An invented track construct component system with a threaded radial bearing end pulley is described for pool cover systems that includes an extruded longitudinal cover track having a top longitudinal anchoring slot, a C-channel longitudinal slot along one side edge for capturing and holding a side edge of a pool cover and associated sliders carrying a leading (front) edge structures, a cable return channel with a longitudinal slot opening along the other side edge for receiving and protecting cabling connecting between sliders/front cover corners and associated cable reels. Each cover track is secured within separate extruded side wall channel structures having a top channel side wall with a depending longitudinal shaped for snuggly fitting into the longitudinal anchoring slot of the cover track. The extruded side wall channel structures are incorporated into the side wall of the pool. A longitudinal spacer plate is inserted between the bottom channel side wall of the wall channel structure and the planar base face of the anchor track for mechanically holding the cover track within the wall channel with its anchoring slot snuggly receiving the depending longitudinal land of the wall channel. A similar extruded wall channel structure is incorporated into the end wall of the pool for accommodating an extending coupling plate-radial bearing end pulley assembly fastened at the distal end of the cover track.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to swimming pool cover systems, and in particular, to extruded swimming pool track constructs which anchor a pool cover along a pool side edges and related pulleys carrying cables for cover extension and retraction.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Swimming pool cover systems typically include covers formed from flexible vinyl fabrics or interconnected rollable (hinged) rigid buoyant slats (See U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,352 Gautheron). Such pool covers float on the water surface of the pool and are anchored/supported along the sides and ends of the pool. When covering and uncovering, pool water provides a low friction surface supporting the cover which significantly reduces the effort required to move the cover across the pool.
Typically mechanical systems are utilized to draw the cover back and forth across the pool in which a cable, typically a Dacron line, is incorporated into to form a flexible beaded edge sewn or otherwise secured to the side edges of the pool cover. The beaded edge in turn is captured and slides within a C-channel of an extruded aluminum cover track. The track is secured either to the pool deck, or the underside of an overhanging coping along the sides of the pool. In new pools, the side walls of the pool frequently are constructed with integral channels for receiving the cover track and securing vinyl pool liners. (See U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,424 Stegmeier)
The cables extending from the beaded edges at the front of the cover, are trained around pulleys at the distal ends of the tracks (See U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,144 Lamb) and return in a parallel C-channel to a drive mechanism where they wind onto and unwind from cable take-up reels. The cable take-up reels are coupled to a drive mechanism for extending the cover. To uncover the pool, the drive mechanism rotatably drives a cover drum located and secured at one end of the pool for winding the pool cover around its periphery unwinding the cables from the take-up reels. (See U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,342, Last)
The front edges of flexible vinyl covers are typically secured to and supported by a rigid leading edge spanning the width of the pool for holding the front edge of the cover above the water as it is drawn back and forth across the pool. Similarly, rollable buoyant slat covers frequently include a front or floating leading edge. Leading edges are typically secured to and mechanically supported by sliders sliding in the C-channel of the cover track coupled to the cable extending from the flexible beaded edge of the cover. (See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,939,798 and 5,950,253 Last.) Positive stops are sometimes secured at the ends of the pool cover tracks for positively arresting translation of the sliders sliding within the C-channels carrying the rigid leading edges. (See U.S. Pat. No. 5,349,707 Last.)
Wearing components of mechanical swimming pool cover systems must be replaceable. In particular, a swimming pool is a harsh environment. The water and treating chemicals are corrosive, galvanically and otherwise. Intense sunlight exposure typical of outdoor pool exacerbates deterioration of exposed components, converting pliable vinyl plastics into flaking sharp shards. Then the sliding components of the mechanical pool cover systems tend collect and concentrate floating debris and crud at wearing interfaces. Such collected and concentrated debris and crud in turn entraps dirt, dust, and sand to transform into a flowable abrasive grit which insinuates itself into every moving component of the cover system, particularly the end pulleys and related assemblies.
Replacing end pulleys in mechanical swimming pool cover systems is a particularly irksome task. Even removable end pulleys of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,144 Lamb are difficult to replace. In particular, as noted in Lamb while a tang extending from the assembly into a channel between the respective C-channels of the extruded track promotes alignment of pulley, the extending tang does not prevent the assembly from oscillating loose when loaded. (See Lamb (supra) Col. 5, line 25-Col. 6, line 42.) The upshot is, that in practice, even the Lamb end pulley and related housing assembly should be securely bolted to or fastened at a stationary position relative to the end of the track, otherwise the oscillating loads experienced by the pulley bend or deform the pulley housing material and/or deform the end of the track.
Then as noted in Lamb (Col. 4, lines 55 to Col. 5, line 2) because of the loads experienced by such end pulley assemblies, it is generally preferable to provided bores through the assembly through which a cable is strung rather than grooves. (Lamb does point out that if stronger materials were utilized for constructing the pulley housing, grooves would be preferred.) Lamb fails to mention attendant galvanic corrosion problems between such stronger materials and aluminum swimming pool track. As a practical matter, whenever a pulley fails, unless its housing assembly is mechanically isolated from the track end, the housing is damaged and track end deformed, simply because the typical pool owners, not knowing why a cover is not properly extending/retracting, all too frequently, will overstress the system into catastrophic failure trying to make it work.
Accordingly, when an end pulley must be replaced, the either entire cable must be unstrung through the damage pulley assembly and re-threaded through the replacement pulley assembly or the cable must be cut and then spliced. The latter alternative inevitably leads to a broken or snagged cable and a pool owner demanding a replacement.
Finally, contemplate the problems confronting a repair person attempting to replace an end pulley assembly mounted on the underside of an overhanging coping along the sides of the pool, or at the end, within an extruded aluminum channel integrated into the structural side wall of the pool. (See FIG. 1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,349,707, Last.) If water is not drained from the pool, a snorkel or scuba tank would be required.
An invented track construct component system with a threaded radial bearing end pulley is described for pool cover systems that includes:
a) an extruded longitudinal cover track having
(i) a top face with a longitudinal anchoring slot and a planar base face
(ii) a C-channel with a longitudinal slot opening along an outside side edge of the cover track for capturing and holding a side edge of a pool cover and associated sliders carrying leading (front) edge structures,
(iii) a cable return channel with a longitudinal slot opening along an inside side edge of the cover track for receiving and protecting cabling connecting between the sliders/front cover corners and associated cable reels; and
b) an extruded side wall channel structure having a top channel side wall with a depending longitudinal land and a flat, bottom channel side wall adapted for and incorporated into the structure of the side wall of the pool for receiving a cover track wherein the depending longitudinal land is shaped for snuggly fitting into the longitudinal anchoring slot of the cover track; and
c) a longitudinal spacer plate adapted for and inserted between the flat, bottom flat channel side wall of the wall channel structure and the planar base face of the cover track for mechanically holding the cover track within the wall channel with its anchoring slot snuggly receiving the depending longitudinal land of the wall channel structure, and
d) a coupling plate-radial bearing end pulley assembly fastened at the distal end of each cover track.
The distal end wall of the pool includes a similar extruded end wall channel structure for accommodating the coupling plate-radial bearing end pulley assembly fastened at the distal end of each cover track.
The coupling plate-radial bearing end pulley assembly includes a novel inner annular bearing race with interior helical threads for screwing onto a perpendicularly extending, complementarily threaded, post integral with the coupling plate. The outer annular bearing race has a concave exterior, circumferential groove for receiving, carrying and returning cabling connecting between a slider/front cover corner and a cable reel.
A primary advantage of the invented extruded track construct component system with a threaded radial bearing end pulley is that a cover track can be easily removed from a wall channel structure by simply extracting the longitudinal spacer plate allowing mechanical disengagement of the depending longitudinal land in the anchoring slot of the cover track. Once the longitudinal spacer plate is extracted, distal end of the cover track can be slid diagonally sideways out of the wall channel preferably pivoting from the opposite end of the cover track proximate a cover drum and associated cable reels of the cover drive system. In this manner the radial bearing end pulley-coupling plate assembly fastened at the distal end of the cover track is exposed for easy repair or replacement.
Other advantages of the invented system relate to the xe2x80x98thinnessxe2x80x99 and structural integrity of the radially bearing end pulley-coupling plate assembly achieved by a novel combination of a helically threaded, annular inner bearing race screwing onto a complimentary, helically threaded post for fastening the radial bearing to a coupling plate. In particular, the thickness of the end pulley-coupling plate assembly can be matched to that of the extruded pool cover track to which it is attached. Protruding shaft ends and associated retainer clips, nuts collars and the like, typical for such replaceable radial bearing end pulley assemblies are eliminated.
The invented novel combination of a helically threaded annular inner bearing race screwing onto a complimentarily threaded post as a mechanism for fastening or securing a radial bearing has similar advantages in many other types of mechanical systems utilizing radial bearings, in particular, those systems where the annular inner race of the radial bearing journals around and is stationary with respect to its mounting shaft or spindle and its annular outer race rotates relative to the inner race engaging and/or carrying a complimentary belt, cable or gear. The threaded engagement of the inner bearing race onto a post of a coupling plate eliminates the necessity for thrust bearings, annular retainer clips, bolts, collars, set screws and like typically utilized for securing such bearing assemblies onto shafts and spindles.
In mechanical systems where rotation of the radial bearing is only in one direction, the inner race and post of the invented bearing assembly can be threaded in a direction such that system rotation tightens threaded engagement of the inner race on the post.
Also in top track pool cover systems where the cover track is secured to the top surface of a deck surrounding the pool, the threaded the inner annular race of the radial bearing end pulley uniquely allows a pulley cap to be secured covering the pulley and coupling plate assembly by a complimentarily threaded flat or round head screw that screws into the inner race of the bearing.
Other features of the invented extruded track construct component system relates to post-construction utilization of plastic plug rails conventionally used to maintain the integrity of the channels of extruded wall channel structures during pool during construction, to close the channel opening of a wall channel incorporated into the distal end wall of the pool to prevent debris capable of fouling the radial bearing end pulleys assemblies from collecting in the end wall channel.
Still other features, aspects, advantages and objects presented and accomplished by invented track construct component system and associated threaded radial bearing assembly systems will become apparent and/or be more fully understood with reference to the following description and detailed drawings of preferred and exemplary embodiments.

