The present invention refers to a process for the production of high-octane and low benzene content gasolines according to a cycle where a crude oil is fed into an atmospheric distillation unit from which a fraction is obtained called virgin naphtha seat in turn to a splitting unit that produces a fraction called light tops and a fraction called heavy naphtha wherein said heavy naphtha fraction has a six carbon atoms (C6) hydrocarbons content no greater than 0.5% volume, and said light tops fraction has a seven plus carbon atoms C7+) hydrocarbons content no greater than 4% volume. Said process allows in the refinery to contextually obtain quantitative and qualitative improvements in the gasolines production, with increase of the production yield and of the octane number as well as reduction of the produced benzene quantity.

A good resistance to self-ignition, expressed as high octane number, is necessary in the gasoline engines in order to obtain a good engine efficiency and therefore a higher fuel economy and a low pollution level.
Up to few years ago such goals were, and partly still today are, reached by adding an antiknock to the gasoline, essentially tetraethyl- and/or tetramethyl-lead. Nevertheless the traditional engines exhaust gases contain highly harmful substances, such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and lead, the latter being dangerous because of the effects that it may have on the central nervous system and because of the strong carcinogenic potential of further added substances (called "scavengers"), necessary to remove lead from the engine chamber deposits and transformed into dioxins during the combustion. Therefore it has been decided, starting from the United States of America, to abate the pollutants by promoting their conversion into harmless, or at least much less dangerous gases, by means of catalytic converters set on the engine exhaust outlet, reducing in this way the emitted quantity of them. The lead, however, rapidly inactivates the converter catalyst, and also for this reason, besides to avoid the above recalled health hazards, the decision had to be taken to remove it from the gasolines. To obtain this, it has been agreed to start the exclusive commercialization of vehicles equipped with catalytic converter, and hence, parallelly, to commercialize unleaded gasolines, and to progressively reduce the production and the sales of leaded gasolines, as well as the gasoline lead content, in parallel with the reduction of the circulating cars that use them. But in order to maintain the engines efficiency it is necessary to keep a high octane number, which was obtained by increasing the benzene and other aromatic compounds content. The benzene is a highly toxic compound, the most toxic molecule of gasoline, and it is recognized as one of the most powerful carcinogenic agents. With the increase of the gasoline benzene content the benzene emissions to the air rapidly increase, both from evaporation due to its high volatility, and from after-combustion combustion. For these reasons its concentration in the gasolines results by far the most critical parameter from the health hazard point of view.
The content of benzene and of the other aromatics in the unleaded gasolines was, at the beginning of their commercialization, respectively 5% and 60% maximum. Subsequently, the different national legislations considered abatements of this component; in the USA, the only country in the world prescribing such a low limit, starting from 1.1.95 the benzene content is fixed at 1% volume maximum, for the reformulated gasolines, whose market share is about 25%.
In the European Union, starting from October the 1st, 1989, the allowed level is at maximum 5% volume, with a forecast of gradually lowering it in the future. In Italy, since the beginning of 1993, the law prescribed a benzene content not higher than 3%, meant as the quarterly weighted average of the sales coming from each refinery. Recently, as a spontaneous initiative, a national company put on sale on the whole national territory unleaded gasoline with a lower than 1% benzene content.
Generally speaking, a petroleum refinery, producing several products among which gasoline, comprises an atmospheric distillation unit that is fed by the crude oil and produces a light fraction composed by gas and LPG, an intermediate fraction called "virgin naphtha" and heavier fractions. The virgin naphtha feeds a splitting unit, giving rise to a fraction, called "light tops", essentially composed of five carbon atoms hydrocarbons (C5) (and in certain units also of the lower-boiling part of the six carbon atoms molecules), and to a heavy fraction, called heavy naphtha, containing the C6 molecules (or in the above units the higher-boiling part of C6) and other molecules, up to C11. The cutting temperature is 65-70.degree. C. The light tops are usually fed to an isomerization processing unit, that produces gas and LPG, as light fraction, and isomerization gasoline, or isomerate, to be sent to the finished gasoline blending.
The heavy naphtha is fed to a catalytic reforming processing unit, from which gas and LPG again are obtained from one side and reforming gasolines, to be sent to the finished gasoline blending, from the other side.
It is just the C6 higher-boiling fraction, containing the benzene precursors, that in the reformer produces a considerable amount of benzene and consequently a noteworthy pollution from evaporation, already in the refinery.
Therefore the production of benzene is a physiological fact of the oil refining, but till now it has not been considered economically possible to limit it.
In Oil & Gas Journal, April the 27th, 1987, page 74, a meeting among representatives of the big worldwide oil companies is reported, in which a crucial point has been the way to abate in the refinery the benzene content; among the discussed methods the simplest one is to extract the benzene produced in the reformer. This method adds up an operation, with the relevant investment and operating costs, to the production process, keeps the problem of benzene pollution around the refinery and presents on top of that the one of the cumulated benzene disposal.
Other methods have been reminded, among which in particular the shifting of the reformer feed cutting point towards higher initial boiling temperatures, that is towards the exclusion of at least a fraction of the high-boiling C6. It is anyway affirmed that this method is antieconomic.
It is also clearly said that the removal of the benzene precursors from the reformer feed doesn't eliminate the problem, because there are also other benzene sources, such as the dealkylation of higher carbons number aromatics. The same problem is faced up by the CONCAWE (defined "the oil companies' european organization for environmental and health protection") in a publication entitled "Economic consequences of limiting benzene/aromatics in gasoline". The Hague, July 1989, page 10. Here in particular it is asserted that the most effective method to reduce the reformate benzene would be to increase the initial boiling point of the reformer feed, but this method would carry some problems, particularly the lower reformer throughput, the fact of having a heavier feedstock with operating problems and the decrease of the product octane number. The solution for this last drawback could be that of dividing the "straight run" gasoline into a fraction, C5+light C6, to be isomerized, and in a heavier fraction to be directly sent to the gasoline blending. This method is considered expensive. For the benzene reduction costs minimization this publication indicates in an unequivocal way a cutting temperature of 66.degree. C., implying to send all the benzene precursors to the catalytic reformer.
In the summary of this publication it is declared that "Further reduction of benzene below 3% vol would need installation of additional isomerization and benzene extraction facilities also in complex refineries". A benzene limit at 1% volume would require an investment of 1750 millions dollars for the European Community refineries. The manufacturing cost would increase by 16-20 dollars per ton for the simple refineries and by 8-12 dollars per ton for the complex refineries. And, moreover, at the 3.1.3 paragraph, it is admitted that the benzene target of 1% volume can be reached only by extracting it from the reformate, and this for all the examined process schemes.
In a more recent CONCAWE publication ("Catalogue of CONCAWE special interest reports", Brussels, January 1996, page 31) it is still reminded that decrease of the benzene level in the unleaded gasolines beneath 1% would require a global investment of around 1750 million dollars only in Europe, would considerably increase the costs of production and in any case it would let the problem of eliminating two millions tons per year of extracted benzene unsolved. Similar concepts to the previously expressed ones can be found at page 23 of the report "Gasoline processing for the 1990's" of the UOP 1990 Fuels Technology Conference, held in Montecarlo. Here as well the method of removing the benzene precursors from the reformer feed and of charging them to the isomerization is considered interesting but little feasible, because of the increased hydrogen consumption for the saturation of benzene and of its precursors, of the difficulty to remove a sufficient quantity of precursors in certain types of feedstocks, of the benzene production by superior aromatics dealkylation in the reformer and overall because of the octane loss that would be implied by charging the precursors containing stream itself to the isomerization instead than to the catalytic reformer.
Similar conclusions to the above mentioned ones are contained as well in "Dossier Benzene",--published March the 20th, 1995 by the Unione Petrolifera, an organization gathering all the Italian oil companies. In this report all the possible refinery interventions are listed, that is:
the reduction/elimination of the precursors;
the reduction of the reformer severity;
the extraction and the treatment of benzene.
The first alternative would assume, according to the report, the possibility of the crude oils selection (limiting the operating flexibility and hence antieconomonic) and the change of the feed distillation range; in this respect the light tops cutting point increase to 95.degree. C. would allow to remove almost all the benzene precursors but it would generate a series of collateral problems, such as the throughput reduction and the unoptimization of the catalytic reforming process, and the increase of the straight-run fraction share in the gasolines pool.
Other methods examined in the report "that do not act directly on the benzene or on its precursors are in connection with the blending in the gasolines pool of components coming from isomerization and alkylation units", that, as the report follows, allows a reformer severity reduction and a dilution of the benzene containing fraction; however these methods have little effectiveness in order to solve the problem in consideration of the obvious limitations of the possible use of these components.
However in any case the problem remains of reaching a satisfactory octane number, for instance by additional bending of antiknocks, such as the MTBE (methyl-ter-butyl-ether), or by increasing the reformer operating severity lowering the yield, both expensive solutions.
It is evident that, so far, the solutions considered feasible of the gasolines benzene content limitation problem, particularly beneath 1% volume, are all expensive and not lacking additional complex problems, such as the use of a benzene production surplus correspond to about 40% of the present market, already practically saturated (See Concawe and U.P. reports).


