A method for solving a combinatorial optimization problem and applying the solutions to routing as employed in naval convoying and other transit point scheduling. The method involves isolating a plurality of vertices into open-ended zones with lengthwise boundaries. In each zone, a minimum length Hamiltonian path is found for each combination of boundary vertices, leading to an approximation for the minimum-length Hamiltonian Cycle. The method discloses that when the boundaries create zones with boundary vertices confined to the adjacent zones, the sets of candidate HPs are found by advancing one zone at a time, considering only the vertices in the zone in question (with embedded HPs from previous zones) and an adjacent zone in the direction of progression. Determination of the optimal Hamiltonin paths for subsequent zones has the effect of filtering out non-optimal Hamiltonian paths from earlier zones.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for solving optimization problems, particularly minimal Hamiltonian cycle type problems, and a practical utilization of the solutions for these problems, including the application of the solutions to routing as employed in naval convoying or other transit point scheduling.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
It is known in the art that a "Traveling Salesman Problem" (TSP) involves finding a minimum length Hamiltonian Cycle (HC)—the path of visiting each vertex once and returning to the starting vertex. The minimum length HC resolves the routing problem of the TSP which can also be applied to naval convoying, trucks routes or even transit point scheduling such satellite positioning.
The symmetric TSP with N vertices has (N−1)!/2 permutations, precluding an exhaustive search except for small N. Even a relatively small problem (e.g., N=20) has 1016 distinct HCs; N=40 leads to 1046 distinct HCs. The Euclidean TSP is classified as an NP-hard problem, having no known algorithm for the general case whose number of operations is a polynomial function of N.
The (N−1)!/2 permutations assume that any vertex can occupy any of N positions. Isolating vertices into spatial zones locks each into a limited range of positions, subject to boundary vertex permutations. This falls into a general area of dynamic programming.
Partitioning the vertices into sub-problems has been done for the Euclidean TSP. In particular, a Polynomial Time Approximation Scheme (PTAS) generates a tour exceeding the optimal length by no more than a factor of 1+ε in time N0(1/ε). The approach involves a bounding square box dissected into squares and shifted randomly, with restrictions on edge crossings (to specified portals).
Most prior work on the TSP has focused on heuristics that generate tours. For example: a simple heuristic involves going to the nearest point. More complex heuristics include genetic algorithms, simulated annealing, and neural nets. In some cases, these approaches have found optimal tours. More likely, the approaches will come close (often to within two percent) of the optimal tour.
Another approach to the TSP makes use of a "DNA Computer". This approach involves DNA strands (with appropriate genetic coding to represent each point) mixed together in a test tube. A 7-point problem was solved by chemically eliminating all non-solutions. Although this process avoids exhausting every possible permutation creating during the chemical reactions, the process may take several days to find a solution.
Practical applications connected with the TSP go beyond traditional combinatorial problems involving scheduling and routing (e.g., planning of supply convoy routes to support naval bases). In physics, a three-dimensional Ising model used for studying phase transitions can be translated into a TSP problem. Scattering of X-rays from crystals can potentially involve accounting for as many as 30,000 different radiation paths. Other applications include VLSI chip fabrication, protein structure prediction, and the assignment of frequencies to transmitters in a communications network. Existing patent references disclose methods for solving the TSP:
In Marks et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,826,549), a system is provided that enables an interactively guided heuristic search for solving a combinatorial optimization problem. The system initially performs a hill-climbing search of the combinatorial optimization problem to obtain a solution using initial default parameters. The current solution and the combinatorial optimization problem are visualized on an optimization table, a table-top display device. The parameters are altered based on the visualization of the combinatorial optimization problem and the current solution. Then, the searching, visualizing, and setting are repeated until the solution is selected as an acceptable solution of the combinatorial optimization problem. During the repeating, the parameters can be a set of probabilities, and in which case the search is a random perturbation-based search. Alternatively, the parameters can be a set of priorities, in which case the search is an exhaustive local search.
In Okano (U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,384), a method is provided for increasing the execution speed of a cost-minimizing routing algorithm, as employed in trucking or job shop scheduling. Penalty functions for succeeding transit points along a route are added and examined for validity during trial route evaluation. A soft time window is set for each transit point and proposed routes are evaluated using a total cost including all soft time windows along the route and the length of the route. A static soft time window function and a dynamic soft time window function are correlated with each transit point. The dynamic soft time window function for each transit point is the sum of the static soft time window function for the transit point and the dynamic soft time window function for a succeeding transit point in the direction of travel.
In Goray et. Al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,636,840), a computer system and associated method is configured to support solving NP-complete problems such as minimal Hamiltonian cycle type problems. A primary network represented by the matrix of its edges is recorded in the memory space and an equivalent representation of the primary network is formed as a set of subnetworks. Nodes of a present path are reordered according to a set of reordering rules and edge weights of edges of the set of subnetworks are changed according to a set of edge weight changing rules.

Method for solving combinatoral optimization problems

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


An image read part reads documents and stores the image data thereof in a memory card. Reduced image creating device creates reduced image data according to stored image data. The reduced images are displayed as an icon on display of an operation panel by using the reduced image data. One of the icons displayed on the display is selected a using pointing device, the image data corresponding to the selected icon is read from the memory card and an image is printed out.

This application is based on application No. H9-309571 filed in JAPAN, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital copying apparatus, an image input/output apparatus and a printing apparatus and further relates to those which are provided with both fixed storage device and removable storage medium.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A Digital copying apparatus is usually provided with fixed storage device. When copying is executed, the original document put on the contact glass is scanned by scanner of the copying apparatus to get the image data, the image data is stored in the fixed storage device (e.g. memory or hard disk) and printed out on a paper by printing device thereof.
When the additional copies of the original document or reprinting are required after the original document is copied, the operator can print out the copies without the original document by using the image data stored in the fixed storage device of the digital copying apparatus.
In such a digital copying apparatus, it is extremely difficult for the operator to select the objective image data out of many files in the storage device, because each of the image data is only numbered or has only simplified name and is displayed by the number or the simplified name on operation panel thereof.
Furthermore, in the digital copying apparatus of prior art, there is a danger or probability of being watched or stolen the secret image data, because the data is left in the fixed storage device thereof.
Furthermore, in the digital copying machine of prior art, there is a danger or probability that the important image data is erased from the fixed storage device to store new image data therein.
There is a copying apparatus which reduces a part of the first problem.
Prior to the regular printing operation using the image data stored in the copying apparatus, the machine prints out a paper, named xe2x80x9cFormxe2x80x9d, on which reduced size images and check boxes are printed.
An operator checks the check boxes of the xe2x80x9cFormxe2x80x9d for selecting image data to be printed out.
The checked xe2x80x9cFormxe2x80x9d sheets are read by the copying apparatus. Then information of printing image data is recognized by the printing apparatus and regular printing operation are started.
The printing apparatus requires the operator to mark check box and to feed xe2x80x9cFormxe2x80x9d thereto.
Further, the operator can not specify a necessary page which is to be outputted.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital copying apparatus, an image input/output apparatus and a printing apparatus, wherein the operator can easily select the objective image data out of many files in storage device by pointing one of the small images which are made from the stored image data and displayed on operation panel thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a digital copying apparatus, an image input/output apparatus and a printing apparatus, wherein a memory card and image data stored therein the secret image data are put under the control of the user and therefore, the secret data is protected form being watched, stolen or erased by others.
Other objects and features of present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings.


A granular hydrating agent having an excellent dispersibility wherein a tristyryl phenyl ether, with polyoxyethylene added thereto, as a dispersant and a dispersion aid are incorporated at the time of wet pulverization to improve the capability of granulation and at least one member selected among sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonates and sodium alkylbenzenesulfonates and a dispersion aid are incorporated at the time of dilution.

Active ingredient components useful as a pesticide, such as insecticides, fungicides and herbicides, have been prepared into formulations, such as wettable powders and dusts, depending upon their physicochemical properties and the objective to use them practically in agricultural crop fields. A wettable powder and a dust can be formulated by admixing a solid active component useful as a pesticide, inorganic mineral carriers and surface active agents and subsequently allowing the mixture to a process of dry milling. The particle size is in a range of from 5 to 10 .mu.m, so there is a problem of securing safety on human bodies, such as powder inhalation problem at the time of measuring a powder formulation to dilute with water. In order to solve such problem as described above, a water dispersible granule which is manufactured according to extrusion method has been developed recently.
The water dispersible granule produced according to the extrusion method is manufactured by admixing a solid active component useful as a pesticide, a carrier composed of mineral fine powder, a surfactant, etc., adding bound water after the dry milling process, kneading by using a kneader, and subsequently forcing the kneaded-material to pass through a plate having holes with a diameter of from 0.5 to 1.0 mm.
However, the production of the water dispersible granule by means of dry milling process could not be made in cases that the pesticidal active component has a low melting point and therefore it is not suitable for the dry milling, or in case that it is necessary to further allow the active substance to a fine milling in order to enhance its biological activity.
Therefore, when producing the water dispersible granule according to the extrusion method where a pesticidal active component either having a low melting point and therefore not being applicable for dry milling process or being required to be subjected to fine pulverization process for enhancing its biological activity, it was necessary in the past to allow the active substance to wet millimg process and then to kneading granulation process in combination with a carrier composed of mineral materials.
On the other hand, from the same purpose as described above, a method to firstly make the active substance to a slurry state by means of wet milling process, then to mix the slurry with a carrier of minerals and finally to allow the mixture to the extrusion process to obtain granules has been developed. For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 3-146126 Gazette, a method to improve the dispersibility at milling and the granulation property by adding a small amount of sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonate during the process of wet milling is disclosed. However, there is still a problem that wet milling of the active substance might be not possible sometime depending upon the chemical property of the active substance itself, due to the lowering of dispersibility of sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonate.


