A mobile communication terminal includes a de-spreader which de-spreads signals received from a base station, a RAKE-synthesizer which RAKE-synthesizes the de-spread signals, a SIR detector which measures a SIR of the received signals, a SIR comparator which compares a SIR of the received signals to a target SIR, a quality detector which measures quality of the received signals at a predetermined interval, a quality comparator which compares the quality of the received signals, transmitted from that quality detector, with target quality, the quality comparator lowering the target SIR, if the quality of the received signals is higher than the target quality, and raising that SIR, if the quality of the received signals is lower than the target quality, and a controller which stores a minimum target SIR therein, and varies the minimum SIR in accordance with a relation between the target SIR and the quality of the received signals.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a mobile communication terminal and a method of controlling power at which a base station transmits signals to a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly to a W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) type mobile communication terminal and a method of controlling power at which a base station transmits signals to a W-CDMA type mobile communication terminal.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various mobile communication terminals including a W-CDMA type mobile communication terminals have been suggested as a third-generation mobile communication terminal. A system for controlling power at which a base station transmits signals to a W-CDMA type mobile communication terminal is comprised of inner-loop control in which a mobile communication terminal transmits a request to a base station from which the mobile communication directly receives signals, to increase or reduce the power at a relatively short period of time (660 microseconds), and outer-loop control in which an optimal target SIR (Signal to Interference Ratio) is determined in accordance with an average of target quality, that is, an error rate at a relatively long period of time (about 100 microseconds to a couple of seconds), as described in "Easy IMT-2000", K. Kinoshita, 2001, published by Denki Tsushin Kyokai.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a section in a conventional mobile communication terminal for controlling power at which a base station transmits signals to the mobile communication terminal.
The conventional mobile communication terminal illustrated in FIG. 1 is comprised of a wireless signal transmitter/receiver 100, a de-spreader 101 which de-spreads signals having been received from a base station through the wireless signal transmitter/receiver 100, a RAKE-synthesizer 102 which RAKE-synthesizes the signals having been de-spread in the de-spreader 101, a quality detector 103 which measures quality of receives signals when a volume of received signals reaches a predetermined volume, a target quality memory 104 storing target quality therein, a quality comparator 105 which compares quality of received signals, having been measured by quality detector 103, to the target quality stored in the target quality memory 104, and produces a target SIR in accordance with the result of the comparison, a target SIR adjuster 106 which stores a target SIR transmitted from the quality comparator 105, a SIR detector 107 which measures a SIR of the received signals, a SIR comparator 108 which compares a SIR of the received signals, transmitted from the SIR detector 107, to the target SIR transmitted from the target SIR adjuster 106, and a TPC bit producer 109 which produces power-control data in accordance with the result of the comparison transmitted from the SIR comparator 108, and transmits the control data to a base station through the wireless signal transmitter/receiver 100.
The inner-loop control is accomplished as follows.
First, signals having been received from a base station through the wireless signal transmitter/receiver 100 are de-spread in the de-spreader 101. The thus de-spread signals are RAKE-synthesized in the RAKE-synthesizer 102. Then, a SIR of the received signals is measured in the SIR detector 107. The SIR comparator 108 compares a SIR of the received signal, received from the SIR detector 107, to a target SIR received from the target SIR adjuster 106. The TPC bit producer 109 produces power-control data in accordance with the result of the comparison transmitted from the SIR comparator 108, and transmits the control data to a base station through the wireless signal transmitter/receiver 100.
In the inner-loop control, when there is a difference between the target SIR and the SIR of the received signals, the mobile communication terminal transmits a request to a base station to change power at which the base station transmits signals to the mobile communication terminal. Specifically, if the SIR of the received signals is lower than the target SIR, the mobile communication terminal transmits a request to a base station to increase the power, whereas if the SIR of the received signals is higher than the target SIR, the mobile communication terminal transmits a request to a base station to reduce the power.
The outer-loop control is accomplished as follows.
The quality detector 103 measures quality of receives signals, for instance, a block error rate (BLER) when a volume of the received signals reaches a predetermined volume. Then, the quality comparator 105 compares quality of the received signals, having been measured by quality detector 103, to a target quality stored in the target quality memory 104, and produces a target SIR in accordance with the result of the comparison. The thus produced target SIR is transmitted to the target SIR adjuster 106.
In the outer-loop control, the mobile communication terminal receives target quality such as 1% of an error rate from a base station. Then, the mobile communication terminal raises a target SIR by a predetermined increment when an error rate is higher than the target quality, and reduces the target SIR by a predetermined decrement when an error rate is smaller than the target quality. The mobile communication terminal usually sets a minimum SIR such that a target SIR is not much lowered in order to avoid communication interruption caused by rapid change in communication environment.
FIG. 2 is a time chart showing how a target SIR varies in the conventional mobile communication terminal.
Hereinbelow is explained how a target SIR varies with reference to FIG. 2.
Each of P1, P2 and P3 indicates a time at which the outer-loop control is carried out. An interval among P1, P2 and P3 is expressed as T. Specifically, the quality comparator 105 compares quality of the received signals, having been measured by quality detector 103, to a target quality stored in the target quality memory 104 at every interval T.
Since the quality of the received signals is lower than the target quality (for instance, 1% of BLER) at P1 and P2, the mobile communication terminal reduces a target SIR by a predetermined decrement. The quality of the received signals reaches at a minimum SIR at P3. Thereafter, the target SIR is controlled so as not to lower beyond the minimum SIR.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-188815 has suggested a method of controlling a target SIR to rapidly converge a target SIR to a predetermined SIR determined in relation with quality of a signal-transmission channel. In the method, after outer-loop power control starts and until BLER becomes greater than zero, a target SIR is converged into a predetermined BLER having been set in a short period of time, and after BLER became greater than zero, a target SIR is slightly varied in the vicinity of the predetermined BLER.
In the conventional outer-loop control, a target SIR is varied when a number of received blocks reaches at a predetermined number. Thus, if a volume of received data is significantly small such as packet communication, it is resulted in that a target SIR is kept high for a long period of time. That is, when BLER is calculated in the outer-loop control, it was not possible to lower a target SIR until data block sufficient for calculating target quality was received.
As a result, when a volume of received data is significantly small such as in packet communication, a base station was unnecessarily requested for a long period of time to spend power for transmitting signals. In other words, regardless of a small volume of received data, a base station was requested to spend high power for transmitting signals, resulting in increased interference with other users.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the inventor suggested a mobile communication terminal and a method of controlling signal-transmission power in Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-116916, not published yet as of Sep. 1, 2005. Hereinbelow is explained the mobile communication terminal and the method of controlling signal-transmission power both suggested in Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-116916, but it should be noted that the explanation about Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-116916 is made hereinbelow only for the purpose of better understanding of the present invention. The explanation about Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-116916 does not mean that the inventor admits the Application as prior art to the present invention.
The mobile communication terminal and the method of controlling signal-transmission power make it possible to lower a target SIR by means of a counter which transmits a timing signal in accordance with which quality of received signals is measured, even when a volume of received data is small, thereby reducing power at which a base station transmits signals to the mobile station.
The suggested mobile communication terminal de-spreads signals received from a base station, RAKE-synthesizes the thus de-spread signals to measure a SIR of the received signals, compares the SIR of the received signals to a target SIR, produces power-control data in accordance with the result of the comparison, and transmits the power-control data to a base station. The mobile communication terminal includes a quality detector which measures quality of received signals when a volume of received data reaches a predetermined volume, a counter which transmits a timing signal in accordance with which quality of the received signals is measured, and a comparator which compares target quality to one of quality of the received signals having been measured by the quality detector and quality of the received signals having been measured in accordance with the timing signal, and determines a target SIR in accordance with the result of the comparison.
The mobile communication terminal having the above-mentioned structure reduces the target SIR in accordance with the timing signal transmitted from the counter, even when a volume of received data is small, ensuring that a base station is not requested to spend unnecessary power at which the base station transmits signals to the mobile station.
If communication environment of the mobile communication terminal is sufficiently good, the communication quality may be maximized in the outer-loop control, when the target SIR is lowered to a minimum target SIR. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 2, even after the target SIR reached a minimum target SIR, BLER may become equal to 0%, in which case, since BLER is smaller than a target error rate (for instance, 1%), control for reducing power at which a base station transmits signals is not carried out. Accordingly, when communication environment of the mobile communication terminal is sufficiently good, the power at which a base station transmits signals is not reduced to a minimum, even though the power can be further reduced. As a result, the mobile communication terminal requests a base station to wastefully spend power for transmitting signals to the mobile communication terminal.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-112097 has suggested a mobile communication terminal including a power-control module. An SIR detector measures a SIR of received signals. A SIR detector produces a TPC bit signal indicative of "up" command or "down" command in accordance with the result of the comparison of the measured SIR of received signals with a target SIR. A quality detector measures BLER. The target SIR is varied such that the measured BLER becomes close to a target BLER.

