An improved apparatus is disclosed for setting a deck structure or other marine superstructure using a barge mounted cantilevered support structure. The cantilevered support structure is attached at one end of a floating vessel. The cantilevered support structure extends past the edge of the vessel and, in one embodiment, includes means for rotating parallel support members about the deck of the floating vessel permitting the cantilevered support structure to be raised and lowered while it remains substantially parallel with the top of the offshore platform enabling the superstructure to engage the top of a previously installed offshore platform in a synchronized manner. Alternatively, this superstructure may be aligned directly over the platform. A cantilevered drilling rig is then aligned over the cantilevered support structure and used to lift the deck structure or marine superstructure, permitting the vessel and cantilevered support structure to move. The drilling rig is then used to lower the marine superstructure onto the top of the previously installed offshore platform.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for installing a superstructure onto an offshore platform. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for installing a deck structure onto an offshore platform in exposed water offshore using a barge mounted, cantilevered support structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Historically, the placement of a deck structure or a superstructure onto an offshore platform has been performed either by setting the deck or superstructure onto the platform using the crane of a derrick barge or lowering the deck onto the platform using a float-on, deck-setting procedure. This second method typically involves the maneuvering of the deck structure into an existing slot in the platform at the water line and then ballasting the barge which is temporarily supporting the deck until the deck structure engages the offshore platform. At that point, the deck loads have been transferred to the platform and the ballasted barge may be removed from the platform slot. A general discussion of the float-on procedure is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,788 and the accompanying detailed description.
Both of these methods, however, have distinct disadvantages. The use of a crane on a derrick barge has lifting limitations primarily controlled by the lifting capacity of the crane, which is largely a function of the angle of the main boom, and the size of the derrick barge. Frequently, in designing the deck structure, the engineer must take into account the capacity of available derrick barges. The alternate float-on, deck-setting procedure also has significant limitations in that the offshore platform either must have a large enough water plane to provide enough of a slot between the principal support legs of the platform to accommodate a barge large enough to support the deck structure during the installation phase or the operation must be performed in a sheltered environment using multiple barges moored around the platform to create enough capacity to support a deck and permit a deck setting operation.
Therefore, the need exists for an improved method and apparatus for setting a deck structure or a superstructure which does not increase the expense associated with a large derrick barge but has the flexibility of accommodating smaller offshore platforms which do not have a large enough in-place water plane to support the float-on method.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,924 to Dysarz discloses a semisubmersible vessel 10 to set a deck structure 17 onto a fixed offshore platform 15. However, the procedure disclosed by Dysarz is complex and requires an elaborate semisubmersible to control the vertical displacement of a deck structure which is supported off one end of the barge. Furthermore, the disclosure by Dysarz still has substantial limitations associated with the float-on method in that the trusses 11 which support the lifting beams 9 are on the interior of the jacket 15 and would interfere with the lowering of the deck superstructure on smaller platforms for the same reason that the float-on method is inadequate in view of the smaller interior water planes. Dysarz also requires a complex curved guide frame 7 to assist the semisubmersible vessel 10 and lifting beams 9 during the raising and lowering phases.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method and apparatus for installing a deck structure or a superstructure which is inexpensive and simple and avoids the complications of the Dysarz disclosure.

Method and apparatus for setting a superstructure onto an offshore platform


A method to solve large scale linear SVM that is efficient in terms of computation, data storage and communication requirements. The approach works efficiently over very large datasets, and it does not require any master node to keep any examples in its memory. The algorithm assumes that the dataset is partitioned over several nodes on a cluster, and it performs “distributed block minimization” to achieve the desired results. Using the described approach, the communication complexity of the algorithm is independent of the number of training examples.

Technical Field
This disclosure relates generally to machine learning algorithms and, in particular, to algorithms for use in training Support Vector Machines (SVMs).
Background of the Related Art
The Support Vector Machine (SVM) is one of the most robust machine-learning algorithms developed to date, and it is one of the most commonly-used ones. Over the last 15 years, algorithms for training SVMs have been evolving from being scalable to thousands of examples, to being scalable to millions. Nevertheless, current state-of-the-art sequential linear SVM solvers are relatively slow if they are trained over tens of millions of high-dimensional examples. The scalability of the state-of-the-art sequential solvers of nonlinear SVM is even worse.
It is also known to perform distributed SVM training. Prior attempts in distributed SVM training have focused on parallelizing particular steps of sequential solvers. Most of these approaches focused on parallelizing the solvers of nonlinear SVMs. Attempts to parallelize the solvers of linear SVMs have required keeping the entire dataset in the memory of a master node. This constraint limits the size of the training set to one that will fit into memory.