A mobile wireless communication device (200) including a wireless transceiver (210) communicably coupled to a processor (220), a satellite positioning system receiver (250), wherein the processor controls an operating mode of the satellite positioning system receiver based on satellite positioning system operating mode information received by the wireless transceiver when the mobile wireless communication device is in a vicinity of a location or will be in the vicinity on which the satellite positioning system operating mode information is based. Controlling the operating mode includes controller whether and when and the frequency with which location measurements are made.

In some satellite positioning system receivers (SPS) also referred to herein as global positioning system receivers (GPS), for example, battery-operated portable NAVSTAR GPS receivers, designers must consider a tradeoff between power consumption and operation of the SPS engine. In SPS based navigation applications, for example, battery power consumption depends on the rate or frequency at which the SPS engine computes pseudoranges and generates positioning, heading, speed and other information for the navigation application. In many SPS receiver applications, including some navigation and routing applications, the SPS engine must generally operate relatively continuously to provide the accuracy and performance expected by consumers. This sustained operation consumes power and may require the allocation of substantial computational resources, one or both of which may be in limited supply.
U.S. Publication No. 2003/0236619 entitled "Low Power Position Locator" discloses a device for determining user position including a GPS receiver that intermittently determines a reference position at a relatively low frequency duty cycle to reduce power consumption. In U.S. Publication No. 2003/0236619, a user's current position is determined using the reference position and change information relative to the reference position detected by a comparatively low power consumption inertial sensor system. In one embodiment of U.S. Publication No. 2003/0236619, the duty cycle of the GPS received is fixed, and in another embodiment the duty cycle is variable depending upon whether the change in position detected by the inertial sensor system exceeds a specified limit.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,978 entitled "Method And Apparatus For Enhancing Vehicle Navigation Through Recognition of Geographical Region Types" discloses a vehicle navigation system capable of altering parameters of a navigation algorithm based on changes in the geographical region, for example, changes indicated by the digitization density of a map database, where the vehicle is located. The navigation system of U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,978, for example, provides extra user guidance in hilly terrains and eliminates extraneous maneuvers in densely populated areas. U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,978 also discloses adjusting the size of search regions employed to identify position possibilities based on the density and regularity of the layout, for example, street grids, in the map database.
The various aspects, features and advantages of the disclosure will become more fully apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of the following Detailed Description thereof with the accompanying drawings described below.

Satellite positioning system receivers and methods


A method and an apparatus for polishing a semiconductor wafer are provided. An initial thickness of the semiconductor wafer is actually measured to obtain a measured initial thickness value. First and second inter-positions are then set or determined with reference to the measured initial thickness value. The first and second inter-positions are predetermined taking into account any variation in the initial thickness of the semiconductor wafer. A polishing process is carried out under control to a motion of a polishing pad toward a stage, on which the semiconductor pad is held.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a method and an apparatus for polishing a semiconductor wafer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for polishing a wafer level semiconductor device such as a wafer level chip size package, which will hereinafter referred to as W-CSP.
2. Background Information
All patents, patent applications, patent publications, scientific articles, and the like, which will hereinafter be cited or identified in the present application, will, hereby be incorporated by reference in their entirety in order to describe more fully the state of the art to which the present invention pertains.
In a series of manufacturing processes for a semiconductor device, a back-side polishing so called "back-grind" may be performed to polish a back-surface of a semiconductor wafer prior to dicing the wafer. This back-surface of the wafer is opposite a front-surface that has an integrated circuit that includes the semiconductor device.
In the manufacturing processes, an encapsulation process may be performed for encapsulating the wafer level semiconductor device with an encapsulation resin to form an encapsulated semiconductor package that is incomplete as a product. This incomplete package is then polished to have a required thickness and produce the W-CSP as the product.
The polishing process is also performed using a moveable polishing pad that polishes the semiconductor wafer surface. The polishing pad descends and contacts with the wafer surface for polishing the same. The polishing pad descends or moves closer to the wafer under a descending-speed control.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 9-155722 discloses a conventional process for polishing the semiconductor wafer and a conventional chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) apparatus therefor. The conventional apparatus includes a polishing cloth made of a highly rigid material, a suction table positioned over the polishing cloth, and a sensor positioned over the suction table. The suction table has a downward face that holds the semiconductor wafer thereon. The suction table is also movable up and down. The suction table presses the wafer to the polishing cloth for polishing the wafer with the polishing cloth. As the polishing process progresses, the suction table descends slowly and slightly. The sensor detects a displacement of the suction table. Further, such a highly rigid polishing cloth prevents the wafer from downwardly sinking into the polishing cloth. Both the high rigidity of the polishing cloth and the detection of the displacement allow for highly accurate control of the polishing amount.
Further description will be made of another conventional descending-speed control method involved in the polishing process. A polishing pad descends, at a higher descending-speed, from a stand-by position to a predetermined interposition A′ between the stand-by positioned and the wafer surface. At the interposition A′, a reduction in the higher descending-speed commences and continues until the pad has a predetermined lower descending-speed, which is the speed at which the polishing pad contacts the polishing surface of the wafer. The above reduction of the descending-speed relaxes impact force of a collision between the polishing pad and the wafer, thereby avoiding or reducing possible impact damage to the wafer. When the polishing pad has just polished the wafer by a predetermined thickness or amount that is less than a finally required polishing-amount, the polishing pad is positioned at a polishing-halfway-position B′ where a change or increase in the descending-speed from the lower descending-speed is commenced to allow the polishing pad to perform further the remaining polishing process at the increased descending-speed.
In accordance with the conventional method, the above interposition A′, at which the above speed reduction is commenced, can be determined by taking into account unavoidable variation in the actual thickness of the unpolished wafer. The interposition A′ is set based on a sum of a given initial thickness value T1′ and a first compensation value α′, so that a relation A′=T1′+α′ is established, where T1′ and α′ are constant, respectively. Thus, the above interposition A′ is also fixed and given commonly to various actual thicknesses of the unpolished wafers. The fixed interposition A′ and the unavoidable variation of the actual wafer thickness cause undesired variation in a first actual distance that is defined between the unpolished wafer surface and the fixed interposition A′.
If the actual thickness of the unpolished wafer is greater than the given initial thickness value T1′, then the first actual distance is shorter than a first necessary distance for avoiding or reducing possible impact damage to the wafer. This causes the polishing pad to reach the polishing wafer surface at an insufficiently reduced speed that is still higher than the above-described desired lower descending-speed, resulting in possible impact damage to the wafer. If the actual thickness of the unpolished wafer is smaller than the given initial thickness value T1′, then the actual distance is longer than the above-described necessary distance. This may avoid any possible impact damage to the wafer, but causes unnecessary time consumption during descent or moving down of the pad at the lower descending-speed before the polishing pad reaches the polishing wafer surface. In this point of view, it is desired that the actual thickness of the unpolished wafer is smaller than the given initial thickness value T1′.
The polishing-halfway-position B′, at which the above speed increase is commenced, is set based on a sum of a finally required target thickness value T2′ and a second compensation value β′, so that another relation B′=T2′+β′ is established, where T2′ and β′ are constant, respectively. Thus, the above polishing-halfway-position B′ is also fixed and commonly given to various actual thicknesses of the unpolished wafers. The fixed polishing-halfway-position B′ and the unavoidable variation of the actual wafer thickness cause undesired variation in a second actual distance that is defined between the unpolished wafer surface and the fixed polishing-halfway-position B′.
If the actual thickness of the unpolished wafer is greater than the given initial thickness value T1′, then the polishing pad polishes the wafer at the lower descending-speed by a sufficient thickness to avoid or to reduce any impact damage to the wafer before the polishing pad reaches the polishing-halfway-position B′, and the descending-speed is increased. If the actual thickness of the unpolished wafer is smaller than the given initial thickness value T1′, then the polishing pad polishes the wafer at the lower descending-speed by a smaller thickness than the above sufficient thickness before the polishing pad reaches the polishing-halfway-position B′, and the descending-speed is increased. To avoid or to reduce any impact damage to the wafer, it is desired that the polishing pad polishes the wafer at the lower descending-speed until cutting blades of the polishing pad are well-engaged into the wafer surface and the polishing process is stabilized. In this point of view, it is desired that the actual thickness of the unpolished wafer is greater than the given initial thickness value T1′.
Consequently, any substantive variations in the actual thickness of the unpolished wafer from the given initial thickness value T1′ causes either one of the above two disadvantages.
In accordance with the CMP apparatus disclosed in the above-described Japanese publication, the sensor detects the displacement of the suction table in order to monitor the polishing amount and then control the polishing process based on the monitored polishing amount. It should be noted that the CMP apparatus does not control the descending-speed of the suction table.
In the above-described circumstances, it had been desired to establish or to develop a certain polishing technique free from the above disadvantages caused by the unavoidable variation in the actual thickness of the wafer.
In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved a method and an apparatus for polishing a semiconductor device. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

Method and apparatus for polishing a semiconductor device


A wheel assembly includes a spindle; a wheel hub rotatable relative to the spindle; a seal mounted between the spindle and the wheel hub, the spindle, the wheel hub, and the seal defining a sealed cavity; and at least one bearing mounted between the spindle and the wheel hub within the sealed cavity, the at least one bearing facilitating rotation of the wheel hub relative to the spindle.

