An opto-electronic connector module includes an optical waveguide portion including an optical waveguide in which an optical signal is transmitted, and a connector portion coupled to the optical waveguide portion, fixing the optical waveguide portion on a PCB on which a semiconductor chip portion having an opto-electronic device and a semiconductor chip is surface-mounted, and having a first coupling portion having a convex or concave structure formed in a lower portion thereof. The first coupling portion of the connector portion is coupled to a second coupling portion having a concave or convex structure formed on an upper surface of the PCB.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical communication module, and more particularly, to an opto-electronic connector module which enables high speed information exchange between semiconductor chips and an opto-electronic communication module having the connector module.
2. Description of the Related Art
The conventional high speed signal process based on a copper wire has a limit in information processing speed due to electromagnetic interference (EMI) between adjacent signals, impedance imbalance, and signal skew. Recently, an information processing technology using light is highlighted as a solution to solve the problem of the copper wires.
The information processing technology using light can be variously embodied according to devices that transmit or receive optical signals and a combined structure thereof. The combined structure includes in common a transmitting portion transmitting information, a transfer portion transferring an optical signal, and a receiving portion receiving the transmitted information. The transmitting portion includes a drive converting an electrical signal to an optical signal and a light emitting device generating the optical signal. The receiving portion includes a light receiving device detecting light and an amplifier amplifying an electric signal of the detected light. The transfer portion includes optical fiber or optical waveguide device transferring the optical signal.
In the information processing technology using light, for signal transfer with high efficiency and high signal integrity, a low loss light coupling method between the light emitting device or light receiving device (hereinafter, referred to as the opto-electronic device) and the transfer portion has been actively studied. Recently, a variety of low loss light coupling methods such as butt coupling, 45 degrees reflective mirror coupling, or free space light coupling is being developed.
However, theses light coupling methods have demerits in that, as the number of channels increases, time and technical consumption invested in the optical alignment between the opto-electronic device and the light transfer portion increases proportionally. Also, in a packaging step, an optical communication structure needs to be embodied between semiconductor chips. It is considerably difficult in view of size and optical alignment when the light communication structure is applied for chips based on a semiconductor process. Furthermore, since an optical waveguide that is being presently used is relatively larger than the chip, a space over tens of microns or almost 100 microns per channel is required so that, in spite of a decrease in the line width in a semiconductor chip, there is a limit in the improvement of channel integration.
In addition, in the conventional information processing technology using light, since the optical communication structure between semiconductor chips manages only the transfer of an optical signal and a separately manufactured electric wiring manages an electric signal between semiconductor chips, it is not economical in the manufacturing and integration of a communication module.

Opto-electronic connector module and opto-electronic communication module having the same

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


An apparatus for producing a low-pyrophoricity, transportable, storable dewatered solid fuel from a low rank coal, includes a mixing vessel 1 in which an oil containing a solvent oil is mixed with a coal to prepare a raw material slurry; evaporators 2 and 3 that evaporate moisture from the raw material slurry; a solid-liquid separator that performs solid-liquid separation on the slurry from which moisture has been evaporated; and an element that adds a heavy oil to the slurry after the completion of or in the course of evaporating moisture.

The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for producing a solid fuel from a coal, particularly from a low rank coal.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 7-233383 (Patent Document 1) has been disclosed a solid fuel production process for producing a solid fuel from a coal such as a low rank coal. In this process, an oil mixture containing a heavy oil and a solvent oil is mixed with a porous coal, which is equivalent to the low rank coal, to prepare a raw material slurry. The slurry is heated to dewater the porous coal so that the porous coal contains the oil mixture of the heavy oil and the solvent oil in the pores. Then, the slurry is subjected to solid-liquid separation. (The solid fuel production process disclosed in this patent document is hereinafter referred to as known process A.)
Known process A can produce a low-pyrophoricity transportable, storable dewatered solid fuel.
Since porous coal (low rank coal) contains a large proportion of moisture, the transport of the porous coal means that of moisture in a sense, and the transportation cost is relatively increased. Hence, porous coal is inferior in transportability. Also, the amount of calories is reduced by an amount equivalent to the moisture content. Accordingly, it is desired that porous coal be dewatered. Unfortunately, if the dewatering is performed by drying and evaporation using a tubular dryer or the like, oxygen adsorbs to and oxidizes the active points in the pores of the dewatered porous coal. Consequently, an accident by spontaneous combustion can occur undesirably.
Accordingly, known process A evaporates or vaporizes the moisture in the pores of the porous coal by heating the raw material slurry (mixed material containing a porous coal and an oil mixture of a heavy oil and a solvent oil)(thereby dewatering the porous coal), and allows the oil mixture containing the heavy oil to cover the pores. Thus, the oil mixture, particularly preferentially the heavy oil, finally fills the pores. Consequently, oxygen is inhibited from adsorbing to and oxidizing the active points in the pores and, thus preventing the spontaneous combustion. Thus, known process A can produce a low-pyrophoricity, transportable, storable dewatered solid fuel.
The above-cited patent document (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 7-233383) also discloses an apparatus for producing such a solid fuel. The solid fuel production apparatus includes a mixing vessel in which an oil mixture containing a heavy oil and a solvent oil is mixed with a porous coal to prepare a raw material slurry, an evaporator that heats the raw material slurry to remove the vapor, and a solid-liquid separator that performs solid-liquid separation on the heated and thus treated slurry. (The solid fuel production apparatus disclosed in this patent document is hereinafter referred to as known apparatus A.) The porous coal used in the apparatus is equivalent to the low rank coal, as above.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 7-233383.

Apparatus for producing solid fuel from coal


An anti c-Met antibody, a composition comprising the antibody, and a method for preventing or treating cancer by administering the composition is provided.

c-Met is a receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). HGF is a cytokine that binds the extracellular region of the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase to induce mitogenesis, movement, morphogenesis, and angiogenesis in various normal cells and tumor cells. c-Met is a representative receptor tyrosine kinase existing on the surface of cells, is itself a proto-oncogene, and is sometimes involved in various mechanisms related to cancer, such as cancer development, metastasis, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis, independent from a ligand (e.g., HGF). Thus, c-Met recently has been emerging as a new target for anti-cancer therapy.
In particular, c-Met is known to be involved in induction of resistance to commonly used anti-cancer drugs and, thus, is regarded as important with respect to personalized treatments. Representative anti-cancer therapeutic drugs targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (also known as ERBB1), such as ERBITUX™ (cetuximab) and TARCEVA™ (erlotinib), work by blocking the transduction of signals related to a cancer development mechanism. In addition, HERCEPTIN™ (trastuzumab), which is well known as a breast cancer therapeutic drug, targets ERBB2 (HER2) and works by blocking the transduction of signals necessary for cell proliferation.
Recent reports indicate that some patients are resistant to the drugs described above due to the overexpression of c-Met protein, wherein transduction of other signals that induce cell proliferation is activated. Thus, to many drug companies, c-Met has emerged as a target molecule for anti-cancer drugs.
The related art discloses antibody therapeutic drugs that inhibit the function of c-Met. However, in this related art, the antibody induces dimerization of c-Met molecules, thereby causing cancer.
In another related art, which discloses an antibody therapeutic drug inhibiting the function of c-Met, the antibody is capable of inhibiting the binding of c-Met to HGF c-Met, which is a c-Met ligand, but the binding of the antibody to c-Met induces the dimerization of c-Met, independent from the ligand. As a result, the antibody acts as an agonist that induces the transduction of cancer-causing signals.
Another related art discloses, to prevent the dimerization of c-Met, a one-armed antagonistic antibody of c-Met, which is prepared by modifying an agonist, and a two-armed antibody using a genetic recombinant method. Product development in clinical trials is currently in the pipeline. However, even in this related art, the antibody works only when the treatment is performed together with chemical therapy. When the antibody is independently treated, anti-cancer therapeutic effects are proven to be low.
Therefore, there is still a need to develop a new pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating cancer that inhibits the function of c-Met.

Anti c-Met humanized antibody and uses thereof


Printing methods are provided. In one method an inkjet image is printed using an ink having a colorant with an electrical charge of a first polarity dispersed in a hydrophilic liquid carrier fluid with an electrical charge of a second polarity that is the opposite polarity of the first polarity. A colorant attracting toner image conforming to the inkjet image is generated using toner particles of the second polarity. The colorant attracting toner image is transferred in registration with an unabsorbed volume of the ink jet image on the receiver. The difference in polarity between the toner particles and the colorant attracts the colorant and the toner particles. The toner particles are fixed to the receiver. After fixing colorant attracted to the toner particles is bound to the toner particles so that removal of the toner from the receiver also removes any colorant attached to the toner from the receiver.

