A transition detection circuit detects a transition of a state of a pixel clock, and outputs a detection signal according to a timing of the detected state transition. A control signal generation circuit generates a control signal according to the detection signal and phase data indicating a transition timing of the pixel clock. A pixel clock control circuit causes the state of the pixel clock to transit according to the control signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a pixel clock generation device, a laser scanning device, and an image forming device, and more particularly, to a pixel clock generation device generating a pixel clock, a laser scanning device and an image forming device including the pixel clock generation device.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 shows a general configuration of an image forming device, such as a laser printer and a digital composite device. In FIG. 1, a laser light emitted from a semiconductor laser unit 1009 undergoes a scanning by a rotating polygon mirror 1003, and is projected via a scanning lens 1002 on a photo conductor 1001 which is a scanned medium. The projected laser light forms an optical spot on the photo conductor 1001, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photo conductor 1001. Additionally, the polygon mirror 1003 projects the laser light on a photodetector 1004 each time the scanning of one line is finished. When the laser light is projected on the photodetector 1004, the photodetector 1004 converts this laser light into an electric signal, and supplies this electric signal into a phase synchronous circuit 1006. When the electric signal is supplied, the phase synchronous circuit 1006 generates a picture clock (also referred to as a pixel clock) for next one line. Besides, the phase synchronous circuit 1006 is supplied with a high-frequency clock signal from a clock generation circuit 1005; based on the above-mentioned electric signal and the high-frequency clock signal, the picture clock with phase synchronization is generated.
The generated picture clock is supplied to an image processing unit 1007 and a laser drive circuit 1008. The image processing unit 1007 supplies image data to the laser drive circuit 1008 according to the picture clock. The laser drive circuit 1008 drives the semiconductor laser unit 1009 according to the picture clock. Thereby, the electrostatic latent image of the supplied image data is formed on the photo conductor 1001.
Thus, in the image forming device shown in FIG. 1, a light-emission time of a semiconductor laser included in the semiconductor laser unit 1009 is controlled according to the picture clock having a phase set for each line, and the electrostatic latent image on the photo conductor 1001 is controlled accordingly.
A rotating deflector, such as a polygon scanner, is used by a scanning optical system in the above-described configuration. However, the configuration using the rotating deflector has a problem that a distance between a deflective reflection plane and a rotation axis in this deflector varies, and accordingly, a scanning speed of the optical spot (i.e., a scanning beam) scanning a scanned surface becomes irregular. This scanning speed irregularity causes fluctuation in an image, resulting in a deteriorated image quality. Therefore, the scanning irregularity needs correction when a high-quality image is required.
Further, when a multi-beam optical system is used as a light source, a difference in oscillation wavelengths of light-emitting sources of the multi-beam optical system causes exposure displacements, resulting in a difference in scanning widths of optical spots corresponding to the respective light-emitting sources on a scanned medium. Therefore, the scanning width needs correction.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 11-167081 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2001-228415 disclose examples of techniques for performing the above-mentioned corrections, such as a method in which an optical spot position is controlled along a scanning line by changing a frequency of a picture clock.
However, the above-mentioned conventional technique of changing the frequency of the picture clock (which is referred to as a frequency modulation method) involves a complicatedly structured picture clock control part. Additionally, this complication increases as a frequency modulation width becomes small. Thus, the frequency modulation method according to the conventional technique has a problem that a fine control cannot be performed.

Pixel clock generation device causing state transition of pixel clock according to detected state transition and phase data indicating phase shift amount


A method and a device are disclosed for operating a data processing network which includes a plurality of geographically spaced-apart data centers and a large number of client computers, data being transmittable between each of the client computers and at least to one of the data centers, wherein one or more virtual servers is operateable in each of the data centers. According to at least one embodiment, access data is collected including information on geographical location of the client, geographical location of the virtual servers and the degree of utilization of the virtual servers. The access data collected is analyzed and, using the result of analysis, a migration plan, which is improved with respect to the mean latency, is created for the deployment of the virtual servers among the data centers. The virtual servers are migrated between the data centers in accordance with the migration plan.

Data processing networks are used in particular in modern medical technology. The (software) applications made available by the data centers are, by way of example, applications for displaying and diagnosing medical image data.
Within the framework of increasing networking and division of tasks in the medical sphere, medical applications are currently conventionally implemented on a multi-level basis and "distributed" (deployed) among a large number of clients on the one hand and one or more servers on the other hand. Here and below the components of such an application which are implemented by the client are called "(application) frontend modules" or "(application) frontends" for short. In a differentiation herefrom the components of the application which are implemented by a server are called "(application) backend modules" or "(application) backends" for short.
Recently there has increasingly been a tendency even in the medical sector to outsource servers and the application backends implemented thereon increasingly from the individual hospitals and other medical organizational structures to comprehensively organized data centers from where server-side hardware and software are made available as an external service within the framework of what is known as a 'cloud computing' concept.
The use of a data center allows flexible scalability of the available computing power in particular. Therefore, when deploying a medical application in a data center, a maximum number of virtual servers which can be started and operated simultaneously with each other is conventionally specified. A virtual server includes in this connection one instance of the backend of a deployed medical application respectively. The costs associated with operation of the application at the data center are usually calculated only on the basis of use, however, and are determined in particular by the number of virtual servers that are actually running simultaneously.

Operation of a data processing network having a plurality of geographically spaced-apart data centers


A fastener installation guide for securing a top plate to a roof support member comprises a grip assembly, a roof support member alignment wall and a fastener retention assembly transverse to the grip assembly. The handle portion has first and second top plate alignment members oriented generally perpendicular to one another. A gripping surface extends between the first and second top plate alignment members and the roof support member alignment defines a first plane oriented transversely to the grip assembly. The fastener retention assembly defines a fastener retention channel and has a fastener alignment wall which defines a second plane, a roof support member alignment edge and a bottom edge. The fastener retention channel is oriented at an angle θ with respect to the second plane.

The present disclosure relates to tools and methods for installing fasteners into the wooden frame of a building. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a guide for precise installation of fasteners to secure the top plate to trusses or rafters.
The wooden frames of modern buildings must meet requirements set forth in local and state building codes based on codes such as the International Residential Code and the International Building Code. To satisfy bare minimum requirements of such building codes, the top plate and the rafters or trusses must resist substantial amounts of uplift force. In locations that experience increased wind uplift and/or seismic activity a stronger connection between the top plate and rafters or trusses is required.
Traditionally, a stronger connection between the top plate and rafters or trusses is accomplished using hurricane clips or other forms of metal straps or clips. Traditionally, hurricane clips are inefficient to install, as 8 or more nails or threaded fasteners are required to satisfy connection force requirements.
A secure and more time-efficient connection between the top plate and rafters or trusses can be made using a 6 inch threaded fastener such as the TimberLok® wood screw manufactured and marketed by OMG, Inc. of Agawam, Mass. To secure the components with the required amount of retention, the threaded fastener is driven through the top plate and into the rafters or trusses at a 22.5° (±5°) angle with respect to an axis defined by a structural member such as a vertical framing stud and/or top plate. Though securing a single fastener is quicker than attaching a hurricane clip, it is difficult to consistently estimate a precise 22.5° angle, and using a protractor and a level to install a threaded fastener can be just as difficult and time-consuming as conventional methods.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved apparatus and method to secure a top plate and rafters or trusses by a threaded fastener having a consistently precise 22.5° angle ±5°.

Apparatus and method for installing fasteners to secure framing components


An indwelling catheter device and a method of treatment using the indwelling catheter device are provided. The indwelling catheter device includes an elongate shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first lumen extending longitudinally therethrough and an inflation lumen extending at least partially through the shaft. The distal portion of the shaft includes a first opening connected to the first lumen. The catheter device further includes a balloon operably connected to an outer surface of the shaft proximal to the first opening wherein the balloon at least partially surrounds the shaft. The inflation lumen is connected to the balloon for selective inflation and deflation of the balloon for disrupting migration of the occluding material and inhibiting the material from occluding the first opening when the catheter device is indwelling.

