A memory array comprising array lines of first and second types coupled to memory cells includes a first hierarchical decoder circuit for decoding address information and selecting one or more array lines of the first type. The first hierarchical decoder circuit includes at least two hierarchical levels of multi-headed decoder circuits. The first hierarchical decoder circuit may include a first-level decoder circuit for decoding a plurality of address signal inputs and generating a plurality of first-level decoded outputs, a plurality of second-level multi-headed decoder circuits, each respective one coupled to a respective first-level decoded output, each for providing a respective plurality of second-level decoded outputs, and a plurality of third-level multi-headed decoder circuits, each respective one coupled to a respective second-level decoded output, each for providing a respective plurality of third-level decoded outputs coupled to the memory array.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor integrated circuits containing memory arrays, and particularly those arrays incorporating array lines having extremely small pitch, and more particularly those having a three-dimensional memory array.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recent developments in semiconductor processing technologies and memory cell technologies have continued to increase the density achieved in integrated circuit memory arrays. For example, certain passive element memory cell arrays may be fabricated having word lines approaching the minimum feature size (F) and minimum feature spacing for the particular word line interconnect layer, and also having bit lines approaching the minimum feature width and minimum feature spacing for the particular bit line interconnect layer. Moreover, three-dimensional memory arrays having more than one plane or level of memory cells have been fabricated implementing such so-called 4F2 memory cells on each memory plane. Exemplary three-dimensional memory arrays are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,882 to Johnson, et al., entitled "Vertically Stacked Field Programmable Nonvolatile Memory and Method of Fabrication."
A variety of other memory cell technologies and arrangements are also known. For example, NAND flash and NROM flash EEPROM memory arrays are known to achieve relatively small memory cells. Other small flash EEPROM cells are known which use hot electron programming, such as NROM and floating gate NOR flash memory arrays.
An extremely dense memory array may also be achieved using a NAND-style arrangement, which includes series-connected NAND strings of memory cell devices. Each NAND string of memory cells may include a first block select device which couples one end of the NAND string to a global array line, a plurality of series-connected memory cells, and a second block select device which couples the other end of the NAND string to a bias node associated with the string. A memory array may include a number of memory blocks, with each block including a plurality of NAND strings which share the same word lines. Two block select signals for the block are typically routed to each NAND string of the block.
A basic NAND string is a very efficient structure, capable of achieving a 4F2 layout for the incremental transistor memory cell. Density is also improved because the block select lines may be routed in continuous polysilicon stripes across the array block, just like the word lines, without any provision being otherwise required for contacting a block select signal line to some but not all of the block select transistors formed in the NAND strings.

Apparatus and method for hierarchical decoding of dense memory arrays using multiple levels of multiple-headed decoders


Presented herein is a system that enables a vehicle operator to record continuous images of surrounding traffic activity, wherein the vehicle is equipped with a video camera 20 for continuously recording the vehicle surroundings. The system further comprises a marking switch 42 that enables the vehicle operator, upon viewing a possible traffic violation, to trigger a marking module 40; a marking module 40 that identifies and marks, in real-time, at least one location of the video recording that relates to the at least one possible traffic violation committed by at least one other vehicle operator; a portable storage device 30; an editing module 50 for preparing recorded segments for transmission, which include at least one recording portion that appears before the added mark and at least one recording portion that appears after the added mark; and a communication module 60 for transmitting the prepared recording segments to a designated server.

Each year, traffic accidents kill thousands and injure many more. Too many of these accidents are due to the non-compliance by at least one driver to traffic laws, including exceeding posted speed limits, not stopping at stop signs, driving without seatbelts, and running red lights.
Studies show that there is a higher level of compliance with traffic laws and a correlating drop in traffic accidents when drivers are aware that their driving is being monitored by persons having the authority to mete out penalties, such as, for example, police officers. Unfortunately, many jurisdictions are not equipped to provide such monitoring in quantities that are sufficient to produce consistently positive results. Rather, the authorities are often reduced to such stop-gap methods as establishing temporary speed traps or randomly flagging down drivers for breathalyzer tests and seat belt checks.
Alternatively, automated monitoring devices may be implemented. While lack of compliance to traffic laws is of enormous concern and any tools that encourage safer driving habits are beneficial to everyone on the road, these automated devices are simply not as effective as live monitoring with regard to driver compliance with traffic laws.
Various attempts have been made to provide solutions to this non-compliance problem, by equipping private vehicles with cameras or other devices for the purpose of monitoring the activities of an individual driver and vehicle. Illustrative of such attempts are US2005259151 US2004113763, US5815093, US2003233261, US2003154009, and JP2005122671. However, these solutions rely on automated sensor activation and furthermore, are intended for individual use rather than for recording and monitoring general vehicular traffic activity.
There is a need for a system that enables a driver to create visual records, in real time, of specific traffic violations that occur around the driver, without distracting the driver from the primary task of driving, and that further allows each record to be transmitted to the appropriate reporting authorities.
The drawings together with the description make apparent to those skilled in the art how the invention may be embodied in practice.
No attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

Traffic law violation recording and transmitting system


Disclosed is a soil release composition for application to or finishing on polyester textile that is heat set at a temperature of 375.degree. F. (191.degree. C.) or higher, said composition comprising a non-fiber forming polyester-polyether copolymer and an antioxidantly effective amount of an acid catalyzed phenol-formaldehyde condensation product of the Novolak type.

Synthetic polymeric textiles, e.g., polyester textiles, are commonly used in a wide variety of consumer and industrial applications. These polyester fabrics are predominantly copolymers of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, and are sold under a number of trade names, e.g., Dacron.RTM., Fortrel.RTM., Kodel.RTM. and Blue C Polyester.RTM.. One disadvantage of polyester textiles is the difficulty in removing oily residues, i.e., naphthenic, aliphatic or alkane hydrocarbon residues, such as motor oil, tar, pitch, lubricating oil or the like, from the material once it has been soiled with such residues. This is in part due to the hydrophobic nature of the polyester textile which makes the material difficult to wet with aqueous solutions of laundering detergents.
As a result, soil release compositions have been developed for application to polyester textiles. These soil release compositions, which are typically comprised of non-fiber forming polyether-polyester copolymers, impart soil release properties by modifying the polyester textile surface to enable release and removal of oily residues from the polyester textile using conventional aqueous laundering techniques. Typical polymeric soil release compositions are described in various U.S. patents, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,416,952.
To impart anti-wrinkle properties and to control dimensional stability, e.g., shrinkage, of polyester textiles, the textile is thermally treated or heat set. Heat setting aligns the crystal morphology of the polyester fibers to a more parallel rather than random orientation. In modern polyester textile processing mills, heat setting is typically effected at a temperature of at least about 375.degree. F. (191.degree. C.) to speed throughput and to better control fabric shrinkage. Such temperatures may range up to about 405.degree. F. (207.degree. C.) or so. Since the soil release composition is applied to the polyester textile prior to heat setting, an antioxidant is often included in the soil release composition to retard or prevent thermal degradation of the soil release composition during the heat setting step.
As disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,416,952, antioxidant materials typically used to impart thermal stability to the polymeric soil release compositions described therein include sterically hindered phenols, aromatic amines and organic sulfur compounds. However, none of the antioxidant materials specifically disclosed therein satisfactorily retard or prevent thermal degradation of the polymeric soil release composition at polyester textile heat set temperatures of about 375.degree. F. (191.degree. C.). As a result, polyester textiles finished with such soil release compositions and heat set at such elevated temperatures have unsatisfactory soil release properties resulting in incomplete removal of oil residues from the textile when using conventional aqueous laundering techniques.

