The invention relates to a medical gripping instrument, especially for use in microlaryngoscopy, comprising a longitudinal shaft on whose distal end a pincer part is arranged, which can be moved between a closed and an opened position. A handle consisting of a fixed handle part and of a handle part that can pivot in relation to the fixed handle part is arranged on the proximal end of said shaft. The pincer part is moved via a push/pull rod, which is mounted in the shaft and which is connected to a pivotal handle part. The gripping instrument also comprises a spreading part, which can be tilted from the shaft. The aim of the invention is to create a gripping instrument of the aforementioned embodiment, which is not only simple in its structure and easy to be manipulated, but also ensures a protection of the tissue to be preserved. The said medical gripping instrument is characterized in that the spreading part, which can be pivoted from the shaft, is arranged on the distal end of said shaft next to the pincer part; and that it can be tilted within a certain range into an approximate right-angled position to the range of adjustment of the pincer part.

The invention relates to a medical gripping instrument, especially for use in microlaryngoscopy, comprising a longitudinal shaft on whose distal end a pincer part is arranged, which can be moved between a closed and an opened position. A handle consisting of a fixed handle part and of a handle part that can pivot in relation to the fixed handle part is arranged on the proximal end of said shaft. The pincer part is moved via a push/pull rod, which is mounted in the shaft and which is connected to a pivotal handle part. The gripping instrument also comprises a spreading part, which can be tilted from the shaft. In addition, the invention relates to a process for using this medical gripping instrument in microsurgical and especially in laser-surgical microlaryngoscopy.
It is common in microsurgical and especially in laser-surgical microlaryngoscopy, in which tissues are to be removed, to insert a gripping instrument into the patient""s body through the shaft of a fixed endoscope. On the one hand, this procedure facilitates the severing of a tissue part by means of another medical instrument, such as a laser, and, on the other hand, serves to remove the severed tissue from the patient""s body. The particular risk in laser-surgery is that the tissue to be spared will also be damaged during such a surgery, especially due to the heat caused by the use of laser.
For example, a medical gripping instrument of the aforementioned type has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,695 A. The gripping instrument disclosed therein comprises a handle consisting of two handle parts. A pincer part on the distal end of the shaft can be moved between a closed and an opened position by means of said handle. In addition to said pincer part on the distal end of the shaft, a fan-shaped spreading part is arranged on the center part of said shaft, over which the individual fan blades used as retractors within the pincer part""s range of adjustment can be pivoted from the shaft so as to press the tissue to the side, for example. The spreading part can be pivoted from its resting position in the shaft into the tilted spread position by turning the ring. The said ring is arranged on the distal end of the handle, that is, within the shaft""s range of extension.
Apart from the fact that it is necessary to always use both hands for operating with the aforementioned gripping instrument if both the pincer part and the spreading part must be used at the same time, since it is not possible to use the handle parts and simultaneously turn the ring with a single hand only, the drawback of the aforementioned gripping instrument is that there is a distance between the spreading part and the pincer part when said spreading part has been shifted towards the proximal end of the shaft, and that said spreading part is used within the pincer part""s range of adjustment. Especially in a restricted space, as in laryngoscopy for example, this design of the spreading part makes it difficult to protect the non-operable tissue so that only grip the tissue held by the pincer part is exposed to surgical intervention.
In accordance with the current state of technology, it is the objective of the present invention to provide a gripping instrument of the type mentioned at the beginning, which is simple in its structure, easy to be used, which ensures that the tissue to be removed will be protected. Moreover, it is the objective of the present invention to provide a procedure for the use of said medical gripping instrument.
The solution to this objective is characterized in that the spreading part, which can be tilted from the shaft, isxe2x80x94in addition to the pincer partxe2x80x94arranged on the distal end of the shaft, and that said spreading part can be tilted from the shaft within a certain range into an approximate right-angled position to the range of adjustment.
In the present invention, through the arrangement of the spreading part on the distal end of the shaft, i.e. in immediate proximity to the pincer part, the tissue to be preserved, which is immediately adjacent to the tissue to be removed and gripped by the pincer part, can be pushed aside, even in restricted areas of operation, so that the said tissue to be preserved will not be affected. Furthermore, the spreading part""s approximately right-tangled tilting to the range of adjustment of the pincer part allows a largely independent movement both of the spreading part and of the pincer part.
The manipulation of the gripping instrument according to the present invention, and especially the surgery carried out with a single hand, is made possible because the spreading part can be tilted by means of an additional handle part of the handle.
The use of the said gripping instrument equipped with the additional spreading part makes it possible to keep the tissue to be preserved separate from the area of surgery, in order to provide more space and a better overview for surgery. Moreover, the advantage of the gripping instrument according to the present invention is that it can be used directly by manipulating the said gripping instrument, and thus that this additional accessory will be available to the surgeon at any time.
The gripping instrument in accordance with the present invention allows a facility in its use in that the pivotal handle part can be fixed in its respective position to the fixed handle part for adjusting the pincer part. By locking the pincer part in the gripping position, the surgeon now has the possibility of using the spreading part without having to move the pincer part at all.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a locking arm arranged on one of the two handle parts is used for fixing the pincer part, whereas the said locking arm is interacting with a locking element attached on the other handle part. As an advantageous feature, the said locking arm is provided with a saw-toothed profile on its surface.
According to a practical and preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is suggested that the locking arm is pivotal on one of the handle parts and, moreover, that it is spring-loaded in direction towards the stop location.
The invention""s gripping instrument can be especially well manipulated if the pincer part and the spreading part can be moved into an opened position, that is, tilted from the shaft, by as much as 90xc2x0; preferably 50xc2x0.
The procedure in accordance with the present invention for using said gripping instrument in microsurgical, and especially in laser-surgical microlaryngoscopy, is characterized in the following steps:
a) inserting the medical gripping instrument through a shaft of a fixed endoscope;
b) opening the pincer part over both accompanying handle parts of the handle, and gripping the tissue to be removed;
c) tilting the spreading part over the additional handle part of the handle;
d) keeping the tissue parts separate from the area of surgery by means of the spreading part, in order to provide more space and a better view, especially in laser surgery;
e) severing the tissue gripped by the pincer part by means of a surgical instrument, especially by means of laser; and
f) moving back the spreading part onto the shaft after the surgery, and withdrawing the medical gripping instrument together with the tissue to be removed.
Thus, the procedure according to the present invention enables the surgeon, by means of the spreading part, to selectively separate from the area of surgery the tissue to be preserved.
Finally, the procedure according to the present invention can be simplified if the handle parts of the pincer part can be fixed in gripping position prior to tilting the spreading part.

Medical gripping instrument and method for using this medical gripping instrument


A system and method for ascertaining field position for the game of American football has first and second wheels, each being substantially planar and round. The first wheel is relatively smaller than the second wheel and the two are rotatably mounted coaxially with respect to each other to allow rotation. The wheels are marked with various notches, numbers, and arrows to allow quick and easy calculation of yards gained or lost on a given play in accordance with the described operation.

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for ascertaining field position and specifically to position on the type of field used in American football (i.e. 100 yards in length, numbered from each end zone in one yard increments, in ascending order to a common 50 yard line).
The persons charged with providing play by play annunciation and commentary (announcers, commentators, etc.) must have accurate information about the yards gained or lost on a given play relative to the line of scrimmage. Additionally, this information must be ascertained and reported quickly and accurately, in real time. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that the time span between some plays (e.g. a "hurry up" scenario) can be as few as 5 to 10 seconds.
Conventionally, the announcer must locate the yard markers (maintained by field personnel) and perform a mental calculation of yards lost or gained for each play. This becomes especially difficult when the ball traverses the 50 yard line.
The present invention overcomes these problems, as well as provides other objects and advantages that will be apparent to those of skill in the art, by providing a system of first and second wheels, movable with respect to each other, that are marked in such a way as to allow the speedy calculation of yards gained or lost relative to the line of scrimmage.
A first wheel is divided into 120 increments (each marked with a notch) equally placed around the entire periphery of the wheel. The increments are marked in ascending order from 1 to 99, then in descending order from −20 to −1. The 0 position is marked with an arrow originating from the center of the wheel. It is labeled as the line of scrimmage (LOS) marker.
A large indicia is provided every fifth number (i.e. 5, 10, 15, . . . 95, −20, −15, . . . −5). Smaller indicia are provided at increments of one between the large indicia. Two opposing arrows marked "yards gained" (clockwise oriented), and "yards lost" (counterclockwise oriented) point away from the line of scrimmage arrow.
A second wheel is marked with 120 increments (each marked with a notch) that correspond in size and location to the notches of the first wheel. The second wheel is marked starting at zero yards (marked as "goal" to indicate the goal line) in ascending order, in increments of 1, to a common 50, then in descending order from 49 to the goal line. There are 19 unmarked increments on the second wheel.
In operation, the first wheel is turned so that the LOS marker aligns with the indicia on the second wheel to correspond to the line of scrimmage (current ball position) as marked by the field personnel. After the subsequent play ends, the field personnel move the line of scrimmage to correspond to the new field position. At this point, the new field position is found on the second wheel. Then, the corresponding indicia on the first wheel is noted. This number reflects how many yards were gained (or lost). This number is reported and the first wheel is again rotated so that the LOS marker corresponds to the new ball position and the process is repeated. Thus, the yards gained or lost can be accurately and speedily reported without having to perform a mental calculation. This procedure can be equally well applied to interceptions, fumbles, punts, and kickoffs.

