An analyzing means first calculates the blur direction and blur level of a digital photograph image based on edge widths and histograms of the edge widths obtained in each direction, and discriminates whether the image is a blurred image or a normal image. Then, it further calculates the camera shake level and blur width for the image discriminated to be a blurred image. A parameter setting means sets a one-dimensional correction mask and a two-dimensional correction mask based on the blur width. It also sets a correction level based on the blur level. It further makes an adjustment to the ratio between the one-dimensional and two-dimensional correction masks based on the camera shake level.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus for obtaining information related to an image blur from a digital photograph image, in particular, from that obtained by the auxiliary digital camera of a mobile phone. The present invention also relates to a program that causes a computer to execute the method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various image processing techniques are performed on digital photograph images obtained by reading devices, such as scanners, through photoelectrical reading from the photograph images recorded on camera films, such as negative films or color reversal films, or those obtained by digital still cameras (DSCs) before printing. Such image processing techniques include a blurred image restoration technique for removing blurs from blurred images.
Some of the photograph images obtained through imaging subjects may be blurred. Such a blurred image may result from the camera being out of focus at the time of imaging, which is known as the defocus blur. A blurred image may also result from the camera being shaken by the photographer at the time of imaging, which is known as the camera shake blur (or simply as "camera shake"). In the case of the defocus blur, a point image extends two-dimensionally, that is, the point images on the photograph extend nondirectionally, whereas in the case of the camera shake blur, the point image extends one-dimensionally leaving a certain trail, that is, the point images on the photograph extend to a certain direction.
Various methods for restoring blurred images have been proposed in the field of the digital photograph image. Blurred images may be restored by applying a restoration filter, such as the Wiener filter or inverted filter, if the information related to the direction and width of the camera shake at the time of imaging is available. Thus, such a restoration method is widely known as described, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-112099, in which a device (e.g., acceleration sensor) capable of obtaining information related to the direction and width of the camera shake at the time of imaging is attached to the imaging system, and the information obtained through the device at the time of imaging is used for the image restoration.
Another blurred image restoration method is also known as described, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7 (1995)-121703. The method performs the steps of setting a deterioration function for a blurred image (image having blurs), restoring the blurred image using a restoration filter corresponding to the deterioration function, evaluating the restored image, resetting the deterioration function, and repeating the steps of the image restoration, image evaluation and resetting of the deterioration function until a desirable image quality has been obtained.
In the mean time, the capability of the mobile phone has been improved along with the rapid spread of the phone. In particular, the improvement in the capability of the auxiliary digital camera of the mobile phone (mobile camera) has attracted a great deal of interest. Recently, the number of pixels of the mobile camera has reached millions digit and it is used in the same manner as an ordinary digital camera. Taking photographs of favorite entertainers, athletes, as well as commemorative photographs by mobile cameras has become a common sight. In this context, for example, more photograph images obtained by mobile cameras tend to be printed out in the same manner as those obtained by ordinary digital cameras, not just watched on the monitor of the mobile phones.
On the other hand, mobile cameras have a problem that it is difficult to hold them firmly at the time of imaging, since the body (mobile phone) is not designed for exclusive use for imaging. In addition, the mobile cameras have no photoflash, resulting in a slower shutter speeds than those of ordinary digital cameras. By the reasons described above, the camera shake blur is more likely to occur when imaging a subject with a mobile camera than with an ordinary digital camera. An extraordinary camera shake may be recognized by the photographer on the monitor of the mobile camera, but a small camera shake may not be recognized on the monitor. It is recognized only when the image is printed out, thus there is a higher likelihood that the photograph image obtained by the mobile camera requires image correction for the camera shake blur.
Attaching a device for obtaining the direction and width of the camera shake to the auxiliary camera of a mobile phone is unrealistic since the miniaturization of the mobile phone is one of the focal points of competition among the manufactures along with its capability and cost. Therefore, the method described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-112099 may not be applied for mobile cameras. Also, the method described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7 (1995)-121703 has a problem that it requires longer processing time, and hence inefficient, since the steps of deterioration function setting, image restoration, image evaluation, and resetting of the deterioration function need to be repeated.

Method, apparatus and program for image processing


Norovirus antigen peptides are described having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 1-16, or fragments thereof. Such peptides can be used in the preparation of antiviral therapies such as vaccines, methods of preparing antibodies to the antigen peptides, methods of using the peptides or the corresponding antibodies for detection of norovirus, and compositions of the peptides, DNA and/or antibodies. A kit for the detection of norovirus is also provided.

Norovirus is a nonbacterial pathogen implicated in epidemic gastroenteritis. Norovirus are organized into five genetically distinct genogroups based on the genomic and capsid protein sequence of noroviruses. Human norovirus (HuNV) strains fall within genogroups GI, GII, and GIV, which are further divided into genotypes, or clusters. The GI genogroup has 8 clusters (GI.1-GI.8) while the GII genogroup has 17 (GII.1-GII.17). GIV has only one cluster, GIV.1. Each cluster is antigenically distinct from the others, and strains within each cluster are also distinct.
Identification and preparation of antibodies having broad specificity against multiple strains of norovirus is desired. Additionally, effective antiviral treatments against norovirus are desired.


A traffic radar utilizes digital signal processing (DSP) to determine targets based on signal strength histories. From these histories, a target vehicle having the strongest Doppler return signal is identified and its speed is displayed, and a target vehicle having the highest frequency return signal is identified and its speed is displayed. The traffic radar may also display the relative strength of the strongest return signal and the relative strength of the highest frequency return signal, thereby showing a comparison of the strengths of the return signals from the target vehicles.

Traffic radar systems utilizing digital signal processing (DSP) have been in use for a number of years. Such a DSP radar is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,246 ("'246") owned by Kustom Signals, Inc. In the '246 patent, the radar transforms target return information into the frequency domain and compares the magnitude of a tested target bin to the magnitude of a moving average of a number of bins surrounding the target bin. Typically, a target is qualified if the tested peak is greater than a threshold significantly higher in magnitude than a surrounding moving average. In this manner of processing, radar return signals from very strong targets qualify at the same time as much weaker return signals as long as the returns are above the target threshold level. If too low a threshold level is chosen, noise signals may be processed as targets. If too high a threshold is chosen, a low level target may not be found. After initial processing, information concerning the signal-to-noise levels of the respective bins is not retained.
It would be advantageous in traffic radar systems to determine targets such that strong targets with high magnitude returns qualify very quickly, whereas weak, but consistent, targets qualify more slowly. Another desired improvement in a traffic radar system would be to display signal strength information to the operator regarding the target being tracked, either the accumulated signal-to-noise ratio or the instantaneous signal strength. Capabilities of an improved system could include creating a target signal history for each target, validating the target based on its signal history, correlating the target with other targets in the operator's field of view, and displaying the magnitude of the target signal in association with the target's speed.

