from the desired thickness, it is possible to perform automatic adjustment of the main rolling mill so as to correct the thickness along the following tube sections.
Although this type of plant is clearly more compact than the plant described previously, there are a number of drawbacks which make use of the plant not particularly advantageous. The extracting/sizing mill comprises many adjustable stands (10-12), making it very complex and expensive. Moreover, accurate control of the tube diameter cannot be performed on-line. It should be remembered that, at the end of the rolling process, the tube moves along the plant at a speed of about 5-6 m/s. It is therefore very difficult to implement feedback control which allows checking of the tube parameters and real-time modification of the rolling mills. This difficulty is increased when there are variations in temperature along the tube. These temperature variations cannot be effectively compensated for and can result in corresponding variations in the final diameter of the tube.
The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome, at least partly, the drawbacks mentioned in the above prior art references. In particular, a task of the present invention is to provide a continuous rolling plant which allows more effective control over both the outer diameter and the wall thickness of the finished tube. Moreover, a task of the present invention is to provide a continuous rolling plant which requires a smaller initial outlay and lower running cost. Finally, a task of the present invention is to provide a continuous rolling plant which allows simpler management from a logistical point of view.


A method and apparatus for educational information transfer to consumers of prescription medication using a greeting card-style format and unique icons to structure categories of drug information. Integral to the apparatus is a capsule-shaped, free-standing revolving floor rack holding 80 to 100 different cards.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to consumer education, in general, and to a system for communicating drug information to consumers, including patients receiving prescription medications, in particular.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of printed matter as a means of the conveyance of drug information, in a format understandable by the lay person, has long been known. In general, this has been accomplished through published works, such as books, pamphlets, brochures and the like, encompassing a wide range of prescription and non-prescription drugs.
Persons reading or viewing these works are then able to understand the uses and caveats of various medications. Information thus imparted is generally divided into separate categories, such as, but not limited to, uses of the medication; conditions which would make use of the drug inappropriate; other medications which may interact with the drug; potential side effects of the drug; special cautions for certain age groups using the drug; proper dosing guidelines; and recommendations for storage.

Drug information communication system employing cards, icons and a display rack with integral indexing system


Circuitry can be provided in a fixed logic device, or can be configured into a programmable integrated circuit device such as a programmable logic device (PLD) to perform vector-based matrix operations for matrices of arbitrary size, up to a predetermined maximum size. The circuitry may be used where input row vectors of a matrix are to be combined—e.g., by multiplication—with the same initial vector, which may be one of the rows. Column memories may be provided to hold the input matrix data, so that each row may be read by simultaneously accessing the same index in each column memory. In accordance with the invention, the number of column memories may be less than the actual number of columns so that multiple physical “row access” operations are used to access each logical row. A “circular latch” may be provided to hold the initial vector.

This invention relates to performing matrix operations in integrated circuit devices, and particularly in programmable integrated circuit devices such as programmable logic devices (PLDs).
Matrix operations on large matrices are becoming more common. For some technical problems, solutions may involve matrices as large as 256-by-256. For example, it may be necessary to factor and/or invert a large matrix, or to solve for the eigenvalues of a large matrix. However, while a vector-based approach may be useful for performing such operations, providing the resources for such large vector-based solutions may be problematic, particularly where the size of the matrices may differ. This may particularly be the case in programmable devices, where different users may require resources for vector-based matrix operations of different sizes.

