A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle that includes a battery includes a controller that controls a charge amount of the battery. The controller limits the charge amount of the battery at a time of low vehicle speed even when a state of charge of the battery has fallen. The controller relaxes a limitation on the charge amount when a power driving mode, in which higher priority is given to responsiveness of a driving force than at a time of a normal driving mode, is selected as a driving mode of the hybrid vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle that is equipped with two types of drive sources, namely, an engine and a motor.
2. Description of Related Art
Hybrid vehicles that are each equipped with two types of drive sources, namely, an engine and a motor have been put into practical use. Some of such hybrid vehicles are known to make a changeover among a plurality of driving modes. For example, in each of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-149161 (JP-2009-149161 A), Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-126450 (JP-2009-126450 A), Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-143315 (JP-2009-143315 A), and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-126253 (JP-2009-126253 A), there is described a hybrid vehicle that can make a changeover among three driving modes, namely, a normal driving mode, a power driving mode, and an economy driving mode.
FIG. 4 shows a relationship between an accelerator depression amount and a required output value in each driving mode in a common hybrid vehicle. As shown in FIG. 4, in the power driving mode, the required output value for the same accelerator depression amount is set larger than in the normal driving mode, and higher priority is given to the responsiveness of a driving force than in the normal driving mode. On the other hand, in the economy driving mode, the required output value for the same accelerator depression amount is set smaller than in the normal driving mode, and higher priority is given to an improvement in fuel economy than in the normal driving mode.
Besides, it is described in each of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-149161 (JP-2009-149161 A), Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-126450 (JP-2009-126450 A), and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-143315 (JP-2009-143315 A) that the responsiveness of a driving force is enhanced by enlarging a range where the intermittent operation of an engine is prohibited, at the time of the power driving mode. Further, it is described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-126253 (JP-2009-126253 A) that when the power driving mode is selected at a low vehicle speed, the engine is autonomously operated to attempt to restrain the responsiveness to a request for acceleration and the state of charge (the SOC) of a battery from falling.
By the way, in such a hybrid vehicle, when the SOC of the battery falls, the battery is charged with an electric power generated through a power of the engine, so as to attempt to recover the fallen SOC. However, if the engine is operated for electric power generation when the vehicle speed is low, vibrations of an exhaust pipe resulting from vibrations of exhaust gas discharged from the engine cause noise. Thus, in the hybrid vehicle, when the vehicle is stopped or runs at a low vehicle speed, the charge amount of the battery is regulated to restrain the engine from being operated to generate an electric power.
However, when the charge amount is limited, the recovery of the SOC is delayed. Besides, when the SOC is deficient, the driving force cannot be sufficiently supplemented by the motor, and therefore, it may become impossible to ensure high power performance required at the time of the power driving mode.


Presented herein are polymerase-linked nucleotides for improved distinguishing nucleotide sequences for different nucleic acid molecules. Also presented are methods and systems using the polymerase-linked nucleotides for improved distinguishing nucleotide sequences for different nucleic acid molecules.

This disclosure relates generally to detection and characterization of nucleic acids. More specifically this disclosure relates to determining the sequences of nucleic acids.
One's genome provides a blue print for predicting many inherent predispositions such as one's likes and dislikes, talents, susceptibility to disease and responsiveness to therapeutic drugs. The human genome contains a sequence of over 3 billion nucleotides and it is the differences in just a fraction of those nucleotides that determines unique characteristics of an individual. The research community is making impressive strides in unraveling the link between genomic sequence and the living structures they encode. However, a more complete understanding will require that tens-of-thousands or millions of genomes be sequenced. Then scientists will be able to correlate the complexities of the genetic code with the variety of human characteristics. Furthermore, beyond the research effort, the costs must come down in order to usher in the day when each person will have a copy of their own personal genome so that they can sit down with their doctor to determine appropriate choices for a healthy lifestyle or a proper course of treatment.
Several commercial sequencing platforms are available, and although they provide an accurate tool for sequencing on the scale of entire genomes, they are still prohibitively expensive for wide deployment across large populations of individuals. What is needed is a reduction in the cost of sequencing that drives large genetic correlation studies carried out by research scientists and that makes sequencing accessible in hospitals and clinics to facilitate the informed treatment of individual patients making life changing decisions. The inventions set forth herein satisfy this need and provide other advantages as well.


Motion information for an internal sub-block of a larger block can be derived for use in encoding or decoding the video block or a coding unit by using the motion information for sub-blocks on the left or top edge of the coding block. The left column of edge sub-blocks and the top row of sub-blocks has motion information, such as motion vectors, derived using such techniques as template matching. The motion vectors of these edge sub-blocks are used in deriving the motion vectors of internal sub-blocks, which leads to better prediction and improved coding efficiency. In another embodiment, other motion information for internal sub-blocks is derived from corresponding information of the edge sub-blocks.

In the HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding of International Telecommunication Union, ITU-T H.265) video compression standard, a picture is divided into so-called Coding Tree Units (CTU), whose size is typically 64×64, 128×128, or 256×256 pixels.
Each CTU is represented by a Coding Tree in the compressed domain. This is a quad-tree division of the CTU, where each leaf is called a Coding Unit (CU), as shown in FIG. 1.
Each CTU is represented by a Coding Tree in the compressed domain. This is a quad-tree division of the CTU, where each leaf is a Coding Unit (CU), as shown in FIG. 1.
Motion compensated temporal prediction is employed to exploit the redundancy that exists between successive pictures of a video. To do so, a motion vector is associated with each prediction unit (PU). Each CU is then given some Intra or Inter prediction parameters (Prediction Info) and is spatially partitioned into one or more Prediction Units (PUs), each PU being assigned some prediction information. The Intra or Inter coding mode is assigned on the CU level, as shown in FIG. 2.
In HEVC, Coding Units are also divided into so-called transform units, in a recursive way, following a "transform tree". Thus, a transform tree is a quad-tree division of a coding unit, and transform units are the leaf of the transform tree. A transform unit encapsulates the square transform blocks of each picture component corresponding to a considered square spatial area. A transform block is a square block of samples in a single component, where the same transform is applied.
Exactly one Motion Vector is assigned to each PU in HEVC. This motion vector is used for motion compensated temporal prediction of the considered PU.
In the Joint Exploration Model (JEM) developed by the JVET (Joint Video Exploration Team) group, a CU is no longer divided into PU or TU, and some motion data is directly assigned to each CU. In this new codec design, a CU can be divided into sub-CU and a motion vector can be computed for each sub-CU.
Several new tools can further divide a CU into sub-blocks and derive one motion vector for each of these sub-blocks. The FRUC and Affine tools use such sub-block motion derivation, and OBMC (Overlapped Block Motion Compensation) and BIO (Bi-directional Optical Flow) perform in quite the same way.
Some of these tools, or in some precise configurations, use neighboring encoded and reconstructed parts of the image. In that case, it is not possible for those tools to derive a motion vector for the internal sub-blocks, i.e. the sub-blocks not in the first row and/or column.
New emerging video compression tools include a Coding Tree Unit representation in the compressed domain to represent picture data in a more flexible way in the compressed domain. The advantage of this flexible representation of the coding tree is that it provides increased compression efficiency compared to the CU/PU/TU arrangement of the HEVC standard.
With these new video compression tools, there is no longer partitioning of a CU into predictions units or transform unit. In other words, each Coding Unit is systematically made of a single prediction unit (previously 2N×2N prediction unit partition type) and a single transform unit (no division into a transform tree).