Mobile communication terminal and method of controlling signal-transmission power


There is disclosed herein a system for automatic configuration of cameras in a Building Information Model (BIM) comprising a programmed BIM processing system. A plurality of input ports are distributed at select locations in the building. A database stores a network location map identifying locations of the input ports. The BIM processing system is operated to detect a camera connected to one of the input ports and reading camera image data; determine possible building areas in the camera's field of view based on location of the one of the input ports and extracting features from the stored building models for the determined possible building areas, and establishing mapping between the camera image data and the extracted features to determine actual location of the camera in the building and store camera location data in the database.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is used for generating and managing building data during life cycle of the building. BIM relates to representing a design as objects that carry their geometry, relations and attributes. BIM allows for extracting different views from a building model for drawing production and other uses. It provides a common information infrastructure and a set of processes to allow users to share context. A Building Information Model (also abbreviated BIM) evolves over time such as through the design, construction and management phases. There is one accepted international standard, the Industry Foundation classes (IFC) ISO PAS 16739. IFC is multi-layered and the object model of architecture provides a modular structure for the development of model components. There are four conceptual layers within the architecture, which use a strict referencing hierarchy. Within each conceptual layer a set of model schemas is defined.
Internet protocol (IP) cameras are often added to facilities managed by a BIM. Even though it is possible to automatically discover the IP addresses of all the added cameras, it remains cumbersome to set up the cameras in the BIM as one still needs to observe the video from each camera to decide exactly where it is installed in the facility. In facilities where rooms are of similar size and décor, it may be difficult for the BIM administrator to decide which room is being viewed.
The present application automates the configuration of cameras in BIM, making the installation process more efficient and less susceptible to human error.

Automatic configuration of cameras in building information modeling


A projection display apparatus is provided with a liquid crystal panel, and first to third polarizing layers are arranged on an optical path of light. The transmission axis of the first polarizing layer and the transmission axis of the second polarizing layer orthogonally intersect with each other. The transmission axis of the second polarizing layer and the transmission axis of the third polarizing layer are parallel to each other. The first compensation layer compensates a phase difference generated due to pre-tilt angle on the entering side of the liquid crystal panel. The second compensation layer compensates a phase difference generated due to a pre-tilt angle on the outgoing side of the liquid crystal panel. The third compensation layer compensates a phase difference generated due to deviation between the polarization axis of the light entering the third polarizing layer and the transmission axis of the third polarizing layer.

A general projection display apparatus includes at least a light source, an illumination optical system, an image-forming device, and a projection optical system. The illumination optical system introduces light emitted from the light source to the image-forming device and illuminates the image-forming device. The image-forming device forms an image (an optical image) by modulating illumination light based on an image signal. The projection optical system projects the image formed by the image-forming device.
When a black image is displayed (i.e., projected) by the project display apparatus that uses a liquid crystal panel as the image-forming device, relatively bright and dark areas appears (uneven brightness appears) on the displayed image. This is because of the following reasons: Typically, polarizing plates are arranged on the incidence side and the exit side of the liquid crystal panel, respectively, so that the transmission axes of the polarizing plates intersect each other at right angles. Light entering the liquid crystal panel is preliminarily converted into linear polarized light. When a white image is displayed, the polarization axis of light entering the liquid crystal panel through the incidence-size polarizing plate rotates 90 degrees. Then, the polarization axis of light exiting the liquid crystal panel is parallel to the transmission axis of the exit-side polarizing plate, so that light exiting the liquid crystal panel passes through the exit-side polarizing plate. The polarization axis of light entering the liquid crystal panel cannot be rotated when the black image is displayed. Then, the polarization axis of light exiting the liquid crystal panel and the transmission axis of the exit-side polarizing plate are at right angle to each other, so that light exiting the liquid crystal panel is interrupted (absorbed) by the exit-side polarizing plate.
However, in practice, part of light exiting the liquid crystal panel is converted into elliptical polarized light due to pre-tilt angles of the incidence side and the exit side on the liquid crystal panel (a liquid crystal layer). More specifically, part of light fluxes exiting the liquid crystal panel is converted into elliptical polarized light. Due to optical anisotropy of the liquid crystal panel, a phase difference occurs in part of the exiting light fluxes. As a result, part of the light fluxes converted into elliptically-polarized light passes through the exit-side polarizing plate, and thus uneven brightness takes place.
When uneven brightness occurs in the black image as described above, the brightness of the entire image rises compared to the case where uneven brightness is not occurring. This, as a result, decreases the difference in brightness between the black image and the white image. In other words, contrast decreases.
In order to solve the foregoing problems, in some types of projection display apparatuses, an optical compensation plate having optical anisotropy opposite to optical anisotropy of a liquate crystal panel is interposed between an incident-side polarizing plate and an exit-side polarizing plate. In detail, the optical anisotropy of the liquid crystal panel is a phase difference generally caused by the pre-tilt angle of a liquid crystal layer. To compensate for the phase difference, the optical compensation plate is interposed. In other words, elliptical polarized light which occurred due to light passing through a liquid crystal panel is converted into liner polarized light. Particulars of the optical compensation plate are disclosed in Japanese laid-open publication No. H08-50206.
In the projection display apparatuses having higher luminance, the amount of light emitted onto the exit-side polarizing plate of the liquid crystal panel increases. When a greater amount of light is emitted onto the polarizing plate, a greater amount of light is absorbed by the polarizing plate. The greater amount of light that is absorbed also increases the amount of heat generation. This, as a result, accelerates deterioration of the exit-side polarizing plate thereby decreasing lifetime.
Accordingly, Japanese laid-open publication No. 2002-72162 discloses an apparatus in which two polarizing plates are arranged on the exit side of a liquid crystal panel in order to decelerate the deterioration of respective polarizing plates by dispersing the amount of light absorption.


A motion guiding device includes: a lower rail having a guiding groove; an upper rail movably disposed in the guiding groove; a first side cover and a second side cover that are fixed to the lower rail; and a slide fastener held by the first side cover and the second side cover. Each of the first side cover and the second side cover includes: a cover body piece engaged with a fastener tape of the slide fastener such that the fastener tape is movable to open and close the slide fastener; and a fixing piece extending from a surface of the cover body piece. The cover body piece includes a support projection projecting from the surface of the cover body piece.

As a typical motion guiding device, a slide rail device including a lower rail (base member) fixed to a vehicle body of a vehicle and an upper rail (movable member) fixed to a seat has been known (see Patent Literature 1). The lower rail has a guiding groove formed along a longitudinal direction of the lower rail. The upper rail is movably disposed along the guiding groove.
An opening of the guiding groove is covered with a pair of mutually engageable groove shield members. Sliders each connected to the pair of groove shield members are attached to opposite ends of the upper rail in a moving direction. Each of the groove shield members includes a drop-off prevention stepped portion. The drop-off prevention stepped portion is received in a housing portion of each of protectors (side covers) fixed to the lower rail.
Each of the side covers includes: a body that is in a substantially square C shape or in a C shape in its entirety and defines the housing portion therein; and a positioning piece extending downward from a lower surface of the body. The housing portion is formed in the body such that the drop-off prevention stepped portion is movable in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the groove shield members, thereby bringing the groove shield members into an unshielded state and a shielded state.
In the side cover, a part of the body in contact with an upper surface of the lower rail is fixed to the lower rail, and the positioning piece is fixed to a side wall of the lower rail.
With the above-described slide rail device, in accordance with the movement of the upper rail, one of the sliders, which is at the front of the upper rail in the moving direction, releases the engagement of the groove shield members to unshield the opening while the other one of the sliders, which is at the back of the upper rail in the moving direction, brings the groove shield members into engagement to shield the opening. Since the opening of the guiding groove is thus shielded and unshielded, the opening of the guiding groove is kept in a shielded state, where the opening is shielded by the groove shield members, at the front and the back of the upper rail in the moving direction.

Motion guiding device and groove shield unit


A full-caliber projectile having a cylindrical guide region (5) and an ogival projectile tip (7). To improve the stabilization of the projectile (1) inside a gun barrel (2) in a simple manner, and therefore improve the intermediate ballistics and hit accuracy over those of comparable projectiles, a guide ring (8), which is segmented in the circumferential direction, and whose outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of a gun barrel (2) of the same caliber, is secured to the projectile tip (7) such that the radially spaced guide-ring segments (9) detach from the projectile (1) in the gun barrel (2) when a predetermined firing acceleration occurs in the gun barrel, and the segments (9) are pushed toward the projectile (1), axially relative to the cylindrical guide region (5), by dynamic pressure until they rest against the inside wall (18) of the gun barrel (2) and against the projectile (1).

