Described herein are systems and methods for control of an overhead crude section of a hydrocarbon refining process. In one aspect, the method comprises monitoring a plurality of operating conditions of an overhead crude section of a refinery; determining hydrogen chloride and amine conditions of the overhead crude section of the refinery at current operating conditions of the overhead crude section; determining a plurality of fields of action by simulating a variation of one or more of the plurality of conditions; determining a risk indicator of salting for each of the plurality of fields of action; and providing a recommended change in operation of the overhead crude section to one of the plurality of fields of action while adhering to one or more constraints.

The majority of hydrocarbons found on earth naturally occur in crude oil, where decomposed organic matter provides an abundance of carbon and hydrogen which, when bonded, can concatenate to form seemingly limitless chains. Hydrocarbons can be refined in a refining process to produce products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, paraffin wax, and the like. The refining process can include a tank-farm, a cold preheat train, a desalter, a hot preheat train, a crude heater/furnace, a crude distillation unit, a vacuum unit furnace, a vacuum distillation unit, and downstream processing units such a hydrotreater, a hydrocracker, fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), a visbreaker, a coker, etc.
Sustained growth in the demand for jet fuel, diesel and other middle distillate products is expected to have a continuing impact on unit operations, product pricing, product selection and refining margins into the foreseeable future. As more and more new facilities come online to supply the demand for tighter product Sulphur specifications, refiners will continue to maximize distillate production in their atmospheric distillation units to take advantage of favorable product pricing. However, maximizing the production of these fuel streams requires a continual assessment of the entire processing system beyond the mechanical capability of pumps, piping and valves to ensure reliable operation of the unit in a market environment that favors distillate production. As refineries continue to lower tower top temperatures in an effort to increase product draws in the distillate sections of the column, the conditions for introducing salt fouling and corrosion mechanisms into areas that previously were not affected come to the forefront. Refiners must address the hazards of unmonitored distillate maximization on corrosion in the crude distillation column top section and overhead system.
Crude unit overhead corrosion deals with corrosion affecting the upper sections of the crude unit atmospheric fractionation column, including the top tower trays, overhead condenser system and top pumparound circuits. Corrosion in the crude unit overhead system is primarily due to acid attack at the initial water condensation point (ICP), resulting in low pH conditions and the associated aggressive corrosion of the system's metal surfaces. Secondary corrosion mechanisms in the tower top and overhead are typically due to amine-chloride salt deposition driving under-deposit corrosion. Neutralizers are used to control the pH of condensing overhead waters within an optimal range to maximize the reduction of corrosion rates while minimizing the tendency for salt deposition caused by the neutralization reaction with the acidic species. The type of neutralizer used in an overhead system is selected based on three primary factors: neutralization capacity (the strength of the neutralizer), the water partition coefficient (the rate at which it will enter the first water droplets formed in the overhead system) and the neutralizer's salt point.
The salt point is defined as the temperature at which the first neutralization salts begin to precipitate from the vapor phase. These salts can be very corrosive themselves and can also give rise to under-deposit corrosion at certain points in the system. In order to control the deposition and corrosivity of these salts, a water wash is often used to provide a means of diluting and washing the corrosive salts from the overhead system. In these cases, the salts are scrubbed from the overhead vapor, washed from the overhead piping and condenser system, and flow into the overhead receiver. However, as the overhead process temperature is lowered in an effort to force additional material into the distillate draw section of the column, the location of the salt point temperature moves further upstream into the overhead line, pumparound circuits and tower top internals where there is no water wash. Without the means of removing deposited salts in these areas, corrosion can be severe and equipment failure rapid. Therefore, it is critical to continuously re-evaluate the neutralizer being used to determine if it is still appropriate for changes in overhead and operating conditions. The ideal neutralizer for the system will form its amine chloride salt at a temperature that is 15° F. (8° C.) lower than the water dew point in the system. To protect against the deposition of precipitated amine-chloride salts inside of the distillation column, the neutralizer salt point temperature must also be 25° F. (14° C.) lower than the tower top temperature.
Chloride control in the overhead system is one of the aspects of a good corrosion control program. This is because altering chloride levels has the largest overall impact on the corrosion potential by dramatically affecting both pH and the salt point deposition temperatures. The lower chloride levels entering the distillation column are, the greater the degree of corrosion control that is possible from a treatment program. Therefore, with the desalter having the greatest impact on the condition of the charge to the distillation tower, all efforts should be made to ensure optimal desalter performance, reducing desalted crude chlorides to the lowest possible levels. However, maintaining low chlorides alone is not sufficient to guarantee good overhead corrosion control. The amines present in the system are equally important to the overhead system's fouling and corrosion potential. Neutralizing amines that are intentionally added to control overhead pH conditions are not the only amine species that play a role in overhead salt formation. The presence of tramp amines may play a larger role in undesired salt formation in the overhead and tower top than the injected neutralizer amines. Tramp amines are broadly defined as any amines, other than the appropriate neutralizer being used, found cycling in the system. Tramp amines that are entering and recycling in the system will strongly affect overhead pH and typically have very high salt points. Sources of these tramp amines include incoming crude and slop oils, steam neutralizers, alkanol amine units, sour water strippers, H2S scavengers and cold wet reflux. Such amines can make it virtually impossible to either keep salt points below the water dew point or to drop pH to desirable levels. The most desirable condition is to have overall tramp amines in the system low enough to enable the usage of a quality neutralizer with a low salt point. If tramp amine levels are high enough, the net system salt point can negate the impact of a quality neutralizer. This situation can cause salt point temperatures to exceed the tower top temperature and cause various deposition problems that can become quite severe and affect tower operation and charge rates. Efforts should always be taken to understand total amine loading. Both elevated chloride levels and amine levels will negatively impact overhead corrosion due to salt point effects. While chloride control is a relatively direct and straightforward effort, lowering levels of tramp amines can be much more difficult. This is often because operational practices prevailing in the refinery will give rise to high levels of tramp amines cycling up in the crude unit overhead. These practices are often caused by units outside the crude unit boundary. Four primary sources of tramp amine entry are the sour water stripper, steam production, alkanolamine scrubbing units, and amines entering the refinery with the incoming crude oil. An overall understanding of tramp amine backgrounds, surges and sources is necessary to enable targets and intervention for control of these species. Levels as low as 5 ppm of certain tramp amines can have a dramatic impact on salt points and associated corrosion. FIG. 1 illustrates typical tramp amine cycles. The tendency for all these amines to cycle up in the system is largely driven by overhead receiver pH and desalter effluent brine pH. As the pH rises above 5.5, the tendency for these species to cycle up is substantially increased. This is because the partitioning rate at which amines migrate from the hydrocarbon to the water phase are strongly influenced by pH. Once cycled up, the rate at which amines will blow down is dependent on the pH of both the desalter effluent brine and the overhead receiver waters, as well as the relative rate of amine input. A lower pH will cause a faster blow-down at a constant input of amines to the recycling system. The dynamic aspects of amines having reduced partitioning rates, reduced recycling rates and increased blow-down rates as pH is lowered has important consequences.
Therefore, a system and method that dynamically uses overhead corrosion control strategies to help refiners maintain reliable unit operation while maximizing distillate production is desired.

System and method of predictive analytics for control of an overhead crude section of a hydrocarbon refining process


A crystalline form of alkynyl pyridine prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor and a method for preparing same are described. Specifically, a new crystalline form of alkynyl pyridine prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor as represented by formula (I) is described. The new crystalline form of the present invention has good stability and may be better used for clinical treatment.

Anemia generally refers to any abnormality in hemoglobin or red blood cells that leads to reduced oxygen levels in the blood. Anemia can also develop in association with chronic diseases, such as chronic infection, neoplastic diseases, chronic inflammation, including disorders of consequent inflammatory suppression of marrow, etc. Anemia of chronic disease, for example anemia in chronic kidney disease, is one of the most common syndromes in medicine. The main cause of anemia in chronic kidney disease is insufficient secretion of erythropoietin (EPO) (Nephrol Dial Transplant 17 (2002)2-7). The insufficient secretion of EPO can hinder the production of red blood cells, resulting in the occurrence of anemia. The expression and secretion of EPO are regulated by the transcription factor hypoxia inducible factor (HIF). The HIF protein with complete transcription function is composed of two subunits HIF-α and HIF-β, of which HIF-α is regulated by prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) that can hydroxylate HIF-α to promote its degradation. Inside the human body, prolyl hydroxylase 2 (PHD2) is the most dominant subtype that regulates HIF levels (Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 56 (2013)9369-9402). When the activity of prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) in vivo is inhibited, the HIF-α subunit can be stabilized in vivo, so that it enters the nucleus, and binds to the HIF-β subunit in the nucleus to form a stable HIF dimer. The dimer further causes the expression of downstream genes, thereby promoting the expression and secretion of EPO. Therefore, the inhibition of activity of prolyl hydroxylase can increase HIF-α level and promote the production of EPO, thereby promoting the maturation of red blood cells, enhancing the capacity of blood in delivering oxygen, and improving anemia or ischemic symptoms.
WO2017059623 discloses a novel class of alkynyl pyridines prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors. Among them, the compound of formula (I), whose chemical name is 2-(3-hydroxy-5-(3-p-chlorophenoxypropyn-1-yl))picolinamido acetic acid, shows an excellent inhibition effect on prolyl hydroxylase, and is a potential new drug for treating chronic anemia.

