A method and system to maintain portable computer data secure and an authentication token for use in the system are provided. The present invention provides for fine-grained authentication and full security of a laptop file system. The laptop disk is encrypted and each time data is fetched from the disk the laptop sends a short message requesting a decryption key from an authentication token worn or associated with the proper laptop user. If the user and his/her token are “present,” then access is allowed. If the user and his/her token are not “present” (i.e., within a predetermined radius), then access is disallowed and all in-memory data is flushed to the disk. The user wears the small authentication token that communicates with the laptop over a short-range, wireless link. Whenever the laptop needs decryption authority, it acquires it from the token; authority is retained only as long as necessary.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to methods and systems to maintain portable computer data secure and authentication tokens for use therein.
2. Background Art
Portable computers such as laptops are vulnerable to theft, greatly increasing the likelihood of exposing sensitive files. Storing laptop data in a cryptographic file system does not fully address this problem. Such systems ask the user to imbue them with long-term authority for decryption, but that authority can be used by anyone who physically possesses the machine. Forcing the user to frequently reestablish his identity is too intrusive, encouraging him or her to work around or disable encryption entirely.
Safeware, an insurer of computer equipment, estimates that 387,000 laptops were stolen during the 2000 calendar year. For many users, the true cost of laptop theft is not the lost hardware, but rather the exposure of sensitive data. There have been at least three high-profile losses within the past year. A laptop containing two years of financial data and internal company e-mail was stolen from Qualcomm founder Irwin Jacobs. The U.S. Department of State reported the loss of a laptop that identified sources and methods used to gather nuclear proliferation intelligence. Such events are not limited to the United States; a British MI6 agent left a laptop describing field methods in a taxi. All of these laptops were insecure.
Once an adversary has physical possession of a laptop, he has full access to all of the information on it. This is true even with secure login facilities; such protections can be bypassed by removing its disk and examining it at leisure. The best defense against physical inspection is to leave all data on the machine encrypted without exposing the decryption keys. Current cryptographic file systems do not provide this property.
To see why, consider the role played by user authentication. At login time, a user proves his identity to the machine, typically with a password. If successful, the machine is empowered to act on the user's behalf. The duration for which these rights persist is a matter of policy. Often, they last until the user explicitly logs out, though some systems require users to reauthenticate infrequently.
This model of authentication is troublesome when used with file system encryption. Authentication provides the keys for decrypting file system data, either directly or indirectly. However, while authentication persists, anyone in physical possession of the machine can act as that user; authentication transfers authority from the user to the machine.
If the reauthentication period is long, the window of vulnerability is correspondingly wide. This is a dangerous proposition for laptops. Requiring frequent reauthentication limits this vulnerability, but places a substantial burden on the user. This encourages him to leave his files decrypted or find a way to automatically renew authentication. In either case, the protection afforded by encryption is forfeit.
The discussion so far has focused on password-based authentication, but other methods suffer a similar fate. One alternative is a secure device, such as a smartcard, that provides decryption services. Such a device is inserted into the laptop and either transfers its keys to the machine or must remain attached for continued operation. The former is identical to password-style authentication. The latter encourages a user to leave the card in the laptop, providing little protection.
Biometric authentication schemes intrude on users in two ways. The first is the false-negative rate: the chance of rejecting a valid user. For face recognition, this ranges between 10% and 40%, depending on the amount of time between training and using the recognition system. For fingerprints, the false-negative rate can be as high as 44%, depending on the subject. The second stems from physical constraints. For example, a user must touch a special reader to validate his fingerprint. Such burdens encourage users to disable or work around biometric protection. A notable exception is iris recognition. It can have a low false-negative rate, and can be performed unobtrusively. However, doing so requires three cameras; an expensive and bulky proposition for a laptop.
The Jones, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,637, provides for an encrypted data storage card including smartcard integrated circuit for storing an access password and encryption keys. Disclosed within is a method and apparatus for storing access passwords, encryption or decryption keys, or digital signatures, in a smart-card integrated circuit interconnected with a data access mechanism (hard drive) which are integral parts of a memory card of a laptop or notebook computer.
The Cyras, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,889,866, provides for a method and apparatus for controlling access to detachably connectable computer devices using an encrypted password. Of interest is a method and apparatus for controlling access to a laptop or notebook computer using an encrypted password. The laptop computer includes a utility software that prompts the user for password assignment, password entry, etc. Encryption logic encrypts the entered password and stores the encrypted password as the key on the computer. Furthermore, if the encrypted entered password is the same as the key and, thus, the entered password is the same as the assigned password, an enable signal is sent to render the computer operable.
The Rallis, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,099, provides for a notebook security system (NBS). Disclosed is a multi-level security system for preventing unauthorized use of a notebook, or laptop computer. A validation record stored on the computer's hard disk contains an encrypted key device serial number and an encrypted hard disk serial number. A program that is automatically invoked at computer power-up, or reset, implements the user validation procedure. The procedure permits entry past a first security level if the key device serial number matches the unencrypted number in the validation record. If the first-level validation is successful, the procedure then uses the encryption key to decrypt the hard disk serial number found in the stored validation record. The procedure permits entry past the second security level only if the validation record is properly decrypted and the actual hard disk serial number matches the decrypted number. A failure at any step in the user-validation procedure will immediately power down the computer, thereby rendering it useless to a thief not possessing the required key device.
The patent document to Jones, et al., WO 95/16238, provides for a secure computer memory card. Described within is a method and apparatus for password protecting a computer. An integrated circuit incorporated within the computer's memory card may store public and private key values used to encrypt and decrypt data stored on the memory card or elsewhere on the host computer.
The Xydis U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,240, provides for a method of controlling a computer system comprising the steps of: disposing a computer in an operating space and placing the computer in a lockout mode to prevent operation of the computer software by a user. It also provides for a transponder that transmits an authorized user code in the operating spaced and identifying the user owning the transponder. The authorized user is then free to operate the computer software while the sensing for the presence of a transponder transmitting an authorized user code in the operating space is continued.
The Davis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,450, provides for a wireless authentication system to control an operating state of a computer based on the proximity of an authorized user to the computer. The wireless authentication system comprises a security device implemented within the computer and a user authentication token ("token") in possession of the authorized user. A Challenge/Response protocol is configured between the security device and the token. The first successful Challenge/Response message exchange between the security device and the token places the node in an operational state allowing the authorized user access to the contents and/or networked resources of the node. Later Challenge/Response message exchanges are set to occur periodically to check whether the authorized user possessing the token has left the node unattended thereby causing the node to be placed in a non-operational state.
The MacDoran et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,757,916, provides for a method and apparatus for authenticating the identity of a remote user entity where the identity of such user entity is authenticated by use of information specific to geodetic location of the user entity but that changes constantly, making "spoofing" the host device extremely difficult. The invention is preferably implemented utilizing satellite positioning technology to produce the identifying information.
The Theimer, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,544,321 and 5,611,050, provide for a method for superimposing prespecified locational, environmental, and contextual controls on user interactions, including interactions of mobile users, with computational resources. A system is described for electronically monitoring contextual information concerning users and machines, including state and locational information including proximity. Interaction policies, including user specified interaction policies, may be registered on an identifiable address path. Methods are described for detecting, selecting and controlling computer-controlled devices, based; on the proximity of the device to the user, the current context of the user, the location of other nearby users and devices, and the current state of the devices. Temporary transfer of control, including exclusive control, of particular computers and computer-controlled devices to individual users based on the context and environment in proximity to those computing devices is also described.
The following U.S. patents are also generally related to the present invention: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,012,514; 5,091,939; 5,226,080; 5,375,243; 5,657,470; and 5,836,010.

Method and system to maintain portable computer data secure and authentication token for use therein

The Regents of the University of Michigan


A device includes a first partial, circular shroud which includes an upstream shroud portion and a downstream shroud portion; an upstream slot panel, defining an upstream bypass slot, disposed on the upstream shroud portion; and a downstream slot panel, defining a downstream reentry slot, disposed on the downstream shroud portion. According to one embodiment, an upstream dam is disposed on the upstream shroud portion, and a downstream dam is disposed on the downstream shroud portion. Upstream and downstream slot fins may be integrally formed with the respective upstream and downstream slot panels, extending radially outward from the respective portions of the shroud. A diverter is disposed on the upstream shroud portion, substantially between the first upstream dam and the upstream bypass slot, extending radially inward therefrom, in one embodiment. A separator plate is disposed on an intermediate portion of the shroud, extending radially inward therefrom, in one embodiment. As one example, the device is useful for manipulating flow associated with a spinning disc, such as in a disc drive.