Vehicles, including haul trucks such as the Komatsu 930E haul truck, have wheel assemblies that may include a wheel hub mounted on a spindle. A roller bearing may be mounted between the wheel hub and spindle to facilitate rotation of the wheel hub relative to the spindle. The roller bearing may be oiled allow for smooth rotation of the bearings of the roller bearing.


A support part supports a bearing pad from an outer circumferential side so as to be swingable at a pivot position. A radius of curvature of a rotary shaft is Rj, a radius of curvature of a pad surface is Rp, and a radius of curvature of a reference circle centered at an axial line and having a radius equal to a distance between a center and the pivot position on the pad surface is Rb, and a relationship of Rj<Rp<Rb is established.

A bearing device used for a steam turbine, a gas turbine, a compressor, and the like (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2010-203481) is known. The bearing device is provided with a plurality of bearing pads spaced apart in the circumferential direction of a rotary shaft.
A tilting pad bearing is known as the bearing device. In the tilting pad bearing, each bearing pad is pivotably supported by a pivot (support part) from an outer circumferential side. An oil film of a lubricant is formed between the rotary shaft and the pad surface.


Multi-component organic solvent systems, electrolytes and electrochemical cells characterized by good low temperature performance are provided. In one embodiment, an improved organic solvent system contains a ternary mixture of ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate and diethyl carbonate. In other embodiments, quaternary systems include a fourth component, i.e, an aliphatic ester, an asymmetric alkyl carbonate or a compound of the formula LiOX, where X is R, COOR, or COR, where R is alkyl or fluoroalkyl. Electrolytes based on such organic solvent systems are also provided and contain therein a lithium salt of high ionic mobility, such as LiPF6. Reversible electrochemical cells, particularly lithium ion cells, are constructed with the improved electrolytes, and preferably include a carbonaceous anode, an insertion type cathode, and an electrolyte interspersed therebetween.

The present invention is directed to organic solvents and electrolytes for electrochemical cells, particularly lithium ion cells, and to electrochemical cells exhibiting good low temperature performance.
State-of-the-art lithium ion cells typically include a carbon (e.g., coke or graphite) anode intercalated with lithium ions to form LixC; an electrolyte consisting of a lithium salt dissolved in one or more organic solvents; and a cathode made of an electrochemically active material, typically an insertion compound, such as LiCoO2. During cell discharge, lithium ions pass from the carbon anode, through the electrolyte to the cathode, where the ions are taken up with the simultaneous release of electrical energy. During cell recharge, lithium ions are transferred back to the anode, where they reintercalate into the carbon matrix.
Lithium ion rechargeable batteries have the demonstrated characteristics of high energy density, high voltage, and excellent cycle life, making them more attractive than competing systems such as Nixe2x80x94Cd and Nixe2x80x94H2 batteries. However, few state-of-the-art lithium ion cells perform well at low temperatures making them unsuitable for many terrestrial and extra-terrestrial applications. Many scheduled NASA missions demand good low temperature battery performancexe2x80x94without sacrificing such properties as light weight, high specific energy, long cycle life, and moderate cost. The Mars Exploration Program, for example, requires rechargeable batteries capable of delivering 300 cycles with high specific energy, and the ability to operate over a broad range of temperatures, including the extremely low temperatures encountered on and beneath the surface of Mars. Mars Rovers and Landers require batteries that can operate at temperatures as low as xe2x88x9240xc2x0 C. Mars Penetrators, which will penetrate deep into the Martian surface, require operation at temperatures lower than xe2x88x9260xc2x0 C.
To be used on the Mars missions and in low earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites, as well as in terrestrial applications, lithium ion rechargeable batteries should exhibit high specific energy (60-80 Wh/Kg) and long cycle life (e.g.,  less than 500 cycles).
Unfortunately, state-of-the-art lithium ion cells typically exhibit poor capacities below 0xc2x0 C. This is primarily due to limitations of the electrolyte solutions, which become very viscous and freeze at low temperatures, resulting in poor ionic conductivity. In addition, the surface film (i.e., solid electrolyte interphase, SEI) that forms on the electrodes either builds up over the course of repeated charge/discharge cycling or becomes highly resistive at lower temperatures. Ideally, the SEI layer on the carbon anode needs to be protective toward electrolyte reduction and yet conductive to lithium ions to facilitate lithium ion intercalation, even at low temperature.
A number of factors can influence the low temperature performance of lithium ion cells, including (a) the physical properties of the electrolyte (i.e., conductivity, melting point, viscosity, etc.), (b) the electrode type, (c) the nature of the SEI layers that can form on the electrode surfaces, (d) cell design, (e) electrode thickness, separator porosity and separator wetting properties. Of these, the electrolyte properties have the predominant impact upon low temperature performance, as sufficient electrolyte conductivity is a necessary condition for good performance at low temperatures. Ideally, a good low temperature performance electrolyte should possess a combination of several critical properties, including high dielectric constant, low viscosity, adequate Lewis acid-base coordination behavior, as well as appropriate liquid ranges and salt solubilities in the medium.
Conventional electrolytes employed in state-of-the-art lithium ion cells have typically consisted of binary mixtures of organic solvents, for example high proportions of ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate or dimethyl carbonate, within which is dispersed a lithium salt, such as LiPF6. Examples include 1.0M LiPF6 in a 50:50 mixture of ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate, or ethylene carbonate/diethyl carbonate. Such electrolytes do not perform well at low temperature because they become highly viscous and/or freeze.
It can be seen, therefore, that a clear need exists for improved organic solvents, electrolytes, and electrochemical cells capable of performing well at low and moderate temperatures, with high specific energy and high cycle lives.
The present invention provides novel organic solvent systems, electrolytes, and electrochemical cells characterized by improved low temperature performance, including high conductivity, good cycle life, good discharge characteristics, good stability and self-discharge characteristics, and excellent compatibility with the cell components, as well as excellent room temperature and elevated temperature performance. Lithium ion cells containing the new electrolytes are ideal for use in portable electronic products, space vehicles, and other applications.
In one embodiment of the invention, an organic solvent system comprises a ternary mixture of ethylene carbonate (EC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), and diethyl carbonate (DEC), preferably an equal volume mixture of each. Fluorinated analogsxe2x80x94especially perfluorinated analogsxe2x80x94can be used in place of one or more of the solvents.
In a second embodiment of the invention, an organic solvent system comprises a mixture of organic carbonates and at least one aliphatic ester, preferably an alkyl or fluoroalkyl ester. Thus, ternary, quaternary, and higher solvent systems are provided. One such solvent system comprises a ternary mixture of EC, DMC, and MA (methyl acetate). Another solvent system comprises a quaternary or higher mixture of EC, DMC, DEC and at least one alkyl or fluoroalkyl ester.
In still another embodiment, an improved organic solvent system includes two or more alkyl carbonates, preferably EC, DMC, DEC, and/or PC (propylene carbonate), and an asymmetric alkyl carbonate.
In yet another embodiment, the solvent system includes a compound having the formula LiOX (where X is xe2x80x94R, xe2x80x94COOR, or xe2x80x94COR, where R is alkyl or fluoroalkyl) or another basic species that can effectively catalyze the described disproportionation reactions. Fluorinated (especially perfluorinated) analogs of one or more of the co-solvents or additives can also be used. Where the organic solvent system includes an asymmetric alkyl carbonate, such as ethyl methyl carbonate, it can be added directly to the solvent system or generated in situ by including a lithium alkoxide or similar basic species in the mixture. Thus, the present invention also provides a method for making organic solvent systems for electrochemical cells in which asymmetric alkyl carbonates can be produced.
The addition of lithium methoxide or a related basic species also has the observed benefit of improving the SEI formation characteristics of carbonate-based (and other) electrolytes, which contributes to improved cell performance, especially at low temperature, due to low electrode polarization behavior. Lithium methoxide has previously been detected as a by-product formed from electrolyte reactions in lithium-ion cells which have been cycled or exposed to lithiated graphite. In fact, the addition of alkoxides and related basic compounds to lithium ion cell electrolytes has now been found to have a beneficial effect, irrespective of whether the additive(s) can facilitate disporportionation/exchange reactions resulting in asymmetric carbonate formation. The present invention, therefore, includes a method of making an improved electrolyte by adding to an electrolyte solvent system a small amount of a compound of the formula LiOX (as described herein), or a similar basic species.
In addition to novel organic solvent systems, the invention also provides a variety of improved electrolytes, comprising a lithium salt having high ionic mobility, dispersed in an organic solvent system. A preferred salt is LiPF6. The electrolytes are particularly well-suited for use in lithium ion cells, especially where low temperature performance is required.
In another embodiment of the invention, an improved, reversible electrochemical cell comprises an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte as described herein. Preferably, the anode and cathode are of the insertion type, i.e., a coke, graphite, or modified carbon anode intercalated with lithium ions, and the cathode is a lithiated metal oxide, such as LiCoO2, or a similar material. In operation of the cell, lithium ions pass from the carbon through the electrolyte to the cathode, where they are taken up. During recharge, lithium ions are transferred back to the anode, where they reintercalate into the carbon matrix.
Lithium ion cells prepared in accordance with this invention have high specific energy, energy density, operating voltage, and coulombic efficiency, and low self-discharge tendencies. Cell performance at low temperatures ( less than xe2x88x9220xc2x0 C.)is notably improved over comparable, state-of-the-art systems. When used in upcoming space missions, the invention promises the additional benefits of improved reliability, and broader operating range.

