The present invention is embodied in a system and method for recognizing speech and transcribing speech in real time. The system includes a computer, which could be in a LAN or WAN linked to other computer systems through the Internet. The computer has a controller, or similar device, to filter background noise and convert incoming signals to digital format. The digital signals are transcribed to a word list, which is processed by an automatic speech recognition system. This system synchronizes and compares the lists and forwards the list to a speech recognition learning system, which stores the data on-site. The stored data is forwarded to an off-site storage system, and an off-site large scale learning system that processes the data from all sites on the wide area network system.

The present invention generally relates to a system and method for recognizing speech and transcribing speech.
A speech recognition system analyzes speech to determine what was said. In a frame based system, a processor divides a signal descriptive of the speech to be recognized into a series of digital frames, each of which corresponds to a small time increment of the speech. The processor then compares the digital frames to a set of stored models, each of which represents a word from a vocabulary, and may represent how that word is spoken by a variety of speakers. A speech model may also represent a phoneme that corresponds to a part of a word. Collectively, phonemes represent the phonetic spelling of the word.
The processor determines what is said by finding the model that best matches the digital frames that represent the speech. The words or phrases corresponding to the best matching model are referred to as recognition candidates. The processor may be part of a general purpose computer with an input/output unit, a sound card, memory, and various programs including an operating system, application program such as a word processing program], stenographic translation processor, and a speech recognition program. The input/output unit could include devices such as microphone, mouse, keyboard, monitor, stenographs and video data.
The system detects the speech through a speech recognition program. The speech may be conveyed from an analog signal to a sound card and then through a converter to be transformed to a digital format. Under the control of an operating system the speech recognition program compares the digital samples to speech models. These results may be stored or used as input to the application program. Speech programs and application programs can run concurrently so for example, a speaker can use a microphone as a text input device, alone or in conjunction with a mouse and keyboard. The speaker interacts through a GUI.
A speech recognition system may be a xe2x80x9cdiscrete systemxe2x80x9d which pauses between words or phrases, or it may be xe2x80x9ccontinuousxe2x80x9d, where the system recognizes words and phrases without the speaker having to pause between them. Such systems relate to down-line transcription used by attorneys reviewing real-time transcription during a proceeding such as a trial or deposition, or for the manipulation of audio and video transcripts by attorneys, judges, court reporters, witnesses and clients. A stenographic recorder is a machine used in this process, which may be backed up by a tape recording. The stenographic recorder may link to a computer aided transcription [CAT] system to transcribe stored electronic key-strokes. This system requires the reporter to work inter-actively with the CAT system to correct errors, often with the aid of a taped recording.
As the use of stenotype machines in this process, results in a high incidence of errors through undefined strokes improved processors have been incorporated into the translation systems. These include a means for providing a sequence of lexical stroke symbols and the processor for receiving them. This processor could have a scan chart memory storing a list of stroke symbol combinations and text part translations. Also, the system would have a means of combining language parts according to a set of defined rules to complete words in language text format. In addition, a speech recognition system for converting audio data to frame data sets with a stored vocabulary, as clusters of word models that can be compared and recognized by a processor system, would be linked to an output system defining the text.
While systems have been introduced with continuous speech recognition capability aimed at enabling direct voice to text capabilities, these systems generally are restricted. In the case of audio input they may be limited in only being able to recognize one user. Secondly, the systems have difficulty in processing bursts of rapid speech. The problem of dialects and accents have not been over come, and the systems require hands on personal training. Background noise often interferes with optimum training sessions leading to a confusion of developmental data being processed by the automatic speech recognition [ASR] system and the storage of an inaccurate data base. Overall, the lack of predictable consistency in error free operation and the difficulties in scaling [using unreasonably large training sets] have yet to be addressed.
Therefore, what is needed is a system and method that is efficient in terms of time frame and being trainable by more than one voice, including various accents and dialects. Further, what is needed is a system capable of handling continuous speech at various rates in a consistent and reliable manner. In addition, what is needed is a system that will eliminate background noise and solve the scaling problem incurred by large data sets.
To overcome the limitations in the prior art described above, and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention is embodied in a system and method for recognizing speech and transcribing speech.
The system includes a computer, which, could be in a LAN or WAN linked to other computer systems through the Internet. The computer has a controller, or similar device, to filter background noise and convert incoming signals to digital format. The digital signals are transcribed to a word list which is processed by an automatic speech recognition system. This system synchronizes and compares the lists and forwards the list to a speech recognition learning system that stores the data on-site.
The stored data is forwarded to an off-site storage system, and an off-site large scale learning system that processes the data from all sites on the wide area network system. Users of the system can access the off-site storage system directly. The system solves the scaling problem by providing an efficient method of generating large training sets for multi-varied word patterns.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention as well as a more complete understanding thereof will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention. Moreover, it is intended that the scope of the invention be limited by the claims and not by the preceding summary or the following detailed description.

Method and apparatus for training an ultra-large vocabulary, continuous speech, speaker independent, automatic speech recognition system and consequential database


An image correction apparatus uses digital correction data from a memory device, in which various correction data is stored, and various analog correction waveforms for implementing, through digital control, various correction, such as convergence, deflection, luminance, focus, frame phase, etc., to thereby accomplishing accurate and automatic correction.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an image correction apparatus for the adjustment of an image which is received and displayed on a color television receiver, and particularly to a digital image correction apparatus which controls various correction waveforms in a digital manner, thereby implementing accurate and automatic image correction.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Generally, a video projector which performs enlarged projection on a screen by using three projection tubes, which emit three primary colors, involves such adversities as displacement of colors, out-of-focus, distortion of deflection and variation of brightness across the screen due to different incident angles termed "convergent angles" to the screen among the projection tubes. Although these various adverse phenomena are corrected based on the creation of analog correction waveforms in synchronism with the horizontal and vertical periods, this approximate correction scheme suffers in accuracy. Another problem is a long adjustment time is required for each item of correction because of the manual correcting operation through the visual observation of the screen. To cope with this problem, there are proposed a digital convergence apparatus in JP-B2-59-8114 as a method providing high convergence accuracy, and a digital convergence apparatus in JP-A-56-157188, as a method of automatic correction.
The conventional image correction apparatus will be explained with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 16. In a video projector formed of a projection display unit 7 and a screen 6, a pattern generator 25 projects pattern signals for items of correction on the screen so that the operator visually detects the amount of deviation and its change, and a convergence correction circuit 1, luminance correction circuit 2, focus correction circuit 3 and deflection correction circuit 4 are operated through the entry of correction data on a manual adjustment unit 5.
This apparatus, which bases the corrective operation of each item on the visual observation, performs accurate image correction. However, such a conventional image correction apparatus needs the entry of various correction data against the displacement of colors, out-of-focus, distortion of deflection and variation of luminance for each adjustment point on the screen, and therefore a long adjustment time is required and necessitates a large-scale circuit for the adjusting function of each mode.

Image correction apparatus for adjusting images by digitially controlling analog correction waveforms

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


An electrical cord protector is designed to keep electric hedge trimmers and electric grass trimmers from cutting or damaging the cord. The principle behind the invention is an enlarged section of the cord so that this part of the cord will not fit between adjacent teeth of an electric hedge trimmer or an electric grass trimmer. Three methods of electrical cord protection can be used to protect the cord. In the first method, an enlarged diameter section of the cord is permanently built into the cord. This cord is then plugged into the trimmer. The second method of cord protection has an enlarged diameter section permanently built into a cord, and this cord is permanently wired into the trimmer. In the third method, a separate enlarged diameter section made from a material such as a plastic can be temporarily fastened around a section of a typical standard diameter electrical cord. The enlarged section is hollow with longitudinal ribs on the inside to accommodate different diameter typical standard diameter electrical cords. Friction of the ribs against the cord also keep the protector from slipping down the cord.

This invention relates to protecting electric cords supplying power to electric hedge trimmers and electric grass trimmers from being severed, cut, or damaged by the electric trimmers. Trimming shrubs or grass with electric trimmers is more time consuming than necessary because of the care that must be used to keep the electric cord from getting between the teeth of the trimmer. Even with care the cord can easily be cut or severed causing further expense and wasted time for the homeowner or the handy person.


Methods for determining chlorophyll content comprise providing a sample, subjecting the sample to light at a first wavelength and detecting a first wavelength response, subjecting the sample to light at a second wavelength and detecting a second wavelength response, and calculating a chlorophyll content of the sample based on at least the first wavelength response and the second wavelength response. Optional approaches include detecting the nitrogen content and/or water content of the sample. Associated apparatus for determining chlorophyll content, which may comprise a handheld device, is also disclosed.

