According to this invention, instead of a conventionally used wire, a radio transmitting medium is employed as a transmitting medium for transmitting information containing sound signal between a sound input unit for inputting the sound signal generated in a sound generating source and at least one sound output unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an acoustic system provided in an acoustic space of, for example, home, vehicle compartment, movie theater, stage, concert hall or the like, the acoustic system comprising a sound input unit for inputting sound signals generated by a sound generator and at least a sound output unit, and more particularly to an acoustic system capable of contributing to improvement of appearance thereof and improvement of working efficiency and freedom of installation of its respective component units.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, for example, an acoustic system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H7-288512 has been known as the acoustic system for use in acoustic space of, for example, home and vehicle compartment.
The acoustic system disclosed in the same publication comprises a wireless microphone transmitter which is a sound generator, a receiver for receiving a sound signal sent from the transmitter, an amplifier for amplifying a sound signal received by the same receiver at a determined amplification factor and a pair of speakers which are connected to the same amplifier through wire and convert a sound signal amplified by the amplifier to aerial vibration so as to produce sounds.
In such a system, the wireless microphone transmitter sends a sound signal picked up thereby to the receiver by radio and then, the amplifier amplifies the received sound signal. The amplified sound signal is sent to a pair of the speakers through wire and each of the speakers outputs a sound. Therefore, a person holding a wireless microphone transmitter can secure freedom of activity without being annoyed by handling the wire of a microphone.
However, because in the aforementioned conventional acoustic system, the wire still exists between the amplifier and a pair of the speakers, the wire needs to be placed around between the respective units to construct an acoustic system. Consequently, the wires placed around in this way damages the appearance of the acoustic system and the working efficiency and freedom of installation of the respective units. Therefore, there has been a problem to be solved in this point.
The present invention has been achieved to solve the above problem and therefore an object of the invention is to provide an acoustic system employing a radio transmitting medium as a transmitting medium for transmitting information containing sound signal between a sound input unit for inputting a sound signal generated in a sound generating source and at least a sound output unit instead of a conventionally used wire, thereby contributing to improvement of appearance and improvement of working efficiency and freedom of installation of respective related units.
To achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an acoustic system comprising a sound input unit for inputting a sound signal generated in a sound generating source and at least one sound output unit for outputting sound based on the sound signal, wherein radio transmitting medium is employed as a transmitting medium for transmitting information containing the sound signal between the sound input unit and the at least one sound output unit.
The reason why a transmission object of the present invention is expressed as information including sound signal is that the transmission object includes not only the sound signal but also various control signals for command, control and the like and further, information concerning correction of a difference of time, which will be described later.
In the acoustic system of the present invention, a radio transmitting medium is employed as a transmitting medium for transmitting information containing sound signal between, for a sound input unit such as an amplifier and at least one sound output unit such as a speaker, instead of a conventionally used wire. As a result a necessity of placing wire around between respective units when establishing the acoustic system is eliminated, thereby contributing to improvement of appearance and improvement of working efficiency and freedom of installation of respective related units.
Here, an example of operation and effect which the present invention can exert will be described. That is, as a result of analysis of the frequency characteristic of man""s sense of hearing, it has been generally known that man""s sense of hearing has a directivity in middle and treble ranges while it has no directivity in bass range. This indicates that if an excellent sound field is intended to be formed, a squawker and a tweeter in charge of sound output in the middle and treble ranges are desired to be disposed to directly oppose the ears of a listener, while such a consideration is not necessary for a woofer in charge of sound output in bass range. When multiple speakers in charge of each sound range are disposed at each appropriate positions based on such a knowledge, the acoustic system of the present invention having a high working efficiency and freedom of installation of respective related units is expected to exert a very excellent effect.
In the meantime, in the acoustic system of the present invention, directivity of information transmitted between the respective units through radio transmitting medium is not restricted to any particular one. That is, for example, information containing sound signal may be transmitted in a single direction from the sound input unit to the at least one sound output unit or bidirectionally between the respective units.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, part or all of the information is transmitted bidirectionally between the sound input unit and the at least one sound output unit.
According to this embodiment, part or all of the information containing sound signal is transmitted bidirectionally between the sound input unit and the at least one sound output unit. As a result, the information can be transmitted using a transmission style appropriate for the type of information to be transmitted. That is, for example, if the transmission object is only sound signal, one-direction transmission style is used, while if the transmission object includes not only the sound signal but also various control signal for command, control and the like and information concerning correction of a difference of time which will be described later, bidirectional transmission style is employed.
Major features and scope of application of the present invention have been described above. Disclosure of preferred embodiments of the present invention may be meaningful for clarifying an extension of the scope thereof.
In this viewpoint, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sound input unit comprises at least: an input interface for inputting a sound signal generated in the sound generating source; an encoder for digitizing the inputted sound signal; and a transmitting means for modulating the digitized sound signal and sending through the radio transmitting medium, and each sound output unit comprises at least: a receiving means for receiving a sound signal sent through the radio transmitting medium and demodulating the received sound signal; a decoder for decoding the demodulated sound signal; and an output interface for outputting a sound signal restored by the decoding.
According to this embodiment, first of all, a sound signal generated in a sound generating source is inputted into the sound input unit through the input interface. Then, the encoder digitizes the inputted sound signal and then, the transmitting means modulates the digitized sound signal and send it through the radio transmitting medium. On the other hand, in each sound output unit, a reception means thereof receives sound signal sent through the radio transmitting medium and demodulates the received sound signal. Then, the decoder decodes the demodulated sound signal. Consequently, a sound signal restored by the decoding is outputted through the output interface. By receiving the sound signal outputted through the output interface, the acoustic unit such as a speaker outputs sound.
As a result, this embodiment contributes not only to improvement of appearance but also improvement of working efficiency and freedom of installation of respective related units. Additionally, because the digital transmission method is employed, an acoustic system appropriate for such recent technological trend as prevalence of digital units can be realized.
If imagining a sound space to which the acoustic system of the present invention is applied, for example, home, vehicle compartment, move theater, stage, concert hall and the like can be exemplified. If the acoustic system of the present invention is applied to a relatively wide sound space and multiple sound output units are employed, a difference of time in arrival of sound signal between the respective sound output units becomes so large that it cannot be neglected, so that there may be generated such an event that makes listeners feel a sense of disharmony.
Thus, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, if multiple sound output units exist and a difference of time occurs between such multiple sound output units, this difference of time is corrected.
Because according to this embodiment, if multiple sound output units exist and there is generated a difference of time of the sound signal between the multiple sound output units, the difference of time is corrected, even if the difference of time between the respective sound output units becomes so large that it cannot be neglected, it is possible to avoid such an event that makes listeners feel a sense of disharmony.
Although the countermeasure for a difference of time generated between the multiple sound output units has been described above, various approaches for this correction of the difference of time can be considered.
As an example of various approaches, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the information includes a block synchronous signal and a left/right synchronous signal and the difference of time is corrected based on both the synchronous signals.
According to this embodiment, the correction of the difference of time is carried out based on both the block synchronous signal and the left/right synchronous signal. Therefore, each of the multiple sound output units can cancel a difference of time and a difference of phase by only outputting sound synchronously with both the synchronous signals. Consequently, the difference of time can be corrected with such a simple method.
Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, correction of the difference of time is carried out based on a difference of time of the sound signal actually measured between the multiple sound output units.
Because according to this embodiment, the correction of the difference of time is carried out based on a difference of time actually measured of the sound signal between the multiple sound output units, a highly accurate correction of the difference of time can be carried out depending on an actual situation.
In the above described acoustic system, for example, if the transmission object is only sound signal, one-direction transmission style is used, while if the transmission object includes not only the sound signal but also various control signal for command, control and the like and information concerning correction of a difference of time, which will be described later, bidirectional transmission style is employed so that the information can be transmitted using a transmission style appropriate for the type of information to be transmitted. However, to transmit information including the sound signal between the sound input unit and the at least one sound output unit, it is important to prepare a system capable of identifying each unit.
Then, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the sound input unit and the at least one sound output unit is provided with an address capable of identifying each unit.
According to this embodiment, such a system for specifying an address is arranged to enable respective units to identify each other. Therefore, when transmitting information between the sound input unit and the at least one sound output unit, if the transmitter is so constructed to specify addresses of a destination and the transmitter, the transmitter is capable of transmitting information by specifying a particular destination. Further, the receiver is capable of knowing from which transmitter information is received. Further, if speaking an example of application of such address specifying method, for example, assume that a sound signal is inputted to the sound input unit from multiple independent sound generating sources such as monophonic terminal, KARAOKE system, telephone or the like and then it is desired to distribute and output that sound signal to multiple sound output units. Then, by providing each of the multiple independent sound generating sources with an address capable of identifying each unit such that the sound generating source and sound output unit are connected to each other by specifying their addresses, multiple sound systems can be established. As a result, the aforementioned desired can be satisfied.
Here, the concept of xe2x80x9cproviding at least one sound output unit with an address capable of identifying itselfxe2x80x9d includes not only a case in which an address is given to each sound output unit but also is a concept including so-called group address in which an address is given to entirely multiple sound output units. If such group address concept is used, if sound volume, sound field balance or the like is desired to be set on the sound output unit according to an instruction from the sound input unit, not only various settings can be instructed to each particular unit, but also the various setting can be carried out in each sound output group at the same time so that each sound control unit belonging to the group is set to the same condition, by sending various setting signals to each sound output group such as right/left or front/rear.
Meanwhile, assuming that for example, four sound output units correspond to front left speaker, front right speaker, rear left speaker and rear right speaker, the xe2x80x9caddressxe2x80x9d used here is such a concept including a case in which the destination is specified by directly specifying individual locations such as front left. If such a concept is employed, the destination can be specified more easily corresponding to human sensitivity as compared to a case in which a determined address is specified from bit-column address allocated to each sound output unit.
Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one sound output unit actively changes a sound output function according to a command instruction sent from the sound input unit.
Because according to this embodiment, the at least one sound output unit actively changes its sound output function according to a command instruction sent from the sound input unit, for example if a command instruction for changing over the sound output function of the sound output unit dynamically is sent, the sound field can be changed dynamically at real time. Consequently, diversified applications of this effect can be expected, so that, for example, a novel acoustic effect can be produced in TV game, movie theater and the like.

