This invention is to a method of rejuvenating a molecular sieve. The method includes contacting a molecular sieve having a methanol uptake index of less than 1, or a catalyst containing molecular sieve having a methanol uptake index of less than 1, with anhydrous liquid or vapor until the methanol uptake index is increased by at least 10%. The rejuvenated molecular sieve or catalyst can be used to make an olefin product from an oxygenate-containing feedstock. The preferred molecular sieve is a silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieve.

The invention is directed to a method of rejuvenating silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieve catalyst, and a method of using the rejuvenated catalyst to make an olefin product from methanol feed. In particular, the invention is directed to rejuvenating the sieve by contacting the molecular sieve with anhydrous, polar liquid or vapor until a desired methanol uptake index is achieved.
Silicoaluminophosphates (SAPOs) have been used as adsorbents and catalysts. As catalysts, SAPOs have been used in processes such as fluid catalytic cracking, hydrocracking, isomerization, oligomerization, the conversion of alcohols or ethers, and the alkylation of aromatics. In particular, the use of SAPOs in converting alcohols or ethers to olefin products, particularly ethylene and propylene, is becoming of greater interest for large scale, commercial production facilities.
As is known in the development of new large scale, commercial production facilities in the commodity chemical business, many problems arise in the scale up from laboratory and pilot plant operations. Scale up problems arise in catalytic reaction systems where large scale operation will be several orders of magnitude larger than typical pilot scale facilities. For example, conventional laboratory scale processes of making olefin products from oxygenate feed are conducted with catalyst loads of about 5 grams. Conventional large pilot plant operations may utilize as much as 50 kg of catalyst, making on the order of 20 kg/hr ethylene and propylene product, but this is nevertheless minuscule in comparison to what a large scale, commercial production facility would produce, if one were in existence today. Large scale, commercial production facilities, can require a catalyst loading of anywhere from 1,000 kg to 700,000 kg, producing anywhere from 600 to 400,000 kg/hr of ethylene and propylene product.
Operating large scale, commercial production facilities clearly presents great challenges in the development of the catalyst production-to-use chain. The term xe2x80x9cproduction-to-use chainxe2x80x9d refers to the entire area of activities beginning with the production of molecular sieve, including such activities as receipt of starting materials, on through the crystallization process. Also included in the production-to-use chain are intermediate activities which include formulation of the sieve with binders and other materials, activation of the manufactured sieve and finished catalyst; storage, transport, loading, unloading of molecular sieve and finished catalyst; as well as other practices associated with the handling and preparation of the sieve and finished catalyst for its ultimate use. The production-to-use chain ends at the point when the molecular sieve is introduced into the reaction system. For purposes of this invention, the end of the production-to-use chain does not necessarily mean the instant when the molecular sieve is introduced into the reaction system, since large scale systems are very large and instantaneous measurements are not practically feasible. In large scale systems, the production-to-use chain may be considered as completed some time within 12 hours of loading catalyst into the reaction system.
Since information to date relating to production of olefin products by catalytic conversion of oxygenate feedstock has been limited to laboratory and small pilot plant activities, little if any attention has been paid to the problems associated with the intermediate activities in the production-to-use chain. For example, little attention has been focused on the impact of storage, transport, etc. on catalyst activity, since small scale activity is rather easily manageable. While today only relatively small quantities of catalyst are stored and transported, large quantities of materials will need to be handled for commercial operations. Commercial operations may be required to store large quantities of sieve and catalyst materials for considerable periods of time, at multiple locations, and under rather rigorous industrial conditions.
As the management of sieve and catalyst in the catalyst production-to-use chain expands in volume and complexity, a likelihood exists that millions of dollars will be tied up in catalyst inventory, and the value of the sieve and catalyst will be lost if quality is not maintained at every step. Loss of quality will necessarily translate to loss of product quality, as well as loss of product quantity, and these product losses could far outweigh the cost of the sieve and catalyst.
Although some work has been published relating to the intermediate activities in the catalyst production-to-use chain, few of the problems associated therewith have been addressed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,864 to Edwards et al. discuss the use of SAPO-37 molecular sieve as a commercial cracking catalyst. It is disclosed that activated SAPO-37 molecular sieve has poor stability, and that stability can be improved by using a particular activation process. In this process, organic template is removed from the core structure of the sieve just prior to contacting with feed to be cracked. The process calls for subjecting the sieve to a temperature of 400-800xc2x0 C. within the catalytic cracking unit.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,310 to Degnan et al. discloses another method of activating silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve compositions. The method calls for contacting a crystalline silicoaluminophosphate with gel alumina and water, and thereafter heating the mixture to at least 425xc2x0 C. The heating process is first carried out in the presence of an oxygen depleted gas, and then in the presence of an oxidizing gas. The object of the heating process is to enhance the acid activity of the catalyst. The acid activity is enhanced as a result of the intimate contact between the alumina and the sieve.
Briend et al., J. Phys. Chem. 1995, 99, 8270-8276, teach that SAPO-34 loses its crystallinity when the template has been removed from the sieve and the de-templated, activated sieve has been exposed to air. Data are presented, however, which suggest that over at least the short term, this crystallinity loss is reversible. Even over a period of perhaps two years, the data suggest that crystallinity loss is reversible when certain templates are used.
EP-A2-0 203 005 also discusses the use of SAPO-37 molecular sieve in a zeolite catalyst composite as a commercial cracking catalyst. According to the document, if the organic template is retained in the SAPO-37 molecular sieve until a catalyst composite containing zeolite and the SAPO-37 molecular sieve is activated during use, and if thereafter the catalyst is maintained under conditions wherein exposure to moisture is minimized, the crystalline structure of the SAPO-37 zeolite composite remains stable.
A group of researchers at ExxonMobil Chemical Company has recently discovered that activated SAPO molecular sieve will exhibit a loss of catalytic activity when exposed to a moisture-containing environment. This loss of activity can occur between the time the catalyst is activated and even after as little as one day of storage. Although ways have been found to inhibit loss of catalytic activity, it would be highly beneficial to find a way to reverse the decrease of catalytic activity in a molecular sieve exposed to a moisture-containing environment.
In order to overcome the various problems associated with decrease of activity of a molecular sieve due to contact by moisture, this invention provides a way to reverse such decrease, i.e., to rejuvenate the molecular sieve. In general, this invention provides a process for rejuvenating a molecular sieve which comprises providing a molecular sieve having a methanol uptake index of less than 1; and contacting the molecular sieve with anhydrous liquid or vapor until the methanol uptake index is increased by at least 10%.
Preferably, the molecular sieve is a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve and it is provided having a methanol uptake index of less than 0.5, more preferably a methanol uptake index of less than 0.3, and most preferably, a methanol uptake index of less than 0.15. In another preferred embodiment, the methanol uptake index is increased by at least 50%, more preferably by at least 100%, and most preferably by at least 500%.
It is also desirable that the molecular sieve be contacted with anhydrous liquid or vapor until a methanol uptake ratio of at least 0.4 is achieved, preferably at least 0.6, more preferably at least 0.7, and most preferably at least 0.8.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the anhydrous liquid or vapor is polar. Desirably, the anhydrous liquid or vapor contains not greater than about 30 wt. % water, preferably not greater than about 20 wt. % water, and more preferably not greater than about 10 wt. % water. It is also desirable that the anhydrous liquid or vapor have a kinetic diameter of not greater than 1.5 times the average pore size of the molecular sieve, preferably not greater than 1.3 times the average pore size. It is further desirable that the anhydrous liquid or vapor have a gas-phase proton affinity greater than or equal to the proton affinity of water.
Desirably, the anhydrous liquid or vapor is an alcohol, ether, ketone, carboxylic acid, aldehyde, nitrogen containing organic bases or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the anhydrous liquid or vapor is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, dimethyl ether, propylamine, and acetonitrile. More preferably, the anhydrous liquid or vapor is methanol.
The silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve is preferably selected from the group consisting of SAPO-5, SAPO-8, SAPO-11, SAPO-16, SAPO-17, SAPO-18, SAPO-20, SAPO-31, SAPO-34, SAPO-35, SAPO-36, SAPO-37, SAPO-40, SAPO41, SAPO-42, SAPO-44, SAPO-47, SAPO-56, the metal containing forms thereof, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the silicoaluminophosphate is selected from the group consisting of SAPO-18, SAPO-34, SAPO-35, SAPO-44, SAPO-47, the metal containing forms thereof, and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the silicoaluminophosphate is selected from the group consisting of SAPO-18 and SAPO-34, the metal containing forms thereof, and mixtures thereof.
In an alternative embodiment, the invention includes a method of making an olefin product from an oxygenate-containing feedstock. The method comprises forming a rejuvenated molecular sieve; and contacting the rejuvenated molecular sieve with an oxygenate-containing feedstock to produce an olefin product.
Desirably, the oxygenate-containing feedstock is selected from the group consisting of methanol; ethanol; n-propanol; isopropanol; C4-C20 alcohols; methyl ethyl ether; dimethyl ether; diethyl ether; di-isopropyl ether; formaldehyde; dimethyl carbonate; dimethyl ketone; acetic acid; and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the oxygenate-containing feedstock is selected from the group consisting of methanol, dimethyl ether, and mixtures thereof.
It is also desirable that, in the method of making the olefin product, the rejuvenated molecular sieve is contacted with the oxygenate-containing feedstock at a temperature of 200xc2x0 C. to 700xc2x0 C. Preferably the rejuvenated molecular sieve is contacted with the oxygenate-containing feedstock at a WHSV of at least 20 hrxe2x88x921. It is also preferred that the silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve is provided in catalyst form, i.e., with a binder material.
The invention also provides contacting the olefin product a polyolefin-forming catalyst under conditions effective to form a polyolefin. The preferred olefin product contains ethylene and/or propylene, which can be used to form polyethylene and/or polypropylene. The olefin and polyolefin products so formed are also considered to be encompassed by the invention.