Catheters or other medical devices for placement into a patient's vascular system are used for many procedures. Frequently these devices are left in place for extended periods, especially when the procedures are performed on a periodic basis and can include several treatments per week. For example, some catheters are used in the simultaneous introduction of fluid into the body and withdrawal of fluid from the body. Such indwelling catheters are particularly useful in hemodialysis. The hemodialysis catheter is typically inserted partially within the body with the distal end placed in a blood vessel and the proximal end external to the body and connectable to another device such as a dialysis unit. An indwelling hemodialysis catheter is advantageous in that the patient does not need to have repeated needle insertions into the skin to gain access to the vasculature each time a dialysis procedure is initiated. Any type of indwelling medical device has the advantage of allowing repeated treatments using the same device for access to the body without the need for reinserting the device for each treatment.
However, several disadvantages are associated with leaving an indwelling device in place for an extended period of time. Patients may develop an infection at the insertion site or in the tissue surrounding the indwelling device. In addition, clots or a fibrous sheath may develop and occlude openings in the catheter and provide additional sources for infections to develop. The fibrous sheath originates from the insertion point at the patient's skin and migrates distally along the device until the openings in the device become occluded. The fibrous sheath typically begins to develop within twenty-four hours of insertion of the device into the patient with an initial thrombus present which is composed of platelets, fibrin, red blood cells, and white blood cells. After three days, the thrombi continue to thicken forming a fibrous sheath and within one week, smooth muscle cells infiltrate the fibrous sheath. The surface of the fibrous sheath is covered with endothelial cells oriented in the direction of blood flow. Within two weeks, the sheath is a mixture of smooth muscle cells and collagen and at three to four weeks, the volume of collagen increases and becomes organized in thicker, coiled bundles. After two to six months collagen is the main component. Sufficient migration and development of the fibrous sheath become evident with a decrease in flow rate through the device to indicate that an opening has become at least partially occluded.
Occluding the opening(s) presents the additional problem that successive treatments require substantially more time to adequately perform the procedure and may increase the costs relating to the treatment. The openings may become completely occluded, for example, by the sheath, so that the device must be removed and a new device inserted. Treatments including pharmaceutical compositions have been used during each procedure to try to disrupt the sheath or clot. However, some pharmaceutical compositions may further complicate the treatment and add to the costs of the procedure.
What is needed is an improved medical device and associated methods that disrupt the migration and inhibit the formation of the occluding materials, such as a fibrous sheath, around the device and allow flow to continue through the device at a sufficiently high rate for treatment.

Chronic hemodialysis catheter with balloon


A method of providing web accessing service and a server apparatus for carrying out the method, wherein access from a user in a LAN to a search engine is monitored, and keyword information is stored. Then, based on the keyword information, the access to the search engine is made again by a web site storage server, and resulting contents of web sites are all stored in the web site storage server.

The present invention relates to a system for providing efficient web access from facilities in which a LAN (Local Area Network) including a plurality of users, a comparatively low quality communication line, and a comparatively high quality communication line are interconnected. More specifically, the invention relates to a system for efficiently providing web access within transportation means such as an aircraft or watercraft, or a building that makes a contract for connection to a plurality of lines.
In order to provide web access service to a user within passenger transportation means such as the aircraft or the watercraft, which is not connected to the ground through wired communication or short distance wireless communication, long distance wireless communication is employed.
The bandwidth of the web access through the long distance wireless communication, however, is narrower than the bandwidth of web access through a communication network on the ground, and the web access through the long distance wireless communication costs more than the web access through the communication network on the ground. Accordingly, in order to solve this problem, there is provided means for employing a proxy server for making web access, which has already been used. According to this method, the proxy server is disposed inside the transportation means. Then, by storing the contents of websites accessed by a user in the proxy server, and loading in advance the contents of websites the user could access into the proxy server while the transportation means is on the ground or in port, cheap and comfortable web access is provided to the user, with minimum use of the long distance wireless communication. As an example of employing the proxy server for this purpose, JP-A-11-127097 can be pointed out.
On the other hand, recent advances in a Quality of Service (QoS) guaranteeing technique in the Internet has opened an opportunity for a business for providing a high quality line of a type with a guaranteed communication speed with hourly base charge. Assume that a contract is made for connection to this high quality line for only a predetermined time period, in addition to connection to an always-on low quality connecting line. Then, by downloading web information to the proxy server in advance within a period in which the high quality line can be used, as in the above-mentioned case of the transportation means, it becomes possible for even an office that cannot afford to be always connected to the high quality line to provide cheap and comfortable web access to the user.
When the user desires to obtain detailed information during the web access, it is common practice to use a web site for performing a keyword search, referred to as a search engine. It is the web site that provides a service for listing web site candidates that have information matching a keyword entered on a web page, which plainly indicates information the user desires to know. The user selects among the listed web site candidates a site for obtaining the information and accesses the site. If there are too many candidates listed, another keyword can also be added to narrow the candidates down to fewer one.
In most cases, the contents of web sites loaded into the proxy server in advance in the case of the transportation means are determined from web sites the user often accessed in the past inside the transportation means. Alternatively, the contents of web sites are determined in view of managerial circumstances. Consequently, it often happens that the contents of major web sites are selected of which URLs are known to a lot of user, or the contents of sites that have a tie-up with a company running the transportation business are often selected.
However, it often happens, too, that information that passengers in the transportation means desire to access is detailed information that is not included in the contents of the major web sites though it is orientated in a certain direction. Among such information are detailed route to a place of sojoum and information on good unknown spot for eating and drinking at the place where the user is staying. In order to get to websites having such information according to the purpose of a passenger, more elaborate access is needed. Thus, it often happens that these sites are not selected as information to be loaded into the proxy server. As a result, the number of accesses using the long distance wireless communication will increase, thus leading to losses in terms of both cost and user's convenience.
Further, in the case of a business office as well, information that people engaged in the same business affairs in the office desire to access is frequently the detailed information that is not included in the contents of the major web sites, though it is orientated in a certain direction. Thus, in order to obtain such information, it becomes necessary to make more elaborate access. For this reason, it often happens such information is not selected as information to be loaded into the proxy server.

Web system using proxy server monitoring server and storage server for efficiently providing web access service to users within passenger transportation environment


A multi-core LSI with improved stability of operation. The multi-core LSI includes a plurality of CPUs coupled to a first shared bus, one or more modules coupled to a second shared bus, a shared bus controller coupled between the first shared bus and the second shared bus for arbitrating access to the module(s) by the CPUs, and a system controller that monitors whether or not a response signal to an access request signal of the CPUs is output from a module to be accessed, wherein the system controller outputs a pseudo response signal to the first shared bus via the shared bus controller to terminate access by the CPU while accessing if the response signal is not output from the module to be accessed after the access request signal is output to the second shared bus from the shared bus controller and before a predetermined time elapses.

The present invention relates to a multi-core LSI (multi-core data processor) on which a plurality of CPUs is mounted over the same LSI.
In a multi-core LSI over which the CPUs are mounted on the same LSI, when the CPUs are debugging software that runs independently of each another, if a shared bus has hung up because a program runs out of control (access to an unintended region etc.), it is not possible to identify which access by which CPU has caused the hang up and debugging of software becomes difficult to perform.
The case where a certain CPU runs out of control to cause a shared bus to hang up while other CPUs are running normally corresponds to the above case. In this case, due to the hang up of the shared bus, not only the CPU to be debugged but also other normal CPUs can no longer access and come to a stop. Consequently, it has been impossible to effectively debug software in a multi-core LSI even using a debug technique for a single-core LSI (LSI mounting one CPU).
As a technique for debugging in a single-core LSI, the following (1) and (2) are known.
(1) A system controller monitors a shared bus and if the access does not terminate after a predetermined time elapses (that is, a CPU runs out of control), the system controller detects it, outputs a pseudo response signal to the shared bus, and terminate the access by the CPU while accessing, and at the same time, causing the CPU to execute an interrupt processing. After that, the operation of the CPU is analyzed and which CPU has run out of control at which point in the program is identified by checking at which point in the program the interrupt processing has been processed (prior art 1).
(2) A WDT (Watch Dog Timer) is known as a function to detect a timeout for a fixed processing period of time among processing of software. In this case, at which point the CPU has run out of control is identified by detecting a timeout using a WDT and causing the CPU to execute an interrupt processing (prior art 2).
As a prior art document about the detection of timeout, patent document 1 (Japanese patent laid-open No. 2001-167067) is known.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An anomaly detection system that performs data aggregation against user-defined subsets of multiple variable columns within an aggregation table. Various embodiments enable users to generate rules by defining values for user-defined subsets of variables of an aggregation table that is used to deploy numerous other rules. Thus, if an aggregation table includes hundreds of columns each associated with discrete variables, a user may generate rules for aggregating data into specific variable columns of the aggregation table rather than into all of the hundreds of variable columns. The user may also define a sliding time window for the rule to be applied against and to set an occurrence threshold for the user-defined sliding time window. When a rule is triggered, the anomaly detection system may automatically generate a post-analysis table by preemptively and selectively populating the post-analysis table with values of event data indicated by a cardinality threshold and/or filter parameters.

Some anomaly detection systems allow users to define custom rules for triggering notifications when computing events match conditions of the rules. For example, a rule may be designed to notify a user when a threshold number of computing events match user-defined conditions within a predetermined time window. Some anomaly detection systems use aggregation techniques that cannot aggregate data based on user-defined subsets of variable columns that exist within an aggregation table. For example, if an aggregation table includes ten ("10") variable columns, some aggregation techniques cannot perform data aggregation against a user-defined subset of five ("5") of these columns. These systems generate separate aggregation tables for each custom rule which, unfortunately, increases the amount of computing resources consumed for table management. One reason for the increase in consumed computing resources is that the data size of an aggregation table for a particular rule depends on how many discrete computing events satisfy the conditions of the particular rule. This results in some anomaly detection systems maintaining aggregated data across a large number of relatively sparse aggregation tables—a computationally inefficient manner of storing and/or accessing the aggregated data in comparison to maintaining a single relatively larger table.
Furthermore, some anomaly detection systems are limited to applying rules uniformly across a single predetermined time window that is hard-coded into the system. These systems cannot enable various users to customize some rules to be applied to a first custom time window and others to be applied to a second custom time window of a different length.
It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosure made herein is presented.

