A demodulator system for a receiver in a multiple user-code spread-spectrum system, such as in a CDMA base station, utilizes a Quasi-Newtonian optimization routine to identify received codes and recover user data based on detected correlations between the received spread-spectrum signal and a set of the possible codes available to users of the system. The preferred optimization routine is a Davis-Fletcher-Powell (DFP) routine.

The concepts involved in the present invention relate to detection of code sequence signals in multi-user spread-spectrum communications.
Mobile communication is becoming increasingly popular. The recent revolution in digital processing has enabled a rapid migration of mobile wireless services from analog communications to digital communications. For example, cellular service providers have already deployed substantial digital wireless communication infrastructure, much of which utilizes code division, multiple access (CDMA) technology. Increasingly, development efforts are focusing on techniques for high-capacity communication of digital information over wireless links, and much of this broadband wireless development work incorporates spread-spectrum communications similar to those used in CDMA.
Spread-spectrum is a method of modulation, like FM, that spreads a data signal for transmission over a bandwidth, which substantially exceeds the data transfer rate. Direct sequence spread-spectrum involves modulating a data signal onto a pseudo-random chip sequence. The chip sequence is the spreading code sequence, for spreading the data over a broad band of the spectrum. The spread-spectrum signal is transmitted as a radio wave over a communications media to the receiver. The receiver despreads the signal to recover the information data.
The attractive properties of these systems include resistance to multipath fading, soft handoffs between base stations, jam resistance, and frequency reuse. Frequency reuse, translates into potentially significant capacity increases over earlier systems. In addition, in a multipath environment, the use of RAKE receivers enables the harnessing of the total received energy.
Receiving the direct sequence spread spectrum communications requires detection of one or more spreading chip-code sequences embedded in an incoming spread-spectrum signal as well as subsequent synchronization of the receiver to the detected chip-code sequence. Initial detection and phase synchronization of the spreading chip code sequence(s) in the receiver is commonly known as code acquisition. Although simple correlators have been used in the code acquisition for reception of spread-spectrum signals, faster and more efficient techniques for code acquisition rely on matched filters.
A matched filter essentially matches elements or samples of an input signal to elements of a reference chip-code sequence signal, by multiplying a set of N samples of the input signal with the reference signal, then summing the product terms to determine a value of correlation of the set of samples of the input signal to the reference signal. For a single code, if the correlation value exceeds a threshold, then a decision circuit indicates that there is a match. If there are a plurality of possible codes, the receiver typically uses a bank of matched filters for parallel matching to a plurality of reference codes. If the receiver expects to receive only one transmission at a time, the decision processor selects the reference code having the highest correlation to the input samples as the match to the code contained in the received spread-spectrum signal.
In many applications, however two or more transmitters may transmit at the same time using different spreading codes. This is particularly common in a CDMA environment, although similar situations may arise in other types of communication using direct sequence spread spectrum. If two or more stations are transmitting at the same time, particularly if the receiver must receive the transmissions simultaneously, the receiver must search for and acquire multiple codes at the same time from within a broad-spectrum wireless signal. A number of techniques have been developed for reducing interference caused by signals from multiple transmitters and acquiring the spreading code of one or more of the transmitters from the spread-spectrum signals received over the air-link.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,592 proposes a method of decoding a spread spectrum composite signal, involving despreading each coded signal and averaging each despread signal, which is analyzed to produce a tentative decision. The Divsalar method respreads and sums signals to produce combined interference signals, which are scaled and combined with a weighting factor, to produce a scaled combined interference signal. The method also entails scaling the composite signal with the weighting factor to produce a scaled composite signal and scaling the signal value by the complement of the weighting factor to produce a leakage signal. The scaled composite signal, the scaled combined interference signal and the leakage signal are combined to produce an estimate of a respective user signal.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,719,852 discloses a spread-spectrum interference canceler for reducing interference in a direct sequence CDMA receiver having N chip-code channels. The canceler includes a bank of correlators or matched filters, spread-spectrum-processing circuits, subtracting circuits, and channel correlators or channel-matched filters. Using a plurality of chip-code signals, the correlators despread the spread-spectrum CDMA signal. The spread-spectrum-processing circuits use a timed version of the chip-code signals, for spread-spectrum processing each of the despread signals with a respective chip-code-signal corresponding to a respective despread signal. For recovering a code channel using an ith chip-code-signal, the subtracting circuits subtract from the spread-spectrum CDMA signal, each of the Nxe2x88x921 spread-spectrum-processed-despread signals thereby generating a subtracted signal. The Nxe2x88x921 spread-spectrum-processed-despread signals do not include the spread-spectrum-processed-despread signal of the ith channel of the spread-spectrum CDMA signal. The channel correlator or channel-matched filter despreads the subtracted signal.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,757,791 discloses a multistage low-complexity linear receiver for DS-CDMA spread-spectrum communications. Each stage of the multistage linear receiver recreates the overall modulation, noiseless channel, and demodulation process. The outputs of these stages are then linearly combined. The combining weights may be chosen to implement different linear detectors, such as decorrelating and minimum means squared error (MMSE) detectors. Additional stages may be added to the multistage linear receiver to improve performance.
There are several disadvantages to the prior art code techniques. The prior techniques generally rely on multiple stages of correlation or matched filtering, and every stage needs signal regenerators. This requires a lot of hardware. Due to such hardware costs, implementation typically must be limited to three stages or iterations of the algorithm, which typically is not enough for a satisfactory interference cancellation. A further problem is that the processing delay to complete the search algorithm requires at least as many symbol periods as the number of stages or iterations. Also, the prior algorithms do not necessarily produce a definite result.
The approach disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,592 patent, for example requires a lot of hardware and does not guarantee that the algorithm will produce a definitive solution. The approach from the U.S. Pat. No. 5,719,852 patent also does not guarantee that the algorithm will identify an optimal solution for the search for the code or codes actually present in the received signal. The technique of U.S. Pat. No. 5,757,791 is a particularly complex approach and again, it does not produce a definitive solution to the search for the code or codes contained in the spread-spectrum signal.
Hence a need still exists for a more efficient and effective technique for analyzing correlation of a received signals to a plurality of possible codes that may be received from multiple users, to definitely identify the actual code set received at any given time.
Hence a general objective of the invention is to achieve a more effective technique for demodulating a potential plurality of codes in a received spread-spectrum signal to recover simultaneously transmitted data.
Another objective relates to performing the code recognition in a fashion that is much less hardware intensive than the prior art and requires less delay.
The inventive concepts alleviate the above noted problems in spread-spectrum communications and achieve the stated objectives by using a particular type of mathematical algorithm, specifically a Quasi-Newtonian optimization routine, to definitively solve a quadratic matrix equation and determine the one or more of the potential spreading codes actually received in the spread-spectrum signal. Although the process may require multiple iterations of the code search algorithm, all iterations flow from one set of actual signal correlations, i.e., for one symbol interval, which means that all iterations can be completed during a period no longer than a single symbol.
Hence a first aspect of the invention relates to a demodulator for a spread-spectrum receiver system. The demodulator simultaneously demodulates data from a plurality of possible spreading code sequences from a received spread-spectrum signal. The demodulator comprises a bank of comparators and a processor. The comparators, typically correlators or matched filters, receive and process the spread-spectrum signal. Each comparator determines a value representing a level of correlation of the received spread-spectrum signal to a respective one of the possible spreading code sequences. The processor executes an iterative process for solving a quadratic formulation based on the correlation values and the possible spreading code sequences for convergence on a Hessian function. This process identifies a set of the possible spreading code sequences contained within the received spread-spectrum signal, to recover user data. The preferred embodiment of this process is a Davidson-Fletcher-Powell (DFP) algorithm.
The processor may be a programmed processor, such as a digital signal processor (DSP) or possibly a microprocessor and/or math co-processor. Alternatively, the processor may be implemented using discrete components arranged to perform the necessary iterative computations.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for simultaneously demodulating data from a plurality of possible spreading code sequences from a received spread-spectrum signal. The method involves receiving a plurality of respective correlation values. Each received value represents the correlation of the received spread-spectrum signal to a respective one of the possible spreading code sequences. The inventive method also involves executing a plurality of iterations of a routine, preferably a Davidson-Fletcher-Powell (DFP) algorithm, for solving a quadratic matrix formulation based on the correlation values and the plurality of possible spreading code sequences for convergence on a Hessian function. The solution, found after a predetermined iteration of the execution of the routine, identifies a set of the possible spreading code sequences contained within the received spread-spectrum signal and thus user data carried by the identified codes.
The present inventions find particular application to recognition of multiple code sequence transmissions from multiple users, e.g. in a CDMA environment. However, the invention also is applicable to spread-spectrum communications, for example, for reception of a signal containing multiple spreading codes carrying multiplexed data from a single source.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Method and apparatus of joint detection of a CDMA receiver