Soil release composition for use with polyester textiles


Radio receiving apparatus includes antennas, radio units adjusting gains of received signals, and outputting the adjusted received signals, respectively, converters converting the adjusted received signals into digital signals, selector device which selects several of the digital signals, combination of the selected digital signals exhibiting good receiving characteristic, controller which determines the gains and outputs single control signal included in information of the determined gains to certain radio units, the certain radio units being included in the radio units and connected to certain converters of the converters which output digital signals included in the selected combination, weight calculator which calculates weight for each of the selected digital signals to enhance the receiving characteristic if the controller outputs the single control signal, synthesizer which synthesizes, into synthetic digital signal, digital signals obtained by multiplying each of the selected digital signals by the weight, and demodulator which demodulates the synthetic digital signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a radio receiving apparatus having a plurality of antenna elements, and a radio receiving method, and more particularly to a radio receiving apparatus in which a single control signal controls the gains of signals received by a plurality of antenna elements, and a radio receiving method employed in the apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, receiving apparatuses for performing demodulation using digital signals must have an A/D converter. Most A/D converters convert, into digital signals, analog signals of only a certain power range. If an analog signal cannot appropriately be converted into a digital signal since its power exceeds the range, the resultant digital signal is distorted. It is well known that this distortion significantly degrades the receiving characteristic. To avoid distortion and maintain a good receiving characteristic, it is necessary to appropriately adjust the gain of an analog signal to be input to an A/D converter.
When there are a plurality of antenna elements, a plurality of gain adjusting devices are needed for adjusting the respective gains of signals received by the antenna elements. If the gain adjusting devices can be controlled individually, it is sufficient if each device adjusts the gain of a signal to be input to a corresponding A/D converter. However, if a plurality of gain adjusting devices must be controlled by a single control signal, it is difficult to appropriately control all input signals since the input signals may be adjusted using different gain-adjusting values.
As a technique for adjusting a plurality of gain adjusting devices using a single control signal, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2003-152611, for example, has proposed a receiving apparatus in which a plurality of antenna elements and gain adjusting devices are employed, and all the gain adjusting devices are controlled by a single control signal.
However, if the amplitudes of analog signals received by the antenna elements are reduced, as in the publication, to values that enable the A/D converters to appropriately convert the analog signals into digital signals, the receiving characteristic of a synthetic signal obtained by synthesizing a plurality of digital signals corresponding to the analog signals may degrade.
An example case will be described. General radio sets have a noise floor that does not depend upon the reception power, therefore even if the reception power is increased to some extent, an increase in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is suppressed. Assume that one of the antenna elements receives a signal of a very high power, and the remaining antenna elements (two or more antenna elements) receive signals of power that falls within a range in which increases in SNR is suppressed. The receiving characteristic of the finally processed signal may be higher in the case where gain control is performed based on the antenna elements having substantially the same SNR as the maximum power antenna, and the signals received by these antenna elements are synthesized, than in the case where gain control is performed based on the maximum power antenna element, and therefore the remaining antenna elements cannot be used.


A method containing: ejecting a coating liquid for a thermosensitive recording material from a slit, the coating liquid being formed of at least two layers; allowing the coating liquid to free-fall while guiding in the form of a curtain with a curtain edge guide; applying the coating liquid on a web which continuously travels; and drying the coating liquid to form a coated film, wherein the method uses a curtain coating method, the coating liquid contains a coating liquid of a thermosensitive recording layer and that of a layer adjacent to the thermosensitive recording layer, and dynamic surface tension A of the coating liquid of the thermosensitive recording layer and that B of the coating liquid of the layer has a difference (A−B) of 4 mN/m or less.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for producing a thermosensitive recording layer, in which a coated film is formed by a curtain coating method in which a coating liquid for a thermosensitive recording layer of at least two layers is ejected from a slit, the ejected coating liquid is allowed to free-fall while guiding the same with a curtain guide edge, and the coating liquid is applied on a web that continuously travels, and relates to an apparatus for producing a thermosensitive recording material.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the conventional production of a thermosensitive recording material, an under layer (heat insulation and filling of the web), a thermosensitive recording layer, and a protective layer have been successively applied one by one by blade coating, wire bar coating, rod bar coating, or the like.
However, a simultaneous multilayer coating has been currently carried out by a curtain coating.
The curtain coating is a coating method which is commonly used for the production of a photographic light sensitive material such as a photographic film. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, there is an extrusion curtain coating method (1) in which a coating liquid contained in a curtain coating head 1 is ejected from a nozzle slit 1a, a coating liquid film 3 which has been ejected and tends to shrink in the width direction due to the surface tension, is allow to free fall in the form of a curtain by being guided by a curtain edge guide 2, and the coating liquid film 3 is hit on a web 5 that continuously travels and optionally has a vacuum device 4 on the back thereof, to thereby form a coated film. Note that, in FIG. 1, 6 denotes a backup roller, and 7 denotes a liquid turning portion.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, there is a slide hopper curtain coating method (2), in which a coating liquid contained in a coating head 8 is ejected from a slit 8a, and the ejected coating liquid is moved onto a slide plane 9, and then is allowed to free fall by a curtain edge guide 11 which is configured to guide the coating liquid in the form of a curtain, and a coating liquid film 12 is formed while the coating liquid is hit on the web 14 that continuously travels. Note that, in FIG. 2, 10 denotes an edge guide of a slide part, 13 denotes a vacuum device, 15 denotes a backup roller, and 16 denotes a liquid turning portion.
Moreover, in the multilayer coating, there is a method in which coating liquids each having different functions are respectively ejected from each nozzle, and the ejected coating liquids are allowed to free-fall by a curtain edge guide for guiding the coating liquids in the form of curtain, and a coated film is formed while hitting the coating liquids on a web that continuously travels, or there is a method in which coating liquids each having different functions are ejected from a slit, the ejected coating liquids are laminated on the slide plane, the laminated coating liquids are allowed to free-fall by a curtain edge guide for guiding the coating liquids in the form of a curtain, and a coated film is formed while hitting the coating liquids on the web that continuously travels.
In the production of the thermosensitive recording material, among the coating defects occurred in the simultaneous multilayer curtain coating, there is a defect in which a curtain is split, and the split portion is elongated and turned by the web so that there is a portion where the coating liquid is not deposited in the shape of oval or stream line having a width of 3 mm to 10 mm and a length of 20 mm to 30 mm (this defect may be referred as "white spot" hereinafter).
When this defect is occurred, in the case of the thermosensitive recording material, there is a problem such that the portion which originally should be printed would not be colored by the printing using a thermal printer, as the thermosensitive recording layer does not exist there due to the white spot.
As a result of various studied and researches for preventing "white spots", the present inventors has found out that occurrences of "white spots" can be suppressed by controlling a difference in the dynamic surface tension of the thermosensitive recording layer and the layer adjacent to the thermosensitive recording layer.
In the field of the simultaneous multilayer curtain coating, there has been proposed to control the dynamic surface tension of the coating liquid for the purpose of stabilizing the curtain film (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A Nos. 2004-181459 and 03-94871).
In JP-A No. 2004-181459, it has been proposed that, in the case of the simultaneous coating of three or more layers, the dynamic surface tension of an intermediate layer be made larger than that of the undermost layer and/or the uppermost layer by 5 or more. Moreover, in JP-A No. 03-94871, it has been proposed that, in the case of the simultaneous coating of multiple layers, the difference between the dynamic surface tension of the undermost layer and that of the uppermost layer be made small such as 10 mN/m or less.
One proposes the difference be made large, and the other proposes the difference be made small. Therefore, these two technical concepts are not basically compatible with the concept of the present invention.
Specifically, JP-A No. 2004-181459 does not disclose the specific ranges of the dynamic surface tension of the undermost layer and uppermost layer to achieve the difference between the dynamic surface tension of the intermediate layer and that of the undermost layer and/or the uppermost layer to be 5 or more, as well as the reason why the difference is made lager by 5 or more. Accordingly, it cannot presume the technical meaning of the feature such that the difference in the surface tension to be made large.
Also, JP-A No. 03-94871 does not disclose the technical meaning in that the difference between the dynamic surface tension of the uppermost layer and that of the undermost layer is made 10 mN/m or less. In addition, both of the aforementioned patent literatures do not disclose the difference between the dynamic surface tension of the thermosensitive recording layer and that of the layer adjacent to the thermosensitive recording layer.
To compare with them, the present invention has paid attention to the difference between the dynamic surface tension of the thermosensitive recording layer and that of the layer adjacent to the thermosensitive recording layer, and thus, in the case of the simultaneous multilayer coating of three or more layers, it is not directly relevant to the difference the dynamic surface tension of the uppermost layer and that of the undermost layer to be 10 mN/m or less.

Method and apparatus for producing thermosensitive recording material


A CPU of a sphygmomanometer includes a first control unit that, during measurement, controls a change in the internal pressure of a measurement air bladder by controlling the driving of a pump and/or a valve. The CPU further includes a second control unit that controls a change in the internal pressure of a compressing air bladder by controlling the driving of a pump and/or a valve. During measurement, the second control unit carries out control so that the internal pressure of the compressing air bladder is a predetermined ratio to the internal pressure of the measurement air bladder controlled by the first control unit.