A teller machine for drive up applications is disclosed. The machine has a safe with an access slot. The machine also has a user panel which has an opening that lies transverse to the slot. A document carrier is described which rotates documents around two different axes as it carries them between the slot and the opening to allow passage of the documents through both.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to automatic teller machines which are used by members of the public in order to execute a wide variety of financial transactions at convenient locations and at any time of day. More specifically this invention relates to teller machines to be installed adjacent to driveways at financial institutions and operated from a car window. Such machines are designed to receive cash and checks, often contained within a deposit envelope and to issue money to the machine user. Inasmuch as these machines are unattended, their reliability of operation is important. Likewise the money to be issued or the money being deposited must be protected in a secure enclosure of some type.
2. Prior Art
In the prior art such machines are designed so that the envelope being deposited and the money being issued travel in the most direct path in order to achieve a high reliability of operation. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,836,980 the slot into the deposit container is parallel to the opening in the teller machine user panel through which the user makes a deposit, allowing the deposited envelope to travel in a straight line without constricting corners or bends. Such design results in a machine which is relatively deep from front to back. The cash issuing mechanism usually operates in a like manner but in reverse, transporting money from a money container area to the user.
In teller machines mounted through a building wall or in the lobby of a financial institution, such depth is not necessarily objectionable. However, when the machine is to be mounted on an island between two drive up traffic lanes, the existing architectural designs of financial institutions places a constraint on the depth which the machine may have.

International Business Machines Corporation


A method and system for non-destructive, reference-free thermographic detection of sub-surface defects uses an infrared camera to capture multiple, spatially different images of a sample that has been heated and allow to cool to equilibrium temperature. The temperature-time data obtained for each pixel in each image is converted into the logarithmic domain and a least squares fit is conducted on the data to generate a polynomial expression corresponding to the temperature-time data for a given pixel. This polynomial expression can be transformed into the original time domain to obtain temperature-time data with improved signal-to-noise characteristics.

The present invention generally relates to thermal imaging and more particularly relates to non-destructive detection of defects in a sample using thermographic image data.
Active thermography is used to nondestructively evaluate samples for sub-surface defects. It is effective for uncovering internal bond discontinuities, delaminations, voids, inclusions, and other structural defects that are not detectable by visual inspection of the sample. Generally, active thermography involves heating or cooling the sample to create a difference between the sample temperature and the ambient temperature and then observing the infrared thermal signature that emanates from the sample as its temperature returns to ambient temperature. An infrared camera is used because it is capable of detecting any anomalies in the cooling behavior, which would be caused by sub-surface defects blocking the diffusion of heat from the sample surface to the sample""s interior. More particularly, these defects cause the surface immediately above the defect to cool at a different rate that the surrounding defect-free areas.
As the sample cools, the infrared camera monitors and records an image time sequence indicating the surface temperature, thereby creating a record of the changes in the surface temperature over time. It is the current practice to use a human operator to view the record of these changes and to look for xe2x80x9chot spotsxe2x80x9d in the image record. In many instances, this analysis is purely visual (i.e. the human inspector views a display of the image output on a monitor and identifies regions that appear xe2x80x9chotxe2x80x9d compared to surrounding areas. More sophisticated methods attempt to use numerical processing of the data by generating contrast curves relative to a reference specimen of known quality and composition (a so-called xe2x80x9cgold standardxe2x80x9d). This reference specimen, which is known to be defect free, is typically placed in the field of view of the imaging camera. In other instances, the xe2x80x9cgold standardxe2x80x9d is not a reference specimen at all, but rather it is an image that has been derived from a physical model. However, in general, the time history of the cooling of the sample is not viewed as a whole (i.e. a contiguous sequence), but rather as a collection of individual frames acquired from the infrared camera. These methods work adequately for large, or near surface, defects. However, as manufacturing processes and safety standards requirements place higher demands regarding smaller/more subtle defect detection, these traditional methods become less effective because the small signal levels associated with subtle defects are lost in the noise, drift, and instability that is inherent to infrared cameras. Also, visual defect identification methods tend to be subjective, and they do not readily and easily lend themselves to the automatic defect detection process. Further, it is not possible to measure the depth of the defects simply by viewing the infrared images.
There have been attempts to determine the depth of a defect via processing and analysis of the data from the infrared camera and also to automate the defect detection process. In some cases, the data from the infrared camera is transferred to a computer for processing and analysis to detect variations in the cooling behavior or to perform mathematical operations on the data to determine the depth of the sub-surface defect or other defect properties. These types of calculations, however, often require expensive low noise, high-speed digital infrared cameras. Further, the cumbersome nature of having a computer attached to the camera for conducting calculations makes the combination impractical for applications outside of a laboratory, such as field inspections.
Also, infrared data sequences of thermal decay typically used in non-destructive testing tend to be difficult to manipulate mathematically due to their low signal-to-noise ratios and large dynamic range and also require a great deal of computer processing power, memory and storage space.
One attempt at automating the defect detection process involves analyzing the contrast between each pixel in the image and a reference to generate a curve representing the amount of contrast between each pixel and the reference. The reference can be established any number of ways including using a reference pixel (from the sample image), a pixel group (from the sample image). If a pixel, or a pixel group is used, a reference point or reference area of the sample must be defined. The reference can be a defect-free area of the sample, or the mean of the entire field of view of the camera (when viewing the sample). The temperature-time history of this reference pixel or pixel group is subtracted from the time history of each pixel in the image to generate a contrast vs. time plot. Any significant temperature difference between any given pixel and the reference indicates the presence of a defect which will exhibit itself as a peak in the contrast vs. time plot. The contrast vs. time plot can be measured with respect to the time at which the peak occurs, the time at which a maximum ascending slope occurs, and/or a moment of the curve for each pixel. Other options, such as generating and displaying the contrast vs. time plot with a reference plot and checking the point at which the two plots separate, have also been applied.
Such contrast-based methods tend to have significant shortcomings, however. In addition to the data storage, memory and processing problems noted above due to the large size of the infrared image data files, contrast-based methods require the identification of a defect-free region on the sample as a reference point. This requirement is often not realistic for some samples if, for example, the size of the defect is larger than the infrared camera""s field of view. In such a case, there is no defect-free area available that can act as a reference for a given region. Further, if the entire sample exhibits a defect (e.g., a large delamination running underneath the entire surface of the sample), there is no contrast between any region of the sample because the whole sample is equally or nearly equally defective.
Contrast-based methods that rely on the mean of the entire field of view as a reference have also been used, but this method assumes that the defect area in the field is small enough so that it will not appreciably influence the mean. If a defect (or group of defects) occupies a large portion of the field of view, the contrast method is ineffective because a significant portion of the mean value result is composed of data derived from defective sample points which acts to reduce any appreciable difference between the defect area and the mean when the contrast value is calculated.
Regardless of the specific reference value used in detecting defects, the results obtained using contrast-based methods depend strongly on the choice of reference region on the sample. More particularly, the results obtained in contrast-based methods can be altered by simply changing the location of the reference region.
Further, in evaluating the results from both the contrast-based methods and the data obtained directly from the infrared camera, identifying the time at which a maximum peak slope occurs (indicating the presence of a defect) is often difficult because the signals are often inherently noisy, thus the contrast based method must be capable of discriminating between pixels associated with defects and pixels associated with noise. Although the peak slope (of the temperature vs. time relationship) is a useful indicator of defect depth, the peak slope inherently must occur earlier than the peak contrast and may be obscured by the heating event, or by lingering heat from the equipment after flash heating the sample. The peak slope may also be obscured if the instantaneous temperature of the sample exceeds the camera""s peak temperature detection capabilities, causing an initial, highly nonlinear response from the camera due to camera saturation.
A common approach to improving the signal-to-noise content of thermographic data is to replace the amplitude of each pixel with the mean or median value of that pixel and its surrounding nearest neighboring pixels as defined by an Nxc3x97N matrix, where N is a selected integer. This approach, however, sacrifices spatial resolution to lessen temporal noise. Another approach for reducing temporal noise is to average data over a selected number of consecutive frames, but this approach sacrifices temporal precision. As a result, known techniques for reducing temporal and spatial noise necessarily degrade temporal and/or spatial resolution and precision.
Another technique which may be used in attempt to filter noise from thermographic data is to simply fit the raw temperature-time history of each data point of the sample, with a polynomial or a set of orthogonal functions. However, when one understands the underlying physical process of thermal imaging as well as the nuances of using all but the most expensive thermal imaging cameras, these approaches prove unsuccessful for several reasons:
A. Thermographic data (when generated using a pulse of energy to heat the sample), presents an extremely large dynamic range thereby making it extremely difficult to accurately fit both the data occurring early in the sampling process (large amplitude) and later in the sampling process (small amplitude). Specifically, the very steep, early post-excitation behavior of the temperature-time history of a point requires a high order polynomial or other similar expansion to accurately model the data. However, such high order terms introduce undesirable errors (such as oscillations) in the polynomial fit later in the time-temperature sequence when in fact the data is not oscillatory but rather stable.
B. The early, high amplitude response of the sample""s thermal signature, is often outside, or near the calibration limit of the infrared camera. As a result, the signal generated during this portion of the imaging exercise is often highly non-linear.
C. The early, high amplitude, data points dominate the fit and worsen the fit for later occurring data points.
The difference between the thermal response of an intact point (i.e. a defect free portion of a sample) and the thermal response of a sub-surface defects is often very small (e.g. on the order of the temperal noise) and accordingly very difficult to identify.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide for a non-visual interpretation of thermographic data and to permits the objective, non-destructive evaluation of samples.
Accordingly, it is a further object of the invention to provide a non-destructive system for detecting sub-surface defects in a sample wherein an extremely high quality representation of heat flow within a sample is generated and artifacts of that signal due to electronic noise, mechanical instability of the imaging apparatus, or random thermal signals, are rejected.
Another object of the invention is to provide a non-destructive defect detection system and method that reduces the size and complexity of the temperature-time history of image data without compromising the usefulness of the data in detecting the location and physical characteristics of sub-surface defects of a sample.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a non-destructive defect detection system that does not require obtaining a reference value to detect defects by locating areas in which there is a contrast between the reference and the sample being evaluated.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide to improve both the temporal and spatial signal-to-noise ratio of an infrared camera output without sacrificing temporal or spatial resolution of the data generated therefrom.
An additional object of the invention is to image multiple segments of a sample and then to assemble the multiple segments to form an integrated, mosaic image.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a system for determining a time response of a monotonically changing characteristic of a sample, including a camera that obtains at series of sample images over time, wherein each image includes a plurality of pixels, and each pixel includes an amplitude corresponding to the monotonically changing characteristic of a portion of the imaged sample, and a processor that receives the series of sample images and generates therefrom a data array for each portion of the imaged sample, wherein the data array is a reconstructed version (model) of the pixel amplitude image data, as a function of time, and wherein the processor generates the reconstructed version of the raw image data by fitting a polynomial (or similar mathematical expansions or decompositionsxe2x80x94such as those used with orthogonal functions) to at least some of the pixel amplitude image data, the polynomial having at least one polynomial coefficient such that each portion of the imaged sample is represented by a coefficient array containing said at least one polynomial coefficient, and wherein the processor generates from the coefficient array, a reconstructed thermal image of at least part of said sample.
The invention is also directed to a method for determining a time response to a monotonic change in a thermal characteristic of a sample, comprising the steps of obtaining a plurality of spatially distinct images (images taken over different regions of the sample) of the sample over time, each spatially distinct image having a plurality of pixels each pixel having an amplitude corresponding to the monotonically changing characteristic of a portion of the imaged sample, the sample, generating a data array for each pixel amplitude respectively corresponding to a portion of each spatially distinct image of the sample, the data array corresponding to a scaled version of the pixel amplitude at a given time or to a scaled version of the given time, fitting a polynomial to the data array associated with at least a portion of the plurality of pixels, the polynomial having at least two polynomial coefficients, such that each pixel amplitude respectively corresponding to a portion of each spatially distinct image of the sample is represented by a coefficient array containing said at least two polynomial coefficients, generating a plurality of reconstructed images corresponding to the plurality of spatially different images, and forming an image mosaic from the reconstructed images.