Various systems and methods for processing activity data with a knowledge engine to generate actionable insights for a human subject are described. These actionable insights may include identifying a most likely action given a particular state of the human subject, identifying a most likely state in which the human subject performs a particular activity, or identifying anomalies in human activity patterns. In an example, an electronic processing system operates the knowledge engine with operations that: identify patterns of activity using clustering of events, identify meaningful patterns of activity from the patterns of activity based on co-occurrence of characteristics for respective events, rank the identified meaningful patterns of activity based on confidence and support of respective patterns to occur for a human subject, and generate a personalization action (such as an action for a software application) based on the ranked, identified meaningful patterns of activity.

With the growing usage of personal electronic devices (such as wearable devices), many types of software applications attempt to provide a personalized user experience by analyzing user data. However, the implementation of personalized software and electronic features is often difficult and costly. For example, personalization features often require acquiring, storing, analyzing and fitting models to data; personalization is commonly repeated per application and per feature; personalization is often domain-specific, and is not portable from one application to another; and, each application or device is typically only aware of the data it is actively collecting.
Personalization is an important feature that is desired in many computing applications. However, existing processing approaches and systems that attempt to implementation personalization, such as with advanced machine learning models, are computationally complex and not appropriate for use cases with personal electronic devices. Many existing approaches are further unable to create personalized insights for individual users based exclusively on the user's own data. As a result, many software applications and electronic devices are unable to fully offer and implement personalization features.

Pattern recognition and prediction using a knowledge engine


Systems and methods of the present disclosure processors and devices for providing disposable account cards using a contactless reader and contactless communication tag. A processor receives, via an antenna module from the contactless reader, radio signal data of a radio signal emitted by a contactless tag, where the radio signal data includes encoded tag data including a tag identifier. The processor determines that the contactless tag is a new contactless tag based on the tag identifier being unlinked to any account, and generates a disposable account card identifier in a user account including a unique disposable account number. The processor generates an account link that links the tag identifier to the disposable account card identifier such that the tag identifier refers to the unique disposable account number for performing contactless electronic requests to the user account in place of a user account card.

User accounts may be identified by account-specific information, such as account handles, usernames, numbers, or other account identifiers. However, providing account information to third-parties during the course of activities with the third-party may present a risk to the security of the user's electronic account. Yet, for many activities for which an electronic account may be used, a sharing of account information is necessary to effectuate the activities. There exists to solution for providing limited, temporary access to an electronic account without sharing the account information, particularly during physical or in-person activities.

Computer-based systems and device configured for temporary electronic account linking to disposable tags and methods thereof


In an imaging system having at least two optically butted CCD sensors disposed in angular relation to each other and onto which light images are projected by means of a light beam splitter, the correct spacial position of the sensors is determined providing the beam splitter with mounting surfaces on which the respective sensors are mounted and the sensors with lateral surfaces, and utilizing mounting members for the opposite ends of each sensor, each mounting member having a base surface and a supporting surface extending in true rectangular fashion thereon. The base surface of each mounting member is adhesively bonded to one of the mounting surfaces of the beam splitter and its supporting surface is adhesively bonded to a lateral surface of a sensor, such bonding being effected after each sensor has been correctly aligned.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to optically butted electro-optical components in general, and to optically butted CCD (charge coupled devices) linear array sensors in image reading apparatus for providing electric signals corresponding to the image of an original by optical scanning, in particular.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In an image reading apparatus employed, for example, in a facsimile apparatus or a graphic scanner, an original moving in a determined direction is illuminated with light, and the reflected or transmitted light is focused through a lens onto a photoelectric converter, such as a linear photosensor array, to provide time-sequential electric image signals corresponding to a scanning line. Said photosensor array is usually composed of a CCD array or a photodiode array on which the image of a scanning line is focused by said lens.
The resolving power of the image is determined by that of the photosensor array, which is equal to the number of photoelectric converting elements in said photosensor array. Usually the number of said-elements in a today's CCD photosensor array is limited to 7500. CCD sensors with 10.000 components do exist but they are disproportionately expensive.
Image-reading apparatus are known comprising optical path dividing means, e.g. semitransparent prisms, for dividing the path for the light beam of a scanning line into two paths that each lead to a subfocal plane. A number of CCD's are mounted in both focal subplanes in staggered relationship so as to form optically butted CCD's. This technique is disclosed, e.g. in the article "A high-resolution, high-speed film scanner system using optically butted charge-coupled devices", by R. A. Whittlesey in SPIE, Vol. 149, 1978, p. 156-185.
A problem with the described arrangement is the exact spacial mounting of each CCD in its corresponding focal sub-planes. This is generally done by means of adjustment screws, levers, springs and the like that have their effect on five parameters that determine the exact position of a CCD component, viz. the lateral and the vertical position of the component, the rotation in its own plane, the axial position on the optical axis and the tilting about an axis normal to the optical axis and its own longitudinal axis. The process of adjustment is complicated by the fact that a CCD chip is often mounted inaccurately in its housing by the manufacturer. For instance, tolerances up to 0.5 mm between the positions of the lateral ends of a chip and the rear or front wall of the housing, usually a ceramic housing covered and closed by a glass panel, are not uncommon.