Rejuvenating SAPO molecular sieve with anhydrous liquid or vapor


With regards to a hearing assistive device, a user's speech can be picked up by the microphone and feed through the speaker causing an acoustic feedback effect. The user may have to constantly adjust the volume of the hearing assistive device to achieve a more comfortable volume based on where the speech is coming from. Furthermore, the when the hearing assistive device experiences feedback, the amplification of the feedback can cause damage to the user's hearing. Therefore, mitigating the acoustic feedback effect of assistive hearing devices can generate a more efficient and comfortable hearing device. The acoustic feedback can be mitigated by leveraging a dynamic range controller and a howling detector which comprises a user interface and a status indicator.

A hearing aid is designed to amplify sound for a user, make speech more intelligible, and/or correct hearing impairments. Feedback, a howling caused by sound (particularly high frequency sound) leaking and being amplified again, may be a problem for severe hearing losses. In hearing aids, feedback arises when a part of the receiver signal captured by the hearing aid's microphone, gets amplified in the hearing aid and starts to loop through the system. When feedback occurs, it results in a disturbingly loud tonal signal. Feedback is more likely to occur when the hearing aid volume is increased, when the hearing aid fitting is not in its proper position or when the hearing aid is brought close to a reflecting surface (when using a mobile phone). Adaptive feedback cancellation algorithms are techniques that estimate the transmission path between loudspeaker and microphone(s). This estimate is then used to implement a neutralizing electronic feedback path that suppresses the tonal feedback signal.
A primary issue that can minimize the effectiveness of hearing aids is called the compression effect. The compression effect takes place when the amplification needed to make quiet sounds audible, if applied to loud sounds, damages the inner ear (cochlea). Louder sounds are therefore reduced giving a smaller audible volume range and hence inherent distortion. However, hearing protection can also be provided by an overall cap to the sound pressure and impulse noise suppression, which is available in some high-end hearing aids.
The above-described background relating to hearing aids is merely intended to provide a contextual overview of hearing aid technology, and is not intended to be exhaustive. Other context regarding hearing aids may become further apparent upon review of the following detailed description.

Integrated personal amplifier system with howling control


Systems and methods for analyzing data passing between an SAS/SATA device and a plurality of other devices are presented. A system includes a plurality of physical interfaces configured for passing data between the SAS/SATA device and the other devices. The system also includes a test interface, or test PHY, configured for coupling to the physical interfaces for analysis of the data passing through those physical interfaces. The test PHY may be integrally configured with the SAS/SATA device and may substantially minimize alteration of characteristic impedance caused by external analysis of the data. The system may also include a multiplexer for selectively coupling the PHYs to the test PHY.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to analyzing data transferred between a serial interface device and a plurality of other serial devices coupled thereto. More specifically, the invention relates to passively analyzing data through a test interface situated with either a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) device or a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) device. SCSI, as is known by those skilled in the art, represents Small Computer Systems Interface.
2. Related Patents
This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/423,081 entitled Systems and Methods for Analyzing Data of an SPI Data Bus (filed Apr. 25, 2003, herewith), which is incorporated herein by reference.
3. Discussion of the Related Art
A serial device is a device that serially transmits and receives data. Such serial communications are generally over a single bit wide communication medium such that each data bit to be exchanged is transferred in sequence and received in sequence. Serial communications may be applied to a number of communication media including conductive wire media as well as optical media such as fiber optic communication links. Further, such serial communications may be performed over wireless connections using, for example, light and other electromagnetic transmission techniques such as radio frequency and microwave frequency transmissions.
Examples of a serial device common in computing and storage applications may include an SAS device and an SATA device. An SAS device is a device that operates according to an SAS specification, such as SAS Revision 03-f. An SATA device also operates in accordance with the SAS specification. The SAS specification contains specifications for physical layers that are compatible with Serial ATA. The SAS specification also contains specifications of protocols for transporting SCSI commands to SAS devices and for transporting ATA commands to SATA devices. Such specifications are generally available from: http://www.t10.org. As used herein SAS and SATA shall be referred to as SAS/SATA.
An SAS/SATA device typically communicates to other devices through a plurality of on-board physical interfaces. The physical interface level is often referred to by a number of standard terms in the art—including simply "physical layer", or "PHY" In SAS/SATA standards, a logical layer of protocols includes the so-called PHY. Each PHY is configured for passing data between the SAS/SATA device and another device coupled thereto. As used herein, "physical layer", "PHY" or "PHY layer" all refer to a protocol layer that uses a physical transmission medium used for electronic communication including, but not limited to, the PHY layer as specified in the SAS/SATA standards.
It is often useful to monitor data transfers over the PHY layer of an SAS/SATA device because data transfer and protocol errors in a design can often be debugged by monitoring the transfers. It is common to apply external monitoring devices to the PHY communication medium to monitor the data transfers thereon. Examples of such external monitoring devices include general purpose logic analyzers or special purpose communication analyzers that probe the PHY communication medium and monitor the transfers.
High speed data transfers through communication media associated with various PHYs often require precise signal timing. Timing errors, or skew, of the signals or other noise can cause, inter alia, incorrect transfers resulting in eventual data corruption. External analyzers are often connected "inline" to the communication medium of a PHY under analysis to view the data passing through the PHY communication medium. In other instances, the analyzer may couple to the data bus of the PHY with a probe that "taps" into the data passing through the bus. For example, one analyzer probe electrically couples to one PHY communication medium when analysis of that associated PHY is desired. When analysis of data through another PHY is desired, the probe is physically moved to the other PHY.
Connecting such external analyzers to probe the data passing through the communication medium often alters impedance characteristics (e.g., loading) to the PHYs due, in part, to additive capacitance and/or additive resistance. These altered impedance characteristics can degrade signal timing and signal quality such that analysis of the data is no longer valid or useful. For example, once an analyzer probe is electrically coupled to a particular PHY communication medium, the probe changes the characteristic impedance and subsequently alters the timing of the data passing through the PHY. Since the probe creates artificial timing errors, use of the analyzer probe may alter the problem originally being investigated. In some instances, the probe "masks", or eliminates, a timing error so that the error goes undetected altogether.
Other problems associated with external probing of the PHYs include physical manipulation of the probes. Each time analysis of a different PHY is desired; the probe must be disconnected from one communication medium and connected to another. This physical manipulation of the probe can physically stress the components and may eventually damage the components of the communication medium or its associated PHY interface. Moreover, physical manipulation of probes is simply cumbersome and time consuming.
It is evident from the above discussion that there is an ongoing need to provide improved methods and structures for analyzing data transferred between PHYs of a SAS/SATA device and a plurality of devices coupled thereto.