Matrix operations in an integrated circuit device


A magnetoelectronic transducer includes a housing; a circuit board (21) provided within the housing and having a processing circuit (51); an element holder (22) provided within the housing and extending perpendicular to and beyond the circuit board; a magnetoelectronic transducer element (24) provided on a front end of the element holder; a power circuit (50) provided on a basic section (22b) of the element holder; and a cable (28) connected to the power circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to magnetoelectronic transducers for magnetically detecting the number of revolutions or rotary position of a rotary machine part.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, a large number of magnetoelectronic transducers, such as Hall elements and magnetic resistors, are used to detect the number of revolutions or rotary position of a rotary part of an internal combustion engine or compressor. A conventional magnetoelectronic transducer is shown in FIGS. 5-7. A housing 20 is made from a non-magnetic metal or resin so as to have an element housing front section 200 of a small diameter and a circuit housing rear section 210 of a diameter slightly larger than that of the element housing section 200. The element and circuit housing sections 200 and 210 house an element holder printed circuit board 22 and another circuit board 21, respectively.
As best shown in FIG. 6, the element holder 22 has a front section of a reduced width and an enlarged rear section, on either side of which a wiring pattern is printed to provide conductor leads 23. A pair of parallel conductors 23 extends backwardly from the front edge of the element holder 22 on each side to match four terminals 24a of a Hall element 24 which is a magnetoelectronic transducer element. The four conductors 23 are arranged such that no interference problem arises and each have a through hole 25 at its rear end for use in connection. These through holes 25 are spaced in a line which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the element holder 22.
The Hall element 24 is positioned parallel to the front edge 22a of the element holder 22. The terminals 24a of the Hall element 24 are curved such that they follow the printed surfaces of the element holder 22, and the front portion of the element holder 22 is press fitted between the opposed terminals 24a. Each terminal 24a is connected to the corresponding printed conductor 23 with a mass of solder 26 so that the Hall element 24 is secured to the front end 22a of the element holder 22, which is positioned in the same plane as the circuit board 21. Each conductor 23 of the element holder 22 is connected to the circuit board 21 via a pin 27 which is soldered to the through hole 25. A cable 28 is connected to the circuit board 21 for supplying power to the circuit board 21 and the Hall element 24 and carrying various input and output signals. Thus interconnected circuit board 21 and the element holder 22 are positioned within the housing 20. The four ridgelines on the front portion of the element holder 22 abut against the inside surface of the element housing section 200 so that the element holder 22 is held in place and that the front end of the Hall element 24 abuts with the front wall of the housing 20. The conductors 23 are positioned so that they do not contact with the housing 20.
As shown in FIG. 7, the circuit board 21 has a power circuit 50 which consists of a large capacity capacitor 50a, an oscillation preventive capacitor 50b, and a three-terminal regulator 50c and a processing circuit 51 for supplying power from the power supply 50 to the Hall element 24 and converting a signal outputted by the Hall element 24. The power circuit 50 not only converts the 12-V d.c. voltage, which is supplied by a power supply (not shown) via the cable 28, into 5 V d.c. but also prevents its own oscillation. The processing circuit 51 converts a signal from the Hall element 24 and outputs it to a display or other device (not shown) via the cable 28.
The magnetoelectronic transducer, which is supplying power to the Hall element 24, is positioned near the periphery of a sensing disk 30 which is secured to the rotor of an engine or compressor and has alternating n and s magnetic poles on the periphery. The Hall element 24 detects and converts magnetic changes corresponding to the rotation of the sensing disk 30 into an electrical signal, which is inputted to the processing circuit 51. The processing circuit 51 processes the signal and outputs on the cable 28 a signal which indicates the number of revolutions or rotary position of the sensing disk 30.
In the above magnetoelectronic transducer, a single ordinary printed circuit board (element holder 22) is used to hold the Hall element 24 and electrically connect the Hall element 24 to the circuit board 21 so that there are no needs for any additional part or specially molded holder for the manufacture, resulting in the reduced unit manufacturing cost.
However, the above magnetoelectronic transducer has the power circuit 50 and the processing circuit 51 mounted on the same circuit board 21 so that the circuit board 21 inevitably becomes large. In addition, the power circuit 50, more particularly the three-terminal regulator 50c, generates much heat so that it is necessary to space the processing circuit 51 from the power circuit 50 or provide a heat sink, resulting in not only the limited design freedom but also the increased unit size and manufacturing cost.

Rotation detector having a housing with a processing circuit and a transducer element holder


A mobility extended telecommunications application and method of use which comprises an integrated wireless and wirelined network with central control and which has a programmed interface to translate between the different protocols of the wireless and the wirelined networks to allow for customized services to be furnished to said wireless network without the necessity of expensive switching and data handling devices. The application can be utilized between many networks, such as enterprise networks, and facilitates the utilization of the architecture of the wirelined network and the home location register of the wireless network for various applications on the wireless network. Moreover, the present invention also allows use of events broadcast via mass media means to modify routing of calls placed from a wireline or wireless based phone.

