An image processing apparatus calculating to determine one category, to which an input image data belongs, among categories, which are provided to classify image data, includes a convolution processing unit which performs a convolution process using a first coefficient used for calculating to determine the one category and previously learnt; total combination processing units which are prepared for each category performs a total combination process for a processing result obtained by the convolution processing unit using a second coefficient used for calculating to determine the one category and previously learnt, and calculates to determine the one category; and a normalization unit which performs normalization of a processing result obtained by the total combination processing unit for each category, wherein the convolution processing unit performs learning of the first coefficient in common with the categories, and the total combination processing unit performs learning of the second coefficient for each category.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an image processing apparatus, a method of processing an image, and a program.
2. Description of the Related Art
An exemplary image-processing technique is provided such that an apparatus such as a digital camera or a portable information terminal recognizes a scene of an image to be captured and automatically sets a white balance, an exposure, a focus point, and so on. Another exemplary image-processing technique is provided such that when a captured image is stored, an apparatus recognizes a scene of the captured image and automatically performs a process or an edit suitable for the scene.
In order to realize the above image processing, there is a technique of classifying objects on an image into genres of, for example, "human", "automobile", "dog", and "chair", using a convolution neural network as a method for the apparatus to recognize the scene (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In this technique of classifying the objects on the image into the genres, there are a method of using neural networks respectively for categories (said differently, a method of using multiple neural networks) and a method of using only one network while a label is given to image data to indicate a genre to which the image data belongs.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4532915
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 2940933

Image processing apparatus, method of processing image, and program


A mold of an embodiment of the present invention has a surface that has a shape which is inverse of a surface shape of a moth-eye structure. This surface has a plurality of protrusions, a plurality of ridges extending between the plurality of protrusions via saddle portions, and a plurality of holes, each of which is defined by at least any three of the plurality of protrusions and ridges extending between the at least any three of the plurality of protrusions, and an average distance between centers of adjacent holes, p, and an average depth of the saddle portions, r, satisfy the relationship of 0.15≦r/p≦0.60.

When light is reflected at an interface between materials of different refractive indices (for example, the interface between air and glass), the amount of transmitted light decreases so that the visibility may deteriorate. To prevent such reflection of light, using an antireflection film which has a moth-eye structure has been considered (see Non-patent Document 1 and Patent Documents 1 to 4).
The moth-eye structure is a minute structure whose size is generally equal to or smaller than the wavelengths of visible light (λ=380 nm to 780 nm). The effective refractive index of the moth-eye structure for light that is incident on a substrate continuously changes along the depth direction, from the refractive index of a medium on which the light is incident to the refractive index of the material that forms the moth-eye structure, whereby reflection of light is prevented. For example, in a moth-eye structure which prevents reflection of visible light, the two-dimensional size of the raised portions is not less than 10 nm and less than 500 nm. The incidence angle dependence of the antireflection effect which is achieved by such a moth-eye structure is small over a wide wavelength range. The moth-eye structure can be realized by a wide variety of materials. Also, the moth-eye structure can be directly formed on a substrate and therefore can be formed at a low cost.
The moth-eye structure can be formed by laser interference exposure or EB exposure. However, by utilizing anodization of aluminum, a large surface moth-eye structure can readily be formed at a low cost. Specifically, a porous alumina layer which is obtained by anodizing aluminum is used as at least part of a mold for the moth-eye structure, whereby the manufacturing cost can be greatly reduced. Thus, forming the moth-eye structure by means of anodization has been receiving attention (Patent Documents 2 to 4).
In this specification, the "mold" includes molds that are for use in various processing methods (stamping and casting), and is also referred to as a stamper. The mold can also be used for printing (including nanoimprinting). In the following descriptions of this specification, a mold which is used for formation of a moth-eye structure is also referred to as "moth-eye mold".
Patent Document 2 discloses a mold which has a porous alumina layer formed by anodization over its surface. In general, recesses formed by anodization in the porous alumina layer, which are on the order of nanometers and which have cylindrical shape, are elongated in a vertical direction relative to the surface of the porous alumina layer, and are also referred to as micropores.
A porous alumina layer formed under specific conditions includes cells in the shape of a generally regular hexagon which are in a closest packed two-dimensional arrangement when seen in a direction normal to the surface. Each of the cells has a micropore at its center. The arrangement of the micropores is periodic. In a porous alumina layer formed under different conditions, micropores may constitute an arrangement with a regularity degraded to some extent or an irregular (i.e., non-periodic) arrangement.
Patent Document 3 discloses a mold which has tapered micropores with continuously changing pore diameters along the depth direction, the micropores having been formed by repeating anodization of aluminum and a pore diameter increasing process by means of etching. Patent Document 4 discloses a stamper (mold) which is manufactured by repeating anodization of aluminum and a pore diameter increasing process till adjacent holes are partially connected together.
FIG. 18(a) is a schematic perspective view of a stamper 700 disclosed in Patent Document 4. FIG. 18(b) is a schematic plan view of the stamper 700. At the surface of the stamper 700, there are six protrusions around each of a plurality of holes, and there are ridges extending between adjacent ones of the protrusions via saddle portions. In an antireflection element which is produced using the stamper 700 that has such a structure, the continuity of the effective refractive index at the interface between the antireflection element and the medium on which the light is incident (typically, air) increases so that high antireflection characteristics can be realized.

Die for moth-eye, and method for producing die for moth-eye and moth-eye structure


A lamp assembly includes a sealed lamp envelope enclosing a filament, a lamp base affixed to the lamp envelope and including a connector, and an automatic light control circuit located in the lamp base and electrically connected between the connector and the filament. The light control circuit includes a photosensor for controlling the power delivered to the filament in response to a sensed ambient light level. Preferably, the lamp base includes a cup-shaped portion affixed to the connector, and the light control circuit is mounted in the cup-shaped portion on a circuit board. The photosensor is mounted in a hole in a sidewall of the cup-shaped portion. The lamp assembly can be installed and operated in a conventional lamp socket.

Automatic lamp control circuits are well known. Typically, a control circuit utilizes a photosensor to sense the ambient light level. The circuit turns the lamp on at night and off during the day. Such automatic control circuits are particularly useful for nightlights, outdoor lights such as street lights, and for lamps that are in inaccessible locations.
Prior art automatic lamp control circuits have had two basic configurations. In one configuration, the control circuit is a separate unit, and modification of the existing wiring to the lamp socket is required for installation. In the other configuration, the control circuit is contained in an adaptor which is mounted between the lamp socket and the lamp. The adaptor includes a plug for connection to the lamp socket and a socket for receiving the bulb. While such configurations are generally acceptable in operation, they entail the inconvenience and expense of separate units for light control. In many cases, the resulting combination is too large to fit into a fixture designed for the lamp.
A circuit for automatic control of a nightlight is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,926 issued May 13, 1986 to Pezzolo. The Pezzolo patent discloses a collar for mounting of a photocell and a printed circuit board. The collar slips over the base of a lamp and is attached around the neck of the bulb. Because the collar is external to the lamp, an adaptor is required to implement the disclosed circuit. A nightlight utilizing an adaptor which apparently includes a photosensor control circuit is disclosed in Design Patent No. 288,967 issued Mar. 24, 1987 to Naft.
It is a general object of the present invention to provide a lamp assembly with an integral automatic control circuit.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a lamp having a light control circuit mounted in the base thereof so that the lamp can be installed and operated in a conventional lamp socket.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatically controlled lamp which is simple in construction and easy to use.

Lamp with integral automatic light control circuit


A semiconductor device includes memory devices respectively comprising a selector transistor in series with a control transistor and a memory cell, wherein the control transistor is connected to the memory cell. Control lines of the semiconductor device extend along a first direction, and a first control line is connected to a first memory device control transistor and a second memory device control transistor. Word lines extend in the first direction, and a first word line is connected to a first memory device selector transistor and a second memory device selector transistor. Bitlines extend in a second direction, with a first bitline connected to a first memory device memory cell and a second bitline is connected to a second memory device memory cell. Source lines extend in the second direction, and a first source line is connected to the first memory device selector transistor and the second memory device selector transistor.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to computing devices. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to efficient memory structures for computing devices.
In various embodiments the inventors of the present invention desire to reduce the size of memory structures, while preserving memory performance. One method considered by the inventors is to reduce the size of access transistors used within its memory devices. However, the mere reduction of transistor size, determined by the inventors, causes problems when using such transistors to read and write from its memory cells. Such problems include unintended leakage currents between sources and drains, leakage currents to the substrate, channel breakdowns, and the like within the reduced size transistor in the memory.
In light of the above, what is desired are new memory structures for computing devices without the drawbacks described above.