In a system with rapidly rotating or moving parts, a flow of a fluid surrounding such parts may exhibit fluctuations (in pressure and/or velocity) or form turbulent patterns that exert undesirable fluid dynamic forces on components of the system. As one example, in data storage systems such as disc drives, the positioning of a read/write head relative to a track that is being accessed and/or its distance from the disc surface (commonly referred to as fly height) are subject to mechanical and vibrational disturbances due to a variety of sources, including fluid turbulence, resonant vibration modes, physical imperfections of the mechanical components, and external shocks, for example. The performance of a data storage system depends on the precision with which the read/write head is positioned proximate to target data tracks. The various mechanical and vibrational disturbances to which the head becomes subjected tend to counteract that precision, potentially causing "runout" errors in the signals intended to be read from the target data tracks. Some of those runout errors may be repeatable, manifesting as a superfluous periodic signal component such as those due to flaws in a rotating disc on which the data tracks are written. Other runout errors may be irregular and non-repeatable, such as those due to external shock, or to the fluctuations and/or turbulence of flow that may be generated by a rotating disc and adjacent components. Flow impinges upon the actuator arms and head gimbal assemblies (HGAs) that position read/write heads over the discs. The flow excites various mechanical vibration modes of the arms, HGAs, and discs that cause read/write head fly height fluctuations and off-track motion, which results in non-repeatable runout errors. In particular, arm/HGA sway modes, torsion modes, and bending modes are typically excited. As areal densities of disc drives increase, and the speed of rotation of the discs increases, the problems with non-repeatable runout due to flow excitation become a more severe performance constraint. This is representative of a variety of systems in which controlling fluid flow is becoming one of the primary obstacles in the path of continued advances in performance.
Systems, devices and methods are needed to control fluid flow, in order to reduce off-track vibrations and fly height fluctuations in disc drives with higher areal densities and higher disc speeds. Embodiments of the present invention provide solutions to these and other problems, and offer additional advantages over the prior art.

Multi-purpose flow control device comprised in a data storage device


A medical device shaft including an unbalanced braid reinforcement layer. The reinforcement layer may be an unbalanced braid by having a first set of strands and a second set of strands, the sets wound in opposing directions on a mandrel or on the device shaft. The first set and second set may have different numbers of strands, sizes of strands, or pitch, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the unbalanced braid increases contact area between the inner layer and the outer layer of the shaft without compromising the function of the braid. In other embodiments, the variations in strand size and number between the first set and the second set allows improved kink and torque performance in a reduced thickness braid layer. The improved shaft of the present invention may be incorporated into a wide variety of medical devices such as guide catheters, diagnostic catheters, balloon catheters, etc.

A variety of elongate thin medical devices such as catheters, endoscopes and the like have been developed over the past several decades. Many of these devices include reinforcement members such as braided, longitudinal or helical elements disposed between an inner layer and an outer layer. During use, it is often necessary for the elongate member to be resistant to kinking while still being flexible and capable of transferring a twisting force. The reinforcement member provides torsional rigidity, column strength, kink resistance, and allows for improved torque response of such elongate members. Where a braid layer is disposed between an inner layer and an outer layer, the braid layer may reduce the structural integrity of the elongate device by limiting the area of adhesion between the inner and outer layers. Further, different aspects of different reinforcement layers, such as filament thickness and number, provide different properties to braids. It is desirable to identify ways to combine positive aspects of several different braid configurations.

Unbalanced reinforcement members for medical device


A commercial package assembly that retains a battery for sale to a consumer includes a battery chamber and a control assembly. The battery chamber retains the battery. The battery is visible to the consumer while the battery is retained within the battery chamber. The control assembly is coupled to the battery chamber. Additionally, the control assembly is configured to transmit power from the battery to an electronic device while the battery is retained within the battery chamber.

Portable or mobile electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, have taken on an increased importance for many, many people in recent years. In fact, many people claim that they cannot function properly without them. However, such electronic devices can often lose power, i.e. drain the internal battery, more quickly and more frequently than desired. Thus, these electronic devices need to be recharged often. Unfortunately, the user of the electronic device is too often found in situations when and where conventional charging methods are not available, e.g., when traveling, at airports, during natural disasters or power outages, etc.

Disposable package assembly for batteries with added charging function


The present invention relates to a back-flow prevention device for use with a water supply for supplying water to dental instruments within a dental clinic for preventing bacteria contamination of a water source feeding water supply. The device provides no mechanical connection between the water source and the water supply.

The invention relates to a back flow prevention system for the protection of the watermain, with particular application in dental clinics.
In dental clinics, and in particular during dental bridgework, it is frequently necessary to use water from the watermain; a typical instance, which will be used during the following description and which is to be considered not as an indication of the limits of the back flow prevention system but purely as an apt example, is the liquid ring pump in aspirating dental instruments. These pumps are used to aspirate fluids that naturally abound in bacteria and pollutants. For this reason it is absolutely necessary, and in many cases a legal requirement, to prevent these bacteria and pollutants from getting into the watermain; this can happen both in cases of malfunction of the pump (for example, through accidental function inversion) and during times when the pump is not in use.
In order to avoid such accidents filters are sometimes used, which are quite effective as regards pollutants, but which produce unsatisfactory results as far as bacterial pollution is concerned. Also used for this purpose are complex-type valves which prevent the return of the fluid towards the watermain in the case of siphoning or flow inversion. However, these valves do not guarantee absolute security with regard to halting the bacteria which, even if only in certain circumstances, can reach the watermain.

Disconnector for the protection of the watermain, with particular reference to medical plants


A control system for regulating the decontamination of waste in a reaction chamber is provided. The control system monitors the chamber temperature and disinfectant concentration. Using the disinfectant concentration, the control system then calculates the minimum temperature required to maintain a specified level of decontamination. This minimum temperature is then compared to the actual temperature by the control system. If the actual temperature is below the minimum, the control system operates a heater to heat the reaction chamber. Additional temperature control can also be provided by the control system. If desired, the control system compares the actual chamber temperature to an ideal operating temperature. If the actual temperature exceeds the ideal temperature, the system cools the chamber by pumping in additional low temperature disinfectant. In this manner, the additional disinfectant maintains the level of decontamination as the chamber temperature decreases.

The disposal of infectious waste from hospitals and other medical establishments is a major problem. Indeed, the importance of proper and effective infectious waste disposal has become of greater concern in recent years, due to an increased awareness of health problems such as the AIDS epidemic. In part because of the AIDS epidemic, definitions of what constitutes "infectious waste" are being broadened. Consequently, the volume of infectious waste which must be disposed of is increasing. Accordingly, the need for a system or apparatus which will accomplish the safe, efficacious, and cost effective treatment of significant volumes of infectious waste for disposal is growing.
One method for decontaminating infectious waste involves incineration, wherein the waste is burned and the decontaminated ashes are properly disposed. An alternative treatment method is to disinfect the waste in a steam autoclave prior to waste disposal. While effective for their intended purposes, both incinerators and autoclaves present ancillary problems. Incinerators, for example, are difficult and costly to construct and are relatively expensive to maintain in an environmentally safe manner. Autoclaves too, present additional problems, such as odor, cost and operational complexity. Additionally, waste which has been disinfected by autoclaving typically requires further treatment procedures, such as incineration or shredding, prior to final disposition of the waste in such places as landfills.
With the above discussion in mind, alternative infectious waste treatment systems have been proposed to disinfect the waste in preparation for disposal. According to these proposals, a solid infectious waste is contacted with a disinfectant solution containing a chlorine compound to decontaminate the waste. The decontaminated waste may then be disposed in ordinary landfills.
Unfortunately, decontamination of waste using chlorine compounds presents certain technical complications. First, liquid disinfectant loses its disinfectant potency during prolonged storage. Thus, there is a need to use liquid disinfectant that is relatively "fresh" in order to achieve an acceptable degree of waste decontamination. Second, it is relatively difficult to ensure that an appropriate concentration of the disinfectant has contacted the waste during the treatment process. It is also important, however, to avoid applying too high a concentration of chlorine compound to the waste in order to avoid undesirable results, such as corrosive effects and the release of toxic gasses. The present invention recognizes that precise amounts of disinfectant precursors can be stored for relatively lengthy time periods without losing their potency and can be mixed with water to form a chlorinated disinfectant solution when needed. The resulting solution can be used to decontaminate infectious waste in a system that mechanically shreds the waste.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a control system for waste treatment which ensures precise amounts of a chlorine-based disinfectant are blended with infectious waste to decontaminate the waste. Another object of the present invention is to provide a control system for waste treatment which closely regulates the temperature of the infectious waste while it is being disinfected. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a control system that balances the addition of heat and disinfectant during the decontamination process to render the waste substantially noninfectious. Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a control system for waste treatment which is relatively easy and comparatively cost-effective to implement.