System and method for ascertaining field position


Described are techniques for differentiating humans from bots. The techniques including a computer-implemented method comprising presenting a motion-based challenge-response instruction to a user via a user interface of a first device of a plurality of devices associated with the user and communicatively coupled to one another by a network, where the motion-based challenge-response instruction describes at least one motion that is performable by the user and detectable by at least one of the plurality of devices, and where the motion-based challenge-response instruction is configured to differentiate humans from bots. The method further comprises determining that device data from one or more of the plurality of devices matches the at least one motion. The method further comprises authenticating the first device in response to determining that the device data matches the at least one motion, where authenticating the first device indicates that the user is a human.

The present disclosure relates to challenge-response authentication, and, more specifically, to a motion-based challenge-response authentication mechanism.
Challenge-response tests are used to determine whether a user of a data processing system is a human or a web robot (otherwise referred to as a bot). Challenge-response tests include numerous protocols whereby one party presents a question (e.g., a challenge) and another party provides a valid answer (e.g., a response) in order to be authenticated. Authentication can result in a successful access (e.g., to a website, to a reservation system, to a database, etc.), a successful transaction (e.g., a completed purchase, a completed reservation, etc.), or another successful outcome enabling a human user access to desired content.

Motion-based challenge-response authentication mechanism

International Business Machines Corporation


An optical data medium driving apparatus which constitutes amplifiers for an output current signal of a photosensor including a plurality of current mirror circuits having different amplification factors in order to switch, in a wide range, the output current signal of the photosensor. The photosensor detects a quantity of the reflected light corresponding to a variation of the quantity of reflected light from an optical data medium having various characteristics. The output is obtained with high accuracy and in a wide band. A servo-circuit is used for an AGC circuit and normalizes a difference signal from each light receiving surface at a photosensor having a plurality of light receiving surfaces. An A/D converter is given the difference signal as an analog input signal and the sum signal as the reference input signal. The A/D converter outputs an offset binary type digital signal, thereby being inexpensive to produce, easy to be integrated having high function, and high in reliability.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an optical data medium driving apparatus, such as an optical disc or a photomagnetic disc, and more particularly to an optical data medium driving apparatus designed by paying attention to an amplifier for an output current of a detector detecting an error signal for driving a tracking servo mechanism and a focusing servo mechanism, and relates to a servo circuit for position controlling the light spot of, for example, an optical disc apparatus, espically a servo circuit inexpensive to be produced and of high reliability.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, an information processing amount by a computer has increased steadily and an optical disc apparatus of larger recording amount has been noticed in order to record and reproduce the increased information, therefore the technology thereof is remarkably improving. In the optical disc apparatus, the information recorded on a data medium or to be recorded thereon is a micropit of 1 .mu.m or less, whereby a focusing servo mechanism or a tracking servo mechanism is indispensable which restricts the laser beam to a micro spot light of diameter of about 1 .mu.m to allow the laser light to impinge always on the medium surface regardless of surface deflection or track deflection of the data medium, whereby development of a servo mechanism of high accuracy has been desired.
In the conventional optical disc apparatus or a photomagnetic disc apparatus, when the information is recorded, there is a difference in the relative peripheral speed between an optical head and a disc at an inner periphery or an outer periphery. Hence, for obtaining the equivalent condition on the disc it is required to intensify the recording laser beam as it approaches the outer periphery. For this control, the information of track number prerecorded on the disc is demodulated and D/A converted, thereby controlling the laser power.
Meanwhile, since the servo system for driving the optical head, such as a tracking servo or a focusing servo, utilizes the reflected or transmitted light, a servo driving signal changes when the laser power changes or a reflection factor changes. Accordingly, in order to obtain a stable servo driving signal, the servo gain is required to be automatically changed so that the averaged servo driving signal may be obtained regardless of variation in the laser power and reflection factor of the disc.
Next, explanation will be given on a concrete example of an amplifier which automatically changes the servo gain, disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Gazette No. 22746/1985.
FIG. 1 shows the conventional servo gain control circuit, in which reference numeral 117 designates a photosensor including four receiving surfaces known in the cylindrical lens method, which outputs from the upper side shown in the drawing three kinds of systems of a track error signal, a focus error signal and a total quantity of reflected light signa. Reference numeral 118 in the track error signal system designates a differential amplifier, and 119 and 121 designate amplifiers respectively. These amplifiers 118, 119 and 121 are connected in series and output a track servo driving signal to an output terminal 122. Reference numeral 123 in the focus error signal system designates a differential amplifier, and 124 and 126 designate amplifiers respectively, these amplifiers 123, 124 and 126 being connected in series and outputting the focus servo driving signal to an output terminal 127. The total quantity of reflected light system is so constituted that an inverting amplifier 128 and a filter 129 are connected in series, an output of the filter 129 is of negative polarity and connected in parallel to gate terminals G of field-effect transistors (to be hereinafter called FET) 120 and 125, the source terminals S of the FETs 120 and 125 are grounded, and the drain terminals D are connected to one input terminal of amplifiers 119 and 124 respectively.
FIG. 2 is a graph showing an example of a characteristic curve of gate voltage V.sub.GS to a resistance value R.sub.DS between the equivalent drain and the source of the FETs, which has a characteristic of a curve of secondary degree, wherein the center point of a linear region is represented by P.
Next, explanation will be given on operation of the servo gain control circuit shown in FIG. 1.
The output of the amplifier 128 is a total quantity of reflected light signal, which is removed by the filter 129 of noise component and then connected in parallel to gate terminals G at the FETs 120 and 125 respectively, so that the level variation in the total quantity of reflected light signal is applied as gate voltage V.sub.GS to the terminals G, and a resistance value R.sub.DS between the equivalent drain and source corresponding to the gate voltage V.sub.GS represented by the characteristic curve shown in FIG. 2 varies. When a resistance value of FET 120 is represented by R.sub.DS4, that of FET 125 by R.sub.DS9, resistance between one input terminal and the output terminal at the amplifier 119 by R.sub.3, a resistance between the same at the amplifier 124 by R.sub.8, and amplifier gains of the amplifiers 119 and 124 by A.sub.3 and A.sub.8, A.sub.3 and A.sub.8 are given in the following expressions: ##EQU1## whereby the amplifier gains are automatically controlled corresponding to variation in the resistance value R.sub.DS of each FET. In other words, as the total quantity of reflected light reduces, gate voltage V.sub.GS decreases in proportion thereto. Conversely, the servo driving signal output is designed to be averaged by utilizing an increase in the amplifier gain.
Since an intensity ratio of the laser light is large during the recording and the reproducing of the information, when the information is reproduced, the output of total quantity of reflected light, that is, the output of amplifier 128, is small, whereby a region of bad linearity at the FET characteristic shown in FIG. 2 is obliged to be used, thereby causing the defect that sufficient amplifier gain is not obtainable and a stable servo circuit is not realizable.
As the countermeasure for the above conventional defect, it is considered that during the reproduction the servo gain is made larger and during the recording the servo gain is changed corresponding to the output of total quantity of reflected light of an optical head, so that an automatic adjusting circuit for servo gain obtainable of a stable drive output for the optical head both when the information is reproduced and recorded regardless of variation in the total quantity of reflected light, is used.
In the disc apparatus provided with amplifiers for amplifying the track error signal and focus error signal from the optical head so as to adjust the servo gain for operating the tracking servo and focusing servo by the outputs of respective amplifiers, it is considered as the improvement for the above defect that a changeover switch for switching the gains of both the amplifiers by the switching signal for the recording and reproducing is provided and control means which stabilizes the outputs of both the amplifiers at about the equal level in spite of separation of the recording from the reproducing is provided.
FIG. 3 is a structural view of an example of the automatic adjusting circuit for the servo gain by applying the above improvement, in which only the components different from the conventional example shown in FIG. 1 are shown.