Blood pressure is one index for analyzing cardiovascular disease, and performing a risk analysis based on blood pressure is effective in preventing cardiovascular-related conditions such as stroke, heart failure, and myocardial infarction.
Thus far, diagnoses have been made using blood pressure (casual blood pressure) measured at medical institutions, such as during hospital visits, health checkups, and so on. However, recent research has shown that blood pressure measured at home (home blood pressure) is more useful in diagnosing cardiovascular disease than casual blood pressure. As a result, sphygmomanometers for use at home are becoming widespread.
Many household sphygmomanometers employ an oscillometric or microphone blood pressure measurement technique. In oscillometric blood pressure measurement, a measurement band (cuff) that contains an air bladder is wrapped around a measurement area such as an upper arm, the internal pressure of the cuff (a cuff pressure) is increased to a predetermined pressure (for example, 30 mmHg) beyond the systolic blood pressure, and a change in the volume of the artery is detected as a change in the pressure overlapping the cuff pressure (a pressure pulse wave amplitude) while the cuff pressure is reduced gradually or in steps; the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure are determined based on the changes in the pressure pulse wave amplitude. Furthermore, with the oscillometric technique, it is possible to measure blood pressure by detecting a pressure pulse wave amplitude occurring while the cuff pressure is being increased.
Meanwhile, in the microphone technique, the cuff is wrapped around a measurement area such as the upper arm and the cuff pressure is increased to a predetermined pressure beyond the systolic blood pressure, in the same manner as with the oscillometric technique. Thereafter, the Korotkoff sound produced by the artery is detected by a microphone provided within the cuff as the cuff pressure is gradually reduced; the cuff pressure when the Korotkoff sound is produced is taken as the systolic blood pressure, whereas the cuff pressure when the Korotkoff sound is weak or is not present is taken as the diastolic blood pressure.
With either method, if the cuff of the sphygmomanometer is not properly wrapped around the measurement area, the cuff pressure will not be sufficiently transmitted to the artery, resulting in a drop in the measurement accuracy. Accordingly, with respect to a sphygmomanometer having a configuration that automatically wraps a cuff around a measurement area (called a "fully-automatic arm sphygmomanometer" hereinafter), the present applicants have, in JP 2005-230175A (Patent Literature 1), previously disclosed a technique in which a curler configured of a flexible member and a wrapping air bladder are disposed on the outside of a measurement air bladder for wrapping the measurement air bladder around the measurement area; by inflating the wrapping air bladder, the diameter of the curler is reduced, thus wrapping the measurement air bladder around the measurement area.
Furthermore, the present applicants have, in JP 2009-279196A (Patent Literature 2), previously disclosed a technique for improving the accuracy of oscillometric blood pressure measurement; with this technique, the measurement accuracy is improved by reducing skew in a detected pressure pulse wave amplitude through control that brings an air exhaust flow amount from a measurement air bladder per unit of time into a proportional relationship with a speed of deflation of the measurement air bladder.


Articulated continuous electronic display providing for an electronic display panel bridging between adjacent non-coplanar electronic display sections to provide for continuous non-interrupted alphanumeric or graphic informational display.

None.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is for an articulated continuous electronic display, and more particularly is for an electronic display which includes an intermediate electronic display panel articulatingly aligned between electronic displays mounted on surfaces which are not co-planar.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Often, electronic displays, such as those utilizing LEDs (light emitting diodes) or other electrical or electronic display media are incorporated and mounted on adjoining surfaces which are not coplanar. The primary example of this is where the electronic displays are mounted on the fascia at the front of seating levels or in other alocations at arenas and stadiums or other locations where often the fascia members are not coplanar. Such installations included locating of side-by-side display cabinets having alphanumeric or graphic electronic displays on adjacent intersecting fascia, whereby a gap between the sections would visually appear as a black line or jump in the content of the display. Such an effect is unacceptable to the persons viewing the display. Additionally, if the angle of angular juxtaposition of the electronic display sections were lessened, an abrupt visual aberration imparting an illusion of non-linear and interrupted viewing would be perceived by the viewer. Clearly what is needed is a multiple section electronic display that can wrap seamlessly and continuously along non-coplanar fascia so that the content of the display will flow clearly and smoothly without interruption along the entire length. Such is provided for by an articulated continuous electronic display, the present invention.
The general purpose of the present invention is to provide an articulated continuous electronic display. The articulated continuous electronic display includes groups of one or more electronic display sections mounted on adjacent surfaces which are not co-planar which are joined by an articulated electronic display section bridging across the fascia intersection and between the electronic display sections to form an articulated continuous electronic display.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an articulated continuous electronic display including an articulated electronic display section having variable geometry for mounting to groups of flanking and adjacent cabinetized electronic display sections. The variable geometry consists of hinged mounting plates which are slotted for attachment and suitable alignment to the near ends of the adjacent electronic display sections.
One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is an articulated continuous electronic display providing for continuous uninterrupted viewing along non-coplanar mounted electronic display sections.
Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is an articulated electronic display section having hinged mounting plates which facilitate mounting to adjacent electronic display sections.
Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a range of angular adjustability between a centrally located articulated electronic display section and adjacent electronic display sections.
Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is lateral adjustability of an electronic display panel of an articulated electronic display section with respect to adjacent electronic display panels of adjacent electronic display sections.
Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is an articulated continuous electronic display which obviates a black line or jumps between electronic display sections mounted on non-coplanar surfaces.
Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is an articulated continuous electronic display which obviates an abrupt visual aberration imparting an illusion of non-linear and interrupted viewing as would otherwise be perceived by the viewer.
Having thus set forth significant aspects and features of the present invention, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide an articulated continuous electronic display.


A system and method for controlling a performance of a communication link in a data communication system comprises mapping performance of a communication link, as characterized by metrics computed at a first protocol layer in a network device, to quality of the communication link as characterized by metrics computed at a second protocol layer in the network device. The second protocol layer is higher than the first protocol layer in a protocol stack running on the network device. A setting of one or more communication link controls at the first protocol layer is adjusted to attain a given communication link performance at the first protocol layer that, according to the mapping between the communication link performance at the first protocol layer and the quality of the communication link at the second protocol layer, corresponds to a target quality of the communication link at a second protocol layer.

Modern communication systems are typically partitioned into layers. An example of such a partitioning is the seven-layer Open Systems Interconnection model (OSI model), devised by the International Organization for Standardization. The OSI model categorizes the portion of the communications system that is closest to the physical medium as the physical layer (PHY), which is often referred to as the lowest of the seven layers. Therefore, the other six layers in the OSI model can be referred to as higher layers relative to the PHY. These abstract layers above the PHY perform various functions, for example, authentication, bridging, routing, and application services. When a network device sends a communication to another network device, the communication passes down through the layers of the protocol stack of the sending device and up through layers of the protocol stack of the receiving device. Each given layer communicates with either the next layer above or the next layer below that given layer. The protocol at each given layer corresponds to that set of rules followed in order provide the services of that given layer.
In practice, implementations of communication systems do not always precisely partition into those layers specified by models such as the OSI model. In addition, the dividing line between the PHY and the higher layers may differ from implementation to implementation and, for some implementations, may be blurry, where operations may be grouped either with the PHY or with the higher layers. Nonetheless, irrespective of where the dividing line lies, the layers can be partitioned into at least two segments: the PHY and the higher layers.
Data problems can be detected at any one or more of the layers. For example, faults in the physical media can corrupt data units. If a data unit is erred, the protocol layer processing the data unit may discard the data unit or transfer the data unit to the next layer in the protocol stack, in effect propagating the error to a higher layer. Eventually, if correction of the data unit does not occur, either by retransmission or by a form of error correction, the corrupt data can degrade the quality of the application layer. For example, a television receiving video information over a data network may experience a display anomaly as a result of the erred data.
Controls are typically applied at each of the layers to minimize errors and optimize the performance of the layer for a given communication link. However, the precise effect of the controls applied at the PHY upon the quality of the communication link at the higher layers is, for the most part, unknown. In practice, adjusting the PHY without regard to the higher layer may be of little or no consequence to higher-layer link quality.

Adjusting controls at the physical layer to control link quality at higher layers


A mode selection method is utilized in a mobile station. The mobile station can operate in a plurality of supported modes in a mobile communication system. The mobile communication system comprises a plurality of cells. The method comprises: calculating a suggested value of mode selection to match a current environmental state of the mobile communication system; changing a setting of mode selection according to the suggested value of mode selection; camping on a cell according to the setting of mode selection.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mode selection methods, and in particular relates to mode selection methods in a mobile communication system.
2. Description of the Related Art
A multi-mode mobile station (e.g. multi-mode mobile telephone) can operate in all supported modes (radio access technologies, RATs) (e.g. GSM, WCDMA FDD/TDD,CDMA2000). When searching for a network or selecting a cell, the mobile station searches all RF channels within modes of operation (subset of supported modes). This, however, consumes extra power when there are -unused modes in the modes of operation. Additionally, unexpected failure may occur if some useful modes are excluded from modes of operation.

