A fire detection system for monitoring a volume containing fluid, typically air, for the presence of smoke particles is disclosed. A conduit for receiving the fluid, and any smoke particles therein, and directing the fluid to a smoke detector has a plurality of inlets formed therein. A respective temperature sensor is associated with each of the inlets which generate a signal indicative of a change in temperature in the region of the inlet. In the embodiments, the temperature sensor comprises one or more fiber Bragg gratings. The fiber Bragg gratings preferably have different grating periods. The reflected light from each fiber Bragg grating is returned back down the fiber optic cable and redirected via a 2×1 coupler to a wavelength detection system and a personal computer. The combination of wavelength detection system and personal computer allow analysis of the reflected light patterns, as well as providing a user interface which enables detection of the occurrence of a spatial and/or a temperature variation. The location of the said variation along the fiber optic cable is advantageously detectable. The system described is highly sensitive to smoke, but can advantageously also provide an indication of the location of the smoke source, because any variation in temperature at any one of the smoke inlets is also detected, the location of the sensor being known.

Smoke detection systems are known that include a network of pipes with gas inlet ports/sampling points located at intervals around the network. Gas, and smoke particles, if present, enter into the network via the inlets, are drawn along the pipes, and can be detected by a suitable detector. For example, the HART High Sensitivity Smoke Detection system available from Kidde Plc is one such system, and comprises a laser-based aspirating detector which counts particles of smoke to reliably detect fire at its very earliest stages. A fan draws gas, and smoke particles if present, through the pipe network into the detector. A disadvantage of such smoke detection systems is that the location of the inlet through which the smoke particles were drawn cannot be readily determined, so the likely location of the fire cannot be indicated.
The use of fibre Bragg gratings in sensors is well known. U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,073 (incorporated herein by reference) describes a spatially resolving fibre optic cable strain gauge which utilises fibre Bragg gratings, and it is also known to use similar fibre Bragg grating sensors to monitor variations in temperature. Variations are able to be sensed as the period and the effective refractive index of a fibre Bragg grating are altered as a result of a change in strain or a change in the ambient temperature in the locality of the fibre Bragg grating.
Fibre Bragg gratings are formed in photosensitive fibre optic cables by creating a periodic variation in the refractive index of the core of the fibre optic cable, which acts as a grating to reflect incident light. The wavelength of this reflected light, known as the Bragg wavelength λB, is dependent on the grating period and the effective refractive index of the fibre Bragg grating, according to the equationλB=2neffΛ,where neff is the effective refractive index of the fibre optic cable and Λ is the period of the fibre Bragg grating.
This Bragg wavelength is known to be affected as a consequence of localised spatial and/or temperature variations in the vicinity of the fibre Bragg grating. Fibre Bragg gratings have predictable, well defined responses to spatial and/or temperature variations. These responses are known to be approximately linear at and above room temperature, and fibre Bragg grating sensors operate by measuring the wavelength shift of the Bragg wavelength in response to the aforementioned spatial and/or temperature variations.
The Bragg wavelength shift ΔλB in response to spatial and/or temperature variations in the fibre optic cable in the vicinity of the fibre Bragg grating is brought about by a change in the grating period, and is found by differentiating the above equation to account for changes in the length of the fibre optic cable and/or the temperature in the vicinity of the fibre Bragg grating. This results in
      Δλ    B    =            2                    (                              Λ                                                      ∂                                  n                  eff                                                            ∂                1                                              +                                    n              eff                                                                  ∂                Λ                                            ∂                1                                                    )              +          2                              (                                    Λ                                                              ∂                                      n                    eff                                                                    ∂                  T                                                      +                                          n                eff                                                                            ∂                  Λ                                                  ∂                  T                                                              )                .
There are currently two approaches to making sensors using fibre Bragg grating technology. The simplest approach is to write a plurality of identical fibre Bragg gratings (i.e. gratings with the same grating pitch) along the length of a fibre optic cable. Incident light is reflected by each of these fibre Bragg gratings, the Bragg wavelength of each reflection being the same due to the equality of the fibre Bragg gratings. Spatial and/or temperature variations in the locality of the fibre optic cable would result in a shift of the Bragg wavelength of the light reflected by one or more affected fibre Bragg gratings. This change can be sensed, and hence it is possible to detect that a spatial and/or temperature variation has occurred.
The approximate position of the spatial and/or temperature variations can be obtained by optical time domain reflectometry. In this technique, a very short pulse of light (of the order of 1 ns) is injected into the fibre optic cable and the reflected spectrum measured as a function of time after the pulse injection. This approach is limited in that, although spatial and/or temperature variations in the locality of the fibre optic cable are detectable, there is no provision for the precise location of such variations, given that the resolution of the position information is practically only of the order of a few meters, meaning that only fibre Bragg gratings that are several meters apart can be distinguished.
An alternative approach is to write a plurality of fibre Bragg gratings along the length of a fibre optic cable, each fibre Bragg grating having a unique grating pitch. Incident light is reflected by each of these fibre Bragg gratings, the Bragg wavelength of each reflection in this case being characteristic of a particular fibre Bragg grating. Spatial and/or temperature variations occurring in a particular vicinity will affect one or more of the fibre Bragg gratings in that vicinity, leading to a shift of the Bragg wavelength of the light reflected by the affected fibre Bragg grating or gratings. Analysis of the reflected light patterns therefore enables detection of the occurrence of a spatial and/or a temperature variation. The location of the variation along the fibre optic cable is also detectable by determining from which particular fibre Bragg grating or fibre Bragg gratings the shifted Bragg wavelength emanates.
However, the Bragg wavelengths of the fibre Bragg gratings must in this case be sufficiently far apart so that the shift in the Bragg wavelength over the operating range of any grating does not overlap the different Bragg wavelength associated with another fibre Bragg grating. This provides a restriction on the number of fibre Bragg gratings that can be interrogated with one sensor and/or the temperature variation that can be sensed.
A fibre Bragg grating fire detection system is described in EP-A-1 524 509 ("FBG Alarm"). Such a fibre Bragg grating fire detection system is sensitive to variations in temperature. The smoke detector arrangements described above are sensitive only to the generation of smoke particles. Some types of fire will initially or primarily generate smoke with little heat, and some types of fire will initially or primarily generate heat with little smoke. It would be advantageous to provide a fire detection system that could detect rapidly a fire which initially or primarily produced heat or smoke. Further, it would be advantageous to provide a smoke detection system that could provide an indication of the location of the source of the smoke particles.