Traffic radar with target duration tracking


A method for determining insides and outsides of boundaries includes an external data input step of inputting external data constituted by boundary data of objects, a cell division step of dividing the external data into rectangular parallelepiped cells having boundary planes orthogonal to each other, a cell classification step of classifying the cells into a boundary cell that includes the boundary data and a non-boundary cell that does not include the boundary data, and a space classification step of classifying the non-boundary cells into a plurality of spaces that are partitioned by the boundary cells.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and a program for determining insides and outsides of two-dimensional or three-dimensional boundary surfaces.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the field of research and technique, a CAD (Computer Aided Design), a CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing), a CAE (Computer Aided Engineering), a CAT (Computer Aided Testing), and the like are used as simulation means for designing, machining, analyzing, and testing, respectively.
In the case of the above conventional simulation means, a boundary surface of an object is important. For example, generally, the object is expressed by the boundary surface, and the inside of the boundary surface is uniformly treated. In such a case, it is necessary to use inside/outside determination method for determining the inside and the outside of the two-dimensional or three-dimensional boundary surface.
As a conventional inside/outside determination method, there is known (1) a ray crossing method, (2) a region growing (expanding) method that uses boundary tracking, (3) raster tracking in image processing, (4) multi-directional tracking, (5) a Curless method, (6) a Szeliski method and a Puli method that use oct-tree, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Nos. 8-153214 and 9-81783, and so on.
(1) In the region growing method (the ray crossing method), when a boundary surface is input, the inside and the outside of an object is determined based on whether the number of intersecting points of the boundary with a light ray (having a trajectory of a half line) emitted from a certain point is even or odd. That is, when the number of the intersecting points is even, the light ray emitting point (the certain point) is outside the object, and when the number of the intersecting points is odd, the light emitting point is inside the object. This region growing (expanding) method is disclosed in "Computational geometry in C second edition" (J. O'Rourke, p. 246, Cambridge University Press, 1998).
However, the region growing (expanding) method cannot be applied to a case where the light ray accidentally comes in contact with the boundary surface because the number of intersecting points that should be two becomes one due to a repeated root. Further, the region growing method cannot be applied to a case where boundary information has a defect (data lack caused by a numerical value error or expression difference when reading data from different software by using CAD data).
(2) The region growing (expanding) method that uses boundary tracking in image processing when only boundary information is given is disclosed in "Digital Image Processing" (Rosenfeld & Kak, translator: Nagao, Kindaikagakusha, pp. 353-357), for example. However, since the processing is performed over an entire region, the processing takes time. Further, when the surface information has a defect, the outside/inside determination cannot be performed accurately.
(3) The raster tracking in image processing is disclosed in the above "Digital Image Processing" (p. 334), and is a method in which a boundary and a region sandwiched by the boundaries are tracked while scanning a cell along a coordinate axis such as an X axis. However, when a quantized image is formed from the boundary information having a defect, accurate inside/outside determination cannot be performed.
(4) In order to avoid this problem, the multi-directional tracking (disclosed in the above "Digital Image Processing", p. 332) can be used, but efficiency of this method is low.
(5) In the Curless method in the field of a reverse engineering (that restructures surface information from a group of measured points), external information such as a measured object and plural camera directions to regularly arranged measured points is used, and an implicit function based on a distance is defined in an entire field so that surface information can be restructured. This method is robust, and disclosed in "A volume tric method for building complex models from range images." (B. Curless and M. Levoy, In Proceedings of SIGGRAPH '96, pages 303-312, Aug. 1996).
However, in the Curless method, it is necessary to perform a calculation in a distance field for all cells, so that there is a demerit in terms of a data amount and a calculation time. Furthermore, an accuracy problem is pointed out. For example, a distance function cannot be accurately calculated in a structure thinner than a cell or at a sharp surface. This causes an error in the inside/outside determination.
(6) The Szeliski method and the Pulli method that use the oct-tree are also a method in which data is classified into the inside, the outside, and the boundary based on the relation between several obtained target range data (distance data) and cells divided from a space by the oct-tree to restructure the boundary. The Szeliski method is disclosed in "Rapid octree construction from image sequences" R. Szeliski., and the Pulli method is disclosed in "Robust meshes from multiple range maps" K. Pulli, T. Duchamp, H. Hoppe, J. McDonald, L. hapiro, W. Stuetzle. Proceedings of International Conference on Recent Advances in 3-D digital Imaging and Modeling, May 1997, pages 205-211. In these methods, a projection operation is performed for each cell, so that a process becomes complicated and takes time, and a calculation in the projection operation is unstable.
In "Method for generating three-dimensional orthogonal lattice data" of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-153214, after a surface lattice and a vacant voxel are distinguished from each other, a reversing operation is performed to generate the surface lattice. This method can cope with up to two types of media, and it is difficult or impossible that this method is applied to three or more types of media.
In "Finite element model processing system and method for the same" of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 9-81783, it is determined whether or not an area of a target division element matches a total area of triangles constituted by a target node and every two of vertexes of this division element. However, there is a problem in that this method cannot be applied to a case where the boundary information has a defect.

Method and program for determining insides and outsides of boundaries


The present apparatus and method relates to improvements in stiffening elements within a vehicle body structure at a sub-frame attachment point. In a first embodiment of the improved apparatus and method, a long mounting pin is used in combination with a generally planar shear bulkhead. The pin fits partially into a channel within the shear bulkhead. The pin is welded, near its bottom, to a sub-frame mounting bracket. The long mounting pin extends to the upper part of the vehicle frame and is also welded thereto. The shear bulkhead abuts a generally middle section of the mounting pin and two additional welds are placed securing the mounting pin to the shear bulkhead.

In particular joints of a vehicle's suspension structure, stiffness and rigidity is desirable. One position where stiffness is desired is within the connection between the vehicle's rear sub-frame and the remainder of the vehicle body. Lack of stiffness in this joint is caused by the multi-component structure of the vehicle body adjacent to the connection point. Namely, the vehicle body is made of a combination of a sub-frame mounting bracket and a two part frame, the two parts being spaced apart and reinforced typically by a box-shaped internal bulkhead, as shown in FIGS. 2-4. In some vehicles, all of these parts are connected using a mounting pin which is projection welded to the sub-frame mounting bracket near the bottom of the pin (shown as crossed ovals) and MIG welded to the box-shaped internal bulkhead at the top of the pin. The box-shaped bulkhead is then welded to the upper part of the frame to complete the structure. Many welds are required to secure the joint. Namely, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the fore box bulkhead is spot welded (represented by black spots) to the frame in 12 places and the aft box bulkhead (not shown) in 10 places (FIG. 3 also shows typical weld positions on the fore bulkhead). Two MIG welds (open circles) are used to attach each bulkhead to each mounting pin.
In another vehicle joint configuration (not illustrated), the mounting pin is a through-pin that is used to directly connect the sub-frame mounting bracket to the upper part of the frame, but does not utilize any type of bulkhead. However, neither of these configurations provides a joint that is overly stiff and many welds are required to form the complete joint. What is desired is an apparatus that provides increased stiffness in fore/aft, lateral, and vertical directions in the vehicle body adjacent to the sub-frame connection point and that is simply installed with fewer welds.

Vehicle sub-frame attachment apparatus and method


A paper making machine for producing a continuous traveling fiber material web includes a roll having a longitudinal axis and two longitudinal ends. Each end has a concentric first circular gear with a plurality of radially outwardly facing teeth. A felt is carried by the roll. The paper making machine also includes a pair of parallel lower elongated racks extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the roll. Each lower elongated rack includes a plurality of teeth carrying and meshing with the teeth of a respective first circular gear. The roll is rotatably movable with respect to the lower racks in two opposite directions along and parallel to the lower racks and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the roll. A first of the two opposite directions is toward the felt. The paper making machine further includes a device for rotating and thereby moving at least one first circular gear along a respective lower rack such that the felt is stretched in the first of the two opposite directions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a paper-making machine, and, more particularly, to a paper-making machine including a felt.
2. Description of the Related Art.
Paper-making machines may include continuous belts such as so-called "felts" to conduct the paper web throughout the paper-making machine. These felts, also sometimes called "canvases," are carried by rotating rolls. A plurality of felts may be provided which successively carry the fiber web from one end of the paper-making machine to the other end. Such felts can generally be viewed as conveying, dewatering and drying felts. A drying felt traveling in a dryer section of a paper-making machine can contract or shrink due to the heat that the felt is exposed to within the dryer section, and can expand upon absorption of water from the paper web. Consequently, such drying felts may need to be stretched during operation.
It is known to stretch a felt carried by a roll by coupling each end of the roll to a separate gear box via cross shaft systems. The gear boxes, driven by electric motors, move the cross shafts, which, in turn, press the roll against the felt, thereby stretching the felt. The cross shafts may be attached to each end of a concentric axle of the roll. To stretch the felt, the roll can either be pulled toward or pushed away from the gear boxes by the cross shafts. A problem is that the gear boxes must be synchronized to exert substantially the same force to either end of the roll so that one end of the felt is not stretched more than the other end, and so that the roll does not become misaligned. This is particularly problematic in that the gear boxes must be synchronized while being separated by the approximately, e.g., 10 meter length of the roll. Electronic control may be needed to achieve this long distance synchronization. Another problem is that gear boxes and electronic controls are relatively expensive.
It is also known to stretch a felt carried by a roll by using an electric motor to tension a chain attached to one end of the roll axle, thereby pulling the roll into the felt. Another such device is attached to the other end of the roll axle. A problem is that, like the gear boxes, a substantially equal force must be applied to each end of the roll. Another problem is that such a device is not durable because it vibrates excessively in operation, shakes itself loose, and batters its components against themselves and other objects.

Felt stretcher in a paper-making machine

Voith Sulzer Paper Technology North America, Inc.


Systems and methods for measuring a target radiation substance using a fiber-optic sensor. An ample method includes activating the sensor at a first power level, measuring light at a photo sensor, increasing power to a second power level, if the measured light indicates possible presence of the target radiation substance, measuring light at the photo sensor after the increase in power, and outputting an error signal, if the target radiation type was not detected based on the measured light signatures. The first power level is typically between 1-1000 μWatts and the second power level is typically between 100-10000 μWatts. In a further confirmation, the power is decreased to approximately the first power level, if the error signal is not outputted.

In recent times, greater emphasis has been placed on national security and detecting threats to populations. In particular, detecting or sensing the presence of undesired chemicals or biological material in the environment has become a priority, and a variety of detection devices have been developed in response thereto.
In radiological sensors, if the sensor indicates the presence of a radiological substance, there have to be reliable methods of making sure the indication is correct. Otherwise, high false alarm rates will lead to the sensors being disabled or ignored by the user. One possibility is to use a fiber optic sensor, where the fiber darkens, or becomes lossy to light propagation when exposed to radiation. Situations that could lead to false alarms (indicative of radiation when there is none) could occur where a sensed loss is caused by fiber breakage, light source failures, or other failures, and thus causing false positive results.
Therefore, there exists a need for a radiological sensor with improved analysis capabilities and therefore a low false alarm rate.