Extruded track construct component system for swimming pool cover systems


Apparatus for treatment of human or animal cell samples on a microscopic slide includes an element having a recessed face defined by rails which are adapted to slide on surface of the slide. An opening at the leading edge of the element has a bevelled edge and provides access to a cavity formed between the face and the surface of the slide when the rails bear on the slide. The slide is tilted slightly and a vacuum nozzle is arranged at the lower edge of the slide. An end stop may be clamped to the end of the slide opposite to the end where the nozzle is located and has a bevelled edge complimentary to the bevelled edge of the element for closing the opening. A method of spreading liquid over the surface and the sample involves placing the rails on the surface with the cavity displaced laterally from the sample and the face and surface parallel, dispensing the liquid onto the surface and moving the element relative to the surface whereby the liquid becomes trapped in the cavity, and is spread evenly over the sample. The method also involves removing excess liquid after incubation by exposing the cavity to the vacuum nozzle by sliding the element over the lower edge of the slide and allowing the nozzle to suck the excess liquid away. Further treatment liquid may be added adjacent to the opening during the suction process to provide a second treatment without exposing the sample to air between treatments.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for treatment of human or animal cell samples. In particular, the invention relates to treatment of the samples to enable diagnosis of clinical conditions. A sample is fixed on a flat surface such as a microscope slide and chemically treated with liquid for the purpose of sample hydration or dehydration, or sample staining, or in chemical analysis such as detection of antigens or nucleic acid sequences, for example. The liquids used to treat such sample include:
1. Organic solvents. PA0 2. Antibodies. PA0 3. DNA and RNA probes. PA0 4. Chemical solutions. PA0 5. Washing solutions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally the chemical treatment and the chemical analysis of the samples is done by immersing the glass slides on which the samples are fixed into beakers that contain the treatment solutions. Certain solutions are expensive and they are dispensed onto a slide using a pipette with the slide in a horizontal orientation and a glass coverslip is placed on top of the slide to provide spread of the solution and to slow evaporation. The conventional process is labour intensive, exposes workers to reagent fumes and possibly to contact with the chemicals. Accurate timing of the processing steps can also be difficult to achieve. The amount of liquid waste generated is often large, which may be a problem, since the waste that needs to be disposed can contain aggressive solvents or biohazards such as infectious viruses. To overcome these problems a number of inventions have been proposed for automating the process.
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,731,335 and 4,777,020 and 5,002,736 Brigati, D. et al there is described a system where two flat surfaces such as microscope slides are placed face to face with sample sides facing inward. Abutting coating portions of the slides define a capillary gap between the samples. This slide pair can be placed so that the lower edge of the slide pair connects with the treating liquid which will then migrate into the capillary gap. Liquid can then be removed from the gap by placing the slide pair on top of and in contact with absorbent material which will drain and absorb the liquid.
Shandon Scientific Limited U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,206 describes an apparatus for processing tissue. The core of the invention is a channel-defining element. This element is joined together with a slide holding the sample with the sample side facing towards the element. The element forms a channel between its main wall and the slide. When the channel is substantially vertical the upper part of the element forms a liquid dispensing reservoir. An operator or a liquid handling robot can then fill the reservoir with appropriate reagent. Gravity and capillary action will cause the reagent to migrate into the channel. Once the channel is filled with liquid and the reservoir is empty, the liquid will stay in the gap due to surface tension of the liquid. The liquid in the gap can be replaced by placing new reagent in the reservoir.
Toya, M. et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,068,091 and UK patent 2,265,981 describes a substantially horizontal wedge shaped capillary gap between a microscopic slide and lower plateau. Liquids can be dispensed to an exposed end of the plateau and capillary action will cause them to migrate to the wedge shaped gap. The gap can then be cleared of the reagent by using suction. Surface tension of the liquid will keep the liquid volume together during the removal process.
The aforementioned prior art apparatus all suffer a disadvantage in that they can in some instances fail to provide an even treatment of the sample with the treating liquid. This is caused by air becoming trapped in the capillary gap. In the case of the Brigati inventions, capillary forces can only lift the liquid a certain distance upwardly from the lower edge of the slide pair and this can lead to a reduced treatment area on the slide. The speed of liquid removal cannot be controlled in the Brigati inventions. The capillary gap also needs to be drained before a new liquid can be applied. These form a disadvantage, because in certain cases it is desirable that the samples are not exposed to air at all when replacing liquids. This is desirable especially when using volatile liquids such as organic solvents that evaporate easily and may let samples dry out during liquid replacement. Sample drying can lead to reduced processing quality such as high non-specific staining. In other cases a film of liquid should be left on the sample to keep it moist during liquid replacement. In the remaining cases it is desirable that the samples are dried completely before applying a new liquid to ensure maximum concentration of the applied liquid.
The apparatus of Shandon has the additional problem that no provision is made for clearing the gap (filling it with air) between different liquid treatments and therefore any air voids trapped in the gap are likely to remain through the process. Also the apparatus of Shandon cannot provide capability to expose the sample to air during processing while liquids are replaced. In the apparatus of Toya M. et al the suction to clear the capillary gap can lead to a breaking-up of the liquid into two or more sections with only one section being sucked into the waste containment system and such an incomplete clearing of the liquid can cause unacceptable treatment of the sample.

Method and apparatus for treatment of human or animal cell samples


A method and system for solving a large system of dense linear equations using a system having a processing unit and one or more secondary processing units that can access a common memory for sharing data. A set of coefficients corresponding to a system of linear equations is received, and the coefficients, after being placed in matrix form, are divided into blocks and loaded into the common memory. Each of the processors is programmed to perform matrix operations on individual blocks to solve the linear equations. A table containing a list of the matrix operations is created in the common memory to keep track of the operations that have been performed and the operations that are still pending. SPUs determine whether tasks are pending, access the coefficients by accessing the common memory, perform the required tasks, and store the result back in the common memory for the result to be accessible by the PU and the other SPUs.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to a system and method for solving a large system of dense linear equations. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and a method for solving a large system of linear equations using a system having multiple processing units with a common memory for sharing data.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many problems from many disciplines can be modeled using a system of linear equations. Linear equations, for example, may be used to obtain solutions for problems in physics, chemistry, engineering, computer science, etc.
Small systems of linear equations (systems with only a few variables) can be solved by eliminating all but one variable, for which a solution is obtained. Variable elimination involves multiplying each equation by a constant or adding or subtracting one equation from another. Once one variable has been determined, the other unknown variables may be computed by back substitution.
A system of linear equations has a corresponding matrix equation. The solution to this equivalent matrix equation is the same as the solution to the system of linear equations, and therefore, a solution to a system of linear equations may be obtained by obtaining a solution to the equivalent matrix equation.
A large system of linear equations is typically solved by obtaining a solution to the equivalent matrix equation. Numerically, it is more efficient to obtain a solution to the matrix equation. Efficient methods for solving the matrix equation include, for example, LU decomposition and Gauss elimination. The processes involve the exchanging of large amount of data between the processors since the results are interdependent.
Thus, there is a need for a fast and accurate system and method for solving large systems of dense linear equations using multiple processors. The system and method should provide for fast and easy sharing of data results between the different processors to avoid the inefficient transmissions of large amount of data.

System and method for solving a large system of dense linear equations

International Business Machines Corporation


An electrostatographic copier/printer, preferably of the type in which toner images are thermally transferred from an image-recording element to an image receiver sheet, includes an electrostatic charge generator, preferably an AC corona charger, which is positioned to neutralize residual charge on the image-receiving member following the transfer of a toner image thereto, as well as to neutralize the charge on untransferred toner prior to removal of such toner from the recording element.