Optically butted electro-optical components


A door for a refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area. The door includes a door frame that is attachable to the case, and a glass panel assembly that is coupled to the door frame. The glass panel assembly includes a first glass panel and a second glass panel that is spaced apart from the first glass panel by a gap. The glass panel assembly further includes a conductive coating that is applied to the first glass panel, and a heater element that is coupled to the first glass panel and that is in electrical communication with the conductive coating. The door also includes a connector that extends through the first glass panel and the second glass panel and securable to the glass panel assembly, and the connector is configured to electrically connect the heater element to a power source.

The present invention relates to doors for refrigerated merchandisers and, more particularly, to a doors that includes a connector assembly that couples a power source to a heater element applied to the door.
Refrigerated merchandisers generally include a case defining a product display area for supporting and displaying food products to be visible and accessible through an opening in the front of the case. Refrigerated merchandisers are generally used in retail food store applications such as grocery or convenient stores or other locations where food product is displayed in a refrigerated condition. Some refrigerated merchandisers include doors to enclose the product display area of the case and reduce the amount of cold air released into the surrounding environment. The doors typically include a glass panel, allowing a consumer to view the food products stored inside the case.
Refrigerated merchandisers may be susceptible to condensation forming on the glass panel of the door, which obstructs viewing of the food product positioned inside the case. Electrical current passed to the glass panel is used to heater the glass thereby preventing condensation from forming thereon.


There is provided an image recording apparatus to record an image onto a recording sheet in a facsimile apparatus or the like. This recording apparatus comprises: a recording head for recording an image onto the recording sheet; a rotary platen roller for conveying the recording sheet; a guide member for guiding the recording sheet along the peripheral surface of the platen roller; and a device to rotatably support the guide member around the rotary shaft of the platen roller as a rotational center. The recording head is arranged so as to be come into pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the platen roller. A pair of cam members for separating the recording head away from the platen roller are attached integrally with the guide member. With this apparatus, even if the sheet holder and platen roller are closely located, the recording sheet can be easily inserted into the gap therebetween. The apparatus can be miniaturized.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for recording an image onto a sheet and, more particularly, to an image recording apparatus in which the attaching performance of, e.g., a recording sheet wound like a roll can be improved..
The image recording apparatuses include facsimile apparatus, a printer apparatus, a copying apparatus, and the like.
2. Related Background Art
An example of a facsimile apparatus will now be described hereinbelow as an image recording apparatus.
According to a recording system in a general facsimile apparatus or the like, a thermal paper which thermally generates a color is wound like a roll and attached to a holder. This thermal paper is conveyed by a platen roller. A recording head which is brought into pressure contact with the platen roller through the thermal paper is heated in accordance with an image signal, thereby recording an image.
In the current facsimile apparatus or the like, miniaturization of the apparatus is required. To meet this requirement, it is necessary to reduce as short as possible the distance between a holder and the recording section consisting of the platen roller and recording head.
However, in the facsimile apparatus or the like with the foregoing structure, when the thermal paper is set, it is necessary to pinch the thermal paper set to the holder and to insert the front edge of the paper into the space between the platen roller and the recording head. For this purpose, it is necessary to keep a space large enough to insert the hand of the operator between the holder and the recording section. Such a space becomes an obstacle to miniaturize the apparatus.
Further, in the case of setting thermal paper in such a facsimile apparatus or the like, it is necessary to separate the recording head from the platen roller and to insert the front edge of the thermal paper into the space between the recording head and the platen roller As a separating mechanism for this purpose, a cam which abuts the recording head is provided and this cam is rotated around the cam shaft as a rotational center.
However, in the facsimile apparatus with such a structure, the shaft and space to attach the cam are needed and at the same time, it is difficult to accurately set the separation distance between the recording head and the platen roller.

Facsimile apparatus having a thermal image recording head retractable from a recording position


A field apparatus includes an apparatus case having an opening, a battery case that houses a battery and is mounted to an inner side of the apparatus case by being inserted into the apparatus case via the opening, and a mounting part that is provided on the inner side of the apparatus case and mounts the battery case such that its mounting direction can be modified in accordance with the installation direction of the apparatus case such that the battery is in a preset proper mounting direction.

With equipment in a plant and the like, there are cases wherein, as a field apparatus that measures a physical quantity, such as pressure, flow volume, and temperature, a field apparatus is used that operates a circuit using an internal battery and both measures a physical quantity and performs data communication to provide notification of the measurement value. See, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-133755.
In a field apparatus that operates on a built-in battery of this type, it is necessary to replace the built-in battery in accordance with the lifespan of the built-in battery, and therefore a maintenance workload arises.
The maintenance of a field apparatus in a plant involves the planning of production, the adjustment of schedules, the procurement of replacement equipment, and the securing of maintenance work personnel and staffing, and consequently the burden and cost of plant management related to the performance of maintenance each time is large. Consequently, while it is desirable to avoid the risk of production stoppages owing to mechanical failures, it is also desirable to, as much as possible, not perform unnecessary maintenance work and to reduce the number of times that maintenance is performed. Accordingly, in order to perform maintenance wherein parts, such as batteries, are replaced efficiently all at once, it is preferable that the lifespans of replacement parts are well defined and that the lifespans of multiple replacement parts are in sync.
However, there are uncertainties in the lifespans of batteries, and it is also often the case that batteries cannot be used for the full life defined in the specification of the batteries. Consequently, to reduce production risk, the plant manager either replaces batteries based on a period that is shorter than the lifespan, or identifies the lifespan of each individual battery, determines an appropriate timing for the replacement of each battery, and replaces the batteries accordingly. In the case of the former, even a battery that has not yet reached the end of its life and therefore does not need to be replaced is also replaced. Moreover, in the case of the latter, it is troublesome to identify the lifespan of each individual battery. Accordingly, in either case, the number of times that maintenance is performed increases, and the workload associated therewith increases, which are problems.
The present invention is conceived in order to solve such problems, and it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a field apparatus that can reduce the workload needed to perform the maintenance of batteries.


A subscriber (410) to a radio communication system manages information needed to monitor for potential server sites during an ongoing communication session. Upon switching server sites during an ongoing communication (520, 530, 540, 550), the subscriber uses a modified neighbor site list for subsequent monitoring for potential server sites (570). The modified list is generated from the original list without benefit of new information downloaded from an external source, by replacing information representing the new server site with information representing the old server site (560).