Organic solvents, electrolytes, and lithium ion cells with good low temperature performance


An image sensor has a case, a glass cover attached to its upper surface, a head plate carrying a plurality of image sensor chips, a plurality of light-emitting elements for illuminating a document placed on the glass cover and a rod lens array for focusing the reflected light from the document on the image sensor chips, and a light-conducting member which is placed inside the case for effectively directing the light from the light-emitting elements to a specified area of the glass cover. The upper surface of the rod lens array at both its ends is compressed by compressing members formed at both end parts of the light-conducting member. The rod lens array is inserted from above into a holder having a groove formed inside the case. The holder may have protrusions formed for engaging with an edge on the upper surface of the rod lens array approximately in the middle in the longitudinal direction for easy attachment.

This invention relates to a contact-type image sensor for an image reading device such as a facsimile machine and an image scanner.
As shown in FIG. 7, a conventional contact-type image sensor 10 of this kind has a base plate 12 on the bottom surface of a case 11 which may be made of a resin material with a plurality of image sensor chips 13 attached to this base plate 12 over a distance which corresponds to the width of the image to be sensed. A transparent cover glass plate 14, with a read-off line L which is defined thereon perpendicular to the figure and hence is indicated thereon by a dot, is attached to the upper surface of the case 11, and a rod lens array 15 is disposed between this read-off line L and the image sensor chips 13 such that an erect (non-inverted) equally magnified image of a picture with different brightness along the read-off line L can be formed on the image sensor chips 13. The inner space of the case 11 also contains a plurality of light-emitting diodes 16 disposed on a supporting plate 17, serving as a light source for shining light on a document D from the back side of the glass plate 14. The rod lens array 15 is supported by engaging with a holder 18 with a groove set inside the case 11.
To assemble such an image sensor 10, the glass plate 14, the base plate 12 and the supporting plate 17 are affixed to the case 11 by means of an adhesive, and the rod lens array 15 is first engaged with the holder 18 but it is eventually fastened to it by means of an adhesive. Thus, the work of assembly involves many steps including application of an adhesive agent. This not only increases the cost of assembly but also adversely affects the efficiency of assembly work because it takes time for the adhesive to harden.


Liquid dishwashing detergent compositions comprising a co-surfactant selected from amine oxides, betaines, branched alkyl carboxylates and non bridged polyhydroxy fatty acid amides. The dishwashing composition further comprises a bridged polyhydroxy fatty acid amide for improved sudsing performance.

The formulator of a manual dishwashing detergent composition is required to formulate compositions which meet a number of consumer relevant performance demands.
Firstly, such a composition should be effective at removing soils from dirty "dishes" when used in a manual dishwashing process. The soils encountered in dishwashing are largely but not exclusively food based. Particularly difficult soils to remove include greasy soils, burnt-or baked-on soils or those which have been allowed to harden onto the dish article, as well as non-food soils such as lipstick on the rims of glasses or nicotine stains.
Once the soils have been removed from the dishes the dishwashing detergent should act so as to suspend these soils in the wash solution and thus prevent their redeposition onto the dishes, or onto the surface of the sink.
In addition, the manual dishwashing composition should be high sudsing and the sudsing should persist throughout the washing process. This is particularly important as sudsing is used as an indicator by the consumer of the performance of the detergent composition. Moreover, the consumer also uses the sudsing profile as an indicator that the wash solution still contains active detergent ingredients and the consumer usually renews the wash solution when the sudsing subsides. Thus, a low sudsing formulation will tend to be replaced by the consumer more frequently than is necessary because of the low sudsing level.
The manual dishwashing composition should also be mild to the skin, and particularly to the hands and should not cause skin dryness, chapping or roughness. Such skin complaints largely result from the removal of natural oils from the skin. Thus, the manual dishwashing composition should desirably be effective at removing grease from plates but not natural oils from the skin.
In order to address the consumer demand for effective removal of soils found in a dishwashing load, particularly greasy soils, liquid detergent compositions may comprise certain co-surfactants such as long chain amine oxides, betaines, non-bridged polyhydroxy fatty acid amides and branched alkyl carboxylates, which have been found particularly effective in the removal of such soils, especially when present in high concentrations. However, a disadvantage of such compounds is their tendency to reduce the overall sudsing profile of the detergent composition.
Thus, it is an aim of the present invention to formulate a dishwashing composition which facilitates the removal of soils, especially oily and greasy soils and which produces a high and persistent level of sudsing.
It has now been found that this objective can be achieved by the incorporation of certain bridged polyhydroxy fatty acid amides into liquid dishwashing detergent compositions comprising long chain amine oxides, betaines, polyhydroxyfatty acid amides, alkyl carboxylates or mixtures thereof. Furthermore, an additional advantage of the present invention is that the suds level produced by the addition of the bridged polyhydroxy fatty acid amides is greater than the sudsing produced by conventional suds boosters such as shorter chain length amine oxides.
Polyhydroxy fatty acid amides have been disclosed as surfactants in the art, see for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,639, U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,927 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,769.


One aspect of the disclosure relates to, among other things, a method for optimizing and provisioning a software-as-a-service (SaaS). The method includes determining a graph comprising interconnected stages for the SaaS, wherein each stage has a replication factor and one or more metrics that are associated with one or more service level objectives of the SaaS, determining a first replication factor associated with a first one of the stages which meets a first service level objective of the SaaS, adjusting the first replication factor associated with the first one of the stage based on the determined first replication factor, and provisioning the SaaS onto networked computing resources based on the graph and replication factors associated with each stage.

Cloud computing aggregates physical and virtual compute, storage, and network resources in the "cloud" and offers users many ways to utilize the resources. One kind of product leveraging cloud computing is called Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Software vendors can acquire resources in the cloud (e.g., renting and/or building their own) to run software applications for their customers. The cloud having physical hardware resources would host the software applications to which customers would have access. Software applications that can be offered using SaaS can include financial services application, gaming application, supply chain application, inventory management application, data management application, talent acquisition application, etc. Users or customers can request an instance of a software application from the software vendor. The software vendor can in turn instantiate the software application on the cloud. The customer would then be able to use and access the software application that he/she requested.

Estimating model parameters for automatic deployment of scalable micro services


The invention relates to a method of correcting inhomogeneities in MR perfusion images of the myocardium of a patient, which perfusion images relate time-sequentially to a preliminary phase which precedes the administration of a contrast medium and to an examination phase which succeeds the administration of the contrast medium, the perfusion images from the examination phase being corrected, in a correction step, for a detected intensity variation of the perfusion images from the preliminary phase, the perfusion images from the preliminary phase being transformed, prior to the correction step, in such a manner that pixels or groups of pixels thereof register with corresponding pixels or groups of pixels of the perfusion images from the examination phase.