The present invention relates to the field of electrostatographic image recording, such as electrophotography and electrography. More particularly, it relates to improvements in apparatus and methods for neutralizing electrostatic charges retained on image-receiving members and image-recording elements as a result of the electrostatographic image-forming process.
In the electrostatographic image recording process, an electrostatic charge image is formed on the photoconductive or dielectric surface of an image-recording element. The charge image is rendered visible by the application of pigmented electroscopic particles commonly known as "toner". To enable re-use of the image-recording element, the toner image is transferred to image-receiver member, typically a sheet of paper, which is brought into contact with the toner-bearing recording element at an image-transfer station. At this station, it is common to subject the receiver sheet to an electric field tending to attract the toner from the recording element to the receiver. Alternatively, toner transfer may be effected by the application of heat and/or pressure to the receiver sheet. Of course, any untransferred or residual toner on the recording element must be removed or cleaned from the recording element prior to recycling the recording element through the image-forming process.
In many electrostatographic processes, it is advantageous to neutralize any electrostatic charges remaining on untransferred toner particles prior to the aforementioned cleaning step. Such charge neutralization is typically effected by an AC corona charger which operates to alternately deposit negative and positive ions on the residual toner, the effect being that the net charge is driven to zero.
Once toner has been successfully transferred to a receiver sheet, it is common to fuse the toner to the receiver by the application of heat and/or pressure. Usually, the receiver sheet exits the fusing process with a net charge, whereby the sheet has a propensity for being attracted to other sheets or working surfaces. The net charge on the receiver sheet is due to the residual charge of the toner on its surface, as well as the charge that may have been applied to the sheet to effect toner transfer. The effect of toner charge is magnified in non-electrostatic transfer processes (e.g., thermal and/or pressure transfer processes) where the toner never comes in contact with an oppositely charged receiver sheet. The problem of static attraction of the receiver sheet is often handled by static discharge brushes and the like. The effectiveness of such devices is dependent on the conductivity of the receiver and toner. Overhead transparencies are usually the most difficult to discharge due to their insulative properties.
In conventional electrostatographic image recording apparatus, the above noted charge-neutralizing functions are provided by separate and distinct charge neutralizers, one being used to discharge the charge on the untransferred toner, and the other being used to discharge the residual charge on the receiver sheet following image transfer. The need for two charge neutralizers adds expense and complexity to the image-recording apparatus.

Bi-functional charge neutralizer for electrostatographic copier/printer


A modular lighting assembly is provided for a refrigerator which has a molded base plate carrying a light bulb, a light switch and electrical connectors between the light switch and light bulb. The light switch may be either a plunger type switch or other types of switch such as a magnetic switch. The light is positioned adjacent to the switch so as to avoid the necessity of having a wire harness extend within the refrigerator cabinet between those two components.

In various types of cabinet structures, such as a refrigerator having an openable door and a compartment with a number of shelves therein, it is desireable to light the compartment in a cost effective and aesthetically pleasing way. In a typical freezer or refrigerator compartment it has been known to secure a light socket in the back section of the compartment and to foam the light socket in place when the insulation foam is injected between the liner and the cabinet shelf. A foamed in place light switch assembly consisting of a light switch, a recessed cover and a seal is installed adjacent to the front opening to be engaged by the door. Extending between the light switch and the light socket is a wiring harness which must be put into place prior to the insulation being injected into the space between the liner and the cabinet wall. A light lens and a light bulb complete the assembly.
Such an arrangement, while serviceable, requires a significant amount of labor for assembly and requires lighted cabinets to be formed differently from non-lighted cabinets. Also, such an arrangement places the light at the rear of the cabinets so that the back sides of objects being stored within the cabinet are lit rather than the front sides as viewed by the user.

Modular assembly and method for a refrigerator


Apparatus for holding and dispensing a coreless roll of toilet tissue and for retrofit to a wall-mounted dispenser normally employed to support and dispense a conventional roll of toilet tissue having a central core. The apparatus includes a receptacle having two spaced projections which are inserted in spaces of the wall-mounted dispenser which normally receive the ends of a support spindle for supporting a conventional roll of toilet tissue having a central core.

Toilet tissue rolls are conventionally in the form of a strip of toilet tissue wrapped about a central hollow core formed of paperboard or other material. Wound toilet tissue forms a plurality of convolutions about the core.
Toilet tissue rolls incorporating cores are commonly mounted on spindles passing through the core interior, the spindles themselves having the ends thereof disposed in opposed spaces defined by the dispensing holder.
Coreless rolls of toilet tissue have been finding increasing acceptance in the market place. In coreless rolls of toilet tissue, the innermost convolution of the wound sheet of toilet tissue itself defines a central opening. This opening is quite small and constricted as compared to the size of the central core opening of more conventional toilet tissue rolls with cores. While spindles have been devised for use when supporting coreless rolls, at least one of the spindle ends is quite small as compared to the ends of the spindles utilized to rotatably support rolls of toilet tissue having cores. As a consequence, existing conventional wall-mounted holders designed for use with rolls with cores are not suitable for use with coreless toilet tissue rolls or spindles specifically adapted for use with coreless toilet tissue rolls.
The following patents and patent publications are believed to be representative of the current state of the prior art in this field: U.S. Pat. No. 350,808, issued Oct. 12, 1886, U.S. Pat. No. 495,892, issued Apr. 18, 1893, U.S. Pat. No. 1,012,543, issued Dec. 19, 1911, U.S. Pat. No. 1,436,990, issued Nov. 28, 1922, U.S. Pat. No. 2,322,456, issued Sep. 2, 1941, U.S. Pat. No. 2,334,757, issued Nov. 23, 1943, U.S. Pat. No. 2,390,399, issued Dec. 4, 1945, U.S. Pat. No. 2,419,809, issued Apr. 29, 1947, U.S. Pat. No. 2,472,712, issued Jun. 7, 1949, U.S. Pat. No. 2,606,724, issued Aug. 12, 1952, U.S. Pat. No. 2,626,761, issued Jan. 27, 1953, U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,958, issued Dec. 15, 1992, Canadian Patent No. 833,971, issued Feb. 10, 1970, U.K. Patent specification No. 799,084, published Jul. 30, 1958, and U.K. Patent Application No. 2,126,988A, published Apr. 4, 1984.
The patents and patent publications indicated above do not disclose apparatus for holding and dispensing a coreless roll of toilet tissue which is retrofitted to a wall-mounted dispenser normally employed to support and dispense a conventional roll of toilet tissue having a central core.


An electrical connector comprises an insulating housing having a transversal partition formed with mutually parallel passages for receiving electrical terminals, and a retention plate insertable into the housing up to a front position in which it is retained against the partition. The plate is formed with terminal-receiving holes distributed in the same array as the passages. They extend forwardly as resilient fingers adapted for snap-fastening connection with the terminals. The fingers are adapted to the shape of the passages so that they can penetrate into a passage and be retained therein in the position where they hold the terminals when the retention plate is in its front position. Each hole is formed with a rearwardly-directed shoulder for abutment with a corresponding step on the respective terminal. The abutment shoulder is placed so as to stop the terminal in the position where the fingers are snapped onto them.

The present invention relates to electrical connectors of the type comprising an insulating housing formed with mutually parallel passages for receiving electrical terminals, and a retention plate insertable in the housing up to a forward position in which it is retained, the plate being formed with terminal-receiving holes that are distributed in an array corresponding to the array of the passages and that are extended forwardly by resilient fingers for retaining terminals by snap-fastening, the fingers having a shape complementary to the shape of the passages so as to enable them to penetrate into the passages and be retained therein in the position where they hold the terminals when the retaining plate is in its front position. A description of a connector of this kind can be found in FR-A-2626720.
Connectors of the above type are in very wide use, either with rectangular housings containing terminals distributed in a rectangular array or in a quincunx array, or with so-called "round" housings. Such connectors may be relatively simple in structure and they make high terminal distribution densities possible.
However, present connectors of the above type suffer from drawbacks. Either the retention plate retains the terminals in one direction only (retention in the opposite direction being provided by separate means), or else retention is only by the resilient fingers. The first solution makes implementation more complicated. The second makes it difficult to retain the terminals securely in an accurate longitudinal position.