It is well known that a compound can exist in a variety of crystal forms. The crystal structure of a pharmaceutically active ingredient often affects the chemical and physical stability of the drug. Different crystallization conditions, preparation methods and storage conditions may lead to changes in the crystal structure of a compound, and sometimes accompanying production of other crystal forms. In general, an amorphous drug product does not have a regular crystal structure, and often has other defects such as poor product stability, difficult filtration, easy agglomeration and poor liquidity, which often lead to difficulties in production and scaleup. The stability of existing crystal forms needs to be improved. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the various properties of the compound. There is a need to find novel crystal forms with high purity and good chemical stability.

Crystalline form of alkynyl pyridine prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor and method for preparing same


A method for routing aircraft data link messages over a plurality of communications networks is disclosed. The method assigns at least one data link message routing service for an aircraft having a first message processing application based on prescribed criteria, the prescribed criteria comprising preferred networks of the plurality of communications networks. As a first preferred communications network becomes available, the method selects a first message route from the assigned routing service and transmits each of the data link messages on the first message route while the first message route satisfies the prescribed criteria. When the prescribed criteria changes over a plurality of flight phases of the aircraft, the method reassigns the at least one data link message route to continue data link message transmissions to and from the aircraft based on the latest prescribed criteria.

Flight phase measurements are already in common use in aircraft communication. A specific flight phase is often used to trigger certain communications messages. For example, many aircraft maintenance systems send their reports over an air-ground data link network when an aircraft is on final approach or immediately after touch-down. In addition, air-ground data links send information between an aircraft and air traffic control services when the aircraft is too far from an air traffic control tower to make voice radio communication and radar possible. For example, aircraft data link systems are used for long-distance flights operating over any substantial land and water routes.
Recurring costs of aircraft air-ground data link messages are significant. For example, message delivery rates (that is, upload and download speeds) vary considerably during certain flight phases between network service providers, the aircraft's location, and any applicable air-ground networks and sub-networks within the vicinity of the aircraft. Since connection rates for a specific air-ground network (sub-network) vary by service provider, any incremental improvement in network routing of the aircraft data links between various endpoints represents substantial cost benefits.
For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for improvements in aircraft data link network routing.


The present disclosure provides a recovery device and a method for recovering a magnetic particle. The recovery device includes a main pipe, a needle tube, and a suction power mechanism. The needle tube is connected to a first end of the main pipe, and a terminal of the needle tube is magnetic for adsorbing a magnetic particle to the terminal of the needle tube. The suction power mechanism is configured to absorb the magnetic particle attached on the terminal of the needle tube into the main pipe. The present disclosure utilizes a magnetic needle tube to implement adsorption of the magnetic particle while the magnetic particle is absorbed into the main pipe by an absorption power mechanism, thus achieving recovering of the magnetic particle.

Vitreous opacity is a common clinical problem, the most common cause is posterior vitreous detachment. The treatment of vitreous opacity by taking drugs or using eye drops hardly has any effect. Current treatments include laser vitreous ablation and vitrectomy. Laser vitreous ablation is effective in removing large vitreous floating objects, but there is also a potential risk of damage to the macula or lens. Vitrectomy, or minimally invasive vitrectomy, generally removes about 90% of the vitreous and fills in the vitreous with substitute material. The vitrectomy can be done under smaller incisions, and the wound does not need to be sutured. The foreign body sensation of the posterior eye can be reduced, and the risk of ocular complications such as retinal tears and retinal detachment can also be reduced. Minimally invasive vitrectomy is currently considered the best choice for the treatment of vitreous opacity.
However, whether it is a vitreous substitute for gas or liquid that is currently widely used in clinical practice, or a hydrogel or capsular vitreous substitute in the experimental stage, there are specific indications, and there are various disadvantages. In addition, studies in the field have shown that the incidence of cataract after vitrectomy is as high as 22.5%-60%.
Those skilled in the art are working to develop a micro-robot system that can be used for eye surgery. The robot is a tiny magnetic particle, that is, a micro-magnetic robot with a size of an order less than millimeters. In surgery, the micro-magnetic robot may be injected into the vitreous body to provide power and fine motion control for the micro-magnetic robot through a corresponding external magnetic field device.
In order to enable the above-mentioned micro-magnetic robot-based design to be applied to practical use as early as possible, for example, for the treatment of vitreous opacity, the placement, control, operation, of the above-described micro-magnetic robot are urgent and important technical issues that need to be solved by those skilled in the art.

Recovery device and method for recovering magnetic particle

Beijing BOE Technology Development Co., Ltd.


This invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically locating the bond of a wire to a lead frame and semiconductor chip or similar device as an in-process operation to facilitate in-process inspection. The apparatus includes a wire bonding machine, or similar apparatus, having a movable platform such as an X-Y table for holding semiconductor chips situated in lead frames; a video camera or other optical sensing or imaging device for generating images, which camera is typically positioned over the target chip and lead frame to be bonded; illumination means for illuminating the chip in a lead frame; an image processor capable of digitizing and analyzing the optically sensed images; a bonding mechanism; and a host controller connected to the bonding mechanism, the movable platform, the camera and the image processor. The apparatus generates and stores a pre-bond digital image of the semiconductor chip in the lead frame before bonding has occurred; connects one or more wires between the chip and lead frame by any of a number of means such as ultrasonic bonding, heat bonding, conductive glue bonding or other means; generates and stores a post-bond digital image of the now-bonded chip in its lead frame; registers the pre-bond and post-bond stored digital images so that analysis can be done; and permits inspection of the results of the wire bonds according to appropriate criteria.

The present invention relates generally to semiconductor chip wire bonding devices, and similar bonding apparatus, and particularly to a method and apparatus for locating a bond in order to perform automated in-process optical inspection of wire bonding in such a device.
Semiconductor devices, such as integrated circuit chips, are electrically connected to leads on a lead frame by a process known as wire bonding. The wire bonding operation involves bonding a wire to electrically connect pads residing on a die (semiconductor chip) to a lead in a lead frame. Once the chip and lead frame have been wire bonded, they can be packaged in ceramic or plastic to form an integrated circuit device. A post-process inspection step, commonly called the third optical inspection, typically involves locating the position of all bonds on the device, the wire connections and the wire heights using optical means.
Heretofore the third optical inspection has been accomplished only after the device is completely bonded and sent to a separate machine or operator. In the majority of cases, the inspection is done by a human operator using a microscope. This manual method can be time-consuming and costly.
Separate machines are available to perform this step, but this requires another piece of capital equipment in the production line. Additionally, a post-process inspection machine has a more difficult time locating the bond to perform a successful inspection because all the information about the chip that was available during the bonding operation, such as exact pad and frame positions and information about other detail have been lost.
This is further complicated by the fact that most semiconductor chips have a considerable amount of visual detail (such as the images of the circuits themselves) which must be circumvented in analyzing the post-bond image to find the bonds. In post-process inspections, some of this detail can be mistaken for parts of the bonds.
Leads on the lead frame are highly specular. Their specularity further complicates a post process visual inspection, as lighting conditions may be significantly different in a post-process inspection, thus causing differences in the appearance and images of the highly specular leads.
Given this visual complexity, attempting to find the bonds without the pre-bond image as a reference makes it much more likely that it will be difficult to correctly identify the bonds from the surrounding visual detail in a post-process inspection. Frequently, in such situations, the visual detail that is unrelated to the bond, may be misinterpreted as part of the bond in a post-process inspection, giving rise to erroneous acceptance or rejection rates.
Visual imperfections on the pads and leads caused by probe marks, discoloration, or imperfect illumination further complicate these difficulties. These blemishes may be misconstrued as defects in the bonding process, without the information that was available during the bonding operation.
An additional problem encountered in attempting to perform the inspection in-process can be created by the differences caused by bonding itself. Depending on the type of bonding process and equipment used, heating, cooling, movement and other mechanical factors can create alignment problems for images taken before and after the bonding process, thus making it harder to locate the bond.
Finally, the pre and post-bond images can also become mis-registered simply as a result of phase differences occurring when the two images are digitized from their respective analog inputs by the image processor.

