A catalyst support having improved attrition resistance and a catalyst produced therefrom. The catalyst support is produced by a method comprising the step of treating calcined xcex3-alumina having no catalytic material added thereto with an acidic aqueous solution having an acidity level effective for increasing the attrition resistance of the calcined xcex3-alumina.

1. Technical Field
In one aspect, this invention relates to methods of reducing catalyst attrition losses for hydrocarbon synthesis processes conducted in high agitation reaction systems. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to methods of reducing catalyst attrition losses for hydrocarbon synthesis processes conducted in three-phase reaction systems. In another aspect, this invention relates generally to attrition resistant catalysts for conducting Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
2. Background
In Fischer-Tropsch processes, synthesis gases comprising carbon oxides and hydrogen are reacted in the presence of Fischer-Tropsch catalysts to produce liquid hydrocarbons. Fischer-Tropsch synthesis processes are most commonly conducted in fixed bed, gas-solid or gas-entrained fluidized bed reaction systems, fixed bed reaction systems being the most commonly used. It is recognized in the art, however, that slurry bubble column reactor systems offer tremendous potential benefits over these commonly used Fischer-Tropsch reaction systems. However, the commercial viability of slurry bubble column processes has been questioned. The unique reaction conditions experienced in slurry bubble column processes are extremely harsh. Thus, catalyst attrition losses in slurry bubble column processes can be both very high and costly. In fact, many of the best performing catalysts employed in other Fischer-Tropsch reaction systems quickly break down when used in slurry bubble column systems.
Heretofore, little has been done to even evaluate or model the harsh conditions experienced in slurry bubble column reactor processors, much less solve the attrition loss problem. Thus, a need presently exists for a means of both (a) reducing catalyst attrition losses and (b) increasing the viability of higher performance catalysts in slurry bubble column processes and in other such xe2x80x9chigh agitationxe2x80x9d reaction systems.
As mentioned above, the synthesis gas, or xe2x80x9csyngas,xe2x80x9d used in Fischer-Tropsch processes is typically a mixture consisting primarily of hydrogen and carbon oxides. Syngas is typically produced, for example, during coal gasification. Processes are also well known for obtaining syngas from other hydrocarbons, including natural gas. U.S. Pat. No. 4,423,265 to Chu et al. notes that the major processes for producing syngas depend either upon the partial combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel with an oxygen-containing gas or the reaction of the fuel with steam, or on a combination of these two reactions. U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,335 to Benham et al., explains the two primary methods (i.e., steam reforming and partial oxidation) for producing syngas from methane. The Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Second Edition, Volume 10, pages 3553-433 (1966), Interscience Publishers, New York, N.Y. and Third Edition, Volume 11, pages 410-446 (1980), John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y. is said by Chu et al. to contain an excellent summary of gas manufacture, including the manufacture of synthesis gas.
It has long been recognized that syngas can be converted to liquid hydrocarbons by the catalytic hydrogenation of carbon monoxide. The general chemistry of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process is as follows:
CO+2H2xe2x86x92(xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94)+H2Oxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(1)
2CO+H2xe2x86x92(xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94)+CO2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(2)
The types and amounts of reaction products, i.e., the lengths of carbon chains, obtained via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis vary dependent upon process kinetics and the catalyst selected.
Many attempts at providing active catalysts for selectively converting syngas to liquid hydrocarbons have previously been disclosed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,701 to Soled et al., presents an over-view of relevant prior art. The two most popular types of catalysts heretofore used in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis have been iron-based catalysts and cobalt-based catalysts. U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,335 to Benham et al. discusses the fact that iron-based catalysts, due to their high water gas shift activity, favor the overall reaction shown in (2) above, while cobalt-based catalysts tend to favor reaction scheme (1).
Recent advances have provided a number of catalysts active in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Besides iron and cobalt, other Group VIII metals, particularly ruthenium, are known Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. The current practice is to support such catalysts on porous, inorganic refractory oxides. Particularly preferred supports include silica, alumina, silica-alumina, and titania. In addition, other refractory oxides selected from Groups III, IV, V, VI and VIII may be used as catalyst supports.
The prevailing practice is to also add promoters to the supported catalyst. Promoters can include ruthenium (when not used as the primary catalyst component), rhenium, hafnium, cerium, and zirconium. Promoters are known to increase the activity of the catalyst, sometimes rendering the catalyst three to four times as active as its unpromoted counterpart.
Contemporary cobalt catalysts are typically prepared by impregnating the support with the catalytic material. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,613 to Chang et al., a typical catalyst preparation may involve impregnation, by incipient wetness or other known techniques, of, for example, a cobalt nitrate salt onto a titania, silica or alumina support, optionally followed or preceded by impregnation with a promoter material. Excess liquid is then removed and the catalyst precursor is dried. Following drying, or as a continuation thereof, the catalyst is calcined to convert the salt or compound to its corresponding oxide(s). The oxide is then reduced by treatment with hydrogen, or a hydrogen-containing gas, for a period of time sufficient to substantially reduce the oxide to the elemental or catalytic form of the metal. U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,638 to Long points to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,673,993, 4,717,702, 4,477,595, 4,663,305, 4,822,824, 5,036,032, 5,140,050, and 5,292,705 as disclosing well known catalyst preparation techniques.
As also mentioned above, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis has heretofore been conducted primarily in fixed bed reactors, gas-solid reactors, and gas-entrained fluidized bed reactors, fixed bed reactors being the most utilized. U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,472 to Dyer et al. provides a bibliography of several references describing these systems. The entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,472 is incorporated herein by reference.
In contrast to these other hydrocarbon synthesis systems, slurry bubble column reactors are xe2x80x9cthree phasexe2x80x9d (i.e., solid, liquid, and gas/vapor) reaction systems involving the introduction of a fluidizing gas into a reactor containing catalyst particles slurried in a hydrocarbon liquid. The catalyst particles are slurried in the liquid hydrocarbons within a reactor chamber, typically a tall column. Syngas is then introduced at the bottom of the column through a distributor plate, which produces small gas bubbles. The gas bubbles migrate up and through the column, causing beneficial agitation and turbulence, while reacting in the presence of the catalyst to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products. Gaseous products are captured at the top of the SBCR, while liquid products are recovered through a filter which separates the liquid hydrocarbons from the catalyst fines. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,684,756, 4,788,222, 5,157,054, 5,348,982, and 5,527,473 reference this type of system and provide citations to pertinent patent and literature art. The entire disclosure of each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference.
It is recognized that conducting Fischer-Tropsch synthesis using a SBCR system could provide significant advantages. As noted by Rice et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,222, the potential benefits of a slurry process over a fixed bed process include better control of the exothermic heat produced by the Fischer-Tropsch reactions, as well as better maintenance of catalyst activity by allowing continuous recycling, recovery and rejuvenation procedures to be implemented. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,157,054, 5,348,982, and 5,527,473 also discuss advantages of the SBCR process.
Although the use of slurry bubble column reactors for commercial applications offers significant potential advantages over fixed bed and other types of reactor systems, the viability of the slurry bubble column process has heretofore been questioned, owing in large part to high catalyst attrition losses and costs. As mentioned above, slurry bubble column reactor processes are extremely demanding on catalysts from a physical strength standpoint. Many catalyst formulations lack any practical application in SBCR""s because of the rate of physical attrition experienced. In addition to catalyst loss, the physical destruction and attrition of the catalyst results in (a) poorer distribution of the catalyst in the reactor, (b) filtration problems in removing liquid products, and (c) possible contamination of the products with catalytic material.
The significance of the attrition problem was seen, for example, during the Fischer-Tropsch Demonstration Run III conducted in October 1996 at the U.S. Department of Energy""s Alternative Fuels Development Unit (a slurry bubble column reactor) in LaPorte, Tex. (See Brown et al., in Paper 27E for AICHEME Meeting in Houston, Mar. 10, 1997). The catalyst selected for that demonstration was a promising, xe2x80x9cimprovedxe2x80x9d cobalt catalyst which exhibited high activity in laboratory tests. However, the LaPorte run had to be terminated when the catalyst unexpectedly broke down and seriously plugged the process filters.
As this example also suggests, most of the work performed heretofore in Fischer-Tropsch catalyst development has focused on the activity and/or selectivity of the catalysts, with little or no attention being given to their physical or mechanical properties. Most catalysts have been designed for fixed bed reaction systems, which are much less demanding in terms of attrition resistance than are slurry bubble column reactors.
Recently, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,648,312, 5,677,257, and 5,710,093 disclosed formulations of hydrogenation catalysts which are said to provide improved attrition resistance. The catalyst supports used in these formulations are substantially spherical particles consisting of substantially homogeneous mixtures of silica particles and silicon carbide particles.
It is known that the use of spheroidal supports in the preparation of supported metal catalysts for fluidized bed applications tends to reduce catalyst attrition. However, the mere use of spherical supports is not sufficient, in and of itself, to obtain acceptable attrition resistance for slurry bubble column applications.
The present invention satisfies the needs and resolves the problems discussed above. The invention provides a method for reducing catalyst attrition losses in hydrocarbon synthesis processes conducted in high agitation reaction systems, particularly in three-phase reaction systems. As used herein and in the claims, the phrase xe2x80x9chigh agitation reaction systemsxe2x80x9d refers to slurry bubble column reactor systems and to other reaction systems wherein catalyst attrition losses, resulting from fragmentation, abrasion, and other similar or related mechanisms, at least approach the attrition losses experienced in slurry bubble column systems.
In one aspect, the inventive method comprises the step of reacting a synthesis gas in a high agitation reaction system in the presence of a catalyst comprising a xcex3-alumina support, wherein the xcex3-alumina support includes an amount of titanium or titania effective for increasing the attrition resistance of the catalyst. The titanium or titania will preferably be present in the xcex3-alumina support in an amount of not less than 800 parts per million (ppm) by weight of titanium.
In another aspect, the inventive method for reducing catalyst attrition losses in hydrocarbon synthesis processes conducted in high agitation reaction systems comprises the step of reacting a synthesis gas in a high agitation reaction system in the presence of a catalyst comprising a xcex3-alumina support which has been treated, after calcination, with an acidic, aqueous solution. The acidic, aqueous solution will preferably have a pH of not more than 5.
In yet another aspect, the inventive method for reducing catalyst attrition losses in hydrocarbon synthesis processes conducted in high agitation reaction systems comprises the step of reacting a synthesis gas in a high agitation reaction system in the presence of a catalyst comprising cobalt on a xcex3-alumina support wherein the cobalt is present in an amount in the range of from about 10 parts by weight (pbw) to about 70 pbw, per 100 pbw of the xcex3-alumina support, and the cobalt has been applied to the xcex3-alumina support by totally aqueous impregnation using an effective aqueous solution composition, and an effective amount of the aqueous solution, to achieve incipient wetness of the xcex3-alumina support with the desired amount of cobalt. The aqueous solution preferably has a pH of not more than about 5.
In yet another aspect, the inventive method for reducing catalyst attrition losses in hydrocarbon synthesis processes conducted in high agitation reaction systems comprises the step of reacting a synthesis gas in a high agitation reaction system in the presence of a catalyst wherein the catalyst comprises cobalt on a xcex3-alumina support and the catalyst further comprises an amount of lanthana promoter effective for increasing the attrition resistance of the catalyst. The amount of cobalt present in the catalyst is preferably in the range of from about 10 pbw to about 70 pbw, per 100 pbw of the xcex3-alumina support. The amount of lanthana present in the catalyst is preferably in the range of from about 0.5 to about 8 pbw, per 100 pbw of the xcex3-alumina support.
In yet another aspect, the inventive method for reducing catalyst attrition losses in hydrocarbon synthesis processes conducted in high agitation reaction systems comprises the step of reacting a synthesis gas in a high agitation reaction system in the presence of a catalyst comprising a xcex3-alumina support, wherein said xcex3-alumina support is produced from boehmite having a crystallite size, in the 021 plane, in the range of from about 30 to about 55 xc3x85ngstroms.
In one preferred embodiment of the inventive method, the high agitation reaction system is a three phase (i.e., solid, liquid, and gas/vapor) reaction system. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the inventive method, the high agitation reaction system is a slurry bubble column reaction system.
The present invention also provides a method of producing an attrition-resistant catalyst. The catalyst produced by the inventive method includes a calcined xcex3-alumina support. In one aspect, this inventive method comprises the step, after calcination of the support but before adding catalytic materials thereto, of treating the support with an acidic, aqueous solution having an acidity level effective for increasing the attrition resistance of the catalyst. The present invention also provides an attrition resistant catalyst produced by the inventive method.
The present invention further provides a method of producing an attrition-resistant catalyst support. The inventive method for producing an attrition-resistant catalyst support comprises the step of treating calcined xcex3-alumina with an acidic, aqueous solution having an acidity level effective for increasing the attrition resistance of the calcined alumina. The present invention also provides an attrition-resistant catalyst support produced by the inventive method.
Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon examining the accompanying drawings and upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