System for generating thermographic images using thermographic signal reconstruction


An implantable tissue marker device is provided to be placed in a soft tissue site through a surgical incision. The device can include a bioabsorbable body in the form of a spiral and defining a spheroid shape for the device, the spiral having a longitudinal axis, and turns of the spiral being spaced apart from each other in a direction along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of markers can be disposed on the body, the markers being visualizable by a radiographic imaging device. The turns of the spiral are sufficiently spaced apart to form gaps that allow soft tissue to infiltrate between the turns and to allow flexibility in the device along the longitudinal axis in the manner of a spring.

Two trends have become significant in driving the delivery of medical treatments: First, treatments, be they drugs, energy or surgery, are moving towards local and more precise (i.e., focused) delivery, and second, treatments are being tailored and optimized for each patient based on their specific anatomy, physiology and disease features. These directions both are designed to minimize the likelihood of adverse effects from the therapies as well as provide a more patient-specific treatment, which may improve disease-free survival rates and/or improve/decrease local recurrence of disease.
Many of these trends have been adopted in the surgical environment where large, open surgical procedures have been and continue to be replaced by laparoscopic techniques and other minimally invasive procedures. Drug therapies are moving toward more localized delivery as well, such as treatments that are placed directly at or near the treatment site (e.g., drug eluting stents and GLIADEL wafers for brain tumors). Until recently, the desire to do the same in radiation therapy has been hampered by inadequate technology for focused delivery. However, significant progress in the delivery of radiation to a more localized region of treatment (i.e., localized radiation delivery) has become popularized in the field of brachytherapy, a subspecialty of radiation oncology, most notably used in the treatment of prostate, breast, and gynecologic cancer patients. As an example, in breast brachytherapy, the radiation source is temporarily inserted into one or more catheters that are temporarily placed and held within the breast at the site where the tumor has been removed. The prescribed dose of radiation is calculated and customized for each patient, and is delivered directly to the area at highest risk of local recurrence. This system allows for more accurately directed treatment, which is effectively delivered from the "inside out." This approach has gained popularity because it offers a number of benefits to patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer including delivery of the equivalent dose of radiation in shorter timeframe (normally 5-7 days vs. daily for up to 6 weeks) and delivery to a smaller volume of the breast tissue (i.e., accelerated and smaller volume treatments). Thus, by delivering a customized and focused amount of radiation, the therapeutic advantage is maintained while the potential damage to surrounding normal tissues is minimized.
Although brachytherapy is gaining acceptance throughout the world, external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) remains the most common method of delivery for radiation therapy. EBRT is used in the treatment of many different types of cancers, and can be delivered before, during and/or after surgery. In addition, chemotherapy is often utilized in conjunction with radiation therapy. EBRT is delivered to cancer patients as either the first line of therapy (for non-resected cancers) or as a means of maximizing local control of the cancer following surgical removal of the tumor. The radiation is meant to help "sterilize" the area of tumor resection in an effort to decrease the potential for recurrent disease.
In EBRT, one or more beams of high energy x-rays are aimed at the part of the body needing treatment with radiation. A linear accelerator (often called a linac) produces the beams and has a collimator that helps to shape the beams as they exit the linac. It is very common for two or more beams to be used, each of which is delivered from different directions around the area of the tumor or the site of tumor resection. Often, in planning the delivery of the radiation, the beams are directed so that they will intersect at the tumor site, thereby focusing the highest dose of radiation at the most critical area. In this manner, the normal tissues surrounding the target are exposed to lower amounts of radiation. At the same time, the exact target site receives a more precise and accurately delivered dose, since the sum of the treatment beams are greatest at the directed tumor target. The tumor target volume is the region delineated by the radiation oncologist using CT scans (or other imaging methods such as ultrasound or MRI) of the patient. The tumor target volume and radiation dose prescription parameters are entered into a treatment planning computer. Treatment planning software (TPS) then produces a plan showing how many beams are needed to achieve the radiation oncologist's prescription dose, as well as the size and shape of each beam.
Historically, EBRT is practiced by dividing the total radiation dose into a series of smaller more tolerable doses which are delivered to the patient sequentially. Dosage is typically limited by the tolerance of normal tissues surrounding the site to be treated. Hence, often, the radiation therapy is continued until side effects become intolerable to the patient. The target volume, in which it is desired to deliver essentially 100% of the prescribed radiation dose, has historically been defined as the tumor (the gross tumor volume, or GTV) plus a surrounding volume of tissue margin that may harbor remaining microscopic tumor cells (the clinical target volume, or CTV). Another margin of surrounding normal tissue is added to the CTV to account for errors in positioning of the patient for therapy and movement of the tumor site both during a fraction and between fractions.
In the treatment of breast cancer, the complete course of EBRT is divided (fractionated) into numerous small, discrete treatments each of which is referred to as a "fraction". A typical prescribed dose of 60 Gray (Gy) is fractionated into 30 daily treatments of 2 Gy per day. During a fraction, the treatment beam may be "on" for ˜1 minute. Thus, to achieve the full treatment dose, the radiation therapy is typically delivered 5 days per week over a 6 week period. In the treatment of breast, lung, chest and upper abdominal (e.g. pancreatic) cancers the delivery of radiation therapy must take into consideration the changes in tissue position during respirations which may alter the position of the target tissue.
Another common procedure in which EBRT is used is whole breast radiation, typically used as a radiation therapy regimen following surgical lumpectomy as treatment for breast cancer. In this form of therapy, the entire breast is irradiated multiple times in small dose fractions over a course of treatment that typically lasts about 1-2 months. In addition to these whole breast doses, most patients receive an additional "boost" dose that is given to the area immediately surrounding the lumpectomy cavity, as this region is suspected to be of higher risk of recurrence. Often there is difficulty and uncertainty in identifying the exact tissue location of this post-lumpectomy tissue region. As a result of this uncertainty, larger tissue volumes than would otherwise be necessary are defined for boost treatment to ensure that the correct "high risk" target tissue indeed receives the boost dose. In addition, as the boost target is smaller than the whole breast that was treated, the actual "targeted" boost tissue volume is smaller than the whole breast target and can be more difficult to specifically target or define for treatment.
In the last few years, the treatment planning software and linear accelerator technology have dramatically improved in their ability to shape the radiation therapy beams to better avoid nearby sensitive structures (also known as "organs at risk" or non-target tissues). The latest treatment planning software allows the radiation oncologist and medical physicist to define the volume of tissue to be treated using CT scans and provide therapy constraints (e.g., minimum radiation dose inside the target volume, maximum radiation dose to structures nearby target volume). The software then automatically computes the beam angles and shapes in a process called inverse treatment planning. This process can be even further refined using a technique called Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) which shapes the beam of radiation. Another feature of the newer linear accelerators is a type of radiographic (and/or ultrasonic) imaging that is used to better position the patient and his/her tumor for more accurate targeting of the treatment beams. This latter method is called Image Guided Radiation Therapy, or IGRT.
Both IMRT and IGRT techniques use numerous, smaller and more precisely shaped beams that intersect at the target volume IGRT differs from IMRT in at least one important aspect—imaging prior to each fraction is used to reduce positioning errors and make sure the treatment beam is properly targeted. Typically, IGRT uses bony anatomy (e.g., pelvic bones for prostate patients) for radiographic targeting and soft tissue interfaces (e.g., prostatic capsule and bladder wall) for ultrasound targeting. Rarely, implanted radio-opaque markers (e.g., VISICOIL) have been used to facilitate targeting for IGRT. However, using a single marker device that defines in a 3 dimensional/volumetric manner the limits or margins of treatment has not yet been accomplished. In the treatment of breast cancer specifically, some clinicians have attempted to help delineate the margins of the lumpectomy cavity by using radio-opaque markers such as surgical clips placed at the time of surgery. This, in theory, may help the radiation oncologist in treatment planning, however, often these clips are inaccurate in their placement, have a tendency to migrate postoperatively (e.g., due to their mobility and other healing and scarring tissues), and may be confused with other surgical clips used for haemostatic control during surgery. Tissue changes and scarring can markedly affect the position of these clips, thus leading to the possibility of inaccurate targeting of the radiation. In addition, these markers have not been used with significant success for targeting in the newer delivery methods, such as for each fraction or each beam of every fraction as is done in IGRT.
IMRT uses a special type of collimator, a multi-leaf collimator (MLC) that changes the shape of the beam during each fraction to modulate or "sculpt" the radiation close to more closely fit the actual target volume shape in three dimensions. Linear accelerators equipped with MLCs can control the size and shape of the beam to within a few millimeters accuracy. However, to best take advantage of their precision, the tissue target needs to be accurately defined in 3 dimensions.
IGRT is a relatively new option on linear accelerators, however many new linacs are available today that have on-board imaging capability via mega-voltage (MV) or kilo-voltage (KV) x-rays/fluoroscopy. The on-board imaging capability can also be retrofitted to existing equipment. On-board imaging is a technical capability that has been introduced into the newest linac product lines by major manufacturers of linear accelerators (e.g., Varian Medical Systems, Elekta, Tomotherapy, Accuray and Siemens). While the technology made by these companies provides the possibility of performing better targeting for external beam radiation therapy, the targets (e.g., bony anatomy) are inadequate in order to achieve a precise and accurate target region for precision treatment of a specific tissue region, often because of inaccuracies associated with correlating bony anatomy to the adjacent soft tissue target region.
As described above, targeting the external beam radiation therapy accurately requires one to point out the target using markers known as "fiducials." These fiducial markers have different radiographic properties than that of the surrounding tissue (e.g., bone, and soft tissue). To date, this has been accomplished using radio-opaque markers (e.g., permanently implanted foreign bodies). Alternatively, Patrick and Stubbs described a device and method for shaping and targeting EBRT using a temporarily implanted balloon catheter (U.S. Pat. No. 7,524,274). This device and method required implantation of a foreign body whose removal necessitated a second medical/surgical procedure. There is clinical evidence suggesting that the implantation and irradiation of an area of the breast surrounding an implanted balloon can result in long-standing complications such as persistent seroma (collection of fluid within the breast that may become infected). There are a number of clinical difficulties that preclude use of a balloon-type device as a realistic/good option to define a tissue target for radiation. For example, a balloon device may interfere with the EBRT treatment since the balloon and its contents may affect the transmission of the EBRT, and therefore may affect the dose of radiation reaching the target tissue. In addition, the balloon many inhibit tissue growth back into the cavity during the healing process, which can lead to irregular and unsightly scarring, which is particularly undesirable following breast surgery for cancer. The balloon can be uncomfortable to the patient during the course of treatment, and thus, use of a balloon-type device for targeting radiation therapy has no been useful in the clinical domain.
Hence, the need exists for a better fiducial marker device and method for more accurately defining the target tissue volume and providing an imageable target for the external beam treatments, without requiring subsequent removal.