Mode selection methods and related devices in a mobile communication system


Described is a configuration module useful for configuring modules of a modular application platform during run-time of the modular application platform. The configuration module produces a graphical dialog that displays a sequence of one or more configuration pages to a user to obtain from the user configuration information for each displayed configuration page. The configuration module defines an abstraction of a configuration page, and other modules of the modular application platform provide implementations of the configuration page abstraction to include at least one configuration page in the graphical dialog produced by the configuration module.

Before a system can operate, it needs to be configured and initialized. Applications typically have two phases for configuration and initialization of systems. The first phase is at installation time; the second phase at run-time (or "post-install" time). Configurations at installation time are generally of installation scope; that is, all users of the application experience the results of this configuration. An example of an installation-scope configuration is the setting of rules data that all users of an application must use.
Some configuration actions, however, cannot be applied during the installation phase because they are of user scope; that is, the particular system needs configuration information or procedures that are related to a specific user. Because the concept of a particular user is not realized until application run-time, the proper time to perform this type of configuration action is after the application starts executing. An example of a user-scope configuration is obtaining a server name, a username, and password information from the user. Other examples of user-scope configurations include setting page size or layout preferences, choosing a default printer, or setting a display resolution prior to running the application (such as for games).
A user often runs the same application on different occasions and usually does not expect to nor desire to be prompted to provide the same configuration information each time the application is run. Preferably, the system prompts the user upon the first instance of running the application and not during subsequent uses. To achieve this outcome, the system should preserve its configuration state between run-times.
Industry is currently producing modular applications based on a modular application run-time platform, such as Eclipse. These applications are comprised of modules, called plug-ins or bundles, which, when run, contribute specific features or functions to the overall operation of the application. Each module may have its own post-install configuration requirements. Also, after an application is initially installed and other modules configured, a user can add modules to the application requiring configuration. Preferably, the configuration of the new modules does not require the reconfiguration of the existing modules. Thus, there is a need for an apparatus and method that can operate within the constructs of a modular application run-time platform, initially configure modules of a modular application after the application is installed, and preserve the configuration states of the modules for subsequent executions of the application.

Post-install configuration of modules during startup of a modular application platform

International Business Machines Corporation


A catalyst for producing a liquefied petroleum gas according to the present invention comprises a Pd-based methanol synthesis catalyst component and a β-zeolite catalyst component. It can be used in a reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen to give a hydrocarbon containing propane or butane as a main component, i.e., a liquefied petroleum gas, with high activity, high selectivity and high yield. Furthermore, the catalyst has a longer catalyst life with less deterioration.

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is a liquefied petroleum-based or natural gas-based hydrocarbon which is gaseous at ambient temperature under atmospheric pressure by compression while optionally cooling, the main component being propane or butane. LPG is advantageously stored or transported in liquid form. Thus, in contrast with a natural gas that requires a pipeline for supply, it can be filled in a container to be supplied to any place. For this reason, LPG comprising propane as a main component, i.e., propane gas has been widely used as a fuel for household and business use. At present, propane gas is supplied to about 25 million households (more than 50% of the total households) in Japan. In addition to household and business use, LPG is used as a fuel for a portable product such as a portable gas burner and a disposable lighter (mainly, butane gas), an industrial fuel and an automobile fuel.
Conventionally, LPG has been produced by 1) collection from a wet natural gas, 2) collection from a stabilization (vapor-pressure regulating) process of crude petroleum, 3) separation and extraction of a product in, for example, a petroleum refining process, or the like.
LPG, in particular propane gas used as a household/business fuel, can be expected to be in great demand in the future. Thus, it may be very useful to establish an industrially practicable and new process for producing LPG.
As a process for producing LPG, Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 61-23688 discloses that a synthesis gas consisting of hydrogen and carbon monoxide is reacted in the presence of a mixed catalyst obtained by physically mixing a methanol synthesis catalyst such as a Cu—Zn-based catalyst, a Cr—Zn-based catalyst and a Pd-based catalyst, specifically a CuO—ZnO—Al2O3 catalyst or a Pd/SiO2 catalyst with a methanol conversion catalyst composed of a zeolite having an average pore size of about 10 Å (1 nm) or more, specifically a Y-type zeolite, to give a liquefied petroleum gas or a mixture of hydrocarbons similar in composition to LPG.
In terms of the zeolite catalyst, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 61-23688 describes that the distribution of hydrocarbons produced significantly depends on the pore size of the zeolite, and that when a zeolite having a larger pore size (Y-type zeolite) is used, lower paraffins of C1 to C6, particularly C2 to C4, are produced with a high selectivity while controlling production of aromatic hydrocarbons. In terms of the zeolite catalyst, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 61-23688 also describes that although it has a restriction for a pore size, any type of zeolite catalyst meeting the condition can be applied, irrespective of variation in a molecular structure or micropore structure or a variety of preparation treatments. Meanwhile, in terms of a methanol synthesis catalyst, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 61-23688 describes that a variety of simple substances and composites of a metal or a metal-oxide can be used if they have the ability to hydrogenate.
Furthermore, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 61-23688 also describes that acidity of a zeolite can be increased by dealumination, and thereby the yield of hydrocarbons (lower paraffins) can be improved, from the comparison between the reaction results using a mixed catalyst comprising a dealuminated Y-type zeolite with SiO2/Al2O3=7.6 as a methanol conversion catalyst and the reaction results using a mixed catalyst comprising a non-dealuminated Y-type zeolite with SiO2/Al2O3=5.1.
The catalyst described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 61-23688, however, does not necessarily show sufficient performance.
For example, a catalyst consisting of Pd/SiO2 and a Y-type zeolite is less active and gives a lower yield of a hydrocarbon, in which a ratio of propane (C3) and butane (C4) is lower. A catalyst consisting of Pd/SiO2 and a dealuminated Y-type zeolite with SiO2/Al2O3=7.6 treated with steam at 450° C. for 2 hours has a higher activity and gives a higher yield of a hydrocarbon, in which a ratio of propane (C3) and butane (C4) is higher, but it may not have sufficient performance particularly in terms of activity and yield of a hydrocarbon. Moreover, in general, a catalyst consisting of Pd/SiO2 and a Y-type zeolite may be significantly deteriorated with time, and thus, it may not have a sufficiently long catalyst life.
On the other hand, as a general trend, a catalyst consisting of a Cu—Zn-based catalyst (a copper-zinc-alumina mixed oxide and a commercially available catalyst for methanol synthesis at a low pressure) and a Y-type zeolite has a higher activity and gives a higher yield of a hydrocarbon, in which a ratio of propane (C3) and butane (C4) is higher, in comparison with a catalyst consisting of Pd/SiO2 and a Y-type zeolite. Among them, a catalyst consisting of a Cu—Zn-based catalyst and a dealuminated Y-type zeolite with SiO2/Al2O3=7.6 treated with steam at 450° C. for 2 hours has a high activity and gives a high yield of a hydrocarbon, in which a ratio of propane (C3) and butane (C4) is high. However, a catalyst consisting of a Cu—Zn-based catalyst and a Y-type zeolite may be significantly deteriorated with time, and thus, it may not have a sufficiently long catalyst life in general. It is, therefore, difficult to stably produce LPG in a high yield for a long period using the catalyst.
Thus, it has been needed further improvement of a catalyst for producing a liquefied petroleum gas in order to practically use a process for producing LPG from a synthesis gas and a process for producing LPG from a carbon-containing starting material such as a natural gas.
As a process for producing LPG, "Selective Synthesis of LPG from Synthesis Gas", Kaoru Fujimoto et al., Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn., 58, p. 3059-3060 (1985) discloses that a hybrid catalyst consisting of a methanol synthesis catalyst such as a 4 wt % Pd/SiO2, a Cu—Zn—Al mixed oxide {Cu:Zn:Al=40:23:37 (atomic ratio)} or a Cu-based low-pressure methanol synthesis catalyst (Trade name: BASF S3-85) and a high-silica Y-type zeolite with SiO2/Al2O3=7.6 treated with steam at 450° C. for 1 hour can be used to produce C2 to C4 paraffins in a selectivity of 69 to 85% via methanol and dimethyl ether from a synthesis gas. However, as is for the catalyst described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 61-23688, the catalyst described in the reference may not show sufficient performance.
In addition, "Synthesis of LPG from Synthesis Gas with Hybrid Catalyst", Qianwen Zhang et al., Dai 33 Kai Sekiyu Sekiyu Kagaku Toronkai Koen Yoshi (the summaries of the 33th Petroleum and Petrochemistry Discussion), p. 179-180, Nov. 17, 2003 discloses that a hybrid catalyst consisting of Pd—SiO2 or Pd, Ca—SiO2 and a zeolite can be used to produce LPG from a synthesis gas.