Attrition resistant Fischer-Tropsch catalyst and support


Provided are a catalyst mixture and also a method for the production of a polyester melt with high viscosity, the granulate obtained therefrom having an intrinsic viscosity of >0.70 dl/g and an L* color >70 and the b* color being between −5 and +5. The catalysts being used during the production are not based on heavy metals but on titanium compounds. Also no components of catalysts based on heavy metal are added. The granulate can be processed further in any way, e.g. to form bottles, containers, films, foils or fibers.

The present invention relates to a catalyst mixture and also a method for the production of a polyester melt with high viscosity, the granulate obtained therefrom having an intrinsic viscosity of >0.70 dl/g and an L* colour >70 and the b* colour being between −5 and +5. The catalysts being used during the production are not based on heavy metals but on titanium compounds. Also no components of catalysts based on heavy metal are added. The granulate can be processed further in any way, e.g. to form bottles, containers, films, foils or fibres.
The invention relates to the production in particular of polyethylene terephthalate, subsequently termed PET. PET belongs to the group of polyesters which are characterised by the reaction of a dicarboxylic acid or esters thereof with a diol to form molecules with a long-chain construction. In the case of PET, the dicarboxylic acid is terephthalic acid, subsequently termed TPA, or the ester is dimethylterephthalate and the diol ethylene glycol, subsequently termed EG. At present, the world-wide PET production is approx. 36,000,000 metric tons per year and is used in particular in bottle production, the packaging industry, fibre production and in engineering polymer.
In 1937, Wallace H. Carother applied for a patent for the production of polyesters, in 1949 Whinfield and Dickson for polyesters based on TPA.
The production of polyesters at this time was produced exclusively in the batch method. Only after 1960 were continuous methods introduced, which made production on an industrial scale possible.
All continuous methods consist of the reaction steps of esterification and polycondensation. In the case of esterification, TPA and EG react to form a diester, termed bishydroxyethylterephthalate, in simplified terms BHET. This reaction is self-catalysed by the presence of H+ ions of the reaction partners and therefore requires no further externally supplied catalysts.
In the case of the subsequent polycondensation, essentially the carboxyl- and hydroxyl end groups present react with the emission of EG to form long molecule chains. The reaction speed of this reaction is influenced by increased temperature, dwell time, pressures in the vacuum range, surface renewal rates and very crucially by catalysts.
Whilst in 1949 Whinfield and Dickson still achieved higher molecular PET without the addition of catalysts after 72 hours dwell time, it was in fact soon recognised that catalysts based on antimony and titanium could reduce the dwell time to a few hours.
In the book Polyester Fibres, Chemistry and Technology, of 1975, Ludewig mentions the catalysts known up till then for polymerisation. Thereafter, the various catalysts, usually metal acetate salts, are subdivided into different reactivities. Catalysts, such as antimony-, germanium-, and titanium compounds, are thereby of the highest quality catalytically. Second-class catalysts for the polymerisation reaction are based on elements of the 1st and 2nd main group, in addition aluminium, lead and manganese.
In addition to the reactivity of a catalyst, the selectivity is however also of interest with respect to secondary reactions. In the case of PET, the mainly proceeding secondary reactions produce undesired yellow colourations or increased acetaldehyde- and diethylene glycol generation. With respect to selectivity, germanium and antimony should be mentioned in the first place and both catalysts, in particular the more reasonably priced antimony, have therefore been able to hold their ground over many decades relative to the more reactive titanium compounds.
A further important aspect in the use of catalysts is their complete or partial deactivation since all catalysts also catalyse degradative reactions to some extent, which become noticeable already in production or also only later in further processing or even only in the end product. As deactivation means, more commonly termed stabilisers, phosphorus compounds of all types have thereby proved their worth.
Continuous industrial processes for the production of PET divide the polymerisation to form high-molecular PET into two steps, melt polymerisation and solid-state polymerisation. In the first step, PET is polymerised in a melt with a molecular weight up to approx. 18,000 g/mol, which corresponds to approx. 100 monomer units or an intrinsic viscosity of approx. 0.60 dl/g.
Direct processing to form foils or fibres is effected subsequently or the polymer melt is supplied for granulation in order to obtain defined small PET granulate particles. This granulate is then supplied for solid-state postcondensation (subsequently termed SSP (solid state postcondensation)). Adjusting the molecular weight is effected by the level of the chosen temperature, generally between 210 and 225° C., and the dwell time. In order that the PET chips experience no oxidative damage, nitrogen is taken as carrier gas for heat input and for removal of the resulting reaction products. The level of the final molecular weight depends upon the desired end application. In the case of PET granulates for the production of PET bottles, the molecular weight is approx. 26,000 g/mol, which corresponds to approx. 140 monomer units or an intrinsic viscosity of approx. 0.80 dl/g.
Only since 2007 has there been a continuous industrial process by the company Uhde Inventa-Fischer in which a molecular weight of approx. 26,000 g/mol is already achieved in the melt. Hence the second complex SSP process is dispensed with and only conditioning with air in order to produce for example PET suitable for bottles is required.
In the last 10 to 20 years, great interest has been shown in catalysts for PET which are free of heavy metals, detectable in many discussions in world-wide PET congresses and a large number of patent applications relating to this topic. Not only can greater human and environmental acceptability thereby be detected as driving force but likewise an improvement in PET product qualities. In addition to antimony, also cobalt and bismuth count as heavy metals.
In order to replace antimony as catalyst, there are found in the patent literature all the elements and their compounds or combinations thereof mentioned already for preference in Ludewig, generally in combination with a P component. As varied and specific as all indicated antimony-free formulations are, they all however deal with a formulation for the production of high-molecular PET in the melt polymerisation up to a maximum intrinsic viscosity of approx. 0.60 dl/g and subsequent solid-state postcondensation.
In the state of the art, reference is made very explicitly to the huge difficulties, for highly-viscous polymer melts of approx. 0.80 dl/g, with yellow discolouration and acetaldehyde formation when using catalysts which are not based on antimony.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,368,522 relates to a method with antimony as catalyst, an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.75 dl/g in the polymer melt (i.e. without SSP) with simultaneously good colours and a short reaction time being intended to be achieved. U.S. Pat. No. 7,368,522 thereby conjectures that this cannot be achieved with titanium formulations.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,559,271 B2 discloses a formulation based on titanium compounds in combination with cobalt which can also be used in addition up to 280° C. In this formulation, cobalt acts both as co-catalyst and as blue colourant in order to control the yellow tone. In order that the acetaldehyde contents can be controlled, the catalysts are deactivated with a P compound and in addition substances which bind acetaldehyde are used. This formulation can be used for higher molecular weights in the melt of 0.63 to 1.00 dl/g intrinsic viscosity but it is not free of heavy metals.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,094,863 B2 claims an antimony-free catalyst formulation for the production of in particular bottle granulate. In particular the improved product properties, such as clarity and dimensional stability for hot filling applications, are thereby highlighted. However, in addition to cobalt, also antimony contents up to 50 ppm are allowed in the formulation. The invention relates to the polyester production by means of SSP. Hence no high viscosities in the polymer melt are achieved with this formulation.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,544,762 B2 describes a formulation which is free of heavy metals and has good colours and low acetaldehyde contents, based on a titanium-phosphorus component. The maximum achieved viscosities of the melt are indicated at 0.64 dl/g.
US 2004/0044173 A1 describes a formulation which is free of heavy metals and has good colours and low acetaldehyde contents, based on a titanium-phosphorus component and the addition of element compounds of the group Ia, IIa, Mg, Fe or Co. The maximum achieved viscosities of the melt are indicated at 0.64 dl/g and require an SSP in order to achieve higher viscosities.
WO 2004/065452 A1 uses a Ti—Na-glycolate as catalyst system and reaches viscosities in the melt of 0.63 to 0.66 dl/g. Here also, an SSP is used to increase the molecular weight.
EP 1 013 692 uses a solid Ti catalyst, obtained by dehydrogenation of a titanium-halogen compound and reaction with a P compound and use of an Mg compound as co-catalyst. As an alternative to the Mg, elements of the IIa group and many heavy metals are mentioned. The achieved viscosities in the melt are at approx. 0.65 dl/g and require an SSP to achieve higher viscosities.
Furthermore, US 2007/010648 A1 relates to the use of a combination of Ti, Zr or Hf with 2-hydroxy-carboxylic acids and a quaternary ammonium compound instead of the normal Ti alkoxides. Here also the achieved viscosities in the melt are only at approx. 0.62 dl/g and require an SSP to achieve higher viscosities.
Qi et al. (EP 2 006 315) likewise use a titanium, phosphorus and co-catalyst system for the production of PET, the co-catalyst preferably being a mixture of Mg, Mn, Ca and Co. With Co, this mixture is also not free of heavy metals. Although also titanium compounds with lactic and citric acid are used, only a viscosity of approx. 0.67 dl/g in the melt is demonstrated with this system.
WO 2008/150350 A1 describes a Ti-based catalyst system with subsequent P addition for the PET production, with which a high viscosity in the melt can be achieved in a reduced reaction time with a low acetaldehyde content. The use of an SSP is thereby regarded as no longer required. The patent describes in addition the use of further additives, inter alia also the use of TiN. In contrast to the described process technology, only simple batch tests are however indicated in the examples. In contrast to commercial reality, extremely high quantities of toner (red 7-9 ppm, blue 13-18 ppm) are used and the colour values achieved are consequently extremely adulterated.
In the case of the catalysts known from the state of the art, it has however always been problematic to date that the obtained products have either sufficiently high viscosity, which led however to problems with discolouration, or had good colour values which led however to problems with viscosity.