Enhanced data aggregation techniques for anomaly detection and analysis


A retractable load-bearing cover apparatus is selectively deployable and retractable along a track defining a path of travel between first and second terminus points. The load-bearing cover apparatus includes a plurality of sections that are deployable along the track in a first direction, and retractable along the track in a second, opposite direction, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of sections are releasably engagable to one another. The cover apparatus includes a drive system for deploying and retracting the sections along the track, and a storage system for disengaging the sections and arranging such disengaged sections into a vertically stacked orientation.

Structures for covering surfaces or voids take on numerous forms and arrangements. Typically, covers are used to conceal and/or protect underlying surfaces. Rarely, however, are such covers capable of concealing and/or protecting as well as for bearing loads placed thereupon. An example for illustrative purposes are pool covers used to cover at or below-grade swimming pools. Most commonly, swimming pool covers are fabricated from a relatively flexible material, and may be deployed into a covering condition through, for example, unwinding the cover material from a roll. Flexible swimming pool covers are widely utilized for a variety of purposes, including retention of thermal energy in the pool water, prevention of debris collection in the pool, and aesthetics. Such pool covers, however, are not load-bearing to an extent to which the covers may be used as a floor surface to walk upon.
Other example covers include simple floor covering of various design and arrangement, such as carpeting or the like. Such floor coverings, however, also fail to provide a load-bearing surface in a self-supporting manner. In other words, such floor coverings rely upon the load-bearing support of the underlying floor, and are therefore not self-supporting of a load placed thereupon.
The term "load" as used herein is intended to mean a load representative of, for example, a weight of at least one adult human, such as a load density of 100 pounds per square foot. The term "self-supporting" as used herein is intended to mean a structure which is capable of supporting a load without substantially deviating from an unloaded configuration, without structural damage thereto, and/or without supportive aid from another structure throughout at least a substantial portion of a load support area of the load-bearing structure.
An example load-bearing cover is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,355, the entire content of which being incorporated herein by reference. The cover of U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,355 incorporates a plurality of hinged panels that may be selectively deployed into a covering configuration and retracted into a compact storage configuration. One embodiment of U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,355 provides a compact storage arrangement in the form of a folded "accordion" type arrangement.
A compact panel storage arrangement contemplated by the present invention involves separating and stacking the panels in close proximity to one another. In one embodiment, the separated and stacked panels may be substantially vertically stacked with each panel remaining in a substantially horizontal orientation. Other compact storage orientations, however, are contemplated as being obtainable through the system of the present invention. It has been found that a separated and stacked panel storage arrangement may be preferable in certain applications over the "accordion" style arrangement described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,355. Accordingly, it is a principle object of the present invention to provide a load-bearing cover system involving a plurality of panels that may be coupled to one another and deployed as a cover, and may further be at least partially decoupled and stored in a compact stacked arrangement.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a deployable and retractable load-bearing cover which automatically couples and decouples adjacent panels in the deployment and retraction processes.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a load-bearing cover that may be selectively retracted into a compact storage arrangement.


A control method for controlling a three-phase dynamoelectric machine that has phase coils arranged in groups includes setting values of a time phase difference of electric currents to be supplied to the in-phase coils of respective groups and a time phase difference of carrier frequencies with which three-phase inverters are PWM-controlled to satisfy a predetermined relationship among the time phase difference of electric currents, the time phase difference of carrier frequencies, and a space phase difference of in-phase coils of the respective groups. The predetermined relationship is based on a result of a comparison between a current amplitude of a primary component and a current amplitude of a secondary component of a carrier harmonic current.

For example, in Patent Literature 1, a related-art dynamoelectric machine including two groups of three-phase windings is described. In the dynamoelectric machine, A-, B-, and C-phases and X-, Y-, and Z-phases form two groups of three phases. The dynamoelectric machine is a six-phase motor, in which windings A, B, and C form one group of three phases, and windings X, Y, and Z form another group of three phases.
In-phase windings of the respective groups are wound with, of a plurality of slots, first and second slot positions that are different in phase by 180 degrees in electric angle being winding start positions, and the second and first slot positions that are different in phase by 180 degrees in electric angle being winding ends.
Further, each winding is wound so that, when the winding that starts being wound from one slot position in a first direction approaches the other slot position, the winding returns to the one slot position side and is wound toward the other slot position in a direction opposite to the first direction.
Still further, winding end points of the three-phase windings of the respective groups are connected in common.
Yet further, to the three-phase windings of the respective groups, AC voltages that are equal in magnitude and inverted in phase are applied.
In Patent Literature 1, harmonics are shifted in phase between two inverters to cancel harmonic components of magnetomotive force generated from the windings among multiple windings in the same slot.

Dynamoelectric machine control method, dynamoelectric machine control device, and drive system


A new cultivar of Lagerstroemia named ‘JBG 19013’ that is distinguishable by a compact dense shrub-like mounded plant habit, glossy green foliage and pink flowers borne in profusion and continually from early summer into fall. ‘JBG 19013’ is very well adapted to heat, humidity and drought conditions and exhibits slight or occasional susceptibility to aphids, whitefly and powdery mildew, is disclosed.

The present disclosure relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Lagerstroemia plant, commonly known as Crape Myrtle, a shrub that is grown for use as an ornamental landscape and container plant. The new variety is known botanically as Lagerstroemia indica and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name 'JBG 19013'.
'JBG 19013' originated as a selected seedling from a Lagerstroemia breeding program which was started in 2008. The breeding program was conducted at the inventor's nursery in Grand Saline, Tex. The aim of the breeding program is to develop new and improved genetics of green leafed Crape Myrtles which exhibit high degrees of pest and disease resistance, high flower counts and re-flowering periods. Varieties released from the breeding program are intended to be hardy, durable, and low maintenance for the consumer. 'JBG 19013' was selected in 2016 as a seedling from the open-pollination of the tree form of Lagerstroemia named 'Ruby Prince' (unpatented) the female parent, by an unknown, unnamed male parent (unpatented) plant within a proprietary collection of green-leafed Lagerstroemia varieties. 'JBG 19013' was selected for its exceptionally compact shrub-like form with attractive glossy green foliage, and profuse flowering which, at peak bloom, almost covers the foliage and which lasts into fall.
'JBG 19013' was first asexually propagated in 2017 in a greenhouse in a nursery in Grand Saline, Tex. using softwood cuttings. 'JBG 19013' has been confirmed to be stable and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction via softwood cuttings.


There is provided a glass composition containing an oxide containing Lu, Si, and Al, in which the composition of the glass composition lies within a compositional region of a ternary composition diagram of Lu, Si, and Al in terms of cation percent, the compositional region being defined by the following six points:    (32.3% LuO3/2, 30.0% SiO2, 37.7% AlO3/2),    (32.3% LuO3/2, 37.7% SiO2, 30.0% AlO3/2),    (20.8% LuO3/2, 55.0% SiO2, 24.2% AlO3/2),    (10.0% LuO3/2, 45.0% SiO2, 45.0% AlO3/2),    (20.8% LuO3/2, 24.2% SiO2, 55.0% AlO3/2), and    (30.0% LuO3/2, 25.0% SiO2, 45.0% AlO3/2).For the glass composition, a glassy state having low or no intrinsic birefringence in the ultraviolet region is stably obtained.