In FIG. 3, reference numerals 130 and 131 designate analog switches having contacts 136, 137 and 138, 139 respectively, which are driven by recording/reproducing gate signals inputted to the terminal 133, 132 designates an amplifier into which the total quantity of reflected light signal passing a filter 129 is inputted, and is output connects to the gate terminal G of a FET 120 through a contact 138 of the analog switch 131. The output of the filter 129 is branched to connect to the gate terminal G of the FET 120 through an contact 139. The source terminal S of the FET 120 is grounded, and the drain terminal D connects with one input terminal of an amplifier 119 and connects in common with the output terminal of the amplifier 119 through contacts 136 and 137 and resistances R134 and R135 at the analog switch 130 respectively.
Next, an explanation will be given on operation of the circuit shown in FIG. 3. The contacts 136 and 138 at the respective analog switches 130 and 131 are closed and those 137 and 136 are open when the input signal to the terminal 13 is reproduced, and they operate reversely when the input signal is recorded.
At first, the total quantity of reflected light signal obtained by all the composite outputs of the photosensor 117 shown in FIG. 1 is amplified so that the output is of negative polarity by the inverting amplifier 128. When the output is inputted as gate voltage to the FET 120 through the filter 129 at the next stage, the gain of amplifier 128 is so set that the mean value of inputted gate voltage, when the information is recorded, is positioned to get a proper linearity in FIG. 2 (namely the point P). When the information is reproduced, the laser power is lowered, and the amplifier (132) gain is so set that the inputted gate voltage at that time is about equal to the mean value during the recording. At this state, when the recording/reproducing gate signal is applied to the terminal 133, the input gate voltage of the FET 120 during the recording vertically varies in a range of nearly proper linearity around the point P on the characteristic curve in FIG. 2 and the gate voltage during the reproduction does not so fluctuate from the output (gate voltage access to the operating point P) decided by the function limit of amplifier 132.
Next, the servo gain is set. For example, when the track error signal of photosensor 117 is amplified by the differential amplifier 118, its output represents the direction and extent of track error, thereby being connected to a coil moving an objective lens to correct the track error through the amplifiers 119 and 121. Herein, the servo gain is set by the amplifiers 118 and 119, but the amplifier(119) gain is decided by the resistance value R.sub.DS4 between the equivalent drain and source of FET 120 and the resistances R134 and R135. When the amplifier (119) gain is represented by A.sub.3W when recorded and by A.sub.3R when reproduced, the gain is given in the following expressions: ##EQU2##
Here, when the gain of amplifier 128 is set on a basis of the mean value of the laser power during the recording, since the laser power during the reproducting is low, even when the gain of amplifier 132 is set, the servo gain tends to be short. Hence, the analog switch 130 is controlled by the recording/reproducing gate and values of resistance R134 and R135 are selected so as to obtain driving voltage to correct the track errors to about an equal extent during the recording and reproducing, thereby enabling the most suitable servo gain to be set.
Now, the circuit shown in FIG. 3 is described as to the track servo driving signal system, the focus error signal system is applicable in the same way as in FIG. 3. In the FIG. 3 circuit, the differential amplifier 118 is replaced by that 123 and the amplifiers 119 and 121 by those 124 and 126, thereby enabling a stable focus servo driving signal to be obtained.
As above-mentioned, the improved automatic gain control circuit for the servo gain is simple in construction, and, even when the output of the total quantity of reflected light fluctuates regardless division of the information for recording/reproducing, can always easily obtain the stable servo driving signal.
The conventional optical data medium driving apparatus and an improvement thereof are constructed as above-mentioned. In other words, the apparatus is provided with function (to be hereinafter called the auto gain control: AGC) such that the servo driving signal is divided by the total quantity of reflected light to average the servo driving signal to thereby maintain constant the servo loop gain regardless of variation in the laser power and reflection factor of the disc. Also, in order to compensate a narrow dynamic range of AGC, the gain switching stage for switching the gain at the step of reproducing/recording is provided at the preceding stage of the AGC.
In consideration of accuracy (about .+-.1 .mu.m for focusing servo and about .+-.1 .mu.m for tracking servo) and band (about 3 KHz for the gain crossover frequency) required to the optical disc servo, as the characteristic of AGC, the dynamic range is limited to five times through ten times the extent.
However, there are some data media for the optical disc having various characteristics. In consideration of the reflection factor after recording inclusive, variation in the reflection factor of the optical disc becomes about ten times larger.
The reproduction power is required to be changed to meet with the sensitivity of data medium and not to break the recording data. Also, the recording power is different depending on the kind of data medium. Furthermore, in consideration of an apparatus, such as the photomagnetic disc, which continuously lights the semiconductor laser by the power equivalent to or larger than the recording power to thereby erasing the recording data, even average variation in the laser power becomes about ten times larger.
Accordingly, for the optical disc or the photomagnetic disc, as a recording medium, having various characteristics mentioned above, the problem is created in that the conventional example only enlarging the AGC dynamic range by switching the preceding reproduction/recording is insufficient.
Meanwhile, there is another prior art relating to the AGC.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the servo circuit of the conventional optical data medium apparatus disclosed in the Japanese Patent Publication Gazette No. 28653/1983.
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 201 designates a photosensor for detecting a focus error of the light spot (not shown), which comprises two-divided light receiving surfaces 201a and 201b, reference numerals 202 and 203 designate current-voltage converters (to be hereinafter referred to as IV converter) which convert photocurrent signals inputted from the respective light receiving surfaces 201a and 201b into voltage. Reference numerals 204 and 205 designate operational amplifiers for obtaining a difference signal V.sub.X and a sum signal V.sub.Y of each output of the respective IV converters 202 and 203. Reference numeral 206 designates an analog divider which divides the difference signal V.sub.X by the sum signal V.sub.Y and constitutes normalization processing means for normalizing by the sum signal V.sub.Y the level variation of difference signal V.sub.X to be constant. Reference numeral 207 designates an actuator driving circuit for amplifying the output of analog divider 206. Reference numberal 208 designates a focus actuator for controlling the focal position of the light spot. The above components 201 through 208 comprise the auto focusing servo system.
Similarly, the auto tracking servo system comprises a photo sensor 209 comprising the two-divided light receiving surfaces 209a and 209b for detecting the track error of the light spot, IV converter 210 and 211, an operational amplifier for obtaining the difference signal V.sub.Z of the photosensor 209, analog divider 213, actuator driving circuit 214, and tracking actuator 215 for controlling tracking of the light spot. In addition, the sum signal V.sub.Y inputted to the analog divider 213 at the auto-tracking servo system uses the sum signal V.sub.Y of the division amplifier 205 at the auto focusing servo system.
Next, explanation will be given on operation of the conventional servo circuit shown in FIG. 4.
At first, the light receiving surfaces 201a and 201b at the focus error sensor 201 output a photocurrent corresponding to a received light quantity, the IV converters 202 and 203 converting current signals from the light receiving surfaces 201a and 201b into voltage.
The operational amplifiers 204 and 205 compute the difference signal V.sub.X and sum signal V.sub.Y of voltages from the respective IV converters 202 and 203, the analog divider 206 divides the difference signal V.sub.X by the sum signal V.sub.Y. The actuator driving circuit 207 amplifiers the output of the analog divider 206 to drive the focus actuator 208 to position-control the light spot to be constant.
Similarly, the actuator driving circuit 214 drives the tracking actuator 215 corresponding to imbalance in quantity of received light on the light receiving surfaces 209a and 209b at the photosensor 209 so that the irradiation position of the light spot is position-controlled on a desired track.
Generally, when variation in the output from the light source for the light spot changes in phase the quantity of received light of the photosensors 201 and 209, the output level of difference signal V.sub.X with respect to the equal control error amount varies. The aforesaid analog divider 206 is used to normalize variation in output level corresponding to the quantity of received light, whereby the quantity of control error of the stable servo loop is obtained.
Such normalization processing means for dividing the difference signal V.sub.X by the sum signal V.sub.Y is well-known as disclosed in, for example, the Japanese Patent Publication Gazette No. 5293/1980.
The conventional servo circuit, as above-mentioned, uses the analog divider 206 in order to normalize the difference signal V.sub.X. Since the analog divider 206 is required to have the frequency characteristic to the extent that a phase lag at the target servo region is not problematical and the dynamic range and accuracy in the range that an offset to cause a control error in the servo loop is not problematical, there is the problem that an expensive IC applied with laser trimming may inevitably be used.
Since the signal normalized by the analog divider 206 is an analog signal, the drift or aging cannot be neglected and the reliability is difficult to maintain thereby creating the problem in that all circuits must be analog processed and high analog technology are required to add function to have high performance.

