Here is provided a process capable of efficiently carrying out a gas-phase dehydration reaction comprising contacting a raw material gas with a solid oxide catalyst containing an alkali metal element to allow reaction to progress by inhibiting decomposition of the raw material and the objective product. This process comprises using a sintered oxide comprising an alkali metal element and silica and/or alumina as a loading material for preheating of the raw material gas and/or as a supporting material for fixation of the position of the catalyst.

This invention relates to a gas-phase dehydration reaction process of a hydroxyl group-containing compound. More detailedly, the invention relates to an improvement in a gas-phase dehydration reaction process of a hydroxyl group-containing compound using a solid oxide catalyst containing an alkali metal element.
Known as examples of a process of carrying out gas-phase dehydration reaction of a hydroxyl group-containing compound using a solid oxide catalyst containing an alkali metal element are a process of preparing a cyclic amine by gas-phase intermolecular dehydration of an alkanolamine (Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 126556/88, etc.), a process of preparing an unsaturated ether by gas-phase intermolecular dehydration of a glycol ether (Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 143497/96, etc.), a process of preparing an N-alkenylcarboxylic acid amide by gas-phase intermolecular dehydration of a tertiary N-(2-hydroxyalkyl)carboxylic acid amide (Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 141402/96, etc.), a process of preparing an alkylene sulfide by gas-phase intermolecular dehydration of a mercaptoalkanol (Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 202027/93, etc.), a process of preparing a tertiary amine compound by gas-phase intermolecular dehydration of a secondary amine compound and an alcohol (Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 241220/97, etc.), a process of preparing an alkyl ether of a phenol by gas-phase intermolecular dehydration of the phenol and an alcohol (Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 235248/97, etc.).
Hydroxy group-containing compounds as raw materials of the gas-phase dehydration reaction, particularly alkanolamines, glycol ethers and hydroxyethyl compounds such as N-(2-hydroxyalkyl)carboxylic acid amides have a hydroxyl group and an amino group or an amido group or an ether group in the molecule and thermally unstable, and when they contact with an acidic substance at high temperature, decomposition reaction takes place to form acetaldehyde, ethanol and high boiling products. Further, unsaturated ethers, N-alkenylcarboxylic acid amides and cyclic amines as the objective products have a high reactivity and are liable to cause polymerization, formation of high boiling substances, etc. Such reaction would lead not only to a decrease in the reaction yield but also to an increase in the costs for the recovery and purification of the raw materials and the products.
Therefore, in order to put the gas-phase dehydration reaction into an industrial practice, it is important to heat the raw material gas vaporized in the vaporator up to a predetermined temperature without deteriorating it inside the heater (gas preheater) and/or at the inlet side of the catalyst layer in the reactor, and immediately feed it into the catalyst layer, and immediately cool the reaction gas which came out of the catalyst layer.
When the gas-phase dehydration reaction is carried out using a fixed bed reactor, the catalyst needs to be supported by some supporting material for fixing the position of the catalyst. In this occasion, it is important to prevent deterioration of the raw materials and the products on the catalyst supporting material.
However, the above-mentioned official bulletins only describe catalysts capable of converting the raw materials into the objective products selectively at a high space time yield, and they do not describe a process of preheating the raw material gas, a process of cooling the reaction gas and a process of supporting the catalyst at all.
On the other hand, Japanese Patent Publication No. 40792/72 discloses a reaction process comprising gas-phase intermolecular dehydration of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone to prepare N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone. This prior art publication discloses loading Raschig rings (outside diameter 5 mm, length 5 mm, porcelain) as an evaporation preheating band of the raw material into the upper part of a vertical stainless steel reaction tube, loading an oxide of zirconium or thorium as a catalyst into a reaction band of the lower part thereof and carrying out gas-phase dehydration reaction. However, it does not disclose decomposition of the raw material at the evaporation preheating band and the composition of the porcelain Raschig ring. Further, Raschig rings for general purposes have problems, for example, that since they have an outside diameter of as large as 4 mm or more and a void ratio of as large as 0.6 to 0.9, they are liable to cause thermal denaturation of the raw material and cannot be used as a supporting material of catalysts having a small particle size.
The object of the invention lies in providing, in a gas-phase dehydration reaction process of a hydroxyl group-containing compound using a solid oxide catalyst containing an alkali metal element, the improvement which makes it possible to inhibit decomposition of the raw materials and the objective products thereby to carry out the gas-phase dehydration reaction efficiently.
The present inventors have intensively studied in order to provide a gas-phase dehydration reaction process capable of solving the above problems, and as a result, they have found that the stability of the raw materials used in the reaction is strikingly influenced not only by the catalyst itself, but by the composition of a loading material for preheating of the raw material gas as well as the composition of a supporting material for fixation of the position of the catalyst.
Thus, the invention provides, a process of gas-phase dehydration reaction comprising contacting a raw material gas with a solid oxide catalyst containing an alkali metal element, wherein a sintered oxide comprising an alkali metal element and silica and/or alumina is used as a loading material for preheating of the raw material gas and/or as a supporting material for fixation of the position of the catalyst.
The invention is particularly useful when the solid oxide catalyst is a solid oxide containing an alkali metal element and silicon.
In the invention, the sintered oxide is preferably a sintered oxide obtained by adding a compound containing an alkali metal element to a sintered oxide comprising an alkali metal element and silica and/or alumina, followed by calcining the mixture.
The invention is useful when the raw material of the gas-phase dehydration reaction is a hydroxyethyl compound represented by the following general formula (I)
Z1xe2x80x94CH(R1)xe2x80x94CH(R2)xe2x80x94OHxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(I)
[wherein Z1 is an amino group, a monoalkylamino group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a mercapto group, an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkylcarboxylic acid amido group wherein the alkylcarboxylic acid moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms and the group binding to the N atom of the amido moiety is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, or a cyclic carboxylic acid amido group including an alkylene group having 3 to 5 carbon atoms and R1 and R2 are each, independently, a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group].
Further, the invention is particularly useful when the gas-phase dehydration reaction is a reaction comprising gas-phase inter-molecular dehydration of a hydroxyethyl compound represented by the following general formula (II)
Z2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94OHxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(II)
[wherein Z2 is an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkylcarboxylic acid amido group wherein the alkylcarboxylic acid moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms and the group binding to the N atom of the amido moiety is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, or a cyclic carboxylic acid amido group including an alkylene group having 3 to 5 carbon atoms]
to convert it to a vinyl compound represented by the following general formula (III)
Z2xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CH2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(III)
[wherein Z2 is as defined in the formula (II)].
Further, the invention is particularly useful when the gas-phase dehydration reaction is a reaction comprising gas-phase inter-molecular dehydration of a hydroxyethyl compound represented by the following general formula (IV)
R3xe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94OHxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(IV)
[wherein R3 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms]
to convert it to a cyclic amine represented by the general formula (V)
[wherein R3 is as defined in the formula (IV)].
The invention is detailedly described below.
The invention is an improvement process applied to a gas-phase dehydration reaction comprising contacting a hydroxyl group-containing compound as a raw material gas with a solid oxide catalyst containing an alkali metal element, preferably a solid oxide catalyst containing an alkali metal element and silicon.
As specific examples of the solid oxide catalyst containing an alkali metal element, when represented by compositions excluding oxygen, there can be mentioned Lixe2x80x94Si, Naxe2x80x94Si, Kxe2x80x94Si, Rbxe2x80x94Si, Csxe2x80x94Si, Naxe2x80x94Al, Naxe2x80x94Zr, Lixe2x80x94Sixe2x80x94P, Naxe2x80x94Sixe2x80x94P, Kxe2x80x94Sixe2x80x94P, Rbxe2x80x94Sixe2x80x94P, Csxe2x80x94Sixe2x80x94P, Naxe2x80x94Mgxe2x80x94Si, Lixe2x80x94Sixe2x80x94Al, Naxe2x80x94Kxe2x80x94Si, Naxe2x80x94Csxe2x80x94Si, Csxe2x80x94Sixe2x80x94Zr, Kxe2x80x94Sixe2x80x94Nb, Kxe2x80x94Sixe2x80x94Alxe2x80x94P, Rbxe2x80x94Sixe2x80x94Alxe2x80x94P, Csxe2x80x94Sixe2x80x94Alxe2x80x94P, Rbxe2x80x94Sixe2x80x94Zrxe2x80x94P, etc., but the invention should not be limited thereto.
As gas-phase dehydration reactions to which the invention is applicable, there can be mentioned various gas-phase dehydration reactions such as a vinylation reaction by intramolecular dehydration of a hydroxyethyl compound, a cyclization reaction by intramolecular dehydration of a hydroxyethylamine, an etherification reaction by intermolecular dehydration between a phenol and an alcohol, and an N-alkylation reaction by intermolecular dehydration between an amine or an amide and an alcohol. However, the invention should not particularly limited to such reactions.
The process of the invention is particularly useful when the raw material of the gas-phase dehydration reaction is a hydroxyethyl compound represented by the following general formula (I)
Z1xe2x80x94CH(R1)xe2x80x94CH(R2)xe2x80x94OHxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(I)
[wherein Z1 is an amino group, a monoalkylamino group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a mercapto group, an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkylcarboxylic acid amido group wherein the alkylcarboxylic acid moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms and the group binding to the N atom of the amido moiety is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, or a cyclic carboxylic acid amido group including an alkylene group having 3 to 5 carbon atoms and R1 and R2 are each, independently, a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group].
