A method and apparatus for providing an automatically upgradeable software application includes targeted advertising based upon demographics and user interaction with the computer. The software application includes a display region used for banner advertising that is downloaded over a network such as the Internet. The software application is accessible from a server via the network and demographic information on the user is acquired by the server and used for determining what advertising will be sent to the user. The software application further targets the advertisements in response to normal user interaction with the computer. Data associated with each advertisement is used by the software application in determining when a particular advertisement is to be displayed. This includes the specification of certain programs that the user may have so that, when the user runs the program (e.g., a spreadsheet program), a relevant advertisement will be displayed (e.g., an advertisement for a stock brokerage). This provides two-tiered, real-time targeting of advertisingxe2x80x94both demographically and reactively. The software application includes programming that accesses the server to determine if one or more components of the application need upgrading. If so, the components can be downloaded and installed without further action by the user. A distribution tool is provided for software distribution and upgrading over the network. Also provided is a user profile that is accessible to any computer on the network. Furthermore, multiple users of the same computer can possess Internet web resources and files that are personalized, maintained and organized.

This invention relates in general to user interfaces for accessing computer applications and information resources and, in particular, to user interfaces that provide advertising obtained over a global computer network such as the Internet. This invention also relates to user interfaces for maintaining, organizing and communicating information accessible to a computer network such as the Internet and, in particular, to user interfaces that provide the user with availability to that information in a personalized manner.
The continuing expansion of the Internet and other private and semi-private networks has led to the now widespread practice of electronic distribution of software to end users, whether as freeware, shareware, or fully paid-up licensed software. Traditionally, freeware programs have generally been small, unsupported single-purpose programs that are of limited use. Since no income was derived from these programs, there was little incentive for the creators of this type of software to undertake major development efforts. More recently, however, a new type of free software has emerged which, while free to end users, does provide income to the creator of the software via advertising incorporated into the software. This is of benefit both to the end user and advertiser, as the end user obtains useful software at no cost and the advertiser gets advertising exposure for its products or services. One well known example of this type of arrangement is in push technology products, such as Pointcast(trademark), which permits a user to receive and display broadcasted information over the Internet. Using this software, new advertising is periodically received along with various requested types of news information (e.g., financial, business, sports) and is stored locally on the user""s computer for later retrieval and display by the program.
The new advertising medium provided by the Internet has a number of significant advantages for advertisers. First, the users of the software within which the advertising is placed have, on average, much more disposable income to spend on products and services than the average user of other traditional advertising media, such as television or print. Second, the advertising can, in some instances, be targeted in various ways, such as demographically or reactively. An example of the latter of these is in push technology where the user requests certain types of information and this request is used to select the type of advertisement sent to the user along with the requested content. Third, the advertising can not only include audio and video elements as well as simple visual elements, but can also be interactive. For example, by clicking on the advertisement, the user can be provided with additional information about the advertised products or services and can even be given the opportunity to purchase the products or services electronically.
One of the most common methods of advertising via the Internet is through the use of links (e.g., uniform resource locators, known as URLs) embedded within web pages. By using embedded links, the advertisements need not be located on the same server as the web pages themselves. When the web page is loaded or reloaded, the advertising server is accessed to obtain a new advertisement which is incorporated into the web page displayed on the user""s screen. These advertisements are simple graphical images (such as animated gifs) that are retrieved from the advertising server along with an associated link to additional information about the advertised product or service. While this permits new advertising to be displayed each time a web page is loaded or refreshed, and while this allows geographically unlimited advertising, it at most permits targeting of the advertisement based upon the type of information contained in the web page. Moreover, access to a new advertisement is only available during the period of time that the client computer is connected to the Internet.
Currently-available computer programs that incorporate advertising into their user interface include the necessary programming built into the software itself. That is, the various parameters relating to the presentation of the advertisement is pre-determined and programmed into the software. These parameters may include such things as where on the screen the advertisement is displayed, the display size, the duration of display, the number of times a particular advertisement is displayed, the conditions under which a particular advertisement is to be displayed, the type of action taken upon a user clicking on the advertisement, and so forth. One problem with these currently available programs is that these parameters can only be changed by replacement of the entire program with an updated, revised version, making it difficult to respond to desired changes in advertising approaches.
To provide demographically-targeted advertising, the advertiser or distributor of the advertising must obtain demographic data on its end users. Perhaps the most common way to acquire demographic data regarding users via the Internet is to request the information using a form written in html (HyperText Markup Language) and provided to the user over the World-Wide Web (WWW using http (HyperText Transfer Protocol). This is sometimes done as a prerequisite to allowing the user access to information resources or download software from a particular web site. While authentication of demographic information obtained this way is difficult and rarely done, it has been found that end users typically provide accurate demographic data in return for free download access to software. Furthermore, studies have shown that while people are concerned about privacy issues and, in particular, do not wish to provide specific information that identifies them (such as their name, address, or Social Security number), they generally do not mind providing demographic information, nor do they mind monitoring of their computer usage as long as their usage is not associated with any specific information that could be used to identify them.
Various other arrangements have been suggested for obtaining and reporting information about an end user over a computer network such as the Internet. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,521 to Dedrick discloses an electronic advertising system in which a user profile is created and transferred to a metering server where it is used along with other end user profiles to charge advertiser""s according to a consumer scale. The profile data is also used by the metering server to select advertisement titles that are sent to the end user for viewing at the request of the end user. When a user requests an advertisement, the metering server sends the advertisement to the end user, charges the advertiser, and provides the advertiser with profile data on that end user. The system can include client-side software which acquires and compiles information concerning the user""s interaction with the advertising or other content provided by the metering server.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,218 to Bland et al. discloses a system for gathering data concerning an end-user""s access to information resources and reporting the data back to the servers that contain the information resources. Data gathering at the client is accomplished using an applet, plug-in, or other browser extension that acquires the data and then reports that data to those servers accessed by the client, either periodically or in response to a specific request by the servers. In this way, the servers being accessed for their information resources get reported back to them information concerning the end-user""s use of that information. Limited demographic information (e.g., time zone, locale, client hardware) can be included in this reporting as well.
One of the disadvantages of prior art systems that acquire data regarding an end-user""s computer usage is that they are generally limited to gathering information concerning only certain limited uses of the computer. For example, in Bland et al., the focus of the gathering and use of end-user data is in the user""s interaction with web pages, whether over the Internet or otherwise. Similarly, in Dedrick, the compilation of data is directed to interaction between the end-user and the advertising or other content provided by the metering server itself. By limiting the reported data in this manner, it is difficult to develop accurate profiles for the individual users that are useful in targeting the advertising.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,632 to Filepp et al. discloses a reception system in which both user demographics and individual system usage information can be used to target advertising. However, this information is used to select which advertisements are to be placed into an advertisement queue from which advertisements are then accessed, apparently in the order in which they were placed in the queue. Thus, this system permits targeting of advertising generally, but does not provide real time targeting of advertising based upon user actions.
Internet users typically employ browser applications and related technologies in order to access the WWW; and to locate and view files, documents and audio/video clips. Exemplary browser applications include Opera by Opera Software, Netscape Navigator, Netscape Communicator 4.6 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0. Browser applications are loaded onto a user""s computer, and then can be used for communication over networks using protocols such as that utilized by the WWW. Browsers are useful for accessing desired files and web sites, and also have the capability of storing information regarding visited or favorite web sites on the user""s computer. However, it has been common practice for browsers to be employed by the user for fairly limited purposes, such as for accessing information. Certain applications, such as Windows NT 4.0, allow a user to receive and store electronic information on a limited network system. However, the usefulness and flexibility of such systems are severely limited, because each browser installation traditionally has been independent of other browser installations to which a user has access. Thus, information within one browser is not easily transportable to the other browser.
Except as may be explicitly indicated otherwise, the following definitions shall apply:
browserxe2x80x94A program that can communicate over a network using http or another protocol and that can display html information and other digital information.
client computerxe2x80x94A computer that is connected to a network (including computers that are connected only occasionally to the network such as, for example, by a modem and telephone line) and that can be used to send requests for information to other computers over the network.
computerxe2x80x94An apparatus having a processing device that is capable of executing instructions, including devices such as personal computers, laptop computers, and personal digital assistants, as well as set top television boxes, televisions, radios, portable telephones, and other such devices having a processing capability.
computer usage informationxe2x80x94Data concerning a person""s use of a computer, including such things as what programs they run, what information resources they access, what time of day or days of the week they use the computer, and so forth.
data setxe2x80x94A group of data items; for example, links, keywords, or entries in an address book.
display objectxe2x80x94Data capable of display by a computer, including graphical images as well as multimedia presentations or other display data that includes audio in addition to visually-perceived data.
filexe2x80x94Any digital item, including information, documents, applications, audio/video components, and the like, that is stored in memory and is accessible via a file allocation table or other pointing or indexing structure.
graphical imagexe2x80x94Visually-perceived data stored in a graphic format (e.g., jpeg, gif, bmp, tiff, pcx, etc.), including electronically-reproduced photographs, graphics, animations, icons, and textual messages.
information resourcexe2x80x94A source of information stored on a server or other computer that is accessible to other computers over a network.
keywordxe2x80x94A textual data item used in locating related sources of information
linkxe2x80x94A data item that identifies the location or address of a program or information resource. A URL is a link, as is a path and filename of an information resource.
networkxe2x80x94A system having at least two computers in communicable connection, including intranets, personal networks, virtual private networks, and global public networks such as the Internet.