Current mirror amplifier for use in an optical data medium driving apparatus and servo-circuit


An integrated current collector and electrical component plate for a fuel cell stack is disclosed, comprising a printed circuit board comprising the following layers: a current collection layer, comprising a current collector; a first insulation layer, comprising a first surface and a second surface; an electrical component layer, comprising an electrical component having a first connection site and a second connection site; and a second insulation layer, comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the current collection layer is laminated to the first surface of the first insulation layer, and the electrical component layer is laminated between the second surface of the first insulation layer and the first surface of the second insulation layer. A fuel cell stack and methods for manufacturing a fuel cell stack comprising the integrated current collector and electrical component plate are also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrochemical fuel cell stacks, and, more particularly, to an integrated current collector and electrical component plate for an electrochemical fuel cell stack.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electrochemical fuel cells convert reactants, namely fuel and oxidant, to generate electric power and reaction products. Electrochemical fuel cells generally employ an electrolyte disposed between two electrodes, namely a cathode and an anode. An electrocatalyst, disposed at the interfaces between the electrolyte and the electrodes, typically induces the desired electrochemical reactions at the electrodes. The location of the electrocatalyst generally defines the electrochemically active area of the fuel cell.
Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells generally employ a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising a solid polymer electrolyte or ion-exchange membrane disposed between two electrode layers comprising a porous, electrically conductive sheet material, such as carbon fiber paper or carbon cloth, as a fluid diffusion layer. In a typical MEA, the electrode layers provide structural support to the ion-exchange membrane, which is typically thin and flexible. The membrane is ion conductive (typically proton conductive), and also acts as a barrier for isolating the reactant streams from each other. Another function of the membrane is to act as an electrical insulator between the two electrode layers. A typical commercial PEM is a sulfonated perfluorocarbon membrane sold by E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company under the trade designation NAFION®.
As noted above, the MEA further comprises an electrocatalyst, typically comprising finely comminuted platinum particles disposed in a layer at each membrane/electrode layer interface, to induce the desired electrochemical reactions. The electrodes are electrically coupled to provide a path for conducting electrons between the electrodes through an external load.
In a fuel cell, the MEA is typically interposed between two separator plates that are substantially impermeable to the reactant fluid streams. The plates act as current collectors and provide support for the electrodes. To control the distribution of the reactant fluid streams to the electrochemically active area, the surfaces of the plates that face the MEA may have open-faced channels formed therein. Such channels define a flow field area that generally corresponds to the adjacent electrochemically active area. Such separator plates, which have reactant channels formed therein, are commonly known as flow field plates.
In a fuel cell stack, a plurality of fuel cells are connected together, typically in series, to increase the overall output power of the assembly. In such an arrangement, one side of a given separator plate may serve as an anode plate for one cell and the other side of the plate may serve as the cathode plate for the adjacent cell. In this arrangement, the plates may be referred to as bipolar plates. The fuel cell stack is typically held together in its assembled state by tie rods and end plates. A compression mechanism is generally required to ensure sealing around internal stack manifolds and flow fields, and also to ensure adequate electrical contact between the surfaces of the plates and membrane electrode assemblies to provide the serial electrical connection among the fuel cells which make up the stack.
Typically, in fuel cell systems, current is drawn from the fuel cell stack via a pair of current collector or bus plates, typically formed of copper or coated copper, one of which is positioned at each end of the fuel cell stack between the assembled fuel cells and the end plates. In order to minimize power losses, the bus plates presently employed in fuel cell systems are typically quite thick (e.g., on the order of 2 mm for an automotive sized stack, but the thickness would be expected to vary somewhat depending on fuel cell size). However, this results in both high through-plane and in-plane thermal conductivity. A consequence of such high through-plane thermal conductivity is that heat is removed from the fuel cell stack, and a consequence of such high in-plane conductivity is that the thermal gradients within the fuel cells in the vicinity of the bus plates are decreased. Both of these consequences may lead to operating issues, such as flooding, in the fuel cells in the vicinity of the bus plates.
Prior attempts to mitigate these operating issues have primarily involved the incorporation of an additional heating component, such as an electric heater or resistive heating element, between the bus plates and end plates of a fuel cell stack (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-167424, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2001/0036568, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0137295). Further additional components, such as high potential bleed down resistors and thermal and electrical insulation layers, have also been incorporated into fuel cell systems to improve performance. However, the presence of these additional components has the disadvantage of increasing the complexity of the fuel cell system design, of increasing the fuel cell system space requirements and of increasing the weight of the fuel cell system. These are significant disadvantages in mobile applications such as fuel cell powered motor vehicles.
Accordingly, although there have been advances in the field, there remains a need in the art for improved fuel cell systems generally, and, in particular, for simple, space-efficient and lightweight fuel cell systems. The present invention addresses these needs and provides further related advantages.

Integrated current collector and electrical component plate for a fuel cell stack


A reference voltage generator includes an output terminal, a load circuit connected between the output terminal and a ground voltage terminal, an output transistor connected between the output terminal and a power supply voltage terminal, a first constant current source connected between the output terminal and the power supply voltage terminal, a first switch circuit that selectively connects the output terminal with the output transistor or the first constant current source, and a control circuit that controls a band-gap current to be supplied to the load circuit. In a first state, the first switch circuit connects the output terminal with the output transistor, and the control circuit controls an activation state of the output transistor. In a second state, the first switch circuit connects the output terminal with the first constant current source, and the control circuit controls the amount of current drawn from the first constant current source.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reference voltage generator.
2. Description of Related Art
A liquid crystal driver for a mobile device such as a cellular phone is increasingly integrated into an IC that drivers an LCD panel, which is called one-chip integration, with the current trend towards downsizing and cost reduction. Further, a power supply circuit necessary for driving liquid crystals in an LCD is also increasingly built into a driver IC. In such a built-in power supply, a reference power supply has a function of determining a liquid crystal driving voltage. Therefore, if an output voltage of the reference power supply is unstable, LCD display quality is adversely affected. Accordingly, the stability of an output voltage of the reference power supply has been regarded as being particularly important recently.
As the reference power supply in a driver, a band-gap reference circuit (which is referred to hereinafter as a BGR circuit) that outputs a constant voltage in which temperature characteristics are cancelled is generally used. The BGR circuit is generally configured in such a way that a resistor is connected to each of two diodes in pairs with a different size ratio or the like. The BGR circuit then stabilizes the balance of two specific node potentials respectively connected to the diodes in pairs and further selects a certain resistance value, thereby canceling the temperature characteristics of the diodes and enabling output of a constant stable voltage. The BGR circuit is widely used as a basic voltage of a general IC.
Further, there is a strong demand for power saving during standby in a mobile device today. For example, low power consumption in standby mode when display is in the off state but operation in an IC is in the on state is a necessary feature of a device.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are exemplary schematic block diagrams of a display driver 1. The display driver 1 includes a BGR circuit 2, amplifiers 3 and 4, a driver amplifier 5, an LCD panel 6, and a logic circuit unit 7. FIGS. 8A and 8B schematically show the configurations in normal operation mode and in standby mode, respectively.
The BGR circuit 2 serves as a power supply generation reference for driving of the LCD panel 6 in normal operation mode. The highest level or the lowest level of a driving voltage of the LCD panel 6 (the higher level or the lower level of a gamma voltage) is determined based on the reference voltage. Therefore, the stability of the voltage is extremely important in order to prevent degradation of panel display quality. The amplifiers 3 and 4 amplify a voltage supplied from the BGR circuit 2 at a predetermined multiple number. The driver amplifier 5 drives the load of the LCD panel 6 by using a voltage from the amplifier 3 as a power supply voltage. The logic circuit unit 7 includes logic circuits 7a and 7b. The logic circuits 7a and 7b perform specified logic operation by using a voltage from the amplifier 4 as a power supply voltage.
On the other hand, in standby mode, display of the LCD panel is turned off, and the amplifier 3, the driver amplifier 5 and the LCD panel 6 enter the off state. The logic circuit 7b also enters the off state. However, the logic circuit 7a is still in operation because state setting after standby release, writing of display information from an external microcomputer or the like is performed, for example. Accordingly, the BGR circuit 2 and the amplifier 4 remain in the on state in order to supply a power to the logic circuit 7a. Because the BGR circuit 2 consumes a current during the on state, standby time is significantly degraded unless lowering an operating current as much as possible. It is thus an important feature of the BGR circuit 2 that current consumption is as low as possible.
As described above, it is becoming a necessary feature of the BGR circuit as a reference power supply for a liquid crystal driver to satisfy two demands: stability during normal operation and low power consumption during standby. Further, it is required to achieve the demands without increasing the circuit scale as a driver for use in a mobile device.
An example of a BGR circuit according to prior art is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-339724. FIG. 9 shows a BGR circuit 10 described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-339724. The BGR circuit 10 includes resistors R1 to R3, diodes D1 and D2, an operational amplifier OP1, and a PMOS transistor TP1. The resistor R1 and the diode D1 are connected in series between a reference voltage output terminal Vref and a ground voltage terminal GND. The resistors R2 and R3 and the diode D2 are connected in series between the reference voltage output terminal Vref and the ground voltage terminal GND. The operational amplifier OP1 has an inverting input terminal connected to an intermediate node A1 between the resistor R1 and the diode D1, and a non-inverting input terminal connected to an intermediate node A2 between the resistors R2 and R3. The PMOS transistor TP1 has a source connected to a power supply voltage terminal VDD, a drain connected to the reference voltage output terminal Vref, and a gate connected to an output terminal of the operational amplifier OP1. Note that, the symbols "VDD", "GND" and "Vref" of the terminals designate the respective terminal names and also designate a power supply voltage VDD, a ground voltage GND and a reference voltage Vref, respectively, for the sake of convenience.