Printing methods are provided. In one method an inkjet image is printed using an ink having a colorant with an electrical charge of a first polarity dispersed in a hydrophilic liquid carrier fluid with an electrical charge of a second polarity that is the opposite polarity of the first polarity. A colorant attracting toner image conforming to the inkjet image is generated using toner particles of the second polarity. The colorant attracting toner image is transferred in registration with an unabsorbed volume of the ink jet image on the receiver so that the difference in polarity between the toner particles and the colorant attracts the colorant and the toner particles. The toner particles are fixed to the receiver. After fixing the colorant attracted to the toner particles is bound to the toner particles so that removal of the toner from the receiver also removes any colorant attached to the toner from the receiver.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Inkjet printing method with enhanced deinkability


An apparatus for and method of generating soft decision information from a sequence of hard symbol decisions output from a decoder in a concatenated communications receiver. Soft symbol decisions are computed given hard symbol decisions from the equalizer, channel estimation information (i.e. FIR filter taps used to estimate the channel), and the input samples received from the channel. The log likelihood ratio (LLR) for all symbol possibilities is calculated by computing the conditional probability of the input sample sequence given the hard symbol decision sequence. The noise variance is optionally used in computing the soft output values, thus improving the overall performance of the receiver. In one embodiment, symbol vectors are calculated beforehand and stored in a table. An error vector calculator functions to calculate an error vector that is applied to soft output calculation units. Each soft output calculation unit functions to generate a soft output value for a particular symbol candidate.