The current cellular, PCS or any public wireless telephony network is now based on a design model defined by the Wireless Intelligent Network (WIN) architecture. This section defines why this model is used and what it details. We then show how the subject invention is used to enhance the application delivery mechanism of new features and services in the WIN.
The concept of intelligent telephony networks was first implemented by the wired (wireline) networks. Under the model of Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) wireline networks provide centralized control of telephone services provided to subscribers through diversely located central office switching systems. In an AIN type system, central offices send and receive data messages from a SCP via a STP.
In recent years, a number of new services have been provided by the AIN, and other AIN-like networks to provide personalized services to individual subscribers when at home or away from home. It is important to note that any services provided to individuals while they were away from home required the individual to manually register or notify the network of his present location. The network did not, nor does the AIN model provide for, any mobility management based in the network.
Modifications of the AIN system allow a TELCO to customize the routing of telephone calls via a graphical programming language used on a specialized terminal by TELCO personnel.
Prior art AIN systems are exclusively land line communications systems, i.e. they provide telephone communication services via wired telephone lines.. The signaling protocol used for AIN allows only for control of telephone network switching elements in response to processes or software functions that are based on the calling number, called number and other relatively fixed items (time of day, congestion control and end user control, etc). Wired line communications, even those provided by the AIN, are necessarily limited by the fixed nature of installed lines. These systems make no provision for communications with any mobile link, except as taught by Emery et. al. in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,469,496, 5,506,887.
While AIN is the intelligent processing related to the wireline networks, WIN is the intelligent processing of the wireless networks. In many ways they are similar and have used similar technologies, however, the model for WIN has a significant additional element, that of mobility. In the AIN architecture, both the originating and terminating telephone are assumed to be fixed, while in the WIN architecture, the location of the mobiles must be tracked by the networks. The HLR is the data register that tracks the location of the mobile and contains the subscriber profiles. It is because of this mobility element in the WIN architecture that makes WIN much different from AIN.
The cellular telecommunications industry has developed roaming standards which allow automatic handoffs from one cellular network to another during an established call, and to allow roaming from one system to another while having incoming calls follow the customer to the visited system. A protocol which accomplishes this is set out in the EIA/TIA standard IS-41. The IS-41 protocol is an out-of-band signaling protocol which may be transported by either X.25 or SS7 links.
The link between the mobile cellular user and the appropriate base station uses particular radio frequencies mandated by appropriate regulatory bodies. Dedicated trunk lines serve as the link between the base station and the MSC, and the interface between MSCs within the same system (same cellular carrier) is generally provided by dedicated land lines. Data links connect the mobile switching center to a VLR, and HLR, which can be located at the mobile switching center or at a remote point. Only the HLR may serve more than one MSC, the VLR is dedicated to the MSC that currently has control of the mobile. The subscriber record is erased when the mobile is no longer active or has moved to another MSC. The HLR is the location register which contains the user identity, such as directory number, profile information (feature list), current location, and validation period. The VLR is the location register, other than the HLR in which an MSC temporarily stores and retrieves information regarding a visiting subscriber or user. The difference between the VLR and the HLR is simply that the HLR is the permanent storage place for the subscriber record while the VLR is a temporary storage place used during a configurable time. The use of the VLR reduces the amount of network signaling needed to process the call handling.
Many mobility controllers of the above described cellular systems are now programmed to provide subscribers selected special services. Until recently, such roaming subscribers engaged in the special feature calls required special support by the system and would not be handed off between systems without losing these special features. If the mobile subscriber had roamed to another system and registered on that system, the special features did not necessarily follow the subscriber. Data networks, such as SS7 networks, interconnect the mobility controllers with each other for data communications, for example to transfer necessary data from a subscriber's HLR to a VLR in the mobility controller the subscriber's mobile station is currently communicating with.
To enable seamless roaming for subscribers who use special services, the Wireless Intelligent Network (WIN) was developed. The WIN was developed as an extension to the CTIA's reference model. The first, capability centers around consolidation of the network's location functions. Secondly, the network must have a robust SCP platform that runs multiple applications, and thirdly, the network must be enhanced by new "primitive" capabilities. A key enhancement to the WIN was realized by adding Service Control Function (SCF) functionality to the reference model. The SCF function replaced the HLR in the model and the HLR was redefined as an application using the SCF.
The WIN comprises three unique components. A MSC switch functionality which provides call processing (including inherent SSP capabilities), and features including call waiting, call forwarding, and three way calling. Secondly, the system also provides EIA/TIA IS-41 SS7 message protocol providing intersystem handoff, automatic call delivery, automatic roaming and, most importantly, remote feature access. Thirdly, the WIN SCP provides mobility management, and a platform for hosting service logic (network applications).