Refinement of internal sub-blocks of a coding unit


In image processing, it is possible to suitably reduce density unevenness and graininess according to the ink used in printing. More specifically, when dividing multi-valued data and generating data for 2-pass multi-pass printing, in addition to divided multi-valued data for each of the two passes, divided multi-valued data that is common to the two passes is also generated. Moreover, quantized data of that common multi-valued data is reflected on the quantized data for each of the passes. Furthermore, when generating the quantized data, the division ratios used when generating the common data using the aforementioned multi-valued data division are set according to the colors of ink used in printing. By doing so, it becomes possible to suitably reduce density unevenness and graininess according to the colors used in printing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and image processing method, and more particularly to a technique for generating data for completing printing in the same area of a printing medium by moving a printing head a plurality of times relative to the same area of the printing medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
As this kind of technique, a multi-pass printing method is known for completing an image to be printed in the same area of a printing medium by scanning that same area of the printing medium a plurality of times with a printing head. With this technique, it is possible to reduce density unevenness and stripes in an image. However, even though the multi-pass printing method is employed, there is a possibility that a shift of the dot printing position will occur between the plurality printing scans due to fluctuation in the conveyance amount of the printing medium. Such shift causes fluctuation in the dot coverage, and as a result, image defects such as density fluctuation or density unevenness may occur.
In addition, the fluctuation in the conveyance amount of the printing medium mentioned above differs according to the position of the printing medium on the conveying path of the printing medium. For example, when printing over the entire surface of a printing medium without setting margins, or in other words, performing so-called margin-less printing, the printing position is located on the printing medium where printing is performed by the printing head as the printing medium is conveyed along the conveying path by only one pair of conveying rollers that are provided on both the upstream side and downstream side of the printing area. In such a printing position, the conveyance precision is low and it is easy for fluctuation in the conveyance amount to occur. On the other hand, when the printing medium is conveyed in a state of being held by both of a pair of conveying rollers on the upstream side and downstream side, the conveyance precision is high and it is difficult for fluctuation of the conveyance amount to occur. Moreover, it is known that during conveyance, when the printing medium enters or leaves the nip section of a pair of conveying rollers, there is a relatively large fluctuation in the conveyance amount.
A method is known as a technique for reducing the image defects caused by the shift of the dot printing position due to the above described fluctuation of the conveyance amount in which image data are divided into respective data corresponding to different scans in the stage of multi-valued image data before binarization, and then the respective divided multi-valued image data are independently binarized (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-103088). FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of dots that are printed based on image data that are processed by the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-103088. In the figure, the black dots 551 are dots that are printed in a first printing scan, white dots 552 are dots that are printed in a second printing scan and gray dots 553 are dots that are printed by overlapping of dots that are printed in the first printing scan and second printing scan. In other words, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-103088 is a technique of generating overlapping dots by reducing mutual complementarity or exclusivity of dots that are printed in a plurality of printing scans.
With this dot arrangement, even though a dot group printed in a first printing scan and a dot group printed in a second printing scan become shifted in the main scanning direction or sub scanning direction, there is not much fluctuation in the dot coverage on the printing medium, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the image defects mentioned above. This is because even though portions, where dots that are printed in the first printing scan and dots that are printed in the second printing scan overlap, newly appear, there are portions where two dots that were originally supposed to be printed such that they overlap do not overlap. More specifically, conventionally, by using a mask on normally quantized data, print data are divided, as well as complementarity and exclusivity is given to data that are to be printed indifferent printing scans. On the other hand, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-103088 is a method in which multi-valued data are divided in the multi-valued data stage into a plurality of multi-valued data that correspond to different printing scans, and the plurality of multi-valued data are each independently quantized so that quantized data to be used in the respective printing scans are obtained. This allows complementarity between dots that are printed in different printing scans to be decreased, and overlapping dots are caused to occur among the dots that are printed in a plurality of printing scans.
However, in the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-103088 it is not possible to control the amount of dot overlap that are printed in a plurality of printing scans. As a result, the number of overlapping dots may become excessive and the graininess of the image may be increased, or conversely, the number of overlapping dots could be too few and the aforementioned density fluctuation may not be sufficiently suppressed.
The inventors of the present application placing attention on making it possible to control the amount of the dot overlap by generating data that is reflected in all the quantized data of the different printing scans in common with each other.
On the other hand, the degree of graininess or density unevenness (density fluctuation) described above that finally appears in the printed image differs according to the color used for printing. For example, in the case of a color having high lightness such as when the printed color is yellow (Y), the degree of graininess or density unevenness does not change so much regardless of the amount of dot overlap. In contrast, in the case of a color having low lightness such as when the printed color is black (K), change in the degree of graininess or density unevenness (density fluctuation) due to the amount of dot overlap is comparatively large.
Moreover, there may be cases in which bleeding at the boundaries between different colors of ink (hereafter, simply referred to as bleeding) depending on the amount of dot overlap becomes worse. Particularly, when using pigment BK ink and dye Y ink, which permeate into the printing medium at different permeation speeds, it becomes easy for the bleeding to be highly visible. Therefore the amount of dot overlap becomes an important factor for decreasing the bleeding.
When the degree of graininess or density unevenness that appears in a printed image differs according to colors as described above, or when the amount of bleeding that occurs at the boundaries between different colors differs according to inks used, applying a process of generating data that commonly reflects on all of the data is not preferred. More specifically, when applying a process of generating data that commonly reflects on all data, there may be cases in which graininess and the like become just worse. In addition, by performing such processing when generating data for colors for which the processing is not so necessary, there may be an increase in the processing load or a decrease in the processing speed.

Image processing apparatus and image processing method


12-step motor commutation is provided by a three-phase sinusoidal signal generator and related circuitry. Circuitry which compares the voltage outputs of two primary signals provides two additional switching points for every 360 electrical degrees. Three comparator circuits provide six additional switching points. Primary voltage outputs are weighted in the ratio of 2:1 prior to comparison.

Problems with the existing art in brushless DC motors include an inherent torque reduction at the time of commutation, friction and magnetic cogging which acting together are referred to as "torque ripple". Most commonly, a three-phase brushless DC motor utilizes only six commutation points per 360 electrical degrees and is driven by three signaling devices, such as hall sensors.
One solution to the problem of torque ripple has been the use of sinusoidal current drive systems. However, these are extremely expensive and require a high accuracy shaft angle detector physically built into the motor structure followed by a large amount of accompanying electronic circuitry.
It is known to utilize 12-step commutation in a three-phase stepper motor to achieve twelve torque-producing steps within each 360 electrical degrees U S. Pat. No. 3,621,358 to Hinrichs et al, which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses such a wiring circuit which is driven by a clock pulse generator connected to a shift register and logic gates producing a stepper motor with twelve steps per every 360 electrical degrees.

Sinusoidal signal decoder for 12-step motor commutation


A retractable headrest exhibiting a plate shaped support embedded within a seatback. A scissor linkage includes a plurality of interconnecting and overlapping link arms pivotally secured to the plate support at one end thereof. A spring biased rivet is disposed at an overlapping intermediate location of the link arms for travel along a linear extending channel defined in the support. A carriage connects to the other end of the scissor linkage and is linearly displaceable along the plate support. A headrest support rod is connected to the carriage and extends from the seatback. A spring loaded and rotatable pawl is pivotally supported proximate a base end of the scissor linkage and includes a catch location in engagement with a first pin extending from the support. A first cable extends from a first remote location and connects to the pawl. A second cable extends from a second remote location and connects to the carriage. During rotation of the seatback from an upright design position to a forward dump position, actuation of the first cable pivots the pawl against its bias to unseat the catch location from the pin, concurrent actuation of the second cable exerting a pulling force to compress the scissor linkage to a retracted position.

The prior art is documented with various types of adjustable headrest assemblies. Hoekstra, U.S. Pat. No. 7,140,687 teaches a spring loaded headrest with a head support connected to a rail adjustably mounted to a housing for moving the headrest between use and stow positions. The rail is further biased to the stow position upon releasing a lock member and such that movement of the seatback from the use to stow positions cause the headrest to likewise retract. A similar headrest retraction mechanism is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,565, to Tame and by which a control mechanism automatically moves the headrest between deployed and retracted positions in response to pivotal movement of the seat back. Other examples of prior art headrest designs include those disclosed in each of Veine, U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,064, Fischer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,558, Estrada, U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,242 and Bartels, U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,415.


A software agent is provided which executes instructions on a local user's computer to retrieve potentially changing information content from remote target sources, including web pages, over a computer network, such as the Internet. Different types of software agents are available to retrieve different types of information content from remote sites. Agent types include a smart agent, a search agent, a custom agent for detailed tasks and an RSS agent for retrieving structured XML format documents from remote Internet sites. Information retrieved by the agents is formatted and stored locally for presentation in a publication on the local computer. Publication templates can display target content retrieved by multiple agents from many different remote target pages.

The present invention relates generally to the field of programmed software agents and in particular to a new and useful software agent for retrieving changing information from predetermined networked web sites.
There are many different types of networks presently known and existing. Local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANS) are typically internal to an organization. These networks are usually isolated from outside users or other networks, but may be interconnected. The Internet is a large global network of interconnected computers.
A particular computer or a file containing information on such a computer may be found through an "address" or URL (uniform resource locator). Any computer which is connected to a network, and especially, the Internet, must have an address which identifies it to the other computers on the network.
Computers which are permanently connected to a network may have files identified by specific URLs which can be accessed by other, remote computer users also connected to the network. When the files contain text and graphics in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) or similar languages, these files are often referred to as "web pages". Web pages can be viewed by different users with a software application known as a web browser, such as Netscape's NAVIGATOR browser or Microsoft's INTERNET EXPLORER browser. Each web page that is stored on one of these networked computers has a distinctive URL which can consistently be used to locate the web page and its current content for display in a browser application window.
Web page files which are in HTML or a similar language contain formatting and presentation instructions that can be used by a remote user's web browser to display the content of the web page on their local computer. The text and graphics on the web page that the remote user actually sees are typically referred to as "content".
In recent years, the Internet computer network has become increasingly commercial and continues to grow in size at a rapid rate. It is possible to find massive amounts of information on trivial subjects in a short period of time using the Internet. However, due to the commercial nature of some sites, advertising has become a major portion of many web sites. On some web pages, the amount of advertising can dwarf the information content of the page. Other pages contain so much information, it is difficult for a user to discern which information is most relevant to him.
The formatting of web pages using HTML and related languages divides content into particular sections, or structures. Often, only one or two of the structures of a particular web page will contain useful information content. The remainder of the page may be advertising or irrelevant information.
Search engines exist to help users find information content on web pages by indexing the pages of owners who register with the search engine against the terms which appear in their web pages. When a user accesses a search engine, the terms entered into the search engine are compared to the previously indexed terms and a listing of hyperlinks to potentially relevant sites is presented to the user. The listing of hyperlinks is generated based on the search engines best guess of which sites are most relevant using a weighting of the search terms. A search engine is not an exceptionally accurate way to find information. But, when a source location is not known, it provides a good starting point.
Agent software, sometimes referred to as "intelligent agents", "robots", "bots" or "spiders" is generally known in the art of computers. The term intelligent agent can be used to mean a broad range of software programs having pre-programmed logic for performing particular functions. The particular functions, programming and purpose vary from agent to agent. Most software referred to as intelligent agents operates on many different computers across a network. That is, the agent functions are distributed and require the cooperation of at least two computers.
Agents may be used to perform commercial transactions, such as the intelligent agent disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,200. The agent is used to execute tasks electronically using given information and learned information. The agent quickly performs actions across a network which would otherwise be very time-consuming for the user who enabled the agent.
Software agents which can be programmed to perform particular functions are thus very useful and have many different applications.
Agent software executing on a user's personal computer which can retrieve, format and display content from many different remote sources to the user's local personal computer is not presently known.