Apparatus for automated optical inspection objects


A smear-correcting device that corrects a smear of an image signal from a CCD having photoelectric conversion elements including a smear-correcting photoelectric conversion element, is provided and includes: a determining section determining whether a smear component is contained in an image signal from the photoelectric conversion elements other than the smear-correcting photoelectric conversion element, based on a corresponding smear-correcting signal from the smear-correcting photoelectric conversion element; a section correcting the smear of the image signal determined to contain the smear component, based on the corresponding smear-correcting signal; and an output section that outputs an image signal. When the determining section determines that the image signal contains a smear component, the output section outputs the image signal after correcting a smear of the image signal, and when the determining section determines that the image signal does not contains the smear component, the output section outputs the image signal without smear correction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a smear-correcting device that corrects a smear of an image signal obtained from a CCD imaging device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements including a smear-correcting photoelectric conversion element.
2. Description of Related Art
It is a practice in the related art to correct a smear of an image signal obtained from a CCD imaging device as in the following manner. Namely, the image signal of a plurality of lines, obtained from smear-correcting photoelectric conversion elements of the imaging device, is averaged over on a column-by-column basis, to determine an average value per line. The average value per line is subtracted from an image signal of one line obtained from the other photoelectric conversion elements than the smear-correcting photoelectric conversion elements of the imaging device. (See, for example, JP-A-2000-50165 and JP-A-7-67038.)
However, in the smear correction, the average value is subtracted even from an image signal in which a smear component is not contained. In high-sensitivity photography, this deteriorates the S/N ratio in the signal, in which no smear components are contained, among the image signals obtained from the smear-correcting photoelectric conversion elements, and when noise components is contained in the image signal obtained from the smear-correcting photoelectric conversion elements, a vertical line takes place where no smears are occurring in an image corrected for smear.
For eliminating such a vertical line, it is effective to remove noise components by making a coring-subtraction of such an average value. However, of the image signals obtained from the smear-correcting photoelectric conversion elements, the signal containing a smear component is less deteriorated in its S/N ratio. In case coring-subtraction is made on those under the same condition as that of the signal not containing smear components, the signals containing smear components have a reduced average value which is insufficient in correcting, for smear, the region where smear is occurring.


Disclosed is a method, a device and equipment for fusing different instances describing the same entity. The method includes: acquiring a connection diagram comprising a plurality of instances, where different nodes in the connection diagram represent different instances, and connection lines between the nodes represent instance relations between the instances corresponding to the nodes; based on the instance relations, identifying different instances describing the same entity in the connection diagram, fusing the nodes corresponding to the identified instances, and updating the connection diagram.

A knowledge map is used to describe various entities or concepts that exist in the real world. Each entity or concept in the knowledge map can be identified by a globally unique identifier ID, which is referred to as its identifier. Each attribute-value pair (also referred to as AVP) is used to characterize an intrinsic property of the entity, while a relation is used to connect two entities by characterizing the correlation therebetween.
In the process of constructing a knowledge map, it is necessary to use data from different sources to construct the entities and relations in the map. For example, in order to make the constructed knowledge map more comprehensive, the data from Baidu Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Sogou Encyclopedia, and many different other encyclopedic website sources may be used to build entities and relations in the knowledge map. However, the entities' different data sources frequently have certain differences, and the instances for description can be very different. As a result, using the fused instance data directly will bring redundancy and error information to the knowledge map. Therefore, it is an important task and step in the process of knowledge map construction to fuse different instances of the same entity.
At present, the commonly used fusing method is to fuse the instance pairs whose attribute similarity exceeds a threshold by means of calculating the attribute similarity between different instances. Although this fusion method is able to identify different instances of the same entity to a certain degree, this fusion method uses the attribute similarity as the only criterion for the fusion of instances, accordingly, the attribute fuzzy matching rules used in the fusion process must be set perfectly in order to effectively identify different instances of the same entity for the fusion. However, the foregoing is very difficult to achieve in practical applications; as a result, it is easy to identify instance pairs that represent the same entity as different instances and accordingly bring redundant data to the knowledge map to be built.
Thus, there is a need for a technical solution that can adequately identify different instances of the same entity.

Method, device and equipment for fusing different instances describing same entity


A method for plastering construction in architectural decoration comprises the following steps: (1) base treatment; (2) applying mortar on the wall surface according to the required plastering depth, and longitudinally installing screeding templates along a wall surface subjected to the base treatment in Step (1) according to the plastering depth, a lateral space between adjacent screeding templates being 1.3 to 1.8 meters; (3) plastering; and (4) laying aside the wall surface subjected to the plastering for 12 to 24 hours till plastering mortar on the wall surface is in a half-dried compact hardened state, and using teeth of a saw blade for grinding the mortar along the two adjacent screeding templates through a ruler till the mortar is even. The method can improve the construction efficiency and guarantee the construction quality.

The existing plastering construction process for architectural decoration generally includes: base treatment; hanging vertically of a plumb; perpendicularity and flatness leveling; line positioning; application of plaster; constructing grinding guides on wall surfaces; manual plastering; filling of reserved holes, electric cabinet slots, electric cabinet boxes, and the like; scraping and trowelling; and waste recycling. The above existing construction process has the following disadvantages:
(1) The traditional process of constructing grinding guides on wall surfaces is very demanding for the skills of a plasterer. In the case of plastering construction by an unskilled worker, the speed of the plaster application is lowered, and it is difficult to guarantee a high precision of constructing screed strips on the wall surface, resulting in uneven wall surfaces (i.e., wall surfaces that are not sufficiently flat or level) and the resulting undesired visual effect of the wall itself. Moreover, the screed strip construction process cannot match a mechanized construction process, leading to difficulties in significantly improving the construction efficiency.
(2) During trowelling of the wall surface after the manual plastering or mechanical mortar spraying, due to the rotary grinding of a wooded trowel, the collision and squeeze occurring within the mortar causes the moisture in the mortar to exude from the mortar. Because of the moisture loss from the mortar to brick bodies of the wall in contact with the mortar, the moisture in the mortar is absorbed prematurely, thus the mortar shrinks and hence the wall surface plumps up (expands), causing phenomena such as cracks in the wall surface and peeling off of the mortar. Moreover, the construction schedule is prolonged since the above processes rely on numerous technical personnel and are time consuming, and the construction efficiency is lowered since the construction processes are fussy and complicated.

Method for plastering construction in architectural decoration

SHENZHEN GRANDLAND DECORATION GROUP CO., LTD.


An unmanned, towable air vehicle is described and includes electronic sensors to increase the detection range relative to the horizon detection limitations of a surface craft, an autogyro assembly to provide lift, and a controller to control operation the autogyro assembly for unmanned flight. A forward motive force powers the autogyro assembly to provide lift. In an example, the autogyro assembly includes a mast extending from the container, a rotatable hub on an end of the mast, and a plurality of blades connected to the hub for rotation to provide lift to the vehicle. In an example, an electrical motor rotates the blades prior to lift off to assist in take off. The electrical motor does not have enough power to sustain flight of the vehicle in an example.

An autogyro aircraft is piloted by a person and derives lift from an unpowered, freely rotating rotary wing or plurality of rotary blades. The energy to rotate the rotary wing results from the forward movement of the aircraft in response to a thrusting engine such as an onboard motor that drives a propeller. During the developing years of aviation aircraft, autogyro aircraft were proposed to avoid the problem of aircraft stalling in flight and to reduce the need for runways. The relative airspeed of the rotating wing is independent of the forward airspeed of the autogyro, allowing slow ground speed for takeoff and landing, and safety in slow-speed flight. Engines are controlled by the pilot and may be tractor-mounted on the front of the pilot or pusher-mounted behind the pilot on the rear of the autogyro. Airflow passing the rotary wing, which is tilted upwardly toward the front of the autogyro, provides the driving force to rotate the wing. The Bernoulli Effect of the airflow moving over the rotary wing surface creates lift.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,590,497 issued to Juan de la Cierva of Madrid, Spain, illustrated a very early embodiment of a manned autogyro. Subsequently, de la Cierva obtained U.S. Pat. No. 1,947,901 which recognized the influence of the angle of attack of the blade of a rotary wing. The optimum angle of attack for the blades or rotary wing was described by Pitcairn in U.S. Pat. No. 1,977,834 at about the same time. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,352,342, Pitcairn disclosed an autogyro with blades which were hinged relative to the hub.
Even though the principal focus for low speed flight appears to have shifted to helicopters, there appears to have been some continuing interest in autogyro craft. However, development efforts appear to have largely been restricted to refinements of the early patented systems. For instance, Salisbury, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 1,838,327, showed a system to change the lift to drag response of a rotary wing.
The value of being able to elevate a sensor for surveillance is recognized in the art. Flight vehicles offer the opportunity to elevate a sensor to great advantage, the earliest military examples of this being the use of tethered balloons.
Tethered balloons and aerostats remain in use today for surveillance, but can require significant resources to transport, set-up, maintain, and tear down, limiting their utility to specific applications. Great reliance has instead been placed on the use of piloted surveillance aircraft (such as airplanes and helicopters. While aircraft operations offer tremendous mobility and flexibility, they also come at significant expense, significant facility and logistical burdens, and with limited flight endurance.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Towable autogyro having a re-positionable mast


