A quick connect coupling having a male part and a female part in which the female part includes a housing open at one end. The housing also forms a generally cylindrical internal chamber adjacent to and aligned with the open end of its housing. An annular and readily inwardly extending lip is also provided around the open end of the housing. A retainer constructed from an elongated band of a resilient material, such as spring steel is formed into a tubular cylindrical shape having a diameter at least as large as the diameter of the chamber. In addition, the band is dimensioned such that one end of the band overlies the other end of the band. A plurality of locking tabs is secured to and extend radially inwardly from the band. The retainer is radially inwardly compressible and insertable into the open end of the housing such that, after insertion, the retainer expands radially outwardly so that an outer end of the retainer is entrapped by the lip. The male part includes an elongated tube having an annular bead adjacent its one end. The end of the male part is insertable through the opening end of the female part and into the chamber such that the locking tabs engage an outwardly facing surface of the bead to thereby secure the male and female parts together.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to quick connect couplings and, more particularly, to a quick connect coupling with an improved retainer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are many types of quick connect couplings of the type used in automotive applications and the like. These previously known quick connect couplings typically comprise an elongated female part open at one end. A resilient retainer having radially inwardly projecting locking tabs is contained within the interior of the female part. Thereafter, the male part comprising a tube with an annular bead adjacent its end is insertable into the female part. Upon doing so, the locking tabs engage an outwardly facing surface of the bead to thereby retain the male and female parts together.
There have been a number of previously known methods for securing the retainer to the female part. In one type of previously known quick connect coupling, the female part includes an annular and radially inwardly extending lip formed around its open end. The retainer, which is constructed of a resilient material such as spring steel, is then inserted into the housing chamber through its open end so that, as the retainer radially expands following insertion into the female housing, an outer end of the retainer abuts against and then is trapped by the annular lip.
In one type of previously known annular retainer, the annular retainer is formed from an elongated band of resilient material, such as spring steel. Locking tabs are then stamped outwardly from the body of the spring steel and the band with the outwardly extending tabs is then formed into a tubular cylindrical shape such that the ends of the band are spaced apart from each other. The tubular retainer is then radially and inwardly compressed in order to reduce the diameter of the retainer so that it can be inserted past the retainer lip and into the interior of the female housing chamber. Following insertion, the retainer expands radially outwardly in the fashion described above.
One disadvantage of these previously known retainers, however, is that the retainers are often times deformed past their elastic limit as they are compressed in preparation for their insertion into the female housing. Such post elastic deformation, furthermore, often times occurs around the cut outs forming the locking tabs where the actual material of the band is reduced by the area of locking tabs.
When the previously know retainers are radially compressed past their elastic limit, the retainers assume an oval shape. Once released within the female housing chamber, the retainers do not return to their circular shape but instead remain oval, such that the outer ends of the retainers may not be fully entrapped by the annular lip on the female housing. When this occurs, the fluid coupling often times exhibits reduced pullout strength, improper sealing, premature failure and other disadvantages.

Quick connect coupling with improved retainer


An engine and an electronic control unit perform cooling capacity increase control for compensating for a insufficiency of the cooling capacity of a cooling device. The electronic control unit performs a variety of control for a vehicle, including control of the cooling device. At that time, the electronic control unit calculates the target value of the cooling capacity of the cooling device, calculates the estimate value of the cooling capacity that will be able to be exerted in the future under the current control, compares the target value and the estimate value, and when it is determined from the result of the comparison that the cooling capacity will be insufficient, performs the cooling capacity increase control. The electronic control unit changes the contents of the cooling capacity increase control according to the degree of insufficiency of the estimate value with respect to the target value.

When parked under the hot sun for a long time, the temperature in a passenger compartment of a vehicle will increase significantly. Then, even if the engine is started and a cooling device is operated, the temperature in the passenger compartment does not decrease immediately. A control device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a conventional technique for temporarily increasing the cooling capacity in such a circumstance.
The control device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied to a vehicle equipped with a continuously variable transmission. In accordance with this control device, a target rotational speed of the input shaft of the transmission is set in the following manner to increase the cooling performance. That is, in this control device, a first target rotational speed is calculated based on the degree of depression of the acceleration pedal and the vehicle speed, and a second target rotational speed is calculated based on the vehicle speed to increase the cooling capacity. Then, the higher one of the two target rotational speeds is finally set as the target rotational speed of the input shaft of the transmission. This ensures sufficient cooling performance.


A device and method are provided for producing negatively charged nanoparticles. The device comprises a power supply, an electron supermicroemitter and a controller, the power supply connects with the electron supermicroemitter and the controller respectively. The potential of the electron supermicroemitter to the ground is controlled in the range of −2 kV to −29 kV by the power supply and the controller in accordance with the shape, size and different application of the materials of the emitter, so as to form field electron emitting of tunneling effect. The energy of electrons with high current density produced by the emitter can be adjusted during the electrons' colliding with particles in aerosol such that the electrons are attached to the nanoparticles of different size with wider energy band to form negatively charged nanoparticles.

In bioclimatology, the state of air environmental condition is called by scientific workers as the aerosol state. Molecule cluster, liquid and solid particles dispersed in air as aerosols are mostly nanoparticles.
Nanoparticles exhibit small-scale effect, surface and interfacial effect and quantum-scale effect, and have large specific surface area and big number of atoms on the surface. Surface effect and interfacial effect are intensified with decreasing particle size. The big specific surface area and the big number of atoms on the surface increase the activity of the nanoparticle greatly. Due to the small-scale effect and surface effect, nanoparticles of different size also cause variation of surface electron spin conformation and electron energy spectra distribution. Quantum-scale effect of nanoparticles results in discrete energy level. The interval between energy levels changes with the changes of the nanoparticle sizes. Nanoparticles in aerosol are composed of different particles with different sizes. Because of the above-mentioned properties, nanoparticles greatly enhanced the ability to combine with electrons of different energy levels to form a very wide energy band of electron affinity.
The problem is what kind of electron-emitting electrode can be used to achieve a strong enough electric field with narrowing potential barrier on the electrode surface. Due to the tunnel effect in quantum mechanics, electrons will penetrate and escape from the tunnel as field electron emission. How to increase the emission current density is a problem under research.
In the 1960s, electrically charged aerosol centers were established in Texas and other states in the US. By ejecting pressurized gas the atomized physiological saline and electrons were emitted at the same time in the same direction at an electric potential of 26 kV-60 kV on an ejector to form electrically charged aerosol. Such aerosol was used to cure respiratory disease. It was effective in curing bronchitis and asthma, infection of the upper respiratory tract, emphysema, laryngitis, and pharyngitis. Besides the ejector, auxiliary equipments of gas pump, and liquid transport system were required. Atomized saline particles were mostly not nanoparticles. Even under the action of 26 kV-60 kV electric field, electrically charged aerosol could only travel a distance of about 1.8 m and disappeared beyond that distance. Such electrically charged aerosol was not able to directly participate in the electric metabolism at the tissue-cell-molecule level, so the biological effect and sterilizing effect were less promising.

Device for producing negatively charged nanoparticles and a method for the same


The present invention provides a toy car wheel with an adjustable center of gravity. The middle of the toy car wheel defines a through hole. At least one spoke is distributed between the rim of the toy car wheel and the through hole. At least one channel is defined in each spoke. At least one spherical body is disposed in each channel. When a toy car decelerates, a momentum of the toy car decreases, the at least one spherical body descends in a corresponding channel, and the center of gravity of the toy car wheel descends.

1. Technical Field
The disclosure relates to wheels and, more particularly, to a toy car wheel with an adjustable center of gravity.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a toy car moves on an irregular terrain, the toy car often decelerates. When the toy car decelerates, a center of gravity of the toy car does not change, thus causing the toy car to roll over easily.

Toy car wheel with adjustable center of gravity

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd.