Control system for medical waste disposal unit


A method of interactive game play is provided wherein a seemingly magical wand toy is provided for enabling a trained user to electronically send and receive information to and from other wand toys, a master system and/or to actuate various play effects within a play environment. The toy wand or other seemingly magical object is configured to use a send/received radio frequency communications protocol which provides a basic foundation for a complex, interactive entertainment system to create a seemingly magical interactive play experience.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to children""s"" play toys and games and, in particular, to interactive toys, games and play systems utilizing radio frequency transponders and transceivers to provide a unique interactive game play experience.
2. Description of the Related Art
Family entertainment centers, play structures and other similar facilities are well known for providing play and interaction among play participants playing in, or around an entertainment facility and/or play structure. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,332 to Briggs, incorporated herein by reference. A wide variety of commercially available play toys and games are also known for providing valuable learning and entertainment opportunities for children, such as role playing, reading, memory stimulation, tactile coordination and the like.
However, there is always a demand for more exciting and entertaining games and toys that increase the learning and entertainment opportunities for children and stimulate creativity and imagination.
The present invention provides a unique method of game play carried out within either an existing or specially configured entertainment facility or play structure. The game utilizes an interactive xe2x80x9cwandxe2x80x9d and/or other tracking/actuation device to allow play participants to electronically and xe2x80x9cmagicallyxe2x80x9d interact with their surrounding play environment(s). The play environment may either be real or imaginary (i.e. computer/TV generated), and either local or remote, as desired. Optionally, multiple play participants, each provided with a suitable xe2x80x9cwandxe2x80x9d and/or tracking device, may play and interact together, either within or outside the play environment, to achieve desired goals or produce desired effects within the play environment.
In accordance with one embodiment the present invention provides an interactive play system and seemingly magical wand toy for enabling a trained user to electronically send and receive information to and from other wand toys and/or to and from various transceivers distributed throughout a play facility and/or connected to a master control system. The toy wand or other seemingly magical object is configured to use a send/receive radio frequency communication protocol which provides a basic foundation for a complex, interactive entertainment system to create a seemingly magic interactive play experience for play participants who possess and learn to use the magical wand toy.
In accordance with another embodiment the present invention provides an interactive play structure in the theme of a xe2x80x9cmagicxe2x80x9d training center for would-be wizards in accordance with the popular characters and storylines of the children""s book series xe2x80x9cHarry Potterxe2x80x9d by J. K Rowling. Within the play structure, play participants learn to use a xe2x80x9cmagic wandxe2x80x9d and/or other tracking/actuation device. The wand allows play participants to electronically and xe2x80x9cmagicallyxe2x80x9d interact with their surrounding play environment simply by pointing or using their wands in a particular manner to achieve desired goals or produce desired effects within the play environment. Various receivers or transceivers are distributed throughout the play structure to facilitate such interaction via wireless communications.
In accordance with another embodiment the present invention provides a wand actuator device for actuating various interactive play effects within an RFID-compatible play environment. The wand comprises an elongated hollow pipe or tube having a proximal end or handle portion and a distal end or transmitting portion. An internal cavity may be provided to receive one or more batteries to power optional lighting, laser or sound effects and/or to power long-range transmissions such as via an infrared LED transmitter device or RF transmitter device. The distal end of the wand is fitted with an RFID (radio frequency identification device) transponder that is operable to provide relatively short-range RF communications ( less than 60 cm) with one or more receivers or transceivers distributed throughout a play environment. The handle portion of the wand is fitted with optional combination wheels having various symbols and/or images thereon which may be rotated to produce a desired pattern of symbols required to operate the wand or achieve one or more special effects.
In accordance with another embodiment the present invention provides an RFID card or badge intended to be affixed or adhered to the front of a shirt or blouse worn by a play participant while visiting an RF equipped play facility. The badge comprises a paper, cardboard or plastic substrate having a front side and a back side. The front side may be imprinted with graphics, photos, or any other information desired. The front side may include any number of other designs or information pertinent to its application. The obverse side of the badge contains certain electronics comprising a radio frequency tag pre-programmed with a unique person identifier number (xe2x80x9cUPINxe2x80x9d). The UPIN may be used to identify and track individual play participants within the play facility. Optionally, each tag may also include a unique group identifier number (xe2x80x9cUGINxe2x80x9d) which may be used to match a defined group of individuals having a predetermined relationship.
In accordance with another embodiment the present invention provides an electronic role-play game utilizing specially configured electronically readable character cards. Each card is configured with an RFID or a magnetic xe2x80x9cswipexe2x80x9d strip or the like, that may be used to store certain information describing the powers or abilities of an imaginary role-play character that the card represents. As each play participant uses his or her favorite character card in various play facilities the character represented by the card gains (or loses) certain attributes, such as magic skill level, magic strength, flight ability, various spell-casting abilities, etc. All of this information is preferably stored on the card so that the character attributes may be easily and conveniently transported to other similarly-equipped play facilities, computer games, video games, home game consoles, hand-held game units, and the like. In this manner, an imaginary role-play character is created and stored on a card that is able to seamlessly transcend from one play medium to the next.
In accordance with another embodiment the present invention provides a trading card game wherein a plurality of cards depicting various real or imaginary persons, characters and/or objects are provided and wherein each card has recorded or stored thereon in an electronically readable format certain selected information pertaining to the particular person, character or object, such as performance statistics, traits/powers, or special abilities. The information is preferably stored on an RFID tracking tag associated with each card and which can be read electronically and wirelessly over a predetermined range preferably greater than about 1 cm when placed in the proximity of a suitably configured RF reader. Optionally, the RFID tag may be read/write capable such that it the information stored thereon may be changed or updated in any manner desired. Alternatively, a magnetic strip, bar code or similar information storage means may be used to store relevant information on the card.
For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention have been described herein above. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed.

Method of game play using RFID tracking device


A shooting rest for supporting a firearm includes at least three adjustable legs which can be positioned in various locations on the ground according to the terrain. A support bar is attached to one of the legs and to a base for providing support to the shooting rest. The shooting rest includes a first rest for supporting a rear portion of a gun and a second rest for supporting a front portion of a gun. The first rest is slidable on the base for accommodating various types of guns and is elongated for shooting straight ahead or at an angle without having to move the shooting rest. The shooting rest further includes an anchoring system having an anchor disposed into the ground and attached to the base for securing the base to the ground and stabilizing the shooting rest while shooting.

The invention relates to gun rests and, more particularly, to a shooting rest having adjustable legs for free standing on any type of terrain and which is foldable and compact for easy transportation and storage.
During target practice or hunting, it is often desirable to use a shooting rest to aid a person in supporting and stabilizing a gun. There are several kinds of shooting rests. One type of device is referred to as a monopod, which has one leg, and another type is referred to an a bipod, which has two legs, each type of shooting rest providing a rest for a firearm. However, these types of shooting rests are not free standing and must be held and supported by a person using the shooting rest, requiring the person to hold either the firearm or both the firearm and the shooting rest.
Yet another type of shooting rest is a table top gun rest, which is placed on top of a table, bench or other stable support surface. Another type of shooting rest is shooting bench which includes a chair mounted adjacent to the gun rest. However, these types of gun rests do not have an anchoring system for securing the gun rest to the ground or table for providing a steady rest for the firearm. Additionally, the table or the bench must also be carried to the shooting area.
Therefore, what is needed is an apparatus for providing a steady rest for a firearm which utilizes at least three adjustable legs for enabling the gun rest to be free standing on any type of terrain and which has an anchoring system for securing the gun rest to the ground for stabilization.


5-[(4-N,N-ditolylamino)benzyl]-5H-dibenzo[a,d]-cycloheptane derivatives having formula (I), which are useful as organic photoconductive materials in electrophotography. ##STR1##

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to 5-[(4-N,N-ditolylamino)benzyl]-5H-dibenzo[a,d]-cycloheptane derivatives which are effective as organic photoconductive materials for use in electrophotography.
2. Discussion of Background
Various organic photoconductive materials have been conventionally proposed for use in an electrophotographic process. For example, poly-N-vinylcarbazole and triphenylamine compounds are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,180,730; and benzidine compounds in U.S. Pat. No. 3,265,496, Japanese Patent Publication 39-11546 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 53-27033.
In the above-mentioned electrophotographic process, the surface of a photoconductor is charged uniformly in the dark to a predetermined polarity, for instance, by corona charging. The uniformly charged photoconductor is exposed to a light image to selectively dissipate the electrical charge of the exposed areas, so that a latent electrostatic image is formed on the photoconductor. The thus formed latent electrostatic image is developed by a developer or toner to a visible image.
Fundamental characteristics required for the photoconductor in such an electrophotographic process are: (1) chargeability to an appropriate potential in the dark, (2) minimum dissipation of electrical charge in the dark, and (3) rapid dissipation of electrical charge when exposed to the light.
However, the above-mentioned conventional organic photoconductive materials do not necessarily satisfy the above characteristics at the same time.