A duplex wideband grating includes a first diffraction element and a second diffraction element. The first diffraction element and the second diffraction element may reside in a single volume or in two separate volumes. The first diffraction element may include a first set of Bragg planes, and the second diffraction element may include a second set of Bragg planes. The first diffraction element may be designed to have a peak diffraction efficiency at a first wavelength, and the second diffraction element may be designed to have a peak diffraction efficiency at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. The first diffraction element and the second diffraction element may be designed to achieve a same angle of dispersion between wavelengths. The duplex wideband grating may have a broader bandwidth with higher average diffraction efficiency across the broader bandwidth than either the first diffraction element or the second diffraction element.

An optical spectrometer is an instrument used to measure properties of electromagnetic radiation across a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The properties measured may be intensity or polarization state. Spectrometers are used in, among other fields, astronomy and chemistry. An optical spectrometer may measure how a sample absorbs, reflects, or scatters light. The optical spectrometer may include a detector that helps measure these interactions as a function of wavelength. Computer software may analyze data collected by the detector.
The optical spectrometer may include a dispersive element, such as a diffraction grating, to separate light into component wavelengths. The diffraction grating may use constructive and destructive interference to spatially separate polychromatic light into component wavelengths. The dispersive element may diffract certain wavelengths of light with greater efficiency than other wavelengths of light. The dispersive element may have a peak diffraction efficiency at a particular wavelength. Diffraction efficiency of the dispersive element may generally decrease as wavelengths become longer or shorter than the particular wavelength. A dispersive element may diffract a defined range of bandwidths approximately centered around the particular wavelength. To facilitate spectral analysis it may be desirable for the dispersive element to diffract a broad range of bandwidths with a high diffraction efficiency.


A portable trampoline exercise system, including a foldable trampoline with long-lasting rigidity in the frame and a specifically adapted carrying case for transporting the folded trampoline. The trampoline is made foldable by using hinges to connect sections of the frame of the trampoline. The hinges are configured to provide lateral flexibility in the frame, thereby reducing the damage caused by stresses applied to the hinges (and therefore increasing the life of the hinges) when the trampoline is folded.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to trampoline devices. More specifically, this invention relates to trampoline devices designed for use as portable exercise equipment.
2. Description of Related Art
A variety of trampoline devices are well known in the art. Generally, these prior devices are not easily transportable, do not include specially designed carrying cases and do not facilitate tool-less assembly.
Although the following references may not constitute prior art, the reader is referred to the following U.S. patent documents for general background material. Each of these patents is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for the material contained therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,534,019 describes a foldable framework, particularly for a trampoline, but also capable of use in folding beds, cots and the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,116,809 describes a supporting stand for rebound tumbling apparatus having a frame and supporting leg structure collapsible into a flat rectangular unit.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,276,544 describes a trampoline.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,356,366 describes a gymnastic catapulting device for use in exercise and gymnastic activities.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,119,311 describes a pair of detachable L-shaped auxiliary supports attachable to a conventional trampoline for supporting the trampoline bed in an upright position to convert the trampoline into a rebounding device.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,139,192 and Re. 30,344 describe round trampolines having a sectional, circular frame combined with a circular mat of lesser diameter than the frame resiliently supported from the frame by a plurality of radially arranged coil springs.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,826 describes a pneumatically sustained, flexible exercise surface and platform.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,162,063 describes adjustable springs for trampolines and the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,271 describes a hexagonal jogging platform having a tubular support frame with rounded corners, detachable, tubular support legs at each corner and a fabric platform attached to the tubular frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,336,933 describes an exercise apparatus for in-place jogging that includes a support structure mounting a taunt tramping mat and a wall mounted housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,942 describes a portable exercising device, which can be assembled and disassembled without the use of special tools for shipping and storage.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,339,123 describes a demountable trampoline capable of being separated into components suitable for compact packaging for shipment.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,861 describes a trampoline perimeter frame and support legs for the perimeter frame that are fabricated as identically sized and shaped members enabling the use of only one fabricating jig.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,772 describes a trampoline with horizontal tension springs and vertical compression springs.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 270,557 describes an ornamental design for a trampoline.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,415,151 describes a collapsible rebound exercise apparatus as a resilient, flexible mat capable of forming a substantially planar surface when an associated frame supporting the mat has an open framework thereof disposed in a substantially planar, open position.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,070 describes a portable apparatus for in-place jogging that includes a housing to which is pivotally mounted a structure that supports a jogging surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,531 describes an exercise device in the form of a pair of trampolines which are spaced apart but sufficiently close together such that a person can rebound from one device to the other using first one leg on one trampoline and the other leg on the other without contacting or touching the floor.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,933 describes an exercise device that uses a resilient fabric sheet to from a trampoline type surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,001 describes a portable exercising device having a pair of laterally spaced lever arms whose forward ends are pivotally attached to a base frame assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,564,193 describes an exercise apparatus having a frame, which includes frame members joined by detachable couplings and a cable system having a take-up reel, and one or more cable reels.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,375 describes a flotation trampoline adapted for use on a body of water.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,904 describes a water trampoline that includes a buoyant inflatable base.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,905 describes an attachable safety steadying structure for the conventional trampoline.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,816 describes a jogging apparatus, that comprises a tubular frame, an elastomeric member bonded to the frame and a mat bonded to the elastomeric member when the elastomeric member is preloaded radially inwardly so that when the load on the elastomeric member is released, the mat is tightly stretched on the frame to provide the jogging surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,892 describes a water-borne buoyant device to enable users to enjoy leisure time activity in an aquatic environment.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 291,712 describes an ornamental design for a trampoline.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,953 describes an active/passive exercise apparatus, which provides a platform that is roller mounted on parallel tracks.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,826 describes a rebounding exercise device, which provides at least two rebounding surfaces that are supported at an incline relative to horizontal.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,581 describes an exercise apparatus that includes a tank or other receptacle designed to be filled with an aqueous fluid.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,790,529 and 4,863,160 describe multi-positionable arrangements of substantially parallel bars, which form a substantial track for a ball having mounting means.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,100 describes an exercise device having opposed angled rebound surfaces that will fold flat together, and support structures for the surfaces that will also fold compactly.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,530 describes a trampoline-like aerobic exerciser apparatus and method.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,156 describes a trampoline that includes a sheet resiliently supported and tensioned by a substantially rigid frame through means of spring-like members positioned about the perimeter of the sheet.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 304,850 describes an ornamental design for a trampoline exerciser.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,011 describes a new and useful playpen and exercise structure for an infant or small child.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,550 describes an exercise apparatus that includes a mini-trampoline, a frame, a first pole, a second pole, a first hydraulic shock, and a second hydraulic shock.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 325,951 describes an ornamental design for a trampoline exerciser.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,241 describes a gymnastic training device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,989 describes an all-surface trampoline that comprises a hollow inflatable support having an inner and an outer periphery and having an open space between the inner periphery.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,936 describes a tool for attaching springs to a trampoline mat.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,518 describes a water trampoline that has a plurality of interconnected suspension members.
U.S. Pat. Nos. Des 362,478 and Des 363,325 describe ornamental designs for a trampoline exerciser.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,484,362, 5,599,259 and 6,095,951 describe exercise treadmills.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,948 describes a combination exercise device that includes a trampoline.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,110 describes a jumping bed of a trampoline that is secured to the trampoline frame by passing an electric rubber cord through a plurality of channels.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,738 describes an exercise and play apparatus that includes inflatable bottom and sidewall portions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,462 describes a control mechanism for a simulator or stabilizing platform.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,377 describes a rebounder and punching bag-boxing fitness device.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 384,115 describes an ornamental design for a trampoline exerciser.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,704,882 and 5,876,311 describe rebound-type exercise devices, which allow an individual to perform a sit and bounce exercise.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,852 describes a balloon filled bag for use as a mattress or children's trampoline.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,606 describes a trampoline system that includes a trampoline having a frame and an adjustable support for supporting a user of the trampoline.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,695 describes a water trampoline that includes a hollow inflatable frame member that has a textured covering with a plurality of bands interconnected.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,679 describes a bounce back hockey net for use with a hockey puck.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,943 describes a trampoline that includes a trampoline mat, a frame surrounding the trampoline mat and an attachment system for connecting the frame to the trampoline mat.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,620 describes a trampoline that includes a trampoline frame and a jumping bed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,514 describes a movable surface conveyor system exercise device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,845 describes a trampoline or the like with a fence enclosure.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,213 describes a trampoline convertible for use as a swimming pool.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 428,955 describes an ornamental design for a water trampoline.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,074 describes a mini trampoline in which the frame is made in several parts in order to be easily carried and assembled.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,126,578 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,346,065 B1 describe jumping devices having a high rebound platform.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,649 describes a trampoline having a jumping bed with elastic straps for supporting the same on the trampoline frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,338 describes an exercise board that comprises a generally rectangular platform having a laminated structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,922 describes an attachment for a circular trampoline.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,266 B1 describes a play and climbing equipment structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,632 B1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,662 B1 describe trampoline pad assemblies for securement to a trampoline.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,285 B1 describes a beach sling-jump amusement device for ejecting occupants into the air.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,169 B1 describes a foldable trampoline.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,207 B1 describes a fence that surrounds a trampoline and extends above the rebounding surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,583 B1 describes a trampoline that includes a trampoline mat, a frame surrounding the trampoline mat and an attachment system for connecting the frame to the trampoline mat.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,174 B1 describes a trampoline, which incorporates a flexible mat supported above a support frame by a number of flexible rods.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,434 B1 describes a spring arrangement for mounting a vibration or shock sensitive device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,633 B1 describes a movable surface conveyor system, especially used as an exercise treadmill.
U.S. Pat. No. D462,103 S describes an ornamental design for an air inflatable trampoline.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,447,426 B1 describes a water trampoline that includes a supporting shell and a plurality of concentrically disposed inflatable rings.