A CMOS power sensor is disclosed in the present invention. The CMOS power sensor includes a current coil, a high voltage device circuit, and a Hall device. The current coil is fabricated during the process steps of forming gold bumps of a CMOS device. One end of the current coil is connected to a voltage source, and the other end of the current coil is connected to a load. The high voltage device circuit is connected to the voltage source. The Hall device is connected to the high voltage device circuit and induces a Hall voltage in response to the magnetic field generated by the current coil.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a CMOS power sensor, and more particularly to a CMOS power sensor having a current coil which is fabricated during the process steps of forming gold bumps of a CMOS device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A Hall device is a voltage generator based on the famous Hall effect to give an output voltage proportional to the magnitude of an external magnetic field. The Hall effect was discovered by E. H. Hall in 1879. When an electric current flows through a conducting material in a magnetic field, the charge carriers of the electric current will be pushed to one side of the conducting material by the transverse force induced by the magnetic field. Hall found that a measurable voltage would be induced between the two sides of the conducting material.
The conventional Hall devices are generally applied to detect the magnitude of an external magnetic fields. For example, the Hall device can be used in the computer keyboards, where pushing a key moves a permanent magnet toward the Hall device. The Hall device detects the change of the magnetic flex of the permanent magnet, and induces a Hall voltage which can be detected by the computers.
In addition, when located near a current coil, the Hall device will be subjected to the magnetic field which is generated proportional to the current magnitude flowing in the current coil. Therefore, the Hall voltage generated by the Hall device will be in proportion to the magnitude of the current flow in the current coil. For this reason, the Hall device can also be applied to detect the current magnitude of an input voltage source, and also to detect the power magnitude of an input voltage source.
Recently, research was dedicated to developing solid state micro-sensors based on the CMOS process for the detection of the current magnitude or power magnitude of an input voltage source. Hong-Ming Yang et al. developed a MOS magnetic current sensor based on standard CMOS process, which was published at ELECTRONICS LETTERS, 27th Match 1997, Vol. 33 No. 7. In that letter, they reported a current sensor based on standard CMOS processing. The current sensor has a high sensitivity owing to its current coil, fabricated on the second metal layer, being very close to the magnetic sensing MOS device underneath. The current coil has thus the same material with the second metal layer, i.e. aluminum (Al).
However, one disadvantage of using aluminum to form the current coil is that aluminum has a relatively high electric resistance. An Al-made current coil will result in a relatively large voltage drop, and will thus change many electric properties of MOS devices. This problem is particularly serious in low-voltage devices, where even a small voltage drop can have a profound effect on the devices.
Therefore, it is important for the IC-related industries to invent a new type of current sensor or power sensor, which contains a current coil made of a material having relatively low electric resistance, in order to achieve a relatively low voltage drop at the current coil and minimize the effects on the electric properties of the MOS devices.


A number of light-emitting layer structures for the GaN-based LEDs that can increase the lighting efficiency of the GaN-based LEDs on one hand and facilitate the growth of epitaxial layer with better quality on the other hand are provided. The light-emitting layer structure provided is located between the n-type GaN contact layer and the p-type GaN contact layer. Sequentially stacked on top of the n-type GaN contact layer is the light-emitting layer containing a lower barrier layer, at least one intermediate layer, and an upper barrier layer. That is, the light-emitting layer contains at least one intermediate layer interposed between the upper and lower barrier layers. When there are multiple intermediate layers inside the light-emitting layer, there is an intermediate barrier layer interposed between every two immediately adjacent intermediate layers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the gallium-nitride (GaN) based light emitting diode (LED), and in particular to the structure of the light-emitting layer of the GaN-based LED.
2. The Prior Arts
LEDs have long been widely used as indicators or light sources in various electronic consumer devices due to their features including low power consumption, low heat dissipation, and long operation life. In recent years, researches have been focused on the development of LEDs with various colors and LEDs with high luminance. Among these researches, highly efficient and illuminant blue-light LEDs that can be put to practical use receive the most attention. In October 1995, Nichia Corporation, Japan, announced the successful production of highly illuminant blue-light LEDs based on the indium-gallium-nitride (InGaN) material. This breakthrough has led the world's optoelectronic industry to invest tremendous capitals and resources in the gallium-nitride (GaN) based, such as GaN, aluminum-gallium-nitride (AlGaN), indium-gallium-nitride (InGaN), etc., LEDs.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a GaN-based LED according to prior arts. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional structure of a GaN-based LED contains a substrate 10 made of sapphire. Then, on one side of the sapphire substrate 10, the GaN-based LED further contains an n-type GaN contact layer 11, an InGaN light-emitting layer 12, and a p-type GaN contact layer 13, sequentially stacked from bottom to top in this order. In addition, there are a positive electrode 14 and a negative electrode 15 stacked upon the p-type GaN contact layer 13 and the n-type GaN contact layer 11 respectively. Within this conventional GaN-based LED structure, the light-emitting layer 12 usually has a multi-quantum well (MQW) structure made of InxGa1-xN (0≦x≦1). The electrons and holes are joined with each other within the InxGa1-xN (0≦x≦1) potential well and photons are thereby released. Please note that the epitaxial growth of the InxGa1-xN (0≦x≦1) requires a very high temperature to obtain epitaxial layer with better quality. On the other hand, to increase the possibility of forming the electron-hole pairs and thereby the lighting efficiency, the growing temperature of the InxGa1-xN (0≦x≦1) cannot be higher than 850° C. so that multiple localized states can be formed from the characteristics of the InxGa1-xN (0≦x≦1) such as indium segregation and phase separation. This is a dilemma requiring an appropriate solution.

Gallium-nitride based light emitting diode light emitting layer structure


One aspect of an embodiment relates to an electronic device comprising a body case that comprises a first opening and a second opening. The first opening is configured as a conduit for a display interconnect coupled to a display of the electronic device. The second opening houses a display support mechanism, which is coupled to the display and the body case. The display support mechanism is adapted to horizontally rotate and translate the display. In addition, the second opening is configured to limit the horizontal rotation and translation of the display conducted by the display support mechanism.

Over the past few years, there has been increased demand for tablet computers, especially in light of their portability. Operating from either external or portable power sources, conventional tablet computers feature a liquid crystal display (LCD) connected to and mounted on a body case.
According to one type of conventional tablet computer, the LCD is rotationally attached to the body case by a cylindrical shaft as described in a published Japanese Application No. JP-A-10-55227. As a result, the computer can operate either as a tablet computer when the LCD is positioned directly above the body case or as a laptop computer when the LCD is horizontally rotated about the shaft by approximately 180 degrees to fully exposed the keyboard.
For this conventional tablet computer, the shaft operates as a conduit for a display cable that electrically connects the LCD to circuitry within the body case. Hence, the shaft is designed to overlap the display cable in order to prevent the cable from being damaged during horizontal rotation of the LCD. However, this overlapping architecture possesses a number of disadvantages.
For instance, one disadvantage is that the tablet computer must be constructed with a predetermined thickness in order to provide sufficient clearance for the display cable upon exiting the shaft. Otherwise, when the LCD is rotated, the display cable may become crushed or pressed against the edges of the shaft. This will likely cause accelerated wear of the display cable, which may lead to increased reliability problems. As a result, thinner tablet computers cannot be developed without addressing this potential reliability concern.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Apparatus for connecting a display to a body case of an electronic device


An interface of a centrifugal fan includes an inlet shroud of an impeller and an air intake positioned adjacent the inlet shroud. The inlet shroud and the air intake cooperate to define a smooth flow path for an airflow entering the centrifugal fan.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a centrifugal fan, and more particularly, to the configuration of the flow path defined between the inlet shroud of an impeller and the inlet bell of an air intake.
Centrifugal fans are typically used in ventilation and air conditioning systems. Examples of common types of ventilation and air conditioning units include, but are not limited to, cassette type ceiling fans, air handling units, and extraction roof fans for example. Air is sucked into the unit and guided by a bell mouth intake into an impeller. A diameter of the bell mouth intake at the interface between the bell mouth intake and the inlet shroud of an impeller is smaller than a diameter of the blower at the interface. This inlet configuration has two effects. First, a clearance in fluid communication with the blower exists between the exterior of the bell mouth intake and the interior of the blower. As a result, a portion of the air output from the blower may recirculate to the impeller through this clearance, thereby reducing the operational efficiency of the fan, and increasing a noise level thereof. Second, the air entering the centrifugal fan has to skip a radial offset formed between the bell mouth and the inlet shroud, resulting in the formation of a vortex that can produce noise and decrease the operating efficiency of the fan.

Arrangement of centrifugal impeller of a fan for reducing noise


A method and system is provided to detect deformations on a sheet metal panel. The method includes swiping the sheet metal panel's surface through a screening material to screen the deformations present on the sheet metal panel's surface, thereby establishing screened deformations. Further, rubbing an area around the screened deformations through a stone material determines the size of the screened deformations. Finally, measuring the size of screened deformations according to a measuring rule establishes a nature of the screened deformation.