Systems and methods for analyzing data of a SAS/SATA device


A tracking system for an optical drive includes a focus error module. The focus error module generates a focus error signal based on a difference between a first sensor output signal and a second sensor output signal, which are based on a reflected portion of a laser beam that is reflected by an optical storage medium. A control module generates a tracking signal based on the focus error signal.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Optical recording devices are used to record information, such as music, movies, pictures, data, etc., on recordable media. Examples of recordable media are compact discs (CDs), digital versatile/video discs (DVDs), high density/high definition DVDs and Blu-ray Discs (BDs). In order to record such information, a recording device tracks the location of a laser beam on the recordable media.
Referring to FIG. 1, a side close-up view of a recordable media 10 is shown. The recordable media 10 has lands 12 and grooves 14, which are formed on a recording layer 16 of a main substrate 18. The main substrate 18 may be adhered via an adhesive layer 20 to a dummy substrate 22, as shown. The lands 12 and grooves 14 refer to physical structures of the recording layer 16, which are adjacent each other, but have different associated depth. The grooves 14 have a larger associated depth than the lands 12. A sample land depth D1 and a sample groove depth D2 are shown. The depths are measured relative to and from a disk outer or entrance surface 24 and are equal to some fraction of optical wavelength of the laser beam.
The purpose of land/groove structures is to provide servo information for positioning of a laser beam spot on a disc. The land/groove structures provide reflected beam signal modulation that is detected for tracking purposes. The lands and grooves are also often created with a small amount of waviness at a pre-determined characteristic frequency, referred to as "wobble". This allows clock frequency extraction during a recording process.
Standards, such as DVD+/−R and DVD+/−RW, require recording only over grooves. An alternative standard, referred to as DVD-RAM, requires recording over both land and groove structures. In DVD+/−R and DVD+/−RW recording, the grooves and lands typically form a continuous spiral. In DVD-RAM recording, the land structures alternate with the groove structures to form a continuous spiral.
Referring to FIG. 2, a sample optical DVD drive system 50 is shown and includes a laser source 52, such as a laser diode, that provides a laser beam 54. The laser source 52 may be part of an optical read/write assembly (ORW) 56, sometimes referred to as an optical pick-up assembly. The ORW 56 includes a collimator lens 58, a polarizing beam splitter 60, a quarter wave plate 62, and an objective lens 64. The laser beam 54 is collimated by the collimator lens 58 and passed through the polarizing beam splitter 60. The laser beam 54 is received by the quarter wave plate 62 from the beam splitter 60 and is focused via the objective lens 64. The laser beam 54 may be radially displaced across tracks of the optical medium 68 through movement of the ORW 56 via a sled motor 66. The laser beam 54 is moved while the optical medium 68 is rotated about a spindle axis 69. The laser beam 54 is shaped and focused to form a spot over the land/groove structures of an optical storage medium 68 via lens actuators 70.
The light from the laser beam 54 is reflected off of the optical medium 68 and directed back into the ORW 56. The reflected light, represented by dashed line 72, is redirected by the beam splitter 60 and focused into a spot over a photo-detector integrated circuit (PDIC) 74 by an astigmatic focus lens 76. Although not shown, additional photo-detectors may be incorporated and used to detect other diffracted light beams not shown.
Referring now also to FIG. 3, a quad PDIC 100 is shown. The PDIC 100 has an array of photo-detector sensors A-D that receive a focused reflected laser beam, such as the reflected beam 72. The intensity of the reflected and focused laser beam spot on the PDIC 100 is not uniform. The distribution of that intensity depends on the position of the beam spot on a recordable medium relative to the land/groove structures. The lack of uniformity results in tracking error.
The tracking error is based on photo-detector output signals PA, PB, PC and PD of photo sensor elements A-D of the quad PDIC 100. The tracking error (TE) or TE signal is provided by equation 1.TE=(Pa+Pd)−(Pb+Pc)  (1)The TE signal is zero when the beam spot is fully over a groove, which is referred to as 100% on-track. The TE signal is also zero when the laser beam spot is half-way between tracks, which is referred to as 100% off-track.
Referring now also to FIG. 4, a curve 120 of TE signal variation as a function of beam spot position on a recordable medium is shown. The TE curve 120 represents TE signal amplitude versus radial direction positioning of a laser beam. The TE curve 120 is sinusoidal and has multiple zero-crossings 122, which represent different tracks. To maintain the beam spot on a track, the associated optical drive needs to lock onto the zero-crossing of a slope of the TE curve 120. In other words, the optical drive needs to detect the slope of the TE curve 120 when the TE signal is zero. However, additional information is needed when moving between tracks, especially when moving across several tracks. This is accomplished by monitoring the number of instances when the TE signal is equal to zero while radially moving the laser beam.
Misalignment can occur between the center of the recordable medium and the spindle axis of rotation, such as the spindle axis 69. This mis-alignment can cause "radial run-out". For tracking purposes, when there is no radial run-out, it is sufficient to move the laser beam in one direction and count the number of zero-crossings of the TE signal. But typically, radial run-out occurs and causes the laser beam to cross one or more tracks. The radial run-out can alternate between radially inward and radially outward directions. This can occur when radial actuators and/or the associated sled motor are not being driven. As a result, simply counting zero-crossings of the TE signal does not provide the aggregate and appropriate number of track crossings in one direction.
To account for radial run-out, a second signal 130, referred to as a quad-sum (QSUM) signal, which is in quadrature to the TE signal, is generated and monitored. Referring to FIG. 5, a relationship between the TE signal and the QSUM signal are shown. The QSUM signal is also sinusoidal and is shifted 90° in phase relative to the TE signal. The QSUM signal is generated through the sum of the photo-detector output signals PA, PB, PC and PD as in equation 2.QSUM=PA+PB+PC+PD  (2)When the laser beam is positioned over a land region, the QSUM signal is at a maximum amplitude (a track boundary). When the laser beam is positioned over a groove region, the QSUM signal is at a minimum amplitude. The QSUM signal provides an accurate technique for counting track crossings. A track crossing counter is incremented or decremented at the zero-crossings 122 when the QSUM signal is at a maximum amplitude. Track crossings can also be defined as the moment when the QSUM signal is at a minimum amplitude, as denoted by dashed lines 132.
Unfortunately, for recordable optical media, the depth of modulation in the QSUM signal depends greatly on the media type and whether the media is written with user data or is a blank disc. The depth of modulation refers to the amplitude difference in the QSUM signal between on-track and off-track. The depth of modulation of the QSUM signal is shallow for blank recordable media. A shallow depth can render the QSUM signal virtually ineffective for track center location determination. Thus, it is difficult to perform an accurate seek over a blank recordable media due to the lack of a high contrast QSUM signal. Optical drive performance is degraded when a seek is inappropriately performed. The improperly performed seek is often detected after track following and reading of wobble information. This later detection forces another inaccurate seek when an attempt is initiated to move a read/write head to a target track position.

Track counting system and method for recordable optical media


A process for centrifugal coating of large-surface, arched elements, especially of cathode-ray-tube displays or screens, in which during the centrifugal coating, a disk matched to approximately the shape of the surface to be coated is rotated at a distance of 1 to 10 mm above the surface to be coated at approximately the centrifugal speed equidirectional with the surface to be coated.

1. Field of the Invention
Process for producing thin layers of large-surface, arched elements, especially cathode-ray-tube displays, by centrifugal coating.
2. Background Art
Usually, the outside surface of the display of a picture tube is highly polished and has very high electrical resistance. The bright, smooth surface causes often disturbing reflections, and the high electrical resistance results in an electrostatic charging of the display surface during the operation of the tube. To avoid these drawbacks, it is known to equip the surface of the display antistatically or antireflectively by applying one or more thin layers, for which numerous methods are known. It is common to apply, e.g., on the display surface, an alcoholic solution of silicon-organic compounds, especially silicon alcoholates, optionally together with titanium-organic compounds to match the index of refraction, in a thin layer which, after drying and baking, form an SiO.sub.2 film, which exhibits antistatic and antireflective properties. Once in a while, several layers, optionally with different indicates of refraction, are also applied after respective intermediate drying and then baked on together. Quite excellent antireflective effects can be produced especially with several layers.
In the design of the layers, it is especially important that the latter exhibit a uniform thickness over the entire surface of the object to be coated. As a coating process for producing thin layers of large-surface, arched elements, especially the centrifugal coating is used. In this process, the coating solution is fed to the object to be coated, distributed by rotation of the object to be coated and any possible excess is centrifuged off at the borders. The centrifuging process is a simple process and also works very quickly, but different layer thicknesses can occur especially in the outside and corner areas of large-surface displays, which can cause undesirable effects, e.g., interference.
To produce a uniform layer thickness, it is known, e.g., from EP 286 129 A, to place the display surface to be coated pointing downward in an obliquely arranged drum, which has an upward opening. The display surface is then sprayed while rotating with the coating solution. During the rotation, the display surface is direct with a hot-air blower with a part of the formed liquid film in and around the center of the display by targeted blowing with hot air. Such a process is comparatively expensive. From JP 2-12736 A, a process is known in which the display to be coated is used with the surface to be coated pointing upward into a trough whose holding plates for the display are configured so that they form practically a continuation of the display surface. Further, it is described in this patent specification to provide two diagonally placed, very high bars running up to approximately the center, which rotate synchronously with the picture tube during the coating. By these arrangements, a uniform layer thickness of the applied layer is to be achieved. But these processes do not always work satisfactorily, especially in the case of large display surfaces.


