A switching unit of a cross connecting device is expanded with no momentary interruption, while data loss and data overlapping is eliminated. To achieve such an expansion, a cross connecting device comprises a base set having a switching unit for determining an output channel based on virtual path information for cell data that is input and for outputting the cell data. An expanded set has a switching unit for receiving the cell data from the base set and cell data from another base set, and for determining an output channel based on virtual path information for both inputs of cell data and for outputting the cell data. A filter prevents the transmission, to the expanded set, of cell data for which the output channel is determined by the switching unit of the base set.

The present invention relates to a system by which the channels for a cross connecting device can be extended without momentary interruption.
A cross connecting device assembles the lines of a plurality of subscribers and connects them to a predetermined trunk line by switching their channels. Generally, an 8.times.8 cross connecting device is provided. In other words, the 8.times.8 cross connecting device switches eight connect them to eight output input channels so as to connect them to eight output channels.
In order to increase the volume of communications handled and to improve the reliability of a communication function, a cross connecting device is required that can the volume of communications number of input channels to a corresponding switch a greater number of input channels to a corresponding number of output channels.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating as a base set off an 8.times.8 cross connecting device, the arrangement of an 8.times.8 cross connecting device, wherein data are input along eight channels and data are channels. The data that are input and output to eight channels. The data that are input a output are SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) signals.
SDH signals that are input along the eight channels are transmitted to corresponding interface circuits 10 . . . 17. According to a cell format shown in FIG. 12, the received SDH signals are formed into cells, each of which has a header portion and an information field.
Multiplexers 20 . . . 27 perform high-speed which are output by the conversion of the cell signals, which are output by the respective interface circuits 10 . . . 17, and a of the cells are stacked to form predetermined number of the cells are stacked to form multiplexed cells. Path information is added to the multiplexed cells by VP (virtual path) converters 30 . . . 37, and the resultant data are transmitted to a switching unit 4 of the cross connecting device.
The switching unit 4 determines corresponding channels for the multiplexed cells in accordance with the path information, and switches and outputs them. The multiplexed cells from the switching unit 4 are demultiplexed by demultiplexers 40 . . . 47, respectively, and the cells are converted into the original SDH signals, which are then transmitted to a trunk line via interface terminals 50 . . . 57.
When the switching unit 4 in the 8.times.8 cross connecting device is to be further extended to increase the number of output channels that correspond to the number of input channels, the 8.times.8 cross connecting is normally in the operational state.
In FIG. 13 is shown an exemplary arrangement that is 2 assumed when an expanded set 2 for a switching unit is added to the base set 1 of the 8.times.8 cross connecting device. A switching unit 400 of the expanded set 2 has a 64.times.64 cross connecting function, and includes eight sets of cross connecting structures, each of which is the same as the switching unit 4 of the base set 1.
With the arrangement in FIG. 13, data are input along 64 input channels, the eight input channels of the base set 1 and 56 input channels of the expanded set 2, are cross-connected by the switching unit 400 of the expanded set 2, and are output to 64 output channels from the expanded set 2.
As is shown in FIG. 13, a communication interruption at the input and output sides of the switching unit 4 of the base set 1 is inevitable when the expanded set 2 is added during operation of the base set 1 so as to replace the switching,unit 4 of the base set 1 with the switching unit 400 of the expanded set 2. This interruption occurs during a period extending from the time the switching unit 4 of the base set 1 is disconnected until the expansion using the switching unit 400 of the expanded set 2 is effected. Therefore, transfer paths are severed during this period of time, and data that are to be transmitted are abandoned.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another example of an arrangement in which the expanded set 2 for the switching unit is added to the base set 1. Compared with the example shown in FIG. 13, the function of the switching unit 4 of 3 the base set 1 is maintained active, and selectors 60 . . . 67 are provided in the base set 1.
According to this arrangement, the same data are input to the switching unit 4 of the base set 1 and the switching unit 400 of the expanded set 2, and the selectors 60 . . . 67 switch from the base set side to the expanded set side.
With this structure (FIG. 14) the severing of a transfer path, as described relative to FIG. 13, can be prevented. However, because of a difference in processing delay, a phase difference may occur between the base set 1 data and the expanded set 2 data, both of which are transmitted to the selectors 60 . . . 67. Therefore, the data will be abandoned or the data output will be overlapped.

Uninterrupted-service expansion system for a cross connecting device


The present invention relates to NF-X1, a novel DNA binding protein which regulates expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, and to DNA sequences which encode the protein as well as recombinant expression of the protein. NF-X1 is a newly identified, cysteine-rich polypeptide which interacts sequence-specifically with the conserved X1 box regulatory element found in the proximal promoters of class II MHC genes. A cysteine-rich domain within NF-X1 contains a motif repeated seven times, and this entire region is necessary and sufficient for both sequence specific binding and effector function. The motif is related to but distinct from the previously described metal-binding protein families: LIM domain and RING finger. NFX.1 mRNA is markedly overexpressed late after induction of cells with interferon-gamma, and this overexpression coincides with a reduction in the level of HLA-DRA transcript in these cells. Overexpression of this protein strongly and specifically represses the transcription of the HLA-DRA gene in MHC class II positive cell lines, indicating that the NF-X1 protein is a transcriptional repressor of MHC class II molecules.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel DNA binding protein which regulates expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, DNA sequences which encode the protein, and recombinant expression of the protein.
2. Review of Related Art
Expression of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules is usually restricted to cells of the immune system, and dysregulated expression is hypothesized to contribute to the pathogenesis of a severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome and certain autoimmune diseases. As most mammalian cells can endocytose and process foreign antigen, the critical determinant of an antigen presenting cell is its ability to express class II MHC molecules. The class II MHC molecules function in the presentation of processed peptides to helper T cells.
The class II region of the human major histocompatibility complex encodes three heterodimeric molecules: HLA-DR, -DQ and -DP, composed of alpha and beta chain polypeptides with an approximate Mr of 60,000. These highly polymorphic molecules determine the ability of an individual to respond to a given antigen, and the molecular basis of this ability lies in the differential capacity of allelic forms of these molecules to bind particular peptides. Peptides derived from extracellular antigens are recognized by helper T cells in the context of these molecules.
Due to the central role these molecules play in the initiation of the immune response, considerable effort is focused on elucidating the mechanisms governing the proper tissue-specific and developmental regulation of the class II MHC genes (Benoist, et al., 1990, Ann. Rev. Immunol., 8:681; Ono, et al., 1991, J. Exp. Med., 173:629). These molecules are expressed constitutively on professional antigen-presenting cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells and B cells, and their biosynthesis is inducible on other cells upon binding of certain lymphokines, such as interferon-gamma, interleukin-4 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, to their respective receptors (Noelle, et al., 1986, J. Immunol., 137:1718; Glimcher, et al., 1992, Ann. Rev. Immunol., 10:13). Class II MHC genes are inactive in plasma cells, and cell fusion experiments indicate that a dominant repressor protein actively inhibits transcription of these genes (Latron, et al., 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 85:2229).
Expression of the class II MHC genes is controlled primarily at the transcriptional level (Ono, et al., 1989, Diabetes, 7:911; Ting, J.P.Y., 1991, Crit. Rev. Immunol., 11:87). Systematic deletion and mutagenesis of the proximal promoters of the human and murine class II genes have identified two highly conserved cis-acting elements called the X and Y boxes that bind several transcription factors that participate in the regulation of these genes (Boss, et al., 1986, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 83:9139; Miwa, et al., 1987, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 84:4939; Viville, et al., 1991, J. Immunol., 146:3211; Klemsz, et al., 1990, Cell, 61:113). These regions are occupied by DNA-binding proteins in class II positive cells but not in class II negative or in certain Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome cell lines (Kara, et al., 1991, Science, 252:709; Wright, et al., 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 89:601).
The X-box is further subdivided into an upstream X1 box 5'CCTAGCAACAGATG3'!(SEQ ID NO:6) and an X2 box 5'CGTCATC3'!(SEQ ID NO:7) located immediately 3' of the X1 box (Latron, et al., 1988). A family of genes encoding X1 box binding proteins have been cloned (RFX1-5) and at least one of these, RFX5, appears to be required for class II MHC gene transcription (Reith, et al., 1988, Cell, 53:897; Reith, et al., 1990, Genes Dev., 4:1528). At least three factors (hXBP1, hXBP2, and c-jun) can interact directly with the X2 box, with the product of the c-fos proto-oncogene being a likely partner (Liou, et al., 1990, Science, 247:1581; Kara, et al., 1990, Mol. Cell. Biol., 10:1347; Anderson, et al., 1990, J. Immunol., 145:3456; Ono, et al., 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88:4309; Ono, et al., 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88:4304).
The Y box is in fact an inverted CCAAT box which can bind a multiplicity of factors. Two factors: YB-1 and NF-Y have been implicated in class II MHC gene regulation. YB-1 appears to encode a potent repressor of interferon-gamma induced class II gene expression, while the heterodimeric NF-Y encodes an activator (Didier, et al., 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85:7322; Zeleznik-Le, et al., 1992, J. Biol. Chem., 267:7677; Li, et al., 1992, J. Biol. Chem., 267:8984). The Y-box may therefore act as a bifunctional cis-element, binding both an activator and repressor of class II MHC gene expression.
Recently, a novel factor (CIITA) required for both constitutive and interferon.gamma. mediated expression of all of the class II MHC genes has been isolated by complementation cloning using a mutant B-lymphoblastoid cell line (Steimle, et al., 1993, Cell, 75:135; Steimle, et al., 1994, Science, 265:106). This factor does not appear to interact directly with the class II MHC proximal promoter, but CIITA transactivation is mediated by the proximal promoter (presumably via protein-protein interactions between CIITA and other class II promoter binding proteins).
A series of classical genetic studies by Accolla and coworkers have previously demonstrated multiple genetic loci that encode either activators or repressors of class II MHC gene expression (reviewed in Glimcher, et al., 1992; Latron, et al., 1988). These studies predicted the existence of two classes of genes termed aIr-1 and sIr-1 that encode either activator(s) or silencer(s) of class II MHC gene expression, respectively. The newly isolated cDNA (CIITA, located on human chromosome 16) appears to encode aIr-1 (Steimle, et al., 1993; Steimle, et al., 1994).
The sIr-1 gene or genes were identified in cell fusion experiments, where factors expressed in the class II negative plasmacytoma cell line P3-U1 were shown to rapidly and dominantly repress class II MHC transcription in the human B cell line Raji. However, neither the sIr-1 gene nor its gene product have been isolated. Since the conserved X1 box of class II MHC genes plays a critical role in the transcriptional regulation of these genes, there is a need for methods of obtaining, in isolated form, the product of the sIr-1 locus.