A method and a system for evaluating the definition of the image of an eye iris or the like, including approximately localizing the pupil in the image, defining, from the approximate position of the pupil, an examination window centered on this position, and applying a gradient accumulation operation to the luminance values of the pixels of the examination window, the running total being proportional to the definition score of the image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of digital image processing and, more specifically, to methods of identification or authentication based on digital images of an eye.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Iris recognition is a well tested biometric identification technique, provided that the image on which the analysis and identification methods are applied is an exploitable image. In particular, the performance of recognition algorithms strongly depends on the definition of the image of the iris to be identified.
Currently, in most applications, and especially in on-board applications (for example for an access control of a telephone or a laptop computer, for an electronic key, etc.), the used camera (digital sensor and lens) does not have an autofocus system adjusting the (real or simulated) focal distance according to the distance.
Further, for obtaining a good resolution of the iris which only takes up a small surface area of the eye, the images are taken at a relatively short distance (generally on the order of from 10 to 30 cm). This results in a small field depth (distance range between the camera and the eye in which the image is clear). This small field depth added to the fact that the eye is spherical may even generate definition differences between areas of a same eye image.
A processing previous to the actual iris recognition thus consists of selecting a sufficiently clear image.
Generally, the shooting device takes a number of images ranging between 5 and 50 and a pre-processing system selects the image to be submitted to the actual recognition algorithm.
The definition evaluation amounts to assigning, to each image, a score characteristic of its definition. This enables either selecting a sufficiently clear image with respect to a determined threshold, or selecting the clearest image among the images of a set. By convention, the higher the score assigned to an image, the clearer the image.
Various techniques for evaluating the definition of digital images have already been provided, be it based on a filtering, a wavelet transformation (WO-A-00/36551), or a frequency analysis (WO-A-00/30525).
All these techniques have the common disadvantage of being slow, especially if they are implemented in miniaturized products where the processing capacity is limited (electronic key, for example). "Slow" means that they are poorly compatible with a real time processing of images taken at a rate greater than 10 images per second. The need for rapidity is, in on-board applications, linked to the need for identification or authentication rapidity of a user by its iris, where the selection of a clear image thereof is a previous step.
Another disadvantage is the complexity in terms of size of the program necessary to execute the definition evaluation algorithm.
Another problem is, to save time and complexity of the method, to limit the area to be examined in definition. In particular, the small field depth in addition to the fact that the eye is spherical and that elements such as eyelashes may be included in the image makes this area localization important to evaluate the definition of the iris and not that of other image areas.
Another problem which is posed for the definition determination of iris images, or more generally of a specific area of an image taken with a small field depth and acquired at small distance, is linked to the presence of areas external to the area to be evaluated (for example, eyelashes), which may be clear while the iris is not. This problem is especially present in operators or algorithms taking into account luminosity gradients, which amounts to taking more account of the contours than of the actual areas. In particular, this is a disadvantage of a conventional operator or algorithm known as an FSWM operator which is besides known as an operator providing acceptable results.
Another problem which is also posed for the definition evaluation of image areas taken at small distance and with a small field depth is linked to the necessary illumination of the taken subject. For eye image sensors, it generally is a light-emitting diode. This light source creates specular spots which pollute the definition evaluation. In particular, the FSWN operator mentioned hereabove may be deceived by the presence of specular spots which tend to mask luminosity gradients originating from the iris with more significant gradients originating from the spots.

Evaluation of the definition of an eye iris image


A level shift circuit, a shift register, and a display device in which circuit operation is resistant to influence of variations in characteristics of elements such as transistors. The level shift circuit, includes a first switch turning on or off in accordance with a voltage of a first node, switching ON and OFF when the voltage is a first threshold value, and outputting a first voltage when ON state; a second switch turning on or off in accordance with the voltage of a second node, switching ON and OFF when the voltage is a second threshold value, and outputting a second voltage when ON state; a first capacitor receiving a first input signal at one terminal and connected at the other terminal to the first node; a second capacitor receiving a second input signal at one terminal, and connected at the other terminal to the second node; and a circuit for setting the voltage of the first node at the first threshold value and setting the voltage of the second node at the second threshold value in a predetermined period and setting the first node and the second node in a floating state after the predetermined period.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a level shift circuit for converting an amplitude of an input signal and a display device mounting this level shift circuit, more particularly relates to a level shift circuit used in a display device such as a liquid crystal display device and an organic electroluminescence (OLED) display device.
2. Description of the Related Art
There have long been various types of level shift circuits. For example, a level shift circuit configured by using a current mirror circuit is known (see for example Japanese Patent Publication (A) No. 2003-347926).
FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional current mirror type level shift circuit. A current mirror type level shift circuit 200 shown in FIG. 41 has a circuit operation controller 201, two bias shifters 202 and 203, a level shifter 204, and an output unit 205.
The circuit operation controller 201 has p-type MOS transistors Qp201 and Qp202 and an n-type MOS transistor Qn201. The p-type MOS transistor Qp201 and the n-type MOS transistor Qn201 are connected in series between a power supply line through which a positive side power supply voltage VDD is supplied (hereinafter described as a "power supply line VDD") and a power supply line through which a negative side power supply voltage VSS is supplied (hereinafter described as a "power supply line VSS"). Their gates and drains are commonly connected to each other. The p-type MOS transistor Qp202 is connected at its source to the power supply line VDD and connected at its gate to gates of the p-type MOS transistor Qp201 and the n-type MOS transistor Qn201.
The commonly connected gates of the p-type MOS transistor Qp201 and the n-type MOS transistor Qn201 receive a circuit operation control signal XSTB as input. This circuit operation control signal XSTB is set at a low level at the time of standby of the circuit (when not driven) and set at a high level at the time of the drive of the circuit.
The bias shifter 202 has p-type MOS transistors Qp203 and 204 and an n-type MOS transistor Qn202. The p-type MOS transistor Qp203 and the n-type MOS transistor Qn202 are connected in series between the power supply line VDD and the power supply line VSS. Their gates are commonly connected to drains of the p-type MOS transistor Qp201 and the n-type MOS transistor Qn201. The p-type MOS transistor Qp204 is connected in parallel with the n-type MOS transistor Qn202 and receives a clock signal CK as input at its gate. This bias shifter 202 performs an operation of shifting a DC bias of the clock signal CK.
The bias shifter 203 has p-type MOS transistors Qp205 and Qp206 and the n-type MOS transistor Qn203. The p-type MOS transistor Qp205 and the n-type MOS transistor Qn203 are connected in series between the power supply line VDD and the power supply line VSS. Their gates are commonly connected with each other. The p-type MOS transistor Qp206 is connected in parallel to the n-type MOS transistor Qn203 and receives a clock signal xCK as input at its gate. The clock signal xCK is a signal having an inverse phase with respect to the clock signal CK. This bias shifter 203 performs the operation of shifting the DC bias of the clock signal xCK having an inverse phase.
The level shifter 204 has p-type MOS transistors Qp207 and Qp208 and n-type MOS transistors Qn204 and Qn205. The p-type MOS transistors Qp207 and Qp208 configure a current mirror circuit. Sources of the p-type MOS transistors Qp207 and Qp208 are commonly connected to the power supply line VDD, and their gates are commonly connected to the drain of the p-type MOS transistor Qp207. The drain of the p-type MOS transistor Qp207 is connected to the drain of the p-type MOS transistor Qp202. The n-type MOS transistor Qn204 is connected at its drain to the drain of the p-type MOS transistor Qp207, is connected at its gate to drains of the p-type MOS transistor Qp203 and the n-type MOS transistor Qn202, and receives the clock signal xCK as input at its source. The n-type MOS transistor Qn205 is connected at its drain to the drain of the p-type MOS transistor Qp208, is connected at its gate to drains of the p-type MOS transistor Qp205 and the n-type MOS transistor Qn203, and receives as input the clock signal CK at its source. This level shifter 204 configures a current mirror amplifier for inputting clock signal xCK and CK having inverse phases to each other to sources of the n-type MOS transistors Qn204 and Qn205.
The output unit 205 has an n-type MOS transistor Qn206. The n-type MOS transistor Qn206 is connected at its drain to drains of the p-type MOS transistor Qp208 and the n-type MOS transistor Qn205, is connected at its source to the power supply line VSS, and is connected at its gate to gates of the p-type MOS transistor Qp205 and the n-type MOS transistor Qn203.
In the level shift circuit 200 shown in FIG. 41, the characteristics of the pair of the p-type MOS transistors Qp207 and Qp208 configuring the current mirror circuit must be uniform, therefore the operation of the circuit is easily affected by variation of characteristics of transistors.
Further, in this level shift circuit 200, a leakage current flows in the transistors along with the operation of the current mirror circuit. Namely, in the bias shifters 202 and 203 for shifting the DC biases of clock signals CK and xCK and the level shifter 204 for converting amplitudes of these clock signals CK and xCK to the amplitude of power supply voltage VSS−VDD, the leakage current flows through a route indicated by a dotted line in the figure. For this reason, in the level shift circuit 200, the power consumption due to the leakage current becomes large.