Provided is a method of dispersing asphaltenes to inhibit asphaltene precipitation and/or deposition in a hydrocarbon. The method includes adding to the hydrocarbon an asphaltene dispersing agent which is an ester of a mono-carboxylic fatty acid and a sugar. The sugar has at least 4 hydroxyl groups. In addition, more than one of the hydroxyl groups on the sugar are reacted with the mono-carboxylic fatty acid to form the ester.

Asphaltenes are present in crude oils. Asphaltenes include a large number of structures, such as high molecular weight fused aromatic compounds with heteroatoms. Asphaltenes are heterocyclic unsaturated macromolecules primarily of carbon and hydrogen, but also containing minor components such as sulphur, oxygen, nitrogen, and various heavy metals. Due to the complexity of their chemistry, asphaltenes can be defined as the fraction of crude oil which is insoluble in heptane.
In crude oil, asphaltenes are usually present as a colloidal dispersion which is stabilised by oil resins. Under normal reservoir conditions, asphaltenes are in equilibrium in the crude oil. As crude oil is produced, the equilibrium may be altered by a number of factors, such as carbon dioxide injection, pH change, pressure change, temperature change, shear or streaming potential through porous media resulting in asphaltene flocculation or precipitation, and asphaltene deposition onto surfaces.
Asphaltene precipitation and/or deposition can occur anywhere in the crude oil production life cycle from the reservoir to the refinery. For example, asphaltene deposition may occur in the near-wellbore region including perforations, in the tubing, downhole and surface chokes, and surface flowlines. Predicting where asphaltene deposition might occur requires an understanding of the mechanisms for asphaltene deposition. The main causes are pressure decrease and injection of incompatible fluids in the reservoir rocks. Asphaltene deposition can significantly reduce well productivity, causing operational problems during production and processing of crude oils, damaging formations, and decreasing production.
Asphaltenes may also precipitate out and deposit during production, refining, transportation and storage of any products derived from crude oil, e.g. heavy heating oil or marine oil.
Heavy oils, which are often used for powering ships, comprise considerable amounts of asphaltenes. Precipitating out of asphaltenes can lead both to poor combustion and to difficulties during handling and storage of the fuel. Combustion disturbances due to precipitating out of asphaltenes are also observed in power stations operated with heavy oils.
Some oils comprise hydrocarbon waxes which precipitate out at low temperatures. Interactions between the precipitating out of wax and asphaltenes can increase the total amount of substance precipitated out and/or the rate of formation thereof.
Asphaltenes can be deposited in valves, pipes and other process equipment, for example in an oil refinery. On hot surfaces, for example heat exchangers, carbonization of these deposits can make their removal very difficult. The deposits reduce the efficiency of process equipment and in the worst case scenario can result in a complete blockage and stop in production, which results in high costs.
Asphaltene deposits can be removed by using solvents such as xylene or xylene mixtures which typically have undesirable health, safety, and environmental concerns. In general, prevention of asphaltene precipitation is more effective than attempting the removal of the precipitates or deposits. Precipitating out of asphaltenes can be reduced by adding a dispersing agent to the oil. If precipitates of asphaltenes have already formed, the addition of a dispersing agent can improve the effectiveness of any solvents used to remove the deposits.
Currently, several major chemical classes of asphaltene dispersants are commercially available and used in the oil industry. Examples of patent specifications describing the use of different asphaltene dispersants include:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,035 discloses the use of dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DDBSA) as an asphaltene dispersant. DDBSA is widely used in the industry for its effectiveness and low cost. However, there are environmental concerns about the use of DDBSA.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,925,233 describes the use of alkanesulfonic acid as an asphaltene dispersant. It can be used alone, or in formulation with alkyl-formaldehyde resin, oxyalkylated amines, or wax-dispersing agents.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,313,367 describes the use of esters derived from polyhydric alcohols and carboxylic acids (such as sorbitan mono-oleates) as asphaltene dispersants.
US2011/0092393 discloses the use of hydrophobically modified non-ionic polysaccharides as viscosity reducers in petroleum applications, such as recovery and transport of heavy petroleum oils. The polysaccharides are modified with, for sample, hydrophobically end-capped 2-hydroxyethyl groups.
US2012/0220807 describes polymer asphaltene dispersants derived from the polymerisation of α-olefin and vinyl pyrrolidinone.
US2012/0004344 discloses the use of acrylate copolymers of 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate and n-butyl acrylate as an asphaltene drag reducing additive for crude oil.
WO2016/053634 describes asphaltene dispersants derived from the reaction product of an alk(en)yl substituted succinic anhydride such as polyisobutylene succinic anhydride (PIBSA) and a polyol.
Despite the wide number of materials disclosed as having asphaltene dispersancy properties, there is still a need for environmentally-friendly asphaltene dispersants for crude oil which have improved properties over existing materials such as reducing (i) the amount of asphaltene precipitate formed, (ii) the speed of precipitate formation, (iii) the particle size of the precipitate, (iv) the tendency of the precipitate to be deposited on surfaces, and/or (v) the amount of asphaltene dispersant required to be effective.

Method and composition for asphaltene dispersion


A vehicular automotive soil treating machine having a main frame structure provided on an automotive drive means to support thereon a soil feeding stage including at least a soil hopper and an additive hopper for feeding soil and an additive soil improving material, a soil processing stage including a soil processing trough which is internally provided with a mixing device for mixing soil and additive material while being transferred from one to the other end of the soil processing trough, and a processed soil discharging stage including a soil discharging conveyer for transferring processed soil of improved quality in a predetermined direction. The soil processing trough is provided with an inlet opening on the upper side of its fore end portion to receive soil and additive material therethrough, and an outlet opening on the bottom side of its rear end portion to discharge processed soil of improved quality toward the discharging conveyer.

1. Field of the Art
This invention relates generally to a soil treating machine for use in treating soil for the purpose of strengthening foundation of a soft ground by improving soil construction or quality to suit a specific purpose of use, and more particularly to an automotive or vehicular soil treating machine which can travel on and along surfaces of a ground or terrain in the course of soil treatment therefor.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.