Optical members have been used for a wide range of applications including cameras, telescopes, and so forth. Optical members can be broadly categorized into two groups: crystal optical members and glass optical members. Applications of crystal optical members vary depending on their crystal systems. Cubic crystals are used as lenses for imaging optical systems and so forth. The use of cubic crystals with high optical isotropy results in a reduction in, for example, birefringence due to optical anisotropy. Glass optical members are essentially optically isotropic and thus can be widely used, only considering stress-induced birefringence.
With respect to a glass composition, PTL 1 discloses a glass containing 50 mole percent to 77 mole percent aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and 27 mole percent to 50 mole percent rare-earth oxide (RE2O3). PTL 1 also discloses lutetium (Lu) as a rare-earth element (RE). Furthermore, PTL 1 discloses a bulk single phase glass that lies within the heptagonal region of the ternary composition diagram of a RE2O3—Al2O3—SiO2 system defined by seven points having mole percent compositions described below.
That is, the seven points are as follows:    (1% RE2O3, 59% Al2O3, 40% SiO2),    (1% RE2O3, 71% Al2O3, 28% SiO2),    (23% RE2O3, 77% Al2O3, 0% SiO2),    (50% RE2O3, 50% Al2O3, 0% SiO2),    (50% RE2O3, 0% Al2O3, 50% SiO2),    (33% RE2O3, 33.33% Al2O3, 33.33% SiO2), and    (16.67% RE2O3, 50% Al2O3, 33.33% SiO2).In the case where the units of the mole percent compositions of the points are converted into cation percent, the points are indicated by closed circles in the ternary composition diagram of FIG. 6.
PTL 1 also discloses a bulk single phase glass containing    (a) 1 mole percent to 50 mole percent RE2O3,    (b) 0 mole percent to 71 mole percent Al2O3,    (c) 0 mole percent to 35 mole percent SiO2, and    (d) 0 mole percent to 15 mole percent other oxides,in which the total concentration of RE2O3 and Al2O3 is at least 55 mole percent. Furthermore, lutetium (Lu) is disclosed as a rare-earth element (RE). In the case where the units of the mole percent compositions of the points are converted into cation percent, the points are indicated by closed rhombuses in the ternary composition diagram of FIG. 6.
PTL 1 discloses a glass according to the foregoing technique, the glass being usable in optical applications where uniform mechanical and thermal properties are required. PTL 1 also discloses a homogenous bulk single phase glass and a glass with a high refractive index according to the foregoing technique.
Higher integration of semiconductor integrated circuits has increasingly required ultrafine pattern formation. A reduction projection exposure apparatus (stepper) using a step-and-repeat process for transferring a fine pattern onto a wafer grows more sophisticated. The wavelength of light emitted from a light source for exposure is shifted to a short wavelength. An optical member that receives attention in optical members for that purpose is a cubic calcium fluoride single crystal having a high transmittance in the ultraviolet region. In recent years, attempts have been made to develop optical members containing elements, such as Lu, Al, and Mg, which has a higher refractive index than Si, in order to achieve a higher refractive index of an optical member to provide a higher resolution. For example, development of cubic crystals, such as lutetium aluminum garnet single crystal (LuAG, Lu3Al5O12), magnesium oxide single crystal (MgO), and magnesium spinel single crystal (MgAl2O4), have been actively conducted. In particular, the lutetium aluminum garnet single crystal has a high refractive index and thus is a promising candidate. For example, the lutetium aluminum garnet single crystal has a refractive index of 2.1 at a wavelength of 193 nm. Silica glass has a refractive index of 1.56 at a wavelength of 193 nm. The calcium fluoride single crystal has a refractive index of 1.50 at the wavelength of 193 nm.
Single crystal materials disadvantageously exhibit intrinsic birefringence in the ultraviolet region. MgO and MgAl2O4 have intrinsic birefringence values of 70 nm/cm (extrapolated value) and 52 nm/cm (extrapolated value), respectively, which are much larger than that (3.4 nm/cm) of CaF2 (for example, see NPL 1). Thus, the development of a material that does not have intrinsic birefringence is required.
PTL 2 discloses a glass composition for ultraviolet light, the glass composition containing Lu, Al, and O, in which the total proportion of Lu, Al, and O is 99.99% by weight or more, and the glass composition contains 24% to 33% Lu and 67% to 76% Al in terms of cation percent.
PTL 2 discloses a glass composition for ultraviolet light, the glass composition being suitable for a final lens of an immersion projection-type exposure apparatus, having a high refractive index and a high transmittance, and exhibiting low or no intrinsic birefringence (IBR) or low or no stress birefringence (SBR), and discloses an optical device using the glass composition.
PTL 1 discloses a homogeneous single phase glass having a high refractive index and being usable for optical applications. However, the glass has a low transmittance in the ultraviolet region. Furthermore, there is a problem in which a relatively stable, large-sized glass cannot be produced.
PTL 2 discloses a glass composition with a novel composition for ultraviolet light, the glass composition being suitable for a final lens of an immersion projection-type exposure apparatus, having a high refractive index and a high transmittance, and exhibiting low or no intrinsic birefringence and low or no stress birefringence. However, the glass-forming region is narrow, thereby failing to produce a relatively stable, large-sized glass.
In the case where a single crystal, such as LuAG, is used as an optical material, the single crystal exhibits intrinsic birefringence. Thus, the intrinsic birefringence needs to be compensated by, for example, a combination of lenses having different crystal orientations.


An electronic cigarette and a method for controlling atomization of the electronic cigarette are provided. The electronic cigarette includes an atomizer and a battery rod assembly. The atomizer is formed by detachably connecting a liquid cup assembly and an atomizer core. A control unit is provided to be electrically connected to the atomizer and the battery rod assembly. A conductive cartridge that is conductive is sleeved on the battery, and the suction nozzle and the conductive cartridge can be conducted. The control unit controls the battery to supply power to the atomizer to atomize cigarette liquid when detecting that the suction nozzle is conducted with the conductive cartridge, which effectively prevents an automatic operation of the atomizer and avoids a waste of the cigarette liquid and the energy while facilitating the user operation.

As a new type electronic product, an electronic cigarette has the same appearance and taste with a conventional cigarette. Compared with the conventional cigarette, the electronic cigarette is healthier and more environmentally friendly.
In conventional art, the electronic cigarette generally includes an atomizer assembly for atomizing cigarette liquid and a battery assembly for powering the atomizer assembly. In a current electronic cigarette, a control circuit integrated with an air flow sensor is used for controlling the electronic cigarette. When the electronic cigarette is smoked by a user, the pressure in the electronic cigarette varies, which causes a film capacitor of the air flow sensor to deform. When the deformation of the film capacitor reaches to a threshold value, a trigger signal is send to a microprocessor of the control circuit so that the battery assembly is controlled to supply power to the atomizer assembly through the microprocessor, thus the cigarette liquid is atomized into smoke.
The pressure in such an electronic cigarette, however, can vary in the process of packaging or transportation easily, which causes the electronic cigarette to automatically operate. Further, a longtime automatic operation of the electronic cigarette may cause a risk of fire and explosion, and cause the atomized cigarette liquid to be metamorphic and stale due to the atomized cigarette liquid being oxidized by air repeatedly. Furthermore, in the current electronic cigarette, for sensing the pressure variation in the electronic cigarette by the air flow sensor, an air passage is provided for communicating with the air flow sensor, thus, the cigarette liquid may easily flow to the battery assembly and the air flow sensor along the air passage during the operation of the electronic cigarette, thus the air flow sensor and the battery assembly may be damaged, causing the battery of the electronic cigarette to be short-circuited or not to work, which affects the service life of the electronic cigarette.
Another current electronic cigarette has a mechanical button switch, instead of the air flow sensor, for controlling the electronic cigarette to atomize the cigarette liquid. However, since the high frequency of button being pressed in the operation of the electronic cigarette, such a button switch is apt to fail in the long-term press process. Therefore, in another electronic cigarette, the button switch is replaced by a touch switch for controlling the electronic cigarette.
However, in the electronic cigarette including the button switch or the touch switch, the situation of an automatic operation of the electronic cigarette due to being pressed, touched by packers, or touched by transport workers in the process of packing or transportation may also exist, and if a user needs to smoke, the button switch or the touch switch needs to be pressed, which increases steps of smoking, and thus increases operation complexity in the smoking process, which affects the smoking experience of the user.

Electronic cigarette and method for controlling atomization thereof

HUIZHOU KIMREE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. SHENZHEN BRANCH


A mounting stirrup on a strap with a loop that attaches to the horn of a Western Saddle or the stirrup bar of an English Saddle to assist the equestrian in mounting the horse. The mounting stirrup hangs below the regular stirrup and allows a short rider to use their right foot in the mounting stirrup to gain access to the regular stirrup with the left foot. This invention allows a youthful or short rider to safely and easily reach the regular stirrup of any conventional saddle and thereby mount without assistance.

This invention relates to the problem that short people or young people have in reaching the stirrups on conventional Western and English Saddles when attempting to mount a large horse. Prior to this invention, the youthful or short rider was dependent upon another person to assist or boost the rider, to allow the rider to reach and insert their foot into the stirrup of the saddle. If another person was not available, the rider generally sought a rock, box, stool, fence or other inanimate object to assist them in reaching the stirrup. This practice, though common, is unsafe and less practical, as the horse sensing the reason for being positioned near the inanimate object often pulls away foiling the attempt to mount. This procedure is also limited by the availability of said inanimate object.


This disclosure details exemplary electrical architectural layouts for distributing high voltage power within electrified vehicles. An exemplary battery pack associated with an electrical architectural layout of an electrified vehicle may include an enclosure assembly that houses one or more battery arrays. The battery arrays may be efficiently arranged relative to one another inside the enclosure assembly to establish an open channel within the enclosure assembly. A high voltage wiring harness may be routed through an interior of the battery pack within the open channel. The exemplary electrical architectural layouts of this disclosure may be employed within all-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or front-wheel drive electrified vehicles.

Electrified vehicles are being developed that reduce or completely eliminate reliance on internal combustion engines. In general, electrified vehicles differ from conventional motor vehicles because they are selectively driven by one or more battery powered electric machines. Conventional motor vehicles, by contrast, rely exclusively on the internal combustion engine to propel the vehicle.
A high voltage traction battery pack typically powers the electric machines and other high voltage devices of the electrified vehicle. In some electrified vehicles, such as all-wheel drive electrified vehicles, for example, the battery pack must supply power to both a front electric machine and a rear electric machine. High voltage wiring harnesses are typically routed around the outside of the battery pack and connect to an electrical junction box for distributing the power to the front and rear electric machines.