The present invention relates generally to communication systems and more particularly relates to an apparatus for and a method of generating soft decision information for symbols received over a channel.
In recent years, the world has witnessed explosive growth in the demand for wireless communications and it is predicted that this demand will increase in the future. There are already over 500 million users that subscribe to cellular telephone services and the number is continually increasing. Eventually, in the not too distant future the number of cellular subscribers will exceed the number of fixed line telephone installations. Already, in many cases, the revenues from mobile services already exceeds that for fixed line services even though the amount of traffic generated through mobile phones is much less than in fixed networks.
Other related wireless technologies have experienced growth similar to that of cellular. For example, cordless telephony, two way radio trunking systems, paging (one way and two way), messaging, wireless local area networks (WLANs) and wireless local loops (WLLs). In addition, new broadband communication schemes are rapidly being deployed to provide users with increased bandwidth and faster access to the Internet. Broadband services such as xDSL, short range high speed wireless connections, high rate satellite downlink (and the uplink in some cases) are being offered to users in more and more locations.
In connection with cellular services, the majority of users currently subscribe to digital cellular networks. Almost all new cellular handsets sold to customers are based on digital technology, typically second generation digital technology. Currently, third generation digital networks are being designed and tested which will be able to support data packet networks and much higher data rates. The first generation analog systems comprise the well known protocols AMPS, TACS, etc. The digital systems comprise GSM, TDMA (IS-136) or CDMA (IS-95), for example.
A diagram illustrating an example prior art communication system employing an inner and outer encoder in the transmitter, inner and outer decoding stages in the receiver and a noise source after the channel is shown in FIG. 1. The communication system, generally referenced 10, represents the typical scheme that may be used in providing many of the communication services described above. In such a system, the transmitter 11 comprises an encoder 14, symbol generator 16 and modulator 18. Input data bits 12 to be transmitted are input to the encoder 14, which may comprise an error correction encoder such as a Reed Solomon encoder, a convolutional encoder, a parity bit generator, etc. The encoder functions to add redundancy bits to enable errors in transmission to be located and corrected.
It is noted that both the inner and outer decoders in the receiver have complementary encoders in the transmitter. The outer encoder in the transmitter comprises the encoder 14, e.g., Reed Solomon, etc. The inner encoder comprises the channel 20 which often times can be modeled as an L-symbol long FIR-type channel.
The bits output of the encoder are then mapped to symbols by the symbol generator 16. The symbol generator functions to transform the bits to modulator symbols. For example, an 8-PSK modulator converts input bits into one of eight symbols. Thus, the symbol generator generates a symbol for every three input bits.
The output from the mapper is input to the modulator which receives symbols in the M-ary alphabet and generates the analog signal subsequently transmitted over the channel 20. The channel may comprise a mobile wireless channel, e.g., cellular, cordless, a fixed wireless channel, e.g., satellite, or may comprise a wired channel, e.g., xDSL, ISDN, Ethernet, etc. The processing performed in the transmitter is intended to generate a signal that can be transmitted over the channel to provide robust, error free detection by the receiver.
At the receiver 13, the analog signal from the channel is input to front end circuitry 22 which demodulates and samples the received signal to generate received samples y(k) 21. The samples are first input to an inner decoder 24. An example of an inner decoder is an equalizer which compensates for the ISI caused by the delay and time spreading of the channel. Examples of commonly used types of equalizers include the maximum likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE) equalizer that utilizes the well known Viterbi Algorithm (VA), linear equalizer and decision feedback equalizer (DFE). The function of the equalizer is to detect the symbols that were originally transmitted by the modulator.
The output of the inner decoder comprises symbols s(k) 23 which represent hard decisions. The hard decisions are then input to an outer decoder 26 which functions to locate and fix errors using the redundancy inserted by the encoder. The outer decoder generates the binary receive data.
An example of an outer decoder is a convolutional decoder that utilizes the Viterbi Algorithm. The Viterbi algorithm is widely used in communication systems and has been adapted to perform functions including demodulation, decoding, equalization, etc. Many systems utilize the Viterbi Algorithm in both the inner and outer decoding stages.
As described above, the outer decoder, in some systems, is adapted to utilize the hard decisions output from the inner decoder, e.g., the equalizer. Optimal decoders, on the other hand, require soft decision inputs. For example, an outer decoder that utilizes the Viterbi Algorithm to perform convolutional forward error correction decoding, requires soft decisions as input. The advantage of a Viterbi decoder is that it can efficiently process soft decision information.
One drawback of such a system is that in some cases the outer decoder is very sensitive to error bursts produced by the inner decoder. A second drawback arises when the inner decoder cannot provide soft decision information and thus only provides hard decisions to the outer decoder. In such a system, the performance of the outer stages of a concatenated coding system is substantially lower than that of a system wherein the inner decoder is capable of generating soft decision information.
The problem is illustrated by considering a receiver adapted to handle a GSM or GERAN signal. Such a system utilizes convolutional coding for performing Forward Error Correction (FEC) over channels that require equalization. The equalizer and outer FEC decoder typically used employ the Viterbi Algorithm in their operation. The output of the equalizer, however, only produces hard decisions which leads to reduced performance of the outer VA convolutional FEC decoder.
There exist a class of decoders that provide improved performance by utilizing soft information about the received symbols rather than only hard decisions. Examples include turbo decoders and soft decision convolutional decoders utilizing the Viterbi Algorithm, etc. This class of decoders provides better performance by taking into account soft information about the reliability of received symbols. The improved performance of the decoder cannot be realized, however, when soft information about the received symbols is not available.
The problem of error bursts can be eliminated by the use of interleaving in the transmitter and de-interleaving in the receiver, between the inner and the output decoders. The second problem can only be eliminated by providing an inner decoder capable of generating soft decision information.
Several prior techniques have been developed to provide soft symbol decisions from the inner decoder (or equalizer) that can be used by a soft decoder. Most of these soft output equalizer techniques are based on maximum likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE) or computational complex methods such as maximum a posteriori (MAP) algorithms. A few of these techniques are described below.
One technique uses an optimum soft output algorithm derived under the constraint of fixed decision delay for detection of M-ary signals in the presence of ISI and additive white Gaussian noise, as described in xe2x80x9cOptimum Soft-Output Detection for Channels with Intersymnbol Interference,xe2x80x9d Y. Li, B. Vucetic, Y. Sato, IEEE Trans. on Inform. Theory, Vol. 41, No. 3, May 1995. This technique is a type of symbol by symbol maximum a posteriori (MAP) probability algorithm which functions to reduce the memory and computation requirements of the MAP algorithm. MAP algorithm techniques typically suffer from high computational complexity. With this algorithm, however, the memory requirement increases linearly with the sequence length which makes it unsuitable for long sequences. A suboptimum soft-output algorithm (SSA) is described which is an extension of the Viterbi Algorithm with the additional requirements of storing a soft survivor for each state and updating it recursively. This suboptimal algorithm sacrifices a modest amount of performance in return for reduced complexity. Its complexity, however is still higher than that of the VA.
Another extension of the Viterbi Algorithm is described in xe2x80x9cA Viterbi Algorithm with Soft-Decision Outputs and its Applications,xe2x80x9d J. Hagenauer and P. Hoeher, Proc. GLOBCOM ""89 (Dallas, Tex.), Nov. 1989, Vol. 3, pages 47.1.1-47.1.7. In addition to the most likely path sequence, the algorithm provides either a posteriori probability of each symbol or a reliability value. From this, the soft decisions are generated to be used in decoding of outer codes. The inner soft output Viterbi Algorithm (SOVA) accepts and delivers soft sample values. A disadvantage of this algorithm is that it operates on bits rather than symbols.
A SOVA algorithm for non-binary codes that is equivalent to the Max-Log MAP algorithm has been developed and described in xe2x80x9cOn SOVA for Nonbinary Codes,xe2x80x9d L. Cong, W. Xiaofu and Y. Xiaoxin, IEEE Comm. Letters, Vol. 3, No. 12, December 1999. Viterbi-type recursions are used to update the reliability measures associated with the SOVA. This algorithm, however, is complex and requires significant computing resources to implement.
The results of a study of the design and performance of soft output adaptive equalization techniques based on suboptimum trellis based soft output decoding algorithm is given in xe2x80x9cTrellis-Based Soft-Output Adaptive Equalization Techniques for TDMA Cellular Systems,xe2x80x9d J. I. Park, S. B. Wicker and H. L. Owen, IEEE Trans. Vehicular Technology, Vol. 49, No. 1, January 2000. The study compares the performance of the soft output Viterbi algorithm (SOVA, suboptimum soft-output algorithm (SSA) and the modified maximum a posteriori (MAP) algorithm within the context of a TDMA cellular system using Gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) modulation. Soft output information is generated from the inner equalizer and used in a soft decision decoder. The trellis based soft output decoding algorithms including SOVA, SSA and modified MAP can be used to estimate reliability information.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,704, issued to Hoeher et al., describes a method for providing reliability information for each decoded data symbol at the output of an arbitrary decoder. The reliability information is generated by comparing the decoded sequence to a small list of alternative sequences which differ at least in the symbol for which the reliability is being sought.
Several disadvantages of one or more of the above described prior art techniques are that they (1) have a high level of computational complexity and are difficult and impractical to implement in communication systems having a large symbol alphabet, (2) have a high level of computational complexity and are impractical to implement in communication systems wherein the channel has a time spread of several symbol periods, (3) do not generate soft output information on a symbol basis, (4) do not provide soft output information for all symbol possibilities for use by an outer decoding stage (i.e. they do not provide a complete information packet), or (5) are restricted to Viterbi decoding in the inner decoding state.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a novel and useful apparatus for and method of generating soft decision information from a sequence of hard symbol decisions output from a decoder in a communications receiver that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. The present invention is suitable for use with a wide range of communication systems and is particularly useful in receivers that comprise concatenated coding schemes whereby the output of an inner decoder is subsequently processed by an outer decoder. The outer decoder is a soft decision decoder whose performance is optimized when soft decision values are available.
Thus, the present invention has applications when the inner decoder used in the communications receiver is only able to generate hard decisions and does not have the capability of generating soft output values. The soft output generator of the present invention is adapted to generate soft decision information from the hard symbol decisions output of the inner decoder. The soft decision output can then be applied to the soft outer decoder thus realizing maximum performance therefrom. The output of the soft decision generator comprises a full information packet, i.e. a soft decision value for each symbol possibility. Alternatively, the soft decision generator may be adapted to output soft values for less than the full number of symbol possibilities.
In addition, the invention is applicable to concatenated communication receivers in which use of a reduced complexity soft output equalizer is dictated by system requirements. This may be the case in (1) communication systems having relatively large size symbol alphabets or in (2) systems where the channel is characterized by a time spread of several symbol periods which is the case in most mobile radio channels.
The present invention provides an apparatus for and method of computing soft symbol decisions given (1) hard symbol decisions from the equalizer, (2) channel model information (e.g., FIR filter taps used to estimate the channel), and (3) the input samples received from the channel. The log likelihood ratio (LLR) for a symbol is derived by determining the conditional probability of the input sample sequence given the hard symbol decision sequence.
A key feature of the invention is that the noise variance is used in computing the soft output values, thus resulting in better overall performance of the receiver. In many real world systems, the noise statistic varies with time and cannot be assumed constant. In accordance with another key feature of the invention, soft output values are generated for all symbol possibilities. Thus, considering 8-PSK modulation, the invention is operative to generate eight soft output values for each symbol.
Another feature of the invention is that it is operative to generate a complete information packet or a portion thereof which can subsequently be used by the outer decoder. It is noted that the invention achieves this using a relatively low complexity technique described infra.
The invention can be implemented in either hardware or software. In one embodiment, symbol vectors are calculated beforehand and stored in a table. An error vector calculator functions to calculate an error vector that is applied to soft output calculation units. Each soft output calculation unit functions to generate a soft output value for a particular symbol possibility.
In another embodiment, a computer comprising a processor, memory, etc. is operative to execute software adapted to perform the soft output generator method of the present invention.
The present invention provides the following advantages and benefits. The generation of soft decision information is independent of the type of equalizer used in the receiver. This permits soft value information to be generated in a receiver that incorporates a Low Complexity Equalizer as well as in one that incorporates a Full Complexity Maximum Likelihood Equalizer. The soft output generator method is computationally efficient in that a minimum number of arithmetic operations are required for its implementation.
Another benefit is that the soft output generator method does not require any additional memory, unlike many prior art soft output techniques. In addition, the method performs relatively well for good to moderate Symbol Error Rate (SER) values of the inner decoder.
There is thus provided in accordance with the present invention, a method of generating soft decision information for an M-ary symbol in a communication receiver coupled to a channel wherein the communication receiver includes a first decoder adapted to generate a sequence of hard symbol decisions from a received signal, the method comprising the steps of providing the sequence of hard symbol decisions from the first decoder, providing a plurality of input samples generated in accordance with the received signal, providing an estimate of the channel, generating a soft decision value for one or more possible values of the M-ary symbol for each given symbol wherein each soft decision value is calculated as a function of the sequence of hard symbol decisions, the plurality of input samples and the channel estimate.
There is also provided in accordance with the present invention, a communications receiver for receiving and decoding an M-ary transmitted signal, comprising a radio frequency (RF) front end circuit for receiving and converting the M-ary transmitted signal to a baseband signal, a demodulator adapted to receive the baseband signal and to generate a received signal therefrom in accordance with the M-ary modulation scheme used to generate the transmitted signal, a first decoder operative to receive the received signal and to generate a sequence of hard symbol decisions therefrom, a soft output generator comprising processing means programmed to receive the sequence of hard symbol decisions from the first decoder, receive a plurality of input samples generated based on the received signal, receive an estimate of the channel, generate a soft decision value for one or more possible values of the M-ary symbol for each given symbol wherein each soft decision value is calculated as a function of the sequence of hard symbol decisions, the plurality of input samples and the channel estimate, and a second decoder adapted to receive the soft output values and to generate binary received data therefrom.
There is further provided in accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for generating soft decision information for an M-ary symbol in a communication receiver coupled to a channel wherein the communication receiver includes a first decoder adapted to generate a sequence of hard symbol decisions from input samples generated from a received signal, comprising error calculator means operative to generate an error vector at each symbol time as a function of the input samples, an estimate of the channel and the sequence of hard symbol decisions, a symbol vector table comprising a plurality of symbol vectors generated for all possible symbol values, and soft output calculation means adapted to generate a soft output value for each symbol possibility as a function of the error vector and the plurality of symbol vectors.
There is also provided in accordance with the present invention, a method of generating soft decision information for an M-ary symbol from a sequence of hard symbol decisions generated by a decoder, wherein the decoder adapted to receive input samples from a channel coupled thereto, the method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of input samples generated in accordance with a received signal, providing an estimate of the channel, generating an error vector at each symbol time as a function of the input samples, the channel estimate and the sequence of hard symbol decisions, providing a symbol vector table comprising a plurality of symbol vectors generated for all possible symbol values, and generating a soft output value for each symbol possibility as a function of the error vector and the plurality of symbol vectors.
There is still further provided in accordance with the present invention, a method of generating soft decision information for an M-ary symbol, the method comprising the steps of providing a sequence of error vectors ek generated by an inner decoder as a function of a plurality of input samples generated in accordance with a signal received from a channel coupled thereto, an estimate of the channel, and a sequence of hard symbol decisions also generated by the inner decoder, providing a symbol vector table comprising a plurality of symbol vectors generated for all possible symbol values, and generating a soft output value for each symbol possibility as a function of the error vector and the plurality of symbol vectors.
In addition, there is provided in accordance with the present invention, a computer readable storage medium having a computer program embodied thereon for causing a suitably programmed system to generate soft output values by performing the following steps when such program is executed on the system: receiving the sequence of hard symbol decisions from the first decoder, receiving a plurality of input samples generated based on the received signal, receiving an estimate of the channel, generating a soft decision value for all possible values of the M-ary symbol for each given symbol wherein each soft decision value is calculated as a function of the sequence of hard symbol decisions, the plurality of input samples, the channel estimate and the noise variance value.

Comsys Communication and Signal Processing Ltd.


A translation system receives a test pair that includes a source test phrase in a first language and a target test phrase in a second language. The test pair can be evaluated by comparing its components with phrases in primary pairs. The test source phrase can be compared to a primary source phrase that is the phrase most commonly translated by the machine translation system into the test target phrase. The test target phrase can be compared to a primary target phrase that is the phrase into which the target source phrase is most often translated. If one and/or both comparisons are sufficiently dissimilar, the machine translation system can be modified by deleting the test pair, by flagging it for human review, or in other ways.