A method for making silica includes delivering a silica precursor comprising a pseudohalogen to a conversion site and passing the silica precursor through a flame to produce silica soot.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to methods for making silica. In particular, the invention relates to a hydrogen-free and chlorine-free precursor that can be oxidized to produce silica.
2. Background Art
Silica is a particularly suitable material for forming the core and cladding of an optical waveguide. For the core of the optical waveguide, silica may be doped with a small amount of other materials, such as titanium oxide, tin oxide, phosphorous oxide, aluminum oxide, and germanium oxide, to slightly increase the refractive index of the core above that of the cladding. In other fibers the core is pure silica and the cladding is down doped with fluorine. Optical waveguides exhibiting very low losses are generally formed by vapor deposition processes. In one such process, a silica precursor is introduced into a conversion flame to produce fine particles, called xe2x80x9csoot.xe2x80x9d A dopant material, such as GeCl4, may also be introduced into the conversion flame along with the silica precursor (e.g., SiCl4). The soot is deposited on an outside surface of a rotating mandrel to form a soot preform. After an appropriate diameter of the core of the waveguide is reached, the mandrel is removed from the soot preform, leaving a hole in the soot preform. The soot preform is then sintered to form a consolidated glass draw preform. Next, the preform is drawn to close the hole and stretch the preform into a core cane of constant diameter. The core cane is then cut into segments, each of which becomes a deposition surface for cladding. The core cane is overclad with silica soot to an appropriate diameter and again consolidated. The resulting preform is then drawn until an optical waveguide having the desired dimensions is formed. For multi-segment fiber profiles, such as W profiles or ringed profiles, this process may include several steps of deposition, consolidation, and core-cane formation, with the dopants being provided to accomplish the desired refractive index for each segment.
Silica has also found a variety of uses in applications requiring transmission of ultraviolet radiation, particularly at wavelengths below 300 nm. One such application is in microlithography systems, which are employed in the production of integrated circuits. These systems use multiple fused silica lenses, called stepper lenses, to transmit radiation from excimer lasers to photosensitized silicon wafers. Current microlithography systems use 248-nm radiation (KrF laser) or 193-nm radiation (ArF laser) to print patterns with width as small as 0.25 xcexcm. More advanced microlithography systems using 157-nm radiation (F2 laser) are actively under development and are expected to produce patterns with even smaller widths. Microlithography systems require lenses made from high-purity fused silica because impurities in the lenses can distort the images projected onto the wafers as well as decrease transmission of the lenses. High-purity fused silica is typically produced by the boule process. The conventional boule process involves passing a silica precursor into a flame of a burner to convert the silica precursor to soot. The soot is then directed downwardly to a bait and immediately consolidated into dense, transparent, bulk glass, commonly called a xe2x80x9cboule.xe2x80x9d The boule can be used individually to fabricate stepper lenses as well as other optical elements such as photomasks.
It has been found that the selection of the silica precursor used in the production of silica is as important as the design of the equipment used to produce the silica. For a long time, the standard feedstock used in the production of silica was SiCl4. SiCl4 was chosen because it yielded large amounts of vapors at low temperatures. Flame combustion of SiCl4, however, has a drawback because it produces chlorine gas as a by-product. If the conversion flame is provided by combustion of a hydrogen-containing fuel, which is usually the case, hydrogen chloride gas is also produced as a by-product. Moreover, large amounts of water (H2, OH, and H2O) are formed. These gases are environmentally unfriendly and require considerable care for their disposal. In addition, chlorine has been found to decrease transmission at 157 nm. This makes chlorine-based silica precursors unsuitable for making, for example, fused silica lenses for 157 nm applications.
Hydrogen-containing organic compounds such as octamethlytetrasiloxane and silane have been identified as satisfactory chlorine-free precursors for producing silica. However, flame combustion of these precursors using CH4 as the fuel also inherently results in the silica containing residual water, i.e., OH, H2, and H2O. In optical waveguides and 157-nm applications it is preferable that the silica is substantially free of residual water. For optical waveguides, residual water in the silica results in high transmission loss in the optical waveguide at the wavelengths of interest. In preparation of fluorine-doped soot preform for optical waveguides, residual water is detrimental becomes it promotes fluorine migration. Water is known to reduce transmission of fused silica at wavelengths below 185 nm. Therefore, there is a strong interest in a method of producing silica that is substantially free of water and chlorine.
In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for making silica which comprises delivering a silica precursor comprising a pseudohalogen to a conversion site and passing the silica precursor through a flame to produce silica soot.
In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for making germania-doped silica which comprises delivering a silica precursor comprising a pseudohalogen and a germania precursor comprising a pseudohalogen to a conversion site and passing the silica precursor and the germania precursor through a flame to produce the germania-doped silica.
In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for making silica which comprises delivering a silica precursor comprising a pseudohalogen and an oxidant inside a heated tube to form silica and depositing the silica on an inner surface of the tube.
In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for making fused silica which comprises delivering a silica precursor comprising a pseudohalogen to a conversion site, passing the silica precursor through a flame to produce silica soot, and depositing the silica soot onto a deposition surface, wherein the silica soot is immediately consolidated into glass.
In another embodiment, the invention provides an optical waveguide preform feedstock which comprises a pseudohalogen.
In another embodiment, the invention provides an optical waveguide preform feedstock which comprises a pseudohalogen capable of being converted to germania oxide.
In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing an optical fiber preform which comprises delivering a silica precursor comprising a pseudohalogen to a conversion site and heating the silica precursor to produce silica.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.


True random number generation (TRNG) circuits are presented which employ magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) elements that can change magnetization state probabilistically in response to application of electrical pulses. Some implementations include pulse generators which apply perturbation sequences to the MTJ elements. The MTJ elements responsively produce randomized outputs related to changes in magnetization states. Probability compensators are included which monitor for deviations in measured probabilities in the randomized outputs from a target probability. The probability compensators make adjustments to the perturbation sequences to influence probabilistic changes in the magnetization states of the MTJ elements and bring the measured probabilities to within a predetermined deviation from the target probability.

Random number generation has become an important part of modern technology with regard to secure communications, encryption schemes, robust data storage, and other technology areas. Many systems which rely upon random number generators actually employ what is known as pseudo-random number generators. Pseudo-random number generators (PRNGs), also known as deterministic random-number generators, produce numerical strings that approximate true randomness. Although these schemes are not truly random, they suffice for many applications in the realm of security, encryption, and the like. However, numbers generated by these PRNGs are still somewhat deterministic, and thus hardware-based random number generation circuitry has been developed.
Hardware random number generators, also referred to as true random number generator (TRNG), rely upon physical properties or processes which have naturally stochastic components. Random outputs produced from these hardware systems are much closer to truly randomized outputs. Thus, TRNG are employed in applications where higher security and less deterministic random numbers are desired.
Attempts at employing magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) arrangements into hardware TRNGs have been undertaken. An MTJ operates using tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR), which is a magneto-resistive effect. MTJs typically consist of two ferromagnets separated by a thin insulator through which electrons can quantum-mechanically tunnel from one ferromagnet into the other. In the presence of thermal noise, a switching behavior of an MTJ due to flow of an input current can be observed to be stochastic in nature. However, variability in manufacturing and variability in stochastic behaviors among MTJs can place limits on how well these elements behave in TRNG systems. Moreover, random bitstreams can still require a lengthy timeframe to generate multi-digit random numbers, leading to slower overall TRNG processes for use in the various applications discussed above.
Overview
Random number generation circuits are presented which employ magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) elements that can change magnetization state probabilistically in response to application of electrical pulses. Some implementations include pulse generators which apply perturbation sequences to the MTJ elements. The MTJ elements responsively produce randomized outputs related to changes in magnetization states. Probability compensators are included which monitor for deviations in measured probabilities in the randomized outputs from a target probability. The probability compensators make adjustments to the perturbation sequences to influence probabilistic changes in the magnetization states of the MTJ elements and bring the measured probabilities to within a predetermined deviation from the target probability.

Generating random bitstreams with magnetic tunnel junctions


A first interface, such as a set of search results, is presented that includes first data in a first region and second data in a second region. Presented data may include images, text, or other information associated with items available for purchase. User input indicating a portion of the first data is received. In response to the user input, third data that is related to the indicated portion of the first data is determined. The third data is presented in the first region of the interface in place of the first data. Further input to the first region may return the first data to view. As a result, a user may view the third data within the first interface without navigating to a separate interface. Selection of a navigational link associated with the third data may navigate to a portion of a subsequent interface where the third data is presented.

The amount of information presented to users in various types of interfaces may by limited by the size of the interface or the size of a display area presenting the interface. In such a case, to view additional information, users may be required to navigate to separate interfaces, which may consume time and computational resources and create a negative user experience.
While implementations are described in this disclosure by way of example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the implementations are not limited to the examples or figures described. It should be understood that the figures and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit implementations to the particular form disclosed but, on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope as defined by the appended claims. The headings used in this disclosure are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to) rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words "include", "including", and "includes" mean "including, but not limited to".

Systems for accessing additional information from an interface


A rack for storing equipment gear and methods for using the same are provided. In one embodiment, the equipment gear rack includes a base with a plurality of structural members for storing and displaying an equipment gear set. The plurality of structural members may include a helmet display member with an angled protruding body for supporting a head piece. In other embodiments, the equipment gear rack may also include a pair of protruding arm members for storing gloves and a hook member for hanging equipment gear.

Recreational activities often require the use of various gear equipment in order to ensure the safety and comfort of the participant. Such equipment pieces or gear may include gloves, helmets, backpacks, goggles, and uniform attire by way of example only. However, because the various gear equipment come in a wide range of distinct shapes and sizes, they often cannot be displayed in one organized space or area with the use of conventional hangers or storage equipment. Indeed, not only are conventional racks and hangers not configured to display or store a plurality of gear equipment, but such conventional racks and hangers are not adapted to hold or support large and heavy sports equipment without breaking or properly storing the equipment gear.
As such, various gear equipment often become displaced or lost when they are scattered and stored in various different areas, especially when they are placed in closets, boxes, or shelves that are not easily viewable or accessible. This is particularly problematic for users who wear or use gear equipment on a daily or frequent basis, especially since conventional racks and hangers do not allow users to quickly and easily determine if he or she has all the necessary equipment in a single specified area.
Additionally, conventional hangers and racks do not allow a person to display gear equipment in an aesthetically pleasing and compact fashion. This is particularly important when the equipment gear has sentimental value or is a limited edition collector's item, especially since the user may wish to display the equipment gear rather than storing them in closets or boxes.

Rack for displaying and mounting gear equipment


A front cover assembly is disclosed. The front cover assembly includes a front cover body having a disc shape and a hub having a tubular shape. The front cover body includes a tubular portion in a center part thereof. The tubular portion is closed at one end thereof. The hub includes an engaging portion integrated with at least part of an outer peripheral surface thereof. The hub includes a coupling portion configured to extract power on an inner peripheral surface thereof. The engaging portion is press-fitted to the tubular portion of the front cover body.