Acoustic system comprised of components connected by wireless


A method for operating an occupant protection device of a vehicle involves triggering an occupant protection mechanism, in the event of an imminent detected collision for the vehicle or of a detected collision of the vehicle. The triggering also depends upon detected image data of at least one interior camera of the vehicle and the triggering can be suppressed based on the detected image data of the interior camera.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a method for operating an occupant protection device of a vehicle having at least one occupant protection means allocated to an occupant, the means being positioned from its starting position into its active position upon meeting a trigger condition. Furthermore, exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a device for carrying out the method and a vehicle having such a device.
DE 11 2014 000 934 T5 discloses an imaging device or several imaging devices in an automobile, which monitors or monitor the occupants and support numerous functions in the fields of safety, comfort, driver assistance and occupant state. Here, the imaging device comprises illumination in near-infrared. The imaging device is formed in such a way that it measures vital values of the occupants using contactless imaging photoplethysmography.
Moreover, DE 10 2015 016 761 A1 describes a method for automatically emitting a warning message in a vehicle with a passenger seat and a passenger airbag, wherein a switch position of a key switch arranged in the vehicle for activating and deactivating the passenger airbag is recognized. An image detection unit detects whether the passenger seat is occupied, wherein the switch position of the key switch is compared to a seat occupation when detecting the seat is occupied by a child seat or a vehicle occupant. With a switch position not corresponding to the detected seat occupation, an acoustic warning message and an optical warning message and a handling recommendation are emitted.
Furthermore, DE 10 2016 003 315 A1 discloses a method for detecting a seat occupation of a vehicle seat arranged at least in the front region of a vehicle using an image detection unit. A detection region of the image detection unit is formed in such a way that it is determined, using the detected image data, what is occupying the respective vehicle seat. In the event of a detected occupant on the respective vehicle seat, a body contour, a body position in relation to the respective vehicle seat and a body posture of the occupant is determined.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are directed to an improved method for operating an occupant protection device of a vehicle having at least one occupant protection means, and to a device for carrying out the method and a vehicle having such a device.
A method for operating an occupant protection device of a vehicle having at least one occupant protection means allocated to an occupant provides that the at least one occupant protection means is positioned from its starting position into an active position upon meeting a trigger condition. According to the invention, the at least one occupant protection means is controlled and triggered in the event of a detected collision imminent to the vehicle or in the event of a detected actual collision of the vehicle, additionally depending on image data, detected using the at least one interior camera, of an interior of the vehicle or using image data, detected through the vehicle window, of vehicle surroundings. Alternatively, the control and triggering of the at least one occupant protection means are suppressed depending on the detected image data of the interior camera.
"Occupant protection means" means, for example, airbags or seatbelts. However, the term shall also be understood in such a way that partner protection systems such as pedestrian protection systems are also included.
By using the method, a risk of injury to the occupant to whom at least one occupant protection means is allocated can be at least substantially reduced, since an exactness of the control and triggering of the at least one occupant protection means can be increased.
The collision of the vehicle can be visually detected using the detected image data, whereby the exactness of the triggering of the at least one occupant protection means in relation to certain collision scenarios can be correspondingly adjusted.
Moreover, the at least one occupant protection means is not controlled and triggered when it is determined using the detected image data that the occupant is outside the active region of the at least one occupant protection means or is positioned in relation to the at least one occupant protection means in such a way that the occupant is injured by the at least one occupant protection means as a result of positioning the occupant protection means into its active position.
In a development of the method, depending on the detected image data, a trigger point in time of the at least one occupant protection means is predetermined, such that a protective effect of the at least one occupant protection means is optimized for the occupant. If the occupant moves, for example during the course of the collision of the vehicle, then a further movement course of the occupant is predicted using the image data, such that the at least one occupant protection means is triggered at a point in time and is positioned into its active position when its protective position is optimal in relation to the occupant.
In one embodiment, at least one radar-based signal and/or one Lidar-based signal is or are made plausible using the detected image data before a collision occurs. Thus it is possible to determine whether a collision is actually imminent for the vehicle. In addition, the image data of the at least one interior camera is evaluated in relation to surroundings outside the vehicle.
A further embodiment provides that a change of an interior of the vehicle is determined using the detected image data. In particular, an intrusion into the interior, for example caused by a collision object in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, is detected. In such a case, an occupant protection means can be controlled and triggered such that the occupant is moved away from a collision side of the vehicle by positioning the at least one occupant protection means into its active position.
In a further possible embodiment, a movement of the occupant during the collision is detected using the detected image data, such that a movement course of the occupant can be predicted. This predicted movement course here constitutes the basis for controlling and triggering as well as for predetermining the trigger point in time of the at least one occupant protection means.
Alternatively or additionally, the occupant is automatically positioned in relation to the at least one occupant protection means in order to optimize the protective effect of the at least one occupant protection means. The automatic positioning is suitable, in particular, for use in a vehicle which can be moved in an autonomous driving operation, since the occupant can change their seating position and is thus not positioned optimally in relation to the at least one occupant protection means.
Furthermore, in one possible embodiment, the detected image data is merged with detected signals of at least one surroundings sensor, such that a trigger decision for the at least one occupant protection means can be optimized. In particular, the image data and the signals are merged in order to determine a double impact of the vehicle and to optimize a protective effect for the occupant.
In a further possible embodiment of the method, the detected image data is merged with data of an occupant position recognition device. Thus, it is possible to predict a trajectory of the occupant, i.e., the movement course in relation to the occupant, to make plausible and/or to create a more exact prediction.
Moreover, exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to an occupant protection device of a vehicle having at least one occupant protection means allocated to an occupant, the means being able to be positioned from its starting position into its active position upon meeting a trigger condition. According to the invention, the occupant protection device has at least one interior camera for detecting an interior of the vehicle or vehicle surroundings visible through the vehicle window. Here, the at least one occupant protection means can be controlled and can be triggered additionally depending on image data, detected using the at least one interior camera, of the interior of the vehicle or using image data, detected through the vehicle window, of vehicle surroundings in the event of a detected collision imminent for the vehicle or in the event of a detected actual collision of the vehicle. Alternatively, the control and triggering of the at least one occupant protection means can be suppressed depending on the detected image data of the interior camera.
Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle having such an occupant protection device.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below in connection with the drawing.