Reference voltage generator including circuits for switch, current source and control


The present invention provides a method for determining cellular response to stimuli. The cells to be tested, for example, may be contained in a section of taste-bud containing lingual epithelium.

Taste transduction is one of the most sophisticated forms of chemotransduction in animals. Gustatory signaling is found throughout the animal kingdom, from simple metazoans to the most complex vertebrates. Its main purpose is to provide a reliable signaling response to non-volatile ligands. Humans typically distinguish several perceptual taste qualities or modalities: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. Each of these modalities is thought to be mediated by distinct signaling pathways mediated by receptors or channels, leading to receptor cell depolarization, generation of a receptor or action potential, and release of neurotransmitter at gustatory afferent neuron synapses.
Taste transduction in animals is mediated by specialized neuroepithelial cells, referred to as taste receptor cells. These cells are organized into groups of about 40 to 100 cells to form taste buds. Taste buds contain precursor cells, support cells, and taste receptor cells. Receptor cells are innervated at their base by afferent nerve endings that transmit information to the taste centers of the cortex through synapses in the brain stem and thalamus. Taste buds are distributed into different papillae in the tongue epithelium. Circumvallate papillae, found at the very back of the tongue, contain hundreds to thousands of taste buds. By contrast, foliate papillae, localized to the posterior lateral edge of the tongue, contain dozens to hundreds of taste buds. Further, fungiform papillae, located on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, contain only a single or few taste buds, depending upon the species. Taste cells are also found in the palate and other tissues, such as the esophagus and the stomach.
Taste buds are ovoid structures and are primarily embedded within the epithelium of the tongue. It is believed that taste transduction is initiated at the apical portion of a taste bud at the taste pore, where microvilli of the taste receptor cells make contact with the outside environment. Various taste stimulants cause either depolarization (i.e., a reduction in membrane potential) or hyperpolarization (i.e., an increase in membrane potential) of taste cells and regulate neurotransmitter release from the cells at chemical synapses with afferent nerve fibers. The primary gustatory sensory fibers, which receive the chemical signals from the sensory cells, enter the base of each taste bud. Inter-cellular connections between taste cells in the same bud may also modulate the signals transmitted to the afferent nerve fibers. Molecules that elicit specific taste sensations are often referred to as "tastants." Although much is known about the psychophysics and physiology of taste cell function, very little is known about the molecules and pathways that mediate its sensory signaling response.
In general, each taste modality is associated with particular types of receptor proteins expressed in some of the cells that form each taste bud. Genes encoding taste receptor proteins for sweet, bitter, umami and salty taste substances have been cloned from a variety of species, including humans. The nature of the coupling of stimulus-receptor interaction to a cellular response in the receptor cells has also been defined for some receptors. Some of these receptors have been used to develop bioassays for use in identifying potential taste enhancers, blockers and modifiers. Although these "chip" based systems have the potential for high throughput screening of large numbers of compounds, they do not incorporate the normal cellular components of the taste signaling pathways that are required for normal receptor-response coupling. Consequently, these assays are best at providing initial information about binding of potential stimuli with a particular receptor. They do not, however, provide information about a subsequent cellular response, if any, to the test substance.
An alternative approach is to express cloned taste receptors in heterologous cells, typically a mammalian cell line such as human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293), and to measure changes in intracellular calcium induced by taste stimuli. This approach requires coupling between stimulus-receptor interaction and a cellular pathway leading to an increase in calcium, and it permits measurements in many cells at once. The normal cellular organization of the taste receptor unit, the taste bud, however, is lost along with any processing of taste information occurring between cells within the taste bud. This limitation is particularly important in light of recent results suggesting that sweet and bitter receptors are localized in taste cells that do not directly communicate with afferent nerve fibers, but rather communicate with adjacent taste bud cells that are innervated.

Methods for determining cellular response to stimuli


A parallel database system processes database queries invoking a user defined function (UDF). The database query is specified in a database query language, for example, the structured query language (SQL) and the UDF is specified in a programming language different from the database query language, for example, C/C++. The UDF may include multiple phases. The parallel database system generates optimized code for the UDF. The parallel database system includes a leader node and a plurality of compute nodes. The database query processes one or more database tables such that each compute node processes a slice of each database table. The leader node sets up a global context structure and provides it to each compute node. The global context may be shared across multiple executions of the query. The UDF may be used for efficient execution of extraction, transformation, and loading of data from external systems.

This invention relates generally to user defined functions for database query languages, and in particular to efficient execution of user defined functions based on call-back functions.
Enterprises often store their data in databases. For example, an enterprise may store information describing employees, customers, products, financial transactions, and the like in databases. These databases provide functionality for managing data including updates to the data as well as querying the data. As enterprises grow, the amount of data that they need to store in databases keeps increasing. For example, as the number of customers, the number of products, or the number of transactions executed by the enterprise increases, the size of data stored in the database grows. The performance of a database often depends on the size of the data stored in the database. Parallel architectures are being utilized to improve performance of databases storing large amount of data.
Database execution models that work on single processor machines may not be able to effectively utilize a parallel machine without modifications. To be able to effectively utilize the available resources in parallel databases, database functionality must often be re-implemented for the parallel architecture. Typically, the details of an underlying architecture and the details of how the database implements specific features are hidden from the end user of the database.
To hide the implementation details of how data is processed within the database, databases typically support standard interfaces that allow an end user to access the data. Most databases support the structured query language (SQL) for manipulating and accessing data. Some databases allow users to customize the functionality of the interface of the database using programming languages other than SQL, for example, by writing functions in C or C++. The functions are called user defined functions (UDFs) and may be compiled and executed as part of the server code. These functions can be used similar to the built-in functions of SQL and can be invoked from SQL statements.
An end user of the database who invokes the UDF may be an expert in a particular domain but not an expert in parallel architectures or database. End users typically treat the UDF as a black box that provides a given functionality. For example, if a UDF performs pattern matching using a complex process, the end user may call the UDF for pattern matching without knowing the details of the complex process.
Conventional techniques of implementing UDFs typically require an end user to be aware of the underlying architecture and the process executed by the UDF to effectively utilize the parallel architecture. Requiring the end user of a database to have an understanding of the parallel architecture of the database or the specification of the UDF places significant burden on the end user and may result in inefficient use of the parallel machine and the UDF.

User defined functions for database query languages based on call-back functions


An apparatus and a method, in a handheld portable multi purpose device, for producing multiple and variable wavelength distributions of UV radiation, or visible radiation, comprising a primary UV radiation source, and a system of wavelength transforming (WT) materials that allows selecting at will between UV A, UV B, UV C radiation (individual selections or various combinations,) and visible radiation, whereby the apparatus provides for UV sterilization of food, fluid, air, fluids, and surfaces; while also providing a means to emit visible light. Additionally, an apparatus and method, in a handheld portable multi purpose device, for enabling production and emission of UV radiation selectable between UV A, UV B, UV C radiation (individual selections or various combinations,) and visible radiation in a small form factor device embodied in a handheld portable flashlight, or lamp, type device.