Surgical implant for marking soft tissue


A forwarding unit for a SDN system is provided, the forwarding unit being configured to forward data packets and comprising a memory module for storing at least one forwarding rule and a forwarding rule managing module, wherein the forwarding rule managing module is configured to activate the at least one forwarding rule according to a preset time condition and wherein the preset time condition comprises at least two activation times of the at least one forwarding rule and wherein the forwarding rule managing module is configured to activate the at least one forwarding rule at any one of the at least two activation times.

Software defined networking, SDN, is an approach that basically relates to decoupling the management and controlling tasks from data packet forwarding tasks. The management and controlling tasks are usually referred to as "control plane" whereas the forwarding tasks are referred to as "data plane." This decoupling can simplify the structure of a network and can standardize interfaces between individual components and between the control plane and data plane. Usually, the data plane is configured such that it necessarily requires control commands from the control plane in order to handle the forwarding tasks. Simply speaking, the 'intelligence' of an SDN system is provided in the control plane whereas the data plane simply carries out commands and instructions received from the control plane. One mechanism which relates to and defines the communication between the control plane and the data plane is OpenFlow. It should be understood that any reference to OpenFlow in the following generally relates to any mechanisms and interfaces which define the communication between the control plane and the data plane in SDN. Reference to OpenFlow is made representative for any of these mechanisms and interfaces.
The future networks (both telecom and Internet) are going to support millions and millions (even billions) of sensors as well as users using applications that will require sending periodic or recurrent control or data messages from one node to another. The term sensor is used herein as an example for any data source. The forwarding of such data messages is performed by the data plane and the components of the data plane. The future networks may be SDN based.
As mentioned above, the SDN approach to network design and management separates the control plane from the data plane of the network and may centralize the control plane to a logically single controller. An SDN network may be composed of simple switches (or forwarding elements) in the data plane and at least one intelligent SDN controller that configures how those switches behave by installing flow (or forwarding) rules on the switches. Flow rules are generally composed of match-action-pairs. The header and/or other parts of an incoming packet may be matched and in case of a match the switch may trigger actions such as forwarding to a certain port number, dropping the packet altogether, forwarding to the controller and so on. In case an incoming packet doesn't match any of the flow rules defined on the switch then the switch can send what is called a PACKET Ind. to the controller. The controller may analyze this PACKET INT and install newer flow rules on the switches to handle future such packets. The switches may have a limited fast memory size for installing these flow rules called TCAM (Ternary Content Addressable Memory). The switch may store the less used rules in an auxiliary memory and fetch them to the TCAM only when a match happens.
The problem with supporting a high number of sensors or other periodic data/signaling connections is that rules for all those sensors cannot exist at the same time in the TCAM or even in the auxiliary memory. Typically then these messages will generate PACKET Ms to the controller every period for the end to end path setup that must be processed by the controller. This may increase the communication overhead between the control plane and the data plane and may thus lead to increased latency in the SDN system.
T. Mizrahi et al., Time-based Updates in OpenFlow: A Proposed Extension to the OpenFlow Protocol, Israel Institute of Technology, describes an extension to OpenFlow protocol that allows time-triggered configuration updates. Such extension aims at coordinating network updates across multiple devices, e.g. a controller sends update messages to several OpenFlow switches with the same scheduled execution time. The controller can also configure a time-based sequence of updates by sending k update messages with k different update times.
M. Al-Fares et al., Hedera: Dynamic Flow Scheduling for Data Center Networks describes a dynamic flow scheduling system that efficiently utilizes aggregate network resources. In this solution, a central scheduler, based on regular updates of current network-wide communication demands, calculates the proper embedding of current flows in order to maximize the utilization of global network resources. Current flows can be moved to alternative paths if needed.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,824,274 relates to scheduled network layer programming within a multi-topology computer network. A Path Computation Element installs forwarding information to network nodes at the scheduled time for a scheduled path. This is a general path computation element, PCE, path reservation approach, wherein the reservation is done at a scheduled time in the future according to wishes of the application.