Geographically dispersed transceiver sites are often employed in two-way radio communication systems to support subscribers operating over a wide coverage area. Ordinarily, the sites are arranged such that each provides coverage for a particular geographic region, which may have some overlap. A subscriber interfaces with the radio communication system through a particular transceiver site, referred to herein as a server site. When a subscriber moves from one location to another, it may be advantageous to switch server operations from one site to another, such as a neighboring site, in order to maintain a high quality communication link. The process of switching server sites during an ongoing communication session is generally referred to in the art as hand-off or hand-over. The hand-off decision process usually involves a determination of the quality of signals received by the subscriber from its server site, or vice versa, and the availability and suitability of other potential server sites that may be in communication range of the subscriber. The hand-off decision may be made using information gathered by the server site, information gathered by the subscriber, or a combination of both.
In one prior art example, a subscriber maintains a list of control frequencies used by neighboring sites, and monitors the signal quality and/or other communication parameters for signals emanating from these sites. The information gathered by the subscriber is then used to select a suitable hand-off server site. The list of frequencies representing neighboring sites is referred to herein as a monitor list. The monitor list may be preprogrammed into the subscriber or downloaded from the system. A prior art hand-off process is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,943, issued to Comroe et al., on Nov. 9, 1993, for a TDM Hand-off Technique Using Time Differences, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Here, a subscriber receives a monitor list from a site with which it is communicating satisfactorily. This monitor list is used to determine potential server sites for use when a hand-off becomes necessary.
A problem may arise when a subscriber is engaged in an ongoing communication session and performs a hand-off process, thereby switching to a new server site. Potentially, the monitor list could become outdated such the subscriber is unable to switch to an appropriate server site that is not on the list. For example, consider a subscriber that performs a hand-off because of a temporary radio frequency (RF) interference or obstruction, Esuch as from a passing vehicle or from a building or bridge. Until the monitor list is updated, the subscriber may be unable to revert to the old server site that was previously providing system services, as the old server site was not in its monitor list. Such an occurrence is a commonly encountered problem in some prior art systems. Oftentimes, priority is given to utilizing available communication resources to maintain the ongoing communication session without interruption. Thus, the system may be unable to provide new monitor list in a timely manner. The problem becomes more acute when the subscriber is engaged in a group dispatch call along with several other subscribers, and much coordination is needed to provide new monitor list information without losing any of the ongoing communication.
It is desirable to provide a system in which a subscriber is provided with adequate monitor list information to determine potential server sites while participating in an ongoing communication session. Preferably, such information is provided with minimal impact on the ongoing communication session.

Method for subscriber based management of neighbor list information during a communication session


The present invention relates to methods and vehicles for separately applying a solid fertilizer and a liquid fertilizer additive to a working area of a field.

The present invention relates to a method for applying an agrochemical mixture to a working area of a field using a vehicle moving on the field. Moreover, the invention relates to a vehicle for applying an agrochemical mixture to a working area of a field while moving on the field.
Using energy from the sun, a plant produces carbohydrates from CO2 and water. All chemical elements essential to the plant's nutrition and productivity are either mineral or non-mineral plant nutrients. The plant uses minerals to produce protein, fat, enzymes, phytohormones and vitamins. Non-mineral nutrients include carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Plants generally consume nutrients from minerals and soil, decaying organic substances (roots, straw, humus), organic fertilizers and mineral fertilizers, airborne inputs and biological nitrogen fixation. Although arable soils may contain substantial nutrient reserves, they are usually not in plant-available form. Microorganism activity and/or chemical processes result in only a small portion of nutrients being released every year and converted into water-soluble, plant-available form. When the plant's needs cannot be met by available nutrients, fertilizers provide supplemental nutrition.
The chemical element nitrogen (N) has a special role among minerals in the soil: plants need large quantities to achieve high quality and yield. Nitrogen originates under natural conditions in the soil but in contrast to all other nutrients, it does not originate from rock but from organic compounds in the soil. Nitrogen is the fourth most common element in living tissue, after carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. An essential element in amino acids and therefore proteins, nitrogen is also a key component of chlorophyll, DNA and RNA. Without nitrogen there can be no life: no organ regeneration, and no plant development or fruit and seed formation—and ultimately no yield. This is why nitrogen is commonly referred to as the engine of plant growth.
There are two large nitrogen pools in the soil: organically bound nitrogen (95%), which is not plant-available and mineral nitrogen (5%), which is present in plant-available forms. Organic fertilizers, plant residues and the nitrogen bound by legumes (e.g., soybeans, beans, and peas) flow into the organic nitrogen pool. The mineral nitrogen pool, which consists of ammonium (NH4) and nitrate (NO3), develops from nitrogen dissolved in rain and nitrogen that enters the soil through mineral fertilizers. Ammonium and nitrate are essentially the only forms of nitrogen that plants can absorb. The organic nitrogen and the mineral nitrogen pools are in a state of constant exchange. For instance, organic nitrogen is constantly being transformed into ammonium and nitrate (a process known as mineralization), while soil organisms cause the organic fixation of mineral nitrogen (immobilization). Nitrogen depletion in the soil occurs when strong rainfall causes leaching (nitrate leaching) or when, as a result of conversion processes, gaseous combinations form that escape into the atmosphere (e.g., nitrous oxide losses).
Nitrogen losses occur as a result of organic and/or mineral fertilization and tillage. These are mainly ammonia losses and losses resulting from either nitrogen leaching or the release of nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. While nitrogen losses generally result in an economic cost for the grower, they also have a negative impact on the environment.
Ammonia losses occur mainly in livestock production, specifically during organic fertilizer storage and application (dung, manure, slurry). Significant ammonia losses also occur after the application of urea-containing fertilizers. In high concentrations, ammonia gas is toxic for humans and animals. Studies show that in 2006, increased health costs associated with ammonia emissions were an estimated 36 B US$. In addition, the pungent odor is unpleasant. Ammonia is a key component of smog; it binds with other pollutants and particles, maintaining them in air layers at or around ground level. In effect, ammonia amplifies this pollution. As a nitrogen-containing gas, ammonia can be carried great distances by the wind. Rain precipitation then often injects ammonia into natural ecosystems where it acts as a nitrogen fertilizer and has the undesired effect of boosting growth. While some plant species have a stronger reaction to nitrogen fertilization and grow better, other plants are impaired in their development. In areas where the soil has a low nutrient content, this can lead to grasses taking over and suppressing the development of rare flowering plants. In short, ammonia has a substantially negative impact on biodiversity. Once ammonia enters the soil, it is nitrified relatively quickly, depending on temperature on some days. This goes hand in hand with soil acidification, which under extreme conditions can lead to the release of toxic heavy metals that damage plants and contaminate groundwater. Ammonia can also indirectly contribute to groundwater nitrate contamination and the formation of nitrous oxide as a result of secondary reactions.
Nitrate is water-soluble. Because negatively charged soil particles predominate in soil, the negatively charged nitrate ion—unlike the positively charged ammonium ion—will not bind to soil particles. Nitrate is therefore highly mobile in the soil and can be effectively translocated in the soil profile through diffusion and surface water movements. After heavy rainfall or low plant uptake, nitrate can leach out of the soil profile and accumulate in groundwater. In humid conditions, leached nitrates translate into a significant cost for the grower. From a toxicological perspective, threshold values have been set worldwide for groundwater levels (to avoid a transformation into nitrite in case that the water is polluted by bacteria or a transformation in the human body). Excessive nitrate concentrations are suspected of causing the following illnesses: cyanosis in newborns, stomach and intestinal cancer as a result of nitrosamine formation, and goiter. Conversely, numerous studies show that nitrate boosts the body's immune system and effectively prevents numerous diseases. Nitrate is the preferred form of nitrogen for plants, which is why nitrate in surface water bodies stimulates water plant and algae growth to the point of algal bloom. As algae and/or water plants decay, the resulting oxygen depletion (oxygen is consumed in the decomposition of organic substances from dead algae and plants) may, under extreme conditions, lead to mortality in fish populations.
Nitrous oxide (N2O) occurs during nitrification (conversion of ammonium into nitrite and nitrate through soil bacteria) as well as when nitrate exists in the soil under oxygen-poor conditions (denitrification). Next to carbon dioxide and methane, nitrous oxide is one of the most dangerous greenhouse gases. Its global warming potential is 300 times that of CO2. Nitrous oxide losses in the soil—most often only a few grams or kilograms—may represent a cost to growers as well as negative environmental impact.
The loss of nitrate and/or nitrous oxide from the soil may be reduced by a nitrification inhibitor.
One way to reduce ammonia losses is to treat urea-containing fertilizers with a urease inhibitor. A urease inhibitor effectively prevents the conversion of urea into carbamic acid and ammonia by blocking the enzyme that drives the conversion, i.e., urease. Under laboratory conditions, supplementing with urease inhibitor has been shown to prevent ammonia losses at least 70%—and in some cases 100%. The most potent known urease inhibitors include N-alkylthiophosphoric triamides and N-alkylphosphoric triamides, which are described for example in EP 0 119 487 A1.
WO 2007/093528 describes preparations with improved urease-inhibitory effect, comprising at least two different (thio)phosphoric triamides. It further describes urea-comprising fertilizers which comprise these preparations and methods for producing these preparations.
Furthermore, WO 2013/121384 describes agrochemical mixtures comprising N-n-butylthiophosphoric triamide (NBTPT) and/or N-n-propylthiophosphoric triamide (NPTPT) as a first component and at least one strobilurin as a second component in synergistically effective amounts. The application of these mixtures allows reducing ammonia and/or nitrous oxide emission from soils.
In general solid fertilizers are treated with a liquid formulation of a fertilizer additive in fertilizer plants and/or in specific application devices at fertilizer distributors and/or blenders. The ratio between fertilizer additive and fertilizer is always fixed.
One drawback of applying such agrochemical mixtures to the soil is that the ratio of fertilizer and fertilizer additive cannot be adjusted to the specific conditions, such as the soil quality and current climatic conditions.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a method and vehicle for applying a solid fertilizer and a liquid fertilizer additive to the soil and to allow controlling the ratio of both components.