This application is based on and claims the priority date of German Application No. DE 101 57 563.7, filed on Nov. 23, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The invention relates to a full-caliber projectile having a cylindrical guide region and an ogival projectile tip.
Full-caliber tank projectiles, in particular, have too short a guide length (usually, the length of the projectile region that is guided through the gun barrel) because of their relatively long, ogival tip. Consequently, the corresponding projectile is often poorly stabilized inside the gun barrel and therefore has unfavorable intermediate ballistics and a poor dispersion pattern.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,769,912 discloses a spin-stabilized special projectile whose ogival tip is significantly longer than the cylindrical guide region. To increase the guide length, it is proposed in this publication to secure a guide ring to the projectile tip, with the ring being segmented at the circumference and supported against the inside wall of the gun barrel with three shell-like guide-ring segments. As the projectile passes through the barrel, the guide-ring segments remain in their predetermined position at the projectile tip, and then are jettisoned laterally due to the centrifugal forces acting on them after the projectile has exited the barrel.
A drawback of these projectiles is that the guide ring must have a fairly massive design, because it must bridge the entire distance between the projectile and the inside wall of the gun barrel in the region of the projectile tip. Furthermore, the detachment of the guide ring after the projectile has exited the gun barrel presupposes the effect of sufficient centrifugal forces, which are not present with projectiles that are fired from smooth-bore cannons. These known guide rings have failed particularly in conventional full-caliber projectiles having a cylindrical guide region whose length is greater than or equal to the length of the ogival projectile tip.
It is the object of the invention to provide a full-caliber projectile that is stabilized better inside the gun barrel, in a simple manner, which attains better intermediate ballistics and hit accuracy.
The above object generally is achieved according to the present invention by a full-caliber projectile comprising: a projectile body having a cylindrical guide region and an ogival projectile tip connected to a front end of the guide region; a cylindrical guide ring, which is divided at its circumference into at least two shell-like guide-ring segments, mounted on an outer surface of the projectile tip, with an outer diameter of the ring being smaller than an inner diameter of a gun barrel of the same caliber as the projectile; and means securing the guide ring to the outer surface of the projectile tip such that the guide-ring segments detach from the projectile and move rapidly outwardly when a predetermined firing acceleration is attained in the corresponding gun barrel, so that the guide-ring segments are pushed rearwardly toward the cylindrical guide region of thew projectile in an axial direction until the guide ring segments rest against the inside wall of the gun barrel and against the projectile. Further, particularly advantageous, embodiments of the invention are disclosed.
The invention is essentially based on the concept of securing a guide ring, which is segmented at the circumference, and whose outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the gun barrel, to the projectile tip such that the radially spaced guide-ring segments detach from the projectile when a predetermined firing acceleration occurs in the gun barrel, and the segments are pushed rearwardly toward the projectile, axially relative to the cylindrical guide region, by dynamic pressure until they rest against the inside wall of the gun barrel and against the projectile. The guide ring extends the cylindrical guide region, while virtually eliminating the guide play in this region.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the adjacent guide-ring segments are connected to one another such that they can move outwardly, in the radial direction, when detaching from the projectile tip, but cannot become axially misaligned relative to one another.
This is achieved by providing at least one circumferentially extending tongue-like extension on one of the adjacent guide-ring segments, with the extension extending, with a form-fit, into a circumferentially divided recess of the adjacent guide-ring segment. It is preferably provided that one end of each guide-ring segment has such a tongue-like extension, while the other end is provided with a recess that is adapted to the tongue-like extension of the adjacent guide-ring segment.
To assure the detachment of the guide ring outside of the gun barrel, even with projectiles fired from smooth-bore cannons, the guide ring should preferably have an air pocket formed on its end surface that faces the projectile tip.
To secure the guide ring to the projectile, it has proven advantageous for the guide ring to have radially extending fastening elements that extend radially inwardly and are provided with break-away or weakened points. The fastening elements extend in a non-positive lockup into corresponding radially extending grooves on the surface of the projectile. As an alternative, the guide ring can be glued or welded to the projectile, or connected to it with the aid of encircling holding bands on the outer circumferential surface of the guide ring.
Further details about and advantages of the invention ensue from the exemplary embodiments described below and illustrated in the figures.


A double drop trailer has a central storage or cargo section whose floor is at a lower level than the floors of the front and rear storage (cargo) sections. A first lift having upper and lower cargo platforms is located in the central cargo section, and a second lift is located in the rear section. The first lift is initially positioned so that its lower platform is level with the floor of the front section. Cargo is then moved through the rear door, through the rear section, across the lower storage platform of the first lift and placed on the floor of the front section. More cargo is then moved through the rear door and placed on the lower storage platform of the first lift. The first lift is then lowered. Additional cargo is then moved through the rear door onto the second lift and this lift is thereafter raised permitting this cargo to be placed on the upper storage platform of the lift. Finally, more cargo is moved through the rear door and loaded into the rear section of the trailer.

Four types of trailers in common use are as follows:
1. The straight trailer is the most widely used. It has one level floor and the same dimension throughout. The straight trailer uses standard loading docks, maximum wheel size for long hauls and heavy loads with standard equipment. PA1 2. The wedge trailer is the second most popular. The floor angles down increasing the cubic feet of load space. The angle is not too steep for the standard fork lift to transverse. This trailer uses standard loading docks, loading equipment and maximum size wheels. PA1 3. The single drop trailer is the third most widely used. It has more cubic feet of load space than the straight or wedge trailer. To accomplish the drop for increased volume the trailer uses smaller wheels. The smaller wheels are not good for long distance or heavy loads. Special conveyors or ramps are needed to load from a standard dock. The split level adds to the difficulty in loading. PA1 4. The double drop trailer has received limited use except in the furniture moving industry. It is capable of having the most cubic feet of load space. In spite of its space, weight and long haul advantage its disadvantages prevent it from wide use. Its two separate floors require special conveyor systems, ramps, manual handling of freight, or special loading docks for side loading.
The use of hydraulic rams to raise a platform in a trailer is old and is shown in European Publication 153,052 of 8/24/85. The subject matter of this publication, does not, however, solve the above-named problems that are involved in double drop trailers.
It is a primary object of this invention to increase the utility of double drop trailers.

Double drop trailer with lift and method of loading the same


A mode-evolution compound converter for processing an optical signal that includes a first component having a fundamental transverse magnetic (TM) mode and a second component having a fundamental transverse electric (TE) mode is disclosed. The compound converter includes a set of multiple converters connected to form a compound converter, wherein each converter is a mode-evolution converter selected from a group including a polarization converter, a spatial converter, and combination thereof, wherein the polarization converter at least converts a mode of a polarization of at least one component of the optical signal, and the spatial mode converter at least converts a spatial mode order of at least one component of the optical signal.

Controlling a polarization mode and a spatial mode of optical signals in photonic integrated circuits (PICs) is important for a fiber optical communication network. For example, a conventional single mode fiber that can be used in the network does not preserve the polarization mode. When the optical signal is coupled from the single mode fiber to the PICs, the signal decomposes into arbitrary compositions of two orthogonal polarization components, namely, a first component in a transverse electric (TE) mode and a second component in a transverse magnetic (TM) mode. In many modules used in the PICs, the components in the TE and TM modes exhibit different characteristics. For example, the components having different TE and TM modes propagate at different velocities in a high index contrast waveguide, and the energy coupling coefficients of a microring resonator for the TE and TM modes are different.
These polarization-dependent effects degrade the performances of the PICs, especially for high speed communication. Also, most optical communication networks use only one polarization mode. Furthermore, if the components in both polarization modes are used in polarization-division multiplexing (PDM) systems, the spectral efficiency of such systems can be increased.
In addition to the polarization modes, the optical signal and/or each component of the optical signal can have various spatial mode orders. For example, a signal in a fundamental mode order has a lowest propagation loss in the waveguide.
Typically, systems for controlling polarization of optical signals, e.g., polarization transparent systems and polarization multiplexing systems, use polarization converters and/or polarization splitters. The systems for controlling spatial order mode include a multi-mode interference coupler, a directional coupler, and a Y-shaped coupler. In general, the converters can be categorized as two types, i.e., mode-coupling converters and mode-evolution converters.
The mode-coupling converters are typically composed of two waveguides with different geometries connected via an abrupt junction transition. The mode-coupling uses beating behaviors between a pair of waveguide modes in the second waveguide excited by a specific mode in the first waveguide. The beating is due to the combination of two slightly unequal frequencies produces a "beat", resulting from the tones cycling in and out of phase with each other. The mode beating behavior is determined by geometry of the device and operating wavelength of the signal. Therefore, the mode-coupling converters are inherently sensitive to variations in the fabrication process, and wavelength dependent.
The mode-evolution converters replace the abrupt transition with gradual variation of the waveguide geometries along the wave propagation direction. Along the converter, a mode in the first waveguide can evolve into another mode in the second waveguide with different polarization and spatial distribution without exciting other modes in the second waveguide. Compared with mode-coupling converters, the mode-evolution converter has a longer length, a larger bandwidth and a better tolerance to fabrication variations.
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to achieve polarization control and spatial mode control with one type of converter. For example, a mode-evolution polarization converter for transforming a signal in the fundamental TM mode (TM0) into the signal in the fundamental TE mode (TE0) is complicated and requires, e.g., asymmetric bi-level tapers to be used to achieve geometry asymmetry in both horizontal and vertical direction. Such converter has a small tolerance to fabrication variations. Therefore, different converters, which can control the polarization and spatial mode order individually, are often combined into compound converter. However, the compound converter also has a number of fabrication and configuration problems. For example, a polarization converter and a spatial converter may have different epitaxial-grown or etched structures, which are difficult to realize in a simple fabrication process.
Accordingly, conventional solution includes combination of mode-evolution and mode-coupling converters. For example, one conventional converter includes a deep etched width taper, i.e., in the mode-evolution converter, connected to directional coupler, i.e., the mode-coupling converter. Another converter includes a constant width waveguide, i.e., a mode-coupling converter connected to asymmetric Y-coupler, i.e., mode-evolution converter. As an advantage, such converters can have a relatively small length. However, a mode-evolution device in series with a mode-coupling device does not preserve the benefits of using the mode-evolution device, such as the larger bandwidth and the fabrication tolerance, though using mode-coupling based converter may reduce the total device length.
Accordingly, there is a need to design an optical converter that has a large bandwidth and is simple in fabrication.

Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.


A color balance adjusting apparatus for adjusting color imbalance due to the difference in color temperature between a preferable standard illuminant and an illuminant under which a color image is obtained, thereby making the colors of the image substantially identical to those obtained under the preferable standard illuminant. This apparatus comprises a decorrelating neural network for receiving three color component signals correlating with one another and indicative of an image, and minimizing the correlation thereamong, the network having learned so as to minimize the correlation among signals indicative of an image obtained under an illuminant, and a converter for mapping the output of the decorrelating means, into a space of the input image signals, with the use of the inverse matrix of a transfer matrix of the neural network having learned under the preferable standard illuminant. The output of the converter is generated as a signal obtained after white balance adjusting.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a color balance adjusting apparatus for adjusting color balance, especially white balance, which is for use in an imaging apparatus using a color image signal, such as a color video camera and a color television camera, and also to a method for adjusting the color balance.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there are external and internal photometry methods for automatically adjusting the white balance of a color image.
In the external photometry method, the color temperature of an illuminant for illuminating an object is measured by an external sensor, and the gains of .image signals indicative of red and blue components are adjusted so that the ratio among red, green, and blue could become 1:1:1 in accordance with the difference between the measured color temperature and the color temperature of a standard illuminant.
In the internal photometry method, a color difference signal is used as color temperature data. The color difference signals R-Y and B-Y are integrated (averaged), and the gains of the red and blue component signals are controlled so that the integration results could be 0. In other words, under the assumption that the average value of so many pixels in the color image, in many cases, an achromatic color when the white balance is adjusted, the red and blue signals are adjusted so that the ratio of the integration results of the red, green, and blue signals could become 1:1:1.
However, in the external photometry method, if an illumination illuminating the entire scene including an object differs from light actually measured, specifically, if a bright outdoor object is imaged from the inside of a dark room, the white balance of the object may be adjusted on the basis of a color temperature differing from the actual one, since the color temperature of the illuminant used in the dark room is actually measured. As a result, a very unnaturally-colored image may be obtained.
On the other hand, in the internal photometry method, a problem will occur where the above-described assumption is not applicable. Integration of the entire image of an object with its background, such as a blue sky and a blue sea or of a red wall, provides a value indicating blue or red but not indicating an achromatic color. Therefore, if white balance adjustment is made to the object by means of the internal photometry method, the colors of the background may fade, or the colors of the object (man, etc. ) may be wrongly adjusted to become their complementary colors, providing an unnatural color tone.
As described above, in the conventional color balance adjustment, it is difficult to make correct color adjustment to all kinds of images.

Color balance adjusting apparatus using a decorrelating neural network

2-1, Higashiura, Kitayama-chou, Toyohasi, Aichi, 441


A light-emission device includes a substrate and a G light-emission layer; an R light-emission layer, a B light-emission layer, and a wiring layer made of metal that are each arranged above the substrate. Each of the G light-emission layer, the R light-emission layer, and the B light-emission layer contains light-emission material. An amount of heat that the B light-emission layer generates upon light emission is greater than an amount of heat that the G light-emission layer generates upon light emission. Further, the B light-emission layer directly faces the wiring layer at a facing edge portion.

In recent years, research is in progress of a light-emission element having a light-emission layer that contains light-emission material such as organic light-emission material and inorganic light-emission material. One example of such a light-emission element is an organic electroluminescence element (hereinafter referred to as an "organic EL element"). An organic EL element is an example of a current-driven light-emission element. An organic EL element makes use of an electroluminescence phenomenon of organic light-emission material. For example, a typical organic EL element includes a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate, an anode made of a metal such as Al, a light-emission layer made of an organic light-emission material, and a cathode that is made of a transparent material such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). In the organic EL element, the TFT substrate, the anode, the light-emission layer, and the cathode are layered in the stated order. Further, an organic EL element may include, in addition to the above, such layers as a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an electron injection layer, an electron transport layer, and a sealing layer, as necessary.
A light-emission element such as an organic EL element is widely used in a light-emission device or the like. One example of such a light-emission device is an organic EL display panel having one or more organic EL elements disposed above a substrate. In addition, to realize display in color, a light-emission device, such as an organic EL display panel, including a plurality of light-emission units each of a different light-emission color is in practical use.
Here, one technical problem related to a conventional light-emission device is the problem that a light-emission element included therein undergoes degradation due to heat generated by a light-emission layer included in the light-emission element during light emission. As countermeasures against this problem, proposals have been made of light-emission devices capable of discharging heat generated by a light-emission layer included therein to the outside (Patent Literatures 1 and 2). One of such light-emission devices discharges heat generated by the light-emission layer to the outside via a heat discharge member that is disposed facing the substrate of the light-emission element and that is composed of a heat discharge sheet and a metal plate. Another one of such light-emission devices discharges heat generated by the light-emission layer to the outside via a black matrix portion that is disposed surrounding an entirety of the light-emission unit and that is composed of material having high heat conductivity.


Suture anchoring devices are disclosed, including a T-tag anchoring device that is suitably small enough to fit into the hollow tip of a needle and, furthermore, provide protection to the suture against being cut or otherwise damaged by the sharp edge of the needle tip. One disclosed device includes a slot for providing a pivot point between the suture and the body when deployed, which can be employed to form a T-tag.

Application of sutures in the gastrointestinal tract is required for several different types of medical procedures, for example, for transoral endoscopic valvuloplasty for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroplasty, fundoplication, anterior gastropexy, posterior gastropexy, suturing esophageal perforations, or closure of the esophageal side of the tracheo-esophageal fistula. Traditionally, these procedures are performed by physicians, such as gastroenterologists or surgeons, either by laparoscopy or open surgical techniques. Such procedures are invasive, as laparoscopy requires that small access incision(s) be made in the body of the patient, through which a laparoscope and other surgical enabling tools are provided, while open surgical techniques are traditionally invasive and can have complications and cause long patient recovery periods.
The solution to these problems is to perform these medical procedures through the gastroesophageal tract via the mouth or other naturally occurring orifice. Already available flexible endoscopes, commonly called gastroscopes, can be provided through the gastroesophageal tract and enable illumination and visualization of tissue along the gastroesophageal tract on a video display for diagnostic purposes. These flexible endoscopes also provide an instrumentation means for applying sutures in tissue, such as in the wall of the stomach. What is needed are improved methods of providing a totally transoral surgical procedure, such as a posterior gastropexy procedure, and thereby avoid more-invasive laparoscopic procedures.
New endoscopic suturing methods performed through the gastroesophageal tract as an alternative to the invasive laparoscopic method of, for example, a posterior gastropexy procedure, are currently being developed. For example, suturing methods under the control of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) are being evaluated. EUS is a procedure that combines endoscopy and ultrasound. In particular, a Mar. 14, 2003 publication authored by Fritscher-Ravens, Mosse, Mukherjee, Yazaki, Park, Mills, and Swain, entitled, "Transgastric gastropexy and hiatal hernia repair for GERD under EUS control: a porcine model," (American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy) describes how endoluminal operations for gastroesophageal reflux are currently limited by the inability of the surgeon to visualize and manipulate structures outside the wall of the gut. The publication describes a way to define the EUS anatomy of structures outside the gut that influence reflux, to place stitches in the median arcuate ligament (MAL), to perform posterior gastropexy, and to test the feasibility of crural repair, under EUS control, in pigs. More specifically, by using a linear-array EUS, the MAL and part of the right crus were identified and punctured with a needle, which served as a carrier for a tag and suture. These were anchored into the muscle. An endoscopic sewing device was used, which allowed stitches to be placed through a 2.8-mm accessory channel to any predetermined depth.
The publication also describes new methods of knot tying and suture cutting through the 2.8-mm channel of the EUS. More specifically, stitches were placed through the gastric wall into the MAL, and one stitch was placed just beyond the wall of the lower esophageal sphincter. The stitches were tied together and locked against the gastric wall, and the surplus length of suture material was then cut and removed. While this publication describes a suitable transgastric gastropexy and hiatal hernia repair procedure, further improvements in methodology and equipment to perform such procedures would be beneficial. For example, the publication describes a process for placing stitches in the MAL, which involves placing a suture anchor device, e.g., a T-tag, into the MAL by using an EUS needle. However, the EUS needle, which serves as the carrier for the tag and suture, requires modification, in order to prevent the suture from being cut on the needle's sharp edge. More specifically, the EUS needle was modified by the addition of a slot in which the suture lies and by which clearance is provided to prevent the suture from being cut on the needle's sharp edge. This needle modification process adds complexity and cost to the medical procedure. What is needed are suture tag devices that may be deployed by the use of an unmodified, commercially available EUS needle. Additionally, what is needed is way to deploy a suture tag device by the use of an unmodified commercially available EUS needle while protecting the suture from being cut by the needle's sharp edge.