non-volatile data storage devicexe2x80x94A memory device that retains computer-readable data or programming code in the absence of externally-supplied power, including such things as a hard disk or a floppy disk, a compact disk read-only memory (CDROM), digital versatile disk DVD), magneto-optical disk, and so forth.
profilexe2x80x94User-specific information relating to an individual using a computer.
program componentxe2x80x94A set of instructions stored in a file in computer-readable format, whether as object code or source code, and whether written in a compiled language, in byte code (such as Java(trademark)), or in a scripting or other interpreted language.
program modulexe2x80x94One or more related program components.
programxe2x80x94One or more related program modules.
reactivelyxe2x80x94In response to some type of user input, such as a mouse click on a particular user application or on a link to an information resource
serverxe2x80x94A computer on a network that stores information and that answers requests for information.
software applicationxe2x80x94A program and associated libraries and other files; for example, a word processing application, a spreadsheet application, or a personal information management application.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for use by a computer to provide a user of the computer with access to information resources via the Internet or otherwise. The apparatus comprises a non-volatile data storage device with first and second program modules stored on the non-volatile storage device. The first program module is operable upon execution to display a graphical user interface comprising a window separated into a number of regions, with a first one of the regions including a number of user-selectable items, at least some of which are each associated with a different data set. The data sets are each representative of a different category of information (e.g., financial, news, sports, etc.) and each of the data sets comprise a number of user-selectable links to different information resources. For example, the data sets can be groups of related URLs, whereby the information resources comprise web pages accessible via the Internet. A second one of the regions comprises an information display region which can display such things as banner advertisements. The second program module is operable upon execution to select informational data to be displayed in the information display region. The first program module is operable in response to selection of a first one of the links to provide the user with access to its associated information resource and to notify the second program module of the selection of that first link. The second program module can be operable in response to notifications from the first program module to select the informational data to be displayed from among a larger amount of informational data, and the second program module can be further operable to store statistical data regarding the display of the selected informational data. This permits targeting of banner advertisements based upon the type of link (financial, news, sports, etc.) selected by the user, the software applications clicked on by the user, and other network accessible files accessed by the user.
In addition, the apparatus further includes user specific maintenance and organization of that user""s individual files and resources represented by the user-selectable links contained within the first program module, in order that an individual user can gain access to those files and resources from a computer having network access, or that multiple users can gain access to individual files stored on the same computer. Preferably, this is accomplished by storing a user profile and user library on a server connected to the network. Then, when a user runs the first program module, it identifies the user and connects to the server to access that user""s profile and library, with the profile being used to specify that individual""s user-selected links to be displayed in the first region and the library being used to store these individual files and resources that the user wishes to be able to access from anywhere on the network. Furthermore, either of the two program modules can be disabled, and instead of using both modules, the user can use either of the modules individually and independently.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer-readable memory for use by a computer to provide a user of the computer with an automatically-upgradeable software application. The computer readable memory comprises a non-volatile data storage device and a program that is separated into a plurality of program modules that are stored on the non-volatile data storage device. Some or all of the program modules have at least one version identifier associated with them. One of the program modules is operable upon execution to access the stored version identifier(s) and at least one updated version identifier from a server via a network, including a global public network such as the Internet. These updated version identifier(s) represent updated program modules accessible from a server via the network. This program module is further operable to download one or more updated program modules when the stored version identifier and the updated version identifier are different, with the updated program module(s) replacing one or more of the program modules. In this way, software upgrades can be carried out automatically without any user action required. Also, upgrading can be accomplished without having to download and install the entire software package. Preferably, the computer-readable memory is such that software can be updated even if multiple users have access to individual files stored on the same computer. Such updated software can be provided for the computer itself, or for selected users of that computer.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable memory for use by a computer that provides a software developer/distributor with an efficient mechanism for distributing software via a network. The computer readable memory comprises a non-volatile data storage device and a program that is separated into a plurality of program modules that are stored on the non-volatile data storage device. Some or all of the program modules have at least one version identifier associated with them. One of the program modules is operable upon execution to access the stored version identifier(s) and at least one updated version identifier from a server via a network, including a global public network such as the Internet. These updated version identifier(s) represent updated program modules accessible from a server via the network. This program module is further operable, if desired, to download one or more updated program modules when the stored version identifier and the updated version identifier are different, with the updated program module(s) replacing one or more of the program modules. In this way, software upgrades can be carried out, either as desired and requested or automatically without any user action required. Also, upgrading can be accomplished without having to download and install an entire software package. Preferably, the computer-readable memory is such that software can be updated even if different users have access to individual files stored on the same computer. Alternatively, rather than replacing its own program modules, the program can be operable to handle distribution and upgrading of a separate software application using version identifiers for the various modules of the software application. Also, rather than comparing version identifiers at the client computer, this comparison can be carried out at the server, with the necessary upgraded modules then being downloaded to the client computer. Thus, new software can be distributed to a user, software updates can be provided to a user (e.g., applications and anti-virus software), and software maintenance can be carried out. This, provides third party software developers/distributors with a distribution tool to distribute, upgrade, service and maintain their software.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for supplying demographically-targeted advertising to a computer user. For computer users who share a computer, each user is provided personalized, demographically-targeted advertising. The method includes the steps of:
providing a server that is accessible via a computer network such as the Internet,
permitting a computer user to access the server via the computer network,
acquiring demographic information about the user (which includes information specifically provided by the user in response to a request for the demographic information, and also can include information gathered from computer usage information; and such information can be provided for each of a number of different users of the same computer),
providing the user with download access to computer software that, when run on a computer, displays advertising content, records computer usage information concerning the user""s utilization of the computer, and periodically requests additional advertising content,
transferring a copy of the software to the computer in response to a download request by the user,
providing a unique identifier to the computer, with the identifier uniquely identifing information sent over the computer network from the computer to the server,
associating the unique identifier with demographic information in a database,
selecting advertising content for transfer to the computer in accordance with the demographic information associated with the unique identifier,
transferring the advertising content from the server to the computer for display by the program,
periodically acquiring the unique identifier and the computer usage information recorded by the software from the computer via the computer network, and
associating the computer usage information with the demographic information using the unique identifier.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer-readable memory for use by a computer to provide a user of the computer with targeted information. The memory comprises a non-volatile data storage device and a program stored thereon. The program is operable upon execution to display a window containing an information display region. The program is also operable to select and display informational data (such as a banner advertisement) in the information display region. The informational data comprises a plurality of display objects with at least some of the display objects each having a data set associated therewith. The data sets each include one or more of the following data items:
a category identifier that indicates a category of information to which the associated display object relates, wherein the program is operable in response to receiving user input relating to one of the categories of information to display in the information display region a display object having an associated category identifier that relates to that one category of information;
a software application identifier that identifies a software application that may be accessible to the user via the computer, wherein the program is operable in response to user selection of the software application to display in the information display region a display object associated with the selected software application.
These identifiers permit real time, reactively-targeted advertising since the program can respond to user interaction with the computer to determine whether the input relates to a particular category of information and, if so, can select advertising related to that category of information. In addition, these identifiers can work independently from, or in conjunction with, demographic information previously supplied by the user.
The present invention, in yet another aspect, provides a computer-readable memory for presenting a user with an integrated, customized graphical user interface for use in conjunction with a network, such as the Internet. The computer-readable memory comprises a non-volatile data storage device and a program stored on the data storage device that is operable upon execution to display a graphical user interface that includes an application window separated into a number of regions. The first one of these regions includes a number of graphical objects such as icons, at least some of which are each representative of a different software application and are selectable by the user via an input device, with the program being operable upon selection of one of the graphical objects to initiate execution of the software application associated therewith. A second one of the regions includes a number of user selectable items such as icons, at least some of which are each associated with a different data set. The data sets are each representative of a different category of information and each of the data sets comprise a number of user selectable links different information resources, such as URLs. The program includes a login module that is operable upon execution to identify the user of the computer and the computer is operable following execution of the login module to provide an identification of the user to the server and to thereafter receive from the server a user profile that contains one or more user data sets and user links to information resources. The program is then further operable to display in one of the regions a user selectable item for each of the user data sets and user links contained within the user profile. The user profile can contain other application set up and preference information. This provides the computer user with the ability to customize and manage computer applications, bookmarks, documents, files, and audio and video clips, all on any computer having network access. In addition, as the user employs the apparatus, that user""s files can be automatically updated and loaded within that user""s profile on the server. Furthermore, links to files at other locations (e.g., URLs) can be loaded within the user""s profile. That profile is accessible to the user from any computer, regardless of computer, location or network access capability. Thus, access to files is controlled by the computer user; rather than that control being held by the user""s computer. That is, the user can move from place to place, and from computer to computer, and still have access to an updated, personal profile. Thus, a very portable system allows for downloading and use of a wide variety of software related information from a wide number of locations and a wide number of devices.