Forwarding unit and controller unit for SDN


Automatic monitoring system and method for providing an instantaneous tool status indication for a stock removal cutter when cutting workpieces in accordance with a given machining operation for which a substantially new stock removal cutter of the same type has a reference average tool wear coefficient R.sub.0. The system includes a torque monitor (7) for measuring a main drive cutting torque M during the cutting of an ith successive workpiece. Coupled to the torque monitor (7), is an instantaneous tool wear coefficient processor (13) for calculating a plurality of instantaneous tool wear coefficients r.sub.(j) during the cutting of the ith successive workpiece. Coupled to the instantaneous tool wear coefficient processor (13) is an average tool wear coefficient processor (14) for calculating an average tool wear coefficient R.sub.(i) from the plurality of instantaneous tool wear coefficient r.sub.(j) And finally, coupled to the average tool wear coefficient processor (14) is a tool wear coefficient comparator (15) for comparing each average tool wear coefficient R.sub.(i) to the reference average tool wear coefficient R.sub.0 to provide an instantaneous tool status indication for the stock removal cutter for each ith successive workpiece.

A CNC program instructs a milling cutter rotatably driven by a machine tool to cut a workpiece along a cutting path. Without adaptive control of at least the milling cutter's feed rate relative to a workpiece, the machine tool is required to develop an ever increasing torque for the milling cutter to cut successive workpieces in accordance with the CNC program due to its progressively worsening tool wear.
Automatic torque responsive monitoring of the tool status of milling cutters is known in the art, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,718 to Chung and U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,095 to Jeppesson.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,718 to Chung describes an automatic monitoring method in which a tool status indication of a milling cutter is determined as a function of the length of cutting time under increased target horsepower as a percentage of the total cutting time for a machining operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,095 to Jeppesson describes an automatic monitoring method in which a resultant side loading force FRES, having tangential FT and radial FR components. during a milling operation is measured directly along with its FT component and, on the basis of which, its FR component is determined mathematically for providing an indication of tool wear.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,547,847 there is described an adaptive control for machine tools which provides tool monitoring functions under a subroutine TLfiNTR illustrated in FIG. 13H and described in col. 35, line 64 to col. 38, line 49. The subroutine TLMNTR assumes a basically linear dulling process and requires several cutting parameters from the operating NC program, such as feed rate and spindle speed. In addition, the subroutine requires either a known or constant depth of cut which, in the case of the former, is compensated for in a linear fashion. As such, the subroutine is suitable for predicting tool life in relatively straightforward turning applications.


The present application provides an exhaust diffuser. The exhaust diffuser may include an outer diffuser section with a forward portion. An outer forward seal system may be positioned on the forward portion. The outer forward seal system may include a seal base removably positioned in a seal pocket.

Gas turbine engines generally include an exhaust diffuser positioned downstream of the last stage of a turbine. Generally described, the exhaust diffuser converts the kinetic energy of the hot combustion gases exiting the last stage of the turbine into potential energy in the form of increased static pressure. The exhaust diffuser directs the hot combustion gases through a casing of increasing cross-sectional area in the direction of the flow. The exhaust diffuser generally includes a number of struts mounted onto a hub and enclosed by the casing.
Typical exhaust diffusers may be a continuous 360 degree circle or split into a number of segments in some fashion. The continuous diffuser may be the easiest to manufacture but a split diffuser may offer more operational flexibility including access to certain components in the field such as bearings and the like. The split diffusers, however, may use tall radial flanges for sealing and/or attachment purposes. These tall flanges may experience stresses and thermal gradients along the length thereof that may result in a high out of round effect. An out of round condition in close proximity to the turbine exit may affect the overall aero-performance and gas turbine output and efficiency.


A switch for a vehicle includes: a first operating member provided on a mounting surface of the vehicle, the first operating member being operable by tilting; and a plurality of projections provided on the first operating member, the projections being operable by pushing, wherein the first operating member is shaped line symmetrically so that a central part of the first operating member is dented most; and the projection projects forward with respect to the central part of the first operating member, and the projection is uplifted along an outer wall part of the first operating member.

Conventionally, a switch for a vehicle is known which is cross shaped (cross type). For instance, this cross shaped switch provided on a steering wheel is used as an inputting device for a displaying device being mounted on a vehicle. Since the switch is cross shaped, the switch is superior in that the selection of setting items displayed on the displaying device in the lateral direction and in the vertical direction may be operated in a sensory manner in the lateral direction and in the vertical direction. In this way, the operability is enhanced. (See Patent Document 1.)


A gasket for arrangement between a cylinder block and cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. The gasket includes a lubricant hole through which lubricant is supplied to the cylinder head. A high pressure bead extends around the lubricant hole. A low pressure bead is extends around the high pressure bead and at least partially extends around a hollow portion, which is in communication with a lubricant reservoir of the engine, when the gasket is arranged between the cylinder block and the cylinder head.

The present invention relates to a gasket for a cylinder head and, more particularly, to a gasket arranged between a cylinder block and cylinder head of an internal combustion engine.
An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block and a cylinder head, which are fastened together by bolts. A gasket is arranged between the cylinder block and cylinder head to seal the engine against the escape of fluids, such as combustion gas, oil (lubricant), and coolant. Holes are formed in the gasket at predetermined locations to allow for the passage of the combustion gas, oil, coolant, and bolts. Various types of sealing beads are formed around the holes (refer, for example, to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Nos. 4-64776, 2000-220740, and 8-285080). The beads are each formed to produce a sealing pressure that differs in accordance with the subject it seals when the gasket is fastened by the bolts. For example, a high pressure bead having a high sealing pressure is used as the bead that seals the rim of a hole (lubricant hole) through which lubricant passes from the cylinder block to the cylinder head. A low pressure bead having a low sealing pressure is used as the bead that seals the rim of a bolt hole.
The gasket uses a high pressure bead to seal a lubricant hole. Nevertheless, the gasket, which is exposed to high pressure oil and used under harsh conditions, is susceptible to wear and deterioration. When such wear or deterioration occurs, lubricant may escape from the high pressure bead, move through a gap formed between the gasket and cylinder head, and ooze out of the engine.


A welding device includes a holder for a weld part (1) adapted to be moved substantially perpendicularly to, and away from, a surface of a workpiece (2) on which the weld part (1) is to be welded. An arc producing system produces an arc between the weld part (1) and the surface of the workpiece (2) with the arc generating a magnetic flux. A field former (3) includes a low-retentivity steel and provides a flux path for the magnetic flux generated by the arc.

The invention relates to a welding device, in particular to a welding device for arc welding by lifting and striking.
Welding devices are known for welding a weld part which comprise a holder for weld parts. The holder is movable substantially perpendicularly to the surface of a workpiece and away from it. The welding device comprises a system for producing an arc by lifting and striking between the weld part and the surface of the workpiece. To influence the arc, it is known that the welding device is equipped with a system comprising a field former for producing magnetic field acting on the arc. A welding device of this type is described, for example, in German Patent No. 44 00 957. This device is provided with an electromagnetic coil to which a flux guiding part with a truncated cone shaped field former is coupled. The extended surface line of the field former indicates the welding position. A magnetic field component extending substantially radially to the weld part is formed on the substantially annular pole face of the field former. European Patent No. 167 150 and German Patent No. 195 12 094 describe further embodiments of a welding device. Devices of the kind described in these patents, however, typically use magnetic fields generated by coils, that add complexity and expense, or permanent magnets that will deteriorate in the high temperature environment of the welding operation.
On the basis of the foregoing, the object of the present invention is to develop the known welding device so as to improve the welded joint produced by the welding device.
The welding device according to the invention, in particular for arc welding by lifting and striking, is distinguished in that it comprises at least one field former consisting at least in part of a low-retentivity steel. The field former influences the magnetic field and therefore also the propagation of the arc. A field former consisting at least in part of a low-retentivity steel is particularly effective, in particular if workpieces made of non-magnetic materials are to be welded together.
According to a further feature of the invention there is proposed a welding device comprising at least one field former having at least one straight portion. This allows the arc to be influenced better in the case of non-circular weld parts. It is proposed, in particular, that the field former consists at least in part of a low-retentivity steel.
According to an advantageous configuration of the welding device, it is proposed that the at least one field former has a polygonal cross section, and is preferably substantially U-shaped in design. The arms of the U-shaped field former are preferably spaced from one another such that the weld part can be introduced at least in part between them. This configuration of the field former allows the magnetic field to be influenced even in the corner region, in particular in the case of weld parts with a substantially rectangular cross section.
According to a further advantageous configuration of the welding device it is proposed that two U-shaped field formers are provided which are spaced with free arms directed toward one another.
It has been found that the magnetic field and therefore also the arc can be influenced sufficiently and adequately for the quality of the welded joint if the at least one field former is rod-shaped in design. The welding device according to the invention preferably comprises two field formers extending substantially parallel to one another.
According to a further advantageous configuration of the welding device, it is proposed that the at least one field former is connected to a mouth-piece which can be brought into contact with the surface of the workpiece.