Transcription factor regulating MHC expression CDNA and genomic clones encoding same and retroviral expression constructs thereof


An image pickup apparatus having a photographing condition setting section which sets photographing conditions of a subject, a photographing condition determination section which determines whether the image data in the storage section meet the photographing conditions set by the photographing condition setting section, and a photographing control section which deletes from the storage section image data determined by the photographing condition determination section not to meet the photographing conditions, and records into the recording section image data determined by the photographing condition determination section to meet the photographing conditions. In addition, the image data conversion section re-executes conversion of the picked-up image signals into image data and output of the image data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technique for performing automatic photography based on photographing conditions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there have been techniques which determine whether a photographed image is adequate, and stores the image according to the result of the determination. For instance, a digital camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-51338 comprises: a facial recognition device which recognizes the face of a subject based on image information; a determination device which determines, based on information from the facial recognition device, whether the face is turned towards a predetermined direction, whether the eyes are closed, or whether the line of sight is directed towards the camera; as well as a subject recording operation control device which performs recording operations of the subject based on the determination results of the determination device.

Image pickup apparatus, image pickup method and image pickup program


A first stream of contaminated air containing solid impurities including reusable tobacco particles is exhausted from a machine for the making of smokers' products and is caused to pass first through a first filter which separates therefrom all of the impurities, and the thus decontaminated air is caused to pass through a cooler and back to the machine. The separated impurities are caused to pass through a second filter which segregates therefrom the reusable tobacco particles, and such particles are reintroduced into the machine. The first stream of contaminated air can receive a second stream of contaminated air from a second machine, and such second stream is introduced into the first stream ahead of the first filter.

The invention relates to the processing of air in and around the machines which are used for the making of smokers' products incuding machines for the making of plain cigarillos, cigarettes, cigars or other rod-shaped articles which contain natural, synthetic and/or reconstituted tobacco, machines for the making of filter cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and analogous articles of the tobacco processing industry, as well as the machines for the making of filter rods and filter rod sections for tobacco smoke.
Many types of machines for the making of smokers' products utilize large quantities of air for a variety of different purposes. For example, a machine for the making of plain cigarettes or a filter tipping machine (wherein plain cigarettes or other rod-shaped articles containing natural, reconstituted and/or synthetic tobacco are united with filter rod sections of unit length or multiple unit length to form filter cigarettes, cigars or the like) can utilize air for the transport of tobacco or filter material, for classification of randomly intermixed lighter and heavier and/or shorter or longer particles (such as mixtures of shreds of tobacco leaf laminae and fragments of tobacco eyes or ribs), for attracting webs of paper or the like or streams of tobacco and/or filter material to their conveyors, for attracting rod-shaped tobacco- and/or filter sections to the flutes of rotary conveyors or to other types of conveyors during transport and/or other manipulation, for testing rod-shaped articles and/or their constituents and/or for ejecting defective rod-shaped articles and/or their components. Air which is used for such purposes is normally laden with (i.e., it contains at least some) solid impurities including larger and/or smaller fragments of tobacco, larger and/or smaller fragments of filter material and/or other foreign bodies (such as pieces of rock, sand, metal or the like). Such contaminated air must be processed prior to reintroduction into a machine for the making of smokers' products and/or prior to admission into the surrounding atmosphere. Furthermore, it is often desirable to recover certain solid contaminants, such as certain sizes and/or types of tobacco particles, for reintroduction into the machine or machines for the making of rod-shaped and/or other smokers' products.
Certain heretofore known proposals to regenerate or recondition air which has been used in a machine for the making of smokers' products are described, for example, in British patent No. 953,792.

Method of and apparatus for processing exhausted air in tobacco processing plants


The deleterious generation of hydrogen in optical fiber cables with cured silicone resin coatings is reduced by treating such optical fibers with one or more type of olefinic hydrocarbon to convert --Si--H groups remaining after curing to --Si--R groups where R is an alkyl group having the same number of carbons as the one or more type of olefinic hydrocarbon. The resulting optical fiber cable, having a light transmissive core surrounded by one or more glass cladding layers, is coated by a cured, silicone polymer having few, if any, residual --Si--H groups.

It is well known that optical fibers can be coated with protective organic coatings as the glass fibers are drawn from a glass melt or solid glass preform. Glass fibers, as drawn, exhibit very high tensile strength, but are substantially weakened by the development of flaws on the surface of the fiber. Thus, application of a protective coating to the surface of the fiber before it contacts any surface contaminants or solid surface can protect the inherent high strength of the fiber.
A number of different coating systems have been used commercially in the production of optical fibers for optical telecommunications. However, only two such systems are presently in widespread commercial use.
One system employs coating materials which are rapidly cured by exposure to ultraviolet light. Examples of such coatings are UV-curable urethane acrylates, such as those described in European Patent No. EP0204160. Ultraviolet-curable acrylate coating systems provide acceptable service over a relatively broad range of ambient temperatures. They are not, however, sufficiently stable to withstand elevated temperatures for prolonged periods of use.
Glass optical fibers have also utilized silicone polymer coating systems. Examples of such optical fibers include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,765,713 to Matsuo et al., 4,848,869 to Urruti, 4,877,306 to Kar, and 4,962,996 to Cuellar et al. Generally, these products are prepared by coating optical fibers with silicone resin and then curing the coated fibers, usually at elevated temperatures and pressures. Curing causes a cross-linking reaction between --Si--CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 and --Si--H groups to form --Si--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --Si-- cross-links. This reaction is usually catalyzed by a hydrosilylation catalyst incorporated in the silicone polymer coating. See e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,248 to Traver et al.
One major problem encountered in optical fibers is the absorption of gaseous hydrogen. This gas can attenuate signals transmitted at wavelengths greater than 1 micron which are the wavelengths conventionally used in telecommunications. Hydrogen can also degrade the mechanical characteristics of optical fibers.
Hydrogen which contacts optical fibers can come from outside the cable by diffusion through the cable components. In addition, hydrogen is often generated by materials forming the cable which either have absorbed hydrogen during manufacturing or have decomposed during use. For example, hydrogen can form in metallic or plastic sheaths in plastic cores, in metallic armors, in silicone coatings, and in protective means for the optical fibers, (e.g., tubes loosely housing the optical fibers).
One particularly significant source of hydrogen in optical fiber cables are --Si--H groups present in the silicone coating. As discussed above, the objective of the curing step is to react such groups with --Si--CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 groups to effect cross-linking. However, as cross-linking proceeds, the silicone polymer chains become locked into position, causing some --Si--H groups to become isolated from --Si--CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 groups which they must react with. As a result, --Si--H groups remain in the silicone coating after curing is completed. Over time, such unreacted --Si--H groups generate deleterious quantities of hydrogen by what is believed to be the following catalyzed hydrolytic reaction: EQU --Si--H+H.sub.2 O.fwdarw.--Si--OH+H.sub.2
In addition, hydrogen can be further produced by the following reaction when --Si--OH groups are already formed. EQU --Si--OH+--Si--H.fwdarw.--Si--0--Si--+H.sub.2.
In commercial operations, the residual --Si--H groups remain in cured silicone coatings at levels which will produce 2000-3000 microliters of hydrogen per gram of silicone coating (measured with a gas chromatograph). Such levels of hydrogen are likely to cause the above-described signal attenuation and mechanical degradation problems. As a result, removal of residual --Si--H groups is highly desirable.
One approach to the hydrogen generation problem is to incorporate a hydrogen fixing filler in the optical cables, as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,889 to Pasini et al. Though such techniques may be effective, they significantly increase the weight and material costs of the resulting optical fiber product.
The more preferred approach is to prevent hydrogen from ever being formed by substantially eliminating --Si--H groups. Achievement of this has been attempted by increasing curing times and temperatures.
When curing time is increased, however, a mode unsuitable for commercial operations, residual --Si--H groups will still be present at levels sufficient to generate 500 microliters of hydrogen per gram of silicone coating. Such hydrogen levels are still too high, and such increased curing times necessitate use of longer, more expensive curing ovens.
If it is instead attempted to increase curing temperature to a level which substantially eliminates --Si--H groups, the silicone coating may burn or have its physical properties altered. This undesirable effect can only be prevented by use of a special low oxygen content atmosphere in the curing oven such as that taught by U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,899 to Kobayashi et al. The use of this technique is, however, undesirable due to the need for special gas handling systems.
As a result, the need for an economical procedure to reduce --Si--H groups in cured silicone-coated optical fibers continues to exist.

