A purge arrangement for welding backup of a seam between two surfaces selected for welding together along respective runs which define the seam includes a ventilated tubeform and an adhesive tape attached for forming a seal across the back of the seam and sealing in the ventilated tubeform. The ventilated tubeform adapted for flooding with a purge gas by a source thereof. The adhesive tape's seal across the back of the seam traps the flood of the purge gas in the interspace between the tape and seam and ultimately flushes the as-yet un-welded portions of the seam with the purge gas.

The invention relates to welding backup systems for purge purposes and as especially advantageous for welding construction of creases with tanks and the like.
When for example and without limitation stainless steel is being welded, it is preferred it be done so in an atmosphere purged of oxygen. A suitable purging gas is nitrogen, for example. Some welding practices include inserting an entire assembly of the article-to-be welded in an oxygen-purged room or, on a reduced scale, glass chamber or case. What is needed is an improvement to flood a highly-pinpointed work area only with a purge gas in an otherwise breathable atmosphere for the workers.
A number of additional features and objects will be apparent in connection with the following discussion of the preferred embodiments and examples with reference to the drawings.


Mixtures comprising at least one alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylate, and one or more fatty alcohols are described along with methods for preparing the same, wherein a starting mixture comprising (i) at least one alk(en)yl polyglycoside, and (ii) one or more fatty alcohols is provided, and the starting mixture is reacted with a compound selected from the group consisting of ω-halocarboxylic acids, ω-halocarboxylic acid salts, ω-halocarboxylic acid esters, and mixtures thereof.

Alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylates are known surfactants. Alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylate refers to alkyl polyglycoside ether carboxylate and/or alkenyl polyglycoside ether carboxylate. Alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylates can be obtained by derivatizing alk(en)yl polyglycoside (alk(en)yl polyglycoside refers to alkyl polyglycoside and/or alkenyl polyglycoside) at one or more OH groups of the polyglycoside component of the alk(en)yl polyglycoside by reaction of each of these one or more OH groups with one molecule of ω-halocarboxylic acid or a salt or ester thereof to form an ether and conversion of the carboxylic acid group of the ω-halocarboxylic acid into a carboxylate group.
The alk(en)yl polyglycoside from which the alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylates can be obtained in the described manner is known as the "alk(en)yl polyglycoside on which the alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylate is based". The substituents of the alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylate which are derived from ω-halocarboxylic acid are called "ether carboxyl groups".
The number of ether carboxyl groups bearing one molecule of alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylate in a certain sample of alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylate is different and is determined by the production process. In a certain sample of alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylate containing a certain statistical average of ether carboxyl groups pre molecule of alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylate, the number of ether carboxyl groups per molecule of alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylate varies from molecule to molecule.
Alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylates are normally riot pure substances because different fatty alcohol residues, different chain lengths of the polyglycoside units and different degrees of substitution with ether carboxylate groups are usually present in one and the same sample. Where reference is made to alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylate in the singular, this does not mean that the substance is pure.
Alk(en)yl polyglycosides can be represented by formula (I) below:R1O-[G]p  (I)in which R1 is an alkyl group or an alkenyl group preferably containing 4 to 22 carbon atoms, G is a sugar unit preferably containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms and p is preferably a number of 1 to 10. Alk(en)yl polyglycosides can be produced by standard methods. The production of alk(en)yl polyglycosides is described, for example, in the article by Biermann et al. in Starch/Stärke 45, 281 (1993), in the article by B. Salka in Cosm. Toil. 108, 89 (1993) and in the article by J. Kahre et al. in SÖFW-Journal, No. 8, 598 (1995).
In the production of alk(en)yl polyglycosides, the fatty alcohol is generally used in excess and, after the reaction, is completely removed from the product by distillation or its content in the product mixture is reduced by distillation.
After the reaction, but before distillation, the "crude alk(en)yl polyglycoside" normally contains ca. 50 to 80% of fatty alcohol.
Alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylate can be produced by reaction of alk(en)yl polyglycoside with ω-halocarboxylic acids in an alkaline medium. Since alk(en)yl polyglycosides have very high viscosities in the molten state, suitable solvents are normally added during the reaction. Organic aprotic solvents are generally used, so that hydrolysis of the halocarboxylic acids or salts or esters thereof is avoided. WO 97/42299 describes the reaction with toluene as solvent.
WO 02/090369 discloses a process for the production of alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylate by reaction of alk(en)yl polyglycoside with an ω-halocarboxylic acid, a salt or ester thereof in aqueous solution. WO 03/043725 discloses mixtures of alk(en)yl polyglycoside and fatty alcohols and their use. Mixtures of alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylate and fatty alcohols are unknown in the prior art.

Mixtures of fatty alcohol(s) and alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylate(s), methods for their production and uses thereof


A method for synchronizing a plurality of programmable timing verniers with a reference pulse signal, each of the verniers being programmable to one of a plurality of timing steps within a delay range determined by a control signal applied to a bias input. A first and second control vernier is selected from the plurality of verniers, the first control vernier is programmed to a first delay, and the second control vernier is programmed to a second delay. The first and second control verniers are triggered together to generate respective first and second delay signals. A difference pulse signal is generated with a duty cycle corresponding to a difference between the generated first delay signal and second delay signal. The duty cycle of the pulse signal is compared to a duty cycle of the reference pulse signal to generate a difference signal pulse. The difference signal pulse is coupled to the bias input of the verniers to adjust the delay range, such that the duty cycle of the difference signal approaches the duty cycle of the reference pulse signal. In one embodiment there is provided a circuit for implementing the method.

The generation of timing signals with fine resolution time delays finds important application in Automated Test Equipment (ATE) that is used for testing integrated circuit devices, where precise timing edge placement is required. A typical test requires that data from a Device Under Test (DUT) must be compared with expected data at a precisely controlled time and for a precisely controlled period. For example a tester might expect a signal on a data pin of the DUT to be low 2.435 ns after receipt of a trigger signal for a time period of 500 ps.
Typically ATE's use a timing vernier (essentially a delay generator) to generate these fine timing resolution signals from a precisely generated fixed frequency global clock signal. The timing vernier is essentially a delay generator capable of generating very small phase shifts, usually in the order of picoseconds, of the global clock signal. Timing verniers are useful because the available timing resolution is determined by the difference between two precisely controlled propagation delay values, it is not constrained by minimum gate propagation delay.
Commercially available timing vernier devices are typically programmable via an eight bit code and can be retriggered at frequencies in the order of several hundred MHZ. The minimum resolution timing step of the vernier is determined by its minimum delay range divided by 255 (for an 8-bit code). However any number of bits (e.g. 16) may be used to subdivide the delay range. The delay range of the vernier is usually externally adjustable within its minimum delay range and maximum delay range (dynamic range), by a current reference signal or a bias voltage signal.
Generally several timing verniers are used to divide the period of the global clock signal into several time slots. In typical ATE's the fixed frequency global clock signal is sent to all timing verniers from which all signal generation and sampling are measured. A disadvantage of a fixed frequency system is that the time slots are fixed relative to the period of the global clock signal.
Modem ATE's are required to test a wide variety of devices and thus there is a need for testers to operate over a wider frequency range in order to test this variety of devices.
Previous ATEs approached the problem of variable tester clock frequencies by computing the difference or remainder in delay between edges of the fixed global clock signal and the variable test clock signal and to compensate for this difference by using calibrated verniers. When the sum of the remainders is greater than one clock cycle, an additional clock cycle is inserted into the variable test clock signal. This requires complex control logic and is difficult to operate reliably.
A further problem is that because multiple timing verniers are used to generate tester clock frequencies process variations and temperature variations cause the vernier delays to drift and limits their resolution. This problem is particularly exacerbated by varying the frequency of the global clock signal.
Accordingly there is need for a timing vernier that may be locked to a variable frequency clock and that is minimally susceptible to process and operating condition variations.
Furthermore there is a need for a method for synchronizing multiple verniers to accommodate a variable frequency clock and to also reduce susceptiblity to fluctuations in supply voltages.