This invention relates generally to detection of deformations in the form of dings on sheet metal surfaces, and, more particularly, to detect a nature of the detected ding.
Manufacturing operations involving sheet metals based materials, panels or products, are observed to have undergone considerable advances and improvements over the years. During the manufacturing operations on sheet metals, however, certain undesirable visual deformations are observed on the sheet metal surfaces before the product's completion. Some of these deformations are classified as burrs, wrinkles, slivers, and other visual surface defects, caused possibly because of die and/or tool defects. Out of these, some defects are classified as dings, which are witnessed in a substantial amount by shop floor technicians working on the sheet metal based products. In certain cases, the sheet metal dings found may be as high as 60-65% out of all the defects encountered. Ding formations on sheet metal surfaces, therefore, form a major portion of defects found during a conventional sheet metal manufacturing operation, causing excessive inventory and repair, or even rejection of the sheet metal product, at times.
Conventionally, detection of such dings includes a process of swiping the sheet metal surface with a screening material. In general, all sheet metal surfaces, when detected with dings, are either rejected or carried away for repairs without considering their affect on the final product. A relatively large percentage of dings detected through the above noted method, in contrast, include a considerable variation in their physical sizes and dimensions. Accordingly, dings detected having considerably small dimensions may not affect a final work output, after a paint job, and thus may not be sent for repairs. Moreover, experiments have substantiated that a ding detected through the above process, but having a dimension less than a particular predetermined calculated value or standard, need not be seen as one that requires a repair. This, in general, is observed to be true once the related sheet metal product is formed into a final product and paint is applied to it.
There thus remains room for improvements in reducing the number of sheet metal rejections, thereby minimizing needless inventory and stock, repairs on which may not particularly affect the final work output.


Disclosed are a server system for performing communication over a wireless network and a communication method thereof. The server system comprises at least one client device and a server device for performing a state monitoring operation or a control operation for the client device over the wireless network. When a data packet is sent, the server device begins to send a following packet by variably applying a transmission rate according to a network transmission state when a leading packet has been completely transmitted. Because a transmission rate can be set appropriately to the network state, the number of unnecessary retransmissions can be reduced. Therefore, transmission delay can be avoided and stable and rapid wireless communication can be achieved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a server system for performing communication over a wireless network, and more particularly to a server system for performing communication over a wireless network and a communication method thereof that can reduce the number of retransmissions when a data packet is transmitted by providing a server device in which a pre-existing auto-fall back function for sequential, initial transmission rate setup is improved and the improved auto-fall back function for setting a transmission rate of the next packet is implemented on the basis of the last transmission rate of a leading packet when a data stream is sent, in wireless communication based on a transmitter-driven media access control (MAC) protocol.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a media access control (MAC) protocol is based on one of two sub-layers classified by a multipoint connection in a local area network (LAN) requiring a line sharing/managing function. The two sub-layers include a logical link control (LLC) sub-layer and the MAC sub-layer. The MAC protocol allows a plurality of computers to share a single line. The MAC protocol widely employs an Ethernet based on Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3, a token bus based on IEEE 802.4 and a token ring based on IEEE 802.5.
The conventional MAC protocol will be described with reference to the annexed drawings. FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a process for transmitting and receiving data and signals between server/client devices based on the conventional transmitter-driven MAC protocol. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating the data transmission process of a conventional server system for performing communication over the wireless network. An operating method of the conventional server system and the drawbacks thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 1 shows flow of signals transmitted and received between the server/client devices. The server device to send data, that is, a transmitting stage (Tx), transmits a request-to-send (RTS) signal to a corresponding client device to receive data, that is, a receiving stage (Rx) (at the step of transmitting the RTS signal).
The client device receives the RTS signal from the server device. Subsequently, the client device transmits, to the server device, a clear-to-send (CTS) signal indicating that data can be sent, in response to the RTS signal (at the step of responding to the RTS signal).
After the RTS and CTS signals are exchanged, the server device sends data to the client device over a set communication channel (at the step of sending the data). The client device receiving the data sends a positive acknowledgement (ACK) signal to the server device when the data has been completely received (at the step of transmitting the ACK signal).
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating a process for sending a data packet from the server device during data communication between the server and client devices. First, the server device transmits a first request-to-send (RTS) signal RTS1 to a corresponding client device to receive data. The client device receives the first RTS signal RTS1 and then transmits a first clear-to-send (CTS) signal CTS1 to the server device.
After the RTS and CTS signals are exchanged, the server device initiates a data transmission operation and sends a data packet #0_6. Here, "0" denotes a packet number and "6" denotes the number of retransmissions. The data packet #0_6 indicates that the server device has sent a packet having the packet number "0" to the client device six times after the first packet transmission.
When the client device transmits a negative acknowledgement (NAK) signal NAK1 in spite of 6 retransmissions, the server device transmits a second RTS signal RTS2 for 7th retransmission. Upon receiving a second CTS signal CTS2, the server device sends a data packet #0_7.
When the client device has completely received the data packet #0_7 normally, it transmits a positive acknowledgement (ACK) signal ACK2. The server device transmits a third RTS signal RTS3 to send the data packet #1_0. The client device transmits a third CTS signal CTS3 in response to the third RTS signal RTS3.
In a data transmission operation of the conventional server system, the server device implements an auto-fall back function while sequentially scanning transmission rates of 11 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 2 Mbps and 1 Mbps according to a distance between the server device and the client device. A transmission rate based on the conventional auto-fall back function will be described with reference to FIG. 2.
As the distance between the client device and the server device is long, the data packet #0_6 is sent over a communication channel based on a transmission rate of 1 Mbps as shown in FIG. 2. Moreover, when the data packet #0_6 has not been received, a data packet #0_7 is sent at the transmission rate of 1 Mbps.
When the client device has received the data packet #0_7, the server device sends a new data packet #1_0. In spite of a substantial data transmission rate of 1 Mbps, data begins to be sent at a transmission rate of 11 Mbps according to the conventional auto-fall back function.
Because a network environment at the time of transmitting a previous data packet is not considered in the conventional auto-fall back, a transmission rate of 11 Mbps is fixedly set whenever an operation for sending a new data packet is initiated. For this reason, a wireless network environment cannot be effectively employed, and the number of unnecessary retransmissions is increased. Moreover, data transmission is delayed or a data error is incurred, and the wireless network environment appropriate for multimedia streaming cannot be implemented.

Server system for performing communication over wireless network and communication method thereof


A classification code parser and method can include: reading a classification code having a description; reading a required keyword, and a total number of keywords associated with the classification code; reading text of a note; tokenizing the text of the note to create a note token stream, the note token stream having a note token and a position of the note token within the note token stream; creating a keyword map including a total number of matched keywords; determining a match ratio from the total number of the matched keywords and the total number of the keywords; determining a proximity factor based on a shortest span of tokens within the note token stream containing all the matched keywords; and determining a strength of a match between the classification code and the note based on the match ratio being multiplied by the proximity factor.