Measuring chlorophyll and plant samples, such as leaves of fruit plants is important in determining that the plant has proper conditions (e.g., habitat, nutrients, lighting, etc.) for optimum growth.
It is known to conduct laboratory chemical analysis of plant samples to determine chlorophyll content. Such analysis involves the steps of collecting samples, drying and grinding the samples, performing chemical analysis of the samples and interpreting the results. Chemical analysis, however, is time consuming, expensive and requires professional expertise. In addition, such analysis is usually not available in time to adjust growing conditions (e.g., fertilization) for a current year's crop.
Some efforts have been made to provide portable devices or meters to provide an indication of chlorophyll content in a sample. The SPAD meter (produced by Minolta of Japan) is widely used by growers and researchers throughout the world. The SPAD meter has a cost of about $1,500. The SPAD-502 weighs 225 grams, has a 0.06 cm2 measurement area and calculates an index in SPAD units based on absorbance at 650 nm and 950 nm. The claimed accuracy of the SPAD-502 is +/−1.0 SPAD units.
The Chlorophyll Content Meter-200 (CCM-200, produced by Optiscience) costs about $1,000, weighs 180 grams, has a 0.71 cm2 measurement area and calculates a chlorophyll content index (CCI) based on absorbance measurements at 660 nm and 940 nm. The claimed accuracy of the CCM-200 is +/−1.0 CCI units.
The Chlorophyll Meter-1000 (CM-1000, produced by Spectrum Technology, Inc.) costs $2,500. The CM-1000 weighs 692 grams and calculates an index in CM-1000 units based on reflectance at 700 nm and 840 nm. The recommended sampling distance for the CM-1000 is 28.4 to 183.0 cm with a corresponding sampling scope of 1.10 to 18.8 cm in diameter outlined with the high powered lasers.
Another meter, the CL-01 Chlorophyll Content Meter, weighs 250 grams, can measure leaf samples up to a maximum of 12.7 cm wide and calculates a chlorophyll index based on absorbance at 620 nm and 940 nm.
These conventional meters, however, do not provide high accuracy results. In addition, each of these meters gives an indication of chlorophyll content based on a different index. None of these meters directly gives a chlorophyll content result or a nitrogen content result. Also, none of these meters conveys its results in connection with a real world location, such that a user surveying an entire field of a particular crop could correlate trends in chlorophyll values with particular locations of the samples, among other uses for such information.

Portable meter to measure chlorophyll, nitrogen and water and methods

State of Oregon acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on behalf of Oregon State University


This disclosure relates to an assembly that is configured to be installed or integrated into a suspended grid ceiling.

Many architectural commercial spaces feature grid ceiling systems. These systems are made up of a plurality of members arranged in a grid pattern. The members are often t-shaped, having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. This grid or T-bar system is suspended from a ceiling to create a finished look. Any piping, wiring, etc. can be hidden above this "drop" ceiling. When integrated into a drop ceiling, electrical components such as speakers and "downlight" or "directional" luminaires are typically installed in the middle of the panels within this grid system.

Ceiling mounted assembly for electrical components


Provided is a novel anti-Plexin-A1 agonist antibody that promotes dendritic cell contraction. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising such an antibody and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Semaphorins were discovered in the early 1990's as repulsive molecules for neuronal growth cones (Non Patent Literatures 1 and 2). More than 20 members of semaphorins have been identified to date, and the semaphorin family is characterized by sharing a conserved region consisting of about 500 amino acids, referred to as the Sema domain. These semaphorins are classified into eight sub-classes (Sema 1-7, V) on the basis of structural difference at the C-terminus following the Sema domain.
Plexins (Plexin-A1/A2/A3/A4, Plexin-B1/B2/B3, Plexin-C1, and Plexin-D1) and neuropilins (Nrp-1 and Nrp-2) are known as major receptors that contribute to the semaphorin activity. Semaphorins are known to also bind to integrins, CD72, and Tim-2 (Non Patent Literature 3). Furthermore, the semaphorin receptors, plexins, are known to associate with various co-receptors such as VEGFR-2, c-Met, and Trem2/DAP12, and construct complex ligand-receptor relationships, which possibly reflect diverse functions of the semaphorins. Indeed, the semaphorins have diverse biological activities such as angiogenesis/vasculogenesis, cancer metastasis/invasion, bone metabolism regulation, retinal homeostasis, and immune regulation, and the involvement of the semaphorins in various diseases such as allergic diseases or autoimmune diseases, metabolic bone diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, retinitis pigmentosa, sudden death from cardiac causes, and cancer metastasis/invasion has been successively reported in the past several years (Non Patent Literature 3). In connection with biological activities of the semaphorins, active research is currently ongoing with a view towards developing diagnostic/therapeutic methods for human diseases.
Plexin-A1 is a receptor for class III and class VI semaphorins. Plexin-A1 has been reported to form receptors together with VEGF receptor and Off-Track during chick heart morphogenesis, and also act as a receptor for neuronal repulsive factors by forming a receptor for class III semaphorins together with Nrp-1. Furthermore, Plexin-A1 has been reported to also act as a receptor for class VI semaphorins, Sema6C and Sema6D, and be involved in axon guidance or cardiac organogenesis.
It has been reported that suppression of Plexin-A1 expression by shRNA in mouse dendritic cells, for example, leads to attenuated non-autoimmune T-cell immunity in vivo or in vitro (Non Patent Literature 4). Plexin-A1 signal analysis in dendritic cells and osteoclasts has also confirmed that Plexin-A1 forms heteroreceptors with Trem-2 and DAP-12 in these cells. It has also been shown that recombinant soluble Sema6D protein stimulation promotes the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-12 from dendritic cells and osteoclast differentiation from precursor cells, and that while Sema6D binds to wild-type dendritic cells, it hardly binds to dendritic cells from Plexin-A1-deficient mice. It has been reported that T-cell immune responses are significantly weaker in Plexin-A1-deficient mice, which spontaneously develops osteopetrosis-like symptoms caused by abnormal osteoclast differentiation (Non Patent Literature 5). Plexin-A1 inhibition by shRNA in mouse dendritic cells has shown that Plexin-A1 controls actin cytoskeleton localization in the immune synapses of dendritic cells and T cells via activation of signal transduction factor Rho (Non Patent Literature 6).
Furthermore, it has been reported that Plexin-A1 is involved in the migration of dendritic cells to the lymph nodes and in antigen-specific T-cell responses. It has also been reported that the expression of Sema3A, rather than Sema6C or Sema6D, is required for migration of dendritic cells as they pass through the endothelial cells of the lymphatic vessels, and Sema3A stimulates myosin-II activity and induce actomyosin contraction (Patent Literature 1).
Furthermore, in connection with Plexin-A2, which is another molecule belonging to the Plexin-A family, a low-resolution (7.0 A) structure of a triple complex, "Sema3A-Plexin-A2-Nrp-1", has been disclosed. Although the binding between Sema3A and Plexin-A2 is too weak to be detected, it has been reported that an interaction between Sema3A and Plexin-A2 was detected in the presence of Nrp-1, even though it was far too weak for the expression of biological activity of Sema3A (Non Patent Document 7). The elucidation of this complex, however, requires further detailed study, because the resolution of this structure is extremely low, and a partial-length protein rather than a full-length protein was used. Non Patent Literature 8, on the other hand, introduces the structure of a triplet complex, "Sema3A-Plexin-A1-Nrp-1", citing Non Patent Literature 7 described above. Non Patent Literature 7, however, fails to disclose the structure of the triplet complex "Sema3A-Plexin-A1-Nrp-1".
Sema3A has been suggested to exhibit therapeutic effects against various diseases such as autoimmune diseases including pruritus due to psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory diseases, and tumors, mainly through expression analysis in patients and experiments with animal models.
For example, decreased expression of Sema3A has been reported in the skin of patients with psoriasis or atopic dermatitis (Non Patent Literatures 9 and 10). Sema3A has inhibitory activity on C-fiber neurite outgrowth. In the skin of patients with psoriasis or atopic dermatitis, the decreased expression of Sema3A induces the outgrowth of C-fiber neurites, which is believed to result in susceptibility to itchiness. Indeed, the application of Sema3A to the skin of atopic dermatitis mouse models through intradermal administration or as an ointment has been reported to improve pruritic behavior caused by atopic dermatitis (Non Patent Literatures 11 and 12).
Sema3A has also been reported to be involved in airway hyperreactivity in allergic rhinitis, for example (Non Patent Literature 13). The expression of Sema3A decreases in epithelial cells in the nasal cavity of allergic rhinitis mouse models, which leads to an increased innervation density in the nasal turbinate lamina propria. This is believed to be one cause of the exacerbation of hypersensitivity such as sneezing and itching. Intranasal administration of Sema3A to allergic rhinitis mouse models has been reported to reduce the innervation density in the nasal turbinate lamina propria, and improve sneezing or pruritic behavior.
Furthermore, Sema3A is known to be also involved in the control of bone density. Sema3A has an activity to both activate osteoblasts and suppress osteoclast differentiation in vitro, and mice with systemic Sema3A deficiency develop osteoporosis-like symptoms. Furthermore, the administration of Sema3A to mouse models in which osteoporosis-like symptoms were induced by oophorectomy has been reported to improve the bone density (Non Patent Literature 14). In addition to the direct action of Sema3A upon osteoblasts and osteoclasts, a Sema3A-mediated bone density control mechanism through sensory innervation to bone has also been reported. In neuron-specific Sema3A-deficient mice, an osteoporosis-like decrease in bone density comparable to that in mice with systemic Sema3A deficiency has been reported (Non Patent Literature 5).
Furthermore, Sema3A has been reported to be involved in autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. For example, there is a report that, compared to normal human peripheral blood, the peripheral blood of rheumatoid arthritis patients shows a decrease in the level of Sema3A mRNA or protein produced upon in vitro activation of peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs), CD4-positive T cells, and CD8-positive T cells with anti-CD3 antibody and anti-CD28 antibody. Likewise, a decrease in the mRNA expression of Sema3A has been reported in rheumatoid arthritis patient-derived synovial tissue, compared to healthy human-derived synovial tissue. Furthermore, intraperitoneal administration of plasmids encoding Sema3A protein to collagen-induced arthritis mouse models has been reported to show an improvement in arthritis score or an improvement in hindlimb swelling (Non Patent Literature 16).
It has also been reported that the Sema3A concentration in the peripheral blood of systemic lupus erythematosus patients is significantly lower than that in the peripheral blood of healthy humans, and that in CD19+CD25high B cells collected from the peripheral blood of systemic lupus erythematosus patients, the expression of Sema3A is lower than that in the same cells collected from healthy individuals, which suggests the possibility that this change in the expression level of Sema3A in systemic lupus erythematosus patients may affect the activation of B cells (Non Patent Literature 17).
Furthermore, the expression of Sema3A has been reported to be lower in malignant melanoma skin tissues from melanoma patients than that in normal skin tissues. It has also been reported that murine malignant melanoma cell lines in which the Sema3A gene was transfected and stably expressed exhibit reduced migration and invasiveness of tumor cells in vitro and increased sensitivity to anti-cancer agents, compared to parental cell lines not transfected with the Sema3A gene. Likewise, in mouse models injected subcutaneously with tumor cells, murine malignant melanoma cell lines in which the Sema3A gene was transfected and stably expressed have been reported to exhibit suppressed tumor metastasis and retarded tumor growth, compared to parental cell lines not transfected with the Sema3A gene (Non Patent Literature 18).
These reports have suggested the utility of Sema3A as a therapeutic drug for various diseases such as autoimmune diseases including pruritus due to psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory diseases, and tumors.
However, no report has heretofore been made on an antibody that binds to one of the receptors, Plexin-AL and has an activity similar to that of Sema3A (agonist antibody). Furthermore, it has been unclear as to which region of the amino acid sequence of Plexin-A1 is bound by the antibody that binds to Plexin-A1 and has agonistic activity.