Catalyst mixture and method for the production of polyesters with high viscosity


A liquid developer for electrostatic photography comprising at least resin grains dispersed in a non-aqueous solvent having an electric resistance of at least 10.sup.9 .OMEGA.cm and a dielectric constant of not higher than 3.5, wherein the dispersed resin grains are polymer resin grains obtained by polymerizing a solution containing (1) at least one monofunctional monomer (A) which is soluble in the non-aqueous solvent but becomes insoluble therein by being polymerized, (2) at least one monofunctional macromonomer (MA) having a number average molecular weight of not more than 1.times.10.sup.4 and having a polymerizable double bond or at least one oligomer (B) having a number average molecular weight of not more than 1.times.10.sup.4 and having at least one polar group selected from a carboxy group, a sulfo group, a hydroxy group, a formyl group, an amino group, a phosphono group and ##STR1## (3) at least one polyfunctional monomer (D) having at least two polymerizable functional groups which are copolymerizable with the monofunctional monomer (A), and (4) at least one dispersion-stabilizing resin (P) soluble in the non-aqueous solvent. The liquid developer of the present invention is excellent in dispersibility and redispersibility of resin grains, and resistivity, and provides a master plate for offset printing having high printing durability.

In general, a liquid developer for electrophotography is prepared by dispersing an inorganic or organic pigment or dye such as carbon black, nigrosine, phthalocyanine blue, etc., a natural or synthetic resin such as an alkyd resin, an acrylic resin, rosine, synthetic rubber, etc., in a .liquid having a high electric insulating property and. a low dielectric constant, such as a petroleum aliphatic hydrocarbon, etc., and further adding a polarity-controlling agent such as a metal soap, lecithin, linseed oil, a higher fatty acid, a vinyl pyrrolidone-containing polymer, etc., to the resulting dispersion.
In such a developer, the resin is dispersed in the form of insoluble latex grains having a grain size of from several nm to several hundred nm, and it is important for the latex grains that the grains have uniform grain diameter and do not aggregate, precipitate or accumulate during storage thereof. If such requirements are not satisfied, there may be problems in causing poor reproduction of the images formed, stains of non-image portions or malfunctions of the developing machine, such as clogging of a liquid feed pump, etc.
For overcoming the above problems, a dispersion polymerization method in a non-aqueous system for obtaining insoluble latex grains having fine grain diameter and good monodispersibility has been proposed and has further been studied. For example, an improved method using a soluble dispersion-stabilizing resin is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,990,980, 4,618,557, 5,006,441, 5,100,751, 5,112,716 and JP-A-1-257969 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application"), and a method for modifying the surface of latex grains by using a compound having a physical and chemical interaction with the monomer to be insolubilized is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,840,865, 4,842,975, 4,977,055, 5,041,352, 5,049,468, 5,055,369, 5,073,470 and 5,073,471 and JPA-3-13964, JP-A-3-17663, JP-A-3-123362 and JP-A-3-18863. These methods are described as being useful for improving degree of grain dispersion, grain diameter, redispersibility and storage stability.
On the other hand, studies for putting practical use or development of direct lithographic printing system using electrophotographic technique has recently been made actively. The system comprises forming a toner image on the surface of an electrophotographic light-sensitive material by electrophotographic system, and treating the resulting light-sensitive material to render the non-image portion thereof hydrophilic thereby producing a lithographic printing master plate.
Typical methods for rendering the non-image portion hydrophilic include a method for dissolving out the non-image area with a treating solution and utilizing hydrophilicity of the surface of the support under the electrophotographic light-sensitive layer, and a method for modifying an oleophilic property of the surface in the non-image portion of the light-sensitive layer to a hydrophilic property.
Recently, as an improved latter method for conventional oil-desensitization treatment of photoconductive zinc oxide in the light-sensitive layer, JP-A-62-21669, JP-A-l-191157 and JP-A-2-15277 disclose that hydrophilicity of the non-image portion can be increased by converting the binder resin used in the light-sensitive layer to a hydrophilic resin. In this system, it is important that the toner image portion remains unchanged upon treatment with the treating solution. Such a property is hereinafter referred to "resistivity" to the treating solution.
When a conventional liquid developer containing insoluble resin grains having good redispersibility is used in the above-described electrophotographic plate-making system and the non-image portion is sufficiently rendered hydrophilic, the toner does not show sufficient resistivity thereby sometimes causing loss of image portions. Such problems occur, in particular, in toner portions having small areas such as fine lines and letters or dot areas, and the quality of prints obtained from such a printing plate is deteriorated.
On the other hand, insoluble latex grains having high resistance to the treating solution, for example, styrene type latexes, possess sufficient resistivity, but these resins have low charge stability and redispersibility as toner grains and also provide compiicated problems in apparatus since these resins require a high temperature and long time fixing procedure due to poor fixing property of the toner grains.

Liquid developer for electrostatic photography


A video encoding method and apparatus and a video decoding method and apparatus. In the video encoding method, a first predicted coding unit of a current coding unit that is to be encoded is produced, a second predicted coding unit is produced by changing a value of each pixel of the first predicted coding unit by using each pixel of the first predicted coding unit and at least one neighboring pixel of each pixel, and the difference between the current coding unit and the second predicted coding unit is encoded, thereby improving video prediction efficiency.