As specific examples of the hydroxyethyl compound of the general formula (I), there can be mentioned 2-aminoethanol, 2-(ethylamino) ethanol, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-acetamide, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-formamide, 2-methoxyethanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, 2-isopropoxyethanol, n-propoxyethanol, 2-butoxyethanol, 2-isobutoxyethanol, 2-(2-ethylhexyloxy)ethanol, 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy) ethanol, 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol, 2-(2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)-ethoxy)ethanol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, etc.
Further, the process of the invention is particularly useful when the gas-phase dehydration reaction is a reaction comprising gas-phase intermolecular dehydration of a hydroxyethyl compound represented by the following general formula (II)
Z2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94OHxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(II)
[wherein Z2 is an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkylcarboxylic acid amido group wherein the alkylcarboxylic acid moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms and the group binding to the N atom of the amido moiety is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, or a cyclic carboxylic acid amido group including an alkylene group having 3 to 5 carbon atoms]
to convert it to a vinyl compound represented by the following general formula (III)
Z2xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CH2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(III)
[wherein Z2 is as defined in the formula (II)].
As specific examples of the hydroxyethyl compound of the general formula (II), there can be mentioned N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-acetamide, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-formamide, 2-methoxyethanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, 2-isopropoxyethanol, n-propoxyethanol, 2-butoxyethanol, 2-isobutoxyethanol, 2-(2-ethylhexyloxy) ethanol, 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethanol, 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)-ethanol, 2-(2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethanol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, etc.
As specific examples of the vinyl compound of the general formula (III), there can be mentioned N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, methyl vinyl ether, ethyl vinyl ether, isopropyl vinyl ether, n-propyl vinyl ether, n-butyl vinyl ether, isobutyl vinyl ether, ethylene glycol monovinyl ether, diethylene glycol monovinyl ether, etc.
Further, the process of the invention is particularly useful also when the gas-phase dehydration reaction is a reaction comprising gas-phase intermolecular dehydration of a hydroxyethyl compound represented by the following general formula (IV)
R3xe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94OHxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(IV)
[wherein R3 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms]
to convert it to a cyclic amine represented by the general formula (V)
[wherein R3 is as defined in the formula (IV)].
As specific examples of the hydroxyethyl compound of the general formula (IV), there can be mentioned 2-aminoethanol, 2-(methylamino)ethanol, 2-(ethylamino)ethanol, etc.
As specific examples of the cyclic amine of the general formula (V), there can be mentioned ethyleneimine, N-methylethyleneimine, N-ethylethyleneimine, etc.
The characteristic of the gas-phase dehydration reaction process of the invention lies in using a sintered oxide comprising an alkali metal element and silica and/or alumina as a loading material for preheating of the raw material gas and/or as a supporting material for fixation of the position of the catalyst in the gas-phase dehydration reaction.
Since the sintered oxide of the invention contains silica and/or alumina and an alkali metal element, the sintering step for obtaining an inert sintered oxide is shortened to realize a reduction in the costs, and moreover, it enables to eliminate unnecessary acid sites which accelerate decomposition of the reaction raw materials. Further, the sintered oxide of the invention is characteristics in that it does not accelerate decomposition of the raw material and the objective product and it does not poison the solid oxide catalyst containing an alkali metal element.
The sintered oxide is a sintered oxide comprising an alkali metal element such as sodium, potassium or cesium and silica and/or alumina.
The sintered oxide may contain an impurity such as an alkaline earth metal (e.g., calcium, magnesium, etc.), iron or titanium. However, since such an impurity may increase unnecessary acid sites or lower the strength of the sintered oxide, the total content of the alkali metal element and silica and/or aluminum metal element in the sintered oxide is made to be usually 80% by weight or more, preferably 95% by weight or more, more preferably 98% by weight or more in terms of its oxide.
The content of the alkali metal element in the sintered oxide is not particularly limited; however, for example, 0.5 to 10% by weight, preferably 2.0 to 8.0% by weight in terms of its oxide. When the content of the alkali metal element is less than 0.5% by weight, the sintering temperature rises, and when it is more than 10% by weight, the loading material becomes strongly basic, which may cause decomposition, condensation, etc. of the raw material and/or the objective product.
The content of silica or alumina in the sintered oxide is not particularly limited; however, for example, 10% by weight or more, preferably 30 to 95% by weight, more preferably 50 to 90% by weight in terms of its oxide.
Above all, a silica-alumina sintered oxide containing 2 to 8% by weight an alkali metal and 10 to 90% by weight silica is preferred. The reason of the preference is that silica-alumina wherein the amounts of the alkali metal element and silica are adjusted to the above range is inactivated at a lower sintering temperature and becomes a sintered oxide having a higher strength, compared with a raw material for a sintered oxide having a higher alumina purity.
Processes for preparing the sintered oxide are not particularly limited, and any processes per se known can be applied. As examples thereof, the following processes can be mentioned.
(1) A process comprising kneading an oxide, hydroxide or carbonate between silicon and/or an aluminum metal element and an alkali metal element together with a binder such as water, an alcohol, an organic acid or a polymer, drying and molding the kneaded matter, and then sintering the molded matter.
(2) A process comprising kneading a clay mineral containing silicon and/or an aluminum metal element such as smectite, montmorillonite, bentonite, kaolin or sericite, and a hydroxide of an alkali metal together with a binder such as water, an alcohol, an organic acid or a polymer, molding and drying the kneaded matter, and then sintering the dried matter.
(3) A process comprising adding commercially available molded alumina, silica-alumina or silica to an aqueous solution of an alkali metal element, making impregnation progress for several hours, drying the resulting matter, and then sintering the dried matter.
The sintering temperature in preparation of the sintered oxide is varied depending on the contents of the alkali metal element and silicon and/or the aluminum metal element, but is usually 800 to 1,500xc2x0 C., preferably 900 to 1,300xc2x0 C. When the sintering temperature is lower than 800xc2x0 C., it is difficult to obtain a sufficiently inert sintered oxide, and when it is higher than 1,500xc2x0 C., the time needed for the sintering step may become longer, and moreover, the step may cost a great deal.
As a further preferred process of preparing the sintered oxide, there can be mentioned a process comprising adding a compound containing an alkali metal element to an oxide comprising an alkali metal element and silica and/or alumina and sintered at 800 to 1,500xc2x0 C., followed by calcining the mixture at 400 to 1,000xc2x0 C. According to this process, unnecessary acid sites disappear completely to give a completely inert sintered oxide. As a process for addition of the compound containing an alkali metal element, every known process can be applied. However, preferred is a process comprising impregnating the above sintered oxide comprising an alkali metal element and silica and/or alumina with an aqueous solution of a hydroxide, carbonate or nitrate, particularly preferably hydroxide of an alkali metal element. The concentration of the aqueous solution of an alkali metal element can appropriately be selected, but in the case of the hydroxide, it is 0.1 to 5.0% by weight.
The shape of the sintered oxide used in the invention is varied depending on models and operation conditions of the heater (gas preheater), the reactor and the cooler, but usually, it is spherical or columnar. The size of the sintered oxide is usually in the range of 0.1 to 20 mm, and preferably in the range of 2 to 10 mm.
{circle around (1)} In the case of a heat exchanger type reactor using a heat medium such as an oil or a molten salt, the sintered oxide comprising an alkali metal element and silica and/or alumina of the invention is loaded into the inlet side of the catalyst layer inside the reactor (for example, it is spread on the surface on the catalyst layer).
{circle around (2)} In the case of an adiabatic reactor, the sintered oxide of the invention is loaded inside the heater (gas preheater) connected to the reactor through piping. By thus loading the sintered oxide, the raw material gas is heated to a predetermined temperature without being deteriorated. The sintered oxide, as a loading material, spread on the surface of the catalyst layer also has an effect of preventing the catalyst from moving with the raw material gas and putting the flow of the raw material gas in order.
{circle around (3)} The sintered oxide of the invention can also be used as a supporting material for fixation of the position of the catalyst. For example, when it is loaded as a catalyst-supporting layer into the outlet side of the catalyst layer inside the reactor, it is effective not only for supporting the catalyst, but also for preventing the raw material gas and the reaction gas from being retained and deteriorated.
{circle around (4)} The sintered oxide can further also be used as a loading material in the cooler for immediately cooling the reaction gas of high temperature which came out of the catalyst layer of one of various reactors.
{circle around (5)} Since the sintered oxide is inert to the solid oxide catalyst containing an alkali metal element, it can also be used as a diluent of the catalyst. For example, when reaction heat is large or when carbides, etc. adhering on the catalyst by the reaction are burned, local temperature change due to generation or absorption of heat can be inhibited by using a mixture of the catalyst with the sintered oxide.
The reaction temperature in use of the sintered oxide is usually 200 to 600xc2x0 C., preferably 300 to 500xc2x0 C.
In the process of the invention, a reactor of any model among fixed bed type, moving bed type and fluidized bed type can be used, but preferred is a fixed bed type reactor. As a heat transfer method of the reactor, any method can be applied, and {circle around (1)} a multi-tubular heat exchange method using a heat medium (molten salt, etc.) or {circle around (2)} an adiabatic method wherein there is no heat exchange with the surroundings is particularly preferred.
The reaction pressure in the invention is, usually, ordinary pressure or reduced pressure, but applied pressure is also possible. The reaction temperature is varied depending on the kind of reaction raw materials and other reaction conditions, but is 200 to 600xc2x0 C., preferably 300 to 500xc2x0 C.


