A gas turbine system comprises a compressor that takes in suction air on the inlet side and compresses it to compressor end air that is available on the outlet side, a combustor in which a fuel is burned by using the compressor end air while resulting in the formation of hot gas, as well as a turbine in which the hot gas is expanded while providing work output. In a method for cooling this gas turbine system, compressed air is removed from the compressor, is fed as cooling air for cooling inside an internal cooling channel through thermally loaded components of the combustor and/or the turbine, is then compressed and added to the compressor end air. An improved cooling without disadvantage for the efficiency of the system is achieved in that, in the manner of a targeted leakage, a small part of the cooling air is fed for film cooling into the turbine stream through drilled film cooling openings provided on the components.

In order to cool their hot parts, in particular the combustor and the turbine through which the hot gas flows, existing gas turbines (gas turbine systems) use either cooling media taken from the compressor at a suitable pressure, and which sometimes are further cooled, and which, after they have been used to cool the hot parts, are added to the turbine stream. Such a method and such a gas turbine system are known, for example, from publication U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,197. These existing gas turbines use closed cooling circuits supplied from an external cooling medium source, in most cases water or steam. In the latter case, frequently found in combination power plants, the cooling heat often can be used in the process that follows. Another possibility, described, for example, in EP-A2-0 899 425 of the applicant, combines, especially in the case of blade cooling, a closed steam cooling system in the main part of the blade with an open cooling system in the area of the leading blade edge.
The first category has the disadvantage that the cooling medium, which inherently bypasses heating in the combustor, in most cases undergoes a higher pressure loss in the cooling section than is necessary for the cooling task. In addition, mixing losses are created when the cooling medium enters the main stream. Both represent significant process losses that have an important adverse effect on the efficiency of the process overall.
The second category of externally supplied cooling systems and, in particular, also the third category of the combined cooling systems, does not have these disadvantages or is only affected by them to a limited degree; however, their operation becomes dependent on an external coolant supply, which is associated with an increased level of complexity as well as increased cost and safety risks.
The initially mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,197 discloses a gas turbine with a closed cooling system for the guide and rotating blades and the hot gas housing of the turbine, in which air with a specific pressure is removed from the compressor at an intermediate pressure level or at the outlet, this air is supplied as cooling air through the components to be cooled, and is then again fed into the compressor at a suitable, lower pressure level. Prior to being fed into the compressor, the returned cooling air hereby also can be additionally cooled inside a cooler.
This known type of closed cooling circuit has significant advantages in terms of simplicity of design and operation and influence on the overall efficiency when compared to the types of cooling described previously in this document. The disadvantage, however, is that, especially with respect to the turbine blades, a film cooling of the component surfaces exposed to the hot gas is not easily possible with this hermetically sealed cooling circuit. This means that a film cooling either must be eliminated—which reduces the load bearing capacity of the components and, as a result, the efficiency; or a separate cooling circuit, which again would increase the complexity of the system and thus its susceptibility to trouble, must be provided for the film cooling.

Method for cooling a gas turbine system and a gas turbine system for performing this method


The present invention relates to the use of 4-methyl-delta-hexylactone for imparting, modifying and/or intensifying one or more smell or flavor impressions from the group consisting of hay, coumarin, lactone and richness in the mouth.

In spite of a large number of already existing odoriferous and aroma substances, in the perfume and aroma industry there also continues to be a general demand for novel odoriferous and aroma substances which have, beyond their primary, namely intrinsic smell and flavour properties, additional positive secondary properties, for example in mixtures with other odoriferous and aroma substances.
There is thus a demand for odoriferous and aroma substances which (in odoriferous or aroma substance compositions) generate interesting smell notes and with their novel and original fragrance and flavour properties extend the possibilities of the perfumer or flavourist.
For creation of novel modern compositions, there is a constant demand for odoriferous and aroma substances having particular smell/flavour properties which are suitable for serving as a constituent of a composition of novel perfumes or aromas having a complex smell or flavour character. Thus, in particular, odoriferous and aroma substances are sought which, alongside a hay-like fragrance or flavour note, have further notes and aspects which impart to them smell or flavour character and complexity.

Uses of 4-methyl-5-hydroxy-hexanoic acid lactone


A motor vehicle bumper that has a transverse carrier which can be secured transversely relative to the longitudinal carriers of the motor vehicle by crash boxes. The transverse carrier has a shell member which is open toward the front side and which has a rear wall and two outer members which are both adjoined at the end side by an outwardly directed longitudinal flange. The shell member has a central longitudinal portion which is adjoined in the direction toward the two ends of the transverse carrier by a transition portion, an intermediate portion, a crash box connection portion and an end portion. The shell member is closed at least over the majority of the length thereof by a closure plate which forms the front side. In the transition portions, the shell member has a minimum depth which is less than the maximum depth in the central longitudinal portion.

Bumpers are installed as standard in motor vehicles both at the front and at the rear end, in order to absorb the impact energy of small collisions so that the actual carrier structure of the motor vehicle is not damaged to the greatest possible extent. A bumper has a transverse carrier which can be secured with crash boxes being interposed transversely relative to the longitudinal boxes of the motor vehicle frame. The transverse carrier is used to introduce the energy resulting from an impact into the crash boxes, where the impact energy is intended to be converted into deformation work.
EP 1 638 815 B1 relates to a bumper for a motor vehicle. This bumper has a transverse carrier which can be secured transversely relative to the longitudinal carriers of the motor vehicle by means of crash boxes. The transverse carrier comprises a shell member which is open at the front side and which has a rear wall and two outer members which are adjoined at the end side in each case by an outwardly directed longitudinal flange. The shell member has in a longitudinal direction a plurality of part-pieces and has a central longitudinal portion which is adjoined at both sides in the direction toward the ends of the transverse carrier by an intermediate portion, a crash box connection portion and an end portion.
Bumpers must comply with legal regulations and the requirements stipulated by the consumer protection organizations for pedestrian protection. Furthermore, the requirements from the classification test of insurance companies have to be complied with. At the same time, there is the requirement for optimum use of structural space and capacity for assembly, high energy absorption capacity and the most lightweight construction possible with acceptable costs.
In the course of increasing electromobility, the proportion of electric vehicles which are involved in traffic is increasing. Electric vehicles, as a result of the arrangement of the drive in the vehicle, are softer in the front region and have a lower resistance capacity than a vehicle with an internal combustion engine. Attempts have been made to compensate for this by means of the motor vehicle structure, the bumpers.