Computer interface method and apparatus with portable network organization system and targeted advertising


A silicon carbide semiconductor device having a JFET or a MOSFET includes a semiconductor substrate and a trench. The semiconductor substrate has a silicon carbide substrate, a drift layer on the silicon carbide substrate, a first gate region on the drift layer, and a source region on the first gate region. The trench has a strip shape with a longitudinal direction and reaches the drift layer by penetrating the source region and the first gate region. The trench is filled with a channel layer and a second gate region on the channel layer. The source region is not located at an end portion of the trench in the longitudinal direction.

A SiC semiconductor device having a JFET with a trench structure has been disclosed, for example, in JP 2003-69041 A or US 2005/0233539 corresponding to JP 2005-328014 A. FIGS. 7A-7C illustrates such a conventional SiC semiconductor device. FIG. 7A is a plan view of the conventional SiC semiconductor device, FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIIB-VIIB in FIG. 7A, and FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIIC-VIIC in FIG. 7A.
As shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, after a n−-type drift layer J2, a p+-type first gate region J3, a n+-type source region J4 are formed, in turn, on a n+-type SiC substrate J1, a trench J5 penetrating these is formed. Then, an n−-type channel layer J6 and a p+-type second gate region J7 are formed in the trench J5. Although not shown in the drawings, a gate voltage applied to a gate electrode electrically connected to the second gate region J7 is controlled so that a drain current can flow between a source electrode electrically connected to the n+-type source region J4 and a drain electrode electrically connected to the n+-type SIC substrate J1.
In the above-described conventional SiC semiconductor device, as shown in FIG. 7A, each trench J5 has a strip shape, and the trenches J5 are laid out in a stripe pattern. However, it has been confirmed that when the trenches J5 has a strip shape, an excessive drain current flows. FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram obtained when a drain current characteristic with respect to a gate voltage of the SiC semiconductor device is measured. As can be understood from FIG. 8, when the gate voltage approaches a threshold for driving the JFET, the drain current starts to flow before the gate voltage exceeds the threshold. Due to the drain current occurring near the threshold, an ideal JFET characteristic, in which the drain current does not start to flow until the gate voltage reaches the threshold, cannot be obtained.
It has been confirmed that such a problem can occur not only in a JFET, but also in an accumulation mode MOSFET.

Silicon carbide semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same


Golf cart weather enclosures have roll-up doors, which coil on spools for storage. The roll-up doors are configured of panels joined by hinges or are configured from sheets of transparent plastic. Each roll-up door has side edges which are received in a pair of spaced vertical tracks extending from the floor to the roof of the golf cart to stabilize the roll-up doors. The spools are rotated either by electric motors and/or springs in a first direction to close the roll-up doors and rotated in the opposite direction to open and store the roll-up doors in the roof.

There are many configurations for golf cart enclosures used to protect occupants from the weather and from excessive sunlight. Generally, these enclosures are attachable to roofs and roof supports of existing golf carts and are not readily deployable, but require operation of zippers, snaps fasteners, ties and straps, to deploy or to store the enclosure. This of course is a time consuming and frequently frustrating undertaking, which does not provide occupants with an immediately exercisable option to enclose or open golf carts. When the weather suddenly changes, a golf cart may be on a golf course or may simply being used for neighborhood transportation. If the occupants have flexible covers stored on their golf cart in the usual manor, immediate protection is not available. Frequently, the owners of golf carts leave their weather protection at home and are then caught in sudden weather changes. If the weather is chilly, cold and/or windy, current flexible enclosures are drafty so there is a tendency not to use golf carts in colder weather. This decreases the utility of owning a golf cart and all the attendant advantages of ownership are reduced for activities such as neighborhood transportation.
In view of the aforementioned considerations, there is a need for golf cart weatherproofing which is more convenient, tight and readily available than currently available weather proofing.


In an image sensing apparatus such as a video camera, an evaluating value for exposure control and determination of a gamma correction value is computed in response to a video signal obtained by an image sensing device for each of a plurality of sampling areas in a sensed image. When an evaluating value which exceeds an allowable range with respect to a predetermined reference value is included in the evaluating values, it is determined that an abnormal luminance portion exists in the corresponding sampling area, so that weighting of the evaluating value is decreased, whereby the effect of such an area on exposure adjustment is restrained. In addition, the picture contrast is computed from the ratio of the maximum value to the minimum value of the evaluating values, whereby the most suitable gamma correction value is determined based on this picture contrast.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an auto iris/gamma correction apparatus and an image sensing apparatus comprising such an auto iris/gamma correction apparatus, and more particularly, to an apparatus for automatically making exposure adjustment and/or gamma correction in response to a video signal obtained from an image sensor and an image sensing apparatus such as a video camera comprising such an auto iris/gamma correction apparatus.
2. Description of the Background Art
Conventionally, an image sensing apparatus such as a video camera having a function of automatically adjusting exposure in response to a video signal obtained from an image sensor, i.e., a so-called auto iris function has been put into practice. Such a conventional auto iris system mainly includes two types: a system of mechanically adjusting exposure by adjusting an optical iris of a lens and a system of electrically adjusting exposure by adjusting the amplification factor of an amplifier for amplifying a level of a video signal obtained from an image sensor.
However, such a conventional auto iris system has the following disadvantages: When a high luminance portion such as a light source is included in a picture, for example, the size of the aperture of the diaphragm is decreased, so that the gain of the entire picture is decreased, whereby a major object becomes insufficiently bright. On the contrary, when the background is very dark, the size of the aperture of the diaphragm is increased, so that the gain of the entire picture is increased, whereby the major object becomes too bright.
An exposure correcting method for eliminating such disadvantages has been proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open Gazette No. 110369/1987. In this exposure correcting method, in view of the fact that a major object is arranged in the center of the picture in many cases, a picture is divided into a central region and a peripheral region, a signal level of a video signal obtained from an image sensor in each region is detected as an evaluating value, and the evaluating value in the central region is weighted with respect to the evaluating value in the peripheral region (in the extreme case, the central region "1" while the peripheral region "0"). The size of the aperture of the diaphragm and the amplification gain of the video signal are controlled according to the ratio of both the evaluating values, so that contribution of the central region in the picture to the determination of exposure is increased.
Hence, in such an exposure correcting method, an auto iris operation most suitable for the change in brightness of the entire picture is ensured. However, when a high luminance portion is included only in the central region or an object of extremely high luminance such as the sun is included only in the peripheral region, for example, the size of the aperture of the diaphragm is decreased so that the gain of the entire picture is decreased, whereby a major object becomes insufficiently bright.
On the other hand, Japanese Patent Laying-Open Gazette No. 41079/1982 for example discloses a method in which a picture is divided into a plurality of regions, and a region which is an object of exposure adjustment is manually selected by a user so that exposure adjustment is made in response to only a video signal in the region. However, it is very troublesome for the user to always select such region by manual operation. Furthermore, this method is for selecting an object region not by the objective judgement based on a video signal obtained from an image sensor but by the subjective judgement of the user. Thus, with such a method, it is difficult to perform automatic exposure control with high precision
Meanwhile, in an image sensing apparatus such as a video camera, it is important to obtain the brightness suitable for an object, i.e., a suitable level of a luminance signal obtained from an image sensor, as described above. Such a level of the luminance signal includes the average brightness in a picture, i.e., an absolute level of the luminance signal obtained from an image sensor and the contrast of the picture, i.e., a relative level thereof.
The former is suitably adjusted by an auto iris operation such as adjustment of an optical iris and control of the amplification gain of a video signal as described above, while the latter is suitably adjusted by a gamma (.gamma.) correction system as described below.
This gamma correction will be described in detail. In general, a dynamic range of the present image sensor (approximately 40 dB) is much smaller than a dynamic range of the luminance of an object (approximately 100 dB), and a dynamic range of a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) is almost the same as or smaller than that of the image sensor (approximately 30 to 40 dB). Thus, even if the brightness of a picture, i.e, an absolute level of a luminance signal is controlled, a high luminance portion in the picture is saturated and a low luminance portion therein is blackened all over, so that it is difficult to obtain the brightness suitable for the entire object.
In an ordinary image sensing apparatus, gamma correction of a luminance signal is made in a circuit on the side of a camera such that overall gamma characteristics of an entire system, including all devices from an image sensor to a display device, based on photoelectric conversion characteristics (gamma characteristics) of the image sensor and nonlinear photoelectric conversion characteristics of the display device is always 1.
However, considering a case in which a high luminance portion such as the sun exists in a picture, for example, resulting in a backlight state, so that the contrast of the picture is significantly increased, if a gamma correction value on the side of a camera remains fixed, the brightness suitable for an object can not be obtained. Therefore, a technique has been proposed in which a plurality of gamma correction circuits respectively having different gamma correction values are provided and the gamma correction value is gradually changed as required.
However, by such a technique, a user of a camera manually operates a switch (so-called backlight switch) by the subjective judgement in the backlight state to select a correction circuit having a small gamma correction value, to maintain brightness most suitable for an object. More specifically, this technique is not automatically used by the objective judgement based on a video signal obtained from an image sensor, whereby it is difficult to perform gamma correction with high precision. In addition, it is also troublesome for the user to always select such suitable gamma correction value by manual operation.
Additionally, the above described conventional auto iris mechanism and gamma correction mechanism are independent of each other. Thus, if an image sensing apparatus is simultaneously equipped with these mechanisms, the image sensing apparatus becomes very complicated from the viewpoint of a mechanism and a circuit.