The air purifying system and a method for diagnosing malfunction thereof includes a heat dissipation part provided with an air purifier, an OBD sensor permanently fixed to the heat dissipation part, and an electronic control unit (ECU) electrically connected with the OBD sensor in order to determine whether the OBD sensor is fixed to the heat dissipation part.

Generally, an air purifier may be an ozonolysis material coated on a radiator, in order to change ozone of the atmosphere into oxygen. In addition, an air purifying system includes the air purifier and an on-board diagnosis (OBD) sensor, and determines whether the air purifier is operating normally.
Presently, there are direct type OBD sensors and indirect type OBD sensors. First, the direct type OBD sensor is an ozone sensor for directly detecting an ozone density of the radiator. The ozone sensor must have good precision in order to detect the ozone density (0˜200 ppb) in the atmosphere, and durability in order to interrupt a failure generated by a foreign substance of the atmosphere. Particularly, the ozone sensor must have a high precision in order to detect the ozone density lower than 200 ppb.
However, since the ozone sensor must have a high precision, such sensors are expensive. In addition, the ozone sensor must maintain a fixed moisture, temperature, etc., because the ozone sensor is affected by moisture, temperature, etc. However, since the ozone sensor must be provided with many elements in order to maintain a fixed moisture, temperature, etc., the sensor is even more expensive.
On the other hand, the indirect type OBD sensor detects an electrical resistance of the ozonolysis material, and detects a coated thickness of the ozonolysis material through the detected electrical resistance. A method for detecting the electrical resistance uses a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the ozonolysis material is coated. That is, the method detects an electrical resistance of the ozonolysis material by supplying an electric current to the PCB. However, since an adhesion between the radiator (aluminum ware) and the ozonolysis material is different from an adhesion between the PCB (epoxy ware) and the ozonolysis material, a problem occurs in that there is a difference between a coated thickness on the PCB and a coated thickness on the radiator.
The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Air purifying system and method for diagnosing malfunction thereof


A method and apparatus are disclosed for speech analysis and speech recognition. Each speech utterance under examination in accordance with the method of the present invention is digitally sampled and represented as a temporal sequence of data frames. Each data frame is then analyzed by the application of a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to obtain an indication of the energy content of each data frame in a plurality of frequency bands or bins. An indication of each of the most significant frequency bands, in terms of energy content, are then plotted by bin number for all data frames and graphically combined to create a power content signature for the speech utterance which is indicative of the movement of audio power through the audio spectrum over time for that utterance. By comparing the power content signature of an unknown speech utterance to a number of previously stored power content signatures, each associated with a known utterance, it is possible to identify an unknown speech utterance with a high degree of accuracy. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, comparisons of power content signatures from unknown speech utterances are made with stored power content signatures utilizing a least squares fit or other suitable technique.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to the field of speech utterance analysis and in particular to the field of recognition of unknown speech utterances. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for speech analysis and recognition which utilizes the power content of a speech utterance over time.
2. Description of the Related Art
Speech analysis and speech recognition algorithms, machines and devices are becoming more and more common in the prior art. Such systems have become increasingly powerful and less expensive. Speech recognition systems are typically "trained" or "untrained." A trained speech recognition system is a system which may be utilized to recognize a speech utterance by an individual speaker after having been "trained" by that speaker utilizing a repetitive pronunciation of the vocabulary in question. A "untrained" speech recognition system is a system which attempts to recognize an unknown speech utterance by an unknown speaker by comparing various acoustic parameters of that utterance to a previously stored finite number of templates which are utilized to represent various known utterances.
Most speech recognition systems in the prior art are frame-based systems, that is, these systems represent speech as a sequence of temporal frames, each of which represents the acoustic parameters of a speech utterance at one of a succession of brief time periods. Such systems typically represent the speech utterance to be recognized as a sequence of spectral frames, in which each frame contains a plurality of spectral parameters, each of which representing the energy at one of a series of different frequency bands. Typically such systems compare the sequence of frames to be recognized against a plurality of acoustic models, each of which describes, or models, the frames associated with a given speech utterance, such as a phoneme, word or phrase.
The human vocal track is capable of producing multiple resonances simultaneously. The frequencies of these resonances change as a speaker moves his tongue, lips or other parts of his vocal track to make different speech sounds. Each of these resonances is referred to as a formant, and speech scientists have found that many individual speech sounds, or phonemes may be distinguished by the frequency of the first three formants. Many speech recognition systems have attempted to recognize an unknown utterance by an analysis of these formant frequencies; however, the complexity of the speech utterance makes such systems difficult to implement.
Many researchers in the speech recognition areas believe that changes in frequency are important to enable a system to distinguish between similar speech sounds. For example, it is possible for two different frames to have similar spectral parameters and yet be associated with very different sounds, because one sound will occur in a context of a rising formant while the other occurs in the context of a falling formant. U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,218 discloses a system which attempts to implement a speech recognition system by making use of information about changes in the acoustic parameters of the speech energy.
Other systems in the prior art have attempted to explicitly detect frequency changes by means of formant tracking. Formant tracking involves analyzing the spectrum of speech energy at successive points in time and determining at each such time the location of the major resonances, or formants, of the speech signal. Once the formants have been identified at successive points in time, their resulting pattern over time may be supplied to a pattern recognizer which is utilized to associate certain formant patterns with selected phonemes.
The goal of all such speech recognition systems is to create a system which can provide a high degree of accuracy in detecting and understanding unknown speech utterances by a broad spectrum of speakers. Thus, it should be obvious that a need exists for a speech recognition system which may be utilized to analyze and recognize unknown speech utterances with a high degree of accuracy.

Method and apparatus for speech analysis and speech recognition

International Business Machines Corporation


A security system dynamically, depending on processor core execution flow, controls fault injection countermeasure circuitry protect processor core from fault injection attacks. Includes a processor core which, when in use, executes instructions and concurrently, generates, in real time, output indications of instructions to be executed; a fault injection detector having selectable sensitivity levels; and a sensitivity level control module operative, in real time, to receive the output indications, select a next sensitivity level using sensitivity level selection logic which receives the output indications as inputs, and set the fault injection detector to the next sensitivity level, thereby to provide fault injection countermeasure circuitry which is differentially sensitive, when protecting the processor core from fault injection attacks, depending on the output indications of the instructions, and/or avoids false alarms which would result if processor core protection were provided at a sensitivity level unrelated to the output indications of the instructions.