The electromagnetic spectrum ranges from cosmic rays at one end, to radio waves at the other end. The UV region of the electromagnetic spectrum is situated between visible light and x-rays, with the wavelengths of the UV A radiation being shorter and more energetic than violet visible light and the wavelengths of vacuum UV radiation being slightly longer and less energetic than x-rays. The full UV radiation spectrum ranges from wavelengths of about 100 nanometers (nm) to 400 nm and the UV radiation spectrum is usually divided into 4 sections; vacuum UV radiation (also called far or very UV, from 100 nm to about 200 nm), UV C radiation (also called germicide or short-wave UV, from 200 to about 280 nm), UV B radiation (also called mid-wave or medium-wave UV, from 280 nm to about 320 nm), and UV A radiation (also called "poster lamp", black-light, or long-wave UV, from 320 nm to 400 nm).
UV radiation can be emitted from a variety of sources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), lasers, electric arcs (especially as in arc welding), xenon bulbs, halogen bulbs, excimer bulbs, eximer bulbs, and mercury vapor lamps/tubes of low, medium and high pressures. UV C radiation is used extensively for sterilization, purifying, and deodorizing applications in food, air, fluid, and general surface sterilization processes because the UV C radiation not only deactivates micro-organisms such as: bacteria, molds, spores, fungi, and viruses (by direct irradiation which damages the DNA such that the micro-organisms cannot reproduce), but the UV C radiation also breaks down the chemical bonds of alcohols, pesticides, chloramines, and other contaminants such as NDMA or MTBE. UV B radiation is the agent that causes human skin to "sun-burn" and the UV B radiation is needed to start the suntanning process. The lamps/tubes used in suntanning booths usually emit a combination of UV B and UV A. UV B is also used extensively in various medical treatments—especially for skin diseases. UV A radiation is used for special effect lighting, suntanning, photo-lithotropy, and photo-chemistry.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,787,782 teaches a system that uses UV radiation emitting LEDs as one source of UV radiation for sterilizing air in a vehicle such as an airplane. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,333,748 teaches the use of UV radiation emitting LEDs in combination with a reactive surface to sterilize air for breathing inside a helmet. Neither of these two patents teaches any way to vary or transform the radiation from the UV radiation source.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,736,744, 6,670,619, and 6,911,657 by Waluszko describe a wavelength-shifting filter as only emitting one particular wavelength distribution of radiation. Waluszko does not teach the use of conversion plates with LEDs.
The present invention relates to handheld portable multi purpose UV emitting devices used to provide UV sterilization of food, fluid, air, fluids, and surfaces; while also providing a means to emit visible light. Additionally, the present invention relates to handheld portable multi purpose UV emitting devices used in the fields of mineralogy; scientific research; forensics; area illumination; photo-chemistry, photo-medical treatments, photo-lithography, artistic displays of fluorescent materials; and similarly related fields. Specifically, the present invention provides a method and device whereby the primary wavelength distribution of radiation being emitted from a primary UV radiation source may be transformed into a secondary wavelength distribution of radiation that is different from the primary wavelength distribution of radiation, and wherein the device comprises a small form factor device, battery powered apparatus suited for carrying in a pocket, or by the hand, and whereby field use of the UV emitting device is very easy and

Handheld portable multi purpose sterilizing wavelength transforming converter


The present invention provides a crystalline form of baricitinib characterized by an XRPD pattern substantially as depicted in FIG. 1, a process for its preparation, a pharmaceutical composition comprising it, and its use for the treatment of JAK-associated diseases.

Baricitinib is a Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor. It is chemically designated as {1-(ethylsulfonyl)-3 -[4-(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]azetidin-3-yl}acetonitrile, having the structure as depicted in Formula I.

Processes for the preparation of baricitinib are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,158,616.
Polymorphism, the occurrence of different crystal forms, is a property of some molecules. When polymorphism occurs, the molecules arrange themselves in two or more different ways in the crystal, giving rise to differences in crystal structures and physical properties like melting point, thermal behaviors, X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) pattern, Infrared (IR) absorption fingerprint, solid state NMR spectrum, and solubility. Thus, the discovery of new polymorphic forms of a molecule is important in the development of pharmaceuticals, as they may provide materials having desirable processing properties, such as ease of handling, ease of processing, storage stability, ease of purification, improved dissolution profile, and/or improved shelf-life.
There are no reported polymorphs of baricitinib.


A method includes accessing, at a base station of a wireless communications network, information identifying a plurality of user devices in a coverage area of the base station. The method includes determining a forecasted content request for media content at a particular time for delivery to a first user device of the plurality of user devices based on media consumption data for the first user device. The method includes receiving, from a second user device of the plurality of user devices, a request for the media content at a time before the particular time. The method includes sending an instruction to the first user device that directs the first user device store the media content received via a multicast transmission of the media content. The method also includes sending the media content via the multicast transmission to the first user device and to the second user device responsive to the request.

Mobile devices may be used to receive streamed media content. A mobile device receiving streamed media content may roam. For example, a mobile device may move from a first coverage area of a first base station to a second coverage area of a second base station. Multiple mobile devices may stream data from the second base station at different times. For example, a first device may request data at a first request time that is subsequent to a second request time that a second device requests the data. During busy traffic periods, the second base station may be too busy to stream the same data at different times to each of the mobile devices within the second coverage area, resulting in data stream interruption. Interruptions in streaming of media content may adversely impact the user experience.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Generating a pre-caching schedule based on forecasted content requests


An apparatus that controls a display unit to display, as a preview image, an image to be printed on a print medium by a printing apparatus that includes a function for adjusting a conveyance amount to convey a print medium in a conveyance direction by increasing or decreasing the conveyance amount as compared to a reference conveyance amount when an image of a designated size is printed acquires an adjustment amount of the conveyance amount and changes a size of the preview image with respect to the conveyance direction according to the acquired adjustment amount.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display control apparatus which performs preview displaying of an image to be printed on a print medium, a display control method, and a program.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there is a print preview function that is used for allowing a user to confirm a print result before performing printing (i.e., refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-160388). The user can confirm the print result before performing printing using the print preview function so that unintended printing can be prevented and costs of print failure can be reduced.
In a serial-scan type inkjet printer, streaks due to unevenness may be generated between regions (i.e., bands) through which a print head passes in one scan. Even when the print medium is conveyed according to a theoretical designed value, the streaks may be generated due to density between the bands becoming high when ink bleeding is easily generated in the print medium, and the density between the bands becoming low when ink bleeding is hardly generated in the print medium. To solve such an issue, there is a method for increasing, if the density between the bands becomes high, a conveyance amount of the print medium for each scan as compared to a reference conveyance amount. Further, if the density between the bands becomes low, the conveyance amount of the print medium for every scan is decreased as compared to the reference conveyance amount. The above-described streaks can thus be reduced by adjusting the conveyance amount.
However, if the function of adjusting the conveyance amount is used, a print range of an image to be printed becomes long or short in a conveyance direction as compared to when the adjustment function is not used. Conventionally, when the adjustment function is used, print previewing is performed similarly as when the adjustment function is not used. The print range to be displayed in a print preview thus becomes different from the actual print range.

Display control apparatus, display control method, and program


Provided is a monitoring apparatus used to monitor lubricating oil inside a compressor. The monitoring apparatus comprises a first capacitance detector (100), a calculation unit, and a determining unit. The first capacitance detector (100) is disposed in a compressor (10) and is completely immersed in lubricating oil (20) inside the compressor (10), and is used to detect a first capacitance value (Cn). The calculation unit calculates a relative dielectric constant of the lubricating oil inside the compressor according to the first capacitance value (Cn) detected by the first capacitance detector (100). The determining unit monitors, according to the calculated relative dielectric constant, whether quality of the lubricating oil (20) inside the compressor (10) encounters an exception. Further provided are a method for monitoring quality of lubricating oil inside a compressor and an apparatus and a method for monitoring a fluid level of lubricating oil inside a compressor. The monitoring apparatus and method may accurately monitors quality and a fluid level of lubricating oil inside a compressor, thereby reducing a monitoring cost and improving monitoring accuracy.

In some compressors, in order to reduce compressor wear and extend the service life of the compressor, a sufficient amount of lubricating oil is poured into the compressor, to provide adequate lubrication for the various components of the compressor. However, in actual applications, if the quality of the lubricating oil in a compressor deteriorates, this might result in failure of the lubricating function of the lubricating oil in the compressor.
Indices associated with the quality of lubricating oil in a compressor include the degree of dilution of the lubricating oil, foreign substance mixed into the lubricating oil, oxidation or carbonization of the lubricating oil, etc.
If the degree of dilution of lubricating oil in a compressor is too high, i.e. an excessive amount of coolant has mixed into the lubricating oil in the compressor, the concentration of the lubricating oil in the compressor will be too low as a result. This will cause a reduction in the viscosity of the lubricating oil; once the viscosity of the lubricating oil is reduced, serious wear to the bearings of the compressor will result. Thus, once the degree of dilution of lubricating oil is higher than a warning level, it is necessary to immediately stop the compressor or reduce the degree of dilution of the lubricating oil. In the prior art, some of the coolant that has mixed into the lubricating oil can generally be evaporated out by heating the lubricating oil, so as to reduce the degree of dilution of the lubricating oil.
If foreign substance, for instance iron fragments that have fallen off compressor bearings, becomes mixed into lubricating oil, this will aggravate wear of compressor components. Once iron fragments are mixed into lubricating oil, it is necessary to immediately stop the compressor, and remove the iron fragments from the lubricating oil.
If lubricating oil is oxidized or carbonized, the lubricating oil will lose its lubricating function, and this will lead to rapid wear of the compressor, shortening the service life of the compressor. Once lubricating oil is oxidized or carbonized, it is necessary to immediately stop the compressor, and replace the lubricating oil with new lubricating oil.
In summary, in order to ensure that a compressor can operate safely, the quality of lubricating oil in the compressor must be monitored on-line in real time.
Regarding the on-line real-time monitoring of the quality of lubricating oil in a compressor, in the prior art, the quality of lubricating oil is generally monitored by measuring the viscosity, density or contaminants of the lubricating oil. However, an existing monitoring apparatus for monitoring the quality of lubricating oil by measuring the viscosity, density or contaminants of the lubricating oil has a very high cost; the price of the monitoring apparatus is 400,000 to 1.6 million RMB. Furthermore, the installation of such an existing monitoring apparatus is very complex, and large amounts of data need to be processed, so the detection speed is slow. At present, such a monitoring apparatus is only suitable for laboratory tests; it cannot yet be used industrially.