Parallel training of a support vector machine (SVM) with distributed block minimization


Sheaths for implantable fixation devices and methods of using the sheaths are disclosed. Sheaths have a flexible body with a perforated wall, and an interior of the body is sized and shaped to receive the fixation device. Sheaths include a plurality of flexible or inflexible tubes arranged to form a ring, where the central cavity defined by the ring is sized and shaped to receive the fixation device.

The invention relates to devices that fix soft tissue to support structures, particularly devices that fix soft tissue grafts within bone tunnels.
In certain types of surgical procedures, soft tissue grafts must be fixed within a bone tunnel. For example, in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) replacement surgery, a ligament graft is harvested from the patient or from a donor, and implanted within the knee by securing one end within a bone tunnel drilled through the tibia, and the other end within a bone tunnel drilled through the femur. Several ACL reconstructive techniques are described in Rosenberg, U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,520, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Referring to FIG. 1, a ligament graft 10 can be fixed within a bone tunnel using a bone screw 12. Graft 10 is made from e.g., a single or double long strip of soft tissue. To implant graft 10, the middle of the strip (not shown) is first passed in a distal direction through a first tunnel 14 in the tibia into a second tunnel 18 in the femur, and then attached to the femur tunnel (or attached to bone adjacent the femur tunnel) with a femur fixation device (not shown). Two approximately equal length segments 19a, 19b of the graft extend proximally from the attached middle portion through tunnels 18 and 14. The two ends 20a, 20b of segments 19a, 19b terminate proximal to tibial tunnel 14. Segments 19a and 19b of the graft are then fixed within tibial tunnel 14 by inserting bone screw 12 between the two segments, such that shaft 22 of the screw presses the segments against internal wall 24 of tunnel 14.
In attaching soft tissue within a bone tunnel using a bone screw, it is important that the tissue be rigidly fixed within the tunnel to prevent slippage. When the bone involved is relatively soft (less calcified), a common problem in elderly patients, screws may not adequately fix the graft to the bone.


The present invention is directed to an apparatus and process for precisely measuring the position of a deflector blade. When patterned dyeing a moving textile web wherein continuously flowing streams of liquid normally directed in paths to impinge upon the web are selectively deflected from contact with the web in accordance with pattern information then each continuously flowing liquid stream is selectively deflected by a stream of air which is discharged, in accordance with pattern information, from an air outlet located adjacent each liquid discharge outlet. The air outlet is positioned to direct the air stream into intersecting relation with the liquid stream and to deflect the liquid into a collection chamber or trough for recirculation. To accurately control the amount of dye applied to a given location on the material during the dyeing operation, and to insure that the dye strikes the material in a very small, precise spot, the lower portion of the collection chamber contains a deflector blade supportably positioned in spaced relation above the lower wall of the collection chamber and wherein means are provided for accurately measuring the position of the deflector blade to facilitate accurate placement of the dye streams on the moving material during the printing process and precise interception of the streams when deflected.