T-type suture anchoring devices and methods of using same


A tesla coil security system for proactively and effectively deterring unauthorized individuals from entering an opening in a non-lethal manner. The tesla coil security system includes a tesla coil, a length of wire electrically connected to the tesla coil for surrounding an opening to be protected, and a plurality of charge dissipaters electrically extending from the wire for facilitating the discharge of electrical charge thereby creating an electrical visual effect for deterring entry through the opening. A control unit is in communication with the tesla coil for controlling the operation of the tesla coil and a sensor is in communication with the control unit for determining the presence of an individual, whereby detection by the sensor of the presence of an individual causes the tesla coil to be activated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to security systems and more specifically it relates to a tesla coil security system for proactively and effectively deterring unauthorized individuals from entering an opening in a non-lethal manner.
2. Description of the Related Art
Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
Security systems have been in use for years (e.g. home security systems, vehicle security systems). A conventional security system is typically merely "reactive" in the sense that it is not activated until after an unauthorized entry has occurred through an opening (e.g. door, window). In other words, criminals and other unauthorized individuals are typically not deterred from entering or attempting to enter an opening in a building, vehicle and the like with conventional security systems. Common reactive responses from conventional security systems is an audible alarm (e.g. siren, warning voice), a visual alarm (e.g. flashing light), and/or an alarm signal transmitted to a security center or government authorities (e.g. police).
While conventional security systems may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for proactively and effectively deterring unauthorized individuals from entering an opening in a non-lethal manner. Conventional alarm systems are merely "reactive" to an unauthorized entry through an opening and are not typically "proactive" in deterring unauthorized entry into a location.
In these respects, the tesla coil security system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of proactively and effectively deterring unauthorized individuals from entering an opening in a non-lethal manner.


An installation for coating objects with powder, in particular for powder painting, comprises a booth which is known per se and in which powder can be applied to the objects by an application device. Stray powder is entrained by an air stream directed through the interior of the booth from the top downwards. The mixture of air and powder is extracted via an extraction opening in the bottom of the booth and supplied to a movable filter unit which is situated beneath the extraction opening and in which the powder is separated from the air/powder mixture for reuse. A plurality of such movable filter units are movable while suspended from a supporting-rail system, it being possible for all of these filter units, which are each intended for separating off a particular type of powder in particular one powder paint color, to be selectively brought under the extraction opening of the booth. On changing the powder used in the booth, the filter unit intended for the particular powder can thus be brought to the required position in a simple manner without complex maintenance work, while the filter unit used until then can be parked in a parking position on the supporting-rail system until the specific type of powder is needed again.

The invention relates to an installation for coating objects with powder, in particular for powder painting, having
a) a booth, in which powder can be applied to the objects by at least one application device;
b) an air supply device, with which air can be introduced into the booth,
c) an extraction device, with which a mixture of air and excess powder can be extracted from the interior of the booth via at least one mixture outlet situated in the bottom; and
d) a plurality of filter units, which can be selectively moved under the mixture outlet of the booth and which each have a filter separating the powder from the air.
In the coating of objects with powder, in particular in powder painting, it cannot be avoided that a considerable part of the powder leaving the application device does not adhere to the objects to be coated. It is known to recover this excess powder (frequently called xe2x80x9coversprayxe2x80x9d) to a large extent by means of an air stream flowing through the booth from the top downwards. In the process, the air stream takes up the stray excess powder. A mixture of air and powder is extracted via a mixture outlet situated in the bottom and is led to a filter unit in which the powder is separated from the air/powder mixture in order to be passed on for reuse.
If a frequent change of the powder being used, for example a change of the colour of the painting powder, is required, it is not economical to clean the filter units each time. Rather, it is known in this case to provide a plurality of movable filter units which are each intended for a particular type of powder, thus for example one powder colour. In each case that filter unit is coupled to the mixture outlet of the booth which is intended for using that type of powder which is currently being employed in the booth. On changing the type of powder, only the filter unit active at the time needs to be replaced by another filter unit.
In known installations of the type mentioned at the outset, the filter units had wheels for rolling on the room floor. However, this was not without problems in terms of handling: on the one hand, the filter units exhibited a not inconsiderable rolling resistance, in particular on changing direction, on the other hand, with an uneven room floor, exchanging the filter units involved adjusting work. On changing the colour, not only did the filter unit have to be laboriously exchanged, but the entire booth and its outlet funnels also had to be cleaned.
The object of the present invention is therefore to design an installation of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that exchanging the filter units on changing the type of powder is simplified.
This object is achieved according to the invention in that
e) the filter units can be moved while suspended from a supporting-rail system.
Since, according to the invention, the filter units are suspended from the supporting-rail system, they do not need to follow the course of the floor any longer. This has two consequences: the height at which the filter units move is predetermined by the supporting-rail system. Readjustment on connecting a new filter unit is thus no longer necessary. The evenness of the rolling surfaces predetermined by the supporting-rail system means that only small forces are required on moving the filter units.
It is expedient for the supporting-rail system to have a plurality of parking positions at each of which a filter unit can be kept in readiness. The basic construction of such a supporting-rail system can thus resemble a xe2x80x9cmarshalling yardxe2x80x9d. It can optionally be designed such that any filter unit can reach any parking position. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to design the supporting-rail system so that each filter unit is assigned a specific parking position. The parking positions can differ from the other regions of the supporting-rail system in that they have devices for stopping the filter units and/or for detecting the presence of the filter unit.
In their xe2x80x9cactivexe2x80x9d working position beneath the mixture outlet of the booth, the filter units must of course be open at the top. However, during the times when they are placed in readiness in a parking position, each filter unit should be closable by a cover in order to avoid fouling.
For this purpose, there may be provided, at each parking position for example, a cover which can be placed against the inlet of the filter unit situated in the corresponding parking position. This cover is therefore assigned permanently to a particular parking position and not to a particular filter unit.
It is of course also possible for each filter unit to be provided with a removable cover, in which case the cover moves along with the filter unit. By way of example, the cover can be pivotably attached to the filter unit.
Particular preference is given to that embodiment of the invention in which the inlet of each filter unit is formed by a bellows which is expandable in the vertical direction and carries a seal. The filter unit which is xe2x80x9cactivexe2x80x9d at the time is therefore connected to the mixture outlet of the booth by extending the bellows upwards and placing the seal against the mixture outlet of the booth.
In this case, there can be attached to the upper border of the bellows a sealing frame, on which the seal is fastened and which is movable in the vertical direction by means of a drive device. A piston/cylinder unit in particular is suitable as the drive device.
Finally, it is expedient for there to be provided on the rail system at least one cleaning position, at which devices serving to clean the filter units are arranged. Extraction and blow-out fans in particular, optionally also appliances operating with liquid cleaning agents, are suitable as such devices. If a particular type of powder is no longer required in the installation for some time and it is therefore no longer necessary to reserve a particular filter unit for this type of powder, the filter unit in question can be brought into the cleaning position on the rail system, where it can be cleaned thoroughly to remove the old type of powder and in this way prepared for use with another type of powder.