A machine translator can be used to automatically translate a phrase from one source language to another target language. One mechanism for doing so uses a phrase table that specifies mappings from source phrases in one language to target phrases in another language. There may be several ways to translate a given word and the phrase table can include each of these mappings. Each source-target pair can be associated in the phrase table with one or more attributes such as the probability with which that particular mapping has been used, the number of times that mapping has been used, etc. An example of a phrase table entry is shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1SourceTargetCountProbabilitycapital WashingtonHauptstadt Washington270.6
In the above table, the English source phrase "capital Washington" is translated to German target phrase "Hauptstadt Washington." The count value signifies that 27 such translations were found in the training data, and that the training procedure assigned a probability of 0.6 to this translation; a probability of 0.4 is assigned to translations into other phrases (not shown).
Table 2 shows a phrase table where the same English source phrase may be translated into several different German target phrases, along with their associated counts and probabilities.
TABLE 2SourceTarget(English)(German)CountProbabilityHelloHallo80000.4 HelloGuten Tag 3000.1 HelloServus 170.02
Automatic machine translation training procedures can cause translators to generate incorrect or less desirable translation alternatives. Table 3 shows a phrase table with two entries, one of which is correct and the other of which is wrong. The first entry properly translates the English "capital Washington" to the German "Hauptstadt Washington." The second entry incorrectly translates the same English phrase to the German "Hauptstadt Moskau."
TABLE 3SourceTarget(English)(German)CountProbabilitycapitalHauptstadt270.6WashingtonWashingtoncapitalHauptstadt 30.1WashingtonMoskau
It is desirable to improve automatic machine translation.


A patient support apparatus including a barrier coupled to a frame. The barrier includes an interior region containing a fluid supply. A related method is provided for modifying a patient support apparatus to include a fluid filled patient support surface.

The present invention relates to a patient support apparatus and a related method for converting a patient support apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a patient support apparatus which includes a fluid filled patient support surface, such as an air mattress, and a fluid supply located in a barrier, such as a footboard, coupled to the patient support surface. Further, the present invention relates to a method of converting a patient support apparatus to include a fluid filled patient support surface.
In an illustrated embodiment of the present invention, a patient support apparatus comprises a base, a frame coupled to the base, and a fluid filled mattress supported by the frame. The mattress has a top surface configured to support a person thereon. The patient support apparatus also includes a barrier, or other means for retaining a person on the mattress. The barrier or retaining means may be coupled to the frame and may have a portion which extends above the top surface of the mattress. The patient support apparatus also includes a fluid supply or other means for supplying fluid to the mattress. The fluid supply or means for supplying is located in an interior region of the barrier. The fluid supply is configured to supply fluid to the mattress.
Illustratively according to the embodiment, the fluid supply includes at least one valve located within the interior region of the barrier.
Further illustratively according to the embodiment, a controller is coupled to the fluid supply and is located within the interior region of the barrier. A second controller is illustratively coupled to one of the base and the frame, wherein the second controller is electrically coupled to the controller in the interior region of the barrier.
Illustratively according to the embodiment, the barrier is removable from the frame. A first connector is located on the barrier and a second connector is located on the frame, the first connector being configured to mate with the second connector to provide an electrical connection to the barrier when the barrier is installed on the frame.
Further illustratively according to the embodiment, the fluid supply is one of a blower and a compressor.
Illustratively according to the embodiment, the fluid supply is a water pump.
Further illustratively according to the embodiment, the barrier includes a receptacle formed in the interior region and configured to receive an accessory item therein.
Illustratively according to the embodiment, the barrier includes a fluid intake to supply fluid to the fluid supply through the barrier.
Further illustratively according to the embodiment, the barrier is one of a footboard, a headboard, and a siderail.
In another illustrated embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for modifying a patient support apparatus to include a fluid filled mattress. The method includes the steps of providing a frame for supporting a mattress and providing a first footboard coupled to the frame. The method further comprises the steps of supporting a fluid filled mattress by the frame, replacing the first footboard with a second footboard having a fluid supply located within an interior region of the second footboard, and connecting the fluid supply located in the interior region of the second footboard to the fluid filled mattress.
Illustratively according to the embodiment, an articulating deck is included and the first footboard includes controls for moving the articulating deck. The second footboard includes controls for moving the articulating deck and controls for the mattress.
Further illustratively according to the embodiment, the fluid supply includes at least one valve located within the interior region of the second footboard, the valve being configured to direct fluid to the mattress.
Illustratively according to the embodiment, a controller is coupled to the fluid supply and is located within the interior region of the second footboard.
Further illustratively according to the embodiment, the fluid supply is one of a blower and a compressor.
Illustratively according to the embodiment, the housing is formed by one of a footboard, a headboard, and a siderail.
Further illustratively according to the embodiment, at least one valve is located within the interior region of the housing. The at least one valve is configured to direct fluid to the fluid filled device.
Illustratively according to the embodiment, a controller is coupled to the fluid supply and is located within the interior region of the housing. A second controller is illustratively coupled to the patient support and is electrically coupled to the controller in the interior region of the housing.
Further illustratively according to the embodiment, the housing is removable from the patient support. A first connector is located on the housing and a second connector is located on the patient support, the first connector being configured to mate with the second connector to provide an electrical connection to the housing when the housing is installed on the patient support.
Illustratively according to the embodiment, the fluid supply is one of a blower, a compressor, and a water pump.
Illustratively according to the embodiment, the housing includes a receptacle formed in the interior region and configured to receive an accessory item therein.
Further illustratively according to the embodiment, the housing includes a fluid intake to supply fluid to the fluid supply through the housing.
Illustratively according to the embodiment, a therapy control module is coupled to the housing to provide therapy on the person. The therapy control module is illustratively located in the interior region of the housing.
Illustratively according to the embodiment, the fluid filled device is an air mattress or a therapy device.
Additional features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


Past exhaust emission control systems fail to utilize exhaust gas recirculation during all operating parameters of an engine. The present exhaust gas recirculation system reduces the emissions emitted from an engine during all operating parameters of the engine. The engine includes a cylinder, a rotatable crankshaft and a turbocharger defining a compressor section compressing a flow of intake air to a first preestablished pressure and being driven by a flow of exhaust gas having a first preestablished pressure. The exhaust gas recirculation system is comprised of a portion of the flow of exhaust gas being recirculated to the cylinder and forming a flow of recirculated exhaust gas. The flow of recirculated exhaust gas is cooled. The flow of recirculated exhaust gas is compressed to a second preestablished pressure being at least equal to the first preestablished pressure of the intake air. And, a quantity of the flow of recirculated exhaust gas is controlled depending on the operating parameter of the engine.

The use of fossil fuel as the combustible fuel in engines results in the combustion products of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapor, smoke and particulate, unburned hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides. Of these above products carbon dioxide and water vapor are considered normal and unobjectionable. In most applications, governmental imposed regulations are restricting the amount of pollutants being emitted in the exhaust gases.
In the past, NOx emissions have been reduced by reducing the intake manifold temperature, retarding the injection timing, and modifying the injection rate shape. And, the adverse effects on fuel consumption, particulate emissions engine performance have largely been alleviated through improvements in the basic engine design and fuel selection. For example, at the present time smoke and particulates has normally been controlled by design modifications in the combustion chamber and injection pressure, and particulates are normally controlled by traps and filters, and sulfur oxides are normally controlled by the selection of fuels being low in total sulfur. This leaves carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides as the emission constituents of primary concern in the exhaust gas being emitted from the engine.
Many systems have been developed for recycling a portion of the exhaust gas through the engine thereby reducing the emission of these constituents into the atmosphere. The recirculation of a portion of exhaust gas is used to reduce Nox pollution emitted to the atmosphere. In a naturally aspirated engine this process is relative simple. But, with a turbocharged engine, the recirculation of a portion of the exhaust gas into the intake air becomes more complex because the intake pressure may be higher than the exhaust pressure during many operating conditions. In many of such past system a volume of the exhaust gas from the engine was redirected to the intake air of the engine through the turbocharger and/or an aftercooler and to the engine. Such systems caused the premature plugging of aftercooler cores and malfunctioning of the systems. Additionally, with such recirculation system deterioration of the exhaust flow was caused by deposit buildup.
Various approaches have been used to address the adverse pressure gradient issue. For example, throttling valves have been installed in the air inlet, back pressure valves in the exhaust gas, intake manifold venturi tubes, etc. to provide sufficient pressure drop to get the exhaust gas to flow to the intake air. Although this provides the necessary pressure drop to functionally operate an exhaust gas recirculation system several disadvantages, such as, fuel consumption, emissions, and/or performance occur.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.

Exhaust gas recirculation control system


An engine crankcase oil surveillance system with restoration of oil sufficiency. A vertical oil detection member extends down and into the engine sump. A timer is set for a specific period of time after initiation. The timer is initiated upon shut-off of the engine ignition system. An oil level indicator is activated when said timed period has taken place, and determines the sump oil level. An oil supply means is connected to a reservoir and to the oil level indicator for supplying reserve oil from the reservoir to the sump, upon indication by the oil level indicator that the sump oil level is below a predetermined level. The fluid from the reservoir is cut off the desired oil level is reached.