An apparatus includes a switch that has a module implemented in at least one of a processor or a memory, and multiple ports including a first port and a second port in a predefined sequence relative to the first port. The module is configured to automatically associate a first compute device with a first virtual local area network (VLAN) when the first compute device is coupled to the first port with a first cable. The module is configured to automatically associate a second compute device to the first VLAN when the second compute device is coupled to the second port with a second cable based on the second port being in a predefined sequence relative to the first port. The predefined sequence can include, for example, the second port being next in physical sequence after the first port.

Some embodiments described herein relate generally to a switch device, and, in particular, to methods and apparatus for automatic configuration of virtual local area networks on compute devices coupled to a switch device.
Some known switches or switch devices used in a network including multiple virtual local area networks (VLANs) can require manual installation and setup by an administrator to configure compute devices of the network to operate within a particular or selected VLAN of the network. For example, when a compute device is added to a port of a switch device of such a network, the administrator of the network may need to use a command line interface (CLI) or a graphical user interface (GUI) to key-in or otherwise manually configure that compute device. Such manual installation procedures can be time consuming and increase the costs associated with configuring compute devices to work within a VLAN of such a network.
Accordingly, a need exists for the ability to provide automatic configuration of virtual local area networks on compute devices coupled to a switch device.

Methods and apparatus for automatic configuration of virtual local area network on a switch device


A database table may include a column associated with metadata indicative of a requirement to audit access to rows of the table. When a database receives a query, a query optimizer may determine that rows of the table will be accessed when the query is processed. The query optimizer may form a query plan that includes instructions for retrieving data for the column that is needed for generating an audit record for each row accessed. The column associated with the metadata may be included in the record.

Security and privacy concerns may sometimes be addressed by auditing access to sensitive data. In some instances, moreover, auditing access to sensitive data is a requirement under certain laws or regulations. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA"), for example, may require auditing access to a patient's records. The auditing may, for example, include forming an audit log entry that has information identifying the record that was accessed.
Compliance with a reporting requirement may be more challenging in data warehouse systems than in transactional databases. One reason for this is that, in a transactional system, the data that is subject to a reporting requirement may be stored in a base table that is generally known to be subject to the reporting requirement. Typical database or application logging mechanisms may, in such cases, be sufficient to comply with the reporting requirement. However, in a data warehouse data from various base tables may be combined, aggregated, or otherwise processed to form new tables that nevertheless contain or reflect data that is subject to the reporting requirement.


A monolithic integrated circuit for use in a digital display unit. The circuit may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a scaler and a clock recovery circuit. The present invention enables the integration of at least these components into a single monolithic integrated circuit while maintaining reasonable display quality. Specifically, the monolithic integrated circuit is designed for substantial immunity from noise, which may otherwise result from integration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to digital display units used in computer systems, and more specifically to integrated circuits for generating digital data elements from an analog display signal received by digital display units.
2. Related Art
Digital display units (e.g., flat panel monitors) are often used to display images encoded in an analog display signal. Digital display units are characterized by screens having discreet points termed xe2x80x9cpixelsxe2x80x9d. Each pixel is actuated with different colors and intensities to generate an image. The tasks required to display the images on a screen of a digital display unit can be appreciated by considering the manner in which display signals are typically generated and the format of a typical display signal.
Analog display signals are typically generated by a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) in a graphics source generally located outside of a digital display unit. The DAC generates a portion of a display data signal (e.g., in RGB format) by processing each of several pixel data elements representing an image. Each pixel data element value generally represents the color intensity of a point of the image such that the display data signal represents the overall image frame. A DAC typically generates several such frames in quick succession and sends the resulting display signal to a digital display unit. The DAC is typically driven by a video clock, which determines the frequency at which the pixel data elements are encoded in an analog display signal.
An analog display signal so generated may have synchronization signals associated with the display data. While the display data signal identifies a color intensity for each point of an image, the synchronization signals provide a time reference such that each portion of the display data signal can be correlated with a corresponding portion of the image. In particular, VGA compatible systems generate a HSYNC signal identifying the separation of successive horizontal lines and a VSYNC signal identifying the separation of successive frames.
To display the images encoded in an analog signal, a digital display unit may need to accomplish several tasks. For example, the sampling clock may need to be recovered, the analog display data may need to be sampled using the recovered clock, and the image may need to be scaled (upscaled or downscaled) to use all the space available on a display screen.
Clock recovery is typically required to accurately regenerate the pixel data elements used at a graphics source (generating the analog display signal). That is, when the ADC is driven by an accurately recovered clock (sampling clock), the sampled data elements (generated from sampling) typically equal the pixel data elements used at the graphics source. The sampled data elements may then be used for scaling (to bigger or smaller image in any dimension) the image. The pixel data elements representing the scaled image may be used to generate display signals on a display screen.
Prior systems may implement each of these tasks in a separate integrated circuit (chip) or module. For example, a scaler may be implemented as one integrated circuit and the clock recovery circuit may be implemented as another.
Implementation as different modules or chips may be unacceptable in certain situations. For example, the manufacturing costs may be high. High costs may be unacceptable, particularly in consumer markets where computer systems may be marketed. In addition, a digital display unit may be prone to defects due to the presence of the several modules or chips.
A monolithic integrated circuit containing an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a clock recovery circuit and a resizing (scaler) circuit is provided in accordance with the present invention. Integration is enabled while maintaining adequate display quality. In one embodiment described below, the integration of these circuits into one monolithic integrated circuit is facilitated by using digital components for tracking and phase acquisition in the clock recovery circuit and by using only a small memory in the resizing circuit.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is also integrated into the monolithic integrated circuit. The DAC enables color balancing to be achieved for multiple ADCs used for processing multiple colors (e.g, Red, green and blue signals). Color balancing is of particular importance because of any sub-optimal implementation of analog components, which may cause color mis-matches when several ADCs are used, each for processing a different color.
Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number.

Monolithic integrated circuit implemented in a digital display unit for generating digital data elements from an analog display signal received at high frequencies


An H-bridge driver has a drive signal generating circuit for generating a square-wave signal as a drive signal. The H-bridge driver also has a waveform shaping circuit for blunting the waveform of the drive signal at the rising and trailing edges thereof. The waveform shaping circuit has a first circuit for generating, in a rising period of the square-wave signal fed thereto, a first current having a positive peak at the center of the rising period, a second circuit for generating, in a trailing period of the square-wave signal fed thereto, a second current having a negative peak at the center of the trailing period, and a capacitor to which the first and second currents are fed. The waveform shaping circuit outputs the voltage across the capacitor as its output voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an H-bridge driver having a drive signal generating circuit for generating a square-wave signal as a drive signal for driving an H-bridge that is used to drive a load from both ends thereof in a complementary fashion.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 4 shows a conventional H-bridge driver for driving a load such as the primary coil of a transformer. This H-bridge driver includes, for example, an H-bridge 400 consisting of two complementary connection circuits 300-1 and 300-2, of which each is composed of a p-channel MOS FET (hereinafter referred to as the xe2x80x9cpMOSxe2x80x9d) 301 and an n-channel MOS FET (hereinafter referred to as the xe2x80x9cnMOSxe2x80x9d) 302. Within each of the complementary connection circuits 300-1 and 300-2, the source of the pMOS 301 is connected to a supply voltage VCC, the source of the nMOS 302 is connected to ground GND, and the drains of the pMOS 301 and the nMOS 302 are connected together. In this circuit configuration, to drive the H-bridge 400, a signal P1 output from a logic circuit 100xe2x80x2 is fed through a buffer amplifier 200-1xe2x80x2 directly to the gates of the pMOS 301 and the nMOS 302 of the complementary connection circuit 300-1, and a signal P2 output from the logic circuit 100xe2x80x2, which is an inverted version of the signal P1, is fed through a buffer amplifier 200-2xe2x80x2 directly to the gates of the pMOS 301 and the nMOS 302 of the complementary connection circuit 300-2.
In this circuit configuration, let the threshold level at which the p-channel MOS FETs turn on be Vthp, and let the threshold level at which the n-channel MOS FETs turn on be Vthn Moreover, assume that the high-level voltage of the pulse signals P1 and P2 is set to be higher than VCCxe2x88x92Vthp and the low-level voltage thereof is set to be lower than Vthn. Under these conditions, when the pulse signal P1 is at the low level and the pulse signal P2 is at the high level, in the complementary connection circuit 300-1, the pMOS 301 is on and the nMOS 302 is off, and, in the complementary connection circuit 300-2, the pMOS 301 is off and the nMOS 302 is on. As a result, a current flows from the supply voltage VCC to the pMOS 301 of the complementary connection circuit 300-1, then to a load 500, then to the nMOS 302 of the complementary connection circuit 300-2, and then to ground GND. By contrast, when the pulse signal P1 is at the high level and the pulse signal P2 is at the low level, in the complementary connection circuit 300-1, the pMOS 301 is off and the nMOS 302 is on, and, in the complementary connection circuit 300-2, the pMOS 301 is on and the nMOS 302 is off. As a result, a current flows from the supply voltage VCC to the pMOS 301 of the complementary connection circuit 300-2, then to the load 500, then to the nMOS 302 of the complementary connection circuit 300-1, and then to ground GND. In this way, the load 500 is driven from both ends thereof in a complementary fashion.
However, in this conventional H-bridge driver, since the H-bridge 400 is driven by directly using the square-wave pulse signals (i.e. signals containing high-frequency components) output from the logic circuit 100xe2x80x2, the inductance component of the load 500 causes high-frequency noise of the order of tens of millivolts. For this reason, conventional H-bridge drivers are unusable in audio, visual, and similar applications.
An object of the present invention is to provide an H-bridge driver that has a drive signal generating circuit for generating a square-wave signal as a drive signal for driving an H-bridge and that permits significant reduction of the high-frequency noise caused by the inductance component of the load of the H-bridge.
To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an H-bridge driver including a drive signal generating circuit for generating a square-wave signal as a drive signal for driving an H-bridge is provided with: a waveform shaping circuit for blunting the drive signal generated by the drive signal generating circuit to drive the H-bridge; and a control circuit for keeping the voltage on the output side of the H-bridge equal to the voltage output from the waveform shaping circuit. In this circuit configuration, a signal having a blunted version of the waveform of the drive signal for driving the H-bridge appears on the output side of the H-bridge.