Modern companies, organizations, and entire industries have come to rely heavily on digital data management. Data management has become a critically important aspect of successfully operating in many fields including government, engineering, and health.
The medical field, for example, provides a helpful illustration of an industry that relies on accurate and complete records for properly and timely diagnosing, treating, and billing medical patients. Furthermore, the medical industry represents one industry, among many, that employs classification codes as an important piece of data within these records.
Illustratively, the World Health Organization (WHO) is one organization to rely on a family of classification codes. Specifically, the WHO sets forth the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) as a standard diagnostic tool for health and clinical purposes.
These classification codes are found on hospital records and medical charts, together with bills and other medical records and notes. These classification codes are relied upon to ensure that patients get proper treatment and receive appropriate medical bills.
Moreover, the medical field generates massive amounts of written notes and documents, and together with newly digitized historical documents, the manual inclusion of classification codes by medical professionals after the note is generated is impractical and impossible. When medical professionals do include a classification code, the process relies on the professional's ability to look up the code based on their current understanding of the medical facts before them as represented by the patient, lab work, and other diagnostic tools.
Although these classification codes provide an effective tool, a large number of the written notes and documents produced within the medical industry do not include these highly effective classification codes. Doctors and other medical professionals must include classification codes manually or not at all.
As technology advances and medical diagnosis, treatment, and billing rely all the more on automated tools, the need to assign classification codes to medical documents has become an obvious and pressing need, as the documents are difficult to classify by hand and no automated solution exists. Identifying and attaching classification codes to medical documents has therefore been identified as an important area for development of next generation technology impacting timely and accurate diagnosis, treatment, and billing.
Technical solutions are actively being sought that can automatically deduce the correct classification code of text. This technical solution must provide a classification from a written note based on its text alone and must be fast enough to assign classification codes to millions of notes in a single run and over the course of a few hours at most.
As such, there remains a need to automatically identify and associate classification codes with written notes and documents, this need is felt all the more as written notes and documents are digitized together with voice transcripts. Previous technical solutions fall short for many reasons and currently there is no suitable solution for identifying and associating classification codes with written documents.
Any technical solution will require the parsing of text that is not grammatically correct, written in short-hand, or written with many technical terms of art. These texts, for example, are often found in medical notes written by doctors.
Previous solutions fail to provide a parsing solution for text that is not grammatically correct, written in short-hand, or written with many technical terms of art. Previous solutions furthermore fail to set forth a solution for matching the result of a parsed text to a classification code.
One previous solution to parsing text is natural language processing (NLP). The NLP technology, however, operates on data that must have correct grammar with standard vocabulary. This technical limitation prevents doctors notes from being parsed.
Illustratively, a doctor's note could state: "RUL undifferentiated large cell neuroendocrine ca. Size ranges from 1.6×1.3 cm-6.5×5.6×5.6 cm on CT scan. s/p bx RUL+." This note should be classified with an ICD-O-3 code of 8013/3 for Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma.
However, an NLP would err at the use of acronyms, partial words, terms of art, and symbols. Furthermore, no NLP is known to match a note to a classification code. Not only does NLP fail to provide a solution for matching but is also technically limited in its ability to parse notes having improper grammar and non-standard vocabulary.
Traditional NLPs also produce outputs like syntax trees and named entities rather than the very specific healthcare data elements that can be correlated with a classification ICD-O-3 code, for example. NLPs therefore fail to provide a complete solution for the identification and association of classification codes to text.
Other solutions such as statistical NLP, or machine learning, have also been developed. Statistical NLPs, including machine learning systems, however, require large data sets to train the system, without which the system will fail to provide useful results. Large datasets can be difficult and expensive to construct and, in some cases, enough data simply does not exist to train a statistical system.
Particularly, data used for statistical NLP requires both the data and the outcome associated with the data in order to train the system. The need for large volumes of data combined with the need to have this data adequately and accurately described means that many industries using classification codes will simply not have the data required to train a statistical NLP.
Large datasets are not merely a problem related to logistics or data access but are a result of a technical reliance on guess and check. That is, the statistical NLP technology is trained by guessing and checking a voluminous amount of training documents. Illustratively, a statistical NLP may require over 100 training documents per classification to train. When there are thousands of classifications, the training data requirements become an astronomical technical problem designed into the technology of the statistical NLP itself.
Solutions have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any complete solutions, and solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art. Thus there remains a considerable need for technical solutions that can automatically deduce the correct classification code from a note based on its text alone and must be fast enough to assign classification codes to millions of notes in a single run over the course of a few hours at most.


A method, apparatus and product for sub-networks based cyber security. One method comprises detecting a device connecting to a local network which is divided into subnets; determining a usage profile of the device; automatically selecting a subnet to connect the device based on the usage profile; and connecting the device to the selected subnet in the local network. Another method comprises monitoring communication traffic of devices in each of the subnets of a local network; performing anomaly detection to detect an abnormal communication of a device connected to a subnet; blocking the abnormal communication of the device; and removing the device from the subnet and connecting the device to a quarantine subnet of the local network, whereby reducing connectivity of the device with other devices connected to the local network.

A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. The firewall creates a barrier between a protected network of trusted devices and an external network, such as the Internet. Firewalls allow defining security rules for incoming and outgoing network traffic, which are applied uniformly on all devices of the protected network.
Computing devices have become more and more ubiquitous in the last few decades. This trend of increasingly widespread use was boosted in recent years with the advent of mobile platforms, such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), hand-held computers, and computerized mobile phones running a full-fledged operating system. This widespread use is expected to even further increase in view of the anticipated widespread of the Internet of Things (IoT) devices, connected to computerized networks and used for sensing, monitoring, and affecting physical objects. It is expected that almost every appliance in one's house, such as a boiler, an A/C, a refrigerator, a vacuum cleaner, a Television, or the like, may be an IoT device, embedded with electronics, software, sensors and connectivity to enable it to collect and exchange data over the Internet. The IoT may allow objects to be sensed and controlled remotely across existing network infrastructure, creating opportunities for direct integration between the physical world and computer-based systems, and resulting in improved efficiency, accuracy and economic benefit. In IoT, each thing may be uniquely identifiable through its embedded computing system but is able to interoperate within the existing Internet infrastructure.

Sub-networks based security method, apparatus and product


Systems and methods for providing security for authentication devices—such as electronically readable cards or ID badges with embedded RFID chips or NFC capability—may include an envelope or pocket-like case for carrying an electronically readable card, having an electrically conductive, non-opaque sleeve that can be moved to cover or expose the electronically readable card and that prevents information on the card from being electronically read when covered yet still allows the card to be seen when covered. In one or more embodiments, the sleeve may be a wire mesh that is flexible enough to be compressed to expose the card yet stiff (or rigid) enough to be extended to cover the card and that is transparent enough to allow reading visual information on the surface of the card when covering the card. Protection can be switched off by a mechanical switch that leaves the protection normally on.

Technical Field
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to security for radio frequency identification (RFID) and, more particularly, to protecting cards having embedded RFID radio frequency for which the protection can be conveniently deactivated yet allows the card to remain visible even while protected.
Related Art
Radio frequency identification (RFID) chips, which can be remotely activated to wirelessly transmit information from the chip, are widely used in many types of authentication devices, including, for example, credit cards, passports, and identity badges, in which a tiny RFID chip may be embedded. Information contained in an RFID chip is, however, often insecure for a number of reasons. For example, the information may not be encrypted due to encryption being expensive for manufacturers; attackers may be able to remotely identify, read, and copy the information stored on an RFID chip using an RFID skimmer that electronically reads and copies the information; and the equipment necessary to skim an RFID authentication device may be obtainable at relatively low cost.
Currently, owners of RFID badges, RFID-embedded credit cards such as payWave™ or PayPass™ credit cards, and other authentication devices using RFID or near field communication (NFC), for example, may sometimes use pouch-like enclosures impregnated with metals to guard against surreptitious duplication or sabotage of their credentials. Such enclosures may take the form of homemade wallets consisting of tinfoil and duct tape, for example, or more sturdy products made with nylon and steel. While these enclosures can be quite effective, they are often cumbersome and require the user to fully remove and then replace the credential device. This type of protection is also unsuitable for credentials—such as identification badges—that must be worn and displayed visibly even when not being used for electronic authentication.
Embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures, in which the showings therein are for purposes of illustrating the embodiments and not for purposes of limiting them.

Portable mechanical switch for selective deactivation of radio frequency identification circuits


A sheath apparatus for housing tubes and/or cables, for incorporation into a flexible pipe body, including: an elongate body portion, comprising an outer surface and a channel for receiving a tube or cable within the body portion, and further comprising at least one opening connecting the channel and the outer surface, wherein the at least one opening comprises a continuous opening extending along the elongate body portion or a plurality of discrete openings at predetermined positions along the elongate body portion, and wherein the channel defines an inner surface of the body portion for contacting the tube or cable.