Efficient electric architectural layouts for electrified vehicles


Systems and methods for providing for efficient switchover for a client in a storage network between the use of one or more a primary storage resources to one or more disaster recovery (DR) resources are provided herein. Embodiments may implement synchronization between such resources on a data plane and a control plane to allow for a transition between resources to be implemented in a manner that is minimally disruptive to a client. Moreover, embodiments may provide for processing resources which allow for switching a client between a primary storage resource to a secondary storage resource with minimal administrative interaction.

The creation and storage of digitized data has proliferated in recent years. Accordingly, techniques and mechanisms that facilitate efficient and cost effective storage of large amounts of digital data are common today. For example, a cluster network environment of nodes may be implemented as a data storage system to facilitate the creation, storage, retrieval, and/or processing of digital data. Such a data storage system may be implemented using a variety of storage architectures, such as a network-attached storage (NAS) environment, a storage area network (SAN), a direct-attached storage environment, and combinations thereof. The foregoing data storage systems may comprise one or more data storage devices configured to store digital data within data volumes.
Digital data stored by data storage systems may be frequently migrated and replicated within the data storage system and/or between data storage systems during normal operation. For example, data storage systems may include disaster recovery (DR) resources that function as a backup for a primary storage resource. Other networks may provide for high availability (HA) resources that are configured to assist a primary storage resource when desired, e.g. during high traffic periods, to provide for faster data transfers. Such DR and HA systems obtain replicated information of data residing on a primary storage resource.
In order to replicate information from a primary storage resource to a secondary storage resource, previous systems may utilize write cache that compiles write data from a client which is then stored to a more permanent storage location according to a pre-determined schema. For example, the write cache may be part of a DR node and function to compile data for the DR node until the cache resources are near full (or until another pre-determined condition is met), at which point the data residing on the write cache is transferred to DR storage. The point when write cache is cleared and its contents sent to storage may be referred to as a consistency point.
It is notable, however, that while data is replicated to DR resources, presently the transition between the actual use of a primary storage resource and a DR resource is time consuming and disruptive to a client. In many instances, the mirrored data is mirrored with a significant delay in time. As such, not all of the stored data may be available to a client in the event that the primary node ceases functioning. Further, in making the transition between resources, various controls and configuration information must be established in order to properly insure communications between a client and the correct transitioned storage volumes. Establishing such controls is time consuming and can become administratively complicated. In fact, establishing communication configurations is often accomplished on a manual basis where an administrator must manually select and assign resources for a client.
It is further noted that the above-mentioned issues found in transitioning between a primary resource and a DR resource may also be apparent when implementing switchback procedures. For example, a primary resource may be brought back online and resynchronize data with the DR node, but the requisite control data and commands to administer the primary storage resource will still need to be reestablished using the same methods.

Systems and methods for managing disaster recovery in a storage system


A damping control device which can be used to control the rate of movement or prevent the movement of a handle or other control means, such as a handle which is used to operate valves. This invention relates to control devices such as handles generally, and is more specifically directed to a damping means which can be used in conjunction with control devices, particularly those used to operate valves, to control the rate of actuation of said control device.

Many devices have control means which are rotated or sliding in operation. These control devices most commonly present themselves as handles which are used to control a device by pushing or sliding or rotating the handle. Valves are a common example of devices which have external control means such as handles which are used to actuate the valves. This invention can be used with many types of devices, but valves are used for illustration of a common means of application of the device.
If a valve is opened too quickly, the substance which is being transported through the system may cause harm or damage due to the sudden pressure increase. This harm or damage may be simply illustrated by a fire hose which suddenly receives water through a nozzle as a valve is opened rapidly. The sudden pressure increase through the nozzle may cause harm or injury to the person attempting to control the hose. Other appliances which are "up stream" from a valve may be damaged due to sudden pressure rises from a fluid or other material which is transported through a system.
Likewise, the sudden closing of a valve may cause similar damage due to sudden back pressure increases. If a valve is suddenly and rapidly closed, back pressure increases may cause damage and failure to pumps which are located down stream from the valve, and sudden back pressure increases may even cause pipes or lines which are in the transport system to fail due to sudden back pressure increases.


A compensating circuit arrangement for a power transmission system for rapidly inserting capacitance into a transmission line for desired portions of cycles of the operating frequency of the system, has first anti-parallel connected thyristors in series with a capacitance and second anti-parallel connected thyristors in parallel with the series connected first thyristors and the capacitance. A control responsive to a variable in the system, and related to system reactance, switches desired thyristors on at desired times during a cycle of operating frequency to introduce controlled amounts of capacitance into the power transmission system.

This invention relates to capacitive compensation for a high voltage transmission line, and in particular it relates to a phase controlled capacitor arrangement for series connection in a high voltage transmission line.
The flow of electrical energy between a source and a load, connected by a high voltage transmission line, is determined in part by the impedance between the source and the load, by the voltages involved, and by the phase angle between the voltage at the source and at the load. The following equation represents the transfer of power between a source and a load: ##EQU1## where P.sub.T is the transmitted power
E.sub.S is the voltage at the source end PA1 E.sub.L is the voltage at the load end PA1 X is the combination of the reactances of the system between the source and the load PA1 .delta. is the angle between the voltage at the source end and the voltage at the load
It will be seen that theoretically the maximum power is transmitted when the angle delta (.delta.) is 90 degrees and when the reactance X is relatively low. Other factors, however, limit the power which can be transmitted. For example, while it might seem to be desirable to have the angle delta just less than 90 degrees, this is not practical in a power transmission system. If, for example, the angle delta were just less than 90 degrees, and an additional load were suddenly added which increased the angle delta above 90 degrees, the system would collapse. It is therefore desirable to operate the system with an angle delta considerably less than 90 degrees. Typical power transmission systems may operate with an angle delta of about 30 degrees.
It is desirable to control the angle delta to be as close as possible to a desired value, and to be able to operate any control rapidly for reducing any oscillation in the angle delta or in any other factor that might develop from the sudden addition (or removal) of a load by, for example, the opening or closing of circuit breakers.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,529,174--Smith, issued Sep. 15, 1970, describes a transient control system for controlling oscillations related to the phase angles of the generators which might result from the perhaps temporary opening of circuit breakers to remove a transmission line. This patent teaches the use of a phase shifting transformer, or a parallel capacitor and switch, in series with the transmission line. By opening and closing the switch for desired parts of a cycle, the amount of capacitive reactance inserted in the transmission line can be controlled. However, the opening and closing of a switch in parallel with a capacitor will cause the capacitor to charge or discharge very abruptly, and this will create undesirable oscillations.
A phase shifter for controlling the phase angle between the source and the load is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,763--Ari et al, issued Apr. 28, 1987. This phase shifter uses a resonant circuit between an exciter transformer and an auxiliary transformer. It provides a faster response than previous controls, but the system is relatively complex and expensive.
One method for controlling the power transfer is to change the reactance of the power line, i.e., the system portion between the source and the load. This is conventionally done by inserting or removing series capacitors through the operation of circuit breakers. But a disadvantage of this approach is that the speed of such circuit breakers is not sufficient to damp oscillations of the power system.

Phase controlled capacitor for series compensation of a high voltage transmission line


Computing devices and methods utilizing a joint speaker location/speaker identification neural network are provided. In one example a computing device receives an audio signal of utterances spoken by multiple persons. Magnitude and phase information features are extracted from the signal and inputted into a joint speaker location and speaker identification neural network. The neural network utilizes both the magnitude and phase information features to determine a change in the person speaking. Output comprising the determination of the change is received from the neural network. The output is then used to perform a speaker recognition function, speaker location function, or both.

Speaker recognition technologies may include speaker identification (ID) systems that identify a person by analyzing characteristics of the person's voice. In some examples, sound source localization (SSL) systems also may be used to locate an active speaker. Both speaker ID systems and SSL systems may be used to achieve speaker diarization, or partitioning an audio stream of a multi-person conversation into homogeneous segments in which a single speaker is active in each segment.

Speaker recognition/location using neural network


An apparatus includes a device having n input ports and n output ports. The n input ports are configured to receive n corresponding physical objects of a physically processed, quantum redundancy coded state. The n output ports are configured to output the n physical objects in the physically processed, quantum redundancy coded state. The device is configured to measure bits of a syndrome of the physically processed, quantum redundancy coded state by passing the n physical objects through the device. The device is configured to measure a parity check bit for the measured bits of the syndrome by the passing the n physical objects through the device.