The present disclosure describes an oil pan structure including a storing portion that stores oil for an internal combustion engine. The storing portion includes a shallow bottom portion, a deep bottom portion deeper than the shallow bottom portion, and a connection surface that connects the shallow bottom portion and the deep bottom portion between the shallow bottom portion and the deep bottom portion. A side wall is formed at a position facing the connection surface with the shallow bottom portion interposed between the side wall and the connection surface. A rib is formed on a back surface of the shallow bottom portion so as to extend from one side or another side of the side wall in a width direction of the shallow bottom portion toward an end portion of the connection surface on an opposite side in the width direction.

Internal combustion engines include, in addition to a cylinder and a cylinder block, an oil pan that is disposed below the cylinder block and that stores oil. The oil pan is in contact with the cylinder block, and vibration of the cylinder block is thus transmitted to the oil pan. In this case, vibration of the oil pan may cause noise of the engine.
Examples of an existing oil pan structure for eliminating such a malfunction include a structure that includes a rib disposed in the longitudinal direction in an outer portion of an oil pan and a rib disposed orthogonally to the rib disposed in the longitudinal direction to increase the rigidity of the oil pan (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-144848). In addition, another example of such an existing oil pan structure is a structure that includes a plurality of ribs disposed in an oil pan including a shallow bottom portion, a deep bottom portion, and a boundary wall between the shallow bottom portion and the deep bottom portion. The plurality of ribs extend in the longitudinal direction between a center portion of the back surface of the shallow bottom portion and the back surface of the boundary wall (for example, see ribs 33 in Japanese Examined Utility Model Registration Application Publication No. 5-033721).

Oil pan structure for internal combustion engine


A filament structure and a bulb having the filament structure. The filament structure comprises at least three filament substrates. Each of the at least three filament substrates has a first end and a second end spaced apart from each other. Respective sections between the first ends and the second ends of the at least three filament substrates rotatably extend around an axis. An angle at which the sections of the at least three filament substrates between the first ends and the second ends are wound around the axis is not greater than 720 degrees. The filament structure and the bulb having the filament structure are convenient to process and install, achieve multi-angle omni-directional illumination, and meet the requirements of heat dissipation. The filament structure has an attractive appearance that is easily used for decoration.

As an emerging light source, LED has been widely used in the household and commercial lighting, and has gradually become a commonly used light source in daily life. However, the LED light source has the characteristics of high directivity and high heat generation. Therefore, it is difficult to apply to the small-sized bulb. In order to obtain omni-directional light emission, more LED light-emitting elements must be installed, which in turn requires a larger volume for heat dissipation. Therefore, the existing LED light source has either larger volume or lower brightness due to the limitation of its heat generation and volume restrictions.
In the prior art, there are different types of LED package, including Lamp type, Chip On Boardtype, Surface Mount Device type, System In Package type, etc. According to different types of LED package, different package substrates are used.
In general, the substrate for the Chip-On-Board LED package is a circuit board or a substrate made of a single material, such as metal, PVC, organic glass, plastic, etc., and the shape of the substrate is generally flat rectangle, flat circle or flat strip, etc. Furthermore, the edges of these substrates are usually smooth straight lines or curves.
After setting the LED chip on the substrate and applying the fluorescent glue, the light is emitted is a plane light. Even if a three-dimensional luminous body is formed by one or more substrates, the luminous body is likely to have uneven lighting angles distribution as the overall structure is hard to be designed perfectly. In addition, although the substrate can emit light in 360 degrees when it is made from light-transmitting material, the heat dissipation problems are usually caused. On the contrary, when the substrate is made of an opaque material, such as metal, there is no light emitting from the side where the LED chip is not provided, resulting in the inability to emit light in 360 degrees.
In conclusion, the current Chip-On-Board LED package has an uneven light-emitting angles distribution, which makes it impossible to emit lights in multi-angle or multi-level. Additionally, the heat dissipation problem usually occurs and thus the light efficiency may be affected. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a high-efficiency LED package substrate that is equipped with LED chips and sealed with fluorescent glue, has a balanced light-emitting angle, completely multi-angle, multi-level light, and is easy to install and process.

Filament structure and bulb having the filament structure


A burner having a first passageway for delivering a fuel/air mixture into a burner chamber is provided with an igniter spaced from the burner chamber and second and third passageways in fluid communication with the burner chamber and the igniter.

Direct fired hot water generators such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,775 to Lutzen et al generally have a container wherein water is introduced at the top thereof and falls downwardly through a heat exchange column, with obstacles therein to prevent a straight line path therethrough and having a burner at the bottom thereof for introducing heat and products cf combustion which flow upwardly, counter to the flow of the-water flowing downwardly, whereby the water is heated by such contact. Flue gases exit the top of the container and the heated water is pumped to where the heat i to be used. After the heat has been utilized, this water is returned to the container and to the inlet therein for re-heating and re-use.
One of the problems with prior art in direct fired hot water generators is that heat is lost in the flue gases which are exhausted to atmosphere. This creates an extremely inefficient situation.
Consequently, there is a need for a direct fired hot water generator which utilizes as much of the heat from a flame as possible.

Direct fired hot water generator with more than one heat exchange zone


A method, system and apparatus for maintaining a two-byte identification field of IP headers when a Gigabit Ethernet is in use are provided. Since the IP identification field is of two bytes, there is a limited number of identification numbers that may be used. Due to the high data transfer rate of the Gigabit Ethernet, this number may be reached within one second. Hence, there may be a possibility that two or more packets may have the same identification number while in transit. In a representative embodiment, one identification number is used for packets that may not be fragmented; thus, freeing the rest of the numbers for packets that may be fragmented.

1. Technical Field
The present invention is directed to communications networks. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for maintaining two-byte IP identification fields in IP headers.
2. Description of Related Art
There are several local area network (LAN) technologies in use today, but the most popular by far is the Ethernet. The Ethernet is an open-standard technology. This openness, combined with the ease of use and robustness of the Ethernet system contribute to its widespread implementation in the industry.
The Ethernet supports data transfer rates of 10 Mbps (megabits per second). However, many customers currently have, or foresee having, network throughput bottlenecks due to faster server processors, new applications, and more demanding environments that require greater network data transfer rates than existing LANs can provide. In addition, as networks mature, server consolidation results in a greater number of users and more network traffic per average file server, further straining the throughput capabilities of existing LANs. New data-intensive applications, such as network file server backups and synchronized voice/video, require reduced latency, as well as new levels of data transmission speed and reliability. To meet this ever-increasing increasing demand, faster Ethernet technologies are being defined with data throughput of 100 Mbps and 1000 Mbps. The 1000 Mbps Ethernet is referred to as a Gigabit Ethernet.
In any event, data is generally transmitted on a network in packets. Before being transmitted, however, several headers may be added to the packets. One of the headers that may be added is an Internet protocol (IP) header. The IP header has a two-byte identification field that is used to facilitate packet fragmentations. For example, as a packet is traversing the network, routers may fragment the packet into smaller packets. To ascertain that a receiving computer system is able to reconstruct a packet after it has been fragmented in transit, a transmitting computer system will give the packet an identity by entering a number into the IP identification field. If fragmented, each fragment will retain the IP identification number in its IP header. When the receiving computer system receives the fragments, using the IP identification number along with other fields in the IP header, it will be able to reconstruct the packet.
The two-byte identification field allows for 65,536 unique IP packets to be generated before the IP identification numbers recycle. With the use of the Gigabit Ethernet, however, this number of packets can be generated within one (1) second. Presently, it is rather common to have fragment re-assembly timers of thirty (30) seconds. Thus, using a fragment re-assembly timer of thirty (30) seconds with the Gigabit Ethernet may result in two different IP packets having the same IP identification number on the network. Hence, fragments from the two different packets may be mixed together.
Thus, what is needed is a method and apparatus for ascertaining that unique IP identification numbers are used without modifying the IP identification field of the IP headers.

Apparatus and method of maintaining two-byte IP identification fields in IP headers

International Business Machines Corporation


In an example embodiment, a method is provided that accesses a list of communication preferences. The list identifies a communication paradigm and a different communication paradigm. Link quality information associated with the communication paradigm also is accessed. Based on the link quality information, communication may be switched from the communication paradigm to the different communication paradigm.

Interoperability communication systems are used to facilitate communication across different communication paradigms, such as public switched telephone networks (PSTNs) and radio networks. As a result, land-based radios, for example, can communicate with PSTN, cellular, or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephones. To ensure the availability of communication, each individual communication network has backups. For example, computer networks have redundant routers to ensure connectivity when one or more routers fail. In another example, radio networks may utilize another radio frequency channel to provide redundancy and serve as backups when one or more radio towers become unavailable. Although each individual communication network has its own backup services, the interoperability communication system, as a whole, is still vulnerable to communication failures because the backup services operate only within the individual communication networks.

Communication paradigm switching based on link quality information


A method for producing a semi-finished honeycomb-core product for producing a sandwich component, a method for producing a sandwich component, a semi-finished honeycomb-core product, a sandwich component, and the use thereof as a component of a motor vehicle.