A tire pressure-monitoring device (TPMD) directly mounted onto an air-pumping inlet-stem on a tire. The TPMD includes a light emitter connected to a battery through an electrical connecting loop wherein the electrical connecting loop comprising a plurality of electrical conductive structural components and at least two of the structural components are physically separated in a normal tire pressure condition and connected in a low pressure tire pressure condition for providing power to the light emitter for emitting a low tire pressure warning light.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to device configuration and method of a tire pressure-sensing (TPS) and low-pressure warning device. More particularly, this invention is related to device configuration and mechanical pressure switch design for implementing a compact tire pressure monitoring to mechanically turning on a light emitting diode (LED) for providing a low pressure warning light when the tire pressure is lower than a threshold pressure.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional technologies and devices for measuring the changes of tire pressure are still faced with the difficulties that the tire pressure measurements and warning often require continuously supply of a battery power. A battery has a limited lifetime and the power consumed for continuously monitoring and providing low pressure-warning signals may not be reliable if the capacity of battery is depleted.
Generally there are two types of tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). The first type of TPMS is an indirect tire pressure monitoring system that monitoring the changes of tire pressures by monitoring the rotational speed differences as that detected and transmitted through the ABS speed transmitter. This type of TPMS has a limitation that the tire pressure monitoring operation would become ineffective when there are simultaneous tire-pressure changes occur in more than one tires. Also, the TPMS become unreliable when a vehicle is traveling at a speed more than one hundred kilometers per hour. A second type of tire pressure-monitor system is a direct tire pressure monitoring system implemented with tire pressure measurement devices directly mounted on the tire. The tire pressures are measured and monitored continuously. Once the tire pressure in a tire is lower or higher than a threshold value, an alarm signal is generated. The direct type of TPMS has definite advantages of higher accuracy and reliability over the indirect type of TPMS. However, a discussed above, the direct TPMS devices still have limit capability to effectively transmit pressure monitoring signals and furthermore, there still lacks an antitheft device mechanism with the tire pressure monitoring devices directly mounted onto the tires. Practical application of the direct TPMS devices would still have the concerns that such devices may often be stolen and lost due to such limitations.
In order to resolve the power consumption limitation when a battery is implemented in the tire pressure-monitoring device, it generally requires the use of a programmable chip with intelligence built into a controller. Such implementation often leads to a higher production cost of the power-monitoring device. The application of the tire pressure monitoring device and systems become uneconomical due to the higher cost of implementation. The higher price of tire-pressure monitoring and control would often limit the practical marketability and usefulness of such devices and systems.
Therefore, there is still need to design and manufacture a tire pressure monitor device and system with further simplified and convenient to implement devices that would enable those of ordinary skill in the art to overcome such difficulties and limitations.

Tire pressure monitoring device with LED warning light turned on by mechanical pressure switch


A method of treating diabetic complications with carbamoyloxy arylalkanoyl arylpiperazine compounds including:

Lipoxygenases are non-heme iron-containing enzymes that are found in plants and animals and catalyze the oxygenation of particular polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as lipids and lipoproteins. Several different lipoxygenases having particular oxidation reactions are known. Lipoxygenases of a mammal are named according to where they are located in arachidonate that is to be oxygenated. Three types of lipoxygenase of a human are known, and they catalyze addition of oxygen molecules to carbon sites 5, 12 and 15 of arachidonate. Accordingly, the enzymes are named as 5-, 12- or 15-lipoxygenase according to location of a carbon site to which oxygen molecules are added. 5-lipoxygenase converts arachidonate into 5-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenate (5-HPETE). This is a first phase of a metabolism pathway for generating 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenate (5-HETE) and leukotriene (LT). Likewise, 12- and 15-lipoxygenases respectively convert arachidonate into 12-HPETE and 15-HPETE. Biochemical reduction of 12-HPETE induces 15-HETE, which is a precursor of compounds known as 15-HETE lipoxin. Various biological effects are related to products having a lipoxygenase activity, and many of these products are known as mediating factors for various diseases. 15-lipoxygenase is usually expressed in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, monocytes/macrophages, glomerulus mesangial cells, renal tubular epithelial cells, and podocytes, and catalyzes formation of 15-S-hydroxyeicosatetraenate (15-S-HETE) from rachidonate (Nataraj an and Nadler, Front. Biosci. (2003) 8:s783-795; Reilly et al., J. Biol. Chem. (2004) 279(10):9440-9450).
Diabetic chronic complications include macrovascular complications, diatbetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, etc. If diabetes mellitus continues for several years, microvessels and macrovessels slowly undergo pathologic alteration. Microvascular complications develop directly due to hyperglycemia. If formation of sorbitol is facilitated by hyperglycemia, a thickness of blood vessel walls is increased and blood flow is affected, thereby facilitating blood coagulation. If micro vessel lesions induced by continual hyperglycemia occur in kidney, neurons, etc., diabetic chronic complications, such as diabetic nephropathy diabetic neuropathy, may develop. Meanwhile, hyperglycemia is an indirect cause of macrovascular complications, and an increase in cholesterol due to abnormal lipid metabolism in a hyperglycemia state is a direct cause of hyperglycemia.
Prior art discloses that 15-lipoxygenase is involved in the development of arteriosclerosis, glomerulonephritis, hyperlipidemia, or inflammation. Also, KR 2008-67364 discloses triazole compounds as 15-lipoxygenase inhibitors. However, an agent for preventing or treating such diseases by inhibiting 15-lipoxygenase is not yet commercially available. Thus, there is a need to develop a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating such diseases.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods for treating diabetic complications with carbamoyloxy arylalkanoyl arylpiperazine compounds


A method of editing video in which video stored in a random access storage, medium is divided into small sections and the small sections are arranged for performing editing video, comprises the steps of: managing a series of storage areas of the storage medium in which video data is continuously stored as unit recorded areas; managing a series of available storage areas of the storage medium as unit free areas; storing video data continuously in one or plural unit free areas of the storage medium; copying video data of a prescribed amount before and after each gap with the video data stored in scattered unit free areas when the video data is stored in plural unit free areas; and regenerating the copied gap data as the video data of the prescribed amount before and after the gap when video data stored in plural unit recorded areas is regenerated for regenerating the video data stored in the storage medium in accordance with a playback instruction.