It is known to apply liquids such as dyes to moving textile materials from plural streams which are directed onto the materials and selectively controlled to produce a desired pattern thereon. McElveen U.S. Pat. No. 3,393,411 describes apparatus and process wherein plural streams of liquid are selectively controlled in their flow to provide a distinct pattern on pile carpet.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,443,878 and 3,570,275 describe apparatus and process for the patterned dyeing of a moving textile web wherein continuously flowing streams of liquid normally directed in paths to impinge upon the web are selectively deflected from contact with the web in accordance with pattern information. The webs are thus dyed in a desired pattern and the deflected dye is collected and recirculated for use. Each continuously flowing liquid stream is selectively deflected by a stream of air which is discharged, in accordance with pattern information, from an air outlet located adjacent each liquid discharge outlet. The air outlet is positioned to direct the air stream into intersecting relation with the liquid stream and to deflect the liquid into a collection chamber or trough for recirculation. To control accurately the amount of dye applied to a given location on the material during the dyeing operation, and to insure that the dye strikes the material in a very small, precise spot, the lower portion of the collection chamber contains a deflector blade supportably positioned in spaced relation above the lower wall of the collection chamber. This deflector blade is adjustably attached to the lower wall so that its edge can be accurately positioned relative the dye discharge axes of a gun bar to insure prompt and precise interception of the streams when deflected. A gunbar is defined as a plurality of dye jets, arranged in spaced alignment, which extend generally above and across the width of a substrate to be treated. Details of such a dyeing apparatus and collection chamber are described and claimed in commonly assigned McCollough, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,352 issued Apr. 26, 1977 and hereby incorporated by reference.
It can be appreciated that in the application of different colored dyes to the surface of textile fabrics, it is extremely important to place each dyestuff on the fabric accurately, particularly when intricate patterns are being printed and when in situ blending is employed. Precise measurement of the position of the deflector blade with respect to the dye discharge axes of the gun bar is difficult because the deflector blade is thin and flexible, and thus will move if touched by a measuring device. Adjustment is made by looking at the edge of the deflector blade and an adjacent jet and moving the deflector blade edge to approximately one-half the width of a liquid discharge outlet diameter from the surface of the liquid stream. The next step would be to attempt to provide uniform application across the width of the textile fabric. Because these adjustments are approximate, this is normally nonuniform. A common reaction is to attempt realignment, these attempts are usually unsuccessful.
The present invention solves these problems and others in a manner not disclosed in the known prior art.

Method and apparatus for measuring the position of a dye deflector blade


The invention provides in some aspects a method, executed on a digital data processing system, of mass generation of customized digital content that includes continuously identifying current external events taken by or with respect to a plurality of respective prospective targets and, upon identification of such an event, generating a set of actions, each identifying a digital content piece and a digital delivery mechanism therefor. Each action is generated, according to the method, based on the current identified events for a particular prospective target and on a database of information about prior events taken by or with respect to him/her. The sets of actions are queued upon generation and continuously retrieved on a first-in-first-out basis. And, upon retrieval, an action for generation of digital content for the respective prospective target is selected for transmittal from the set based on quotas associated with that target and/or the delivery mechanism identified for it per the selected action.

The invention pertains to digital data processing and, more particularly, to customized digital content generation. The invention has application, by way of example, in generating digital content based an ever-changing context of user interactions with an enterprise or other publisher of that content.
In order to generate and distribute digital content that will have impact on a target audience of users, a large enterprise generates millions of digital content pieces per campaign and distributes them at a rate of tens of thousand per minute or more. Achieving those rates and quantities requires a digital data processor. And, though those machines are fast, the rate and quantity at which the digital content pieces in the campaign must be generated destines a sizable portion of them to staleness.
By way of example, an email campaign targeting one million potential readers is typically launched and its substantive focus defined at least one to three days before the first digital content piece is generated and transmitted. By the time the one millionth piece has been sent, another day or two may have passed. Given the number of recipients and the length of time from launch to completion, its likely that five to ten percent of the content pieces that might otherwise have been relevant to their intended recipients have lost that by the time of receipt.
More concretely, such a campaign launched by an enterprise on a Monday and completed on a Thursday promoting air conditioners to potential customers in a metropolitan region in advance of a weekend heatwave would normally be expected to have a measurable impact—e.g., a click-through or response rate—on twenty to thirty thousand of those customers. During that four-day period, one thousand of those would-be responders are likely to have already purchased an air conditioner from the enterprise. For them, any email received as part of the campaign is wasted. In fact, it could be worse, if it offers better terms than the customers had gotten for their purchases.
And, of course, it is not just prior purchasers to whom the email campaign may be for naught: a myriad of other circumstances may change during the course of the campaign that renders it wasted as to another sizable segment of the target audience. The complexity is further magnified by the multitude of channels through which a modern-day campaign is effected, from social media (in all its forms) to email to snail mail, to name a few.
To be clear, it is not the fact of the email campaign that is, itself, problematic. It is the static nature of the content, which is typically determined days in advance of its actual final assembly, generation, and distribution. It is also the content delivery mechanism, which does not take into account the many alternate channels through which the modern-day enterprise reaches its audience.
The prior art has proposed various solutions to content generation, including Herman, U.S. Pat. No. 10,453,083, and Hyman, U.S. Pat. No. 10,601,751, neither of which hits the mark. These and other prior art solutions fail to suggest mechanisms for generating digital content that is both customized to the individual recipients to whom it is sent and that takes into account the ever-changing and last-minute circumstances of those recipients, particularly, vis-à-vis their interactions with the enterprise that publishes the content.
The problem is one very particular to computers: they are capable of—and, indeed necessary for—generating and distributing large quantities of digital content quickly; however, they lack the ability to adapt it to the ever-changing circumstances of the large numbers of recipients to whom it is distributed.
In view of the foregoing, an object of the invention is to provide improved digital data processing systems and methods.
A more particular object is to provide improved such systems and methods as are suited for customized digital content generation and distribution.
A still further object is to provide such improved systems and methods for digital content generation and distribution as take into account an ever-changing context of user interactions with the publisher of that content.