Electrical connector with contact terminal locking


A deviation of an optic axis of a laser projector is detected, and the deviation is corrected. Laser projector's CPU executes: commanding a laser beam source of one color, out of laser beam sources of three colors, to emit a laser beam; shutting off the laser when sensing that the laser beam is received in a light-receiving region; applying a laser of a color to be detected as to the presence or absence of a deviation of the axis until its reception in the light-receiving region is sensed; keeping time starting when light reception in the light-receiving region is sensed and ending when light reception in a light-receiving region adjacent thereto is sensed; calculating a relative time difference of each of the colors with respect to a reference color; and correcting a light emission timing of the laser beam source of each of the color, based on the calculated time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to control of an image display device, and particularly relates to control of an image display device having a plurality of light sources.
2. Description of the Background Art
As to image display devices such as laser projectors, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 06-342126, for example, discloses "a projection display device, more specifically, a projection display device in which an optical signal emitted from an optical shutter array having multiple optical shutter elements arranged in a one-dimensional manner, based on image data, is scanned with a deflection mirror to project a two-dimensional image" (Paragraph 0001).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-184852 discloses a technique for "adjusting a color balance including a white balance in a display device enabling white display with use of light from RGB light emitters" ("Problems to be Solved" in "Abstract").
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2007-065012 discloses "a projection display device capable of maintaining an optimal white balance of a displayed image and obtaining high image quality even if quantities of light of a plurality of colors in light-emitting elements of the relevant colors are changed owing to degradation or failure of the light-emitting elements" ("Problems to be Solved" in "Abstract").
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-236650 discloses "a projector capable of quickly and easily creating a color correction table for projecting an easily-viewable image of a desired color onto a screen" ("Problems to be Solved" in "Abstract").
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-244206 discloses "a system for adjusting a position of a light modulation device, even capable of addressing a decrease in illumination margin associated with downsizing of a projector" ("Problems to be Solved" in "Abstract").
In a so-called beam-scanning display device such as a laser projector, if optic axes of RGB (Red, Green, Blue) do not coincide with one another, colors to be projected cannot be reproduced accurately. Therefore, precise adjustment for allowing the optic axes to coincide with one another, and accordingly, an ability to easily adjust the optic axes are demanded. Furthermore, an ability to add a function of adjusting the optic axes without increasing the number of components is also demanded.


A color conversion method according to the present invention, in which a scanner that outputs a first color value of a device-dependent color space is used, includes the steps of: acquiring the first color value by reading, by the scanner, a printed material which is based on image data composed of C, M, Y, K values; converting the acquired first color value to a second color value using a scanner profile of the scanner; mapping the first color value acquired from the printed material to the K value of the image data of the printed material; determining a correction quantity of the second color value from the mapped first color value and the K value using a scanner profile correcting LUT; and correcting the converted second color value using the determined correction quantity of the second color value, and outputting the second color value after being corrected.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method for acquiring a color value of a device-independent color space such as CIE XYZ using a scanner that outputs a color value of a device-dependent color space such as R, G, B.
2. Description of Related Arts
In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for color print in the field of production print. Further, highly precise color reproducibility is required of production print, and in most cases an enhanced color calibration is needed to meet the requirement. Meanwhile, it has been desired that the calibration be able to be conducted in a short time without the need for high-level knowledge.
As a method for conducting the calibration in a short time, it is conceivable to acquire a color value of a device-independent color space (standard color space) such as L*a*b* using a scanner provided in a printer, for example. In order to acquire the color value of the device-independent color space, it is necessary to prepare beforehand a look-up table (hereinafter referred to as "LUT") for converting RGB, which is outputted from the scanner which has performed the reading, to L*a*b*.
In order to acquire highly accurate L*a*b* using a scanner, it is necessary to optimize the LUT in conformity to the characteristic of the scanner since scanners are generally subjected to the device-to-device variation due to difference in characteristic among the entities. When optimizing the LUT, it was necessary to acquire a vast number of color data over the entire color space, and thus it was necessary to output patch images of many colors and to perform a color measurement of the patch images. As such, much labor and time was taken to optimize the LUT with respect to individual devices.
With regard to such problems, the image processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-193076 (particularly, paragraphs 0037 through 0038)) is configured such that in order to reduce the number of human hours when compensating for the device-to-device variation of two sensors for reading the front and back respectively, a correcting 3D LUT is formed of a small number of patches, without the first color conversion LUT being remade which is optimized with respect to each of the devices, and correction of the first color conversion LUT is indirectly performed using the correcting 3D LUT.
However, even if the correcting 3D LUT is created merely based on the color measurement value of patches as in Patent Document 1, a highly accurate color measurement result cannot necessarily be obtained.
In particular, Patent Document 1 does not recognize such a problem that when the same-color patches in a color chart are formed of different Amounts of K, the patches are read as the same RGB data at the scanner while the colorimetric values of the colorimeter are not necessarily the same. Nor does the document refer in any way to means for solving the problem.
The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing circumstances and has for an object to provide a method for making a highly accurate color measurement taking into account of the Amount of K when a high reading accuracy cannot be obtained at a scanner, while at the same time reducing the number of man hours taken to create a scanner profile.

Color conversion method using scanner, image reading system, and image forming apparatus


A lap hugger for receiving and containing the legs and extending to the waist of an individual for draping over the upper thighs of the individual when seated in a recliner-type chair or wheelchair. The lap hugger includes a lower tubular leg enclosure portion and an upper portion which extends upwardly from the lower tubular portion. The lower tubular portion receives and encloses the individual's legs and the upper portion extends up to the individual's waist for resting thereupon. The upper portion includes a pair of oppositely-disposed, laterally-extending flaps that drape over and cover the individual's upper thighs. An interior storage pocket is affixed to a rear side of the lower tubular portion for holding therein personal items and/or medical paraphernalia, such as catheter equipment.

The present invention relates to comfort garments, and more particularly pertains to a sack-type garment that receives and encloses an individual's legs and rests upon the waist of the individual when seated in a recliner chair or wheelchair.
Garments for enclosing or wrapping around an individual are well known in the art. The garments are generally of a flexible, washable fabric or linen material that fits comfortably around an individual seated in a wheelchair, a recliner, a chaise lounge, bed, or sofa. The garment may include a fleece or down material as an insulative liner, and it may even have a fire retardant outer layer or covering. In addition, the garment may include outer and inner pockets for holding material ranging from household items to medical paraphernalia.
There is disclosed in the prior art a number of garment-type items for use by an individual. Among the garment-type items is the Comfort blanket garment wrap, U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,065, which discloses a blanket/comforter for wrapping about one's legs. The Comfort invention is shaped into a tube by making several folds to bring edges of the comforter in mating relationship by use of Velcro strips. A pocket is sewn on the inside surface of the comforter for receiving and holding a heating pad.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,141 (Doster) discloses a quilt for use with wheelchairs having a pouch for the feet that extends to the back of the knee area and includes a drawstring for tightening the pouch about the knees. A pocket, either external or internal, is sewn to a lap panel which extends over the lap of the wearer.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,716,239 (Barndollar) discloses a unitary body garment enwrapped about the patient's body to keep the patient warm and comfortable. A slide fastener closure means is provided on the front of the garment to allow the garment to form an envelope for the patient's body.
Despite the efficacy of the above inventions there remains a need for a comfort garment that provides more comfort and warmth than a standard lap robe, provides structure for holding or containing medical paraphernalia, such as catheter equipment, out of view when the individual is seated in a wheelchair, and also provides easy access to the medical paraphernalia for removal or replacement.


Mineral fibers, and products (e.g., building insulation products) formed of mineral fibers are treated, and thus rendered fire-resistant, by placing a phosphate-containing compound onto or in close proximity to the mineral fibers. The phosphate-containing compound is at least one which forms a high-temperature protective coating or layer on the surfaces of the mineral fibers. A preferred product of the invention will include two mineral wool layers with a septum carrying the phosphate-containing compound interposed therebetween. Exemplary phosphate-containing compounds include monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, phosphoric acid, aluminum phosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, potassium tripolyphosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, monosodium dihydrogen phosphate, and mixtures thereof.