Timing vernier using a delay locked loop


A decoder for product codes includes a received symbol reliability detector for detecting the reliability of each erase-flag-carrying symbol produced by a row code decoder, and an erase flag adjuster for eliminating the erase flag of a particular symbol which has a higher reliability than a predetermined reference value among erase-flag-carrying symbols supplied from a row code decoder in accordance with a data output of a received symbol reliability detector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital signal decoder for receiving or reproducing data using an error correction code having a multiple coding arrangement.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Although the procedure of recording data is not directly associated with the scope and spirit of the present invention, it will briefly be explained for ease of understanding.
The procedure starts with arranging digital data into a two-dimensional array (an lxk symbol array, where l and k are integers) with a column code encoder. Each of the k columns of the array is encoded by an error correction routine to produce mxk array codes. Then, each of the m rows are error correction encoded with a row code encoder to produce mxn array codes which are in turn modulated by a modulator prior to storage in a recording medium.
The procedure of retrieving a data from recorded signals is explained as follows. A reproduced signal from the recording medium is fed to a demodulator where it is demodulated into digital data. The digital data is transferred to a row code decoder where row code components of the data are decoded. More particularly, each of the m rows of the array data is decoded by t-tuple error correction and s-tuple error detection routines (where t and s are integers satisfying t<s) to produces mxk codes. In decoding, if more than s error symbols are found in one row of the data, an erase flag is set up indicating that all of the symbols of the row have errors. The resultant erase-flag-carrying data is then fed to a column code decoder where each of the k columns of the data is decoded by u-tuple error correction and v-tuple erase correction routines (where u and v are integers) to produce lxk array data. More specifically, the column code decoder performs decoding with u-tuple error correction and v-tuple erase correction routines while identifying the location of each error symbol accompanied by an erase flag given by the row code decoder. As a result, reproduced data in which errors have been corrected will be acquired. One of such techniques of error correction is depicted in "Error control coding fundamentals and applications" (Prentice-Hall) by Shu Lin and D. J. Costello Jr.
However, the disadvantage of the foregoing technique is that if the number of error rows with erase flags is more than n+v+1, the column code decoder will fail to perform error correction, thus providing no appropriate decoding. In the common practice of the row code decoder, erase flags are assigned to all of the symbols of a corresponding row which contains one or more error symbols and hence, correct symbols of the row are also decorated by erase flags. As a result, even if one column contains less than u error symbols, it is systematically judged by the column code decoder that the column carries more than u+v+1 of error symbols and correctable error symbols will be left uncorrected. In short, the error correction in a two-dimensional array code data will be conducted without success.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


Provided are methods for vehicle scenario mining for machine learning methods, which can include determining a set of attributes associated with an untested scenario for which a machine learning model of an autonomous vehicle is to make planned movements. The method includes searching a scenario database for the untested scenario based on the set of attributes. The scenario database includes a plurality of datasets representative of data received from an autonomous vehicle sensor system in which the plurality of datasets is marked with at least one attribute of the set of attributes. The method further includes obtaining the untested scenario from the scenario database for inputting into the machine learning model for training the machine learning model. The machine learning model is configured to make the planned movements for the autonomous vehicle. Systems and computer program products are also provided.

An autonomous vehicle is a vehicle that is capable of sensing its environment and navigating without human input. Autonomous vehicles rely on multiple types of sensors to perceive the surrounding environment. The sensors provide the autonomous vehicle with data representative of the surrounding environment. The autonomous vehicle performs various processing techniques on the data to make safe and correct movement decisions. These decisions safely navigate the autonomous vehicle to choose a path to avoid obstacles and react to a variety of different driving scenarios, such as the abrupt movements of proximate vehicles.
Testing all conditions and scenarios that an autonomous vehicle must navigate is generally dangerous and unfeasible in real-world driving environments. Moreover, conventional simulators typically do not test a variety of different driving scenarios and fail to identify or test movement decisions of the autonomous vehicle in rare or edge-case scenarios.

Vehicle scenario mining for machine learning models


A dark portion in an image seen by a viewer is expressed more precisely, whereby the image given a greater sense of depth is displayed. A display device in which pixels each include a light-emitting module capable of emitting light having a spectral line half-width of less than or equal to 60 nm in a response time of less than or equal to 100 μs and are provided at a resolution of higher than or equal to 80 ppi; the NTSC ratio is higher than or equal to 80%; and the contrast ratio is higher than or equal to 500, is provided with a circuit converting an image signal having a given grayscale into an image signal capable of representing an image on the low luminance side by high-level grayscale.

A display device that displays a stereoscopic image using a binocular parallax is known. Such a display device is configured to display, on one screen, an image to be seen from the position of the left eye of a viewer (an image for left eye) and an image to be seen from the position of the right eye of the viewer (an image for right eye). The viewer sees the image for left eye with the left eye and the image for right eye with the right eye and is thus allowed to see a stereoscopic image.
For example, in a glasses system, an image for left eye and an image for right eye are alternately displayed on a screen of a display device in synchronization with a shutter provided in a pair of glasses, whereby the left eye of a viewer is allowed to see only the image for left eye and the right eye of the viewer is allowed to see only the image for right eye. Thus, the viewer can see a stereoscopic image.
Further, in a display device using a parallax barrier system which allows a viewer to see a stereoscopic image with naked eyes, a screen is divided into many regions (e.g., strip-like regions). The regions are alternately allocated to the region for right eye and the region for left eye, and a parallax barrier is provided to overlap with the boundaries of the regions. In each the divided region, an image for right eye is displayed on the region for right eye, and an image for left eye is displayed on the region for left eye. With the parallax barrier, the regions for displaying the image for right eye are hidden from the left eye of a viewer and the regions for displaying the image for left eye are hidden from the right eye of the viewer; consequently, the left eye is allowed to see only the image for left eye and the right eye is allowed to see only the image for right eye. Thus, the viewer can see a stereoscopic image with the naked eyes.
Note that a display device including a switchable parallax barrier for achieving switching between a flat image display mode and a stereoscopic image display mode is known (Patent Document 1).
In addition, a light-emitting element in which a layer containing a light-emitting organic compound is provided between a pair of electrodes is known. This light-emitting element is a self-luminous type; therefore, high contrast and high speed of response to an input signal are achieved. A display device to which this light-emitting element is applied is known (Patent Document 2).