Level shift circuit and shift register and display device


A high-density multi-layer optical disc, a method for recording data thereon on a layer-by-layer basis, and a method for managing spare areas thereof. In a high-density multi-layer optical disc, having a plurality of recording layers formed thereon, such as a Blu-ray disc rewritable (BD-RE) dual layer, management information is recorded and managed appropriately to the multiple layers so that data can be recorded in a state where the recording layers are linked to each other or the recording layers are separated from each other. Inner and outer spare areas are separately assigned to each of the recording layers formed on the high-density multi-layer optical disc. The management information is recorded and managed appropriately to the multiple layers so that the data can be recorded in a state where the spare areas of the recording layers must be used together irrespective of the recording layers or used separately on the layer-by-layer basis. The recording layers can be effectively used and managed, and the spare areas separately assigned to the respective recording layers can be effectively used and managed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a high density multi-layer optical disc on which multiple layers are formed, a method for recording data thereon on a layer-by-layer basis, and a method for managing spare areas thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
As standardization of a high-density rewritable optical disc, e.g.; a Blu-ray disc rewritable (BD-RE), capable of storing high-quality video and audio rapidly progresses, it is expected that related products will be developed, commercialized and supplied.
A conventional BD-RE single layer 100 is shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, there is a distance of approximately 0.1 mm between a recording layer and the surface of a transparent film being arranged between the recording layer and an objective lens (OL) 11 of an optical pick-up.
When an optical disc apparatus for reading and reproducing data recorded on the recording layer of the BD-RE single layer 100 or recording data thereon determines that a defect is detected on the layer 100 while performing a data recording operation, the optical disc apparatus records the data in an inner spare area (ISA) or outer spare area (OSA) separately assigned to a data area as shown in FIG. 2, in place of a data area.
Further, the optical disc apparatus generates a defect list (DFL) entry needed for identifying a cluster associated with a recording unit block {RUB} recorded in the spare area in place of a data area, and performs a recording and management operation for the generated DFL entry.
As shown in FIG. 2, management information associated with the spare areas is contained and recorded in a field of rewritable disc definition structure (DDS) information of a lead-in area. The DDS information includes information items associated with the first physical sector number (PSN) of the DFL (P_DFL), a location of a logical sector number (LSN) 0 of in user data area, the last LSN of the user data area, a size of the ISA (ISA_size), a size of the OSA (OSA_Size), spare area full flags indicating whether the respective spare areas are full, the last verified address (LVA) pointer, etc.
The spare area full flags are recorded by one byte consisting of a 1-bit ISA full flag, a 1-bit OSA full flag and 6-bit reserved information assigned to a reserved area.
As described above, when the defect is detected in the data area while the optical disc apparatus records data in the data area, the optical disc apparatus searches for the spare area full flags contained and recorded in the DDS information field, selects the ISA or OSA in which the data can be recorded, and performs a sequence of data recording operations for recording the data in the selected spare area.
A high-density dual-layer optical disc, i.e., a BD-RE dual layer, capable of recording twice as much video and audio data as the BD-RE single layer, has been developed. As shown in FIG. 3, there is a distance d2 between the first recording layer (Layer 0) and the second recording layer (Layer 1) formed in the BD-RE dual layer 200. The first and second recording layers are formed at a location, within the BD-RE dual layer 200, having a bias toward the OL 11 of the optical pick-up.
The first and second recording layers of the BD-RE dual layer 200 are linked to each other so that the large-capacity data can be recorded. The ISA and OSA can be separately assigned to each of the data areas associated with the first and second recording layers. However, there is not yet provided a method for efficiently employing the first and second recording layers of the BD-RE dual layer 200 on a layer-by-layer basis. Moreover, there is not yet provided a method for efficiently employing and managing a plurality of spare areas separately assigned to each recording layer.

High-density multi-layer optical disc, method for recording data thereon on layer-by-layer basis, and method for managing spare areas thereof


A method is described for a user equipment (UE) to report channel state information (CSI) including at least one of a rank indicator (RI), a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or a channel quality indicator (CQI) in a wireless communication system. The UE reports the RI to an evolved Node B (eNB), drops a report of the PMI after reporting the RI to the eNB, and reports the CQI to the eNB after dropping the PMI report. A rank value corresponding to the RI is changed from a rank value corresponding to a most recently reported RI before reporting the RI to the eNB. The CQI is determined based on the RI and a precoding matrix that does not correspond to the dropped PMI report.

MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) refers to a method for improving transmission/reception efficiency by adopting multiple transmit (Tx) antennas and multiple receive (Rx) antennas instead of a single Tx antenna and a single Rx antenna. That is, MIMO is a technology for increasing capacity or improving performance by using multiple antennas at a transmitting end or a receiving end of a wireless communication system. MIMO may be referred to as multi-antenna technology. To correctly perform multi-antenna transmission, it is necessary to feed back information on a channel from a receiving end that receives multiple antenna channels.
A rank indicator (RI), a precoding matrix index (PMI), a channel quality indicator (CQI), etc. are defined as information fed back from a receiving end to a transmitting end in a conventional multi-antenna wireless communication system. The RI, PMI and CQI are commonly referred to as channel state information (CSI). The CSI is configured to be suitable for multi-antenna transmission. In general, the RI may be determined as a value indicating a most suitable rank in the current channel state, the PMI may be determined as a value indicating a most suitable precoding matrix based on the rank and the CQI may be determined as a value indicating a most suitable modulation and coding scheme (MCS) based on the RI and PMI.

Method and device for reporting channel state information in wireless communication system


A micromachined fluid sensing device and a method for its fabrication. The sensing device incorporates a bypass passage, preferably an integral bypass passage within the device, that enables a volume of fluid to be delivered to the device, with a limited portion of the fluid passing through a passage within the device in which one or more properties of the fluid are sensed, such as but not limited to density, specific gravity, and chemical concentrations. The device is suitable for monitoring the fuel concentration in a fuel mixture for a fuel cell.