Reduction of hydrogen generation by silicone-coated optical fibers


The invention provides isolated polynucleotide molecules that comprise a DNA sequence encoding an infectious RNA sequence encoding a genetically-modified North American PRRS virus, methods to make it and related polypeptides, polynucleotides, and various components. Vaccines comprising the genetically modified virus and polynucleotides and a diagnostic kit to distinguish between naturally infected and vaccinated animals are also provided.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is characterized by abortions, stillbirths, and other reproductive problems in sows and gilts, as well as respiratory disease in young pigs. The causative agent is the PRRS virus (PRRSV), a member of the family Arteriviridae and the order Nidovirales. The nidoviruses are enveloped viruses having genomes consisting of a single strand of positive polarity RNA. The genomic RNA of a positive-stranded RNA virus fulfills the dual role in both storage and expression of genetic information. No DNA is involved in replication or transcription in Nidoviruses. The non-structural proteins are translated directly from the genomic RNA of nidoviruses as large polyproteins and subsequently cleaved by viral proteases into discreet functional proteins. A 3′-coterminal nested set of subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs) is synthesized from the genome and are used as messenger RNAs for translation of the structural proteins. The reproduction of nidoviral genomic RNA is thus a combined process of genome replication and sgRNA synthesis.
In the late 1980's, two distinct genotypes of the virus emerged nearly simultaneously, one in North America and another in Europe. PRRS virus is now endemic in nearly all swine producing countries, and is considered one of the most economically important diseases affecting the global pork industry. Additionally, highly virulent genotypes have been isolated in China and surrounding countries, and such genotypes are generally related to North American genotypes.
Despite significant advances in understanding the biology of PRRSV, control of the virus remains difficult. Vaccination of animals in the field has proven to be largely ineffective. PRRS commonly re-emerges in immunized herds, and most on-farm PRRSV vaccination campaigns ultimately fail to control the disease.
Without being limited as to theory, infection of pigs with wild type PRRSV or their vaccination with a live attenuated form of this pathogen unfortunately only elicits an exuberant production of non-neutralizing antibodies. During this time interval, for example, only limited quantities of interferon (IFN)-γ (secreting cells are generated. Thus, PRRSV seems to inherently stimulate an imbalanced immune response distinguished by consistently abundant humoral (antibody-based) immunity, and a variable and limited but potentially protective T helper (Th) 1-like IFN-γ response. One characteristic of PRRSV infection that most likely contributes to the imbalanced development of adaptive immunity is the lack of an adequate innate immune response. Usually, virus-infected cells secrete type I interferon "IFN" (including IFN-α and IFN-β), which protects neighboring cells from infection. In addition, the released type I IFN interacts with a subset of naïve T cells to promote their conversion into virus-specific type II IFN (IFN-γ) secreting cells. In contrast, the IFN-α response of pigs to PRRSV exposure is nearly non-existent. Such inefficient stimulation of IFN-α production by a pathogen would be expected to have a significant impact on the nature of the host's adaptive immune response, since IFN-α up-regulates IFN-γ gene expression. Accordingly, the former cytokine controls the dominant pathway that promotes the development of adaptive immunity, namely, T cell-mediated IFN-γ responses and peak antiviral immune defenses.
In this regard, it has become evident that a probable link between innate and adaptive immunity in viral infections occurs through a special type of dendritic cell which has the ability to produce large amounts of type I interferon, and which plays a critical role in the polarization of T-cell function. Specifically, an infrequent but remarkable type of dendritic cell, the plasmacytoid dendritic cell (PDC), also known as a natural IFN-α/β-producing cell, plays a critical role in anti-viral immunity by means of their ability to cause naïve T cells to differentiate into IFN-γ secreting cells. Although rare, the PDC are enormously potent producers of IFN-α, with each cell being capable of producing 3-10 pg of IFN-α in response to virus. In contrast, monocytes produce 5- to 10-fold less IFN-α on a per cell basis. The phenotype and some biological properties of porcine PDC have been described (Summerfield et al., 2003, Immunology 110:440). Recent studies have determined that PRRSV does not stimulate porcine PDCs to secrete IFN-α (Calzada et al., 2010, Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 135:20).
This fact, in combination with the observation that exogenously added IFN-α at the time of vaccination has been found to improve the intensity of the PRRSV-specific IFN-γ response (W. A. Meier et al., Vet. Immunol. Immunopath. 102, pp 299-314, 2004), highlights the critical role that IFN-α plays during the infection of pigs with this virus. Given the apparent critical role of IFN-α on the development of protective immunity, it is important to determine the ability of different PRRS virus stocks to stimulate and/or inhibit the production of IFN-α. Accordingly, there is a pressing need for new and improved modified live vaccines to protect against PRRS. As described below, it is clear that viruses derived from the novel infectious cDNA clone, pCMV-S-P129-PK, and others, have a different phenotype than either the wild-type P129 virus or two commercially available modified live PRRS vaccines. Without being limited as to theory, the present invention provides for vaccines that facilitate cell-based immune response against the virus, and define a new and effective generation of PRRS vaccines.

North American porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus and uses thereof


A payment-enabled mobile device such as a “smart phone” incorporates risk management features that are applicable to its use in contactless payment transactions. Some features may govern when verification of the cardholder's identity is required for consummation of the current transaction. The features may be configurable by the payment card account issuer and/or the user of the mobile device.