A non-linear video editing apparatus is used for storing video in a random access medium such as a hard disc or the like and performing editing with ease utilizing its random accessibility.
In general, editing of video is performed by dividing video into small continuous segments termed "cuts", and rearranging the cuts as intended by an editor. In a case in which plural cuts are edited and playback of the edited cuts is checked in a tape medium such as a video tape, dubbing of the tape is performed in a way that respective cuts are arranged continuously in a desired order, and playback thereof is performed.
Meanwhile, in another case in which video is stored in a random access storage medium such as a hard disc, if cuts are spaced apart from each other therein, upon completion of read out of data of a previous cut, the head of the subsequent cut can be accessed. Therefore, it is possible to perform playback of cuts as if they were stored continuously with no necessity of copying data unlike in the case of dubbing the tape. The editor defines small segments of continuously stored rain a hard disc or the like as a cut, and directs a storage location on the storage medium to specify a cut.
In case of read-out of data from a hard disc or the like, it should be noted that data is preread from a semiconductor memory or the like which has a higher speed readout/write capability than a hard disk and the memory is used as a buffer, through which read-out of data is performed, thereby discontinuity of playback of video and audio caused by delay in access time is avoided, since high speed random access requires a little time. Meanwhile, in case of picture recording, data is stored in-the buffer and then written onto a hard disk or the like, repeatedly, thereby video data is stored on a hard disc with no influence of delay in access time.
In many cases, composition of video of 2 systems (channels) is utilized to perform editing of video, as represented by "picture-in-picture" in which one video is reduced and placed on a background video. FIG. 6 illustrates a screen according to the picture-in-picture, which is used for displaying a small news video as a child screen 602 at the back of a newscaster as a parent screen 601.
As an example of a non-linear editing apparatus in which video of 2 channels can be regenerated and composited simultaneously, U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,527 (hereinafter referred to as a prior art example) will now be described.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a construction of 2 channel simultaneous-playback non-linear video editing apparatus according to the prior art. As shown in the Figure, the non-linear video editing apparatus comprises a video storage unit 1201, a free area management information storage unit 1202, a recorded area management information storage unit 1203, a recording/playback switching input unit 1204, a recording control means 1205, a read/write switching unit 1206, a VTR 1207, a video input unit 1208, a compression unit 1209, a recording buffer 1210, a composition unit 1211, a video output unit 1212, a monitor 1213, an editing information input unit 1214, an editing information storage unit 1215, a regeneration control unit 1216, a playback channel (CH) switching unit 1217, regeneration buffers A1218 and B1219, expansion units 1220 and 1221.
In the same Figure, the video storage unit 1201 is used for storing video data and a hard disc or the like serves as the unit. The free area management information storage unit 1202 is used for storing free area management information for managing available free area of the storage area of the video storage unit 1201. The recorded area management information storage unit 1203 is used for storing recorded area management information for managing areas in use. The recording/playback switching input unit 1204 is used for inputting an instruction for switching recording/playback from the user to the apparatus. The recording control unit 1205 is used for controlling picture recording in the video storage unit 1201, that is, storage of data. The read/write switching unit 1206 is used for switching read/write for data input/output operations of the video storage unit 1201.
The VTR 1207 is used for performing playback of video to be stored in the video storage unit 1201 from a video tape. The video input unit 1208 is used for converting playback video in the VTR into digital video data and inputting the digital video data to the editing apparatus. The compression unit 1209 is used for compressing the video data. As the picture recording buffer 1210, a memory or the like, namely, a medium which has a high-speed write/read capability than the video storage unit 1201, is used for temporarily storing video data in storing the video data in the video storage unit 1201.
The composition unit 1211 is used for compositing playback video of plural channels. The video output unit 1212 is used for converting digital data of the composite video that has been composited by the composite unit 1211 into analog video data and outputting the analog video data into the monitor 1213. The editing information input unit 1214 is used for inputting an instruction by the user for editing video data stored in the video storage unit 1201 as editing information. The editing information storage unit 1215 is used for storing editing information input from the editing information input unit 1214.
The regeneration control unit 1216 is used for controlling regeneration of video data stored in the video storage unit 1201. The playback channel switching unit 1217 is used for switching play back channels. As the regeneration buffers A1218 and B1219, a memory or the like, namely a medium which has a high-speed write/read capability than the video storage unit 1201 is used and the video data is temporarily stored therein at the regeneration of the video data stored in the video storage unit 1201 in channels 1 and 2. The expansion units of respective channels 1220 and 1221 are used for expansion of video data in tile respective regeneration buffers, in which the stored video data is decompressed into video data which can be playback-displayed.
In the prior art example, storage of video data in a hard disc, namely, recording is not described. However, in an example of U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,527, since video data is sequentially written onto a continuous area on a hard disc, to realize this storage state, assume that a recording system which ensures that sequentially handled video data as a cut to be allocated is stored in a continuous area on a hard disc is employed herein.
This recording method is implemented by storing data according to a file management method referred to as a consecutive file system which is used a lot to handle video data as a file.
Hereinafter, (1) recording 1 and (2) playback 1 will now be described as operations of recording and playback of the prior art non-linear video editing apparatus, respectively. Assume that video signals in NTSC is used and playback time of one frame (corresponding to one screen) is 33.3 msec for computation. The 33.3 msec is used as one frame time. For storage of video data in a storage unit of a non-linear editing apparatus, assume that video data is compressed for each frame using a technique such as a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) and the compressed video data is 44 Kbytes long per frame.
Video data of one frame (one screen) is handled as a minimum unit and video data of several frames or more is handled as one unit for data transfer. Herein, assume that 10 frames are set as amount of read/write frames. For allocation of cuts, assume that specification is performed for each amount of frames or optionally performed by the user for setting the specification for each amount of frames in the apparatus.
A hard disc is used as the random access video storage unit 1201 shown in FIG. 12. Assume that random accessibility of the hard disc, a data transfer rate thereof, and a size of a sector, i.e., access unit of a hard disc, are 20 msec, 3 Mbytes/sec, and 512 bytes, respectively. The accessibility is realized by a hard disc ST12550N in segate Corp. As described above, the video is compressed into one in 44 Kbytes for each frame and stored in the video storage unit 1201. Representing the video data of one frame by a sector (storage unit of a hard disc), the video data of one frame occupies a storage area of 88 sectors (one sector=1/2 Kbytes).
(1) RECORDING 1
Assume that video data has been stored in the Video storage unit 1201. Reference numeral 1301 in FIG. 13 indicates a storage area of the video storage unit 1201 linearly from left and colored portions indicate ranges in which the video data has been stored. In the Figure, B and D respectively indicate areas in which a series of video data is stored and A, C and E respectively indicate a series of available free areas.
Information on an available area of the storage area of the video storage unit 1201 in FIG. 12 and information on an area in which video data is stored are stored as the free area management information and the recorded area management information, respectively. The free area management information and the recorded area management information are stored in the free area management information storage unit 1202 and the recorded area management information storage unit 1203, respectively.
Reference numerals 1302 and 1303 in FIG. 13 illustrate the free area management information and the recorded area management information, respectively. The free area management information 1302 is for a series of free areas and includes a free area ID, a free area pointer, and a number of free frames as shown in the Figure. The free area ID indicates information for specifying a series of free areas. The free area pointer includes information of a start sector and an end sector in a hard disc storage space 1301. The number of free frames indicates information on the number of frames in which video data can be recorded. Similarly, the recorded area management information 1303 includes a recorded area ID for specifying respective recorded areas in which a series of video data is recorded, a recorded area pointer consisting of information of a start sector and an end sector in the hard disc storage space 1301, and the number of recorded frames indicating the number of frames in which video data is recorded, as information for each recorded area. As shown by reference numerals 1302 and 1303, the area pointer is represented by A, B. . . , for simplicity. From the free area pointer and the recorded area pointer included in these management information, respective area sizes can be computed and from the computed area size and amount of data per frame, the number of video frames corresponding to each area can be computed. Therefore, hereinafter size or position of data in a hard disc is represented by a frame unit with no use of a sector.
Editing with no dubbing mentioned above becomes possible by storing video stored in a tape medium such as a widely-spread and cheap video tape as video data in the video storage unit of the non-linear editing apparatus.
An operation of recording video in the non-linear video editing apparatus.
When the user provides an instruction for recording using the recording/playback switching input unit 1204, the recording control unit 1205 starts recording control. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing recording under control of the recording control unit 1205.
In step 1401 in FIG. 14, length of video to be recorded is set as a video frame. Assume that video to be recorded is 100 frames long.
In step 1402, free areas on the video storage unit 1201 are allocated. In this case, assume that the free area management information 1302 shown by 1302 in FIG. 13 is referred to so that video to be recorded is sequentially stored, thereby free areas of a capacity more than the video data capacity are set to be allocated. As a free area of the number of frames or larger, ID=3 area E of the number of frames 140 is allocated.
In step 1403, the recording control unit 1205 sets the read/write switching unit 1206 to perform writing onto the video storage unit 1205 for storing video data. In step 1404, the recording control unit 1205 instructs the VTR 1207 to start playback and then in step 1405 instructs the compression unit 1209 to start compression. As a result, video signals output from the VTR 1207 are subjected to digital conversion in the video input unit 1208, and compressed into video signals of 44 Kbytes per frame by the compression unit 1209. The compressed video data is temporarily stored in the recording buffer 1210.
In step 1406, it is checked whether the number of frames of video data stored in the recording buffer 1210 has exceeded a threshold or not, of the allocated free area E for each 10 frames. Assume that the threshold of the recording buffer is 10 frames as amount of write frames.
When 10 frames are exceeded, in step 1407, writing is performed onto the video storage unit 1201 from the recording buffer 1210 for each amount of write frames. In this case, writing is performed onto the video storage unit 1201 starting with a head
Since time required for writing video data onto 10 frames is
20 msec+44.times.10/3000 sec=166.7 msec=5 frame time, writing is completed by the time next 10 frames are stored in the recording buffer 1210. Therefore, recording for each 10 frames allows writing video data onto the video storage unit 1201 with no discontinuity.
Subsequently to step 1407, step 1408 is performed. When amount of data is small and does not reach a threshold in step 1406, writing in step 1407 is not performed and decision in step 1408 is performed.
In either case, in step 1408, it is checked whether the recorded frames of the number set in step 1410 have been written onto the video storage unit 1201 or not and when it is decided that writing is not performed, that is, recording is not completed, operation is returned to step 1406, and steps 1406 to 1408 are repeated until recording is completed, whereby writing onto the video storage unit 1201 from the recording buffer 1210 is performed.
In step 1408, when it is decided that "writing is performed", that is, recording in the video storage unit 1201 is completed, in step 1409, an initially allocated free area E is divided into a recorded area and a free area. In this case, since 100 frames of 140 frames (ID=3 free area E) are recorded, the free area E is divided into 100 recorded frames and 40 free frames. In step 1401, the recording control unit 1205 allocates a uniquely identified number to a recorded area to update recorded area management information. In this example, as shown in FIG. 15, ID=3 is allocated to the recorded area E of 100 frames to update the recorded area management information 1502.
In stop 1414, the recording control unit 1205 checks a size of remaining free areas and decides whether it is 0 or not. When it decides that the size is 0, the recording control unit 1205 deletes it from the free area management information storage unit in step 1412, or otherwise, in step 1413, it updates the free area management information 1503.
In this case, since the remaining free area F is 40 frames, step 1413 is performed and updating is performed so that ID=3 free area indicates the remaining 90 frames as shown in FIG. 15, whereby procedure of recording control is completed.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the video storage unit 1501, the recorded area management information 1502, and the free area management information 1503 after recording. The free area E of the video storage unit 1301 in FIG. 13 is divided into the recorded area E and the free area F of the video storage unit 1501 in FIG. 15.
(2) PLAYBACK 1
A description is given of a case in which video recorded in (1) is edited by the user for playback. Picture-in-picture screen is implemented by the composite unit 1211 in the editing apparatus with playback capability of 2 channel system as shown in FIG. 6. As mentioned above, large video and small video in picture-in-picture are called the parent and child screens 601 and 602, respectively.
To realize this, 2 channel simultaneous playback in which simultaneous playback of the video for the parent screen and the video for the child screen is performed and resulting playback video of 2 channels is composited by the composition unit 1211. The video through the composition unit 1211 is input from the video output unit 1212 to the monitor 1213, on which the user see the composite image.