Customized digital content generation systems and methods


A method of calibrating capacitive array of a resistor-capacitor hybrid successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter (RC-hybrid SAR ADC) that includes a high M-bit capacitor DAC and a low N-bit resistor DAC. The method includes: disposing n unit capacitors in each capacitive array of the RC-hybrid SAR ADC, wherein n=2M−1; sorting the capacitors in an ascending order according to their capacitances to form a sorted array, and selecting two capacitors Cu(n/2)*, Cu(n/2+1)* in the middle positions as a least significant bit (LSB) capacitor and a dummy capacitor, respectively; obtaining a new array by forming each capacitor through adding two capacitors which have symmetrical positions with respect to the middle position(s) in the sorted array; and sorting the new array in an ascending order, and selecting the capacitor in the middle position as a higher bit capacitor. The method improves the static and dynamic performance of the SAR ADC.

The disclosure relates to the technical fields of microelectronics and solid-state electronics, and more particularly to a capacitor calibration method for the RC-hybrid successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC).
Analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is a constituent part of nodes in wireless sensor networks. Common ADC architectures include SAR ADC, Flash ADC, Pipeline ADC, and Σ-Δ ADC.
The performance of SAR ADC is limited by element mismatch and noise. In the design of high-resolution SAR ADC, the selection of circuit architecture and calibration method is a key point. Conventionally, the binary-search gain calibration method can correct the inter-stage gain error, but the merged-residue-DAC leads to excessive power consumption of the DAC module. The digital calibration can track the change of the capacitor error caused by the power supply voltage and temperature change in real-time. However, the entire calibration is realized by software, without considering the non-ideal factors and complexity of the calibration.

Method of calibrating capacitive array of successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter

UNIVERSITY OF ELECTRONIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF CHINA


The embodiments of the present invention provide an intraframe encoding method, device and encoder for depth images. The method is applied to 3D video encoding or multi-view video encoding. The method includes: in an intraframe encoding mode for depth images, generating a non-all-zero residual and an all-zero residual when a prediction unit is encoded; and performing a rate-distortion optimization selection between the non-all-zero residual and the all-zero residual, as a residual encoding scheme of the prediction unit. The device is applied to 3D video encoding or multi-view video encoding. The device includes: a residual generation unit configured to generate, in an intraframe encoding mode for depth images, a non-all-zero residual and an all-zero residual when a prediction unit is encoded; and a rate-distortion optimization selection unit configured to perform a rate-distortion optimization selection between the non-all-zero residual and the all-zero residual, as a residual encoding scheme of the prediction unit.

In the 3D video encoding or multi-view application, depth images may be used to provide a more flexible viewing angle. The depth information is different from the texture information, i.e., it is not directly used for a display, but converted into a disparity vector and then used for generating a synthetic viewpoint together with the texture information.
During the generation of the synthetic viewpoint, the distortion of the depth block has very little influence on the distortion of the synthetic viewpoint under the following two conditions: 1. the distortion of the depth value does not cause the distortion of the disparity vector; and 2. the vicinity area of the texture value corresponding to the current depth value is very smooth.
It can be seen that under the above two conditions, the residual of the encoding depth block needs to occupy a code rate without improving the quality of the synthetic viewpoint.