Automatic iris correction apparatus for use in automatically adjusting exposure in response to a video signal


A method of detecting misfires in an internal combustion engine based on the crankshaft speed, in the case of which cylinder segment times are measured and differences between consecutive segment times are analyzed by means of a prescribed algorithm and where one cylinder group is switched off and the analysis is carried out for the cylinder group continuing to be operated.

The present invention relates to a method for detecting cyclical fluctuations in combustion, also known as combustion misfires, in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having at least two groups of functionally connected cylinders, in the case of which the time intervals that the crankshaft requires during the working cycles of the individual cylinders in order to traverse prescribed angular ranges are measured, and differences between respectively consecutive time intervals are analyzed by means of a prescribed algorithm, in order to detect combustion misfires.
Numerous methods are already known for detecting combustion misfires in an internal combustion engine, see EP 0 576 705 B1, EP 0 583 496 B1, EP 0 632 260 B1, WO 97/22786 and WO 97/20195, for example. These methods are based in principle on an evaluation of speed fluctuations caused by the misfires. More precisely, the time intervals (the so-called segment times) that the crankshaft requires during the working cycles of the individual cylinders in order to traverse prescribed angular ranges are measured, and differences between respectively consecutive time intervals are analyzed by means of a prescribed algorithm. Numerous algorithms have been developed in the prior art in order to take account of disturbing influences in the misfire detection such as a nonstationary operation of the internal combustion engine, manufacturing tolerances of the measuring device, vibrations of the crankshaft etc. As a result of increasing refinement of such algorithms, success has been achieved in detecting combustion misfires with adequate reliability in relatively wide operating ranges of the internal combustion engine.
However, it has emerged that errors occur nevertheless when detecting misfires in the case of specific internal combustion engines and specific operating states. This holds, in particular, for internal combustion engines having a relatively large number of cylinders. For example, in the case of an internal combustion engine having more than eight cylinders, the angular range of the crankshaft, or the associated segment time becomes very short (angular range=720xc2x0/number of cylinders). A combustion misfire has a relatively slight effect on a segment time, that is to say the missing acceleration of the crankshaft is active during a shorter time because of the combustion misfire. The shorter the segment time, the more difficult it is to detect an increased segment time owing to a combustion misfire. This disadvantage is correspondingly more serious, of course, with a growing number of cylinders.
It is known, furthermore, that the algorithms used in misfire detection have the least accuracy for high speeds and low loading of the internal combustion engine, since in these operating states the disturbances to the crankshaft rotation caused by the internal combustion engine are particularly prominent and the combustion stability is relatively low.
It is the object of the present invention to develop a method for detecting combustion misfires in the case of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine of the type specified at the beginning such that a reliable misfire detection is possible even with internal combustion engines having a high number of cylinders and a high speed and/or low load in operating states, and yet it is possible to use a conventional algorithm for the analysis of the time intervals (segment times). This object is achieved in accordance with the invention as claimed.
It is known to subdivide the cylinders of multicylinder internal combustion engines conventionally into a plurality of cylinder groups (cylinder banks). The present invention exploits this by switching off one cylinder group for the purpose of misfire detection (the fuel supply being interrupted), and carrying out the analysis by means of the prescribed algorithm only for the other cylinder group.
This measure has two advantageous effects:
Firstly, the load of the internal combustion engine is increased in order to maintain the required torque or the required power of the internal combustion engine with a smaller number of cylinders. The internal combustion engine therefore runs in an operating range in which the algorithm serving to detect misfires operates with relatively high accuracy.
Secondly, the switched off cylinders need not be taken into account when detecting misfires. This simplifies the detection of combustion misfires.
In the simplest case, the method according to the invention is carried out in such a way that the measured time intervals (segment times), which are assigned to the individual cylinders, are used in the analysis by means of the prescribed algorithm in a conventional way. The two effects mentioned above (lower load and smaller number of cylinders to be analyzed) result in a substantially higher accuracy in the analysis without the need to change anything in the conventional algorithm. The method according to the invention can therefore be implemented without a higher outlay by means of previously known methods for detecting misfires.
In a further refinement of the invention, use is preferably made of enlarged time intervals for carrying out the analysis which are composed in each case of the sum of the time intervals of two consecutive cylinders from the two cylinder groups. Since, after all, the switched-off cylinders need not be taken into account in the detection of misfires, the segment time of the switched-off cylinders can be added to the segment time of the cylinders continuing to be operated. The duration of the segment time of the combustion misfire is artificially lengthened in this way. This results in the advantage that the invention simulates a method for detecting misfires, for example in the case of an eight-cylinder internal combustion engine, as if it were in the case of a four-cylinder internal combustion engine. As has been said, all that is required for this purpose is to add the segment time for a switched-off cylinder to the segment time for the immediately preceding operated cylinder, while otherwise the algorithm which is present in any case for detecting misfires can continue to be used.
The strategy applied in this case may be explained somewhat more precisely below with the aid of an eight-cylinder internal combustion engine. Reference may be made for this purpose to the following table, in which the number of cylinders is given with their firing order together with the definition of the cylinder groups (cylinder banks):
The cylinders 1, 3, 5, 7 therefore belong to the first cylinder bank, and the cylinders 2, 4, 6 belong to the second cylinder bank.
It may now be assumed that a combustion misfire occurs in a cylinder of the first cylinder bank. It is then generally possible to use conventional methods of analysis such as are disclosed in the publications mentioned at the beginning to determine that a combustion misfire is occurring in the first cylinder bank, but not always to determine which cylinder is involved. In order to determine this, the following procedure is adopted in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention:
1. The cylinders of the second cylinder bank are all switched off, that is to say the fuel injection is interrupted.
2. In order to maintain the torque of the internal combustion engine, the cylinders of the first cylinder bank must be operated under increased loading. This alone already improves the accuracy of the method of detecting misfires operated with the aid of a conventional algorithm.
3. The segment time of each of the switched-off cylinders 2, 4, 6, 8 is now added to the segment time of the respectively following cylinder 1, 3, 5 and 7, respectively. If Tn is the segment time of an arbitrary cylinder, and Tn* is the enlarged segment time of this cylinder, it holds that:
Tn*=Tn+Tnxe2x88x921
4. The analysis by means of the conventional algorithm is now carried out with the aid of this lengthened segment time Tn*.
The result is that in the case of the eight-cylinder internal combustion engine the same algorithm and the same segment times of a four-cylinder internal combustion engine are used at a higher loading, and this leads to a substantially higher accuracy in the detection of misfires.
It may be pointed out that the method according to the invention can also be used for internal combustion engines in the case of which, for example at low loading, only a reduced number of cylinders are operated in any event. All that is required in this case is to modify one of the previously known methods of detecting misfires to the effect that the analysis by means of the prescribed algorithm is carried out not for the switched-off cylinder group, but only for the cylinder group continuing to be operated.
If it has been determined by an analysis with the aid of the prescribed algorithm that a combustion misfire has occurred, it is not always possible to determine correctly in which of the cylinder groups the combustion misfire has occurred. In this case, one of the cylinder groups is arbitrarily switched off. If, then, the analysis shows that no combustion misfire is occurring in the cylinder group continuing to be operated, the switched-off cylinder group is taken into operation again and the other cylinder group is switched off.