Torque converters include a front cover coupled to an engine-side member and a torque converter body fixed at an impeller shell thereof to the front cover. For example, a drive plate fixed to a crankshaft of an engine is fixed to the front cover. In other words, power from the engine is inputted to the front cover. Hence, the front cover is provided with, for instance, a coupling portion for extracting power for driving an oil pump.
Japan Utility Model Application Publication No. S64-36754 describes a torque converter including such a front cover as described above. The front cover described in Japan Utility Model Application Publication No. S64-36754 includes a spline hole in the center part thereof, and a spline shaft for driving a pump is coupled to the spline hole.
In an example shown in FIG. 1 of Japan Utility Model Application Publication No. S64-36754, the front cover is provided with the spline hole in the center part thereof, and a front boss having a bag shape is welded to the engine-side lateral surface of the front cover so as to close the spline hole. However, in the configuration herein described, welding is required and there is a large number of processing steps.
Additionally, in an example shown in FIG. 5 of Japan Utility Model Application Publication No. S64-36754, the front boss is integrated with the front cover by stamping. However, in the configuration herein described, forming the spline hole is quite difficult, and a spline-coupled portion cannot be formed with high strength and high accuracy.


An in-line loss-on-ignition measurement system includes an on-site extractor subsystem configured to collect fuel or a combustion by-product from a hydrocarbon fuel burning plant. An on-site analyzer is configured to receive the collected matter from the extractor subsystem and configured to weigh the collected matter, burn the collected matter, and weight the collected matter again. A controller is responsive to the analyzer and is configured to determine the loss-on-ignition data for the plant based on the weight of the collected matter before and after it is burned in the analyzer.

In industrial generators, hydrocarbon fuel, such as coal is burned to create steam used to drive turbine generators. For a combustor to operate efficiently and to produce an acceptably complete combustion that generates bi-products falling within the limits imposed by environmental regulations and design constraints, all of the individual burners in the combustor must operate cleanly and efficiently and all post-combustion systems must be properly balanced and adjusted. Emissions of unburned carbon (i.e., loss-on-ignition (LOI) data), NOx, carbon monoxide and/or other bi-products are generally monitored to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and to ensure compliance with design constraints. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,389,330 incorporated herein by this reference.
As stated in the '330 patent, some emissions, such as the concentration of unburned carbon in fly-ash, are difficult to monitor on-line and continuously. In most cases, these emissions are measured on a periodic or occasional basis by extracting a sample of ash and sending a sample to a laboratory for analysis. Usually the sample of fly-ash is sent to an offsite lab where the sample is weighed, burned, and reweighed. The analysis may take days to a week or more. Most power plants do not have a chemical lab on-site and, due to the elapsed time for an analysis, the plant efficiency is frequently not at an optimum level. The '330 patent proposes monitoring the radiation emitted from a post-flame zone of the combustor and in response to a fluctuation component of the radiation and then calculating one or more combustion parameters.
The RCA 2000 residual carbon analyzer (M&W Asketeknik) is advertised to extract fly-ash from the flue gas via a cyclone and analyze it in a transducer using light. The result of the analysis is sent to the control room. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,774,176 and 5,173,662 incorporated herein by this reference.
Still, it appears no prior system is able to measure loss-on-ignition (LOI) directly, on-site, continuously, automatically (e.g., without the need for operator intervention) and without the need for calibration.

In-line loss-on-ignition measurement system and method

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.


A portal system for secure, aggregated and centralized management and access of disparate customer service and social networking environments is disclosed. A user interface provides multiple, parameter-based automated service scripts, each configured to utilize customer information. The scripts link to vendor-specific, scenario-specific, and social networking-specific interfaces that have common user interface elements. Shared and dedicated reverse automation gateways are configured to emulate the step-by-step self-service aspects of web sites and interactive voice response systems. The portal system eliminates or reduces inbound toll-free telephone charges for vendor contact centers and additionally links the same to social networking systems.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to telecommunications systems, and more particularly, to automating and aggregating access to customer service, entertainment, and social networking systems.
2. Related Art
Organizations with large constituencies often use customer service automation systems such as web sites with self-service elements and interactive voice response systems as a means to reduce costs and reduce the need for live operators to handle customer inquiries. The same is true of social networking sites, which rely heavily on automated email responders and other self-service mechanisms to avoid direct, live interaction with users.
It is typical for larger organizations to receive thousands of customer inquiries each day. These may come in the form of emails, web site visits, interactive voice response (IVR) dialogs or even face-to-face interaction in a retail scenario. It is typical for these larger organizations to spend millions of dollars each year on the development and maintenance of systems used to handle such customer interaction. For live interactions, enterprises employ automatic call distributors (ACDs) or private branch exchanges (PBXs) and various computer-telephony integration (CTI) techniques.
The popularity of the Internet ushered in many new ways of dealing with customers in an automated fashion, including speech recognition systems, SMS auto-response functionality, and automated email reminders. The uptake of these types of technologies has been aggressive. Whole divisions of certain large organizations are now dedicated to finding new and innovative ways to automate customer service oriented transactions. This partly due to live, agent assisted transactions having high costs, which can be as much as 15 to 20 dollars per transaction in overhead. Cast against the relatively low cost of 10 cents for an Internet-based automated transaction, companies scramble to cut costs with these automated systems. One of the contributing factors to the high costs is the 800 or toll-free number carriage. Companies have not adapted to the newer Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) capabilities because it is difficult to link these capabilities to an 800 number. Furthermore, customers do not have an incentive to use a VoIP-based phone when the number they are calling is free to them. Nonetheless, a means to eliminate 800 number charges so companies can take advantage of VoIP-like technology has remained elusive.
The wholesale adoption of self-service automation has created customer backlash. With the advent of the Internet and its ubiquity and easy access to competing vendors, customers have become more fickle and apt to switch alliances with favored vendors at a moment's notice. Increasingly, loyalty and "high touch," or more personalized customer service, has become a competitive distinction amongst some companies. For example, Southwest Airlines has sworn off automation in their call center, thereby eliminating the use of IVR systems so that customers always get a live agent. Customer service industry analysts and researchers have been counseling companies with high transaction volumes to be careful about not "over-automating."
Many attempts over the years have been made to 'soften' self-service forms of customer service (such as IVR) or make it easier to use. For example, the Analog Display Services Interface (ADSI) standard was internationally adopted after it was issued by BellCore in December of 1992. In essence, ADSI allows for "Visual IVR" by transmission of data mapped to voice-based IVR into remote screen prompts for phones with soft key capability. The conventional analog for circa 1992 screen-based phones is the Smart Phone.
Before the BellCore ADSI "Visual IVR" specification was finalized, its use was promoted by sharing the information with various third parties. For example, Dialogic put algorithms on its boards to communicate via ADSI to enable Visual IVR on phones from Nortel and others. Other popular IVR-oriented suppliers quickly developed ADSI-Visual IVR systems. In addition to Dialogic, others such as Intervoice, VoiceTek, Fanstel, and Nortel followed suit.
Other customer service systems besides Visual IVR are known in the art, and companies such as Venturian Software, NetCall Technologies, Securicor Telecoms and Lansys have demonstrated Web-based callback and ACD callback systems dating back to 1995. One noteworthy system is the CyberCall product from Venturian, which was a major collaboration between these well-known telecommunications companies at the time. CyberCall allowed any ACD to be hooked up to both web sites and CTI servers so consumers could ask for an automated call back to their regular phone line. Such Web-based callback systems, however, did not see widespread deployment because it could only be activated from a website, and could only be installed with substantial systems integration behind the enterprise firewall. There were many interdependencies to consider since enterprises oftentimes deployed a wide variety of disparate systems. In addition to difficulties associated with management, the static nature of the user interface, such as there being no customized menu choices, ACD systems have only seen nominal adoption.
Customers often find automated systems to be useful, especially if the business cannot respond to a customer service inquiry immediately because it was initiated after business hours. Many IVR systems, for example, are accessible 24 hours a day and able to dispense valuable information to users at any time. Likewise, web sites are typically not bound by regular business hours.
From the user's perspective, however, there are two fundamental problems associated with automated systems. Most systems are poorly designed and can be very frustrating for the user to navigate. Indeed, some customers are so loathe to use automated systems for this reason, that they will instantly "opt out" of an automated system and demand live service. Of course, the wholesale adoption of this practice is costly for companies that employ automation systems. Additionally, users must traverse a veritable jungle of disparate, varyingly complex automation systems. There is no single, unifying experience for the customer. Each automated system is different, with its own, unique interface, rules, protocols and foibles. The modality of most approaches is singular, that is, interfaces for the user do not transcend modalities such as web, phone, smart phone, IPTV, and so forth.
These issues cause a great deal of frustration on the side of the user community, or customers. On one hand, companies have a need to differentiate from competitors, but nonetheless have a compelling need to automate customer service in the interest of lowering costs. On the other hand, customers have become disillusioned about automation, and the ease with which a live service agent can be reached is a significant retention factor. Therefore, customer loyalty remains ever elusive.
Accordingly, it is desirable to achieve a balance between good, personalized customer service, and collecting a high volume of information through automation in order to save significant costs for each transaction.