A charge air cooler arrangement, a charge air cooler tank, and method are disclosed. The charge air cooler arrangement includes a charge air cooler having an operable thermal transfer area configured to transfer heat from inside the charge air cooler to outside of the charge air cooler. The charge air cooler arrangement may also include a valve configured to change the operable thermal transfer area from a relatively large area to a relatively small area.

Many internal combustion engines include turbochargers, or superchargers configured to force more air mass into an engine's intake manifold and combustion chamber by compressing intake air with a compressor driven by a turbine disposed to capture energy from the flow of the engine exhaust gas. However, compression tends to heat the intake air, leading to a reduction of the density of the charge air. It is known to use a charge air cooler to compensate for heating caused by supercharging.
In order to achieve high Charge Air Cooler (CAC) efficiency in boosted applications and under hot ambient operating conditions, charge air coolers should be large and receive "First Air", (e.g., be in front of a radiator and all other cooling devices). During operation in humid and cooler climates, the size of the CAC may be such that water vapor in the air will condense out and be stored in the CAC. When the flow of intake air reaches a high enough velocity, condensed water may be stripped out of the CAC and ingested into the engine. However, if too much water is ingested into the engine too rapidly, the engine may misfire. Such misfiring can be extreme. Conversely, air flow velocities during low air flow demand remain high and may not allow for condensation build up in the CAC.
Embodiments may provide a valve which may be actuated in boosted engine applications. The valve may be either mechanical or electrical, and in some examples may be located in the charge air cooler (CAC), the inlet tank, or the outlet tank to utilize the required volume of the CAC as needed for predetermined engine operating conditions.
Embodiments may utilize one or more valves configured to close off portions of the CAC during low engine air flow requirements and open the entire CAC during high engine air flow requirements. In this way, efficiency requirements may be better met during both low air flow operation and high air flow operation.
A charge air cooler arrangement, a charge air cooler tank, and method are disclosed. The charge air cooler arrangement includes a charge air cooler having an operable thermal transfer area configured to transfer heat from inside the charge air cooler to outside of the charge air cooler. The charge air cooler arrangement may also include a valve configured to change the operable thermal transfer area from a relatively large area to a relatively small area and back again. In this way the amount of thermal transfer area, and the volume of the CAC, may be adjusted according to engine operation. For example, during operating conditions more prone to condensate formation (e.g., lower flow engine operating conditions), the valve can be adjusted to reduce the number of open channels in the charge air cooler, thereby increasing air flow velocity. However, during operating conditions less prone to condensate formation (e.g., higher flow engine operating conditions, as compared to the lower air flow conditions), the valve can be adjusted to increase the number of open channels in the charge air cooler, thereby decreasing air flow resistance and increasing air flow cooling.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.
FIGS. 2-9 are drawn approximately to scale, although other relative dimensions and positioning may be used, if desired.

Charge air cooler control system and method


A plurality of illumination elements obliquely irradiating an inspection target region in irradiation directions different from each other and equiangularly spaced around an image capturing part in a state where each of a low-angle, intermediate-angle, and high-angle illumination parts has a different irradiation angle are sequentially turned on and off. An image of the image captured region is captured every time each of the plurality of illumination elements is turned on. A determination image generation part specifies an inspection-excluded region based on at least one of maximum luminance image data and minimum luminance image data of three types of captured image data each corresponding to an irradiation angle of each illumination part and generates determination image data for the image captured region other than the inspection-excluded region. A defect determination part determines existence of a defect based on the determination image data.

A honeycomb structural body that is a ceramic porous body (ceramic body) is widely used as a filter that collects particulate matter contained in exhaust gas from an internal combustion, a boiler, or the like, or as a catalyst carrier of an exhaust gas cleaning catalyst. The honeycomb structural body includes a plurality of cells, partitioned by partition walls, along the axial direction of the structural body respectively, and surround by a tubular outer surface (outer wall). The ceramic honeycomb structural body is excellent in thermal resistance, thermal shock resistance, and oxidation resistance, and thus widely used for the above-mentioned applications and the like.
In some honeycomb structural bodies, cell openings at both end faces are alternately (in a checkerboard pattern) sealed (also referred to as sealing) (sealed honeycomb structural bodies). Such a sealed honeycomb structural body is used for, for example, DPF (diesel particulate filter).
A ceramic honeycomb structural body is typically manufactured by shaping, through extrusion molding, clay-like raw earth obtained by kneading powder of ceramic (for example, cordierite, SiC, or alumina) as a constituent material thereof with, for example, an organic binder and water, and by firing a honeycomb shaped body thus obtained. When sealing is desired to be added, it may be implemented, for example, in a manner that an end part of a honeycomb fired body in which a cell not to be sealed has been masked in advance is immersed in a slurry filler to fill an opened cell with the filler and then the honeycomb fired body is fired again (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-249798, for example). Alternatively, it is also possible that a honeycomb shaped body without sealing is filled with the filler as described above and then is fired, thereafter to obtain a sealed honeycomb structural body.
Some ceramic honeycomb structural bodies are made by joining a plurality of honeycomb segments each having a plurality of cells. Such a ceramic honeycomb structural body can be manufactured by generating shaped bodies of a plurality of honeycomb segments by extrusion molding in the manner similar to the case described above and firing a honeycomb shaped body (honeycomb segment collected body) obtained by joining the shaped bodies.
A honeycomb structural body manufactured by the method described above is inspected to check that no defect such as a crack, a chip, or a scoop exists on a side surface, an end face having an opening, and an internal partition wall, and then shipped as a product.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-249798 discloses, as a method of inspecting a sealed part of a sealed honeycomb structural body, a method of image capturing for a cell from one end face side while emitting light thereto on the other end face side, and detecting any defect at the sealed part based on the grayscale (luminance) of light obtained by performing image processing on a captured image thus obtained.
In another publicly known method (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-139052, for example), a telecentric optical system and a camera having an optical axis aligned with that of the optical system are disposed on the one end part side of the honeycomb structural body in a direction tilted by a predetermined angle relative to the axis line direction of the honeycomb structural body, and the grayscale of an image formed by light obliquely incident on a partition wall is identified to perform crack detection at the partition wall.
When the above-described defect inspection by using the grayscale appearing in a captured image is performed on an end face of a honeycomb structural body, a defect such as a crack, a chip, or a scoop occurring at the periphery of a cell opening is required to be reliably distinguished from the cell opening itself. In addition, in a case of a sealed honeycomb structural body, in particular, normal irregularities (irregularities that cause no problem in terms of product specifications) existing at a sealed part and a rib part are required not to be falsely detected as a crack, a chip, a scoop, and the like.
For example, it is known that, when oblique illumination as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-139052 is used in defect inspection, a defect part such as a chip or a scoop is likely to be a dark part (shadow), but a shadow is also likely to occur at a normal irregular part, and thus the normal irregular part is highly likely to be falsely detected as a defect at defect detection based on existence of the dark part.
When a defect inspection of a large number of honeycomb structural bodies is performed by image processing, from a viewpoint of inspection efficiency, it is preferable that a part of a inspected region, where it is already known that there is no need for inspection, is excluded from inspection. The reason is that such a process leads to reduction in a calculation time for image processing and suppression of a false detection. For example, when the defect inspection is performed based on the captured image of the honeycomb structural body as is the case in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-249798, the defect inspection needs not be performed on the opening, thus image information of a part of the opening is not necessary. An outer side of the honeycomb structural body is also captured in the captured image depending on a captured position, however, image information of such a part is not also necessary for the defect inspection. In addition, when the honeycomb structural body is made by joining the plurality of honeycomb segments, image information of a joining part is not also necessary for the defect inspection.