A viewer may zoom in on an image to see a portion of the image. The image may be analyzed to determine if zoom enhancement is necessary. The zoomed region may be matched to a replacement texture. The replacement texture may be used to enhance the image by replacing some or all of the image data.

Improving image quality has been a goal of electronic image reproduction since the dawn of black-and-white television to today's modern high definition flat-screen displays. Similarly, early computers presented crude images on small, monochrome displays and have evolved to being capable of displaying millions of pixels describing three-dimensional rendered scenes. Technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) continue to push the boundaries of realism in image reproduction. These technologies and others have also enabled more interactivity with reproduced images than ever before. The goal of these and related technologies is to reproduce images at sufficient quality to convey a realistic image. However, zooming in on an image may yield insufficient detail and provide a poor user experience. There remains an ever-present need to improve electronic still and moving picture reproduction quality to achieve this goal of reproducing realistic images.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method to generate additional level of detail when zooming in on an image


This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a hemicellulose biosynthesis protein. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the hemicellulose biosynthesis protein, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the hemicellulose biosynthesis protein in a transformed host cell.

UDP-glucose dehydrogenase catalyzes the conversion of UDP-glucose to UDP-glucuronic acid a precursor of hemicellulose. Hemicellulose is a major component of primary plant cell walls. Many of the glycosyl residues found in hemicellulose are derived from the sugar precursor UDP-glucuronic acid, which can be converted into UDP-arabinose, UDP-apiose, UDP-galacturonic acid, and UDP-xylose. The synthesis of non-cellulosic cell wall polysaccharides, a major component of plant cell walls, is directed through the enzyme, UDP-glucose dehydrogenase. This enzyme has been shown to be the rate limiting step in the biosynthesis of non-cellulosic polysaccharides, suggesting it is a key regulatory step in cell wall synthesis. It has been shown that over expression of UDP-glucose dehydrogenase in transgenic plants caused a 50% increase in leaf elongation rate (LER) compared to wildtype (Cramer, G. R., et al., (1998) The American Society of Plant Physiologists Annual Meeting, Session #39, Abstract #332). The enzyme is highly expressed in young roots, but lower expression levels have been observed in expanding tissues of the epicotyl and in young leaves. The expression pattern of the enzyme in different developmental stages strengthens the argument that UDP-glucose dehydrogenase is a key regulator for the availability of hemicellulose precursors. Thus, it appears that biosynthesis of cell wall components is a rate-limiting step for cell expansion and plant growth and that UDP-glucose dehydrogenase may be a powerful new tool to manipulate the growth of plants.


A system and method for compiling a computer program comprising (a) performing a compilation generating an initial mapping of each code portion of the program in the memory; b) evaluating and generating a cost value associated with the initial mapping; c) if the cost value does not satisfy a threshold cost value, re-performing the compilation having regard to the record of each memory section; d) re-evaluating and generating a revised cost value associated with the modified mapping; e) iteratively repeating steps (c) and (d) until a predetermined condition is met; and f) outputting the mapping whose associated cost value most closely satisfied the threshold cost value. Such an approach enables a reduction in the power consumption resulting from memory accesses, reduces local memory requirements, and reduces the risk that size and complexity of the computer program will be constrained by the given local program memory size.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system and method for compiling a computer program in order to determine where to store the computer program in memory for subsequent retrieval by a data processing apparatus that is to execute the computer program.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When designing a processing unit such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), there are a number of factors which are important in determining the success of that processing unit. Firstly, it is desirable to minimise the cost of the processing unit, and significant factors in this are the cost of local program memory, which is primarily dictated by the size of such local program memory, as well as the energy consumption associated with access to the memory. However, when considering such cost factors, another factor that has to be borne in mind is the risk that the size and complexity of an application written to run on such a processing unit becomes strongly constrained by the selected local program memory size. Hence, whilst reducing the size of the local program memory will reduce the cost of the processing unit, this has to be weighed against the need to reduce the above risk.
Nowadays, a number of DSP designs are being targeted at high throughput computation, and for such implementations the presence of local high speed, high availability, memory is often a requirement.
There are a number of known approaches which aim to reduce the cost of the processing unit by enabling a reduction in local program memory size and a reduction in energy consumption associated with access to memory. A first approach employs linker based modular programming to enable dynamic, and either automatic or manual, management of functional objects such as the program, static (shared) data space and state data space. Another approach involves the use of automatic, instruction level, virtualisation of the memory space through the use of caches or paging mechanisms.
Both of the above approaches can provide powerful techniques for reducing the earlier-mentioned costs, but they also incur their own costs. For example, a cache is purely reactive unless some assumptions about the data being cached are made (e.g. the processing unit needs the first line of data and hence probably also requires the second). In addition, caches are costly to implement, since each cache line or block requires a tag structure to be provided to manage access to the cache. With regard to the earlier described modular programming approach, this requires the partitioning of code into modules, with the modules then being fetched from memory as needed. Such partitioning of the code is performed based on the organisation of the code in the source language, and on tool behaviour in the example of a linkage based model, but not on the actual code's behaviour, and accordingly it should be noted that the partitioning is performed based on incomplete information. Given this incomplete information, it is typically the case that such modular programming will not minimise the cost figures discussed earlier, namely minimal local memory requirement and minimal power consumption. Furthermore, it should be noted that the partitioning required will be implementation specific.
It should be noted that although the modular programming approach or the cache/paging mechanism approach discussed earlier are effective at reducing the risk of "insufficient memory", they do so with an additional cost. In a modular system, the module sizes and their required swapping result in memory fragmentation. In a cached system, since all access is performed through the cache, the cache is in fact the earlier mentioned high-speed and high availability memory in question but due to its complexity and tight coupling with the CPU, the attainable CPU speed depends on the cache size, effectively limiting this size.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved technique for reducing the earlier-mentioned cost issues associated with the processing unit, whilst also reducing the risk that the total size and complexity of an application written to run on that processing unit is unduly constrained by the local program memory size associated with the processing unit, without having to resort to traditional caching and/or modularization techniques.

System and method for compiling a computer program


Embodiments of the present invention improve speech recognition using historical information. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method of performing speech recognition comprising receiving an identifier specifying a user of a kiosk, retrieving history information about the user using the identifier, receiving speech input, recognizing said speech input in the context of a first recognition set, resulting in first recognition results, and modifying the first recognition results using the history information.