In automotive systems, lubrication is essential. When the engine is operating, the oil is circulated. When the engine is turned off, most of the oil collects in a sump provided in the engine and the oil level rises, normally, to a level indicating that there is sufficient oil in the engine sump. When the oil level is at a sufficient height, the engine when started, will be properly lubricated. At that time during operation, the oil is again circulated through the engine, and therefore most of it is withdrawn from the sump.
Various devices and systems have been used or proposed for determining the level of the engine oil for proper circulation when the engine is turned off, in order to make sure that there is enough oil for proper circulation of lubrication when the engine is again turned on. A primitive indication may be obtained by a dipstick, but the use of a dipstick requires one to raise the hood, pull the dipstick out, wipe it off, put it back in, and pull it out again. Prior-art devices and system proposed to replace the dipstick have been either very expensive or have not been able to obtain the desired results.
An object of this invention is to provide an inexpensive yet accurate system for determining whether (after a predetermined time following turning the engine off), there is the proper amount of oil in the sump; that is, whether the oil has risen to a desired height or level.
Another object of the invention is to supply the engine sump with additional oil when the sensor indicates that there is an insufficient amount of oil in the sump at that time.
Another object of the invention is to warn the driver or other engine operator when the reserve oil supply reservoir for adding oil to the engine sump needs additional oil or else replacement of reserve oil in the reservoir.

Automotive engine oil level surveillance system


A non-reciprocal circuit element, such as an isolator or a circulator, which is incorporated in various microwave devices and rotationally changes a transmission path for microwaves by a gyromagnetic effect. The non-reciprocal circuit element has a simple structure and superiority in assembly and allows easy achievement of height reduction and size reduction while preventing fracture of a ferrite plate.

Generally, non-reciprocal circuit elements such as an isolator and a circulator are mounted on circuit boards of microwave devices such as a microwave amplifier and a microwave oscillator. In such non-reciprocal circuit elements, a magnetic field in one direction is provided by a permanent magnet into a magnetic body of, e.g., ferrite for causing microwaves to magnetically resonate, a central conductor including I/O terminals is arranged at a surface of the magnetic body, and a transmission path for microwaves input from one of the I/O terminals is rotationally changed to another one according to the right-handed screw rule invoked by a gyromagnetic effect.
With the recent reduction in size and weight of circuit boards of microwave devices as described above, there is a need for development of a small thin one which has a simpler structure and superiority in assembly compared with a conventional one and can be directly placed and mounted on a circuit board, among non-reciprocal circuit elements of this type.
Under the circumstances, the present inventors have proposed, in Patent Literature 1 below, a non-reciprocal circuit element including a central conductor with radially branched I/O terminals, upper and lower ferrite plates facing each other with the central conductor therebetween, and upper and lower conductor plates facing each other with the upper and lower ferrite plates therebetween and having a magnet arranged on an upper surface of the upper conductor plate which applies a magnetic field to the upper and lower ferrite plates in a fixed direction, wherein hole portions are provided at positions, facing the I/O terminals of the central conductor, of the lower ferrite plate, notches are formed at positions, facing the hole portions, of the lower conductor plate, the I/O terminals of the central conductor are inserted in the hole portions, drawn to the rear side, and bent, and the upper and lower conductor plates are connected to each other by side walls to form a closed magnetic circuit.
According to the non-reciprocal circuit element with the above-described configuration, the I/O terminals of the central conductor are substantially flush with a rear surface of the lower conductor plate, which allows the element to be directly placed and surface-mounted on a circuit board. Additionally, the non-reciprocal circuit element needs only provision of hole portions in the lower ferrite plate and is simple in configuration. The non-reciprocal circuit element has the advantages of a smaller number of components and easier assembly.


A communication system comprises an input-output processor IOP (11) coupled to a plurality of network devices (10) and a protocol processor PP (12), both processors being coupled to a common memory (15). Memory access control means (16) resolves competition between the processors for memory access. Normally, if one of the two processors is accessing the memory, the memory control unit (16) allows that access to be completed before allowing the other processor to access the memory. But if data loss in a network device is imminent, the IOP, is granted a higher priority memory access, the memory access controller aborts (interrupts) any memory access by the PP, allowing the IOP to access the memory immediately.

The present invention relates to memory access control in computer systems, and more particularly to the resolution of conflicts between a plurality of processors in systems with shared memory. It finds particular though not exclusive application in communication systems, and a novel communication system in which the invention may be employed will be outlined briefly.
The basic components of a communications system consist of a set of communication network devices coupled to a device controller which is in turn coupled to a memory. The primary function of the device controller is the scheduling of low-level call and packet handling to and from the network devices. However, a variety of higher-level functions are also required.
A system has been proposed in which two processors are provided, an input-output processor (IOP) and a protocol processor (PP). The IOP performs the scheduling of low-level call and packet handling to and from the network devices, while the PP performs the higher-level functions. The IOP is coupled to the network devices, and the IOP and PP are coupled together and to common memory, which contains the PP code and data, flow tables, data buffers, and data structures shared by the IOP and PP.
In this system, the two processors are both coupled to the same common memory. It is therefore possible that conflicts would arise if the two processors both attempted to access the memory at the same time.
Shared memory systems are known in the prior art, and there have been proposed essentially two systems for resolving conflicts.
One, simpler, system is based on a first come first served principle: if one of the processors is using the memory, it continues to maintain access to the memory until it has finished; if the other processor also wants to access the memory, it has to wait until the first processor has finished. A problem with this system is that the second processor may have to wait for a long period. It has been appreciated that in the context of the communication system outlined above, this may cause adverse consequences if the IOP were unable to service a peripheral device requiring immediate transfer of data to main memory.
In other circumstances, one of the processors may be able to wait for longer periods with no serious ill effects while the other processor may sometimes require relatively prompt servicing (with serious ill effects occurring if it is forced to wait for long periods). This is closer to the situation in the communication system described above; the PP can generally wait without serious ill effects, whereas if the IOP is forced to wait, loss of data may result.
An alternative system has been proposed for such circumstances, based on a priority and interrupt system. In such a system, one processor is assigned a higher priority than the other processor. If the lower priority processor is accessing the memory and the higher priority processor requires access to the memory, the lower priority processor is interrupted while the other processor carries out the memory access it requires.
Such a system could be used in the above described communication system, with the IOP being assigned a higher priority and the PP being assigned a lower priority; this would minimise the risk of data being lost while the IOP waited to access the memory.
The aborting of a memory cycle of the PP will not normally have serious effects on the PP, because the PP""s operations will normally involve waiting when necessary to synchronize its operations with the memory cycles; so the aborting of a memory cycle initiated by the PP will simply result in the PP entering an extended wait state. Normally, if the aborted memory cycle is a read cycle, the PP will have to enter the wait state immediately if action is to be performed on the data just read. However, if the system includes buffering between the PP and the memory, the aborting of a write cycle may not cause the PP to enter the wait state immediately, as it may be able to continue with its processing until the write buffer becomes full.
Nevertheless, the inventor has appreciated that the efficiency of the PP may be seriously compromised in such a system, particularly where frequent accesses by the IOP are performed. In particular, where memory accesses involving a read or write of a burst of data are involved, the PP may have its cycles aborted frequently, and there is usually significant overhead associated with the beginning of a memory cycle, which will be lost every time the cycle is aborted. Thus, the PP may spend a significant proportion of its time beginning memory accesses which are subsequently aborted.
For the above reasons, it would appear on the face of it desirable to reduce the use of shared memory by the processors. However, the inventor has appreciated that advantages would accrue if the problems of shared memory access could be alleviated; for example, the two processors may be fabricated on a single substrate, employing common external memory, and data transfer may be facilitated by use of the shared memory.
Thus the general aim of the present invention is to provide a memory management system which alleviates or overcomes the above problems or disadvantages.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,771 describes a multiple processor system with a common memory, where priority of access to a shared memory system is under programmatic control through a register, i.e. variable but static on a cycle by cycle basis as predetermined through a register. U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,591 describes a system for multiple processors to access multiple storage devices on a fixed priority scheme. Storage units, which are in use by a particular processor, respond with signals to prevent access from other processors. U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,467 describes a resource sharing system but deals in detail with how a DRAM, in a memory system, arbitrates between normal accesses and higher priority accesses on a dynamic basis. The dynamic basis used is the number of previous accesses. U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,036 describes a dual port memory system with a dynamic priority allocation system. The latter works by breaking priority resolution into two stages: initial and final. A two stage priority resolution process allows an initial request to be regraded as a high priority request at a later stage within the same priority resolution cycle.
At least in its preferred embodiments, the invention enables at least two processors to have equal access but if one processor wished to access memory with a higher priority than the other, then the first processor""s access would be interrupted. Priority access is also based on traffic conditions namely, the state of one or more peripheral devices attached to the respective processor.
Features of the invention are defined by the attached claims.
In the present invention, as long as the processors are all operating at the same priority level, whichever processor happens to be accessing the memory will be able to complete its access, with any other processor having to wait its turn. But if the second processor is accessing the memory and the first processor calls for a memory access with higher priority, then the second processor can be interrupted and the first processor can obtain immediate access to the memory. The loss of clock cycles resulting from such interruption therefore occurs only when the first processor cannot wait and interruption is essential.
Other preferred features and other aspects of the invention are set out in the claims.
It will of course be realized that, although possible, it is not essential for the system to be symmetrical (for each processor to be able to access the memory with each level of priority). In the communication system described above, for example, if the buffer of a device receiving incoming data is approaching overflow, it is important for the IOP to attend to that device urgently. The IOP therefore needs to be able to interrupt the PP. The PP""s operations, however, are generally not time-critical, so the PP does not need to be able to interrupt the IOP. In other words, the IOP must be able to produce priority level signals at both high and low priority levels, while the PP only has to be able to produce a priority level signal at the low level.
Although preferably employed in a two-processor system, for example as described above, the system may be extended to more than two processors, in which case some means will normally also be required to resolve conflicts between processors at the same priority level. Various options are available for this, such as a first come first served basis (using a queue), a fixed priority sequence, or a round robin system.
It should be noted that the function of the memory access controller may be integrated with one or more of the processors; indeed, in the preferred application where the controller and processors are integrated on a single substrate, there may be no clearly defined physical boundary between the functional components. Additionally, the memory access controller may be integrated with components which detect the second state for other purposes; for example, where the second state corresponds to an imminent demand for service by one or more peripherals, for example based on buffer occupancy, a portion of the memory access controller may be integrated with components for determining a servicing schedule for the peripherals.