1. Field
One or more aspects of the exemplary embodiments relate to a video encoding method and apparatus and a video decoding method and apparatus are capable of improving video compression efficiency by post-processing predicted video data.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an image compression method, such as Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, or H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding (AVC), a picture is divided into macroblocks in order to encode an image. Each of the macroblocks is encoded in all encoding modes that can be used in inter prediction or intra prediction, and then is encoded in an encoding mode that is selected according to a bitrate used to encode the macroblock and a distortion degree of a decoded macroblock based on the original macroblock.
As hardware for reproducing and storing high resolution or high quality video content is being developed and supplied, a need for a video codec for effectively encoding or decoding the high resolution or high quality video content is increasing. In a conventional video codec, a video is encoded in units of macroblocks each having a predetermined size.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Image encoding method and device, and decoding method and device therefor


The present disclosure relates to an information processing device and an information processing method that are capable of estimating the self-position by accurately and continuously estimating the self-movement. The information processing device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a downward imaging section and a movement estimation section. The downward imaging section is disposed on the bottom of a moving object traveling on a road surface and captures an image of the road surface. The movement estimation section estimates the movement of the moving object in accordance with a plurality of images representing the road surface and captured at different time points by the downward imaging section. The present disclosure can be applied, for example, to a position sensor mounted in an automobile.

A GPS (Global Positioning System) is conventionally known as a scheme for estimating its position when mounted in an automobile or other moving object. According to the GPS, its position can be estimated when signals transmitted from a predetermined number of satellites are received. However, if, for example, the GPS is traveling near a high building or through a tunnel, the position of the GPS cannot be estimated because the above-mentioned signals cannot be received.
If such inconveniences are caused so that the position of a moving object cannot be estimated, the subsequent movement (the direction and speed of movement) of the moving object (e.g., an automobile) should be continuously detected with a known location at a certain time point defined as a reference point. More specifically, for example, a conceivable method is to mount a camera on the moving object, continuously capture an image of surroundings to obtain chronological images, and detect the movement of the moving object in accordance with the movement of a same subject in the chronological images.
However, if the employed method detects the movement of the moving object in accordance with the captured images of the surroundings, an inconvenience may arise. More specifically, the movement of the moving object cannot readily be continuously detected if the captured images show blown-out highlights due to ambient light, are mostly occupied by another moving object (e.g., a preceding large-sized automobile) that travels together with the own moving object, are unclear due to heavy rain or other bad weather, or merely show a distant view due to the absence of an appropriate nearby subject.
A method proposed to address the above problem is to detect the movement not by capturing the images of the surroundings of the moving object, but by tracking feature points on a road surface that are represented in chronological images obtained by continuously capturing the road surface (refer, for example, PTL 1 or 2).
Note that, in order to detect the movement by tracking feature points on a road surface, it is necessary to accurately measure the distance between the road surface and the camera (the height from the road surface to the camera). According to PTL 1, two laser pointers project reference marks onto a road surface in order to measure the road surface-to-camera distance in accordance with the distance between the reference marks. According to PTL 2, the road surface is irradiated with a light beam in a square lattice pattern in order to measure the road surface-to-camera distance in accordance with the distortion of the square lattice pattern.

Information processing device and information processing method


Compound of the formula I ##STR1## wherein the substituents have the meanings given in the description, are new active bronchodilators.

Substituted benzo-naphthyridines which are distinguished by a pronounced inhibition of blood platelet aggregation are described in DE-OS 21 23 328 and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,899,494. The use of the compound with the proposed INN benafentrin, which falls under these protective rights, as a bronchodilator and for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract is disclosed in European Patent Application 247 971.

BYK Gulden Lomberg Chemische Fabrik GmbH


The invention comprises an image scan apparatus wherein a simple document feed unit is provided for feeding a document to be scanned to a predetermined position on a glass platen. The document feed unit is mechanically coupled to an image sense unit which is reciprocally moved between a home position and a scan start position. The document feed unit includes a frictional roller which is in contact with the glass platen. A leading edge of the document is inserted by an operator at a home position between a frictional roller and the glass platen. The frictional roller is mounted on a shaft via a one-way clutch or one-way bearing. The one-way clutch inhibits the rotation of the frictional roller during its movement from the home position to a scan start position. The leading portion of the document is engaged by the frictional roller, and the document is fed to a predetermined position on the glass platen as the frictional roller and the image sense unit are moved to the scan start position. The one-way clutch allows the rotation of the frictional roller during a reverse movement from the scan start position back to the home position, while the document is being scanned. During this movement, the frictional roller freely rotates over the document without moving it.

The prior art is replete with mechanisms for feeding a document into a predetermined position on a glass platen. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,844,552, an endless rubber belt is supported between two rollers, with one of the rollers driven by a drive source which includes a motor, gears, etc. The other roller is freely rotatable. Such feed mechanisms have been widely used as document feeders for copying machines. In such mechanisms, a wide rubber belt, which exhibits a high coefficient of friction, contacts the glass platen during an initial period of document feed, and causes a loss of power. To drive the rubber belt and overcome the power loss, a relatively powerful drive source is required. As a result, the size and weight of the feed mechanism is large, and its cost is high.
Small size and low cost image scan apparatus's have been developed for imaging documents. However, large and costly feed mechanisms are not suitable for such devices.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved document feeder for an image scanner.
It is another object of this invention to provide a low cost, low energy consumption, document feeder.


A base body for an implant comprising a biocorrodible iron alloy including at least one of the following: (i) a biocorrodible iron alloy of formula Fe—P where P is 0.01-5 wt %, and Fe plus impurities account for the remainder up to 100 wt %; or (ii) a biocorrodible iron alloy of formula Fe—Mn—X where Mn is 5-30 wt %, X is at least one of Pt, Pd, Ir, Rh, Re, Ru and Os, and X is 0-20 wt % and Fe plus impurities account for the remainder up to 100 wt %; or (iii) a biocorrodible iron alloy of formula Fe—Z where Z is at least one of Pt, Ir and Os and Z is 5-30 wt %, and Fe plus impurities account for the remainder up to 100 wt %.