Technical Field
The inventions relate to measuring syndromes of quantum redundancy coded states, which may have undergone physical degradation.
Related Art
This section introduces aspects that may be helpful to facilitating a better understanding of the inventions. Accordingly, the statements of this section are to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admissions about what is in the prior art or what is not in the prior art.
Since information carrying entangled quantum states are susceptible to errors during some types of physical processing, error-correction will probably be used by quantum computers, in which such entangled quantum states carry information. In such quantum computers, the error-correction may involve quantum redundancy coding of the information carrying entangled quantum states based on quantum stabilizer groups.
Quantum redundancy coding involves coherently mixing the individual initial quantum states, i.e., information carrying states, with a preset quantum state thereby producing corresponding quantum redundancy coded states. The coherent mixing typically entangles each initial quantum state with a preset quantum state having multiple quantum bits (qubits). After quantum redundancy coding, physical processing may generate errors in the quantum redundancy coded states. The physical processing may include, e.g., transmission of the quantum redundancy coded states over a physical communication channel and/or storage of the quantum redundancy coded states.
After the physical processing, the physically processing processed quantum redundancy coded may be subjected to error-correction processing. The error-correction process typically involves measuring a value of the syndrome of a physically processed quantum redundancy coded state. The measured value of the syndrome is indicative of whether an error has been produced in the corresponding quantum redundancy coded state by the physical processing. Typically, the measured values are used to identify the errors, which are most probably produced by the physical processing. If the measured value of the syndrome indicates the presence of an error, the error-correction process may involve applying a quantum operation to the physically processed redundancy coded quantum state to invert the error most likely produced by said physical processing. The form of the applied quantum operation is determined from the syndrome of the physically processed quantum redundancy coded state. Usually, the set of errors correctable by such error-correction processing is a proper subset of the set of all errors that the physical processing can produce.

Syndrome of degraded quantum redundancy coded states


A differential interferometric light modulator and image display system comprises a polarizing beam splitter, a polarization displacement device and a linear array of MEMS optical phase shifting devices to modulate a line image. The polarizing beam splitter acts as both the polarizer and the analyzer in an interferometer. The polarization displacement device divides polarized light from a polarizer into orthogonal polarization components which propagate parallel to one another. The MEMS optical phase shifting device array imparts a relative phase shift onto the polarization components and returns them to the polarization displacement device where they are recombined and sent to the analyzer. The MEMS optical phase shifting devices are electronically controlled and convert electronic image data into actual light modulation.

Display devices such as television sets and movie projectors often incorporate a modulator for the purpose of distributing light into a two-dimensional pattern or image. For example, the frames of a movie reel modulate white light from a projector lamp into shapes and colors that form an image on a movie screen. In modern displays light modulators are used to turn on and off individual pixels in an image in response to electronic signals that control the modulator.
Texas Instruments introduced a microelectromechanical, integrated circuit chip, light modulator called a digital mirror device which includes millions of tiny mirrors on its surface. Each mirror corresponds to a pixel in an image and electronic signals in the chip cause the mirrors to move and reflect light in different directions to form bright or dark pixels. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,710,732 incorporated herein by reference. Stanford University and Silicon Light Machines developed a microelectromechanical chip called a grating light modulator in which diffraction gratings can be turned on and off to diffract light into bright or dark pixels. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,360 incorporated herein by reference.
Both of these reflective and diffractive light modulation schemes for displays involve two-dimensional arrays of light modulator elements. However, it is also possible to make a display in which light is incident on a linear array of high speed light modulators. With appropriate magnifying optics and scanning mirrors, a linear array can be made to appear two-dimensional to an observer. Through the scanning action of a vibrating mirror a single row of light modulators can be made to do the work of as many rows of modulators as would be necessary to provide a real two-dimensional display of the same resolution. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,982,553 incorporated herein by reference.
Manhart introduced a display apparatus including a grating light-valve array and interferometric optical system. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,102 incorporated herein by reference. In Manhart a display system employs a planar grating light-valve (GLV) array as a spatial light modulator for representing an image to be displayed. The system relies for image representation on the position of moveable reflective elements of the GLV array, which move through planes parallel to the plane of the array. The moveable elements provide, from an incident phase-contrast wavefront, a reflected phase-modulated wavefront representing the image to be displayed. The displayed image is provided by interferometrically combining the phase-modulated wavefront with a reference wave-front also formed, directly or indirectly, from the incident phase-contrast wavefront.
Many microelectromechanical light modulators are compatible with digital imaging techniques. Digital information may be sent electronically to the modulator. For example, gray scale images may be achieved by turning pixels on only part time. A pixel that is switched from bright to dark with a 50% duty cycle will appear to an observer to have a constant intensity half way between bright and dark. However, the pixel must be switched between bright or dark states faster than the human eye's critical flicker frequency of roughly 30 Hz or else it will appear to flicker. Therefore two-dimensional digital light modulators for displays must switch between states quickly to display a range of light levels between bright and dark.
A one-dimensional digital light modulator array, scanned by a vibrating mirror to make it appear two-dimensional, must incorporate modulators with fast switching speeds. Each modulator element must switch on and off quickly to provide the impression of gray scale and this action must be repeated for each pixel in a line within the scanning period of the mirror. Grating light modulator devices in particular exhibit high switching speeds because their mechanical elements move only very short distances. The grating light modulator incorporates parallel ribbon structures in which alternating ribbons are deflected electrostatically to form diffraction gratings. The ribbons need only move a distance of one quarter wavelength of light to switch a grating on or off. It is also possible (and desirable in many instances) to operate one- or two-dimensional light modulators in analog, rather than digital, modes.
One limitation of the grating light modulator is that at least two ribbons are required in order to form a diffractive modulator element. Therefore each pixel requires at least two ribbons each of which uses up valuable space on a chip. Another limitation of grating light modulators is that they require collimated light sources. Gudeman proposed an interferometric light modulator based on a mechanical structure very similar to the grating light modulator; see U.S. Pat. No. 6,466,354 incorporated herein by reference. Gudeman's light modulator is a form of Fabry-Perot interferometer based on a ribbon structure.
Microelectromechanical light modulators typified by the Texas Instruments' digital mirror device and Stanford/Silicon Light Machines grating light modulator devices mentioned above have already enjoyed wide commercial success and have spawned other related designs. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,724,515 incorporated herein by reference. However, they are not without limitations and there is room for improvement.
The digital mirror device is comparatively slow and therefore is usually supplied as a two-dimensional mirror array. Usually two dimensional modulator arrays are more expensive to make than one-dimensional arrays and require a sophisticated addressing scheme for the mirrors. A two-dimensional array requires defect-free manufacturing of N×N pixels over a large chip area while a one-dimensional array with the same image resolution requires only N working pixels on a chip in a single line.
Grating light modulator devices, while very fast, require more than one ribbon structure per pixel as noted above. They are also affected by limitations due to diffraction. A grating light modulator has a reflective state or configuration and a diffractive state. In the diffractive state incoming light is diffracted into the +1 and −1 diffraction orders of an optical grating. However, only about 80% of the light is collected in these two orders. Light diffracted into higher orders is lost and overall light efficiency suffers.
Grating-based devices use high numerical aperture optical elements to collect diffracted light. It would be desirable for a modulator to be able to use simpler, low numerical aperture optics. Grating-based devices also have some difficulty achieving high contrast in the dark state; i.e. displaying black areas in an image. A light modulator that escaped as many of the limitations of existing modulator designs as possible would be highly desirable.
An interferometric light modulator that has many desirable features was disclosed in "Differential interferometric light modulator and image display device," U.S. Ser. No. 10/904,766 filed on Nov. 26, 2004, incorporated herein by reference. That device features high speed, high contrast and is compatible with relatively low numerical aperture optics. Additionally each pixel in the displayed image depends on only one MEMS ribbon (or other phase shifting structure) so valuable chip real estate is saved. The interferometric design means that light is not lost in higher diffractive orders as can be a problem in diffractive devices.
Further improvement is always possible, however. The simplest improvement to understand conceptually would be a design that lends itself to compact construction. More subtle advances might involve different ways of manipulating polarized light and improvement of optical parameters such as field-of-view. Additionally variations on MEMS devices for imparting optical phase shifts are desirable in different applications.

Differential interferometric light modulator and image display system


An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device comprises a sensor, and a processor for acquiring the surrounding illuminance of the electronic device through the sensor, confirming a gain value for adjusting the gradation value of an image on the basis of the surrounding illuminance of the electronic device, and adjusting the gradation value of the image on the basis of the gain value, wherein the gain value is a value determined on the basis of visual sensitivity characteristics of a user.

In displaying an image on a display of an electronic device or a display of an external device connected to an electronic device, related-art electronic devices control color temperature of an image displayed on a display to be constant regardless of surrounding brightness.
Even if an illuminance sensor is provided, the related-art electronic device changes the brightness of an image displayed on the display based on the surrounding brightness acquired through the illuminance sensor.
Among the related-art electronic devices, there is an electronic device for controlling the color temperature of an image displayed on the display based on the color temperature of the surrounding environment measured through a color sensor, but the color sensor is relatively expensive compared to the illuminance sensor, and thus there are not many electronic devices that use the color sensor to control the color temperature of the image displayed on the display.

Electronic device, method for controlling electronic device, and computer readable medium


A pattern-recognition based method and system that generate a plurality of block elements based on predefined boundary conditions provided by an automated underwriting system, capture and scan a workflow object within a workflow pathway thereby recognizing and identifying block elements of a recognition block-map in the captured workflow object, determine a proximity factor relative to each workflow object of a second database, measure a corresponding proximity factor by matching recognized block elements of the captured workflow object with block elements of a workflow object of the second database, provide the measure for the proximity of the two workflow objects based on the mutually allocatable block elements, and generate and assign a conformity index to the captured workflow object based on the conformity of the recognized block elements with a stored block elements of a first searchable data structure.