It is known practice to use sandwich components having honeycomb cores in automotive construction, for example as the bonnet of a motor vehicle. These sandwich components may be used as outer skin parts in visible regions of a vehicle and in the process form what are referred to as Class A surfaces which may be identified by an observer.
Outer skin parts having for example paper as the sandwich core material usually exhibit, following sandwich pressing for shaping the component, core impressions or component corrugations on the surface, i.e. on an outer layer, which reproduce the contours of the webs of the paper core. This is also known as the "telegraphing effect". This has a striking effect on the quality of the surface and can subsequently be concealed only with a great deal of effort by way of coating layers or other complicated treatment processes.

Semi-finished honeycomb part and sandwich part


A method for reading a serial data stream in a piece of automation technology equipment includes encoding the data stream to include at least two symbols which are distinguishable by a time interval between two successive signal edges. The data stream is delivered to a read unit including a symbol recognition unit which associates a time sequence of the signal edges with a respective one of the symbols taking into account a period of time including a current symbol duration of one of the symbols to be currently associated and at least one old symbol duration of a preceding one of the symbols.

Typical examples of automation technology equipment are position-measuring devices and the subsequent electronics in conjunction with which they are used. The subsequent electronics may be, for example, numerical machine tool controls or complex plant control systems.
Position-measuring devices are used, for example, to determine, in closed-loop drive mechanisms, actual position values which are needed by subsequent electronics, such as a numerical control system, to calculate setpoints for control circuits used to control the drive mechanism (e.g., the feed rate of a tool or workpiece). If the position-measuring devices are in the form of rotary encoders or angle-measuring devices, then these are directly or indirectly coupled, for example, to the shaft of a motor for this purpose. Length-measuring devices measure, for example, linear movements between a machine bed and a machine part that is positionable relative to the machine bed, such as, for example, a movable tool carriage.
Today, absolute position-measuring devices are preferably used. Such devices generate absolute measurement values, which are transmitted from the position-measuring device to the subsequent electronics via digital, mostly serial data interfaces. The measurement values are mostly position values (angular values or linear positions), but there are also known position-measuring devices which deliver velocity or acceleration values; i.e., measurement values which indicate changes in positions over time.
Frequently, long distances must be spanned between measuring devices and their subsequent electronics for data transmission purposes, especially in the case of large plants or plants which are distributed over a large area. As a result, the signal quality of the digital signals deteriorates over the line length, making it more difficult at the receiver end to correctly read arriving data streams.
This can be counteracted by using high-quality data cables which, however, significantly increases the cost of the overall system.
Another way of achieving reliable data transmission in spite of long cable lengths is by reducing the data transfer rate. This, however, adversely affects the dynamic performance of control circuits which, for example, require position values from position-measuring devices as actual position values to be able to calculate new desired position values.
International Patent Application WO 03/067804 A1 proposes to determine a bit error rate at the receiver end, and to take actions as a function thereof, such as to request a repetition of the transmission or to reduce the length of data packets to be transmitted. These actions also have negative effects on the operation of dynamic control circuits.

Method and device for reading a serial data stream


A live hinge for clipboard clip box (10) having a cover (12) which comprises a cover rear (12A), cover front (12F), cover left side (12L), cover right side (12R), cover top (12T), and cover bottom (12B). The live hinge for clipboard clip box (10) has a box (14) which comprises a box rear (14A), box front (14F), box bottom (14B), box left (14L), and box right (14R), the cover top (12T) is hingeably connected along a front to a top distal end of the box front (14F). The live hinge for clipboard clip box (10) and abase (18) connected to the box bottom (14B) by a hinge (20).The live hinge for clipboard clip box (10) has a board (24) securely attached at a top to the base (18), a user lifts box front (14F) pivoting the box (14) upwardly on the hinge (20) inserting paper (26) from a frontward direction between a top of the base (18). and the box bottom (14B).

Clipboards are well known in the art. They range in configurations, size and purpose. Some have boxes to store writing utensils but none have a box in combination with a live hinge system to hold paper or any other writeable material.
Numerous innovations for clipboards have been provided in the prior art that are described as follows. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention as hereinafter contrasted.
In U.S. Pat. No., D388463, titled, Clipboard with padded writing surface, by inventors, Sullins, et. al. In U.S. Pat. No., D379477, titled, Clipboard/storage box, by inventor, Shainoon and in U.S. Pat. No., D255251, titled, Combined portable container and clipboard, by inventors, Hansen, et. al., all exhibit ornamental designs of clipboards lacking a live hinge.
In U.S. Pat. No., 4,105,182, titled, Multiple use study device, by inventor, Jacobson, alcollapsible and portable book stand, formed from a single elongated blank of light weight material, such as cardboard, transversely creased to form a plurality of foldable panels which are adapted to lock into a plurality of positions each of which is adapted for a different purpose such as holding and supporting an opened book in a rearwardly inclined position for ease of viewing, for use as a cover or support, for use as a folder for notepads, a hand-held support for such items as a note or sketch pad, a storage bin for books or like articles, a book rack, a pen-pencil and ruler holder, a lectern, a study carrel, a clipboard easel for typists, a music stand, a projection screen prop or a technical drawing board prop.
In U.S. Pat. No., 5,297,814, titled, Clipboard for teaching children to write correctly, by inventor, Peters, a clipboard which attaches by means of a lip provided on a lower edge of the clipboard to a front edge of a typical school desktop so that the clipboard lies flat against the desktop. The clipboard is provided with an upper area which is tilted either left or right with respect to the front edge of the desktop, the angle of the tilt being that required for proper paper placement for writing and the direction of the tilt being dependent upon whether the clipboard is designed for a right-handed or left-handed student. The upper area is provided with horizontal writing lines and is preferably made of an erasable material so the student can mark directly on it. A clip is provided for securing paper to the clipboard. A number line and an alphabet are also provided on the clipboard, with each numeral and each letter being provided with a dot and one or more arrows to indicate proper initial placement and proper movement of a writing instrument to correctly make the numeral or letter.
In U.S. Pat. No., 5,253,943, titled, Plastic clipboard having elastic engaging pins, by inventor, Miyashita, a clipboard for holding worksheets is disclosed, which is a plastic rectangular board bent into a largely inverted U-shaped cross-section having a vertical front board, an also vertical backside board that is larger in length than the front board, and a horizontal top roof member between the front and backside boards. A book of worksheets is clamped between the front and backside boards below the roof member. A hook for hanging the clipboard is centrally fixed in the roof member and having means t orient the clamped worksheets in two alternative different vertical planes perpendicular to each other. A pair of bosses centrally mounted in the backside board and each having at a front end thereof a downwardly inclined end face for engagement with a pair of apertures formed in the front board through a pair of holes in an upper margin of each worksheet clamped.
In U.S. Pat. No., 5,732,925, titled, Clipboard with art supply container, by inventor, Shamoon, a combination of a clipboard and art supply container is provided. The clipboard includes a board and a clip attached to the board. The clip is specially constructed and adapted to removably hold the art supply container. Multiple art supply containers may be furnished containing different art supply media
In U.S. Pat. No., 4892334, titled, Portable clipboard and storage box , by inventor, Sinclair, a portable clipboard includes an integral storage box for transporting various accessories such as pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, calculators, etc. The writing surface of the clipboard is provided with a spring retaining clip for securing papers and is mounted by a hinge to a shallow rectangular box. In a second embodiment, a battery operated light is secured by a flexible stem on the upper surface of the clipboard and a digital clock is also provided.
In U.S. Pat. No., 3,977,744, titled, Posse box report clip board, by inventor, DeWitt, a combination two-compartment clip board for containing report forms and reports and providing a writing surface for preparing reports is disclosed.
In U.S. Pat. No., 5,441,228, titled, Document holding and display device, by inventor, Geborek, a document holding and displaying apparatus which holds a plurality of documents and displays one of the documents. The apparatus includes a first support member which is generally of the same size of the documents, to which the documents are secured at a first edge by a spring biased clip. A second support member is hinged adjacent a first edge to the first support member adjacent to its first edge. Documents on top of the document to be displayed are folded over a second edge of the second support member which is one half the length of the first support member. The edges of the first and second support members perpendicular to the first edges are provided with inwardly facing channels for retaining the edges of the documents.
In U.S. Pat. No., 5,145,141, titled, Clipboard, by inventor, Hunter, a clipboard adapted for multi-functional use is disclosed. The clipboard includes a pair of panel-like members which are releasably joined to one another to form an assembly. The panel-like members are separable one from another whereby a sheet of paper having information printed thereon may be inserted between the panel members to be interposed therebetween. One or both of the panel members is fabricated from a transparent material which permits the user to view the information on the sheet of paper through the panel member itself. A conventional clip assembly is mounted on one or both of the panels to releasably retain a sheet of paper atop one of the panels whereby the user may either read or write on the paper utilizing the -underlying panel as a writing surface.
In U.S. Pat. No., 5,324,076, titled, Clip board with storage drawer, by inventor, Nieradka, a portable clipboard is provided for use by medical professionals with a latching, pullout drawer with an integral storage area for prescription pads, medical forms and writing implements. The top surface incorporates a clip to secure documents and the pullout drawer can be moved to the open position while maintaining the top surface in position for writing.
In U.S. Pat. No., 5312082, titled, Clipboard having a whistle integrally formed therewith, by inventor, Chang, a clipboard includes a backing board on which a clip member is mounted pivotally, a torsional spring unit arranged between the backing board and the clip member so as to bias one end of the clip member to abut against the backing board, and a whistle formed integrally with the clip member.
Numerous innovations for clipboards have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.