Aramid and aramid-blend fabrics are dyed or flame-retardant treated or both dyed and flame-retardant treated using conventional heat dyeing equipment. Aliphatic amides capable of swelling the aramid fibers at least 1.5% and having 7 to 14 carbon atoms are used as diffusion-promoting agents for dyes, flame retardent agents or both. Odor-free, flame resistant, colored or colored and highly-flame resistant products result.

Aramid fibers are highly resistant to heat decomposition, have inherent flame resistance, and are frequently used in working wear for special environments where flame resistance is required. Fabrics made of these fibers are extremely strong and durable, and have been widely adopted for military applications where personnel have the potential to be exposed to fire and flame, such as aircraft pilots, tank crews and the like. There is a need for dyed fabrics that have flame resistant properties even greater than the undyed fabrics or dyed fabrics. Metalinked aromatic polyamide fibers (aramid fibers) are made from high-molecular-weight polymers that are highly crystalline and have either a high or no glass transition temperature.
These inherent desirable properties of aramid fibers also create difficulties for fiber processing in other areas; specifically, aramids are difficult to dye. Fiber suppliers currently recommend a complicated exhaust dyeing procedure with a high carrier (acetophenone) content; the process is conducted at high temperatures over long periods of time and often results in a product having an unpleasant odor. Such dyeing conditions require substantial amounts of energy both to maintain dyeing temperature and for the treatment of waste dye baths.
Polar organic solvents have also been used to swell the fiber or create voids in the fiber structure to enhance dyeability. These procedures involve Bolvent treatments at elevated temperatures with subsequent dyeing. Another source of dyed aramid fiber is producer--dyed aramid yarn, prepared by solution dyeing in which typically a quantity of dye or pigment is mixed with the molten or dissolved polymer prior to extrusion of the polymer or solution into fine fibers; the dye or pigment becomes part of the fiber structure. Solution-dyed fibers are more costly than the undyed fibers due, in part, to the additional costs of manufacture, and must be used in the color provided by the supplier, leaving the user with only a limited choice of colors. Solution-dyed fibers offer relatively good lightfastness, whereas some undyed aramid fibers, particularly Nomex.RTM. (DuPont) yellow following exposure to UV light.
A process has been described by Cates and others in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,770 for continuously or Bemi-continuously dyeing and simultaneously improving the flame-resistant properties of poly(m-phenyleneisophthalamide) fibers that includes the step of introducing the fiber into a fiber swelling agent consisting preponderantly of a polar organic solvent also containing at least one dye together with at least one flame retardant, thereby swelling the fiber and introducing both the dye and the flame retardant into the fiber while in the swollen state. The flame resistance/performance properties of fabrics dyed by this process are significantly improved. Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) values, as described below, may be as high as 41% for simultaneously dyed and flame retarded T-455 Nomex fabric products produced by the process of this invention. As a means of comparison, undyed T-455 Nomex has an LOI of 27%. However, this process involves some equipment not routinely available on most existing processing lines.
Our earlier U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,596 describes a process for dyeing, flame-retardant treating or both dyeing and flame retardant treating aramid fabrics using N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone as a dye and/or flame retardant-diffusion promoting agent.
Our previous investigations have identified N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,596 and the octylpyrrolidones, in Ser. No. 07/437,397 filed Nov. 16, 1989, as effective agents for promoting diffusion of dyes and/or flame retardant into aramid fibers. While highly effective for most applications, these materials are costly and presently commercially available from only a single source. We have more recently investigated other amide-type compounds and the relationship between compound structure and efficacy in promoting dyeing and/or flame resistance by durable uptake of phosphorus-containing flame retardants. We have now identified and hereby disclose a series of compounds useful for promoting the dyeing and/or flame retarding of aramid fibers or fabrics. These compounds offer the promise of reduced costs and improved effectiveness of methods of dyeing and finishing aramids.
In the course of this investigation, we have studied the relationship between the water solubility of polar organic solvents and their effectiveness as dye diffusion agents or flame retardant diffusion agents for aramids. It is well known that water-soluble polar organic solvents, such as dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylacetamide, methylpyrrolidone or ethylpyrrolidone, are effective dye diffusion promoters for aramids when used in a solvent system containing only a minor proportion of water, or no water at all. However, solvent-system dyeing procedures create possibilities of explosion, pollution, and solvent recovery. It is an object of the present invention to provide processes which use dye diffusion promoters as a minor proportion (about 0.5% to 6%) of the dye bath, as dyeing assistants. Such processes reduce or eliminate the problems mentioned immediately above, and can effect a major reduction in cost and a major improvement in convenience.
In studying candidate amide diffusion promoters as assistants for dyeing or flame retarding aramids, we have discovered that water-soluble polar solvents are ineffective when used in a low concentration, such as 0.5% to 6.0% by weight. This is because little of the water-soluble solvent enters into the aramid fiber to promote swelling and diffusion of dye and/or flame retardant into the fiber; the major portion remains in the dyebath, where it is ineffective. We have discovered that for aramid diffusion agents to be effective, they must have low water solubility under the conditions of dyeing, but not be completely insoluble, since some solubility is necessary for the diffusion agent to reach and penetrate the aramid fibers. Thus, a balance between hydrophilic and lipophilic character is necessary. This property can be measured by water solubility tests, but data are not available in the literature for solubility of amide dye diffusion agents at the temperatures and other conditions used in dyeing.
The hydrophile/lipophile balance can be measured approximately in an homologous series of monoamides by certain secondary properties such as molecular weight, number of carbon atoms in the structure, or percent nitrogen content, since the nitrogen-containing amide groups are responsible for the hydrophilic character of the molecule. However, we have chosen to use a standardized dyeing procedure which measures depth of dyeing and the extent of swelling of the aramid fiber, designated as the "Swelling Value". This procedure, and the criteria for its use, are described in detail below.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a process for dyeing an aramid fiber such as Nomex.RTM.. It is also an object to provide a process for simultaneously dyeing and not detracting from the inherent strength of the aramid fibers. It is also an object to provide a process suitable to conventional equipment such as pressure jets, dye becks or similar machines. It is particularly an object to provide a process for the preparation of dyed, "super FR" Nomexs fabrics of high LOI of 37%-44% as described in the Cates et al patent U.S. No. 4,759,770.

Dye diffusion promoting agents for aramids


The present invention relates to a device for transporting ready-cut and filled pieces of tube. In order to simplify the structural design of a device for transporting ready-cut and filled pieces of tube within a machine for producing double-chamber bags filled with brewable material, having a transport wheel, which has distributed over its circumference a plurality of double-chamber bag forming sets comprising a leading arm and a trailing arm and a profile part provided therebetween and being radially movable and supporting a bottom of a double-chamber bag, and which is rotatably mounted under a cover arranged in the vicinity of the upper vertex of the transport wheel, the present invention proposes that the arms are swivelably mounted eccentrically to the axis of rotation of the transport wheel and that the arms of adjacent double-chamber bag forming sets are swivelably mounted on a common swivel axis.

The device, known from DE 38 06 386 C1, has a transport wheel carrying a plurality of double-chamber forming sets distributed on the circumference. Each double-chamber bag forming set comprises a profile part supporting the bottom of the double-chamber bag to be formed and comprises arms provided on both sides for this purpose. In the prior art, when forming the double-chamber bags, previously separated pieces of tube, each containing two portions of tea, are clamped between the arms and a concave contact surface of a cover. These two arms are moved toward each other while a profile part located between the arms holds and guides radially inwardly a central portion of the separated piece of tube. The result of this is a substantially W-shaped configuration of the double-chamber bag, with the two tea portions contained in opposite chambers of the double-chamber bag.
According to the prior art described above, the actuation and mounting of the respective arms is effected via a toggle mechanism, the levers of which are partially swivelably mounted on the transport wheel. There are provided two arms and the movable profile part provided between them for each double-chamber bag forming set of the rotating transport wheel. The arm at the front in the direction of rotation is referred to below as the leading arm, while the arm of the double-chamber bag forming set behind in the direction of rotation is referred to as the trailing arm. The profile part is located between the leading and trailing arms.
DE 195 32 816 B4 also does not deviate from this basic design and merely develops the aforementioned state of the art further in that the arms are designed as elastic springs, so that the separated piece of tube is elastically biased against the contact surface of the cover.

Device for transporting ready-cut and filled pieces of tube


Disclosed are chromatography systems employing a releasable coupling (100) for holding a fluid tubing to a spigot, the coupling comprising: a cylindrical inner component (110) for accepting a fluid tubing (30), said inner component including a resiliently deflectable portion (118) arranged to urge an outer surface of the tubing toward a spigot; and a cylindrical collar (130) having and internal through-aperture (132) for slideably accepting the inner component, the aperture and resilient portion having complementary surface formations which in a first position of the collar mounted to the inner component provide for said resilient deflection in use, and which in a second different position do not cause said deflection, the coupling being characterized in that the collar comprises a collar flange (134) extending outwardly away from the aperture of a size allowing manual manipulation of the collar between the first and second positions. Chromatography systems employing said couplings is disclosed also.