In consideration of the wide deployment of risk transfer technologies worldwide, in particular as provided by insurance and reinsurance systems, the importance of these systems in maintaining the operation and operational conditions on the industry-wide level becomes apparent. However, a technological approach to many problems in this field is often difficult. For example, it is important to improve and adjust the physical design and technological implementation of such risk transfer systems in order to cope with any emerging problems; problems involving, e.g., the fact that the risk assessment can be based on reproducible results, that the error rate of the measurement of pooled risks can be minimized, that the enormous amount of data can be processed and taken into account in the measurements, and that the operation of such systems can be adjusted to quickly changing environmental condition-related parameters, and/or improved by self-adaptation. Furthermore, it is also important, that the use of the enormous resources of data can be systematized and dynamically used, which requires appropriate technical modalities and physical system designs.
Significant concerns for most automated risk transfer systems are data quality and data quantity. Estimates in the industry have found that about 25% of the operational times of insurance systems are expended on data quality issues. Moreover, related to the technical impact of bad data quality, a further survey found that about 30% of automation problems are due to poor data quality and that automated analyses are adversely affected by data quality issues, thereby often rendering automated risk transfer systems too unreliable for self-sufficient day-to-day live operations, thus reducing them to stand-alone running systems; i.e., systems that operate without human interaction and control, thereby measuring and reacting in a self-adapting manner to on changing environmental conditions. Some basic technological problems are merely related to the accuracy of data and the amount and complexity of data to be processed. Some other technical issues relate to characteristics, such as completeness and timeliness; however, these issues often end again in the problem of data recognition, data acquisition, data quality and, finally data processing. The measurement and determination of risks, in particular during the process of risk pooling of exposed components by means of resource pooling systems and, more particularly, at the level of fixing the individual risk transfer condition parameters, are technical key features in the operation of automated risk-transfer and risk-pooling systems. However, measurements of the risk, as it relates to a specific risk transfer, requires the systems to operate based on probable most up-to-date data, which, in particular, requires not only a modality for measuring and capturing appropriate measuring parameters but also appropriately fast and reliable data recognition and processing. It must be added to the above comments that cheap data storage, along with changes in regulatory requirements, have led to extraordinary amounts of data being captured, stored, and provided to insurance systems. On one hand, the processing of these data quantities requires appropriately adapted systems, as mentioned. One the other hand, these enormous amounts of data also amass an enormous error incidence and inconsistencies, which hinders the operation of automated systems. Therefore, on the other hand, it is important to ensure that, already on the technical level of generating new data, monitoring modalities are in place by means of appropriately implemented and fast-reacting control and monitoring systems.
For automated underwriting systems providing the basis for the automated adaption and determination of condition-related parameters of associated risk transfers, an underwriting process-flow for underwriting workflow objects comprises the technical and/or procedural steps required for executing the underwriting process with regard to an object; i.e., the underwriting process, the technical and other means to conduct the processing steps, and the transfer and flow of data/signaling between the means and/or steps for executing the process on the object. Each step is defined by a set of processes, activities or tasks that need to be implemented. Within an underwriting workflow, objects for underwriting (e.g., risk transfer objects comprising operational condition parameters for the risk transfer, i.e. technical objects affecting the operation and interaction of the resource pooling system and providing risk cover by pooling resources from risk exposed components, and triggering risk events in order to automatically cover the impact of occurring risk events by means of the transfer of the pooled resources) pass through the different steps in the specified order, from start to finish, and the underwriting processes at each step are executed either by dedicated technical processing devices or means, by activating specific system functionalities (also, e.g., computer program products), or by dedicated signaling to specific devices or people intended to perform activities on the object. Automated underwriting workflow systems can be set up using a visual front end, or they can be hard-coded, and their execution is delegated to a workflow execution engine that handles the call-up and signal generation of the remote devices or applications.
In the prior art, underwriting workflow systems for automating risk transfer belong to the field of so-called production workflow systems. The production or industrial process systems are dedicated to steering and executing processing steps of technical objects, such as operational parameters, devices or products, by steering and operating appropriate devices for executing the activities of the workflow objects. Regarding data objects, the process systems also serve for functional processing and the computation of data objects, in particular for the purpose of standardizing the operational interaction of such systems by generating and adjusting workflow objects by means of processing them within the workflow, i.e. the underwriting process flow.
Concerning the monitoring and control systems for such automated underwriting systems, the prior art envisions automated underwriting workflow systems that are able to provide various capabilities for the monitoring of workflow processes, which are modeled and executed within the workflow system. Such capabilities can include, for example, analysis tools for the measurement and display of metrics with respect to the status of the processes, times for executing work steps in the context of the processes, and [management of] bottlenecks within the processes. These capabilities can also be transferred to the underwriting workflow system for underwriting workflow processes, which are executed in systems that are external to the underwriting workflow system. Many underwriting systems of the prior art comprise, as the core, a workflow execution engine, a process management system or a similar control device/system for controlling and monitoring the processing of the workflow objects. The workflow execution engine of the workflow systems can, e.g., be implemented as a processor-based automation means of the underwriting process flow. The workflow execution engine steers a sequence of activities (process tasks), interactions and signaling with execution devices or means, or in interaction with human resources (users) or IT resources (software applications and databases), as well as rules for controlling the progression of processes throughout the various stages that are associated with each activity.
However, at the various stages of the underwriting process, activities typically require human interactions: i.e., user control or data entry through a form. For certain underwriting workflow systems, one of the ways for automating and operating the steering and monitoring tasks of the processes by means of a workflow execution engine is to develop the appropriate processor codes and applications that guide a processor-based workflow execution engine for the execution of the required steps of the underwriting process; however, in practice, such underwriting workflow execution engines are not able to accurately execute all the steps of the underwriting process by means of the underwriting workflow system while assuring, thereby, the operational stability of the underlying resource pooling system for the pooled risks. To solve this problem, in the prior art, the typical approach envisions the use of a combination of software and human intervention; however, this approach is quite complex rendering the reproducibility, the predictability, and even the information flow and documentation process difficult. Further, with this approach, due the amount of processed workflow objects, it is impossible to provide an automated control for the underwriting systems that operate dynamically and optimized based on a monitoring of all processed underwriting workflow objects.
Another problem in the prior art underwriting system is that workflows are difficult to generate and/or to adapt dynamically, due to a lack of the appropriate measuring, monitoring and control systems, which allow for filtering and dynamically recognizing non-conforming workflow objects. Moreover, upon reaching a certain process step in the workflow, it can become necessary to make adjustments to the processing by way of steps which are not predictable at the beginning of the underwriting process flow or workflow, and which can depend on environmental parameters or operational parameters of the risk exposed components and/or the resource pooling systems, i.e. the automated insurance systems. However, such an adaptation of the underwriting conditions and/or the pooled risk portfolio of transferred risk critically depend on correctly measuring and recognizing non-conforming underwriting objects, and, even more so, on a correct measurement of the possible impact of such non-conforming underwriting objects based on their level of non-conformity.

System and method for pattern-recognition based monitoring and controlled processing of data objects based on conformity measurements


Several elongated tread plates are pivotally connected together to form the central load-bearing portion of a ramp. Rigid side rails can be latched to the assembly of tread plates to maintain the tread plates with their upper surfaces coplanar. The side rails can be unlatched from the tread plate assembly, whereupon the tread plate assembly can be rolled to compact condition for storage.

Poe U.S. Pat. No. 3,936,898 discloses a "Portable Ramp for Wheelchairs" in which two side plates are joined at the center by a piano hinge so that the ramp can be folded about its longitudinal center line for portability. Each side plate is reinforced by bottom tubular braces. The ramp can be latched in folded condition, and a handle projects from one of the side plates for carrying the folded ramp. Hooks are provided for hanging the folded ramp from the frame of a wheelchair. The Poe construction is appropriate for only a very short ramp, if it is to be truly portable. For example, the Poe ramp might be appropriate for bridging a single low curb or step, but not for a high curb or several steps. Otherwise, the angle of inclination of the short ramp would be greater than desirable. In addition, the Poe ramp would not be appropriate for use with a three-wheeled motor scooter which has a steerable nose wheel in the center because the nose wheel would run over the central hinge.
Packer U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,711 discloses another type of "Portable Wheel Chair Ramp" in which two laterally spaced tracks have narrow channels for the wheels of a wheelchair. Each track is of telescoping construction so that the length of the track can be adjusted. The Packer construction is not appropriate for a three-wheeled motor scooter because there is no central support for the nose wheel.
Another known portable ramp construction uses side rails similar to the tracks of the Packer ramp, but without the inner upright flanges of the channels. Separate rigid panels can be interfitted with the tracks to form a full width ramp appropriate for motor scooters in addition to wheelchairs. Such a ramp is sold under the trademark EZ-ACCESS R3000 SCOOTER RAMP by Homecare Products, Inc. of Kent, Wash., primarily for use as a knock-down loading ramp for vans. The central panels are quite bulky and can be difficult to interlock with the telescoping side rails.