Intraframe coding method, device and encoder for depth images

LG ELECTRONICS (CHINA) R & D CENTER CO, LTD.


In a product display rack including a base frame, vertical upright corner support members, and optional header cross member, at least one locking shelf support bracket member is pivotally mountable to a pair of the vertical upright corner frame members and secures at least one shelf to the product display rack.

Product or merchandise display racks are used for storing and displaying various types of goods or products in grocery stores, supermarkets, retail stores, or the like. A variety of product displays or merchandise displays are known. However, many product display racks use fixed shelves, where the shelves, once assembled, cannot be removed from the display or moved to a new location without disassembling and reassembling the entire product display rack. Others, while having adjustable shelves, do not have mechanisms for adequately securing the shelves to the frame resulting in shelves that can be easily or unintentionally removed, creating the risk of injury to either a customer who may accidentally bump the shelf or to an employee who is responsible for stocking or moving the product or merchandise display rack. Damage or destruction of products stored in the product display may also occur if the shelves are unintentionally displaced or removed from the shelf frame. This is disadvantageous, as shelves used for product displays need to be quickly and safely adjusted or removed so that the product display rack can be used and reused for storing and displaying different products of varying shape and size.
What is needed in an inexpensive, easy to use, and easy to assemble product display shelf which may be assembled without tools or small loose fastener parts and includes a shelf locking mechanism such that shelves can be easily installed and adjusted or removed without disassembly and reassembly of the entire display rack, but where the shelves are also securely affixed to the display rack frame to prevent unintentional displacement or removal of the shelves.

Shelf locking structure for display rack


A system maintains a communication connection between a client computer and a server computer connected over a network. The system that has a server application runs on the server computer and a client application runs on the client computer. Also, the client application will periodically send a status signal to the server application. The status signal informs the server computer that the client computer has maintained a connection with the server computer. Further, the server application will maintain statistics on client computers connections based on status signals received from the client application.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to tools for allowing a Website content provider the ability to channel visitors to an active Website by use of activity messages on a real-time basis.
2. Description of the Related Art
An important feature of Website management is the ability to track user (visitor) activity and behavior patterns with respect to a Website and to graphically display this information (using color coding, annotations, etc.) on the site map. Prior methods that deal with this problem include U.S. Pat. No. 6,144,962 that uses an action tracker plug-in, which gathers user activity data by retrieving and analyzing server log files commonly maintained by Web servers. Using this feature, a Webmaster can view site maps which graphically display such information such as the most frequently-accessed URLs, the most heavily traveled links and paths, and the most popular site entry and exit points. Such an ability for viewing information in the context of a site map greatly simplifies the task of evaluating and maintaining Website effectiveness. Another example of this method is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,218 which teaches an information network of clients and servers. A service management system of a server gathers data from the server and from the clients for managing an information service Information management data is gathered on a client by extensions to a browser and is periodically reported to the service management system.
Standard Web servers commonly maintain server access log files ("log files") which include information about accesses to the Website by users. These files are typically maintained in one of two standard formats: the HTTP Server Access Log File format, or the HTTP Server Referrer Log File format. Both of these formats are commonly used by Web servers available from Microsoft, Netscape, and NSCA, and both formats are supported by Astra. Each entry (line) in a log file represents a successful access to the associated Website, and contains various information about the access event. This information normally includes: the path to the accessed URL, an identifier of the user (typically in the form of an IP address), and the date and time of the access. Each log file stored on a physical server typically represents some window of time, such as one month and is not used in concurrent activity by a Web user.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,097 (hereinafter referred to as '097 patent) entitled "Method for characterizing and visualizing patterns of usage of a Website by network users," which is hereby incorporated by reference, also teaches a system for displaying information pertaining to the usage of Web pages. This system comprises first and second Websites. The first Website comprises plural Web-component files, each having a name in a Website directory. The second Website comprises plural statistics files, each containing usage information about a corresponding Web-component file or subdirectory of Web-component files. The '097 system further comprises a computing device that has a display screen which is operable by a user, and is in communication with the first and second Websites. The computing device is operated under the control of Web-browser software effective for displaying, on the screen, Web components of the respective Websites. The '097 computing device is effective for requesting and retrieving, from either of the Websites, data that correspond to user-designated Web components, and it is effective for directing a data request to either of the Websites in response to user-designation of a Web-component from the other Website. However, in these current Web environments, there is no way to know of the real-time activity on these Websites. Although these above-mentioned ways of logging visits to a particular Website are now commonplace, the ability to log activity on a real-time basis is not currently achieved. Current log files provide no more than a history of what a user has viewed. No other information such as when they went to another Website or followed a link is captured by such methods. For many Website activities, such as online-discussions and e-conferences, there is a need to keep track of where users are on a particular Website, to allow a user to access information in a real-time setting for navigating to these activities. The invention tracks this information and avoids placing a burden on the user to install and download plug-ins or Web-components.