A method of preventing or reducing fogging of a surface of a composite when subjected to humid conditions includes providing a composite with a surface. The composite includes a substrate and a photocatalytic surface layer. The photocatalytic surface layer includes a photocatalyst. The method further includes subjecting the photocatalyst to photoexcitation to render the surface of the composite hydrophilic, wherein, after the photoexcitation, the surface of the composite has a water wettability of less than 10° in terms of the contact angle with water. The method further includes subjecting the composite to humidity that is sufficient to induce fogging of the substrate if the photocatalytic surface layer were absent.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates broadly to the art of rendering and maintaining a surface of a substrate highly hydrophilic. More particularly, the present invention relates to the antifogging art wherein the surface of a transparent substrate such as a mirror, lens and sheet glass is made highly hydrophilic to thereby prevent fogging of the substrate or formation of water droplets. This invention is also concerned with the art wherein the surface of a building, windowpane, machinery or article is rendered highly hydrophilic in order to prevent fouling of, to permit self-cleaning of or to facilitate cleaning of the surface. This invention also relates to a hydrophilifiable member having a surface layer which is capable of having an extremely small contact angle with water, a method for rendering the member hydrophilic, a method for forming a hydrophilifiable surface layer, and a coating composition for forming a hydrophilifiable surface layer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is often experienced that, in the cold seasons, windshields and window-glasses of automobile and other vehicles, windowpanes of buildings, lenses of eyeglasses, and cover glasses of various instruments are fogged by moisture condensate. Similarly, in a bathroom or lavatory, it is often encountered that mirrors and eyeglass lenses are fogged by steam.
Fogging of the surface of an article results from the fact that, when the surface is held at a temperature lower than the dew point of the ambient atmosphere, condensation of moisture in the ambient air takes place to form moisture condensate at the surface.
If the condensate particles are sufficiently fine and small so that the diameter thereof is on the order of one half of the wavelength of the visible light, the particles cause scattering of light whereby window-glasses and mirrors become apparently opaque thereby giving rise to a loss of visibility.
When condensation of moisture further proceeds so that fine condensate particles are merged together to grow into discrete larger droplets, the refraction of light taking place at the interface between the droplets and the surface and between the droplets and the ambient air causes the surface to be blurred, dimmed, mottled, or clouded. As a result, an image viewed through a transparent article such as sheet glass may become distorted, or the reflected image in a mirror may be disturbed.
Similarly, when windshields and window-glasses of vehicles, windowpanes of buildings, rearview mirrors of vehicles, lenses of eyeglasses, or shields of masks or helmets are subjected to rain or water splash so that discrete water droplets are adhered to the surface, their surface is blurred, dimmed, mottled, or clouded, resulting in the loss of visibility.
The term "antifogging" as used herein and in the appended claims is intended to mean broadly the art of preventing or minimizing occurrence of optical trouble resulting from fogging, growth of condensate droplets or adherent water droplets mentioned above.
The antifogging art can significantly affect safety and efficiency in a variety of setting. For example, the safety of vehicles and traffic can be undermined if the windshields, window-glasses or rearview mirrors of vehicles are fogged or blurred. Fogging of endoscopic lenses and dental mouth mirrors may hinder proper and accurate diagnosis, operation and treatment. If cover glasses of measuring instruments are fogged, a reading of data will become difficult.
The windshields of automobiles and other vehicles are normally provided with windshield wipers, defrosting devices and heaters so as to avoid visibility problems, which arise particularly in the cold seasons and under rainy conditions. However, it is not commercially feasible to install this equipment on the side windows of a vehicle, or on the rearview mirrors arranged outside of the vehicle. Similarly, it is difficult, if possible at all, to mount such antifogging equipment on windowpanes of buildings, lenses of eyeglasses and endoscopes, dental mouth mirrors, shields of masks and helmets, or cover glasses of measuring instruments.
As is well-known, a simple and convenient antifogging method conventionally used in the art is to apply onto a surface an antifogging composition containing either a hydrophilic compound such as polyethylene glycol or a hydrophobic or water-repellent compound such as silicone. However, the disadvantage of this method is that the antifogging coating thus formed is only temporary in nature and is readily removed when rubbed or washed with water so that its effectiveness is prematurely lost.
Japanese Utility Model Kokai Publication No. 3-129357 (Mitsubishi Rayon) discloses an antifogging method for a mirror wherein the surface of a substrate is provided with a polymer layer and the layer is subjected to irradiation by ultraviolet light, followed by treatment with an aqueous alkaline solution to thereby form acid radicals at a high density whereby the surface of the polymer layer is rendered hydrophilic. Again, however, it is believed that, according to this method, the hydrophilic property of the surface is degraded as time elapses because of adherent contaminants so that the antifogging function is lost over time.
Japanese Utility Model Kokai Publication No. 5-68006 (Stanley Electric) discloses an antifogging film made of a graftcopolymer of an acrylic monomer having hydrophilic groups and a monomer having hydrophobic groups. The graftcopolymer is described as having a contact angle with water of about 50°. It is therefore believed that this antifogging film does not exhibit a sufficient antifogging capability.
Isao Kaetsu "Antifogging Coating Techniques for Glass", Modern Coating Techniques, pages 237-249, published by Sogo Gijutsu Center (1986), describes various antifogging techniques used in the prior art. The author Mr. Kaetsu nevertheless reports that the prior art antifogging techniques, which consist of rendering a surface hydrophilic, suffer from significant problems which must be overcome in reducing them to practice, and, further reports that the conventional antifogging coating techniques seemingly come up against a barrier.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an antifogging method which is capable of realizing a high degree of visibility in a transparent substrate such as a mirror, lens or glass.
Another object of the invention is to provide an antifogging method wherein the surface of a transparent substrate such as a mirror, lens or glass is maintained highly hydrophilic for an extended period of time.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an antifogging method wherein the surface of a transparent substrate such as a mirror, lens and glass is almost permanently maintained highly hydrophilic.
A further object of the invention is to provide an antifogging coating which has an improved durability and abrasion resistance.
Another object of the invention is to provide an antifogging coating which can be readily applied onto a surface requiring antifogging treatment.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an antifogging transparent substrate such as a mirror, lens or glass, as well as a method of making such an antifogging transparent substrate, wherein the substrate surface is maintained highly hydrophilic for an extended period of time to thereby provide a high degree of antifogging property for an extended period.
In the fields of architecture and painting, it has been pointed out that growing environmental pollution tends to inadvertently accelerate fouling, contamination or soiling of exterior building materials, including outdoor buildings themselves and the coatings thereon.
In this regard, air-borne grime and dust particles are allowed under fair weather conditions to fall and deposit on roofs and outer walls of buildings. When it rains, the deposits are washed away by rainwater and are caused to flow along the outer walls of the buildings. Furthermore, air-borne grime is captured by rain and is carried onto surfaces (such as outer walls) of outdoor structures and buildings, where the grime may flow along or down the surface. For these reasons, contaminant substances are caused to adhere onto the surface along the paths of rainwater. As the surface is dried, a striped pattern of dirt, stain or smudge will appear on the surface.
The dirt or stain thus formed on the exterior building materials and exterior coatings consists of contaminant substances which include combustion products such as carbon black, city grime, and inorganic substances such as clay particles. The diversity of the fouling substances is considered to make the antifouling countermeasures complicated (Yoshinori KITSUTAKA, "Accelerated Test Method For Soiling on Finishing Materials of External Walls", Bulletin of Japan Architecture Society, vol. 404 (October 1989), pages 15-24).
Hitherto, it has been commonly considered in the art that water-repellent paints such as those containing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are desirable to prevent fouling or soiling of exterior building materials and the like. Recently, however, it is pointed out that, in order to cope with city grime containing a large amount of oleophilic components, it is rather desirable to render the surface of coatings as hydrophilic as possible ("Highpolymer", vol. 44, May 1995, page 307).
Accordingly, it has been proposed in the art to coat a building with a hydrophilic graftcopolymer (Newspaper "Daily Chemical Industry", Jan. 30, 1995). Reportedly, the coating film presents a hydrophilicity of 30-40° in terms of the contact angle with water.
However, in view of the fact that inorganic dusts, which may typically be represented by clay minerals, have a contact angle with water ranging from 20° to 50° (so that they have affinity for graftcopolymer having a contact angle with water of 30-40°), it is considered that such inorganic dusts are apt to adhere to the surface of the graftcopolymer coating and, hence, the coating is not able to prevent fouling or contamination by inorganic dusts.
Also available in the market are various hydrophilic paints which comprise acrylic resin, acryl-silicone resin, aqueous silicone, block copolymers of silicone resin and acrylic resin, acryl-styrene resin, ethylene oxides of sorbitan fatty acid, esters of sorbitan fatty acid, acetates of urethane, cross-linked urethane of polycarbonatediol and/or polyisocyanate, or cross-linked polymers of alkylester polyacrylate. However, since the contact angle with water of these hydrophilic paints is as large as 50-70°, they are not suitable to effectively prevent fouling by city grimes which contain large amount of oleophilic components.
Accordingly, a further object of the invention is to provide a method for rendering a surface of a substrate highly hydrophilic and antifouling.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method wherein the surface of buildings, window glasses, machinery or articles is rendered highly hydrophilic to thereby prevent fouling of or to permit self-cleaning of or to facilitate cleaning of the surface.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a highly hydrophilic antifouling substrate, as well as a method of making thereof, which is adapted to prevent fouling of or to permit self-cleaning of or to facilitate cleaning of the surface.
In certain apparatus, formation of moisture condensate on a surface thereof often hampers operation of the apparatus when condensate has grown into droplets. In heat exchangers, for example, the heat exchanging efficiency would be lowered if condensate particles adhering to radiator fins have grown into large droplets.
Accordingly, another object of the invention is to provide a method for preventing adherent moisture condensate from growing into larger water droplets wherein a surface is made highly hydrophilic to thereby permit adherent moisture condensate to spread into a water film.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for photocatalytically rendering a surface of a substrate superhydrophilic, a substrate with superhydrophilic photocatalytic surface, and method of making thereof


An image processing apparatus includes a blank page determination unit configured to determine whether a document is a blank page by using image data obtained by reading the document, a color determination unit configured to determine whether the document is polychrome or monochrome, and a decision unit configured to decide on processing of the image data obtained by reading the document by using a determination result of the blank page determination unit and a determination result of the color determination unit.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that determines whether image data is data obtained by reading a page containing printing information or data obtained by reading a blank page having no printing information.
Description of the Related Art
For image reading apparatuses such as a digital copying machine, mainly two types of document reading techniques are available. One technique is reading an image by placing a document on a platen glass and moving an optical system while fixing the position of the document (an optical-system moving method). The other technique is reading an image by conveying a document with an auto document feeder (ADF) while fixing the position of an optical system (a feeding-reading method).
A conventional multi-function peripheral apparatus equipped with an automatic document scanner reads both sides of a sheet even when double-sided printed documents and single-sided printed documents are mounted in a mixed manner.
However, in this method, a blank page on the back of the single-sided printed document is also read. Therefore, unnecessary data is processed, which reduces a processing speed. In addition, print processing is executed also on image data generated by reading the blank page when the read document is output, which causes unnecessary paper consumption and power consumption. Therefore, unnecessary printing, paper, and toner consumption can be suppressed by using blank page detection, thereby removing image data determined to be the image data obtained by reading the blank page. Further, in a case where the obtained data is transmitted as electronic data such as an e-mail, file capacity can be suppressed by removing the image data determined to be the image data obtained by reading the blank page. Therefore, various types of blank page detection methods have been devised (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-55503).
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-55503 discusses a blank page determination method. This method detects an edge portion from image data read from a document, and determines whether the document is a blank page, based on a ratio of an amount of the detected edge portion to the total number of pixels.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-219808 discusses a method for detecting a blank page. Specifically, this method determines whether a document is a color background document or white background document, and changes a determination criterion for detecting blank page if image data obtained by reading the document is determined to be image data obtained by reading a color background document. Thus, when the color background document includes a blank page, this blank page is detected.
However, a document to be detected as a blank page may vary according to usage intended by a user.
For example, assume that a piece of colored paper having a background color other than white is inserted as a slip sheet into documents each having a background color of white and containing printing information. In this case, it may be desirable to detect and remove image data obtained by reading a blank page included in the white background documents. However, it may be desirable to output image data obtained by reading blank pages of the colored paper, as the slip sheet. Further, it may be desirable to detect and remove image data obtained by reading the colored paper inserted as the slip sheet, without removing the image data obtained by reading the blank page included in the white background documents to maintain a layout.
In this way, depending on the usage intended by the user, the image data obtained by reading the blank page may not be the data desired to be removed. That is, the image data desired to be removed may vary according to the background color of the blank page (document).

Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium


A compound represented by formula (1) or a salt thereof, and an ink including the same. In formula (1), each Q independently represents a halogen atom; R11 and R12 independently represent an alkyl group substituted by an ionic hydrophilic group; and A1 represents a C1-C3 alkoxy-substituted alkylamino group

Various ink discharging systems have been developed for a method of recording with an ink-jet printer, which is one of representative methods of various color recording methods. These systems all involve generating a droplet of ink, which is then allowed to attach to various recording media (paper, film, textile and the like), thereby performing recording. This method is quiet since a recording head does not make direct contact with a recording medium, generating no sound. Further, these systems, which can easily be downsized, accelerated, and adapted to full-color, have become increasingly popular in recent years, and significant and continuous growth is expected.
Conventionally, coloring matters for use in various recording inks that find their uses in fountain pens felt-tip pens, ink-jet recording and the like may be classified broadly into two groups: water-soluble and water-insoluble coloring matters. Water-soluble coloring matters include direct dyes, acid dyes, reactive dyes and the like. Water-insoluble coloring matters include pigments, disperse dyes, solvent dyes and the like. Among these coloring matters, dyes are thought to have excellent color saturation and the like as compared with pigments, leading to high quality recorded images. However, the robustness of recorded images such as light resistance may be inferior as compared with that of pigments.
The term "light resistance" as used herein refers to being resistant to a phenomenon where a coloring matter attached on a recorded image will undergo degradation due to exposure to various types of light such as sunlight and light from fluorescent lamps, resulting in discoloration of the recorded image. As one of the features of ink-jet recording, mentioned is the ability of producing photo-quality recorded images. As one of the methods of obtaining a photo-quality recorded image, mentioned is the use of a recording medium having an ink receiving layer. Such an ink receiving layer generally includes a porous white inorganic substance in order to achieve rapid drying of an ink, and obtain a high-quality image with less color blurring. Nonetheless, a significant light-induced discoloring phenomenon may be observed in such a recording medium. For this reason, improving light resistance of recorded images is considered as one of the most important technical issues in the art of ink-jet recording.
Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose C.I. Direct Yellow 132 as a known yellow coloring matter for ink-jet with excellent water solubility and vividness. Moreover, Patent Document 4 discloses a yellow coloring matter for ink-jet that is excellent in terms of various aspects of robustness.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. H11-70729    Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 3346755    Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent No. 4100880    Patent Document 4: PCT International Publication No. WO2011/122427

Water-soluble azo compound or salt thereof, ink and recording medium


Methods are provided for controlling an engine in response to a pre-ignition event. A pre-ignition threshold and a pre-ignition mitigating action are adjusted based on a rate of change of cylinder aircharge. As a result, pre-ignition events occurring during transient engine operating conditions are detected and addressed different from pre-ignition events occurring during steady-state engine operating conditions.

Under certain operating conditions, engines that have high compression ratios, or are boosted to increase specific output, may be prone to low speed pre-ignition combustion events. The early combustion due to pre-ignition can cause very high in-cylinder pressures, and can result in combustion pressure waves similar to combustion knock, but with larger intensity. Strategies have been developed for prediction and/or early detection of pre-ignition based on engine operating conditions. Additionally, following detection, various pre-ignition mitigating steps may be taken.
One example strategy for pre-ignition detection and mitigation is shown by Rollinger et al. in US2011/0139120. Therein, pre-ignition is indicated based on a knock intensity and timing, and in response to the indication of pre-ignition, a cylinder enrichment is performed. Further, in response to frequent pre-ignition occurrence, persistent pre-ignition is inferred and mitigated with a more aggressive enrichment strategy as compared to intermittent pre-ignition.
However, the inventors herein have identified a potential issue with such an approach. During transient engine operating conditions, such as during a tip-in when boost is being phased in, rapid changes in cylinder aircharge can result in heavy knocking events. That is, the intensity and frequency of knocking may be higher for a given cylinder during transient conditions as compared to steady-state conditions. The heavy knocking may be incorrectly perceived as persistent pre-ignition and mitigated with too much (or too frequent) enrichment. As such, this may lead to an unintentional increase in exhaust emissions. Additionally, fuel economy may be degraded.
Thus, in one example, the above issue may be at least partly addressed by a method for an engine. In one example embodiment, the method comprises adjusting a timing and number of injections, in a given engine cycle, of a pre-ignition suppressing fluid injection to a cylinder based on an indication of transient pre-ignition in the cylinder. Further, a split ratio of the pre-ignition suppressing fluid injection may be adjusted based on the indication of transient pre-ignition.
In one example, during engine operation, an engine controller may estimate a change in cylinder aircharge over time. In response to an indication of pre-ignition (e.g., a knock intensity) being higher than a threshold while the change in air charge over time is higher than a threshold rate, transient pre-ignition may be inferred. To mitigate the transient pre-ignition, a pre-ignition suppressing fluid, such as water or gasoline, may be direct injected into the pre-ignition affected cylinder. The injection may be split into a number of injections to improve the pre-ignition mitigating effect of the pre-ignition suppressing fluid. For example, as the rate of change in air charge increases above the threshold rate, the number of injections may be increased, the number of injections and a duration between consecutive injections based on the rate of change in cylinder air charge. Additionally, a larger portion of the injection may be injected during an intake stroke of a given engine cycle while the remaining portion is injected during a compression stroke of the engine cycle.
In comparison, if the cylinder knock intensity is lower than the adjusted threshold, heavy knocking due to the rapid change in cylinder aircharge during the transient conditions may be inferred. Likewise, pre-ignition mitigating actions (e.g., enrichment and/or lead-limiting) may be adjusted based on the presence of transient operating conditions. Specifically, mitigating actions responsive to transient pre-ignition may be limited only to the affected cylinder and may be not extended to other cylinders or cylinder groups, as may be done responsive to (intermittent or persistent) steady-state pre-ignition. Optionally, engine transients may be reduced to further mitigate the transient pre-ignition.
In this way, large knocking events caused due to transient or tip-in detonation may be better distinguished from those caused due to transient pre-ignition. By reducing the false detection of pre-ignition during transient conditions, and adjusting the injection of a pre-ignition suppressing fluid responsive to transient pre-ignition, unnecessary cylinder enrichment may be reduced while the pre-ignition mitigating effect of the injected fluid is improved. As a result, pre-ignition mitigation, fuel economy and engine exhaust emissions may be improved, without degrading the accuracy of pre-ignition detection.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

Method and system for pre-ignition control


An apparatus for slicing food products having a cutting knife which is driven in a rotary manner. The cutting plane of the knife extends perpendicular to the product support surface of a product supply device.

I. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an apparatus for the slicing of food products such as ham, sausage, cheese and the like comprising a cutting knife which is driven in a rotating manner and/or which circulates in a planetary manner and whose cutting plane extends perpendicular to a product support surface of a product supply device, with the end of the product support surface at the cutting knife side being formed by a cutting edge part which forms a cutting gap together with the cutting knife.
II. Description of Related Art
Clean and flawless cuts are demanded from such apparatuses, which are usually called slicers and which work at very high cutting speeds. Even at these very high operating speeds and in particular also with products which are more difficult to cut up, such clean cuts are difficult to achieve.
In particular the quality and/or the accuracy of the cutting gap formed between the support surface for the respectively supplied product and the cutting knife, which both rotate about their own axis and circulate in a planetary manner, have an influence on the cutting quality.
In practice, the quality and/or accuracy of the cutting gap is impaired above all by depth differences of the cutting knife which are caused by production and which can easily result in deviations arising with respect to the desired cutting gap size, with the desired cutting gap size being zero in the ideal case.
It is the object of the present invention to design an apparatus of the kind initially named in a manner such that differences from the desired cutting gap impairing the cutting quality can be eliminated and thus an optimum and constant cutting gap can be ensured independently of the respectively used knife and also independently of the respective operating conditions.
In accordance with the invention, this object is satisfied in that the cutting edge part is displaceably supported perpendicular to the cutting plane and is resiliently biased toward an abutment and in that the abutment is positioned and the cutting edge part is designed such that the cutting edge part is at least touched by the knife in each knife passage opposite to the bias applied and is in particular deflected slightly against (or opposite to) the bias.
The cutting edge part, which forms the cutting gap together with the cutting knife, is displaced by a minimal amount from its base position due to this design, with the size of this displacement lying in the range of a few tenths of a millimeter.
To ensure a cooperation free of problems between the cutting knife and the cutting edge part in this connection, the cutting edge part is designed in the entry region of the cutting knife with at least one guide surface which ensures that the cutting knife comes into contact with a slightly inclined surface section of the cutting edge part, whereby interfering friction and unwanted wear are practically eliminated.