Display device comprising grayscale conversion portion and display portion

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for supporting large digital objects. More particularly it relates to a client/server library system in which a large digital object is divided into smaller pieces which are stored in the client/server library system. By dividing the large digital object into smaller pieces, system limitations regarding object size are avoided. In one embodiment of the present invention the pieces are stored as files of variable size. Moreover, the pieces can be stored on separate object servers which can be located remotely from one another.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of information and storage management and, more particularly, to storage and retrieval of large binary objects.
2. Description of the Related Art
Client/server object storage systems have been used to store and manage a wide variety of digital objects such as documents, graphics, audio, video, spread sheets and word-processing text. Such digital objects are known generally as binary lo large objects (blobs).
A conceptual view of a conventional client/server system is shown in FIG. 1 and includes a library server 10, one or more object servers 20 and a library client 30. Each of the library and object servers and the library client includes an information store. That is, the library server 10 includes a library catalog 12, the is object server 20 includes an object store 22 and the library client 30 includes a client cache 32, as shown in FIG. 2. Also, a communications isolator (not shown) is included which allows the library server, object server and library client to communicate with one another without concern for complex communications protocols. The library server, object servers and library clients are connected by a communications network, such as a wide-area network (WAN), but also can be locally connected via a local area network (LAN).
In the conventional library client/server system the library client is typically embodied in a workstation, such as a personal computer, and the library and object servers are typically embodied in a host processor: generally a mainframe computer.
The library clients 30 each send requests to the library server 10 to store, retrieve, and update objects stored in one or more of the object servers, and to update and query the object indices and descriptive information stored in library catalog 12. Library client requests are generated by library patrons. These patrons are users who have been granted privileges for the use of the library system.
Two types of library servers have been used, a host based library server (HBLS) and a LAN based library server (LBLS). The HBLS, is a program which can be implemented in a mainframe computer in an IBM MVS/ESA (Multiple Virtual Storage/Enterprise Systems Architecture) environment running under the Customer Information & Communication System (CICS). The library catalog with which it interacts can be implemented with an IBM DATABASE 2 (DB2) database.
Before a library client request is processed, library server 10 checks library catalog 12 to ensure that the patron's name and password are valid. Next, the library server ensures that the patron has been granted the appropriate privileges to perform the requested action. Each patron is assigned a set of privileges by a system administrator. An example of a library privilege is the ability to delete objects.
Finally, the library server checks to ensure that the object's owner has granted the patron the privileges needed to do what is requested (e.g., update the object). The owner of an object is the patron who first stored the object. When an owner stores an object that owner must specify which other patrons are to have access to the object.
Objects stored in the library system can be checked out by a patron for a specified period of time. This feature can be used to ensure that one patron's updates to an object are not overwritten by another. While an object is checked out by a patron, other patrons can retrieve the object and view it, but they cannot update it. In typical implementations, there are groups of individuals who need access to the same objects. Therefore, to simplify the process of granting access to objects a system administrator can define patrons as members of a group. When a patron is defined as a member of a group, that patron is able to access any object for which the group has been granted privileges. Additionally, patrons can access objects for which they have been specifically granted individual privileges. A patron can set default groups whose members will have access to the objects the patron stores. When patrons store objects, they have the option to use this default group, to grant specific privileges to groups and individual patrons, or to do both.
If a library client request involves the storage, retrieval, or update of an object, library server 10 forwards the request to the object server 20 that contains or will store the object(s) referred to in the request based upon information provided by library catalog 12. If the library client request is a query of the information stored in library catalog 12, library server 10 will interact only with library catalog 12 and will not contact object server 20.
The library catalog is analogous to a conventional library's card catalog. It is a single set of database tables which contain an index of all the objects stored in the library system. In addition, it can store information such as textual descriptions for each object, information on the type of object (e.g., image object, spreadsheet, text document), library patron names and privileges, access authorization data for each object, links between objects. The library catalog can also store a virtually unlimited number of property type/property value pairs for each object (e.g., name/John, Age/35, Address/1 Greenway Drive). These property type/property value pairs are known as an object's properties.
The library server contains a parts table 14, as shown in FIG. 3, which resides in the library catalog 12. For each part in the library system library server 10 stores information about that part. As shown in the parts table 14 in FIG. 3, the information stored for a part includes an item identifier (ID), a part number, a representation type (REP type) and an object server ID.
When a part is stored in the conventional client/server library system, library server 10 assigns an item ID and a part number, which are 16 bytes and 4 bytes long, respectively. The item ID is a unique identifier for an item to which the part belongs. For example, an item could represent a folder in which the part represents a document within that folder. Likewise, the part number is a unique identifier for that part.
The REP type field can be used to indicate the type or class in which the part is classified. For example, if the part is an image stored in a TIFF format, the REP type for that part could indicate that the part is a TIFF formatted image.
An object server 20 maintains objects stored within the library system. Objects are stored or retrieved from an object store 22 by object server 20. Object server 20 receives requests from library server 10 and communicates with library client 30 to complete the requests. Such a library system can contain several distributed object servers. The object server field in the library server's parts table indicates the identifier for the object server which owns the part. For example, if the part is stored on object store 22 of object server 20, the object server ID field will contain the identifier for object server 20.
Each object server contains an object server table 24 as shown in FIG. 3. The object server 20 uses object server table 24 to manage storage of parts in its storage areas, such as the object store 22. Object server table 24 also contains the same item ID, part number and REP type for the part as does the library server parts table 14. The object server table also contains a file name for the part 28, which indicates the location in object store 22 of stored part 28.
In the conventional library client/server system, object server 20 communicates with the library client 30 via the client cache 32. That is, when an object server retrieves an object from library client 30, it retrieves the object from the client cache 32. Similarly, when sending an object to library client 30, object server 20 places a copy of the object in client cache 32.
Two types of object servers have been used, a host based object server (HBOS) and a LAN based object server (LBOS). The HBOS is a program implemented on a mainframe computer, for example in a MVS/ESA environment running under CICS. It interacts with the IBM Object Access Method (OAM) to provide object storage. The LBOS is a program implemented in a workstation, such as in an OS/2 environment, and provides object storage on a LAN.
When a library patrons's privileges are defined a default object server can be set for the patron. When a patron stores an object, it will be stored in the default object server for that patron. If it is later determined that an object or a group of objects should be relocated to a different object server, a client application can cause those objects to be moved from one object server to another.
An LBOS can be located on any workstation having sufficient hardware resources and is connected to the library server. Furthermore, an LBOS can be located at a site remote from the library server and local to the user. This allows selected objects to be stored close to a remote group of library patrons who will frequently use these objects. This capability is called distributed object storage. Distributed object storage helps to reduce the costs associated with sending objects over telecommunications lines and provides better performance in storing and retrieving objects.
The HBOS interacts with the IBM OAM to implement an object store that is maintained as a set of IBM DB2 tables, such as the object server table 24 discussed above. These DB2 tables can be monitored, backed up, and recovered using standard database utilities. OAM is capable of managing its information store using a s combination of direct access storage devices (DASD) and write once read many (WORM) optical storage.
LBOS implements its object store by using a combination of the LBOS workstation hard drives and an optional optical library subsystem (often called an optical jukebox). The optical library supported by LBOS is capable of storing optical cartridges internally. Shelf-resident optical cartridge support is also provided, thus greatly expanding the storage capacity of the optical server. LBOS controls the migration of objects between the workstation hard drive, which functions as a staging area, and optical storage. Because a workstation's hard drive can access stored information faster than an optical jukebox, LBOS ensures that newly stored objects and objects that have recently been retrieved are maintained on the workstation hard drive. As the workstation hard drive becomes full, LBOS removes those objects to optical storage that has been least recently accessed to free storage space for new objects. A single drive optical drive can also be attached to LBOS to provide a transaction log as a backup mechanism for the optical library.
LBOS includes a variety of storage administration functions, such as transaction logging and the ability to write out duplicate copies of images and files to support full backup and recovery.
The library client 30 is the interface through which application programs can submit requests to the library system. These can include requests to store objects, update/add descriptors to objects, delete objects and query information in the library catalog. Library requests can be submitted through the library client either individually or in batches.
The client cache 32 is a specialized function, implemented on a user's workstation. The cache is used to locally hold copies of objects that have been stored to or retrieved from the object server. These local copies allow very fast access to objects and provide a means for communicating between the library client and the servers. When a library client requests a copy of an object from the library server, the library server causes a copy of that object to be sent from the object server which owns it to the library client that requested it. The object is stored in the client cache of the requesting library client. When library request orders are submitted by library client 30 to library server 10 a copy of the request is also stored in client cache 32.
FIG. 2 illustrates the data flow in a conventional digital client/server library system. A library client, such as library client 30, can be located remotely from the library server 10 and object server 20. Typically, the library client 30 is connected to library server 10 and object server 20 via a WAN. Moreover, object server 20 may be connected to library server 10 via a WAN.
When a requesting library client 30 requests an object, or blob, it sends a request 1 to library server 10. Upon receipt of the request library server 10 consults the parts table 14, among other tables, in the library catalog 12 and determines which object server owns and has the requested object stored in its object store 22. Here, the owning object server is shown as object server 20 to which library server 10 issues a request 2 which contains the item ID, part number and REP type of the requested part. Upon receiving the request, object server 20 retrieves the blob from object store 22 by consulting its object server table 24 and sends a copy of it to client 30. The double line 3 shown in FIG. 2 indicates a copy of the blob which is transmitted from object server 20 to requesting client 30. Object server 20 stores the blob in client cache 32. When the blob is successfully transmitted to client cache 32 object server 20 sends a response 4 to library server 10 upon successful transfer of the blob to client cache 32. Library server 10, in turn, sends a response 5 to requesting library client 30 indicating to the client that the blob was successfully transferred, which allows the client to retrieve the blob from client cache 32 for use by a client application.
When an application program submits a request for storage of an object in the conventional library system library client 30 creates a copy of the object in its client cache 32 to allow the appropriate object server 20 to retrieve the object. The library client then sends a storage request 1 to library server 10. Included in the storage request is a handle to the object stored in the client cache 32. The handle is an identifier which is used to locate the object in the client cache.
Upon receiving the storage request 1, library server updates tables in library catalog 12, including the parts table 14 as shown in FIG. 3, to identify the object server 20 in which the object is to be stored. Typically, the object server is selected by default based on the user's identity. Library server 10 then sends a request 2 to object server 20 to retrieve the blob from the client cache 32 and store it in the object store 22, in which library server 10 passes the handle of the object stored in client cache 32 and the item ID, part number and REP type of the part.
The object server 20, upon receiving the request 2 to retrieve a copy of the object stored in client cache 32 then retrieves a copy of the object 3, or blob, and stores that copy in object store 22, generally for archival purposes and updates its object server table 24 accordingly to indicate a file name for the blob stored in object store 22. As shown in FIG. 3 the file name uniquely identifies the location of the blob stored in object store 22.
Upon successfully storing a copy of the blob, object server 20 sends a response 4 to library server 10 to notify it that the object was successfully stored. Library server 10 then updates its tables including the parts table 24 to indicate that the object is successfully stored in object server 20. The library server 10 sends a response 5 to library client 30 indicating that the object was successfully stored so that the library client can take further action based on the fact that the object was successfully stored in object store 22, such as deallocating memory resources for that object in client cache 32.
The conventional client/server library system has mechanisms, as described above, to efficiently store and retrieve parts that range up to about 10 Mb. However, in the conventional library client and object server an object, or blob, must be totally constituted in memory in several places within the system as it is being processed on its path to file storage. When objects get too big for a given configuration of available memory and network access, they cannot be processed because not enough system resource is available to create an in-storage copy. The external symptom when these resource constraints are reached is a timeout of the library client that is waiting for a response from the server. Even in cases where the timeout values are set very high and the object is successfully stored the response time to move it is unacceptably slow.
File systems are known which divide a file into blocks which are smaller than the entire file in order to store the file information on a storage device, such as a disk drive. For example, the Unix file system stores a file on a disk in data blocks of fixed size (see A. Silberschatz, Operating System Concepts, pp. 488-96, 1989). These data blocks, however, have a fixed size, such as 8,192 bytes. Since these blocks have a fixed size, some known file systems employ two difference block sizes: a large block size for most of the blocks used, and a smaller block size, such as 1024, in order to minimize fragmentation. Accordingly, the Unix file system stores a file in small blocks which are stored on the disk device. The Unix system employs an index node which is called an inode, which contains a record concerning the particular data blocks in which the file is stored. The inode contains pointers to the data blocks which comprise a file.
A problem with known file systems, such as the Unix file system, is that data blocks are limited to fixed sizes and cannot be readily changed after a file has been stored. Accordingly, changes in stored files can cause a change to data within a particular block which causes a ripple effect throughout the blocks stored, such that the file data for the entire file needs to be stored again in order to have the data redistributed throughout the allocated blocks.
Other file systems, such as the high performance file system (HPFS), disclosed by Letwin in U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,885, store data in variable length record forms. For example, Letwin shows in FIG. 5c, and discusses in column 7 through 9 an FNODE which contains an allocation structure 546 which points to a plurality of sector runs. Sector runs are defined to be sets of contiguous sectors on a disk. The allocation structure of the FNODE points to the beginning of a sector run and indicates the length in sectors corresponding to the number of contiguous sectors in that sector run. Accordingly, in the HPFS system a file is still allocated in terms of fixed size units, namely sectors, and is limited to defining units of storage which are physically contiguous on a device, such as a disk drive. The HPFS system does not allow for arbitrarily varying the length of the sector runs since the sector run representation in the allocation structure 546 is related to the sectors which are physically contiguous with one another on a disk. Accordingly, even the HPFS system would suffer from the above described problems.