Traditionally flexible pipe is utilised to transport production fluids, such as oil and/or gas and/or water, from one location to another. Flexible pipe is particularly useful in connecting a sub-sea location (which may be deep underwater, say 1000 meters or more) to a sea level location. The pipe may have an internal diameter of typically up to around 0.6 meters. Flexible pipe is generally formed as an assembly of a flexible pipe body and one or more end fittings. The pipe body is typically formed as a combination of layered materials that form a pressure-containing conduit. The pipe structure allows large deflections without causing bending stresses that impair the pipe's functionality over its lifetime. The pipe body is generally built up as a combined structure including metallic and polymer layers.
In many known flexible pipe designs the pipe body includes one or more pressure armour layers. The primary load on such layers is formed from radial forces. Pressure armour layers often have a specific cross section profile to interlock so as to be able to maintain and absorb radial forces resulting from outer or inner pressure on the pipe. The cross sectional profile of the wound wires which thus prevent the pipe from collapsing or bursting as a result of pressure are sometimes called pressure-resistant profiles. When pressure armour layers are formed from helically wound wired forming hoop components, the radial forces from outer or inner pressure on the pipe cause the hoop components to expand or contract, putting a tensile load on the wires.
In many known flexible pipe designs the pipe body includes one or more tensile armour layers. The primary loading on such a layer is tension. In high pressure applications, such as in deep and ultra deep water environments, the tensile armour layer experiences high tension loads from a combination of the internal pressure end cap load and the self-supported weight of the flexible pipe. This can cause failure in the flexible pipe since such conditions are experienced over prolonged periods of time.
Unbonded flexible pipe has been used for deep water (less than 3,300 feet (1,005.84 meters)) and ultra deep water (greater than 3,300 feet) developments. It is the increasing demand for oil which is causing exploration to occur at greater and greater depths where environmental factors are more extreme. For example in such deep and ultra-deep water environments ocean floor temperature increases the risk of production fluids cooling to a temperature that may lead to pipe blockage. Increased depths also increase the pressure associated with the environment in which the flexible pipe must operate. As a result the need for high levels of performance from the armour layers of the flexible pipe body is increased.
It will be appreciated that harsh environmental conditions are present at such operating depths under the sea, including not only high pressures and strong tidal movement but also man made conditions such as collision with passing vehicles and so on.
Flexible pipe may also be used for shallow water applications (for example less than around 500 meters depth) or even for shore (overland) applications.
For any depth of use, there is an increasing desire for the continual monitoring of various parameters of flexible pipes, such as strain, temperature and acoustics, to help detect structural failures in the pipe. Such structural failure could be leakage, wire breakage, over-bending in the pipe (i.e. bending past the maximum allowable amount before which damage will occur), and interaction between the pipe and external environment such as collisions with other objects, for example.
One way which has been suggested for monitoring parameters associated with such structures is the use of an optical fibre system. As a method of monitoring strain, temperature and acoustics in flexible pipe, bare fibres and/or fibres in metal tubes (FIMT) within a protective conduit have been incorporated along the length of the pipe structure and connected to an interrogating device external of the pipe. The fibre is used as an optical fibre for transmitting light and is generally made of glass. The optical fibres can be used as strain gauges, temperature gauges, temperature indicators and strain measurements can be made which are either localised, distributed or semi-distributed depending upon the manner in which the optical fibre is interrogated and regions/sensors in the optical fibre are arranged. The fibres may include Bragg Gratings whereby differential diffraction of light passing down the fibre is used to measure the necessary parameter. Output readings can be analysed to determine the conditions of the pipe over a time period and corrective action can be taken accordingly. WO2009/068907 discloses a way in which an optical fibre can be wrapped around a flexible pipe and certain measurements taken from which parameters associated with the pipe can be determined.
Strain can be monitored by including a FIMT that is bonded to the conduit. Temperature can be monitored by including a FIMT that is not bonded to the inside of the conduit, and is therefore able to record temperature independently to strain. Fibres can be configured in a similar manner to monitor acoustic conditions.
Assembling the FIMT, and their eventual removal from the wire at the end fitting stage to enable their connection to the interrogating device, are the challenges faced with the known methods. In terms of preparation, finding an appropriate location within the flexible pipe, and the manufacturing technique itself may be problematic. At pipe completion when the end fitting is assembled, the FIMT must be separated to facilitate its connection to an external device. If the FIMT is bonded into an armour wire, for example, removing it from the wire is difficult and can induce unnecessary stress in the material. Similar challenges may arise with other types of sensing device, such as electrical cables, and the like.

Apparatus for flexible pipe body and method of producing same


An x-ray CT solid-state detector provided with detector blocks each having a substrate, a photodiode array secured to the substrate and a scintillator array secured to the photodiode array, and with a collimator device having a plurality of collimator plates secured to a support body, and arranged such that transmitted x-rays obtained by irradiating a fan-shape x-ray beam from an x-ray source onto a subject to be tested, are guided to the detector blocks through the collimator device. There is secured, to each substrate, a groove plate having at a predetermined position a groove into which a collimator plate is to be fitted. The scintillator and photodiode arrays are secured to each substrate with a predetermined positional relationship between the scintillator and photodiode arrays and the groove plate maintained. Each detector block and the collimator device are fixed to each other with a collimator plate fitted in the groove of the groove plate. The collimator plates are positioned directly with respect to the groove plates and the scintillator and photodiode arrays are fixed to the substrates with a predetermined positional relationship between the scintillator and photodiode arrays and the groove plates maintained. This enhances the precision with which the scintillator elements are positioned with respect to the collimator plates.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an x-ray CT solid-state detector, and more particularly to an x-ray CT solid-state detector arranged such that fan-shape x-rays transmitted through a subject to be tested are detected, through a collimator device, by a number of radiation detector elements disposed in the form of an array.
2. Description of the Related Art
As generally shown in FIG. 15, a prior art x-ray CT apparatus comprises an x-ray CT solid-state detector comprising an x-ray tube 71, a collimator device 72 and detector blocks 73, and is arranged such that transmitted x-rays obtained by irradiating a fan-shape x-ray beam 75 from the x-ray tube 71 onto a subject to be tested, are guided to and detected by the detector blocks 73 through the collimator device 72.
In each of the detector blocks 73, combinations of scintillators for converting radiations into lights and photoelectric conversion elements for converting the lights into electric signals, are disposed in parallel on a substrate in the form of a one-dimensional array. In each block 73, 8 to 30 combinations of scintillators and photoelectric conversion elements are generally disposed on the substrate. Such detector blocks 73 are consecutively disposed in the form of a polygon on a predetermined circle and combined with the collimator device 72, thus forming the x-ray CT solid-state detector 74.
In such an x-ray CT solid-state detector, the collimator device 72 and each detector block 73 are secured to an attachment plate 80, as shown in FIG. 16. The collimator device 72 comprises a number of collimator plates 72a incorporated in a case-like support body (not shown in FIG. 16). Each of the collimator plates 72a is fixed to the attachment plate 80 through the support body such that each collimator plate 72a is directed to the point for generating x-rays. In each of the detector blocks 73, an assembly of a scintillator array 73a and a photodiode array 73b is fixed to a support stand 81. Each of the detector blocks 73 is fixed to the attachment plate 80 such that each detector block 73 and the collimator device 72 are made in a unitary structure. Each of the collimator plates 72a is required to be positioned A on each boundary B between adjacent scintillator elements. Accordingly, positioning pins 82 are disposed at the attachment plate 80. By fitting the pins 82 in fitting holes formed in the support stand 81 of the detector block 73, the collimator device 72 and each detector block 73 are positioned with respect to each other.
In such a prior art solid-state detector, the relative positional relationship between the collimator device 72 and the detector blocks 73 is determined only by the positioning pins 82. This disadvantageously makes it difficult to improve the positional precision. More specifically, the collimator plates 72a are held by the support body, and the scintillator arrays 73a are held by the support stands 81, and the support body and the support stands 81 are coupled through the attachment plates 80 and the pins 82. Thus, a number of members are interposed between the collimator plates 72a and the scintillator arrays 73a. This disadvantageously makes it difficult to improve the most important positional precision between the collimator plates 72a and the scintillator arrays 73a.