The present invention relates to speech recognition, and in particular, to speech recognition using historical information.
Speech recognition is the process of receiving speech in a system and analyzing the speech in a recognizer to automatically determine the words or phrases spoke by a user. Speech recognition is useful in many applications. For example, with the growing prevalence of portable devices such as portable phones (e.g., cellular phones), it has become desirable to use speech recognition to control the operation of such devices so that a user does not have to manually enter information into the device. In cell phones, it is desirable to incorporate speech recognition so that users can operate the phone "hands free." A typical prior art recognition system is illustrated in FIG. 1. At 110, speech input is generated and applied to the input of a recognizer 120. Typically, speech is received by a microphone and converted to an electrical signal using an analog-to-digital converter. The digital representation of the speech signal is the received by recognizer 120. Recognizer 120 then processes the speech signals and produces an output of recognition results at 130. The recognition results may be used to indicate the particular words or phrases spoken by the user as interpreted by the recognizer.
Speech recognition is useful in other applications as well. For example, self service kiosks allow people to access products, services, and information on their own. Traditionally, self service kiosks operate on non-intuitive human interfaces which require some understanding and may limit the types of products, services, and information provided by the kiosk. Speech recognition would make the operation of a kiosk more intuitive and allow for a larger range of products, services, and information to be accessed.
However, speech recognition is rarely a perfect process. Most recognizers can only obtain the correct results a certain percentage of the time. The ability of a recognizer to accurately detect speech signals may depend on a variety of factors, such as the clarity with which the user articulates the speech input signal, background noise, background conversations of other people, or a user's accent to name just a few. Other systemic factors that affect the accuracy of a recognizer include the computing power of the recognizer, the particular speech recognition algorithm or algorithms used by the recognizer, and the accuracy of the conversion from real speech to a digital representation of the speech to name just a few. Because recognizers occasionally produce inaccurate results, users can become very frustrated with speech recognitions systems and may turn the recognition system off or simply opt not to use it.
Thus, it is desirable to make speech recognition systems more user-friendly. Accordingly, there is a need for improved the accuracy of speech recogition. The present invention solves these and other problems by providing speech recognition on a portable device using historical information.

Systems and methods of performing speech recognition using historical information


A control apparatus of a rolling mill includes a load top/bottom distributor distributing loads as top and bottom side loads, a load top/bottom variation identification mechanism identifying load variation components occurring in connection with a rotational position of rolls from the top and bottom side loads, and top/bottom identified load variation storage storing, for each rotational position of rolls, top and bottom side variation components of the load in a kiss-roll condition identified by the load top/bottom variation identification mechanism. A manipulated variable computer computes a roll gap instruction value based on the top and bottom side variation components of the rolling load identified by the load top/bottom variation identification mechanism, and the top side variation component and the bottom side variation component of the load in a kiss-roll condition stored in the top/bottom identified load variation storage.

One of quality control methods in sheet rolling and plate rolling is automatic gauge control (AGC) which involves controlling the plate thickness of a rolled material in the middle part of the width direction. Examples of concrete control methods include monitor AGC which involves feeding back measured values of a plate thickness gauge installed on the exit side of a rolling mill, gauge meter AGC (GM-AGC) which involves using gauge meter plate thicknesses estimated from rolling loads and roll gaps (the clearance between top and bottom work rolls), and mill modulus control (MMC) which involves using rolling loads.
For example, in the case of hot rolling, temperature variations of rolled materials can be mentioned as disturbances which hinder an improvement in thickness accuracy. As disturbances common to hot rolling and cold rolling, other kinds of control items, for example, tension variations due to the deterioration of tension control, changes in speed or roll gap by an operator's manual intervention, roll eccentricity caused by accuracy deficiencies of the roll structure or roll grinding can be mentioned.
Among these disturbances, the main cause of the above-described roll eccentricity is that when key grooves of support rolls having oil bearings are subjected to a rolling load of as large as several hundreds of tons to two to three thousands of tons, shafts move up and down (undergo shaft oscillation). When roll eccentricity occurs, variations in roll gap occur correspondingly to the rotation of rolls.
Even in the case of rolls not provided with key grooves, periodic roll gap variations dependent on the rotation of the rolls occur caused by asymmetry during roll grinding and uneven thermal expansion, for example.
A rolling mill is provided with a roll gap detector for detecting roll gaps, and a device which controls roll gaps controls a screw-down device by feeding back detected values of the roll gap detector so that the roll gap obtains a given value (a set value). However, disturbances dependent on the shaft oscillation of rolls, such as roll eccentricity, cannot be detected by a roll gap detector. That is, the effect of the shaft oscillation of rolls does not manifest itself in detected values of the roll gap detector. For this reason, it is impossible to perform such control as to suppress the disturbances dependent on the shaft oscillation of rolls even when a roll gap detector is used. However, because in actuality, the disturbances dependent on the shaft oscillation of rolls change roll gaps, the effect of the shaft oscillation of rolls manifests itself in rolling loads. Therefore, the disturbances dependent on the shaft oscillation of rolls provides a great factor responsible for hindering an improvement in thickness accuracy in GM-AGC, MMC and the like which involve performing gauge control using rolling loads.
In order to reduce disturbances which periodically occur (hereinafter, referred to as "periodic disturbances") such as roll eccentricity, roll eccentricity control has hitherto been performed. Some examples related to roll eccentricity control are described below.
In the following descriptions (including the description of the present invention), the same concept can be used in the case of what is called a 2Hi mill, which is composed of only two of the top and bottom work rolls, the case of what is called a 4Hi mill, which is composed of a total of four rolls: two of the top and bottom work rolls and two of the top and bottom support rolls, and the case of what is called a 6Hi mill, which is composed of a total of six rolls: two of the top and bottom work rolls, two of the top and bottom intermediate rolls, and two of the top and bottom support rolls, and even in the case of a mill composed of not less than six rolls. For this reason, in the following, the terms "WR" for work roll and "BUR" for back up roll, which are rolls other than work rolls, are used.
(A) Roll Eccentricity Control 1
Before the rolling of a rolled material, the top and bottom work rolls are brought into contact with each other, and the rolls are rotated, with a given load applied to the rolls (in a kiss-roll condition), and a load in the kiss-roll condition is detected. Then, roll eccentricity frequencies are analyzed by performing the fast Fourier transformation and the like of the detected load in the kiss-roll condition. During rolling, it is assumed that roll eccentricity at the analyzed frequency occur, and a manipulated variable of roll gap is outputted in such a manner as to reduce the effect of the above-described roll eccentricity without performing feedback control using loading loads.
(B) Roll Eccentricity Control 2
Plate thickness variations are measured using a plate thickness gauge installed on the exit side of a rolling mill. Then, a thickness deviation is computed linking at which rotation positions of rolls, values measured by the plate thickness gauge have been obtained during rolling. The control apparatus manipulates roll gaps according to the computed thickness deviation and reduces the thickness variations due to roll eccentricity.
(C) Roll Eccentricity Control 3
During rolling, rolling loads are detected and roll eccentricity components are extracted from the rolling loads. Then, the extracted roll eccentricity components are converted to roll gap signals, and roll gaps are manipulated so that the rolling load variations due to the roll eccentricity are reduced (refer to Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2).

TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION


A system and method for installing a solar module on a roof using a mounting structure which can be adjusted after it has been fixed to the roof. The mounting structure is comprised of a plate having a slot into which an adjustable bracket is slidably positioned. The mounting structures are spaced from each other and the plates are fixed to the roof by toggle bolts or the like. A framed module is placed across the structures and one or both of the adjustable brackets are adjusted to align holes in the frame of the module with threaded chambers in the brackets. Next, threaded fasteners are passed through the holes and into the chambers to thereby secure the solar module to the roof.