The present invention relates to a transmission device implementing a flow control mechanism for aggregate trunks. The transmission device can be implemented as a router that includes an input for receiving aggregate traffic streams, an output for releasing the aggregate traffic streams to a destination point and a control unit capable to regulate the rate of release of packets from the output. Specifically, the flow control operation effected by the control unit is dependent on receipt of acknowledgement messages issued at the destination point, each acknowledgement message confirming the receipt of one or more particular packets at the destination point. The control unit will continuously increase the packet sending rate until a packet is lost in the network between the transmission device and the destination point. On detection of packet loss, based on the lack of one or more corresponding acknowledgement messages from the destination point, the control unit will reduce the packet sending rate.

A typical data transport network operates in a connectionless mode whereby there is no negotiation between the transmitter/receiver and the network with regard to the type or quantity of traffic that is to be sent. The transmitter simply sends the traffic on the network, and relies on the network components to deliver that traffic to the receiver accurately. These network components consist typically of routing nodes (also known as routers or switches) joined by physical links. The main function of the routing nodes is to direct incoming packets to the appropriate outgoing links.
Many communication network applications have adopted the Internet Protocol (IP), a library of routines called on by various network communications applications for transporting packets of data from node to node. The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is used for most IP network transactions and provides for both reliable transmission and rate adaptation in order to adjust to available network bandwidth. TCP allows adaptive use of available bandwidth and accommodation of different rates at different points in the internetwork or network.
Within the IP networks, there is a growing interest in managing data traffic in the form of aggregate flows. A flow, also referred to as a connection, is a stream of traffic under control of one sender within the network. Specifically, aggregating individual traffic flows into one larger flow simplifies the management of the network; routes can be pinned down for the aggregates more simply than if all flows were visible. Treatments such as bandwidth allocation or forwarding priority can be assigned to the aggregate rather than having to manage it on a per-flow basis. In the future, it may be desirable to provide flow control for these aggregates, similar to TCP, so that they can compete for available bandwidth in a controlled manner.
In Internet terminology, aggregating data traffic by encapsulating them into a single IP packet stream is often called tunneling, where the encapsulated traffic flow through the IP network is referred to as an aggregate trunk or tunnel. When the number of aggregate trunks becomes very large, it may be desirable to add another level of aggregation by putting several such trunks into a new, larger trunk between chosen points in the network. One way to do this is to encapsulate the packets again with another TCP/IP header. Unfortunately, adding more headers to data packets is inefficient in bandwidth use and may be problematical if the longer packets violate Maximum Transport Unit (MTU) limits. Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS), another form of aggregation currently under development, minimizes the overhead by using a very small label instead of a full TCP/IP header. Unfortunately, the small header envisaged for MPLS does not provide room for the information usually carried in a TCP/IP flow controlled connection.
The background information herein clearly shows that there exists a need in the industry to provide an improved mechanism for ensuring flow control of an aggregate stream between two points in a network.

Method and apparatus for bandwidth management of aggregate data flows


An air transmissible bag member is mounted coaxially aligned relative to a bug light assembly at a lowermost end thereof to receive bug members dispelled from the bug light assembly and directed into the bag by way of interposed fan assembly between the bug light assembly and the bag.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention relates to bug light apparatus, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved bug light and bag apparatus arranged to provide for a receiver bag relative to a bug light assembly.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Bug light structure of various types is indicated in the prior art and exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,873,786; 4,754,570; and 4,631,858.
The instant invention attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art by providing for a bug light and bag apparatus directed to the ease of accumulation of bug members dispelled by the bug light apparatus and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