An illuminated vehicular sign is provided including a vehicle and luminescent planar sheet. The luminescent planar sheet is constructed to provide illuminated alpha-numeric characters which are mounted to the horizontal planar surfaces of a vehicle. The alpha-numeric characters are mounted substantially horizontally so as to be seen from the air such as by helicopters or planes. The illuminated vehicle sign includes a switching system electrically connected to the luminescent planar panels for selectively controlling the transfer of power from said power source to the luminescent planar panels. The switching system including one or more adjustable variable resistors electrically connected to the luminescent planar panels for allowing one to selectively adjust the wattage provided to them.

The present invention relates to indicia that can be affixed on top of the horizontal planar surfaces of emergency response vehicles such as fire department vehicles, police cars and ambulances to provide visibility from above.
Most conventional emergency response vehicles provide audible alert warnings and visual alert warnings such as sequenced flashing of head, tail and side light assemblies, or a roof mounted light bar containing at least one light source designed to disburse light in 360 degrees. These lights may be solid, stroboscopic, revolving, flashing, modulated, pulsing, oscillating, alternating, or any combination thereof. Thus, these light systems are designed primarily for viewing from the front, rear, or side of emergency response vehicles.
While in most situations, any of the aforementioned devices would suffice in alerting a passerby of the presence of the emergency response vehicle, there are crucial situations in which greater visibility is required. For example, in the case of vehicular pursuits, helicopter units are often called for service to help ground units observe and track pursuits as well as ensure public safety while in pursuit. Helicopters provide valuable service to law enforcement in general and, more particularly, to the pursuit function. Helicopter units can assist ground units as a platform from which to observe, track and illuminate people or places on the ground. Moreover, the helicopter units serve as backup to ground units, and the helicopter flight crews can provide a perspective that cannot be achieved on the ground. Further, they can communicate with ground units and provide information to direct them toward an intended position or away from a dangerous one. In addition, the helicopter units can provide crucial information, such as reporting whether or not suspects are carrying weapons, etc.
There is a need for a system to assist helicopter units in distinguishing ground units and their positioning. Currently, many police vehicles already have numerals illustrated on top of their roofs. These numerals are used to differentiate a police vehicle from other vehicles and to help identify the police district, the unit, and the individual. However, typically, these numerals are in plain black text and are not illuminated. Therefore, when there is little or no light, it can be difficult to distinguish the numbers on top of a police vehicle.
Moreover, even if vehicles were provided with illuminated indicia, it is difficult to maintain consistent illumination as letters and numbers have different surface areas, and thus would have different power requirements to provide consistent illumination.
Therefore, there is a need for better identification of emergency response vehicles for being seen from above.
Furthermore, there is a need for improved power and switching systems to provide consistent illumination to illuminated indicia upon emergency response vehicles.


An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit configured to receive light beams split after passing through an aperture and output a plurality of stereopsis image data. When the object brightness falls within a predetermined range and the image capturing unit performs image capturing in which a plurality of stereopsis image data are output, the aperture is controlled to open much more than when the image capturing unit performs image capturing in which a plurality of stereopsis image data are not output at the same exposure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image capturing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a recording medium and, particularly, to a technique of shooting binocular stereopsis images using one imaging optical system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, image capturing apparatuses called 3D cameras capable of shooting binocular stereopsis images are commercially available, even for home use. As a method of shooting binocular stereopsis images, various methods have been proposed. The home 3D camera often employs a system in which two imaging optical systems are arranged at a predetermined base-line length, and left- and right-eye images are shot using the respective imaging optical systems.
As another system, binocular stereopsis images are shot using only one imaging optical system (monocular). For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-81580 discloses an image capturing apparatus which acquires binocular stereopsis images by splitting a light beam which has passed through an imaging optical system into left- and right-eye light beams using a spectral mirror, and forming images from the respective light beams on separate image sensors.
In most cases, 3D cameras capable of shooting binocular stereopsis images can shoot not only binocular stereopsis images (stereo images) but also normal images (mono images).
Generally when shooting a mono image, photometry in a shooting environment is performed before shooting for recording to determine an exposure suited to photometry in the shooting environment. The shutter speed and aperture value are determined based on the exposure, and then shooting for recording is executed. For example, in shooting in a shooting environment where the brightness is high because of fine weather or the like, a sufficient light quantity can be ensured. The suppression of the light quantity of an optical image to be formed on the image sensor is therefore controlled by increasing the shutter speed (shortening the exposure time) or increasing the aperture value. Under this exposure control, an image can be shot at the correct exposure while preventing loss in highlight detail of the object.
Even when shooting stereo images, exposure control is considered to be performed similarly to the shooting of mono images. However, when shooting stereo images with a monocular 3D camera, the exposure control may cause the following problem.
When shooting binocular stereopsis images using one imaging optical system as in the image capturing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-81580, left- and right-eye image sensors receive light beams which have been split by the spectral mirror and which have passed through different regions of the incident pupil of the imaging optical system. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the spectral mirror is configured so that light beams which have passed through regions divided by a perpendicular passing through the center of the incident pupil reach the respective image sensors. In this case, optical images formed on the respective light-receiving elements are images which have passed through rectangular regions 701 and 702, as shown in FIG. 7B. At this time, the centers of gravity of the rectangular regions serve as the optical axes of the left- and right-eye images. Thus, the left- and right-eye images are equivalent to left- and right-eye images acquired by an image capturing apparatus including two imaging optical systems which are arranged using the distance between the centers of gravity (radius r of the incident pupil) as a base-line length.
Note that the incident pupil of the imaging optical system changes depending on the aperture opening. As the aperture decreases by exposure control, the distance between the centers of gravity of obtained left- and right-eye images also decreases. When the distance between the centers of gravity, that is, the base-line length decreases, a stereoscopic effect given to the observer when the left- and right-eye images are displayed on a display device capable of binocular stereopsis becomes weak.
For example, FIG. 8B shows left- and right-eye images obtained by shooting objects A and B (distance between object A and the image capturing apparatus>distance between object B and the image capturing apparatus) when the base-line length is r, as shown in FIG. 8A. At this time, if neither object A nor B exists on a plane on which the gaze points of two imaging optical systems exist, disparities corresponding to shift amounts between the images are generated as shown in FIG. 8B. FIG. 8D shows left- and right-eye images obtained by shooting objects A and B when r is r′, which is smaller than the base-line length, as shown in FIG. 8C. At this time, the base-line length is shorter than that in FIG. 8A, and disparities generated for the respective objects become small.
A human perceives the degrees of pop out or depth perception in stereoscopy depending on the magnitude of a disparity serving as a shift between images formed on the left- and right-eye retinas. As the disparity decreases, the stereoscopic effect of binocular stereopsis images weakens. That is, if exposure control is performed in the same way as that for mono images, the stereoscopic effect of stereo images on the observer may weaken depending on the aperture.

Image capturing apparatus, control method thereof and recording medium


A pair of first gate electrodes IGR, IGL are provided on a semiconductor substrate 100 so that potentials φTX1, φTX2 between a light-sensitive area SA and a pair of first accumulation regions AR, AL alternately ramp. A pair of second gate electrodes IGR, IGL are provided on the semiconductor substrate 100 so as to control the height of first potential barriers φBG each interposed between the first accumulation region AR, AL and a second accumulation region FDR, FDL, and increase the height of the first potential barrier φBG to carriers as a higher output of a background light is detected by a photodetector.