In recent years, considerable advances have been made in using photovoltaic cells or the like to directly convert solar energy into useful electrical energy. Typically, a plurality of photovoltaic cells are encased between a transparent cover sheet (e.g. glass, plastic, etc.) and a backsheet, to form flat, rectangular-shaped modules (sometimes also called "laminates") of a manageable size (e.g. 2½′×5′). These modules are then shipped to a site where they are assembled into an array onto the roof of a building or the like where the array will be exposed to the sun.
While some modules are "unframed", recently the trend has been towards providing frames around the peripheries of the modules to thereby increase the stability of the modules and to provide a positive means for installing the modules onto roofs or the like. Also for both structural and esthetic considerations, it is usually preferable to construct the frames of adjacent modules so that they overlap to conceal the necessary electrical wiring and provide a pleasing appearance on a roof. For a good, detailed description of the construction and operation of such solar modules, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,111,189 and 6,465,724 B1.
Typically, framed modules are bolted or clamped onto separate support structures, e.g. "stand-offs", which, in turn, are securely bolted or screwed directly into the roof. The spots on the roof to which these support structures can be securely attached for a long life are effectively limited to those which are adequately supported by a framing member (e.g. a rafter) or roofing material strong enough to properly receive and retain the lag screws over the operational life of the array. This can create problems where the roof is shingled over slats or where the decking material is comprised of thin plywood, chipboard, or the like.
While framed modules have experienced commercial success, the installation of these modules can be relatively tedious and time consuming. That is, the task of (a) aligning two, relatively bulky and weighty modules, aligning the respective openings in adjacent frames, and (b) holding them in position while threading a lag screw or the like through the aligned openings and into the roof can present a difficult, and sometime frustrating task for a single installer.
Also, there is nothing to insure that once the openings in the adjacent frames are aligned that the frames will not shift slightly so that when, for example, a lag screw is threaded through the openings and into the roof, the screw will penetrate the roof at the precise point necessary to keep the modules parallel to each other. Any slight shift of the frames can result in a less that desirable appearance since some of the modules will be skewed in relation to the others.
Since esthetics are important, especially when the array of modules is highly visible, if skewing occurs, certain lag screws may have to be repositioned to properly align the modules to give the desired appearance. This can leaves holes in the roof which have to be sealed to prevent leaks. Further, the roofing material around the lag screws, themselves, should be sealed to prevent possible leaks. This may be difficult to do after the modules have been mounted since the accessibility to the screws is limited.
Since the total cost of any solar array includes its installation costs, any savings in time and man power needed in mounting the array become vital considerations in the overall economics of such an array. In view of the above, it can readily be seen that any savings in these costs can significantly make the use of solar arrays more competitive in the market place.

System for mounting a solar module on a roof or the like and method of installing


A magnetic metallic glass alloy exhibits, in combination, high saturation induction and low magnetic anisotropy energy. The alloy has a composition described by the formula Fe.sub.a Co.sub.b B.sub.c Si.sub.d C.sub.e, where "a"-"e" are in atom percent, "a" ranges from about 72 to about 84, "b" ranges from about 2 to about 8, "c" ranges from about 11 to about 16, "d" ranges from about 1 to about 4, and "e" ranges from 0 to about 4, with up to about 1 atom percent of Mn being optionally present. Such an alloy is especially suited for use in large magnetic cores associated with pulse power applications requiring high magnetization rates. Examples of such applications include high power pulse sources for linear induction particle accelerators, induction modules for coupling energy from the pulse source to the beam of these accelerators, magnetic switches in power generators in inertial confinement fusion research, magnetic modulators for driving excimer lasers, and the like.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to iron-rich metallic glass alloys having high saturation induction that evidence particularly superior soft ferromagnetic properties when subjected to high magnetization rates.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Glassy metal alloys (metallic glasses) are metastable materials lacking any long range order. They are conveniently prepared by rapid quenching from the melt using processing techniques that are conventional in the art. Examples of such metallic glasses and methods for their manufacture are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,856,513, 4,067,732 and 4,142,571. The advantageous soft magnetic characteristics of metallic glasses, as disclosed in these patents, have been exploited in their wide use as materials in a variety of magnetic cores, such as in distribution transformers, switch-mode power supplies, tape recording heads and the like.
Applications for soft magnetic cores, in a particular class that is now receiving increased attention, are generically referred to as pulse power applications. In these applications, a low average power input, with a long acquisition time, is converted to an output that has high peak power delivered in a short transfer time. In the production of such high power pulses of electrical energy, very fast magnetization reversals, ranging up to 100 T/.mu.s (or 100 MT/s), occur in the core materials. Examples of pulse power applications include saturable reactors for magnetic pulse compression and for protection of circuit elements during turn on, and pulse transformers in linear induction particle accelerators.
Metallic glasses are very well suited for pulse power applications because of their high resistivities and thin ribbon geometry, which allow low losses under fast magnetization reversals. (See, for example, (i) "Metallic Glasses in High-Energy Pulsed-Power Systems", by C. H. Smith, in Glass . . . Current Issues, A. J. Wright and J. Dupuy, eds., (NATO ASI Series E, No. 92, Martinus Nijhoff Pub., Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 1985) pp. 188-199.) Furthermore, metallic glasses, due to their noncrystalline nature, bear no magneto-crystalline anisotropy and, consequently, may be annealed to deliver very large flux swings, with values approaching the theoretical maximum value of twice the saturation induction of the material, under rapid magnetization rates. These advantageous aspects of metallic glass materials have led to their use as core materials in various pulse power applications: in high power pulse sources for linear induction particle accelerators, as induction modules for coupling energy from the pulse source to the beam of these accelerators, as magnetic switches in power generators, in inertial confinement fusion research, and in magnetic modulators for driving excimer lasers.
In a typical pulse power application, the core material is initially "parked" in, or biased into, a specific magnetic state through the imposition of appropriate external magnetic fields. For example, the application of a large, negative d.c. field will place the core material in a negatively saturated state. (The direction in which the core material will be driven into saturation during the application is referred to as the positive direction.) A subsequent removal of this field will position the core material at negative remanence. The former procedure allows for a maximum flux swing of twice the saturation induction in the core material but, as a matter of convenience, the latter procedure, known as the pulse reset, is most commonly employed. The maximum flux swing is then the sum of the remanent and saturation inductions. Henceforth, unless otherwise specified, the term "maximum flux swing", as used herein, connotes a value that is determined by the sum of the remanent and saturation inductions. Metallic glasses may easily be annealed to yield a value for B.sub.r, the remanent induction, that is very close to B.sub.s, the saturation induction. The input that is to be compressed, or transformed, in the application, is then applied to the core material.
Most pulse power applications require a high saturation induction in the core material, which leads to a large flux swing in the core. The core material should, preferably, also possess a low induced magnetic anisotropy energy. A low magnetic anisotropy energy leads to lower core losses, by facilitating the establishment of an optimal ferromagnetic domain structure, and therefore allow the cores to operate with greater efficiency. METGLA.RTM. 2605CO (nominal composition: Fe.sub.66 Co.sub.18 B.sub.15 Si.sub.1), available from Allied-Signal Inc., is a high induction metallic glass alloy currently used in many of the pulse power applications recited above. This metallic glass is taught by U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,090, wherein metallic glasses having a high saturation induction are disclosed. The saturation induction of this glassy alloy is about 1.75 T. However, the high cobalt content in this alloy imparts a high value for the magnetic anisotropy energy and, consequently, high core losses. The value of about 900 J/m.sup.3 for the magnetic anisotropy energy in this alloy is among the highest obtained in metallic glasses. In spite of its high induction, a maximum flux swing of only about 3.2 T is attainable from this alloy. Furthermore, the high Co content in this alloy leads to high raw material costs. Considering that the cores used in pulse power applications may contain as much as 100 kg of core material per core, and considering that Co had been classified as a strategic material, a more economical alloy containing substantially reduced levels of Co is highly desirable.
A metallic glass alloy that contains no cobalt is METGLAS.RTM.2605SC (nominal composition: Fe.sub.81 B.sub.13.5 Si.sub.3.5 C.sub.2), available from Allied-Signal Inc. This alloy is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,355. The low magnetic anisotropy energy (about 100 J/m.sup.3) of this alloy has been exploited in certain pulse power applications. However, the lower saturation induction (about 1.57 T) and a correspondingly lower maximum flux swing (about 2.9 T) available from this alloy have deterred widespread use of this alloy in pulse power applications.
A metallic glass alloy that offered a combination of high induction (large flux swings) and low magnetic anisotropy energy would be highly desirable for the purpose of pulse power applications. An additional advantage would be derived if such an alloy were to offer economy in production costs.

Iron rich metallic glasses having high saturation induction and superior soft ferromagnetic properties at high magnetization rates


The present disclosure provides an electronic device and a method for wireless communication and a computer-readable storage medium. An electronic device comprising: a processing circuit configured to: generate, where a user equipment accesses an unauthorized frequency band successfully, an indication representing whether sharing a channel occupancy time of the user equipment with other user equipment is permitted; and send the indication to a base station or the other user equipment.

Before accessing into an unlicensed frequency band, user equipment (UE) needs to perform channel detection such as listen before talk (LBT), to determine whether an unlicensed channel is idle. Only in a case that the channel detection indicates that the unlicensed channel is idle, the UE can successfully access into the unlicensed frequency band for transmission. If the channel detection indicates that the unlicensed channel is occupied, the UE needs to perform random backoff and perform channel detection again, until the channel detection indicates that the unlicensed channel is idle. However, it is inappropriate for some scenarios sensitive to latency, such as Ultra Reliable and Low Latency Communication (URLLC).
After accessing into the unlicensed frequency band, the UE may continuously occupy the channel for a length of maximum channel occupancy time (MCOT).
In addition, in the non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) architecture, multiple UE may access into the same time and frequency resources.