The present invention permits to determine an image characteristic amount for efficiently searching an image without affecting a bad influence upon searching accuracy. First image characteristic amount data is extracted. Second image characteristic amount data is extracted. Then, a distance between two image characteristic amount data is calculated. Further, the calculated distance is compared with a threshold value. If the distance is smaller than the threshold value, the image characteristic amount data having smaller number of coefficients which is advantageous because of smaller data amount is selected, and, if otherwise, the image characteristic amount data having greater number of coefficients is selected.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing method capable of processing an image, and an apparatus therefor.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known to provide a system in which an image is scaled, and a resulting scaled image is subjected to known discrete cosine transform (DCT) processing and quantization processing to obtain plural coefficients from which several coefficients are picked up from low frequency component side, and the picked-up coefficients is regarded as a characteristic amount for an original image and is used as data for searching the image (refer to ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11/N3522 "MPEG-7 Visual Working Draft 4.0" ([VWD 4.0]) or ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11/N3522 "MPEG-7 Visual part of experimentation Model Version 7.0" ([VXM 7.0]).
FIG. 1 is a view showing characteristic data extracting processing in Color Layout descriptor described in the above document [VWD 4.0] or [VXM 7.0]. Further, FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing such processing.
An original image 10001 is scaled down into 8×8 pixels (step S10401), and each pixel of resulting 8×8 pixel images (10011, 10012, 10013) is converted into Y/Cb/Cr color space data (10021, 10022, 10023) (step S10402). Then, Y, Cb and Cr data components 10021, 10022, 10023 are subjected to DCT processing step 10403) to obtain DCT coefficients 10031, 10032, 10033, and the coefficients 10031, 10032, 10033 are subjected to quantization processing (step S10404).
The image scaling processing, color conversion processing and DCT conversion processing may be well-known ones.
For example, according to [VWD 4.0], the quantization processing can be realized by processing shown in the following program codes 10000-10003. The program codes 10000-10003 are described by using well-known C language. According to the above document, in the quantization processing, since different processing operations are effected for a DC component and an AC component with respect to Y component and Cb/Cr components, the above document presents four program codes 10000-10003 for the quantization processing. Program code 10000: Quantization processing for DC component of Y coefficient
Int quant_Y_DC(int i) int j ; i = i/8; if(i>192)j= 1 1 2+(i−192)/4; else if(i>160)j=96+(i−160)/2; else if(i>96)j=32+i−96; else if(i>64)j=16+(i−64)/2; else j=i/4; return j>>1;}Program code 10001: Quantization processing for DC component of Cb/Cr coefficients
Int quant_CbCr_DC(int i) int j; i=i/8; if(i>191)j=63;else if(i>160)j=56+(i−160)/4; else if(i>144)j=48+(i−144)/2; else if(i>112)j=16+ I −112; else if(j>96)j=8+(i−96)/2; else if(i>64)j=(i−64)/4; else j=i/0;Program code 10002: Quantization processing for AC component of Y coefficient
Int quant_Y_AC(int i) { int j; i=i/2; if(i>255)I=255; if(i<−256)I=−256; if(abs(i)>127)j=64+abs(i)/4; else if(abs(i)>63)j=32+abs(i)/2; else j=abs(i); j=(i<0)?−j:j; return(int)trunc(((double)j+128.0)/8.0+0.5);}Program code 10003: Quantization processing for AC component of Cb/Cr coefficients
Int quant_CbCr_AC(int i){ int j; if(i>255)I=255; if(i<−256)i=−256; if(abs(i)>127)j=64+abs(i)/4; else if(abs(i)>63)j=32+abs(i)/2; else j=abs(i); j=(i<0)?−j:j; return(int)trunc(((double)j+128.0)/8.0+0.5);}
As a result of the quantization processing using the program codes 10000 and 10001, the quantization-processed DCT coefficients (refer to as "quantization DCT coefficients" hereinafter) of Y or Cb/Cr components have values between 0 and 64. Further, as a result of the quantization processing using the program codes 10002 and 10003, the quantization DCT coefficients of Y or Cb/Cr components have values between 0 and 32.
Accordingly, the DC component of the quantization DCT coefficient can be represented by 6 bits (no sign) and the AC component can be represented by 5 bits (no sign).
Further, among the quantization DCT coefficient 10041, 10042, 10043 obtained by the quantization processing, several coefficients are selected from a low frequency component side (step S10405). In case of FIG. 4, as an example, six coefficients are selected regarding the Y component coefficients and three coefficients are selected regarding each of the Cb/Cr component coefficients. The selection of the coefficients is actually realized by re-placing coefficients arranged 8×8 two-dimensional pattern into coefficients arranged in a one-dimensional pattern by means of a zigzag scan shown in FIG. 1 and selecting several leading coefficients from the one-dimensional pattern. The reference numeral 10101 in FIG. 5 shows the zigzag scan. Numbers from 1 to 64 written in blocks of the scan 10101 represent orders (from a leading order (1)) of the related coefficients after they were re-placed into the one-dimensional pattern.
Lastly, several coefficients are picked up from a low frequency component side. According to [VWD 4.0], the number of coefficients picked up here is 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, 28 or 64. Further, although the number of the Cb component coefficients is the same as that of the Cr component coefficients, the number of the Y component coefficients may be differentiated from the number of the Cb/Cr component coefficients. According to [VWD 4.0], regarding default, six Y component coefficients and three Cb/Cr component coefficients are selected. In FIG. 4, as an example, six Y component coefficients (10051) and three Cb/Cr component coefficients (10052, 10053) are selected as coefficients in the default.
The selected coefficients 10051, 10052, 10053 are used as characteristic data of the original image 10001, i.e., Color Layout descriptor data.
Further, according to [VWD 4.0], the Color Layout descriptor is stored in a form of a binary structure as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7. In the structure 10201 of FIG. 6 and the structure 10301 of FIG. 7, each square block represents one bit. Further, in the structures 10201, 10301, although items are written in partition from field to field for the convenience of explanation, actually, the items are continuously stored in an order as shown by the broken lines in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.
FIG. 6 is a view showing the binary structure when Color Layout descriptor is default, i.e., when the number of Y quantization DCT coefficients is six and the number of Cb/Cr quantization DCT coefficients is three. In this case, "0" is stored in a leading extension flag. Following to this, six Y quantization DCT coefficients, three Cb quantization DCT coefficients and three Cr quantization DCT coefficients are stored in order. As mentioned above, as a result of quantization, regarding the quantization DCT coefficient, since the DC component can be represented by 6 bits (no sign) and the AC component can be represented by 5 bits (no sign), the DC component is stored in a 6-bits area and the AC component is stored in a 5-bits area.
On the other hand, FIG. 7 is a view showing the binary structure when Color Layout descriptor is not default. In this case, "1" is stored in a leading extension flag. This is followed by two 3-bits areas. These 3-bits areas are used for representing the number of Y quantization DCT coefficients and the number of Cb/Cr quantization DCT coefficients, respectively.
TABLE 10001Bit pattern for coefficient designating field and meaning thereofNumber of quantizationBit patternDCT coefficients0001001301060111010015101211102811164
Following to these two 3-bits coefficient designating fields, Y, Cb and Cr quantization DCT coefficients are stored in order. The numbers of the Y, Cb and Cr coefficients are the numbers of coefficients designated by the above-mentioned coefficient designating fields. In 10301 of FIG. 7, as an example, the number of Y quantization DCT coefficients is six and the number of Cb/Cr quantization DCT coefficients is six.
Further, according to [VXM 7.0], similarity between the characteristic data is calculated the following equation. For example, similarity D between two Color Layout descriptors, i.e., CLD1 (Y Coeff, Cb Coeff, Cr Coeff) and CLD2 (Y Coeff′, Cb Coeff′, Cr Coeff′) is calculated by the following equation 10001:
  D  =                              ∑                      i            =            0                                              Max              (              NumberOfYCoeff                                                                        )                        -            1                                                                      λ              Yi                                                  (                                                YCoeff                                                        [                    i                    ]                                                  -                                                      YCoeff                                                                                ′                                                                                [                    i                    ]                                                              )                                2                      +                            ∑                      i            =            0                                              Max              (              NumberOfYCCoeff                                                                        )                        -            1                                                                      λ              Cbi                                                  (                                                CbCoeff                                                        [                    i                    ]                                                  -                                                      CbYCoeff                                                                                ′                                                                                [                    i                    ]                                                              )                                2                      +                            ∑                      i            =            0                                              Max              (              NumberOfYCCoeff                                                                        )                        -            1                                                                      λ              Cri                                                  (                                                CrCoeff                                                        [                    i                    ]                                                  -                                                      CrCoeff                                                                                ′                                                                                [                    i                    ]                                                              )                                2
In the above equation 10001 for calculating Color Layout descriptor, λ is weighting regarding the respective coefficients, and, in [VXM 7.0], weighting values shown in the following Table 10002 are described:
TABLE 10002Weighting values in equation 10001Order of coefficient123456Y222111Cb211Cr422
Further, if the numbers of coefficients included in two descriptors are different, the equation 10001 is applied to the fewer number, or value "16" is supplemented to the deficient number and the equation 10001 is applied to the higher number.
Regarding the selection of the numbers of quantization DCT coefficients included in Color Layout descriptor, in case of default, six is selected for Y and three is selected for Cb/Cr. Normally, it was required that such a coefficient selecting method is uniformly determined in a system by predetermining it by the system or is designated by the user case by case.
However, the default coefficient selecting method is not always all-around and is not sufficient to represent characteristics of all of images. If insufficient, searching accuracy of the entire searching system will be subjected to a bad influence.
On the other hand, to avoid this, it is considered that selection of coefficients is effected to obtain more coefficient data or all coefficient data are held. In this case, however, a characteristic amount data size naturally becomes bulky. This may lead to an undesirable case in which the number of images to be treated increased greatly or data capacity is severely limited by a storing area or a communication path.
Accordingly, in order to efficiently utilize Color Layout descriptor without affecting a bad influence upon the searching accuracy, the number of quantization DCT coefficients held for each image must be determined suitably.

Selection of coefficients for quantization processing based on whether an original image is a still image or a moving image


A laundry drier is provided. The laundry drier includes a base, a drying drum, a front cover, a back cover, a top cover, and side covers. The base includes an air passage in the inside of the base, and at least one discharge port for discharging air that has flowed into the air passage. The drying drum is provided above the base and receives the laundry. The front cover is mounted in front of the drying drum, and the back cover is mounted in the rear side of the drying drum. The top cover is mounted above the drying drum, and the side covers are mounted in the lateral sides of the drying drum and have at least two discharge holes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a drier, and more particularly, to a laundry drier capable of reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying an assembling process by allowing one side cabinet to be compatibly used for a left cabinet and a right cabinet, simultaneously.
2. Description of the Related Art
A drum drier is an electronic appliance for receiving wet laundry in the inside of a drying drum and drying the laundry by circulating dry air in the inside of the drying drum.
In detail, the drum dryer is classified into a condensing drier that dries the laundry received in a drying drum by circulating air between the drying drum and a heater, and an exhaust drier where air flows into the drier, and is heated by a heater, flows into a drying drum to dry the laundry, and is then discharged to the outside.
In more detail, in the case of the exhaust drier, air heated while passing through the heater flows into the drying drum and fluff contained in the air is filtered while the air that has flowed into the drying drum passes through a lint filter mounted in front of the drying drum. Also, the air that has passed through the lint filter is discharged to an indoor along an exhaust duct formed in the lower end of the drier.
A related art laundry drier includes a cabinet mounted on its exterior in order to make an appearance elegant and protect the drying drum and various parts mounted in the inside of the drier. In detail, the cabinet includes a front cover and a back cover mounted in the front and back sides of the drying drum, respectively, to support the drying drum, and side covers mounted in both lateral sides of the drying drum. Also, a discharge port is formed in a predetermined location in the inside of the side covers to discharge humid air that has passed through the drying drum to an indoor. Also, the discharge port may be generally formed in the lower rear side of the side covers.
However, since a side cover mounted in a related art laundry drier is formed to have only one discharge port in the lower rear end of the side cover, a left side cover and a right side cover should be manufactured separately. For example, when the right side cover having a discharge port in the lower rear end is mounted in the left side, the discharge port is positioned at the lower front end, which does not match with a discharge port formed in the lateral side of a base.
Therefore, since the left and right side covers should be separately manufactured, manufacturing costs increase.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A photodetector is described. The photodetector is comprised of a substrate, a first n-type III-V compound semiconductor layer located on the substrate, an n++-type III-V compound semiconductor layer located on a first portion of the first n-type III-V compound semiconductor layer with a second portion of the first n-type III-V compound semiconductor layer exposed, a p-type III-V compound semiconductor layer located on the n++-type compound semiconductor layer, an undoped III-V compound semiconductor layer located on the p-type III-V compound semiconductor layer, a second n-type III-V compound semiconductor layer located on the undoped III-V compound semiconductor layer, a conductive transparent oxide layer located on the second n-type III-V compound semiconductor layer, a first electrode located on a portion of the conductive transparent oxide layer, and a second electrode located on a portion of the second portion of the first n-type III-V compound semiconductor layer.