Implants are used in a variety of ways in modern medical technology. Implants serve, among other things, to support blood vessels, hollow organs and duct systems (endovascular implants), for fastening and temporary fixation of tissue implants and tissue transplants, and also for orthopedic purposes, e.g., as nails, plates or screws.
Implantation of stents is one of the most effective therapeutic measures in treatment of vascular diseases. Stents assume a supporting function in the hollow organs of a patient. Stents of a traditional design, therefore, have a filigree supporting structure of metallic struts, the structure initially being in a compressed form for introduction into the body and then dilated at the site of application. One of the main areas of application of such stents is for permanent or temporary dilation of vascular occlusions and maintaining vascular patency, in particular, for dilation of occlusions (stenoses) of the coronary vessels. In addition, aneurysm stents, which provide support for damaged vascular walls, are also known.
The base body of each implant, in particular, stents, comprises an implant material. For purposes of the present disclosure, an implant material is a nonviable material that is used for an application in medicine and interacts with biological systems. The basic prerequisites for use of a material as an implant material, which comes in contact with the biological environment when used as intended, is its biological compatibility (biocompatibility). For purposes of the present disclosure, biocompatibility is the ability of a material to induce an appropriate tissue reaction in a specific application. This includes an adaptation of the chemical, physical, biological and morphological surface properties of an implant to the recipient tissue with the goal of a clinically desired interaction. The biocompatibility of the implant material also depends on the chronological course of the reaction of the biosystem in which the implant is implanted. Thus, irritations and inflammations, which can lead to tissue changes, occur in the relatively short term. Biological systems thus react in different ways, depending on the properties of the implant material. According to the reaction of the biosystem, the implant materials can be subdivided into bioactive, bioinert and degradable/absorbable materials. For the purposes of the present disclosure only degradable/absorbable metallic implant materials are of interest. The degradable/absorbable metallic implant materials are referred to hereinbelow as biocorrodible metallic materials.
The use of biocorrodible metallic materials is recommended, in particular, because the implant often must remain in the body only a short period of time to fulfill the medical purpose. Implants of permanent materials, i.e., materials that are not degraded in the body, can optionally be removed again because there may be rejection reactions in the body in the medium range and in the long range even if there is a high biocompatibility.
One approach to avoid a further surgical intervention consists of making the implant either entirely or partially of a biocorrodible metallic material. For purposes of the present disclosure, "biocorrosion" refers to processes which are due to the presence of biological media and lead to a gradual degradation of the structure made of this material. At a certain point in time, the implant, or at least the part of the implant made of the biocorrodible material, loses its mechanical integrity. The degradation products are largely absorbed by the body. In the best case, the degradation products such as magnesium, for example, even have a positive therapeutic effect on the surrounding tissue. Small quantities of unabsorbable alloy constituents are tolerable, as long as they are nontoxic.
Known biocorrodible metallic materials comprise pure iron and biocorrodible alloys of the main elements magnesium, iron, zinc, molybdenum and tungsten. Among other things, it is proposed in German Patent Application No. 197 31 021 that medical implants should be made of a metallic material having as its main component an element from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, iron, zinc and aluminum. Alloys based on magnesium, iron and zinc are described as being especially suitable. Secondary constituents of the alloys may include manganese, cobalt, nickel, chromium, copper, cadmium, lead, tin, thorium, zirconium, silver, gold, palladium, platinum, silicon, calcium, lithium, aluminum, zinc and iron. Regardless of advances made in the field of biocorrodible metal alloys, the alloys known so far can be used only to a very limited extent because of their corrosion behavior. In particular, the relatively slow biocorrosion of pure iron or the known iron alloys limits their possible applications.
Traditional fields of use of molded bodies of metallic materials, in particular, iron alloys outside of medical technology usually require extensive suppression of corrosion processes. Accordingly, the purpose of most technical methods for improving the corrosion behavior is to completely inhibit corrosion processes. However, the purpose of improving the corrosion behavior of the biocorrodible iron alloys in the present disclosure is not to completely suppress corrosion processes but rather to accelerate the corrosion processes. Furthermore, toxicological aspects must also be taken into account for any application in medical technology. Finally, corrosion processes depend greatly on the medium in which the corrosion processes take place. Therefore, it is usually impossible to transfer findings about the properties of specific iron alloys obtained in the technical field under traditional nonphysiological environmental conditions to the processes in a physiological environment.
International Patent Publication No. WO 2007/082147 relates to bioerodable endoprostheses having at least two sections of metallic materials with different corrosion rates. Iron alloys with the following compositions are mentioned as examples: (i) 88 to 99.8 wt % Fe, 0.1-7 wt % Cr, 0-3.5 wt % Ni and less than 5 wt % other elements and (ii) 90 to 96 wt % Fe, 3-6 wt % Cr, 0-3 wt % Ni and 0-5 wt % other metals. When using the elements Cr and Ni in a biocorrodible material, a substantial negative effect on biocompatibility must be expected. Chromium, in particular, is among the elements having a very high toxicity potential.
Hendra Hermawan et al. describe the degradation behavior of a stent made of the Fe-35Mn alloy (Advanced Materials Research, vols. 15-17, (2007), pp. 113-116). However, this alloy has only a marginally increased corrosion. Another disadvantage is that the relatively high Mn content in a monophase structure suggests a reduced ductility.
Another disadvantage of an alloy with 35 wt % Mn is that after cooling, transformation to so-called ε-(epsilon)-martensite is no longer possible.
Another disadvantage of an alloy with 35% Mn is that a two-phase structure cannot be achieved here. However, a fine-grained two-phase structure is the basis of extremely good plasticity. One disadvantage of the loss of this multiphase property is that the austenite stability can no longer be adjusted with carbon or nitrogen.
Biocorrodible alloys of iron and carbon are also known (for example, in European Patent Application No. 0 923 389 and International Patent Publication No. WO 2007/124230). One disadvantage of these alloys is that a pure binary system of iron and carbon shows a great decline in ductility with an increase in carbon content without a comparable decline in corrosion resistance.
One feature of the present invention provides a biocorrodible iron alloy having improved corrosion behavior for an implant. This should take place, in particular, in such a way that the additional material properties that are important for processing, e.g., ductility, are not impaired.

Implant with a base body of a biocorrodible iron alloy


A wireless communication device includes an equalizer configured to adjust a frequency characteristic of a user audio signal on the basis of a predetermined gain setting and to generate an adjusted signal, or an adjusted audio signal; an encoder configured to encode the adjusted signal with a preset scheme to generate an encoded signal; a decoder configured to decode the encoded signal to generate a decoded signal; a sound quality evaluator configured to carry out a PESQ evaluation of the decoded signal and to generate an evaluation result with the user audio signal serving as a reference signal for evaluation; and a selector configured to change the gain setting and to select a gain setting yielding a high evaluation result.

The present disclosure relates to wireless communication devices, audio signal controlling methods, and programs.
In wireless communication devices that exchange audio signals through wireless communication, an audio signal to be transmitted is encoded with a high compression rate, and thus the sound deteriorates upon being decoded. In order to allow a transmitted sound to have a high sound quality, a technique for controlling an audio signal has been proposed.
For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-118119 describes a wireless microphone. This wireless microphone includes a microphone unit and a wireless transmission circuit provided in a microphone body. The wireless transmission circuit modulates an audio signal that has been subjected to electroacoustic conversion by the microphone unit into a wireless signal and transmits the wireless signal. A sound quality changeover switch is provided on the microphone body, and an equalizer is provided inside the microphone body. The equalizer determines the characteristics of an audio signal from the microphone unit in accordance with a changeover operation of the sound quality changeover switch and inputs the audio signal to the wireless transmission circuit.
However, the technique described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-118119 relies on a subjective view of the transmitter, and it is difficult to set the sound quality in consideration of surrounding noise and so on present when the sound is uttered. In addition, when the wireless communication device is used with an external microphone connected thereto, for example, the sound may deteriorate due to the characteristics of the external microphone. Aside from the above, there is a case in which the setting of the frequency characteristics of an audio signal may ought to be adjusted depending on the language used by the speaker. In this manner, there is a case in which a high sound quality cannot be maintained due to various conditions under which the wireless communication device transmits an audio signal.

Wireless communication device, audio signal controlling method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium


There are provided a thermoplastic graft copolymer comprising, as main chain, a polymer having a glass transition temperature of 10.degree. C. or below and, as side chain, an aromatic oligomer having a flow temperature of 100.degree. C. or above; and its preparation process, especially a process wherein an aromatic oligomer containing 50% or more of the structural units represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X is O or S; and Ar is ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkyl group of 1-3 carbon atoms or phenyl group, and p and q are an integer of 0-2.. The graft copolymer of this invention can be used as a thermal resistant plastic elastomer for heat-resisting hoses, seals, automobile materials, etc.

Presently, the industrially used thermoplastic elastomers (hereinafter abbreviated as TPE) are roughly divided in two types: TPE comprising a block copolymer consisting of soft segments and hard segments and TPE comprising a partially crosslinked rubber called elastomer alloy and a plastic phase-separated therefrom. As the former type of TPE, there are known a block copolymer consisting of segments of an aliphatic polyether such as polytetramethylene glycol and segments of a polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, which is called polyester elastomer, and a block copolymer consisting of segments of aliphatic polyether and segments of a polyamide such as polydodecanolactum, which is called polyamide elastomer. As the latter type of TPE, there is known, for instance, an elastomer alloy yielded from dynamic vulcanization of an alloy of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer.
European Patent laid-Open Specification 0287233 discloses preparation of a polymer solution for coating by using a copolymer having an aromatic polyester in the side chain, namely a copolymer having an aromatic polyester covalently bonded to an acrylic or polyester resin, and it is claimed that this polymer solution is capable of forming a coating film with high hardness. This patent specification, however, is silent on thermoplastic resin and TPE.
The TPE's comprising the block copolymers consisting of soft and hard segments are the relatively hard elastomers which are over 40 in D scale of Shore hardness. Also, these TPE's are subject to large compression set and not so high in thermal resistance.
On the other hand, the elastomer alloys are capable of forming soft elastomers of down to about 30 in A scale of Shore hardness, but they are poor in thermal resistance.

Thermoplastic graft copolymer and process for preparing the same


With an infrared radiator, the surface temperature of which is kept constant during measurement, a measuring area on a material surface is thermally irradiated with oblique incidence of the rays. The temperature of the reflected thermal radiation is measured by an infrared thermometer, which is arranged above the measuring area in such a way that the reflected radiation falls into the area of coverage of the infrared thermometer. The entire measuring area of the material surface which lies in the field of coverage of the infrared thermometer must be thermally irradiated. The measured temperature variation of the reflected radiation in dependence on the surface condition of the material is stored in a comparison device. A set value for the desired surface condition is fed to this comparison device. The infrared temperature of a material surface, initially unknown with respect to its surface condition, is measured and compared with the stored temperature variation in order to determine the magnitude of the surface parameter. From the value thus obtained and the set value fed in, a differential signal is formed, which is fed via the output of the comparison device to a control of a treatment device for the material.