Locally executing software agent for retrieving remote content and method for creation and use of the agent


An improved packaging clip, packaging system, and method are disclosed for securing windows and doors and holding them square during shipment and installation. In one embodiment for a window unit, a packaging clip comprises a projection that fits into a jamb track channel in a window frame and a base that contacts and rests against the check rail of a window sash. The packaging clip may be fastened to each jamb of the window frame by a screw. A coupling member is pulled taught between the two packaging clips and fasteners are installed to attach the clips to the jambs and to secure the end portions of the coupling member to the clips. This holds the window frame intact and square during shipment and installation and, since the coupling member does not wrap around the outsides of the window frame, it does not interfere with installation of the unit.

Maintaining accurate alignment between the frame and sashes of a window is a major factor in providing a good seal against wind and water between the sashes and the frame, as well as ensuring smooth operation of slidable sashes. Alignment of the window unit sashes, frame, and other members relative to one another is best done during factory assembly of the window unit. However, it has proven difficult, and often economically unfeasible, to maintain proper alignment of the unit during transport and possibly warehousing and retail display of the window units, without taking special, possibly expensive and inconvenient measures. Similar considerations also apply to sliding doors and gliding windows.
Misalignment can take several forms. Jambs may become warped or bent outwards, due, for example, to the outward pressure of seals and weather stripping between the sashes and the jambs. Window units may be improperly stacked at some point in the transportation process, allowing the weight of the sashes to cause excessive compression of the seals or weather stripping, to the point of creep, thereby causing poor sealing when the sashes are returned to their proper position. Various bumping and dropping of the window units may cause the corner angles of frames to deviate significantly from their intended values, typically 90°, a phenomenon known as racking.
While robust packaging can improve the chances of window units arriving at the construction site in an aligned condition, such packaging can become expensive, and there is still the possibility that misalignment will occur after removal of the packaging, but prior to installation.
There is therefore a need to preserve the alignment of sliding closures such as windows provided at the factory throughout the transportation, sale, and installation, without adding excessive cost and without complicating the installation process.

Packaging and installation system for double hung windows and other sliding closures


A pixel-by-pixel calibration method is provided. Multiple sample cabinets are selected from to-be-calibrated cabinets to form a small screen with the sample cabinets, image acquisitions are performed on the small screen and luminance-chrominance mean deviation ratios are calculated. The sample cabinets are placed at fulcrum positions of a large screen to be calibrated, and the other remaining cabinets are placed at other positions. Full-screen original luminance-chrominance values are obtained by image acquisition on the large screen, original luminance-chrominance values of the sample cabinets are adjusted by the luminance-chrominance mean deviation ratios, and luminance-chrominance distribution fitting surfaces are generated by adjusted full-screen original luminance-chrominance values to amend the full-screen original luminance-chrominance values. Amended full-screen luminance-chrominance values are used as luminance-chrominance initial values and luminance-chrominance target values are set, and full-screen pixel-by-pixel calibration coefficients of the large screen are obtained. The effect of arbitrarily splicing LED cabinets after calibration can be achieved.

In recent years, the LED display screen rental industry has developed faster and faster, and characteristics of rental display screens are as follows: 1) different used time lengths of a same batch of cabinets would bring different degrees of cabinet-level luminance-chrominance differences; 2) an additional order required to a same batch of cabinets would bring luminance-chrominance differences between new and old cabinets; and 3) replacement of light board (also referred to as display unit board) in a same batch of cabinets would bring a light board-level luminance-chrominance difference in the cabinet. For the rental display screens with the above characteristics, if the rental display screen built/assembled in a factory and processed by an existing calibration method is dissembled and then cabinets thereof are arbitrarily spliced together in a rental site, the luminance-chrominance in each cabinet is approximately uniform/even but there is a problem of inconsistent surface transition among the cabinets. At present, there are three main methods for pixel-by-pixel calibrations of rental display screens in the industry as follows that: a first method is to record cabinet calibration numbers and assemble a display screen at each rental site in strict accordance with the order of the calibration numbers, but this method is time-consuming and laborious and further cannot be universal; a second method is to carry out a full-screen calibration after a LED screen is assembled at each rental site, this method can ensure luminance-chrominance uniformity of the display screen at the rental site, but the frequent calibration is too troublesome and thus renters/lessors are unacceptable; and a third method is to use high-precision luminance-chrominance measuring instruments such as Minolta CS100A, CS2000, etc., and in particular a luminance-chrominance meter is employed in the factory to standardize in a manner of cabinet-by-cabinet to thereby calibrate each rental cabinet, this method is currently the mainstream, but expensive luminance-chrominance measuring instruments are also difficult to be accepted by the renters. Therefore, the rental screens put forward higher requirements for the pixel-by-pixel calibration technology of LED display screens.


A cooking aid and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The cooking aid includes a piece of foil for wrapping around a turkey or other fowl or food to serve as a cooking blanket to retain heat and moisture, and also serve as a lifter for lifting the fowl out of a roasting pan. The foil typically includes one or more pleated sections having panels folded along longitudinal folds which may be unfolded to expand the piece of foil. The foil may include left and right pleated sections with a central section of the foil therebetween. Drain holes are typically formed in the central section, which may also be embossed with logos or the like. Axial sections of the foil may be folded at an axial fold to overlay one another. Portions of the foil may be formed into rolled handles to help lift the fowl.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a cooking aid and the method of using the same for cooking in a standard oven. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cooking blanket and lifter for a turkey or other fowl or food to aid in cooking as well as lifting the fowl or other food out of a cooking pan. Specifically, the present invention relates to such a blanket and lifter which is formed of foil.
2. Background Information
A variety of methods are known for cooking turkeys and other relatively large fowl. One method recommends cooking the turkey in an oven uncovered while basting the turkey frequently. Many cooks add blankets such as foil to help retain the heat and moisture in the turkey. Pan liners are also available for cooking turkeys to minimize the mess which typically results to the baking pan. In addition, a lifter may be used within the roasting pan so that the turkey roasted thereon may be lifted out of the pan in one piece. However, such lifters are typically not easy to use. The lifting process often leaves messy fluids on the counter and floor. Thus, there is a need in the art for a lifter and blanket which is inexpensive, easy to use and eliminates various problems with the prior art.


A fast response temperature probe, and method of manufacture, for use in the refrigerant line of a refrigeration system comprising: a temperature sensitive element; means for operably connecting the temperature sensitive element to a control line of a refrigeration system controller; an inner housing supporting the temperature sensitive element at a first end and enclosing the operable connection means; and an outer housing surrounding the temperature sensitive element and the inner housing, the outer housing including at least one aperture located in proximity to the temperature sensitive element.

The present invention is directed to a temperature sensor for a refrigeration system, and more particularly, to a fast response temperature probe for direct immersion in the refrigerant flow line of a refrigeration system.
The addition of microprocessors and electronic expansion valves to refrigeration systems has demonstrated the need for a fast response temperature probe located in the refrigerant flow lines. Such a probe must be protected from damage from the force of refrigerant flow and from errors resulting from gas or contaminant accumulations.
Previous probes for direct immersion in refrigerant flow lines such as the probe shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,951 to Szymaszek have been encased in a hard protective shell to prevent damage to the probe from the force of the refrigerant flow when the probe is located in the refrigerant flow line. Such probes are not fast response probes due to the delay incurred while the temperature of the refrigerant penetrates the protective shell.
Other probes such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,858 to Kojima et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 3,059,443 to Garner show fast response probes used for measuring gas and contaminants to determine refrigerant dryness, but these probes are located in pockets above the refrigerant flow line. These probes are not located in the refrigerant flow lines because the force of the refrigerant flow damages the sensing elements of these types of probes.
Similarly U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,090,371 to Keane and 4,653,288 to Sayao et al. show fast response temperature probes which are located in a compressor and a liquid tank respectively. These probes are not located in liquid refrigerant flow lines and are not protected from the turbulent flow of refrigerant in a liquid refrigerant flow line.