Installation for coating objects with powder


The invention is an apparatus and method for tracking colors in image features by using color elements. A scan signal representing a scanned imaage with colored features is converted into color element signals representing instantaneous magnitude values of predetermined color elements. These values are compared against predetermined color element magnitude value combinations representing expected colors of features in the image. If the instantaneous magnitude values match a predetermined color element value combination, the corresponding color is correlated with a picture element of the scanned image. More elaborately, image features are recognized by comparing the matched combination with the expected image feature locations. When a set of instantaneous values matching one of the expected color element combinations is correlated with an expected location, a determination is made whether the color element combination is one expected for the particular feature location. It is expected that each image feature will be substantially invariant chromatically. Thus, once the edge of a feature is detected by detection of a predetermined color element combination, the picture elements between that edge and the following edge of the feature are assumed to have the same value.

The invention is in the field of image systems, and is particularly relevant to the field of image feature identification.
In the field of image processing, the term "scanning" refers to the rendering of an image into a string of individual picture elements (pixels), each corresponding to an elemental portion of the image and representing the instantaneous value of an optical attribute of the image at that point. In black and white television, light intensity is the attribute represented by a pixel. In digitized monochromatic imaging systems, a pixel is a multi-bit, digital representation of light intensity. The succession of pixels representing the serialization of an image typically is provided in a standard format composed of lines, fields, and frames.
In color imaging systems, a pixel represents not only the intensity of light at the corresponding point of an image, but also other chromaticity attributes which, when combined with intensity, represent the color of the image point. Scanned color imaging systems are well known in the art, as are a variety of formats for signals representing the chromaticity of image picture elements. Two of the best known standard scanned color image representations are the NTSC and RGB standards.
These standards are based upon one or more representations of color space. When used herein, the term "color space" refers to any one of a number of three-dimensional representations of all of the possible combinations of three predetermined color attributes. These three attributes are referred to hereinafter as "color elements". One set of color elements, for example, includes hue, saturation, and intensity.
Monochromatic (black and white) imaging systems which operate to identify features contained in an image are relatively slow and expensive when compared to the tasks they must perform. Essentially, no single pixel in a monochromatic image is, alone, identifiable as belonging to a particular feature of the image. This is because, with changes in illumination or with shadows, any point on a feature could potentially appear as any brightness to an imager (camera) regardless of the feature's intrinsic color. Typically, a monochromatic imaging system identifies an image feature by detecting the edges of the feature, algorithmically connecting the feature's edges, and then using information representing the connected edges to reconstruct the size and shape of the feature in the image.
In the typical industrial application, a robot system may employ a vision system of which an imaging system is a component. In this regard, a "vision" system is one which enables a robot mechanism to observe an image and to correlate it with a paradigm image, in order to conduct industrial processing of workpieces which come periodically into the vision system's field of view. For example, FIG. 1 represents a workpiece 10 comprising a flat, recessed container for an array of color-coded pills 12-22. The pills 12-22 form a cycle of birth control pills which are meant to be taken in a predetermined sequence. Each pill's position in the sequence is indicated by a particular color. An assembly line which produces packages such as the container 10 will, at some point, inspect each pill package to determine whether the pills have been placed in it in the proper sequence. A vision system employed for this purpose will compare each pill carrier with an exemplary image of a carrier having pills in the proper sequence.
A monochromatic image system would have to enhance and locate the edges of the pills 12-22 of each carrier coming into the view of the vision system, would have to use the edge information to reconstruct the size and shape of the pills in the carrier, and then would compare the size and shape data with the stored exemplary image of a pill carrier to identify the features (the pills) and their locations. This type of image correlation is costly and systems which perform it in a reasonable time are, necessarily, expensive.
When black and white information is insufficient to achieve the desired results, as in the example where the pills must be differentiated on the basis of their colors, additional color information represents a substantial increase in the bandwidth of a vision system.

Apparatus and method for recognizing image features using color elements


A self-supporting template for an electrical receptacle cutout and method of using the template. The template includes a base plate with template openings, an upright on the base plate, a biased reciprocating push button, and at least one sharp. The push button is secured to the upright for transverse reciprocation between a biased first position spaced furthest from the base plate and a second position spaced closest to the base plate. The at least one sharp reciprocates concurrently with the push button wherein the distal tip is fully recessed when the push button is in the first position and protrudes a fully extended distance in the second transverse direction from the lower major surface of the base plate when the push button is in the second position.

It is often necessary to cut an opening in drywall to accommodate passage of an electrical receptacle. These cutouts have fairly tight tolerances as an undersized opening obstructs passage of the receptacle through the drywall while an oversized opening can decrease stability of a receptacle when it is secured directly to the drywall, and can leave the perimeter of the opening exposed beyond the edges of a cover plate.
Accordingly, a substantial need exists for an inexpensive tool that facilitates quick and precise marking of an electrical receptacle cutout on drywall.

Template for electrical receptical cutout


Data filters, models, and/or profiles for identifying and/or predicting the never-pay population (for example, those customers that make a request for credit and obtain the credit instrument but over the life of the account, never make a payment) can be useful to various commercial entities, such as those issuing mortgages, home equity lines of credit, consumer or business lines of credit, automobile loans, credit card accounts, or those entities providing services, such as utility services, phone services, and the like.

1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure generally relates to data filters for modeling and processing credit report data and other data, and more particularly to improved systems and methods for generating and using data filters configured to conduct customer profiling and customer analysis relating to modeling, identifying, and/or predicting the never-pay population.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various financial service entities provide credit accounts, such as, for example, mortgages, automobile loans, credit card accounts, and the like, to consumers and or businesses. Prior to providing a credit account to an applicant, or during the servicing of such a credit account, many financial service providers want to know whether the applicant or customer will be or is likely to be within the "never-pay" population. The never-pay population includes without limitation those customers that make a request for credit, subsequently obtain the credit instrument, and over the life of the account, never make a payment or substantially never make a payment. Although the never-pay population is not always large (however, it can be a large population for certain financial firms, for example, those firms serving the sub-prime market or the like), it is a costly population to financial service providers and other entities. Most financial service providers can attribute a certain percentage of their losses to the never-pay population.
Traditional scoring models do not provide the necessary insight to identify the never-pay population. In part, this is due to the diversity of profiles that underlie these populations. Additionally, the attributes and/or reasons that contribute to the never-pay population are difficult to identify for some financial service providers because of their limited resources and the complexity of analyzing the never-pay population. Accordingly, these never-pay accounts are not identified early in the process, and are treated as typical credit loss and are often written off as bad debt.

System and method for automated detection of never-pay data sets


Methods and systems are provided for transporting a therapeutic or cosmetic substance into nanoporous mineralized tissue structures, such as teeth. The method may include contacting the nanoporous mineralized tissue structure with an ionic solution including the therapeutic or cosmetic substance; and simultaneously applying to the nanoporous mineralized tissue structure an electrical potential effective to transport the therapeutic or cosmetic substance into the nanopores of the nanoporous mineralized tissue structure. The system may include at least one pair of electrodes which includes a first electrode configured for contacting the nanoporous mineralized tissue structure and a second electrode; and a power source and control circuitry for generating an electrical potential between the first electrode and the second electrode effective to transport a therapeutic or cosmetic substance, in an ionic solution in contact with a surface of the nanoporous mineralized tissue structure, into the nanopores of the nanoporous mineralized tissue structure.

The present disclosure is generally in the field of systems, devices, and methods for actively delivering beneficial substances into nanoporous mineralized tissue structures, such as teeth.
Dental enamel is composed primarily of calcium hydroxyapatite, and its anatomical structure is nanoporous. Transport processes in dental enamel take place mainly by diffusion, the rate of which is directly proportional to pore sizes in the enamel. Typically, the pores may contain water that may be replaced by substances through diffusion. The transport of substances through dental enamel nanopores and dentin micro and nanopores may be important for tissue formation, pathogenesis, and for preventive, therapeutic, and cosmetic procedures in dentistry.
Methods are well known for topically applying substances, such as fluorinating or whitening agents or other substances to the surface of teeth. Unfortunately, however, these topical treatments rely on passive diffusion of the substances into the tooth and are highly inefficient. Even with electrochemical (redox reaction) processes, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,775,795 to Khawaled et al., the techniques essentially provide only a surface treatment, which would penetrate generally no more than 2 to 5 microns into the tooth surface. Accordingly, there remains a need to provide systems and methods for delivering beneficial substances deeper into the nanoporous structure of the tooth, thereby providing better or more efficient dental treatments.
It would also be desirable to provide methods and systems for quantifying or comparing the rate of delivery of beneficial substances into teeth or other nanoporous mineralized tissue structures.