Reconnectable fluid tubing couplings i.e. those couplings that can be removed and replaced multiple times and yet still provide a fluid seal at each reconnection for flexible tubing such as garden hoses and plastics plumbing are known. However, their ease of connection and/or hygiene are questionable particularly if the same designs were to be employed with chromatography systems, where sanitary couplings are required and where, often, much higher fluid pressure is encountered, for example up to 20 Bar or above. Typical plumbing fittings used in chromatography systems have multiple components comprising metal springs and O-rings and so have resultant dead-ends or O-ring grooves, which can harbour unwanted contaminants, for example pathogens, in use. These dead-ends and grooves are difficult to sanitise. Further, the use of metal parts is problematic when gamma irradiation is attempted to sanitise such a coupling assembly. In additional the use of screw threads or special tools is undesirable where speed and ease of connection or disconnection is sought.
One prior art barb lock tubing coupling arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,662,542, but that coupling requires tooling for assembly and is not intended to be readily releasable.
Liquid chromatography is a well-known procedure for separating mixtures of molecules, for example separating proteins in liquid samples. The proteins may typically be suspended in a fluid, and driven through a chromatography separation medium along with a buffer solution. The various sample molecules of the mixture travel at different speeds through a chromatography medium, causing them to separate. This separation may be completed by a fractionation step where the mobile phase may be directed to different containers, e.g. by an outlet valve of the chromatography system.
Also, in chromatography system, particularly benchtop experimental equipment it is often necessary to cleanse the equipment comprising interconnecting tubing in use, and then tear down the tubular set-up, in order to remake the tubing in a different configuration, to accommodate a different experiment. Thus, special sanitisation equipment is inconvenient, and speedy cleaning is needed, along with fast disconnection and reconnection. One such piece of equipment is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,821,718, incorporated herein by reference, where interchangeable modular components of a chromatography system are interconnectable by external fluid conduits, and which would benefit from an improved means of such interconnection.

Chromatography system and couplings therefor


In a cellular telecommunications network, a base station (BS) utilizes parameter(s) included in a received transport channel setup message (e.g., in a received COMMON TRANSPORT CHANNEL SETUP REQUEST message) in order to determine whether or not the physical channel identified in the setup message is already being used by another transport channel(s). Parameters included in the received setup message which may be utilized by the BS in making such a determination include, for example, cell ID, cell carrier ID, downlink scrambling code ID, downlink channelization code number or ID, and the like. The determined information may be used to check the consistency of setup messages received by the BS and/or to enable more efficient hardware configurations of such setups at the BS. Alternatively, the determined information may be used to decide whether to reject a requested physical channel setup request in other embodiments of this invention.

Direct Sequence Code Division Multiple Access (DS-CDMA) allows signals to overlap in time and frequency so that CDMA signals from multiple users simultaneously operate in the same frequency band or spectrum. In principle, a source information digital data stream to be transmitted is impressed upon a much higher rate data stream generated by a pseudo-random noise (PN) code generator. This combination of a higher bit rate code signal with a lower bit rate information stream "spreads" the bandwidth of the information data stream. Each information data stream is allocated a unique PN or spreading code (or a PN code having a unique offset in time) to produce a signal that can be separately received at a receiving station. From a received composite signal of multiple, differently-coded signals, a PN coded information signal is isolated and demodulated by correlating the composite signal with a specific PN spreading code associated with that PN coded information signal. This inverse, de-spreading operation "compresses" the received signal to permit recovery of the original data and at the same time suppress interference from other users.
Wideband CDMA systems contain one or several radio frequency carriers. Each radio frequency carrier contains a number of spreading codes which may be allocated to provide different data rates to satisfy different mobile user requirements. Some of those spreading codes are used for traffic channels and some are used for common control channels such as random access channels, paging channels, broadcast channels, etc. In order to provide flexibility in how bandwidth and other radio resources are allocated in wideband CDMA systems, a "logical" cell is defined. Such a logical cell may be allocated one or more radio frequency carrier(s) thereby permitting resources associated with different carriers belonging to the same cell to be allocated, for example, to a single mobile station (MS or UE) such as a cell phone requiring a high bit rate connection. The additional carrier(s) effectively provide more traffic channels.
WCDMA systems often utilize transport channels which may be mapped to physical channels. The physical layer (layer 1) is the lowest layer in the OSI Reference Model and it supports functions required for the transmission of bit streams on the physical medium. Thus, the physical layer offers data transport services to higher layers. Access to these services is provided through the use of transport channels via the MAC sub-layer. Characteristics of a transport channel are defined by its transport format (or format set), specifying the physical layer processing to be applied to the transport channel in question, such as convolutional channel coding and interleaving, and any service-specific rate matching as may be needed. Thus, transport channels may represent services offered by Layer 1 to the higher layers.
Exemplary transport channels include (i) common transport channels such as BCH (broadcast channel, often used as a downlink (DL) transport channel to broadcast system and/or cell specific information), FACH (forward access channel), PCH (paging channel), RACH (random access channel), CPCH (common packet channel), and DSCH (downlink shared channel), and (ii) dedicated channels (DCH) which may be used on the uplink or downlink. The FACH transport channel is typically known as a downlink channel, and transmitted over an entire cell or over only part of a cell using a beam-forming antenna. The PCH transport channel is typically known as a downlink (DL) channel transmitted over a cell, and is associated with the transmission of physical layer generated paging indicators (e.g., to support efficient sleep-mode procedures).
It is known that on the DL the PCH and FACH transport channels may be combined on the same physical channel such as on the SCCPCH (Secondary Common Control Physical Channel). This may be achieved in the context of a cellular telecommunications network using a COMMON TRANSPORT CHANNEL SETUP REQUEST message sent from an RNC to a BS. The BS receives this message, and in response thereto configures itself so as to support its activation of the SCCPCH. Once activated, the SCCPCH exists on the interface between the BS and mobile stations in the cell(s) of the BS.
Unfortunately, the COMMON TRANSPORT CHANNEL SETUP REQUEST message may not include any information indicative of whether any other transport channel(s) (e.g., RACH) is/are using the same physical channel identified in the COMMON TRANSPORT CHANNEL SETUP REQUEST message. If another transport channel(s) is/are already using the same physical channel, then the requested set-up of the SCCPCH becomes more difficult. Additionally, problems can also arise from inconsistent channel assignment messages received by a BS from an RNC.
Accordingly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that there exists a need in the art for a system and/or method for determining whether or not a physical channel identified in a transport channel set-up request message is already being used by another transport channel. There also exists a need in the art for a system and/or method for checking the consistency of messages received by a BS from an RNC or other node(s) (e.g., to reduce the likelihood of inconsistent channel assignments for physical channels).
According to an exemplary embodiment of this invention, a base station (BS) in a cellular telecommunications network utilizes parameter(s) included in a received transport channel setup message (e.g., in a received COMMON TRANSPORT CHANNEL SETUP REQUEST message) in order to determine whether or not the physical channel identified in the setup message is already being used by another transport channel(s). Parameters included in the received setup message which may be utilized by the BS in making such a determination include, for example, cell ID, cell carrier ID, downlink scrambling code ID, downlink channelization code number or ID, and the like. The BS may use this determined information to monitor the consistency of physical channel setup messages received from a node such as an RNC (e.g., to make sure that the same channel identity is not set up several times and/or to reduce the likelihood of inconsistent channel assignments for physical channels). Optionally, the BS may also use this determined information (e.g., if it is determined that the same physical channel is already being used by another transport channel) to either (i) more efficiently configure the hardware (e.g., hardware on Tx/Rx board(s) of the BS), or (ii) deny or reject the requested setup.

Physical channel relation system/method for use in cellular telecommunications network


A bearing cup removal tool for removing a bearing cup from a bearing casting comprises a collar assembly and a displacing assembly. The collar assembly comprises a clamp member and a clamp assembly, where the clamp member defines a clamp surface. The clamp assembly deforms the clamp member to alter a shape of the clamp surface such that the clamp member may be configured to surround at least a portion of the bearing cup and the clamp member may be configured to frictionally engage at least a portion of the bearing cup to secure the clamp member to the bearing cup. The displacing assembly engages the clamp member and is adapted to engage the bearing casting such that operation of the displacing assembly forces the clamp member away from the bearing casting.

The rebuilding of a bearing assembly requires the removal of a bearing cup from a bearing casting. Removal of the bearing cup from a bearing casting without damaging the bearing cup or the bearing casting can be difficult because typically only a small portion of the bearing cup is accessible when the bearing cup is fully received by the bearing casting.
The need thus exists for improved systems and methods for removing a bearing cup from a bearing casting.