Method for operating an occupant protection device


In a double-acting diaphragm pump, a diaphragm is provided to divide a pump body into two pump chambers. An electromagnetic-type reciprocating actuator is provided in a housing hermetically integrated with the pump body. Different from an electric-type pump, the actuator is integrally mounted on the double-acting diaphragm pump and an entire system is hermetically sealed. Therefore, even if the diaphragm is torn, fuel vapor is prevented from leaking outside. Additionally, four check valves are provided to control the discharge of vapor from a canister side to an engine side. These check valves may employ a reed to control vapor flow or a spring and plate to control flow. In addition, since the pump may be a double-acting type, a large discharge volume is obtained and the pump can be made smaller. The pump may also be a non double-acting type.

This application is based on and incorporates herein by reference Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-58972 filed on Mar. 2, 2001.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an evaporative emission control apparatus for treating fuel vapor evaporated within a fuel tank connected to an internal combustion engine so that the vapor is not released to the atmosphere.
2. Description of Related Art
In general, a vehicle evaporative emission control apparatus is provided to an internal combustion engine in order to prevent fuel vapor evaporated within the fuel tank from being released to the atmosphere. In this apparatus, a charcoal canister (hereafter, canister) is provided as a fuel vapor adsorbing means. The fuel vapor evaporated in the fuel tank is temporarily adsorbed by an adsorbent such as activated charcoal powder within the canister. When the inside of an air intake pipe is negatively pressurized during engine operation, outside air is drawn into and passes through the canister to remove the adsorbed fuel vapor from the adsorbent. Then, the drawn air and the removed fuel vapor are fed into combustion chambers of cylinders through the air intake pipe and combusted.
In recent years, however, vehicles with gasoline-injection engines have increased and gasoline-injection engines are being operated at high air-fuel ratios which are, from a theoretical point of view, lean fuel mixtures. In the gasoline-injection engine, the negative intake pressure tends to decrease in accordance with an increase in the air-fuel ratio, that is, in accordance with using a lean mixture. Therefore, it is difficult to ensure the predetermined intake negative pressure for purging the fuel vapor.
Furthermore, vehicles utilizing hybrid driving technology (i.e. xe2x80x9chybridsxe2x80x9d) are increasing. The internal combustion engines of these vehicles boast improved fuel economy with an increase in combustion efficiency. These engines are driven at high speeds and in a highly loaded and maximized state in which a throttle valve is largely opened. This causes pressure variations within the intake system. Therefore, similar to the gasoline-injection engines on non-hybrid vehicles, it is difficult to ensure a predetermined intake negative pressure for purging the fuel vapor.
To solve the above problem, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,062, an electric air pump operated by an electric control unit is provided on a purge pipe communicating with a canister and an air intake pipe of an internal combustion engine. Accordingly, even when the negative intake pressure of the engine is low, purging air including fuel vapor removed from the canister is forcefully drawn and fed into the air intake pipe by operation of the electric air pump.
In the above electric air pump, however, it is necessary to prevent fuel vapor from leaking into the motor and to the atmosphere from a sealing portion around a shaft that connects the air pump and the motor. Further, since this electric air pump uses an air-fuel mixture, an explosion may occur if the fuel vapor leaks into the motor and is ignited due to sparks within or from the motor. Therefore, it is necessary to use a motor having an expensive explosion-resistant construction, such as a brushless motor, to prevent an explosion.
The present invention is made in view of the above problem, and it is an object to provide an evaporative emission control apparatus in which electric power consumption of a pump is reduced, the pump being used as a drawing means for removing fuel vapor from a fuel vapor adsorbing means such as a canister and for purging the fuel vapor. Also, leakage of the fuel vapor form the pump, due to pump damage, is eliminated which will increase safety and reduce air pollution. This is accomplished without necessitating a motor having an explosion-resistant construction. Further, a purge amount is easily controlled. It is another object to provide an evaporative emission control apparatus that can diagnose problems in a system without providing an optional problem checking system.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an evaporative emission control apparatus is provided as a double-acting diaphragm pump used as a drawing means for drawing fuel vapor. In this pump, a chamber is provided on each side of a diaphragm and each is used as a pump chamber. Also, at each end of the pump, two check valves are utilized to control fluid flow into and from the pump chambers. Therefore, the pump can restrict breathing noises from being released outside the pump and also, discharge pressure surges can be reduced. Further, an amount of fluid discharged from the pump can be increased.
The evaporative emission control apparatus of the present invention is suitably used on an internal combustion engine mounted in a vehicle and the like. In this case, an end of a purge pipe is connected to an air intake pipe of the engine, so that combustion chambers in the engine are suitably used as a fuel vapor treating means.
In an embodiment of the evaporative emission control apparatus of the present invention, an actuating means of the double-acting diaphragm pump, a moving core for driving the diaphragm, and a solenoid coil for reciprocating the moving core, and the like, are provided in a pump housing that is hermetically integrated with a pump body. This prevents any pump portion from communicating outside of the pump, for instance, in other types of pumps that may use abrasion of sliding sealing surfaces. Accordingly, the fuel vapor is restricted from leaking outside of the actuating means. The solenoid coil generates electromagnetic power when AC voltage or pulse voltage is applied which causes the moving core to reciprocate. Therefore, power utilization (efficiency) is increased as compared to a case in which rotation is transformed into reciprocation. Additionally, there is no pump portion generating sparks. Therefore, an explosion will not occur even if fuel vapor leaks into the actuating means. Further, since its structure is simple, manufacturing costs are reduced.
The solenoid coil and the like are used as the actuating means of the double-acting diaphragm pump. A discharging amount discharged from the double-acting diaphragm pump per unit time is changed by controlling at least one of voltage, current and frequency supplied to the solenoid coil. Therefore, a purging amount of the fuel vapor, purged from the fuel vapor adsorbing means, can be easily controlled. Further, when the moving core is made of a permanent magnet, the diaphragm may be lifted to its maximum height, thereby increasing the discharge amount.
Check valves, which are automatically opened/closed by a pressure difference between an upstream side and a downstream side of the check valves, are provided at both inlet ports and outlet ports of two pump chambers of the double-acting diaphragm pump and function as pumps themselves. Reed valves can be used in place of the check valves. Also, reed valves can be provided on valve bodies of the check valves. These reed-type check valves are shaped to be open when a pressure difference does not exist between the upstream side and the downstream side which occurs when the pump stops. Therefore, the double-acting diaphragm pump fluidly communicates internally. Accordingly, it is possible to leak test an entire system of the evaporative emission control apparatus including the inside of the pump. A leak test checks the xe2x80x9cleak-tightnessxe2x80x9d of the pump system. Alternatively, a bypass pipe for connecting an upstream side purge pipe of the pump and at least one of two pump chambers is provided to leak test the system. Further, an open/close valve is provided between the pump and the fuel vapor adsorbing means.
In an embodiment of the evaporative emission control apparatus of the present invention, in order to leak-check the system, an open/close valve is provided at an air intake side of the fuel vapor adsorbing means. Further, a pressure detecting means is provided to detect pressure in the fuel vapor adsorbing means, a fuel vapor-generating source connected to the fuel vapor adsorbing means, and the double-acting diaphragm pump. In this case, a general canister open/close valve may be used for the open/close valve provided at the air intake side. Also, a general pressure sensor provided in a fuel tank and the like are used as the pressure detecting means. Therefore, it may be unnecessary to provide optional valves and pressure sensors for the leak test.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a diaphragm pump does not have to be of the double-acting type. Therefore, it is yet another object to provide a diaphragm pump that is not of the double-acting type. A single-acting diaphragm pump is an example of a non double-acting diaphragm pump.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.


The present invention provides compositions that are intimate mixtures of hydrogen fluoride and a polymer. The compositions of the invention are less hazardous and, therefore, more conveniently stored, transported, and handled in comparison to pure hydrogen fluoride. Further, the hydrogen fluoride may be readily recovered from the compositions of the invention for use.

Hydrogen fluoride is a well known compound that is used in industry in a variety of processes including in alkylation reactions as a catalyst, in fluorination reactions as a fluorinating agent, in the manufacture of fluorides, in the separation of uranium isotopes, and in the production of fluorine containing plastics. It is well known that hydrogen fluoride is a volatile, extremely hazardous substance the high vapor pressure of which renders it readily aerosolizable.
In an attempt to diminish the hazards of hydrogen fluoride, it has been combined with a variety of substances. U.S. Pat. No. 1,470,772 discloses a glass etching paste of mucilage, sulfuric acid, and ammonium fluoride in which the hydrogen fluoride is formed in situ. U.S. Pat. No. 3,635,836 discloses dispersions of hydrogen fluoride, particulate proteinaceous material and a small amount of carboxyl substituted vinyl polymers useful as pickling agents, plumbing cleaners and paint removers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,868 discloses a method of treating anhydrous hydrogen fluoride spills by applying a particulate mixture of polyacrylamide and a polyalkyl(alk)acrylate to the surface of the spill. None of these compositions provides an intimate mixture of hydrogen fluoride and a substance that both reduces the hazards of hydrogen fluoride and, at the same time, permits the ready recovery of the hydrogen fluoride from the composition.