Resistive random-access memory and architecture with select and control transistors


A tubular member 12 having an internal and/or external metal thread 18, 20 at one end thereof, at least part of the thread 18, 20 being coated with an alloy of copper and tin, said alloy containing 5 wt % to 95 wt % copper. The tubular member 10 can be combined with another tubular member 14, 16 to provide a threaded connection 10 having improved galling resistance.

Galling is a severe form of scuffing associated with gross damage to the mating surfaces the result of which is material transfer and seizure and is typically experienced in situations with the following:                (a) high metallurgical compatibility of mating surfaces (similar material compositions)        (b) high loadings between the surfaces
Metal to metal contact points, and in particular threaded metal-metal contact points may be subject to galling during the making and subsequent breaking of the joint. In the oil industry, metal-metal connections, such as those between the individual pipe connections in completion strings, often require threaded metal-metal joints to be formed, which must withstand high temperatures and pressures, both internal and external, whilst remaining sealed. These seals must be easy to assemble and disassemble, for ease of use and safety. It is known to use anti-seize compounds to prevent galling, which operate by placing a dissimilar metal, such as copper, or metal-containing film between two similar metal surfaces. The dissimilar film thereby prevents the surfaces contacting directly, which could lead to fusion of the connection. Fused downhole connections could lead to failure of the tubing, and at the very least, galling and wear of the connection when it is dismantled.
In the past, in the oil industry, drilling operations have used an oilfield thread compound (also known as "thread dope" or "dope"), which is a grease/lubricant that has been formulated in accordance with American Petroleum Industry (API) bulletin 5A3. This compound is a substance that is applied to threaded oil field pipe connections, to provide lubrication during assembly and disassembly, and further to aid in sealing against the high internal and external pressures. As an example, the female mating component of steel alloy with a chromium content of greater than or equal to 9% is copper plated, and the dope is applied prior to make-up, of the connection. Such doping compounds typically contain heavy metals, such as antimony and lead, which can be toxic and harmful to the environment.
Legislation in certain countries, particularly in Europe, requires that only environmentally friendly lubricants should be used for oil and gas activity. Additionally, in Europe, there is a goal of achieving zero emission in oil field installations. Furthermore, it is likely that such legislation will spread to other countries, such as the United States of America, as environmental issues regarding oil exploration become more prominent. Environmentally friendly lubricants do exist (see for instance U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,422), but it is questionable whether they are as effective as the traditional, heavy metal-based systems.
Current API and API-modified dopes are not user friendly. They are difficult to apply evenly around the threaded surface areas, and are extremely difficult to remove from skin and work overalls. Due to the difficulties in applying such dopes (they are "thick" and tacky), they also tend to be used in quantities that generate significant amounts of waste. During the assembly of each connection, excess dope is forced into the bore of the pipe, and onto the external surface of the pipe. The longer the pipestring, the more connections are required, and therefore the more dope is forced into the pipestring, increasing the risk of well contamination. External surplus dope becomes a serious slip and contamination hazard, which is dangerous to those working in and around such areas. Such pipes can be several miles in length, so there can be a considerable amount of waste dope internally and externally.
GB2195939A relates to an extension drill rod for percussion drilling machines. The drill rod includes a wear lining in the form of a layer which may be copper bronze, aluminium bronze or another material softer than steel. The main reason for the choice of these materials is their softness relative to steel. The purpose of this coating is to combat fretting wear or erosion during use. There is no disclosure of the composition of the bronze, but given the requirement for a soft coating, it is to be expected that the coating would be high in copper or tin content.
It is known to provide a metal-to-metal sealing portion on tubular joints. It is also known for such sealing portions to include a coating. The joints may also include a threaded portion which has been coated. In GB2104919A there is described a coating which comprises a first activating layer and a second electrodeposited layer. The electrodeposited layer may be a layer of metal selected from the group consisting of iron, copper, zinc, chromium, nickel or an alloy containing at least one of these metals. There is, however, no indication that any one of these metals or alloys provides superior anti-galling properties.

Tubular member having an anti-galling coating


Provided is a method of generating multi-view immersive content. The method includes obtaining a multi-view background image from a plurality of cameras arranged in a curved shape, modeling the obtained multi-view background image to generate a codebook corresponding to the multi-view background image, obtaining a multi-view image including an object from the plurality of cameras and separating a foreground and a background from the obtained multi-view image by using the generated codebook, and synthesizing the object included in the separated foreground with a virtual background to generate multi-view immersive content.

A stereoscopic image display method may be classified into a glasses type using glasses and a glasses-free type requiring no glasses.
A glasses type display method needs glasses and causes inconvenience to a user in that the user feels vertigo due to an unrealistic sense of depth. On the other hand, a glasses-free display method does not need glasses and is relatively reduced in a sense of depth, but vertigo is reduced.
For this reason, a method of displaying a stereoscopic image is expected to advance to a glasses-free type, and thus, it is required to develop technology for producing multi-view immersive content based on a glasses-free display method. However, to date, development of hardware and software for producing multi-view immersive content is incomplete.

Device and method of generating multi-view immersive content

ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE


A method for electroless plating of a substrate is provided that comprises exposing an electroless plating reagent comprising a metal to be plated and at least one reducing agent to a solid phase Activation Material to form an activated electroless plating reagent prior to application of the electroless plating reagent to the substrate. The activated electroless plating reagent is applied to a substrate in the process chamber under conditions to cause the metal of the electroless plating reagent to deposit on the substrate. Systems and modules are also described.

Thin metal layers are useful in many industrial applications. For example, the advanced copper interconnect technology used in semiconductors requires the use of thin metal layers to act as diffusion barriers to prevent Cu diffusion into the insulating dielectric or to reduce electromigration at the surface of Cu lines. Electroless plating is a process for plating material onto a surface in the absence of an external electric current. Plating reagents using electrochemical phenomena, e.g. oxidation/reduction reactions, have been used for electroless plating. Specifically, the deposition of a few tens of nanometers of a Co or Ni alloy additionally comprising a few percent of an additional component (typically W, P, B or Mo) by an electroless process has been considered. For example, the alloy Co(P) has been identified as useful by E. J. O'Sullivan et al., "Electrolessly Deposited Diffusion Barriers for Microelectronics," IBM J. Res. Dev., 42 (5) September 1998, p. 607.
The details of the plating mechanisms in electroless plating processes seem to be poorly understood, and are the subject of many papers in the academic and trade literature. For a review of electroless plating, see Mallory and Hajdu, "Electroless Plating: Fundamentals and Applications," American Electroplaters and Surface Finishers Society, Orlando. The use of two or more reducing agents is sometimes necessary, one to initiate plating on the substrate material, and one to continue plating onto the partially plated layer. The reducing agent(s) can also be used to supply desired additional components. The use of two reducing agents that are hypophosphite and a dimethylamine borane complex is discussed in Mital et al., "Studies of Elecectroless Nickel Deposition Using Electroanalytical Techniques," Metal Finishing Mag., June 1987, p. 87. The use of hypophosphite and a dimethylamine borane complex reducing agents to plate nickel onto copper is discussed in Watanabe et al., "Electroless Nickel Plating Using DMAB as 2nd Reducing Agent," J. Jap. Inst. For Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuit, 12 (4) 1997, p. 231. Electroless plating is also discussed in US Patent Application Nos. 2003/0113576 and 2004/0026786 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,169,680; 5,695,810; 5,824,599; and 6,696,758.