ESD sensitivity in titanium/boron compositions

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


Blasting method for cleaning surfaces, wherein a carrier gas is supplied under pressure through a blasting line (10) to a blasting nozzle (14), and liquid CO2 is supplied through a feed line (32), is transformed into dry snow through expansion and is fed into the blasting line (10), characterised in that CO2 from the feed line (32) is introduced into the blasting line (10) through an expansion volume (34) having an enlarged cross section.

A blasting method of this type has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,067 A. The CO2 is introduced in liquid form into an annular chamber which surrounds the blasting line through which compressed air is passed, and from there the CO2 is fed into the blasting line through a circular array of converging capillaries, so that the expansion occurs only upon entry into the blasting line. The dry snow thus created is entrained and accelerated by the compressed air and is jetted onto the workpiece to be cleaned via the blasting nozzle. This method is particularly intended for gently cleaning pressure-sensitive surfaces in such as electronic circuit boards.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,679,062 describes a blasting method in which gaseous or liquid CO2 or a mixture of gas and liquid is expanded at the outlet of a nozzle and is introduced into an enlarged vortex chamber in which a part of the gaseous and/or liquid CO2 is transformed into dry snow. The outlet of the vortex chamber is directly coupled to the blasting nozzle. Here, the carrier gas is formed by the gaseous CO2 that has been supplied or is produced through evaporation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,154 A describes a blasting method in which dry snow is produced by expanding liquid CO2 by means of an expansion valve. Through a thin tube which is coaxially surrounded by a tube for supplying the carrier gas, the dry snow is supplied to a blasting pistol which then jets out in a mixture of carrier gas and dry snow.
WO 00/74 897 A1 discloses a blasting apparatus in which liquid CO2 is supplied via a capillary which opens into a conically divergent nozzle the diameter of which increases towards the outlet to approximately three times the diameter of the capillary. This nozzle is surrounded by an annular Laval nozzle in which the carrier gas that has been supplied under pressure is accelerated to supersonic speed. The mouths of the CO2 nozzle and the Laval nozzle are level with one another, so that two concentric jets are produced, i.e. an inner jet consisting mainly of dry ice and a jacket jet which is to accelerate the dry ice outside of the nozzle.
Also in applications in which larger surfaces such as the internal surfaces of pipes or boilers in industrial equipment shall be freed of firmly adhering incrustations, the use of dry ice or dry snow as blasting material, depending on the type of incrustations, is frequently desirable, because the low temperature of the dry ice or dry snow makes the material to be removed more brittle. When particles of dry snow penetrate into the layer to be removed with sufficient kinetic energy, a cleaning effect is achieved by the fact that the particles of dry snow, when penetrating into the layer to be removed, are evaporated abruptly and thus blow off parts of the layer to be removed. Another advantage is that no additional means are necessary for discharging the used blasting material, because the dry snow evaporates to gaseous CO2.
However, the blasting methods described above are not suitable for these kinds of application, because the achievable volume flow rates and jet speeds are not sufficient and/or because dry snow is not produced in a sufficient amount or does not have the correct composition, so that the kinetic energy of the particles of dry snow is to small.
For this reason, for cleaning larger, heavily contaminated surfaces, blasting equipments have heretofore been used in which dry ice or dry snow is stored in solid form in suitable cooling tanks and is metered into the flow of compressed air. The compressed air and the dry snow serving as blasting material are then delivered together through a pressure hose which connects the blasting equipment to the blasting nozzle. However blasting methods and apparatus of this type require cumbersome installations and correspondingly high equipment costs as well as high expenses for storing the dry snow.


A sewing machine to which a circular stitching device configured to anchor a sewing workpiece in a rotatable manner includes a feeding device, a sewing device, a processor, and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the sewing machine to execute the steps of specifying a distance between an anchor position and a needle drop point, changing first feed amount data into second feed amount data based on the specified distance and a length of a stitch pattern, specifying an actual amount of movement of the sewing workpiece, and revising the second feed amount data for at least one stitch, among stitches of a plurality of iterations of the stitch pattern, that is not yet formed, based on a difference between the specified actual amount of movement and a planned feed amount indicated by the second feed amount data.

The present disclosure relates to a sewing machine that is capable of sewing a circular shape by sewing a plurality of iterations of a single stitch pattern using a circular stitching device.
A circular stitching device for repeatedly sewing a selected stitch pattern around the circumference of a circle is known. When the circular stitching device is used, a user may, for example, anchor a single point on a cloth to a needle plate of a zigzag sewing machine by inserting a pin from above the cloth into one of a plurality of holes that are provided in the needle plate. A CPU of the sewing machine recognizes the distance from the anchored point to the center of a needle, that is, the radius of the circle, and computes the circumference based on the radius. Based on the circumference and on the length of the selected stitch pattern, the CPU computes revision data and the number of times that the stitch pattern, with its length revised, will be sewn, then stores the results. Based on the revision data, the CPU revises the length of the stitch pattern for the computed number of times that it will be sewn, then sews the stitch pattern, with its length revised, such that the point where the sewing ends matches the point where the sewing started.


A vehicle control system includes a controller that is provided in a host vehicle and that controls an acceleration of the host vehicle with the smallest acceleration, from among a first required acceleration that is required based on information related to a running state of a vehicle on a road and a second required acceleration that is required based on a relative relationship between the host vehicle and at least one of a leading vehicle traveling right in front of the host vehicle and an obstacle ahead of the host vehicle, as a target acceleration.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a vehicle control system.
2. Description of Related Art
Technology for controlling the running of a host vehicle based on a target vehicle speed is known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-208661 (JP-A-2009-208661) describes technology of a vehicle running control system that controls the running of a host vehicle with the lower vehicle speed, from among a cruise control vehicle speed and a limit vehicle speed of a host vehicle running lane, as a target vehicle speed.
There is room for investigation when it comes to making a control target in vehicle control appropriate. For example, it is preferable to also take the process until the target vehicle speed is realized into account. In addition, the mode of appropriate control may differ depending on the road traffic conditions or the relationship to a leading vehicle or the like.

Vehicle control system for making a control target of vehicle control appropriate


Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus and system which may include transmitting a first packet over a first channel, which is wider than a second channel intended for receiving a second packet, wherein said first and second channels have substantially the same central frequency. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

In wireless local area networks (WLAN), network stations may use a channel access mechanism and a control mechanism to protect transportation of packets over the network. An example of an access mechanism may be a Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) and, more specifically, CSMA/CA with a binary exponential backoff method. A Request To Send/Clear To Send (RTS/CTS) protection mechanism included in the CSMA/CA mechanism may be used to protect packet transportation.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the drawings have not necessarily been drawn accurately or to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity or several physical components included in one functional block or element. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the drawings to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Moreover, some of the blocks depicted in the drawings may be combined into a single function.

Method, apparatus and system of wireless transmission


It is intended to provide a method of conveniently and quickly detecting cereulide which is an emetic toxin produced by Bacillus cereus. Cereulide is detected using the presence of cereulide synthase in a specimen as an indication. The presence of cereulide synthase is examined by detecting a nucleic acid encoding this enzyme or by an immunological method with the use of an antibody specific to the enzyme.