Method and vehicle for applying an agrochemical mixture to a working area of a field


The device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion according to the present invention has a management information reading part wherein in the case where an information recording cartridge having a housing of substantially rectangular flat shape with a predetermined thickness that includes a notch for preventing incorrect insertion provided at one corner on right or left side in the foreside of the housing, a recording medium stored within the housing, a memory module that records management information therein, and an antenna for radio communication of the memory module disposed at a predetermined position with a displacement in the right or left direction in the rearward of the housing is inserted from its backside into a cartridge storage part, the management information reading part is disposed at the position so that it can perform radio communication with the memory module on a path through which an antenna for radio communication of the memory module passes, and a determining part that determines whether or not the direction of inserting the information recording cartridge is correct based on whether or not the management information reading part reads management information of the recording medium and outputs a determination result.

The present invention relates to a device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion, a cartridge auto-changer and a cartridge automatic control device with an auto-changer with respect to an information recording cartridge.
A cartridge control device has a device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion that prevents an information recording cartridge from being inserted from the incorrect direction into a cartridge storage part of the cartridge control device. A prior art device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion is disclosed in Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 01-146158. The prior art device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion installed in a cartridge control device will be described below.
The prior art device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion prevents incorrect insertion of the information recording cartridge by disposing a notch for preventing incorrect insertion at a predetermined position on the outer shape of the information recording cartridge. The cartridge storage part of the cartridge control device has a projection as the device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion disposed at the position where the notch for preventing incorrect insertion falls in the case where the information recording cartridge is inserted from the correct direction. While the projection of the cartridge storage part does not interfere with the information recording cartridge physically in the case where the information recording cartridge is inserted from the correct direction, it interferes with the information recording cartridge physically in the case where the information recording cartridge is inserted from the incorrect direction (That is, the information recording cartridge cannot be inserted in fact).
FIG. 9 is a figure for illustrating the function of the prior art device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion of the cartridge control device. Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 9 schematically show the cartridge control device 2 and the information recording cartridge 93 seen from above. The cartridge control device 2 has the projection 92 as the device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion. The information recording cartridge 93 has the notch for preventing incorrect insertion 91 on the left side in the foreside. Part (a) of FIG. 9 shows the situation in which the information recording cartridge 93 is stored in the cartridge control device 2 at a predetermined position without being interfered by the projection 92 as the device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion when the user inserts the information recording cartridge 93 from the correct direction (referred to as "normal direction") into the cartridge control device 2 (at normal insertion). Part (b) of FIG. 9 shows the situation in which a forward edge of the information recording cartridge 93 hits against the projection 92 as the device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion and remain at the position so that the information recording cartridge 93 cannot enter into the cartridge control device 2 completely when the user inserts the information recording cartridge 93 from the incorrect direction into the cartridge control device 2 (at incorrect insertion).
The information recording cartridge 93 is installed in the cartridge control device 2 only when being inserted from the correct direction. In the case where the information recording cartridge 93 is inserted from the correct direction into the cartridge control device 2, the device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion may have a switch, actuator of which is activated by the housing of the information recording cartridge 93. Based on activation of the switch, the device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion determines that the information recording cartridge 93 has been inserted from the correct direction.
The above-mentioned prior art device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion is used for the cartridge control device and also a cartridge auto-changer that stores a plurality of information recording cartridges 93 inserted from the direction shown in part (a) of FIG. 9 in a magazine and loads the information recording cartridge 93 one by one in the cartridge control device 2 located in the rearward position (upper position of part (a) of FIG. 9).
The above-mentioned prior art device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion adopts the notch for preventing incorrect insertion disposed in the foreside of the information recording cartridge. It is possible to attach the prior art device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion to the cartridge storage part of a type into which the information recording cartridge is inserted from its foreside. However, the prior art device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion cannot apply to the cartridge storage part of a type into which the information recording cartridge is inserted from any side other than its foreside (no notch for preventing incorrect insertion is disposed at a predetermined position in the foreside of the information recording cartridge).
Further, in a tape library device (cartridge automatic control device) having a cartridge control device and a rotary cartridge auto-changer as shown in FIG. 1, when inserting the information recording cartridge into the tape library device, the information recording cartridge needs to be inserted from the opposite direction to the normal direction, so that the prior art device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion cannot be applied. By storing the information recording cartridge in the plurality of cartridge storage parts and moving them while being rotated, the tape library device in FIG. 1 can perform the flexible control of arbitrarily selecting the information recording cartridge loaded in the auto-changer and reading out information stored therein. The cartridge storage part into which the information recording cartridge is inserted from the opposite direction is rotated and moved to the position opposed to the cartridge inserting port of the cartridge control device to eject the inserted information recording cartridge to the opposite direction, thereby to load the information recording cartridge in the cartridge control device from the normal direction.
Recently, the information recording cartridge having a memory module such as MIC (Memory In Cassette) and CM (Cassette Memory) and the cartridge control device for recording and/or reproducing information to/from the information recording cartridge have become widespread on the market. The information recording cartridge having a memory module such as MIC and CM built-in comprises a housing of substantially rectangular flat shape with a predetermined thickness that has a notch for preventing incorrect insertion at its left corner in the foreside, a recording medium stored in the housing, a memory module that records management information therein, and an antenna for radio communication of the memory module disposed at a predetermined position with a displacement in the right or left direction in the backside of the housing.
In a device into which the information recording cartridge is inserted from any direction other than the normal direction (for example, from its backside), the present invention intends to provide a device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion capable of preventing or detecting incorrect insertion, a reliable cartridge auto-changer and a cartridge automatic control device with an auto-changer that load the device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion therein.
In a device into which the information recording cartridge having a memory module such as MIC or CM built-in is inserted from any direction other than the normal direction (for example, from its backside), the present invention intends to provide a reliable device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion capable of determining whether or not the cartridge inserting direction is correct and outputting the determination information, a reliable cartridge auto-changer and a cartridge automatic control device with an auto-changer that load the device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion therein.
In addition, in specification, claims and abstract, the right-and-left direction of the information recording cartridge refers to the direction when the information recording cartridge is seen from above with its foreside up and its backside down.