A process is described for converting the spring components and the cushioning and covering materials derived from discarded mattresses and foundations into materials suitable for the manufacture of rebuilt units which comply with given governmental regulatory requirements. A preliminary optional step in the process comprises heating the discarded mattress at 230° F. to ensure that the components produced by deconstruction may be safely reused and recycled.

The mattress innerspring was introduced into commerce around 1880. For many years thereafter, once the surface of a mattress containing an innerspring became uneven or lumpy, it would commonly be restored by someone plying the trade of innerspring mattress renovator.
In developed countries, during the 1950's and 60's, this practice of servicing and renewing mattresses fell into disuse. Mattresses and foundations joined the multitude of other used products entering the waste stream, and renovation was superseded by replacement.
At more or less the same time in the United States and elsewhere, another kind of renovation trade proliferated—the rebuilding of discarded mattresses and foundations for sale to new owners. These new owners, mainly poor or working poor or institutions serving them, could not find suitable donated used bedding and could not afford to buy new. The makers (rebuilders) of these products (rebuilts) sourced the discarded items by scavenging at the curbside, at dumps and transfer stations and, increasingly from the 1970's onward, from bedding retailers who offered pick up and removal of a customer's discarded bedding when delivering the new.
A mattress rebuilder usually removes no more than the original cover. Occasionally one of the cushioning layers inside the discarded mattress is removed as well, due to damage, excessive soiling, or contamination. In all other cases, the cushioning layers are not removed. There has been no legal, aesthetic, technical or economic imperative for removal. Moreover, the labor cost of removal and the cost of replacing the material removed are significant. The removal of cushioning layers requires a labour-intensive process of severing the two hundred or more metal staples (hog rings) that secure the edge of the inner lining of the mattress cover to the perimeter of the inner spring assembly, thus preventing the mattress cover from shifting.
As it is usually the case that there is more than one layer of cushioning remaining in the mattress being rebuilt, one or more of these layers will be invisible, and thus not capable of being accurately classified.
For consumer health protection it is necessary to inspect each layer of cushioning before assembling a rebuilt. As just noted, this procedure is not possible under the current common practice of rebuilders. The present invention facilitates such inspection greatly.
While, as outlined above, rebuilders do not completely deconstruct the mattresses they are processing for sale, they often add layers of cushioning to increase the overall thickness, and thus the market value, of the rebuilt. These added layers are of used material, usually harvested from unrebuildable discarded mattresses. They are ripped from the inner spring without taking the time to sever the hog rings, usually creating fissures in the layers and leaving behind clumps of cushioning embedded in the hog rings.
The added layers are chosen by determining their size (twin, double, queen) and thickness; the quality and content of the layers is relatively unimportant, and will vary widely from one rebuilt to the next. That is because the rebuilder's intake typically includes mattresses and foundations ranging from one year to sixty years old and older. The design, fabrication, and content of mattresses and foundations has changed frequently over the past 80 years, in response to technology, consumer taste, and the urgent search of the post-mature mattress industry for frequent, and ever more marginally necessary, style and technical changes. In consequence, very few, if any of the mattresses processed by a typical rebuilder during a given day or week are likely to resemble one another in any way, except in their (new) covering material, their style of quilting and overall finish.
The process of rebuilding is to be distinguished in this regard from manufacturing a mattress with entirely new cushioning and covering materials. In the latter case, a finite number of standardized products are created, each with detailed specifications for all of its cushioning materials, as well as its cover. Then a standard method of assembly packaging and quality assurance is specified.
It is known to manufacture mattresses ab initio in which an inner spring assembly is re-used. First, the outer ticking and cushioning material are entirely removed from the inner spring assembly of an old mattress, then, bent components on the inner spring assembly are straightened and, finally, new ticking and cushioning materials are attached to the inner spring assembly. However, there is usually a degree of metal fatigue in the inner spring assembly, leading to a reduced load bearing capacity compared with the original mattress as manufactured. Consequently, under prevailing laws, while such refurbished mattresses may be freely returned to their original owners, they cannot be sold onward to the general public, unless labeled as product containing used material.
In my U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,718, there is described and claimed a process invention, whereby the inner spring assembly of a used mattress is removed and cleaned of all ticking and cushioning material. The inner spring assembly is then subjected to a heat treating process which provides stress relief in the wire elements of the inner spring assembly. New ticking and cushioning material are attached to produce a new mattress or similar inner spring-containing product with qualities superior to the original products when they were new, warranting the marketing of a product made according to that invention as a new mattress with recycled steel content. U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,718 is incorporated herein by reference for its teaching concerning the recycling, recovery and reconditioning of inner spring assemblies taken from used mattresses or foundations.
The economic viability of mattress rebuilding is based on the established potential for reuse of the inner spring assembly together with the cushioning and covering materials. Users of mattresses discard them through a mistaken belief that the lumps and unevenness indicate collapse of the inner spring. The reality is the opposite. So strong is the inner spring that it does not collapse, even after long use. Rather, the cushioning material collapses into the inner spring. The typical discarded mattress contains an inner spring with the potential for one or more additional complete life cycles and the cushioning, while usually somewhat stressed and compressed, can generally provide moderate comfort and support for at least another life cycle.
It will be clear, however, that the current process for rebuilding mattresses described in [0004]-[0008] above does not permit standardized methods of assembly or products. In consequence, the legal and economic viability of mattress rebuilding came into serious question with the enactment, on Jul. 1 2007, of Regulation 16 CFR 1633 of the Flammable Fabrics Act ["Standard for the Flammability (Open Flame) of Mattress Sets"] enforced by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. In what follows, rebuilt mattresses which comply with this Regulation are referred to as "1633-compliant"
Every 1633-compliant mattress and foundation must match a prototype designed and tested according to standards and procedures set out in the Regulation. The Regulation permits the specification and production of subordinates to the prototypes. However, as with the prototypes themselves, the subordinates must be defined as a standardized product, each component identified and described in detail. Given the great and unpredictable variation in the cushioning content of rebuilt mattresses as mentioned earlier, 1633-compliant rebuilt production would require the creation of a limitless number of prototypes. The cost of specifying and testing all of them would be prohibitive.
Moreover, under 1633, each mattress and foundation must be tracked and accounted for as part of a production lot, which in turn must be linked with the consignments of components from which the production lot was created. Tracking and accounting for rebuilts in this way would be impossible.
In addition to issues of regulatory compliance and of the deconstruction/classification process in general, it would be advisable if a preliminary sanitizing treatment process were carried out to ensure that the end components may be safely reused and recycled. An aspect of my invention (The Zysmanizing™ process) refers to treatment of a discarded unit (previously slept-on mattress or foundation) which has been discarded by the original owner.

Manufacture of rebuilt mattresses and foundations


Disclosed is a battery pack assembly including an apparatus for detecting water accumulation inside an installation region in which a battery pack is installed. The battery pack assembly includes a watertight case installed on a bottom surface of the water accumulation detecting apparatus and assembled with the battery pack therein. The water accumulation detecting apparatus includes a body including a water inlet opening through which water accumulated in the installation region flows in. A floating member floated by buoyancy of the water flowing in the body. A switch unit is configured to generate a current when the floating member increases up to or beyond a predetermined height. An elastic member is configured to connect the floating member and the bottom surface of the body so that the floating member is positioned at a predetermined position when buoyancy of the water does not affect to the floating member.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a battery pack assembly including an apparatus for detecting water accumulation inside an installation region (for example, a tire well) in which a battery pack is installed, and a method of detecting water accumulation.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Recently, in order to replace or supplement fossil fuel, hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles have become widely developed and used. A battery system is in these types of vehicles is typically installed. One of the primary components of the battery system is a battery pack which typically includes a plurality of modules.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a battery pack mounted to a tire well of a hybrid electric/electric vehicle. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a battery pack 20 may be installed in a tire well 10 by a bracket member 22. Furthermore, reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 denotes a floor panel. This battery pack 20 is generally expensive because various components such as a battery and a high voltage component are packaged together.
The battery pack 20 is often installed in the tire well 10 inside a watertight case 24 in order to prevent malfunction of the battery due to condensation and/or water inlet inside the tire well 10 and in order prevent short circuiting of the battery. The watertight case 24 serves to prevent a battery cell within the battery pack 20 from coming into contact with water accumulated inside the tire well to protect the battery cell accordingly.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the watertight case 24. The battery pack 20 is generally installed in the watertight case 24. In particular, a form in which the battery pack 20 is installed in and assembled with the watertight case 24 is called a battery pack assembly. However, when the battery pack 20 is assembled with the watertight case 24 and installed in the tire well 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2, malfunction of the battery pack due to water accumulation inside the tire well 10 may only be prevented to a certain degree and safety of the battery pack 20 may only be secured to a certain degree. It is, however, conventionally impossible to completely prevent malfunction and secure safety realistically. Therefore, when water accumulates inside the tire well 10 at a dangerous level or higher, water may enter the watertight case 24, thereby causing malfunction of the battery pack.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Battery pack assembly including apparatus for detecting water accumulation and method for detecting water accumulation