A sheathless flow cytometry system is disclosed wherein a fluid containing particles of interest is illuminated in the sensing region with a light source. Light resulting from the interaction of the particles with the illumination is received by a lens, and focused toward a field stop having an aperture comprising relatively large end portions and a relatively small center portion. Light deflectors are disposed over the relatively large end portions of the aperture. The system is arranged such that light from particles in focus in the sensing region is focused on the relatively small center portion of the aperture. Peripheral detectors receive light from the light deflectors, and a center light detector receives light passing through the center portion. The detector signals may be used to identify which of the detector signals correspond to particles in focus as they passed through the sensing region.

With conventional flow cytometers, particles, such as cells, are aligned and carried along ideally in a single file arrangement within a stream of clear fluid, also known as a sheath fluid, to pass before one or more beams of light in an sensing region (or the detection optics) for subsequent detection of various parametric characteristics to classify, categorize, quantify or otherwise detect one or more aspects of the particles. This sheath fluid guides the particles substantially along a desired path such that the particles are at an in-focus position in the sensing region relative to one or more beams of light for subsequent sensing by detectors and automated quantification of cells according to predetermined parametric characteristics. Without the sheath fluid, particles while in the sensing region may not be in a proper in-focus position relative to the beams of light directed into the sensing region so that detection data would be collected regarding out-of-focus and in-focus particles. The detection data collected regarding the out-of-focus particles would lack accuracy and consequently harm the overall integrity of the data collected.
Due to the single-file nature of the particles passing in the sheath fluid, for each particle passing through or in the vicinity of one or more of the light beams in an sensing region, there is generally little or no surrounding particles so that there is little background light scatter or fluorescence to interfere with detection of the predetermined one or more parametric characteristics associated with the particle so that each of the particles can be considered as in-focus while in the sensing region with respect to the one or more beams of light involved. Unfortunately, the need for both clean sheath fluid and a highly stable stream greatly complicates the fluidics of these systems. As a consequence, setup and maintenance of these systems while measurements are being performed is very labor intensive. In addition, related system design such as involving sheath fluid management and sample injection constitute a significant proportion of the complexity found with conventional flow cytometry systems.


A jacket assembly for a separable connector includes multiple pieces joined by an overlapping or interference fit. The multiple pieces include a body segment between a cable entrance segment and a bushing interface segment. The cable entrance segment includes a bore that extends axially through the cable entrance segment and is sized to receive an insulated power cable. The bushing interface segment includes a lug portion with another bore that is sized to receive a portion of an insulative inner housing and a portion of a conductive insert for accepting a compression lug. The bushing may also be configured to receive another portion of the insulative inner housing and another portion of a conductive insert for accepting a probe or bushing insert from another device. The body segment includes still another bore extending axially from a first end of the body segment to a second end of the body segment.

The present invention relates to electrical cable connectors, such as loadbreak or deadbreak connectors for various voltage applications. More particularly, aspects described herein relate to separable connectors that have a conductive insert and a jacket separated by insulation. Loadbreak and deadbreak connectors used, for example, in conjunction with 15 and 25 kV switchgear generally include a power cable elbow connector having one end adapted for receiving a power cable and another end adapted for receiving a loadbreak or deadbreak bushing insert.

Multi-piece jacket for separable connectors


At least two vibration detection electro-mechanical energy conversion element areas substantially centered on the antinodes of both the standing waves are arranged between the group of driving electro-mechanical energy conversion element areas. Amplitudes of two standing waves generated upon application of AC voltages to these groups and a time-phase difference between the standing waves can be accurately detected. The amplitudes of the standing waves can be made equal to each other, and the time-phase difference can be set to be .pi./2, thereby obtaining an ideal vibration state of a travelling vibration wave generated in a vibration plate.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a vibration wave motor which is frictionally driven by a travelling vibration wave generated in an elastic vibration member.
2. Related Background Art
Vibration wave motors for frictionally driving a moving member by utilizing a travelling vibration wave are proposed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,580,073 and 4,484,099. These motors have been commercially available in recent years. The principle of operation of the vibration wave motor will be described below.
Two groups each consisting of a plurality of piezoelectric elements are fixed on one surface of a ring-like elastic vibration plate having a circumferential length which is an integer multiple of a given length .lambda. to constitute a stator. These piezoelectric elements are normally arranged at .lambda./2 pitches in each group and alternately have opposite polarities. The piezoelectric elements in the groups are offset by an odd number multiple of .lambda./4. Electrode films are formed on the piezoelectric elements of the groups, respectively. When an AC voltage is applied to any one of the groups, a standing wave (wavelength: .lambda.) of flexural vibrations is generated throughout the entire circumference of the vibration plate such that antinode positions are located at the central positions of the piezoelectric elements of the group and positions away from the central positions every .lambda./2 intervals, and nodes are located at the central positions between the antinodes. When an AC voltage is applied to the remaining group, a similar standing wave is generated. However, in this case, the positions of the antinodes and the nodes are offset from the first standing wave by .lambda./4. When AC voltages having a positional difference of .pi./2 as a function of time and having the same frequencies are simultaneously applied to both the groups, two standing waves are combined to generate a travelling wave (wavelength:.lambda.) of flexural vibrations in the circumferential direction of the vibration plate. In this case, the respective points on the other surface of the vibration plate having a predetermined thickness are subjected to a kind of elliptical motion. If a ring-like moving member serving as a rotor is brought into tight contact with the other surface of the vibration plate, the moving member receives a circumferential frictional force from the vibration plate and is rotated. The direction of rotation can be reversed by changing a positive phase difference between the AC voltages applied to both the groups into a negative difference, and vice versa. The above description is concerned with the principle of operation of a vibration wave motor of this type.
A driver circuit in a conventional vibration wave motor of this type is proposed in, e.g., Japanese Pat. Laid-Open (Kokai) No. 61-157276, U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,411, and Japanese Pat. Laid-Open (Kokai) No. 59-156169. One vibration detection piezoelectric element is fixed on the other one of the groups of piezoelectric elements (these elements are referred to as driving piezoelectric elements), and a frequency of the AC voltage applied to the driving piezoelectric elements is automatically changed into a resonance frequency in accordance with a detection output from the detection piezoelectric element, thereby improving efficiency of the vibration wave motor.
In the vibration wave motor described above, however, the vibration detection piezoelectric element is fixed at the same spatial phase position as that of one of the groups of driving piezoelectric elements. More specifically, since the central point of the vibration detection piezoelectric element is located at a position offset from the central point of one area of the group of driving piezoelectric elements by a integer multiple of .lambda./2, thus posing the following problems.
First, since the frequency characteristics of standing waves generated upon application of an AC voltage to the groups differ from each other due to the vibration detection piezoelectric element located at the same spatial phase position as that of one of the groups of driving piezoelectric elements, the vibration detection piezoelectric element can detect only a vibration state of the standing wave generated by applying the AC voltage to one group of driving piezoelectric elements.
Second, a time-phase difference between both the standing waves generated upon application of the AC voltages to both the groups and an amplitude of one of the standing waves must be controlled by an open loop due to the first reason. The time-phases of the standing waves are greatly shifted from .pi./2, and a difference between the amplitudes of the standing waves is increased. As a result, the amplitude of the travelling wave greatly varies, thus causing degradation of efficiency and unstable rotation of the motor.


An inkjet printer including an inkjet head with an ink discharging surface, a head scanning unit to drive the inkjet head to reciprocate along a first direction, and a pattern-printing control device to control printing a gap level pattern on a recording medium, is provided. The pattern-printing control device controls the inkjet head and the head scanning unit to print the gap level pattern including a plurality of unit patterns, in each of which the first linear pattern and the second linear pattern intersect each other, aligned along the first direction by manipulating the inkjet head to form a plurality of first linear patterns, which are formed to intersect the first direction, along the first direction, and to form a plurality of second linear patterns, which are formed to intersect the first linear patterns respectively at a same angle, along the first direction.