Reagent activator for electroless plating


A broadband circularly polarized annular ring slot antenna is disclosed, which includes a substrate, an annular ring slot antenna portion located on the upper surface of the substrate, and a microstrip feeding portion located on the lower surface of the substrate. The annular ring slot antenna portion includes a grounding unit, an annular ring slot unit, a central metal unit, a first perturbation metal unit and a second perturbation metal unit. The first perturbation metal unit and the second perturbation metal unit are extended from the grounding unit, towards the central metal unit, respectively. The microstrip feeding portion includes a vertical feeding unit, a bent feeding unit and a rectangular microstrip unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a broadband circularly polarized annular ring slot antenna and, more particularly, to a broadband circularly polarized annular ring slot antenna for increasing the 3-dB-axial-ratio bandwidth without increasing the antenna size.
2. Description of Related Art
Circularly polarized (CP) antennas, known for their capabilities of reducing polarization mismatch and moderately suppressing multipath interferences, require larger bandwidths of greater than 30% to support emerging wireless-communication applications, especially those involving satellite communications. Because of the advantages of large impedance bandwidths and low profiles, printed slot antennas have received much attention in antenna design requiring enhanced 3-dB axial-ratio bandwidths.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the conventional broadband circularly polarized annular ring slot antenna includes: a substrate 11, an annular ring slot antenna portion 12 and a microstrip feeding portion 13, wherein the annular ring slot antenna portion 12 is located on the upper surface 111 of the substrate 11, and the microstrip feeding portion 13 is located on the lower surface 112 of the substrate 11. Besides, as shown in FIG. 1A, the annular ring slot antenna portion 12 includes a grounding unit 121, an annular ring slot unit 122, a central metal unit 123 and a coupling slot unit 124. The coupling slot unit 124 is extended from a side edge of the annular ring slot unit 122. The annular ring slot unit 122 and the coupling slot unit 124 are both surrounded by the grounding unit 121. The central metal unit 123 is surrounded by the annular ring slot unit 122.
With reference to FIG. 1A, the microstrip feeding portion 13 includes a first vertical feeding unit 131, a second vertical feeding unit 132 and a rectangular microstrip unit 133. The rectangular microstrip unit 133 is connected with the first vertical feeding unit 131 and the second vertical feeding unit 132 respectively. Besides, the first vertical feeding unit 131 is extended from the rectangular microstrip unit 133 toward a side edge 113 of the substrate 11, and the second vertical feeding unit 132 is extended from the rectangular microstrip unit 133 in the direction departing from the first vertical feeding unit 131. Moreover, the rectangular microstrip unit 133 of the microstrip feeding portion 13 corresponds to the coupling slot unit 124 of the annular ring slot antenna portion 12.
In practical measurement, the 3-dB-axial-ratio bandwidth of the conventional broadband circularly polarized annular ring slot antenna is only between 3.5% and 11%, which is far below the aforementioned standard (i.e. large than 32%). Therefore, it is desired to have a significant improvement on the circular polarization performance of the conventional circularly polarized annular ring slot antenna. However, in order to improve the 3-dB-axial-ratio bandwidth of the conventional broadband circularly polarized annular ring slot antenna, not only the size of the annular ring slot unit and the grounding unit of the conventional broadband circularly polarized annular ring slot antenna have to be enlarged, but also the slot width of the annular ring slot unit of the annular ring slot antenna portion needs to be enlarged for forming the so-called wide-slot type ring slot unit. Accordingly, the whole size of the conventional broadband circularly polarized annular ring slot antenna is inevitably to be greatly increased.

Broadband circularly polarized annular ring slot antenna


The present invention is a process for preparing 2'-deoxy-5-trifluoromethyl-.beta.uridine characterized in that a 5-trifluoromethyl-2,4-bis(triorganosilyloxy)pyrimidine and a 1-halogeno-2-deoxy-.alpha.-D-erythro-pentofuranose derivative are subjected to condensation reaction in chloroform to give a 1-(2-deoxy-.beta.-D-erythro-pentofuranoxyl)-5-trifluoromethyluracil derivative which is then subjected to the deprotection reaction to give 2'-deoxy-5-trifluoromethyl-.beta.-uridine.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for preparing 2'-deoxy-5-trifluoromethyl-.beta.-uridine which is useful per se as a carcinostatic agent and is a raw material of other pharmaceutically useful compounds.
(2) Description of the Related Arts
2'-deoxy-5-trifluoromethyl-.beta.-uridine is useful per se as a carcinostatic agent and is a raw material of other pharmaceutically useful compounds, and thus the demand thereof is increasing.
In the conventional process for preparing 2'-deoxy-5-trifluoromethyl-.beta.-uridine, there are known the following methods:
(a) a method for transforming the nucleic base from thymidine and 5-trifluoromethyluracil with an enzyme such as nucleoside-2'-deoxyribose transferase [Methods Carbohydr. Chem., 7, 19 (1976)]; PA0 (b) a method as a chemical synthesis of preparing an anomeric mixture by the condensation of a 5-trifluoromethylurasil derivative and a 2-deoxy-D-erythro-pentofuranose derivative in the presence of a catalyst and isolating the .beta.-isomer as the aimed product [J. Org. Chem., 31, 1181 (1966); U.S. Pat. No. 3531464]; and PA0 (c) a method of halogenating the 5-position of 2'-deoxy-.beta.-uridine as a raw material and then subjecting the halogenated product to trifluoromethylation [J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. I, 2755, 1980].
However, the aforementioned production methods have the following defects:
The production method (a) is not suited for a large scale production because of the problems of the isolation of the aimed product or the productivity; a harmful mercury salt is used and complicated and tedious operations are needed for isolating the .beta.-isomer as the aimed product from the anomeric mixture in the production method (b); and 2'-deoxy-.beta.-uridine as a raw material is expensive in the production method (c).
Thus, none of the methods (a)-(c) is suitable for the industrial production method.
Therefore, a process for preparing 2'-deoxy-5-trifluoromethyl-.beta.-uridine suitable for industrial production has been desired in which the aforementioned problems in the conventional methods have been solved and a large amount of the product can be easily supplied.

Process for preparing 2'-deoxy-5-trifluoromethyl-beta-uridine


Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a central control method. The method includes: obtaining identifications, locations and states of objects in a port; generating and displaying a port electronic map based on the identifications, locations, and states of the objects; and displaying, upon detecting that an object in the port electronic map is being operated, the identification, location, and/or state of the operated object. With the present disclosure, the monitored content can be extended to information, such as identifications, locations and states, related to the respective objects. Compared with the existing port monitoring system, the monitoring is more thorough and comprehensive, which is advantageous for improving port operation security and service execution efficiency. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a central control system.

This section is intended to provide a background or context for the embodiments of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims. The description here is not admitted to be prior art by mere inclusion in this section.
With the continuous development of the unmanned driving technology, more and more unmanned driving products are applied. It is currently one of the research hotspots in the unmanned driving technology to apply the unmanned driving technology to the field of logistics.

BEIJING TUSEN ZHITU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A data storage device having a non-volatile memory and a controller and a control method for the non-volatile memory are disclosed. The non-volatile memory has a plurality of blocks for data storage and each block provides a plurality of sectors. The controller allocates erase marker bits in each of the sectors to record the progress of an erase operation performed on the non-volatile memory for resumption of the erase operation when required.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data storage device and a control method for a non-volatile memory, and particularly relates to resumption of an interrupted erase operation of a non-volatile memory.
2. Description of the Related Art
Non-volatile memories are commonly used in implementing data storage devices. Examples of non-volatile memories include a read-only memory, flash memory, EEPROM, embedded flash, Ferro/magnetic memory, phase change memory, resistive memory, and Nitride storage memory and so on. A non-volatile memory generally requires erase operations to release free space for data storage. However, once an unexpected interrupt (e.g. power loss) occurs during an erase operation, the memory cells which are being erased are left in unknown states and abnormalities occur.

Data storage device and control method for non-volatile memory


Dynamic adaption of transmission rate for multiuser MIMO networks is disclosed. The invention controls a first communication device to transmit data at rates optimal determined under the condition that the channel is occupied by the first communication device, a second communication device to transmit data at rates optimal determined under the condition that the channel is shared by the first and second communication devices and a third communication to transmit data at rates optimal determined under the condition that the channel is shared by the first, second and third communication device.

The two trends in the wireless communication networks, in response to the needs in supporting multiple antennas, are the wireless data transmission system that supports multiple antennas and the system that supports multiple user and multiple antennas. The latter is referred to as "multiuser, multi-input multi-output system, the MU-MIMO system. In such a system, a plurality of user devices equipped with wireless router with multiple antennas simultaneously.
In the traditional wireless communication networks, at each time slot only one user device is allowed to transmit signals to the wireless router. At this time slot, the allowable transmission rate depends on the characteristics of the communication channel between the user device and the wireless transceiver. Since the channel characteristics won't change substantially during such time slot, the transmission rate may be set at the best ever transmission rate in history. That is, the transmitting terminal selects the best ever transmission rate to transmit signals. After the transmission rate is determined, data to be transmitted are encoded in accordance with the determined rate and the corresponding header is added. Then receiving terminal then uses the information provided in the header to decode the received signals, so to obtain the transmitted data.
In order to support the MIMO system, the nowadays systems use a modified decoder design at the receiving terminal. One of the technologies used to support the MIMO system is the "zero-forcing successive interference cancellation" (ZF-SIC) technology. The ZF-SIC technology enables the router to recover the respective data received from two user devices at the same time, so that multiple user devices may transmit data in one wireless system at one time.
In using the ZF-SIC technology, however, the existing systems did not consider the impact that the MIMO system brought to the data transmission rate. In other words, in determining the transmission rate, the existing systems simply select the best known rate recorded in the related user device and transmit data using the selected rate. Such policy does not guaranty the best transmission rate, because, as having been discussed in many publications, the possible best rate of the user device does not only relate to its own channel characteristics but also to the channel characteristics of other user devices that transmit data at the same time. In addition, under the MU-MIMO environment user devices that transmit data simultaneously are not a fixed group. Any device is allowed to join or leave the group at any time. Therefore, a packet of data transmitted by a use device may be received along with the packet transmitted by any of the other user devices. It is then important for the user devices to select the right transmission rate, rather than the best transmission rate, because, if all the user devices select the best rates, the transmission rates would be too high for the receiving side to recover the packets received. In addition, under the design of the MU-MIMO system, the wrong rate used by one user device does not only influence its own packets but also impact the correct decoding of the packets of other user devices. As a result, selecting the best transmission rates does not result in transmitting data at higher speeds. Rather, the whole network could shut down, due to failure in decoding the packets of data being transmitted.