Payment cards such as credit or debit cards are ubiquitous. For decades, such cards have included a magnetic stripe on which the relevant account number is stored. To consummate a purchase transaction with such a card, the card is swiped through a magnetic stripe reader that is part of a point of sale (POS) terminal. The reader reads the account number from the magnetic stripe. The account number is then used to route a transaction authorization request that is initiated by the POS terminal. The authorization request is routed from the merchant's acquiring financial institution ("acquirer") to a server computer operated by or on behalf of the issuer of the payment account. The issuer's server computer provides a response to the authorization request. If the response indicates that the issuer has authorized the transaction, the transaction is consummated at the point of sale. Later the transaction is cleared for settlement via the acquirer and the issuer.
More recently, cards that incorporate an integrated circuit (IC) have been utilized as payment cards. In various embodiments, IC payment cards may be interfaced to a POS terminal via contacts on the card. During a purchase transaction, the payment card account number and other information may be uploaded from the IC payment card to the POS terminal via the IC card contacts and a contact card reader that is included in the POS terminal. Authorization and clearing may then proceed in substantially the same manner as for a transaction initiated with a mag stripe payment card (putting aside additional security measures that may be implemented by using the processing capabilities of the IC payment card).
In other IC payment card systems, the exchange of information between the card and the POS terminal proceeds via wireless RF (radio frequency) communications. These wireless communication payment cards are sometimes referred to as "contactless" payment cards. One example of a contactless payment card standard is referred to in the United States by the brand name "PayPass" and was established by MasterCard International Incorporated, the assignee hereof. It has also been proposed to use wireless exchanges of information via NFC (Near Field Communication) for payment applications.
Conventional payment system purchase transactions that require real-time on-line communication with the account issuer—for the purpose of authorization or (in a "one message" system) for immediate charge against the customer's account—are sometimes referred to as "on-line" transactions. However, some payment card account issuers are willing to allow certain classes of transactions (e.g., transactions for small monetary amounts) to be consummated for later clearing without obtaining authorization from the issuer's computer while the transaction is pending between the merchant and the customer. In these transactions, the merchant's device (POS system) is not required to engage in communications with the issuer's computer while the transaction is taking place, and the transactions are accordingly sometimes referred to as "offline" transactions. For these transactions, issuers typically consider the risk of a relatively small loss to fraud as being outweighed by the need to speed up the transaction for the convenience of the customer and the merchant.
It has been proposed that the capabilities of a contactless payment card be incorporated into a mobile telephone, thereby turning the mobile telephone into a contactless payment device. Typically a mobile telephone/contactless payment device includes integrated circuitry with the same functionality as the RFID (radio frequency identification) IC of a contactless payment card. In addition, the mobile telephone/contactless payment device includes a loop antenna that is coupled to the payment-related IC for use in sending and/or receiving messages, via short-distance wireless communications, in connection with a transaction that involves contactless payment.
Contactless payment devices in other form factors, such as key fobs, wristwatches, wristbands and stickers, have also been proposed. It has also been proposed that mobile devices other than mobile telephones—such as PDAs with mobile communication capabilities—may also incorporate contactless payment functionality.
In general, issuers of payment card accounts are concerned with the subject of "risk management". Risk management refers to the balancing of the risk of loss due to fraud or over-spending with the costs and inconvenience that may be required for measures that may be undertaken to deter or prevent fraudulent transactions or over-spending. The above-noted practices relating to requiring real-time authorization for some transactions while not requiring such authorization for other transactions are examples of applications of the principles of risk management. The present inventors have now devised additional novel risk management techniques (described below) that are especially suitable for application with payment-enabled mobile devices.

Methods for risk management in payment-enabled mobile device


A gyratory crusher having a positive head hold-down mechanism. The crusher includes a frame structure; a first mounting arrangement including a pair of taper bearings for rotatably mounting an eccentric member to the frame structure about a vertically oriented first axis; a second mounting arrangement including a spherical bearing for spiderlessly and rotatably mounting a main shaft to the eccentric member about a substantially vertically oriented second axis angularly offset from the first axis; a crusher head mounted on said main shaft; drive means including a bevel gear secured to the eccentric member and a drive pinion arrangement for rotating said eccentric member about the first axis; a hold-down mechanism fixedly mounted to the crusher head for preventing vertical displacement of the crusher head relative to the a plurality of hydrostatic bearings operably supporting the crusher head; and seal means for protecting moving components of the crusher.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to a gyratory or cone crusher.
2. Background of the Related Art
Gyratory crushers or cone crushers are characterized by crushing or crusher heads having a generally cone-shaped outer surface, which are mounted to undergo gyratory motion. The cone-shaped crusher head of a gyratory crusher is generally centered about a head axis that is angularly offset from a vertical crusher axis generally centered through the crusher. The outer surface of the head is generally protected by a replaceable mantel.
The crushers are further characterized by a bowl-shaped member, sometimes referred to as a concave or bonnet, disposed in an inverted position generally over the cone-shaped crusher head and centered about the vertical crusher axis. The inner surface of the bowl-shaped member is protected by a replaceable bowl liner. The outer dimensions of the head and mantel are smaller than the corresponding inner dimensions of the bowl liner. The head is mounted such that there is a space between the mantel and the bowl liner, sometimes referred to as the "crushing chamber" or "crushing cavity". The volume of the crushing cavity can be increased by altering the shape of the exposed surface of the bowl liner and/or the shape of the exposed surface of the mantel. It can also be increased or decreased by vertically adjusting the elevation of the mantel relative to the elevation of the bowl liner. The bowl-shaped member has an upper opening through which material to be crushed can be fed into the crushing cavity.
The smallest distance between the mantel and the bowl liner at the bottom of the crushing cavity is called the "closed side setting" or "setting" of the crusher. The width of the setting determines the size of crushed materials operably produced by the crusher. The setting can be enlarged to increase the size of the crushed material produced by the crusher, and can be decreased to reduce the size of the crushed material produced by the crusher. The setting can be adjusted by simply raising or lowering the elevation of the bowl liner relative to the elevation of the crusher head, or by raising or lowering the elevation of the crusher head relative to the elevation of the bowl liner. The difference between the width of the closed side setting and the spacing between the mantel and the bowl liner at the bottom of the crushing cavity directly opposite from the closed side setting, sometimes called the "open" side or "open side setting", is called the "throw" or "stroke" of the crusher.
The small angular offset of the head axis relative to the vertical crusher axis is provided by mounting the head on an eccentric element, or other suitable mounting. The head is caused to gyrate relative to the bowl-shaped member by rotating that mounting or eccentric element. As the eccentric element rotates, one side of the head is caused to approach the bowl liner until it attains the closed side setting while the opposite side of the head recedes from the bowl liner until it simultaneously attains the open side setting. The closed side setting and open side setting operably travel around the periphery of the lower end of the crushing cavity as the eccentric element is rotated, each making a complete revolution around the crusher head for each revolution of the eccentric element. The magnitude of the gyration is determined by the angle that the head axis is offset from the crusher axis and by the location of the point at which those two axes most closely approach or intersect.
State-of-the-art gyratory or cone crushers are generally driven by a horizontally disposed countershaft which radially extends into a lower part of a generally cylindrical crusher housing. An inner end of the countershaft is coupled through a pinion and ring gear to the eccentric element to rotatably drive the eccentric element.
A motor (either electric or combustion) is used to drive the crusher. The speed of the motor, the size ratio of the pulleys on the motor and the crusher, and the gearing of the eccentric element determine the speed at which the head gyrates, sometimes referred to as the "gyrational speed". The gyrational speed selected for each crusher depends on the particular application for which the crusher is to be used. Increasing or decreasing the gyrational speed is usually a matter of changing the speed of the motor, changing the relative sizes of the pulleys on the motor and/or the crusher, and/or changing the gear ratios for the eccentric.
The gyratory or gyrating motion of the cone-shaped crusher head performs a material comminution action on material, such as rock, ore, coal and other hard substances, as the material is fed through the bowl opening into the crushing cavity. The material typically moves by gravity through the annular space or crushing cavity between the exposed surface of the stationary bowl liner and the exposed surface of the cone-shaped mantel. As the gyrating head approaches the liner, it crushes the material; as it recedes from the liner, the material falls farther down the crushing cavity to undergo further crushings during subsequent revolutions of the eccentric member. As the separation between the bowl liner and the head gradually decreases from top to bottom, such progressive crushing action repeatedly occurs until the crushed material is discharged from the bottom of the crushing cavity.
The crushing heads of prior art gyratory crushers generally utilize two different mounting mechanisms--spider-type, wherein head mounting support is provided both above and below the crushing head, and spiderless, wherein head mounting support is provided only from below the crushing head. Obviously, greater demands are placed on a spiderless mounting mechanism due to the moments randomly generated during crushing processes.
Further and due to their massiveness, spiderless crushing heads are generally held in place gravitationally on its underlying mounting mechanism. During high speed operations, however, the crushing head tends to levitate or "de-seat", which occurs as the radial acceleration force exceeds the gravitational component of the crushing head weight that normally maintains the crushing head seated on its mounting mechanism. Obviously, the downwardly directed forces generated during actual crushing operations is more than sufficient to prevent the crushing head from levitating; the problem arises primarily during startup or when the crusher has temporarily emptied between inputs of material to be crushed. Unfortunately, levitation of a crushing head that is supported by bearings radially displaced from the longitudinal axis of the crushing head, particularly during high performance crushing operations, substantially increases wear and maintenance over that observed for such crushers that do not experience levitation.
What is needed is a gyratory crusher that has a mechanism for positively preventing the crushing head from levitating from support bearings radially displaced from a longitudinal axis thereof.

Cone crusher having positive head hold-down mechanism


The spring has an intermediate helical portion with a U-shaped open hook at each end. The helical portion is disposed in the region of the pivot of the wiper support arm to the base part which holds the support arm. One hook wraps around the wiper support arm, passing over and hooking underneath the same and the other hook wraps around the base part, passing underneath and hooking on the top of said base part. The spring greatly increases the wiper pressure on the windshield. The spring remains properly hooked even when the support arm is pivoted away from the windshield.