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A device used in oil wells having a cylindrical, central body with six longitudinal ribs extending radially to an outside diameter that contacts the inner wall of the tubing and acts as a sucker rod guide and paraffin scraper during the reciprocating action of the rod string. Three ribs at each end of the invention are radially space 120 degrees apart forming a triad that leaves three flow channels of the same size and spacing as the ribs. The three ribs at each end are geometrically the same, but they are rotated to fully cover or offset the flow channels, thereby effecting a full 360 degrees of guiding, bushing, and scraping action. Each rib has a sharply pointed wedge, aimed towards the flow channel that it offsets, to scrape and direct material through the channels into the general flow of oil up the well, the invnetion will be injection molded of plastic, having two different styles. One style, called a "mold-on" scraper and guide, will be molded directly to the sucker rod at spaced intervals. The other style, called a "field-installed" scraper and guide, has two identical halves that interfit around the outer diameter of the rod. Two semi-circular rod channels, one in each half, forms a bore to accept the rod; and as the two halves slide together, two inclined planes, acting as wedges, increasingly tighten the halves over the rod diameter to fasten securely and resist slippage.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to improved sucker rod guides and paraffin scrapers useful in reciprocating oil wells.
2. Background Art
Normally, sucker rods in pumping oil wells are reciprocated therein during the pumping act. Well borings are sledom straight, hence rods without bushing or guides will frequently engage the tubing inner wall. Such engagement will weaken and wear both rod and tubing, causing ruptured tubing or broken and lost rod sting, resulting in expensive repairs and non-production, or frequent pulling of the rods for inspection and replacement. Also, many types of crude oil are paraffin based and often the temperature gradient, in the well bore, is such to cause paraffin build-up inside the tubing, that inhibts the flow of oil and eventually production is cut off.
A wide variety of rod guides and paraffin scrpaers have been developed in an effort to solve these problems. Of over 100 patents that have been issued, only a few have gained wide acceptance. A design, shown in V. C. Garrot's U.S. Pat. No. 1,696,543, issued in 1928, has two identical halves with central bores that fit over the outer diameter of the rod and slide together using a tongue and groove concept for fitting the halves and tightening to the rod. Another basic feature of Mr. Garrot's design was four ribs radially spaced 90 degrees apart and running lengthwise of the rod guide. This tool is easily installed or replaced in the oil field, and has become a standard design used by manufactures of today.
The features of these designs are good concepts, and have had considerable success, but the 90 degrees spacing of the four ribs does not allow a full circle or 360 degree guiding and scraping action. In other words, the tubing is not cleaned fully around the inner wall. To combat this problem, many users have added a rod string rotator, an expensive additional piece of equipment.
A similarly of Mr, Garrot's design was used in 1968 by U.S. Pat. No. 3,399,730 and again in 1982 by U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,518. The 1982 patent featured two designs: the standard design, mentioned above, used as a rod guide; and a unique design, featuring a wrap-over rib, illustrated in FIG. 7 of the specification, that follows the round contour of the tubing inner wall to scrape and direct paraffin. But the ribs have such a small amount of surface area, which will wear away much quicker than the thicker full length sides.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,185, issued in 1978, has four ribs and is also similar to Mr. Garrot's design; but it has been adapted to mold directly to the sucker rod. This mold-on design has the same problems, mentioned earlier, of not cleaning and guiding fully around the inner wall of the tubing.
My invention uniquely solves these problems by contacting fully around the inner wall of the tubing. The offset ribs fully cover the flow channels and allow a full circle of 360 degrees of cleaning, scraping and bushing action. It will be used as a rod guide or a paraffin scraper, and will be adapted to be manufactured as both a mold-on guide and scraper, or a field installed guide and scraper.


A III-nitride power device that includes a Schottky electrode integrated with a power switch. The combination is used in power supply circuits such as a boost converter circuit.

The present invention relates to a III-nitride heterojunction power semiconductor devices and power supply circuit including the same.
III-nitride heterojunction power devices are well known. A typical III-nitride power semiconductor device includes a drain electrode, a source electrode and a gate electrode disposed between the drain electrode and the source electrode. The gate electrode controls the current between the source electrode and the drain electrode.
III-nitride power semiconductor devices are desirable for power applications, for example, power supply applications due their low on resistance and high breakdown voltage. In such applications, it may be necessary to switch the current path between two power switches that are connected to a common energy storage device, such as an inductor. However, unless the switching is timed perfectly, the energy in the inductor may drive the voltage high enough that one or both devices breakdown. It is also often advantageous to have an antiparallel diode to conduct current in the reverse direction to prevent opposite polarity voltage spikes. It is, therefore, desirable to have a III-nitride power device suitable for use in a power supply that does not suffer from the drawbacks of the prior art.
It is also desirable to have a power supply circuit that includes a III-nitride power device that does not suffer from the drawbacks of the prior art.

III-nitride integrated schottky and power device


A method of indicating to an operator of a work vehicle a relative location of an object, an object indication system, and a work vehicle are provided. The method includes sensing the object with one or more sensors positioned at one or more sensor positions on the work vehicle and activating one or more indicators positioned at one or more indicator positions relative to the operator based on the sensing of the object with the one or more sensors. Each sensor position directionally corresponds to one or more of the indicator positions.

Work vehicles operate in work areas to accomplish such tasks as earth moving, agricultural tasks, hauling, and other tasks with occasional or frequent movement of the work vehicle to new locations in or outside of the work area. The work vehicle may have one or more work tool that is operated in the work area to accomplish tasks. Multiple work vehicles, other equipment, personnel, and/or mobile and/or fixed objects may operate and/or be positioned together in the work area. Personnel and operators of work vehicles and other equipment maintain awareness of the work vehicles, equipment, and other personnel and objects within the work area. In a non-limiting example, an operator of a construction work vehicle may be positioned in the operator station of the work vehicle and visually check the surroundings of the work vehicle before or while controlling movement or another operation of the work vehicle and/or operating a work tool of the work vehicle to accomplish one or more tasks in the work area.

Work vehicle, object indication system, and method of indicating location of an object


An implant for a pelvis is provided, wherein suturing is not necessary for anchoring the implant in place. The implant includes a flexible sheet and a solid frame, wherein the frame can be compressed or expanded. Upon insertion through the narrow openings of the pelvis, the frame is compressed, and upon delivery at the site, the frame is expanded, and is designed to anchor to the surrounding anatomical structures.

The present invention relates to an implant for the pelvis and, more particularly, to an implant which can be held in place without suturing.
Pelvic floor disorders include cystocele, rectocele, enterocele and uterine and vaginal prolapse. These disorders are often a consequence of weakness or damage to pelvic muscles and ligaments, caused by childbearing, hysterectomy, connective tissue defects, atrophy, or physical injury. Two basic approaches to remedying this condition have been the use of a removable device known as a pessary, or surgery to replace or repair parts of the pelvic supporting structures.
A pessary is a vaginal insert, having a specified geometric configuration such as, for example, a cube or a donut, which can be temporarily placed in the vaginal canal. Examples of such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,137; U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,535, and many others.
The surgical approach includes reconstruction of the damaged support tissue using sutures or replacement of the support tissue with an implant or device. An example of such a device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,861 to Pretorius. The device disclosed therein is a sling having a flexible elongate member and a distensible portion, and is configured to be inserted dorsally between the urethra and pelvic bone, with ends of the elongate member attachable to retropubic or ischial structures. Another such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,755,781 to Gellman. The device disclosed therein is a medical sling having one or more cuts are disposed in the material. The cuts on the sling provide open areas to permit tissue ingrowth and crosslinking when the sling is implanted inside the body of the patient. These types of slings and supporting devices are configured to treat urinary incontinence rather than prolapse, and as such, they are generally located under the urethra or bladder neck.
Other devices for implantation within a pelvis are described. U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,515 to Thierfelder, for example, discloses an implant useful for a sacral colpopexy procedure for treating vaginal prolapse. The implant includes tissue engagement portions, which are configured for anchoring the implant into bone. World Publication WO 00/27304 to Ory et al. discloses a suspension device for treating prolapse and urinary incontinence, including a suspension cord, non-absorbable material, and anchoring parts which are designed to be fixed by suturing or stapling means to implanting walls.
All of these devices require suturing to anchor the device to the anatomical structures within the pelvis. This leads to difficulties and potential complications, as sharp needles must be placed deep within the pelvis into an area which is difficult to access. Furthermore, the stability of these implants depends on the strength of the suture, a material which can sometimes tear, and on the strength of the supporting ligaments, which may also be weak due to disease, old age, or wear from childbirth. The sutures are inflexible, and cannot accommodate dynamic pressures from the abdomen above. Finally, the use of sutures requires sharp corners or edges on the implant material, which are not suited to the contoured shape of the anatomy of the pelvis.
There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a surgical implant devoid of the above limitations.