In general, in the application of an ultraviolet photodetector, while light is incident on to a p-type semiconductor layer, an undoped absorption layer and an n-type semiconductor layer of the photodetector, by means of particular bandgaps of these layers, incident photons with energy larger than the bandgap of the undoped absorption layer are absorbed by the undoped absorption layer, so that electron-hole pairs are induced within the absorption layer. Now, after a voltage is applied to the photodetector, these electron-hole pairs are driven and generate current. Therefore, an incident light can be detected by using the aforementioned theorem.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional photodetector. The photodetector constructed on the substrate 100, which is composed of sapphire, comprises the substrate 100, a nucleation layer 102, an n-type buffer layer 104, an undoped absorption layer 106, a p-type contact layer 108, a semi-transparent metal layer 110, a p-type electrode 112 and an n-type electrode 114. In the photodetector structure, the nucleation layer 102 is located on the substrate 100, the n-type buffer layer 104 is located on the nucleation layer 102, the undoped absorption layer 106 is located on a portion of the n-type buffer layer 104, the p-type contact layer 108 is located on the undoped absorption layer 106, the semi-transparent metal layer 110 is located on the p-type contact layer 108, the p-type electrode 112 is located on a portion of the semi-transparent metal layer 110 and the n-type electrode 114 is located on a portion of the n-type buffer layer 104 which is not covered by the undoped absorption layer 106. Typically, the nucleation layer 102 is composed of AlxInyGa1-x-yN, the n-type buffer layer 104 is composed of AlxInyGa1-x-yN, the undoped absorption layer 106 is composed of AlxInyGa1-x-yN, the p-type contact layer 108 is composed of p-type doped AlxInyGa1-x-yN, the semi-transparency metal layer 110 is composed of a Ni/Au stacked structure, the p-type electrode 112 is composed of a Ti/Au stacked structure and the n-type electrode 114 is composed of a Ti/Al/Ti/Au stacked structure.
When the photodetector is used to detect the incident light 116, the incident light 116 penetrates the photodetector from the p-type contact layer 108 toward the undoped absorption layer 106 and the n-type buffer layer 104. The aluminum content of the p-type contact layer 108 needs to be enhanced to increase the bandgap of the p-type contact layer 108 for the photodetector used to detect ultraviolet of high energy. However, the increase of the aluminum content in the p-type contact layer 108 reduces the conductivity of the p-type contact layer 108 and the activation efficiency of the p-type dopants, so that it is difficult to form the p-type contact layer 108 with high carrier concentration, resulting in high-resistivity p-type electrode contact 110. The semi-transparent metal layer 110 needs to be formed on a material layer with low resistivity, i.e. high hole concentration. Accordingly, while the p-type contact layer 108 has higher resistivity, the semi-transparent metal layer 110 does not have a good ohmic contact with the p-type contact layer 108, thereby degrading the performance of the photodetector. Furthermore, a portion of the electric field may be across the p-type contact layer 108 resulting from the higher resistivity of the p-type contact layer 108, thereby reducing the detecting performance of the device.
Presently, in order to solve the problem of the poor doping efficiency of the p-type semiconductor layer in the aforementioned photodetector, another photodetector is provided, such as that illustrated in FIG. 2. In the fabrication of the photodetector, a nucleation layer 202 is formed on a substrate 200, and an n-type buffer layer 204 is formed on the nucleation layer 202. Next, an undoped absorption layer 206 is formed on the n-type buffer layer 204, and a p-type contact layer 208 is formed on the undoped absorption layer 206. Then, a portion of the p-type contact layer 208 and a portion of the undoped absorption layer 206 are removed by a photolithography and etching method until a portion of the n-type buffer layer 204 is exposed. A semi-transparent metal layer 210 is formed on the p-type contact layer 208. Subsequently, a p-type electrode 212 is formed on a portion of the semi-transparent metal layer 210, and the n-type electrode 214 is formed on a portion of the exposed portion of the n-type buffer layer 204. Then, the substrate and the epitaxial layers formed thereon are inversed by a flip-chip configuration. The substrate 200 is composed of sapphire, the nucleation layer 202 is composed of AlxInyGa1-x-yN, the n-type buffer layer 204 is composed of n-type doped AlxInyGa1-x-yN, the undoped absorption layer 206 is composed of undoped AlxInyGa1-x-yN, the p-type contact layer 208 is composed of p-type doped AlaInbGa1-a-bN (x>a≧0; y≧0; b≧0), the semi-transparent metal layer 210 is composed of a Ni/Au stacked structure, and the p-type electrode 212 and the n-type electrode 214 are both composed of a Ti/Al/Ti/Au stacked structure.
When the photodetector is used to detect the incident light 216, the incident light 216 penetrates the photodetector from the substrate 200 toward the nucleation layer 202, the n-type buffer layer 204 and the undoped absorption layer 206. The n-type contact layer 204 has higher aluminum content, and it is very easy to obtain the n-type buffer layer 204 with high carrier concentration, i.e. with low resistivity, so the n-type buffer layer 204 can achieve good ohmic contact with the n-type electrode 214 formed thereon. Additionally, the incident light 216 is transmitted from the n-type buffer layer 204 to the undoped absorption layer 206, and the bandgap of the p-type contact layer 208 does not have to be higher than that of the undoped absorption layer 206, so the aluminum content of the p-type contact layer 208 does not need to be too high, and it is easy to form the p-type contact layer 208 having a low ohmic contact with the semi-transparent metal layer 210 (the semi-transparent metal layer 210 can be made of a Ni/Au stacked structure).
However, in the fabrication, after the various layers of the photodetector are formed, a flip-chip step has to be performed to inverse the substrate 200 and the layers formed thereon, so as to put the n-type buffer layer 204 above the undoped absorption layer 206, such that the incident light 216 enters the undoped absorption layer 206 from the n-type buffer layer 204 for detecting the incident light 216. Such a flip-chip step complicates the process, reducing the process yield.


A controller for a power stage may adaptively control power switches to improve the efficiency of power consumption by the power stage and detect continuous conduction mode (“CCM”) and discontinuous conduction mode (“DCM”) operations of the power stage without instantaneous or cycle by cycle sensing and sampling of the output inductor current. Additionally, the controller may be used to facilitate the estimation of output inductor value, the peak inductor current value, and other information on converter operations.

1. Field
This disclosure relates generally to power delivery technologies in an electronic system, and more specifically but not exclusively, to controllers for power converters in an electronic system.
2. Description
As Integrated Circuits ("ICs") (e.g., Digital Signal Processors ("DSPs")) Circuits) in a computing platform become more power efficient, it is naturally desirable that a voltage regulator ("VR") or a power delivery subsystem for such ICs becomes more energy efficient during power conversion at all load levels including light loads. Variable switching frequency combined with Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) is used to improve converter efficiency at light loads. Such schemes may result in improved light load efficiency with no impact on high load efficiency but sometimes at the expense of degraded performance in terms of steady-state voltage ripple and dynamics. Other schemes such as non-linear control schemes are also proposed to meet the demand on performances while improving light load efficiency, but require additional detection of the peak inductor current in DCM.
Typically, a digital controller is used to control power delivery subsystem and to interface with ICs and other components in a digital system. A digital controller has advantages for being flexible and generally resulting in higher power conversion efficiency at all loads levels than an analog controller. For a typical digital controller to perform well, however, it requires the detection of DCM, which further requires sensing the output inductor current and detecting the zero-crossing point of the output inductor current. To accurately detect the zero-crossing point of the output inductor current, the output inductor current needs to be sampled at a high sampling rate, to be converted to the digital form, and to be compared with zero. This means high speed sampling, high resolution analog-to-digital conversion ("ADC"), and high speed comparison are required. All of these result in an increase in power consumption, and in the size and cost of the power delivery subsystem and the entire system. Moreover, the switching noise, which is introduced at instances of turning on and off of the converter switches (when the zero crossing and peak of inductor current occurs), makes it more difficult to detect the zero-crossing point of the output inductor current. Furthermore, the addition of the sensing circuit for the output inductor current may impact the accuracy of the sensed and sampled values of the output inductor current and may in turn impact the operation accuracy of the digital power converter.

Adaptive controller with mode tracking and parametric estimation for digital power converters


The invention relates to a process for producing a hydrogen-rich stream from a hydrogen-depleted stream. More particularly, the invention relates to a hydrocarbon synthesis process, by way of example, a Fischer Tropsch process, from which both hydrocarbons and high purity hydrogen are obtained. The process comprises contacting the hydrogen-depleted stream with a reverse-selective membrane to provide a CO2-enriched permeate and a hydrogen-containing retentate. The high purity hydrogen is produced from the hydrogen-containing retentate. The high purity hydrogen thus obtained may be used in a process selected from the group consisting of upgrading hydrocarbons produced from the hydrocarbon synthesis process, hydrotreating a natural gas stream, recycling to the hydrocarbon synthesis reaction unit, high purity hydrogen production, catalyst rejuvenation, and combinations thereof.