1. Technical Field
The following description relates to an inkjet printer for printing an image by ejecting ink from nozzles, a gap detecting device capable of detecting fluctuation of levels of a gap between an ink discharging surface of the inkjet printer and a recording medium, and a method to obtain the fluctuation of the gap levels.
2. Related Art
As an example of inkjet printers configured to perform printing by discharging ink from nozzles onto a recording medium, an inkjet printer has been known that is configured to perform printing by discharging ink onto a recording sheet (a recording medium) from a recording head (an inkjet head) mounted on a carriage reciprocating along a predetermined reciprocating direction. Further, the known inkjet printer is configured to cause a feed rollers or corrugated holding spur wheels to press the recording sheet against a surface of a platen that has thereon convex portions and concave portions alternately formed along the reciprocating direction, so as to deform the recording sheet in a predetermined wave shape. The predetermined wave shape has mountain portions, which protrude toward an ink discharging surface of the recording head, and valley portions, which are recessed in a direction opposite to the direction toward the ink discharging surface side, alternately arranged along the reciprocating direction.

Inkjet printer, gap detectable device, and a method to obtain fluctuation of gap levels


A wearable neck brace uses, for example, only three actuators but provides natural motion of the head and neck. This is achieved despite the fact that the head has six degrees of freedom including 3 translation and 3 rotation. In embodiments, a wearable neck brace actively controls the head of the wearer responsively to commands from a user interface such as an eye tracking input device. In further embodiments, a force-field is generated by actuators to provide assistance and/or training for weak muscles. Spring compensation may be provided for a passive support with flexibility. Encoders may be provided to generate treatment logs to support analysis of a patient's condition or progress or to provide therapy-facilitating (or athletic training-facilitating) feedback to the user.

Static neck braces are commonly used to provide support for persons with neck problems. For example weakness due to stroke, degenerative diseases, surgery, or neck injury may require support of the neck to facilitate recovery or improvement for pathology. In general, the goals of these braces are to correct or limit the position of the head or neck or both. The rigidity of conventional braces makes them difficult to wear for extended periods of time and interferes with typical activities of daily living.
Head drop is commonly seen in many neurodegenerative diseases, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The neck extensor muscles progressively weaken and the patients feel fatigue in holding or moving the head normally. With progression of the disease, the head drops completely, making it a challenge for the patient to make eye contact, talk, swallow, or breathe. In addition to the choking hazard, it creates issues of social embarrassment and psychological decline. There is no cure for head drop in patients with ALS. There are other neuromuscular disorders, such as cervical dystonia, myasthenia gravis, fascioscapulohumeral dystrophy where patients are unable to keep their head in a configuration due to muscle weakness and/or involuntary contractions of the neck muscles. Once the extensor muscles of the neck lose strength, they cannot be restored through therapy, pharmacological treatment or surgical interventions. Typically, the loss in muscle strength is alleviated through assistive devices. Reclining wheelchairs are sometimes used, where the chair can be tilted so that the patient can make eye contact.

Wearable apparatuses, methods, and systems for diagnosis, analysis, therapy and other uses

The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York


Methods for programming and memory devices are disclosed. In one such method for programming, a first programming voltage applied to control gates of a group of memory cells generates a maximum threshold voltage of the group of memory cell threshold voltages. A voltage difference between the maximum threshold voltage and a maximum target voltage is used as a gate step voltage for a second programming voltage. Fast and slow programming memory cells are determined from the distribution resulting from the second programming voltage. An effective gate voltage applied to the control gates of the fast programming memory cells is less than an effective gate voltage applied to the control gates of the slow programming memory cells during the third programming voltage.

Flash memory devices have developed into a popular source of non-volatile memory for a wide range of electronic applications. Flash memory devices typically use a one-transistor memory cell that allows for high memory densities, high reliability, and low power consumption. Common uses for flash memory include personal computers, flash drives, digital cameras, and cellular telephones. Program code and system data such as a basic input/output system (BIOS) are typically stored in flash memory devices for use in personal computer systems.
Non-volatile memory cells can be programmed as single level cells (SLC) or multiple level cells (MLC). Single level cells have two states, erased and programmed, that can typically be illustrated by the SLC distributions of FIG. 1A. Multiple level cells can typically be illustrated by the MLC distributions of FIG. 1B.
FIG. 1A shows that an erased state 100 of SLC memory, typically a logical 1 state, is shown as a negative state. The programmed state 101, typically a logical 0 state, is shown as a positive state.
FIG. 1B shows that the erased state 103 of MLC memory, typically a logical 11 state, is shown as the negative state. The programmed states 104-106 are illustrated as positive states that can be labeled as a logical 10 state 104, a logical 00 state 105, and a logical 01 state 106.
As is evident from FIGS. 1A and 1B, the non-volatile memory cells can be programmed from the erased state to one of the programmed states by increasing a threshold voltage (Vt) of a target memory cell from a negative threshold voltage to a target threshold voltage of one of the desired programmed states. The threshold voltage is typically increased by a series of incrementally increasing programming pulses, each programming pulse followed by a verify pulse to determine the present threshold voltage of the memory cell. The programming pulses start at an initial programming voltage and increase by a step voltage until the memory cell verifies as being programmed to the target threshold voltage.
Due to manufacturing and material variations in the integrated circuit die, memory cells of a memory array program at different rates. Thus, there will be slow programming memory cells and fast programming memory cells in any memory array. A programming method could end up over-programming the faster programming memory cells.
Depending on the threshold voltage to which a memory cell is being programmed, a total of five to eight programming/verify pulses might be used to properly program an SLC memory cell. Even though an entire page of memory cells is typically programmed at one time, the time required to program the large number of pages in a memory device can reduce the performance of a memory system during a programming operation.
For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons that will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a way to improve programming performance of memory.

Programming to mitigate memory cell performance differences


Method and apparatus are provided for employing intermittently pulsating or arcuately moving pressured streams of water for massage purposes. A pallet-like structure and the like is provided with a relatively thin sheet-like material on its topside, and a plurality of conduits and nozzles are disposed below to direct pulsating or arcuately oscillating jets of water upwardly against the underside of the sheet-like material.

This invention relates to improved massage methods and apparatus, and more particularly relates to improved methods and apparatus for applying massage to a person in a prone position.
The physical and therapeutic benefits of massage are well known and do not require explanation. It is well known, however, that the most theraputic massage is delivered "head-to-toe" by a skilled masseur while the subject is in a prone position. There are many persons, such as those afflicted with arthritis, who repeatedly need such treatment on a frequent basis. The services of a professional masseur are relatively expensive, and only a fortunate few can afford the benefit of retaining a masseur on a full-time basis.
For this reason, many different types of massage devices have been proposed whereby the subject can receive a full "head-to-toe" massage without a masseur. Unfortunately, none of the various devices heretofore proposed have ever been capable of delivering a massage as effectively as that provided by a masseur. Those massage devices which have been capable of performing in a reasonably beneficial manner, have usually been extremely elaborate and complicated, and have therefore been expensive to both purchase and maintain. Furthermore, such a massaging device has also been difficult if not impossible for the user to operate without assistance.
Many different massage devices have, of course, been proposed and provided which are simpler and therefore cheaper to purchase and maintain. However, all such devices have only been useful in massaging a limited portion of the body, and have never been capable of providing the type of "head-to-toe" massage which is often needed for therapeutic purposes.
These disadvantages and limitations of the prior art are overcome with the present invention and improved massage methods and apparatus are provided which are capable of delivering a complete "head-to-toe" massage to a subject lying in a prone position.


A remote start control system may include an engine speed data bus reader at the vehicle for reading the engine speed signal on the vehicle data communications bus, and a remote start controller at the vehicle and connected to a receiver and the engine speed data bus reader for operating the engine starter based upon a remote start transmitter and based upon the engine speed signal. In some embodiments, the engine speed signal may include a digital code, and the engine speed data bus reader reads the digital code and converts the digital code into a pulsed tachometer emulation signal for the remote start controller. In other embodiments, the engine speed data bus reader generates an output level based upon the digital code exceeding at least one threshold, such as an engine started or engine overspeed threshold. The remote start control system is readily interfaced to a vehicle having a data communications bus to thereby be able to operate using an engine speed signal.