The present invention generally relates to fluid sensing devices and process for producing such devices. More particularly, this invention relates to a micromachined fluid sensing device capable of measuring properties such as fluid density, specific gravity, and chemical concentrations, and in which a fluid bypass is integrated into the device to enable use of the device in flow systems that exceed the internal flow capacity of the device.
Processes and designs for resonant mass flow and density sensors using silicon micromachining techniques are disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,477,901 to Tadigadapa et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,778 to Sparks. As used herein, micromachining is a technique for forming very small elements by bulk etching a substrate (e.g., a silicon wafer), or by surface thin-film etching, the latter of which generally involves depositing a thin film (e.g., polysilicon or metal) on a sacrificial layer (e.g., oxide layer) on a substrate surface and then selectively removing portions of the sacrificial layer to free the deposited thin film. In the processes disclosed by Tadigadapa et al. and Sparks, wafer bonding and silicon etching techniques are used to produce microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) comprising one or more suspended silicon tubes on a wafer. The tube is vibrated at resonance, by which the flow rate and density of a fluid flowing through the tube can be determined.
Sensors of the type taught by Tadigadapa et al. and Sparks have found use in a variety of applications. A notable advantage of these sensors is the extremely miniaturized scale to which they can be fabricated, which among other things enables the sensors to precisely analyze very small quantities of fluids. However, in certain applications where relatively large volume flow rates exist, the limited flow capacity of these miniaturized sensors can be inadequate. It would be advantageous if sensors of the type taught by Tadigadapa et al. and Sparks could be adapted for relatively high flow applications without necessitating an increase in sensor size.

Fluid sensing device with integrated bypass and process therefor


The folding knife of the present invention includes a handle having first and second handle members that are maintained in spaced, parallel relation to one another by spacing elements that define a groove therebetween. The blade is pivotally attached to the handle at its tang portion and is movable into and out of the groove between its fully open and fully closed positions. A coil spring, or equivalent, may be interconnected between the tang and handle to provide an assisted opening mechanism. A blade lock includes a user actuated button that passes through an elongated slot formed through one of the handle members and through a circular opening formed through a bias plate that is positioned within the handle, and a plunger element that is spring biased in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the blade.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to folding knives, and more particularly to spring assisted opening knives and the lock mechanisms associated therewith for locking the blade in either a fully open or fully closed position.
2. Description of Prior Art
Folding knives typically comprise a handle having a pair of spaced apart handle members defining a groove therebetween and a blade pivotally movable relative to the handle between fully open and fully closed positions. A locking mechanism is generally included with these folding knives to retain the blade in either its fully open or fully closed position. There are a variety of locking mechanisms that have been employed in the past.
Liner locks employ a leaf spring that is attached at one end to the inner surface of one of the handle members and cantilevers therefrom. When the blade is in either its fully open or fully closed position, the leaf spring is biased into engaged relation with the edge of the tang that prevents its pivotal movement. To disengage the liner lock, the spring is manually moved out of engagement with the blade and the blade is manually pivotally moved such that the spring contacts the side of the blade, but does not prevent its pivotal movement to its terminal position. Once the blade reaches its terminal position, the spring is biased into engaged relation with the edge of the blade preventing further movement.
Liner locks are effective at preventing movement of the blade, but are difficult to manipulate. In addition, where the opening of the blade may be assisted by a spring, such as is the case with a switch blade, the operator's fingers would get in the way of the blade's movement, thus creating a significant injury risk. Accordingly, liner locks are not advisable for folding knives utilizing a spring for assisted opening and/or closing of the blade.
Another typical type of blade lock is a spring biased plunger that engages the tang of the blade and prevents it from moving until manually disengaged. The plunger is biased into engaged relation with the tang and requires manual depression by the operator to take it out of engagement. Once the plunger is manually depressed, the blade is free to pivotally move between it terminal positions. Once in its terminal open or closed position, the plunger can be released and it will reengage the tang to prevent further movement of the blade.
The plunger type of lock is useful in spring assisted opening knives because it does not require placement of the operator's fingers in the line of blade travel. The drawback of the plunger style lock is that it can accidentally be depressed, thereby unexpectedly opening the blade. For instance, if the knife is placed in the operator's pocket, it is possible that the plunger will be depressed by the operator leaning against an object, reaching into his or her pocket, or by some other object in the operator's pocket. The unexpected opening of the blade presents an undesirable injury risk.
3. Objects and Advantages
It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a blade lock for a folding knife that prevents a low possibility of inadvertent blade opening.
It is another object and advantage of the present invention to provide a blade lock for a folding knife that permits the lock to be disengaged without placing the operator's fingers in the line of blade travel.
It is a further object and advantage of the present invention to provide a blade lock for a folding knife that can be incorporated into folding knives without significantly altering their dimensions.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious, and in part appear hereinafter.

Lock mechanism for spring assisted folding knife


In a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission including input and output side disks and a pair of power roller bearings, rolling elements of the power roller bearings are made of a steel which is to be case hardened, a medium-carbon steel or a high-carbon steel which is such a steel as containing carbon in an amount of 0.2 wt % or more, and are subjected to a carbonitriding process and hardening and tempering treatments. The toroidal-type continuously variable transmission has a long life by improving the rolling life of the power roller bearings, the input side disks, and the output side disks.