Traditionally, the architecture of wireless networks places the burden of hosting new service applications on the mobile switch (MSC). MSCs are an extremely expensive network element, and are typically limited in the computing and database capacity needed to host new services and therefore are not well suited to support growth.. By adopting the WIN architecture, wireless carriers place more network intelligence and mobility management functionality into SCPs. The WIN architecture is currently under deployment by various cellular carriers, and is suited for use in all cellular and PCS networks.
Currently, a dominant WIN SCP solution places service applications, such as software defined networks and messaging centers, within the same processing environment as essential network software elements such as authentication center (AC) and HLR. Given that ultra-high availability software such as AC and HLR functions operate with those requiring less reliability, such as software defined networks and messaging centers, new applications must reside on overly expensive hardware. This solution, and others like it, are limited by proprietary development environments as third party developers are unable to effectively create applications based on the platform.
Currently, consumers generally have access to wireless networks that offer voice service. In a few cases, carriers who use the WIN architecture, and certain PCS carriers, minimal advanced services such as short messaging or voice mail are offered. The primary reason that consumers have such a limited suite of services from which to choose is due to the time and expense of developing services for use on a network wide basis. These services take many months to develop and must be justified by a business case that assumes use by the general population. The subject invention enables new applications to be developed and hosted in a focused, inexpensive and timely fashion to respond to customer demands.
As wireless network providers move from a duopoly to a competitive environment, they are being forced to move to a richer suite of advanced services to stave off the threat of new PCS/PCN service offers. An effective counter to the potential loss of profitability is to quickly develop and implement new service offerings. Also, recently licensed competitive carriers have a large stake in the ability to roll out new services in a timely manner. In the FCC "A", "B" and "C" block 1.9 Ghz spectrum auctions, spectrum winners paid 2 to 3 times the price per pop, or potential subscriber, when compared to the initial FCC cellular spectrum auctions. This portends that the new service providers will have to have operation cost levels that are lower than current cellular carriers in order to be similarly profitable.
Multiple vendors are beginning to develop products to support the WIN architecture. However, three issues must be addressed to meet the challenge of profitable, highly functional wireless networks. First, wireless applications must have a platform for operation that allows custom application tailoring to an individual customer's need, rather than the overall needs of all network users. Second, if this type of customization and scaling are to happen, the cost basis and development paradigm for these wireless applications must change dramatically. Third, billing and provisioning systems must be adapted to allow carriers to manage a new level of service flexibility and customization.
The subject invention allows new applications to be developed that will utilize the primitives of information contained in the SCP applications to develop additional and highly custom applications.
Recent industry activity has indicated a need for an open operating environment for creation of new applications, and a more distributed architecture for hosting these applications. The subject invention was created in response to this activity. Further, Motorola Corp. has introduced the Memos.TM., software platform to address this need. Memos.TM. is an open software operating environment designed to enable economical wireless communications to a broad range of users. This solution is designed and targeted for personalized messaging applications. This represents a subset of all wireless applications. Additionally, Memos.TM., does not provide a convenient means for development as it uses a proprietary Motorola scripting language, rather than an industry standard telephony API for application development. Finally, Memos.TM., does not include a means for using information contained in an IS-41 message for customizing message delivery.
The subject invention allows new applications to be developed that will utilize the primitives of information contained in SCP and switch based applications and databases, and carried via IS-41 messages, to develop additional and highly custom applications. Among the types of highly custom applications that can be developed and implemented using the subject invention are: enterprise network interconnections, information delivery applications, and enhanced intelligent network applications. The architecture of the subject invention enables these and other applications to inter-work, and share processing and user interface capabilities.
Further, the subject invention, based on the use of an intelligent router, or gateway server improves upon current solutions by enhancing networking efficiency. The subject invention treats an enterprise network or application adjunct as if it were an individual MSC, with HLR/VLR capabilities. However, in current solutions, each application would be required to possess a unique SS7 point code. Instead, the gateway server has an SS7 "point code" and routes messages from this router to individual applications based on a mapping of subscriber information to an application adjunct. This reduces the burden placed on a carrier's SS7 network, and reduces the cost of implementing advanced network services by using more ubiquitous TCP/IP transmission capability.
Another capability of the subject invention relates to targeted information delivery, based on information obtained from a cellular or PCS network. Certain information can be delivered based on primitives of information contained within the cellular network. This information can be formatted, delivered and used in many ways. For example, many Internet World Wide Web sites, such as the Federal Express site, provide valuable information to people. The site provides package tracking information. A person can input their package tracking number and receive updated information on the status of their package.