Embodiments provide a method that causes a plurality of virtual machine instructions to be interpreted for indications of a mobile device's hardware identification information, thus forming a plurality of hardware instruction interpretations. The embodiment also combines each of the plurality of hardware instruction interpretations and hashes the combination to form a quasi-hardware device identifier. An encryption process is based on the quasi-hardware encryption device identifier and the media is then encrypted using the encryption process. The encrypted media is transferred to the mobile device wherein the mobile device decrypts the media based at least in part on the mobile device's internal knowledge of the quasi-hardware device identification.

1. Field:
The methods and systems disclosed herein relate to digital rights and digital mobile media delivery, and more particularly to digital rights management on mobile and other devices.
2. Description of the Related Art:
The proliferation of mobile devices worldwide, coupled with the launch of next-generation networks by mobile operators, has led to a dramatic increase in mobile rich media consumption. With millions of multimedia enabled mobile devices being released to market, the ability for consumers to quickly access various forms of content is changing the role of the mobile device. As users and devices have become more sophisticated, greater use has resulted in the on-demand video, allowing users to watch a movie or a favorite television program anywhere. Content is downloaded to the cell phone or other personal media device and the user then views the content. This is a significant change from a user procuring a video disc or video tape cassette, loading it into a player, and viewing the content. The download takes place over the user's phone of data connection, and no physical media delivers the content. Because no physical medium delivers the content, the content must be securely transmitted to the user's device to prevent unauthorized access to the content. This security is known as digital rights management.

Digital rights management in a mobile environment


An image pick-up module transmission arrangement includes a top cover holding a transparent glass above a scanning path defined therein and two racks along two opposite sides of the scanning path, two guide rails bilaterally fixedly fastened to the top cover at a bottom side of the scanning path, an image pick-up module reciprocated in the scanning path along the guide rails, the image pick-up module having pulleys revolvably supported on the guide rails and spring leaves disposed in contact with the guide rails, and a transmission shaft mounted in the image pick-up module, the transmission shaft having two gear wheels at two opposite ends meshed with the racks, the gear wheels being rotated clockwise/counter-clockwise by a power drive in the image pick-up module, causing the image pick-up module to be reciprocated in the scanning path along the guide rails.

The present invention relates to a scanner, and more specifically to an image pick-up module transmission arrangement for a scanner which enables the image pick-up module to be stably smoothly reciprocated in the scanning path to positively pick up the image of document up.
Scanners have been intensively used with computers in offices for text and graphic document data input. A regular scanner for this purpose is generally comprised of a transparent glass, an image pick-up module, a transmission mechanism, an electronic control circuit, a power supply unit, and a machine base. During the operation of a scanner, the light path must be maintained stable so that the image of document can be positively picked up by the image pick-up module. If the light path is not maintained stable, image distortion becomes inevitable. To a high resolution scanner of CIS (contact image sensor) type scanner, the requirement for a stable light path is critical.
FIG. 1 shows an image pick-up module transmission arrangement for a scanner according to the prior art. According to this arrangement, the image pick-up module is driven to move back and forth in the scanning path by a motor drive through a belt transmission mechanism. Because the belt transmission mechanism produces vibration when the motor drive is started, the reciprocating motion of the image pick-up module which is unstable may affect the scanning quality. Furthermore, because the belt transmission mechanism is mounted in the machine base, the outer shell of the scanner tends to be put out of shape due to change of ambient temperature and humility. When the outer shell of the scanner is deformed, the light path becomes unstable, in consequence the scanning quality is affected.

Image pick-up module transmission arrangement for a scanner


The present invention relates to a contact member (1) with a bifurcated part (2) which is formed with two legs (3a, 3b) and an intermediate slit (4) and is intended, on being transversely thrust against an insulated conductor, to penetrate the insulation and make electrical contact with the conductor. The bifurcated part (2) is stamped at the contact region (5) such that the material in the legs (3a, 3b) parallel to the plastically deformed towards the slit so that the latter is given correct width and tolerance in relation to the conductor. In accordance with the invention, the material in the legs is deformed (6a, 6b) so that the side surfaces of the slit are mutually parallel and have greater height in the thickness direction of the member (1) than the rest of the member.. The invention also relates to a tool containing two counter-acting punches (10) for stamping out a contact member (1) in accordance with the invention.

Contact members with a bifurcated part formed such that on thrusting transversely against an insulated conductor they penetrate the insulation and make electrical contact with the conductor, so-called slit contact tips, are already known and are used in different connections for connecting conductors with each other in terminal boxes or for connecting conductors with electrical components in circuit boards or the like.
Contact members of the kind mentioned above are stamped out from a flat blank and a slit is stamped in the member. Since it is not possible to stamp out narrower slits at about 0.6 mm, because the punch will break when it is used in production, the slit obtained is still too wide to give sure contact against wires with a conductor diameter of 0.4-0.7 mm. To remedy this, and to obtain a narrow slit such that the contact member cuts through the insulation and gives a gas-tight contact with the conductor, the material lying parallel to the slit in the contact region is stamped. The stamped impression is done with a punch which plastically deforms the edges of the slit towards each other. Above the slit the punch has a shallow upside-down V profile, which is defined by flat or somewhat outwardly curved surfaces substantially parallel to the working direction of the punch. The punch works against a flat die. For reliably controlling the slit width, there have also been attempts to use a die with a tongue that thrusts into the slit. Since the tongue is too small it is easily broken, however.


Some embodiments provide a system for electronically generating a virtualized work schedule based on a composite of data gathered from multiple work planning, scheduling and other management information systems utilized in structured maintenance projects for a large-scale assets during a scheduled maintenance period. The system can include a schedule management system configured to facilitate communications among workers and managers during the scheduled maintenance period and expedite completion of the structured maintenance project.

1. Field
This disclosure relates generally to maintenance project work management systems and processes for large-scale plants and assets.
2. Description of Related Art
Asset-intensive industries are those types of businesses that rely on large infrastructure assets, typically plants of some sort or large network, to generate a large portion of their revenues. Examples of asset-intensive industries include oil & gas, power generation, mining, chemicals and to some extent telecommunications. The term "asset" or in these industries and for purposes of this document refers to the plant, network or facility itself, for example, a nuclear power plant, a hydro-electric dam, an oil refinery or an offshore platform.
These assets are large, complex, and inherently dangerous. Such assets require continuous maintenance to keep them in working order. Maintenance activities can include procedures that are intended to maintain or increase the intended performance, quality, safety, and/or service of the asset.
The asset is occasionally taken offline or out of service so that major maintenance work and/or capital modifications work may be performed. This offline maintenance period is frequently referred to as a shutdown, turnaround or outage, or an "STO". Costs for an STO can be range from $5 million to $250+ million over a period of several weeks or months depending on how much work will be performed during the STO. Large capital modifications to the plant can increase these costs substantially.

Method and system for virtualized composite project work schedules


An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a charger, a developing device, a transfer device, a scraper, and a controller. The controller performs an image formation process to form the developer image on the photosensitive member by using the developing device. The controller acquires, as a first value, at least one of a value of the charging current flowing in the charger and a value of the transferring current flowing in the transfer device. The controller calculates an accumulation current value by using result of an integral of a second value over time. The second value is an absolute value of the first value. The controller performs a scraping process in which the scraper scrapes the photosensitive member when the accumulation current value reaches a threshold value.

A conventional image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a transferring device, and a scraper. In this image forming apparatus, a coefficient of dynamic friction of a surface of the photosensitive member increases as image formation operations are repeatedly performed. When the coefficient of dynamic friction increases, toner is hard to be removed from the surface of the photosensitive member, and resides on the surface of the photosensitive member. Once the toner resides on the surface of the photosensitive member, the toner on the surface of the photosensitive member moves to a sheet during a subsequent image formation operation, thereby reducing quality of the image.
In a conventional image forming apparatus, which is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-234894, a scraper scrapes a surface of a photosensitive member in order to reduce a coefficient of dynamic friction when a torque current arrived at a prescribed value on the basis of an assumption that there is a correlation between the coefficient of dynamic friction of the surface of the photosensitive member and the torque of the photosensitive member.