A unified software apparatus and method for evaluating a generic electrical signal and complex multiple-format video signals. The methods may be operated manually or programmatically and are especially intended for evaluating analog signals within an automated testing environment. The test signal data is supplied by an external source such as an external hardware digitizer or other means. This signal data may be analog or digital in nature and may comprise up to three separate channels. The apparatus generates visual aids and supporting numerical computations, resulting in concrete and tangible results, allowing analysis based upon user selected criteria such as voltage measurements, histograms, frequency domain computations, or total harmonic distortion. In addition to these methods, video waveforms may be analyzed for content based upon numerical measurements applied to a region-within-a-region concept. Within a definable xe2x80x9cregion of interestxe2x80x9d, a section of the test video signal""s content may be isolated and compared to a surrounding xe2x80x9cregion of interestxe2x80x9d to determine the accuracy of image placement and intensity.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates to the field of automatic test equipment for testing electronic signals generated by equipment under test including complex video signals. More particularly, the present invention relates to software methods (algorithms) for determining the validity of an electrical signal and software methods for analyzing the image content of generic video signals.
Automatic test equipment for the testing and measuring of electronic signals and electronic video signals is known. Frequently, the measuring and analytical capabilities of available test instrumentation are limited to a small subset of basic analysis methods. Furthermore, the cost of building extended functionality into a hardware test unit is often very high and prohibits usage within small to mid-budgeted systems. Included within the cost of this extended functionality is often an inferior duplication of the processing and computational hardware already available within the host system (host computer).
While automatic test equipment for video signals is known, the capabilities are mainly limited to standard video format frame capture and minimal image interrogation due to the computational demand of advanced analysis. The means for visualizing complex, multiple format video images and analyzing their image content are currently beyond the capabilities of typical automatic test instrumentation.
If the analysis capabilities were separated from the hardware test instrumentation and made available as a generic software apparatus, the overall cost of such analysis would be greatly diminished and the application of other existing basic hardware test instrumentation (such as simple analog digitizers) would be increased. With the analysis functionality now residing on the host computer, it is possible to add additional facilities only available because of the capabilities of the host computer""s operating system. The operator gains the ability to interactively perform complex data manipulation and receive dramatic visualization presentation of the results on the station monitor or in hardcopy form. Also important is the opportunity to automate the desired data manipulation and measurements.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a single equipment package and software analysis application capable of handling electrical signals, video signals and audio signals, each in its corresponding environment.
It is another object of the present invention to provide new automatic test equipment and methods for testing electronic signals generated by equipment under test including complex video signals.
Another object of the present invention is to provide new methods including software methods (algorithms) for determining the validity of an electrical signal.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide new methods including software methods for analyzing the image content of generic video signals.
In order to achieve these objects and others, the invention is a virtual spectrum analyzer (listed as xe2x80x9cVSAxe2x80x9d henceforth) which is a computer software program intended for use with, but not limited to, automatic test equipment. The VSA performs generic software electrical signal analysis by manual interaction or by programming for autonomous operation within an automated testing environment. While analysis methods, such as histograms and FFT calculations are known, the collection of all these methods, combined with a) both manual and automated interfaces, b) enhanced interactive features, and/or c) a video analysis system featuring a xe2x80x9cwindow-within-a-windowxe2x80x9d analysis method is not known.
One of the unique features that the VSA provides is the ability to appropriately handle the test waveform in its proper environment. Normal (digitized) electrical signals will be plotted and displayed much like on an oscilloscope. Digitized audio signals may be presented as audio utilizing the host computer""s sound card and speakers. Digitized video signals may be reconstructed and presented optically as the original image with controls to zoom, invert and manipulate colors. Optical measurements are calculated on a unique window-within-a-window region of interest, which updates themselves automatically anytime any control is modified.
The xe2x80x9cVSAxe2x80x9d encompasses all the methods discussed hereinafter. The VSA comprises five major elements, as follows:
1) Graphical User Interface (listed as xe2x80x9cGUIxe2x80x9d hereinafter);
2) Automated Programmatic Interface (xe2x80x9cAPIxe2x80x9d)/External Interface Module (xe2x80x9cEIMxe2x80x9d);
3) Control Event Handler (xe2x80x9cCEHxe2x80x9d);
4) Data Visualization Engine (xe2x80x9cDVExe2x80x9d); and
5) Toolkit Engine (xe2x80x9cTExe2x80x9d).
Each of these elements will be discussed below.
A significant advantage of the VSA, while not necessarily the uniqueness of all of its components, is the combination of them and the extremely flexible methods to access them. All controls and requests are accessible from a higher level language (programmed through API calls) or directly through the GUI interface (point and click-no programming at all). This provides the ability to design and debug a test, then successfully automate it, all with the same package.
In one embodiment of the method for analyzing and testing a waveform, either an electrical signal, a digitized audio signal or a digitized video signal, a single equipment package is provided including a computer having at least a sound card, at least one speaker and a screen. As noted above, the VSA provides the ability to analyze each waveform in its proper environment. Thus, when the waveform is an electrical signal, a swath of the electrical signal is plotted and displayed on the screen. When the waveform is a digitized audio signal, the audio signal is passed to the sound card and speaker, which convert it to sound. When the waveform is a digitized video signal, the video signal is reconstructed on the screen. Software tools are provided operative on the electrical signal, the audio signal and the video signal to effect changes in the electrical signal, the audio signal and the video signal. When the waveform is the electrical signal or video signal, the changed signal is displayed on the screen. When the waveform is the audio signal, the changed audio signal is directed to the sound card and speaker, the changed signal is thereby heard.
The tools may be controlled via a user interface to enable manual adjustment of the waveform or from a command log generated through programming to perform desired control of the tools. In the latter case, the command log is operatively accessed to obtain the desired control commands for the tools such that automatic adjustment of the waveform via the tools is accomplished.
When the waveform is an electrical signal or a video signal, operability of the tools can be limited to only a selected portion of the electrical signal or video signal on the screen. This selected portion can be displayed in a different area of the screen. By linking the portion of the signal and the entire signal, changes to one will appear on the other.
In another embodiment of the method for performing electrical signal analysis, at least one test signal, e.g., a video signal, is displayed, both manual and automatic manipulation of the test signal(s) is enabled and the manipulated test signal(s) is/are displayed. Data from the manipulation of each test signal may be obtained. The test signals may be obtained by digitizing electronic analog signals from an instrument and optionally storing the digitized signals in a binary file. In the alternative, the test signal(s) may be obtained in a binary file with decimal values, or a single capture of waveform data performed to obtain the test signal therefrom. If multiple captures of waveform data are performed, the captured data may be arranged as a two-dimensional matrix which constitutes the test signal. Additional information about the test signal may be encoded. If the test signal comprises three test signals, all three of the test signals can be displayed on a single screen.
To enable manual and automatic manipulation of the test signal, available options are presented on a screen, and manual selection and adjustment of the available options are enabled through a user interface, e.g., a keyboard or mouse. The available options include plotting options such as time domain plotting, FFT results, spectrum/magnitude plotting, autocorrelation plotting and cross correlation plotting. Also, configuration adjustment options include orientation adjustment of a graph of the test signal, color adjustments, test adjustments, highlighting, and axis scale lock adjustments. Signal manipulation options include filters, a ranking of peaks in the test signal by amplitude, averaging, fixed voltage removal, and addition and subtraction of an additional test signal to the test signal. One or more discrete portions of the test signal may be selected for manipulation, e.g., by determining a boundary of the test signal to define the selected portion, and displaying the selected portion of the test signal in a different area of the same screen as the test signal is being displayed. This enables only the selected portion of the test signal to be manipulated and/or compared to a surrounding portion of the test signal.
In another embodiment, to enable manual and automatic manipulation of the test signal, available options for manipulation of the test signal are created and a library of stored subroutines provided in a memory space to perform the options such that the test signal is able to be manipulated by the running of the subroutines. In this connection, a computer may be programmed to receive the test signal, perform at least one of the subroutines to manipulate the test signal and display the manipulated test signal.
A plot tracking option is also provided and is useful when a portion of the test signal is displayed separate from the display of the entire at least one test signal, although they may both be on the same screen. One or more signal modification techniques are applied either to the portion of the test signal or the entire test signal, and by linking the display of the entire test signal to the display of the portion of the test signal, the application of the signal modification technique(s) to the portion of the test signal or the entire test signal is reflected in the display of the other.

Unified analog/digital waveform software analysis tool with video and audio signal analysis methods


A high-frequency oscillator comprises a reference-frequency generator and a high-frequency generator. The reference-frequency generator generates a variable reference frequency and supplies it to the high-frequency generator. The high-frequency generator comprises a phase-locked loop and generates a high-frequency signal from the variable reference frequency. The phase-locked loop comprises at least one first mixer, a second mixer and several switches. The first mixer, the second mixer and the switches are connected in series. The mixers are connected into the phase-locked loop individually in a selective manner by means of the switches.

With conventional signal generators, a reference signal of variable frequency is supplied to a phase-locked oscillator. This is thus excited into oscillation at an adjustable frequency.
Accordingly, DE 41 05 566 A1 discloses a mixer, which synchronizes an oscillator to a clear frequency in the GHz range. This mixer operates with a multiplier diode, which generates a short pulse from the reference frequency, with the line spectrum of which the signal of the oscillator is mixed down. The disadvantage with this method is the poor signal-to-noise ratio which can be achieved with this arrangement. Since the sampling mixer converts on all harmonics of the reference signal, a large amount of noise is also mixed into the intermediate frequency. This restricts the sensitivity.
Moreover, US 2009/0309665 A1 discloses a high-frequency generator which contains a switchable phase-locked loop. Accordingly, the output signal of the oscillator is supplied optionally to a frequency splitter or a series circuit of several mixers. The signal of the frequency splitter is used to adjust the oscillator to a coarse frequency. In order to implement a fine adjustment, the arrangement then switches to the signal of the series-connected mixers. Even with a signal generator according to this design, it is only possible to achieve a sub-optimal phase noise.
Accordingly, there is a need for a high-frequency signal generator, which achieves very good secondary-line spacing with low phase noise.

High-frequency signal generator with low phase noise


A method of classifying elements of a document includes receiving a file defining a document having at least one page and a plurality of elements. Each selected element is classified into one of a plurality of categories based on at least one of the element type, location, size (area, height, or width), or recurrence throughout the document.