Process for detecting cyclical fluctuations in combustion in an internal combustion engine


A grease trap is provided. The grease trap comprises a container having an inlet opening and an outlet opening disposed in an upper portion thereof and a liner placed inside the container. The liner forms an enclosure and comprises a liner body having an inlet fitting and an outlet fitting mounted thereto. Each of the inlet fitting and the outlet fitting protrude the respective inlet opening and outlet opening and each of the inlet fitting and the outlet fitting are adapted for being connected to a plumbing system for receiving water containing FOG and for providing the water after separation of the FOG, respectively. An inlet baffle and an outlet baffle are disposed inside the liner body and mounted thereto. The inlet baffle and the outlet baffle each surround a respective inlet and outlet and extend downwardly therefrom.

Restaurant and other foodservice kitchens produce a substantial amount of Fats, Oil, Grease (FOG), food particles, and other debris—referred to in the art as 'FOG' while the interceptor of the 'FOG' is commonly known in the art as 'grease trap', both terms will be used from hereon—which is present in the drain lines from various sinks, dishwashers, and other kitchen appliances. If not removed from the wastewater, the FOG can clump and cause blockage and back-up in the plumbing and sewage systems. Sewer blockages are the leading cause of municipal sewer overflows, and FOG is the primary cause of sewer blockages. Furthermore, FOG can disrupt wastewater utility operations and increase operations and maintenance requirements. For these reasons, nearly all municipalities require commercial kitchen operations to use devices for intercepting FOG before entering sewers.
Present day FOG traps are permanently installed plumbing fixtures which are opened and emptied by pumping using a pump truck or by manually scooping the contents. Because of unpleasant odors—for example, sulfur gas generated by the decay of the FOG accumulated in the trap—released by opening and cleaning the grease traps, they are usually cleaned at times when the restaurant is closed.
Most grease traps use baffles for separating the FOG from the wastewater. Due to thermal inversion, the efficiency of these grease traps is substantially reduced when the accumulated FOG is approximately 25% of their total capacity, thus requiring frequent cleaning.
Furthermore, due to the exposure to corrosive substances such as, for example, water, sulfur gas, etc. grease traps have a limited average life expectancy, typically 7 years for a metal trap, thus requiring frequent replacement of the complete grease trap.
It is desirable to provide a grease trap that is easily removed after use and replaced without causing unpleasant odors.
It is also desirable to provide a grease trap that is easily connected to and disconnected from a plumbing system.
It is also desirable to provide a grease trap having a disposable liner that is simple to remove and replace after use.

Removable grease trap with disposable liner


A web site system provides functionality for searching a repository of information, such as the World Wide Web, by including a search string at the end of a URL without any special formatting. In one embodiment, when the system receives a request for a URL of the form www.domain_name/char_string, where char_string is a character string that may include spaces and non-alphabetic characters, the system initially determines whether the character string includes a prefix that identifies the URL as a non-search-request URL. If no such prefix is present, the character string is used in its entirely as a search string to execute a search, and the results of the search are returned to the user.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to user interfaces and methods for submitting search queries to web-based search engines.
2. Description of the Related Art
Numerous web sites exist that provide search engines for allowing users to conduct searches of the World Wide Web and other repositories of content. Typically, a user conducts a search by retrieving a search page of a web site, entering a search string into a search box, and then selecting a button for submitting the search string as a search query or request. The search string may be a search phrase in which individual terms are separated by spaces, or may consist of a single search term. The results of the search query are provided to the user on one or more search results pages.
Some search engine sites support the ability for a user to submit a search query by encoding the search string within a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). Typically, however, the user must encode the search string in the URL using special formatting that is inconvenient or unnatural for users to type. For example, in some cases, users must add a special string such as "query=" to indicate that a search is being requested, and/or must add special characters to the search string itself. As one example, the URL www.google.com/search?q=mars%20rover may be used to the search for "mars rover."

Search engine system supporting inclusion of unformatted search string after domain name portion of URL


The invention provides a cardiovascular occluder for treating a cardiovascular abnormality comprising a frame and an alarmin or an alarmin activator bound to the surface of the frame. The invention further provides methods of manufacturing the cardiovascular occluder and methods of treating cardiovascular abnormalities by delivering the cardiovascular occluder.

Congenital intracardiac defects such as atrial septal defects, ventricular septal defects, and patent foramen ovale (PFO), a type of atrial septal defect, are well recognized intracardiac abnormalities in mammals. A PFO, for example, is a persistent, one-way, usually flap-like opening in the wall between the right atrium and left atrium of the heart. Since left atrial (LA) pressure is normally higher than right atrial (RA) pressure, the flap typically stays closed. Under certain conditions, however, RA pressure can exceed LA pressure, creating the possibility for right to left shunting of blood, permitting blood clots to enter the systemic circulation. In utero, the foramen ovale serves as a physiologic conduit for right-to-left shunting. After birth, with the establishment of pulmonary circulation, the increased left atrial blood flow and pressure results in functional closure of the foramen ovale. This functional closure is subsequently followed by anatomical closure of the two overlapping layers of tissue: the septum primum and septum secundum. However, autopsy studies have shown that a probe-detected patent foramen ovale (PFO) persists in up to approximately 25% of adults. Using contrast echocardiography (TEE), a patent foramen ovale can also be detected in approximately 25% of adults. These PFOs are congenital and are not typically the result of trauma, inflammation, ischemia or other underlying pathology associated with tissue injury. In effect, these defects are not the result of or surrounded by acutely injured tissue as would be found at the site of an acute myocardial infarct.
Studies have confirmed a strong association between the presence of a PFO and the risk for paradoxical embolism or stroke. Although the cause of ischemic stroke is not known, in approximately 40% of cases paradoxical embolism via a PFO is considered in the diagnosis, especially in young patients. In addition, there is evidence that patients with PFO and paradoxical embolism are at increased risk for future, recurrent cerebrovascular events.
Although the presence of a PFO has no therapeutic consequence in an otherwise healthy adult, patients suffering a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in the presence of a PFO and without another identifiable cause of the ischemic stroke are considered for prophylactic therapy to reduce the risk of a recurrent embolic event. These patients are commonly treated with oral anticoagulants, which have potential adverse side effects, such as hemorrhaging, hematoma, and interactions with a variety of other drugs. In certain cases, such as when anticoagulation is contraindicated, surgery may be used to close a PFO. Suturing a PFO closed typically requires attachment of the septum secundum to the septum primum with either continuous or interrupted sutures under direct visualization for example, by a thoracotomy, or via port access surgery.
Nonsurgical closure of PFOs and other congenital intracardiac defects have become possible with the advent of implantable umbrella closure devices and a variety of other similar mechanical closure designs, developed initially for percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects (ASD). These devices allow patients to avoid the potential side effects often associated with anticoagulation therapies. However, currently available designs of septal closure devices present drawbacks, such as high complication rates and residual leaks. In addition, since many septal closure devices were originally designed to close ASDs, which are true holes, rather than the flap-like anatomy of most PFOs, many closure devices lack the anatomic conformability to effectively close a PFO.
A need exists for a septal closure device or occluder that can provide complete closure of an intracardiac defect in a minimum amount of time, that has a lower complication rate, and that is simple and inexpensive to use and manufacture.
Alarmins are intracellular endogenous molecules that react to triggering events, including the presence of pathogens, misfolded or modified proteins, genomic alterations or exposed hydrophobic portions of molecules, by activating intracellular cascades that lead to a healing response. Alarmins, when released into the body's circulation, act as a signal of cell injury or disease. The body, in response to alarmins released from injured tissue, initiates a repair cascade that directs healing factors to the source of the signal, i.e., the injured tissue. The signal focuses and enhances the speed and intensity of the body's repair response to injury, resulting in accelerated healing. In particular, alarmins signal the mobilization and recruitment of progenitor or stem cells, for example, endothelial progenitor cells, to the site of the injured tissue.
Activation of alarmins requires that the alarmins' cysteines remain free (protonated) to maintain protein folding (and recognition by cognate receptors). Alarmins are inactivated when their cysteines are oxidized to form disulfide bonds. Further, the extracellular space of tissues undergoing highly inflammatory responses contains high amounts of free thiols, whereas those tissues undergoing less inflammatory responses contain smaller amounts of free thiols. Free thiols promote a reducing environment. Accordingly, in tissues that contain high amounts of free thiols, i.e., tissues which undergo highly inflammatory responses, alarmins are likely to be activated in the reducing environment.
The intracellular cytosol and the extracellular milieu are very different environments. The cytosol is highly reducing due to several thiol-regulating enzymatic systems, including the thioredoxin-thioredoxin reductase and glutaredoxin-GSH systems. The extracellular space is normally oxidized due to oxidizing agents including oxygen itself. In an intracellular environment, non-protein thiols, including GSH and cysteine, are most often found in a reduced state. Whereas, in an extracellular environment, non-protein thiols are most often found in the disulfide bond or oxidized form. The reduced or oxidized form of proteins thus depends on the compartments where they are found, e.g., extracellular or intracellular, and, when intracellular, cytosolic or within the endoplasmic reticulum. Cytoplasmic protein cysteine residues typically have free sulfhydryl groups, located in binding pockets of substrates, coenzymes, or metal cofactors, and take part directly in catalytic reactions. The cysteine residues are inactivated by oxidation and remain reduced in the presence of thiol-regulating systems.
Endogenous alarmins modulate the nature and magnitude of cellular injury to the host in addition to mobilizing host repair mechanisms. Alarmins are usually found in the cytosol and, when released into the extracellular space, trigger significant host responses. Host responses, for example, include activating endothelial cells and recruiting inflammatory cells, which promote wound healing and associated stromagenesis, angiogenesis, epithelial proliferation, and modulation of the immune response.
Alarmins trigger numerous wound healing events upon their release into the extracellular space. For example, the release of alarmins into the extracellular space leads to a dose-dependent increase in the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule, and RAGE and increased secretion of TNF-a, IL-8, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, and tissue plasminogen activator. Through polygamous receptors, including RAGE, TLR2, and TLR4, alarmins signal upregulation of adhesion molecules in human endothelial cells, resulting in increased neutrophil recruitment. Extracellular alarmins also act as chemoattractants, leading to mesangioblast stem cell migration to injured tissues. Similarly, chronic alarmin delivery to normal muscle promotes endothelial cell permeability, proliferation, and angiogenesis. Primitive mesangioblasts and bone marrow-derived stem cells injected into mice preferentially migrate to sites of alarmin delivery. Alarmins from necrotic cells lead to increased angiogenesis through endothelial cell sprouting. In the setting of acute injury, alarmins play a role along with coordinate oxidative mechanisms to upregulate and drive TLR signaling. Together, these observations suggest that the earliest events in response to necrotic death drive developments of pro-oxidant mechanisms designed to clear debris and drive the wound-healing process.
An alarmin activator is any substance capable of inducing or maintaining activity of an alarmin. For example, certain alarmins are active when their cysteine residues are free, to maintain protein folding and recognition by cognate receptors, rather than oxidized to form intramolecular or intermolecular disulfide bonds. Accordingly, certain reducing agents act as alarmin activators by protonating or maintaining protonation of cysteine residues in extracellular alarmin molecules present in the tissue microenvironment.
A need exists for a method of adhering or bonding an alarmin or an alarmin activator to a septal closure device or occluder that can provide complete closure of an intracardiac defect, and that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Intracardiac implant for delivery of alarmins and methods thereof