The windshield wiper on vehicles already have some means of maintaining a certain pressure of the wiper blade against the windshield. Generally the wiper arm does not sit very high off the windshield and the helical tension spring that is stretched between a fixed base to a drive shaft and a pivoting wiper arm does not have sufficient space to exert a long moment arm thus creating very weak pressure on the wiper blade compared to the force exerted by the spring since it is working in tension with a short moment arm. Nevertheless, the spring must be extremely strong in comparison to the arm and pivot strength to create a sufficiently strong torque to generate a good pressure on the wiper blade so that in turn the blade gives a satisfactory wiping action against the windshield.
Moreover, as generally encountered at high vehicle speed or when vehicle is facing strong winds, wind lift on the arm and blade counteracts the force exerted by the spring to reduce the wiping action of the blade in an unsatisfactory manner.
No simple means are currently known for increasing the wiping pressure of the wiper blade on the windshield.
The following prior art patent documents have been uncovered by the present inventor: Canadian patent No. 811, 909 issued in 1969; and the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,062,175 issued in 1991; 4,698,872 issued in 1987; 4,718,139 issued in 1988; 4,993,102 issued in 1991; 5,008,971 issued in 1991; and 5,056,182 issued in 1991.


Automated tax return preparation is provided using a relationship-based interview process coupled with universal data import. Information is collected through a process called the interview, during which a taxpayer is asked various questions about her background and relationships with financial institutions. The taxpayer provides to the tax planning software a list of financial institutions with which the taxpayer has a relationship, and the tax software retrieves tax data directly from the financial institutions. The combination of the interview, universal data import, and existing stored data enables an automated tax return system to prepare tax returns in advance with minimal user assistance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the preparation and filing of tax returns using online and desktop tax preparation and planning software.
2. Description of the Related Art
At present, tax preparation is generally based on a tax form model for collecting information about a taxpayer's income, deductions, and tax credits. Information is solicited from the taxpayer in a way that directly follows the format and sequence of government tax forms such as Internal Revenue Service forms 1040, 1098, 1099, W2, Schedule E, etc. These forms segregate the tax information into tax-oriented categories of taxpayer status, income, wages, deductions, etc. Because taxpayers are generally not accustomed to thinking this way on a day-to-day basis, it is often counterintuitive and hence difficult to provide the information requested. Even once the correct form is known, the data that must be provided is often not easy to determine. For that reason, the process of going through a tax form line by line and entering data can be both arduous and counterintuitive.
In order to avoid the necessity of going to a CPA and having a return professionally prepared, taxpayers have turned in recent years to computer programs designed to assist with tax return preparation. Most tax preparation software follows the "forms" format in an "interview" in which the taxpayer answers questions and inputs data based on the sequence of tax forms. There still remains much of the confusion and difficulty of the tax process for the taxpayer trying to complete her return.
Early attempts at improving tax return preparation focused on importing data from financial management software, such as Quicken™ by Intuit of Mountain View, Calif.; or Money, by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. The TaxLink import system found in Intuit's TurboTax product provides one way for users of personal finance applications to import certain data from their financial management software into the tax preparation software. However, the user is required to know from which files to import tax related data, and must manually conduct the transfer. This results in the transfer of data that may not actually be necessary for preparation of the taxpayer's tax return. In addition, the user is required to import the data prior to entering the interview portion of the program.
Accordingly, what is needed is a new way of soliciting information from a taxpayer in order to prepare a tax return, which does not depend on a forms-based interaction in order to allow the taxpayer to provide data in a more intuitive fashion and yet still allow for the effective and accurate preparation of a tax return using tax preparation software.
Another observation that can be made about electronic preparation of tax returns is that while much of the data that must be input into the electronic software is repetitive from year to year—a taxpayer's employer, employer EIN, bank account, etc., typically change little or not at all from year to year—the dollar amounts involved do change regularly. Thus, each new year, and with each new edition of a tax preparation application, this data has to be manually entered. Accordingly, what is needed is a way of remembering information about a user from year to year and importing only changed data electronically, thus reducing the amount of taxpayer information that must be input each year.
Yet another observation that can be made about tax data and preparation of tax returns by a taxpayer is that much of the information that is ultimately needed by the taxpayer for preparation of his return is already stored electronically somewhere outside of the user's reach. For example, information about the taxpayer's wages for the year may be stored electronically by a payroll provider on its local system. At the end of the year, the provider prints a W2 containing all of the taxpayer's earning information for that year, and typically mails the W2 to the taxpayer. When the taxpayer receives the paper W2, he must then enter the data into his tax preparation software. This process is inefficient. Indeed, for taxpayers who have not just one W2, but a large number of forms received every year as the result of multiple relationships with financial institutions, the inefficiency is magnified. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a means by which taxpayers could obtain their taxpayer data from a multitude of tax data providers in electronic form suitable for import into tax preparation software, thus saving them the overhead of having to re-input the data by hand into electronic tax preparation software.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an illustration of a conventional method of tax return preparation using tax preparation software. At the beginning of the interview 101, the user has the opportunity to import data 102. This is typically an all-or-nothing type import, e.g. import all available data from Quicken, or none at all. Once data has been imported, the forms-based interview 104 begins. First, the taxpayer is asked to define 106 his status, e.g. single, married filing jointly, etc. Next, the taxpayer uses his W2 116 to enter information about his wages 108. Similarly, Form 1099 118 contains information the user must enter for the income section 110, and other forms such as Schedule K-1 must also be entered where necessary. The user also enters information about itemized deductions 112, etc. All of this information must be manually entered by the user. Finally, the conventional process ends with the software preparing a tax return document 114.