Thermistor probe for exposed sensing element for direct immersion in refrigerant flows


There is provided an operational amplifier capable of detecting that an input terminal has been open circuited without restricting the voltage range of an input signal. The operational amplifier includes a first comparator which detects that an inverting input terminal of an operational amplifier has been open circuited, a second comparator which detects that a non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier has been open circuited, a first resistor and a first switch which are controlled by output signals of the first comparator and the second comparator and which are connected in series between the non-inverting input terminal and a ground terminal of the operational amplifier, and a second resistor and a second switch which are connected in series between the inverting input terminal and a supply terminal of the operational amplifier.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an operational amplifier and more particularly to an operational amplifier capable of preventing, without restricting an input signal voltage range, an output terminal from becoming inconstant when an input terminal is open circuited.
2. Background Art
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a conventional operational amplifier. The conventional operational amplifier is comprised of comparators 301 and 303, reference voltage circuits 302 and 304, an OR circuit 305, a constant current circuit 306, an operational amplifier 106, resistors 307 and 308, input terminals 101 and 102, an output terminal 103, a supply terminal 104, and a ground terminal 105.
The operation of the conventional operational amplifier will be described.
The comparator 301 outputs a high signal when the voltage of a non-inverting input terminal exceeds the voltage of the reference voltage circuit 302. The voltage of the reference voltage circuit 302 is set to a voltage that is lower than a voltage VDD of the supply terminal 104. When the input terminal 101 is placed in an open state, the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator 301 is pulled up to the voltage VDD by the resistor 307. This enables the comparator 301 to detect that the input terminal 101 has been open circuited.
The comparator 303 outputs the High signal when the voltage of the inverting input terminal reduces to be lower than the voltage of the reference voltage circuit 304. The voltage of the reference voltage circuit 304 is set to a voltage that is higher than a voltage VSS of the ground terminal 105. If the input terminal 102 is open circuited, then the inverting input terminal of the comparator 303 is pulled down to the voltage VSS by the resistor 308. This enables the comparator 303 to detect that the input terminal 102 has been open circuited.
If an output signal of either one of the comparator 301 and the comparator 303 becomes a high signal, then the OR circuit 305 outputs a high signal. The constant current circuit 306 stops, so that the output terminal 103 of the operational amplifier 106 exhibits high impedance, making it possible to externally notify that the input terminal of the operational amplifier has been open circuited (refer to, for example, Patent Document 1).
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-143239
However, according to the conventional operational amplifier, there has been a problem in that an input terminal resistance cannot be increased in a normal operation mode, thus inconveniently restricting the voltage range of input signals that can be handled by the operational amplifier.
There has been another problem in that the output of the output terminal becomes inconstant when the input terminal is open circuited, resulting in an unstable operation of a circuit connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier.


A system and method for communicating information over an insecure communications network include one or more computing devices that may access a first server via the communication network. In operation the first server displays an authentication Web page having a virtual pad with a plurality of characters that may be selected directly from a display of the computing device.

This invention generally relates to systems and methods for facilitating communications over a public network and more particularly relates to systems and methods for securely communicating information over a public network.
Due to the development of the World Wide Web ("Web"), online communication over the Internet has experienced dramatic growth in recent years. For example, the Internet is used to conduct a broad range of commercial and financial transactions. Parties often use the communication capabilities of the Internet to enter into contracts or conduct business electronically and use electronic fund transfers (EFTs) to satisfy the resulting financial obligations. An EFT involves the movement of funds from one bank account to another in response to electronically-communicated payment instructions.
For example, an increasing number of merchants are developing websites that consumers may access and use to purchase goods and/or services. It is now common for a consumer to browse a merchant's online catalog, select a product, place an order for the product, and pay for the product all electronically over the Internet.
Although the Internet offers a fast, reliable, and efficient way to communicate and conduct business, information transmitted over the Internet or other global networks may be vulnerable to security breaches. For example, consumers typically pay for the goods and/or services ordered over the Internet with a credit card. During the online transaction, the merchant sends an order form and asks the consumer to enter personal data such as his name, address, and telephone number, and credit card information such as an account number and expiration date. The consumer returns the completed order form containing the credit card information to the merchant over the Internet.
Typically online merchants also direct the consumer to key in a personal identification number in a pop-up window to verify that the individual providing the credit card number is authorized to use the card. Therefore, in a typical online credit card transactions a keyboard reader installed on a computing device may be used to illicitly intercept the keystrokes used to enter the consumers PIN on the keyboard of the computing device. In addition, the credit card information may be intercepted in route and combined into a database with the PIN and used to make unauthorized purchases. In an automated environment, a thief can repeatedly use the stolen credit card information to readily conduct many online transactions before the consumer ever becomes aware that the credit card data has been stolen.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Parental dependency information for various data fields may be analyzed to create a data field hierarchy. Each of the data fields may be presented in a selectable list through an interface. Once a data field is selected, any immediate parent(s) and/or child(ren) field(s) of the active data element may be demarcated in the list according to the hierarchy. Additional data entry fields relating to the selected data field and its familial fields may also be displayed. Data in each of data fields may also be analyzed to identify fields with incomplete data. Systems and methods are provided.

Many organizations rely on databases and data sources that store data hierarchically. In some instances, business process data may be stored and processed hierarchically to reflect a chronological sequence of steps in the business process. The steps associated with processing a sales order, for example, may involve first identifying a customer and/or products to be sold, then selecting a quantity of the products, followed by processing payment information, and then shipping the order with an invoice, if necessary. These steps may be sequential and hierarchical because the order cannot be shipped, for example, until the products and customer have been identified.
Data records in a database may also be organized hierarchically. For example, each customer record containing information identifying different customers, such as customer names, addresses, billing information, zip codes, and so on, may be linked to one or more sales order records identifying products ordered by the respective customer on each occasion. Thus, the customer record may be parent record, and each linked sales order record may be child record linked to the parent customer record.
Data searches may also be conducted hierarchically. For example, when searching for specific data in a database, a user may first be prompted to enter information concerning a first field. A search for records matching the first field may be conducted, at which point the user may be prompted to enter information concerning a second field. A further search of records matching the first field may be conducted to identify a subset of those matching first field records that also have matching second field entries. The search may be classified as hierarchical because information in the first field of the data records are initially searched before information in the second field.
While simple hierarchical relationships between data, such as a simple one parent to one child relationship may be organized in a tree structure in an interface, with the child represented as a node branching from the parent, existing hierarchical data relationship organizational schemes become cluttered and/or non-functional as the hierarchical relationships between data elements become more complex. For example, existing visualization scheme are unable to accommodate a child data field originating from multiple parent elements, such as shown in FIG. 1, or multiple child fields spawning from a single parent. Even if the existing visualization schemes could be modified to accommodate a one-to-many relationship between parent-child data elements, it is still desirable to show the relationship in an intuitive and simple manner so that end users may readily understand the relationship between the data elements.
Accordingly, there is a need for a data element relationship visualization scheme that is able to intuitively depict complex hierarchical relationships between data elements in a workflow.

Progressive exploration of data relationships


A drive control circuit includes: a first protection circuit connected between a signal input line and a ground line and clamps a voltage of AC noise superimposed on the signal input line at one clamp level; a second protection circuit connected between the signal input line and the ground line and clamps the voltage of the AC noise superimposed on the signal input line at an other clamp level; and a drive signal generation circuit generating the drive signal based on a comparison between a voltage in the signal input line and Vt. The input signal has binary levels including an L-level voltage VL and an H-level voltage VH, and a mean voltage of the AC noise is lower than a differential voltage between Vt and VL and higher than a differential voltage between Vt and VH.

The ignition device for an internal combustion engine (hereinafter referred to as the ignition device) disclosed in Patent Literature 1 or the like has been increasingly reduced in size. This type of ignition device includes: a switching element applying or interrupting current flow in an ignition coil (i.e., load); and a control IC driving the switching element to turn on or off in response to an ignition signal (i.e., input signal) as a rectangular wave inputted from an engine ECU (i.e., electronic control device).
Since a high-frequency/high-voltage surge resulting from electrostatic discharge (i.e., ESD) may be applied to an input line (i.e., a signal input line) for the ignition signal, a surge protection circuit is provided in the input line. In addition, the measures against AC noise induced in the signal input line are also needed. Accordingly, as a circuit configured to protect the control IC from a negative surge and clamp the negative voltage of the AC noise, a diode connected between the signal input line and a ground line and having a cathode connected to the signal input line is used. The diode can be embedded in the control IC.