Fire-resistant products are continually being sought for use in the building industry due to their obvious benefits of reducing the building occupants' risk of injury during fires. The theory behind the use of fire-resistant building materials is, of course, that such materials afford the building occupants more time to safely evacuate a burning building. While buildings typically now include a batting of mineral wool (e.g., glass wool) in interior wall cavities for the purpose of providing acoustical insulating properties, what has been needed is a mineral wool insulation which not only provides normal acoustical insulation properties, but which also is fire-resistant. It is towards the achievement of such a product that the present invention is directed.
According to this invention, it has been discovered that when an effective amount of a phosphate-containing compound (to be defined later) is brought into close proximity and/or contact with the surface of a mineral fiber (also to be defined later), and when the thus treated mineral fiber is exposed to temperatures well in excess of those which would normally melt an untreated fiber (e.g., temperatures in excess of about 649.degree. C. (1200.degree. F.)), the fiber nonetheless surprisingly withstands such elevated temperatures for significant time periods without melting.
What has been found according to the invention is that certain phosphate-containing compounds will form a protective high-temperature coating or layer on the mineral fiber surfaces when the treated fiber (i.e. a fiber having the phosphate-containing compounds in close proximity to and/or in contact with the fiber's surface) is exposed to thermal reaction conditions (i.e., elevated temperatures greater than about 300.degree. C. (572.degree. F.)).
Although not wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is surmised that some of the phosphate-containing compounds which may be employed in the present invention are those which release phosphoric acid upon thermal degradation. This released phosphoric acid is believed to migrate to the surfaces of mineral fibers in close proximity and/or contact therewith where it reacts with the silica constituent of the glass to form a protective silicate phosphate ceramic coating or layer on the mineral fiber surfaces.
In fact, for certain phosphate-containing compounds, this migration phenomenon has been observed to, in effect, spread the protective ceramic coating to mineral fibers not actually in contact with, but in sufficiently close proximity to, the phosphate-containing compounds. It is this protective ceramic coating (as confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis) that apparently renders the mineral fibers, mineral wool and mats of the invention capable of surprisingly withstanding the temperatures of an open flame for a significant period of time. That is, the mineral fibers, mineral wool and mats, and like products of this invention do not "burn through" when subjected to an open flame. Thus, the products of this invention exhibit "fire resistant" properties--that is, the products of this invention do not melt when exposed to open flame (i.e., temperatures normally melting untreated mineral fiber products). This property of the present invention is to be contrasted with "fire-retardant" properties--that is, products which merely inhibit flame spread, but do not necessarily resist flame burn through.
It is also surmised that phosphorous compounds which do not release phosphoric acid upon thermal degradation, offer protection of mineral fibers via formation of a high melting temperature phosphate surface coating or layer. In the case of some phosphate-containing compounds, it may be possible that a silicate phosphate ceramic and/or a high melting temperature phosphate coating is formed so as to impart fire-resistance properties to the mineral fibers.
The phosphate-containing compound can be brought into close proximity and/or contact with mineral fibers in any convenient manner, such as roll coating, spraying, dipping, sprinkling or padding. For example, when the mineral fibers are in the form of a glass wool, an aqueous mixture of the phosphate-containing compound may conveniently be sprayed via a conventional spray ring onto the glass fibers prior to their collection on a conveyor to form the glass wool. Also, in the particular case of glass wool, the phosphate-containing compound may be applied onto the glass fibers concurrently with an aqueous glass wool binder solution, in which case, the phosphate-containing compound is added to the binder solution prior to application.
In a particularly preferred technique, mineral wool (e.g., glass or rock wool) is bisected at or near its midplane after formation to form two mineral wool layers of substantially equal thicknesses between which a septum or substrate carrying the phosphate-containing compound is interposed. Thus, when the layers are brought into contact with respective surfaces of the septum, a composite "sandwich" structure is formed comprised of the two mineral wool layers and an interlayer comprised of the treated septum. A particularly preferred septum is a wet-laid nonwoven glass mat which is treated with the phosphate-containing compound.

Fire-resistant mineral fibers, structures employing such mineral fibers and processes for forming same


An image processing device for enlarging an image includes an attribute determining unit, a pattern matching determining unit, and a data selecting unit. The attribute determining unit determines an attribute of each pixel constituting an input image. The pattern matching determining unit determines whether a pattern of the input image, constituted by a target pixel and target-pixel-neighboring pixels that are determined to have the same attribute, matches a predetermined interpolation pattern while assuming each pixels of the input image as the target pixel. The data selecting unit selects pixel data for each of N×N pixels, obtained by enlarging the target pixel N-times, on the basis of the result of the matching determination performed by the pattern matching determining unit, where N is an integer equal to or greater than 2.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to image processing devices for displaying digital images, image processing methods, and computer programs for the same. In particular, the present invention relates to image processing devices for enlarging digital images to cope with an increase in resolution and an increase in the size of displays, and image processing methods, and computer programs for the same.
More specifically, the present invention relates to an image processing device for performing on-screen display, which includes icons and characters, on a large display, an image processing method, and a computer program for the same. In particular, the present invention relates to an image processing device for enlarging an on-screen display area while maintaining the display quality, an image processing method, and a computer program for the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the current increases in the resolution of displayed images and in the size of displays, processing for enlarging digital images has become a significantly important technique.
The digital images can be mainly categorized into the following two types.
One type is natural images captured with image pickup devices, such as cameras, and recorded or transmitted. The other type is artificial images, such as graphics and character texts, generated with computers.
Methods for enlarging or reducing images using an interpolation filter based on a sampling theorem, such as bilinear interpolation or cubic interpolation, are generally employed for natural images. These image processing methods can provide high-quality enlarged images, regarding natural images that have multilevel data and that include, in principle, a noise.
On the other hand, when artificial images are enlarged using the above-described interpolation filter, edges of characters or the like are dulled, due to which high-quality enlarged images may not be obtained. In particular, for bilevel images, such as character texts, enlargement processing is often performed using the nearest neighbor interpolation in order to avoid the blur resulting from such dulled edges. However, the jaggy (serration observed on a contour of an image) becomes problematic in terms of visual sensation in the enlargement processing using the nearest neighbor interpolation.
In addition, recently more and more complex video images have been handled in artificial images. In such a case, a mismatch undesirably occurs in a combined image of an enlarged character text and another artificial image if the character text is enlarged appropriately only using data matching or the like.
On-screen display (OSD) of an operation screen for screen setting that appears on a display can be given as an example of artificial images to be displayed over a digital image. The OSD function is used as a user interface to media that stores various kinds of image information, and is executed in a format that indicators, such icons or characters representing a device status and an operation condition, are superimposed on a main image. In such a manner, the OSD function allows an operation mode of the device to be displayed as an icon or a device operation guidance to be displayed.
For example, digital cameras are widespread as media that store image information. Digital cameras provide a mode for reproducing and displaying image data stored in a memory card and a mode for displaying through images to be captured. It is known that digital cameras combine image data with character data, representing a counter value, a date, and a photographing condition, on an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel, which is a display device, to perform on-screen display (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-146234).
In addition, an on-screen controller has been suggested (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 7-162750). From the viewpoint that on-screen images should be displayed in a relatively easy-to-see size and at a relatively easy-to-see position on a display, the on-screen controller includes means for enlarging or reducing a character or a pattern to a given size, means for displaying the character or the pattern at a given position, and an operation unit having a key for enlarging and reducing the character or the pattern to a given size and a key for moving the character or the pattern to a given position. The on-screen controller allows the character or the pattern to be displayed in the given size and at the given position through operations performed on the keys.
Additionally, the noticeability of on-screen images can be improved by increasing the size of displayed icons related to user settings. For example, a display-equipped electronic apparatus has been suggested (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-301992). The display-equipped electronic apparatus detects a change in an apparatus status or a change in a setting of an operation condition, assigns an icon indicating the apparatus status or the operation condition for which the change is detected, and performs on-screen display in a shape different from the icon assigned before.
As described above, since opportunities for enlarging artificial images superimposed on natural images are increasing mainly in products, such as digital cameras, obtainment of enlarged artificial images having a quality that is the same as high-resolution multilevel natural images is desired. Hitherto, techniques for performing enlargement processing on image data having relatively less grayscale levels, such as character texts of artificial images, have been suggested.
For example, an outline font generating method has been suggested (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-94171). In this method, character fonts of both of basic characters and enlarged characters are stored beforehand, and several kinds of pattern matching are performed on the enlarged character patterns to generate an enlarged character. This method undesirably requires a mass memory to store the font data. In addition, since this method includes two processing paths of enlargement processing and interpolation processing, which are generating an enlarged character from basic character font data and then performing interpolation on this enlarged character, a processing time and a cost for hardware increase.
In addition, a method for scaling bilevel images using the piecewise polynomial interpolation has been suggested (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-63592). However, this method undesirably requires a ROM storing a vast number of patterns, otherwise the quality of enlarged images becomes low with a small number of patterns. Additionally, the method requires complex arithmetic processing, which results in an increase in a processing time and an increase in a cost of hardware.
Furthermore, a smoothing method performed at the time of enlarging characters and figures has been suggested (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 9-305755). In this case, complex arithmetic processing is needed, which results in an increase in a processing time and an increase in a cost of hardware.
Moreover, a font generating system that employs a genetic algorithm has been suggested (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-4302). In this case, complex arithmetic processing is needed, which results in an increase in a processing time and an increase in a cost of hardware.
All of the methods described above basically target at bilevel graphic images, but are incapable of coping with text enhancement, such as outlines and shadowed characters.
Additionally, a method for enlarging characters using pattern matching has been suggested (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-3420). Although this method allows a target pattern to be enlarged to a high quality image, an unnatural pattern may be caused when a complex artificial image is combined with a background image.

Image processing device image processing method, and computer program


The present invention provides a method and apparatus for restoring a predicate register set. One embodiment of the invention includes decoding a first instruction which specifies a restoring operation to be performed on a predicate register set. In response to the first instruction, a mask is used to select a plurality of the predicate registers that are to be restored. The mask of the present invention consists of a first set of bits, with each bit of the first set of bits corresponding to a register in the predicate register set. When a bit of the first set of bits is set to one, the predicate register corresponding to that bit is restored. In one embodiment, the mask further includes one bit corresponding to a plurality of registers in the predicate register set, wherein when that bit is set to one, the plurality of registers corresponding to that bit are restored.