The present invention relates to an improvement of a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission used in vehicles such as automobiles.
Conventionally, a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, as shown, e.g., in FIG. 5, is constructed so that an input side disk 11 and an output side disk 12 are coaxially disposed and opposed to each other inside a housing (not shown).
An input shaft 13 passes through the shaft center of the toroidal transmission section having the input side disk 11 and the output side disk 12. A loading cam 14 is disposed on an end of the input shaft 13. The loading cam 14 transmits the motive power (rotational force) of the input shaft 13 to the input side disk 11 through a plurality of cam rollers 15.
The input side disk 11 and the output side disk 12, having substantially the same shape, are disposed to be symmetrical, and are formed to be substantially semicircular in section as viewed in the axial direction with both opposed surfaces thereof taken into view. A pair of power roller bearings 16 and 17 that transmit motion are disposed to be in contact with the input side disk 11 and the output side disk 12, respectively, within a toroidal cavity formed by the toroidal surfaces of the input side disk 11 and the output side disk 12.
The power roller bearing 16 includes: a power roller 16a that rolls over the toroidal surfaces of the input side disk 11 and the output side disk 12 (the power roller 16a being equivalent to an inner race constituting the power roller bearing 16); an outer race 16b; and a plurality of rolling elements (steel balls) 16c, and that the power roller bearing 17 includes: a power roller 17a that rolls over the toroidal surfaces of the input side disk 11 and the output side disk 12 (the power roller 17a being equivalent to an inner race constituting the power roller bearing 17); an outer race 17b; and a plurality of rolling elements (steel balls) 17c.
That is, the power roller 16a serves also as the inner race that is a component of the power roller bearing 16, and the power roller 17a serves also as the inner race that is a component of the power roller bearing 17.
In this construction the power roller 16a is pivotally attached to a trunnion 20 through a pivot shaft 18, the outer race 16b, and the plurality of rolling elements 16c, and pivotally supported with a pivot O as the center, the pivot O serving as the center of the toroidal surfaces of the input side disk 11 and the output side disk 12.
On the other hand, the power roller 17a is pivotally attached to a trunnion 21 through a pivot shaft 19, the outer race 17b, and the plurality of rolling elements 17c, and pivotally supported with a pivot O as the center, the pivot O serving as the center of the toroidal surfaces of the input side disk 11 and the output disk 12.
The surfaces of contact among the input side disk 11, the output side disk 12, and the power rollers 16a and 17a are supplied with a lubricating oil whose viscous frictional resistance is large, so that the motive power applied to the input side disk 11 is transmitted to the output side disk 12 through the lubricating oil film and the power rollers 16a and 17a.
The input side disk 11 and the output side disk 12 are independent of the input shaft 13 (i.e. are not directly affected by the motive power of the input shaft 13) by virtue of needle bearings 25. An output shaft 24 is attached to the output side disk 12. The output shaft extends in parallel with the input shaft 13 and is rotatably supported by the housing (not shown) through an angular bearing 22.
In this toroidal-type continuously variable transmission the motive power of the input shaft 13 is transmitted to the loading cam 14. When the loading cam 14 is rotated by the transmission of the motive power, this rotational power is transmitted to the input side disk 11 through the cam rollers 15, which in turn causes the input side disk 11 to rotate. The motive power generated by the rotation of the input side disk 11 is transmitted to the output side disk 12 through the power rollers 16a and 17a. The output side disk 12 rotates integrally with the output shaft 24.
At the time of changing the speed, the trunnions 20 and 21 are slightly moved toward the pivot O.
That is, the axial movement of the trunnions 20 and 21 puts the rotating shaft of the power rollers 16a and 17a and the shaft of the input side disk 11 and the output side disk 12 slightly out of intersection. Accordingly, the rotational circumferential speed of the power rollers 16a and 17a loses equilibrium with the rotational circumferential speed of the input side disk 11, and in addition a component of a drive force for rotating the input side disk 11 causes the power rollers 16a and 17a to swing about the pivot O.
As a result, the power rollers 16a, 17a pivot over the curved surfaces of the input side disk 11 and the output side disk 12, thereby changing the speed ratio to either accelerate or decelerate the motor vehicle.
Such a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission is disclosed, e.g., in Examined Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Hei. 2-49411. As conventional examples of the above-mentioned input side disk, output side disk, and power roller bearings, those using AISI52100 (an equivalent of JIS SUJ2 high carbon chromium bearing steel) are known as disclosed in "NASA Technical note, NASA ATN D-8362."
However, the above-mentioned toroidal-type continuously variable transmission produces, when driven, high contact stress (max: 3.5 to 4 GPa) between the input side disk and the power roller bearing and between the output side disk and the power rolling bearing, which in turn causes the power roller bearing to receive a high thrust load. Such a condition causes the conventional rolling bearing to permanently deform portions between the rolling elements and raceways of the inner and outer races.
If the power roller bearing is e.g., a ball bearing, it is known that spin slippage occurs on the power roller bearing upon reception of such a thrust load and that a portion of the power roller bearing subjected to the spin slippage is heated. The heat produced by the spin slippage increases the temperature of the rolling portion of the power roller bearing.
Further, when the power roller bearing is operated at a high speed and subjected to a high thrust load, an increase in the temperature of the rolling portion due to heat becomes so noticeable that the power roller bearing made of the conventional material exhibits the problem of early flaking and fracture.
Furthermore, the rolling element, in particular, which is a component of the power roller bearing, is susceptible to early flaking and fracture because the rolling element is operated under a condition in which heat conductivity is poor, which in turn brings about a significant reduction in the service life of the bearing.

Component parts of a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission having improved life


A health monitoring system for monitoring a vehicle and a method for operating the same are provided. The system, for example, may include, but is not limited to, at least one sensor configured to collect data corresponding to the vehicle, an interface system, a memory, and a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor, the interface system and the memory, the processor configured to: determine when the vehicle is experiencing an anomaly, collect, from the interface system, data corresponding to the anomaly from a user of the vehicle, and associate, the data collected from the interface system and the data collected from the at least one sensor.

Vehicles, such as aircraft, automobiles, spacecraft, watercraft, military vehicles or the like, may encounter unexpected anomalies during operation. In some cases, the anomalies may occur during an unusual combination of circumstances, such as an unusual maneuver being performed, or an orientation of a vehicle component relative to wind, rain, snow, road angle, current direction, or the like. The circumstances may be difficult for a maintenance technician to reproduce, thereby making the diagnosis and analysis of the anomaly difficult. Furthermore, sensors of the vehicle may not capture all of the possible data relevant to the anomaly, thus making diagnosis and analysis even more difficult.

Health monitoring system for diagnosing and reporting anomalies


The invention proposes using statistical methods to do natural language understanding. The key notion is that there are "strings" of words in the natural language, that correspond to a single semantic concept. One can then define an alignment between an entire semantic meaning (consisting of a set of semantic concepts), and the English. This is modeled using P(E,A.vertline.S). One can model p(S) separately. This allows each parameter to be modeled using many different statistical models.

Most current natural language understanding and processing systems use linguistic methods for the understanding of input sentences. The problem with linguistic models is that there has yet been no portable linguistic approach that can provide natural language translation at a satisfiable level of accuracy. The reason for this poor accuracy is that linguistic approaches require domain experts to customize the grammars and actions, and hence can take years to develop.
Statistically-based natural language understanding ("NLU") has recently been attempted, but no commercially viable systems have yet been made available. There are natural language ("NL") interfaces to databases, but their success has been limited due to their inaccuracy. One problem with these prior statistical methods is that they do not adequately model the notion of alignments between English and related semantic concepts. Without a doubt, since a NL interface to computers and databases is by definition large vocabulary, one will need an accurate statistical technique for processing NLU queries.

Statistical natural language understanding using hidden clumpings

International Business Machines Corporation


It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel therapeutic agent for hepatoma viruses. Specifically, the present invention relates to an anti-hepatoma virus agent, containing as an active ingredient a compound represented by the following Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