Method and apparatus for dividing, mapping and storing large digital objects in a client/server library system

International Business Machines Corporation


The purpose of the present invention is to improve cooling efficiency of a cylinder head of an air-cooled engine. With regard to the construction that a cooling fan is provided at one of ends of a crankshaft, and cooling air from the cooling fan is guided to a cylinder head 4 so as to cool the cylinder head 4, an intake manifold 8 is arranged above the cooling fan, a duct 51 is provided at the lateral center of the intake manifold 8 so as to suck air from an air cleaner, cooling air is sent from both sides of the duct 51 to an intake valve, an exhaust valve and an injection nozzle arranged in the cylinder head 4, and a shielding plate 55 is provided at one of lateral sides of the duct 51.

Conventionally, there is well known an air-cooled engine in which equipment, such as a muffler, a fuel tank and an air cleaner, is arranged at a side of a cylinder head, a cooling air from a cooling fan provided on one side of a cylinder is guided into the cylinder head from the side of the cooling fan, and the cooling air passes through a cooling air passage formed in the cylinder head and is discharged at the opposite side (for example, see the Patent Literature 1), and an air-cooled engine that the cooling air is sent to the outside of the cylinder opposite to the cooling fan so as to cool the cylinder (for example, see the Patent Literature 2).
With regard to the cooling construction of the cylinder head shown in the Patent Literature 1, a first induction port and a second induction port are provided at both sides of an intake port communicated with a duct of an intake manifold in the side surface of the cylinder head at the side of the cooling fan, and cooling air is guided through these induction ports into the cylinder head. Guides are provided at both sides of the intake manifold and guide the cooling air from the cooling fan. The cooling air induced through the first induction port flows in a first cooling air passage, formed substantially straightly to a discharge port provided on the opposite side surface of the cylinder head, and is discharged outward through the discharge port. The cooling air induced through the second induction port flows in a second cooling air passage and a third cooling air passage formed between an intake valve and an exhaust valve arranged at the center of the cylinder head, and then joins the cooling air flowing in the first cooling air passage and is discharged outward through the discharge port.                Patent Literature 1: the Japanese Patent Laid Open Gazette Hei. 1-48387        Patent Literature 2: the Japanese Patent Laid Open Gazette Hei. 8-232654


The present invention relates to hiding codes in input data. In one embodiment, a method is provided including: obtaining input data associated with image or visual information; selecting portions of the input data to hide a plural-bit code based at least in part on predetermined data; and modifying selected portions of the input data to hide the plural-bit code at least in part on changing one or more values of the input data at or around the selected portions. Other embodiments are described and claimed as well.

Various images in traditional print or photographic media are commonly distributed to many users. Examples include the distribution of prints of paintings to the general public and photographs and film clips to and among the media. Owners may wish to audit usage of their images in print and electronic media, and so require a method to analyze print, film and digital images to determine if they were obtained directly from the owners or derived from their images. For example, the owner of an image may desire to limit access or use of the image. To monitor and enforce such a limitation, it would be beneficial to have a method of verifying that a subject image is copied or derived from the owner's image. The method of proof should be accurate and incapable of being circumvented. Further, the method should be able to detect unauthorized copies that have been resized, rotated, cropped, or otherwise altered slightly.
In the computer field, digital signatures have been applied to non-image digital data in order to identify the origin of the data. For various reasons these prior art digital signatures have not been applied to digital image data. One reason is that these prior art digital signatures are lost if the data to which they are applied are modified. Digital images are often modified each time they are printed, scanned, copied, or photographed due to unintentional "noise" created by the mechanical reproduction equipment used. Further, it is often desired to resize, rotate, crop or otherwise intentionally modify the image. Accordingly, the existing digital signatures are unacceptable for use with digital images.
In accordance with certain embodiments, the present disclosure details methods and systems for embedding image signatures within visual images, applicable to digital representations as well as other media such as print or film. The signatures can identify the source or ownership of images and distinguish between different copies of a single image.
In a particular embodiment described herein, a plurality of signature points are selected that are positioned within an original image having pixels with pixel values. The pixel values of the signature points are adjusted by an amount detectable by a digital scanner. The adjusted signature points form a digital signature that is stored for future identification of subject images derived from the image.
The foregoing and other features will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A storage resource operation managing method in a storage network arranged by a node for transmitting an access request via a network to a storage and by a plurality of storage groups which receive the access request so as to execute a content of the access request includes the following steps, a logical distance defined from the node to the storage resource is acquired, alternatively, geographical distances among the respective storage resources are acquired, alternatively, in such a case that both the logical distance and the geographical distance are acquired, requests with respect to the respective distances are acquired, and a storage resource is selected, an acquired requirement range is entered into a selection factor so as to select a desirable storage resource.