Device to prevent cartridge incorrect insertion, a cartridge auto-changer, and a cartridge automatic control device with an auto-changer

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A light module for use as a portable light or as a light source in a track lighting system is described herein. The light module may include a module housing containing a light emitting aperture, and a light emitting diode (LED) light source located inside the module housing, where the LED light source is aligned with the light emitting aperture. The light module further includes a driver electrically connected to the LED light source, and a chargeable power supply component electrically connected to the driver. The light module also includes at least two magnets attached to the exterior of the module housing, where at least one magnet is associated with a positive electrical terminal and another magnet is associated with a negative terminal, and where at least one magnet provides electrical power to at least one of the chargeable power supply component or driver.

Advances in lighting technology has led to the replacement of various types of conventional light bulbs with light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The use of LEDs can reduce energy consumption and provide an increased life span, when compared with many conventional bulbs. For these reasons and others, LEDs are increasingly used in a wide range of applications, such as within automobiles, computers, and a large number of electronics.
However, LEDs have not historically been used in many home and business applications where conventional incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs are most commonly used. One of the reasons for this is cost. Traditional light bulbs are inexpensive and easily replaced. When a traditional bulb expires, it is easily removed from a base and replaced with a new bulb. However, due to their small size, LEDs are often mounted in an array on a circuit board and hard-wired into the particular application, such as within a traffic light or brake light fixture of an automobile. Replacing LED arrays typically involves replacing an entire fixture rather than a single "bulb," which can be cumbersome and expensive.
While fluorescent light technology has been adapted into a compact fluorescent lamp form in which a fluorescent light may be used with a conventional Edison screw base fitting, LED lighting is not as readily compatible with Edison screw base fittings. For example, dimming LEDs often involves utilizing pulse width modulation, which is difficult to perform using an Edison screw base. In addition to a modular and easily configurable LED lighting system, a modular coupling system that allows for the simplified removal, replacement, and reconfiguration of any electrical component that receives electricity and/or data would be desirable.
It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosure made herein is presented.

Systems, methods, and devices for providing a track light and portable light


An apparatus for controlling motor vehicle safety devices has a plurality of sensors, each coupled to a control unit. The control unit in turn activates inertial restraining devices based on the output signals generated by the sensors.

A typical control system for controlling motor vehicle safety devices is shown in DE-A-2 151 399, and includes two sensors, which are piezoelectric crystals. When mechanically stressed by the acceleration of the vehicle, the sensors generate an electrical output voltage. The output voltage is supplied through a stranded cable and processed by a control unit.
One disadvantage of this system is that because it uses only a few sensors, its operability is jeopardized should one of the sensors become inoperative. Furthermore, the attempted solution of an arbitrary number of sensors has not solved the problem, since the reliability of the safety device is not increased. An increased number of sensors merely increases the complexity of the wiring and connecting means. As viewed over the life of the vehicle, this introduces numerous sources of error.
Another safety control system for motor vehicles is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,829, which uses several acceleration detectors distributed in various locations on the vehicle. All of the acceleration sensors are connected through a multiplexer to an analog to digital converter. The analog to digital converter converts output signals of the analog sensor into digital signals. The digital signals are then supplied to a microprocessor. One disadvantage of this system is that only the output signals of each respective sensor, which are selected by the multiplexer, are available for evaluation at a given time.
It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to overcome the problems and disadvantages of known control systems for controlling motor vehicle safety devices.