For such playback, the user preinputs editing information with the editing information input unit 1214. The input editing information is held in the editing information storage unit 1215 and referred to in playback. FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram showing the editing information. In the Figure, reference numerals 1601 and 1602 denote editing information of the parent screen 601 and the child screen 602, respectively. As mentioned above, since editing is performed by allocation and rearrangement of cuts comprising a series of video data, editing information is represented by For such playback, the user preinputs editing information with the editing information input unit 1214. The input editing information is held in the editing information storage unit 1215 and referred to in playback. FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram showing the editing information. In the Figure, reference numerals 1601 and 1602 denote editing information of the parent screen 601 and the child screen 602, respectively. As mentioned above, since editing is performed by allocation and rearrangement of cuts comprising a series of video data, editing information is represented by arrangement of cuts. For example, in the editing information 1601, 1 to 10 frames, 11 to 20 frames, and 21 to 30 frames are CUT1, CUT2, and CUT3, respectively. The editing information also indicates information on the location of the continuous recorded area in which video data of respective cuts is stored, or information on what portion in the continuous recorded area the cut corresponds to.
For example, in the CUT1 of the parent screen, video data thereof belongs to a recorded area 1 and stored in 51st to 60th frames thereof in HD, playback of which is performed in 1st to 10th frames in playback time.
As described above, in specifying cuts for editing, specification is performed for each 10 frames as amount of read frames, or the specification is performed in one frame unit by the user so that the apparatus performs setting for each 10 frames, thereby editing information of specifying the cut for each 10 frames is obtained.
After editing information is recorded according to the user's instruction, when the recording/playback switching unit 1204 issues an instruction for playback, the regeneration control unit 1216 starts regeneration control.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a regeneration processing under control of the regeneration control unit 1216. The regeneration processing includes regeneration preparation in step 1701 in which video data is written onto the regeneration buffer and regeneration itself in step 1702 in which the regeneration buffer is supplied with video data during regeneration. For implementing picture-in-picture in 2 channel system, assume that playback of the parent screen and playback of the child screen are performed in CHANNEL 1 and CHANNEL 2, respectively. That is, playback of the parent screen and playback of the child screen are performed using the regeneration buffers A1218 and A1219, respectively.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the regeneration preparation in detail. In step 1801, the write/read switching unit 1206 is set to perform readout from the video storage unit 1201 for reading video data from the video storage unit 1201.
In step 1802, the playback CH switching unit 1217 performs switching to the regeneration buffer A 1218. In step 1803, data is transferred from the video storage unit 1201 until the regeneration buffer A1218 is filled. Assuming that filling 10 frames or more indicates completion, in this case, filling is completed at the completion of video data transfer of the CUT 1 specified by the editing information unit 1601 to the regeneration buffer A1218.
In step 1804, the playback CH switching unit 1217 performers switching to the regeneration buffer B1219. In step 1805, data is transferred from the video storage unit 1201 until the regeneration buffer B1219 is filled. Also in this case, filling is completed at the completion of video data transfer of the CUT 1 specified by the editing information unit 1602 to the regeneration buffer B1219.
Then, the regeneration step 1702 in FIG. 17 is performed. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the regeneration in detail.
In step 1901, effects are set in the composition unit 1211. In this case, playback screen composition is set therein to make the parent screen and the child screen picture-in-picture. In step 1902, the expansion unit 1220 for the regeneration buffer A1218 and the expansion unit 1221 for the regeneration buffer B1219 are respectively instructed to start expansion. In accordance with the instruction, compressed video is input from each regeneration buffer frame by frame and expanded, resulting in original video data, which is input to the composition unit 1211, to make composite video data therein.
When expansion starts, data in the regeneration buffer is consumed. Therefore, unless data is transferred from the video storage unit 1201 before the regeneration buffer is empty, discontinuity of playback of video occurs.
In step 1903, it is checked whether amount of data in the regeneration buffer A1210 is below a threshold or not, and when it is below the threshold, in step 1904, the buffer is replenished with subsequent video data. In this case, since 10frames are assumed to be a threshold, immediately after the start of regeneration, step 1904 is performed. Assume that amount of replenishment data is 10 frames.
In step 1904, data of CUT 2 of the parent screen of 10 frames is transferred.
Time required for this transfer is 20 msec+44.times.10/3000 sec=166.7 mse=5 frame time.
Thus, since 5 frame time is required for transfer, at the completion of transfer, 5 frames of 10 frames are consumed and the other 5 frames remain, to which 10 frames are added by transfer, resulting in amount of data of 15 frames is present in the regeneration buffer A1218.
After the processing, in step 1905, amount of data in the regeneration buffer B1219 is checked and when the amount is below the threshold as in the step 1903, subsequent data is transferred in step l906. This transfer also requires 5 frame time, and since transfer to the regeneration buffer B1219 requires time for transfer to the regeneration buffer A by the time transfer thereto starts, time required for completion of transfer after the amount is below the threshold is time required for transfer to the regeneration buffer A+time required for transfer to the regeneration buffer B=5 frame time+5 frame time=10 frame time.
Since 10 frame time is required for transfer in total, at the transfer of video data of 10th frame in the regeneration buffer B1219 to the expansion unit 1221, video data of 10 frames is added thereto. Therefore, at the completion of transfer, 10 frames are present in the regeneration buffer B1219.
During this 5 frame time required for video data transfer to the regeneration buffer B1219, since video data is consumed at the same pace from the regeneration buffer A1218, video data of 5 frames of 15 frames is consumed, resulting in remaining 10 frames. At the completion of transfer to the regeneration buffer B1219, data of 10 frames remains in each of the regeneration buffers A1218 and B1219.
Thus, at the completion of consumption from the buffers and replenishment therein, 10 frames remain in respective buffers, which indicates the initial filling state. Therefore, thereafter, no discontinuity of data occurs by the repetition.
As described above, processings in steps 1903 to 1906 are repeated until it is decided that data is fully regenerated in step 1907, thereby playback is performed according to editing information set by the user.
As should be appreciated from the foregoing description, in the prior art non-linear video editing apparatus, in case of recording, that is, storing video in a storage device of the editing apparatus as video data, the apparatus is set to store the video data in continuous free area, thereby recording and playback of 2 channel system can be performed with no discontinuity.
In the prior art non-linear editing apparatus, assume that video of 90 frames is recorded after creating ID=3 recorded area. In the free area management information 1502 in FIG. 15, irrespective of free 110 frames in total (20 frames in free area 1, 50 frames in 2, and 40 frames in 3), there are no continuous free 90 frames. Consequently, recording is impossible in the prior art setting.
As a solution to this, the followings are possible.
A) Unnecessary video data is deleted to increase free areas. PA1 B) To collect free areas, data in the recorded area in a hard disc is sequentially gathered to create a large free area at the end thereof (garbage collection). PA1 c) A scattered file system is employed for management of data.
In A), since an area in which data to be deleted is stored is not always before and after another fee area, increase in free areas as a whole does not always result in increase in continuous free areas. High-volume deletion has a high possibility of increasing continuous free areas. However, when the need for the deleted data arises, storage of video data by recording must be performed again at much expense in time and effort. Therefore, it is undesirable to delete large volumes of data with ease or high frequency.
In B), it is possible to enlarge continuous free areas. However, since repetition of copying data in the disc for movement of data requires much time, during which editing or playback cannot be performed.
To avoid the problem, data management to which the scattered file system which allows handling data stored in scattered storage areas as a file is applied rather than a consecutive file system in which "serial data is always stored in a continuous storage area" is employed, which becomes a measure against c). As this system, for example, MSDOS in Micro soft CORP. is shown as a typical and general example of a disc operating system in which a file is divided into plural areas for storage.
In the prior art example, assume that the MSDOS is employed as a method of managing a file in the video data storage unit, to perform recording a series of video in plural scattered free areas.
To implement the construction described above, each ID includes plural free area pointers of the free area management information and plural recorded information pointers of the recorded area management information.
FIG. 21 illustrates free area management information 2102 and recorded area management information 2103 each corresponding to tho video storage unit 2101 after (1) recording 1. As shown in the third Figure, free areas are managed in one ID and the total number of free frames is 110.
An operation of (3) recording 2 and (4) playback 2 of the non-linear video editing apparatus constructed above will now be described.
(3)RECORDING 2
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing recording processing. In step 2001, a length of video to be recorded is set. As described above, assume that video of 90 frames is recorded. In step 2002, allocation of an initial free area is performed, referring to the free area management information. In this case, allocation of free areas of 20 frames of A in the third Figure is performed.
Subsequent steps 2003 to 2008 are performed as in the steps 1403 to 1408 in FIG. 14 as described in the prior art example (1) recording 1.
In step 2009 subsequent to step 2008, it is decided whether the free area A is filled with video data during recording or not. When it is decided the free area A is filled with video data, in step 2010, allocation of the next free area is performed. At this time, allocation of free area C is performed.
Until it is decided in step 2009 that the allocated area C is filled with video data, steps subsequent to step 2006 are repeated and in step 2010, allocation of free area F is performed.
Until it is decided in step 2008 that recording is completed, steps subsequent to step 2006 are repeated, whereby 20 frames, 50 frames, and 20 frames of video of 90 frames are recorded in A, C, and F, respectively. When it is decided in step 2008 that writing onto the video storage unit 1201 is completed, in step 2011, the free area F is divided into recorded areas and free areas. At this time, free areas of 40 frames are divided into recorded areas of 20 frames and free areas of 20 frames.
In step 2012, recorded areas are recorded as recorded area management information. In step 2013, the recording control unit 1205 deletes free areas of size zero (free areas A and C) from the free area management information and updates free area management information in step 2014 for those of size non-zero (F).
In this case, since remaining free area G is 20 frames, updating is performed so that free area indicates the area of 20 frames in step 2014. As the updated state, the video storage unit 2201, the free area management information 2202, and the recorded area management information 2203 are shown in FIG. 22.
In this recording, recording for each 10 frames as write frames allows recording with no discontinuity as in FIG. 14. writing onto free areas from buffers for each write frames has been described herein. In this setting, unless amount of remaining free areas is not smaller than the amount of write frames, writing is impossible. Then, algorithm for decision on the remaining area size in step 2009 in FIG. 20 is changed into "Is the remaining areas less than 10 frames ?" and when it is less than 10 frames, in step 2010, allocation of next free areas is performed. In actuality, the remaining free areas and the write frames are set to meet specific conditions.
(3) PLAYBACK 2
A playback of editing information in FIG. 7 in the recording state of FIG. 22 is described.
The PLAYBACK 2 is performed following a flowchart in FIG. 19 as in (2) playback 1. In CUTs 1, 2, and 3 of the parent and child screens, playback is identical to that according to the editing information shown in FIG. 16. That is, at the completion of filling in the CUT 3 of the child screen, 10 frames remains in each of the regeneration buffers A1218 and B1219, which are consumed. In this stage, playback with no discontinuity is possible as in (2) PLAYBACK 1. As shown in FIG. 23, video data of the CUTs 1 of the parent and child screens is sequentially stored and the video data of read frames is sequentially transferred.
When the CUT 3 of the parent screen is transferred from the regeneration buffer A1218 to the expansion unit 1220, in step 1904 in FIG. 19, 10 frames of CUT4 are transferred from the video storage unit 1201 to the regeneration buffer A 1218. The CUT4 corresponds to 16th to 25th frames of ID=4 recorded area in editing information 701 in FIG. 7.
As shown in FIG. 23, in ID=4 recorded area, 16th to 20th frames are in an area A, and 21st to 25th frames are in an area C. In transfer of 10 frames of CUT 4, first 5 frames and next 5 frames are transferred from the area A and the area C, respectively.
Time required for transfer of the first 5 frames is, 20 msec+44.times.5/3000 msec=93.3 msec. Similarly, transfer of the next 5 frames requires 93.3 msec, adding tip to 186.7 msec. Since the total transfer time 186.7 msec indicates 6 frame time, when 6th frame is transferred from the regeneration buffer A1218 to the expansion unit 1220 and 4 frames remains, 10 frames are added thereto. After the transfer, video data of 14 frames is present therein.
Upon completion of transfer to the parent screen, in step 1906 in FIG. 19, CUT 4 of the child screen is transferred. The CUT 4 corresponds to 66th to 75th frames in the ID=4 recorded area.
Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 23, 66th to 70th frames, 71st to 75th frames are transferred from the area C and the area F, respectively. As in the case of the parent screen, since first 5 frames and next 5 frames are respectively transferred, the transfer requires 186.7 msec. In step 1905, until transfer starts after the amount of data is below the threshold, transfer to the regeneration buffer A1218 must be performed. As a result, the waiting time includes previous transfer time and completion of transfer to the regeneration buffer B1219 after the amount is below the threshold requires 373.3 msec in total, which indicates 12 frame time.
During this transfer, the regeneration buffer B 1219 is replenished with video data of 10 frames, during which video data of 1st to 12th frames is transferred to the expansion unit 1221, resulting in video data of 8 frames in the regeneration buffer B1219, which differs from original 10 frames.
Thus, in case of a cut including a boundary of the recorded area such as the CUT 4, since video data of read frames in the boundary cannot be read at a time and accordingly must be accessed twice or more, requiring a long time, the video data in the regeneration buffer does not return to original 10 frames at the completion of consumption and replenishment of video data, which reduces video data. As a result, discontinuity of playback video occurs because the buffer is not replenished with data at the sufficient pace.
To implement the "picture-in-picture" with no discontinuity of playback of 2 channel system in the non-linear editing apparatus which stores video data in the random access storage device, a series of video data is always stored in a continuous storage area during recording by managing a consecutive file system and so forth. However, in this case, discontinuous free areas of the storage unit are not utilized efffectively. In addition, deletion of data or garbage collection for utilizing the free areas causes the problem described above.
Use of the file management system for use in the disc operating system in the scattered file system allows effective use of the storage area. However, for playback of 2 channel system, storage of serial data in scattered areas causes delay, leading to discontinuity of playback.