Systems and methods for delivering substances into nanoporous mineralized tissues


A multiprocessor system is comprised of a bus and a plurality of processor modules. Each processor module includes a bus arbitration block, a bus access control block, an address output block, a data input/output block, a clock signal generating block, a stop request block for requesting the stop of supplying a clock signal, an operation processing block for processing data, and a stop control block. The stop control block stores the contents of the bus access (a type of the bus, the address and data concerning the access, etc.) as is made by the operation processing block when the clock signal is stopped, and to what clock of that access cycle the bus access proceeds. The stop control block controls the bus arbitration block to electrically disconnect the processor module from the bus. After the restart of supplying the clock signal, the bus arbitration block, the bus access control block, the address output block and the data input/output block are restored on the basis of the contents of the bus access. Then the bus access that was stopped is resumed from its beginning. When the number of clocks of the clock signal is equal to that stored in the memory block after the restart of supplying the clock signal, the stop control block supplies again the clock signal to the operation processing block. Subsequently, the operation processing block continues the bus access.

The present invention relates to improvements of a multiprocessor system.
In the multiprocessor system, a plurality of processor modules are connected to a common bus. Each processor module contains a clock signal supply block, a bus arbitration block, a bus control block, an address output block, a data input/output block, an internal bus, and an operation processing block (CPU).
In the processor module, when a bus access request is issued from the operation processing block, the bus arbitration block artibitrates the use of the common bus between the processor-module and the other processor modules. If none of the other processor modules is accessing the common bus, the requesting processor module obtains the right of using the common bus. When a plurality of processor modules simultaneously attempt to access the common bus, they are priority ordered and the processor module with the highest priority obtains the first access, then the module with the next high priority obtains the next access, and so on. The bus arbitration block having assigned bus access, activates level busy signal BS announcing to other processor modules that access has been assigned. The bus arbitration block then enables the bus control block and the address output block. Subsequently, addresses and data may be transferred between the operation processing output block and the common bus.
The processor module can be constructed with CMOS and can have a standby mode. In the standby mode, the supply of a clock signal is stopped during its operation to reduce power consumption. The conventional multiprocessor system, however, cannot accommodate the standby mode. This is a disadvantage of the conventional multiprocessor system. Another disadvantage of the conventional system is that when one processor module stops its operation, due to a failure which can be self-diagnosed, none of other processor modules can use the common bus. Specifically, when one processor module stops its operation while it is accessing its access to the common bus, the remaining processor modules cannot use the bus until all of the processor modules are temporarily disconnected from the common bus. In other words, to allow the use of the common bus by the remaining processor module, the busy signals of all of the processor modules must be temporarily made inactive.
In the conventional multiprocessor system, if one processor module stops during its access to the common bus, the busy signal of this processor module remains active. Therefore, the remaining processor modules are prohibited from subsequent use of the common bus.
Thus, the conventional multiprocessor system will not permit an individual system design which has a 1 standby function and allows operation stop due to a failure which can be self-diagnosed.

Multiprocessor system with standby function


A glare reducing shield usable with a touchscreen display includes a shade positioned above the display and a circular polarizer mounted within the shade and above touch-screen display. The circular polarizer is mounted at a height sufficient to permit activation of touch finger control functions on the touch-screen display. Reflections from the circular polarizer are reduced by shaping the circular polarizer to direct light reflected therefrom to light absorbing material coating the inner surfaces of the hood.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to the field of surface glare reduction, and more particularly, to the reduction of glare from cathode ray tube or touchscreen radar displays.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The glare of from a phosphor surface display in a well lit area creates a poor contrast ratio thereby adversely affecting the visual detail observable on the display.
One method in the prior art for reducing glare is to position a reflectionless coating on the surface of the display. Such a coating, however, affects the image quality and, in many cases, does not justify the increased cost involved. Additionally, this approach is not feasible for the reduction of glare from a touchscreen display, whereon control functions for a system are display on the screen and activated by a touch of the finger. This coating significantly reduces the sensitivity of the touchscreen to the finger touch, thereby preventing a control activation by the touch of a finger. Further, fingerprints are highly visible on this coating, thus adversely effecting the detection of small targets or other small display entries.
Other methods of reducing glare in the prior art utilize a shield positioned over the display surface and tilting the display so that light reflected therefrom is incident to the inner surface of the shield. This inner surface has a nonreflection coating applied thereto so that light is not reflected therefrom. Two purposes are served by this shield, it shields the display surface from light that is incident thereto at angles within a broad angular range and absorbs reflections from the display surface of light that is not intercepted by the shield. A shield of this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,032,222. For many applications, the viewing area required dictates a shield that intercepts only a small portion of the incident light. In these situations the display surface must be tilted at an angle, to reflect light incident to the display surface to the inner surface of the shield, that provides an unacceptable image foreshortening to the viewer of the display.


When a user wants to reproduce a necessary scene once more again during the TV reviewing, a main picture is continuously displayed on a TV screen while a side picture and sound which are recorded without using a conventional endless tape. The size of the audio picture on the TV screen is adjustable. In comparison with prior art using the conventional tape or the like, it is not necessary to worry about mechanical wear and installation.

The present invention relates to a TV receiving device and method.
According to a conventional TV set, the viewer cannot watch a spot scene in detail and repeatedly while he is watching TV even if he has a desire to do so. This desire is partially satisfied by Japanese Patent Application No. S62-207775 belonging to the same applicant, wherein a video cassette tape recorder (VCR) is required.
If the viewer wants to watch once more or confirm a TV scene during the TV reviewing, there has been no means but using the well-known endless VCR to play back that scene at another time. This is seriously inconvenient for the viewer and it costs a great deal, so that there are a number of problems which cannot be accepted by the general viewer.

TV receiver and method for concurrently displaying a reproduced stored program and a received program


Methods and apparatus are described for modeling sequences of events with Markov models whose states correspond to nodes in a provided taxonomy. Each state represents the events in the subtree under the corresponding node. By lumping observed events into states that correspond to internal nodes in the taxonomy, more compact models are achieved that are easier to understand and visualize, at the expense of a decrease in the data likelihood. The decision for selecting the best model is taken on the basis of two competing goals: maximizing the data likelihood, while minimizing the model complexity (i.e., the number of states).

The present invention relates to data mining, and more specifically to modeling sequences of events arranged in a taxonomy.
Markov models are fundamental mathematical structures widely used in the natural and physical sciences, computer science, and engineering systems for describing and predicting processes. A Hidden Markov Model (HMM) is an extension of a Markov chain in which observable symbols are emitted in each of the states, but it is not possible to know exactly the current state from the symbol observed. Markov models with or without hidden states, first-order or higher-order, with or without lumping of states, have been extensively applied to sequence mining in the past.
The HMM parameters of a model can be adjusted by the well-known Baum-Welch method to increase the likelihood of observed sequences of symbols. Another class of techniques for learning HMM parameters from data is based on model merging. These approaches start with a maximum likelihood HMM that directly encodes all the observable samples. At each step, more general models are produced by merging previous simpler submodels. The submodel space is explored using a greedy search strategy and the states to be merged are chosen to maximize the data likelihood.
State aggregation in Markov models. Many of the processes that can be represented by HMMs suffer from the state space explosion problem. State space explosion occurs when the number of states grows too quickly for computation to solve more than trivial cases. As the number of states rapidly increases, computers run out of time and/or memory to complete the computation. For example, problems that grow exponentially or combinatorially with the size of the input suffer from state space explosion. As a result, minimizing memory requirements and time is crucial for most applications of HMMs. Aggregation techniques for reducing the number of states have been extensively studied.
Many approaches are based on the notion of lumpability, a property of Markov chains for which there exists a partition of the original state space into aggregated states such that the aggregated Markov chain maintains the characteristics of the original. A different approach reduces the structure of an HMM by partitioning the states using the bi-simulation equivalence, so that equivalent states can be aggregated in order to obtain a minimal set that does not significantly affect model performance. A simple heuristic for HMMs is to merge states that have the most similar emission probabilities. This approach has been applied to the domain of gesture recognition.
Sequence clustering. Sequence clustering is one of the most common tasks in sequence mining. This task has been handled by using frequent subsequences or n-grams statistics as features or considering the edit distances among all the candidate sequences. Traditional methods often require sequence alignment and do not efficiently handle variable-length sequences.
One of the first works using HMM for sequence clustering computed the pairwise distance matrix for all the observed sequences by training an HMM for each sequence. The log-likelihood of each model given the sequence is used to cluster the sequences in K clusters using an Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm. A Markov-chain based cluster method without hidden states using EM has also been implemented in commercial applications. In another approach, the HMMs are used as cluster prototypes. The clustering is computed by a combined approach of the HMMs and a rival-penalized competitive learning procedures. In an extension to the pairwise distance approach, HMMs are used to build a new representative space, where the features are the log-likelihoods of each sequence to be clustered with respect to a predefined number of HMMs trained over a set of reference sequences.
Sequence clustering can also be used for probabilistic user behavior models to describe and predict user actions. User actions are described by the conditional probability of performing an action given the previous action, plus binary features that indicate the presence of a certain action in the user's history.
Sequence mining applications. There are many applications of sequence mining. Two areas of interest are web usage mining and spatio-temporal data mining. Sequential pattern mining is one of the most common data mining techniques for Web data analysis. Markov models have been applied for modeling user web navigation sessions, describing user behavior, mining web access logs and for query recommendation. Mobility data analysis is a research area rapidly gaining a great deal of attention, as witnessed by the amount of spatio-temporal data mining techniques that have been developed in the last years.
Non-Markov based methods are also known in the art. Taxonomy-driven data mining has been mainly considered in the context of frequent pattern extraction: originally taxonomies were used for mining association rules and sequential patterns of itemsets in market-based data, where each item is a member of a hierarchy of product categories. More recently, taxonomy-based methods were used for mining frequent-subgraph patterns in biological pathways, where graphs of interacting proteins annotated with functionality concepts form a very large taxonomy.