It is known that heat-treatment is invalid to Staphylococcus aureus diarrhea toxin and Bacillus cereus emetic toxin among bacterial toxins that contaminate into foods to cause food poisoning because they are heat resistant toxins. As to Staphylococcus aureus toxin that is extremely important in food hygiene, the detection method thereof is established. Meanwhile, any appropriate methods of detecting Bacillus cereus emetic toxin have never been developed to date. Since Bacillus cereus forms spores that are resistant to heating at 100° C. for 30 minutes, it is difficult to perfectly kill them by boiling. Therefore, contamination due to Bacillus cereus emetic toxin is a problem not only in unheated foods but also in heated foods. Bacillus cereusis known worldwide as a bacterium causing food poisoning, and also in Japan, many food poisoning cases due to this bacterium has been reported. In 1994, the emetic toxin (named as "cereulide") was isolated and purified from Bacillus cereus and the chemical structure thereof was determined (Agata, N., et al FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 121, 31-34 (1994)). Accordingly, a method of detecting cereulide by using HEp-2 cells was developed (Agata, N., et al FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 121, 31-34 (1994)).
Herein, clarifying the presence of an emetic toxin (cereulide) in foods and other specimens is very important in management of food manufacture according to HACCP, and the development of methods of detecting thereof has been demanded worldwide. However, any methods of carrying out detection of Bacillus cereus and detection of cereulide simply and rapidly have never been developed to date. Since the method using HEp-2 cells as mentioned above also requires skilled technique and has difficulty in simple and rapid detection and in treating a large number of specimens simultaneously. Furthermore, in a case where the specimen is vomit, feces, foods or smear samples of a patient, before identification of Bacillus cereus, procedures from enrichment culture, isolation culture through pure culture and confirmatory culture have to be carried out. Each culture step needs 18 to 24 hours and about no less than 4 days in total time required.
The present invention has been made under the above-mentioned circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide polypeptide and nucleic acid, etc. that can be used for detecting cereulide, and a method of rapidly detecting cereulide using the polypeptide and nucleic acid, etc.


The present invention provides a communicative glove which includes means for monitoring the glove""s integrity such that a breach of the glove""s barrier may be detected, or in some cases anticipated, and thus a warning may be provided to the wearer of the breach.

The present invention relates to a glove containing an embedded communication device. The present invention further relates to a glove that will communicate a signal to an external receiver upon breaching of the glove barrier.
Gloves, medical, surgical, industrial and the like, function principally to protect the human wearer from harm. Such protection includes protection from solid, liquid or even gaseous materials. This protection is necessary, for example, when the human wearer is handling hazardous chemicals or bodily fluids.
Glove manufacturers spend significant amounts of time and money to insure that gloves of their manufacture provide a complete and adequate barrier. Gloves are manufactured in a wide variety of types and, correspondingly, compositions. Nonetheless, a glove wearer relies on a glove to provide an adequate barrier. When a glove""s barrier is breached, the wearer is then exposed to the hazard from which the glove was intended to protect the wearer.
It would therefore be an advantage to have a glove that would warn a wearer that the glove""s barrier has been breached or compromised. It would be a further advantage to have a glove that would transmit a signal to an external receiver when the glove""s barrier has been breached or compromised.
The present invention provides a glove having a sensor and microchip embedded in the glove. The microchip monitors the glove""s integrity, in real-time, by monitoring and analyzing a signal generated by the sensor. The sensor senses one or more of several physical characteristics of the glove, each of which are indicative of the integrity or barrier making capability of the glove. In one embodiment, the glove of the present invention includes a sensor and a wire, a remote communication device can then communicate with the sensor via the wire. The wire may not only serve as an antenna, for sending and receiving data to and from the remote communication device, but the antenna may also function as a power receiver from radio or electromagnetic induction. In this embodiment, the sensor is passive in the sense that all control of the sensor resides in the remote communication device.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides a system for detecting breach of a glove. The system includes a remote communication device which sends and receives wireless communication and also acts as an electromagnetic induction source; a glove; a microchip embedded in the glove, which includes a power supply adapted to generate power from the externally applied electromagnetic induction field generated by the remote communication device; a sensor embedded in the glove which is communicatively linked to the microchip and which senses a physical characteristic of the glove, the physical characteristic being indicative of the integrity of the glove; and a wire antenna embedded in the glove, the wire antenna electronically linked to the sensor and the microchip. The wire antenna is the receiver for the externally applied electromagnetic induction field. The wire antenna can also transmit and receive a signal between the microchip and the remote communication device.

Communicative glove containing embedded microchip


A muffler system can include an exhaust pipe configured to be connected to an exhaust port of an engine, and a muffler containing a catalyst. The muffler is configured to be connected to a downstream side of the exhaust pipe, and can include a first protector stay covering an upper surface of a high-temperature portion of the muffler. The first protector stay creates a front opening and a rear opening between an upper surface of the muffler and front and rear portions of the protector stay. A muffler protector is attached to the protector stay, the muffler protector being configured to cover an upper surface of the muffler.

1. Field
The present invention relates to a muffler system with a protector which is connected to an exhaust system of an engine of a small-sized vehicle such as a motorcycle. Particularly, the present invention relates to a muffler system with a protector for a small-sized vehicle, in which a rise in the temperature of a muffler protector covering a muffler containing a catalyst is curbed, and a bulge of the muffler protector to the periphery of the muffler is curbed to enhance external appearance.
2. Description of Related Art
A muffler system with a protector for a motorcycle in which a muffler protector covering a muffler containing a catalyst is formed in a dual structure and the temperature of the surface of the muffler protector is thus lowered, for example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 4400823).
The muffler with the protector disclosed in Patent Document 1, however, not only poses a problem that because the muffler protector bulges out around the muffler to a large extent, the muffler protector bulges out excessively and spoils the appearance in a case where, for example, the muffler protector is applied to a muffler placed near a seat for a rider. This configuration also poses a problem that because hot air from the muffler directly reaches the muffler protector, the effect of curbing a rise in the temperature of the muffler protector needs to be enhanced further.

Muffler system with protector for small-sized vehicle


Miniature optically transparent windows are disclosed that extend vertically from a plane, which may be used to transmit light traveling in a direction substantially parallel with the plane. In one illustrative embodiment, a method for forming such miniature optically transparent windows includes: providing a substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the substrate having a first layer and an adjacent second layer; forming a recess in the first layer of the substrate, the recess extending to the second layer; providing an optically transparent material in the recess to form an optically transparent feature; and removing at least a portion of the first layer that extends adjacent the optically transparent feature so that light can pass through the optically transparent feature in a direction that is substantially parallel to the first surface of the substrate.

The present invention generally relates to miniature optically transparent windows.
Many MEMS structures require that light be shines into and through them. One example of such a device is a chip-scale atomic clock as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,900,702. Recent trends have emphasized ultra compact, high performance architectures such as these MEMS based devices, which often utilize semiconductor fabrication techniques to form miniaturized components on the surface of a wafer. However, semiconductor fabrication techniques are often limited in forming some MEMS structures, such as miniature windows that are transparent in the horizontal direction (e.g. a direction parallel to the surface of the wafer). In some cases, horizontally transparent windows have been fabricated by bonding a transparent structure, as a Pyrex™ glass structure, onto a top and/or bottom surface of a MEMS wafer. While these devices can operate satisfactory, fabrication improvements are desired.


The bridle or bridles of a stretching or levelling line for a thin metal strip, e.g. of a thickness of up to 1 mm, can have at least one roll of a periphery variable between an outwardly convex and an inwardly concave bulge to compensate for dishing of the strip or edge waviness.

For the levelling or flattening of the metal strip, various straightening processes are Used, e.g. stretch or tension straightening, tension levelling, stretcher levelling and stretch-bend levelling.
Generally, these straightening or levelling processes are carried out continuously and, although the levelling process has been greatly improved in recent years, even today, it is necessary to tolerate slight central dishing of the strip or edge corrugation following the straightening, flattening or levelling process. The residual lack of planarity results from the nonuniform transverse stresses distributed over the width of the strip and which are superimposed on the tensile stresses in the longitudinal direction of the strip. The smaller the strip thickness and the modulus of elasticity of the strip, the greater is the risk of residual lack of planarity. The same applies to cold rolling of metal strip, especially for the after-rolling or dressing or final rolling stages. Because of the bending of the rolls, as a result of the rolling force, and because the incoming thickness profile of the metal strip is as a rule not truly rectangular, nonuniform deformations can arise in the rolling gap or nip of the rolling mill over the width of the strip, leading to corrugation or waviness in the strip following cold rolling.
As a result, it has been the practice to try to correct the roll gap geometry to eliminate the corrugation or waviness. These efforts, however, have proven to be unsuccessful or insufficient. It appears that the deformation that occurs in the rolling gap does not depend exclusively on the rolling force distribution but is also a function of the tensile stress distribution over the width of the strip. That distribution could not be readily modified heretofore.

BWG Bergwerk- und Walzwerk-Maschinenbau GmbH


Methods for forming a metal gate structure on a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for forming a metal gate structure on a substrate having a dielectric layer formed on the substrate may include depositing a metal layer while providing a process gas comprising oxygen to form an oxygen doped work function layer atop the dielectric layer; and depositing a metal gate layer atop dielectric layer.

The inventors have observed that conventionally used materials used to form work function layers in p-type metal oxide semiconductor (pMOS) transistors provide a work function that is inadequate and limits the speed of operation of the pMOS transistor. For example, conventionally used work function metals utilized to form work function layers of pMOS transistors typically provide a band gap value of about 4.6 eV. However, the inventors have observed that a higher work function (e.g., a band-edge work function of at least 4.9 eV) is necessary for the formation of a p-type metal oxide semiconductor (pMOS) transistor to provide sufficient speed for current semiconductor technologies.
Accordingly, the inventors have provided improved methods for forming metal gate structures.