Method for characterizing and directing real-time website usage

International Business Machines Corporation


In one embodiment, a method is provided that may include generating, at least in part by first circuitry comprised in an integrated circuit, check data based at least in part upon other data, and/or determining at least in part by the first circuitry, one or more locations of the check data and/or the other data in storage. The first circuitry may be capable of regenerating the other data based at least in part upon the check data. The method also may include issuing a request from second circuitry also comprised in the integrated circuit requesting that a wireless communication device transmit the other data, and/or receiving, by the second circuitry, a request issued from the wireless device, to retrieve the other data. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.

In one conventional network data storage system, a server is coupled to a plurality of clients. The server includes a host processor coupled via a host chipset to a system memory. The host chipset comprises a host bridge/bus system that couples the host processor and system memory to a peripheral bus. The peripheral bus is coupled to a host bus adapter (HBA) that is coupled to a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID). The peripheral bus also is coupled to a network adapter that is physically coupled to the clients via network cabling.
In this conventional network data storage system, a client may issue, via a network cable, to the server a client request to store data in or retrieve data from the RAID. In response to the request, the server's network adapter transmits the request to the system memory via the peripheral bus and chipset, and, if the request is a request to store data in the RAID, the network adapter also transmits the data to the system memory via the peripheral bus and chipset. The memory then stores the request, and if transmitted to the memory by the network adapter, the data. The host processor retrieves the request from the system via the chipset, and in response to the request, the processor issues a request, via the chipset and peripheral bus, to the HBA to retrieve or store the data, as requested by the client request. If the request issued by the client is a request to store data in the RAID, the data is transmitted to HBA from the system memory via the chipset and the peripheral bus; the HBA then stores the data in the RAID. Conversely, if the request issued by the client is a request to retrieve data from the RAID, the HBA retrieves the data from the RAID, and transmits the data to the system memory via the peripheral bus and the chipset; thereafter, the data is transmitted to the network adapter from the system memory and the network adapter transmits the data to the client via the network cable.
Thus, in this conventional network data storage system, the performance of the client request to store data in or retrieve data from the RAID involves multiple transfers of the data via the peripheral bus and chipset. This may result in significant latency in completing the client request. Additionally, the processor, chipset, and HBA each comprise one or more respective integrated circuit chips. This may increase the design complexity of, and time involved in designing the server and network data storage system, and also may increase the cost and power consumption of the server. Furthermore, coupling the server and client together via network cabling may be time consuming, and the use of such cabling as the network communication media among the server and clients may limit and/or reduce the options available for the geographical locations of the clients and servers. Also, some clients derive particular utility from being portable; the use of such cabling as the network communication media in the network data storage system may reduce the portability, and therefore, the utility of such clients.
Although the following Detailed Description will proceed with reference being made to illustrative embodiments, many alternatives, modifications, and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the claimed subject matter be viewed broadly, and be defined only as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Integrated circuit using wireless communication to store and/or retrieve data and/or check data


There is provided a packet transmission control device including a packet interval adjustment unit that adjusts packet intervals of a plurality of packets, a packet replication unit that replicates the plurality of packets whose packet intervals are adjusted by the packet interval adjustment unit to generate a plurality of packet groups, and a destination assignment unit that assigns different destination information pieces to the respective plurality of packet groups generated by the packet replication unit.