Taxonomy-driven lumping for sequence mining


Methods and apparatus are provided for static-biasing a pre-metalized non-conductive substrate within a process chamber. A substrate holder that holds a pre-metalized non-conductive substrate is engaged by a lift mechanism that provides movement of the substrate in a first, upward direction to a contact position within the process chamber and in a second direction to a non-contact position. When the substrate holder is moved to the contact position, the substrate electrically engages a conductive spring-loaded compliance mechanism that is mounted in a fixed position within the process chamber. The spring-loaded compliance mechanism is connected to a bias-voltage feed-through for the process chamber that applies a bias voltage to the substrate via the spring-loaded compliance mechanism.

Magnetic discs have typically been fabricated on conductive metal substrates. During formation of some or all of the multiple layers of the magnetic medium on the conductive substrate, a bias voltage is applied to the substrate while it is positioned in a processing chamber. Biasing the substrate causes ions within the processing chamber to be accelerated toward the substrate. Depending upon the particular process used, the acceleration of ions toward the substrate surface increases the material deposition rate on the substrate in comparison with an unbiased substrate, modifies the substrate surface by ion bombardment, or produces other desirable effects.
In the case of a conductive substrate, the bias voltage may be applied to the substrate through conductive fingers that physically hold the substrate in position for processing. For example, FIG. 1 shows a three-finger substrate holder 100 that supports a substrate 102. The substrate holder 100 includes a holder body 104 and three conductive support rods 106, 108 and 110 that extend from the holder body 104 to make contact with the edge of the substrate 102. Although not specifically shown in FIG. 1, the support rods 106, 108 and 110 typically terminate in a V-shape or forked-shape to provide stability for the substrate 102 during transport and processing.
It is becoming increasingly desirable to use non-conductive substrates in some applications. For example, glass substrates are utilized in the fabrication of magnetic discs for laptop computers because of their light weight and durability. However, a problem arises in the processing of non-conductive substrates because the substrate cannot be biased by application of a voltage in the same way as in the processing of conductive substrates. As mentioned above, in the processing of conductive substrates, the bias voltage can be applied to the substrate though the support rods of the substrate holder. However, this has not proven practical in the case of non-conductive substrates due to the fact that the V-shaped or fork-shaped support rods of the substrate holder that hold the non-conductive substrate erect for processing shadow the area of the substrate adjacent to the support rods. This shadowing prevents a conductive layer from building up adjacent to the rods and, thus, prevents the formation of a conductive path between the support rods and the conductive film being formed on the non-conductive substrate. Thus, the same electrical path used in the case of conductive substrates (conductive support rods to disc) cannot be used with non-conductive substrates. In the case of non-conductive substrates, this problem may be overcome by rotating the substrate during processing to make sure that the support rods do not shadow the formation of conductive layers adjacent the rods. However, substrate rotating mechanisms generally occupy one process station on a sputter tool having a limited number of processing stations, thereby decreasing the processing efficiency of the tool, and ultimately resulting in higher processing costs per disc.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved apparatus and methods for processing non-conductive substrates so that the non-conductive substrate can be electrically biased to enhance substrate processing steps.

Biasing a pre-metalized non-conductive substrate


A broadcast receiving apparatus and memory managing method thereof are provided. The broadcast receiving apparatus includes a storage unit which includes a plurality of memory areas for each of a plurality of operating systems, a determination unit which periodically determines a retrievable memory area for each of the plurality of memory areas, and a controller which reallocates at least part of the retrievable memory area, if memory area reallocation is necessary.

1. Field
Methods and apparatuses consistent with the exemplary embodiments relate to a broadcast receiving apparatus and a memory managing method thereof, and more particularly, to a broadcast receiving apparatus which can provide a high speed response by adaptively allocating a memory, and a memory managing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
A broadcast receiving apparatus, which is an apparatus for receiving a digital broadcast, converts a digital broadcast signal or an analog broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcasting station, and video and audio signals input from various external apparatuses, such as a video player, a digital versatile disk (DVD) player, and a Blue-ray disk player, into a transport stream (TS) signal, and displays the TS signal or transmits the TS signal to an external display apparatus. A representative example of such a broadcast receiving apparatus includes a digital television, an internet protocol television (IPTV) using video on demand (VOD), and a set-top box.
As broadcast receiving apparatuses have been rapidly developing, these apparatuses have reached a performance equivalent to that of a personal computer (PC). Thus, broadcast receiving apparatuses are able to provide numerous services, like PCs currently provide.
However, broadcast receiving apparatuses should utilize insufficient resource as efficiently as possible in contrast with the PC, and should protect its own unique function from other services. Considering this aspect of the broadcast receiving apparatus, applying services on the PC may result in a serious problem that affects security and stability.
In order to solve this problem, a recent broadcast receiving apparatus classifies services into a basic service such as a service provided by a digital TV and an additional service such as a service provided by a PC, and provides the classified services using different operating systems.
However, considering that the performance of an operating system depends on an amount of available memory, it is important to determine the size of each memory to be allocated to each operating system when a plurality of operating systems operate in a single hardware apparatus.
However, since the memories are allocated to the plurality of operating systems without considering priorities given to the operating systems in the related art, there is a problem that if 'an operating system for providing an additional service' uses much memory preferentially, 'an operating system for providing a video service' may malfunction.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Broadcast receiving apparatus and memory managing method thereof


According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a retrofit for a system using a fluid to transfer thermal energy in a system that utilizes a thermostat to regulate a temperature associated with a terminal is provided. The retrofit includes a return line temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a fluid leaving a terminal; and a circuit. The circuit is configured to: receive a signal from a thermostat, the signal commanding a modulated valve to open or close; receive a temperature from the return line temperature sensor; determine whether the temperature is either greater than a maximum set point or less than a minimum set point; and modify the signal from the thermostat if the temperature is either greater than the set point or less than set point.

Buildings often utilizes fluid systems to transfer thermal energy either to or from rooms in the building. One non-limiting example of such a system is a hydronic system. Such fluid systems often use thermostats to regulate the amount of flow to a terminal associated with the room—with the goal of regulating the temperature of the room. However, there is a problem with this approach. Thermostats operate in an uninformed manner in that they only measure the temperature of the room and not the heating or cooling capacity of the fluid. Stated differently, thermostats disregard and are unaware of thermal energy in the fluid.
In addition, malfunctions in such systems are often difficult to diagnose because one part of the system affects another, and terminals are often difficult to access and measure.

Retrofit smart components for use in a fluid transfer system


A drainage structure of a volute horn including a resonating device has a cover and a base which form a volute sound path. A relatively long and narrow drainage passageway is formed in the portion of the resonating device where water collects for draining water from the sound path such that the sound pressure in the sound path remains constant. As a result, the integrity of the horn sound is maintained.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a drainage structure of a volute horn, and more specifically to a drainage structure of a volute horn arranged to enable efficient drainage from a sound path while maintaining the integrity of the sound.
2. Description of the Related Art
A volute horn utilizes an electromagnet to vibrate a diaphragm. Sound is produced by the vibration of the diaphragm and is adjusted in a resonating unit which forms a volute path along which the sound travels. The travelling sound is transmitted to the outside as a horn sound. Since the resonating unit has a bugle-like opening, it is impossible to completely prevent water, such as rainwater, from entering the sound path, even if the horn is attached so that the opening faces downward. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7, water collects in the sound path and thereby changes the quality and loudness of the sound. If enough water exists in the sound path, the horn cannot produce any sound.
To overcome such a disadvantage, a drainage hole is formed in the resonating unit. Such a drainage hole, however, causes a decrease in pressure within the sound path. The quality and loudness of the sound markedly change with such a decrease in pressure. Another disadvantage with such an arrangement is that water may enter the sound path through the drainage hole.

Mitsuba Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.