The invention relates to a method of correcting inhomogeneities in MR perfusion images of the myocardium of a patient, which perfusion images relate time-sequentially to a preliminary phase which precedes the administration of a contrast medium and to an examination phase which succeeds the administration of the contrast medium, the perfusion images from the examination phase being corrected, in a correction step, for a detected intensity variation of the perfusion images from the preliminary phase.
MR perfusion images of the myocardium of a patient are formed so as to enable determination of the perfusion thereof. The actual image acquisition takes place after the injection of the contrast medium so as to enable suitable evaluation as to which parts, if any, of the myocardium exhibit insufficient perfusion.
From practice it is known to correct the perfusion images acquired after the administration of the contrast medium in the examination phase for the intensity variation detected in the preceding preliminary phase. This is because the acquired perfusion images exhibit an intensity variation which is dependent inter alia on the position occupied by the heart relative to the acquisition coils of the relevant MR scanner during the exposure. The intensity variation of the perfusion images from the preliminary phase preceding the administration of the contrast medium then serves as a starting point for the correction of the intensity variation of the perfusion images in the examination phase.
In practice, however, the above step often has an effect to the contrary, because the patient is allowed to inhale deeply a few times just before having to hold his or her breath during the administration of the contrast medium. Consequently, the position of the heart in the examination phase changes relative to the position occupied by the heart during the preliminary phase. The correction step executed in conformity with the state of the art, consequently, may give rise to incorrect correction of the intensity of the perfusion images from the examination phase.
It is an object of the invention to solve the latter problem.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method of correcting inhomogeneities/discontinuities in MR perfusion images


A system for a two-piece armored cab includes an upper cab portion, a lower cab portion, and a vehicle chassis system. The upper cab portion and the lower cab portion are armored to provide protection to occupants of the cab system. The upper cab portion removably mates to the lower cab portion at a mating line that comprises a lower edge of the upper cab portion and an upper edge of the lower cab portion. The lower cab portion is mounted to the vehicle chassis system such that the vehicle chassis system is operable when the upper cab portion is removed from the lower cab portion as well as when the upper cab portion is mated to the lower cab portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a two-piece armored cab system.
2. Background Art
Conventional armored vehicles (e.g., vehicles used for military or security related applications) typically have protective armor surrounding the cab (i.e., cabin, passenger compartment, etc.) region of the vehicle. Such protective armor is intended to provide occupants of the cab (e.g., driver, passenger, etc.) a desired degree of protection from hostile attack via explosive devices, mortar rounds, small arms fire, grenades, and the like. The protective armor surrounding the cab on a conventional vehicle is typically implemented to provide a single-piece armored vehicle cab where the armor is implemented as multiple pieces of armor that are fastened to a unitary infrastructure.
Protective armor usually adds a significant weight to the armored vehicle. Protective armor can also add to the overall height of the vehicle. Such additions to the weight and height of the vehicle can make the vehicle difficult to transport to a desired use location. In particular, armored vehicles are often transported by airplane to a location of immediate need as other modes of transportation do not provide the speed of deployment desired. One particular problem sometimes encountered (e.g., with some cab-over and cab-forward vehicles) is that the concentrated weight of an armored vehicle at a wheel or axle location may exceed the cargo carrying capacity of the floor structure of the airplane.
Conventional approaches to the air shipment of armored vehicles typically are implemented by shipment of the vehicle in an unarmored or partially armored condition, and remote field installation or reinstallation of the complete armor package that includes many individual sections of armor. The field installation of the armor package can be excessively time consuming and extremely onerous to the individuals who perform the installation as facilities to aid the installation are often very limited and the number of armor components that are to be installed is often numerous. The user of conventional armored cab vehicles typically has two choices (i) attempt to transport a vehicle that has a single piece (unitary) armored cab that can exceed weight and heights limits, and (ii) transport the unarmored or partially armored vehicle and install numerous armor components on the vehicle when the vehicle has reached the desired destination.
Thus, there exists a need and an opportunity for an improved armored cab system. Such an improved system may overcome one or more of the deficiencies of the conventional approaches.

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army


A device for damping rotational variation and torsional vibrations of the rotating shaft of an engine or a transmission having gears subjected to such vibrations, thereby reducing noise, includes a rotating shaft (2), supported by a bearing; a gear (3), attached to the rotating shaft; a damper against rotational variations and torsional vibrations of the gear; a damper case (11), having a ring-like inertia governor chamber (12), attached to the gear (3); an inertia governor (13), housed in the chamber; a plurality of leaf springs (14), inserted into a groove (11a) of the damper case (11) at one end and a groove (13a) of the inertia governor (13) at the other end in such a manner as to become parallel with an axis of the rotating shaft (2); and a plurality of pads (15), inserted between the inertia governor (13) and the damper case (11).

Conventionally, when a rotary shaft of an engine is linked to the crank shaft of the engine, a driving torque to be transmitted by the rotary shaft has a component that fluctuates, due to effects such as a combustion-expansion cycle. Consequently, the fluctuating frequency of this component rotationally vibrates gears for a fuel injection pump or gears for driving accessories such as a cooling pump, causing vibration or noise.
If a load to be driven fluctuates, as with a fuel injection pump for example, the driving torque of the rotary shaft also fluctuates, causing the driving gear attached to the rotary shaft to generate vibration or noise. Recently, the pressure of fuel injection pumps has been raised higher and higher to provide a countermeasure against exhaust emission, thereby increasing the driving torque. This, however, increases the fluctuating frequency synchronized with the fuel injection cycle, resulting in increased vibration or noise of the gears for directly driving the fuel injection pump.
For an improvement associated with the above-mentioned problem, a technology disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-open No. 5-047420 was proposed. In this technology, as shown in FIG. 15, a cam shaft 52 of a fuel injection pump 51 is divided into an input section 52a and a driving section 52b. The input section 52a and the driving section 52b are coupled to each other through a damper coupling 50 composed of an inertia governor 53, a spring 54, and a damper 55. In this construction, a moment of inertia of the inertia governor 53, a spring constant of the spring 54, and a damping value of the damper 55 are appropriately selected to set a characteristic value of the damper coupling 50 to a frequency lower than a vibromotive frequency range provided by the injecting action of the fuel injection pump 51.
However, in the above-mentioned construction, coupling the input section 52a to the driving section 52b through the damper coupling 50 presents a problem of increasing the length of the cam shaft 52, thereby increasing the external size of the damper coupling in its entirety. Another problem is that, since the damper coupling 50 cannot be mounted directly on a gear of the gearing, the vibration of the gear cannot be damped. Still another problem is that, since the damper coupling 50 transmits a driving force between the input section 52a and the driving section 52b by the large power of the spring 54, the size of the spring 54 becomes large, thereby increasing the size of the damper coupling.
Further, since a vane and a rotor are pivotally inserted in a cam ring of the damper coupling 50 for rotation, the structure of the damper coupling becomes complicated and requires precision work, increasing the fabrication cost.

Device for damping rotational fluctuation and torsional vibration of rotary shaft


The present disclosure provides systems and techniques for efficient locking of datasets in a database when updates to a dataset may be delayed. A method may include accumulating a plurality of updates to a first set of one or more values associated with one or more features. The first set of one or more values may be stored within a first database column. Next, it may be determined that a first database column update aggregation rule is satisfied. A lock assigned to at least a portion of at least a first database column may be acquired. Accordingly, one or more values in the first set within the first database column may be updated based on the plurality of updates. In an implementation, the first set of one or more values may be associated with the first lock.

Large-scale data processing may include extracting data of interest from raw data in one or more databases and processing it into a data product. These databases may store a vast number of datasets and values in each dataset. Typically, locks may be implemented in these databases. A lock, such as a read lock or write lock, may be used when multiple users need to access a database concurrently. The lock may prevent data from being corrupted or invalidated, for example, when multiple users try to read while others write to the database.

Efficient locking of large data collections


An illustrative example embodiment of a connector includes a terminal configured to establish an electrically conductive connection with another component and a shroud surrounding the terminal. The shroud includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall that is transverse to the first sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall have a sidewall dimension in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the terminal. The shroud includes a first transition between the first sidewall and the second sidewall in the form of a hollow cylindrical sector having a first angular measurement of more than 90 degrees. The transition has a transition dimension that is less than the sidewall dimension.

Connector assemblies are useful on automotive vehicles for making electrical connections. A variety of connector configurations are known in the industry. Fuel economy and material cost are considerations that have tended to lead to lighter weight connectors. In some cases, the connector features are less robust. As a result, additional care is required when making connections using such connectors.


An electrical insulation sheet comprising a resin composition layer, wherein one surface side has a higher relative permittivity at a frequency of 1 MHz than the relative permittivity of an other surface side, and a circuit pattern is formed on the one surface side, a laminated body comprising the electrical insulation sheet and a metal plate on a metal base plate in that order, wherein a circuit pattern is formed on the metal plate, and a substrate comprising the electrical insulation sheet and a metal plate on a metal base plate in that order, wherein the metal plate has a circuit pattern.

In electronic devices, communication devices, and the like, a printed wiring board having an electrical insulation layer is used. This electrical insulation layer is often formed using a resin sheet (electrical insulation sheet) filled with an inorganic material. Further, with the miniaturization and increased performance of electronic devices, communication devices, and the like that has happened in recent years, the mounting density of electronic components has increased, and there is a greater need to dissipate the heat generated from the electronic components. That is, there is a strong requirement for electrical insulation sheets to have high thermal conductivity as well as electrical insulation properties.
Conventionally, in order to improve the electrical insulation properties and thermal conduction properties of resin sheets, various studies have been conducted regarding the inorganic materials to be used, the used amounts, the shape and particle size of the inorganic materials, and the like.
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an electrical insulation sheet that contains two inorganic fillers having different particle diameters in order to obtain an electrical insulation sheet having excellent electrical insulation properties while maintaining thermal conduction properties.

Insulation sheet, laminate, and substrate


A stationary exercise bicycle including a base frame, a seat supporting assembly, a seat assembly being movably mounted on the seat supporting assembly to be guided along a path inclined at a selected angle related to the ground surface. The stationary exercise bicycle further comprises an assistance member attached to the seat assembly for providing an elevation force for a seat position adjustment. The present invention provides a stationary exercise bicycle with a benefit of quick, easy and convenient seat position adjustment, a benefit of grabbing a heart rate grip or touching a control console comfortably, a benefit of reducing abdomen compression of a user, and a benefit of an elevation force for assisting a seat position adjustment.