The present invention relates to a packet transmission control device, a packet transmission control method, and a program, and particularly to a packet transmission control device, a packet transmission control method, and a program for distributing the same data to a plurality of destinations.
Recently, as information communication networks are developing, various kinds of content have come to be distributed through communication networks. Particularly, when content such as video having a large amount of data capacity and a high real-time property is to be distributed, it is important to secure a network band.
When the same data is distributed to a plurality of destinations, a distribution server generally transmits data obtained in such a way that data is copied for each destination and then packetized to each destination. In this case, packet groups corresponding to the number of destinations are sent to a network. For this reason, as the number of destinations increases, a load imposed on a network increases. Thus, the distribution server intends to reduce a network load by adjusting the timing at which each packet included in the packet groups is transferred to the network using traffic shaping (for example, Patent Literature 1).
In addition, there is multicast as a technique for reducing network load when the same data is distributed to a plurality of specific destinations (for example, Patent Literature 2). Multicast is a technique of lowering network traffic by simultaneously distributing information in a single stream to a plurality of destinations.

Packet transmission control device, packet transmission control method, and program


Disposable electric cooking grill liners for protecting an electric cooking grill having a heated grilling surface of each of the pivotally connected moveable and stationary grilling members. Each grilling surface is heated and has raised cooking ribs wherein both sides of food placed between the closed grilling surfaces are simultaneously heated. Each grill liner is formed of a sheet of semi-rigid or heavy heat conductive foil preformed for fitting directly against and substantially conforming to and covering the corresponding grilling surface whereby cooking heat provided to each grilling surface is substantially transferred through the grilling liner without substantial food and juices flowing therefrom coming in contact with the grilling surfaces. Each grill liner also has a rigidized or stiffened margin for maintaining the preformed shape during installation, use and removal of each said grill liner after use. A juice collector and releasable attaching tabs for securement of the upper grill liner are also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of grill and barbecue-type cooking and more particularly to disposable preformed aluminum foil cooking grill liners which substantially conform to and mate against the opposing grilling surfaces of well known electric grilling appliances.
2. Description of Related Art
Electric cooking grills having both a stationary and a moveable heated grilling surface pivotally connected together have become quite popular. One such device bears the trademark "GEORGE FOREMAN" grills having electric heat provided to both stationary and pivotably moveable grilling surfaces so that cooking heat is applied to both the top and bottom surfaces of food placed therebetween. These GEORGE FOREMAN-type grills also include an inclined orientation of the stationary or lower grilling surface with raised ribs extending longitudinally downwardly from the higher to the lower ends so that cooking juices including undesirable fat material will drain downwardly toward and outwardly from a downturned juice draining margin disposed at the lowest point of the stationary grilling surface.
The popularity of these GEORGE FOREMAN-type grills and others of a similar configuration and nature have become extremely popular and are found in a broad variety of sizes and forms. However, a common thread is the stationary and preferably inclined cooking surface and the pivotally moveable or openable upper grilling surface which come together to inject heat from both top and bottom sides of the food to be cooked. However, cleaning of these grilling surfaces is somewhat problematic. These grilling surfaces are generally not removable and therefore, to the extent required, cleaning must be done dealing with the entire cooking grill itself which may include non-water proof delicate portions which cannot be submerged or exposed to extensive quantities of water.
Instructions accompanying the use of these GEORGE FOREMAN grills specifically advise that cleaning with a wet sponge or disposable toweling immediately after cooking is completed will greatly expedite and facilitate the cleaning process of the grilling surfaces and will obviate the need for more aggressive soap and water scrubbing otherwise. Human nature being as it is, this recommended cleaning step immediately after cooking is typically ignored based, in all likelihood, on the uncontrollable urge to immediately begin consuming the newly-cooked food and the inherent risk involved with handling extremely hot surfaces.
These grilling surfaces, when left to cool with food particles and juices remaining thereon are extremely difficult to clean. A mere sponge or wet paper towel wiping no longer suffices and more aggressive techniques for cleaning and scouring these grilling surfaces must be used.
The following U.S. patents are generally related to this area of grill cooking and protection thereof but all have structural and functional features which are substantially differing from that of the present invention.                U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,491 to Diller, et al.        U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,097 to Rhee        U.S. Pat. No. 4,320,699 to Binks        U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,052 to Morrison        U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,931 to Miklos        U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,601 to Chappell        U.S. Pat. No. 6,313,446 to Jones        U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,421 to Ahlgren        U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,277 to Barker
The present invention provides disposable cooking grill liners which are preformed to specifically fit and easily mate against and conform to each of the stationary and moveable grilling surfaces of a GEORGE FOREMAN-type grill. Moreover, by the very nature of this close fitting alignment, the grill liner for the movable upper grilling surface will remain in place when opened. These cooking grill liners are formed of heavier aluminum foil having stiffened or, preferably doubled over rigidized outturned or upturned margins which aid in maintaining the overall preformed shape for mating alignment and fitting against each of the grilling surfaces and also facilitate the handling and disposal thereof after use.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A controller of a power converter including an inverter that includes plural semiconductor switching elements. The controller suppresses an error between a voltage command and an inverter output voltage and responds to a voltage command at a high speed. The controller includes a voltage command generator that generates a voltage command signal and a switching pattern calculator that calculates and outputs, based on the voltage command signal, a switching pattern of a synchronous PWM system in which an average value of an inverter output voltage matches the voltage command signal.