The present invention relates to lead-free, halogen-free, and antimony-free cables containing insulations made of (a) a polyolefin; (b) a maleic anhydride modified polyolefin; (c) a butadiene-styrene copolymer; (d) a non-halogen flame retardant; and (e) a silane compound. The cable contains a fire retardant tape between the conductor and the insulation when the insulation thickness is greater than about 75 mils for a 1/0 AWG cable.

Polymeric materials have been utilized in the past as electrical insulating materials for electrical cables. In services or products requiring long-term performance of an electrical cable, such polymeric materials, in addition to having suitable dielectric properties, must be durable. For example, polymeric insulation utilized in building wire, electrical motor or machinery power wires, or underground power transmitting cables, must be durable for safety and economic necessities and practicalities.
The most common polymeric insulators are made from either polyethylene homopolymers or ethylene-propylene elastomers, otherwise known as ethylene-propylene-rubber (EPR) and/or ethylene-propylene-diene ter-polymer (EPDM). Lead, such as lead oxide, has been used as water tree inhibitor and ion scavenger in filed EPR or EPDM insulation; however, lead is toxic.
Coated cables which simultaneously have fire-resistance properties and moisture-resistance properties are also desirable. Typical fire retardants are used in the insulation. Halogenated additives (compounds based on fluorine, chlorine or bromine) or halogen containing polymers (e.g. polyvinyl chloride) are capable of giving fire-resistant properties to the polymer which forms the insulation, but has the drawback that the decomposition products of halogenated compounds are corrosive and harmful As a result, the use of halogens, especially for uses in closed locations, is not recommended.
Alternatively, or in combination with the halogens, a flame retardant additive, such as antimony oxides, can be added to an appropriate insulation polymer.
Therefore, there remains a need for an environmentally friendly moisture resistant and fire resistant cable insulation that is lead free, halogen free, and antimony free.


The present invention provides a rubber composition which has excellent processability owing to its low rubber viscosity during kneading, despite containing a white filler, and which further has excellent fuel economy and excellent abrasion resistance. Also provided is a pneumatic tire formed from the rubber composition. The present invention relates to a rubber composition including: a rubber component, a white filler, and a compound represented by the formula (1) below, wherein X represents —CONH— or —COO—; R1 represents a C7-C23 alkyl group or a C7-C23 alkenyl group; R2 represents a C1-C3 alkylene group; and R3 and R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-C3 alkyl group, or a C1-C3 hydroxyalkyl group, and at least one of R3 or R4 is the hydroxyalkyl group.

The recent social demand for energy saving has created a need for automobiles to have low heat build-up properties (fuel economy) and abrasion resistance. This demand has also created a need for rubber compositions for tires to have fuel economy and abrasion resistance. In this context, white fillers such as silica or aluminum hydroxide are widely used in rubber compositions for tires to improve fuel economy.
White fillers such as silica and finely divided aluminum hydroxide have problems of excessive compound viscosity, poor extrusion processability, and poor sheeting processability because these particles tend to be bound to form aggregates during kneading. Therefore, there has been a need to improve the processability of white filler-containing rubber compositions.
The prior art has reported techniques for improving the processability of rubber compositions containing white fillers such as silica. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an amide compound for use as a processing aid to improve dispersion of silica in rubber compositions. The amide compound has a polar end that is weakly chemically reactive with silica and a non-polar end that is weakly chemically reactive with elastic polymers. This document also describes techniques including adding the amide compound to rubber compositions containing silica. Moreover, Patent Literatures 2 to 5 disclose techniques including adding a fatty acid monoethanolamide or fatty acid diethanolamide to rubber compositions containing white fillers such as silica.


The present disclosure provides a display panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and a transfer printing device. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one groove is defined in a transfer printing plate of the transfer printing device, through holes corresponding to blind holes can be formed in an area corresponding to the grooves, thereby preventing blocking effect of an original alignment film on light passing through the blind holes, increasing light transmittance of the blind holes, and improving an overall performance of devices with the blind holes.

With development of communication technology, electronic products such as smart phones are becoming more and more popular. With popularization of a concept of full screen, present smartphone market is becoming increasingly homogenous following a trend of internationally renowned terminal manufacturers. In a wave of pursuit of full screen, full screens and water drop screens have become focuses of major terminal manufacturers, and mobile phone products further become more uniform.

Display panel, manufacturing method thereof, and transfer printing device

WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


Provided are a display panel and a display device. The display panel includes a substrate; multiple light emitting units which is disposed on one side of the substrate and arranged in an array, and each of the multiple light emitting unit includes a first light emitting subunit, a second light emitting subunit and a third light emitting subunit, where the light emitting unit includes a first electrode disposed close to the substrate, a second electrode disposed opposite to the first electrode, and a second light emitting layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, at least the third light emitting subunit includes at least one first light emitting layer disposed between the second light emitting layer and the first electrode.

An organic light emitting diode (OLED) has self-luminous light emitting characteristics and does not require a backlight source. When the organic light emitting diode is applied to the display panel and the display device, the display panel and the display device have less overall thickness, which is advantageous for achieving light and thin design of the display panel and the display device. Meanwhile, the organic light emitting diode has the advantages of high display brightness, wide viewing angle, high response speed and the like.


A two stage rate shaping and scheduling system and method is implemented to control the flow of traffic to at least one output interface. The system and method involves initially queuing incoming packets into type-specific queues and applying individual rate shaping rules to each queue. A first stage arbitration is performed to determine how traffic is queued from the type-specific queues to interface-specific queues. Packets that win arbitration and pass the applied rate shaping rules are queued in interface-specific queues. Rate shaping rules are applied to the interface-specific queues. The interface-specific queues are further distinguished by priority and priority-specific and interface-specific rate shaping rules are applied to each queue. A second stage arbitration is performed to determine how different priority traffic that is targeting the same output interface is dequeued in response to interface-specific requests.

Packet-based communications networks are known to have bursty traffic patterns. Network nodes (i.e., switches and routers) use memory buffers to store packets when traffic bursts cause packets to be received at a faster rate than they can be processed. Many traffic control techniques, such as rate shaping, rate limiting, and weighted random early drop (WRED), are used in conjunction with memory buffers to deal with bursty traffic.
On the output side of a network node, memory buffers are often used to temporarily store packets when packets are passing through the network node faster than the packets can be transmitted out onto their intended output links. One technique for controlling the flow of traffic is generally referred to as rate shaping. Rate shaping involves buffering packets as they arrive at a location and then controlling the flow of packets leaving the buffers according to a given algorithm to meet a desired rate profile. Because packets are buffered, bursts of packets can be absorbed and then dispatched in a controlled manner.
Communications links between network nodes in packet-based communications networks are often referred to as "interfaces." An interface can be a physical entity (i.e., a port of a switch/router) or a logical entity (i.e., a channel in a packet over SONET (POS) link. Because communications networks utilize a mix of different communication protocols, typical switch/routers can be equipped to handle different interface combinations. For example, different physical interface combinations may include twelve 1 gigabit Ethernet (GbE) ports, one 10 GbE port, four Optical Carrier (OC)-48 ports, and one OC-192 port.
Typical output traffic control implementations include one queue per interface to buffer output traffic. For example, an output traffic control system that serves four different interfaces would typically have four different queues. Rate shaping can then be applied to each one of the four different queues to achieve per-interface rate shaping. While per-interface rate shaping is desirable, in advanced communications networks, each interface may support a diverse mix of traffic types. With only one queue per interface, special rate shaping limitations cannot be applied to any one particular traffic type.
In addition to the limitations on rate shaping granularity that exist in typical output control system implementations, the hardware required to support each interface combination is typically custom designed for that interface combination. Custom designing hardware for each particular interface combination is a costly and time consuming task.
In view of the above-described shortcomings in the prior art, what is needed is output traffic control systems and methods that are able to provide multiple levels of rate shaping and that are flexible enough to be easily adapted to different interface combinations.