The following Patent Document 1 discloses a TOF (Time Of Flight) type distance image measurement device. This distance image measurement device repeatedly emits a probe light having a predetermined pulse width toward a subject and measures a period of time from an emission time to a return time of the probe light, that is, a time of flight of the probe light to thereby measure a three-dimensional distance image up to the subject. In this device, a phase difference between pulses at an emission and pulses at a return of a probe light is measured as a time of flight.
Time of flight measuring methods include one that determines a ratio of the amount of charge accumulated in a plurality of accumulation regions formed in each pixel. In Patent Document 2, the accumulation timings in the charge accumulation regions are differentiated. The ratio of the amount of charge generated in each accumulation region due to incidence of one reflected pulse light is proportional to the time of flight, by eliminating a background light component. For example, an accumulation timing in one accumulation region is set in accordance with the period of time from a rising time to a falling time of probe light pulses, and an accumulation timing in the other accumulation region is set in accordance with the period of time from a falling time and a rising time. In this case, with zero time of flight, if the amount of accumulated charge in one accumulation region is 100%, the amount of accumulated charge in the other accumulation region is 0%, so that the distance up to a target is zero. The longer the time of flight, the more the ratio of the amount of accumulated charge in the other accumulation region increases, and thus the distance up to a target is determined according to the ratio of the charge amount.    Patent Document 1: U.S. Pat. No. 6,373,557 specification    Patent Document 2: International Publication No. WO 2006/010284 pamphlet

Solid state imaging device and distance image measurement device


A data processing system includes a video controller and a flat panel display system. The flat panel display system includes first and second flat panel displays adapted so as to appear to be essentially a single display. The video controller includes a first and second address generator for generating first and second address information and a counter for counting vertical sync position to identify alternating first and second display frames. The controller outputs the first address information to drive the first display and the second address information to drive the second display during the first display frames and outputs the second address information to drive the first display and the first address information to drive the second display during the second display frames. The displays are identical and the address generators are identical. The use of dual displays with dual, flip-flopping address generators is more advantageous than using a single address generator to drive two display panels.

Flat panel displays in general, and liquid crystal displays in particular, are finding increasing use in data processing systems such as personal computing systems. These displays, which are driven by a video controller, provide a number of advantages over cathode ray tube type displays in terms of weight, size and compactness.
However, as is generally known, flat panel displays are chemically responsive systems, as opposed to electronically scanned systems, and thus suffer from several operational disadvantages in comparison with cathode ray tube type devices. Of particular importance, the chemical in a typical flat panel display can only maintain a visible image for a discrete time. Thus, as the size of the flat panel increases, a limiting display size is reached where an image being displayed will fade out unless it can be refreshed.
One solution to the size limitations facing flat panel displays is to use gangs of displays to provide the desired display size. For example, if the desired display area is 640.times.480, one solution is to use two displays of 640.times.240 in combination.
This use of multiple displays impacts other hardware in the data processing systems. In particular, the use of multiple panels creates a problem of how the video controller will drive the multiple displays. This problem is exacerbated when each display must have split screen display capability. The algorithms, calculations, and associated hardware adjustments required for a conventional controller to drive multiple displays with each having sophisticated display features are complicated and have not heretofore been satisfactorily resolved to applicants' knowledge.
The problems created can be more fully appreciated by reference to the following discussion taken in conjunction with FIGS. A and B. FIG. A is a stylized illustration of a memory 8 for driving a display 10 having a single panel according to the prior art. FIG. B is a stylized illustration of a memory 8 for driving a display 10 having dual panels 12 and 14 according to the prior art.
For a single panel display system such as the one shown in FIG. A, the address in memory 8 for line L on display 10, i.e., ADDR(L) is typically calculated as follows: EQU ADDR(L)=X +W*L if L.ltoreq.H, and EQU ADDR(L)=(L-(H+1))*W if L >H
For a display system having an associated memory as shown in FIG. 1A, the address calculations would be started for L=1 and continued until L=480. The following logical steps could be employed in a conventional method for generating the addresses:
(1) Reset: every frame. PA1 (2) Initialize address =X. PA1 (3) Get the next line, set L=L+1. PA1 (4) Compare L to H. PA1 (5) If L.ltoreq.H, then add X to address. PA1 (6) If L >H then address =0. PA1 (7) If L =FRAME, go to step (1). PA1 (8) Go to step (3). PA1 1. if H.sub.A <240, & L.sub.1 .ltoreq.HA, ADDR(L.sub.1)=X+W* L.sub.1 ADDR(L.sub.2)=(240-HA+L.sub.2)*W PA1 2. if H.sub.A <240, & L.sub.1 >HA, ADDR(L.sub.1)=[L.sub.1 -(HA+1)]*W ADDR(L.sub.2)=[L.sub.2 -(HA+1)+240]*W PA1 3. if H.sub.A >240, & L.sub.2 .ltoreq.(H.sub.A -240), ADDR(L.sub.1)=X+W*L.sub.1 ADDR(L.sub.2)=X+(L.sub.2 +240)*W PA1 4. if H.sub.A >240, & L.sub.2 >(H.sub.A -240), ADDR(L.sub.1)=X+W*L.sub.1 ADDR(L.sub.2)=[L.sub.2 -(H.sub.A +1)]*W+240
A conventional address generator embodying these logic steps may be employed to drive display 10. Such an address generator could be implemented using essentially an adder and a comparator.
The situation for a dual panel display system driven by a single address generator, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, is far more complicated. In order to use the dual panels as a single screen, two lines are displayed simultaneously, which requires calculation of the start address for both lines at the same time. For example, in a 480 line display, L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 will both vary from 1 to 240, and L.sub.1 will equal L.sub.2 to maintain sync. The address for line 1, ADDRL.sub.1, and the address for line 2, ADDRL.sub.2 will typically be calculated as follows:
It can be seen that as L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 vary between 1 and 240, there is no simple way to generate ADDR(L.sub.1) ADDR(L.sub.2). For example, a number of multipliers and comparators are required to implement the foregoing equations.
Prior art patents known to applicants have neither taught nor suggested any method or circuit for addressing the foregoing problems For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,684,935 to Fujisaku, et al., discloses the use of dual memories for storing first (graphics) images and second (characters) images. A selection and combination circuit is used to display at either or both of two display units a combination of data from the image memories according to the display request The combination and selection circuits comprise signal mixing circuits. As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,146 to Lucaste et al., discloses the use of a multiple window display system for displaying data from different applications in a multi-tasking environment. U.S. Pat. No. 4,323,891 to Akashi describes a method and system for producing a cursor display signal in which display information is supplied to stations by using a mirror reflection. One cursor address is outputted while the cursor address for a divided screen is stored in a register in the controller.

Method and circuitry for dual panel displays


A positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries includes a coating layer containing at least nickel (Ni) and/or manganese (Mn) on the surface of a complex oxide particle containing lithium (Li) and cobalt (Co), wherein a binding energy value obtained by analysis of a surface state by an ESCA surface analysis on the surface of the coating layer is 642.0 eV or more and not more than 642.5 eV in an Mn2p3 peak, and a peak interval of Co—Mn is 137.6 eV or more and not more than 138.0 eV.

The present application relates to a positive electrode active material which is used for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery. In particular, the present application relates to a method for manufacturing a positive electrode active material capable of suppressing the generation of a gas in the inside of a battery and a positive electrode active material.
In recent years, because of conspicuous development of portable electronic technologies, electronic appliances such as mobile phones and laptop personal computers have been recognized as a fundamental technology for supporting the highly computerized society. Also, research and development regarding high functionalization of these electronic appliances are being energetically advanced, and power consumption of these electronic appliances increases steadily in proportion thereto. On the other hand, these electronic appliances are required to be driven for a long period of time, and densification of high energy of a secondary battery which is a drive power source has been inevitably desired.
Also, from the viewpoints of occupied volume and mass of a battery to be built in an electronic appliance, it is desired that the energy density of the battery is as high as possible. At present, a lithium ion secondary battery is built in almost all of appliances because it has an excellent energy density.
As a positive electrode material for lithium ion secondary batteries, a lithium-containing transition metal compound capable of intercalating and deintercalating a lithium ion, or a complex oxide obtained by substituting a part of such a metal element is used. Also, LiMn2O4 having a spinel structure is widely used because it has a high energy density and a high voltage.
For example, a lithium ion secondary battery uses lithium cobalt oxide for a positive electrode and a carbon material for a negative electrode, respectively and is used at an operating voltage in the range of from 2.5 V to 4.2 V. In a unit cell, the fact that a terminal voltage can be increased to 4.2 V largely relies upon excellent electrochemical stability of a nonaqueous electrolyte material, a separator and so on.
Now, in existing lithium ion secondary batteries which operate at 4.2 V at maximum, a positive electrode active material to be used for a positive electrode, such as lithium cobalt oxide, applies a capacity of merely about 60% relative to its theoretical capacity. The lithium ion second battery is desirable to realize high energy density, high reliability and long life. As a method for enhancing these characteristics, especially an energy density of the battery, there is exemplified a method for setting up an upper voltage of charge high.
For achieving this, for example, as disclosed in WO 03/019713, it is theoretically possible to apply the residual capacity by furthering increasing the charge voltage. Actually, it is known that a high energy density is realized by setting up a voltage at the time of charge at 4.25 V or more. When the charge voltage is increased, it is possible to realize a high capacity because a larger amount of lithium is deintercalated and intercalated from a lithium complex oxide which is a positive electrode active material. It is theoretically possible to apply the residual capacity by increasing the charge voltage.
Above of all, lithium transition metal complex oxides composed mainly of nickel (Ni) or cobalt (Co), such as LixNiO2 (0<x≦1.0) and LixCoO2 (0<x≦1.0) are the most promising from the standpoints of high potential, stability and long life. Of these, positive electrode active materials composed mainly of lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2) are a positive electrode active material displaying a relatively high potential, have a high charge current capacity and are expected to increase the energy density.
On the other hand, as described previously, in batteries in which the battery voltage is higher than that of existing secondary batteries, a charge and discharge cycle life is lowered, or a high-temperature characteristic is deteriorated. For example, it is considered that lithium nickel complex oxides such as lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2) or lithium nickel complex oxides obtained by substituting a part of Ni with Co or Mn are high in stability at a high potential as compared with lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2). However, such lithium nickel complex oxides are disadvantageous for increasing the energy density because their discharge potential or volume density is lowered as compared with lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2).
Then, in order to stabilize the positive electrode active material composed mainly of lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2), as disclosed in JP-A-2004-303591, it is proposed to allow a different kind of element, for example, aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), zirconium (Zr), titanium (Ti) or the like, to form a solid solution.
Also, as disclosed in JP-A-2000-164214, a construction in which LiNiO2 is used upon being mixed with a small amount of LiMn1/3Co1/3Ni1/3O2 or the like is proposed. Also, as disclosed in JP-A-2002-151078, it is proposed that the surface of lithium cobalt oxide is subjected to surface coating with spinel lithium manganese oxide, spinel lithium titanium oxide or a nickel cobalt complex oxide. Furthermore, as disclosed in JP-A-10-199530, it is proposed to contrive to stabilize active materials by heat treating lithium nickel cobalt oxide in an inert gas without relying upon substitution or coating with a metal element.