Electronic device and method for wireless communication and computer-readable storage medium


A silicon oxide film to be used as an interlayer-insulating film in a semiconductor device is formed by a high pressure organic silane-O.sub.3 CVD. A semiconductor wafer is placed in a reaction vessel and is heated at a temperature of 350.degree. C. A mixture of an organic silane gas such as TEOS, HMDS and OMCTS and an ozone gas is introduced into the reaction vessel and the reaction is carried out at a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure, preferably at a pressure of about 2 atm to form a silicon oxide film having excellent properties. A life time of the ozone gas which serves as an oxiding agent and/or catalyst can be prolonged under the high pressure, and therefore a deposition rate of the silicon oxide film ca be increased and the flatness of the silicon oxide film can be improved. Therefore, the silicon oxide film forming process can be performed efficiently and a flatening process after the formation of the silicon oxide film can be made simpler.

1. Field of the Invention and Related Art Statement
The present invention generally relates to a method of producing an insulating film for use as an interlayer-insulating film provided between a semiconductor substrate and a metal layer or between upper and lower metal layers of a semiconductor integrated circuit, and more particularly to a method of producing an insulating film consisting of an organic silane-O.sub.3 CVD film.
Nowadays the so-called VLSI (Very Large Scale Integrated circuit) has been manufactured at a high integration and the integration density has become higher and higher, so that the manufacture of the semiconductor device has required a sub-micron process. In accordance with the progress of the sub-micron process, a surface of the semiconductor device is liable to have large undulation. Depressions and protrusions formed in the surface of the semiconductor device have posed serious restriction upon the manufacture of the semiconductor device. Therefore, it has been earnestly required to improve the technique for flattening the surface of the semiconductor substrate.
An interlayer-insulating film of the sub-micron device must have such a property that a space in the order of sub-microns can be attained and a high flatness can be achieved even on the undulation having a large aspect ratio.
In Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication Kokai Sho 61-77695, there is disclosed a method of producing a silicon oxide interlayer-insulating film by the atmospheric pressure CVD using organic silane-O.sub.3 gas. In this Publication, TEOS (tetra ethoxy silane) is used as the organic silicate material.
In the known atmospheric pressure CVD method using organic silane-ozone gas, there are some problems that the film deposition rate is low, there is formed a rather large overhung, and the film forming temperature is rather high. For instance, the deposition rate in the known atmospheric pressure CVD method is about 500 to 700 .ANG. per minute at a temperature of 400.degree. to 500.degree. C., so that it takes 6 to 8 hours for forming interlayer-insulating films having a thickness of 1 .mu.m on twenty five wafers. Further, since the flatness of the insulating film is poor, the semiconductor wafer must be heated at a higher temperature after the formation of the insulating film, and this might deteriorate characteristics of the semiconductor devices.

Method of forming interlayer-insulating film using ozone and organic silanes at a pressure above atmospheric


A four-wheel drive torque transfer mechanism splits torque from the transmission gearing section of a vehicle into a front-wheel torque and a rear-wheel torque, transmitting the front-wheel torque to the front-wheel drive shafts and the rear-wheel torque to the rear-wheel drive shafts. A central differential connected to the transmission gearing section distributes the torque from the transmission gearing section. A central differential limiting mechanism, provided between the input and output sides of the central differential, limits the rotary differential operation of the differential arrangement responsive to a control torque signal. Control gain values representing optimized turning characteristics are calculated for each of the turning conditions of the vehicle and stored in a memory. A controller for controlling the differential limiting mechanism reads the control gain values from the memory and calculates the products of detected turning conditions and the control gain values corresponding thereto. The controller further calculates the sum of the products and generates the control torque signal in accordance with that calculated sum.

The present invention relates to a f our-wheel drive torque transfer mechanism for selectively distributing torque between the front and the rear wheels of an automobile.
Conventional drive systems for running automobiles include front wheel drive systems and rear wheel drive systems. A front wheel drive system is generally more stable than a rear wheel drive system. However, in making a turn, a front wheel drive system loses cornering power to the extent that a large steering angle must be maintained.
While a rear wheel drive system gives more satisfactory turning performance, the use of the rear wheel drive system may lead to over-turning when the torque is too high.
Thus, ideally, the driving torque should be distributed equally to the front and the rear wheels. Toward this end, a four-wheel drive vehicle has been proposed in which the torque of the engine is distributed to the front and the rear wheels by a central differential gear. In the power transmission of such a four-wheel drive vehicle, the engine torque is first transmitted to the central differential gear, which consists of a gear unit composed of pinions having side gears on both sides thereof, or a planetary gear unit. The torque transmitted to the central differential gear is distributed forwardly and rearwardly. The forwardly distributed torque is transmitted to a front-wheel differential gear, where it is distributed again by right and left side gears to the right and the left front wheels. The rearwardly distributed torque is transmitted through a rear-wheel-drive propeller shaft to a rear-wheel differential gear, where it is further distributed by right and left side gears to the right and the left rear wheels.
The central differential gear prevents the occurrence of the so-called tight corner braking, a phenomenon in which a difference in rotation between the front and the rear wheels causes a braking action when a vehicle makes a sharp turn at low speed on a road surface having a low coefficient of friction. Further, the central differential gear helps to increase the torque-transmission limit value during turning. In addition, this gear maximizes the traction force when the front and the rear wheels are driven by the same torque.
However, if any one of the four driving wheels of the four-wheel drive vehicle is brought into a no-load state as a result of slipping, for example, on a snowy or frozen road surface, the differential operation of the central differential gear will cause the drive energy to escape through that slipping wheel, thereby making the transmission of torque to the wheels with traction impossible.
In view of the foregoing problem, a differential limiting mechanism for stopping the differential operation of the central differential gear is conventionally provided. The differential limiting mechanism is composed of a wet-type multi-disc friction clutch and a hydraulic servo. Under normal operating conditions, the multi-disc friction clutch is released to maintain the central differential gear in the differential operating mode, so that the torque is distributed to the front and the rear wheels. If any one of the wheels slips or threatens to slip on a snowy or frozen road surface or the like, the multi-disc friction clutch is engaged to bring the central differential gear into a direct drive mode.
The slipping limit characteristic of a driving wheel is determined by the vertical load on the surface of the tire which is in contact with the ground, and this load varies depending mainly upon the weight distribution of the vehicle. Accordingly, when the central differential gear is brought into the direct drive position, not only does a loss occur in torque transmission, but the parts of the multi-disc friction clutch, the gears, etc. are subjected to wear. Further, when the torque is gradually increased in the mode where the multi-disc friction clutch is released and the central differential gear is in the differential operating mode, either the front or the rear wheels will slip, making a further increase in torque impossible. In other words, the torquetransmission limit value is determined by the smaller of the two values of torque distributed to the front and the rear wheels. If, for example one, of the front wheels slips, the torque for the rear wheels will be reduced instantaneously, thereby making it impossible to transmit torque satisfactorily to the road surface.
In view of the foregoing, a four-wheel drive torque controller has been proposed in which a differential limiting clutch is arranged in parallel with the central differential gear. The engagement, i.e. the amount of slip, of this differential limiting clutch is continuously controlled by a controller, thereby increasing the torque-transmission limit valve, gradability and traction force of the vehicle and improving the stability of the vehicle when running on a snowy or frozen road or the like (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-176728).
Further, a four-wheel drive torque controller has been proposed in which the torque ratio is continuously controlled to improve the turning and maneuvering characteristics and running ability of the vehicle (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-34230).
The use of such a four-wheel drive torque controller in a four-wheel drive vehicle provides the advantage that any change in the steering angle during turning is detected by a steering angle sensor, and, on the basis of the value of the detected steering angle, the angular velocity (the yaw rate) of this steering angle is calculated. In accordance with this calculated yaw rate the controller controls the slippage of the differential limiting clutch. Thus, it is possible to distribute torque in a fixed ratio as needed during turning, thereby improving the turning and maneuvering characteristics of the vehicle.
However, the turning and maneuvering characteristics of a four-wheel drive vehicle when it actually makes a turn are influenced not only by the yaw rate of the steering angle, but also by the vehicle velocity, vehicle lateral acceleration, etc. Unless an appropriate torque distribution is effected in accordance with all these factors, the vehicle will fall into an understeering or an oversteering condition.