Since Jenner discovered vaccine treatment against smallpox, infection prevention against viral infections has become available. However, regarding viruses for which there are no vaccines, once viral infection occurs, treatment options are limited to elimination of viruses by individual immunity and symptomatic treatment. The history of the development of antiviral agents against viruses begins with acyclovir that is a therapeutic agent for the herpes simplex virus developed by Elion et al. in 1977. In 1985, azidothymidine, which is a therapeutic agent for human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), was discovered by Mitsuya et al. were found. There has been progress in the development of antiviral agents for some viruses such as HIV-1, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and influenza viruses. However, antiviral agents do not exist for most of viruses at present.
HCV and HBV are hepatoma viruses that cause chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer. It is estimated that there are about 2 million HCV-infected individuals in Japan and about 200 million HCV-infected individuals in the world. It is estimated that there are about 1.5 million HBV-infected individuals in Japan and about 3.5 billion HBV-infected individuals in the world. The number of HCV- and HBV-infected individuals accounts for about 8% of the world population, and therefore, HCV/HBV infection is one of the most important infections that must be overcome.
HCV is a virus belonging to the genus Hepacivirus of the family Flaviviridae and its genome is single-stranded plus RNA. The viral genome consists of about 9600 nucleotides, and all steps of viral replication and proliferation are carried out in the cytoplasm. Once the virus invades cells, first, a precursor protein consisting of about 3000 amino acid residues is produced. Next, 10 types of mature viral proteins are produced by the protease of the host and the protease of the virus. Among the 10 types of proteins, E1, E2, Core, and p7 are structural proteins necessary for viral particle production. NS2, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, and NS5B are non-structural proteins necessary for viral replication. FIG. 1 illustrates the life cycle of HCV.
The life cycle of HCV is described as follows:
1) Infection
In a step of infection, the virus comes into contact with a receptor thereof so as to invade cells. At present, CD81, SR-B 1, Claudin1, Occludin, and the like are known as HCV receptors.
2) Translation
Most of host proteins require a Cap structure present at the 5′ end of mRNA upon translation. On the other hand, HCV does not require such Cap structure. A ribosome is directly bound to a secondary structure of a region called "internal ribosomal entry site (IRES)" present on the 5′ side of HCV, and then, a viral precursor protein (about 3000 amino acids) is translated by Cap-independent translation. Ten types of viral proteins are produced from the precursor protein by the protease of the host and the protease of the virus itself (NS3-4A).
3) Replication
Replication of HCV is performed by the replication complex formed with non-structural proteins. First, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NS5B) functions to synthesize negative-strand RNA that is a replication intermediate using the positive strand of the virus as a template. Next, NS5B replicates the viral genome of the plus-strand RNA using the minus-strand RNA as a template.
4) Particle Formation
Viral particle formation is completed as a result of the assembly of Core, E1, and E2 serving as structural proteins and the viral genome with a scaffold comprising endoplasmic reticulum and lipid droplets. It is known that NS5A plays an important role during particle formation.
5) Release
The viral particles are released extracellularly. It has been found that apolipoprotein is necessary upon release.
Proliferation of HCV described above occurs only in the cytoplasm.
Clinically applied direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), which can directly act on viruses, are targeted to NS3-4A that is a viral protease, NS5A necessary for viral replication and particle formation, and NS5B which is an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. In the case of chronic hepatitis C, interferon (IFN) monotherapy was performed at first, however, efficacy was about 10% in this case. In 2015, a therapy involving the combination use of an NS5B inhibitor and an NS5A inhibitor was approved, for which efficacy at a level of 90% or more has been reported.
Meanwhile, FIG. 2 illustrates the life cycle of HBV. HBV is an incomplete double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the genus Orthohepadnavirus of the family Hepadnaviridae. Once HBV invades cells, it forms complete double-stranded DNA in the nucleus, which results in cccDNA. 3.6-, 2.4-, 2.1-, and 0.7-kb mRNAs are transcribed using DNA as a template and translated into a polymerase, HBcAg (Core), HBsAg, and an X protein, respectively. 3.6-kb pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) is packaged together with Core and the polymerase. After pgRNA is reverse-transcribed into DNA, viral particles are released extracellularly. Although HBV is not a retrovirus, as it has reverse transcription activity to polymerase, a reverse transcriptase inhibitor against HIV-1 is used for treatment of HBV.
In addition, for example, Patent Literature 1 discloses the use of 2′-fluoro-6′-methylene carbocyclic nucleosides for treatment of HBV and HCV infections. Patent Literature 1, however, discloses only the anti-HBV test as an antiviral test that was actually performed while failing to disclose that both HBV and HCV infections could be treated using 2′-fluoro-6′-methylene carbocyclic nucleosides.

Abstract: (wherein R1 is fluorine or hydrogen).

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION OKAYAMA UNIVERSITY


Molecularly imprinted catalysts are disclosed. The catalysts can include a core and a layer at least partially encapsulating the core. The core can include a titania-based photocatalyst. The layer can include titania covalently coupled to one or more silane coupling agents having an organic functional group. The layer can also include one or more molecular-sized cavities configured to selectively receive one or more contaminants. Also disclosed herein are methods of making and using the molecularly imprinted catalyst, as well as apparatuses and compositions including the molecularly imprinted catalyst.

Pollution of aqueous solutions and air is an expanding problem in the modern world. An ever-growing number of toxic pollutants are produced by industries, such as, for example, textile industries, chemical industries, pharmaceutical industries, pulp and paper industries, and food processing plants. The majority of these toxic pollutants are released within two primary fluid physical states: water and air. As the scope of water and air-borne pollutant production increases worldwide, the dangers imposed by these released pollutants on the environment also increases. Additionally, environmental regulations are requiring that these released fluid streams contain less and less pollutants. In fact, some treatment processes that were acceptable options at one point in time are now obsolete because lower treatment standards are required as new environmental regulations are implemented on the state and federal level.
A variety of wastewater purification methods have been developed. Some techniques for removing the contaminants involve use of strong oxidants, which may themselves be hazardous. Other techniques remove the contaminant from the fluid but then release the contaminant into the air or produce a contaminant output, which must be disposed of.

Molecularly imprinted catalysts and methods of making and using the same


A device may receive provisioning data identifying an application server and a user equipment. The device may provide a request for reachability data associated with the user equipment and may receive the reachability data. The device may cause a trigger for a packet and data identifying the application server to be provided to the user equipment. The device may receive, from the user equipment, the packet that includes a network address and a port identifier of a port of the user equipment. The device may provide, to a firewall associated with the application server, an identifier, the network address, and the port identifier. The device may cause, via the firewall, the reachability data, the network address, and the port identifier to be provided to the application server to enable the application server to provide data to the user equipment.

Internet of Things (IoT) devices are intended to be long lasting and utilize low power consumption. To maximize life cycle, an IoT device may enter power saving mode (PSM) and/or extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) periods where the IoT device is typically not reachable. During these unreachable periods, an application server, wishing to communicate with the IoT device may be unable to send data and/or updates. A device, such as a service capability exposure function (SCEF), may communicate with other devices within a low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) to transmit data.

Systems and methods for facilitating data transmission to internet of things devices


A process and an apparatus for refining molten glass by introducing, a stream of unrefined molten glass into a controlled environment distributing the stream of molten glass over a flow surface, and collecting the stream of molten glass from a downstream end of the flow surface to form a body of molten glass having a free surface exposed to the controlled environment. The controlled environment, may have a pressure less than ambient atmospheric pressure, such that introducing the stream of molten glass into the controlled environment causes gaseous inclusions in the stream of molten glass to rise to a surface thereof and escape.

Silica-based glass, such as soda-lime-silica glass, is prevalent in the manufacture of glass containers and other articles. Molten glass used to make such articles is conventionally prepared by melting various glass-forming materials in a furnace or tank at elevated temperature. The resulting molten glass typically contains gaseous inclusions, e.g., "blisters," "bubbles," or "seeds," which need to be removed. The process of removing gaseous inclusions from molten glass is referred to as "refining," and conventionally involves continued heating of the molten glass at high temperatures and for long periods of time to allow the gaseous inclusions to gradually rise to the surface of the molten glass and escape. This process is undesirably slow and requires high-energy input to maintain the molten glass at a suitably high temperature.
The general object of the present disclosure is to provide a process and an apparatus for continuously refining molten glass, which can increase the rate at which gaseous inclusions are removed from molten glass and thereby increase the efficiency of the refining process.
The present disclosure embodies a number of aspects that can be implemented separately from or in combination with each other.
A process for refining molten glass, in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, includes: (a) introducing a stream of molten glass into a controlled environment; (b) distributing the stream of molten glass over a flow surface; (c) collecting the stream of molten glass from a downstream end of the flow surface to form a body of molten glass having a free surface exposed to the controlled environment; and (d) removing a stream of refined molten glass from the controlled environment at a location below the free surface of the body of molten glass.
A refining chamber for refining molten glass, in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, includes: an inlet for receiving a stream of molten glass; a distribution section for distributing the stream of molten glass over a flow surface; a reservoir section for collecting the stream of molten glass from the distribution section to form a body of molten glass; and an outlet located below a free surface of the body of molten glass for discharging a stream of refined molten glass from the refining chamber. The refining chamber may further include an evacuation system for creating a sub-atmospheric pressure environment within the refining chamber.