Ceramic body defect inspecting apparatus and ceramic body defect inspecting method


A common-mode feedback circuit includes an amplifying circuit, a biasing circuit connected with the amplifying circuit, and a feedback loop connecting the amplifying circuit with the biasing circuit. The feedback loop includes a first field effect transistor M1, a eighth field effect transistor M1B connected with the first field effect transistor M1, a tenth field effect transistor M2B and an eleventh field effect transistor MFB connecting the eighth field effect transistor M1B and the tenth field effect transistor M2B. The common-mode voltage value of the common-mode feedback circuit is adjusted by the eleventh field effect transistor MFB. The common-mode feedback circuit has the simple structure and is capable of achieving the common-mode feedback without the peripheral feedback circuit and the input reference voltage.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a feedback circuit, and more particularly to a common-mode feedback circuit.
2. Description of Related Arts
The common-mode feedback circuit is usually used to stabilize the common-mode voltage of the fully differential analog circuit. The differential current which is generated by comparing the average of two differential output voltages with the common-mode reference voltage is fed back to adjust the common-mode voltage.
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an existing common-mode feedback circuit is illustrated, wherein the circuit comprises a power supply VDD, a ground GND, two input ends Vin+ and Vin−, two output ends Vout1 and Vout2, two resistors R, five field effect transistors M11, M12, M13, M14 and M15, and an operational amplifier.
The circuit detects an output common-mode voltage Vcm by the two resistors R, and compares the output common-mode voltage Vcm with an input reference voltage Vref by the operational amplifier. Vcm is forced to be equal to Vref. The operational amplifier outputs the feedback to the field effect transistor M13 for adjusting the current passing through the transistor M13 equal to the sum of the current passing through the transistor M11 and the current passing through the transistor M12, thus achieving the common-mode feedback.
However, the existing circuit which is capable of achieving the common-mode feedback occupies a large silicon area, which goes against integrating. Furthermore, the existing circuit increases the output load, thereby decreasing the gain.

IPGlobal Microelectronics (SiChuan) Co., Ltd.


A multilayer well device includes a first substrate comprising an array of wells having a first pattern disposed therein and a second substrate comprising an array of wells having a second pattern, complementary to the first pattern disposed therein, wherein the second substrate is secured adjacent to a face of the first substrate. A common channel is interposed between the array of wells of the respective first and second substrates and is coupled to an inlet and an outlet.

High density microwell plates or micro-reactors have been fabricated using various methods to form an array of sites or wells within a single surface. Although densities have become high, they are often limited by pattern formation and manufacturing techniques with often limited well height to width aspect ratios on only a single planar surface. As a result, a large usable area between the microwells is lost depending on the pitch or spacing between adjacent wells. As the footprint of the microwell size is reduced to accommodate even higher densities, the ratio of usable microwell area to dead space decreases exponentially resulting in even greater loss of usable area on the imaging plane for high density microwell reactors. The density loss due to well spacing must be minimized or eliminated to achieve higher densities.
In addition, limits in the manufacturability of high aspect ratio microwells makes it prohibitive to increase reactor densities beyond a certain value as it begins to adversely affect the possible reactor volumes or imaging resolution. Also, it is prohibitively difficult to fill each microwell reactor as the aspect ratio increases due to the dominant effects of surface tension at such small length scales. This prohibits fluid from reliably filling each reactor well completely.
More recently, attempts have been made to increase density and area coverage efficiency by using three-dimensional droplet emulsion arrays. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012-0184464 describes a system and method for the high density assembly and packing of micro-reactors. This method increases density and area coverage efficiency, however droplets are prone to movement over time, and require high surfactant concentrations to prevent droplet coalescence.

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA


The disclosed subject matter relates to a system and method for facilitating automated conversations with users over a network. In some embodiment, a disclosed system includes a computing device operably connected to a database, and is configured to receive a plurality of incoming messages from a first user in an asynchronous manner; and identify a user request associated with the plurality of incoming messages. In these embodiments, the computing device determines that the plurality of incoming messages are all incoming messages that are associated with the user request; processes the plurality of incoming messages together; and generates at least one outgoing message as a response to the user request.

Conversational assistants have been utilized for applications like online shopping, online customer service, etc. An existing online conversational assistant uses a synchronous communication model, e.g. based on hypertext transfer protocol secure (https) protocol, to exchange messages with a client device and between different components of the conversational assistant. Based on the synchronous communication model, the client device communicates synchronously with the online conversational assistant. That is, after the client device sends a request to the conversational assistant, the client device will wait until a response is returned. The client device is prevented from performing any other operations with respect to the conversational assistant until the response is received.
The synchronous communication model is not suitable for many online applications with asynchronous users. For example, when the client device is an intelligent virtual assistant (IVA) or an intelligent personal assistant (IPA), which often has a response time of 5-10 seconds, a response from the IVA or IPA has to be provided within 5-10 seconds after a voice or text message input by a user. But when the user is an asynchronous user, or operates as an asynchronous client to the online conversational assistant, the user can send multiple messages without waiting for the online conversational assistant to reply. Because there may be many other actions at the online conversational assistant before replying to the asynchronous user, a response may be provided by the client device several minutes after an input from the asynchronous user, which is way longer than the response time of 5-10 seconds of an existing IVA or IPA. As such, a conversational assistant that can only support synchronous users or clients has a limited capability of automated online conversations.

Methods and apparatus for exchanging asynchronous messages


An apparatus and a method for capping and sealing a vial with a cap assembly including a deformable annular seal, e.g., a ferrule, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a base for holding the vial, a pressure applying platen, plural sealing rollers and associated electronic circuitry and motors. The platen is arranged to be moved relative to the base, whereupon it engages and applies a force to the cap assembly. The load cell measures the force applied and provides a signal indicative thereof to the electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry determines when a desired amount of force has been applied to control the operation of the rollers, whereupon the rollers apply a force to the annular seal to permanently crimp the annular seal on the vial.

For more than sixty years injectable drugs have been packed in glass vials. Such vials typically are formed of glass and have a cylindrical neck terminating in a flanged top or lip, with the opening to the interior of the vial extending through the neck. The neck is sealed by means of a rubber stopper and an aluminum seal or ferrule. The technique used to seal such a vial typically entails moving the vial so that it is compressed between a bottom base and a pressure block or platen. When the vial is compressed in place, a roller or rollers contact the aluminum ferrule below the neck of the vial and force the metal in place permanently, thereby holding the stopper in place and sealing the vial. In short, the usual method for achieving compression of the elastomeric element or stopper is mechanical and dimensionally driven. In particular, the vial is raised a certain distance into the pressure block or platen to apply pressure to the cap assembly. Using this technique, the variations of vial height within the tolerance range of the vial manufacture influence the amount compression achieved, so that some vials may not be adequately capped and sealed.
Accordingly, a need exists for a capping and sealing apparatus which overcomes the drawbacks of the mechanical/dimensional driving of the prior art capping sealing apparatus. The subject invention addresses that need.

Apparatus and method for capping and sealing pharmaceutical vials


A method for processing Entitlement Control Message (ECM) packets is disclosed in the present invention. The method includes: a terminal receiving a broadcast code stream multiplexing frame and obtaining ECM packets from the received broadcast code stream multiplexing frame; and analyzing the ECM packet if the indicator of the ECM packet is judged to be inconsistent with the indicator of the locally stored ECM packet. An apparatus for processing ECM packets is also disclosed in the present invention, and the apparatus includes: a receiving module, an obtaining module, a judging module and an analyzing module. With the present invention, the efficiency of the terminal processing ECM packets is improved, and the limited resources of the terminal can be saved.

Mobile Broadcast Business Management System (MBBMS) is a business management and protection system based on broadcast mobile multimedia which is developed by the China Mobile, and it can use a one-way broadcast network to provide downlink transmission of multimedia content, and it makes use of the authentication management system and the two-way network transmission capacity of the mobile communication network to complete the user authentication, authorization and management; meanwhile, the two-way channel of the mobile communication network is utilized to provide value-added services, such as the interaction and so on, for the mobile users. With the combination of the China Mobile Multimedia Broadcasting (CMMB) and the MBBMS being in operation, the functionality and performance of the terminal processing the code stream in the existing network environment as well as the user experience attract more and more attention.
For the scrambled programs, the terminal must rely on the Entitlement Control Message (ECM) packets in the broadcast code stream to acquire the encrypted key, and the encrypted key is used to obtain the final program stream key via the User Authentication Module (UAM) or the Security Digital (SD) card, thus the scrambled audio and video data can be further descrambled to acquire the raw stream, which is then played to the users for watching, and therefore, the terminal processing the ECM packets is crucial. In the prior art, each ECM packet is analyzed, and each ECM packet generally has two keys (MTKs) for descrambling the audio and video data (one MTK is the current MTK, and the other is the MTK in the next cycle), and the two MTKs in each ECM packet need to be analyzed, which seriously affects the performance of the terminal. Moreover, in the real network, because of the front-end server or the network, there might be error packets in the ECM packets transmitted in the broadcast code stream, and the terminal further acquires the MTK for descrambling and playing according to the ECM packets. If an ECM packet has error, the terminal cannot acquire the key, thus the playing fails, and at this time, the terminal needs to carry out processing reasonably in order to provide the users with a better experience.

Method and apparatus for processing entitlement control message packets