Flexible multilevel output traffic control


The present disclosure provides a shift register unit, a gate driving circuit and compensation method and driving method thereof, and a display device. The shift register unit includes: a shift register circuit having a detection node, the shift register circuit is configured to receive an input signal and a clock signal, and generate an output signal based on the clock signal under control of the input signal; and a detection circuit coupled to the detection node of the shift register circuit, the detection circuit is configured to generate a detection signal based on a potential of the detection node.

In a conventional display device, the gate driving circuit includes multiple stages of shift register units, and the output signal generated by each stage of the shift register unit is used to drive the corresponding row of the pixel units on the display panel. Due to factors such as manufacturing process, the voltage of one or some nodes in the shift register unit may be abnormal, resulting in abnormal output signals, thereby affecting the display.

Shift register unit, gate driving circuit and method thereof and display device


A method for removing a hydrocarbon production platform at sea, the production platform being connected to a hydrocarbon well, and including a support structure and an upper part being supported by the support structure, where the method includes the steps of; temporarily closing the well, removing at least part of the upper part from the support structure, positioning a well abandonment module on the support structure, which well abandonment module is constructed and arranged to perform well abandonment operations, performing abandonment operations from the well abandonment module to abandon the well, removing the well abandonment module from the support structure after the well abandonment operations are completed.

Hydrocarbons are generally retrieved from hydrocarbon wells that are located in the subsoil. When a hydrocarbon field is located at sea, one or more holes are drilled in the topsoil from a hydrocarbon production platform in order to create a passage to retrieve the hydrocarbons to the surface. When a hydrocarbon well is depleted, or production has become economically unattractive, operations are stopped and the drilling and/or production facilities are dismantled. For a hydrocarbon production platform, dismantling amongst others includes removing all equipment from the wellbore, closing the borehole and removing any subsea equipment and pipelines. It further includes removal of the production platform. The production platform in general is connected to the hydrocarbon well, and comprises a support structure and an upper part being supported by said support structure. In practice the upper part is also often referred to as the top side of the production platform.
The known method used for removing a hydrocarbon production platform from sea comprises the following subsequent steps which will be discussed in detail;    performing well abandonment operations to abandon the well,    performing removal preparation operations on the production platform,    removing the upper part from the support structure and    removing the support structure.
The operations to abandon the well are often also referred to as "plugging and abandonment" of the well. During said operations, the borehole of the well is closed. As long as the well abandonment operations have not been completed, the well is considered to be "hot". The moment the abandonment operations have been completed the well is considered to be "cold".
In order to facilitate the abandonment operations, an assisting vessel is placed near the production platform for assistance during the abandonment operations. This may for instance be a jack up vessel. The assisting vessel provides the necessary equipment which is not available on the production platform. The assisting vessel furthermore may provide living quarters and a helicopter platform. The removal preparation operations on the production platform may include amongst others the checking of pipelines on the upper part to ensure there are no flammable substances left in them, checking existing or creating new lift points for removal of the upper part, securing or removing loose items, and preparatory work to facilitate the removal.
Once the removal preparation operations are completed, the upper part is removed from the support structure. This may for instance be performed by a lifting vessel, such as a crane vessel. The upper part may be transported to shore for further processing by the crane vessel, a transportation barge, a cargo vessel or the like.
After that, the support structure is removed. The support structure can include a lattice structure, also known as a jacket, or a different type of structure. Said removal of the support structure can be performed by the same or a different lifting vessel.
The well abandonment operations in general have a duration of several months, but can last up to several years. This depends on the number and type of hydrocarbon wells that needs to be abandoned, as well as other factors like the depth and distance of the well and the characteristics of the different soil formations that are crossed by the wellbore.
The removal preparation operations in general have a duration of several weeks up to several months, depending on the type of system to be dismantled.
The removal of the upper part from the support structure and the removal of the production platform in general takes about one or more weeks up to several months.
Thus the well abandonment operation in general is very time consuming. It is required that the assisting vessel is positioned near to the platform for the duration of said well abandonment operations. The costs for such an assisting vessel can be considerable, in the order of several hundreds of thousands of dollars per day, up to 500.000 dollar per day or even more.
In the known method, the actual removal of the production platform starts once the abandonment operations are completed (once the well is considered to be "cold"). In the technical field of hydrocarbon production platforms, there is a general assumption that for a safe removal of an hydrocarbon production platform it is required that the wells to which the production platform is connected are made "cold" before the actual removal of the production platform is started. An object of the invention is to provide an improved or at least an alternative method for removing a hydrocarbon production platform. The object is achieved by a method for removing a hydrocarbon production platform from sea, said production platform being connected to a hydrocarbon well, and comprising a support structure and an upper part being supported by said support structure, wherein the method comprises the steps of;    A. temporarily closing the well,    B. removing at least part of the upper part from the support structure,    C. positioning a well abandonment module on the support structure, which well abandonment module is constructed and arranged to perform well abandonment operations,    D. performing abandonment operations from the well abandonment module to abandon the well,    E. removing the well abandonment module from the support structure after the well abandonment operations are completed.

Method for removing a hydrocarbon production platform from sea


A worldwide television tuning system is configurable to the television standards and channel frequencies of multiple different countries based on a country's ITU long-distance country code. The tuning system maintains a country code table listing a plurality of countries according to their ITU codes. The tuning system also maintains multiple channel-to-frequency mapping tables that correlate channel numbers to corresponding frequencies for associated countries in the country table. The country table indexes the channel-to-frequency mapping tables. During configuration, a user or application selects a particular country by passing in the ITU code. The tuning system uses the ITU code to locate an entry for that country in the country code table. The table entry contains an index to an associated channel-to-frequency mapping table for the selected country. The tuning system loads and saves the channel-to-frequency mapping table for subsequent use. The channel-to-frequency table also identifies the appropriate television standard for the selected country. During tuning, the user or application enters a particular channel number. The tuning system uses the channel number to lookup a corresponding television frequency in the channel-to-frequency table. The tuning system then tunes to the television frequency. The tuning system stores a set of tuning frequencies for corresponding channels within a particular locale. If the tuning system is transported to another locale and then back to the original locale, the tuning frequencies may be retrieved from memory to restore operation within the original locale, rather than having to reconfigure the system.