Image forming apparatus for performing scraping process to scrape photosensitive member


An electric cable for supplying power to aircrafts, rail vehicles, motor vehicles, ships or other devices is a single or multi-conductor cable and includes one or more current conductors with at least one insulation. A single or multi-layer outer casing is distributed over the periphery and is associated with the outwardly protruding reinforcing elements. The reinforcing elements are in the form of cooling ribs protruding preferably over the entire periphery of the cable and enable the surface of the cable to be increased and as a result, improve heat dissipation. The projecting reinforcing elements considerably reduce the risk of burning when the current conductors heat up and also protect the cable against abrasion. The invention also relates to a plug for the electric cable.

Such electric cables are used to supply electrical energy to aircrafts, rail vehicles, cars, motor vehicles or ships etc., which are preferably connected to a direct current or alternating current source. The supply serves for example to charge batteries and/or simultaneously supply the on-board electrical system. Normally, an alternating current voltage of 50 or 60 Hz is drawn from the mains power supply and then converted into the desired voltage waveform.
As a rule, the supply voltage in smaller aircrafts is 28 volts direct current, while in large passenger aircrafts or freighters, an alternating current voltage of 115 or 200 volts is provided at a frequency of 400 Hz or even higher frequencies.
Recently, in particular in military aircraft, increased supply voltages of 270 V direct current are used, which makes it easier to supply greater outputs but has negative consequences for operator protection and controlling short-circuits.
Known electric cables for charging batteries in aircrafts or the like are designed such that, with direct current voltage, either an individual cable as a positive and one as a negative conductor as the cheapest solution, each interconnected in sections, or better in electrical terms, if the positive is used as a pre-conductor and the negative as a return conductor, is used each alternately and twisted together split into two or more individual conductors. This structure results in a lower inductance per unit length and this is accompanied by a lower power loss with alternating current, but good transfer behaviour in respect of EMV, even if disruptions are superimposed. With direct current, two parallel untwisted individual conductors additionally have the displeasing property that ferrous parts are subjected to magnetisation. Better cables with small distances between positive and negative conductors achieve a small inductance due to twisting of same, and a uniform distribution of current to the individual parallel-connected individual conductors due to the symmetrical design. However, cables of this design also require correspondingly large copper cross-sections for correspondingly large currents, in order to limit the losses and drop in voltage.


Upon detecting an external signal which instructs to stop discharge, an input voltage equal to or less than a set value for the prevention of overdischarge, or an output voltage equal to or more than a set value for the prevention of output of an overvoltage, a control unit (12) stops discharge to a load (40) by opening a switching element (4b) of a step-down unit (11b). Upon detecting that an external signal is reset or an input voltage equal to or more than a set value larger than the set value for the prevention of overdischarge, the control unit (12) resumes discharge to the load (40) by setting the switching element (4b) in a switching operation state or short-circuiting it.

Nickel metal hydride batteries used for DC power supplies are characterized in that they have high energy densities and long battery lives and are environment-friendly as compared with lead-acid batteries. In addition, the nickel metal hydride batteries are compact and lightweight and have good portability, and hence have recently and rapidly become widespread as on-vehicle batteries and power supplies for countermeasures against disaster.
In order to cope with a recent abrupt increase in power demand for communication equipment, it is necessary to form a power supply system (battery system) having a large capacity, e.g., an output of 30 kWh, by connecting battery sets such as nickel metal hydride batteries in parallel with each other so as to increase the capacity of a DC power supply. In general, when nickel metal hydride batteries are to be used as a power supply system, in order to increase the capacity and service life of the power supply system, a large-capacity nickel metal hydride battery system is formed by connecting k single nickel metal hydride batteries (with an average voltage of 1.2 V and a current capacity of 95 Ah) called single cells in series with each other to form one unit (to be referred to as a module hereinafter), connecting m modules in series with each other to form an assembled battery, and connecting n assembled batteries in parallel with each other.
Various proposals have been made for mechanisms for managing the supply capacity of power for a load in a large-capacity battery system. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2004-119112, 2004-120856, and 2004-120857 disclose management methods in power supply systems each including a plurality of assembled batteries connected in parallel with each other, a charge control means, and a discharge control means.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-119112 discloses a technique of internally storing the manufacturing date of an assembled battery, calculating an available period during which predetermined power can be supplied, on the basis of the stored manufacturing date of the assembled battery, and displaying an assembled battery replacement date, in order to facilitate estimation of the service life of the assembled battery at the time of maintenance inspection.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-120856 discloses a technique of providing a battery monitoring means for executing a discharge capacity test on a given assembled battery as a deterioration determination target upon fully charging assembled batteries other than the deterioration determination target as well as the target assembled battery in order to allow power supply to the load side even if a power failure or the like occurs during the execution of the discharge capacity test for deterioration determination of the assembled battery.
In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-120857 discloses a technique of providing, for the purpose of reducing a power cost by leveling power demands, a battery monitoring means for monitoring whether the residual capacity of an assembled battery has become equal to or less than a charge start threshold, and if the residual capacity has become equal to or less than the charge start threshold, starting auxiliary charging of the assembled battery at a predetermined time late at night when power is used relatively less.

Discharger and discharger control method including a manual switch to provide power to a control means from an input of the discharger

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation


A control system of an internal combustion engine in which as fuel, a first fuel of ammonia and a second fuel easier to burn than ammonia are used. These two types of fuel are burned in the combustion chamber. A basic ammonia ratio is set in accordance with an engine load and engine speed. The set basic ammonia ratio is corrected based on at least one of a combustion state, knocking strength, temperature of an exhaust gas or temperature of a catalyst arranged in an engine exhaust passage, NOx concentration in the exhaust gas, actual compression ratio, air-fuel ratio, and fuel properties.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control system of an internal combustion engine.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an internal combustion engine, in the past, the fuel used has mainly been fossil fuels. However, in this case, burning such fuels produces CO2, which causes global warming. On the other hand, burning ammonia does not produce CO2 at all. Thus, there is known an internal combustion engine made so as to use ammonia as fuel and not produce CO2 (for example, see Japanese Patent Publication (A) No. 5-332152).
However, ammonia is harder to burn compared with fossil fuels. Therefore, when using ammonia as fuel, some sort of measure is required for making the ammonia easier to burn. Thus, in the above-mentioned internal combustion engine, exhaust heat is utilized to reform the ammonia so as to produce reformed gas comprised of hydrogen and nitrogen, the hydrogen in the produced reformed gas is stored in a hydrogen storing alloy, and the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storing alloy is fed together with the ammonia in a combustion chamber so as to enable easier combustion even when using ammonia as fuel.

Control system of internal combustion engine


An electronic device paired with an infrared remote control, includes a display screen having a display area, at least one infrared emitter, at least one infrared receiver, a prism and a processing unit. A prism is adjacent to the at least one infrared receiver for converging the infrared rays from the at least one infrared emitter and the infrared remote control to the at least one IR receiver. A processing unit is for activating and then deactivating the infrared emitters one after another, identifying operations of a user on the display area by analyzing the interception of the infrared rays emitted from each of the infrared emitters, identifying operations of a user according to the infrared signals from the infrared remote control and executing corresponding functions associated with the operations of the user.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to electronic devices and, particularly, to an electronic device with a IR touch sensing and a infrared remote control function.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many electronic devices with IR touch function include a plurality of IR emitters and IR receivers, these IR emitters and IR receivers increase the cost of the electronic device. Moreover, when user views the electronic device from a distance, the controls cannot be operated by using the IR receivers.

Electronic device with infrared touch sensing and infrared remote control function

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd.