An interrogator for a plurality of sensor fiber optic gratings. The interrogator includes a broadband optical source; at least one beam splitter directing output of the optical source to the sensor fiber optic gratings; at least one linear filter for converting changes in peak reflection wavelength to changes in intensity; at least one optical receiver; and at least one amplifier associated with each optical receiver. The interrogator also includes an analog integrator following the at least one amplifier.

Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) are commonly used in fiber optic systems for measuring physical quantities such as temperature, pressure, and strain at a plurality of sensors. A number of different approaches have been used for the interrogation of FBGs, that is, for determining the center wavelength of the reflection spectrum of each FBG. The prior approaches have several shortcomings, however, that render their usefulness limited for practical applications. Some of these shortcomings include:                Limited number of FBGs that can be interrogated along a single optical fiber;        Instability of optical source output properties;        Wavelength errors due to stable optical source ripple phase;        Susceptibility to intensity and spectrum changes in components that can cause wavelength errors;        Susceptibility to power supply noise;        Wavelength errors due to low frequency receiver output drift;        Errors due to multi-FBG source spectrum masking; and        Wavelength uncertainty due to low signal-to-noise resulting from very short analog-to-digital conversion times.Therefore, there remains a need to mitigate the above-mentioned problems.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Interrogator having an analog interrogator following at least one amplifier


A direct write dispensing nozzle assembly and method of forming traces and twisted pairs via direct write dispensing. The method includes dispensing conductive material via an inner nozzle so as to form a conductive core. Non-conductive material may be dispensed via a peripheral nozzle surrounding the inner nozzle so as to form a non-conductive casing surrounding the conductive core. The first conductive core and the non-conductive casing may then be deposited on a substrate or other surface. The trace may be positioned on the substrate such that the non-conductive casing contacts a previously deposited trace. An additional conductive core may be dispensed within the non-conductive casing and the direct write dispensing nozzle assembly may be rotated so as to form a twisted pair.

Direct write dispensing is often used for forming increasingly small and complex conductive traces for microelectronics. However, the smaller scale and greater complexity increases the likelihood of the traces shorting with nearby traces. Signals traveling through the traces are also more likely to be affected by noise and interference from signals traveling through nearby traces. Conventional direct write dispensing requires pattern restrictions and/or additional steps to ensure that the traces are sufficiently separated from each other or sufficiently insulated from each other. This limits the complexity and miniaturization of the traces and increases the amount of time and effort required to design the microelectronics.

Direct write dispensing apparatus and method

Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies, LLC


An integrated cooling unit configured to effect the removal of heat via a circulating liquid coolant includes a reservoir to contain the liquid coolant, a tubing arrangement disposed at an outer surface of the reservoir, a pump disposed within the reservoir, and a fan configured to provide a flow of air across the tubing arrangement to remove the heat. The tubing arrangement is fluidly communicable with a heat exchanging device, and the pump is configured to circulate the liquid coolant through the tubing arrangement to the heat exchanging device.

The present invention relates generally to a heat dissipating component and, more particularly, to an evaporator with backup thermal conductance for use with an electronic device.
The removal of heat from electronic components is a problem continuously faced by electronic packaging engineers. As electronic components have become smaller and more densely packed on integrated boards and chips, designers and manufacturers now are faced with the challenge of how to dissipate the heat generated by these components. It is well known that many electronic components, especially semiconductor components such as transistors and microprocessors, are more prone to failure or malfunction at high temperatures. Thus, the ability to dissipate heat often is a limiting factor on the performance of the component.
Electronic components within integrated circuits have been traditionally cooled via forced or natural convective circulation of air within the housing of the device. In this regard, cooling fins have been provided as an integral part of the component package or as separately attached elements thereto for increasing the surface area of the package exposed to convectively-developed air currents. Electric fans have also been employed to increase the volumetric flow rate of air circulated within the housing. For high power circuits (as well as smaller, more densely packed circuits of presently existing designs), however, simple air circulation often has been found to be insufficient to adequately cool the circuit components.
It is also well known that heat dissipation, beyond that which is attainable by simple air circulation, may be effected by the direct mounting of the electronic component to a thermal dissipation member such as a xe2x80x9ccold-platexe2x80x9d, evaporator, or other heat sink.
Such applications oftentimes incorporate the heat removal capabilities of refrigeration cooling systems at electronic modules of the circuitry by utilizing water-to-air cooling loop configurations, for example. Water-to-air cooling loop configurations generally include discretely positioned units between which fluid communication is maintained via tubing lines or similar conduits. The units of such configurations include pumps to circulate cooling water, heat exchange devices to transfer heat from the circuitry to the water, fans for providing cooling air flow across the heated water, and water storage reservoirs. The aggregated componentry of such configurations may occupy considerable volumes within their respective systems. Because space is at a premium in most electronics applications, particularly as the sizes of the systems are reduced to keep pace with technological trends, cooling systems may be likewise reduced in size. In addition, higher end modules having increased density of electronic circuitry require redundant or backup cooling means in the event that the primary refrigeration cooling unit fails, while limiting the space needed to employ such a redundant or secondary cooling means.
This disclosure presents an apparatus for integrating the individual components of a cooling unit for electronics applications. The integrated cooling unit removes heat primarily via a refrigerant system having circulating refrigerant coolant and including a reservoir to contain the coolant, a tubing arrangement disposed at an outer surface of the reservoir, a pump disposed within the reservoir, and a fan to provide a flow of air across the tubing arrangement to remove the heat. The tubing arrangement is fluidly communicable with a heat exchanging device, and the pump circulates the liquid coolant through the tubing arrangement to the heat exchanging device.