There are many processes known in the art for converting hydrocarbon sources such as natural gas, coal, coke, into more valuable hydrocarbon products. A typical conversion process involves first converting the hydrocarbon source into synthesis or syngas gas, which is a mixture of water, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen. If the hydrocarbon source is natural gas, a catalytic reforming reaction is utilized to make syngas. If the source is residual oil or a solid feed, partial oxidation or gasification is used. The syngas then may be used as a feedstock for producing a wide range of chemicals, including combustible liquid fuels, methanol, ammonia, acetic acid, dimethyl ether, oxo alcohols, and isocyanates.
Remote natural gas assets can be converted into conventional transportation fuels, chemical feedstocks, and lubricants via the initial production of syngas. The Fischer Tropsch process is the conventional route to convert the syngas into transportation fuels and lubricants. Alternatively, natural gas may be converted into syngas followed by methanol synthesis with the methanol utilized to produce a wide variety of chemicals.
In particular, a Fischer Tropsch synthesis reaction may be used to synthesize higher molecular weight hydrocarbon products from synthesis gas. In Fischer Tropsch synthesis reactions, synthesis gas is converted to hydrocarbons by contact with a Fischer Tropsch catalyst under reactive conditions. The products from a Fischer Tropsch process may range from C1 to C200+ with a majority in the C5-C100+ range. The Fischer Tropsch synthesis reaction can be conducted in a variety of reactor types including, for example, fixed bed reactors containing one or more catalyst beds, slurry reactors, fluidized bed reactors, or a combination of different type reactors.
Similarly, methanol can be produced from a wide range of hydrocarbon feedstocks by initially converting the feedstock into synthesis gas by reforming or gasification. Methanol synthesis can then be achieved via a catalytically-enhanced reaction.
Hydrocarbon synthesis processes typically require a source of hydrogen gas for use in the process. By way of example, natural gas feeds to the synthesis gas generator may require hydrotreating prior to introduction into the synthesis gas generator. In addition, Fischer Tropsch products, while they are highly paraffinic, are typically upgraded by one or more hydroconversion processes to provide more valuable products. Examples of hydroconversion processes include hydrotreating, hydrocracking, hydroisomerization, and hydrofinishing. In these hydroconversion/hydrotreating processes, expensive hydrogen gas is consumed.
Conventional sources of hydrogen gas are expensive. The hydrogen gas may be obtained from a conventional steam methane reformer; however, the equipment is expensive and the process requires a natural gas feed, which instead could be used to generate additional syngas and ultimately more valuable higher molecular weight products. Hydrocarbon synthesis processes generate gas streams comprising low concentrations of hydrogen. However, the hydrogen is in such low concentrations that typically, these gas streams are sent to fuel gas systems.
As hydrocarbon synthesis processes require hydrogen gas and typical sources for hydrogen gas are expensive, there have been attempts to develop more economical and efficient sources of hydrogen gas for use in these hydrocarbon synthesis processes. By way of example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,043,288 and 6,103,773 and WO 02/051744 describe processes for producing hydrogen from a synthesis gas feed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,551 describes a process for the separation of H2-rich gas from the effluent from a hydroconversion zone and U.S. Pat. No. 6,147,126 describes processes for using the H2-rich tail gas from a hydroconversion process for at least one of (i) hydrocarbon synthesis reaction catalyst rejuvenation, (ii) the hydrocarbon synthesis, and (iii) hydrogen production. U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,005 describes using a hydrogen containing tail gas from a hydrocarbon synthesis reactor as a hydrogen containing catalyst rejuvenating gas. If CO is present in the hydrogen containing tail gas, the CO content is less than 10 mole % of the gas and the H2 to CO mole ratio is greater than 3:1.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an economical and efficient source of hydrogen gas. As such, there is a need in the art for processes for providing high purity hydrogen gas from gas streams comprising low concentrations of hydrogen. In addition, there is a need in the art for a hydrocarbon synthesis process in which the hydrogen required for hydrotreating the natural gas feed and/or upgrading the products is economically and efficiently provided from the hydrocarbon synthesis process itself such that the use of hydrogen from an outside source is minimized. This invention provides such processes.

Hydrogen recovery from hydrocarbon synthesis processes


A variable displacement compressor used in air conditioners is provided with a tilting swash plate to vary its displacement. A drive shaft extends through a boss of the swash plate. A hole is defined in the boss by a pair of intersecting conical walls. The position of the swash plate is restricted by the contact between the walls of the hole and the drive shaft. The walls of the hole also allow the swash plate to incline without interference. A bearing element is arranged at a central angled section defined in the walls of the hole. The bearing element is located at a position that is opposite from a hinge mechanism with respect to the drive shaft. A concave seat is provided in the boss at this position to receive the bearing element. The bearing element includes a cylindrical surface engaging the outer surface of the drive shaft.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to compressors used in air-conditioners, and more particularly, to variable displacement compressors that employ swash plates to vary their displacement.
2. Description of the Related Art
A variable displacement compressor is a compressor provided with a structure that enables its displacement to be varied. A swash plate compressor is one type of variable displacement compressor. A typical swash plate compressor includes a drive shaft, a swash plate, and pistons. The swash plate (including a structure that couples the swash plate to a lug plate) is mounted on the drive shaft and supported so as to rotate integrally with the shaft. The pistons are accommodated in cylinder bores and coupled to the swash plate. The rotation of the swash plate is converted to linear reciprocation of the pistons. The reciprocation of the pistons compresses fluid that is drawn into the cylinder bores. The inclination of the swash plate with respect to the drive shaft changes the reciprocating stroke of the pistons and thus varies the compressor displacement.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 62-87678 describes one type of swash plate compressor. In this compressor, the structure connecting the swash plate to the drive shaft is simplified. As shown in FIG. 8, a swash plate 60 has a boss 60a. The wall of a hole 62 extending through the boss 60a includes a rounded surface 62a. The swash plate 60 is installed on the drive shaft 61 by inserting the shaft 61 through the hole 62. The radial position of the swash plate 60 is restricted by the sectional contact between the wall of the hole 62 and the drive shaft 61. The rounded surface 62a in the wall of the hole 62 allows the swash plate 60 to incline. This compressor is characterized by the hole 62, which substitutes for sliders and pins that were used in the prior art to incline the swash plate 60 within a predetermined range. The contact between the rounded surface 62a of the hole 62 and the drive shaft 61 guides the inclining of the swash plate 60 and restricts the inclination within the predetermined range. Pistons 63 are coupled to the swash plate 60 and are reciprocated in associated cylinder bores 64. The reciprocation of each piston 63 compresses fluid that is drawn into each associated bore 64.
In the compressor described in the above publication, the compression reaction of the pistons produces a moment that acts on the swash plate 60. A hinge mechanism 67 constituted by an elongated hole 65 and a pin 66 is provided to carry the moment together with the rounded surface 62a, which contacts the drive shaft 61. However, as the inclination of the swash plate 60 is altered, the contact point between the rounded surface 62a and the drive shaft 61 is axially displaced within a predetermined range. The displacement defines a line of contact between the rounded surface 62a and the drive shaft 61. The stress applied between the rounded surface 62a and the drive shaft 61 along the line of contact is relatively great. In addition, the range of the line of contact is relatively long and the contact at each point is repeated limitlessly. This causes wear between the rounded surface 62a and the drive shaft 61. The wear may hinder the precise and smooth inclining of the swash plate 60.

Compressor with bearing between the drive shaft and the swash-plate boss

Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho


An image forming apparatus may include an image forming mechanism configured to form an image and transfer the image on a sheet member, and/or a sheet processing unit. The sheet processing unit may include a sheet aligning unit, an ejection sheet tray configured to stack the sheet member, a sheet stopper configured to align the sheet member at a trailing edge thereof, a return mechanism configured to return the sheet member stacked on the ejection sheet tray to the sheet stopper, and/or a discharging mechanism configured to discharge the sheet member, aligned by the return mechanism, from the sheet stopper to the ejection sheet tray. The sheet aligning unit may include a stacking mechanism configured to stack the sheet member transferred into the sheet aligning unit and/or a sheet aligning mechanism configured to align the sheet member.