The present invention generally relates an operation management technique of an SSP (Storage Service Provider) which owns a storage network, namely a SAN (Storage Area Network) and a plurality of NASs (Network Attached Storages), and provides a storage region (storage resource) to a client, while the storage network is constituted by coupling a plurality of storages with a plurality of servers in a high speed. More specifically, the present invention relates to a storage resource selection technique, a disaster recovery technique, and a cost reduction technique, which are met with requirements of clients under optimum condition.
Conventionally, storage devices have been used as appendix articles, namely external storage units of servers such as disk devices and tape apparatus. However, in connection with importance of information as well as extensions of storage capacities, data exchanges and data sharing are required among a plurality of systems. As a result, NASs (Network Attached Storages) having large capacity storages, a common carrier leased network which couples a storage group to a server group in a high speed, and SANs (Storage Area Networks) have been popularized. In such an SAN, storage consolidation is realized by employing a server group and a storage group, so that higher efficiencies of system operation may be realized.
Generally, a storage administrator within an enterprise uses a management tool in order to manage topology of an SAN, and also to operate/manage connections between NAS appliances and a server.
In accordance with a management tool, various information such as capacities, empty capacities, and network topology related to storages and servers are acquired, and then servers, storages, and network appliances, which are connected to an SAN are displayed on a display screen. Since icons related to the respective appliances are clicked on the screen, more detailed information (for example, capacities of respective storages and states of storage assignment to servers) can be displayed on the display screen. Then, not only the management information is acquired/displayed, but also storages and logical areas within storages are allocated to the server, and these allocations are deleted, or changed. Also, since back-up setting operation/back-up tool are combined with the above-described management tool, utilization of a system may be effectively increased.
However, storage operation administrators employed in enterprises are facing to various problems, for instance, increases of cost with respect to increases of storages which are not predictable in recent years, complex structures of management tools in various fields, space saving aspects of installation spaces for storages. These problems may be solved in such a manner that while information resources owned within enterprises are transferred in an outsourcing manner to such an enterprise which exclusively operates/manages storages, all of storage operations/managements are consigned to an external enterprise. As such an enterprise which operates/manages storages and lends storage resources to clients, an SSP (Storage Service Provider) is known (see "Data Storage Report 2000" of Japanese monthly magazine "Computopia", on pages 36 to 37).
FIG. 13 is a network structural diagram for indicating operation modes of an SSP (Storage Service Provider) 103.
A client who wants to consign information resources provided within the own enterprise (firm) in an outsourcing manner installs a customer's server 108 corresponding to the server of the own firm within the SSP 103, and accesses from a customer's console 100 installed in the own firm to the customer's server 108 of the own firm. The SSP 103 is constituted by a storage device (106, 107), an SAN 105, and a customer's server group (108, 109, 110). All of nodes which are connected to the SAN 105 are managed by a management server 104. The SAN 105 is arranged by a fiber channel, the Ethernet, or the like. Both the customer's console 100 and the customer's server 108 corresponding to the server of the own firm are connected to each other by way of either an NFS (Network File System) or a CIFS (Common Internet File System), or by way of a common carrier leased line, while using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) 101 on the Internet 102. The customer's console 100 is connected via the Internet 102 to the management server 104.
In the SSP 103, in such a case that a storage area allocation request is issued from the client via the customer's console 100, the SSP 103 interrogates access performance, reliability, usage, and the like, which correspond to the request of the client with respect to the storage, from the customer's console 100, and then selects such a storage resource which is fitted to the request. When the storage resource is selected, the SSP 103 uses a management tool. The management tool continuously acquires from the storage, a value indicative of a state of a storage resource (will be referred to as "resource state information" hereinafter), while this resource state information corresponds to an operation state of a storage resource, a use condition thereof, and a throughput thereof. While the above-described resource state information is used as a selection factor, the SSP 103 selects such a storage resource fitted to the request of the client 100 from the resource state information.
Next, the SSP 103 assigns the selected storage resource to the customer's server 108. In order to assign a storage resource to the server 108, the previously existing SAN topology management tool, and a volume management tool contained in a storage may be used. Since the above-described storage resource is assigned, the customer's console 100 may use the storage resource which satisfies the performance request in the customer's server 108. Also, information saved in the customer's server 108 may be viewed, set, and changed from the customer's console 100.
FIG. 14 is a flow chart for describing a process operation of a storage resource assignment to the customer's server 108.
In this flow chart, the SSP 103 has continuously acquired resource state information 200 contained in the storage, such as an operation ratio, a load ratio, an empty storage, an RAID level, DISK performance, and the like as to the storage (step 201). Under this condition, in such a case that the SSP 103 receives both a rental request of a storage region, and a request 202 related to a capacity and performance with respect to a storage resource from the customer's console 100 (step 203), this SSP 103 selects such storage resource which is fitted to the request of the client, while using the previously-acquired resource state information 200 as a selection factor (step 204). Then, the SSP 103 assigns the selected storage to the customer's server 108 (step 205). To assign this selected storage resource, the presently-existing SAN topology management tool, or the assignment tool for the volume within the storage is used. The SSP 103 notifies such a fact that the storage resource is usable via the management server 104 to the customer's console 100 (step 206).
Also, the SSP 103 copies necessary data as back-up data with respect to the storage resource used by the customer's server 108 in order to recover the necessary data when a trouble happens to occur. In this case, in order that the back-up data is not deleted at the same time due to the occurrence of trouble, while another storage device different from the storage device used by the client is secured, the SSP 103 copies the data stored in the storage resource.
In the above-described prior art, the following mode is represented. That is, while the SSP 103 owns the servers 108, 109, 110 of the clients within the SSP 103, the SSP 103 causes the customer's servers to use the SAN 105. However, there is another mode. That is, in the SSP 103, a network is connected from the SAN 105 provided in the SSP 103 is directly connected to a customer's firm, so that the SSP 103 may provide a storage service. In this alternative case, the customer's server 108 shown in FIG. 1 may become a network structure which is located at the place of the customer's console indicated in FIG. 13.
As previously described, in the prior art, either the management tool or the storage administrator selects such a storage resource which is fitted to both the capacity and the performance requested by the client based upon the resource state information of the storage resource, and thus, may realize the assignment of the selected storage resource to the customer's server. Also, since the data stored in the storage resource are copied as the back-up data, the high utility of the SSP may be maintained.
In the conventional technique, while resource state information (operation condition, capacity, use condition, throughput and the like as to storage resource) within each of storages, which is obtained from the management tool, is used as a selection factor, such a storage resource is selected and allocated to a client, which can satisfy both a capacity and access performance of a storage requested by this client.
However, in such an SSP which may unitedly provide resources and NASs on an SAN, distributed in long distances, to a client by using a wide area network (WAN), a large number of composite networks are used in the SSP. In such a network, network access time between the storage resource and the customer's server may give an influence to access performance to a storage. As a result, only such resource state information (operation ratio, disk performance, and the like) corresponding to a factor for determining access performance within the storage resource can hardly satisfy entire access performance which is required by the client.
Furthermore, in the case that while storages which are broadened and distributed over long distances are effectively utilized, and also back-up operation capable of solving disaster problems such as an earthquake is carried out, positional information such as installation areas of storage units is not acquired in the presently available management tool. As a consequence, this presently available management tool owns no means capable of intentionally selecting storage units which are located far from a designated distance.
Also, in the case that a client which utilizes an SSP moves, since network access time required from a move destination to a storage resource is not considered, there are some possibilities that data is transferred to such a storage located near the move destination of the customer's server. Under such a circumstance, work cost required to transfer the above described data is necessarily required every time the client moves.

Method for storage management of storage resource on a storage network


A method of data acquisition for a digital instrument having a bandwidth. The method includes receiving a signal and associated trigger. Using that trigger, a plurality of signal values is sampled at multiple time intervals to create an acquisition record representing a continuous fractional segment of the signal. The plurality of samples meets the Nyquist requirement for the bandwidth but is in error according to at least one known error mechanism. The acquisition record is then processed with DSP techniques to produce a compensated acquisition record corrected for the at least one known error mechanism. Each associated compensated acquisition record is incorporated into a result acquisition record as a segment thereof corresponding to a continuous fractional segment of the signal whose signal values were sampled in an associated instance. An additional signal and additional associated trigger are received. The above steps are then repeated for the additional signal and additional associated trigger.

Digital sampling oscilloscopes (DSOs) generally fall into one of two broad classifications, real time DSO's and equivalent time DSO's. Digital Sampling Oscilloscopes from both classifications sample the analog values of an input signal and then input those samples to an analog to digital converter (ADC), whereupon the resultant digitized values are stored in a memory called an acquisition record.
Real time digital oscilloscopes produce a trace each time they are triggered. They tend to have expensive high performance architectures that are capable of consecutively sampling at high speed a large number of locations along an input waveform. One of their valuable assets is the ability to be triggered for a single event (a single shot), or perhaps infrequently occurring event, thereby providing a detailed record of a non-repetitive, high speed event.
In contrast, equivalent time digital sampling oscilloscopes rely upon the repetitive nature of the input waveform. Different parts of the repetitive input waveform are digitized for each of a series of consecutive triggers. The acquisition records are then combined to produce an equivalent acquisition record.
In both cases there are often elaborate mechanisms that take the completed acquisition record and process the data therein for presentation in a display, which is commonly a raster scan mechanism driven from a frame buffer. A fair degree of complexity resides in selecting and massaging data in the acquisition record and forming it into a displayable image in the frame buffer. The user typically has capability of selecting, after the fact, the time scale (zooming in and out along the X axis) and voltage scale (zooming in and out along the Y axis) with which the trace is to be rendered on the monitor of the oscilloscope. Often this means extensive interpolation, since there is no particular correspondence between the time and voltage granularity with which the sampled, processed data is stored in the acquisition record and the pixel-to-pixel position spacing in the raster scan display mechanism that is to exhibit the trace. In order to display a realistic appearing trace, holes in the displayed trace caused by sampled data falling on either side of a pixel location should not be allowed to occur. In addition, it is common for the trigger event to be located following the start of the acquisition record (negative time) and for the location of the trigger event relative to the start of the displayed portion of the trace to be adjustable (panning).
As digital oscilloscopes are developed to operate at higher and higher frequencies, new classes of difficulties emerge. One such difficulty may be classed as "frequency response" which reveals itself as combination of different causes but which tend to have a similar result: the measured amplitude of a signal is incorrect, and it is the bandwidth consuming components of signals that account for the errors. For example, there is a simple frequency response, where, for example, there is a shunt capacitance that is not compensated in view of a series resistance, resulting in an RC filter. Or, perhaps an amplifier is bandwidth limited, and its frequency response rolls off sooner than desired. Another example is reflected power caused by discontinuities in the transmission lines used to couple the system or device under test to the oscilloscope. While this is a useful phenomenon that is the basis for TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry), and TDR results are often easy to interpret when there is limited bandwidth or only one or two reflections, reflected power also re-reflects off ALL the other discontinuities. The more bandwidth and the greater the voltage resolution the measurement system has, the worse the results appear. When these same results are manifested in a time domain trace of a voltage waveform under measurement, the result often appears to be an unpredictably uneven frequency response that gives the waveform properties that appear to be spurious artifacts. Another source of frequency dependent errors are various absorptive and dissipative losses in the transmission media.
To address these performance issues, high end digital sampling oscilloscopes of different designs or model numbers have been characterized to discover a particular digital signal processing (DSP) transform, which, for that particular model oscilloscope flattens its frequency response. A more expensive approach is to individually characterize each instrument produced, and then provide it with its own custom compensatory DSP transform. In either case, the DSP techniques used in the transforms are capable of correcting each of the error mechanisms mentioned above, singly and in combination. However, they impose requirements on the manner in which an acquisition record was produced. One such requirement is that all samples in the acquisition record should have equal spacing along a time axis due to the fact that viable DSP techniques typically require regularly spaced samples.
Obtaining samples that are equally spaced in time can be obtained fairly easily for a real time digital sampling oscilloscope, at least for a single acquisition record. So long as there is just one acquisition record contributing to a trace, the acquisition record is compensated by DSP and the result given to the rendering system for display according to the user's settings. Traces requiring higher bandwidths require more samples per second with associated greater memory for storage of the digitized samples and resultant economic penalty.
An alternative and for some situations more economically viable approach for repetitive waveforms is to use an equivalent time (ET) digital sampling oscilloscope. An equivalent time digital sampling oscilloscope takes, for a first trigger, a set of samples of a first portion of the input waveform, and then for a subsequent trigger another set of samples for a second (different) portion of the waveform (by a judicious application of a selected delay after the subsequent trigger), and so on, until we have a collection of acquisition records (one record per sample set) that, when taken in the proper sequence, describe the measured waveform of interest.
In its simplest form, equivalent time is simply combining data from multiple acquisitions. However, there are two traditional types of equivalent time oscilloscopes. The first traditional method is typically used on very high bandwidth sampling oscilloscopes in the many 10s of GHz of bandwidth. This method uses sequential sampling. It waits for a trigger, delays a programmable amount of time after the trigger, then takes a sample. Often, multiple samples are taken at a fixed spacing from the first, but the sample spacing is very wide relative to a real time scope. Most of the time these additional samples aren't even used as the time window wasn't wide enough. On the next trigger, the delay is programmed a little longer, and so on, so that a waveform usually builds from left to right, one sample per trigger. This method provides very little, if any, negative time. The second traditional method uses random sampling. This method samples at a programmable frequency, which is fixed during an acquisition, so that all samples are equally spaced. The time from the trigger to the sample clock is measured to determine how the samples will map to the display. The trigger also initiates the sequence that stops the sampling after a pre-determined amount of time. This time determines how much positive time is available. Depending upon the sample rate and the desired time window, one or more equally spaced samples may add to the equivalent time record. In order to cover larger time windows, the sample rate is slowed down. Data from each trigger covers the entire display, but the data is sparse. Multiple acquisitions eventually fill in the display. This method is referred to as random sampling because the positions of the samples are random (but within one sample period) with respect to the trigger, and this time must be measured.
Note that equivalent time techniques are not applicable to single shot traces due to the necessity of multiple triggers. Also note that not all samples will have originated on the same part of the time axis that will be used to display the trace.
Merging the various sets of samples and at the same time maintaining equal spacing of the samples is in a practical sense impossible. Within each of the several acquisition records the samples will be equally spaced in time, but the acquisition records as entities have, (despite the judicious known, after-trigger delays) essentially arbitrary amounts of time between when one ends and the next one starts. (Even if corrections are made for the time used to await a next trigger and the subsequent delay to position the upcoming acquisition record at the place in the incoming waveform that is where the next segment of samples is to occur, an arbitrary amount of time which is less than one sample period still remains.) Thus, one cannot simply merge all the samples into one big acquisition record for compensation by DSP techniques.
Additional effects, such as trigger jitter, also mitigate against attempts at such a merger of individual acquisition records. First, there is trigger jitter. Even if the input signal were quite stable and exhibited excellent repeatability (i.e., after a trigger the locations of successive events along the waveform of interest are always the same as they were for a previous trigger), the oscilloscope is not equipped with the ability to resume a sequence of samples with exactly the same delay after the next trigger as there was for the previous trigger. The timing of the samples is driven by a stable, yet free running, oscillator whose phase cannot be reset at will while it is running. This is a significant effect, since the time base of the oscilloscope and that of the system under test have no obligation to be related to each other. In addition, the waveform of interest may not have good periodicity, anyway. So the samples might not line up, no matter what we do, when some samples are taken from one instance of the signal and others from other instances.