Apparatus and method for monitoring the quality of a lubricant in a compressor


A mechanism for preventing overload in enterprise application integration (EAI) services. A method includes determining, by a processing device executing enterprise application integration (EAI) system, a first location in a chain of services in the EAI. The method also includes providing, by the processing device, access for insertion of an overload prevention service beginning (OPSB) at the first location in the chain of services in the EAI. The OPSB includes a service in the chain of services and counts number of messages processed in the EAI service. The method also includes determining, by the processing device, a second location in the chain of services in the EAI. The second location occurs after the first location in the chain of services in the EAI. The method further providing, by the processing device, access for the insertion of an overload prevention service end (OPSE) at the second location in the chain of services in the EAI. The OPSB is in communication with the OPSE and the OPSE comprises a service in the chain of services and is in communication with the OPSB.

Enterprise application integration (EAI) is an integration framework composed of a collection of technologies and services that form a middleware to enable integration of systems and applications across the enterprise. Many services in the EAI are not under control of an integrator or an architect and, as a result, these services can be overloaded, effectively causing slowdown of a message flow and even leading to a failure of the EAI.
One known technique to prevent overload in the EAI is to avoid overload of hardware such as servers. In this technique, certain types of requests are rejected when the load increases. Depending on the overload situation, certain requests are prioritized and certain requests are rejected to decrease the load in the system.
Another known technique to prevent overload in the EAI is to use a bus as an architecture and 'peer-to-peer' as a communication paradigm. This technique enables every service to act as a loosely-coupled, distributed service on the bus, with the associated benefits of granular fail over and scalability. However, none of the above techniques provide for preventing overload of the messages at the service level.

Preventing overload in enterprise application integration services


A defect address storing circuit for a semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of fuse pairs formed in a fuse region and a plurality of transistors formed in a transistor region outside the fuse region. The plurality of fuse pairs and the plurality of transistor pairs are arranged to form a continuous current path through at least one fuse in each of the plurality of fuse pairs, and through at least one transistor in each of the plurality of transistor pairs.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a semiconductor memory device. More particularly, the invention relates to a defect address storing circuit for a semiconductor memory device.
A claim of priority is made to Korean Patent Application No. 2005-06840 filed on Jan. 25, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
2. Description of the Related Art
Memory arrays in integrated circuit (IC) memory devices often contain defective memory cells. To prevent the defective memory cells from jeopardizing the performance of the memory devices, memory arrays often provide redundant memory cells that act as substitutes for the defective memory cells. In these memory arrays, whenever a defective memory cell is detected, a redundant memory cell is assigned to replace the defective memory cell. Then, whenever an address corresponding to the defective memory cell is provided to the memory array, the redundant memory cell is accessed instead. In this written description, an address for a defective memory cell is referred to as a "defect address".
Defect addresses are generally stored in memory devices using special defect address storing circuits. A defect address storing circuit monitors memory access operations in the memory array to detect whenever a defect address is provided to the memory array. Upon detecting a memory access operation involving a defect address, the defect address storing circuit causes a redundant memory cell to be accessed instead of the defective memory cell.
A defect address is typically stored in a defect address storing circuit by blowing fuses in the defect address storing circuit according to a particular address to be represented therein. The fuses are blown according to a specific pattern such that an output signal of the defect address storing circuit will take on a particular value only when a defect address is input to the defect address storing signal.
For example, suppose that '001' has been identified as a defect address. Then specific fuses in a defect address storing circuit will be blown so that a signal output of the defect address storing circuit assumes a logic state '0' only when the address '001' is presented to the defect address storing circuit. Accordingly, whenever the output signal of the defect address storing circuit assumes logic state '0', the memory device will access a redundant memory cell for address '001' rather than a defective one.
Figure (FIG.) 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating a conventional defect address storing circuit 100 such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,545,920.
Referring to FIG. 1, defect address storing circuit 100 includes three address storage blocks connected to each other in series. Each of the address storage blocks comprises a pair of fuses electrically connected to each other and a pair of N-Type metal-oxide semiconductor (NMOS) transistors respectively connected to the pair of fuses. The NMOS transistors in each address storage block are also electrically connected to each other.
A first address storage block comprises a first pair of fuses F1a and F1b electrically connected to each other at an upper node of the first address storage block. A first pair of NMOS transistors T1a and T1b respectively connected between fuses F1a and F1b and a lower node of the first address storage block. A second address storage block comprises a second pair of fuses F2a and F2b electrically connected to each other at the lower node of the first address storage block, and a second pair of NMOS transistors T2a and T2b respectively connected between fuses F2a and F2b and a lower node of the second address storage block. A third address storage block comprises a third pair of fuses F3a and F3b electrically connected to each other at the lower node of the second address storage block, and a third pair of NMOS transistors T3a and T3b respectively connected between fuses F3a and F3b and a lower node of the third address storage block.
In the above and subsequent description, the term "node" is used to denote a portion of a circuit with substantially uniform electrical potential. Two elements connected to the same node may be viewed as being electrically connected to each other. The terms "upper node" and "lower node" are used to distinguish relative positions of nodes in circuit diagrams where applicable (e.g., in FIG. 1). However, the terms "upper" and "lower" should not necessarily be read to implicate particular positions for the nodes in an actual circuit layout.
For explanation purposes, it will be assumed that the lower node of the third address storage block is connected to ground and that an output signal of defect address storing circuit 100 is read at the upper node of the first storage block. It will be further assumed that the upper node of the first storage block is connected to a power supply through a resistance such that when a current path exists between the upper node of the first storage block and the lower node of the third storage block, the voltage level of the output signal will be the same as ground, i.e., the output signal will have a logic state '0'.
In FIG. 1, NMOS transistors T1a and T1b are respectively controlled by complementary address signals nA0 and A0, NMOS transistors T2a and T2b are respectively controlled by complementary address signals nA1 and A1, and NMOS transistors T3a and T3b are respectively controlled by complementary address signals nA2 and A2.
To store a defect address in defect address storing circuit 100, fuses corresponding to the defect address should be blown. For example, to store the address '001' in defect address storing circuit 100, fuses F1b, F2b, and F3a should be blown so that the output signal will only have logic state '0' when address signals A0, A1, and A2 have respective logic states '0', '0', and '1'. In other words, with fuses F1b, F2b, and F3a blown, a current path will only be formed between the upper node of the first storage block and ground when transistors T1a, T2a, and T3b are turned on by respective signals nA0, nA1, and nA2 with values '1', '1', and '1'.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a layout of defect address storing circuit 100 shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, defect address storing circuit 100 comprises a fuse region 110, a first transistor region 120, and a second transistor region 130.
First through third fuse pairs F1, F2, and F3 are arranged in fuse region 110, first and third transistor pairs T1 and T3 are arranged in first transistor region 120, and second transistor pair T2 is arranged in second transistor region 130.
First and third transistor pairs T1 and T3 are controlled by a first bus line BL1a, and second transistor pair T2 is controlled by a second bus line BL1b. Address signals nA0, A0, nA2, and A2 (See FIG. 1) are provided to first and third transistor pairs T1 and T3 by first bus line BL1a, and address signals nA1 and A1 are provided to second transistor pair T2 by second bus line BL1b.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a semiconductor memory device 300 including a plurality of defect address storing circuits. Referring to FIG. 3, semiconductor memory device 300 comprises six defect address storing circuits. Each of the defect address storing circuits has the same or similar structure as that of defect address storing circuit 100 shown in FIG. 2. In particular, each of the defect address storing circuits includes first and second transistor regions, and a fuse region between the first and second transistor regions. The first and second transistor regions of three of the defect address storing circuits are respectively connected to bus lines BL1a and BL1b, while the first and second transistor regions of the other three of the defect address storing circuits are respectively connected to bus lines BL2a, and BL2b.
In the conventional defect address storing circuit shown in FIG. 1, fuse and transistor pairs are alternately arranged. As a result, first and second transistor regions 120 and 130 are arranged with fuse region 110 therebetween as shown in FIG. 2.
Semiconductor memory device 300 shown in FIG. 3 has various shortcomings. First, because its layout includes two transistor regions and a fuse region, semiconductor memory device 300 occupies a large area. Second, because first and second transistor regions 120 and 130 are separated by fuse region 110, they cannot share a bus line.