The invention relates to a method of providing a contactless on-line measurement of the surface structure or thickness of a material or a layer on a material in plate or strip form as well as to a measuring arrangement.
Texture parameters are an essential quality feature of metal surfaces. The most well known is the representation of the surface roughness, the extensive data on a measured roughness profile section in practice usually being reduced to just a few characteristic variables, such as for example the peak-to-valley height Ra and the average peak-to-valley height Rz.
In roughness measurement, it is generally not necessary to scan and measure the entire surface uninterruptedly. It is enough if a sufficiently large number of measurements permit an adequate statistical finding. In the case of a fast-moving material, considerable difficulties are involved in detecting the roughness by means of an on-line measurement. The traditional stylus method is not in any way capable of producing satisfactory results at speeds greater than 20 m/min. Therefore, such on-line measurements have long been carried out on an optical basis.
For instance, a roughness measuring instrument which is used in the field of the metal-processing industry as an on-line measuring instrument for continuous process control is described in the company publication of Sick GmbH Optik-Elektronik, Munich "SORM Sick optisches Rauheitsmess system" (SORM Sick optical roughness measuring system). With the aid of a semiconductor laser, the measuring instrument generates a fine laser measuring beam on the material surface. The light spot diameter is about 10 .mu.m. The surface structure causes the impinging light to be reflected in a certain spatial direction, depending on the flank angle of the surface facet. The principal direction of the reflection is detected by a laser diode receiver array and converted into an angle-dependent analog signal. This analog signal is digitized and the surface level profile calculated on the basis of the flank angle data and the advancement information. Consequently, a profile characteristic which is approximately comparable with a mechanical measurement is obtained as raw data. Subsequently, this raw data is evaluated in the usual way and the standardized roughness variables, such as Ra, Rz, are determined and output.
In the case of this measurement, the intensity distribution reflected from the surface falls, in the form of a scattering lobe via a number of lenses, onto the assigned photoreceiver array arranged annularly around the laser light spot. The photoreceivers forming this photoreceiver array are interconnected in the form of a PSD sensor (position sensitive detector). The direction of the point of concentration of the scattering lobe is measured directly at each measuring point. Consequently, the flank steepness of the respective surface facet is determined optically at each surface measuring point. Upon movement of the surface to be measured under the measuring head, the surface profile is calculated by back-integration. The roughness measuring area is, for Ra 0.05, up to 2.5 .mu.m, and the material speed lies in the range of 0.3 to 30 m/sec.
This measuring instrument is very complex since the optical measuring head contains, in addition to a semiconductor laser, the receiver array, an autofocussing device for correcting the optical measuring head, and a signal preprocessing means. Furthermore, an evaluation computer with two floppy disk drives, an interface for a plurality of optical measuring heads and a central processing unit are required.
A surface measuring system RM 600, with which surface structures between 0.02 .mu.m and 600 .mu.m can be detected quickly and contactlessly is described in the company publication "Profilmess platz RM 600 2-D" (Profile measuring station RM 600 2-D) of Rodenstock, Munich. The measuring system essentially comprises three components, namely an optical distance sensor, a linear or X/Y advancing unit and a control computer with color screen or monitor, printer, and software package. The key component of the system is an optical sensor which registers changes in distance by means of a laser focus of 1 or 2 .mu.m in diameter. In measurement, the measured object is moved uniformly past the sensor. The measured values thereby occurring form a level profile which can be output by the control computer as a graphic and which can be measured. By suitable filtering, findings on individual surface parameters, such as roughness, waviness etc. are possible.
The optical distance sensor operates with an infrared laser, the beam of which is focussed on the surface of the measured object. Depending on the type of sensor, a light spot of 1 or 2 .mu.m in diameter is produced on the measured surface and imaged in the sensor onto a focus detector. If the distance from the measured surface changes, the detector supplies a control signal for the automatic focus correcting means. A plunger coil system then displaces the objective until the laser beam is again focussed exactly on the surface of the measured object.
Since the focus distance is constant, the movements of the objective correspond exactly to the level variation of the measured surface. The respective position of the objective is detected by an inductive sensor and supplies a measuring signal which is independent of the reflection characteristics of the measured surface. This surface measuring system is not suitable for the measurement of fast-running materials.
Apart from the surface structure of materials, their surface condition is also a quality feature which can be used for controlling the processing of such materials. The surface condition determines, inter alia, the reflectivity or the diffuse reflectance value of the surface for incident radiation in the ultraviolet or infrared range. For example, the thickness of the aluminum oxide layer on the surface of an aluminum strip or an aluminum plate is the determining parameter for the reflection of incident infrared radiation on the material surface.
This also applies in the same way to layers of different composition, such as for example layers of light-sensitive substances, with which aluminum strips or plates are coated during the production of printing plates. As the thickness of the coating of such materials on the surface increases, the surface loses reflectivity, and the reflected infrared or thermal radiation decreases.
If, for example, transparent materials are concerned, such as plastics films, as the thickness of these materials increases, their reflectivity on the surface decreases.

Method of and measuring arrangement for contactless on-line measurement


A new and distinct variety of Azalea plant named ‘Robleo’, characterized by its unique blooming time, upright dense and globose growth habit, and attractive large semi-double multi-colored flowers.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of evergreen azalea of the genus Rhododendron and a member of the Ericaceae family. This new azalea variety, hereinafter referred to as 'Robleo', was discovered by Robert Edward Lee in July, 2002 in Independence, La. 'Robleo' originated as a naturally occurring branch sport of Azalea hybrid 'Conleo' U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,640 while it was being grown in Independence, La. The value of this new cultivar lies in its unique blooming period, bloom color, bloom form, bloom size, and growth habit.
Asexual propagation of the new plant by cuttings has been under Mr. Lee's direction at the same location. The new plant retains its distinctive characteristics and reproduces true to type in successive generations. The plant cannot be reproduced true from seed.


Antibacterial compositions and methods for inhibiting bacterial growth are disclosed. The antibacterial compositions can include a carrier and an antibacterial agent including a benzoic acid ester. The benzoic acid ester can have a carbon chain having a length of two to ten. The benzoic acid ester can have a hydroxyl group on the carbon chain.

Preservatives are an often utilized component in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and personal care products to ensure that a product stays fresh on the shelf, doesn't experience spoilage, and remains free from bacterial growth. In particular, because personal care products may be used to directly contact skin or mucosa such as around body orifices where the potential for transfer of materials from the product to the consumer may be a concern, it is generally good practice to reduce contamination of the product in every possible way. The need to control microbiological growth in personal care products is particularly acute in water based products such as non-ionic oil-in-water emulsions and in pre-impregnated wipes such as wet wipes.
Multiple options for preservatives that prevent bacterial growth, such as formaldehyde donors or parabens, have existed throughout history and these preservatives were highly efficacious and allowed for relatively easy preservation of personal care products. Recently, traditional preservatives have been less desirable components in personal care products in view of new regulations and consumer perceptions, thus limiting the options for preserving and preventing bacterial growth in certain products.
Alternative preservatives, such as organic acids, have been explored and have become more frequently utilized in the cosmetic and personal care field. Examples of these preservatives would be sorbic acid and its salts, benzoic acid and its salts, p-anisic acid, and salicylic acid. While these salts are efficacious in cosmetic and personal care products, each carry limitations. Specifically, the organic acids tend to have an inherent odor and can therefore only be used in low concentrations without affecting the overall olfactory perception of the product. Additionally, organic acids are only efficacious in the acid form, and thus, formulations including organic acids can be limited to a very narrow and low pH range in which they are efficacious (generally pH 3.5-5.0). Another limitation is that organic acids have limited water solubility in the efficacious range. While raising the pH of the formulation to provide the salt form can increase their solubility in water, doing so inherently reduces the efficacy against microorganisms; thus making the product unprotected against spoilage and bacterial growth.
Thus, there remains a need for antibacterial compositions that include alternative organic acid derivatives that have lower odor, can be used in a composition over a wider pH range without losing efficacy against bacterial growth, and can have greater water solubility than the parent organic acids.

Antibacterial composition including benzoic acid ester and methods of inhibiting bacterial growth utilizing the same


The invention is directed to a mirror adjustment mechanism with an electrical connection having at least one pair of contact parts disposed movably relative to each other. The contact parts jointly form a sliding contact for maintaining electrical contact during pivotal motion of a mirror connector relative to a base frame, while one of the contact parts of the sliding contact is fixedly connected with the mirror connector.

Such a mirror adjustment mechanism is generally known and is used to incorporate a mirror element in a wing mirror of a motor vehicle in a pivotable manner, such that a driver can set the angular position of the mirror element relative to the vehicle to adjust his field of vision in rearward direction from the driver's seat via the mirror element.
The mirror adjustment mechanism is often provided with a mirror actuator provided with electrical drive means to enable the mirror element to be pivoted electrically, while the mirror connector is often integrated with a mirror support plate.
The electrical connection between the base frame and the mirror connector usually serves to realize functions for the purpose of the use of the mirror, such as, for instance, mirror heating, electric dimming of light shining in, and keeping the mirror water-free through vibrations. The electric components with which such functions are realized, for instance a heating element, an electrochrome glass or an ultrasonic motor, are often fitted on the mirror support plate but can also be fitted, for instance, on the mirror.
The base frame is usually fixed on a mirror base fitted near the door of the motor vehicle.
In the conventional mirror adjustment mechanisms, the electrical connection between the base frame and the mirror connector is often designed as one or more electrical connecting wires which are each fitted at two ends, through a plug connection, to the base frame and the mirror connector, respectively. The connecting wire between the base frame and the mirror connector can also be fitted through a soldered connection at one or both ends. To enable the mirror connector to pivot relative to the base frame, the conducting wire is made of flexible design.
There is a trend to realize more and more electrical functions for the purpose of the use of the mirror. Consequently, because this requires bundling of the connecting wires, it is difficult in practice to provide a sufficiently flexible electrical connection.
In addition, it is time consuming to fit such a bundled electrical connection between the base frame and the mirror connector. This is a problem in particular when it is taken into account that the mirror connector is often supplied as a subassembly, the mirror connector being provided with a mirror element and a number of electrical components for fulfilling utility functions of the mirror, such as a heating element, electrochrome glass or ultrasonic motor. The subassembly mentioned, further, is often supplied by a different supplier than the supplier of the other parts of the mirror adjustment mechanism, which likewise constitute a subassembly. Often, the two subassemblies of the mirror adjustment mechanism must then be electrically connected with each other in a reliable manner in large numbers by a third party. As the two subassemblies of the mirror adjustment mechanism are each made up of a large number of components, this entails an accumulation of dimensional tolerances, which makes it more difficult to assemble the mirror adjustment mechanism.