Method for digitally acquiring and compensating signals


A method and apparatus enables Ethernet data transport over a serial digital interface network. An Embedder/DeEmbedder for embedding Ethernet derived data and for de-embedding Ethernet derived data supports selective use of the active video region of the SDI frame and the unused HANC space for transporting Ethernet media independent interface data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the electrical arts and to the transport of Ethernet data. More particularly, this invention relates to methods and apparatus for enabling transport of Ethernet data over a serial digital interface transport service.
2. Description of Related Art
Networks for transporting Ethernet data are known in office and business environments for communicating digital data. Such networks are termed local area networks (LAN) because Ethernet data may transmitted only over short distances, typically less than one kilometer. Data transport over longer distances and in particular between LAN's is accomplished using long distance communications means such as a link to a wide area network (WAN).
The exchange of video content among distant parties prompted the creation of a means to transport digitized video over considerable distances using a network with a Serial Digital Interface (SDI). Digital video signals are therefore typically transmitted over the SDI transport according to one or more SDI standards.
SDI signals are self-synchronizing, typically using 8 bit or 10 bit data words and a data rate of 270 Mbit/sec. Blocks of data words transmitted according to the SDI standard are referred to as frames. An SDI frame includes an active video region and inactive ancillary spaces including a horizontal (HANC) space.
Some offices have both an Ethernet LAN and a link to an SDI network. These offices would benefit from a method and means for transmitting Ethernet data over the SDI link. However, traditional SDI links will not transport Ethernet data signals.

Method and apparatus for enabling transport of ethernet data over a serial digital interface transport service


A broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 can display channel map information of receivable channels on a screen of a monitor display apparatus when a user desires. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 comprises a channel map information updater (primary controller) 8 that updates the channel map information regularly. The channel map information includes a deletion counter for each channel registered in the channel map information which is used to judge whether channel information of the channel is deleted from the channel map information or not. The channel map information updater 8 increases a value of deletion counter of a channel by one when broadcast signal of the channel cannot be received, resets a value of deletion counter of a channel when broadcast signal of the channel can be received in each updating of the channel map information, and deletes channel information of a channel from the channel map information when the value of deletion counter of the channel reaches to a threshold.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a broadcast signal receiving apparatus that receives video signals and audio signals included in broadcast signal and outputs them to a monitor display apparatus, for example.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a broadcast signal receiving apparatus stores information relating to receivable channels as channel map information for convenience of a user. In particular, a broadcast signal receiving apparatus shown in JP 2004-320397 A, for example, judges whether broadcast signal is receivable or not with respect to channels other than channels which have been registered in a previous initialization of channels, and adds channel information of channels that the broadcast signal can be received into the channel map.
However, when broadcast signal of a channel among the channels initially registered cannot be received due to closedown, for example, information of the channel remains in the channel map, so that it damages the convenience.


A bias gain system for aircraft rudder comprises a pair of connector ends receiving an actuation force from a bias actuator. A rudder bar interface is positioned between the connector ends. The interface rotates about the rudder bar as a function of the actuation forces from the bias actuators. A mechanism comprises links and joints between the connector ends and the rudder bar is actuatable between a contracted configuration, in which first moment arms are defined between the connector ends and the rudder bar interface, and an expanded gain configuration, in which second moment arms have a greater dimension than the first moment arms. An actuator is connected to the mechanism to actuate the mechanism to actuate the mechanism independently from the actuation forces from the bias actuators, to move the mechanism between configurations. An aircraft and a method for controlling a torque on a rudder bar of an aircraft are also provided.

Rudders are commonly used at the tails of aircraft to control the yaw orientation of the aircraft, for instance in combination with elevators. The rudder consists of a panel that is mounted to the tail of the aircraft. The rudder is pivoted about a generally upright axis by way of a rudder bar, so as to project partially out of a centerline of the aircraft. As a result, the drag forces caused by the displacement of the rudder will affect the yaw orientation of the aircraft.
In some very specific instances, there may be required a greater out-of-centerline orientation of the rudder. For instance, during the takeoff phase, it may occur that one of the engines of the aircraft shuts off. In such cases, the aircraft does not have sufficient velocity to oppose sufficient rudder drag forces against the one-sided thrust of the remaining operative engine. In such cases, it may be required to increase the out-of-centerline orientation of the rudder to compensate for the thrust being on a single side of the aircraft. However, once the aircraft is airborne, it may not be necessary to maintain as much of this out-of-centerline orientation, considering that the velocity of the aircraft is high enough to control the aircraft with normal out-of-centerline orientation of the rudder.
In other instance, it may be required to increase the blow down limit of the rudder. In these instances, the actuator forces controlling the rotation of the rudder have reached their maximum limit, and cannot increase the angle of the rudder. The blow down limit may be reached with high headwinds.


A quick-release mechanism for disconnecting the footwear and footplate of an orthoses from a rotation bar, 90-degree bar, or other component of an orthosis is disclosed. The mechanism allows the footwear to be fitted to a patient with the bar or other component disengaged, while also allowing the angle between the bar or other component and the footplate to be locked when the orthosis is in place in order to treat conditions such as clubfoot.