Automated tax return with universal data import


Improved catalyst-downcomer-tray assemblies for vapor liquid contact towers. Downcomers are constructed for receipt of bundles of catalyst media used to promote chemical reactions therein. Raised, perforated regions of the underlying trays are then disposed therebeneath for improving mass transfer efficiency. The raised regions reduce fluid pressure to vent excess vapor from downcomers and trays therebeneath. The vapor generated within the downcomers from the catalytic reaction may then be selectively directed into the liquid discharged from the downcomer disposed on the tray above and imparted with a horizontal flow characteristic. In this manner the catalytic reaction vapors can be effectively released to facilitate a stabilized vapor-liquid flow configuration with improved chemical reaction occurring in the downcomer of the process tower.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to gas-liquid contacting trays of chemical process towers and, more particularly, to an improved downcomer-tray assembly incorporating a catalyst media in conjunction with a raised, active inlet area disposed beneath the downcomer of the tower.
1. History of the Prior Art
Distillation columns are utilized to separate selected components from a multicomponent stream. Generally, such gas-liquid contact columns utilize either trays, packing or combinations thereof. In recent years the trend has been to replace the so-called "bubble caps" by sieve and valve trays in most tray column designs, and the popularity of packed columns, either random (dumped) or structured packing have been utilized in combination with the trays in order to effect improved separation of the components in the stream.
Successful fractionation in the column is dependent upon intimate contact between liquid and vapor phases. Some vapor and liquid contact devices, such as trays, are characterized by relatively high pressure drop and relatively high liquid hold-up. Another type of vapor and liquid contact apparatus, namely structured high efficiency packing, has also become popular for certain applications. Such packing is energy efficient because it has low pressure drop and low liquid hold-up. However, these very properties at times make columns equipped with structured packing difficult to operate in a stable, consistent manner. Moreover, many applications simply require the use of trays.
Fractionation column trays come in two configurations' cross-flow and counter flow. The trays generally consist of a solid tray or deck having a plurality of apertures and are installed on support rings within the tower. In cross-flow trays, vapor ascends through the apertures and contacts the liquid moving across the tray; through the "active" area thereof; in this area liquid and vapor mix and fractionation occurs. The liquid is directed onto the tray by means of a vertical channel from the tray above. This channel is referred to as the Inlet Downcomer. The liquid moves across the tray and exits through a similar channel referred to as the Exit Downcomer. Such downcomers are located where there is a sufficient volume of liquid to effect a liquid-phase, chemical reaction, in the case of catalytic distillation. The location of the downcomers determine the flow pattern of the liquid. If there are two Inlet Downcomers and the liquid is split into two streams over each tray, it is called a two pass tray. If there is only one Inlet and one Outlet Downcomer on opposite sides of the tray, it is called a single pass tray. For two or more passes, the tray is often referred to as a Multipass Tray. The number of passes generally increases as the required (design) liquid rate increases. It is the active area of the tray, however, which is of critical concern.
Not all areas of a tray are active for vapor-liquid contact. For example, the area under the Inlet Downcomer is generally a solid region. To attempt to gain more area of the tray for vapor/liquid contact, the downcomers are often sloped. The maximum vapor/liquid handling capacity of the tray generally increases with an increase in the active or Bubbling Area. There is, however, a limit as to how far one can slope the downcomer(s) in order to increase the Bubbling Area, otherwise the channel will become too small. This can restrict the flow of the liquid and/or restrict the disengagement of vapors retained in the liquid or generated in the downcomers, cause liquid to back up in the downcomer, and thus prematurely limit the normal maximum vapor/liquid handling capacity of the tray. The present invention specifically addresses the problem of restricted disengagement of vapor retained in the liquid, or vapors generated within the downcomer or introduced into the downcomer.
A variation for increasing the Bubbling Area and hence vapor/liquid handling capacity is a Multiple Downcomer (MD) tray. There is usually a plurality of box shaped vertical channels installed in a symmetrical pattern across the tray to direct liquid onto and off of the tray. The downcomers do not extend all the way to the tray below but stop short of the tray by a predetermined distance which is limited by a sufficient space to permit disengagement of any vapor retained in the liquid entering the Exit Downcomer. The downcomer pattern is rotated 90 degrees between successive trays. The bottom of the boxes is solid except for slots that direct the liquid onto the Bubbling Area of the tray below, in between the outlet downcomers of said tray. The MD tray falls into the category of Multipass Trays and is usually used for high liquid rates. The specifics of the present invention where catalyst media is employed in the downcomers to promote a chemical reaction is also applicable to MD trays.
It is well known that the concentration-difference between the vapor and the liquid is the driving force to effect mass transfer. Said concentration-difference can be effected in many ways; some reducing efficiency. For example, as operating pressure increases, descending liquid begins to absorb vapor as it moves across a tray. This is above that normally associated as dissolved gas as governed by Henry's Law and represents much larger amounts of vapor bubbles that are commingled or "entrained" with the liquid. This vapor is not firmly held and is released within the downcomer, and, in fact, the majority of said vapor must be released, otherwise the downcomer can not accommodate the liquid/vapor mixture and will flood thus preventing successful tower operation.
This phenomena is generally deemed to occur when operating pressure is such as to produce a vapor density above about 1.0 lbs/cu. ft. and typically amounts to about 10 to 20% of the vapor by volume.
Similarly, an exothermic reaction in the downcomer will generate vapors from the equilibrium mixture, which must be released. For conventional trays, the released vapor must oppose the descending frothy vapor/liquid mixture flowing over the weir into the downcomer. In many cases, such opposition leads to poor tower operation and premature flooding.
Another serious problem which manifests itself in such operational applications is entrainment of liquid droplets in the ascending vapor. This phenomenon, which is virtually the opposite of the above vapor entrainment, can prevent effective vapor liquid contact. Liquid entrainment is, in one sense, a dynamic flow condition. High velocity vapor flow can suspend descending liquid droplets and prevent their effective passage through the underlying froth mixture zone. It is particularly difficult to prevent this problem when the tower applications require high volume vapor flow in a direction virtually opposite to that of high volume, descending liquid flow.
The technology of gas-liquid contact addresses many performance issues. Examples are seen in several prior art patents, which include U.S Pat. No. 3,959,419, 4,604,247 and 4,597,916, each assigned to the assignee of the present invention and U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,022 issued to Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha of Tokyo, Japan. Another reference is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,499,035 assigned to Union Carbide Corporation that teaches a gas-liquid contacting tray with improved inlet bubbling means. A cross-flow tray of the type described above is therein shown with improved means for initiating bubble activity at the tray inlet comprising spaced apart, imperforate wall members extending substantially vertically upwardly and transverse to the liquid flow path. The structural configuration is said to promote activity over a larger tray surface than that afforded by simple perforated tray assemblies. This is accomplished in part by providing a raised region adjacent the downcomer area for facilitating vapor ascension therethrough.
U.S. Patent No. 4,550,000 assigned to Shell Oil Company teaches apparatus for contacting a liquid with a gas in a relationship between vertically stacked trays in a tower. The apertures in a given tray are provided for the passage of gas in a manner less hampered by liquid coming from a discharge means of the next upper tray. This is provided by perforated housings secured to the tray deck beneath the downcomers for breaking up the descending liquid flow. Such advances improve tray efficiency within the confines of prior art structures. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,219 assigned to Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki Kaisha of Tokyo, Japan teaches a baffle tray tower. The operational parameters of high gas-liquid contact efficiency and the need for low pressure loss are set forth. Such references are useful in illustrating the need for high efficiency vapor liquid contact in tray process towers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,504,426 issued to Carl T. Chuang et al. and assigned to Atomic Energy of Canada Limited is yet another example of gas-liquid contacting apparatus. This reference likewise teaches the multitude of advantages in improving efficiency in fractionation and modifications in downcomer-tray designs. The perforated area of the tray is extended beneath the downcomer with between 0 to 25% less perforation area
Yet another reference is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,410,540 issued to W. Bruckert in 1968. A downcomer outlet baffle is therein shown to control the discharge of liquid therefrom. The baffle may include either a static seal or dynamic seal. In this regard the openings from the downcomer are sufficiently small to control discharge and may be larger than the tray perforations and of circular or rectangular shape. The transient forces which may disrupt the operation of a downcomer are also more fully elaborated therein. These forces and related vapor-liquid flow problems must be considered for each application in which a downcomer feeds an underlying tray.
A more recent use of distillation columns is for simultaneous or stagewise fractionation in conjunction with a chemical reaction. According to Le Chatelier's Principle well known in the chemical industry, the kinetics of a chemical reaction can be improved by changing the equilibrium of the reactants with the products. For example, the mechanical designs seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,629,478 and 3,634,534 illustrate distillation column reactors with catalyst in the downcomers. In the case of an exothermic reaction with gaseous product being generated, the vapor disengaging space at the entrance to the downcomer could become grossly overloaded causing the entire tower to fail in its intended distillation function. One operational consideration is thus venting of the gases generated within the downcomer, as well as those entrained from the tray deck. Such considerations must be addressed when maximizing tower operational efficiency.
It would be an advantage therefore to provide a method of and apparatus for enhanced downcomer-tray vapor flow utilizing catalyst media therein. Such a downcomer-tray assembly is provided by the present invention wherein a series of uniformly raised, active inlet area panels are secured beneath downcomers containing catalyst bundles therein. The panel has a plurality of apertures, some including flow vanes, disposed beneath the catalyst-downcomer assembly, for providing vapor injection into the liquid flow which is effective in achieving greater vapor-liquid handling capacity. Likewise, the excess vapor from underlying downcomers is vented through the raised, active inlet panel.

Method and apparatus for catalyst-downcomer-tray operation


An test cell is adapted for both making and testing samples. The cell includes a bottom plate and a top plate having concentric apertures defining a central test cavity. A post attached to the bottom plate closes off the bottom of the test cavity. A slide closes off the top of the test cavity. The top of the post is spaced slightly from the underside of the slide to define a test cavity of substantially uniform thickness. The test cavity is filled with phosphor suspended in uncured resin, closed, and the resin is cured. Once cured, the sample is stable, although delicate, and can be re-measured several times with reproducible results. The measurement takes place in the cell, using a thin film of oil for wetting surfaces.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for testing phosphor and, in particular, is an improvement on the "oil cell" method used for almost fifty years.
The method and apparatus are described in the context of phosphor for thick film electroluminescent (EL) lamp. Any kind of phosphor can be tested with the new apparatus and method.
An EL lamp is essentially a capacitor having a dielectric layer between two conductive electrodes, one of which is transparent. The dielectric layer can include phosphor particles or there can be a separate layer of phosphor particles adjacent the dielectric layer. The phosphor particles radiate light in the presence of a strong electric field, using relatively little current.
EL phosphor particles are typically zinc sulfide-based materials, including one or more compounds such as copper sulfide (Cu2S), zinc selenide (ZnSe), and cadmium sulfide (CdS) in solid solution within the zinc sulfide crystal structure or as second phases or domains within the particle structure. EL phosphors typically contain moderate amounts of other materials such as dopants, e.g., bromine, chlorine, manganese, silver, etc., as color centers, as activators, or to modify defects in the particle lattice to modify properties of the phosphor as desired. The color of the emitted light is determined by the doping levels. Although understood in principle, the luminance of an EL phosphor particle is not understood in detail. The luminance of the phosphor degrades with time and usage, more so if the phosphor is exposed to moisture or high frequency (greater than 1,000 hertz) alternating current.
The "oil cell" method for testing phosphor typically relies on castor oil as a liquid dielectric in which phosphor particles are dispersed. Suitable electrodes are provided and the phosphor is driven to luminance. Up to a point, the oil cell method provides a quick and convenient way to evaluate new phosphor formulations. The mobility of particles in an electric field in a liquid dielectric is well known; see Lehmann, "Dielectric Behavior of Electroluminescent Zinc Sulfides," Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Vol. 103, No. 1, pgs. 24–29, January 1956. This mobility is believed to be one of the causes of unstable and non-reproducible measurements of luminance from an oil cell. The oil cell test method has been found to have almost a ±10% variance in measured luminance even under the most controlled conditions with highly experienced operators.
The variability means that life testing is virtually impossible because the luminance changes over time for reasons having nothing to do with the life of the phosphor. ("Life" is generally accepted to mean the time for luminance to decay to half of initial luminance.)
The variability also means that performing a plurality of tests on a sample is essentially pointless. For example, a series of tests on a single sample is essentially the same as a series of tests on a plurality of samples. Any variation in luminance due to a particular parameter is lost in variations from other causes.
Thin, thick film layers of phosphor are known in the art. As used herein, and as understood by those of skill in the art, "thick-film" refers to one type of EL lamp and "thin-film" refers to another type of EL lamp. The terms only broadly relate to actual thickness and actually identify distinct disciplines. In general, thin film EL lamps are made by vacuum deposition of the various layers, usually on a glass substrate or on a preceding layer. Thick-film EL lamps are generally made by depositing layers of inks on a substrate, e.g. by roll coating, spraying, or various printing techniques. A thin, thick-film EL lamp is not a contradiction in terms and such a lamp is considerably thicker than a thin film EL lamp. Other distinctions between the two types of lamps are described in the report Electroluminescent Material for Flat Panel Display, Final Report for CRADA No. ORNL95-0371, October 2000.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,023 (Wary) discloses phosphor in a UV curable dielectric layer having a thickness of 0.2–1.2 mils (5.1–30.5 μm). Although phosphor particles in a solid dielectric have less mobility than in a liquid dielectric, the cured layer has a variable thickness across the area thereof, which makes measurements of luminance inconsistent. The option to date, taking phosphor samples and making complete EL lamps, does not guarantee reproducible results and costs considerable time and money.
Thus, the oil cell method and apparatus have been accepted as a quick indication of proof of concept rather than as an analytical tool.
In view of the foregoing, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for reproducibly measuring the optical and electrical characteristics of a phosphor.
Another object of the invention is to improve the oil cell test to provide an analytical tool for evaluating phosphor.
A further object of the invention is to provide an oil cell in which the same sample can be tested a plurality of times.
Another object of the invention is to provide an oil cell that can be operated continuously for long periods in order to provide an indication of the operating life of a phosphor.