Co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,523,736 and its prior art describe conventional security countermeasure (CM) mechanisms and circuits.
Countermeasure mechanisms whose sensitivity levels are adjustable, may be known Glitch detectors are known and described e.g. in the following links: https://hal.inria.fr/emse-01099006/document these are described as having "configurable detection thresholds"; and https://hal.inria.fr/emse-01099006/document
"An In-depth and Black-box Characterization of the Effects of Clock Glitches on 8-bit MCUs" by Josep Balasch, Benedikt Gierlichs, and Ingrid Verbauwhede is a white paper, available from IEEE, which describes fault injection research.
"Characterising a CPU Fault Attack Model via Run-Time Data Analysis" by Martin S. Kelly et al is a white paper, available from IEEE, which describes fault injection research.
"Experimental evaluation of two software countermeasures against fault attacks" by Nicolas Moro et al is a white paper, available from IEEE, which evaluates software countermeasures.
"Electromagnetic fault injection: towards a fault model on a 32-bit microcontroller" by Nicolas Moro et al is a white paper, available from IEEE, which describes fault injection research.
State of the art knowledge regarding glitching attacks is described in NCC Group's "Implementing Practical Electrical Glitching Attacks", dated November 2015 and available via Internet at https://www.blackhat.com/docs/eu-15/materials/eu-15-Giller-Implementing-Electrical-Glitching-Attacks.pdf.
Countermeasures in software, e.g. duplication of instructions, are described in: "Compilation of a Countermeasure Against Instruction-Skip Fault Attacks" by Thierno Barry, Damien Courouss_e, Bruno Robisson and available via Internet at https://hal-cea.archives-ouvertes.fr/cea-01296572/document, and in "Low-Cost Software Countermeasures Against Fault Attacks: Implementation and Performances Trade Offs" and available via Internet at http://euler.ecs.umass.edu/research/bpbk-WESS-2010.pdf.
Authentication mechanisms which operate based on tracking the execution flow of the CPU, exist, for example co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,703,945.
Prior art FIG. 1 herein is taken from "Basic Operation of a DLX Machine" by Mike McDonald and Tony Jacobs, available online at the following Internet location: https://www.es.umd.edu/class/padfall2001/cmsc411/projects/DLX/proj.html.
The disclosures of all publications and patent documents mentioned in the specification, and of the publications and patent documents cited therein directly or indirectly, are hereby incorporated by reference. Materiality of such publications and patent documents to patentability is not conceded.

System and method for coping with fault injection attacks


A system for determining a position of a probe relative to an object such as a head of a body of a patient. The head includes a surface such as a forehead having a contour. Cross sectional images of the head are scanned and stored as a function of the forehead contour. If the forehead contour does not appear in the scan images, then the position of the forehead contour relative to the scan images is determined with an optical scanner and a ring. During surgery, the optical scanner also determines the position of the forehead relative to the ring. An array for receiving radiation emitted from the probe and from the ring generates signals indicating the position of the tip of the probe relative to the ring. A stereotactic imaging system generates and displays an image of the head corresponding to the measured position of the tip of the probe. The system may also display scan images from different scanning technologies which scan images correspond to the same position in the head.

Precise localization of position has always been critical to neurosurgery. Knowledge of the anatomy of the brain and specific functions relegated to local areas of the brain are critical in planning any neurosurgical procedure. Recent diagnostic advances such as computerized tomographic (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning, positron emission tomographic (PET) scanning, and magnetoencephotographic (MEG) scanning have greatly facilitated preoperative diagnosis and surgical planning. However, the precision and accuracy of the scanning technologies have not become fully available to the neurosurgeon in the operating room. Relating specific structures and locations within the brain during surgery to preoperative scanning technologies has previously been cumbersome, if not impossible.
Stereotactic surgery, first developed 100 years ago, consists of the use of a guiding device which channels the surgery through specific parts of the brain as localized by preoperative radiographic techniques. Stereotactic surgery was not widely used prior to the advent of modern scanning technologies as the injection of air into the brain was required to localize the ventricles, fluid containing chambers within the brain. Ventriculography carried a significant complication rate and accuracy in localization was marginal.

System for indicating the position of a surgical probe within a head on an image of the head


A pole mount cabinet for housing and supporting an article on a pole includes a housing having a rear wall and defining a chamber. The housing defines a rear opening in the rear wall. A mounting and support framework is adapted to be secured to the pole and includes at least one support member extending horizontally. The support member extends through the rear opening and into the chamber. The article can be positioned in the chamber such that it is supported by the support member.

The present invention relates to cabinets and, more particularly, to pole mount cabinets.
Pole mount cabinets are commonly used to support and house electronic equipment such as community antenna television (CATV) equipment. CATV equipment may include, for example, one or more batteries along with a power supply, which may weigh on the order of seventy-five pounds and two hundred and twenty-five pounds, respectively. The cabinet may also be subjected to structural, wind and/or ice loads. To support such large static and dynamic loads, CATV pole mount cabinets are typically formed substantially entirely of steel or aluminum. Such steel or aluminum cabinets may be costly, heavy and difficult to install on utility poles.
According to embodiments of the invention, a pole mount cabinet for housing and supporting an article on a pole includes a housing having a rear wall and defining a chamber. The housing defines a rear opening in the rear wall. A mounting and support framework is adapted to be secured to the pole and includes at least one support member extending horizontally. The support member extends through the rear opening and into the chamber. The article can be positioned in the chamber such that it is supported by the support member.
According to further embodiments of the invention, a pole mount cabinet for housing and supporting an article on a pole includes a mounting and support framework adapted to be secured to the pole and including at least one support member. A housing is mounted on the framework and defines a chamber. The article can be positioned in the chamber such that it is supported by and overlies the support member. The housing includes a first material, the framework includes a second material, and the second material has a greater yield strength and a greater modulus of elasticity than the first material.
According to embodiments of the invention, a power supply assembly adapted to be mounted on a pole includes a mounting and support framework adapted to be secured to the pole and including at least one support member. A housing is mounted on the framework and defines a chamber. A power supply is positioned in the chamber such that the power supply is supported by the support member. The housing includes a first material, the framework includes a second material, and the second material has a greater yield strength and a greater modulus of elasticity than the first material.
According to further embodiments of the invention, an enclosure adapted to be mounted on a pole using a pole mounting framework having a horizontally extending support member includes a housing defining a chamber. The housing includes a rear wall and a rear opening formed in the rear wall adapted to receive the support member.
According to the invention, a framework for supporting a housing and an article on a pole includes a load bearing, horizontally extending upper support member and a load bearing, horizontally extending lower support member. The framework further includes means for securing the framework to the pole. The framework is adapted to support the housing and the article within the housing.
According to further embodiments of the invention, a framework for supporting a housing and an article on a pole includes a pole mount bracket adapted to be secured to the pole. A support bracket is secured to the pole mount bracket and includes a platform extending forwardly from the pole mount bracket. A shelf bracket is connected to the pole mount bracket above the platform and is adapted to support the housing and the article within the housing.
According to method embodiments of the invention, a method for assembling and mounting a cabinet on a pole includes securing a framework to the pole. Thereafter, a housing is secured to the framework. The housing includes a first material and the framework includes a second material. The second material has a greater yield strength and a greater modulus of elasticity than the first material. Preferably, the first material is a polymeric material and the second material is a metallic material.
According to further method embodiments, a method for assembling and mounting a cabinet on a pole includes securing a pole mount bracket to the pole. A support bracket is secured to the pole mount bracket such that a platform of the support bracket extends forwardly from the pole mount bracket. A shelf bracket is placed on the platform. The shelf bracket includes a support member extending horizontally. The shelf bracket is secured to the pole mount bracket. A housing is mounted on the shelf bracket.
Embodiments of the pole mount cabinets, enclosures, frameworks, power supply assemblies and methods of the invention may provide lower cost alternatives to traditional sheet metal cabinets, for example, as used in the CATV industry. The polymeric housings and covers may provide lightweight, durable environmental barriers for articles such as power supplies and batteries. The frameworks may be adapted to support relatively large loads. In this manner, the load bearing frameworks may free the housing from loading requirements and associated creep, for example. Moreover, the pole mount cabinets, enclosures, frameworks, power supply assemblies and methods of the invention may allow stepwise, progressive installation so that the cabinets and power supply assemblies may be mounted and assembled with relative ease and by one person.
Objects of the present invention will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the figures and the detailed description of exemplary embodiments which follow, such description being merely illustrative of the present invention.