Systems and methods for removing bearing cups


Provided is a conveyance device that includes: a conveyance unit configured to convey a conveyance object; a motor configured to drive the conveyance unit; a sensor configured to detect a position of the conveyance object; an instruction unit configured to generate an instruction signal for conveying the conveyance object to a target position; and a control unit configured to control the motor by performing a speed feedback control and control the motor so as to cancel a delay between a time when the position of the conveyance object is detected and a time when the speed feedback control is reflected on the motor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to, for example, a device configured to convey a conveyance object such as a piece of paper to a target position.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conveyance device configured to convey a conveyance object such as a piece of paper or a piece of paper currency to a target position is used in an image forming apparatus such as a printer or another apparatus.
Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-316608 discloses an image forming apparatus including a paper conveyance device. An objective of the image forming apparatus is to prevent the deterioration of the positional deviation correction or the phase adjustment accuracy while a plurality of latent image carriers drives at different linear velocities, by forming an image for detecting a positional deviation or an image for detecting a speed variation. Thus, the image forming apparatus forms an image for detecting a positional deviation or an image for detecting a speed variation while driving the latent image carriers at the same speed.
Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2012-177971 discloses a paper sheet processing apparatus configured to convey, for example, a sheet of paper current in a ticket vending machine. An objective of the paper sheet processing apparatus is to enable a reciprocating conveyance unit conveying a sheet of paper to appropriately stop at the target position even when the variation in the load or temperature of the motor changes, in response to the number of sheets of paper, an appropriate value to be set as the target value used for the control. Thus, the paper sheet processing apparatus corrects the target value every time when the motion of the reciprocating conveyance unit is controlled in such a way as to eliminate the positional deviation between the stop position and the target stop position using the predetermined reference detection position.
In order to improve the stop position accuracy in the control of the motor driving a conveyance roller configured to convey a print medium, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2009-73181 discloses a technique to terminate a speed feedback control and perform a position feedback control when the number of remaining pulses to the target stop position becomes equal to or less than a threshold in the deceleration area.
To appropriately convey and stop a conveyance object such as a piece of paper at the target position, it is necessary to accurately control the revolution speed of the motor that drives a conveyer, for example, a roller. Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2012-177971 corrects the target value of the stop position of the reciprocating conveyance unit using the predetermined reference detection position. However, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication 2012-177971 does not improve the controllability on the revolution speed of the motor. There is a problem in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2009-73181 in that the period between the start of the position feedback control and the time when the conveyance object reaches the target stop position varies depending on the load of the motor because the position feedback control is performed based on the number of remaining pulses.
In light of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to improve the controllability on the motor.

Conveyance device, conveyance device control method, and computer program product


A catheter apparatus and radiation dosimetry unit indicator for delivery of a prescribed radiation dose to a patient. A radiotherapy source vial (700) includes a fluid container (701) of radioactive fluid with a seal (702,731) disposed about the container. Seal (702,731) is moveable with respect to container (701) to change the contained volume therein. A radioactive fluid transport site (703) is in communication with the contained volume and with an exterior (726) of the container (701), and may include a septum (707) or a valve (711). An engagement mechanism (704) is connectable to an external control mechanism (706) whereby the contained volume in the radioactive fluid container can be decreased and increased by actuation of the external control mechanism.

This invention relates generally to medical devices and, in particular, to a medical, radiotherapy source vial for containing a prescribed radiation dose for a patient.
Angioplasty is an established procedure for reducing the effect of atherosclerotic plaque on and intraluminal narrowing of the arterial walls within the vascular system of the patient. The effect is reduced by use of a catheter that is inserted into the site of the diseased-occluded vessel. A balloon portion of the catheter is then inflated to a predetermined pressure range and size, to radially compress the plaque occlusion, thereby increasing the internal diameter of the previously restricted artery. The balloon is then collapsed and the catheter is removed.
After the angioplasty procedure has been performed, as many as one-third to one-half of the patients soon develop restenosis. Restenosis can occur after angioplasty or other recannulation procedures, with or without stenting, wherein the migration and proliferation of benign cells cause a restenotic lesion to form, resulting in the further blockage of the intravascular structure.
Radiation is administered to patients for a variety of reasons, such as to treat restenosis, malignant or benign tumors, or the like. Examples of such treatments are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,059,166; 5,213,561; and 5,302,168.
It would be preferred to be able to provide a radiation delivery system which would:
a) deliver a predetermined totally-cumulative and homogeneous dose of radiation to the lesion site, at a predetermined penetration depth, while minimizing the exposure of surrounding healthy tissue to the radiation;
b) enable the treating physician or other health-care personnel to be bedside to the patient during the administration of the radiation therapy without exposing the physician or health care personnel to any unreasonable risk;
c) use radiation material that is readily and inexpensively available from a commercial provider;
d) use minimal special equipment storage, or delivery devices, except for routine facilities available in most nuclear medicine or radiation oncology departments;
e) use a radiation carrier material that if applied as an unsealed free-gas form, the inert, noble gas properties essentially enable the molecules of the carrier material to rapidly dissipate throughout the body of the patient without any prolonged organ accumulation or chemical interaction, and rapid dilution of the carrier material is quickly re-released from the bloodstream through the lungs;
f) minimize long term occlusion of normal blood flow during therapy, thereby providing more flexibility as to administration time and dosage;
g) use a radiation carrier material that is stable and which can be pressurized, stored, and made to high millicurie activity per cubic centimeter with reasonable cost and availability;
h) use beta particles having excellent initial dose rate delivery and energy transfer when directly adjacent to the targeted tissue within the first one millimeter, and not penetrate much beyond this depth;
i) use gamma photon energies having depth doses that provide complementary dose deposition with the beta particles for the first one millimeter, and primary additive dose delivery for an additional two to three millimeters of the targeted tissue;
j) use these beneficial physical and biological radiation properties for treating restenosis, and malignancies (for example-in the brain, lung, esophagus, trachea, cervix, biliary ductal system, colon or rectum, the gastrointestinal system, the gynecological system, or head and neck) and other internal ailments where an internal application of radiation directly applied to the tissue may be needed; and
k) attenuate the transmission dose to blood circulating through the apparatus, and while creating increased by-product radiation, delivering useful radiation dose over hundreds of micrometers of target tissue.
In order to accomplish these primary objectives, it would be desirable to have the device for delivering a therapeutic dosage of radioactive fluid to include a means to supply the treatment device with a given dosage of radioactive fluid from a source reservoir and then transfer the radioactive fluid back to the source reservoir at the completion of the treatment. Current systems for delivering radioactive gas, primarily designed for lung inhalation studies, lack the ability to retrieve the gas once it is introduced into the patient. Various syringe-type devices are known in the art for the purposes of delivering gas or inflating balloon catheters, however, they lack the safeguards necessary for working with radioactive gas, such as proper shielding and leakage prevention features that protect the patient and clinical personnel. In addition, it would be desirable to have a system whereby the standard commercially-available radioactive source vial with a pre-calibrated radioactive dosage could be directly loaded into the injection apparatus rather than relying on a standard syringe system which requires that a technician transfer or preload the radioactive material into the apparatus prior to the procedure, requiring additional handling and calibration.
The foregoing problems are solved and a technical advance is achieved in an illustrative medical, radiotherapy source vial for delivering a prescribed dose of radiation to a patient, for example, during and/or after an angioplasty procedure to inhibit, if not eliminate, restenosis and/or proliferation. The vial includes a radioactive fluid container having a contained volume for containing a prescribed dose of a radioactive fluid such as radioactive xenon gas. Advantageously, a radioactive fluid seal is disposed about the container and movable with respect to the container to change the contained volume of the container and, evacuate the radioactive fluid therein to radiation treatment apparatus. A radioactive fluid transport site such as a valve or septum is also positioned about the fluid container, which communicates with the contained volume and the exterior of the radioactive fluid container. An engagement mechanism such as a receiver is fixedly disposed about the container or seal and fixedly connectable to an external control mechansim. As a result, the contained volume in the fluid container can be decreased and increased by the actuation of the external control mechanism.
In one aspect, the radioactive fluid transport site can include a septum, a port, and/or operable valve. The engagement mechanism comprises a receiver such as a threaded arrangement for engaging with the external control mechanism. In one configuration, the fluid transport site is disposed on the radioactive fluid seal.
In another aspect of the invention, a resilient mechanism is disposed about the radioactive fluid container for urging the seal to a position in the container at which the contained volume is at an initial contained volume. In this aspect, the resilient mechanism can include by way of example a compression or tension spring.
In another aspect, the vial includes an attachment mechanism that is disposed on one or more of the container, fluid seal, or engagement mechanism. The attachment mechanism has an engaged condition and when therein maintains the contained volume fixed.
In still yet another aspect of the invention, the radioactive fluid seal is expandable and can, advantageously, include an inflatable member such as a balloon or bladder for urging the radioactive fluid from the container.