Four-wheel drive torque transfer mechanism


A method for ascertaining a position of an object in surroundings of a vehicle. The method includes a step of input of a light signal from an optical sensor, the light signal representing a brightness, a degree of reflection of light emitted by a headlight of the vehicle from an object, and/or a sharpness of a boundary line of the object illuminated by light from a headlight. Furthermore, the method includes determining a distance of the object from the vehicle by using the light signal to determine the position of the object in the surroundings of the vehicle.

When activating motor vehicle headlights, one should know whether or not a road is separated from the opposite lane by a structural separation. The specific light distribution of "highway light" is activated only at the moment when a certain speed threshold is exceeded. Legislators also allow highway lights to come on when a structural separation has been detected.
For headlight activating algorithms, it is important to know whether or not there is a structural separation: in the case of a structural separation, the headlights of other vehicles are often not discernible, so that the system is switched to high beams and there may thus be glare.
Navigation information may thus be utilized appropriately to detect a highway (or a structural separation, if necessary) but permanently installed navigation systems are often not present in vehicles of the lower price segment. A navigation system fails due to the problem of updating the map material in construction areas where there is a structural separation by concrete walls.
There are situations in which a distance measurement is appropriate. In addition to an assistant for transverse guiding (e.g., at construction sites, in parking garages), there are also assistants for longitudinal guiding (e.g., during parking, braking with (video) ACC to a standstill). Navigation systems cannot be used with the longitudinal and transverse guiding tasks mentioned above because of insufficient map data and/or precision of the GPS signals.
Parking aids are implemented at the present by ultrasonic sensors. Parking systems are expensive—although they only emit a warning sound through the music system. There are retrofitting systems, but those are also associated with increased costs. Parking assist systems are often installed only at the rear since drivers have better vision forward than rearward.
German patent document DE 10 2007 034 196 A1 discusses a method for lane detection having a driver assistance system, which includes a sensor system for lane detection in which measuring points representing lane markings are detected with the sensor system for lane detection in a region of traffic space ahead of the vehicle. An ideal number of measuring points MP is ascertained based on a reference model. A plausibility measure of the forward viewing range is determined from a comparison between the number of actually detected measuring points and the ideal number of measuring points.

Method and device for ascertaining a position of an object in the surroundings of a vehicle


Terminal and method for transporting a still picture uses a moving picture terminal after extraction of a frame unit of still pictures, for example, from a moving picture. The extracted still picture frames can be encoded in a fixed quantizing value and stored before transmission, or the stored frame unit still pictures can be encoded in a fixed quantizing value using an overflow control technique or circuit. Further, the extracted still picture frame unit can be repeatedly sent using a varied quantizing value before transmission. Thus, the terminal and method for transporting a still picture permits transmission/reception of the still picture at a higher resolution than a moving picture regardless of time and place to enhance use of the moving picture terminal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to transport of a picture, and more particularly, to a moving picture terminal and a method for using same that transports a still picture.
2. Background of the Related Art
As the multimedia communication era arrives, the moving picture terminal has been realized, and will be put into practical service in a near future. Such a moving picture terminal has an encoder and decoder for processing the moving picture for realtime transmission or reception of successive video frames. However, the moving picture terminal cannot transmit/receive a high quality still picture. Therefore, to transport a still picture to an opposite party, a digital camera, a scanner and a computer are used. That is, either the digital camera or the scanner is connected to the computer for transmission of the still picture.
A method for transmitting a still picture by using such as the digital camera, the scanner, and the computer will now be described. FIG. 1 illustrates a related art system for transmitting a still picture.
As shown in FIG. 1, a desired still picture is captured by using a digital camera 100, stored in a computer 102, and transported to an opposite party through a wire or wireless network. On the other hand, if there is no digital camera, a photograph of the object is taken using a conventional camera and scanned by a scanner 101 to capture the still picture. Then, the captured still picture is stored in the computer 102, and transported to the opposite party using the computer 102 through a wire or wireless network.
The encoder and decoder in the related art moving picture terminal will now be described. FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram showing an encoder in the related art moving picture terminal, and FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram showing a decoder in the related art moving picture terminal.
Referring to FIG. 2, the encoder in the related art moving picture terminal is provided with a core part 210 for receiving, compressing, and encoding successive picture frames, a VLC 230 and a channel buffer 240. The VLC 230 is for receiving symbols coded in the core part 210 and assigning short length codes to symbols with a high frequency of occurrence in view of probability and relatively long codes to symbols with a low frequency of occurrence for the symbols coded in the core part 210. The channel buffet 240 is for buffering and forwarding data from the VLC 230 and providing a buffer state to a transmission rate controller 201 in the core part 210.
The core part 210 is a DCT 200 for receiving and subjecting a picture data to discrete cosine transform, and a quantizer 202 for quantizing the picture data and providing same to the VLC 230 for compressing the picture frames. The transmission rate controller 201 is for controlling a transmission rate according to quantized values at the channel buffer 240. The core part 210 further includes an inverse quantizer 203 for inverse quantizing the data quantized at the quantizer 202 to restore original picture frames from the coded picture frames, an ICDT 204 for subjecting the DCT data from the inverse quantizer 203 to Inverse Discrete Cosine Transform (IDCT) and a frame memory 220 for storing frames of the picture data restored at the IDCT 204. A motion estimator 206 and a motion compensator 205 are for comparing a received frame and a prior frame, which is the frame stored in the frame memory, to estimate a difference of motions and for compensating the difference.
The operation of the related art encoder will now be described. After compressing input of successive picture frames by subjecting the picture frames to DCT at the DCT 200, the successive picture frames are encoded into a bitstream with different bit lengths at the VLC 230 via the quantizer 202, which discards high frequency terms. The coded bitstream is stored in the channel buffer 240, and transmitted toward the receiver side through a wireless network. In this instance, the channel buffer 240 provides an amount of transmitted data to the transmission rate controller 201, and the transmission rate controller 201 adaptively computes a quantizing value according to the amount of transmitted data and provides the quantizing value to the quantizer 202. Accordingly, a transmission rate of the data transmitted from the channel buffer 240 is controlled. During the above-described process, the core part 210 has the coded picture frames subjected to IDCT through the inverse quantizer 203 and the IDCT 204, to be restored into original picture frames that are stored in the frame memory 220, which can store pictures of one frame amount. The restored original frames are stored for computing a motion difference between incoming successive picture frames and prior picture frames. The motion difference is estimated according to correlation between adjacent picture frames at the motion estimator 206, and the difference is compensated at the motion compensator 205, for making a real time moving picture transmission available.
In this instance, to estimate and compensate for the difference of motions between the adjacent picture frames, at least a first frame of the incoming picture sequence should be coded only with its own frame regardless of the correlation with the adjacent frame. This method of coding is called as "I picture coding", and a method of coding using a correlation with the adjacent frame is called as "P picture coding."
The decoder shown in FIG. 3, which operates opposite to the encoder, will now be described. That is, after being restored into an original picture by subjecting the coded picture frame to inverse quantizing and IDCT at a decoder core part 270, the coded picture frame received through a channel buffer 250 and a VLC 260 is reproduced. The core 270 includes inverse quantizer 271, IDCT 272 and motion compensator 273. Similar to the encoder, the reproduced picture is stored in a frame memory 280, for reproducing the moving picture in realtime by using correlation with the picture frame received in succession.
As described above, the related art moving picture terminal has various disadvantages. First, due to a limitation in a channel bandwidth for realtime transmission of the moving picture, the related art moving picture terminal transmits pictures, not in high quality, but in a low quality when the picture is a moving picture that requires a realtime transmission. Accordingly, it is difficult to transmit a high quality still picture. Further, the transmission of a still picture using a digital camera, a scanner, and a computer requires these additional costly apparatuses that are also inconvenient and cumbersome to use. Thus, a need exists and ceaseless demands have been made for a moving picture terminal that can transmit, not only the moving picture, but also a high quality still picture.
The above references are incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background.

Terminal and method for transporting still picture


In various embodiments, systems, methods, and techniques are disclosed for analyzing various entity data items including users, computing devices, and IP addresses, to detect malfeasance. The data and/or database items may be automatically analyzed to detect malfeasance, such as criminal activity to disguise the origins of illegal activities. Various money laundering indicators or rules may be applied to the entity data items to determine a likelihood that money laundering is occurring. Further, the system may determine one or more scores (and/or metascores) for each entity data item that may be indicative of a likelihood that it is involved in money laundering. Scores/metascores may be determined based on, for example, various money laundering scoring criteria and/or strategies. Account entities may be ranked based on their associated scores/metascores. Various embodiments may enable an analyst to discover various insights related to money laundering.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to data analysis and, more specifically, to detecting and scoring potential money laundering activities.
In financial and security investigations an analyst may have to make decisions regarding data items (e.g., individual pieces of information) within a collection of data. For instance, the analyst may have to decide whether an entity data item represents an entity involved in money laundering. However, an individual entity data item, such as a lone device, financial account, or IP address, oftentimes includes insufficient information for the analyst to make such decisions.