Drive control circuit, and ignition device for internal combustion engine


An apparatus and method for measuring the quality of a reverse link and the load of a base station (BTS) in a CDMA mobile telecommunication system. The apparatus and method periodically detect the power of a receiving signal from a mobile station to a BTS, constructs a practical statistical distribution curve for a power ratio of signal to interference, compares the practical distribution curve with the theoretical distribution curve pre-constructed based upon the parameter condition of a BTS, and determines the quality of a reverse link based upon the difference between the distribution curves. The link-quality measuring device has a power detecting unit for detecting the power of signals received by a BTS; a converter for digitizing the detected power; a controlling unit constructing a PDF (Probability Density Function) and/or a CDF (Cumulative Distribution Function) for a ratio of a received power to a background noise power using the digitized data, comparing the constructed function with the theoretical PDF and/or CDF for the ratio which is pre-calculated based upon various values of input parameters, and acquiring the traffic load according to the compared result; and data entering unit for receiving the values for the input parameters provided from an operator or an external device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring a quality of a reverse link and the traffic load applying to a base station (BTS) in a CDMA mobile telecommunication system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a CDMA mobile telecommunication system, a lot of mobile stations (MSs) communicate with each other via a single frequency allocation (FA). For this reason, the interference from other users has an effect on the quality of communication and the capacity of a system. While the interference of other users does not matter in a forward link since forward signals of all users are synchronous with orthogonal Walsh codes allocated respectively, the interference added to a reverse link has a great effect on the practical performance and capacity of a reverse link since each signal is asynchronous and used codes are not orthogonal each other.
The quality and the performance of a reverse link is highly dependent on the situation of a BTS, the environmental factors for MSs such as the number and moving velocity of a connected MS, moving status, and the quantity of packets being sent, the precision of power control, and the characteristics of air channels providing the signal paths between MSs and a BTS.
To measure the quality of a reverse link, a conventional method would include the step of measuring the quality of a forward link. This is accomplished by using a RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) or Ec/Io (Pilot Power/Total received power), which is measured in a MS, a transmitting power (TX power) of a MS, or a transmission adjusting value of a MS to analyze the quality of a reverse link indirectly.
To measure the quality of a reverse link directly, a voice quality measuring device, for example CECAMS is used.
However, there is no way to measure the service quality such as call drop and bad access since the direct-measuring method can tell only the voice quality. This method can measure the quality of a reverse link of specific time and area when and where the measuring device is installed. These measurements must be made frequently because buildings surrounding a BTS change the wave propagation conditions. However, it is very difficult and uneconomic to examine the thousands of BTS environments by the direct-measuring device at any time. Moreover, the interference from the surrounding cells and the other users, which has a great effect on a reverse link, is not considered in the conventional method.
For this reason, there is an increasing need to measure the quality of a reverse link not temporarily but permanently without involving an operator in measuring the link quality.
To satisfy the need that the link quality between a MSs and a BTS should be automatically measured, the inventions of U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,484, U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,359, and Published Japan Application No. 96-65229 are presented.
However, these methods measure the quality of a reverse link by estimating the traffic based upon the instantaneous power level of the received signals from MSs. Therefore, one of the drawbacks is that the estimated traffic varies in accordance with the power level of received signals.
In practical mobile telecommunication systems, since numerous environmental factors change the power of received signals, and the estimated traffic, which was obtained from the proposed method, varies in a moment, the estimated traffic can not tell the practical traffic of a concerned BTS.
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus that can measure an accurate traffic load and a reverse-link quality of a mobile telecommunication system by statistically calculating the quality of a reverse link and the traffic load of a concerned BTS.
The method and apparatus for measuring the quality of a reverse link according to the present invention which will detect the received power of a BTS, convert the detected power into digital signal by sampling, calculate a ratio of the received power to the background noise power, construct the probability density function (PDF) and/or the cumulative distribution function (CDF) for the calculated ratio values, compare the constructed function with a chosen PDF and/or CDF of a theoretical ratio of a received power to a background noise power which is pre-calculated depending upon specified parameters, and determine the traffic load and the link quality based upon the comparison results.

Apparatus and method for measuring quality of a reverse link in a CDMA system


A distortion compensator compensates for distortion of a signal caused by an amplifier. A storage section stores a plurality of compensation coefficients used for distortion compensation. A selection section selects a compensation coefficient corresponding to an index value indicative of a power level of the signal from among the plurality of compensation coefficients. The selection section determines whether or not the power level is higher than a threshold, and uses, based on a determination result, a first index value calculated without using a logarithmic operation or a second index value calculated by using a logarithmic operation.

In a radio communication system in which a plurality of radio communication apparatus transmit signals to one another, amplifiers (also referred to as power amplifiers) for amplifying transmitted signals before emitting them from antennas are used. An amplifier may have a nonlinear amplification characteristic. That is to say, the relationship between the power level of a signal inputted to an amplifier and the power level of a signal outputted from the amplifier may not be linear. The nonlinearity of an amplifier causes distortion of a transmitted signal. This may lead to inter-channel interference caused by power leakage into adjacent frequencies or a deterioration in radio communication quality.
Therefore, in order to control distortion of a transmitted signal which has passed through an amplifier, a radio communication apparatus may include a pre-distortion type distortion compensator. Before a transmitted signal is inputted to an amplifier, a pre-distortion type distortion compensator (also referred to as a predistorter) adds distortion having a characteristic reverse to the amplification characteristic to the transmitted signal. This controls distortion of the transmitted signal which has passed through the amplifier and compensates for the nonlinearity of the amplifier.
For example, a distortion compensator compensates for distortion of a transmitted signal by the use of a compensation coefficient corresponding to a power level of the transmitted signal. Some distortion compensators store a plurality of compensation coefficients used for distortion compensation in LUTs (LookUp Tables), designate addresses corresponding to the power levels of transmitted signals, and read out compensation coefficients from the LUTs. Furthermore, some distortion compensators compare original transmitted signals before distortion compensation with feedback signals generated from transmitted signals which have passed through amplifiers, and update compensation coefficients so as to make the differences between them small.
In addition, the following distortion compensator is proposed. The frequency with which each address in an LUT is designated is monitored. An address proportional to a power level is converted to an actual address in the LUT so as to equalize the frequency of designation. As a result, there is no great difference in frequency of update among a plurality of compensation coefficients.
International Publication Pamphlet No. WO03/103163
Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-49251
By the way, with a distortion compensator the following method is possible. A compensation coefficient is stored in a storage area, such as an LUT, so that it will be proportional to, for example, an index value (such as a power value, an amplitude, or a logarithm of the power value) indicative of a power level. A compensation coefficient is selected based on the index value. With the method for selecting a compensation coefficient by the use of one index value, however, compensation accuracy changes according to a power level. Accordingly, it is difficult to efficiently improve compensation accuracy in a wide range of power levels.
For example, if a plurality of compensation coefficients are prepared so that they will be proportional to a power value and an amplitude, then the number of compensation coefficients assigned to a range of power levels lower than an average may be smaller than that of compensation coefficients assigned to a range of power levels higher than the average. As a result, compensation accuracy may deteriorate on the low power level side. Furthermore, if a plurality of compensation coefficients are prepared so that they will be proportional to a logarithm of a power value, then the number of compensation coefficients assigned to a range of power levels higher than an average may be smaller than that of compensation coefficients assigned to a range of power levels lower than the average. As a result, compensation accuracy may deteriorate on the high power level side.