This application is related to the field of vehicle control systems and, more particularly, to a remote start system and related methods for vehicles.
Vehicle security systems are widely used to deter vehicle theft, prevent theft of valuables from a vehicle, deter vandalism, and to protect vehicle owners and occupants. A typical automobile security system, for example, includes a central processor or controller connected to a plurality of vehicle sensors. The sensors, for example, may detect opening of the trunk, hood, doors, windows, and also movement of the vehicle or within the vehicle. Ultrasonic and microwave motion detectors, vibration sensors, sound discriminators, differential pressure sensors, and switches may be used as sensors. In addition, radar sensors may be used to monitor the area proximate the vehicle.
The controller typically operates to give an alarm indication in the event of triggering of a vehicle sensor. The alarm indication may typically be a flashing of the lights and/or the sounding of the vehicle horn or a siren. In addition, the vehicle fuel supply and/or ignition power may be selectively disabled based upon an alarm condition.
A typical security system also includes a receiver associated with the controller that cooperates with one or more remote transmitters typically carried by the user as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,242 to Sassover et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,215 to Drori. The remote transmitter may be used to arm and disarm the vehicle security system or provide other remote control features from a predetermined range away from the vehicle. Also related to remote control of a vehicle function U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,966 to Lambropoulous et al. discloses a remote keyless entry system for a vehicle. The keyless entry system permits the user to remotely open the vehicle doors or open the vehicle trunk using a small handheld transmitter.
Unfortunately, the majority of vehicle security systems need to be directly connected by wires to individual vehicle devices, such as the vehicle horn or door switches of the vehicle. In other words, a conventional vehicle security system is hard-wired to various vehicle components, typically by splicing into vehicle wiring harnesses or via interposing T-harnesses and connectors. The number of electrical devices in a vehicle has increased so that the size and complexity of wiring harnesses has also increased. For example, the steering wheel may include horn switches, an airbag, turn-signal and headlight switches, wiper controls, cruise control switches, ignition wiring, an emergency flasher switch, and/or radio controls. Likewise, a door of a vehicle, for example, may include window controls, locks, outside mirror switches, and/or door-panel light switches.
In response to the increased wiring complexity and costs, vehicle manufacturers have begun attempts to reduce the amount of wiring within vehicles to reduce weight, reduce wire routing problems, decrease costs, and reduce complications that may arise when troubleshooting the electrical system. For example, some manufacturers have adopted multiplexing schemes to reduce cables to three or four wires and to simplify the exchange of data among the various onboard electronic systems as disclosed, for example, in xe2x80x9cThe Thick and Thin of Car Cablingxe2x80x9d by Thompson appearing in the IEEE Spectrum, February 1996, pp. 42-45.
Implementing multiplexing concepts in vehicles in a cost-effective and reliable manner may not be easy. Successful implementation, for example, may require the development of low or error-free communications in what can be harsh vehicle environments. With multiplexing technology, the various electronic modules or devices may be linked by a single signal wire in a bus also containing a power wire, and one or more ground wires. Digital messages are communicated to all modules over the data communications bus. Each message may have one or more addresses associated with it so that the devices can recognize which messages to ignore and which messages to respond to or read.
The Thompson article describes a number of multiplexed networks for vehicles. In particular, the Grand Cherokee made by Chrysler is described as having five multiplex nodes or controllers: the engine controller, the temperature controller, the airbag controller, the theft alarm, and the overhead console. Other nodes for different vehicles may include a transmission controller, a trip computer, an instrument cluster controller, an antilock braking controller, an active suspension controller, and a body controller for devices in the passenger compartment.
A number of patent references are also directed to digital or multiplex communications networks or circuits, such as may be used in a vehicle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,262 Sinniger et al. discloses a multiplex bus system including a master control unit and a plurality of receiver-transmitter units connected thereto. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,772 to Leung discloses a power bus in a vehicle controlled by a low current digitally coded communications system. Other references disclosing various vehicle multiplex control systems include, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,275 to Sato et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,092 to Roggendorf et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,792,783 to Burgess et al.
Several standards have been proposed for vehicle multiplex networks including, for example, the Society of Automotive Engineers xe2x80x9cSurface Vehicle Standard, Class B Data Communications Network Interfacexe2x80x9d, SAE J1850, July 1995. Another report by the SAE is the xe2x80x9cSurface Vehicle Information Report, Chrysler Sensor and Control (CSC) Bus Multiplexing Network for Class xe2x80x98Axe2x80x99 Applicationsxe2x80x9d, SAE J2058, July 1990. Many other networks are also being implemented or proposed for communications between vehicle devices and nodes or controllers.
In addition to vehicle security and remote keyless entry functions, another type of desirable vehicle remote control function is remotely starting the vehicle engine when the owner is away from the vehicle. Such remote starting can be used in cold climates to warm the engine and/or run the passenger compartment heater, to thereby prevent freezing or for the user""s comfort. Conversely, remote engine starting can enable the air conditioning to run to cool the vehicle""s interior before the vehicle user enters the vehicle.
Unfortunately, conventional vehicle control systems, such as aftermarket remote engine starting systems, are for hard-wired connection to vehicle devices and are not readily adaptable to a vehicle including a data communications bus. Moreover, remote starting of the engine presents additional difficulties compared to some other vehicle control applications. This is so because starting the engine may require certain vehicle conditions are correct prior to starting the engine and while the engine is running with the vehicle unattended. It may also be necessary for a remote starter system to bypass an immobilizer device which is part of the security system of some vehicles. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,578 to Drew entitled xe2x80x9cVehicle Engine Start Control Apparatus Including Interface Device Facilitating Installation and Related Methodsxe2x80x9d discloses a remote start system which is hard-wire connected via mating plugs for more conveniently bypassing an immobilizer circuit based upon a coded resistance of the ignition key.
A remote starter system may also desirably be able to interface with one or more vehicle controllers, such as for engine management and transmission control, for example. In addition, a remote starter system, even if it were adapted for a communications bus and devices for one particular model, model year, and manufacturer, may not be compatible with any other models, model years, or manufacturers.
One particularly difficult condition to sense for remote starting is vehicle engine speed or RPM. For a typical hard-wired remote start system, an electrical connection is made to obtain a tachometer signal, such as by tapping to the high voltage ignition system, or to vehicle fuel injector system. Such a connection or interface can be relatively difficult and add additional cost to the remote starter, while also reducing its potential reliability.
In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a remote start control system and associated method capable of readily interfacing with a vehicle including a data communications bus to be able to operate using an engine speed value.
This and other objects, features and advantages in accordance with the present invention are provided by a remote start control system comprising an engine speed data bus reader at the vehicle for reading the engine speed signal on the vehicle data communications bus, and a remote start controller at the vehicle and connected to a receiver and the engine speed data bus reader for operating the engine starter based upon a remote start transmitter and based upon the engine speed signal. In one class of embodiments, the engine speed signal comprises a digital code, and the engine speed data bus reader reads the digital code and converts the digital code into a pulsed tachometer emulation signal for the remote start controller. Accordingly, the remote start control system is readily interfaced to a vehicle having a data communications bus to be able to operate using an engine speed signal.
For example, the remote start controller may disengage the engine starter based upon the tachometer emulation signal reaching an engine started threshold in a range corresponding to 50-1000 engine revolutions per minute. Similarly, the remote start controller may shut down the engine based upon the tachometer emulation signal reaching an engine overspeed threshold corresponding to more than 2500 engine revolutions per minute.
In another class of embodiments, the engine speed signal also comprises a digital code, but the engine speed data bus reader converts the digital code into at least one output value for the remote start controller. For example, the at least one output value may comprise an engine started output value based upon the digital code reaching an engine started threshold in a range corresponding to 50-1000 engine revolutions per minute. The remote start controller may disengage the engine starter responsive to the engine started output value. The output value may be the vehicle ground, the positive vehicle voltage or a value therebetween, for example.
Along these lines, the at least one output value may comprise an engine overspeed output value based upon the digital code reaching an engine overspeed threshold corresponding to more than 2500 engine revolutions per minute. The remote start controller may shut down the engine responsive to the engine overspeed output value. In other words, in this class of embodiments, the engine speed data bus reader performs comparisons of the engine speed to two thresholds and provides corresponding outputs based on the comparisons.
In accordance with another advantageous feature of the invention, the engine speed data bus reader may switch between a sleep mode and an operating mode based upon activity on the vehicle data communications bus. Accordingly, when there is little or no activity on the bus, power consumption can be reduced.
In accordance with yet another advantageous feature of the invention, the engine speed data bus reader may comprise a multi-vehicle compatible engine speed data bus reader. More particularly, the multi-vehicle compatible engine speed data bus reader may store a set of digital codes for each of a plurality of different vehicles, may read a digital code from the vehicle data communications bus, and may determine a match between a read digital code and the stored digital codes to thereby provide compatibility with a plurality of different vehicles. Considered in somewhat different terms, the multi-vehicle compatible engine speed data bus reader may comprise desired signal enabling means for enabling operation using a desired set of digital codes for a corresponding desired vehicle from a plurality of sets of digital codes for different vehicles to thereby provide compatibility with a plurality of different vehicles.
In some embodiments, the engine speed data bus reader may include a first housing and first circuitry carried thereby, and the remote start controller may comprise a second housing and second circuitry carried thereby. In other embodiments, the first and second circuitry may be included in a common housing, for example.
The remote start transmitter may comprise a remote handheld transmitter to be carried by a user when away from the vehicle. The remote start transmitter may additionally or alternately comprise at least a central station transmitter.
A method aspect of the invention is for remote starting a vehicle comprising an engine, an engine starter, and a vehicle data communications bus carrying an engine speed signal. The method may comprise connecting an engine speed data bus reader for reading the engine speed signal on the vehicle data communications bus, and operating the engine starter based upon a remote start transmitter and based upon the engine speed signal read by the engine speed data bus reader.