A light emitting device having excellent external quantum efficiency contains an anode, a cathode, and two organic layers between the anode and cathode. The first organic layer contains a fluorescent low-molecular weight compound, and the second organic layer contains a cross-linked body of a cross-linkable polymer compound containing a unit having a group obtained from a metal complex represented by the formula (1), a cross-linkable constitutional unit having a cross-linkable group, and an aromatic amine constitutional unit:

Light emitting devices such as organic electroluminescent devices and the like can be suitably used for applications of display and illumination, and researches and developments thereof are being conducted.
For example, Patent Document 1 describes a light emitting device having a light emitting layer containing a fluorescent compound and a metal complex. This light emitting device is not a light emitting device having a layer containing a fluorescent compound and a layer containing a metal complex (different from the layer containing a fluorescent compound).
Patent Document 2 describes a light emitting device having a light emitting layer containing a fluorescent compound and a light emitting layer containing a polymer compound containing a constitutional unit having a group obtained by removing some hydrogen atoms from a metal complex. This polymer compound is a polymer compound not containing a constitutional unit represented by the formula (X) described later.

Abstract: In formula (1), M represents a palladium atom, n1 represents an integer of 1 or more, n2 represents an integer of 0 or more, E1 and E2 represent a carbon atom, Ring L1 represents an aromatic hetero ring, Ring L2 represents an aromatic hydrocarbon ring or an aromatic hetero ring, and A1-G1-A2 represents an anionic bidentate ligand.


A thermoelectric element comprises a substrate with a patterned discontinuous fullerene thin film. A method of applying a patterned discontinuous fullerene thin film to a substrate comprises applying a mask to the substrate, the mask defining a conductive electric network, applying a fullerene material to the masked substrate to deposit a patterned discontinuous fullerene thin film, applying a selected bond breaking force to the network to disassociate fullerene carbon to fullerene carbon bonds without disassociating fullerene carbon to substrate bonds to form a patterned discontinuous fullerene thin film substantially a single fullerene molecule in thickness.

The invention relates to a carbon patterned structure, method of making and use. More particularly, the invention relates to a thermoelectric structure.
The dissipation of heat from physical objects, electrical circuits and especially from such devices as semiconductor chips, integrated circuits, microprocessors and charge coupled devices is important. Operating temperature has a direct impact on maximum available clocking speed and thus overall speed and performance of a semiconductor. Further, higher operating temperatures restrict the permissible operating voltage and ambient temperature environment of a circuit. Lastly, semiconductor life span is adversely impacted by higher operating temperatures.
Numerous types of cooling systems have been devised for controlling the temperature of electronic devices. In one mechanism, generated heat is transferred away from the component to ambient environment, usually the surrounding room air. The heat transfer can be accomplished for example, by associating a thermal dissipating device such as a heat sink, with the component. A heat sink is a thermal dissipating device that comprises a structure, generally metal, that is thermally coupled to a heat source such as a microprocessor. The heat sink draws heat energy away from the heat source by conduction of the energy from a high-temperature region to the lower-temperature region of the heat sink.
Heat sinks with or without forced convection have been used in integrated circuit design to provide macro scale convection cooling. Freedman, U.S. Pat. No. 7,208,191 teaches structures comprising a thermal energy generating component and a thermal dissipating device in thermal conductive contact with the component. The thermal energy generating component may be an integrated circuit package such as a microprocessor. The thermal dissipating device comprises a substrate with a fullerene deposit. The thermal dissipating device effectively acts as a heat sink to dissipate heat away from the component.
However, conduction heat flow to the thermal dissipating device can be limited by heat flow pathway thermal resistance within the integrated circuit package to the heat sink or to dissipation to the ambient. Regardless of the effectiveness of the heat sink or dissipating device associated with the package, an effective conductive heat transfer pathway through package to the heat sink must be provided to avoid localized areas of high temperature or "hot spots."
Currently, there is a need for an improved heat dissipating system associated with integrated circuit packages that dissipates greater amounts of heat per unit size and for a method of producing such a structure within cost constraints. There is a need for an effective conductive heat transfer pathway through the integrated circuit package for dissipation to the ambient either directly or via an associated heat sink


The device according to the invention is a frequency doubler comprising an optical index network which can be electrically controlled by two continuous electrodes, the network being created by the presence of (+P) polarization domains periodically separated by (-P) polarization domains, the electrodes being used to electrooptically compensate for variations in the index between the (+P) domains and (-P) domains.

This invention applies to diffraction networks frequently used in optical applications particularly for light coupling within a guide. The periodic function of the network enables it to generate several orders, diffracted in different directions, from a single incident wave; this property can be used to phase-match waves propagated outside the guide and those propagating in the guide modes. When the network is produced by periodically varying the index, the efficiency with which the light energy in the incident wave is coupled to the diffraction orders depends directly on the amplitude of the variation. It is known that the efficiency of the network can be modified by dynamically varying the refractive index of the material used. To achieve this, one solution employed in the prior art is to use the electrooptical effect to electrically vary the network index, the periodic function of the index to be modified then being determined by rows of interleaved electrodes which create, within a material capable of generating electrooptical effects and with an optical index n, zones with index n+.DELTA.n and zones with index n-.DELTA. n using electrodes held at potential +V and electrodes held at potential -V.
FIG. 1 illustrates this type of structure in which it is possible to generate, by applying field .xi., zones with index n+.DELTA. n separated from zones with index n-.DELTA. n by zones with index n.
Typically, this can be a wave guide produced by known techniques within a lithium niobate crystal whose optical axis c is perpendicular to the plane of the guide. If it is assumed that the variation in index .DELTA. n is solely due to the field applied by the interleaved electrodes, which is colinear with axis c, the network of optical indices shown in FIG. 1 is obtained.
However, the major drawback to such a network of optical indices lies in the complexity of the electrodes required, which creates problems due to peak effects between electrodes, these effects leading to high voltages and the destruction of the guide or the electrodes themselves. Moreover, a complex electrode structure is an impediment to using the network at very high frequencies.

Frequency doubler including an electrically controlled optical index network


An automatic screw feed-in apparatus comprises a body constituted by a frame with a cover secured thereon, inside which a substantially circular interior space is formed to receive a pair of feeding wheels rotatable about a central axis thereof, which feeding wheels are in detent engagement with a driving wheel which is rotatable about the central axis with a follower pin extending therefrom through an arcuated slot formed on the cover, concentric with the central axis. An inlet and an outlet are provided on the body with a channel connecting therebetween to conduct an elongated strip having screws equally spaced thereon into the interior space of the body by the driving engagement thereof with the feeding wheels so as to move the screws to a ready-to-be-tightened position. A casing which houses the body in a biasing and movable manner relative to the body has a slot comprising an inclined section to partially receive the follower pin therein so that when the casing is moved toward the body, the driving wheel is caused to move the follower pin from the lower dead point to the upper dead point while the feeding wheels remain un-moved and when the casing is released, the follower pin moves from the upper dead point to the lower dead point to drive the driving wheel which in turn moves the feeding wheels by the detent engagement therebetween to advance the screw strip.

The state-of-art screw feed-in devices currently available in the market generally comprise a handle and driving head. Within the driving head, a guiding channel is provided for escorting the strip on which the screws are equally spaced. Above the guiding channel, a toothed wheel is mounted in such a manner that when the toothed wheel is rotated an angle equal to the pitch thereof, the screw strip will advance a distance equal the spacing between two adjacent screws.
According to the conventional screw feed-in devices, the feed-in toothed wheel is controlled by a post which is received within an arcuated slot and in mechanical engagement with the handle so that when the handle is lowered down, a clutch member mounted on the post engages the counterpart member secured to the toothed wheel and thus causing an angular movement of the toothed wheel as the post is moved within the arcuated slot. In this way, the screw strip is advanced when the handle is operated.
Theoretically, each lowering-down of the handle will advance the screw strip a distance exactly equal to the spacing between two adjacent screws on the strip and one of the screws should be exactly placed at a location where a screw driver can reach to carry out the screw tightening operation.
One of the disadvantages of the conventional screw feed-in apparatus is the complexity in structure of the clutch members used to mechanically connect the post and the toothed wheel. This not only increases the manufacturing cost of the screw feed-in device, but also requires a more sophisticated technique in manufacturing.
Further, in the conventional screw feed-in device, the advance of the screw strip is done by the lowering-down of the handle. Once the handle is not lowered a suitable distance, the strip will not be moved to exactly have the next screw be placed at the position where the screw driver can normally reach and this results in a difficult situation for the screw driver to correctly engage and tighten the screw. Usually, a manual correction is required to move the screw to be in alignment with the screw driver.
It is therefore desirable to provide an automatic screw feed-in apparatus which comprises an automatic screw advancing mechanism to overcome the above-mentioned problems.