Mirror adjustment mechanism with electrical connection

MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.


In order to make it possible to conduct a zero calibration even though an interference gas exists in a measurement area of a detector, a light absorbance analysis apparatus includes a detector that detects an intensity of light that transmits a gas, a total pressure sensor that measures a total pressure of the gas, an absorbance calculating part that calculates an absorbance based on an output value of the detector and a previously set zero reference value, a partial pressure—absorbance relation storing part that stores a partial pressure—absorbance relational data that indicates a relationship between a partial pressure of an interference gas that exists in a measurement area of the detector and an absorbance calculated by the absorbance calculating part, and a partial pressure calculating part that calculates an interference gas partial pressure as a partial pressure of the interference gas.

Conventionally, a light absorbance analysis apparatus that is incorporated into a semiconductor manufacturing line and that measures a concentration of a material gas supplied to a chamber of a film forming equipment comprises a detector that detects an intensity of light that transmits a gas and a total pressure sensor that measures a total pressure of the gas.
The detector comprises, for example, a light source that irradiates the light on a gas, a filter that transmits the light having a wavelength (hereinafter also called as a measurement wavelength) that is absorbed by a material gas among the light emitted from the light source and a light receiving part that detects the intensity of the light having the measurement wavelength that transmits the gas.
Meanwhile, in case of conducting a zero calibration on the detector for a conventional light absorbance analysis apparatus, it is necessary to create a state wherein no gas (hereinafter also called as an interference gas) that absorbs the light having the measurement wavelength exists in a measurement area of the detector. Then, the conventional light absorbance apparatus conducts the zero calibration on the detector by creating the state by evacuating the detector or by purging the detector by the use of the gas (for example, N2 gas) that does not absorb the light having the measurement wavelength.
However, in some semiconductor manufacturing line into which the conventional light absorbance analysis apparatus is incorporated, there may be a case wherein it is not possible to create the state for reasons of a process. In this case, it is not possible to conduct the zero calibration on the detector. If the state wherein it is not possible to conduct the zero calibration on the detector continues for a long period of time, there is a problem that the measurement accuracy drops due to an increased influence of drift.

Light absorbance analysis apparatus and program record medium for recording programs of light absorbance analysis apparatus


Systems and methods for measuring feet and designing and creating orthopedic inserts are described. The method can include measuring a pressure the foot exerts during a stride at a plurality of points over a period of time, analyzing a pressure at the plurality of points over the period of time and designing the orthopedic insert based on the analysis. The system can include a device that measures a pressure exerted by a foot at a plurality of times at each of a plurality of points and a computer connected to the device, the computer having memory that stores the measured pressures and a program operable to analyze the measured pressures to create a design of an orthopedic insert.

This product relates to the field of orthopedic inserts for shoes, sneakers and other footwear.
These product lines are typically divided into two categories. One such category is defined by relatively universal insoles that cushion and provide general support. A previous patent discloses the first adjustable insole, in which the bounce of the insole can be controlled by turning a valve. Other products on the market are those such as manufactured under the brand name Dr. Scholl's.
Most of these products tend to be for comfort or support and are universal in use. They are relatively inexpensive.
At the other end of the spectrum are the devices referred to as supports. These are often made by Podiatrists. Podiatrists take imprints and casts of people's feet and then have inserts designed that are made to correct the weight and imprint of the foot.
Accordingly, new and improved methods and systems to provide orthopedic insets are needed.

Orthopods and equipment to generate orthopedic supports from computerized data inputs


A fishing pole accessory includes a base assembly, a platform pivotally coupled to a top end of the base assembly, a plurality of arms directly connected to the platform, a sling with opposed ends anchored to the arms in such a manner that the sling is resiliently adapted between stretched and equilibrium positions, and a mounting clamp pivotally coupled directly to the base assembly which is articulated about a second axis registered orthogonal to the first axis.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to fishing poles and, more particularly, to a fishing pole accessory for launching bait from a fishing pole in space-limited areas.
2. Prior Art
Fishing is a great, lifelong activity that can be enjoyed by anyone. It is a fun, healthy, inexpensive sport to pursue that can be as simple as using a worm on a hook tied to some line on a long stick or pole. Fishing, whether it be ocean, lake, stream or pond fishing, is not only the most popular but probably the oldest pastime pursued by man. Fishing is a popular sport because anyone can engage in it, regardless of age, sex or income.
The most complicated part about fishing is finding a place to fish. But with the incredible wealth of waters found in most parts of the U.S., anglers can find a good fishing hole practically right in their own backyard. There are literally thousands of ponds and lakes, and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams scattered across the country. Most of these waters are home to numerous species of fish that anglers can catch.
Finding a good fishing spot does not necessarily ensure a successful fishing trip as, on many occasions, whether fishing from a bank, pier or boat, fish can be seen literally jumping out of the water but the distance is to far to successfully cast the bait anywhere near the fish. When fishing from a boat, the boat can be moved but, almost inevitably, the fish will be gone by the time the boat has reached the desired spot. It is desirable to deploy a baited hook or lure for a much greater distance than can be normally achieved by overhead casting.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,127,956 to Hertkorn discloses a target fishing apparatus which, when attached to a conventional rod and reel assembly, allows casting of a baited hook to a desired location. The unit may be used in areas where restricted overhead clearance precludes conventional casting. Actuation of a trigger mechanism causes an elastic member to propel a lure and attached line from a bait cup toward the target area. Unfortunately, this prior art example is not designed for attachment to a boat or pier rail.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,754,968 to Lee discloses an aiming apparatus for a slingshot. The aiming apparatus comprises a light projecting device adapted to project a light beam. A mounting apparatus is adapted to support the light projecting device on the slingshot and disposes the light projecting device with the light beam directed toward a target of a user of the slingshot. Unfortunately, this prior art example is not designed for attachment to a boat or pier rail.
Accordingly, the present invention is disclosed in order to overcome the above noted shortcomings. The present invention is convenient and easy to use, lightweight yet durable in design, and designed for launching bait from a fishing pole in a space-limited area. The present invention is simple to use, inexpensive, and designed for many years of repeated use.

Bait launching accessory for fishing poles and associated method


A container apparatus having at least one containment member is disclosed that may include a bottom and at least one sidewall, an interior and an open end. The container may also include a flange that extends around a free end of the at least one side wall, and a plurality of wall members (or castellations) connected to/formed with/that extend from the flange. The plurality of wall members may be separated by ventilation apertures, with the plurality of wall members and the ventilation apertures extending around the perimeter of the free end. A sealing material, such as a removable film, may extend over the open end to enclose the containment member.

Plastic walled containers are common household items, with a wide range of domestic and commercial uses. Such containers are, for example, often used as packaging for fresh produce, including fresh fruits (e.g., strawberries), fresh vegetables (e.g., tomatoes), other food items, and other consumable items. The containers come in a range of different shapes (e.g., cylinders, square/box, rectangular/box, etc.) and sizes. Some containers, such as those used with fresh produce, also include holes or other apertures through the container sidewall for purposes of ventilating the container interior.
One type of container may include a base having an internal cavity or containment area or space, and a lid (which may also have an internal cavity, space or area) connected to the base by a hinge. Typically, items are placed in the base and the lid is folded (via the hinge) over onto the base to secure the food items within the base. Since there may be no barrier between the internal cavity of the base and the internal cavity of the lid, items may only be placed within the internal cavity of the base. If food items were placed in the internal cavity of the lid, the food items may fall out of the lid when the lid is folded over onto the base. That is, the food items would fall out of the container or fall within the internal cavity of the base causing contamination of the food items.
Consequently, it would be desirable to have a container that permits a large storage capacity, ventilation of the internal cavit(ies) of the base, and in some embodiments prevent cross contamination of items stored in different cavities.


The present invention is directed to an improved telecommunication receiver for receiving wireless multi-path communication signals. A novel RAKE receiver and a time diverse integration system for the calculation of the relative power of received signal samples are provided. Preferably, the receiver is embodied in a UE or base station of a CDMA wireless telecommunication system, such as a 3GPP system.