A process for forming a single crystal superconducting LnA.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x film, wherein Ln is at least one rare earth element and A is at least one alkaline earth element, is disclosed, which comprises simultaneously evaporating Ln, A and Cu in an atomic ratio of about 1:2:3 from discrete evaporation sources of Ln, A and Cu onto a heated substrate in a vacuum vessel while blowing an oxygen gas onto the substrate to form an oxygen-containing atmosphere, thereby forming the single crystal superconducting film on the substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thin film of a single crystal of an oxide of the formula: EQU LnA.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x (I)
wherein Ln is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of Y, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb and A is at least one alkaline earth metal selected from the group consisting of Ba, Sr and Ca which has a three-layered perovskite structure and a process for producing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A thin film of LnA.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x having a three-layered perovskite structure exhibits superconductivity around 90K will find various new applications such as wiring of LSI, SQUID and Josephson tunnel type elements.
For such applications, the LnA.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x thin film should have a critical temperature Tc at 85K or higher, a critical current density Jc of 10.sup.5 A/cm.sup.2 or higher when a film is not thicker than 5,000 .ANG. and should be formed at a comparatively lower temperature.
Since a wiring material of LSI is required to have a large current density, the single crystal thin film should have a specific plane such as a (001), (110) or (103) plane parallel with a film plane so that electric current can flow in said specific plane.
In the Josephson tunnel type element using the superconducting LnA.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x, an insulating ultrathin layer between the superconductors for tunnel junction is required to have a thickness of not larger than 30 .ANG.. To form such junction, it is essential to produce a superconductive film having good surface smoothness and an ultrathin insulating layer on it. A thickness of the insulating ultrathin layer for forming a junction is limited by a coherence length of a superconductor. The coherence length in a direction perpendicular to the (001) plane is about 4 to 7 .ANG., and that in a direction parallel to said plane is about 15 to 30 .ANG..
Therefore, the thickness of the insulating ultra-thin layer to be used for junction varies with a kind of the superconductor and its crystal direction to be connected. When a direction perpendicular to the (001) plane of the superconductor coincides with the direction perpendicular to the surface of the insulating layer, the thickness of the latter should be 10 A or less. On the contrary, when a direction parallel with the (001) plane of the superconductor coincides with the direction perpendicular to the surface of the insulating layer, the thickness of the latter can be as thick as several ten .ANG., which makes the formation of tunnel junction easy. Accordingly, a (110) oriented single crystal film may be more available for the tunnel type junction than a (001) oriented film.
In the practical applications, it is required to provide a single crystal film having the (110) plane in a direction parallel with the film plane. In addition, since a single crystal film with an other orientation can achieve a large current density, it is suitable for forming a wire to be used in a superconductive magnet.
In the most cases, the single crystal film of LnA.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x has been prepared by a sputtering method. The sputtering method comprises irradiating a plasma of oxygen (O.sub.2) and/or argon gas against a target consisting of a Ln--A--Cu base oxide in a vacuum vessel and depositing sputtered metals and the like on a substrate such as a SrTiO single crystal piece placed in said vessel to form a LnA.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x thin film. To covert the deposited LnA.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x thin film to a film exhibiting high quality superconductivity with Tc of 77K or higher, it is necessary to thermally treat the film at a temperature of 800.degree. C. or higher.
By the scientists in the Watson Research Laboratory of IBM or the Stanford University, a superconductive oxide thin film is produced by electron beam deposition. But, the as-deposited film is amorphous and does not have superconductive characteristics as such. Therefore, the deposited film is post-heated at a high temperature of 800.degree. to 1,000.degree. C. to crystallize the amorphous film to a perovskite crystal having a three-layered structure, whereby the produced film exhibits superconducting transition at 77K or higher.
By the conventional sputtering method or the conventional electron beam deposition, no film which is substantially a single crystal having the (001), (110) or (103) plane parallel with the film surface has been provided, and either method has its own drawbacks.
For example, in the sputtering method, it is difficult to prepare the target with a composition optimum for the formation of the superconducting film. Since a desired material is deposited solely by attacking the target with ions, not only characteristics of the film are delicately changed according to conditions of a plasma atmosphere and to quality of the target, but also the substrate or the deposited film is easily modified by ions. Therefore, this method has poor reproducibility.
Another problem resides in that the epitaxially grown LnA.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x oxide film should be thermally treated at a temperature of 800.degree. C. or higher to increase the critical temperature to 77K or higher, preferably 85K or higher. By the thermal treatment, the surface of the thin film is roughened. Further, due to thermal treatment at high temperature, the substrate material and LnA.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x react with each other so that the thin layer having a thickness of 500 .ANG. or less cannot be made superconductive.
A superconductive thin film which is produced by sputtering and subsequent thermal treatment at the lowest temperature is a 2,000 to 3,000 .ANG. thick (001) oriented crystal film of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x which is formed on a sapphire substrate heated at a temperature of 550.degree. to 650.degree. C. It is reported that this film had zero electric resistance at 80K after thermally treated at a temperature of 550.degree. to 650.degree. C.
However, the critical temperature of 80K is still unsatisfactory, and the produced film seems to be heterogeneous from the results of X-ray analysis and change of electrical resistance against temperature.
In the conventional electron beam deposition, the deposited film should be thermally treated at a high temperature. Therefore, a kind of the substrate to be used is limited. When the substrate is inadequate, it reacts with the deposited material so that a part or whole of the deposited material is changed to a material which is different from the superconductor.
Further, a surface of the deposited film is less smooth. Because of the reaction between the substrate and the deposited material, it is difficult to obtain the superconducting film with a thickness of 5,000 .ANG. or less.

Method for producing single crystal superconducting LnA.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x films


The invention is directed to a process for expanding tobacco wherein tobacco is impregnated with sulfur hexafluoride and thereafter heated in an expansion zone to liberate the sulfur hexafluoride and cause expansion of the tobacco. The process of the invention can provide substantial expansion of tobacco cut filler lamina without substantial generation of tobacco fines and employing substantially mild pressure of, for example, less than about 2,000 psi and with minimal effect on tobacco taste. The invention additionally provides an intermediate tobacco product comprising tobacco cut filler lamina impregnated with sulfur hexafluoride in a substantially pliable and unextracted condition.

The invention relates to a process for tobacco expansion. More specifically, the invention relates to a process for expanding tobacco to reduce its bulk density and thereby increase its volume and filling capacity. The process is especially suitable for treating cigarette cut filler.
In the past two decades, tobacco expansion processes have become an important part of the cigarette manufacturing process. Tobacco expansion processes are used to restore tobacco bulk density and/or volume which are lost during curing and storage of tobacco leaf. In addition, expanded tobacco is an important component of many low tar and ultra low tar cigarettes.
Commercially significant tobacco expansion processes are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,524,451 to Fredrickson and U.S. Pat. No. 3,524,452 to Moser et al. These patents describe processes wherein tobacco is contacted with a volatile organic impregnant and then heated by rapidly passing a stream of hot gas in contact with the impregnated tobacco to volatilize the impregnant and expand the tobacco. A variation of these processes is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,937 to Fredrickson et al. which discloses a tobacco expansion process wherein tobacco is impregnated with a volatile organic compound in the vapor state and in the absence of any liquid or solid phase. The impregnated tobacco is expanded either by heating or rapidly reducing pressure. Heat can be applied through a stream of hot gas or through microwave treatment.
Following development and commercialization of the tobacco expansion processes described above, extensive and continuing efforts have been directed to the identification of specific expansion agents and processes for expansion of tobacco. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,250 to Utsch; U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,729 to Burde et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,336,814 to Sykes et al., among others, disclose the use of carbon dioxide for expanding tobacco. In these and related processes, carbon dioxide, either in gas or in liquid form, is contacted with tobacco to impregnate tobacco and thereafter the carbon dioxide-impregnated tobacco is subjected to rapid heating conditions to volatilize the carbon dioxide and thereby expand the tobacco. Carbon dioxide is a substantial component of the atmosphere and is readily available. Nevertheless, in the carbon dioxide tobacco expansion processes, it is typically necessary to heat the tobacco excessively in order to achieve substantial stable expansion which can result in harm to the tobacco flavor and the generation of excessive amounts of tobacco fines. In addition, those commercially available processes which use liquid carbon dioxide to impregnate tobacco result in impregnated tobacco in the form of solid blocks of tobacco containing dry ice which must be broken up prior to heat treatment, thereby harming the tobacco and increasing the complexity of the process.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,310 to Zeihn and U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,148 to Zeihn describe the expansion of tobacco employing supercritical nitrogen or argon impregnation of tobacco. These gases are removed from the tobacco during a rapid pressure reduction and the tobacco is expanded by exposure to heated gas or microwave. These processes require treatment of tobacco at pressures in excess of 2,000 or 4,000 psi up to above 10,000 psi in order to achieve substantial tobacco expansion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,531,529 to White et al. describes a process for increasing the filling capacity of tobacco wherein the tobacco is impregnated with a low-boiling and highly volatile expansion agent such as a normally gaseous halocarbon or hydrocarbon at process conditions above or near the critical pressure and temperature of the expansion agent. The pressure is quickly released to atmospheric so that the tobacco expands without the necessity of a heating step to either expand the tobacco or to fix the tobacco in the expanded condition.
Various processes have been disclosed for the microwave treatment of tobacco to provide tobacco expansion in U.S. Pat. No. 3,765,425 to Stungis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,846 to Laszio et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 3,881,498 to Wochnowski, among others. In the Stungis et al. disclosure, tobacco is treated to increase its moisture level or to impregnate the tobacco with an organic expansion agent which absorbs microwaves. Alternatively, the tobacco is treated with an organic expansion agent which does not absorb microwaves, in combination with water and thereafter in any case, the tobacco is exposed to microwave energy to volatilize the moisture and/or organic expansion agent, resulting in tobacco expansion.
Numerous other compounds have been proposed or suggested for expanding tobacco including alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and ethers. In most instances, various practical problems are encountered however, such as the extraction of desirable flavors from the tobacco during the impregnation step and/or the expansion step; insufficient amount of tobacco expansion; non-uniformity of expansion; reactions between the expansion agent and various components in tobacco; adverse impact on tobacco processing equipment; high levels of retained residual in the final expanded tobacco; and/or hazards such as flammability associated with expansion agents.
There has thus continued to be a search for improvements in known tobacco expansion processes and for new and improved tobacco expansion processes and agents, in general. Yet despite the continuing efforts, commercial success in the field of tobacco expansion has been limited.