An image sensor with a small circuit area is provided. In the image sensor, a TX decoder which generates transfer signals TX<3:0> includes a latch circuit. The latch circuit is set when a corresponding row group is selected and when a set signal is set to an “H” level, and is reset when a reset signal is set to an “L” level. The latch circuit serves also as a voltage level shift circuit which converts the “H” level of a signal from a first power supply voltage into a second power supply voltage. Therefore, plural row groups can be selected by setting plural latch circuits. It is not necessary to provide a voltage level shift circuit separately.

The present invention relates to an image sensor, especially, to an image sensor provided with plural pixel circuits arranged in plural rows and plural columns.
In the past, a general camera was dominated by a film type camera, however, in recent days, it has been replaced with a digital type camera. The image quality of a digital camera has been improved remarkably, and the newest model digital camera outperforms the film camera. An image sensor of a CCD system or a CMOS system is mounted in the digital camera.
Generally, the image sensor is provided with a pixel array unit, a vertical scanning circuit, a voltage level shift circuit, a column circuit, a horizontal scanning circuit, an output circuit, and a timing generator (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1). The pixel array unit includes plural pixels arranged in the shape of a matrix. Each pixel converts incident light into an electrical signal. The scanning circuit selects each pixel according to a control signal from the timing generator, and the electrical signal generated by each pixel is read via the column circuit, and is outputted to the exterior of the output circuit.
The vertical scanning circuit is configured with an address decoder etc., performs a selection scan of pixels of the pixel array unit in units of rows, based on the address signal supplied from the timing generator, and outputs plural control signals (a transfer signal, a reset signal, and a selection signal) of a logic circuit level to the selected line. The voltage level shift circuit supplies the control signals of the logic circuit level outputted from the vertical scanning circuit to plural pixels of the selected line via the control signal line, after a voltage of the control signals is shifted to the voltage of a pixel driving level.
In an image sensor of the CMOS system, a rolling electronic shutter system is adopted at the time of dynamic image photography. In the rolling electronic shutter system, it is necessary to select a read row and a shutter row (pixel reset row) which are mutually different, in the same one horizontal period (refer to FIG. 8). In order to fully send out a charge (electron) accumulated on a pixel, a pixel reset may be performed plural times, and plural addresses may have to be selected. Therefore, the vertical scanning circuit includes a read address decoder and plural reset address decoders.
Each address decoder includes a row selection decoder and a forming circuit. The row selection decoder selects a row corresponding to the address supplied from the timing generator. The forming circuit generates a control signal, based on a row selection signal which indicates the selected row and on a forming signal which sets up the timing to activate the selected row.
In Patent Literature 2, the circuit scale of a driving unit in an image sensor for performing parallel control of plural rows in a pixel array is suppressed. Specifically, plural row control signals are generated corresponding to plural bits at an active level in a decode signal stored in the storage unit, and are outputted to plural rows of a pixel array in parallel. Accordingly, it is possible to perform parallel control of plural rows by a single driving unit (a vertical scanning circuit); therefore, the circuit scale of the driving unit is suppressed.

Image sensor provided with plural pixel circuits arranged in plural rows and plural columns


The present invention lies in the field of automated analyzers and relates to a method for mixing liquids in liquid containers. The arrangement for automated mixing comprises a shaking device and a gripper which is connected by way of a flexible connecting element to a transfer arm and which serves for receiving a liquid container. The coupling of gripper and shaking device is realized by way of an eccentrically movable coupling pin and a coupling hole provided for this purpose.

Current analyzers, as are used as a matter of routine in analytics, forensics, microbiology and clinical diagnostics, are able to carry out a multiplicity of detection reactions and analyses with a multiplicity of samples. In order to be able to carry out a multiplicity of examinations in an automated manner, various automatically operating apparatuses for the spatial transfer of measuring cells, reaction containers and reagent liquid containers are required, such as, e.g., transfer arms with a gripper function, transport belts or rotatable transport wheels, and apparatuses for transferring liquids, such as, e.g., pipetting apparatuses. The machines comprise a central control unit which, by means of appropriate software, is able to largely independently plan and work through the work steps for the desired analyses.
Many of the analysis methods used in such analyzers operating in an automated manner are based on optical methods. Measurement systems based on photometric (e.g., turbidimetric, nephelometric, fluorometric or luminometric) or radiometric measurement principles are particularly widespread. These methods enable the qualitative and quantitative detection of analytes in liquid samples without having to provide additional separation steps. The determination of clinically relevant parameters, such as, e.g., the concentration or the activity of an analyte, is often implemented by virtue of an aliquot of a bodily fluid of a patient being mixed simultaneously or in succession with one or more reagent liquids in a reaction vessel, as a result of which a biochemical reaction is put into motion, which brings about a measurable change in an optical property of the test preparation.
The measurement result is, in turn, forwarded into a memory unit by the measurement system and evaluated. Subsequently, the analyzer supplies a user with sample-specific measurement values by way of an output medium, such as, e.g., a monitor, a printer or a network connection.
For the spatial transfer of liquid containers, provision is often made of grippers for gripping, holding and releasing a liquid container, said grippers being connected by way of a flexible connecting element to a horizontally and vertically movable transfer arm. EP-A2-2308588 describes an apparatus for transferring a liquid container, in particular for transferring tube-shaped reaction vessels (cuvettes), within an automated analyzer. The apparatus comprises a passive, elastically deformable gripper for a force-fit capture and hold of a liquid container and is suitable for receiving an individual cuvette placed in a receiving position, transporting said cuvette to a target position and putting it down there in a further receiving position.
Furthermore, it is often necessary for liquids contained in liquid containers to be mixed. To achieve precise measurement results, it is for example necessary for reaction mixes, that is to say, mixtures of a sample liquid to be analyzed, such as, for example, blood, plasma, serum, urine etc., with one or more reagent liquids, such as, for example, antibody solutions or the like, to be mixed uniformly. It may likewise be necessary for reagent liquids which contain sedimentable contents, such as, for example, particulate solid phases, such as, for example, antibody-coated latex particles, to be mixed prior to use in order that a homogeneous solution is formed.
For this purpose, FIG. 1 of EP-A2-2308588 describes a shaking device having a coupling pin which is movable about a vertical axis of rotation. For the mixing of a liquid sample in a liquid container, a method comprising the following steps is described:
a. receiving the liquid container by way of a gripper which is fastened by way of a flexible connecting element to an automatically movable transfer arm, wherein the gripper has a coupling hole; then
b. displacing the gripper with the liquid container to the shaking device; then
c. producing a connection between the gripper and the shaking device, wherein the connection is realized by insertion of the coupling pin of the shaking device into the coupling hole, which is provided on the gripper, in a direction coaxial with respect to the axis of rotation of the coupling pin; and then
d. moving the coupling pin.
The coupling pin moves eccentrically on a circular path and forces the decoupled gripper, and thus the liquid container and the liquid contained therein, to perform said circular movement, whereby mixing of the contained liquid is effected.
Theoretically, the gripper moves synchronously with the rotating coupling pin. In practice, it has however been observed that the contact or the coupling between coupling pin of the shaking device and coupling hole of the gripper is possibly at least briefly eliminated owing to the contact pin losing contact with the inner wall of the coupling hole. When the contact is subsequently restored, brief shocks can occur, which can likewise have an adverse effect on the mixing process.
Specifically, the opening of the coupling hole is normally slightly larger than the head end, which engages into it, of the coupling pin, in order that, during the coupling-in process, highly precise positioning of the coupling hole over the coupling pin, which would significantly slow the entire mixing process, can be dispensed with. Narrower manufacturing tolerances with regard to the coupling mechanism composed of the coupling pin and coupling hole would result in increased abrasion and wear, as a result of which more frequent exchange of the parts involved would be necessary, which in turn would result in increased maintenance outlay for the automated analyzer.
Owing to the brief elimination of contact between the coupling pin and coupling hole, a situation may arise in which a liquid sample is not mixed as desired, and as a result, an erroneous measurement result is generated.
The problem on which the present invention is based thus consists in improving the automated method, described in the introduction, for mixing a liquid sample in a liquid container such that the mixing process takes place uniformly, that is to say without undesired interruption, in order to thereby achieve the desired mixing result.

Method for mixing a liquid in an automated analyzer

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Products GmbH