International Business Machines Corporation


An apparatus for securely clamping items having various shapes and sizes for placing items into direct electrical contact, the apparatus including a reference member, a receiving cavity therein and having a pair of mounting flanges extending outward therefrom. A worm gear member, rotatably mounted on the reference member is meshed with a pivoting member, having a gear portion, a contoured engaging surface and a hooking tab. Rotation of the worm gear member selectively pivots the pivoting member away from the reference member.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to improvements in clamping devices and, more particularly, to a new and improved device for securely clamping items having various shapes and sizes and for placing the items in direct contact with each other.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is often desirable to selectively clasp, brace or fasten items together. For this reason, a multitude of clamps or fasteners have been created, some of which are spring loaded to urge the generally oppositely facing engaging surfaces towards one another to grasp an item therebetween. In other forms, screw or other biasing elements may be used to bring the engaging surfaces together.
One common application of clamping devices is for the quick and easy removal of electrical wiring to various electrical terminals. In this application, the clamping device acts as an electrical connector which can be affixed to each end of the wiring to connect the items, usually a power source and the powered item together. The connector is designed to grasp and retain the electrical terminal which is usually formed as extending posts or tabs on the powered item. In this arrangement, the clamp-like connector can be easily removed or placed on the terminal, eliminating the need for a soldered joint or other similar connector.
An alligator clip is one example of a clamping device that can be used as an electrical connector. The clip generally includes a pair of opposing jaw members that are pivotally mounted to each other, each jaw having opposing serrated surfaces. A helical spring provides a biasing force that urges the jaws towards one another and maintains the jaws in contact with the item that is placed therebetween.
One problem associated with the alligator clip connector is its inability to securely engage larger sized or odd shaped terminals. Generally, as the engaging jaws of alligator clips are further separated, the helical spring is displaced further from its rest position, increasing the bias between the jaws. However, as the jaws are opened more and more, the engaging surfaces are increasingly angled relative to each other. This increased angle, in combination with the increased biasing force, makes it more difficult for the alligator clips to securely engage the larger shaped terminals. This is best illustrated in the difficulty which arises when an alligator-type clip is attached to an automobile battery terminal.
Another problem may arise if the connector is used with testing or measuring instrumentation. For example, ohm or volt meters have positive and negative leads which terminate at an electrically sensitive probe that should be in direct contact with the item being tested, e.g., a battery or a piece of wire. If an alligator clip or other type of clasping connector is connected to the probe, without having the probe in direct contact with the test item, the readings of the testing instrument may be impaired. Thus, the testing instrument may provide a more accurate reading if the probes are directly connected to the test material.
Still another problem that may arise from the use of electrically conductive electrical connectors is the possibility that the user may receive an electrical shock if he or she inadvertently touches an exposed surface of a "hot" connector. Responsive to this problem, non-conductive covers have been formed around the connector to provide an insulating layer to protect its user. However, these covers eventually fray and crack with age, reducing their effectiveness.
Hence, those concerned with the development and use of electrical connectors have long recognized the need for a connector for directly connecting a lead to the item being tested along with the need for an improved connector that can be clamped to terminals of varying shapes and sizes. The present invention clearly fulfills all of these needs.

The Richards-Braswell Research Corporation


A gas line leakage monitor for beverage dispensing system is configured to prevent unintended environmental discharge of a beverage dispensing gas such as CO2. The monitor includes a gas inlet coupled to the source of gas and a gas outlet coupled to the dispensing portions of the system. The monitor includes a flow sensor detecting when gas is flowing through the monitor. The monitor includes a timer coupled to the flow sensor and tracking the amount of time that the flow sensor detects at least each episode of un-interrupted flow of gas through the monitor. The monitor includes a shut-off valve coupled to the timer for stopping the flow of gas through the monitor and to the system's dispensing portions when the timer indicates an episode of un-interrupted gas flow through the monitor meets a pre-set threshold. The monitor includes a manual reset for opening the shut-off valve.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gas line leakage and emergency shut-off for a beverage dispensing system preventing unintended environmental discharge of anthropogenic charging gas.
2. Background Information
Carbonated Beverage Industry
This invention generally relates to devices used in the carbonated beverage dispensing industry. This technology may have applications in additional industries using compressed gases having intermittent uses, such as fire protection systems, welding, medical and other industries. The following discussion will relate primarily to the beverage dispensing industry generally in the bar/restaurant fields.
The beverage dispensing industry uses carbon dioxide (CO2 or commonly also CO2) in on-site delivery systems to carbonate and to move beverages from a storage tank to a dispensing area. For beverages such as beer, the beer can be contained in large kegs in a remote location, e.g., the basement or storage room, and the taps (also called dispensing heads) at the bar can dispense the beer. This method eliminates the storage of beer kegs in the bar area and allows the beer keg delivery and removal to occur in an area other than that in which patrons may be sitting. This type of system, herein generically referenced as a CO2 system, has existed for many years.
In order to get the beverages from the storage area to the serving area, conventional CO2 systems have most commonly used carbon dioxide, although other gases have been used. For the purposes of this application all such systems are CO2 systems unless otherwise noted. The carbon dioxide is generally delivered as a liquid in large heavy DOT cylinders and hooked to the dispensing system. When the tanks are hooked to the CO2 system, a certain volume, generally about one third of the tank, in a one tank system or one third of the tank volume in a multi-tank system is not filled with liquid. This allows the carbon dioxide to boil to a gaseous state. It is this gaseous state that is then used to carbonate and to move the desired beverage from the storage room or basement to the delivery area and provide much of the carbonation to the beverages.
In one common CO2 delivery system, the carbon dioxide tanks must be changed or when the current tanks run out. This can be inconvenient and time consuming. This problem can be somewhat lessened by using multiple liquid tanks, but this uses more space and can be more expensive to monitor and refill.
Some CO2 systems exist where the physical changing of the tanks has been eliminated, wherein the system provides a storage containing space (often several canisters) that must be periodically charged U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,921, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a carbon dioxide fill manifold and method for using which is designed to provide an end-user with an uninterrupted supply of carbon dioxide gas, while at the same time eliminating the necessity of transporting individual, conventional pressurized bottles to be refilled. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,113,905 and 4,936,343, both of which are incorporated herein by reference, disclose a carbon dioxide fill manifold and method for using which is designed to provide an end-user with an uninterrupted supply of carbon dioxide gas, while at the same time eliminating the necessity of transporting individual, conventional pressurized bottles to be refilled. U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,618, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a CO2 system filling apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 7,258,127 provides a valve, system and method for the delivery of gases or liquids where the delivery persons can fill the CO2 system without having to enter the building and the system can continue to deliver gas to the user. U.S. Pat. No. 7,258,127 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. These patents also provide an excellent review of CO2 delivery systems for on site tank type CO2 systems.
Additionally there have been a number of CO2 systems that have attempted to automate the beverage dispensing aspect of the CO2 system to provide a monitoring or to provide that with the single pressing of a button the correct amount of beverage is dispensed. For example see U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,483, which is incorporated herein by reference, relates to manually operated beverage taps used to dispense beer and carbonated beverages; and more particularly to mechanisms for sensing when the tap is being operated by a beverage server and monitoring the amount of beverage that has been dispensed. Programming of dispenser buttons for CO2 systems is also known in the art, as evidenced by U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,250 which is incorporated herein by reference and discloses a CO2 system with a beverage dispenser having control buttons in which a user programs the buttons in a learning mode by filling a container to a specific level; whereby a button is then programmed to dispense that level of fluid. U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,406 which is incorporated herein by reference and discloses dispensing head control of a CO2 system. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,449,532 and 6,588,632 also disclose a CO2 system with programmable dispensing buttons on the dispensing head using timing circuits to control the delivery pump.
CO2 System Leaks
One of the problems with existing CO2 systems, such as those described above, relates to unintended discharge of the charging gas, namely CO2, to the environment through a leak or system malfunction. An improper seal or connection anywhere in the CO2 system can cause the charging gas to be unintentionally discharged from the system. Similarly a leak anywhere in the system, such as a cracked hose or damaged line can cause the charging gas to be unintentionally discharged from the system. In the environment that these systems are typically used it is not uncommon for components to be damaged. A component malfunction, i.e. the system pump, can cause the cause the charging gas to be unintentionally discharged from the system. It is not uncommon for a well used system to experience numerous unintended system discharges several times in a single year, many requiring servicing and/or recharging of the system. When these leaks go un-noticed or start after normal hours of operating of the establishment, the entire charging system gas can be drained off, leaving the system inoperable until repaired.
There are several major concerns with the unintended discharge of the gas from the CO2 system.
Direct Health Impacts of CO2 System Leaks
The most concerning issue associated with the unintended discharge of the gas from the CO2 system is the build up of CO2 levels in a confined area, such as a basement room or the like. This increase in CO2 concentrations can make the air un-breathable and obviously quite dangerous to restaurant workers, system technicians or others entering a confined area to work on the system.
In order to address these problems, there are Carbon Dioxide sensors that detect undesirably high level of CO2 levels in a space and alert the user. See the Brasch Carbon Dioxide Detector™ for maintaining indoor air quality. See also the industrial instruments from Vaisala (www.vaisala.com), gas detection systems of Pemtech (www.pem-tech.com), air quality instruments from Thermo Scientific (www.thermo.com), and numerous others. These air quality detectors are helpful in alerting a user if there is an air quality problem, but do little to avert the problem in the first place. Further, these detectors will not go off even if there is a CO2 system leak, unless the CO2 concentration is above the pre-set threshold, whereby in large areas and/or well ventilated areas a CO2 system leak (even one that drains the system) does not set off the detector.
Environments Impacts of CO2 System Leaks
The second issue associated with the unintended discharge of the gas from the CO2 system is the, real or perceived, environmental impact of discharging anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere. Under the context of "global warming" or man-made "climate change" there has been considerable interest in reducing anthropogenic (man-made) CO2 emissions. Although some have noted that CO2 levels in the earth's atmosphere have fluctuated wildly for millennia; at one point billions of years ago, it was the dominant gas in the atmosphere. Further others have pointed to non-man made factors, such as solar cycles, natural greenhouse gas sources, etc, being the dominant driving force(s) for climate change. Regardless, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the more greenhouse gases there are in the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide, the more heat is trapped, and leading to rising temperatures.
In April of 2009 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United Stated decided to classify rising carbon-dioxide emissions as a hazard to human health. The EPA endorsed the IPCC research and specifically said that "natural variations" in climate, such as solar activity, couldn't explain rising temperatures. The EPA, in 2009, lumped carbon dioxide (CO2) with five other gases—methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride—into a single class for regulatory purposes. That's because they share similar properties: All are long-lived and well-mixed in the atmosphere; all trap heat that otherwise would leave the earth and go into outer space; and all are "directly emitted as greenhouse gases" rather than forming later in the atmosphere.
Consequently there is certainly a movement that has a goal of reducing CO2 emissions, and such goals may become regulated requirements in the future. The present solution can assist in achieving these goals, without either endorsing or condemning the underlying "science".
Business Impacts of CO2 System Leaks
A final consideration with the unintended discharge of the gas from the CO2 system is the negative business impact of such a discharge. Obviously the loss of CO2 through a leak is unwanted. More significantly a complete drain of the system will make the system inoperable and can force the establishment to wait until the system is operational to renew normal operations. The operational delay can far exceed the cost of the CO2.
Gas Line Monitoring in Other Fields
It has been known to monitor gas delivery systems in other fields.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,537 discloses a system designed to monitor nitrous oxide and oxygen pressure in medical gas piping systems. Summarizing, through the use of pressure sensors in the tank room, the system pressure is monitored. When the system pressure goes below or above the normal pressure range, indicator lights are activated indicating whether the system pressure is too high or too low and whether it is oxygen pressure or nitrous oxide pressure, an audible alarm is sounded to alert the doctor or his personnel that there is a problem with the system pressure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,466 relates to a burner control and uses a gas monitor to shut off a burner at selected readings.
U.S. Published Patent Application 2009-0151652 discloses a gas water heater with a warning function, the gas water heater being disposed in a facility and comprising: a gas water heater main body including a controller having a warning cell; and a gas detecting unit separate from the main body and disposed at an indoor monitoring point of the facility, the gas detecting unit having a gas sensor and being in communication with the controller that can selectively shut off gas supply under appropriate signals.
Korean publication 10-0836072 discloses and illustrates a "Digital Safety Device for a Gas Valve" that is on general interest. Japanese reference 2002-214004 "relates to a flow instrument and an inner tube leak displaying control method provided with the function to report generating of this inner-tube disclosure, when inner-tube disclosure occurs in piping."
There are numerous other gas line monitoring and leak detecting systems and solutions that, like the above systems, are not particularly applicable for efficient use in a beverage dispensing system.
The present invention addresses some of the needs shown in the prior art and provides an efficient and cost effective a gas line leakage and emergency shut-off for a beverage dispensing system preventing unintended environmental discharge of anthropogenic charging gas.