Video editing method, non-linear video editing apparatus, and video editing program storage medium

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A wraparound inflatable headboard apparatus (100) includes a headboard portion (104), first and second arms (106, 108), and a plurality of accessories (138, 140,142, 144, 148), wherein the headboard portion (104) and the first and second arms (106, 108) are configured to accommodate plurality of accessories (138, 140,142, 144, 148), at least one of which is fixedly attached to the at least one of the headboard portion (104), the first arm (106), and the second arm (108), and at least one of which is removable from the at least one of the headboard portion (104), the first arm (106), and the second arm (108). An inflatable bed system (122) includes an inflatable headboard apparatus (100) comprised of a headboard (104), arms (106, 108), an inflatable mattress (102), and at least one accessory (138, 140,142, 144, 148), wherein the headboard (104) and arms (106, 108) are configured in a bracket shape, the inflatable mattress (102) comprises a shape complementary to the bracket shape of the headboard (104) and arms (106, 108) such that the inflatable headboard apparatus (100) at least partially surrounds the inflatable mattress (102), and the at least one accessory (138, 140,142, 144, 148) is supplied proximal to a user when the inflatable headboard apparatus (100) is arranged about the inflatable mattress (102).

Often times, inflatable mattresses have significant utility and are capable of storage, transportation, and use in a variety of settings and environments. Accessories that improve the comfort and satisfaction of the user experience for inflatable mattresses represent an improvement in the art. However, given the current state of the art, inflatable mattresses may benefit from improvements in structural stability. Further, a user may find it difficult to use an inflatable mattress with a number of other amenities to which said user may be accustomed. For example, it may be difficult for a user to read a book while using an inflatable mattress.
To solve this challenge, the below disclosure sets forth an inflatable headboard apparatus that supplies additional accessories and/or amenities. Still further, the apparatus contemplated herein imparts additional advantages, including increased stability, to a traditional inflatable mattress.
The description provided in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely because it is mentioned in or associated with the background section. The background section may include information that describes one or more aspects of the subject technology.

Wraparound inflatable headboard apparatus and inflatable bed system


An inhalant dispenser has a cover 3 pivotally carried on a body 6. The cover has a cam arrangement for lifting a junction member 41 against the action of the spring in an inhalant can C. Lifting of the junction member cocks a breath actuated dose release mechanism. The latter includes a flap 61 in the breath path. The flap is carried on the junction member and is arranged to release a hinged member 48 by action of latches 70 on the flap and sears on the hinged member.