Analog video standards for broadcast television differ from country to country. The broadcast television standard used here in the United States, for example, is different than the broadcast standard used in France. Conventional standards include multiple versions of NTSC (National Television Standards Committee), multiple versions of PAL (Phase Alternate Line), and multiple versions of SECAM (Sequential Couleur Avec Memoire).
Broadcast frequencies also change from country to country. Each country is assigned a range of frequencies to allot to its domestic television broadcast service. An international governing body known as the "International Telecommunications Union" or "ITU" governs the allocation of broadcast frequencies among the various countries.
The country-by-country discrepancies among broadcast standards and channel frequencies pose a problem for television manufacturers. Since each country employs a particular standard and operates within a particular range of frequencies, manufacturers must tailor their televisions to the country into which they are to be sold. Traditionally, the manufacturers have hardwired the televisions during manufacturing to comply with the standard and frequency requirements of the destination country.
FIG. 1 shows the hardware components of a broadcast television, 20. It includes a tuner 22, a crossbar 24, a video decoder 26, a display 28, and speaker(s) 30. The tuner 22 tunes to a particular channel frequency to receive a broadcast television signal, which carries both video and audio data. The tuner 22 separates an analog video signal from an analog audio signal. The crossbar 24 routes the analog video signal to the video decoder 26, which converts the analog video signal to digital video data used to drive the display 28. The crossbar 24 also routes the analog audio signal to the speaker(s) or other audio components 30. It is noted that FIG. 1 represents a more modern television, which has digital capabilities. In older televisions, the crossbar 24 routes the analog video signal directly to the display 28 for depiction.
Under conventional manufacturing techniques, televisions used in different countries have different tuners 22 and video decoders 26. Televisions shipped in the United States are equipped with tuners and video decoders compatible with the U.S. broadcast standards and frequencies, whereas televisions shipped to other countries are equipped with different tuners and video decoders that are compatible with their broadcast standards and frequencies.
Country-based customization is inefficient because the manufacturer must make several versions of a product. In addition to broadcast standards and frequencies, the manufacturer might also have to contend with other regional differences, such specialized audio decoders for a particular market, or variations in picture tubes (e.g., 525 v. 625 line operation). The customization plays havoc with inventories because an overabundance of televisions for one country may not be cross-sold into another country where demand is strong.
To partially address this problem, manufacturers began using tuners and decoders that support multiple standards and frequencies. With this improvement, manufacturers are able to mass-produce one version of the television using the same components regardless of the destination country. Prior to shipping, the manufacturers program the tuner and decoder at the factory to a desired television standard and frequency range for the destination country.
While this is an improvement, it is not ideal. Video standards employed within a country may change. A country might decide to reallocate the broadcast frequencies, or perhaps adopt a different television standard, for political, administrative, or technical reasons. Televisions programmed at the factory are not capable of accommodating these changes. Accordingly, there is a need to design a television tuning system that may be upgraded in the field.
Another problem concerns portability. In the past, televisions sold into one country would typically reside in that country for the life of the product. It was less common for people to transport their televisions to different countries, unless they were permanently moving.
Today, as television tuner hardware decreases in size and continues to fall in component cost, it can be incorporated into portable computing devices, such as laptop computers. Given the portable nature of these computing devices, it is very likely that they will be used in numerous different locations throughout the world that employ different television standards and channel frequencies. Thus, there is a need for a worldwide television tuning system that is reconfigurable in the field to adapt to different television standards and channel frequencies.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Worldwide television tuning system with country code based tuning


A projection assembly includes a dichroic beam splitter having first and second crossed dichroic surfaces, at least one interference type light modulator panel optically coupled to the dichroic beam splitter, and at least one filter at least partially between the light modulator panel and the dichroic beam splitter.

Display systems display an image or series of images on a display surface. In particular, each image is frequently made up of several sub-images. For example, some systems produce a red, a green, and a blue sub-image that are then selectively combined to form a single, full-color image.
Several display systems include a light source module that produces light. The light produced by the light source module is directed to a prism and polarizer(s). The polarizer and prism split the light into component colors. For example, a tri-color prism may split the light into red, green, and blue light rays. The light directed to each of the modulator panels is then modulated to form the sub-images, as introduced.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


An eyelash curler made of a polymeric material such as plastic or of a non-temperature conducting, light but sturdy and durable material comprising a head section and a body section. The head section includes a curling component having a back side and a front side where an eyelash to be curled is introduced. The curling component has a metal blade at its forming member to form better curls than a plastic blade. The lower end of the body section serves as the handle for the device. A push button controls the curling component and is situated at a position opposite the front side of the curling component thereby preventing the push button from contacting the face of a user.

This invention relates to a manually operated eyelash curler with improved curling members and handle.
Manually operated eyelash curlers are currently made of one material, either made entirely of plastic or entirely of metal but not in combination with each other. Metal eyelash curlers offer better curling functions than plastic eyelash curlers because the metal blade, one pressing on the eyelashes against a pressurizing member, provides a stronger pressure on the eyelashes compared to a plastic blade. However, metals are good temperature conductors, taking on the temperature of its surrounding. This makes the eyelash curler at times initially too cold for the fingers and hands during the operation of the eyelash curler until it takes on the temperature of the user. Also, current metal eyelash curlers are inconvenient to use because the fingers have to situate into two openings for operation, much like those used in the operation of a scissors. For users with fingers larger than the openings, this may even result into formation of sores or blisters and for users with thin fingers, this results in more difficulty with controlling the eyelash curler.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an eyelash curler with a metal blade but plastic body.
It is also an object of this invention to provide an eyelash curler with a body ergonomically shaped for better grip and function.
It is a further object of this invention to situate the push button used for the operation of the eyelash curler away from the face of a user.


Techniques for transparently replacing a processor, that receives interrupts in a partitioned computing device, with a replacement processor, are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, methods are discussed for directing the interrupts to an unchangeable identifier mapped to the processor's identifier and replacing the processor with the replacement processor. An intermediary, such as an I/O APIC, is used for storing the unchangeable identifier. The mapping may use logical mode delivery, physical mode delivery, or interrupt mapping.

A microprocessor is an electronic device capable of performing the processing and control functions for computing devices such as desktop computers, laptop computers, server computers, cell phones, laser printers, and so on. Typically, a microprocessor comprises a small plastic or ceramic package that contains and protects a small piece of semiconductor material that includes a complex integrated circuit. Leads connected to the integrated circuit are attached to pins that protrude from the package allowing the integrated circuit to be connected to other electronic devices and circuits. Microprocessors are usually plugged into or otherwise attached to a circuit board containing other electronic devices.
While a microprocessor integrated circuit typically includes only one computing unit, i.e., one processor, it is possible to include multiple processors in a microprocessor integrated circuit. The multiple processors, which are often referred to as "cores," are included in the same piece of semiconductor material and connected to the microprocessor package pins. Having multiple cores increases the computing power of the microprocessor. For example, a microprocessor with four cores can provide almost the same amount of computing power as four single-core microprocessors. Harnessing the increased computing power that multiple-core microprocessors provide allows computing functions that previously required multiple computing devices to be performed with fewer computing devices.
For example, a server implemented across 32 traditional computing devices, i.e., a 32-way server, may be implemented by eight microprocessors, each having four cores. Taking the concept one step further, if each individual core is eight times more powerful than one of the 32 computing devices, a 32-way server may be implemented by one microprocessor with four cores. Reducing the number of microprocessors reduces the cost of the server, the amount of energy required to power the server, and the amount of maintenance the server requires.
The advantages of using multiple-core microprocessors are driving a trend toward "server consolidation." Server consolidation is the process of taking multiple servers, possibly each providing a different service, and providing all of the services on one physical device, e.g., a four-core processor. While reducing costs, energy, and maintenance, consolidating servers has the effect of putting all of one's eggs into one basket. This puts a greater burden of reliability on the one physical device. If a server is implemented on many separate computing devices and a computing device fails, usually there are other computing devices that are able to take over for the failed computing device. The process of having one computing device take over for a failing computing device is referred to as "failover."


The present invention provides methods for decreasing a nasal polyp score in a subject. The methods include administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutic composition comprising an interleukin-4 receptor (IL-4R) antagonist such as an anti-IL-4R antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof.

Chronic sinusitis (CS), an inflammatory condition of the sinuses, is a common syndrome, with estimates of prevalence as high as 13% in Western populations. This condition is characterized by any combination of specific symptoms including nasal congestion, decreased or lost sense of smell, anterior and/or posterior nasal discharge, facial pain, and/or headache and consequences thereof, often for a period of years. CS can be clinically divided into CS with or without nasal polyps.
Nasal polyposis (NP) is a clinical condition characterized by the presence of multiple polyps in the upper nasal cavity, originating from the osteomeatal complex. NP is a T helper cell-2 (Th-2) driven inflammatory process affecting the mucosa of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Eosinophils and their products are thought to be a hallmark of nasal polyp-associated inflammation as elevated levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5; promotes eosinophil survival and differentiation), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and eotaxin (eosinophil chemoattractant), factors that attract and activate eosinophils, are typically found in nasal polyps. Eosinophils are the predominant inflammatory cell found in the sinuses and nasal polyps, and nasal polyps are also associated with elevated levels of IgE. NP is characterized by long-term symptoms of nasal obstruction and congestion, reduction in or loss of sense of smell, anterior and posterior rhinorrhea, and facial pain. Current treatment options range from local or systemic corticosteroids to functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
Current medical management of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps/nasal polyposis (CSwNP) primarily focuses on controlling inflammation, which involves administration of topical and systemic corticosteroids with a goal of reducing polyp mass and number. In case of failure, surgical excision is indicated. However, disease recurrence is reported to be frequent after surgery, with rates of recurrence approaching 50% in patients with tissue eosinophilia.

Methods for treating chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps by administering an IL-4R antagonist


An apparatus for generating target color recipes includes a controller (202) using test chart data (100) including first and second sets of test patches to generate a flexible color model (214) for accurately predicting color response throughout the printer colorant space. The first set of test patches includes mostly patches distributed throughout colorant space. The second set of patches includes mostly patches in selected colorant space areas and with limitations on the number of chromatic colorants with non-zero tints. The controller generates recipes for target colors using the model generated after one measurement iteration.