Indoor exercise is getting more and more popular during recent decades. One of the popular indoor exercise apparatuses is the stationary exercise bicycle. Currently, there are generally two categories of popular stationary exercise bicycles on the market, the upright and recumbent bicycles.
FIG. 1 shows a recumbent bicycle 10. The recumbent bicycle 10 comprises a seat back 11 and a seat 12 which has a geometry center 13A. The seat 12, usually mounted on a framework 16, is movable on a track 14 inclined at an angle of about seven degrees. The recumbent bicycle 10 has a pair of crank arms 18 and pedals 19. Both the crank arms 18 and pedals 19 are rotated about a crank axis. A handle 17 is attached to the recumbent bicycle 10 for grabbing while a user needs to push the pedals 19 in a condition of operating a high level resistance. Sometimes, the handle 17 may further comprise a heart rate grip for monitoring the heart rate condition of a user.
One drawback of the recumbent bicycle 10 is that a user's knee may interfere with the handle 17 when a user wants to comfortably lean on the seat back 11 and properly grab the handle 17 at the same time. If a user would like to avoid the problem of interference between the handle 17 and the user's knee, the user can move the seat 12 backward to a proper position which means the user can properly extend the legs during one portion of an exercise cycle. In other words, the user can properly extend the legs during a downward and backward cycle of the pedals 19. In the condition of properly extending the user's legs, the interference problem is avoided but another problem is created. The user can not grab the handle 17 properly as shown in FIG. 2. One way to solve the problem is that the user needs to bend forward at the waist in order to grab the handle 17. After a long operation of the recumbent bicycle 10, the back muscles of the user would suffer an uncomfortable stress because of the bending forward posture.
FIG. 3 shows a user moving the seat 12 forward in order to grab the handle 17 properly. In this condition, the user needs to give up the benefit of properly extending the legs. Another disadvantage of the recumbent bicycle 10 is that a vertical height 105 between the geometry center 13A and the crank axis is much less than the user's knee height. The user's knee and thigh may be elevated too much and the user's thigh may compress the user's abdomen, especially for some people who have an obesity problem.
FIG. 4 shows an upright bicycle 20. The upright bicycle 20 comprises a seat 22 which has a geometry center 23A. The seat 22, usually mounted on a framework 26, is movable on a seat support 24. The framework 26 is inclined at an angle of about seventy-three degrees. The upright bicycle 20 has a pair of crank arms 28 and pedals 29. Both the crank arms 28 and pedals 29 are rotated around a crank axis. A handle 27 is attached to the upright bicycle 20 for grabbing. In a general operating posture, a user needs to bend forward at the waist and the user's back and arms are burdened accordingly. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a stationary exercise bicycle to provide several ergonomic benefits which can make a user comfortably and easily operate the stationary exercise bicycle.


A color facsimile apparatus for color-recording color image data received by facsimile communication onto a predetermined recording sheet. When a facsimile receiving operation is performed under a predetermined condition, the color facsimile apparatus sends a protocol signal to the sending facsimile apparatus, the protocol indicating that the receiving capability of the color facsimile apparatus is for receiving monochrome image data. Also disclosed is an image communication apparatus for color-printing color image data received by image data communication onto a predetermined recording sheet. When reception of image data is performed under a predetermined condition, the received color image data are converted to monochrome image data on which predetermined processing is performed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a color facsimile apparatus for color-printing color image data received through facsimile communication onto a predetermined recording sheet.
2. Description of Related Art
It is known that, in transmission of image data via facsimile communication, the data of the sending capability of a sending facsimile apparatus and of the receiving capability of a receiving facsimile apparatus are exchanged in the mutual transmission of protocol signals to be performed before transmission of the image data. The transmission of the image data is then performed according to the contents of the communication capability matched between both the sending and receiving apparatuses.
For this reason, a conventional color facsimile apparatus is constituted such that, when that color facsimile apparatus is on the receiving side, the receiving facsimile apparatus always sends a protocol signal to notify the sending facsimile apparatus that the receiving facsimile apparatus provides the color receiving capability.
Further, when color image data are received via facsimile communication, the conventional facsimile apparatus is constituted to handle the received image data always as the color image data. Namely, in the conventional color facsimile apparatus, the received color image data are stored in a memory as they are. And, when transferring the color image data to the printing section for printing on a recording sheet, the color image data are transferred to the printing section as they are.
However, the conventional color facsimile apparatus is constituted such that the receiving apparatus sends data to the sending apparatus notifying that the receiving apparatus has the color receiving capability, so that, if the sending apparatus is a color facsimile apparatus and the image data to be sent by the same are color image data, the receiving apparatus always receives the color image data. Hence, conventionally, the following problems are sometimes encountered.
Usually, color image data are constituted of at least three kinds of data representing tones of red, green, and blue (R, G, B). Compared with monochrome image data represented by digital signals of "0" and "1," the volume of the color image data is far greater than that of the monochrome image data per document for example. Consequently, in a so-called intercepting reception held for printing (reception by a memory) in which image data received by facsimile communication are sequentially stored in a memory before being printed, color image data being received often overflows the memory to cause a communication error, which seldom happens in the case of monochrome image data.
In addition, some color facsimile apparatuses incorporate a color printer that prints received color image data on a recording sheet in color ink. Such color facsimile apparatuses cannot print in color if the color ink is exhausted. In the conventional color facsimile apparatus, however, color image data are received and processed as color image data regardless of the situation in which color printing is difficult as described above. Consequently, conventionally, the received color image data cannot be outputted on a recording sheet properly, thereby making it impossible to confirm the contents of the received image data.
Further, in the facsimile apparatus of the above-mentioned type, even if color printing can be performed properly or there is a memory space enough for storing image data, users sometimes desire to process color image data as monochrome image data in order to save color ink, allocate a memory space, or shorten communication time. Conventionally, however, as described above, if the sending facsimile apparatus is a color facsimile apparatus that sends color image data, the receiving facsimile apparatus always receives the color image data and processes the received image data always as color image data, failing to meet the above-mentioned user requirements.

Color printer and facsimile apparatus which outputs in color or monochrome based on predetermined conditions


A method of treating a well comprising introducing a well treatment fluid into the well, and a well treatment fluid, are provided. The well treatment fluid comprises an aqueous base fluid, sepiolite clay, and a polymer component selected from the group of an acryloylmorpholine polymer, a polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, for example, the method is a method of drilling a well. In this embodiment, the well treatment fluid is a drilling fluid.

Well treatment fluids are pumped into the well and/or circulated through the wellbore of an oil and gas well in connection with a variety of treatment operations including, for example, drilling operations, cement operations, completion operations and stimulation operations. The components of a particular well treatment fluid and the resulting properties thereof will vary depending on the application, well conditions and other factors known to those skilled in the art.
For example, in drilling a well, an aqueous-based drilling fluid (commonly referred to as a drilling mud) is circulated from the surface through the drill string and drill bit and back to the surface through the annulus between the drill string and the borehole wall. The drilling fluid functions, for example, to cool, lubricate and support the drill bit, remove cuttings from the wellbore, control formation pressures, and maintain the stability of the wellbore.
As another example, prior to a primary or other cementing operation, an aqueous-based spacer fluid is circulated through the wellbore to separate the drilling fluid from the cement slurry and prepare the drill string or casing and the formation for the cementing operation. For example, a spacer fluid is often used to clean out drilling mud and other materials in the wellbore prior to injection of the lead cement slurry. For example, in a primary cementing operation, the spacer fluid displaces the drilling fluid from the annulus and conditions the casing and annular surface to form a good bond with the cement. Spacer fluids can be used to separate fluids in other applications as well.
As yet another example, completion fluids are typically solid-free or low solid fluids that are circulated through the wellbore during final operations and testing to prepare the well for production. For example, once the drilling process is complete, it is often necessary to install gravel packs, production liners, packers, valves and other components in the wellbore. Completion fluids are used during these operations to control the well without damaging producing zones and inhibiting ultimate production from the well. Completion fluids can be used to prepare, repair, clean out and complete the wellbore.
Another example is a fracturing fluid. In a hydraulic fracturing operation, a fracturing fluid is pumped into a subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to initiate and/or extend one or more fractures in the formation. Proppant particulates are carried by the fracturing fluid and placed in the fracture(s) to hold the fracture(s) open once the hydraulic pressure on the formation is released. The resulting propped fracture provides one or more conductive channels through which fluids in the formation can flow from the formation to the wellbore.
Examples of components that are often added to drilling fluids, cement spacer fluids, completion fluids, fracturing fluids and other well treatment fluids include viscosifiers, suspending agents, gelling agents, gel cross-linkers, fluid loss control additives, weighting agents, lost circulation materials, emulsifiers and other surfactants. For example, viscosifiers and suspending agents are added to well treatment fluids to modify the rheological properties of the fluids. Gelling agents are added to well treatment fluids to increase the viscosity and otherwise modify the rheology of the fluids without changing other properties of the fluid. Fluid loss control additives are added to drilling, spacer, completion and other well treatment fluids to prevent leak-off of the fluids to the formation. Similarly, lost circulation materials are added to drilling, spacer, completion and other well treatment fluids to prevent partial or complete loss of the fluid to a subterranean formation penetrated by the well. Weighting agents such as barite, hematite and other finely ground solid materials having high specific gravities are often added to well treatment fluids in order to control the density of the fluid. Emulsifiers and other surfactants are added for various purposes, for example, to act as a degreaser to promote bonding during a cement operation.
In most applications involving a well treatment fluid, the well treatment fluid is used to circulate solid materials through the wellbore and otherwise transport solid materials into the well. In these applications, the viscosity, yield point and overall rheological behavior of the well treatment fluid are very important. For example, the viscosity and yield point of the well treatment fluid must be sufficient to allow the well treatment fluid to suspend the solid materials in the fluid for the amount of time needed and under the conditions to be encountered in connection with the particular operation.
The viscosity, yield point and other rheological properties of well treatment fluids can begin to deteriorate when the temperature in the wellbore or formation increases, for example, to around 300° F. For example, temperatures above 300° F. are often encountered in deep oil and gas wells, geothermal wells and unconventional wells. For example, the rheological properties of viscosifiers may begin to break down at a temperate of around 300° F. When the viscosity, yield point and other rheological properties of well treatment fluids begin to deteriorate, for example, solid materials being carried by the well treatment fluid can prematurely settle out.
There is a need for well treatment fluids in which the viscosity, yield point and other rheological properties can be maintained at higher temperatures, for example, above 300° F.