In my prior International Patent Application, WO 98/41254, ("My First International Application") at least as amended on entry in the European Regional Phase, there is described and claimed:
A dispenser for a gaseous, gas borne or droplet substance, the dispenser including:                a body having a mouthpiece with an inhalation/insufflation orifice at its end;        a junction in the body for a source of gas or evaporable liquid comprising or containing the said substance (the source being carried by the body); and        a breath actuable valve, for controlling the release of said gas or liquid, comprising:                    a valve inlet connected to the junction;            a valve outlet;            a flexible tube extending from the junction, between the inlet and the outlet, for receiving the said gas or liquid, the tube having a portion which is movable between a closed position in which the tube is kinked for closure of the valve and an open position in which the tube is un-kinked for opening of the valve; and            a movable member, for moving the movable portion of the tube to control its kinking, and being movably mounted in the body for movement by the act of inhalation from a rest position towards the orifice—or at least in the direction of air flow through the dispenser;                        the tube being kinked to an obturating extent when the movable member is in a rest position and un-kinked when the movable member is moved on inhalation for release of the gas or liquid.
I regard My First International Application as protecting, inter alia, an inhaler with a kink valve.
I improved on the dispenser of My First International Application and in my International Patent Application No. WO 02/11802, ("My Second International Application") there is described in and claimed:
A dispenser for a gaseous, gas borne or droplet substance contained in a source thereof, the dispenser including:                a body with a mouthpiece;        a junction member in the body for the substance source; and        a breath actuable valve, for controlling the release of the gas or liquid containing or comprising the substance, the valve comprising:        a flexible tube for receiving the said gas or liquid, the tube extending from a valve inlet connected to the junction member and having a portion which is kinkable for closure of the valve and movable to an open position in which the tube is un-kinked for opening of the valve; and        a member arranged for movement in the body by inhalation to un-kink the valve;        the tube being kinked to an obturating extent when the movable member is in a ready position and un-kinked when the movable member is moved on inhalation for release of the gas or liquid;wherein:        the movable member is or includes a flap arranged in the body for action of breath on it on inhalation;        the junction member, the flexible tube and the movable flap are a single injection moulding of plastics material; and        the movable flap is pivotally connected to the junction member.
I regard My Second International Application as protecting, inter alia, an inhaler with a kink valve in which the kink Valve is integral with the actuation flap.
Significant features of the dispenser of My Second International Application are:
1. The junction member is slidably mounted in the body for movement in a direction for dispensing a dose of the substance from the source and the dispenser includes:
                means for pivoting the flap to its ready position on or prior to initial movement of the junction member and        junction member resilient means for returning the junction member after release of the dose.2. The junction member resilient means is a spring in the source and the dispenser includes:        means for locating the source in the body with the junction member being slidable towards it and        means for displacing the junction member towards the source for dispensing the dose into the kinked tube.3. The means for displacing the junction member comprises:        a grippable member rotatably arranged on the body and        a rotary-to-linear motion conversion mechanism, arranged to convert rotary motion of the grippable member to linear motion for displacing the junction member towards the source andthe means for pivoting the flap is incorporated in the motion conversion mechanism.
Additionally I made other improvements on the dispenser of My First International Application and in my International Patent Application No. WO 02/058772, ("My Third International Application") there is described in and claimed:
A dispenser including in common with that of My First International Application:                a body with a mouthpiece;        a junction in the body for the substance source; and        a breath actuable valve, for controlling the release of the gas or liquid containing or comprising the substance, the valve comprising:                    a flexible tube for receiving the said gas or liquid, the tube extending from a valve inlet connected to the junction and having a portion which is kinkable for closure of the valve and movable to an open position in which the tube is un-kinked for opening of the valve; and            an outlet member arranged for movement in the body on inhalation to un-kink the valve;                        the tube being kinked to an obturating extent when the outlet movable member is in a ready position and un-kinked when the outlet movable member is moved on inhalation for release of the gas or liquid;the dispenser also including:        a sear to hold the outlet movable member in the ready position closing of the tube by kinking prior to inhalation and        a breath actuatable flap arranged in the body for movement on inhalation to release the sear and allow the outlet movable member to move for release of the gas or liquid.
I regard My Third International Application as protecting, inter alia, an inhaler with a kink valve in which the kink valve is formed separately from the actuation flap, and released by a sear on the actuation flap.


Provided are a probe for surface enhanced vibrational spectroscopic analysis which has excellent detection sensitivity to laser light having an intensity level at which a sample is not damaged and which has a long life, and a method of manufacturing the probe. The probe for surface enhanced vibrational spectroscopic analysis is formed on a cantilever. A plurality of metal fine particles are dispersed in the probe. The plurality of metal fine particles are exposed on the surface of the probe.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a probe used for surface enhanced vibrational spectroscopic analysis and a method of manufacturing the probe.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a sample is irradiated with laser light, Raman scattered light, which is different in frequency from original incident light, is emitted from the sample together with Rayleigh scattered light, which is equal in frequency to the original incident light. The Raman spectroscopic analysis method of analyzing the Raman scattered light is effective to determine a molecular structure or a bonding state of crystals.
However, there is a case where a sample such as an organic substance is sensitive to damage by laser light, so it is necessary to measure the sample at minimum laser intensity. Because the intensity of the Raman scattered light is extremely weak, when the sample is a thin film or when a measurement area is very small, it may be difficult to obtain the Raman spectrum. Therefore, there is required a technique for detecting the Raman scattered light whose intensity is extremely weak at high sensitivity even when the sample is irradiated with laser light at an intensity level at which the sample is not damaged.
An example of the technique includes surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) (see Chem. Phys. Lett., Vol. 126, p.163 (1974)). The SERS is a phenomenon in which the intensity of Raman scattered light from a sample of a monomolecular layer or a several-molecular layer which is deposited on a substrate on which a metal film made of a noble metal such as silver, gold, or copper (island-like film or fine particle film) is formed becomes 102 to 106 times larger than the intensity of Raman scattered light from a sample deposited on a substrate on which the metal film is not formed. It is also necessary to make the surface of the metal film rough. For example, a film which contains Si particles, Ag particles, or CaF2 having a μm size is formed as a base film. When the metal film is formed on the base film, the roughness of the surface of the metal film increases, so the SERS is observed at higher sensitivity (see J. Phys. Chem. 1985, 89, 5174-5178, and Solid State Communications, Vol. 55, No. 12, pp. 1085-1088, 1985). Even when the metal film is deposited on the surface of the sample, the SERS phenomenon is observed.
The same is expected even in the case of an infrared spectroscopic analysis method. When the sample is irradiated with infrared light, an infrared light having a frequency peculiar to the sample is absorbed thereinto. Information with respect to molecular structure or environments of the molecules is obtained based on a frequency at an absorption position.
In recent years, a scanning probe microscope, a near-field microscope, and an atomic force microscope have been under development. Therefore, the structure of each metal nano fine particle can be measured in the nanoscale and simultaneously the interparticle distance can be controlled to detect Raman scattered light only from a specific particle to which an extremely small amount of molecules are absorbed. For example, according to J. Phys. Chem. B. 2003, 107, 7607-7617, it has been reported that when a metal nano structure which produces sufficient SERS is irradiated with laser light, the local electric field intensity on the surface of the nano structure is obtained by numeral calculation, thereby finding the metal nano structure which provides a very large enhanced intensity. When a local electric field intensity on an isolated spherical or elliptical metal nano particle is calculated, only an SERS enhanced intensity of 104 to 105 is obtained. In contrast to this, an enhanced intensity of 1010 or more, which is equivalent to the monomolecular sensitivity, is obtained on a bonding area between spherical or elliptical nano particles at an optimum wavelength without depending on the particle size. Therefore, it is reported that the very large enhanced intensity of the monomolecular sensitivity is obtained on the aggregation of the metal nano particles and the bonding area therebetween.
A metal is filled into fine pores and exposed to shorten the distance between respective exposed metal fine particles to several nm. A sample to be analyzed is attached to the surfaces of the exposed metal fine particles and irradiated with laser light. Therefore, surface enhanced Raman scattering measurement using an electromagnetic field generated between the metal fine particles to improve the sensitivity can be performed (see U.S. Publication 2005/0108085).
When a tip portion of a near-field microscope probe such as a probe in which a metal film whose thickness is several nm to several tens nm is formed on the surface thereof is irradiated with light, a locally strong electromagnetic field generates near the tip portion. When the tip portion of the probe is irradiated with light while the tip portion of the probe is brought close to or into contact with a measurement sample, the surface enhanced Raman scattering measurement is performed at high sensitivity. Such a phenomenon is called tip enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) (see Chemical Physics Letters, 335, 369-374, 2001). According to this report, for example, when the probe coated with the metal film is brought close to or into contact with the measurement sample, a sufficient intensity is obtained because of SERS.
In particular, in order to obtain a sufficient SERS intensity using metal nano structures such as particles, it is necessary to arrange the metal nano structures at an interval of approximately 0 nm to several nm. According to the conventional tip enhanced Raman scattering technique, the film thickness of the metal film applied as a coating of the tip portion of the probe can be controlled. However, it is difficult to control a shape of the metal film (to obtain island-like film or particle-like film). In addition, it is difficult to control the interval between metal fine particles.
Molecules of the measurement sample may be absorbed to the metal film coating the tip portion of the probe every time the probe is brought into contact with the measurement sample. Therefore, there is also such a problem that the probe is frequently discarded.

Probe used for surface enhanced vibrational spectroscopic analysis and method of manufacturing the same