1. Field
Example embodiments generally relate to an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing unit, for example, to an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing unit capable of aligning a sheet.
2. Discussion of the Background
In general, a related-art image forming apparatus, for example, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, etc., employing an electrophotographic method may form and develop an electrostatic latent image with toner and transfer the developed image onto a recording sheet. Such a related-art image forming apparatus may store a plurality of recording sheets, transport them one by one to an image transfer area, and eject the image-transferred recording sheet. Thus, a plurality of recording sheets may be randomly or regularly ejected and stacked at a specific stacking place in a related-art image forming apparatus. As would be expected, the edges of the recording sheets are not aligned.
A related art image forming apparatus may include a sheet processing unit for performing jogging, stapling, and/or punching, relative to the output sheets. With such a sheet processing unit, the recording sheets stacked at the specific stacking place may be jogged, staples, and/or punched, depending on user instructions.
However, the functions of jogging, stapling, and/or punching may not be needed and may be used only on an as needed basis. In some cases, these functions may never be used at a user site. In such a case, the sheet processing unit itself is a relatively large and expensive unit that may be unnecessary.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a related-art mechanism to perform the jogging function, and illustrates a malfunction in the related-art image forming apparatus. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the sheet processing unit may include a sheet jogging tray 101 provided with a pusher paddle 102a, a sheet jogging plate 102b, and/or a loading surface 104. On the loading surface 104 of the sheet jogging tray 101, a recording sheet 103 may be discharged. When the recording sheet 103 is discharged on the sheet jogging tray 101, the pusher paddle 102a may push the recording sheet 103. An edge of the recording sheet 103 may contact the jogging plate 102b facing the pusher paddle 102a, and the recording sheet 103 may be aligned.
However, a side of the recording sheet 103 may be curled after an image fixing process in the electrographic method as illustrated in FIG. 1. In such a case, the curled region may absorb the force of the pusher paddle 102a. Therefore, the recording sheet 103 may not be aligned.

Image forming apparatus including sheet processing unit capable of aligning sheets


An apparatus and method for converting exhaust gases to innocuous products is disclosed. Exhaust gas is conveyed by a first conduit to, and passed through a first multicellular unit in which a portion of the cells are catalyzed with a first catalyst for reacting at least a portion of the NO.sub.x to ammonia, and thereafter the resulting modified mixture only is conveyed by a second conduit from the first unit and to a second multicellular unit to react the ammonia and the remaining NO.sub.x to produce innocuous products. The second conduit is connected only to the first and second units. The passage of the exhaust gas through the units results in conversion of NO.sub.x, CO, and hydrocarbons to innocuous products.

Mixtures of oxides of nitrogen, commonly called NO.sub.x gases are generated as by-products in combustion processes such as in automotive engines or in fossil fuel power plants. These oxides are hazardous to health and the environment as they produce acid rain.
Up to the present time NO.sub.x emissions in automotive and stationary power plants have been controlled by reducing them to nitrogen by a three way catalyst (TWC) such as Pt and/or Pd+Rh!/CeO.sub.2 --Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) using a catalyst such as V.sub.2 O.sub.5 /TiO.sub.2 or Fe,Cu,etc!-Zeolite respectively.
In a low oxygen content system, rhodium (Rh) selectively reduces NO.sub.x to N.sub.2 in stoichiometric ratio, that is, in a ratio of reducing agents to oxidizing agents of about 1, whereas Pt catalyzes the reduction of NO.sub.x to ammonia. This is an undesirable product so that even though platinum is used in automotive catalysts, enough Rh must be present to catalyze reduction to N.sub.2. In SCR reactions an external ammonia source is needed to reduce NO.sub.x to N.sub.2 over vanadia or zeolite catalysts. Thus it has been impossible to use SCR catalysts and reactions in automotive exhaust cleaning up to now because supplying NH.sub.3 in precise amounts is difficult and impractical.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,767,764 relates to a method for converting hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides in auto exhaust gases to innocuous entities which comprises contacting the gases from half of the engine cylinders with a catalyst specific for reducing nitrogen oxides to ammonia in a first catalytic converter, mixing the portion with air to provide a net oxidizing atmosphere and with the balance of the exhaust gases and contacting the mixture with an oxidation catalyst in a second catalytic converter to convert the hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides to innocuous entities.
It would be highly desirable, therefore, to have a catalyst system which would be able to catalyze reactions of combustion exhaust gases efficiently and economically without rhodium and without having to supply external ammonia or oxygen thereto.


There is disclosed an antenna device including: a metal portion which has a surface; and a coil section which is provided above the surface of the metal portion and has an opening portion. Here, a surface of the coil section in which the opening portion is formed is approximately perpendicular to the surface of the metal portion, and the coil section is disposed in the vicinity of an edge of the metal portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a communication apparatus which performs communication with a wireless communication medium such as RF-ID, that is, an IC card or an IC tag.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, there has been proposed a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone which is provided with an RF-ID wireless tag or has a function of reading a non-contact IC card or IC tag. Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4325621, a communication apparatus which employs an antenna device in which a coil axis of an antenna is perpendicular to a substrate has been widely used.
However, in the structure in which the coil axis is perpendicular to the substrate as in Japanese Patent No. 4325621, as will be described later, it is possible to read information when a non-contact IC card, for example, is disposed directly above the antenna device while being parallel to the substrate, but it is difficult to read information in other directions. That is, if the coil axis is perpendicular to a metal portion which is the substrate, magnetic lines flow one way approximately directly above a loop of the antenna. As a result, one-way magnetic lines are exerted to the non-contact IC card, and thus electric current is generated in the non-contact IC card. Thus, communication is performed between the mobile terminal and the non-contact IC card. However, in a direction other than the direction in which the non-contact IC card is disposed directly above the loop of the antenna, in particular, in a direction in which the non-contact IC card is disposed approximately directly across the loop of the antenna, magnetic lines which direct to the outside from the antenna side and magnetic lines which direct to the antenna side from the outside are generated. Thus, if the non-contact IC card is disposed approximately across the loop of the antenna while being approximately perpendicular to the metal portion, the magnetic lines in the opposite directions are generated to the non-contact IC card to then be canceled out. As a result, electric current cannot be generated in the non-contact IC card, and thus communication cannot be performed between the mobile terminal and the non-contact IC card.

Antenna device and communication apparatus including the same

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.


The invention relates to a pressure sensor capable of measuring pressure accurately, and more particularly, to a pressure sensor comprising a box-shaped magnet, optionally having an inclined upper surface with a right side portion protruding higher than a left side portion, wherein the magnet is configured to radiate linear magnetic flux density in response to a change in distance along a straight line spaced uniformly apart from an N or S pole surface, whereby the pressure sensor can accurately detect a displacement in distance (position) and thus a pressure difference based on the displacement. The pressure sensor further includes a pipe connecting negative and positive pressures, a diaphragm movable in response to a difference between negative and positive pressures, a diaphragm support attached to a side of the diaphragm, a magnet attached to the diaphragm support to radiate linear magnetic flux density, a spring supporting the magnet, and the diaphragm and upper and lower cases housing these components.