Pole mount cabinet and method for assembling the same


A method, apparatus and system for networking accessories to a firearm or weapon wherein the accessories are conductively powered from the rail and data is transferred between the accessories and the rail via conductive coupling. In one embodiment, a weapon is provided, the weapon having: an upper receiver; a lower receiver; a powered accessory mounted to a rail of the upper receiver; and an apparatus for conductively networking a microcontroller of the powered accessory to a microcontroller of the upper receiver and a microcontroller of the lower receiver, wherein the data is exclusively provided to the powered accessory from the rail.

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to a powered rail mounted on a device such as a firearm to provide power to accessories, such as: telescopic sights, tactical sights, laser sighting modules, and night vision scopes.
Current accessories mounted on a standard firearm rail such as a MIL-STD-1913 rail, Weaver rail, NATO STANAG 4694 accessory rail or equivalents thereof require that they utilize a battery contained in the accessory. As a result multiple batteries must be available to replace failing batteries in an accessory. Embodiments of the present invention utilize multiple battery power sources to power multiple accessories through the use of a power and data system, mounted on a standard firearms rail.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method and apparatus for remotely powering and communicating with accessories secured to a rail of a firearm.

Apparatus and method for powering and networking a rail of a firearm


The present invention includes a method for MR imaging of a biological matter having H2O17 content by performing T1ρoff imaging of said H2O17 content in said biological matter. The T1ρoff imaging is performed by applying an RF pulse with a resonance frequency offset to said biological matter to create off resonance spin locking conditions in said biological matter. Thus, parts of the biological matter having different H2O17 concentrations are differentiated because of their different T2/T1 ratios.

1. Field of the Invention
The present application relates generally to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and more particularly to using an off-resonance preparatory pulse to enhance MRI sensitivity to O17-containing compounds in biological matters.
2. Description of Related Art
Magnetic resonance (MR) results in the absorption and/or emission of electromagnetic energy by nuclei or electrons, and provides the basis of some powerful imaging techniques in medicine. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) makes use of resonance properties in some of the nucleus, such as hydrogen nucleus (protons), in biological matters. Other nucleus that can be used for MRI include that of O17, which is a naturally occurring, stable isotope of O16 (spin 5/2) with a natural abundance (N.A.) of 0.038 atom %. O17 is detectable by MRI and is useful for assessing cerebral perfusion in animal studies using direct and indirect MR detection techniques. In the past two decades, several methods based on the use of O17 have been proposed for assessing tissue perfusion and functional metabolic imaging of regions with active oxidative metabolism. In nature, O17 is found to exist in two states, O17 gas and H2O17. Unlike H2O17, O17 gas cannot be detected directly using MRI. Thus, extensive research have been conducted to investigate the use of H2O17 as a potential in vivo contrast agent for perfusion studies.
H2O17 is a freely diffusible tracer and safe for human use. However, problems arise in the use of H2O17 for perfusion studies because of its low MR sensitivity. H2O17 also has a low natural abundance (N.A. is 0.038 atom %) and is thus costly to obtain. So, it is not cost effective for patient use if very large doses of H2O17 have to be injected in order to improve the MR sensitivity. Therefore, to detect small concentrations of H2O17 in tissue or biological matter is a prerequisite of an MR technique using H2O17. Conventional MR techniques, however, are either not sensitive to changes in small concentrations of tissue H2O17 or are not practical for use on clinical scanners.
Two types of MR techniques have been proposed to detect O17 in biological matters, one is based on direct detection of H2O17 in tissue using NMR spectroscopy, and the other based on signal changes due to effect of O17 on the proton signal (indirect detection). Due to low gyromagnetic ratio and short T2 relaxation times of O17, direct O17 NMR spectroscopy suffers from poor sensitivity at low H2O17 concentrations. See Pekar, J., et al., "In Vivo Measurement of Cerebral Oxygen Consumption and Blood Flow Using 17O Magnetic Resonance Imaging," Magn. Res. Med.: 1991. 21(2): p. 313–9; and Fiat, D., et al., "In Vivo 17O NMR Study of Rat Brain During 17O2 Inhalation," Magn. Res. Med.: 1992. 24(2): p. 370–4.
Some limitations of the direct techniques can be overcome by indirect methods, which are now more popular for MR imaging. See Hopkins, A. L., et al., "Oxygen-17 Contrast agents," Fast imaging techniques, Investigative Radiology, 1988. 23 Suppl 1: p. S240–2. Also, some authors have proposed O17 decoupled 1H detection techniques using double tuned coil. See Reddy, R., et al., "17O-Decoupled 1H Detection Using a Double-Tuned Coil," Magn. Res. Imag.: 1996. 14(9): p. 1073–8. A technique based on the O17 decoupled 1H detection techniques was successfully used to assess cerebral perfusion in animal cerebral ischemic model. See de_Crespigny, A. J., et al., "MRI of Focal Cerebral Ischemia Using (17)O-Labeled Water," Magn. Res. Med.:2000. 43(6): p. 876–83. The above mentioned techniques, however, suffer from the disadvantage that some amount of hardware modifications to clinical scanners are required to successfully implement them. Thus, these techniques are not suitable for clinical use.
Recently Arai et al. proposed a T2w (T2 weighted) fast imaging technique, using multi shot Rapid Acquisition with Relaxation Enhancement (RARE) sequences, for assessing cerebral perfusion with bolus injection of H2O17 in animal model on a commercial clinical MR scanner. See Arai, T., et al., "Measurement of Local Cerebral Blood Flow by Magnetic Resonance Imaging: in vivo Auto Radiographic Strategy Using 17O-Labeled Water," Brain Research Bulletin, 1998. 45(5): p. 451–6. In these article, the authors present that RARE based technique allows rapid detection of changes in brain tissue H2O17 concentration. MR techniques based on T1ρ (T1 rho) dispersion imaging have also been proposed for mapping H2O17 in rodent brain model. See Rizi, R. R., et al., "Proton T1rho-Dispersion Imaging of Rodent Brain at 1.9 T," Journal of Magn. Res. Imag.: 8(5): p. 1090–6. One of the main advantages of these technique is that they can be easily implemented on commercial clinical MR scanners. Unfortunately, these techniques require high power RF preparatory pulses to obtain desired T1ρ contrast, which may result in increased power deposition in organic tissues and hence increased tissue heating, especially when multi-slice capability is engaged. To overcome the problem, another technique using low power off-resonance RF pulses was proposed by the same authors. See Charagundla, S. R., et al., "Off-Resonance Proton T1rho Dispersion Imaging of 17O-Enriched Tissue Phantoms," Magn. Res. Med.:1998. 39(4): p. 588–95. In this proposal, experiments were performed to characterize T1ρoff off following off-resonant spin locking in H2O17 enriched phantoms. This off resonance technique, however, was shown to be no better than the on resonance spin locking technique in demonstrating contrast between H2O17 enriched phantoms.

Method for imaging biological matter using an adiabatic pulse

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University


The present invention concerns a control device for electronic apparatus of the electronic stem type, adapted to be shifted between a plurality of axial positions. According to one preferred embodiment, the stem (1), with axis X, has four different axial positions. Two contact clips (21, 22, 60, 61) mutually offset in the direction of the axis X are provided to make contact with two respective power supply terminals (19, 20, 75, 76) of a source of electrical power supply. The stem comprises a plurality of cylindrical portions (36, 38, 50, 51, 52) which cooperate with deformable extensions (27, 28, 64, 65) of the contact clips to deform them in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis X. Thus, in accordance with the axial position of the stem (1), the contact clips (21, 22, 60, 61) can be in different electrical states, i.e. isolated or connected to the source of power supply, independently of one another. As a result the assembly formed by the two contact clips can exhibit four different states, each being representative of a given axial position of the stem.

Many devices of this type are already known from the prior art.
However, the present invention provides a structure which is simple to implement and which allows in particular, according to one preferred embodiment, provision of up to four different axial positions of the stem with only two movable contact elements necessary to distinguish between these different positions.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,190, issued 20th Mar. 2001 in the name of Timex, describes an electronic stem having four different axial positions. To this end it is provided that the stem comprises an annular groove, in which is fitted a tongue integral with a contact collar mounted, near to the stem, rotatably about an axis orthogonal to the axis of the stem. When the stem is displaced into its different axis positions, the groove entrains the tongue, whose displacement causes the contact collar to rotate. Moreover the collar carries a second tongue, whose free end is located opposite a plurality of electric contact pads which are formed at the end of electrically conductive tracks. When the contact collar turns in response to axis displacement of the stem, the second tongue moves from one contact pad to the other, the second tongue being so shaped that its free end is disposed in contact with the contact pads.
The structure of the control device shown in this patent is however complex to realise, in particular because of the number of different elements which are needed for its operation and because the relative positioning of some of these elements needs to be precise. Furthermore, this structure has a significant size and requires implementation of an electric contact track-pad assembly for each axial position of the stem. Moreover the device described can exhibit problems of wear related to poor ageing with time because of its mode of operation. Thus, a plurality of constituent elements of this device are arranged to slide while rubbing on one another—the contact collar on its support and the free end of the second tongue on the contact pads—which gives rise to significant wear in the course of operation. Furthermore the rubbing can release small particles of matter which are prone to interfere with the operation of the device in the long term.