In a synchronous PWM control, a switching pattern to control a PWM inverter is calculated. As representative systems that calculate a switching pattern, a system that synchronizes a carrier wave such as a triangular wave with a phase angle of a voltage command (hereinafter, "carrier-wave comparison system") and a system directly referring to a phase of a voltage command (hereinafter, "phase reference system") can be exemplified. In these systems, the carrier-wave comparison system can simplify a configuration of a control system and is excellent in the responsiveness to a voltage command, whereas the phase reference system can effectively suppress a higher harmonic component contained in an inverter output voltage. Conventionally, there are many technical literatures about the carrier-wave comparison system. Nonpatent Literatures 1 and 2 and Patent Document 1 mentioned below are representative literatures about the phase reference system.
When a synchronous PWM control is performed, an approximate shape of a switching pattern can be recognized in many cases. This means that, in the synchronous PWM control, the shape of an inverter output voltage can be recognized in advance. Therefore, in the synchronous PWM control, a switching phase can be obtained in advance to be able to obtain desired characteristics of an inverter output-voltage waveform in one cycle of a voltage command.
Nonpatent Literatures 1 and 2 disclose setting methods of a switching phase that make it possible to perform suppression of a higher harmonic component contained in an inverter output voltage and assigning an arbitrary fundamental wave component. Patent Document 1 discloses a setting method of a switching phase in which a fundamental wave component contained in an inverter output-voltage waveform matches a voltage command.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H6-253546
Nonpatent Literature 1: IEEE Transactions On Industry Applications (1973, Vol.IA-9, No. 3), Generalized Techniques of Harmonic Elimination and Voltage Control in Thyristor Inverters Part I-Harmonic Elimination
Nonpatent Literature 2: IEEE Transactions On Industry Applications (1974, Vol. 10, No. 5), Generalized Techniques of Harmonic Elimination and Voltage Control in Thyristor Inverters Part II-Voltage Control Techniques

Controller of a power converter that uses pulse width modulation


An electronic device, comprising: an execution unit which executes a predetermined function; a first control unit that has an input terminal and causes the execution unit to execute the predetermined function; a power source unit that supplies power at least to the first control unit; and a second control unit that has an output terminal connected to the input terminal of the first control unit via a signal line, operates to output a signal to the first control unit via the signal line, and causes the power source unit to cut off power supply to the first control unit, and wherein the second control unit keeps a potential of the signal line at a reference level lower than or equal to a predetermined threshold while the second control unit causes the power source unit to cut off power supply to the first control unit.

1. Technical Field
Aspects of the present invention relate to technique in which a first control unit and a second control unit connected to the first control unit via a signal line are provided, and the second control unit on/off controls power supply to the first control unit.
2. Related Art
Conventionally, power control devices in which a main CPU and a sub CPU are communicatively connected to each other via a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) and power supply to the main CPU is on/off controlled by the sub CPU have been used. In the power control device, in order to prevent a current from flowing from the sub CPU to the main CPU in a state where power supply to the main CPU is cut off, a connection terminal between the main CPU and the sub CPU is held in a high-impedance state.

Preventing flow of current from sub-CPU to main-CPU during power saving mode in an image forming apparatus