Manufacturing method of positive electrode active material and positive electrode active material


Provided is a secondary battery comprising a core (7), tabs (4) protruding from an end of the core (7), a tab lead-out device placed at the end of the core (7), and a cover plate (1). The tab lead-out device includes an insulating layer (6) adjacent to the end of the core (7) and a conductive layer (5) distant from the end of the core (7). The tabs (4) are electrically connected to the conductive layer (5). The conductive layer (5) is electrically connected to the cover plate (1). The secondary battery further comprises a connector and a pad (3) stacked between the conductive layer (5) of the tab lead-out device and the cover plate (1). The tabs (4) are compacted between the pad (3) and the conductive layer (5) of the tab lead-out device by the connector.

A lithium-ion secondary battery is composed of a negative polar plate, a positive polar plate, an electrolytic solution and a membrane between the positive and negative polar plates for preventing a short circuit. The positive polar plate and the negative polar plate are formed as a thin plate or a foil. The electrical polar plates and the membrane therebetween are orderly stacked or helically wound so as to form a core, which is in turn embedded into a battery container made of a stainless steel, a nickel plated iron, an aluminum metal or a stacked flexible package thin film. Then, after electrolytic solution is injected into the battery container, the battery container is sealed and the battery is formed. The core is electrically connected to external components by a connection between tabs connected to the polar plates and a pole or a cover plate.
In the prior art, it is general that the tabs are welded at the pole of the cover plate. When a heavy current is discharged, for example, in a hybrid electrical vehicle (HEV) or an electrical vehicle (EV), if a connection at places such as the tabs and the pole is broken or inactive, a serious heating may occur, resulting in an overheating, even a failure, of the battery. Thus, the safety and cycle life of the battery may be influenced. In addition, the welding position may not be controlled accurately when a plurality of tabs are connected to the pole, which is unfavorable for the control of technology and quality.


The present invention relates to an integrated membrane/adsorbent process and system for removal of carbon dioxide from natural gas on a ship that houses natural gas purification equipment. Additional membrane units or adsorbent beds are used to reduce the amount of product gas that is lost in gas streams that are used to regenerate the adsorbent beds. These systems produce a product stream that meets the specifications of less than 50 parts per million carbon dioxide in natural gas for liquefaction.

This invention relates to a process and system for removing carbon dioxide from natural gas in a floating environment, such as on a ship. More specifically, the invention relates to an integrated membrane/adsorbent system for removal of carbon dioxide from natural gas on a ship that houses natural gas purification equipment.
In an LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) plant, carbon dioxide content in the feed gas stream must be reduced to less than 50 ppmv before liquefaction to avoid formation of dry ice within the system. Commercially this can be achieved by using a solvent absorption process such as contacting the natural gas with an amine solvent to remove the carbon dioxide, which is then followed with the natural gas being sent through a molecular sieve dehydration unit to remove water down to below 1 ppmv.
Depending on the amount of carbon dioxide and the volume in the inlet gas stream, membrane processes have also been used to remove the bulk of the carbon dioxide in front of a downstream amine unit. One of the benefits of this membrane-amine hybrid system is the reduction of the size of amine column that is needed and as well as a reduction in its energy consumption. Adsorption systems have also been used for front-end feed purification for LNG plants. TSA (Temperature Swing Adsorption) processes employing molecular sieves such as 4A or 13X zeolites can remove both carbon dioxide and water from natural gas streams. A growing application for a TSA process is for peak shaving of pipeline gas, where a portion of the pipeline gas is converted and stored as an LNG when demand is low. In the TSA process, the adsorbed carbon dioxide and water in the molecular sieve column are regenerated using a hot purge gas, typically from the feed or the product gas stream. The hot regeneration gas is cooled to knock out most of the water and is then returned to the pipeline. The carbon dioxide removed from the adsorbent, which is not condensable at the cooler temperature, is also returned to the pipeline.
There has been a renewed interest in floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) systems as a way to develop stranded gas fields, isolated and remote from land. These fields generally are too small for permanent platform installation. An FLNG system will use a ship or barge to house necessary recovery, gas treatment, liquefaction and offloading equipment. Compared to a land based LNG plant, an FLNG system will have a greater need for a modular design to minimize the equipment footprint and weight. An additional challenge for FLNG systems is the effect of sea motion on the performance of processing equipment, especially for systems containing liquid. The removal of carbon dioxide by use of an amine system can be impacted by a loss of efficiency from rocking and tilting of the column internal components. While both membrane and TSA systems have been used commercially in offshore platform installation, nearly no operating experiences for amine systems have been reported for offshore platform applications.
In general, membrane processes that use carbon dioxide-selective polymers such as cellulose acetate can not generate a residue or product stream that meets the specification levels of less than 50 ppmv CO2, as the process is limited by the driving force or the CO2 partial pressure across the membrane. Molecular sieve TSA processes typically can not handle a feed stream with more than 3% CO2, since the size of the adsorbent beds that is required become too large and the necessary regeneration gas flow then becomes prohibitively large. Furthermore, for an FLNG application, there is no existing solution to treat or recycle the effluent regeneration gas, which contains the CO2 removed from the feed stream.
There exists a need to develop an improved process or integrated processes that can remove carbon dioxide and moisture to meet FLNG requirements. The desired processes should be compact and robust, and not susceptible to producing natural gas that is below specification due to winds and waves.

Integrated membrane and adsorption system for carbon dioxide removal from natural gas


In one embodiment, a device in a network receives a path computation agent configured to determine a path in the network that satisfies an objective function. The device executes the path computation agent to update state information regarding the network maintained by the path computation agent. The device selects a neighbor of the device in the network to execute the path computation agent based on the updated state information regarding the network. The device instructs the selected neighbor to execute the path computation agent with the updated state information regarding the network. The device unloads the path computation agent from the device after selecting the neighbor of the device to execute the path computation agent.

Low power and Lossy Networks (LLNs), e.g., sensor networks, have a myriad of applications, such as Smart Grid and Smart Cities. Various challenges are presented with LLNs, such as lossy links, low bandwidth, battery operation, low memory and/or processing capability of a device, etc. Changing environmental conditions may also affect device communications. For example, physical obstructions (e.g., changes in the foliage density of nearby trees, the opening and closing of doors, etc.), changes in interference (e.g., from other wireless networks or devices), propagation characteristics of the media (e.g., temperature or humidity changes, etc.), and the like, also present unique challenges to LLNs.
An example implementation of an LLN is the "Internet of Things" (IoT), which is may be used by those in the art to refer to uniquely identifiable objects/things and their virtual representations in a network-based architecture. In particular, the IoT involves the ability to connect more than just computers and communications devices, but rather the ability to connect "objects" in general, such as lights, appliances, vehicles, window shades and blinds, doors, locks, etc.
Many traditional computing approaches are not applicable to LLNs and the IoT. For example, to optimize a metric along a path using a traditional routing approach, the prerequisite is that the topology and the relevant metric are known by the device performing the computation. However, the limitations of many LLN devices in terms of memory capacity, duty cycle, etc., often make such computations impossible.