Remote start system including an engine speed data bus reader and related methods


Memory cells, arrays of memory cells, and methods of forming the same with sealing material on sidewalls thereof are disclosed herein. One example of forming a memory cell includes forming a stack of materials, forming a trench to a first depth in the stack of materials such that a portion of at least one of the active storage element material and the active select device material is exposed on sidewalls of the trench. A sealing material is formed on the exposed portion of the at least one of the active storage element material and the active select device material and the trench is deepened such that a portion of the other of the at least one of the active storage element material and the active select device material is exposed on the sidewalls of the trench.

Memory devices are typically provided as internal, semiconductor, integrated circuits in computers or other electronic devices. There are many different types of memory, including random-access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), resistive memory, and flash memory, among others. Types of resistive memory include resistive random access memory (RRAM) cells, phase change random access memory (PCRAM) cells, conductive bridge random access memory (CBRAM) cells, and/or spin transfer torque random access memory (STT-RAM) cells, among other types of memory cells.
Various resistive memory cells include a select device, e.g., a switching element such as a transistor or diode, coupled to a storage element, e.g., a resistive storage element including a phase change material or a metal oxide material between a pair of electrodes. Formation of resistive memory cells can involve the use of etch chemistries to etch materials corresponding to the select devices and/or storage elements. Some etch chemistries can be useful for etching memory cell materials, but may result in contamination of other memory cell materials during cell formation.

Memory cells and memory cell formation methods using sealing material


A method and apparatus are provided for controlling instant messages. This may include a mobile terminal receiving a message, and searching a telephone directory stored in memory of the mobile terminal for sender information of the received message and determining the received message as an instant message according to a result of the search, and displaying text contents of the instant message on an idle screen of the mobile terminal for a specific duration of time that is controllable by a user.

1. Field
Embodiments may relate to controlling instant messages on a mobile terminal.
2. Background
As functionality of terminals (e.g. personal computers, notebooks, and mobile phones) diversifies, the terminals have been implemented with multimedia players equipped with multiple functions, such as capturing images and video, playing music or video files, gaming, and reception of broadcast signals.
Terminals may include mobile terminals and stationary terminals based on whether the terminals are movable. Mobile terminals can be divided into handheld terminals and vehicle mount terminals according to whether they can be directly carried by a user.
Improvement of structural and/or software portions of the terminal may occur in order to support and increase functionality of the terminal. As terminals provide complex and various functions, a user interface (UI) including a menu display, a list display, etc. may become complicated.
A mobile terminal may receive not only general messages, but also urgent messages and/or public interest messages. A mobile terminal may recognize an urgent message as an instant message when the urgent message is received and the mobile terminal may display text contents of the message on an idle screen.

Method of controlling instant message and mobile terminal using the same


A multipurpose panel structure formed of a relatively thin resilient type material adaptable for use both as a container device and as a display sign, the panel structure comprising a relatively flat one-piece wall member having a cooperatively engageable interlocking arrangement associated therewith enabling the wall member to be formed into an open-ended closed wall structure capable of standing on end to form a container device, the cooperatively engageable interlocking arrangement being releasably detachable so as to enable the wall member to return to its normally flat condition for use as a display sign. The present wall member can be formed into a cylindrical shape, or it can be scored or otherwise weakened at various locations on its surface so as to form a multi-sided container structure. Any plurality of the present wall members may be connected together to form a multitude of container sizes and shapes. The container assemblies formed by the various embodiments of the panel structures disclosed herein are particularly adaptable for holding a wide variety of waste materials including recyclable materials.

In an office, store, merchandising or any other environment, many different types of waste containers are abundantly used for storing and collecting waste type materials including recyclable materials such as aluminum cans, glass and plastic containers, paper, cardboard and so forth. Many different types of waste containers have been constructed and used in the past in all types of environments and for all types of applications. Typically, all such known prior art container devices are of a totally rigid, non-collapsible construction and, importantly, none of the known devices are designed to be repeatedly disassembled for ease of portability and/or for alternative usage as sign means. Also, a totally rigid construction makes the known devices expensive to manufacture as well as bulky, awkward and difficult to transport from one location to another. There therefore exists a need for an inexpensive waste container assembly which can be easily and conveniently employed in a wide variety of environments, both indoors and outdoors, which container assembly can be stored and shipped in a compact, flat package and can be easily and readily assembled and disassembled by a single non-skilled person without tools and without external fasteners or other components. The present invention not only satisfies this need, but it also provides for alternative usage in the form of a sign as an inexpensive means for promoting and/or advertising one's goods, services, company name or any other message or data commonly communicated by signage.

Creative Thermal Vac Manufacturing, Inc.


An illuminable attachment for a tube having a clamp movable from an open position to a closed position engaging the walls of said tube. The illuminable element is comprised of a housing having a lamp, power supply, switch and circuit means within said housing mountable by said clamp to a tube.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to illumination and, more specifically, to an illuminable attachment for a vacuum hose or wand.
The illuminable attachment for a tube, such as a vacuum wand is comprised of a pair of arms matingly hinged forming a clamp movable from an open position to a wand engaging closed position with releasably engaging locking members. The arms form a housing having a plurality of LEDs, power supply, switch and circuit means therebetween whereby said attachment can be user selectively mounted and illuminated as desired.
The illumination provides the user means to better see while using the vacuum in no light or poorly lit areas such as under furniture, in closets, corners, and other areas that are subject to shadowed or poor lighting.
The lamp is comprised of a series of LEDs that provide good illumination with low power consumption. The power is a DC source generated from a battery or battery pack. In one embodiment, the battery(s) are rechargeable.
A switch affixed to the housing is supplied to enable or disable the LEDs while not in use. The clamp housing provides a quick release member and hinge for easy attachment and/or removal from the vacuum tube.
To accommodate tubes of various diameters, the illuminable attachment of the present invention may include various size rubber gaskets. The inner diameter of the rubber gasket is equal to the diameter of the tube and the outer diameter is equal the clamp diameter. The gaskets may also be fabricated of a firm, compressible material which would provide greater flexibility when dealing with vacuum attachments having non-standard diameters such as English versus metric.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are other devices designed for displaying variables. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 2,637,062 issued to Sutton et al on May 5, 1953.
Another patent was issued to Marmo et al. on Dec. 3, 1963 as U.S. Pat. No. 3,112,889. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,447 was issued to Quakenbush on Sep. 17, 1985 and still yet another was issued on Nov. 29, 1988 to Fuller as U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,631.
Another patent was issued to Triplett on Oct. 31, 1989 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,816. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,446 was issued to Haroutunian on Dec. 1, 1992 and still yet another was issued on Oct. 1, 1996 to Capps, III as U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,703.
Another patent was issued to Cassem on Dec. 1, 1998 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,301. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,443 was issued to Redding on Nov. 16, 1999 and still yet another was issued on Aug. 21, 2001 to Matthews et al. as U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,088.
Additionally, a United Kingdom patent was issued to Weiss on Aug. 25, 1921 as Patent No. GB167,989 and an International Patent Application Number WO 03/027566 was published on Apr. 3, 2003 to Gillette


Floating data protection is presented herein. The method comprises receiving a defined data protection policy; determining that the defined data protection policy is not susceptible to a single point of failure scenario; and in response to determining that the defined data protection policy is not susceptible to the single point of failure scenario, reducing a code fragment associated with a data portion based on the defined data protection policy.

Modern high-end storage systems typically use erasure coding for user data protection. It typically is common practice to use more reliable and more expensive protection schemes for newer data and, commensurately more valuable and more frequently accessed data, while at the same time protecting older less frequently accessed and, therefore, less valuable data with less reliable but cheaper encoding schemes. Such a paradigm allows for higher storage capacity and better use efficiency. Nonetheless, changing protection scheme form a more expensive protection scheme to a lower less expensive protection requires data re-protection, which can be a resource-intensive operation.


Electric power conversion devices carry out feedback control, so that a difference between a duty ratio and a duty ratio target value may approach zero, while a duty ratio, which becomes the origin of a drive signal of a semiconductor switching element, is limited by a prescribed upper limit.