Downhole high temperature rheology control


A a fixing apparatus for an electrophotographic apparatus includes a heat roller (11a) having a heater (14) therein and a pressure roller (11b) urged against the heat roller, wherein a recording material (6) holding a toner image (25) thereon is sandwiched and carried while being heated and pressurized at a pressing portion between the heat roller and the pressure roller thereby to fix the toner image on a surface of the recording material, the fixing apparatus further including a first temperature detecting mechanism (18) formed by a temperature detecting element (15) provided at a portion of an outer periphery of the heat roller and a sensor head (17) disposed so as to be able oppose to the temperature detecting element, a second temperature detecting mechanism (19) formed by a plurality of temperature detecting elements disposed at a constant interval therebetween along an axial direction of the heat roller and spaced from the outer periphery of the heat roller, and a control mechanism (20, 21, 22, 23, 24) for controlling turning-on and turning-off of the heater in accordance with either one of outputs from the first and second temperature detecting mechanism.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fixing apparatus and a fixing method for an electrophotographic apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a fixing apparatus for an electrophotographic apparatus which includes both a heat roller having heaters therein and a pressure roller urged against the heat roller, and which sandwiches and carries recording material holding a toner image on the surface thereof while heating and pressurizing the recording material at a pressing portion between the heat roller and the pressure roller, thereby to fix the toner image on the surface of the recording material, it is required to apply a constant value of heat to the toner image so as to obtain a stable fixing intensity of the toner image.
The conventional heat control system for a heat roller is arranged in the following manner (see JP-B 61-6385). For example, a temperature detecting element is provided at a portion of the outer periphery of the heat roller and a sensor head is provided so as oppose to the temperature detecting element. The temperature detecting element detects the temperature of the heat roller, and the sensor head outputs a signal when it opposes the temperature detecting element. Then, it is determined whether or not the heaters of the heat roller are to be supplied with current in accordance with the signal from the sensor head, thereby controlling the temperature of the heat roller.
In the aforesaid configuration of the conventional temperature detecting means, however, since the temperature detecting element is provided at the end portion (non-running area of a sheet) of the heat roller along the axial direction thereof, it was impossible to directly measure the temperature at the center portion (sheet running area) of the heat roller along the axial direction thereof. Accordingly, even in a case where the temperature of the sheet running area of the heat roller decreases due to the heat absorption function of the toner and the recording material (sheet etc.) and hence the temperature distribution state of the heat roller becomes as shown in FIG. 5, for example, it is impossible to detect such a state. As a consequence, it was impossible to obtain a stable fixing intensity of the toner image.

Fixing apparatus and method for electrophotographic apparatus including temperature detecting mechanism for heat roller


Certain embodiments involve ranking search results from an information retrieval system using user query data to provide relevant search results to users of the information retrieval system. For example, a system determines a weight factor associated with a first user that provides a query to the information retrieval system based on a type or role of the first user. The system further determines a boost factor associated with the first user based on the weight factor and a number of consecutive search queries provided by the user. The system uses the boost factor to automatically tune a ranking algorithm to adjust a rank of a search result item resulting from a search query provided by a second user.

Search engines, database management systems, and other information retrieval systems are designed to retrieve information based on a query provided by a user. The user can provide the query as one or more terms or keywords and the information retrieval system can search various databases for search result items (e.g., documents, web pages, or other data) based on the query. The information retrieval system will often retrieve a large number of search result items based on the query, some or many of which may not be relevant to the user. The information retrieval system may apply various algorithms to rank each search result item based on a relevancy of the search result item to the user before presenting the search result items to the user. The rank of each search result item can be used to determine an order in which the search result items are presented to the user.
The ranking algorithms can be tuned (e.g., adjusted) to improve an effectiveness of the ranking algorithms in ranking search results in an order that corresponds to the relevancy of the search results to the user. However, existing methods of tuning a ranking algorithm may involve tuning the ranking algorithm using existing data or data that is manually labelled or annotated, which requires human intervention in the tuning process.

Methods and systems for ranking search results via implicit query driven active learning


An improved tremolo arm is provided configured for engagement to a pivoting bridge of a stringed instrument such as a guitar. The arm features a facing surface formed in a complimentary fashion to the shape of the palm of a user's hand. The arm is engageable to conventional bridges or may be employed with an arm mount having a centered attachment point to provide an even pivoting of the bridge during use.

1. Field of the Invention
The present device relates to guitars. More particularly it relates to a tremolo arm for use during the playing of guitars which does require the user to grip the arm with their hand during use.
2. Prior Art
In music, a tremolo is a trembling vibrato effect imparted to the played music heard by the listener. When playing a guitar, a tremolo effect is produced by a variation in amplitude of the produced note.
A variety of mechanical tremolo or vibrato systems for guitars have been developed and employed by musicians since the 1930's and are employed to add a vibrato to the sound of the music, by imparting a change to the tension of the strings. Typically the mechanical action to impart this change in tension is communicated to the bridge or tailpiece of an electric guitar. The implement of choice for most guitarists to impart this tensional variation to elicit the vibrato effect to their music, is a controlling lever, often referred to as a whammy bar, a vibrato armor bar, or a tremolo armor bar.
During guitar playing, gripping the lever by the musician and imparting an oscillating motion to the bar, toward and away from the body of the guitar, enables the player to quickly vary the tension and sometimes the length of the strings temporarily. On an electric guitar this imparted movement of the bridge to vary string length and tension, also moves the strings into differing positions within the magnetic field proximate to the electronic string pickups. Both of these temporary and varying physical changes to the strings, cause a change the pitch of the music produced, to create a vibrato, or pitch-bend effect to the sound.
Since the regular appearance of mechanical vibrato systems generally using gripped-arms to change string tension in the 1950's, such devices have been regularly employed by many guitarists. In the 1960's and 1970's, vibrato or tremolo arms connected to the mount for the guitar strings or bridge, were widely used for significantly more dramatic effects by rock and roll guitarists. Since then the pitch-bending effects produced by movement of the tremolo arm, whether subtle inflections or exaggerated effects, have become an important part of many styles of electric guitar, and a welcome addition to virtually every electric guitar.
Typical prior art is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 2,741,146 by Fender, an example thereof shown in the drawings as prior art, teaches a tremolo device for stringed instruments and which is included in this disclosure as part hereof. Fender teaches a stout handle which is pivotally engaged to a base and which may be rotated out of the way when not in use.
In use in conventional devices like that of Fender, the bar is rotated to a comfortable position for gripping in the hand of the user. Once gripped, the user oscillates movement of the bar by pushing it toward the guitar body, and immediately pulling it back again. This movement produces a tremolo effect in the music through the communicated force in the arm, moving the bridge which affects string length and position over the electronic pickups.
However, systems typical of that taught in Fender have significant shortcomings. First, such long pivoting arms, when pivoted upward toward the strings for use, such conventional tremolo bars are configured for operation using the guitarist's fingers to grip there-around and activate the vibrato action. This concurrently eliminates the employment of the same fingers to continue to pluck or strum the strings of the guitar while using the bar.
Further, conventional tremolo bar systems do not allow the user to keep the tremolo bar in use at all times since it is adapted to fall below the strings when not in use, and out of reach while using the guitar pick or fingers to play. Additionally, because when out of use, they are generally pivoted toward the bottom of the guitar, the conventional elongated tremolo bar must found again by the user's hand, without missing a note while plucking on the guitar in the process.
Still further, as noted, such elongated members are configured to be gripped in the hand between closed fingers for use, and consequently are configured elongated and narrow in width to facilitate such a gripped-use. However this narrow elongated configuration also precludes the musician from attempting to use the member as a hand support during playing since it offers little contact support area and being pivotally engaged it tends to easily rotate in such a hand and lever contact when it is not gripped by the fingers. Finally, many arms such as the Bigsby arms, have a stop built in which prevents the arm from rotating to a position elevated over the strings.
As such, there exists an unmet need for an improved tremolo bar device that allows employment for use with the palm or another surface of the hand which contacts a large planar contact surface, or may be employed by a gripping of the user's fingers along an edge to thereby allow a user to implement the tremolo effect with a surface of their hand while concurrently playing the strings. Additionally such a tremolo device should be configured to be positioned over the strings or adjacent thereto during use or non use, and thereby eliminate the need to search for the tremolo bar as in prior art, when rotated out of use. Still further, such a device should have a contact surface which is contoured in a shape which is complimentary to the curved surface of the hand of a user to achieve a comfortable and secure engagement during use. Finally, such a device should be easily engageable to a wide variety of bridge engagement with stringed instruments as a replacement.
The forgoing examples of related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and they do not imply any limitations on the tremolo device and method described and claimed herein. Various additional limitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the specification below and the accompanying drawings.