Obtaining information from World Wide Web sites continues to grow at an incredible rate. The main way to acquire information from the Internet is through a computer which is connected directly to the Internet or is connected via an Internet service provider's (ISP) dial up connection service. And although some new services are being introduced that automatically bring information to the computer from the WWW, for example, the PointCast Service, the major means for accessing WWW information on the computer is by searching for information. If it is commonly accessed WWW sites, bookmarks are often used to provide ease and speed of information retrieval.
A new capability for acquiring instant information found on the World Wide Web can be developed and delivered through a wireless handset without having to search the WWW on a computer. This capability will allow a subscriber to organize automatic information agents to search for information on the WWW and then send the desired information to the subscriber through the Wireless Intelligent Network and the wireless carriers' sophisticated wireless handsets and switching capabilities. Information delivery can be conditioned based upon logic relating to status information and messages from a WIN. This information can be delivered in the form of a short message (SMS), or in handheld device markup language (HDML), or in the form of an "applet" using appropriate programming languages such as Java by Sun Microsystems.
Additionally, a convenient means for implementing advanced number translation services is currently a requirement of cellular and PCS networks. A method of implementing reduced digit dialing, or closed user groups, based on mobility related information is a valuable service. This service would provide the ability for a wireless carrier to offer subscribers use and access to a newly established wireless network of wireless and wireline telephone numbers. This network allows subscribers to add frequently dialed numbers to a network database; and then dial only four or seven digits (any predetermined short number sequence) regardless of where the caller is calling from. Information from the wireless network, such as certain IS-41 messages, determines the appropriate exchange, area or country codes and adds these additional codes on to the dialed number as required. The subject invention provides an optimal means for implementing this service.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved combined network system consisting of both a private network and a wireless network wherein the private network appears as a node on said wireless network and allows open architecture applications on said private network to run on said wireless network.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a system whereby fixed telephones, associated with a mobile telephone, to be acquired by a mobile network management system as if they were mobile telephones themselves.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a method of connecting private network based applications to network based applications in both AIN and WIN models.
Another object of this invention is to make a private wired or wireless, or combination network (WAN or LAN) logically appear to the cellular (WIN) network or wireline (AIN) as an extension of the network.
A further object of the invention is to reduce the cost of running specialized applications on wireless networks by utilizing portions of a private wireline network in lieu of multiple service control points.
A further object of this invention to provide an improved means for developing and implementing wireless network services, and combined network services consisting of private networks, wireless networks, and information sources and networks such as the internet. This is accomplished by using an open architecture application platform that uses a mobility extended application programmer interface.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an architecture for efficiently implementing both an open architecture application platform, and a means to interconnect private wireless network applications, and other database applications to wireless networks.
A further object of this invention is to provide a means to allow database and other enterprise applications to access subscriber information (profile, location, etc.) contained within the wireless network.
A further object of this invention is to provide a means for wireless subscribers to have access to enterprise databases, the Internet and other information sources, based on contextual information such as location, time, IS-41 messages or other similar network control messages such as those that indicate presence on, and location in a mobile wireless network.
A further object of this invention is to provide a means for wireless subscribers to have access to enterprise databases, the internet and other information sources, based on event triggers in these data sources, such as a change in product availability status, or a change in a stock price, logically combined with IS-41 messages or other similar network control messages such as those that indicate presence on, and location in a mobile wireless network.
A further object of this invention is to provide an improved means of implementing reduced digit dialing, or closed user groups, based on mobility related information, such as IS-41 messages indicating location in a mobile wireless network.
These and other objects of the invention will become readily apparent when reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 represents Wireless Intelligent Network (WIN) architecture,
FIG. 2 represents a preferred embodiment of the invention showing a LAN/Cellular interconnection via an SP,
FIG. 3 shows SP processors connected to a LAN and connected to a cellular operator's service transfer point by an SS7 link,
FIG. 4 shows the layering of the communications and applications that embody this type of connection,
FIG. 5 shows the transaction side connection of the network interface, and
FIG. 6 represents a preferred embodiment of the invention showing interconnections between a gateway server, a service adjunct and an enterprise network, and a WIN STP.

Mobility extended telephone application programming interface and method of use