When a printing apparatus performs printing using dark and light inks, a large variation in density caused by a rapid decrease in ink applying rate is prevented, thereby enabling proper density reproduction. More specifically, when for example, green hues of different densities are printed, light cyan ink is used between points corresponding to a variation of color from white to green. Furthermore, after the maximum saturation point, light cyan ink is used in addition to the dark cyan ink. This prevents the total applying rate from decreasing rapidly near the maximum eaturation point.

This application is based on Patent Application No. 2001-233926 filed Aug. 1, 2001 in Japan, the content of which is incorporated hereinto by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing method, a printing system and a printing apparatus, and more specifically, to a density reproduction in printing performed by using printing agents of same base color or same hue, which are different in a concentration of a coloring material included therein.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ink jet printers are known as one of the most widely used printing apparatuses. Many of such widely used printing apparatuses have recently used printing agents of different coloring material densities for the same base color or hue. For example, an ink jet printer not only uses cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks but also uses, for cyan and magenta, light color ink composed of coloring material such as a dye or pigment having a lower concentration. This improves image quality by, for example, reducing the granularity of ink dots in a low-density portion of a printed image.
A printer of this kind performs printing using, for example, a total of six types of inks including dark and light cyan inks, dark and light magenta inks, and yellow and black inks, as described above. Accordingly, a plurality of inks are often used to represent one color, then an ink applying rate, which is an amount of ink ejected per unit area of a printing sheet, tends to be close to its maximum value determined considering the ink absorbency of the printing sheet and the like.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the applying rate of ink. More specifically, this figure shows an ink dot arrangement pattern (also referred to as an xe2x80x9cindex patternxe2x80x9d) for data on density of one color for each pixel which data are transmitted by a host apparatus such as personal computer. More specifically, the host apparatus transmits any of the nine data xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d to xe2x80x9c8xe2x80x9d to the printer as index data representative of the density of the pixel. The printer then forms ink dots in a pattern according to this index. Thus, the printer can achieve printing at a resolution higher than that represented by the index data.
In the figure, circles denoted by signs a and b each represent one dot composed of one ink droplet. The circles a and b both indicate ink droplets but are denoted using the different patterns for the convenience of illustration. Further, the circles a and b are arranged so as to lie partially outside square frames. This is also for the convenience of illustration. Actually, ink is ejected so that the dots are formed within the square frame. The dots are formed within the frame or so as to lie slightly partially outside the frame depending on various errors in the printer.
In FIG. 1, the 2xc3x972=4 squares shown for each of the index data xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d to xe2x80x9c8xe2x80x9d correspond to a print resolution for the printer, i.e. forming density of dots. This is achieved when, for example, the arrangement density of ejection openings in a printing head is the same as this dot forming density and when the frequency of ink ejecting operations performed at a certain scanning speed of the printing head is set according to this dot forming density.
The ink applying rate is said to be 100% when the printer forms one dot in the small square constituting the 2xc3x972 square. On the other hand, on the host apparatus side, when the ink applying rate is defined on the basis of pixels corresponding to the respective index data, the ink applying rate is determined by the number of dots arranged in the 2xc3x972 square for each index data shown in FIG. 1. In the following description, the ink applying rate refers to the value determined for each data corresponding to the pixels. More specifically, FIG. 1 shows an example that zero to eight ink droplets are caused to be applied on the printing sheet for each pixel in the host data, i.e. an example of index pattern formed in the case that the applying rate is 0% to 200%. In the figure, the index data xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d indicates white. In this case, the applying rate is 0%, and no dots are formed. With the index data xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d, one dot is formed and the applying rate is 25%. With the index data xe2x80x9c2xe2x80x9d, two dots are formed and the applying rate is 50%. This principle applies to the other cases, and with the index data xe2x80x9c8xe2x80x9d, eight dots are formed and the applying rate is 200%.
The index pattern shown in FIG. 1 is used, for example, for each of the six types of inks described above. This enables printing using the respective inks.
FIG. 2 is a graph showing a conventional example of the ink applying rate described above. This graph shows the ink applying rate of ink used for colors obtained by varying signal values for green, each of which is one of the colors represented by combinations of signals R, G, and B, when the colors are represented using the above described six types of inks, as well as a total applying rate corresponding to the total of these applying rates.
In FIG. 2, the numbers on a horizontal axis denotes points which are obtained by dividing the range of variations in signal values into 32 portions, which range is of hue of green and varies from white through green to black depending on variations in R, G, B signal values. A vertical axis indicates the applying rates of ink used to represent colors with the respective signal values, as well as the total applying rate. The number 1 on the vertical axis corresponds to white (signal values: R=G=B=255), and no ink of any types is used. Then, as the signal values vary from white to green (as the number increases), the density of green is increased using first the yellow ink and the light cyan ink. Furthermore, at the density (number 12) at which the color cannot be represented with only the light cyan ink, the dark cyan ink starts to be used. Subsequently, the density is increased using the light and dark cyan inks and the yellow ink until the maximum saturation or maximum density of green (number 17; signal values: R=0, G=255, and B=0) are reached. Then, at this maximum saturation point, the use of the light cyan ink is stopped. This is because dark color ink has a higher density and a wider color reproduction range than light color ink. Then, in the range with which the color represented by the signal values vary from green to black, the saturation and lightness are reduced using the light magenta ink, which is complementary color to green. In a way of this range, similarly to the case of cyan-based ink, the dark magenta ink begins to be used in addition to the light magenta ink (number 22). Subsequently, the saturation and lightness are further reduced, and for this purpose the black ink is used to make the color closer to black (number 24). For the black corresponding to the number 33 (signal values: R=G=B=0), the black, dark cyan, dark magenta, and yellow inks are all used.
In the case of representing colors varying as described above, then in the illustrated example, the total applying rate is about 220%. The maximum applying rate is determined on the basis of the ink receiving capability and ink permeation property of a printing medium, a printing speed, and the like. That is, the illustrated example indicates that the printing medium can cope with a maximum applying rate of 220%.
As shown in FIG. 2, the total applying rate reaches its maximum value of 220% when the light cyan ink is ejected at the maximum applying rate (number 13). Further, the total applying rate decreases rapidly near the maximum saturation point or maximum density point. Subsequently, the total applying rate first increases with increasing of amount of complementary color components. Then, the applying rates of the dark cyan, dark magenta and yellow inks decrease because of an increase in amount of black ink, and thus the total applying rate correspondingly decreases.
However, with the above described conventional method of performing printing using dark and light color inks, the total ink applying rate may decrease rapidly in some range. Consequently, the printed image may have a portion that is not appropriately reproduced in density, such as partly decrease in the printed density.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the light cyan ink is used until the total applying rate reaches its maximum value. Then, the dark cyan ink starts to be used in addition to the light cyan ink, and once the maximum saturation or the maximum density point (number 17) is reached, only the dark cyan ink is used. As a result, the light and dark cyan inks are quickly switched within a relatively narrow range of signal values (from number 12 to number 17). Thus, the total applying rate, including the applying rate of the yellow ink, decreases rapidly. Such a decrease in the total applying rate reduces an area factor, which is a rate of the area of the printing medium covered with ink dots, of an area printed based on gradation value data of the corresponding range. As a result, the forming density of dots in this area may decrease compared to surrounding areas or the densities of the surrounding areas increase rapidly compared to this area. Therefore, the density may be partially inappropriately reproduced.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and a printing system and apparatus that enable density to be appropriately reproduced for a printing operation that uses color materials of different densities for colors of similar shades.
In the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method for generating printing data based on an image signal, the printing data being used for a printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing medium using, for same base color, a printing agent of a first coloring material concentration and a printing agent of a second coloring material concentration lower than the first color material concentration,
wherein for a range of variations in image signal values corresponding to a variation of color from white, through a color having a maximum saturation or a maximum density of a predetermined color, to black, printing data are generated so that both the printing agent of the first coloring material concentration and the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration are used for the signal values of the color having the maximum saturation or the maximum density of the predetermined color.
In the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method for generating printing data based on an image signal, the printing data being used for a printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing medium using, for same base color, a printing agent of a first coloring material concentration and a printing agent of a second coloring material concentration lower than the first color material concentration,
wherein for a range of variation in image signal values, printing data are generated so that
the distribution of an applying rate of the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration varies from a maximum value thereof to zero with 10 of 32 intervals into which is divided the range of variations corresponding to a variation of color from white, through a color having a maximum saturation or a maximum density of a predetermined color, to black, and
for the 10 unit intervals, a total applying rate of printing agents used has a smaller change rate than that of the applying rate of the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration.
In the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method for generating printing data based on an image signal, the printing data being used for a printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing medium using, for same base color, a printing agent of a first coloring material concentration and a printing agent of a second coloring material concentration lower than the first color material concentration,
wherein for a range of variations in image signal values, printing data are generated so that
an applying rate of the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration varies from zero through a maximum value thereof back to zero with N/2 or more of N (an integer equal to or larger than 2) unit intervals into which is divided the range of variations corresponding to a variation of color from white, through a color having a maximum saturation or a maximum density of a predetermined color, to black, and
for the range of variations in signal values with which range the applying rate distribution of the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration varies from a maximum value thereof to zero, a total applying rate of printing agents used has a smaller change rate than that of the applying rate of the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration.
In the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system including a printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing medium using, for same base color, a printing agent of a first coloring material concentration and a printing agent of a second coloring material concentration lower than the first color material concentration and an image processing apparatus for generating printing data used in the printing apparatus based on an image signal,
wherein the image processing apparatus generates the printing data so that for a range of variations in image signal values corresponding to a variation of color from white, through a color having a maximum saturation or a maximum density of a predetermined color, to black, both the printing agent of the first coloring material concentration and the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration are used for the signal values of the color having the maximum saturation or the maximum density of the predetermined color.
In the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system including a printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing medium using, for same base color, a printing agent of a first coloring material concentration and a printing agent of a second coloring material concentration lower than the first color material concentration and an image processing apparatus for generating printing data used in the printing apparatus based on an image signal,
wherein the image processing apparatus generates the printing data so that for a range of variation in image signal values,
the distribution of an applying rate of the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration varies from a maximum value thereof to zero with 10 of 32 intervals into which is divided the range of variations corresponding to a variation of color from white, through a color having a maximum saturation or a maximum density of a predetermined color, to black, and
for the 10 unit intervals, a total applying rate of printing agents used has a smaller change rate than that of the applying rate of the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration.
In the sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system including a printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing medium using, for same base color, a printing agent of a first coloring material concentration and a printing agent of a second coloring material concentration lower than the first color material concentration and an image processing apparatus for generating printing data used in the printing apparatus based on an image signal,
wherein the image processing apparatus generates the printing data so that for a range of variations in image signal values,
an applying rate of the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration varies from zero through a maximum value thereof back to zero with N/2 or more of N (an integer equal to or larger than 2) unit intervals into which is divided the range of variations corresponding to a variation of color from white, through a color having a maximum saturation or a maximum density of a predetermined color, to black, and
for the range of variations in signal values with which range the applying rate distribution of the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration varies from a maximum value thereof to zero, a total applying rate of printing agents used has a smaller change rate than that of the applying rate of the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration.
In the seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing medium using, for same base color, a printing agent of a first coloring material concentration and a printing agent of a second coloring material concentration lower than the first color material concentration, based on printing data generated based on an image signal,
wherein based on the printing data generated for a range of variations in image signal values corresponding to a variation of color from white, through a color having a maximum saturation or a maximum density of a predetermined color, to black, both the printing agent of the first coloring material concentration and the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration are used for printing the color having the maximum saturation or the maximum density of the predetermined color.
In the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing medium using, for same base color, a printing agent of a first coloring material concentration and a printing agent of a second coloring material concentration lower than the first color material concentration, based on printing data generated based on an image signal,
wherein for a range of variation in image signal values, printing is performed so that
the distribution of an applying rate of the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration varies from a maximum value thereof to zero with 10 of 32 unit intervals into which is divided the range of variations corresponding to a variation of color from white, through a color having a maximum saturation or a maximum density of a predetermined color, to black, and
for the 10 unit intervals, a total applying rate of printing agents used has a smaller change rate than that of the applying rate of the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration.
In the ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing medium using, for same base color, a printing agent of a first coloring material concentration and a printing agent of a second coloring material concentration lower than the first color material concentration, based on printing data generated based on an image signal,
wherein for a range of variations in image signal values, printing is performed so that
an applying rate of the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration varies from zero through a maximum value thereof back to zero with N/2 or more of N (an integer equal to or larger than 2) unit intervals into which is divided the range of variations corresponding to a variation of color from white, through a color having a maximum saturation or a maximum density of a predetermined color, to black, and
for the range of variations in signal values with which range the applying rate distribution of the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration varies from a maximum value thereof to zero, a total applying rate of printing agents used has a smaller change rate than that of the applying rate of the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration.
With the above configuration, for a range of variations in signal values of image signals, which range corresponds to a variation of color from white, through a color having a maximum saturation or a maximum density of a predetermined color, to black, both a printing agent of a first coloring material concentration and a printing agent of a second coloring material concentration lower than the first color material concentration are used in connection with a signal value for the color having the maximum saturation or the maximum density of the predetermined color. This prevents a total applying rate of a printing agent used for printing from decreasing rapidly near a maximum saturation or a maximum density point, compared to the use of only the printing agent of first coloring material concentration.
Further, for a range of variations in signal values of image signals, with 10 of 32 intervals into which is divided the range corresponding to a variations of color from white, through a color having a maximum saturation or a maximum density of a predetermined color, to black, a distribution of the applying rate of a printing agent of a second color material concentration lower than a first color material density concentration is changed from a maximum of the applying rate to zero, and with 10 unit intervals, the total applying rate of printing agents used has a smaller change rate than that of the applying rate of a printing agent of the second color material concentration. Thereby, the applying rate distribution of the printing agent of the second color material concentration varies relatively gently from its maximum value to zero with the 10 unit intervals. Furthermore, with the range from its maximum value to zero, the total applying rate varies more gently than the gently varying applying rate of the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration.
Furthermore, for a range of variations in signal values of image signals, with N/2 or more of N (an integer equal to or larger than 2) unit intervals into which is divided the range corresponding to a variation of color from white, through a color having a maximum saturation or a maximum density of a predetermined color, to black, the applying rate of a printing agent of a second coloring material concentration lower than a first coloring material concentration varies from zero through a maximum value thereof back to zero, and for variation range of a signal value in which the applying rate distribution of the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration varies from a maximum value thereof to zero, the total applying rate of printing agent used has a smaller change rate than that of the applying rate of the print agent of the second color material density. Thereby, the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration can be used with half or more of the total range of the signal value. Furthermore, with this range, the total applying rate varies more gently than that of the applying rate of the printing agent of the second coloring material concentration.
The above and other objects, effects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Image processing method, printing system and printing apparatus