A series pass voltage regulator is provided which has reduced power dissipation in the semiconductor components of its output stage. The output stage includes first and second impedances which are electrically connected in parallel for collectively carrying a load current supplied at an output of the regulator. The first impedance comprises the series combination of a transistor collector-emitter output impedance and a resistor, while the second impedance comprises the series combination of a transistor collector-emitter output impedance and two diodes. The bases of the two transistors are coupled to the output of an error amplifier to effect control of the output impedances. In all high load current situations, the resistor dissipates more than 75% of the power dissipated in the output stage.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to linear voltage regulators, and in particular to such regulators with series pass power semiconductor output stages.
2. Description of Related Art
In a linear voltage regulator with a series pass output stage, power dissipation in the output stage varies linearly with changes in current demands supplied to a load by the regulator and with the voltage drop in the output stage. In such a voltage regulator, the output stage includes a variable impedance connected in series with the load. Typically, this variable impedance comprises one or more semiconductor devices which must dissipate substantial power at high load currents. This necessitates the use of high power semiconductor devices mounted on large heat sinks. These heat sinks occupy space that could be better used and are often more expensive than the power semiconductors themselves.
To facilitate comparison of several output stage circuits, a typical specification for a television voltage regulator of the above described type will be utilized. This exemplary specification requires the capability of supplying to a load a regulated voltage of 123 VDC over a load current range of 0.21 amp to 0.78 amp from an unregulated input voltage V.sub.in which can vary from 130 VDC to 165 VDC. The power dissipation in the output stage of this linear voltage regulator at the maximum input voltage and maximum load current is approximately 33 watts. The semiconductor devices and heat sink(s) needed to dissipate this amount of energy would be commercially prohibitive.
FIG. 1a illustrates a known linear voltage regulator in which the power dissipated in the semiconductive impedance of the output stage (enclosed in the dashed line box) is reduced by incorporating a shunt resistor R.sub.s in the output stage. This shunt resistor is electrically connected in parallel with a power transistor Q10 of the output stage to reduce the percentage of load current I.sub.L which must pass through the output impedance of the transistor. The magnitude of this output impedance is controlled by well known control circuitry such as the feedback circuit illustrated in the figure. Briefly, this circuit includes an error amplifier Al having a first input to which a reference voltage V.sub.ref is supplied, a second input electrically connected to a node of a resistive divider circuit (R2,R4) for sensing the regulated output voltage V.sub.out, and an output electrically connected to the base of transistor Q10 for controlling the output impedance of this transistor. The reference voltage V.sub.ref is supplied by a zener diode circuit (R1, D.sub.z).
The currents passing through the shunt resistor and the transistor at different load currents are illustrated in FIG. 1b. To reduce power dissipation in the transistor, the current through the shunt resistor is made as large as possible within the operating limitations of the voltage regulator. In the illustrated circuit, however, the shunt current may not be made larger than the specified minimum load current of 0.21 amp, or the transistor will cut off above this load current and the output voltage V.sub.out will become unregulated. This output stage is not capable of regulating below 0.21 amp.
The power dissipated in the shunt resistor and the transistor over the specified load current range is illustrated in FIG. 1c. At the maximum input voltage (165 VDC) and maximum load current (0.78 amp) the shunt resistor dissipates only about 9 watts while the transistor dissipates about 24 watts. Thus, at maximum load the transistor dissipates over 70% of the power dissipated in the output stage. FIG. 2a illustrates a linear voltage regulator including in its output stage a shunt resistor R.sub.s ' and first and second parallel transistor circuits comprising a first transistor / emitter resistor combination Q21 / R21 and a second transistor / emitter resistor combination Q22 / R22, respectively. This output stage functions similarly to that of FIG. 1a, except that the two transistors share the semiconductor power dissipation.
The currents passing through the shunt resistor and the two transistors at different magnitudes of load current I.sub.L are illustrated in FIG. 2b. As in the single transistor circuit arrangement of FIG. 1a, the current through the shunt resistor may not be made larger than the specified minimum load current of 0.21 amp, or the transistor will cut off above the minimum load current and the output voltage V.sub.out will become unregulated. Thus, this output stage is also incapable of operating as a regulator at load currents below 0.21 amp. The first transistor Q21 conducts current throughout the specified load current range, but the second transistor Q22 conducts current only above that value of load current at which the current through resistor R21 develops a voltage drop sufficient to forward bias the base-emitter junction of the second transistor.
The power dissipated in the shunt resistor and the two transistor circuits is illustrated in FIG. 2c. Note that at the maximum input voltage (165 VDC) and load current (0.78 amp) the shunt resistor still dissipates only about 9 watts, while the two transistor circuits collectively dissipate about 24 watts. The primary advantage of this output stage circuit arrangement over that of FIG. 1 is that each of the transistors and their respective heat sinks may have lower power dissipation ratings than that of the single transistor output stage. However, this offers no cost advantage over the single transistor arrangement.

Voltage regulator with reduced semiconductor power dissipation


A display sign apparatus includes a stationary frame and a movable frame mounted therein for reciprocal lateral movement. One drive system is provided for moving the movable frame. Each of the stationary and movable frames has a plurality of elongated display sign elements mounted in a spaced relationship. Another drive system is provided for rotating each element about its longitudinal axis. The elongated display sign elements are movable between a first position wherein the elements are interposed with a side-by-side arrangement and a second position wherein the elements in the movable frame are laterally spaced from the elements mounted on the stationary frame.

As is generally well known, non-electronic display signs include a plurality of panels arranged in a side-by-side arrangement with each panel having a portion of a pictorial or informational scene. One type of such display sign, currently widely in use, includes triangular shaped panels which form three different scenes. The panels are rotated in unison to display a complete pictorial or informational scene.
Such display signs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,221 to Woude; in U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,776 to Strawbridge et al; and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,465 to Perez. However, the disadvantages of such triangular panels are related to only one scene being displayed at any given time and are further related to a limit of only three distinct scenes.


A method for monitoring operation of a process facility comprising the steps of storing at least one planned sequence of hypothesized plant states using multi-valued logic to define calculation of a congruence factor for each of the hypothesized plant states; wherein said storing step includes storing relationships between the multi-valued logic variables defined by a maximum value function when any of the multi-valued logic variables in a first relationship may be true and defined by an average function when all of the multi-valued logic variables in a second relationship are expected to be true; converting data from the process facility into values of multi-valued logic variables; wherein said converting step assigns to the multi-valued logic variables numerical values corresponding to likelihood of truth; calculating the congruence factor for each of the hypothesized plant states in the at least one planned sequence using the multi-valued logic variables; and identifying a current plant state by comparing the congruence factor of each of the hypothesized plant states based and selecting the state having the highest congruency factor.

1. Field of The Invention
The present invention is directed to a system for monitoring a process facility, such as an electrical power generating plant and, more particularly, to a process facility monitoring system using a novel form of fuzzy logic to identify a current plant state.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are several automated systems which monitor, diagnose or automatically control the operation of complex process facilities, such as electrical power generating plants. Separation of control duties between human operators and the automated system vary from one system to another. Some systems, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,803,039 and 4,815,014 and 5,068,080 may be paced by the automated system with human operators executing the instructions provided by the system. More commonly, the automated systems merely provide advice and the human operator is expected to exercise judgment in following or ignoring the advice provided by the automated system. The latter systems are appropriate for situations in which the human operator is likely to be experienced, such as start-up of a portion of the facility after scheduled maintenance, while the former systems are appropriate when the human operator is likely to be inexperienced in handling a situation, such as situations involving the use of emergency operating procedures at a nuclear power plant.
It is not uncommon for automatic advisory systems to use artificial intelligence or an expert system to provide advice to the human operator. As is well known, expert systems typically use forward or backward chaining logic to determine a diagnosis or recommended course of action. Some expert systems allow for uncertainty regarding the quality of input data and commonly quantitative data is converted into values such as high, very high, low, etc. for use in the logic statements. However, typically Boolean logic is used, occasionally with an uncertainty factor associated with the resulting diagnosis. Thus, operators may receive messages such as, "Temperature is high and flow rate is low, therefore pump XXX is probably not operating properly."
Typically, the ability of expert systems to handle gradations of data values is limited. It is necessary to know the cause or solution of a problem at the time the expert system rules are written to provide useful advice. As a result, a large rulebase is required to provide advice for the operation of a complex facility. An example of an expert system for this purpose is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,479 to Kemper et al.
Other techniques are also known for identifying the plant state of a complex facility. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,552,718 to Impink, Jr. et al. discloses a status tree technique which has virtually no tolerance for uncertainty. U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,955 to Munday et al. uses what may be referred to as a template matching technique in which all data obtained from sensors in a plant are assigned equal worth and are used to define a variety of anticipated plant states. During operation of the complex facility, data is obtained from sensors in the plant to provide physical parameter values and equipment settings which are tested against each of the templates until a best match is obtained. If the actual plant state is close to one of the anticipated plant states, there is no problem. However, when, for example, more than one piece of data is different from what is expected for one of the templates, it can be difficult to distinguish that template from another template. Stated another way, the template matching method does not have a high tolerance for uncertainty or "fuzziness".
Techniques for handling "fuzziness" or uncertainty of existence of a condition or data values have been developed in other fields. Fuzzy set theory is at least 25 years old and approximately 20 years ago it was suggested that the theory could be applied to system control. It has been over 15 years since a fuzzy logic controller was successfully used to operate a small boiler steam engine and a simulated stirred tank. One of the most successful applications of a fuzzy logic controller to a process facility involves control of a cement kiln. However, there is no known application of a fuzzy logic controller for a complex facility. Known methods for controlling complex facilities which tolerate uncertainty have other drawbacks. For example, the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,479 cannot be easily applied to process facilities where a parameter value or the state of a particular piece of plant equipment routinely changes in a sequence of operations, such as drain valves which are initially closed, subsequently opened and eventually reclosed during start up of the facility.