Process and apparatus for refining molten glass


A secondary routing device is configured as a backup routing device for a primary routing device. The primary routing device performs asynchronous socket replication with the secondary routing device. The secondary routing device includes a transmission buffer, in memory, for storing replicated socket data transmitted between the primary routing device and the standby routing device and one or more processors implemented in circuitry and configured to execute a replication driver to: determine a threshold value; determine that an amount of data equaling or exceeding the threshold value has been read from the transmission buffer; in response to determining that the amount of data equaling or exceeding the threshold value has been read from the transmission buffer, schedule a window update for the transmission buffer at a scheduled time; and send the window update at the scheduled time.

A computer network is a collection of interconnected computing devices that can exchange data and share resources. Certain devices within the computer network, such as routers, maintain routing information that describes routes through the network. Each route defines a path between two locations on the network. From the routing information, the routers may generate forwarding information, which is used by the routers to relay packet flows through the network and, more particularly to relay the packet flows to a next hop. In reference to forwarding a packet, the "next hop" from a network router typically refers to a neighboring device along a given route. Upon receiving an incoming packet, the router examines information within the packet to identify the destination for the packet. Based on the destination, the router forwards the packet in accordance with the forwarding information.
Large computer networks, such as the Internet, often include many routers that exchange routing information according to a defined routing protocol, such as the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). When two routers initially connect, the routers exchange routing information and generate forwarding information from the exchanged routing information. Particularly, the two routers initiate a routing communication "session" by which they exchange routing information according to the defined routing protocol. The routers continue to communicate via the routing protocol to incrementally update the routing information and, in turn, update their forwarding information in accordance with changes to a topology of the network indicated in the updated routing information. For example, the routers may send update messages to advertise newly available routes or routes that are no longer available.
In the event one of the routers of a routing session detects a failure of the session, i.e., the session "goes down," the surviving router may select one or more alternative routes through the network to avoid the failed router and continue forwarding packet flows. In particular, the surviving router may update internal routing information to reflect the failure, perform route resolution based on the updated routing information to select one or more alternative routes, update its forwarding information based on the selected routes, and send one or more update messages to inform peer routers of the routes that are no longer available. In turn, the receiving routers update their routing and forwarding information, and send update messages to their peers. This process continues and the update information propagates outward until it reaches all of the routers within the network. Routing information in large networks may take a long period of time to converge to a stable state after a network fault due to temporary oscillations, i.e., changes that occur within the routing information until it converges to reflect the current network topology. These oscillations within the routing information are often referred to as "flaps," and can cause significant problems, including intermittent loss of network connectivity and increased packet loss and latency.
To reduce the impact of failures, some routers include a primary routing control unit and a secondary routing control unit. In the event the primary routing control unit fails, for example, the secondary routing control unit assumes the responsibility of forwarding packet flows. During a switchover from the primary routing control unit to the secondary routing control unit, a significant period of time may elapse before the secondary routing control unit reaches a state in which it is able to process and forward packets. For example, the secondary routing control unit may need to reestablish routing sessions, e.g., BGP sessions, that were lost when the primary routing control unit failed. During this period, network traffic may be queued or lost.

Estimating standby socket window size during asynchronous socket replication


A process for converting characters arranged circularly, as for example about the center hole of a compact disk, into a linear arrangement. Points are assigned to locations on the circular arrangement. These points are mapped to a linear arrangement. The number of points is selected to be greater than those of the original image to enhance the resolution of the resulting image. The location of the points is stored in an address array. The values of the pixels in the original image are then copied to a target array. The pixel values are then converted to binary values serving as input to a recognition neural network and a verification neural network.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of neural networks used for character or symbol recognition. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for recognition of characters or symbols which are rotated, as for example around the center hole of a compact disk or in a circular arrangement on a can or bottle.
2. Background of the Invention
Character recognition is an important application of neural networks. Character recognition applications are used for recognition of text in documents as well as recognition of symbols and characters in industrial applications. In all applications, optimal accuracy in recognition of the characters is of great importance. An overview and background treatment of the various factors affecting neural network performance and training can be found in a paper entitled "Foundations of Neural Networks" by Patrick K. Simpson, published in Artificial Neural Networks: Paradigms, Applications and Hardware Implementations, edited by Sanchez-Sinencio et al., IEEE press, 1992, USA.
In conventional neural networks, both hardware and software, characters are recognized by providing a representation of the character to a neural network. Internal weighting functions are used to produce an output representative of the most likely character based upon a training process for training the network. Improving the quality of the training process is the subject of a large body of current research and currently determines the accuracy with which the neural network can identify the characters. In industrial applications, correct recognition of characters representing, for example, serial numbers can be critical to production control.
In some instances, serial numbers, alphabetical or numerical characters, graphic symbols, bar codes, or other characters to be recognized, are provided in a circular arrangement. An example of this is the serial number which is commonly found around the central aperture of a compact disk. Correct reading of such characters is substantially more complex than reading characters in a linear arrangement. The present invention seeks to enhance reading such characters by providing a technique for rearranging the characters in a linear arrangement, segregating and centering the characters.

Neural network for character recognition of rotated characters


A system provides Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) to mobile stations through a wireless communication network for person-to-person traffic and traffic to/from an application. The network may include a plurality of Multimedia Messaging Service Centers (MMSCs) coupled to the wireless communication network for MMS communication between two mobile stations, and between a mobile station and an application during call origination mode operations. A second MMSC coupled to the wireless communication network, provides MMS communications between mobile stations and one or more applications during call termination mode operations. In a mobile origination mode operation, the second MMSC concentrates signaling from the first MMSCs and forwards received MMS data, and in a mobile termination mode operations, the second MMSC delivers MMS data to a destination mobile station without forwarding the MMS data to one of the first MMSCs.