Various software products are available for generating publication quality documents. Typically, the source files may be created and manipulated as necessary by an editor or layout software application. The source files are in a format that facilitates editing by the editor or layout software application. In order to print the document, however, the source files are compiled and converted into a printer-ready file suitable for processing by a printer for reproduction.
Although the source files may be converted into rasterized files that specifically identify the pixels to be printed, such files are limited in usefulness because they are specific to resolution, make, and model of printer. Moreover, the storage requirements of rasterized files tend to increase with the square of the desired resolution.
To facilitate variable resolution, a wide variety of printers, and ease of distribution, printer-ready files are typically defined using a page description language (PDL) in modern publishing workflows. The source file manipulated by the design or layout software is used to produce a printer-ready file defined in a page description language. PostScript® (Adobe Systems, Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.) and Printer Control Language (PCL® Hewlett Packard Company, Palo Alto, Calif.) are examples of page description languages. PDLs attempt to define elements of the document as objects such as lines, arcs, text, etc. so that printed page appearance is consistent regardless of printer platform.
Although the printer-ready file may be readily available, logical relationships between page elements is typically lost when the source document is compiled and converted into a printer-ready file. Thus, for example, distinction between document content and background is lost. Without the ability to distinguish between the two, legitimate document re-use or document element re-use is compromised.

Method and apparatus for classifying elements of a document

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


Analyzing log data, such as security log data and event data, is disclosed. Log data is received. Portions of the log data are clustered into clusters of similar data portions. A signature for each cluster is generated. Comparison of subsequent log data with the signature indicates whether the subsequent log data belongs in the cluster.

Business and other entities are increasingly interested in capturing data associated with their computer networks for information technology (IT) security, IT operations, compliance, and other reasons. Unfortunately, analyzing that data can be difficult, expensive, and ineffective. One reason is that the data is voluminous and generated at a rapid rate. Another reason is that an increasing number of types of devices emit log information in varying and new formats. As new types of data are to be captured and analyzed, significant work is typically required from expert contractors.


A proximity detector has a casing containing a probe (4) and a printed circuit (3), the upper end of the casing being closed by a plug (35) provided with a filling orifice (14) and with connecting-pins (36). The nozzle of a plastic injector (13) is fitted in position within the filling orifice, said nozzle being provided with two adjacent ducts. A hardenable resin is caused by centrifugation to flow into the casing via a first duct while simultaneously driving-out the air which is present within the casing via the second duct, thus ensuring rapid and efficient filling. When the casing has been filled and the resin has hardened, the injector (13) is cut-off in close proximity to the plug (35). Complete filling can be checked by inspecting the surface appearance of the two leading portions of solidified resin flux which are thus visible at the level of the orifice (14).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for embedding in resin components which are located within the casing of an electrical device such as a proximity detector.
The invention is also concerned with an electrical device provided with a casing which is intended to house electric components, in particular a proximity detector in which a sensing probe is placed at one end of the casing while an opposite end of the casing is intended to be fitted with insulated and conductive electrical connecting means for supplying the detector and transmitting its output signals. Within the casing, the electrical components are embedded in a hardened insulating resin which fixes them in position and forms a mechanical joint by adhesion to the internal walls of the casing
The injection of hardenable material is intended to endow the electrical device with very high reliability. This result is achieved by virtue of insensitivity to impacts or vibrations, electrical insulation of the components and total protection against fluid or atmospheric agents of the environment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A known method of filling with resin as disclosed in patent No. FR-A-2 648 745 makes use of the centrifugation effect. While centrifugation of resin does produce satisfactory results, it is nevertheless found desirable to simplify and rationalize the implementation of this method.
The object of the invention is therefore both to satisfy the requirements of quality and reliability of the products obtained and to achieve the aims of simplicity of manufacture and short duration of the filling operation.
A further object of the invention is to obtain a particular configuration of the product in correlation with the application of the method.

Electrical device with embedded resin and visible resin inlet and discharge ducts


The invention describes a method for the fuel-optimized selection of a configuration of thrusters on a spacecraft while resolving a linear optimization problem with an initialization phase for finding a first permissible solution and a subsequent iteration phase, in which proceeding on the permissible solution an iterative optimization of an efficiency criterion takes place. In each iteration step a scaled iteration gradient is formed, and the iteration gradient is multiplied with a limiting factor for a maximum iteration step width, which is formed while taking at least one boundary value condition for a permissible solution into account.

Such a method of fuel optimized selection is known for example from U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,262 B1 for the case of a spin-stabilized spacecraft. A configuration of thrusters on a spacecraft, as considered by the present invention, serves in particular the attitude and position correction of the spacecraft. Such an attitude and position correction via the thrusters is known for example from EP 0 750239 A2.
From EP 0 977 687 we know of a special method for the low-fuel control of an arrangement of thrusters on a spacecraft, wherein for the purpose of finding a low-fuel solution for the control of a convex linear optimization problem is resolved through                an initialization phase for finding a first permissible solution to the linear optimization problem and        a subsequent iteration phase, in which, proceeding on the permissible solution to the linear optimization problem, an iterative optimization of an effectiveness criterion takes place.
In this method a dual simplex algorithm is applied, which is supposed to find an optimal solution to the problem through a largely unfocused search method, wherein however it is possible with this method that there is no solution for the currently existing force-momental vector and the present thruster arrangement.
From N. Karmakar: A new polynominal time algorithm for linear programming, Combinatorica 4 (4), 1984, p. 373–395 we know of a basic method for solving linear optimization problems of a general form.

Method for the fuel-optimized selection of a thruster configuration


In an inverted pendulum type mobile unit that performs inverted pendulum stabilization control and traveling control based on a velocity target value as an input variable, a change in tilt angle of a vehicle body occurring during traveling is smoothed. The target value generating portion in the inverted pendulum type mobile unit generates the velocity target value VREF of the mobile unit and the tilt angular rate target value ωREF of the vehicle body so that a second-order time derivative of VREF is continuous and ωREF is continuous with respect to time. The controller in the inverted pendulum type mobile unit calculates a torque command value Tcom for the motor drivers using VREF and ωREF as a control target to allow the mobile unit to travel at VREF while maintaining the state where the gravity center of the vehicle body or the gravity center of total mass of the vehicle body and a subject supported on the vehicle body is located above the rotation center of the wheels.

An inverted pendulum type mobile unit in this description includes a vehicle body and a rotator with a circular cross section (such as a wheel) which is coupled to the vehicle body in such a way that the vehicle body can tilt in the longitudinal direction of the mobile unit and is capable of moving by the rotation of the rotator while maintaining the state where the center of gravity of the vehicle body or the center of gravity of the total mass of the vehicle and a subject such as a user that is supported on the vehicle body is located above the rotation center of the rotator.
There have been proposals for a control method of an inverted pendulum type mobile unit. In an inverted pendulum type mobile unit of a related art, it is typical to detect a tilt angle of a vehicle body with respect to the vertical by a tilt angle sensor which is placed in the mobile unit and perform inverted pendulum stabilization control and traveling control using the detected tilt angle as an input variable. The inverted pendulum type mobile unit which employs such a control method is disclosed in the patent document 1.
The inverted pendulum type mobile unit which is disclosed in the patent document 1 includes wheels that are attached at the left and right sides of a vehicle body and two motors that respectively drive the left and right wheels independently. The inverted pendulum type mobile unit which is disclosed in the patent document 1 further includes a tilt angle sensor (specifically, an acceleration sensor) that detects a tilt angle of the vehicle body in the longitudinal direction of the mobile unit, a tilt angular rate sensor (specifically, a rate gyro) that detects a tilt angular rate, and a controlling portion that performs the inverted pendulum stabilization control for maintaining the inverted position of the vehicle body and the traveling control in the longitudinal direction using the tilt angle and the tilt angular rate which are detected by the tilt angle sensor and the tilt angular rate sensor as input variables.
In the inverted pendulum type mobile unit which is disclosed in the patent document 1, the forward and backward traveling of the mobile unit is controlled according to the tilt of the vehicle body by the shift in the center of gravity of a user. In the inverted pendulum type mobile unit which travels by a user's control of the tilt angle of the vehicle body, an acceleration of the mobile unit is determined as a result of performing the control loop for maintaining a dynamically balanced inverted state, and a velocity is determined as a result of the traveling of the mobile unit with the determined acceleration. Since the controlled variable which is designated by a user is the tilt angle of the vehicle body, the mobile unit is likely to behave in a way that is not intended by the user. Because the above-described handling of the inverted pendulum type mobile unit by the tilt angle of the vehicle body differs significantly from the handling of a passenger car, which controls the velocity of the mobile unit by the adjustment of accelerator opening made by a driver, the above-described way of controlling the mobile unit is generally difficult.
On the other hand, an inverted pendulum type mobile unit which performs the inverted pendulum stabilization control and the traveling control toward a velocity target value which is input by a user or the like, rather than the tilt angle of a vehicle body, as an input variable is also proposed (cf. e.g. the patent documents 2 and 3).
The patent document 2 discloses the inverted pendulum type mobile unit which has a joystick for inputting a fictitious signal that is deemed to be a tilt parameter that includes at least one of a tilt angle or a tilt angular rate of a vehicle body and controls the forward and backward traveling of the mobile unit according to the manipulation of the joystick by a user. The patent document 2 describes a tilt angle target value and a translational velocity target value of a vehicle body as specific parameters which are associated with a fictitious signal that is generated according to the degree of manipulation of the joystick.
In the inverted pendulum type mobile unit which is disclosed in the patent document 2, when the degree of manipulation of the joystick is associated with a velocity target value such as a translational velocity of the mobile unit or a rotation angular velocity of wheels, the mobile unit can travel forward and backward at the velocity target value which is input by the manipulation of the joystick by performing the combination of the traveling control which generates a torque command value to a motor so as to generate a translational velocity or a rotation angular velocity of wheels which is equal to the velocity target value according to the velocity target value which is given by the joystick manipulation and the inverted pendulum stabilization control which generates a torque command value so as to maintain the inverted position of the vehicle body using a tilt angle and a tilt angular rate of the vehicle body as input variables.
The inverted pendulum type mobile unit which is disclosed in the patent document 3 detects at least one of a tilt angle and a tilt angular rate of a vehicle body and performs the inverted pendulum stabilization control of the inverted pendulum type mobile unit using the detected one or both of tilt angle and tilt angular rate as an input value. Specifically, the inverted pendulum type mobile unit which is disclosed in the patent document 3 includes a gyro sensor that detects a tilt angular rate and performs the inverted pendulum stabilization control so as to bring the tilt angular rate that is detected by the gyro sensor to zero. Further, the inverted pendulum type mobile unit which is disclosed in the patent document 3 is capable of inputting a velocity target value of the mobile unit and it performs the traveling control so that the velocity of the mobile unit becomes the input velocity target value in addition to the above-described inverted pendulum stabilization control.    [Patent document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-94898    [Patent document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 4-201793    [Patent document 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-295430