Control device with multiple axial positions for electronic apparatus


A prosthetic device for use with lower limb injuries, the device having a lower limb supporting platform and stabilizing brackets adjustably mounted on an upright leg member that is designed for efficient transfer of a user""s weight through the hip, the upper leg and the knee to a foot disposed at the end of the leg member. The device allows the user to mimic a natural walking alignment preferably while maintaining the use of the arms and hands.

The present invention is concerned with a crutch-like device designed to facilitate the ambulation of persons having non-weight-bearing lower leg injuries.
Crutches have long been used as devices to assist those suffering from an injury to the lower extremities to walk. Traditional crutches extend from the shoulder/underarm to the ground to bear the weight of the injured person. Such crutches are usually fabricated from wood or light weight metal and comprise two upright shafts culminating at one end in a foot and being attached at the other end to a crossbar which is accommodated under the arm. A second crossbar at approximately the mid-point acts as a handle. There are several problems associated with these types of crutches including shoulder fatigue and the fact that it is necessary to use the muscles of the upper leg and lower back to support the lower leg in a slightly rearwardly upward manner to maintain sufficient clearance from the walking surface. This physical stature can result in painful muscle induced scoliosis. In addition, the hand or hands supporting the crutch(es) are not available for other activities. The center of gravity is also raised, thereby affecting balance.
The prior art has attempted to address the problems associated with crutches. U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,299, for example, discloses a walking device having a body member which can be attached to the lower leg. However, this device does not provide means for secure attachment to the upper limb and there may therefore be some rotation about the knee which gives a user a feeling of instability. U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,016 discloses a foldable prosthetic device which includes a shelf for supporting the lower leg. This device is complex to manufacture and has a plurality of components transferring weight along parallel axes. Both U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,575,299 and 5,300,016 result in strain being applied to an already injured limb and neither provide the degree of stability required for a user to comfortably maintain their balance.
The present invention overcome the problems of the prior art, including traditional crutches, by providing a support platform for the injured lower extremity affixed to an upright support leg such that the weight of the person is transferred through the hip, upper leg and knee rather than the shoulder and this therefore affords a more natural distribution as the center of gravity is lowered. This device can be attached to the upper leg and thigh to allow for single hand or hands free operation. The design of the present invention results in unexpected maneuverability and stability.
A crutch, particularly for non-weight-bearing lower leg and foot injuries, and adapted for optional single hand or hands-free operation is provided. The device provides for single hand or hands free operation by supporting the lower leg on a platform connected to an upright support and having means for attachment to the thigh and upper leg and locates the lower leg. The crutch has a platform on which the knee and lower leg, in a bent position, is supported. The forces applied to the platform are transmitted downwardly along a ground engaging upright leg support.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a walking device comprising an elongate, essentially vertical unitary leg member having an upper portion and a lower portion, an essentially horizontal support platform mounted on the leg member for supporting a user""s knee and corresponding lower leg portion in a bent position; a stabilizing bracket mounted on the upper portion of said leg member to hold a user""s upper leg in position, and a foot member at the end of the leg member, whereby the lower portion of the leg member is offset such that the extent of offset provides for a continuous longitudinal axis from the hip, through the upper leg and intersecting the foot member. This provides enhanced stability through alignment with the user""s center of gravity. The unitary nature of the vertical leg ensures that a user""s leg and the device move in unison.
In another aspect, the upright vertical leg member has at least one stabilizing bracket mounted thereon to align positioning of the upper leg and knee parallel to the upright leg member and to provide lateral sideways support. An attachment system is associated with the stabilizing bracket to secure the device to the user""s leg. The lower leg is supported in a horizontal platform which also comprises an attachment system for securing the lower leg in position. The attachment system can take the form of velcro straps, leather belts, laces, or any other means of attachment.
In an aspect of the invention the support platform is mounted via a hinge to allow for collapse of the device along a single plane when not in use. The foot member of the device may include means for absorbing shock such as a rubber foot or a spring shock absorber. In another aspect of the invention, the foot is elongated to provide additional support.
The device may be fabricated from a metal such as aluminum or from wood, plastic, fiberglass or other light weight natural or synthetic materials. A handle may be provided on the front of the device to aid in pivoting the device when in use.


A recording apparatus includes a recording unit for recoding on a recording medium by ejecting ink, a conveyor belt for transporting the medium, first and second electrode groups including a plurality of electrodes inside the conveyor belt, a charging unit for charging the first and second electrode groups to provide a potential difference between the first and second electrode groups in order to generate an electrostatic force for attracting the medium to the conveyor belt, a duplex transport unit for turning over the medium transported by the conveyor belt from a first surface upward to a second surface upward and delivering the medium to the conveyor belt with the second surface upward, and a control unit for controlling the charging unit so that a difference between the potentials of the first and second electrode groups during transportation of the medium with the second surface upward is different from that during transportation of the medium with the first surface upward.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transport apparatus including a conveyer belt for attracting and conveying a recording medium and to a recording apparatus for recording on the recording medium conveyed by the transport apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, inkjet recording apparatuses carry out recording by ejecting ink drops from a recording head onto a recording medium conveyed by a transport mechanism. The inkjet recording apparatuses have advantages in that the size of the recording head can be easily reduced, high-resolution images can be recorded at high speed, the running cost can be reduced, noise can be reduced because of a non-impact mechanism, and a color image can be easily recorded by using ink of a plurality of colors. In particular, full-line type inkjet recording apparatuses include a line-type recording head having a plurality of ejection nozzles arranged in the width direction of the recording medium. Therefore, the full-line type inkjet recording apparatuses can provide higher speed recording.
However, among the full-line type inkjet recording apparatuses, apparatuses including a plurality of line-type recording heads in the moving direction of the recording medium have a large distance between the furthest upstream recording head and the furthest downstream recording head. Therefore, if moisture content of the recording area of the recording medium increases, the recording medium could slightly lift. This prevents an ink drop ejected from a recording head from being put on a desired position, and therefore, the recording quality is degraded. Accordingly, to prevent this phenomenon, it is necessary to press the recording medium against the transport mechanism.
In order to press the recording medium against the transport mechanism, a method is widely known in which the transport mechanism includes an electrode, which is charged to generate an electrostatic force so as to attract the recording medium (refer to, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-284383).
On the other hand, recently, recording on both sides of a recording medium has been required in many cases in addition to recoding on only one side of a recording medium. When recording on both sides of a recording medium, a recording head first ejects ink onto the first surface and then ejects ink onto the second surface. In this case, since recording on the first surface increases moisture content of the recording medium, the recording medium could significantly swell and ripple (cockle). Thus, the recording quality on the second surface is degraded compared to single-sided recording. If the above-described conveying method is applied to the double-sided recording, the recording quality required at that time can be satisfied. However, recently, higher recording quality has been required.
In addition, if a conveying belt is used to convey the recording medium and if the conveying belt remains unused in the apparatus for a long period of time, permanent deformation may occur at a portion having a large curvature, such as a portion in contact with a transport roller.

Transport apparatus and recording apparatus


Modeling hydrocarbon flow from kerogens in a hydrocarbon bearing formation. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including modeling flow of hydrocarbons through a hydrocarbon bearing formation by: obtaining an indication of kerogen-wet porosity of kerogen within a portion of the formation; obtaining an indication of water-wet porosity within the portion of the formation; modeling hydrocarbon movement through the kerogen-wet porosity; and modeling hydrocarbon movement through the water-wet porosity.

Advances in directional drilling (i.e., horizontal drilling) along with advances in hydraulic fracturing have made economical the production of oil and gas from shale formations. For future planning purposes, companies involved in oil and gas production need estimates of future production from such shale formations. In an attempt to provide such estimates of future production, the oil and gas industry has attempted use formation modeling tools originally designed for conventional reservoirs (with high permeability). However, shale formations are vastly different than conventional reservoirs. For example, some shale formations may have 500 times less porosity than conventional reservoirs.
While it is possible to have existing formation modeling tools tuned to actual production history from a shale formation, the formation models are highly inaccurate as to future production from the shale formations.
Any advance which makes modeling of future hydrocarbon production from shale formations more accurate would provide a competitive advantage.

Methods and systems of modeling hydrocarbon flow from kerogens in a hydrocarbon bearing formation