A method, a device, and a non-transitory computer readable medium for performing dithering on an L bit long input data are presented. An M bit long random data is generated, wherein M is a number of least significant bits of the input data. An M bit long frame counter value is added to the random data. The input data is rounded up to L-M most significant bits when the M least significant bits of the input data is greater than the sum of the frame counter value and the random data. The input data is truncated to the L-M most significant bits when the M least significant bits of the input data is less than or equal to the sum of the frame counter value and the random data.

To display a high color depth image on a low color depth panel (for example, on a panel that is capable of displaying only six bit color), dithering may be used to improve the displayed color quality without visible artifacts. The goal of dithering is to display an average color value for each pixel position. There are two categories of dithering methods, spatial dithering and temporal dithering.
In spatial dithering, an intermediate color of a pixel is achieved with an average color of several adjacent pixels in each area. For example, if the image data is eight bits per color and the panel can display only six bits per color, then the two least significant bits of each color component are dropped.
One implementation of spatial dithering, called random spatial dithering, compares the value of the two dropped bits with two bits of random data. If the dropped two bit value is larger than the random data, then the eight bit input data is rounded up to the most significant six bits. Otherwise, the eight bit input data is truncated to the most significant six bits. By comparing the dropped bits to the random data, the output six bit data can randomly be one of two adjacent integer values. The larger the dropped bits value is, the higher the probability that the output data has a larger integer value.
With random spatial dithering, the random number is added to lower data bits of each pixel and the average color value can be detected by a viewer over a small area with multiple pixels. To avoid visible color patches created when using a fixed random pattern for each frame, the random data pattern is changed from frame to frame. But changing the data pattern may introduce flickering due to a pseudo-random data pattern being applied to each pixel position over time. The flickering may be reduced, but not eliminated, with a horizontal high pass filter on the random noise data.
Table 1 shows an example of different average output values between 61 and 62, with four adjacent pixels and a dithering output of six bits per color. With a six bit output value, fractional values (as shown in the middle column of Table 1) cannot be accurately represented. Within a block of four adjacent pixels, the average value of the pixels within the block can produce the desired equivalent eight bit value. Because the viewer cannot readily perceive individual pixels, the difference between the individual pixels in a given block provides the desired visual effect.
TABLE 1Four adjacent pixelsAverage of fourEquivalentwith six bit dataadjacent pixelseight bit value61 616124461 6161 6161.2524561 6262 6161.5024661 6262 6161.7524762 62
Temporal dithering is performed on a single pixel across a sequence of frames, and uses a predefined round-up/truncate pattern to output low color depth data. An intermediate color value is achieved by changing the output data between two adjacent integer values with a certain pattern in consecutive frames. The round-up/truncate pattern is determined by the value of the dropped bits, the horizontal and vertical locations of the pixel on the screen, and the display frame number.
With temporal dithering, the lower data bits of each pixel are added to a certain noise data pattern depending on the x, y coordinates on the screen. The noise data pattern is repeated every N frames. Within each group of N frames, the noise data covers all values between 0 and N−1 on each pixel position with different sequences. The intermediate average color on each pixel can be detected by the viewer over multiple frames.
For example, if the image data has eight bits per color and the panel can display only six bits per color, the two least significant bits of each color component are dropped. Table 2 shows an example of a six bit dithering output in four consecutive frames for different eight bit data input values. The average output color value is achieved by changing the six bit dithering output values between 61 and 62 in a certain pattern based on the value of the dropped bits.
TABLE 2DroppedFrame 1Frame 2Frame 3Frame 4AverageInput 8bitsoutputoutputoutputoutputoutputEquivalentbit datavaluedatadatadatadatavalueto 8 bit2440616161616124424516162616161.2524525626162616261.5024624736162626261.75247
Depending on the temporal dithering pattern used and the display panel's dot inverse pattern, there may be visible color strip artifacts. It is difficult to find a perfect temporal dithering data pattern to be used with all existing and new display panels, due to differences in individual panels' dot inverse pattern.


A tubular collar is used to take hold of a fixation piece at one longitudinal end of a window shade rod. The collar is provided in an outer wall with a plurality of axial grooves extending through both longitudinal ends of the collar. The collar is provided in an interior with an inner tube extending along the longitudinal direction of the collar. The inner tube is provided with a groove segment and a grooveless segment. The fixation piece is set firmly in place in such a way that the grooved segment of the inner tube is caused to expand by a projection of the fixation piece so as to force the collar to press against the inner wall of a hole of the longitudinal ends of the window shade rod, and that the projection of the fixation piece is intimately embraced by the grooveless segment of the inner tube.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a window shade structure, and more particularly to a collar which is inserted into one end of a window shade rod for taking hold of a fixation piece that is used to set the window shade rod firmly in place.
2. Description of Related Art
The conventional window shade rod is provided in both ends with a collar for holding a fixation piece which is used to set the window shade rod firmly in place. The conventional collar is of a tubular construction and is provided with an inner hole into which a projection of the fixation piece is inserted. The inner end of the projection is secured. However, the outer end of the projection is prone to sideward motion.

Collar for taking hold of fixation piece of window shade rod


A measuring sensor includes an elongated shell part, manufactured from a synthetic gemstone material or ceramic material, is provided with a first end and a second end, the first end being arranged in a process medium to be measured. A housing structure is manufactured from a material softer than the synthetic gemstone material or the ceramic material and arranged to surround the measuring electronics. The second end of the elongated shell part is arranged to be supported against the housing structure. The elongated shell part is fastened to the housing structure by a connecting piece manufactured from a material having a hardness property between hardness properties of the material of manufacture of the elongated shell part and the material of manufacture of the housing structure.