Prior to describing pressure sensors, the general characteristics of magnets used herein will be explained first.
Magnets are made of a material having a magnetic force for attracting iron powder. A strong, industrially fabricated magnet is referred to as a permanent magnet, and is also referred to in brief simply as a magnet.
Iron powder placed beside the magnet is attracted to the magnet. The space under the influence of this magnetic force is referred to as a magnetic field. In other words, the magnet can be understood to produce the magnetic field. The shape of the magnetic field can be displayed using a pattern of iron powder. When iron powder is uniformly scattered on a thick sheet of white paper placed on the magnet, the lines of magnetic force are observed in a specific pattern. The needle of a small compass placed along one of the lines of magnetic force is oriented according to the direction of the line of magnetic force from the N pole to the S pole.
The magnitude of the force between the two poles is determined according to Coulomb's law, that is, it is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the poles but proportional to the strength of the magnetic poles. Since the magnetic poles are composed of a pair of N and S poles having the same strength, the magnetic moment is considered a more essential physical quantity than the strength of the magnetic poles. The magnetic moment is expressed as a vector directed from the S pole towards the N pole. The force calculated between two magnetic moments is proportional to the fourth power of the distance. Thus, the attractive force between two magnets is strong when the magnets are placed near each other, but quickly drops when the magnets are separated from each other.
Magnetization occurs when magnetic zones change properties of a structure, such as the shape, arrangement and orientation thereof. Once magnetized, the changed structure rarely changes its state or returns to its original state, owing to residual magnetization, even after a magnetic field has been completely removed. A material having residual magnetization to a great extent is referred to as a permanent magnet.
Magnetic flux is produced by integrating magnetic flux density or magnetic induction for a sectional area perpendicular to the direction thereof. The magnetic flux is expressed in maxwells (with the symbol Mx) in the CGS system or in webers (with the symbol Wb) in the MKS or SI system. As the magnetic flux passing through a coil changes according to time, voltage proportional to the rate of change is present at both ends of the coil (i.e., Electromagnetic induction of Faraday). This voltage is induced in the direction in which a magnetic field created by current interrupts any change in magnetic flux. This is called Lenz's Law. The magnetic flux is created by a permanent magnet or a current flowing through a coil.
Various types of sensors may be used according to methods for detecting a magnetic field. A Hall sensor is probably the best-known sensor. The Hall sensor is operated by an electric current applied to electrodes of a semiconductor device (Hall device). After the electric current is applied to the electrodes, a magnetic field is induced vertically to cause an electric potential in a direction perpendicular to both the current and the magnetic field.
The Hall sensor is the simplest distance-measuring device, using a permanent magnet and a detector for magnetic flux. The Hall sensor measures changes in magnetic flux density according to distance from the permanent magnet, and thus determines the distance based on the electric potential caused by the detector.
However, since the magnetic flux density generated by the permanent magnet is not linear according to distance, the Hall sensor should be equipped with a program or an electronic circuit for compensating for non-linearity in order to function as a more accurate distance-measuring device. In addition, many studies have been carried out to provide a structure capable of measuring linear magnetic flux density in order to compensate for the non-linear distribution of magnetic flux density according to distance. Such structures include several types of magnets and combinations thereof.
Recently, many types of non-contact distance-measuring devices have been developed in order to detect the absolute position of a body while measuring linear and angular displacement.
There are various types of non-contact distance-measuring devices. A device using a sliding register potentiometer is best known, but is not sufficiently reliable. An optical positioner is an optical sensor for reading optical ranges such as slits, but has a complicated structure. There is an approach of using a magnetic sensor to read magnetic sections on a magnetic medium, but this has a complicated structure and absolute position cannot be detected.
That is, only the distance between two points can be measured. The present invention aims to utilize a magnet having linear magnetic flux density, capable of detecting the absolute position of a body to be measured. By using the magnet having a very simple structure, a long measuring range and a high reliability, it is possible to measure distances more accurately using an inexpensive sensor without having to use a program or electronic circuit for compensating for non-linearity.
The present invention involves a pipe connecting negative and positive pressures, a diaphragm movable in response to the difference between negative and positive pressures, a diaphragm support attached to one side of the diaphragm, a magnet attached to the diaphragm support to radiate linear magnetic flux density, a spring supporting the magnet and the diaphragm, and upper and lower cases housing these components.
The term "pressure" indicates force acting on contact surfaces of two objects, in which the two objects contact and push each other in a direction perpendicular to the contact surfaces. The pressure may also be force acting inside a single object when internal parts push each other. In this case, both parts are considered to apply the force (stress) against each other on a single face inside the object. If the force is not perpendicular to the face, the force is divided into a component that is perpendicular to the face and another component that is parallel to the face, in which the force component that is perpendicular to the face is also referred to as pressure (pulling force is referred to as 'tension').
Since pressure uniformly acts on a face, the intensity of pressure applied to every point on the face is determined differently according to the area of the face even with the same total force (total pressure). When a force or pressure having a magnitude of P is applied uniformly on an object having a size of S, the intensity of pressure is defined by P/S. When an object is placed on a table, the intensity of pressure is generally different according to the position of a contact face. The intensity of pressure on each point of the contact face can be obtained from a minute area including the point. The intensity of pressure is also referred to simply as 'pressure'.
Several types of pressure sensors are currently used, and are selected according to the object to be measured.
The objects to be measured may be classified generally into fluids, solids and gases. A stress gauge is a representative pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of solid objects. However, a diaphragm is generally used to measure the pressure of fluid or gas, since the relative pressure of fluid or gas has to be measured.
The relative pressure can be measured based on the displacement of the diaphragm in combination with a spring, in which the diaphragm is displaced by a relative pressure difference.
The present invention relates to a sensor for measuring relative pressure using a diaphragm and a spring, which can be used variously to measure the pressure of fluid or gas.
The present invention provides an embodiment that is applicable to a boiler having a pressure sensor capable of measuring the flow rate of inflow air. Conventionally, an on/off type pressure sensor (wind pressure sensor) has been used to measure the air pressure (wind pressure) in a boiler. In the pressure sensor (wind pressure sensor), the pressure of air introduced by an air blower is transferred to the diaphragm of the sensor so that a micro-switch attached to the diaphragm switches on/off an electric circuit to regulate the rate of flow of air. However, since the pressure sensor is used at a fixed operating pressure, the pressure sensor is determined according to the type of the air blower.
In addition, the pressure sensor does not accurately measure the flow rate of inflow air. The pressure sensor can merely assist in increasing/decreasing the pressure (flow rate) of inflow air by regulating the rotating speed of the air blower according to the pressure of inflow air.
Various types of pressure sensors are used to detect the pressure of fluid, and several types of pressure sensors capable of detecting flow rate using flow pressure (differential pressure) have been proposed.
FIG. 1 shows a conventional pressure sensor for sensing water level, as disclosed in Korean Utility Registration No. 0119708. As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure sensor includes a body 100 having upper and lower covers 110 and 130 and a diaphragm 140 arranged inside the body 100. The pressure sensor detects the pressure in a hydraulic chamber 131 based on a change in the diaphragm 140, which is caused by a pressure change in the hydraulic chamber 131. The pressure sensor also has a light shielding member 200 configured to change its cross section in proportion to the change in the diaphragm 140 in order to control the amount of light passing through the light shielding member 200. A light emitting device, such as a Light Emitting Diode (210), and a phototransistor 220 are arranged on opposite sides of an elevating path of the light shielding member 200 relative to each other. A tubular body 150 having threads 151 in the inside wall is arranged in the upper cover 110, and a spring 160 having a predetermined elasticity is contained in the tubular body 150. The elasticity of the spring 160 is adjustable according to the upward/downward movement of a cover 170, which is screwed into the threads 151 in the inside wall of the tubular body 150. With this arrangement, the pressure in the hydraulic chamber 132 is detected based on the output voltage of the phototransistor 220, which is variable according to the quantity of light applied from the LED 210. Consequently, the pressure sensor can detect the water level based on a change in voltage, which is determined by a change in the quantity of light from an optical coupling device.
FIG. 2 shows another type of pressure sensor, disclosed in Korean Utility Registration No. 0273056. As shown in FIG. 2, the pressure sensor includes a housing member 10 which has a space 13 for fluid received and discharged through circulation ports 11a and 12a and a diaphragm 14 flexing upward and downward due to the elasticity of an elastic body in response to the pressure of fluid. The pressure sensor also has a permanent magnet 20 for moving upward and downward in an operating region in response to the diaphragm 14 and a sensor member 30 arranged adjacent to the operating region of the permanent magnet 20 to detect the magnetic force thereof. Using the sensor member 30, the pressure sensor can detect a change in the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 20, which moves precisely in response to changes in the pressure of the fluid, thereby more accurately measuring changes in the flow rate and/or the pressure of fluid.


An automobile fuel saver is composed of a container, a magnetic block, a plurality of nano far-infrared pellets and a cover, wherein the container is configured with an opening that enables a magnetic block and a plurality of the nano far-infrared pellets to be disposed into the container therethrough, and the cover is used to cover and seal the opening. Such a configuration enables a user to use connecting rods to respectively screw into screw holes defined in the cover to juxtapose and assemble a plurality of the fuel savers. The assembled composite structure of the fuel savers is disposed into a fuel tank to effectively improve automobile performance, decrease fuel consumption, and reduce exhaust discharge while simultaneously increasing horsepower and torsion.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a structure of an automobile fuel saver and a juxtaposed composite configuration thereof, in which a fuel saver dropped into a fuel tank is able to firmly attach to the bottom of the fuel tank. Moreover, a plurality of the fuel savers can be mutually assembled together according to the frequency of displacement of the automobile by the user, thereby providing effectiveness to improve automobile performance, including increase of horsepower and torsion, and decrease of fuel consumption and waste gas discharge.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
Automobiles have become extremely convenient means of transport that utilize a fuel engine adopting petroleum refined products as the power unit for driving purposes, wherewith fuel is caused to enter the engine, whereupon a fuel and air mixture undergoes atomization and then ignition or compression explosion to produce energy for motion. However, incomplete combustion of the liquid fuel often results in carbon deposition formed on the inner walls of the cylinders, and once an excessive amount of carbon deposition has formed on the inner walls of the cylinders, incomplete combustion results in discharge of exhaust gas containing an excessive amount of suspended particles, causing environmental pollution, which also affects engine output energy effectiveness, and produces serious abrasion in the engine. Numerous methods are currently adopted to solve such problems, such as addition of a combustion improver, or the use of decarbonizing agents, and so on. However, among the multitudinous fuel saver devices, far-infrared fuel savers have received the most attention.
Regarding method of application, the majority of known far-infrared fuel savers in the current market may be roughly divided into two types, one type fixes the fuel saver on the intake pipe, and the penetrating power of the far-infrared rays emanating from the fuel saver is used to disseminate the far-infrared rays to the liquid fuel in the intake pipe and micronize molecules in the fuel, thereby enabling a more complete combustion of the liquid fuel, and thus preventing carbon deposition from occurring. The other type involves dropping the fuel saver directly into the fuel tank, thereby enabling the fuel saver to function directly on the fuel in the fuel tank, and thus improve activation of the fuel molecules.
However, regarding the two aforementioned methods of application, the second type provides better effectiveness in use, and is better able to effectively improve automobile performance, decrease oil consumption, reduce discharge of exhaust gas and, furthermore, strengthen horsepower and torsion effectiveness. However, this method drops the fuel saver directly into the fuel tank, and because fuel-tank capacity varies depending on vehicle type, thus the efficiency produced by the fuel saver is affected. Hence, there is a need for improvement so as to accommodate various vehicle models and user requirements.
Furthermore, while automobile engine models vary, taking a small passenger car as example, a relatively small fuel tank is sufficient for small cylinders to cope with long distance travel, whereas the fuel tank of a general truck or bus is relatively large, and thus there is the necessity for a structural series connection of fuel savers. Accordingly, structure of a fuel saver proposed in the present invention enables assembly of a composite structure of a plurality of fuel savers.