Distortion compensator and distortion compensation method


A method of reversing the formation of an oxidized off-flavor in milk that includes providing milk, and heating the milk to a temperature between approximately 70° C. and approximately 90° C. for a period of between approximately 25 seconds and approximately 60 seconds.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods for processing milk, and more particularly pertains to a new process for removing or reversing an oxidized off-flavor from milk.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Milk may acquire an off-taste in a number of ways. For example, under proper conditions, unsaturated fatty acids that are present in milk fat can react with oxygen to form oxidation products, and the presence of these oxidation products in the milk can give an "oxidized off-flavor" to the milk. More specifically, milk that has an oxidized off-flavor will exhibit a cardboard-like, metallic or tallowy taste and smell (Bodyfelt, F. W., J. Tobias, and G. M. Trout, 1988, The Sensory Evaluation of Dairy Products, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, N.Y.).
The rate of oxidation of these unsaturated fatty acids can be affected by many factors, including the amount of oxygen present in the environment, the degree of unsaturation of the lipid in the milk, the presence of antioxidants or pro-oxidants in the milk, the nature of the packaging material for the milk, the temperature of the storage of the milk, and the degree of light exposure to the milk (deMan, J. M., 1980, Principles of Food Chemistry, The AVI Publ. Co., Inc., Westport, Conn.). "Metal induced" oxidized off-flavor in milk was once a common problem caused by metal contamination of the milk, which resulted from exposure to dairy equipment that contained copper. Today most dairy equipment is manufactured from stainless steel, which does not cause metal contamination of milk and, thus, stainless steel does not contribute to a metal-induced oxidized off-flavor in milk. (Henderson, J. L., 1971, The Fluid-Milk Industry, 3rd ed., The AVI Publ. Co., Inc., Westport, Conn.). Despite this change in equipment, the problem of the oxidized off-flavor in milk has not disappeared.
In 1962, only about 3% of the fluid milk produced in the U.S. was packaged in plastic containers, while today about 81% of the fluid milk is packaged in plastic containers. Plastic containers that are clear in character easily transmit ultraviolet light (e.g., light waves in the 350 to 500 nanometer range), which is damaging to milk nutrients and can cause "light-induced" oxidized off-flavor (also known as light-activated flavor) in the milk (White, C., 1984, Dairy Record 85(4):122).
Ultraviolet light is produced by fluorescent lights, which are found in most dairy display cases in supermarkets in the United States. The time of light exposure that produces light-induced oxidized off-flavor in milk is dependent upon the distance of the milk container from the fluorescent light. It is estimated that for large supermarkets, the turnover rate of milk in the display case ranges from approximately 4 hours to 8 hours and the typical range of fluorescent light intensity is between 750 and 1000 lux (White, C., 1984, Dairy Record 85(4):122). Exposure of milk to fluorescent light for extended periods of time can also cause the loss of vitamins A, B2 (riboflavin) and C from the milk (Hansen, A., 1998, Hoard's Dairymen 143(4):147).
Several approaches have been reported for attempting to prevent or inhibit the acquisition of an oxidized off-flavor by milk. The reduction in the per capita consumption of milk in the U.S. has been attributed to the increased use of plastic milk containers and increased incidence of light-induced oxidized off-flavor (Hansen, A., 1998, Hoard's Dairymen 143(4):147). Paper milk cartons typically provide greater protection than clear glass or clear plastic from the development of light-induced oxidized off-flavor in milk. Opaque or pigment-modified containers can inhibit light-induced oxidized off-flavor. Such containers have been developed by adding light blocking agents to the resins before blow molding single-service plastic bottles (Bodyfelt, F. W., J. Tobias, and G. M. Trout, 1988, The Sensory Evaluation of Dairy Products, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, N.Y.). Today some dairy plants are offering milk in opaque colored bottles that protect the flavor and nutrients of the milk (Broihier, K., 1998, Food Processing 60(3):53). These containers do appear to offer better protection from light than clear plastic containers; however some light can still be transmitted through the wall of the container.
Other factors may minimize or reduce the formation of the oxidized off-flavor in milk. Homogenization of milk increases the surface area of the fat globules in the milk, and the composition and the properties of the fat globules change. The new membrane that is formed around the fat globule consists primarily of protein which protects the phospholipids in the milk fat from attack by oxygen. This mechanism can give the homogenized milk some protection against the development of a "metal-induced" oxidized off-flavor. However, the homogenized milk is more susceptible to "light-induced" oxidized off-flavor (Bodyfelt, F. W., J. Tobias, and G. M. Trout, 1988, The Sensory Evaluation of Dairy Products, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, N.Y.). High heat treatment of milk at 76° C. to 78° C. provides some protection against the development of an oxidized off-flavor. Sulfide and sulfhydryl groups from whey proteins are liberated or activated, which can act as antioxidants (Gould, I. A. and H. H. Sommer, 1939, Michigan Agr. Exp. Stn. Tech. Bull. 164).
Another factor which may control the formation of an oxidized off-flavor in milk is the introduction of green feed into the dairy cow rations (Bodyfelt, F. W., J. Tobias, and G. M. Trout, 1988, The Sensory Evaluation of Dairy Products, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, N.Y.). Also, increasing the tocopherol (vitamin E) content in the milk can inhibit the formation of an oxidized off-flavor in the milk (Krukovsky, 1949, J. Dairy Sci. 32:196).
The oxidative reaction, once started however, is a chain reaction. New free radicals are produced that continue the reaction, and oxidized off-flavor becomes stronger with time. Aldehydes, ketones and methional are compounds that typically cause oxidized off-flavors. "Metal-induced" oxidized off-flavor has been described as a cardboard-like or tallowy taste, and "light-induced" oxidized off-flavor has been described as a cabbage-like, chemical-like, burnt protein, burnt feathers, burnt plastic or mushroom-like taste (Bodyfelt, F. W., J. Tobias, and G. M. Trout, 1988, The Sensory Evaluation of Dairy Products, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, N.Y.). It has been postulated that when the amino acid methionine is exposed to light in the presence of riboflavin (vitamin B2), which is also present in milk, a degradation occurs which leads to the formation of methional. Methional is an important compound that contributes to "light-induced" oxidized off-flavor (Patton, S., 1954, J. Dairy Sci. 37:446).
While a number of studies have reported the inhibition or partial inhibition of the formation of a "light-induced" oxidized off-flavor in milk, none of the known studies have reported the reversal of a light-induced oxidized off-flavor in milk once the off-flavor has been formed in the milk.
Thus, while the known literature has dealt to some extent with attempts to prevent or mitigate the formation of an oxidized off-flavor in milk, the techniques described in the literature fail to address the reduction or elimination of the oxidized off-flavor in milk once it has occurred. Therefore, there is a need for a method for removing or reversing the oxidized off-flavor in the milk once it has occurred.

Method for reversing an oxidized off-flavor from milk


A key structure, which comprises a key cap, a linkage mechanism, a fixed base, a resilient assembly and a membrane circuit board, of a computer keyboard is provided, The key cap has a top and a bottom. The fixed base, formed with a receiving space, has a top and a bottom. The linkage mechanism is disposed between the key cap and the fixed base. The resilient assembly fits into the receiving space of the fixed base and connected to the bottom of the key cap. The membrane circuit board is disposed on the bottom of the fixed base and located under the resilient assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a key structure, which features a simplified manufacturing process, reduced costs, and improved waterproof performance, for use in a computer keyboard.
2. Descriptions of the Related Art
The key structure of a conventional computer keyboard comprises a metal board (e.g., an iron board) used as the supporting structure, with a fastening device for each of the key structures either formed directly onto the metal board or molded with a plastic-injecting mold. However, because different keyboards have different key arrangements, both methods require remolding for each different keyboard design, which is not only labor- and time-consuming, but also increases costs.
Taiwan patent No. 454934 published on Sep. 11, 2001 discloses a key switch device. According to the disclosure thereof, the fastening device, which comprises a supporting base and a guiding base, is directly formed onto the substrate (equivalent to the metal board described above). However, this device also needs to be remolded depending on the specific keyboard design. Moreover, a plurality of holes has to be formed in the circuit device disposed on the membrane circuit board for the supporting base and the guiding base to insert into the board. As a result, the manufacturing process is labor- and time-consuming and expensive. The key switch device also has a poor waterproof performance because water may penetrate into the membrane circuit board through the plurality of holes.
Taiwan patent No. 427536 published on Mar. 21, 2001 discloses a notebook computer keyboard. The notebook computer keyboard comprises a hard printed circuit board (PCB), a plurality of contact elements, a plurality of enclosing bases, a plurality of resilient assemblies, and a plurality of key switches. The hard PCB comprises an insulating substrate and a signal-transmitting layer for transmitting a plurality of key signals. The contact elements are disposed above the hard PCB, while the enclosing bases are also disposed above the hard PCB. Each enclosing base has a fastening device and a hole in the middle for accommodating an individual contact element. Each enclosing base is joined together with the hard PCB using the melting method. The resilient assemblies are respectively disposed above the contact elements, and are embedded and fastened into the enclosing bases, so that when the resilient assemblies are pressed, the key signals will be sent out. Each of the key switches includes a key cap and a supporting device. Each supporting device is attached to each fastening device of each enclosing base, while each key cap is disposed above the contact element and the resilient assembly. When a key switch is pressed, the key cap thereof would drive the resilient assembly to move downwards to close the corresponding contact element. Unfortunately, since this notebook computer keyboard uses a hard PCB as the substrate, the manufacturing process thereof is relatively complex due to the complicated multi-layer structure, of the hard PCB. As a result, manufacturing costs are increased.
In view of these shortcomings, many research efforts have been combined with the application of pertinent theories to provide an improved and inventive structure with a reasonable design.


A linear power controller and related circuitry may be implemented to provide linear control of a variable DC electric motor. The controller and motor are coupled to form a closed loop for controlling the speed of the motor and for adjusting or compensating for noise and other characteristics having a negative impact on performance. The circuitry is configured to have a crossover frequency that is below the motor noise frequency. The configuration of the crossover frequency may allow for the motor or the controller to be implemented without additional circuitry to filter or compensate for motor noise.

Various techniques for controlling and operating DC variable speed electric motors are implemented in conventional systems. Such techniques are sometimes implemented specifically in the context of automobiles, and specifically for the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning ("HVAC") systems in automobiles to control and operate a DC motor component of the system. In many such instances, circuitry is implemented to provide a linear motor speed response with respect to a control signal.
Motor noise is generally a problem in such systems, particularly in the context of an HVAC system. Some known systems employ filter circuitry integrated with a motor to improve, i.e., reduce, motor noise. Some of the disadvantages of such techniques are that it adds to the cost of manufacture (e.g., the fewer components in the motor in the system, potentially the less costly to produce) and adds to the complexity of designing systems around the motor. More complicated systems have a tendency to require additional repair or replacement, as well.
To implement linear control for the motor in such systems, circuitry that establishes a control loop with the motor is sometimes implemented. The implementation of a control loop may often need to meet various criteria of its own that may exist irrespective of considerations for the motor. For example, the control loop may need to sufficiently vary a supply current to meet system requirements and may need to address concerns in variation and noise in battery signals.
Thus, it is desired to provide linear motor control that avoids the disadvantage of requiring filter circuitry.