A new and distinct cultivar of Limonium plant named ‘Esm Quetzal’, characterized by its erect, long and strong flowering stems; vigorous growth habit; freely flowering habit; small light orange-colored flowers with red-colored venation; and good postproduction longevity.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Limonium plant, botanically known as Limonium sinense, grown commercially as a cut flower, and hereinafter referred to by the name 'Esm Quetzal'.
The new Limonium is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in El Quinche, Pichincha, Ecuador. The objective of the breeding program is to create new freely flowering Limonium cultivars with long and straight flowering stems.
The new Limonium originated from a open-pollination in El Quinche, Pichincha, Ecuador in August, 2000 of a proprietary selection of Limonium sinense identified as Line 52, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with an unknown selection of Limonium sinense. The cultivar 'Esm Quetzal' was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated open-pollination in a controlled environment in El Quinche, Pichincha, Ecuador.
Asexual reproduction of the new Limonium by cuttings in a controlled environment in El Quinche, Pichincha, Ecuador since August, 2001, has shown that the unique features of this new Limonium are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.


An eyeglass frame shape measurement device measures a shape of an eyeglass frame. The eyeglass frame shape measurement device includes a light projecting optical system that has a light source and emits measurement light from the light source toward a groove of a rim of an eyeglass frame, a light receiving optical system that has a detector and causes the detector to receive reflected light of the measurement light emitted toward the groove in the rim of the eyeglass frame by the light projecting optical system and reflected by the groove of the rim of the eyeglass frame, an acquisition section that acquires a cross-sectional shape of the groove of the rim of the eyeglass frame on the basis of the reflected light received by the detector, and a luminance control section that controls a luminance level of the reflected light to be received by the detector.

An eyeglass frame shape measurement device that traces a contour of a rim and measures a shape of the rim by inserting a probe into the rim of an eyeglass frame, pressing the probe against the rim, and moving the rim is known (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1). Based on the rim measurement result (trace data) obtained by the eyeglass frame shape measurement device, a shape (target shape) for fitting the eyeglass lens to the rim is obtained. In addition, the contour shape of the eyeglass lens is determined based on the shape, and the peripheral edge of the lens is processed by the eyeglass lens processing device.

Eyeglass frame shape measurement device and lens processing device