Computer programs consist of a set of instructions intended to be executed on a computer system to perform some useful task. Typically, programs are designed to execute certain instructions conditionally, i.e. if one or more conditions are satisfied then the conditional instructions will be executed otherwise they will not be executed. In this context, "executed" means that an instruction performs a specified operation which will result in a modification of the state of the computer system and/or result in a particular sequence of events within the computer system. In traditional computer systems conditional execution is implemented via the branch or jump instruction well known in the art. "Predicated execution" or "predication" (sometimes referred to as "conditional execution" or "guarded execution") is a technique whereby instructions can be executed conditionally without the need for a branch instruction.
Predicated execution is implemented by associating a "predicate" with an instruction where the predicate controls whether or not that instruction is executed. If the predicate evaluates to "true", the instruction is executed; if the predicate evaluates to "false", the instruction is not executed. The definition of "true" and "false" may vary with each embodiment. The function by which the predicate is determined to be true or false may also vary with each embodiment. For example, some embodiments may define the predicate to be a single bit where a value of one is true and a value of zero is false while alternate embodiments may define the predicate to be multiple bits with a specific function for interpreting these bits to be true or false.
By conditionally executing instructions under the control of a predicate, predication eliminates branch instructions from the computer program. This is beneficial on wide and deep pipelines where the flushes due to branch mispredictions causes several "bubbles" in the execution pipeline, giving rise to a large loss of instruction execution opportunities. Predication improves performance by eliminating branches, and thus any associated branch mispredictions. Since branch instructions typically cause breaks in the instruction fetch mechanism, predication also improves performance by increasing the number of instructions between branches thus increasing the effective instruction fetch bandwidth.
Predicates are typically stored in a dedicated "predicate register set". The exact form of the predicate register set may vary with each embodiment. For example, some embodiments may define a plurality of registers each containing a single predicate while alternate embodiments may define the predicates to be one or more bits in a "condition code" or "flags" register. The exact number of predicates may also vary with embodiment. For example, one embodiment may define 64 predicates while another may define only 8 predicates.
There are typically two methods employed to access predicates: individual and "broadside". Predicates are typically written individually by compare instructions and read individually by any predicated instruction. Broadside access refers to reading or writing all predicates simultaneously in a single access. Predicates are typically read and written in broadside fashion for procedure entry and exit and for context switching (a "context switch" occurs when execution on the presently active "process" or "task" is stopped and another process is selected for execution). In broadside access the contents of the predicate register set are typically saved/restored to/from another register in the processor or to/from a memory location in the computer system
Typically the predicates in the predicate register set are equally accessible to all procedures (also known in the art as "functions" or "subroutines") in a computer program. This necessitates the specification of rules by which the sharing can occur so that one procedure does not overwrite the predicates of another procedure. For this purpose registers are divided into two classes: "scratch" and "preserved". By software convention, the contents of scratch registers are lost at the point of a procedure call; the contents of preserved registers are maintained across a procedure call. Note that the division of registers into scratch and preserved classes is a convention used by software and is typically not enforced by the instruction set architecture. This division necessitates certain actions on the part of each procedure. For example, assume procedure A (the "caller") is calling procedure B (the "callee"), therefore a all instruction to procedure B will appear within procedure A and a return instruction to procedure A will appear at the end of procedure B. If procedure A needs the contents of any scratch register after the call to procedure B, then it must save their contents before the instruction that calls procedure B and must restore their contents after said instruction. If procedure B needs to use any preserved register then it must save their contents before using them and must restore their contents before returning to procedure A.
In the situation where procedure B does use preserved predicate registers, when procedure B restores the preserved predicate registers all predicates will be overwritten since, as discussed above, predicates are accessed in broadside fashion for procedure entry and exit. If any instructions following this broadside restore need to read the predicate register set (e.g. any predicated instruction), it would be necessary to insert additional instructions to re-write the predicate register set after the broadside restore and before said predicated instructions. These additional instructions reduce the performance of the procedure by increasing the number of sequentially dependent instructions. In addition, due to the use of pipelining in modern processors, performance may be further degraded due to pipeline stalls caused by instructions that read the predicates waiting on a previous broadside predicate restore to complete.
Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus that overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by restoring selected predicate registers of a predicate register set in response to a single instruction.

System for restoring predicate registers via a mask having at least a single bit corresponding to a plurality of registers


A processor includes controller circuitry operative to control the storage of a plurality of separate linked list data structures for protocol data units received by the processor. The linked list data structures are stored in memory circuitry associated with the processor, and the memory circuitry is arranged in a plurality of banks. The plurality of banks are configured to store respective ones of the plurality of separate linked list data structures, such that each of the plurality of banks stores a corresponding one of the plurality of separate linked list data structures. The linked list data structures are accessed in an alternating manner that reduces the likelihood of access conflicts between the banks. The processor may be configured as a network processor integrated circuit to provide an interface between a network and a switch fabric in a router or switch.

A network processor generally controls the flow of packets between a physical transmission medium, such as a physical layer portion of, e.g., an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network or synchronous optical network (SONET), and a switch fabric in a router or other type of packet switch. Such routers and switches generally include multiple network processors, e.g., arranged in the form of an array of line or port cards with one or more of the processors associated with each of the cards.
Packets in the routing and switching context are also commonly referred to as PDUs, and are typically variable in size. However, a switch fabric is often configured to process data only in fixed-size units, commonly referred to as cells. A given PDU received at an ingress line card of a router or switch is therefore processed, under the control of a network processor, to separate it into cells suitable for processing in the switch fabric.
In order to keep track of which cells are associated with which PDUs, a linked list approach is typically used in which head and tail pointers are stored for each PDU being processed. The head pointer identifies in a data buffer the particular block that stores a first cell of the PDU. Similarly, the tail pointer identifies in the data buffer the particular block that stores a final cell of the PDU. The data buffer blocks are typically linked such that an entire PDU as stored in the data buffer is identifiable using only the head and tail pointers.
A conventional network processor typically utilizes a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) to store the linked list data structure. DRAMs are a preferred storage technology for use in conjunction with such network processors, in that DRAMs can provide a large storage capacity at a limited power consumption.
DRAMs within or otherwise associated with a network processor are typically arranged in the form of multiple memory banks. Consecutive read or write accesses to an address or addresses within a given one of the banks will require waiting a random cycle time Trc for completion of a required access pre-charge process. However, consecutive accesses to even the same address within different banks do not experience this Trc wait time, which is also referred to herein as the bank conflict penalty.
Static random access memories (SRAMs) avoid the bank conflict penalty altogether. That is, any address in the memory can be accessed in a fixed time without incurring the Trc wait time associated with DRAMs. The drawback of SRAMS, however, is that their storage capacity is typically an order of magnitude lower, and their power consumption is typically two orders of magnitude higher, relative to comparably-sized DRAMs.
A number of DRAMs known in the art are specifically configured to reduce the Trc wait time described above. For example, a so-called fast cycle DRAM (FCDRAM) is particularly designed to exhibit a minimal Trc. A more particular example of an FCDRAM, commercially available from Toshiba, is identified by part number TC59LM814CFT-50. In this particular type of FCDRAM, the random cycle time Trc is limited to 5T, where T denotes the memory clock period. A memory access, either read or write, requires two clock periods, and maximum data throughput is achieved by using a so-called "four-burst" mode. For example, using a 200 MHz memory clock and an FCDRAM configured in four banks, with each of the banks including 4M memory words of 16 bits each, the memory clock period T is 5 nanoseconds and Trc is 25 nanoseconds, and the maximum data throughput using the four-burst mode is approximately 6.4 Gigabits per second (Gbps). However, if consecutive memory accesses go to the same one of the four banks, the data throughput is reduced to approximately 2.5 Gbps, as a result of the Trc wait time.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/025,331, filed Dec. 19, 2001 and entitled "Dynamic Random Access Memory System with Bank Conflict Avoidance Feature," which is commonly assigned herewith and incorporated by reference herein, discloses an improved DRAM-based memory architecture, for use in conjunction with a network processor or other processing device, which can provide the storage capacity and low power consumption advantages of DRAMs while also providing the advantage of SRAMs in terms of avoiding the problems associated with the above-described bank conflict penalty.
Despite the considerable advantages provided by the techniques described in the above-cited U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/025,331, a need remains for further improvements, particularly in the storage, maintenance and other processing of a linked list when using a DRAM which comprises multiple memory banks.
More specifically, in situations in which the network processor is being utilized for high-rate processing of PDUs, memory latencies can increase significantly, to the point that linked list traversal becomes a hardware bottleneck that is further complicated by the inefficiencies commonly associated with DRAM. The conventional approach involving maintenance of a single linked list data structure for a given multi-bank DRAM is therefore problematic, and represents an undue limitation on the throughput performance of the processor.