The present invention relates to wireless communication systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to the reception of communication signals in wireless communication systems.
Signal synchronization is important in wireless telecommunication. In modem systems, there are various levels of synchronization, such as, carrier, frequency, code, symbol, frame and network synchronization. At each level, synchronization can be divided into two phases: acquisition (initial synchronization) and tracking (fine synchronization).
A typical wireless communication system, such as specified in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), sends downlink communications from a base station to one or a plurality of User Equipments (UEs) and uplink communications from UEs to the base station. A receiver within each UE operates by correlating, or despreading, a received downlink signal with a known code sequence. The code sequence is synchronized to the received sequence in order to get the maximal output from the correlator.
A receiver may receive time offset copies of a transmitted communication signal known as multi-path. In multi-path fading channels, the signal energy is dispersed over a certain amount of time due to distinct echo paths and scattering. To improve performance, the receiver can estimate the channel by combining the multi-path copies of the signal. If the receiver has information about the channel profile, one way of gathering signal energy is then to assign several correlator branches to different echo paths and combine their outputs constructively. This is conventionally done using a structure known as a RAKE receiver.
Conventionally, a RAKE receiver has several xe2x80x9cfingersxe2x80x9d, one for each echo path. In each finger, a path delay with respect to some reference delay, such as the direct or the earliest received path, must be estimated and tracked throughout the transmission. The estimation of the paths initial position in time may be obtained by using a multi-path search algorithm. The multi-path search algorithm does an extensive search through correlators to locate paths with a desired chip accuracy. RAKE receivers are able to exploit multi-path propagation to benefit from path diversity of transmitted signal. Using more than one path, or ray, increases the signal power available to the receiver. Additionally, it provides protection against fading since several paths are unlikely to be subject to a deep fade simultaneously. With suitable combining, this can improve the received signal-to-noise ratio, reduce fading and ease power control problems.
In the context of mobile UEs, due to their mobile movement and changes in the scattering environment, the delays and attenuation factors used in the search algorithm change as well. Therefore, it is desirable to measure the tapped delay line profile and to reallocate RAKE fingers whenever the delays have changed by a significant amount.
An important design problem of a RAKE receiver is how to accurately search and find multiple signal paths. There are several key parameters to be optimized for the receiver system, such as mean acquisition time, optimum threshold setting, probabilities of detection and false alarm, etc. One problem with a RAKE receiver is that the paths can disappear or may not be detected by a RAKE location process. Therefore, there exists a need for an improved receiver.
Another severe design problem of a RAKE receiver is that it is not always possible to separate the received energy into components due to distinct multipath components. This may happen, for example, if the relative delays of the various arriving paths are very small compared to the duration of a chip. Such situations often arise in indoor and urban communication channels. The problem is often referred to as the xe2x80x9cFat Finger Effect.xe2x80x9d
While there exists techniques for demodulating the data from Fat fingers, in order to apply such techniques the received energy belonging to a Fat finger must be identified. Unfortunately, typical RAKE correlators are designed to search for distinct single-path components in a multipath channel and are unable to perform this identification. Thus, there exists a need for a receiver capable of identifying the Fat fingers.
The present invention is directed to an improved telecommunication receiver for receiving wireless multi-path communication signals. A novel RAKE receiver and a time diverse integration system for the calculation of the relative power of received signal samples are provided. Preferably, the receiver is embodied in a UE or base station of a CDMA wireless telecommunication system, such as a 3GPP system.
In one aspect of the invention, the station has a receiver for processing communication signals, which includes a RAKE receiver having up to a predetermined number of RAKE fingers, for assigning and combining a plurality of different signal paths of received communication signals. In one example, the maximum number of RAKE fingers is five (5) of which up to one is a Fat finger. A Fat finger of the RAKE receiver implements a Fat finger demodulation algorithm that, for example, may be a conventional Adaptive Filter.
The receiver has a RAKE locator that determines signal paths based on windows defined by groups of consecutive signal samples. Windows are defined where samples within a window exceed a first power threshold. The RAKE locator designates a number of such windows, up to the number RAKE fingers, as candidate windows based on relative power of the samples within the determined windows.
Preferably, the RAKE locator defines windows based on a window power level determined by summing power levels of its group of samples. A window is defined when its power level exceeds the first power threshold. Preferably, the RAKE locator designates windows as candidate windows based on windows having the highest power levels. However, a window is not designated if it is to close to another candidate window, i.e. if more than a specified number of samples are included in another window having a higher power level. For example, each window can contain a group of 21 samples and the candidate windows can have no more than 16 common samples so that the candidate windows are separated from each other by at least 5 consecutive samples.
Window search circuitry analyzes candidate windows to determine if the power of samples of the candidate windows exceeds a second threshold. The window search circuitry designates a Fat finger candidate window when at least one of the candidate windows has a selected number of candidate samples that exceed the second threshold. Preferably, the window search circuitry designates only one Fat finger candidate window, that being the candidate window having the greatest power level that also has a selected number, preferably four (4), of candidate samples having power levels exceeding the second threshold. Candidate samples are those samples remaining after pruning consecutive samples that exceed the second threshold.
A RAKE finger allocator assigns candidate windows for processing by either a conventional type of RAKE finger or a Fat RAKE finger such that candidate windows that are not designated as a Fat finger candidate window are each assigned to a different conventional RAKE finger. Preferably, the RAKE finger allocator assigns any candidate window designated as a Fat finger candidate window to a Fat RAKE finger.
Methods for processing communication signals using a RAKE receiver having up to a predetermined number, for example five (5), of RAKE fingers, which combines a plurality of different signal paths of received communication signals, are provided. Signal paths are determined based on windows defined by groups of consecutive signal samples in which samples within a window exceed a first power threshold. Up to the predetermined number RAKE fingers of such windows are designated as candidate windows based on relative power of the samples within the determined windows. Candidate windows are analyzed to determine if the power of samples of the candidate windows exceeds a second threshold. A Fat finger candidate window is designated when at least one of the candidate windows has a second predetermined number of candidate samples exceeding the second threshold. Candidate windows are assigned for processing by either a first type of RAKE finger or a different second type of Fat RAKE finger such that candidate windows that are not designated as a Fat finger candidate window are each assigned to a different RAKE finger of the first type.
Preferably, windows are defined which have a power level, determined by summing power levels of its group of samples, which exceeds the first power threshold and candidate windows are designated based on windows having the highest power levels. However, a window is not designated as a candidate window if more than a specified number of samples are included in another window having a higher power level. For example, each group of samples can contain 21 samples and the specified number can be set as 16 such that only windows separated from each other by at least 5 consecutive samples are designated as candidate windows.
Preferably, only up to one Fat finger candidate window is designated, being the candidate window having the greatest power level which also has the selected number of candidate samples having power levels exceeding the second threshold. Candidate samples are samples remaining after pruning consecutive samples that exceed the second threshold.
Preferably, any candidate window designated as a Fat finger candidate window is assigned to a Fat RAKE finger that comprises an Adaptive Filter.
In a second aspect of the invention, the receiver is configured to process communication signals based in part on relative power of signal samples where relative power is calculated as a function of values corresponding to time diverse signal samples. A buffer is provided which stores at least values r(r) that correspond signal samples Sr, which define a set R of samples. R is a subset of X consecutively received signal samples S0 through SXxe2x88x921 that corresponding to values r(0) through r(Xxe2x88x921) The number of elements of subset R is less than X such that R contains at least two mutually exclusive subsets of consecutive samples {S0 through Si} and {Sj through SXxe2x88x921} Accordingly, R does not include sample Si+1 or Sjxe2x88x921. For convenience the buffer may store all values r(0) through r(Xxe2x88x921), but a substantially smaller buffer can be used if only the time diverse subsets of values represented by sample set R are stored.
A processor is operatively associated with the buffer for calculating relative sample power based on values r(r) that correspond to signal sample elements Sr of the selected subset R of X consecutively received signal samples. Values of samples not contained in R, such as values r(i+1) or r(jxe2x88x921) that correspond to signal sample elements Si+1 and Sjxe2x88x921, respectively, are not used in the calculation. Accordingly, relative power is calculated based on sample series representing at least two diverse time intervals.
Preferably, the processor is configured to calculate relative power utilizing a function based on an index set I comprised of mutually exclusive subsets of positive integers, such that, for each subset of I, a corresponding subset of R is utilized in calculating relative power.
Each pair of consecutive samples represents a sampling time interval t that corresponds to the sampling rate used in obtaining samples of a received signal. Preferably, at least two mutually exclusive subsets of the X consecutive samples exist that contain at least consecutive samples {Si+1 through Si+51} and {Sjxe2x88x9251 through Sjxe2x88x921}, respectively, and do not contain any elements of subset R. In such case, subset R is defined by at least three mutually exclusive subsets of consecutive samples, which represent groups of consecutive samples mutually offset in time by at least 50 times t.
Preferably, the processor is configured to calculate correlation power PkPN between a PN scrambling sequence and a received signal for a sample Sk based on:       P    k    PN    =            ∑              m        ∈        I                    xe2x80x83                        xe2x80x83                  "LeftBracketingBar"                        ∑                      n            =            0                                N            -            1                                            xe2x80x83                                              r                                      (                              Nm                +                n                            )                                                                    c              *                                                  (                              Nm                +                n                -                k                            )                                          "RightBracketingBar"
where N is a predefined constant and c(xc2x7) represents values corresponding to PN scrambling sequences. In order to limit processing time, index set I is preferably defined by no more than 150 elements. In one example, the index set I equals {0-9, 50-69, 100-199}, N is 256. This results in R being defined by three corresponding mutually exclusive subsets of consecutive samples that represent groups of samples mutually offset in time by more than 5000 times t.
A RAKE finger allocation block preferably includes the buffer and associated processor configured for time diverse integration so that correlation powers of samples Sk are calculated in the allocation block on a time diverse integration basis. However, implementation of time diverse integration can be similarly applied to other components where relative signal sample power is calculated.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description.

Receiver for wireless telecommunication stations and method