Various embodiments may provide a semiconductor package. The semiconductor package may include a semiconductor chip, a first mold compound layer at least partially covering the semiconductor chip, and a redistribution layer over the first mold compound layer, the redistribution layer including one or more electrically conductive lines in electrical connection with the semiconductor chip. The semiconductor package may additionally include a second mold compound layer over the redistribution layer, and an antenna array over the second mold compound layer, the antenna array configured to be coupled to the one or more electrically conductive lines.

Integration of antenna in a package is challenging because: 1) bulky antenna size; 2) tight antenna coupling; and 3) unpredictable antenna crosstalk. The antenna size is related to the operating frequency of the embedded chips in the package. For example, the dipole antenna length is approximately equal to half wavelength at the operating frequency. At 10 GHz, it is as long as 15 mm in free space. In this case, the main limitation factor on the package size would be the antenna as the embedded chips would usually occupy an area of few square millimeter only. The antenna size can be scaled down at increasing operating frequency. For instance, the free space wavelength at 60 GHz is reduced to 5 mm, which is more feasible to be integrated in the package. As such, the antenna in package is best targeted for millimeter wave wireless applications.

Semiconductor package and method of forming the same

AGENCY FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH


A roofing ladder with a modular angularly adjustable platform facilitates roofing work by providing a platform assembly which can be adjusted angularly to provide a desired slope for sitting or standing on or for storing tools or supplies. A beam provides structural support. A roof anchor hook connected to the beam contacts the opposing roofing surface to hold the ladder in place. A wheel assembly allows a user to easily mount the ladder on a roof. A plurality of step rods laterally connected to the beam provides steps for climbing the ladder as well as attachment locations for the platform assembly. A plurality of beam lifters provides a means to lift the beam off the roof surface for performing work on the roof surface underneath the beam. An extension slot allows the ladder to be extended for longer roofs or more easily manipulated into place using an extension pole.

Ladders have long allowed workers to access areas at heights that would otherwise be far beyond their reach. Many different ladders exist and are in wide use in the world today. These ladders range from stand alone ladders that are ideal for accessing ceilings inside of structures to long extendable ladders that are commonly used by painters to access the high walls of buildings and houses. There is furthermore another type of ladder that has emerged over time; the roofing ladder. When performing roofing tasks, a worker needs a way to safely ascend and descend along a roof. As most roofs are angled triangles, this can become quite difficult if the angle of the roof is very steep. To rectify this issue, roofing ladders have been developed and are available on the current market. Several of these roofing ladders make use of a hook type system that uses the ridge of the roof to bear the weight of the ladder and any worker climbing that ladder. Such roofing ladders are much more effective at allowing the worker to ascend and descend along the roof and are designed specifically to be mounted on a roof.
Although roofing ladders are designed to be used on a roof, they suffer from several disadvantages. These disadvantages include the fact that the roofing ladder can be very difficult to place, and that most roofing ladders come into direct contact with the surface of the roof, making it difficult to work underneath the roofing ladder. Furthermore, most roofing ladders are of a set length, meaning that the worker is out of luck if their ladder is too short for the roof they are working on. The present invention aims to correct these shortcomings in current roofing ladders by introducing a roofing ladder with multi-angle seat. It is an object of the present invention to be light, easy to use, to be easily slid into place on the roof, and to posses optional extensions to adapt to roofs of various sizes. It is a further object of the present invention to maintain some distance from the surface of the roof such that the worker may do work underneath the present invention. Additionally, the present invention aims to provide a modular seat which can be placed anywhere along the ladder and is adjustable to accommodate varying roof angles to provide a worker with convenient and level platform to work from, thus making the present invention a vast and non obvious improvement upon existing roofing ladders.

Roofing ladder with a modular angularly adjustable platform


A frequency synthesizer and a method for frequency synthesis are provided. The frequency synthesizer includes a subband phase-locked loop (PLL) and a main PLL. A divisor of an adjustable non-integer frequency divider in the subband PLL is adjusted, and a channel frequency of a maximum frequency band of all frequency bands is output. A divisor of an adjustable integer frequency divider in the main PLL is adjusted, and a center frequency required for each frequency band of the all frequency bands is output. The center frequency and the channel frequency are mixed by a mixer to produce a band frequency. A quantization noise generated by the adjustable non-integer frequency divider is filtered out by the subband PLL to reduce the impact of the quantization noise on the main PLL.

1. Technical Field
This disclosure relates to frequency synthesis techniques, and also to a frequency synthesizer with two phase-locked loops and a method for frequency synthesis.
2. Description of Related Art
Due to the advances in wireless communication technologies, portable communication devices are widely used, and the mobile broadband market has been steadily growing. In response to the needs of greater amount of data transmission, mobile communication of new generation focuses on enhancing the transmission speed and bandwidth.
In recent years, 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is committed to the development of technology in line with the 4G communication protocols, and has proposed Long-term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) Release 10 (R10), which is the first 4G standard recognized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Data transfer rate under high-speed moving environment could reach up to 100 (Mb/s). In LTE-A technology, carrier aggregation is a key technology, which essentially aggregates non-contiguous bands for use at the same time to obtain a greater transmission bandwidth, and enhances the efficient use of bandwidth. For the purpose of carrier aggregation, a transceiver (RF transceiver) in a wireless communication device has to dynamically change the carrier frequency. A wide carrier frequency range means that a frequency synthesizer providing the local frequency must have outputs with very broad bandwidth, but this makes the oscillator design difficult. The complicated bandwidth conditions also pose challenges to the control and frequency resolution of the frequency synthesizer.
Therefore, there is a need in this field for a frequency synthesizer technology that is not only capable of obtaining the target frequency, but also provides I-Q phases in order to comply with the specifications of the frequency output range, while taking into account frequency resolution.

Frequency synthesizer and method for frequency synthesis

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A method of and an apparatus for encoding and decoding using transformation bases of a yet higher efficiency. In a method for encoding an object signal in compliance with a transformation rule, a signal correlating to the object signal is obtained, and a transformation base that forms the transformation rule is derived based on a characteristic of the obtained reference signal. The object signal is transformed and encoded in compliance with the transformation rule based on the derived transformation base. Accordingly, the object signal is transformed in compliance with the transformation rule based on the transformation base derived from the characteristic of the reference signal. Since the reference signal is correlated to the object signal, the transformation base derived from the characteristic matches the feature of the object signal.