Gas line leakage monitor for beverage dispensing system preventing unintended environmental discharge


A core selective switch in an optical node device included in a spatial channel optical network includes a spatial demultiplexing unit, an optical switch, and an optical interconnect unit, wherein the spatial demultiplexing unit is an MCF collimator array in which a plurality of MCF collimators each comprising both an MCF having S cores and a collimator lens are two-dimensionally arranged in a plane, the optical switch is a variable reflection angle mirror array in which S variable reflection angle mirrors are two-dimensionally arranged in a plane in a manner similar to a core arrangement in the MCF, the optical interconnect unit is a steering lens, and a beam light output from each core of an input MCF is focused on a variable reflection angle mirror corresponding to the core to be reflected to couple to a corresponding core of a desired output MCF.

Generally, a transmission line is capable of increasing its transmission capacity by increasing one or both of a transmission band and a signal-to-noise ratio. An optical fiber widely used in a long-distance optical fiber network has a single mode core formed in one optical fiber. This is called Single Mode Fiber (SMF), and its cross section is illustrated in FIG. 1(a). When the SMF is used in the transmission line, if a transmission optical power is increased by a certain amount or more for increasing the signal-to-noise ratio, waveform distortion due to nonlinear optical effects in the fiber core becomes significant. Therefore, there is an upper limit to the transmission optical power, so there is a physical limit to a capacity of a single SMF. For long-distance transmission applications, the total capacity of approximately 100 Tb/s is considered to be the upper limit.
On the other hand, the total capacity of the latest long-distance optical fiber communication system has already reached ˜20 Tb/s.
Considering the trend of increasing Internet traffic by 20% to 40% annually, a common understanding has been developed that a new optical fiber technology is needed to replace the current single mode fiber (Non-Patent Document 1).
As new optical fibers, an optical fiber bundle (SMF-B: SMF Bundle) being used by bundling multiple SMFs, Uncoupled Multi Core Fiber (UC-MCF) in which multiple single mode cores without inter-core coupling (practically, inter-core coupling is small enough to be negligible) are arranged in a single optical fiber (FIG. 1(b)), Few Mode Fiber (FMF) capable of propagating several propagation modes with a single core (FIG. 1(c)), Coupled Core Fiber (CCF) capable of propagating multiple supermodes with a plurality of closely arranged single mode cores (FIG. 1(d)), and any combination of these configurations (FIG. 1(e), FIG. 1(f)) are proposed.
These fibers are generally referred to as Spatial Division Multiplexing (SDM) fibers because they multiplex a plurality of spatial propagation modes (multiple single mode cores in SMF-B and MCF, and multiple propagation modes in a multi mode core in FMF) along the spatial axis in the fiber bundle and in the fiber. The SDM fiber can transmit the number of optical channels represented by the product of the number of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) wavelengths and the number of spatial propagation modes in a single spatial propagation mode. The SDM fibers are classified into two types, uncoupled type and coupled type, depending on the presence or absence of coupling between the spatial modes being propagated. If coupling exists between the propagation modes, crosstalk will occur between optical channels with different propagation modes but the same wavelength. In this case, multiple mixed optical channels of the same wavelength are separated by Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) processing. The SMF-B and the UC-MCF are classified as uncoupled types, and the FMF and the CC-MCF are classified as coupled types.
As an optical node device to be used in future optical networks made of such an SDM fiber, various optical node devices having multiplex/separation/path distribution functions on the wavelength axis and the spatial axis are proposed. The optical node device temporarily separates multiple optical channels connected to the optical node device, by spatial multiplexing and wavelength multiplexing, to multiplex lines into appropriate optical links by distributing them according to the final destination (Non-Patent Document 2).
On the other hand, interface speed of such as routers maintains a high growth rate of approximately 40% per year, and the IF speed of recent commercial router blades has reached 1.2 Tb/s (100 Gb/s×12). Therefore, a capacity of an optical interface for accommodating a high-speed client interface in the optical network also needs to be increased at an annual rate of 40%. Based on an extrapolation from optical interface speed of 100 Gb/s in 2010, the interface speed required for the optical transmission system is expected to exceed 10 Tb/s in 2024 (Non-Patent Document 3).
Also, a system capacity of the optical transmission system needs to be increased at an annual rate of 40%, the system capacity required for the optical transmission system is expected to be 1 Pb/s in 2024. Since this greatly exceeds the physical limit (˜100 Tb/s) of the current single mode optical fiber capacity, a large number of spatial lanes are required between adjacent optical nodes. From the viewpoint of the technical difficulty and economic efficiency required to implement various SDM fibers, it is considered that the conventional SMF bundles or uncoupled MCFs will be used initially, and then multi mode cores will start to become more prevalent.
The DP-QPSK modulation 10 Tb/s optical signal, which is capable of being transmitted over a long distance, has at least 3.2 THz of optical spectrum. This means that, for example, only one optical channel can be accommodated in the full bandwidth (4.4 THz) of the C band. In this regard, a high-order modulation method with excellent frequency utilization efficiency may be used in exchange for a significant reduction in transmission distance. However, considering the interface speed increasing at an annual rate of 40%, the grace period obtained is at most a few years. Therefore, in the near future after 2024, not the optical node device described in Non-Patent Document 2 having multiplex/separation/path distribution functions on the wavelength axis and the spatial axis, but an optical node device that distributes paths only on the spatial axis will acquire economic and technical rationality.

Core selective switch and optical node device

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KAGAWA UNIVERSITY