Process facility monitor using fuzzy logic


The present invention relates to communications, and in particular though not exclusively to forming a secure connection between two untrusted devices. The present invention provides a method of securely connecting a first device (A) to a second device (B) using a third party authentication server (AS) coupled to the second device, the first device and the authentication server both having first device shared secret data (SSDa) and the second device and the authentication server both having second device shared secret data (SSDb). The method comprises receiving a request from the first device at the authentication server; the authentication server and the first device both generating a first device key (K_A) using the first device shared secret data in response to a first device random number (RANDa) sent from the authentication server to the first device; the authentication server and the second device both generating a second device key (K_B) using the second device shared secret data in response to a second device random number (RANDb) sent from the authentication server to the second device; and the authentication server securely forwarding to the second device (B) and the first device (A) a common key (K_AB) using the second and first device keys (K_B, K_A).

The provision of secure communications links or connections between two parties over an insecure network is an ongoing problem, as a malevolent third party may intercept these communications and may also try to impersonate one of the communicating parties. Typically the communications such as packets are encrypted, and in order to provide strong security this may be achieved using large random keys provided either using a public key cryptography system or a shared secret key system. However encryption requires a lot of processing resources, and in addition may require technical input in order to provide high levels of security. This can be problematic for devices operated by individual consumers who may be using small electronic devices such as mobile phones with limited processing resources, and who are typically not technically proficient. In addition to the problem of providing an encrypted communications channel, there is a need for one or both parties to authenticate the other, or in other words to confirm that the other party is indeed who they say they are; and not a malevolent third party.
With cellular networks, each subscriber is provided with a subscriber identity module (SIM) card or similar removable module comprising shared secret data including a secret key shared with the network provider or operator. The secret key stored on the SIM card can be used to generate session keys which the mobile device can use to encrypt and decrypt communications with the network operator. The mobile phone and network provider can also authenticate each other by sending challenges (e.g. random numbers) which are processed using the shared secret data and compared to determine if the two processed challenges match. The use of SIM cards is therefore a good solution for a centralized network operator with many non-technical subscribers, as the subscriber is merely required to insert the SIM card into their mobile phone.
However this type of solution is not suitable for other types of networks which may have too few (e.g. Wi-Fi base station) subscribers to issue a physical SIM card to each. Small wireless networks such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) typically rely on users entering a secret shared key into each device, which key is then used in a predetermined way to generate session keys for encrypting packets, and to authenticate each device to the other. However this can be technically challenging, time-consuming and inconvenient for users of a WLAN to set-up; particularly those who may purchase a WLAN access point (e.g. WiFi router) off-the-shelf. For example in a typical WiFi WLAN, the user must enter a password into the access point, together with an identifier for any users (e.g. mobile devices such as mobile phones or laptop computers), a channel identifier (BSS), and the type of encryption and authentication to be used. Each mobile device which is to connect to the access point must also be programmed with corresponding parameters, even if the connection is temporary—for example a visiting friend using the WLAN for a short period.

Provision of secure communications connection using third party authentication


The present invention relates to shielded electrical cables and shielded electrical connectors to be affixed thereto, and in particular to the termination of the shielding braid provided at the electrical cable. According to the present invention, a shielding termination structure for engaging a shielding (104) of a shielded cable (100) having an insulated conductor (102) that is encompassed by said shielding is provided, said shielding termination structure (110) comprising: an electrically conductive shield body (114) for establishing an electrical connection between said shielding (104) and an electrically conductive interface (118), fixing means (126) for securing said shield body (114) at the interface (118); an electrically conductive spring element (120) that is arranged between said shield body (114) and the interface (118) for establishing the electric contact in a compressed state of the spring element (120).

The present invention relates to shielded electrical cables and shielded electrical connectors to be affixed thereto, and in particular to the termination of the shielding braid provided at the electrical cable. More specifically, the present invention can be applied for sealed electrical connections which are for instance necessary with automotive applications.
When terminating a shielded electrical cable, it is common to electrically couple the shielding braid of the cable to a shield member of an electrical connector or electrical device. One way of accomplishing this is to attach the braid directly to the shield by welding or soldering. Another method is to include a crimp ring that fits above the braid of the cable and may be crimped thereto such that the braid is positively retained. After crimping, the crimp ring must be connected with the connector shield. Radially expanding resilient elements may be used to establish the connection between the crimp ring and the housing. Another known solution is to crimp the braid directly to the connector housing. This may be accomplished by providing a flange that extends from the shield that would fit beneath the braid and provide a crimp ring thereover, that when crimped tightly fastens the braid therebetween. It is also known to join the braid to a shield flange directly as described above, but rather than using a crimp ring, a second ring is used that is press fit thereupon, thereby captivating the braid between the two rings.
However, most known solutions suffer from the disadvantage that they are not sufficiently robust to withstand the vibrations and temperature changes in the automotive application field. Moreover, in many cases the connection between the shielded electrical cable and the shield of for instance, a housing has a too high electrical resistance. On the other hand, soldering connections are making the assembly much more difficult and expensive.

Shielding braid termination for a shielded electrical connector


A method for cultivating eukaryotic cells, particularly bone marrow cells, which utilizes a gel system having a gel strength low enough to allow the cells to settle into the gel during cultivation. The gel system is preferably formed from a mixture of methylcellulose and modified agarose. Further, the gel system comprises a soft agar assay and kit for growing the bone marrow cells. The gel is transparent and is present in a single uniform layer with a thickness of 0.5 to 4 mm.

Typical soft agar assays consist of a gel matrix of either methylcellulose, agarose, agar or plasma clot mixed with basal medium, fetal bovine serum and, if necessary, growth factors. The preparation of this semi-solid matrix culture system is both laborious and time-consuming. Another disadvantage of these culture systems is that the cells to be cultured must be added to the gel when the gel is in a liquid form for proper growth of the cells. The addition of cells to either the methylcellulose or SeaPlaque.RTM. alone, after it has formed a gel, does not support proliferation of the cells to form discrete colonies that can be quantitated to the extent necessary to run various biological tests, especially the soft agar assays.

Method for growing eukaryotic cells using soft agar assay and kit