Various measuring events are involved in the process industry. In certain sectors, however, the measuring events can be technically challenging situations. An example of process industry sectors wherein special specifications are set for measuring devices used in liquid measurement, for instance, in the semiconductor industry. In the semiconductor industry, liquids used in the process can be highly corrosive acids or bases. Examples thereof include KOH, hydrogen peroxide, and hydrogen fluoride (HF).
The character of the process of the semiconductor industry, metals can be forbidden materials in parts that come into contact with the process. A small amount of metal ions can contaminate the end products of the process, for example, microcircuits. Consequently, as the structural materials for process measuring devices and actuators, the semiconductor industry uses plastics and minerals. Examples of the materials used include fluoroplastics (PTFE, PVDF, PFA, ECTFE) and synthetic gemstones, such as Spinel, YAG, GGG, and sapphire.
Fluoroplastics can be used for structural materials for pipe system parts in the semiconductor industry, since they can be relatively easy to work with, are light and relatively reasonably priced. However, the physical properties of the plastics can be limited, and in connection with optical tasks or tasks using heat conduction, such that synthetic gemstones or minerals are used instead.
The optical properties and wearing properties of non-metal, synthetic gemstones can be excellent, and heat conductivity, for instance, is in the same order as that of metal materials. Ceramic materials, too, have similar properties, so these non-metal materials can also be usable in some embodiments.
On the basis of the foregoing, the aforementioned materials can be suitable for use as structural materials in the semiconductor industry in demanding tasks.
An issue with the known art is the fastening of parts manufactured from the aforementioned materials, for example, synthetic gemstone, and parts manufactured from a plastic material. In measuring sensors used in the semiconductor industry, for instance, the part contacting with the process medium can be manufactured from a synthetic gemstone material while the rest of the mechanics is made of plastic.
In the above-described situation, it can be difficult to find a way of connection that would be optimal in every respect. Screw and thread connections are seldom used because of the hardness of synthetic gemstones. Press and fitting connections may not be possible because of the poor mechanical properties of plastics.
For example, a window or a measuring sensor manufactured from a synthetic gemstone can be subjected to forces caused by the process, such as flow and pressure, as well as forces caused by using the device, such as torsion, tension, and compression. Synthetic gemstones can also be more difficult and more expensive to work than plastics and metals, so the mechanical shapes of parts manufactured from a synthetic gemstone can be relatively simple.


The present invention provides an optical disc recycling method for recycling optical disc including at least a light transmitting substrate and at least one metal layer containing a metal such as aluminium and gold provided on one side of the substrate. An adhesive member is adhered to the substrate side having the metal containing layer and the adhesive member adhered to the metal containing layer on the substrate is peeled off so as to separate the metal containing layer from the substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical disc recycling method and in particular, to a method for recycling an optical disc having a layer containing a metal.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A great amount of optical discs are produced in and out of Japan for various applications such as a so-called compact disc for music, a CD-ROM optical disc for a personal computer, a CD-ROM optical disc for a video game, and a write-once optical disc.
Consequently, even with a small defect ratio, a great amount of defective discs are produced in total to be discarded.
These defective discs have been collected by a discarding company which crushes the defective discs into pieces and throws them away in the ground. This is because it is difficult to recycle an optical disc having layered configuration consisting of a substrate made from an optical transparent resin material such as a polycarbonate, metal layers of a reflection film made from aluminium for reflecting a laser beam and a recording layer made from an optical recording material, as well as a protection layer made from an ultraviolet-setting resin and a label printing layer.
On the other hand, from the ecological viewpoint, an attempt has also been made to recycle these optical discs. For example, the discs to be discarded are crushed as they are mixing the metal layers, protection layer, label printing layer and the like, so as to be used as a molding material. It has also been suggested to remove the metal layer and the other layers from the substrate by way of mechanical polishing or chemical processing, so as to obtain a molding material.
However, the former results in that the recycled resin material contain a plenty of impurities such as metal from the metal layers and has problem that a molded body from the recycled resin material is unstable in bending strength and bending elasticity and its application is limited.
On the other hand, the latter method of recycling enables to obtain a comparatively pure resin material but the mechanical polishing or chemical processing requires an equipment of high costs and has a problem in the processing efficiency. When a chemical processing is employed a plenty of chemicals is to be used, which in turn brings about an ecological problem of secondary pollution.
In a case of write-once optical recording disc such as a CD-R disc, a precious metal such as gold is often used for the reflection layer, but recycling of such a precious metal is not considered in the aforementioned recycling methods. For the CD-R disc, for example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,618 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,388.


A trolling motor system comprises a trolling motor having a propeller rotatably driven thereby. The motor is connected to a rotating tube or column mounted to the boat. A control head is mounted at the upper end of the column. A steering motor in the control head controls rotational position of the trolling motor. The control head houses a control circuit for controlling speed of the trolling motor as well as position of the steering motor to steer the boat. A foot pedal is positioned in the boat in proximity to the control head. The foot pedal includes a plurality of user actuable switches for commanding operation of the steering motor and trolling motor. The commands are transmitted via radio frequency to a receiver in the control head. The receiver decodes the commands and transfers the command to the control circuit.

Trolling motors have long been used by fishermen and other boaters as an auxiliary motor on a boat for propelling the boat short distances and to provide precise positioning of the boat. Some trolling motors are hand steered while others offer a combination of hand and foot steering operation.
One known form of trolling motor uses a foot pedal including a foot pad connected to a rigid cable. The rigid cable is connected to a gear mechanism and a trolling motor control head, such as through a rack and pinion, which in turn rotates the trolling motor to provide steering. Speed control is effected electrically by a horizontal sliding movement of the foot pad to rotate a knob which actuates a potentiometer forming part of a speed control circuit.
An alternative form of trolling motor uses an electronic servo control. Such a foot pedal is disclosed in Henderson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,173, assigned to the assignee of the present application.
With each of the above trolling motors the foot pedal is hard wired or cabled to a control head for the trolling motor. The use of a cable or wire limits the positioning of the foot pedal relative to the control head. Also, the cable can become tangled or be a hazard to fishermen.
The present invention is directed to further improvements in trolling motor steering and speed control.

Radio frequency remote control for trolling motors


Systems, methods, and devices for testing gaseous samples for concentrations of specific chemicals. An apparatus has two sensing assemblies for testing for hydrogen sulfide concentrations in gaseous samples. A first assembly is disposed to expose a first side of a sensing tape to a first stream of a gaseous sample. A second assembly is disposed to expose a second side of the same sensing tape to a second stream of another gaseous sample. Both assemblies detect and analyze the hydrogen sulfide concentrations of their respective gaseous samples by way of their respective sides of the sensing tape.

The presence of hydrogen sulfide in natural gas, liquid petroleum gas (LPG), and even in crude petroleum has led to a need to determine hydrogen sulfide concentrations in different samples. H2S detection that is fast and reliable is the cornerstone of many industrialized processes that cannot tolerate H2S in their gas due to fatal consequences for humans and degradation of physical assets such as pipelines.
To determine hydrogen sulfide concentrations, the chemical reaction
is used. This reaction is implemented by using paper tape impregnated or covered with lead acetate. The paper tape is immersed in a liquid bath with lead acetate, thereby leaving the paper capable of detecting H2S. Instead of hydrogen sulfide concentration, the same reaction can be used to determine total sulfur concentration by mixing the sample gas with hydrogen then heating the resulting gas to approximately 900 C where all sulphurs are changed into H2S.
The above processes are well-known and are detailed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,127,780 and 5,206,519. The contents of these documents are hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.
The issue with current testing equipment is that, currently, only one side of the testing tape is used. This leads to waste and inefficiencies as each sensing tape is only used once and is then discarded. As well, due to the cost of a single analyzer of the above type, most users that require analysis on more than one stream of gas will utilize a stream switching technique on a single analyzer rather than purchasing multiple analyzers. Stream switching implies that the stream(s) currently not being analyzed can encounter a rise in the H2S concentration to unacceptable levels and this rise in H2S concentration may be undetected.


Memory devices having improved TPD characteristics and methods of making the memory devices are provided. The memory devices contain two or more memory cells on a semiconductor substrate and bit line openings containing a bit line dielectric between the memory cells. The memory cell contains a charge storage layer and a first poly gate. The bit line opening extends into the semiconductor substrate. By containing the bit line dielectric in the bit line openings that extend into the semiconductor substrate, the memory device can improve the electrical isolation between memory cells, thereby preventing and/or mitigating TPD.

Modern computing devices utilize a variety of kinds of memory devices to store and access information. Memory devices include the general classes of random access memories (RAM) and read only memories (ROM). These classes further contain static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), as well as FLASH memory, and the like. Most memory devices employ an internal architecture in the form of an array memory of bit cells, containing plural rows and plural intersecting columns.
A memory cell is placed at each intersecting row and column in the array. Typically, a particular memory cell is accessed by activating its row and then reading or writing the state of its column. Memory sizes are defined by the row and column architecture. For example, a 1024 row by 1024 column memory array defines a memory device having one megabit of memory cells. The array rows are referred to as word lines and the array columns are referred to as bit lines.
The trend in semiconductor memory devices has been toward higher circuit density with higher numbers of bit cells per device, lower operating voltages, and higher access speeds. To achieve these high densities there have been, and continue to be, efforts toward scaling down device dimensions (e.g., at sub-micron levels). However, as scaling down device dimensions, hot electrons generated during programming a memory cell may reach adjacent memory cells and disturb programming the adjacent memory cells (e.g., TPD). Thus, the requirement of small features with close spacing between adjacent features requires sophisticated manufacturing techniques.

Oro and orpro with bit line trench to suppress transport program disturb