Mobile unit and control method of mobile unit


A foreign substance trap device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a first member in which at least one fluid intake hole is formed; a second member in which at least a portion of an exhaust channel, through which gas in liquid flowing inside through the fluid intake hole is discharged, is formed; and a movable member movably disposed between the first member and the second member and closing the exhaust channel by being moved by liquid in fluid flowing inside through the fluid intake hole.

There are various food cooking devices that pulverize, mix, juice, etc. food.
A food cooking device generally performs processing on food using processing members (a blade, a screw, etc.) after the food that is a processing target is put into a container.
Recently, cooking devices that make a container vacuum to make the inside of the container into a negative pressure environment and then perform processing on food in order to prevent oxidation of the food during a cooking process have been introduced.
However, when foreign substances enter an exhaust channel during a vacuum exhaust process, the foreign substances reach even a vacuum pump, and as a result, the vacuum pump is broken in many cases.

Foreign substance trap device and cooking device using same


A method of inlaying metal in non-conductive materials utilizes conventional electroforming or electroplating techniques to build up metal in grooves or channels formed in the surface of the material. An adhesive is deposited in the grooves, and a cathode is positioned in the adhesive. A metallic base is applied onto or into the adhesive in electrical communication with the cathode, and then the material is immersed in an electrolytic solution wherein metal is built up in the grooves by electrolysis using the metallic base as a cathode.

The instant invention relates to the jewelry art and more particularly to a method of inlaying metal in electrically non-conductive materials, such as ornamental stones.
The present method of inlaying metal in ornamental stones comprises forming narrow grooves in the stone, undercutting the grooves, i.e. making the base of the groove wider than the opening in the surface, and then mechanically forcing metal wire into the grooves using pressure so that the metal spreads into the groove and is held in place by the undercut. Any exposed metal above the top of the groove is then ground and polished so that the metal is flush with the surface of the stone. One disadvantage of the present method is that the pressure of inlaying the metal wire often cracks or shatters the stone and therefore the method requires the use of high-quality, or synthetic stones. Such high quality stones are expensive and increase the cost of the resulting article. Another disadvantage is that the method requires the time and skill of an experienced craftsman which further increases the cost of such jewelry articles. Also, since this technique utilizes wire as the inlay material, the inlay is necessarily limited to relatively narrow lines.
It is also known in the art to form a metal blank and then glue or rivet the blank into a complementary groove or recessed area formed in a stone. Although this inlay method works, the metal blanks do not always fit tightly within the recessed area and leave gaps between the metal and stone, thus detracting from the aesthetic value of the final product. Foils have also been fixed in grooved areas, however the foil lies below the surface of the stone and detracts from the appearance thereof.
Heretofore, methods have been known for depositing a thin metal film on the surface of a non-conductive material. In this regard, the U.S. Pat. Nos. to Scharling No. 472,230 and Franklin No. 1,037,887 represent the closest prior art to the present invention of which the applicant is aware. The Scharling patent discloses a method of depositing metals onto a glass or other non-conductive surface. The method comprises applying an adhesive substance to the surface, coating the adhesive with a metallic powder, and then electroforming a thin coating of metal onto the powder. The patent to Franklin discloses a similar process of plating metals onto non-conducting surfaces. This particular method comprises applying a sticky varnish material to the surface of the article, coating the varnish with a powdered graphite, and then electroplating the metal onto the surface, using the graphite as a cathode in the plating bath. However, none of these methods relate to an inlay process.

Method of inlaying metals in non-conductive materials


An optical device includes a supporting frame and a light-transmissive element. The supporting frame has a frame body defining a through hole, and an extending portion extending from a side of the frame body and having a first cutting edge. The light-transmissible element is disposed on the supporting frame and has a main body aligned with the through hole, and an extending portion extending from a side of the main body and aligned with the extending portion of the supporting frame. The extending portion of the light-transmissible element has a second cutting edge that is flush with the first cutting edge of the supporting frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an optical device and a method for producing the same, more particularly to an optical device made by injection molding and a method for producing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, while utilizing a bi-injection molding process to form two coupling components, which are made from various materials, a first component is formed using a first mold set, followed by cutting off unwanted portions (such as segments formed in sprue channels). Then, the first component is placed into a second mold set to form a second component coupled to the first component, followed by cutting off sprue segments of the second component to obtain the final product. However, the conventional bi-injection molding process has several disadvantages:
(i) A cutting step is needed for each of the first and second components, thereby increasing the manufacturing time and lowering the manufacturing efficiency of the final product.
(ii) Since the cutting steps for the first and second components are consecutively performed, the first and second components may be formed with cutting edges that are located at various sites of the final product (e.g., left and right sides or top and bottom sides), and may increase the level of tolerance of the final product.
(iii) The first component needs to be precisely placed into the second mold set, such that the extra manufacturing time for aligning the first component lowers the manufacturing efficiency as well.

Optical device and method for producing the same


A system for FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) upgrade includes: an FPGA, a FLASH memory and a CPLD. The FLASH memory includes a first section configured to store a workable version of bit files for the FPGA and a second section configured to store a backup version of bit files for the FPGA. The CPLD is coupled to the FPGA and the FLASH memory. The CPLD is configured to download the bit files from the FLASH memory to the FPGA to provide the FPGA with functionality. As a result, the CPLD communicates with CPU to upgrade the bit files in the FLASH memory, and indicates to the CPU which version of bit files has been downloaded to the FPGA.

Firewall product Matrix9 has a network security board named NSB. The NSB is built with an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) chip. When customers require new features or new bugs are found, system functions need to be upgraded.
FPGA is a kind of chip which will lose functions when it is powered off. So typically after powered on, FPGA must be programmed by an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) to have its functions. EEPROM contains bit files which provide FPGA functionality. By upgrading the bit files, the FPGA can be upgraded.
Due to large FPGA, such as XILINX's Virtex II 6000, the bit files are too big to be fitted into a single chip EEPROM. As such, multiple EEPROMs are used to store such huge bit files. Thus, a lot of EEPROMs will occupy valuable PCB space which will reduce the reliability. One conventional approach incorporates a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) and a FLASH memory to implement the function of this special EEPROM. The FLASH memory stores the bit files. The CPLD communicates with CPU to upgrade bit files in FLASH memory and also downloads the bit files to the FPGA to provide the FPGA with the functionality. Through this method, typically, there always has a very high reliable channel for software to write bit files to the FLASH memory. An example is the CPU's GPIO (General Purpose Input Output).
However, some systems do not include a GPIO channel. For example some systems use a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnection) interface to talk with the CPU, but this PCI interface is implemented by the FPGA. As a result, if upgrading bit files through the PCI interface failed, these systems will lose functions totally without capability of being repaired.
As a result, there is a need to develop a robust and economic solution for FPGA upgrade.

Robust and economic solution for FPGA bitfile upgrade