Conventional electric power conversion devices include a first electric power conversion circuit which carries out the conversion of alternative current to direct current, on the output of an alternating current electric power source; a smoothing capacitor which is connected to a direct current side of the first electric power conversion circuit; a second electric power conversion circuit which converts electric power supplied to the smoothing capacitor and outputs the electric power to a load; and a control part which drives the first electric power conversion circuit so that an input power factor may be improved, and further the voltage of the smoothing capacitor may become a desired direct current voltage, and in addition, drives the second electric power conversion circuit so that a desired electric power may be supplied to the load.
An electric power conversion device of this kind is, as shown in the Patent Document 1, for example, equipped with a semiconductor switching element, where the conversion of electric power is realized by a control part, which controls the duty ratio of the semiconductor switching element. At this time, from a viewpoint of securing the safety and controllability of a semiconductor switching element, a drive signal according to a desired duty ratio is supplied to a semiconductor switching element, when driving the semiconductor switching element. The electric power converter is configured to limit the magnitude of a drive signal (duty ratio) to a value between a prescribed upper limit and a prescribed lower limit.
Moreover, in the Patent Document 2, an electric power conversion device aiming at an improvement in the efficiency of electric power conversion is proposed in which feedback control is carried out so that the difference between a predetermined target value of a duty ratio and a value of a calculated output duty ratio may approach zero, where a target voltage of a smoothing capacitor is issued, and further, an input and output current instruction of the electric power conversion device is issued so that the voltage of a smoothing capacitor may follow the target voltage. Thereby, the electric power conversion device attains the improvement in the efficiency of electric power conversion.

Abstract: The control part issues a first operation result, which is limited by a first upper limit, with respect to an operation value which is on an operation process for controlling an output electric power, and further a second operation result which is limited by a second upper limit, which is set as a value higher than the first upper limit, with respect to an operation value. In addition, the control part is configured to carry out the proportional plus integral control, by a difference between the second operation result and a target value of the second operation result.


Merging adjacent rows of a synopsis table so as to increase the effectiveness of the synopsis table regarding data skipping. Adjacent rows for merging are identified based on statistics regarding: (i) queries of the database; (ii) effectiveness of the synopsis table for data skipping; and (iii) usage of predicates in queries of the database. Once merged, the synopsis table is smaller, and more effective with respect to data skipping, while fewer computing resources (administrative, maintenance, memory, clock cycles, storage space, etc.) are needed to process the database queries.

The present invention relates generally to the field of data warehousing, and more particularly to enhancement of synopsis tables which are used to help in efficient access of databases (for example, relational databases). Conventional synopsis tables typically include synopsis table records, where each synopsis table record corresponds to a "block" of records in the corresponding database and includes information such as: (i) minimum value occurring in each field in the corresponding block; (ii) maximum value occurring in each field of the corresponding block; and/or (iii) Bloom filter related data (for example, a Bloom filter value) for the corresponding block. However, none of the foregoing types of summary data should be considered as required in order to have a "synopsis table," as that term is used herein.
A synopsis table is herein defined to be any auxiliary summary table corresponding to a database that facilitates finding data in the database. Some conventional synopsis tables include the minimum (MIN) and maximum (MAX) values present in columns of the main table, aggregated over a block of rows (for example 1024 rows as used in some conventional database systems). There is a row in the synopsis table for each "block" in the main table, but the number of database records in a block can vary from block to block, at least in some conventional synopsis table applications. "Block" is hereby defined to mean a set of database records that are grouped together for purposes of making a synopsis table. In some synopsis table applications, "blocks" are referred to by other names, such as "pages." Block definition refers to both the process of determining which database records are to be grouped together to make the blocks for a synopsis table, and to the resulting correspondence between database records and blocks.
Conventional synopsis tables are dynamically maintained in the sense that when rows are inserted or deleted in the main table (in some conventional database products, a row in a database table is referred to as a record), then the synopsis table is automatically (see definition in Definitions sub-section below) updated to reflect the addition and/or deletion of data in the database table with which the synopsis table corresponds.
Conventional data warehouse (DW) systems have massive tables (for example, tables structured as relational databases) that require large amounts of data to be read from them in order to answer analytical queries. Defining and maintaining traditional B-Tree or bit map indexes, and using these to answer queries, is a conventional solution used to help in efficient access of these massive tables. One conventional method is the use of synopsis tables and zone maps, which are used in some conventional DW systems. Synopsis tables address issues with administration and maintenance costs. As used herein, the terms "synopsis table" and "zone map" are used interchangeably, unless an explicit difference is called out.

Automatically revising synopsis table structure

International Business Machines Corporation


One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that optimizes subset selection to facilitate parallel training of a support vector machine (SVM). During operation, the system receives a dataset comprised of data points. Next, the system evaluates the data points to produce a class separability measure, and uses the class separability measure to partition the data points in the dataset into N batches. The system then performs SVM training computations on the N batches in parallel to produce support vectors for each of the N batches. Finally, the system performs a final SVM training computation using an agglomeration of support vectors computed for each of the N batches to obtain a substantially optimal solution to the SVM training problem for the entire dataset.

The present invention relates to computer-based classification techniques, which are used to identify members of groups of interest within datasets.
Classification and pattern recognition techniques have wide-reaching applications. A number of life science applications use classification techniques to identify members of groups of interest within clinical datasets. For example, an important life science application is concerned with the classification of the protein signatures of patients who have some type of cancer from those who do not. This problem stems from the need in clinical trials to test the efficacy of a drug in curing cancer while the cancer is at an early stage. In order to do so, one needs to be able to identify patients who have cancer at an early stage.
Conventional diagnosis techniques are not sufficient for this application. A popular technique (from an area that has become known as "proteomics") is to analyze mass spectra, which are produced by a mass spectrometer from serum samples of patients. Depending on the type of cancer, the mass spectra of serum samples can show distinct signatures, which are not immediately visible to the naked eye. Several existing data mining techniques are presently used to distinguish the cancer spectra from the normal ones, such as Naïve Bayes, Decision Trees, Principle-Components-Analysis based techniques, Neural Networks, etc.
However, these existing techniques are characterized by false-alarm and missed-alarm probabilities that are not sufficiently small. This is a problem because false alarms can cause patients to experience anxiety, and can cause them submit to unnecessary biopsies or other procedures, while missed alarms can result in progression of an undetected disease.
Support Vector Machines (SVMs) provide a new approach to pattern classification problems. SVM-based techniques are particularly attractive for the cancer classification problem because SVM-based techniques operate robustly for high-dimensional feature data, unlike other techniques which have resource requirements that are closely coupled with feature dimensions.
However, the application of SVM's in areas involving huge datasets, such as in proteomics, is constrained by extremely high computation cost, in terms of both the compute cycles needed as well as enormous physical memory requirements. For large datasets, which are not unusual in most life sciences problems, a quadratic optimization problem that arises during the training phase of the SVM's requires that one be able keep in the memory an N×N matrix, where N is the number of data vectors. This presents huge challenges for conventional high-end enterprise computer servers when the input datasets contain thousands or tens of thousands of data vectors. In addition, the training time for the algorithm grows in a manner that is polynomial in N. Current state-of-the-art research papers propose using heuristic, data-level decomposition approaches; but often these heuristic approaches are designed with little or no quantitative justification and suboptimal results.

Optimizing subset selection to facilitate parallel training of support vector machines


A torque transmitting device includes a rotatable case having defined therein a fluid chamber extending axially and filled with a fluid, a rotatable shaft disposed coaxially in the fluid chamber and rotatable with respect to the case, a plurality of outer plates and inner plates disposed coaxially in the fluid chamber for relative torque transmission between the rotatable case and the rotatable shaft through the fluid, the outer plates having outer peripheries engageable with an inner peripheral surface of the rotatable case for rotation with the rotatable case, the inner plates having inner peripheries engageable with an outer peripheral surface of the rotatable shaft for rotation with the rotatable shaft, and members disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the rotatable case and the outer peripheries of the outer plates or between the outer peripheral surface of the rotatable shaft and the inner peripheries of the inner plates for holding the rotatable case and the rotatable shaft in engagement with each other while allowing them to be angularly shifted through a predetermined angle.

1. Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to a torque transmitting device, and more particularly to a torque transmitting device of the viscous coupling type having a differential function through the utilization of fluid viscosity.
2. Description of Prior Art:
Recently, torque transmitting devices in the form of a viscous coupling for transmitting a torque through the viscosity of a fluid have been widely employed as automotive differentials.
For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 58-50349 discloses a torque transmitting device comprising a cylindrical housing having a fluid chamber defined therein and filled with a fluid, a pair of coaxial shafts having confronting ends rotatably supported in the housing, a plurality of annular outer plates disposed in the fluid chamber for rotation with the housing, and a plurality of annular inner plates disposed in the housing alternately with the outer plates for rotation with the shafts.
The housing and the outer plates are coupled to each other by their respective inner teeth and outer teeth which are held in mesh with each other, and the shafts and the inner plates are also coupled to each other by their respective outer teeth and inner teeth which are held in mesh with each other. The torque transmitting device of this type is widely used to connect two coaxial shafts or as a differential between the rear road wheels of an automobile.
When the housing is rotated, the shafts are rotated at the same time by the viscosity of the fluid present between the outer plates and the inner plates.
If the shafts can be rotated with a certain positive time lag therebetween, then various advantages will be produced. Particularly, where the torque transmitting device is used as a differential between the rear road wheels of an automobile, if the shafts can be rotated with a certain time lag therebetween, a restoring moment produced on the automobile by a driving force acting on the inner road wheel and a braking force acting on the outer road wheel can be reduced, thus allowing the automobile to make turns with greater ease.