Printing devices are typically configured with a set of colorants, e.g. inks, pigments, and the like. The term "process colorants" usually refers to a set of colorants including three chromatic colorants (e.g. cyan, magenta, and yellow) and an achromatic colorant (e.g. black) because a wide range of target colors can be obtained by printing combinations of these colorants, each with varying tonality.
Some printing devices can be configured with additional colorants for various reasons. In some situations, process colorants with lighter or darker densities can be added to improve the colorant tonal granularity and/or the printer gamut and/or smoothness in tonal transitions. In other situations, additional process colorants (e.g. orange, green, and blue) can be added to increase the printer gamut. In still other situations, spot colorants can be added to achieve a specific effect, such as to exactly match a target color or to provide a desired effect (e.g. gloss).
Use of additional spot colorants to match a target color is particularly widespread in the printing of commercial product packaging where brand color accuracy is crucial. However, the use of spot colorants increases the complexity and costs associated with printing equipment and processes. It is desirable to minimize the use of spot colorants but there are some barriers to the use of process colorant recipes for target colors.
For some target colors, the printer gamut may not be large enough to enable the target color to be printed. This can usually be overcome by changing the process colorant formulations (e.g. more vivid colorants) or by adding process colorants to extend the printer gamut (e.g. Hexachrome® colorant set).
For target colors that lie within the printer gamut, prior art methods and systems for characterizing a printing device color response can be a barrier to determining accurate target color recipes. One problem relates to the granularity of test data used for characterization of the printer. In general, characterization chart patches are relatively sparsely distributed throughout colorant space. A primary reason for this is to reduce the number of samples that must be measured.
Once test patches have been measured a color model is typically created so that a device-independent color (e.g. CIELAB coordinate) can be predicted for an arbitrary combination of colorant tint values, and similarly a colorant combination can be predicted to achieve a target color. Use of parametric models and interpolation between measured values is known in the art for mapping between colorant and color coordinates that do not have a measurement basis. However, color modeling techniques can produce poor target color recipes due to the coarseness of the test data and nonlinear characteristics of a printer's color response.
Standard charts are widely employed in commercial printing. Two exemplary standards include the IT8 standard specified by the American National Standards Institute and the ECI2002 standard specified by the European Color Initiative. Many of the test patches defined by the newer versions of both standards have identical colorant combinations.
The IT8 standard provides a range of recommendations. For example, the IT8.7/3 recommendation defines the use of 182 color patches (basic set) and 982 color patches (extended set) to characterize a printer. The newer IT8.7/4 recommendation defines the use of 1617 color patches (with some replicates) to provide a more fine-grained characterization. The 1588 unique IT8.7/4 patches can be categorized as: single colorant patches (84), two colorant combination patches (288), three colorant combinations (818), and four colorant combinations (398). Single colorant patches provide the finest granularity of sampling with 21 somewhat uniform tonality steps.
Two colorant patches can be further categorized into purely chromatic patches (204) and those including black colorant (84). Approximately 8 tone steps (8 steps*8 steps*3 combinations=192) are used for each colorant in the purely chromatic patches. Approximately 5 tone steps (5*5*3=75) are used for each colorant in the two colorant patches including black colorant. The actual number of tone steps for a colorant varies somewhat dependent on the colorant and the position of the associated colorant combination within the colorant space of the printer. For example, some additional tone steps are added in the highlights for some colorants.
Three colorant patches have distribution granularity similar to two colorant patches with 527 purely chromatic patches and 84 patches that include black colorant. Approximately 8 tone steps (8*8*8=512) are used for each colorant in purely chromatic patches. Approximately 5 tone steps (5*5*5*3=375) are used for each colorant in the three colorant patches including black colorant.
Four colorant patches use approximately 4-5 tone steps (4*4*5*5=400) for each colorant. Thus, it is clear to see that the granularity of colorant combination patches for the newer standard test charts is quite large and the color model data derived from measuring these patches can be a problem when determining target color recipes.
Having two few samples in nonlinear regions of a printer's gamut can increase the error in color accuracy prediction. Further, different regions of a printer's gamut can have very different nonlinear characteristics making the use of parametric models difficult to provide the desired accuracy with coarse characterization data.
Some prior art systems overcome these limitations by developing separate localized models in the region corresponding to a desired target color. One example includes U.S. Publication No. 2008/0130022 (Dalal et al.). Dalal et al. teaches developing a set of color models, one for general use throughout the gamut and one for each region of interest such as near a target color. An initial target color recipe is printed and measured. Dalal et al. teaches developing a local model in the vicinity of the color measured for the initial recipe with the model using a weighting of the neighboring color measurements to compensate for local nonlinearities. This method can be very time consuming and complex when a significant number of target colors is desired (e.g. some Pantone® libraries specify between 1000 and 3000 colors).
Other examples include U.S. Publication No. 2009/0296113 (Mestha et al.) and U.S. Publication No. 2008/0043271 (Gil et al.). Mestha et al. teaches a similar approach where the error of a color reproduced for an initial target recipe is reduced by selecting a linear gain matrix that models the local color response of the printer. U.S. Pat. No. 6,919,972 (Kumada et al.) teaches a similar approach with target color interpolation improved by localized weighting of neighboring measured data.
Some prior art teaches improving the accuracy of target color recipes by utilizing a larger set of test patches. For example, an extremely fine grained characterization of the printer gamut would enable traditional modeling techniques to overcome many of the nonlinear color response prediction errors. However, this is widely viewed as impractical because of increased measurement and computing resources requirements. A similar example includes U.S. Publication No. 2010/0189348 (Dalal et al.), which teaches using two sets of characterization measurements separated by time (and presumably by drift in response) to adjust an initial target color recipe based on the two sets of characterization data.
Other prior art systems teach different approaches. One example is U.S. Publication No. 2009/0251712 (Wang et al.). Wang et al. teaches using a minimal number of patches (less than 20) for each of a set of sub-gamuts (e.g. CMY, MYK, CYK, and CMK) to build a linear sensitivity model of each sub-gamut's color to changes in the corresponding colorant coordinates. Wang et al. does not appear to teach how such a collection of sub-gamut sensitivity models can be used to identify a target color recipe.
A need exists, therefore, to reduce the time and resources required for characterizing a printer and developing accurate target color recipes for that printer.


For saliency mapping, a machine-learned classifier is used to classify input data. A perturbation encoder is trained and/or applied for saliency mapping of the machine-learned classifier. The training and/or application (testing) of the perturbation encoder uses less than all feature maps of the machine-learned classifier, such as selecting different feature maps of different hidden layers in a multiscale approach. The subset used is selected based on gradients from back-projection. The training of the perturbation encoder may be unsupervised, such as using an entropy score, or semi-supervised, such as using the entropy score and a difference of a perturbation mask from a ground truth segmentation.

The present embodiments relate to saliency mapping for machine-learned classification. Machine-learned classification provides useful information for image interpretation. The lack of interpretability and explainability of deep learning network results hinders building trustable intelligent systems. Interpretability is particularly important in medical applications to build trustable and transparent models. The output classification provides little information about how and why the machine-learned classifier predicted a given class. Such information would be useful to make sense of classification to clinicians and physicians for making clinical decisions.
A saliency map shows important areas of the input on which deep networks are focused to extract features and make predictions. The saliency map is useful for establishing appropriate trust and confidence of deep networks. A reliable prediction with a saliency map highlighting clinically relevant features may help make healthcare providers more efficient and confident, enhancing patient care, empowering patients with more information, and cutting costs.
The main methods for extracting a saliency map from deep machine-learned networks are gradient-based and perturbation-based. In gradient-based methods, partial derivatives of predicted class scores with respect to input pixel are utilized to visualize important pixels with an assumption that changes in intensities of important pixels have the most impact on the network prediction. One approach computes saliency response corresponding to gradient of class score logit with respect to feature map of the last convolutional layer. Another approach makes modification to reflect the responsiveness of corresponding feature maps. Perturbation-based methods distort the input image locally and select important areas by analyzing the impact of local perturbation on the class score. A learning framework may be used to model perturbation patterns for highlighting important regions and explaining the behavior of deep networks. Both gradient- and perturbation-based methods are time and process consuming.

Saliency mapping by feature reduction and perturbation modeling in medical imaging