Processor with multiple linked list storage feature


An electrical hazard detection system is used to detect energized ground terminals on electric receptacles. This condition may not be detectable by traditional circuit testers when hot and neutral wires have been switched and ground terminals have been electrically connected to the neutral wires. The user's body is used to provide a high-impedance path to true ground thereby creating an electric current from an energized ground terminal, activating a transistor, and illuminating an associated indicator.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related in general to the field of electric energy detection systems. In particular, the invention consists of a device used to detect an energized equipment-grounding terminal in an electrical receptacle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a common wall receptacle outlet, an ungrounded circuit conductor, usually black, is customarily connected to a supply side of an electrical distribution system, and a grounded circuit conductor, usually white, is connected to a neutral side of the electrical distribution system. The grounded conductor provides a reference voltage for the receptacle outlet and is referred to as the "neutral". The electric potential of the ungrounded conductor, relative to the neutral conductor, is defined as the line voltage, and the conductor is referred to as the "line" or "hot" conductor.
Modern electrical distribution systems typically include a third wire, a normally non-current-carrying equipment grounding conductor. This conductor provides a low impedance path for ground-fault currents necessary to activate over-current devices and also equalizes the potential between exposed metal surfaces. This equipment grounding conductor, for purposes of this disclosure, will be referred to as the "ground", and the other two, normally current-carrying conductors, will be referred to as the "hot" and "neutral".
Modern 125 volt receptacles typically have three terminals that correspond to the hot, neutral, and ground. These terminals are marked and color-coded, and only the corresponding conductors are supposed to be connected to the terminals Circuit detection devices ("testers") are commonly used to determine whether the terminals of an electrical receptacle have been properly connected to the electrical distribution system. These testers are typically small plug-in devices that are inserted into the receptacle and provide an indication of the electric potential between the hot, neutral, and ground wires.
A typical tester may have up to three lamps for indicating electric potential between conductors. A first lamp, "Lamp 1", is connected between the hot and neutral terminals of the receptacle. If the lamp illuminates, an electric potential exists between the two terminals. A second lamp, "Lamp 2", is placed between the hot and ground terminals to indicate whether an electric potential exists between these two terminals as well. A third lamp, "Lamp 3", is typically inserted between the neutral and ground terminals to serve the same function.
Using this type of tester, a normal condition is indicated by an illumination of the first and second lamps only, showing that an electric potential exists between the hot and neutral terminals and between the hot and ground terminals, but any electric potential between the neutral and ground terminals is less than that necessary to illuminate the third lamp. Lamps may be selected to indicate various levels of electric potential between the conductors. However, a typical lamp that is illuminated is intended to represent approximately 120 volts alternating current between conductors and a non-illuminated lamp is intended to represent little or no electric potential between conductors.
A normal condition exists when Lamp 1 and Lamp 2 only are lit. If Lamps 1 and 3 are lit, the Hot and Neutral are reversed. If Lamps 2 and 3 are lit, the Hot and Ground are reversed. If only Lamp 2 is lit, there is an open Neutral. If only Lamp 1 is lit, there is an open Ground. If no lamp is lit, there is an open Hot.
A typical tester is capable of detecting the mis-wiring conditions indicated above. However, there have been instances resulting in fatalities wherein the ground wire is not connected to a receptacle, the hot and neutral wires have been reversed, and the neutral and ground terminals have been electrically connected together, either with a jumper or wire. This condition is not typically detectable by today's circuit testers and is likely to occur when a modern three-terminal receptacle is installed in a two-wire electrical distribution system having only hot and neutral conductors. If the hot and neutral conductors are interchanged somewhere within the distribution system, or if they are connected to the wrong terminals at the receptacle, the neutral terminal is energized at line potential and the line terminal is grounded at the service entrance.
Under these conditions, if a connection is made, either intentionally or unintentionally, between the neutral and ground terminals, all exposed metal on the load side of the receptacle will become energized at line potential. With this scenario, all UL listed 3-light circuit testers will indicate a safe condition when in fact there is a serious shock hazard present. There is at least one known documented electric shock fatality traceable to this situation.
Modern electric equipment is often designed to take advantage of an electrical distribution system's ground conductor to prevent accidental injury or electrocution. For example, a modern hand-held drill insulates the hot conductor from exposed metal parts such as the frame or case of the drill. However, if a short should develop between the hot conductor and the frame of the drill, the user is protected because the frame of the drill is customarily connected directly to the ground conductor, allowing current to discharge through the ground wire rather than through the user. If the erroneous wire condition indicated above were to occur, the frame of the drill would not be connected to the electrical distribution system's ground, but rather would be energized. Simply touching the frame may create a circuit between the distribution system's energized supply side and the user, resulting in a severe electric shock that may injure or even kill the user. However, a traditional tester is incapable of detecting this condition.
If a traditional tester is plugged into a receptacle wherein the ground terminal is electrically connected to the neutral terminal and both are connected to the distribution system's hot wire while the hot terminal is connected to the distribution system's neutral wire, then lamps one and two would be illuminated while lamp three would be dark. In this scenario, lamp one would be placed between the now energized neutral terminal and the hot terminal sitting at reference voltage and would light up. Lamp two would be between the now energized ground terminal and the hot terminal sitting at reference voltage and would also light up.
Because both the ground terminal and the neutral terminal are energized, no significant electric potential exists between them, and therefore, lamp three would not be illuminated. The result is that a typical tester would indicate a normal wiring condition of the receptacle when, in fact, a potentially deadly hazard exits. The typical receptacle outlet circuit tester cannot indicate the presence of supply voltage on the ground terminal because the tester has no reference to earth ground. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a circuit tester device that can detect this anomalous condition.


CO2 is removed from high-pressure feed gas in configurations and methods according to the inventive subject matter by contacting feed gas with cooled semi-rich solvent to form a two-phase mixture that is flashed into the bottom section of an absorber. Rich solvent from the absorber is then reduced in pressure to generate refrigeration for the semi-rich solvent and lean solvent countercurrently contacts the partially treated feed gas in the absorber to produce the semi-rich solvent. Among other advantages, cooling of the feed gas and semi-rich solvent by the pressure reduced rich solvent heats the rich solvent to allow enhanced regeneration of the solvent, and external refrigeration and heating of the solvent can be entirely avoided.

Acid gas removal from various gas streams and especially removal of CO2 from natural gas streams has become increasingly important as the sweet gas fields are being depleted. High CO2 gas fields remained unexplored, mostly due to their lower heating values and high capital and operating costs. However, with the recent increase of natural gas prices, gas producers started to explore these high CO2 fields. High CO2 gas fields exist in many regions of the world, including Alaska, Gulf of Mexico, South American and South China, particularly coal bed methane fields in North America. The CO2 content of these fields can reach 40 mol % and higher, which would require unconventional CO2 removal technologies to meet today's sales gas pipeline specifications, emissions requirements, and energy efficiency. Additionally, CO2 removed from these fields must be re-compressed to high pressure for Enhanced Oil Recovery and CO2 sequestration to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, a viable CO2 removal process must also be economically viable and environmentally compliant.
There are numerous processes for acid gas removal known in the art, and all or almost all of those may be categorized into one of three categories. In the first category, a chemical solvent is employed that reacts with the acid gas to form a (typically non-covalent) complex with the acid gas. In processes involving a chemical reaction between the acid gas and the solvent, the feed gases are typically scrubbed with an alkaline salt solution of a weak inorganic acid as, for example, described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,563,695, or with alkaline solutions of organic acids or bases as, for example, described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,177,068. Such chemical reaction processes generally require heat regeneration and cooling of the chemical solvents, and often involve recirculation of large amounts of chemical solvent, thus making the use of chemical solvents uneconomical for the high CO2 gas fields.
In the second category, one or more membranes are used to separate CO2 from a gas stream based on differential permeability of the gas components. A typical membrane system includes a pre-treatment skid and a series of membrane modules. Membrane systems are often highly adaptable to treat high CO2 content gases, and are relatively compact making them particularly suitable for offshore application. However, they are susceptible to deterioration from heavy hydrocarbons and tend to require frequent and costly replacement. In addition, CO2 removal to a relatively low CO2 content (2 mol % or less) to meet sales gas specification typically requires multiple stages of membrane separators and re-compression between stages. More problematic is that the CO2 permeate contains a significant amount of methane since methane is also a fast gas. With high CO2 feed gases, methane losses from the membrane systems could be significant, making these applications also often uneconomical.
In the third category, a physical solvent is employed for removal of acid gas from a feed gas, wherein the acid gas is absorbed in an appreciable amount with the solvent. The physical absorption of the acid gas predominantly depends upon use of solvents having selective solubility for the particular acid gas (e.g., CO2 or H2S) and is further dependent upon pressure and temperature of the solvent. Since physical solvent unit operation follows the principal of Henry's law, CO2 loading of the solvent increases with the CO2 partial pressure in the feed gas, which would make physical solvents ideal for use in high pressure high CO2 gas fields. Solvent regeneration can be accomplished, to some extent, by flash regeneration, minimizing or eliminating the need of heating. However, the physical solvent processes require large cooling duty in removing the CO2 absorption heat, and may also need significant heating for solvent regeneration. Without improved methods and configurations, the physical processes may also be cost prohibitive.
Exemplary attempts have been undertaken for CO2 removal. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,273,513 teaches feeding gas stream and liquid stream into a first contactor where they are contacted co-currently and subjected to turbulent mixing conditions, and passing the multi-phase flow from the first contactor to a second contactor. While such process provides improved contacting devices suitable for amine solvents (chemical processes), it fails to address the methods and configurations for heat removal, solvent regeneration, hydrocarbon losses and CO2 production of physical solvent processes. Improved CO2 removal processes with physical solvents are described in WO2004/052511, U.S. Pat. No. 7,424,808, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,192,468, where an ultra-lean solvent is produced by recycle/clean gas stripping or use of a vacuum stripper, and where the feed gas is cooled by refrigeration obtained from treated gas and flashing of solvent. While such processes advantageously improve energy efficiency, various disadvantages nevertheless remain. For example, the absorber requires a relatively large number of contacting stages, and the overall process is relatively complex. In yet other known processes, as described in WO2010/039785, the lean solvent is regenerated using waste heat generated in the plant, and feed gas cooling is achieved by the treated gas. While such process typically simplifies plant configurations, cooling requirements are not met and a separate cooling circuit for the lean solvent is required.
Thus, although various configurations and methods are known to remove acid gases from a feed gas, all or almost all of them suffer from one or more disadvantages. Among other things, the CO2 levels in the treated gases are often high, and use of physical solvent requires significant solvent circulation and refrigeration cooling. Therefore, there is still a need to provide improved methods and configurations for efficient acid gas removal.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