Conventionally, an image encoding apparatus and an image decoding apparatus based on MPEG-1 encoding method are disclosed in Le Gall, D. "MPEG: A Video Compression Standard for Multimedia Applications" (Trans. ACM, 1991, April). The image encoding apparatus is constructed as showed in FIG. 1, and the image decoding system is constructed as showed in FIG. 2.
The image encoding apparatus showed in FIG. 1 reduces redundancy in the time directions by motion compensating inter-frame prediction, and further reduces redundancy remaining in the spatial directions by DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform) to compress an image signal. FIG. 3 shows motion compensating inter-frame prediction; FIG. 4 shows block matching method frequently used to detect a motion vector; FIG. 5 shows the concept of DCT; and FIG. 6A shows the principle of encoding DCT coefficients. The operations of the image encoding apparatus and the image decoding apparatus showed in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, will be described by reference to these drawings.
An input image signal 1 is a time series of a framed images and, hereinafter, refers to a signal by a framed image. A framed image to be encoded will be called a current frame as showed in FIG. 3. The current frame is divided into 16 pixels×16 lines square regions (hereinafter referred to as a "macro block"), for example, and dealt with as follows.
The macro block data (current macro block) of the current frame are sent to motion detection unit 2 to detect a motion vector 5. A pattern similar to the current macro block is selected from patterns in a predetermined search region of encoded framed images 4 (hereinafter called partially decoded images) stored in a frame memory 3, and the motion vector 5 is generated based on the spatial distance between the selected pattern and the current macro block.
The above partially decoded image is not limited to frames in the past. It is possible to use frames in the future by encoding them in advance and storing them in a frame memory. The use of the future frames increases time required for processing since the order of encoding needs to be switched. The use of the future frames, however, further reduces redundancy in the time directions effectively. Generally, in the case of MPEG-1, the following encoding types are selectively available: bi-directional prediction using both a past frame and a future frame (B-frame prediction); prior-directional prediction using only a prior frame (P-frame prediction); and I-frame that performs encoding without prediction. In FIG. 3 showing the case of P-frame prediction, the partially decoded image is indicated as a prior frame.
The motion vector 5 is represented by a two dimensional translation. The motion vector 5 is usually detected by block matching method showed in FIG. 4. A search range centered at the spatial position of the current macro block is provided, and motion is searched in the motion search range. A motion prediction datum is defined as a block that minimizes the sum of squared differences or the sum of absolute differences selected from the image data in the motion search range of the prior frame. The motion vector 5 is determined as the quantity of positional change between the current macro block and the motion prediction data. A motion prediction datum is obtained for each macro block of the current frame. The motion prediction data represented as a frame image corresponds to a motion prediction frame of FIG. 3. For the motion compensation inter-frame prediction, a difference between the motion prediction frame and the current frame is obtained, and the remainder signal (hereinafter referred to as prediction remainder signal 8 ) is encoded by DCT encoding method as showed in FIG. 3.
Specifically, a motion compensation unit 7 identifies the motion prediction datum of each macro block (hereinafter referred to as prediction image). That is, this motion compensation unit 7 generates a prediction image 6 from the partially decoded image 4 stored in the frame memory 3 using the motion vector 5.
The prediction remainder signal 8 is converted into a DCT coefficient datum by a DCT unit 9. As showed in FIG. 5, DCT converts a spatial pixel vector into a combination of normal orthogonal bases each representing a fixed frequency element. A block of 8×8 pixels (hereinafter referred to as a DCT block) is usually employed as a spatial pixel vector. Since DCT is a separation type conversion, each eight dimensional horizontal row vector of a DCT block is separately converted, and each eight dimensional vertical column vector of a DCT block is separately converted. DCT localizes power concentration ratio in a DCT block using the inter-pixel correlation existing in the spatial region. The higher the power concentration ratio is, the more efficient the conversion is. In the case of a natural image signal, the performance of DCT is as high as that of KL transformation that is the optimum conversion. Especially, the electric power of a natural image is mainly concentrated in a low frequency range and little distributed to the high frequency range. Accordingly, as showed in FIG. 6B, the quantization coefficients are scanned in the DCT block in a direction from a low frequency to a high frequency. Since the scanned data includes many zero runs, the total encoding efficiency including the effect of entropy encoding is improved.
A quantization unit 11 quantizes the DCT coefficients 10. The quantized coefficients 12 are scanned by a variable length encoding unit 13 and converted into a run-length code that is multiplexed on a compressed stream 14 and transmitted. In addition, the motion vector 5 detected by the motion detection unit 2 is multiplexed on the compressed stream 14 by a macro block and transmitted for the generation by a image decoding apparatus of the same prediction image as that generated by the image encoding apparatus.
A quantized coefficient 12 is partially decoded via an inverse quantization unit 15 and an inverse DCT unit 16. The result is added to the predicted image 6 to generate a decoded image 17 that is the same as a decoded image data generated by the image decoding apparatus. The decoded image 17 is stored in the frame memory 3 as the partially decoded image to be used for the prediction of the next frame.
The operation of an image decoding apparatus showed in FIG. 2 will be described below.
This image decoding apparatus, after receiving a compressed stream 14, detects a sync word indicating the top of each frame by a variable length decoding unit 18 and restores the motion vector 5 and the quantized DCT coefficient 12 by a macro block. The motion vector 5 is transferred to the motion compensation unit 7 that extracts a portion of image stored in a frame memory 19 (that is used in the same manner as the frame memory 3) that moved for the motion vector 5 as the prediction image 6. The quantized DCT coefficient 12 is restored through a inverse quantization unit 15 and a inverse DCT unit 16, and then, added to the predicted image 6 to make the final decoded image 17. The decoded image 17 is output to a display device at a predetermined timing to reproduce the image.
Encoding algorisms such as MPEG motion picture encoding that utilize a correlation of a signal that has already been decoded (hereinafter referred to as a reference image or a prediction image) are widely employed as described in connection with the conventional example described above. DCT is frequently used as the transformation base because of the reasons described above. DCT is effective for encoding signal waveforms the prior probability distribution of which is unknown. However, media signals such as an audio signal and an image signal are generally unsteady and spatially and temporally biased. Accordingly, in the case of the fixed transformation base described above in connection with the conventional example, the number of the bases (the number of coefficients) cannot be reduced, which poses a limit on the compression.

Signal encoding method and apparatus and decoding method and apparatus


A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus includes (n+m) nozzle rows in each of which a plurality of nozzles through which liquid droplets are ejected onto a printing medium are arranged; a nozzle row driving data generation portion configured to generate n sets of nozzle row driving data for the (n+m) rows of nozzles each for driving a corresponding one of the (n+m) nozzle rows; and a nozzle row driving data conversion portion configured to convert the generated n sets of nozzle row driving data that are associated with the (n+m) rows of nozzle row driving data into (n+m) sets of nozzle row driving data each of which is associated with a corresponding one of the (n+m) rows of nozzle row driving data.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a nozzle row driving data conversion apparatus and a liquid droplet ejecting apparatus.
2. Related Art
Heretofore, an ink jet printer that forms an image by ejecting liquid droplets (ink droplets) onto the surface of a printing medium has been well known as a liquid droplet ejecting apparatus. This ink jet printer is configured to, in order to form an image on the surface of a printing medium such as paper or cloth, alternately repeat two kinds of operations: one being a transport operation that allows the printing medium to move in a transport direction; the other one being a dot formation operation that allows ink droplets to be ejected through a plurality of nozzles that are formed in a printing head while causing the printing head to perform scanning movement in a scan direction, and thereby intermittently repeatedly form and arrange a plurality of rows of dots (dot rows), which are formed and arranged in the scan direction through one of the repeated dot formation operations, along the transport direction.
With respect to such an ink jet printer, there is a tendency in that, in order to realize high-speed formation of a further high-resolution image, a plurality of printing heads, each including further minute nozzles that are arrayed at a high density on a bottom face thereof, are mounted in the ink jet printer. For example, in JP-A-2011-207115, there is described an example of an ink jet printer, in which four printing heads each including one hundred and eighty nozzles that are arrayed on a bottom face thereof are mounted. This ink jet printer includes, for each of a plurality of printing heads, a head control portion that selectively causes each of driving elements to drive a corresponding one of a plurality of nozzles.
In such an ink jet printer described in JP-A-2011-207115, however, there has been a problem in that, since control circuits for the printing heads (i.e., circuits that drive the printing heads and that are constituted by a unit control circuit and the head control portions) are configured so as to be in accordance with a total number of the printing heads, any further printing head whose existence causes a total number of printing heads including the further printing head to exceed a total number of a series of control circuits each of which is associated with, and controls, a corresponding one of the printing heads cannot be used. In other words, there has been a problem in that, when further printing heads are desired to be mounted, not only the modification related to the head control portions whose total number is increased, but also the modification of the unit control circuit is required.

Nozzle row driving data conversion apparatus and liquid droplet ejecting apparatus


A semiconductor device of an embodiment includes a plurality of chip regions, each including a memory region in which a plurality of memory cells is arranged, and a kerf region disposed between the chip regions and surrounding each chip region. Paired marks are arranged in a vicinity of the memory region of one of the plurality of chip regions and in a common hierarchical layer in the kerf region, and the paired marks are disposed over upper and lower hierarchical layers.

A semiconductor device includes a stacked structure including, for example, a plurality of hierarchical layers. In a manufacturing process of the semiconductor device, a misalignment mark, for example, for inspecting misalignment between hierarchical layers is used. However, the position of the misalignment mark may sometimes be displaced due to stress in each layer of the semiconductor device, prohibiting accurate inspection of the misalignment between hierarchical layers.

Semiconductor device including paired marks and method for manufacturing semiconductor device


A method executed by a computer system that transmits a multimedia content through a negative-base number. The method includes generating a binary sequence for the multimedia content, converting the binary sequence into a negative-base number, receiving the negative-base number, retrieving a negative base of the negative base number, calculating the binary sequence based on the negative-base number and the negative base, and obtaining the multimedia content based on the binary sequence.

Multimedia information or multimedia contents transmit through networks to deliver text, images, audio or video data to the receiving terminal. Private information or confidential data is often encrypted to avoid unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification, or recording. Hence, a need exists to prevent external intrusions and improve information security.
New methods and systems that assist in advancing technological needs and industrial applications in the field of information security are desired.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Macau University of Science and Technology


A cordless blind includes a headrail, a bottom rail suspended from the headrail by a first cord and a second cord, a wall covering disposed between the headrail and the bottom rail, and a drive actuator. The drive actuator includes a spring motor, a spool coupled to the spring motor, a first tensioning mechanism, and a second tensioning mechanism. The first and second tensioning mechanisms are configured to impact a resistant force on movement of the first and second cords. The drive actuator may include a spool, a spring motor, a biasing element configured to provide a force biased against movement of the bottom rail, and a bias relief mechanism that is configured to provide for selective application and relief of the biasing force by the biasing element. The drive actuator may include a constant biasing element, a generally rigid strap, a mandrel, a biasing member, and a traction wheel including a plurality of cogs extending from the circumference of the traction wheel such that movement of the strap rotates the traction wheel.