Automated database analysis to detect malfeasance


A light adjustable endoscope is disclosed for use in combination with a standard fiberoptic illuminator having a light output port. The endoscope includes a scope portion and an apparatus interconnected between the illuminator and the scope for transmitting light to the scope and adjusting the intensity and/or color of that light.

Endoscopes are widely used to examine conditions within the gastrointestinal system or other internal regions of the human body. Conventionally, most endoscopes employ an elongate scope that is interconnected to a video camera. A fiberoptic light source delivers xenon and other types of light through the scope so that viewing is enhanced.
At present, there is only a very limited capability for adjusting the intensity and color of light transmitted by the endoscope. Intensity adjustment is desirable to provide the surgeon with optimal visual acuity. Available fiberoptic illuminating light sources have an intensity control knob or dial located on the front panel of the illuminator. However, as discussed in co-pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 719,839 filed Sep. 3, 1996, such devices have serious limitations. The illuminator is usually not readily accessible to the surgeon who is operating the endoscope. Accordingly, the surgeon's attention to the medical procedure is interrupted if he or she is required to make the lighting adjustment. Alternatively, the lighting adjustment must be made by a nurse or other medical assistant. Resulting miscommunications can interfere with obtaining the precise intensity required for the medical procedure. Interruptions and unnecessary delays are likely to result.
Adjusting the color of light transmitted by the endoscope is also quite important. Often, filtered light is required to detect and diagnose particular medical conditions. For example, under certain lighting conditions the endoscope can differentiate between cancerous and non-cancerous tissue, due to the light reflection and absorption characteristics of that tissue. As discussed in my co-pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/036,372, filed Jan. 22, 1997, known fiberoptic illuminators employ a digital touch pad that provides for filtering or color adjustment of the light produced by the illuminator. However, operation of this touch pad again causes the previously described problems, including distractions to the doctor and/or miscommunications between the physician and assisting personnel. To date, no known medical endoscopes employ a quick, convenient and reliable means for allowing the physician to personally adjust the intensity and/or color of the light transmitted by the endoscope.

Light intensity and color adjustable endoscope


A photoresist composition including a polymer is disclosed, wherein the polymer includes at least one monomer having the formula:

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a photoresist composition and, more particularly, to a photoresist composition that includes a polymer having at least one monomer that includes an acrylate or methacrylate group and further includes at least one fluoroalcohol group.
2. Description of the Related Art
The fabrication of advanced logic and memory devices involves patterning features with minimum ground rules which are constantly shrinking. Features less than 100 nm in size are initially formed in a high resolution resist which is patternwise exposed using exposure tools with wavelengths below 200 nm such as 193 nm, 157 nm, and 13 nm (EUV). Subsequently, the resist serves as an etch mask as openings in the pattern are transferred into the substrate. Therefore, the resist must not only have a desirable optical density at the exposure wavelength, but also have sufficient etch resistance to enable successful transfer of the image from patterned resist to the underlying substrate and to prevent edge roughness and an unacceptable etch bias in the resulting substrate pattern. Furthermore, high resolution features with the desired profiles are only achieved when the resist has an appropriate dissolution behavior in the aqueous base developer employed in the patterning process. For positive tone resists, a high dissolution rate in exposed regions (Rmax) and a low dissolution rate in unexposed regions (Rmin) is needed. However, Rmin should not be too low in order to avoid a skin or so called T-top on the patterned resist. For negative tone resists, unexposed regions should have a high dissolution rate to avoid scumming while exposed regions are typically crosslinked easily with a negligible film loss in the developer.
A trend in the industry is to incorporate fluorine (as C—F bonds) in the polymer composition which is the largest component of the coated resist film. Current advanced resists are based on polymers of methacrylates, acrylates, cyclic olefins or copolymers thereof. A beneficial attribute of fluorinated polymers is their low optical density.
For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0224283 by Allen et al. discloses a photoresist composition that includes a polymer having at least one acrylate or methacrylate monomer with a fluoroalcohol moiety.
Unfortunately, increasing the fluorine content in a resist film decreases its etch resistance. Additionally, the dissolution rate of a resist may be difficult to adjust to a desirable range because of the fluorine content. Low etch resistance for polymers containing commercially available methacrylate or acrylate units are still a major concern. Therefore, improved polymers for high resolution resists are needed which have an acceptable optical density and dissolution behavior as well as higher etch resistance compared to state of the art polymers comprised of fluoroalcohol moieties.

Fluorinated photoresist materials with improved etch resistant properties

Abstract: where R1 represents hydrogen (H), a linear, branched or cyclo alkyl group of 1 to 20 carbons, a semi- or perfluorinated linear, branched or cyclo alkyl group of 1 to 20 carbons or CN; R2 represents an alicyclic group of 5 or more carbon atoms; X represents a methylene, ether, ester, amide or carbonate linkage; R3 represents a linear or branched alkylene group or semi- or perfluorinated linear or branched alkylene group with 1 or more carbon atoms; R4 represents hydrogen (H), methyl (CH3), trifluoromethyl (CF3), difluoromethyl (CHF2), fluoromethyl (CH2F), or a semi- or perflourinated aliphatic group; R5 represents trifluoromethyl (CF3), difluoromethyl (CHF2), fluoromethyl (CH2F), or a semi- or perfluorinated substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group; n represents an integer of 1 or more; and OR12 represents OH or at least one acid labile group selected from a tertiary alkyl carbonate, a tertiary alkyl ester, a tertiary alkyl ether, an acetal and a ketal. A method of patterning a substrate is also disclosed, wherein the method includes: applying the photoresist composition mentioned above to the substrate to form a film; patternwise exposing the film to an imaging radiation source; and developing areas of the film to form a patterned substrate.

International Business Machines Corporation


A load measuring device includes a sensor for detecting power consumption surges by detecting a zero voltage point in the alternating voltage of an electrical apparatus, detecting the zero current point in the alternating current of the apparatus least remote in time from the detected zero voltage point, and measuring the interval between the two zero points.

Reducing the amount of energy consumption by a machine for cleansing articles, such as a clothes washer, is a significant problem, in part because of increasing worldwide energy demand. In such a machine, the amount of energy consumed is primarily determined by the amount of energy needed to heat the liquid, such as water, used to cleanse the articles. Thus, decreased liquid consumption for such machines may result in a significant improvement in energy efficiency.
Appliances for cleansing articles, such as clothes washers, typically receive liquid for a predetermined duration through a conduit connected to the machine. A wash cycle for a machine for cleansing articles may comprise providing substantially particle-free liquid to the machine, circulating or distributing the liquid during the wash cycle, and draining or flushing the liquid from the machine after being used to wash the articles. Typically, a machine user has limited control over the amount of liquid provided for a wash cycle, such as by selection from a few predetermined options. Such a machine does not use liquid efficiently because variations in liquid pressure or degradation in machine components generally require providing liquid for an excessive duration to ensure more than a sufficient amount for a wash cycle.
Devices for measuring the amount of liquid, such as water, provided to a machine for cleansing articles include flowmeters that measure the water flow rate and water level sensors that detect the static air pressure in an air cavity in the sensor. However, such devices may be difficult or non-economic to implement, may be unreliable, may degrade over time, and may not provide robust measurements relative to the machines incorporating them.
A need thus exists for a device for monitoring load, such as liquid load, that is simple and economic to produce, that is reliable, that does not degrade over time, and that provides robust measurements relative to the machines incorporating them.


A tray feeding box includes a box body; a cover, arranged at a first end of the box body; and a bottom board, arranged at a second end of the box body away from the cover. The cover includes at least one first cover arranged at the first end of the box body. The at least one first cover is defined with a first opening. The box body is defined with a take-out gap communicated with the first opening.

A camera module, also known as a computer camera, a computer eye, or an electronic eye, is an image or a video input device, which is widely used in remote video and real-time monitoring applications.
Generally, a traditional camera module between a bracket and circuit board, as well as the bracket and the lens holder in the traditional camera module are fixed by adhesive layers. However, light may pass through the adhesive layers, which leads to entrance of external light from sides of the camera module where the adhesive layer is arranged to an internal photosensitive chip. Stray light may affect the images.