High pressure high CO2 removal configurations and methods


The invention is directed to a combined protector and hose support device for a containment berm including an elongate bracket configured to be removably attached to the rim of the containment berm, and a saddle pivotally mounted to the bracket to engage the hose.

Above-ground storage tanks are widely utilized to store petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, oil mixed with wastes, oils or greases of animal, fish or marine origin, vegetable oils, synthetic oils, mineral oils, chemicals, and the like. Leakage or spillage of such petroleum products, chemicals, hazardous substances and wastes poses a significant threat to workers, the workplace and the environment. Consequently, efforts have been made by petroleum industry workers, chemical industry workers, transportation industry workers, military personnel, and other workers involved in liquid containment to guard against environmental contamination resulting from undesired release into the environment of various liquids and chemicals.
Government environmental regulations require installation of approved secondary containment systems for both temporary and permanent storage tanks to contain the escape of tank contents in case of an accident. A typical containment berm system includes an enclosure positioned about the storage tank and is constructed from materials which are chemically compatible and resistant to the tank contents. Such materials generally include a non-permeable fabric or liner which is attached to a supporting structure that maintains the fabric or liner in a shape suitable for containing spilled tank contents.
In the process of transferring the tank contents from the storage tanks to vehicles parked outside of the containment area, the workman must connect a hose to the vehicle, drape the hose over the containment berm, cross over a stile to access the containment area, and drag the hose over the containment berm to the storage tank in order to hook-up the hose to the tank. After the transfer of tank contents has been completed, the workman must disconnect the hose from the tank, drape the hose back over the containment berm, cross back over the stile, and drag the hose back over the containment berm to the vehicle. However, draping of the hose on either side of the containment berm so that the hose is oriented downwardly allows residual tank contents within the hose to drip or spill onto the workman or ground. In addition, the fabric or liner is susceptible to fraying or tearing as the hose is pulled over the containment berm. The hose itself and the rim of the containment berm may also be damaged. Holding the hose upright to avoid drips and spills requires additional workmen to assist in current transfer operations.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an apparatus which mitigates these limitations.

Combined protector and hose support device for containment berm


A remote seal system includes a remote diaphragm having a first side configured to be exposed to a process fluid. A conduit is coupled to the remote diaphragm and includes a fill fluid in fluidic communication with a second side of the remote diaphragm. A temperature sensor is thermally coupled to the conduit and configured to sense a temperature of the fill fluid. In one alternative example, a remote sensing assembly includes a flexible elongate conduit having a first end coupled to a remote diaphragm in fluidic communication with a process fluid and a second end extending a length from the first end to a process fluid pressure transmitter. A substantially incompressible fill fluid is disposed within the flexible elongate conduit. The process fluid pressure transmitter is configured to generate an output value indicative of pressure in the process fluid based on a corresponding pressure in the fill fluid. A temperature detector is coupled to the flexible elongate conduit and is configured to provide a signal indicative of an average temperature of the fill fluid along the flexible elongate conduit. A compensation system calculates a thermal expansion value based on the average temperature and adjusts the pressure signal based on the thermal expansion value.

In some process control system installations, a pressure transmitter is used to remotely monitor the pressure of a process fluid in a conduit or storage tank. The pressure transmitter includes circuitry that measures or otherwise obtains an electrical indication of a pressure sensor that is fluidically coupled to a remote location where the pressure is monitored. The magnitude of the pressure sensor signal represents the pressure of the process fluid at the remote location.
Remote seals, or remote diaphragm assemblies, are sometimes used to space the pressure transmitter (which includes a number of electronic circuits) from the hazardous measurement environments or for coupling the pressure transmitter to process fluid measurement locations that are inconveniently located. For example, remote process seals can be used with corrosive, high temperature process fluids such as those used in refineries or chemical plants. In such instances, the mechanical remote seal, having a diaphragm assembly and a capillary tube, is used to relate the pressure from the remote location to the pressure transmitter which is located a safe distance away. A flexible diaphragm in the remote seal isolates the process fluid from fill fluid in the capillary tube. As the isolation diaphragm moves, the fill fluid (which is substantially incompressible) translates pressure changes through the capillary tube to a pressure sensor located in or on the pressure transmitter. The pressure sensor, which may include a sensing diaphragm, of the pressure transmitter senses the remote pressure through the fill fluid and produces a signal related to the pressure of the process fluid.
Capillary tubes can extend tens of meters in order to couple the pressure transmitter with the process fluid. Because of costs and difficulty associated with customizing the length of the capillary tube, remote seal assemblies are typically made available with stock lengths of capillary tube. The significant lengths of the capillary tubes and the thermal expansion and/or other thermal characteristics of the capillary tube and/or fill fluid can generate temperature-induced errors in the measurement from the pressure sensor. Accordingly, providing an improved remote seal system with temperature compensation will improve the accuracy of such remote seal systems and thus facilitate more effective process control.

Remote seal system with improved temperature compensation


An improvement in dough compositions comprising the replacement of bromate improvers in conventional doughs with compositions comprising ascorbic acid, azodicarbonamide, and mixtures thereof in combination with peroxy compounds such as benzoyl peroxide and hydrogen peroxide in the presence or absence of fungal enzymes such as fungal alpha amylase and processes for their use are disclosed.

This invention relates principally to the art of the chemistry of bread making, particularly to novel compositions as improvers of the properties of dough for bread making, more particularly to novel compositions containing oxidant improvers of the properties of dough and the breads prepared therefrom, still more particularly to novel oxidant containing compositions capable of replacing bromates in dough and bread improvement and to processes for their preparation and use.

Benzoyl peroxide to improve the performance of oxidants in breadmaking


A protection device for protecting a power cable connector includes one sensor, a separation mechanism and a processing unit. The sensor is for sensing a relative distance and a moving speed of an external object. The separation mechanism is connected to the power cable connector in a separable manner. The processing unit is electrically connected to the sensor for controlling the separation mechanism to separate from the power cable connector as the sensor senses that the relative distance is less than a separation distance and the moving speed is not zero.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a protection device for protecting a power cable connector, and more particularly, to a protection device capable of controlling a separation mechanism to separate a power cable connector according a sensed relative distance and a sensed moving speed of an external object.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Generally, a battery disposed inside the existing electronic device does not provide enough power for long-term working of the electronic device, so that a power cable connected to the power supply to receive the sufficient power is utilized as the electronic device executes the complex and consumptive programs for a while. However, the power supply and the power cable stretch across an aisle when the electronic device is used in the public place, such as the coffee cafe and the buffet counter, the moving object (such as the passerby) may be stumbled by the power cable easily, and the electronic device probably drops on the ground that results in hardware damage because the power cable is stumbled by the object. Therefore, design of a protection device for protecting the electronic device is an important issue in the computer mechanical design industry.

Protection device for protecting a power cable connector and related power supply and electronic system