Clubfoot (talipes equinovarus) is a general term used to describe a range of unusual positions of the foot. Most types of clubfoot are congenital. The most common treatment for congenital clubfoot utilizes non-surgical casting or splinting, or a combination of both, with the treatment regimen beginning shortly after the patient's birth. The purpose of each step in the treatment is to move the affected foot (or feet, in the case of bilateral treatment) into the most normal position possible, and hold that position until the next treatment. These treatments are generally repeated every 1 to 2 weeks for a period of 2 to 4 months, moving the affected foot a little closer to a desired position each time. After treatment is complete, the patient usually wears a brace for an additional period of time in order to keep the clubfoot from beginning to form again. The type of brace chosen may depend upon the position of the patient's foot prior to casting or splinting, and other factors.
A rotation bar is one commonly used element employed in a clubfoot treatment regimen to either internally or externally rotate the patient's foot and leg. A rotation bar is a transverse bar extending between two special shoes, boots, or other footwear worn by the patient. Footplates are screwed, riveted, or otherwise attached to the soles of each of the shoes, and the bar is connected to the footplates at each end. An adjustable screw is used to hold the bar to each of the footplates. These screws may be loosened manually to adjust the angle of the shoe with respect to the bar. The degree of rotation internally or externally for each foot is thus set by rotating the corresponding footplate with respect to the bar, and then locking the footplate into a statically held position by tightening the screw connecting the bar and footplate. It should be noted that the bar may be a solid bar with various available lengths depending upon the size of the patient, or it may be a lap-over bar that is slotted to allow for adjustment of the separation between the patient's feet.
From the above description of the typical rotation bar it will be understood that, because the patient's shoes are fastened to the footplates by screws, rivets, or the like, the shoes are not intended to be removed from the bar during normal use of the device. Instead, the shoes are generally left attached to the rotation bar while being fitted onto and removed from the patient's feet.
Another common type of brace used in clubfoot treatment is a "90-degree brace." Like the rotation bar, the 90-degree brace includes a footplate that is screwed or riveted to a shoe, boot, or other footwear, which is then fitted to the patient's foot. The purpose of the 90-degree brace, however, is to hold the patient's foot in a certain position with respect to the corresponding leg rather than the opposing foot. The brace fits under the foot at the footplate, has a 90-degree bend to travel up the back of the calf, and another 90-degree bend to follow under the knee and up the back of the thigh. The brace typically includes a calf and thigh band for attachment. The purpose of a 90-degree brace is to keep the knee and foot bent precisely at 90 degrees, and may be used unilaterally or bilaterally. By having the knee held at a 90-degree bend, the brace prevents the knee from going into extension, and therefore holds the foot and the shoe more effectively in the desired position with respect to the leg orientation. As with the rotation bar, the 90-degree brace generally attaches to the footplate with a screw that may be adjusted to control the angle of rotation between the footplate and brace.
Since the patient using orthotic devices such as the rotation bar and 90-degree brace described above is typically an infant, the brace must be routinely fitted and removed by a parent, guardian, or other adult. This process is complicated by the fact that infants will often resist any efforts to place shoes upon their feet. Because the brace is attached to the shoes at the footplates in such a manner that it may not be easily removed, the shoe is generally fitted with the brace still attached, rendering the process of fitting the shoe or shoes to the infant quite difficult. The person performing the fitting must position the shoe properly with respect to the patient's foot, while simultaneously ensuring that the attached brace does not swing about and injure the infant or the person performing the placement. In the case of a rotation bar, the person performing the fitting must then fit the other foot in the remaining shoe while both safely restraining the infant and positioning the foot and shoe for fitting. In the case of a 90-degree brace, the person performing the fitting must adjust the calf and thigh bands for a comfortable but secure fitting while preventing injury to the infant due to movement of the brace caused by the infant's foot movements. It would be desirable to fit the associated shoe or other footwear to the patient without the brace attached in order to simplify this procedure and reduce the chance of injury to the patient. What is desired then is a method of securely attaching the footwear to the orthosis that would allow the footwear to be easily removed and reattached for fitting of the footwear and orthosis to the patient.

Orthosis and footwear attachment mechanism for same


The present invention is directed to compositions containing herbicidal mixtures comprising saflufenacil, flumioxazin, and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic, and methods of controlling weed growth with the composition. The mixtures of the present invention are especially effective on Horseweed (Conyza Canadensis) and grasses.

Unwanted plants, such as weeds, reduce the amount of resources available to crop plants and can have a negative effect on crop plant yield. Commonly unwanted plants in crop plant environments include broadleaf plants and grasses.
Herbicides are used to kill unwanted plants, such as weeds, in crop plant environments. Herbicides are expensive, and their use may result in unintentional consequences such as groundwater contamination, environmental damage, herbicide-resistant weeds, and human and mammalian health concerns. It is therefore desirable to minimize the amount of herbicides applied to a crop-growing environment or any area in need of weed control.
The herbicide saflufenacil, (N′-[2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-(3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-(trifluoromethyl)-3,6-dihydro-1(2H)-pyrimidinyl)benzyl]-N-isopropyl-N-methylsulfamide), is the active ingredient in the commercially available herbicide Sharpen® (available from BASF Chemical Company). Saflufenacil has some activity on horseweed and some activity on grasses at high concentrations, such as concentrations of at least 0.022 lb ai/acre. However, high rates of saflufenacil may damage crop plants. In addition, Sharpen®'s product label cautions that the product should not be applied on soybeans with herbicides such as sulfentrazone or flumioxazin as a tank mix or as a sequential application within 30 days of planting because crop injury may result.
The herbicide flumioxazin, (2-[7-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-3-oxo-4-(2-propynyl)-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione), is the active ingredient in the commercially available herbicide Valor® (available from Valent USA Corporation). Valor® provides excellent broadleaf residual control of weeds such as Palmer amaranth and waterhemp. Valor® is also an excellent pre-emergence herbicide. However, flumioxazin has limited control on large Horseweed (Conyza Canadensis) and on growing grasses. Flumioxazin is not used as a post-emergence herbicide.
Herbicides such as flumioxazin and saflufenacil are protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitors and use a membrane-disruption mechanism to destroy leaf tissue. PPO is an enzyme that naturally occurs in plants that is crucial to the formation of chlorophyll. When PPO inhibitors prevent PPO activity, singlet oxygen accumulates within plant cells and disrupts cell membranes.
The herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid ("2,4-D") is a synthetic auxin plant hormone. 2,4-D causes stem curl-over, leaf withering, and eventual plant death by increasing the plants' growth to an unsustainable rate. 2,4-D is used for the control of broadleaf weeds, however, 2,4-D has limited activity on small Horseweed and no activity on grasses.
Unwanted plants, such as weeds, may greatly reduce yields of crop plants. For example, a Horseweed infestation reportedly was responsible for an 80% reduction in soybean yields. Bruce, J. A., and J. J. Kells, Horseweed (Conyza Canadensis) control in no-tillage soybeans (Glycine max) with preplant and preemergence herbicides, Weed Technol. 4:642-647 (1990). Therefore, controlling weeds, and especially grasses and Horseweed, is a major concern of crop growers.
Further, Horseweed and other grasses are becoming resistant to glyphosate. As early as 2000, glyphosate resistant Horseweed was reported in Delaware. Glyphosate resistant Horseweed has since been reported in numerous states. Accordingly, there is a need for new products that can provide effective kill rates of glyphosate resistant Horseweed.
No-till farming has been increasing in popularity because it has many benefits, including decreased labor time and decreased soil erosion. However, one of the downsides of no-till farming is that weeds are harder to control in these areas because they are not subjected to tilling. Accordingly, there is an increasing need for alternative ways to handle weed infestation.
In summary, there is a need for a composition that reduces the amount of herbicides necessary to obtain sufficient weed control while minimizing the harm to crop plants. As more weeds become resistant to herbicides, alternative compositions with high weed control are desired. Further, as no-till farming continues to increase in popularity, there is a greater need for effective herbicides. A composition with effective weed control and lower dosage rate will lead to increased crop plant yields, and decreased environmental, human, and mammalian health concerns.

Saflufenacil, flumioxazin, and 2,4-D weed control compositions and methods of use thereof


A method for characterizing frequency modulation rate parameters for a swept frequency signal is based on zero crossing counting and digital signal processing. The method is easy to implement and does not require batch processing so as to be suitable for real time tracking of frequency variations in a variety of applications.

Current methods for measuring frequency modulation rate characteristics for a swept frequency signal (characterizing the swept frequency signal) use analog frequency demodulation such as, for example, frequency discrimination. However, bandwidth, linearity and accuracy when using analog frequency demodulation are limited. Additionally, analog frequency demodulation arrangements are difficult to calibrate and to maintain. They are also bulky, cumbersome and functionally inflexible.
Recently, characterizing swept frequency signals using high speed digital counting has been considered. However, digital counting requires sophisticated zero crossing (level crossing) timing measurements. This results in bulky, cumbersome and expansive apparatus which is not feasible for many portable applications, such as instrument-on-a-card (IAC) applications. In addition, digital counting is not adequate nor reliable when the received signal is noisy.
The present invention overcomes the aforenoted disadvantages.

Method for measuring frequency modulation rate characteristics for a swept frequency signal


An information retrieval method wherein users may submit a query via a graphical bitmapping technique. The user provides an information retrieval system with a bitmap of a printed, written, or graphical query by either scanning the query with a graphical scanner, or employing a standard facsimile transmission machine. The information retrieval system then performs an optical image/character recognition process upon the received bitmap to determine the content of the query, information is then retried based upon the recognized characters and images. In a particular method of the invention, the user is provided with a bitmap of the retrieved information.