Venetian blinds are well known and typically include a head rail, a bottom rail, and a plurality of slats arranged between the headrail and the bottom rail. The slats are typically made from a variety of materials, such as metal, wood, plastic or other materials and supported by ladders.
Such blinds also typically include a tilt mechanism to enable the slats to move from a horizontal position to a nearly vertical position to open and close the blinds to affect the passage of light. As is also conventional with such systems, flexible line members or lift cords are coupled to the bottom rail, pass through the slats and into mechanisms within an upper headrail. The cords are employed to raise the bottom rail, accumulating individual slats as the bottom rail is raised. Because of gravity, the natural tenancy of the bottom rail and accumulated slat weight is to free fall. In many instances in the prior art, cord lock mechanisms are employed to lock the cord, thereby setting bottom rail, and the slats stacked thereon at a height determined by the user. Pleated and other types of shades also include a bottom rail and include similar raising, lowering and line member or cord lock mechanisms.
Spring motors are known to be provided to assist the elevating and lowering of a variable load such as that provided by a venetian blind type window covering. Spring motors conventionally comprise a flat ribbon of spring metal which is pre-stressed and coiled so as to have a natural or relaxed state in which the spring forms a tightly wound coil disposed on or in a spring storage or take up drum. The extended free end of the coil is attached to the hub of an output or spring drive drum onto which the spring is backwound by rotating the output drum in a direction to back or reverse wind the spring thereon. When the load to which the output drum is connected is released, the curling property of the spring causes it to rewind onto or into the storage drum toward its natural or relaxed state. Such spring motors as descried above can be of constant or variable force, depending upon the intended use of the motor. The characteristics of a variable force spring motor can be obtained in varying ways, but varying the radius of curvature of the spring member along the length thereof is conventionally the preferred method.
In connection with the use of such a spring motor and a venetian blind, as an example, a control drum or spool is mounted co-axially with the output drum for rotation therewith, and the flexible member or cord is wound onto the spool in a direction which provides for the unwinding of the cord to rotate the spring output drum in the direction for winding the spring member thereon from the spring storage drum. When the force necessary for such unwinding is relaxed, the spring member returns to its naturally coiled position whereby the spring output drum is rotated by the spring member in a direction to rewind the cord or belt onto the spool. In those blinds with locking mechanism, such rewinding of the cord onto the control drum is inhibited.
When raising or lowering a load such as the bottom rail and slats of a venetian blind accumulating on the bottom rail, a pair of cords may be wound on the spool in opposite directions with the free ends of the cords attached at the opposite ends of the bottom rail. When the bottom rail is lowered, the two cords unwind from the spool thus driving the spring output drum to wind the spring member thereon. Upward displacement of the bottom rail from a lowered position results in the spring member rewinding on the spring storage drum to rotate the spring output drum and thus the control drum in the direction to rewind the two cords. In elevating the lowering a suspended load of the foregoing example type, which is too heavy to provide desire displacement characteristics in connection with the upward and downward movement of the bottom rail, and using a single spring motor, many times it is necessary to provide a larger spring motor or operate two or more spring motors in tandem.
When it is desired, the spring motor may be designed to allow the balancing of the gravitational pull on the bottom rail and accumulated slats and the resisting force of the spring motor so that the weight, even though increasing, as additional slats are accumulated on the bottom rail as it is raised, the bottom rail may be released and stay at a predetermined height. However, this is difficult under many conditions.
A variety of factors may cause the blind to have different performance characteristics upon installation, including using different materials of slats, changing the size of the blind or the amount of window covering, the number of slats in the blind, the weight of the drive actuator, the weight of the bottom rail, etc. Without the blind being configured to be adjusted at the point of sale or by the consumer after the point of sale, it may be difficult to utilize the same motors on different types and sizes of blinds, particularly when the blind is customized at the point of sale per the consumer's requirements (e.g., size dimensions, etc.).
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a blind in which lifting cords and cord mechanisms are eliminated from shades or blinds and relate to window covering systems which, inter alia, employ one or more spring motors to balance the weight of the accumulated window covering material, independent of the extent to which the blind or shade is raised or lowered. It would also be advantageous to provide a blind that utilizes an adjustable drive actuator to permit the adjustment of the blind's performance characteristics at the point of sale, after the blind has been customized, at the point of installation, or the like. It would also be advantageous to provide a cordless blind which a spring motor is used to eliminate conventional pull cord and cord lock mechanism and which is adjustable so that it is suitable for encountering a wide variety of loads making it unnecessary to design a specific motor for a specific end use.
It would be desirable to provide a blind with or providing anyone or more of these or other advantageous features.


In a workpiece assembling apparatus for assembling a torque converter to a transmission, a moving table and an inserting table are supported so as to approach and leave the transmission positioned. A suction pad for holding the torque converter is provided rotatably by a rotating shaft on the inserting table. The rotating shaft is rotated by a driving rotary unit to rotate the torque converter attracted and held by the suction pad to center it. Then, the torque converter is brought together with the inserting table close to the transmission, and pressed against it. Simultaneously, the torque converter is rotated about the axis of fitting. If the torque converter and the transmission are not fitted together, the torque converter is caused to reciprocate back and forth by the pusher cylinder 57 so that they will be fitted together.

This invention relates to a workpiece assembling apparatus and a workpiece assembling method by which to locate a workpiece at a predetermined position, bring another workpiece set in place close to the workpiece, and fit the latter workpiece to the former workpiece, such as those for assembling a torque converter to a transmission in an automatic transmission.
An assembly operation for an automatic transmission of an automobile includes a step for assembling a torque converter to a transmission. FIG. 14 shows an outline of an ordinary transmission having a torque converter assembled thereto.
As shown in FIG. 14, an input shaft 13 is rotatably supported in a transmission case 12 of a transmission 11, and various speed change gears (not shown) are mounted on the input shaft 13. On one end side of the input shaft 13 in the transmission case 12 is mounted an oil pump 14, and a torque converter 16 is mounted in a converter housing 15 attached to the transmission case 12. The torque converter 16 is housed in a pump housing 18 having a boss portion 17. Thus, the driving force of an engine (not shown) is transmitted to the input shaft 13 via the torque converter 16 and a clutch and a planetary gear (not shown), and is then transmitted to a transfer shaft via the respective gears.
In such an assembling operation for the transmission 11, it has been customary practice that an operator withdraws the torque converter 16 inside a pallet, and assembles this torque converter 16 manually to the converter housing 15 of the transmission 11 on a conveyor.
In assembling the torque converter 16 to the transmission 11, their fitting portions must be fitted together in an appropriate manner. That is, five fitting portions, i.e., two splined fitting portions A, B, an oil pump fitting portion C, and oil seal fitting portions D, E, are present between the torque converter 16 and the input shaft 13. Thus, unless the respective fitting portions A, B. C, D and E are appropriately fitted even when the torque converter 16 is fitted over the input shaft 13 of the transmission 11, the torque converter 16 cannot be assembled to the transmission 11. In this respect, a conventional assembly operation for the torque converter 16 by an operator has been tiresome, and has taken time for positioning in fitting, resulting in a low work efficiency. Moreover, until the positioning for fitting is completed, the operator must hold the torque converter 16, shouldering. a heavy burden.
An apparatus for automatically assembling a torque converter to a transmission is disclosed, for instance, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 4-93130. A conventional "assembling apparatus" disclosed in this publication engages a torque converter from above with a transmission laid at a predetermined position. That is, the torque converter suspended from a suspension system is lowered toward the transmission by a lifting device to bring the engaging portions of these parts into contact. On this occasion, their engaging portions are lightly pressed against each other by an air cylinder. By rotating a rotating plate by means of a pulse motor, those engaging portions come into alignment, and become fitted. Under the urging force of the air cylinder, the torque converter descends to the transmission. This descent is detected by a detecting means of the rotating plate, issuing a rotation stop signal to the pulse motor, which stops the rotating plate. At the same time, a descent signal is outputted to the lifting device, lowering the suspension system, with the result that the torque converter is completely coupled to the transmission.
In the above-described conventional apparatus for assembling a torque converter to a transmission, the suspended torque converter is lowered by the lifting device, whereby the engaging shaft tube is contacted with the splined shaft of the transmission. With them being pressed against each other by the air cylinder, the rotating plate is rotated by the pulse motor, whereby their phases are brought into agreement, leading to their fitting.
Before the transmission is assembled, its splined shaft is usually free from engagement. When the engaging shaft tube of the torque converter is rotated while being pressed against the splined shaft of the transmission, the splined shaft also makes a rotation jointly with the engaging shaft tube owing to this pressure although the torque converter and the transmission are not engaged. This poses the problem that their phases do not easily agree, and no engagement is obtained.
With the conventional assembling apparatus, therefore, if the splined shaft of the transmission rotates together with the engaging shaft tube of the torque converter in an unengaged state, the torque converter must be lifted, and the same procedure performed again. Thus, assembly work becomes complicated, and requires a long time to complete.
Furthermore, the torque converter before assembly contains an oil for product testing. If the torque converter is suspended vertically by the lifting device, the inside remaining oil may leak, staining the transmission and the surrounding equipment.

Transmission assembling apparatus and method