Noise improved linear DC motor control systems and methods


Presented herein is a method and system for facilitating registration of a wireless push to talk device with various network components of a cellular system. In the exemplary embodiment, subsequent attempts to register with the network component are timed according to the Reg_PRD value of the IS-95 System Parameter Message. Other values associated with the applicable wireless carrier protocol may similarly be used.

Known push to talk systems exist that allow integration of packetized push to talk functionality with existing circuit switched-based wireless operation. Wireless push to talk mobile devices utilize known commercial cellular systems infrastructure, such as the CDMA-based network that is operated by Verizon Wireless, to support push to talk functionality.
It is known that push to talk functionality on cellular systems is achieved by utilizing the data transport capabilities of the wireless device and related network components of the cellular network, whereby digitized voice is packetized into data packets, such as IP packets, at the wireless device and then transported over various data transport related components of the cellular network. The Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) is typically used in conjunction with a push to talk control server and other relevant data network components, to facilitate push to talk SIP call origination and call maintenance.
Because push to talk connectivity is expected by subscribers to be near instantaneous, wireless push to talk devices generally operate in an "always on" state, whereby the wireless push to talk device remains logged with components of the cellular network that relate to data network functionality. This, in turn, requires that the wireless push to talk device remain registered with the various network components regulating the wireless push to talk device's access to the transport facilities of the cellular network.
Accordingly, a wireless push to talk device first registers, and remains registered, with various network components before it can engage, or be made available to engage, in push to talk conversation. For example, a wireless push to talk device may need to register with a Home Location Register (HLR), an Authentication, Accounting and Authorization server (AAA) and a push to talk control server.
Often times, one or more of the network elements with which registration is required are not available due to any one of various reasons, such as a power outage or software malfunction, thus causing a wireless push to talk device to loose connectivity with the network elements as well as causing it to loose the ability to engage in push to talk activity. Upon loosing connectivity, a wireless push to talk device operating in "always on" mode will immediately attempt to reestablish communications and again register with the network component with which it has lost registration. Upon failure of subsequent registration attempts, the wireless device will continuously make additional attempts to register with the relevant network component until successful. Repeated registration attempts can lead to severe network congestion in situations where hundreds, if not thousands, of wireless push to talk devices are continuously attempting to register with the various network components at the same time. Since, at any given time, only a fraction of push to talk subscribers are attempting to engage in push to talk communications, a continuous attempt by all wireless push to talk devices to register with one or more network components at the same time should be avoided.

Method and system for facilitating a power-on registration for use with a wireless push to talk system


A mooring line assembly for a watercraft has an elastic line having a first end and a second end, the first end of the elastic line being adapted for connection to the watercraft, a mooring line having a first end and a second end, the first end of the mooring line being connected to the second end of the elastic line, and a housing adapted for connection to the watercraft. The mooring line extends through the housing and is pullable therethrough from a retracted position to a plurality of extended positions. The elastic line is adapted for returning the mooring line to the retracted position from the plurality of extended positions. A watercraft provided with the mooring line assembly is also disclosed.

Mooring lines are typically used to secure a watercraft to a mooring such as a dock. The mooring lines are connected between cleats or other structures provided on the watercraft and on the mooring. However, storage of the mooring lines when not in use can be inconvenient. Also, if the unused mooring lines are not properly wound and stored, it can lead to knots forming in the mooring lines.
One solution to these problems is to provide a retractable mooring line assembly. Some versions of these include a spring-loaded spool around which the mooring line is wound. A ratcheting mechanism, or other mechanism, allows a desired length of mooring line to be unwound and used to secure the watercraft to the mooring.
Although retractable mooring line assemblies of the type described above address the above-mentioned problems, they also have certain inconveniences. Depending on the type of mooring line being used, the mooring line can swell when wet, which can jam the mechanism of the retractable mooring line assembly. Such retractable mooring line assemblies can also be bulky, which can make them difficult to provide at a convenient location for such an assembly on a small watercraft such as a personal watercraft.
One solution to the bulk issue associated with the type of retractable mooring line assemblies described above is to reduce the diameter and/or the length of the mooring line used. Both of these solutions result in a wound mooring line with a smaller overall diameter of the coil defined by the wound mooring line. However, using a smaller diameter of mooring line may compromise the strength of the mooring line and using a shorter mooring line limits the distance at which the watercraft can be from a structure on a mooring permitting attachment of the mooring line.
Therefore, there is a desire for a mooring line assembly that provides the convenience of a retractable mooring line assembly, while addressing the inconveniences of such assemblies.


This invention relates to a false ceiling, constituted by a taut sheet fastened, along its edges, to a support fixed to the walls of a room, said false ceiling being characterized in that the rail presents a downwardly open recess, defined by two vertical flanges of different heights, namely a first flange of small height and a second flange of greater height and extending downwardly further than the first flange, and in that the first flange, of small height, of the rail terminates, at its lower end, in a shoulder extending horizontally in the direction of the second flange of greater height and stopping at a distance therefrom in order to define, between the second flange and the shoulder, a passage allowing the introduction of the harpoon, forming the edge of the taut sheet, upwardly in the recess.

False ceilings are already known, which comprise, on the one hand, a horizontal frame fixed to the upper part of the walls of a room, this frame being formed by an outer rail, itself constituted by butt-jointed sections, and, on the other hand, a sheet stretched horizontally within this frame, this sheet being constituted by a sheet of plastics material or cloth. The sheet is maintained taut due to the fastening, on the rail, of a border fast with the sheet, forming to some extent a "harpoon", this border presenting in cross section the shape of a hook gripping on a shoulder of the rail.
Heretofore known false ceilings, although they incontestably improve the aesthetics of the rooms in which they are installed, nonetheless present the drawback of leaving visible, all around the room, the lower part of the rail serving for their fastening.
It is an essential object of the present invention to overcome this drawback by providing a false ceiling of which the sheet is fastened to the rail forming support so as totally to hide the fastening rail and considerably to facilitate positioning of the border of the taut sheet on its retaining shoulder.

False ceiling constituted by a taut sheet fastened, along its edges, to a support fixed to the walls of a room of a building


A method and apparatus for enabling a network service provider, e.g., a VoIP network provider, to create configuration files containing network based parameters that support global telephony capabilities (e.g., in country services) such as in country ring tones, dialing patterns, network announcements, and signaling tones that can be offered to users who want in country telephony capabilities independent of their location is disclosed. These global telephony capability configurations can be downloaded to intelligent IP phones or based in the VoIP network for access by subscribers' telephony devices.

For various reasons, users in one country may desire to have in country phone numbers in a different country, thereby allowing the users to appear local in regions anywhere in the world. For example, users who live in the United States but are expatriates of India may want a telephone number that appears local to a region in Bangalore. These "in country" local numbers allow friends and families of subscribers to avoid the high cost of making international calls when calling the subscribers who are globally dispersed.
Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus for enabling global telephony capabilities in a packet network, e.g., a VoIP network.

Method and apparatus for enabling global telephony capabilities in communication networks


A mobile network operator (MNO) base station, e.g., an eNB, instructs a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) user equipment (UE) to monitor to detect signals from base stations in its MVNO network and to report back the results. If the UE reports to the MNO base station, that it has detected signals from base stations, e.g. CBSDs, in its MVNO, the MNO base station applies one or more rules included in a stored Service Profile Identifier, corresponding to the UE, the applying of the one or more rules causes the MNO base station to disconnect or deny service to the UE. Alternatively, when it is determined that the UE did not detect a signal from a base station, e.g. a CBSD, in its MVNO, then the MNO base station provides communications service to the UE.

MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) servicer providers often use network devices which they own or control to provide services to customers with one or more partner networks (MNO partner networks) being used to supplement the coverage available from the MVNO's own network or devices. For cost reasons it can be desirable to avoid or limit the use of MNO partner networks but the amount of control over a partner's network is often limited.
Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) is a 150 MHz wide broadcast band of the 3.5 GHz band (3550 MHz to 3700 MHz) in the United States. The CBRS band has been designated for sharing among three tiers of users: incumbent users, priority licensees and generally authorized. The CBRS band can be used at relatively low cost compared to other frequency bands since users need not buy an exclusive license to use the band. Given the cost advantages of using CBRS, but its potential lack of availability or reliability, it can be desirable to use CBRS in combination with services provided by a cellular operator with cellular services being relied upon in areas where CBRS service is unavailable.
While cellular operators are often willing to partner with other operators, they normally like to maintain control over their networks. While cellular operators are often willing to provide service on a contractual basis to customers of other networks, for security and other reasons cellular service providers normally do not like to provide other service providers insight into their customers and/or direct control over distribution of service profile information in their network. Service profile information is often used to control what services are provided to individual devices within a cellular provider's network.
While operators of CBRS based networks can provide service to customers in a cost competitive manner, customers may experience brief drops in CBRS coverage when a mobile communications device changes direction, e.g., because a vehicle in which the device is located turns or changes direction, or a mobile device briefly passes behind an obstruction such as a building. In many cases such movement can cause a brief coverage outage, e.g., lasting 10 seconds or less in some cases, a mobile communications device which can receive service via a cellular network as a backup may connect to Such loss of connectivity may in many cases trigger a UE to connect to a cellular base station. Once connected to a cellular base station the connection with the cellular base station may remain good for an extended period of time. The good connection can discourage a UE from switching back to the MVNO's network with the UE remaining on the cellular service for a lengthy period of time even though the UE may be near a base station corresponding to the MVNO's network and could have switched the MVNO's network.
It would be desirable if methods and/or apparatus could be developed which would allow user equipments (UEs) receiving service from MVNO networks to avoid connecting with and remaining connected to a cellular base station for extended periods of time in areas where a loss of connectivity to a MVNO network device is likely to be short term, e.g., because the UE is moving through an area in which the MVNO network devices provide coverage.

Service profile identifier (SPID) based network transition technique with user equipment (UE) reporting


A feed-through component for a conductor feed-through which passes through a part of a housing, for example a battery housing, is embedded in a glass or glass ceramic material and has at least one conductor, for example an essentially pin-shaped conductor, and a head part. The surface, in particular the cross-sectional surface, of the head part is greater than the surface, in particular the cross-sectional surface, of the conductor, for example of the essentially pin-shaped conductor. The head part is embodied such that is can be joined to an electrode-connecting component, for example an electrode-connecting part, which may be made of copper, a copper alloy CuSiC, an aluminum alloy AlSiC or aluminum, with a mechanically stable and non-detachable connection.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a feed-through component for a conductor feed-through which passes through a part of a housing, for example, a battery housing, which is embedded in a glass or glass ceramic material. The feed-through component includes an essentially pin-shaped conductor and a head part.
2. Description of the Related Art
Accumulators, preferably lithium-ion batteries are intended for various applications, for example for portable electronic equipment, cell phones, power tools and in particular electric vehicles. The batteries can replace traditional energy sources, for example lead-acid batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries or nickel-metal hydride batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries have been known for many years. In this regard we refer you to the "Handbook of Batteries, published by David Linden, 2nd issue, McGrawhill, 1995, chapters 36 and 39". Various aspects of lithium-ion accumulators are described in a multitude of patents, for example: U.S. Pat. Nos. 961,672; 5,952,126; 5,900,183; 5,874,185; 5,849,434; 5,853,914; and 5,773,959.
Lithium-ion batteries, in particular for applications in the automobile industry, generally feature a multitude of individual battery cells which are generally connected in-series. The in-series connected battery cells are usually combined into so-called battery packs and then to a battery module which is also referred to as a lithium-ion battery. Each individual battery cell has electrodes which are led out of a housing of the battery cell.
In particular in the use of lithium-ion batteries in the automobile industry, a multitude of problems such as corrosion resistance, stability in accidents and vibration resistance must be solved. An additional problem is the hermetic seal of the battery cells over an extended period of time. The hermetic seal may, for example, be compromised by leakage in the area of the electrodes of the battery cell, or respectively the electrode feed-through of the battery cell. Such leakages may, for example, be caused by temperature changes and alternating mechanical stresses, for example vibrations in the vehicle or aging of the synthetic material. A short-circuit or temperature changes in the battery or respectively battery cell can lead to a reduced life span of the battery or the battery cell.
In order to ensure better stability in accidents, a housing for a lithium-ion battery is suggested, for example in DE 101 05 877 A1, whereby the housing includes a metal jacket which is open on both sides and which is being sealed. The power connection or respectively the electrodes are insulated by a synthetic material. A disadvantage of the synthetic material insulation is the limited temperature resistance, the limited mechanical stability, aging and the uncertain hermetic seal over the service life. The feed-throughs on the lithium-ion batteries according to the current state of the art are therefore not integrated hermetically sealed into the cover part of the lithium-ion battery. Moreover, the electrodes are crimped and laser welded connecting components with additional insulators in the interior of the battery, or respectively battery cell.
An additional problem with the lithium-ion batteries according to the current state of the art is that the battery cells occupy a large space and because of the high currents due to resistance losses, heat and temperature changes occur quickly.
An alkaline battery has become known from DE 27 33 948 A1 wherein an insulator, for example glass or ceramic, is joined directly by means of a fusion bond with a metal component.
One of the metal parts is connected electrically with one anode of the alkaline battery and the other is connected electrically with one cathode of the alkaline battery. The metals used in DE 27 33 948 A1 are iron or steel. Light metals like aluminum are not described in DE 27 33 948 A1. Also, the sealing temperature of the glass or ceramic material is not cited in DE 27 33 948 A1. The alkaline battery described in DE 27 33 948 A1 is a battery with an alkaline electrolyte which, according to DE 27 33 948 A1, contains sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. Lithium-ion batteries are not mentioned in DE 27 33 948 A1.
A method to produce asymmetrical organic carboxylic acid esters and to produce anhydrous organic electrolytes for alkali-ion batteries has become known from DE 698 04 378 T2, or respectively EP 0885 874 B1. Electrolytes for rechargeable lithium-ion cells are also described in DE 698 04 378 T2, or respectively EP 0 885 874 B1.
An RF-feed through, or radio frequency feed-through, with improved electrical efficiency is described in DE 699 23 805 T2, or respectively EP 0 954 045 B1. The feed-throughs known from DE 699 23 805 T2, or respectively EP 0 954 045 B1, are not glass-metal feed-throughs. Glass-metal feed-throughs which are provided immediately inside, for example the metal wall of a packing, are described in EP 0 954 045 B1 as being disadvantageous since RF-feed throughs of this type, due to embrittlement of the glass, are not durable.
DE 690 230 71 T2, or respectively EP 0 412 655 B1, describes a glass-metal feed-through for batteries or other electro-chemical cells, whereby glasses having a SiO2 content of approximately 45 weight % are being used and metals, in particular alloys are being used which contain molybdenum and/or chromium and/or nickel. The use of light metals is also insufficiently addressed in DE 690 230 71 T2, as are sealing temperatures or bonding temperatures for the used glasses. The materials used for the pin shaped conductor are, according to DE 690 230 71 T2 or respectively EP 0 412 655 B1, alloys which contain molybdenum, niobium or tantalum.
A glass-metal feed-through for lithium-ion batteries has become known from U.S. Pat. No. 7,687,200. According to U.S. Pat. No. 7,687,200, the housing was produced from high-grade steel and the pin-shaped conductor from platinum/iridium. The glass materials cited in U.S. Pat. No. 7,687,200 are glasses TA23 and CABAL-12. According to U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,530 these are CaO—MgO—Al2O3—B2O3 systems having sealing temperatures of 1025° C. or 800° C. Moreover, glass compositions for glass-metal feed-throughs for lithium batteries have become known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,530, which contain CaO, Al2O3, B2O3, SrO and BaO whose sealing temperatures are in the range of 650° C.-750° C. and which are therefore too high for use with light metals. Furthermore, barium is undesirable in many applications since it is considered to be environmentally harmful and hazardous to health. Also discussed is strontium, the use of which is also to be avoided in the future.
The glass compositions according to U.S. Pat. No. 7,687,200 moreover have a coefficient of expansion α in the temperature range of 20° C. to 350° C. of only α≈9×10−6 per degree Kelvin.
What is needed in the art is a feed-through which avoids the problems of the current state of the art.


A print system and a method for confirming complete curing of a marking material are disclosed. For example, the print system includes a plurality of printheads arranged in a two-dimensional array, a curing light source, a curing confirmation system, a movable member to hold an object and a controller to control movement of the movable member to move the object past the array of printheads, to operate the plurality of printheads to eject the marking material onto the object as the object passes the two-dimensional array of printheads, to operate the curing light source to cure the marking material and to operate the curing confirmation system to confirm that the curing of the marking material is complete.

Some printers use UV curable inks to print on articles and objects. UV curable inks are applied onto the article or object and a UV light source is used to cure the ink. The UV light source may be used to initiate a photochemical reaction that generates a crosslinked network of polymers. In other words, the ink is not simply "dried" where solvent is evaporated from the ink. Rather, the UV ink is cured such that the polymers in the UV ink undergo a chemical reaction to link or bond to the article or object.
Although UV inks contain little or no solvent, the UV inks may still emit some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) if the UV ink is not completely cured. VOCs are considered to have a negative impact on the environment and the end user. Furthermore, if the UV ink is not completely cured, the UV ink that is printed onto the article or object may be wiped off.

Cure confirmation system and method for three dimensional object printer