Retrieval of information from electronic databases in response to a specific query is well known. Typically, a user will access an information retrieval system associated with a particular database, and enter the query via a keyboard. Depending upon the specific information retrieval system, this query could include a phrase, a narrative description, a list of keywords, or some other form of character string describing the information to be retrieved. In response to the query, the information retrieval system returns to the user an electronic version of the information contained within the database that conforms to the query. The information returned can be text, graphics, or a combination of the two.
One drawback of current information retrieval systems is the requirement that a user draft a query, and provide it to the system via a keyboard. For example, if a user has a printed page of text related to a particular subject the user wishes to retrieve information on (i.e., an abstract dealing with the subject of interest, or a written list of keywords), the user must provide that text (or at least some subset of that text) to the information retrieval system by typing characters upon a keyboard. Based upon these entered characters, the information retrieval system performs a search of a database and retrieves the appropriate information.

Method for retrieving texts which are similar to a sample text


The present invention provides for enhancing engraftment by co-infusing at least two partially HLA matched umbilical cord blood (“UCB”) units. The invention further provides for positive C3a mediated priming on responsiveness to doses of SDF-1 and C3a induced incorporation of CXCR4 in membranes in HSC and progenitors. The invention further provides for enhancing the homing of UCB HSC and progenitors via the SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway and that C3a and LL-37 are useful for this method. It is also disclosed herein that fragments of C3a (e.g., des-Arg) are effective in the methods of the invention, including enhancing homing of HSPCs to BM. The invention further encompasses the disclosure herein of NFAT1 regulation post-transcriptionally by both mir-184 and IFN-γ. The present invention further provides for measuring and using differences between UCB and adult CD4+/45RA+ T-cells as a means of defining strategies to enhance optimal allogeneic stem cell transplantation outcomes. The present invention further provides methods for maintaining IL-2 production in the absence of NFAT1 normal protein levels.

Umbilical Cord Blood (UCB)-derived stem cells, which are non-embryonic, are non-controversial (with approval by the Vatican and all religious groups), and offer the potential for numerous "off the shelf" cell therapeutic products that are easier to obtain and faster to distribute than individual adult directly donated bone marrow and blood cells. An emerging technology, UCB stem cell grafts for treatment of hematology patients have a U.S. market potential of $425 million/year, with additional market potential combining Europe, Asia, and S. America of $978 million/year, rendering a world-wide market potential of $1.4 billion annually and growing. Cord blood not only has these immediate therapeutic applications in hematology patients, but many more in the pipeline in regenerative medicine applications. So far, doctors have found the most promise in cord blood for conditions such as blood cancers, leukemia, and sickle-cell anemia. In addition, UCB, like embryonic stem cells, contains multi-potential stem cells that give rise to all somatic cells. Many investigators believe that UCB will eventually prove useful in regenerative medicine, helping patients with cardiovascular disease, spinal bifida, traumatic brain injuries, and neurodegenerative disorders. However, successful infusion and engraftment in humans of CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) from a UCB graft is challenged by the cellular content that is generally a log order less in total cell dose than that of bone marrow or mobilized peripheral cells from adult donors.
Hematopoietic stem cells are multipotent stem cells that give rise to all the blood cell types including human CD34+ stem cell. The CD34 molecule is a cluster of differentiation molecules present on certain cells within the human body. It is a cell surface glycoprotein and functions as a cell-cell adhesion factor. It may also mediate the attachment of stem cells to bone marrow extracellular matrix or directly to stromal cells. CD34 is also the name for the human gene that encodes the protein.
Cells expressing CD34 (CD34+ cell) are normally found in the umbilical cord and bone marrow as hematopoietic cells and tend to migrate from the blood stream to the bone marrow along a gradient of stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1) where SDF-1 levels are high in the bone marrow and low in the peripheral blood. SDF-1 is a cytokine belonging to the chemokine family CXCL12. When a bone marrow transplant patient receives allogeneic UCB mononuclear cells via intravenous infusion, successful engraftment entails UCB stem cells taking up residence in the patient's bone marrow. A peripheral blood mononuclear cell is any blood cell having a round nucleus. Activation of the complement system in the transplant patient as part of the stress response elicited by chemoradiotherapy conditioning activates proteases in the marrow that reduce SDF-1 concentration. Low SDF-1 levels in the bone marrow tend to lessen homing and engraftment of allogeneic UCB CD34 stem cells. Because the numbers of CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in UCB is low, methods to enhance engraftment of this population of cells are needed.
Since the first unrelated donor UCB transplant in 1993 it has been demonstrated that cryopreserved UCB from HLA 0-2 antigen mismatched unrelated donors contain sufficient numbers of transplantable hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells or reliable engraftment in most recipients weighing <40 kilograms (kg) and that it is associated with a low incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) despite substantial disparities in HLA between the donor and recipient. Yet, poor engraftment and slow rate of neutrophil and platelet recovery remain important challenges that increase risk of transplant-related mortality (TRM).
The 'double' UCB transplant (UCBT) platform was initiated as a potential strategy for testing graft manipulations and h its safety and efficacy has been established. In addition, we and others have shown that its utility as a model for testing of novel strategies in which one unit manipulated and the second is left unmanipulated to maximize safety. This strategy offers the additional advantage of being able to 'track' the manipulated unit's lympho-hematopoietic progeny over time based on the inherent genetic differences between the two UCB units and the recipient. Importantly, the double UCBT approach has transformed the field by extending the eligibility of transplantation to nearly all patients regardless of size and racial or ethnic background.
Engraftment is the single most important barrier to successful use of UCB. In comparison to mobilized peripheral blood and marrow from adult unrelated donors, time to neutrophil recovery and ultimate engraftment after UCBT is markedly delayed. Engraftment of HSC and hematopoietic progenitors after transplantation is the result of a complex series of events within the marrow microenvironment, involving adhesion and migration, integrity of the 'stem cell niche and presence of chemotactic cytokines and growth factors that either preserve 'sternness', prevent or promote apoptosis or incite lineage-specific expansion and differentiation. While it is clear that UCB HSC have the capacity to engraft and insure life-long hematopoietic reconstitution (>20 years in the longest surviving UCBT recipient), interest in ex vivo expansion of HSC and progenitors has largely been driven by the clear association between cell dose and time to hematopoietic recovery and incidence of engraftment. Delayed engraftment may also be the result of the higher proportion of UCB CD34 in G0 and greater likelihood of HLA mismatch.
Limitations of current management of vascular disease include re-occlusion and diffuse small vessel disease. Prior evidence links the level of circulating marrow-derived HSC, characterized by expression of CD133 and CD34, with the occurrence of ischemic vascular events. HSC which express CD34 and CD133 surface markers have been shown in models of acute and chronic ischemia to augment blood flow and prevent myocardial necrosis There is emerging evidence of age-related diminution in the number and function of marrow-derived CD34/133+ HSC in response to ischemia.
There is a long felt need in the art for compositions and methods to increase engraftment of UCB stem and T-cells, as well as other sources of stem and hemopoietic stem and progenitor cells. The present invention satisfies these needs.

Compositions and methods for CXCR4 signaling and umbilical cord blood stem cell engraftment

University of Virginia Patent Foundation


A multiple LOCOS (local oxidation) process shapes a surface of a substrate to form a series of planar regions which are vertically separated from each other. One exemplary process forms a hard mask layer for each LOCOS operation. Another exemplary process includes forming a silicon nitride mask layer and repeatedly changing the pattern of that mask layer. Each change in the pattern corresponds to a planar region to be formed; and after each change, oxide is grown in openings through the mask layer. The growth of oxide consumes part of the substrate and provides a vertical separation between the planar level corresponding to the pattern and a next higher planar level. Regions of the substrate once exposed by a mask pattern can remain exposed so that subsequent LOCOS operations maintain previously established separations between levels. A hard mask layer can include a polysilicon layer which protect a silicon nitride layer from conversion to oxide during the repeated LOCOS operations.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to semiconductor device manufacturing and particularly to processes for shaping a surface of a semiconductor substrate for fabrication of an integrated micromachine sensor.
2. Description of Related Art
Local oxidation (LOCOS) processes are well known for forming thick (typically 5000 .ANG. to 10,000 .ANG.) oxide isolation areas known as field oxide. In a typical LOCOS process, a silicon nitride layer formed on the surface of a silicon substrate is patterned to create openings which expose parts of the substrate. The substrate is then heated in the presence of oxygen to grow the field oxide in the openings. The nitride layer is then be stripped, and conventional integrated circuit elements such as transistors are formed in and on areas of the substrate separated from each other by the field oxide.
Micromachines such as accelerometers and pressure sensors which have mechanical elements can be integrated with conventional circuit elements on silicon substrates. Forming such micromachines often requires shaping the surface to the substrate to form depressions and/or cavities. Some methods for forming depressions and cavities etch a silicon substrate, for example, with a potassium hydroxide (KOH) isotropic silicon etch or dry plasma etching, but these procedures typically leave residues, rough surfaces, or defects that make surfaces unsuitable for active integrated circuit elements or fusion bonding. Accordingly, methods for forming smooth, defect-free contoured surfaces are sought.

Multiple local oxidation for surface micromachining