An information transmission system for transmitting information from a sending apparatus to a receiving apparatus is provided. The information transmission system includes: a sending apparatus for modulating an information signal, generating a plurality of signals including an optical signal from the information signal which is modulated, and transmitting the plurality of signals via a plurality of routes; and a receiving apparatus for receiving the plurality of signals from the sending apparatus, diversity-combining the plurality of signals, and outputting the information signal, in which the plurality of signals are a plurality of optical signals or signals including a radio signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information transmission method and the system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an information transmission method and the system tolerant of both of rain and fog. In addition, the present invention relates to an optical space transmission system and the method in which degradation of transmission quality and circuit disconnection are decreased.
2. Description of the Related Art
First, conventional technologies of a first aspect will be described.
FIGS. 1A and 1B show block diagrams showing conventional optical space transmission apparatuses.
As for FIG. 1A, in a sending station 1, a signal to be transmitted is input from an input terminal 3. Then, the signal is converted to a signal format for optical transmission by a signal converter 5. The optical transmitter 6 sends the optical signal to the air. The optical signal is received by an optical receiver 7 in a receiving station 2 and converted to an electrical signal. The electrical signal is converted into an information signal by a signal converter 8 and output from an output terminal 4.
As for an example shown in FIG. 1B, in the sending station 1, a signal to be transmitted is input from an input terminal 3. Then, the signal is converted to a signal format for optical transmission by a signal converter 5. The optical transmitter 6 sends the optical signal to the air. The optical signal is received by an aperture enlarged by a receive aperture enlarger 9 in the receiving side 2. Then, the optical signal forms an optical image on a receive aperture surface of an optical receiver so that the optical signal is received by the optical receiver 7. The optical signal received by the optical receiver 7 is converted to an electrical signal. The electrical signal is converted into an information signal by a signal converter 8 and output from an output terminal 4.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, when the optical signal transmitted from the optical transmitter is sent to the receiving station via the air, intensity of receive light may fluctuates (spot dancing, beam bending, scintillation) in the receiving station since the refractive index of the air changes due to fluctuations of air temperature and humidity so that propagation path of the light beam fluctuates. Thus, there is a problem in that circuit quality degradation or circuit disconnection occurs due to the above-mentioned fluctuations even in good weather.
It is possible that the effect of the fluctuations can be decreased by enlarging the receive aperture as shown in FIG. 1B. However, it is difficult to prepare a large aperture due to lack of image formation technique and limitation of the size of the apparatus. In the configurations shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, although electrical/optical (E/O) converters and optical/electrical (O/E) converters are provided, they are not shown in the figures.
Next, conventional technologies of a second aspect of the present invention will be described.
Conventionally, a radio transmission and an optical space transmission are performed separately. The conventional information transmission method will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a conventional radio transmission system, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a conventional optical space transmission system.
In a conventional radio transmission system, data (information signal) is input from an input terminal in a sending station 1001. The signal is converted into a radio signal of radio frequency band by a radio modulator 1002, and sent to the air via a radio transmitter 1003 and an antenna 1004.
In a receiving station 1005, the sent radio signal is received by a radio receiver 1007 via an antenna 1006, and the received signal is demodulated into original data (information signal) by a radio signal demodulator 1008.
On the other hand, according to a conventional optical space transmission system shown in FIG. 2B, data (information signal) is input from an input terminal in a sending station 1009. The signal is converted into a signal format for optical communication by a signal converter 1010. After that, the signal is converted into an optical signal by an electric/optical (E/O) converter 1011 and the optical signal is sent to the air by an optical transmitter 1012.
In a receiving station 1013, the sent optical signal is received by an optical receiver 1014. Then, the signal is converted into an electrical signal by an optical/electrical (O/E) converter 1015. After that, the signal (information signal) is converted into original signal by a signal converter 1016.
Accordingly, since either radio transmission or optical transmission is used for conventional information transmission, the sending station and the receiving station in a radio transmission system only have functions of sending and receiving a radio signal respectively, and the sending station and the receiving station in a optical space transmission system only have functions of sending and receiving an optical signal respectively.
However, for realizing high capacity information transmission by the conventional information transmission system, there is a problem in that keeping reliable availability and long distance transmission are difficult.
That is, for realizing high capacity information transmission in radio transmission, since wide bandwidth becomes necessary, the radio frequency band becomes usually high frequency band (submillimeter wave, millimeter wave). This frequency band is resistant to fog, however, very large propagation loss occurs due to rain in this frequency band. Thus, it is necessary to provide a large margin considering attenuation due to rain.
In addition, as for optical space transmission, it is resistant to rain, however, remarkably large propagation loss occurs due to degradation of visibility by fog. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a large margin considering attenuation by fog.
As mentioned above, the conventional information system in which only one of radio transmission and optical space transmission is performed is not resistant to rain or fog. Thus, it is necessary to provide a margin considering rain or fog so that keeping reliable availability or long distance transmission are difficult.

Information transmission system and information transmission method, and, optical space transmission system and optical space transmission method


Method and apparatus for enabling ultrasonic inspection of a changing, insufficiently defined or unknown shape (e.g., a variable radius or a noncircular radius caused by the use of soft tooling) at a rate that meets production requirements. The apparatus comprises a linear ultrasonic array (i.e., sensor) incorporated in a toppler, which in turn is slidably supported by an oscillating sensor mechanism carried by a traveling trailer vehicle. As a result of this arrangement, the sensor can undergo a back-and-forth sweeping motion coupled with motion along the spar radius. The sensor is further able to displace radially relative to a sweep pivot axis and rotate (hereinafter “topple”) about a topple pivot axis. In this manner, the orientation of the sensor can adjust to the contour of the inspected surface as the sensor scans.

This disclosure generally relates to inspection equipment and methods, and deals more particularly with methods and apparatus for inspecting a corner radius of a structure, especially a structure made of composite material.
A variety of elongated composite structures may have relatively confined internal cavities that require inspection in order to assure that the structure meets production and/or performance specifications. Conventional composite structure cured with hard tooling results in composite radii that are well defined and repeatable. In contrast, the composite radii formed using soft tooling are not always well defined and may vary from part to part. In some cases, dimensional or contour variations may be greater than those that would result from using hard tooling. These larger variations make reliable inspection more difficult. In view of the deviation from circularity of soft-tooled composite radii, the term "radius" as used hereinafter should be construed non-strictly to include non-circular profiles.
Critical composite structure in aerospace and potentially in applications outside aerospace must be inspected to required specifications to ensure structural integrity. Inspecting soft-tooled composite structures presents distinct yet interrelated challenges. Critical inspection areas include the radii. Moreover, such soft-tooled "radii" must be inspected in a production environment. For a production inspection, the inspection rate must be sufficient to meet the part production rate.
For ultrasonic inspection of composite structures, the sound beam should ideally enter at 90 degrees to the local surface of the composite part being inspected. If it does not enter at 90 degrees, it will be refracted off normal and a return echo from any possible internal structure or anomaly will not be possible. Traditionally a 90-degree entry angle is maintained by holding a sensor array at a precisely fixed position in space relative to the surface. While this works well for known surfaces, such as flat or cylindrical surfaces of a given, fixed radius and circular shape, it does not work at all for surfaces which are, for example, parabolic, irregular, or of varying radius of not-necessarily-cylindrical cross section. Traditional methods of interrogating such a radius with ultrasound fail to keep the sound path sufficiently perpendicular over the entire inspection area. The result is that traditional ultrasonic inspection methods that meet the required production rate do not work.
Accordingly, there is a need for methods and apparatus for inspecting composite structures having internal cavities that allow inspection of soft-tooled radii from inside the cavity at an inspection rate that supports production. The methods and apparatus must also provide that the sensor energy enters the composite part volume very close to the local perpendicular at the inspection site.

Variable radius inspection using sweeping linear array