Defect address storing circuit for semiconductor memory device


Configurations herein include a novel process, system, etc., to measure a concentration of sulfur trioxide in a gas sample including sulfur trioxide, sulfur dioxide, and water. An example system can include an optical radiation source that generates an optical signal at a plurality of vibration-rotation transitions around at least one frequency selected from the group consisting of 1396.889 cm−1, 1396.908 cm−1, 1396.962 cm−1, 1397.003 cm−1, 1397.037 cm−1, 1397.047 cm−1, and 1397.052 cm−1. The optical signal is transmitted along an optical path through the gas sample. Based on adjusting a pressure of the gas sample, each of the plurality of vibration-rotation absorption transitions associated with the sulfur trioxide can be substantially isolated from interfering absorption by the sulfur dioxide and the water vapor in the gas sample. Based on a spectral analysis, the system generates a value indicative of a concentration of sulfur trioxide in the gas sample.

Emissions such as flue gases from fossil fuel from combustion facilities of coal-fired utilities and municipal solid waste incinerators typically include sulfur trioxide (i.e., SO3). Coal and petroleum fuels usually contain sulfur compounds. Combusting coal and petroleum typically results in generation of sulfur dioxide (i.e., SO2).
Combustion facilities typically operate pollution control devices to remove nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide (NOx). A side effect of operating NOx control devices (Selective Catalytic Reduction SCR) is the generation of sulfur trioxide. In the SCR, a portion of the sulfur dioxide emission is typically oxidized, resulting in sulfur trioxide. Sulfur trioxide has a strong affinity for water, and, in the presence of moisture and low temperatures, easily converts into sulfuric acid (H2SO4). In ambient conditions, typically all SO3 is converted into H2SO4, such that there is almost no presence of SO3 in air.
Sulfur trioxide emissions are undesirable for several reasons. As briefly mentioned, sulfur trioxide and/or sulfuric acid exiting a stack or chimney can result in pollution such as acid rain. Sulfur trioxide can be very corrosive to equipment used in combustion facilities.
Selective catalytic reduction processes used to reduce pollutants in a flue gas can have the effect of creating higher levels of sulfur trioxide in a flue gas. Such higher levels of sulfur trioxide have been known to adversely affect removal of certain pollutants. For example, mercury is commonly removed from flue gases using activated carbon as part of an adsorption process. With higher levels of sulfur trioxide present during the adsorption process, the percent of mercury removed from a flue gas typically decreases.
There are several types of conventional detection systems that can be used to detect a presence of sulfur trioxide. Such systems include Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, tunable diode laser spectroscopy (TDL), acid dew-point, conversion-fluorescence, filter-correlation, and cavity ring-down spectroscopy.
There have been attempts to use FTIR and tunable diode laser spectroscopy to measure sulfur trioxide. Compared with TDL, FTIR showed less sensitivity and might not be feasible for monitoring sulfur trioxide in stack gas. Acid dew-point and conversion-fluorescence methods could not distinguish between sulfuric acid and sulfur trioxide and also suffer severe interferences. Like FTIR, filter-correlation may not be sensitive enough for measuring sulfur trioxide as continuous environmental monitoring system (CEMS). Cavity ring-down spectroscopy is a very sensitive and highly selective technology for gas sensing. It relies on very high minor reflectivity (larger than 99.99%) for its up to 104 optical passes. The highly contaminated gas samples might quickly deteriorate the minor reflectivity and potentially limit its application to the stack gas monitoring. Accordingly, such techniques may not be useful for detecting SO3.
By and large, most conventional systems measure an amount of sulfuric acid in a sample and then use such a measurement to infer an amount of sulfur trioxide in a gas sample. Measuring sulfuric acid is so common that many of today's systems claim to measure an amount of sulfur trioxide, yet in reality, such systems actually measure an amount of sulfuric acid in a sample to infer an amount of sulfur trioxide. In other words, many "SO3" measurements in the prior art are inferred through surrogate measurements of H2SO4.

Measurement of sulfur trioxide via spectroscopy


This invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fiber channel (FC) data frames from a fiber channel link to a metropolitan area link of lesser bandwidth (a synchronous optical network (SONET)). The release of each data unit by a data source for transport onto the first channel is governed by a credit-based protocol whereby one data unit is released upon the provision of one credit unit. A first marker identifies a high limit H of the buffer at which a first condition occurs, H being less than N and the first condition applying when the number of data units in the buffer is greater than H. A second marker identifies a low limit L of the buffer at which a second condition occurs, L being less than H and the second condition applying when the number of data units in the buffer is less than L. A credit unit owed counter O counts the number of credit units which become owed to the data source when the second condition applies. A third marker Max identifies a maximum number of credit units that may be provided to the data source when the first condition applies and the value of the credit unit counter is greater than zero. Through this invention, effective means to control the flow of data from a fiber channel link to a metro area transport link without loss of frames or delay is provided.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fiber channel (FC) data frames from a fiber channel link to a metropolitan area link of lesser bandwidth (a synchronous optical network (SONET)).
A standard protocol for the exchange and flow of data (frames) over a fiber channel (FC) link is provided by the FiberChannel Physical and Signalling Interface (FC-PH) (see Information Technologyxe2x80x94Fibre Channelxe2x80x94Physical and Signalling Interface (FC-PH), ANSI X3.230-1994) directed to a fixed rate point-to-point serial data link. However, this protocol uses a one-to-one credit based flow control mechanism (i.e. the R_RDY primitive which is generated upon the release of a frame from an interface buffer and is required to be received by the client device before it can transmit a further frame) which assumes a nominal data rate over the entire area of control. However, its use across a metropolitan area link having a data rate which is less than the nominal FC-PH data rate results in delay and frame loss and such frame loss and delay resulting from the bandwidth disparity is unsatisfactory for many applications. For example, if a storage area network interconnection (e.g. used by Storage Application Service Providers to sell data storage as a service rather than as an equipment purchase) were to be run under a FC-PH protocol it would experience failures and/or performance degradation when the server overrun""s the input buffers of the FC access device (i.e. the interface between the server/FC link and the metro area link/storage device).
An existing means of avoiding such failure and degradation is to use a transparent Metro Area Network Link based upon optical repeaters with bandwidth equal to the rate of the fiber channel point-to-point link. However, this is an expensive solution because the cost of metro area bandwidth is high. Also, because such transparent links typically do not provide a local flow control mechanism, the FC-PH flow control mechanism (i.e. the R_RDY primitive) suffers from long propagation delay (referred to as xe2x80x9ctime of flightxe2x80x9d) as the primitives traverse the metro area and this causes a degradation of throughput.
There is a need, therefore, for effective means to control the flow of data from a fiber channel link to a metro area transport link without loss of frames or delay such that a network operator (e.g. service provider) is able to provide fiber channel services over lower bandwidth (and hence lower cost) metro area links. Further, there is a need for means to enable a network operator to set (or xe2x80x9ctunexe2x80x9d) the parameters which control the flow of data at the entry to the metro area network so as to permit the operator to tailor the data flow to the particular needs of the application/service (and thereby allow the operator to make an application specific trade-off between latency and throughput).
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a data flow control method and apparatus for controlling the rate of transport of data units from a first data channel to a second data channel of lower bandwidth than the first channel. The release of each data unit by a data source for transport onto the first channel is governed by a credit-based protocol whereby one data unit is released upon the provision of one credit unit. A buffer of size N is located intermediate the first and second data channels for holding data units transported from the first channel. A first marker identifies a high limit H of the buffer at which a first condition occurs, H being less than N and the first condition applying when the number of data units in the buffer reaches H. A second marker identifies a low limit L of the buffer at which a second condition occurs, L being less than H and the second condition applying when the number of data units in the buffer reaches L. A credit unit owed counter O counts the number of credit units which become owed to the data source when the second condition applies. A third marker Max identifies a maximum number of credit units that may be provided to the data source when the first condition applies and the value of the credit unit counter is greater than zero. A controller, which is preferably a state machine, controls the markers and counter and the provision of credit units to the source according to the following algorithms. When the first condition applies and the O counter is zero one credit unit is provided to the data source upon the release of each data unit for transport onto the second channel. When the second condition applies the provision of credit units to the source is halted and the O counter is incremented upon the release of each data unit for transport onto the second channel. When the first condition applies and the O counter is greater than zero up to Max credit units are provided to the data source upon the release of each data unit for transport onto the second channel.
Preferably the values H, L and Max are user-selectable. The first data channel may be a fiber channel point-to-point serial link, the second data channel a SONET metropolitan area link, the credit unit a R_RDY primitive of the FC-PH protocol and the data units payload data frames. The data source may be a client device, such as a server, connected to the fiber channel link. In the preferred embodiment the buffer is a FIFO RAM.

Fiber channel flow control method and apparatus for interface to metro area transport link