In recent years, cellular and/or personal communication service type mobile devices have emerged as a must-have appliance among mobile professionals and consumers alike, growing in popularity every year since they were first introduced. The public has come to accept that mobile communication service enhances business and personal communications and may contribute to personal security. Consequently, mobile communication is becoming increasingly popular.
Manufacturers have developed wireless devices, such as cellular telephones, with increasing processing power, fast approaching the computing capabilities of devices such as personal computers and personal digital assistants ("PDAs"). Because of this increased processing power, mobile stations actually can be programmed to perform a wide range of application functions, for example, related to tools for productivity enhancement, gaming, entertainment and the like.
Although originally designed and deployed to offer voice-grade telephone services, as the technologies have developed, the mobile stations and the networks that provide service through them have offered an expanding array of data communication services and other related services. For example, a Short Message Service (SMS) application allows users of mobile devices to send and receive text messages; and more recently a MMS application allows users of mobile devices to send and receive multimedia content, such as text, graphics, digital photographs, audio files and video clips, via non-real-time transmission.
SMS is a communications protocol that allows the interchange of short text messages between mobile devices. The SMS technology has facilitated the development and growth of text messaging. SMS as used on modern mobile devices was originally defined as part of the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) series of standards as a means of sending messages of up to 160 characters, to and from GSM mobile devices. Since then, support for the service has expanded to include alternative mobile standards such as American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks and Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), as well as satellite and landline networks. Most SMS messages are mobile-to-mobile text messages, though the standard supports other types of messaging as well.
MMS is a store and forward messaging service/standard that allows mobile devices to send/receive messages that may include any combination of multimedia objects (images, audio, video, rich text, etc). MMS is the evolution of SMS, which is a text-only messaging technology for mobile networks. MMS has been designed to at least work with mobile packet data services such as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and 1×/Evolution-Data Only (EVDO).
MMS-enabled mobile devices enable subscribers to compose and send messages with one or more multimedia parts. Multimedia parts may include text, images, audio and video. Furthermore, MMS allows the sending of multiple media parts in a single message, as well as the ability to send a single message to multiple recipients.
An example of how an MMS message can be sent and received between two compatible MMS mobile devices is detailed below. However, it is understood that the network operator may vary the sequence described below.
Using an MMS compatible mobile device, the originating subscriber may create an MMS Message, either using a built-in or accessory camera, or can use images and sounds stored previously in the mobile device (and/or possibly downloaded from a web site or sent in an email). The mobile subscriber may personalize the message by adding text, a sound clip, voice to the image or any combination of the aforementioned applications. The MMS message is subsequently sent to a Multimedia Message Service Center (MMSC) for delivery to another mobile subscriber. If the recipient of the MMS message has an MMS compatible mobile device, then an MMS message will appear on the recipient's mobile device alerting the recipient of a new message. Even if the recipient mobile device is not switched on, the MMS Message will be stored within the operator's network and subsequently sent to the recipient as soon as they switch on their mobile device. In a non-roaming case, the subscriber may even allow an MMS Message to be downloaded automatically to their mobile device and then they would be notified and could see the Multimedia Message immediately. Furthermore, a number of MMS Messages can be stored in the subscriber's mobile device and reviewed or forwarded at a later date. When the MMS message is retrieved from the operator's network, the picture message will open on the screen, text may appear below the image and the audio may begin to play automatically. However, if the MMS message is sent to a non-compatible MMS mobile device, then the user will receive an SMS message possibly stating: "You have been sent a picture message!" The recipient may then be given a website address, and possibly a username/password on which they can view the MMS message.
As demonstrated above, traditional MMS allows subscribers unlimited Person-to-Person (P2P) messaging flexibility that did not exist in conventional SMS deployment scenarios. However, MMS has evolved beyond P2P messaging to become a multimedia entertainment and information delivery channel. Application-To-Person (A2P) and Person-To-Application (P2A) MMS provides content-driven and event-driven alerts, which are normally more time-sensitive than P2P MMS. For example, A2P may include breaking news alerts, alerts in sports, finance, traffic, politics, marketing, promotions, games, ringtone downloads, wallpaper, and off-deck MMS content (anything not offered by a carrier download). As adoption of A2P continues to accelerate, this change will create additional performance and throughput requirements on the network operator's MMS infrastructure.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary network 400 for providing MMS services, as well as several terminal devices communicating via the network.
In today's networks, a Mobile Station (MS) can be a cellular phone, personal digital assistant, personal computer or any other wireless communication device adapted to communicate with a wireless carrier network. Typically, a user will carry a mobile station as he or she travels to work, to home, and to other locations. In an operator network that offers MMS services, a user may utilize the mobile station to make voice-based calls to other users, transfer data with other users, check email, connect to the Internet, via the RAN 411 and other network elements not shown.
The RAN 411 also enables MSs 441, 443 and 445 to access the Network 401 over the air via any of the Base Stations (BSs) (BS 413 and 415). For discussion purposes, the drawing shows one such Radio Access Network (RAN) 411, although those skilled in the art will recognize that large carriers operate a number of such networks and that many countries have two or more mobile carriers that offer, or soon will offer, competing wireless/mobile packet data communication services. Through the carrier's access networks, the Overall Network 400 offers mobile communications to customers using mobile stations throughout a wide geographic area.
RAN 411 is a generic portion of the wireless network that may include a number of base stations represented in the example by BS 413 and BS 415, each of which communicates over a number of air-links with one or more of the MS(s) 441, 443 and 445, when the mobile stations are within range. Each base station typically includes several antennae mounted on a radio tower within a coverage area often referred to as a "cell." BS 413 and BS 415 are the part of the RAN that send and receive Radio Frequency (RF) signals to/from the mobile stations that each base station currently serves.
BS 413 and BS 415 assign and reassign channels to the MS(s) 441, 443 and 445 that they serve and monitor the signal levels to recommend hand-offs to other base stations. RAN 411 is connected to Network 401 via a network (not shown) that typically includes a base station controller (not shown) or a radio network controller (not shown) functionality that controls the functions of a number of base stations and helps to manage how calls made by each mobile station are transferred (or "handed-off") from one serving base station to another. Each wireless network equipment vender implements this function differently. Some equipment vendors have a physical entity, which they call a base station controller (not shown), while other vendors include this functionality as part of their switch (not shown).
In FIG. 4, the MS(s) 441, 443 and 445 can connect to any one of the in-range Base Stations (BS(s) 413 and 415) in order to make a call (i.e. voice) or to transfer/receive data. BS 413 and/or BS 415 provide wireless access points to the RAN 411, Network 401 and Internet 425. In FIG. 4, MSs 441 and 443 are connected to BS 413 via the air-link, and MS 445 is connected to BS 415 via the air-link. BS 413 and 415 are connected to Network 401 via other elements of the RAN 411.
Network 401 may include MMSC(s) and Internet Protocol (IP) Network 409. In FIG. 4, Network 401 includes at least MMSC-1 403, MMSC-2 405, MMSC-3 407 connected to each other via IP Network 409. Each of the MMSC-1 403, the MMSC-2 405, and the MMSC-3 407 allow messages to be exchanged between MS(s) 441, 443 and 445 and also other networks. In this current network configuration, the MMSC(s) are designed to support all types of traffic (multi-function)—P2P, person-to-email, P2A and A2P.
Network 401 is also connected to Inter-Carrier (IC) Network 451 and Email Server 441. By maintaining connections to Email Server 441, Mobile Stations connected to Network 401 may send and receive email. Furthermore, Mobile Stations connected to Network 401 may transfer data and voice with users of other operator networks via IC Network 451.
Network 401 is also connected to a Value Added Service Provider 431 (VASP 431) via Internet 425 and Logical Connections 421a, 421b and 421c through the Internet 425 (and typically through IP Network 409). Logical Connection 421a provides a logical connection from MMSC-1 403 to VASP 431. Similarly, Logical Connection 421b provides a logical connection from MMSC-2 405 to VASP 431 and Logical Connection 421c provides a logical connection from MMSC-3 407 to VASP 431.
VASP 431 is an entity that provides web content and/or services to clients, generally network providers as well as end users, without actually performing the role of the network carrier or provider. Furthermore, carriers/network operators can also represent one or more entities that utilize the VASPs in order, e.g., to provide improved content to their subscribers over their network rather than investing the capital to offer such services directly. As a result, VASP 431 receives P2A messaging requests from mobile stations and provides A2P messaging that may include breaking news alerts, alerts in sports, finance, traffic, politics, marketing, promotions, games, ringtone downloads, wallpaper, and off-deck MMS content (anything not offered by a carrier download). Hence, MSs 441, 443 and 445 may exchange data with the VASP 431 via Network 401 to send and receive P2P, A2P and P2A messaging.
In the above network configuration, the MMSC(s) are designed to support all types of traffic (multi-function)—P2P, person-to-email, P2A and A2P. However, unlike P2P traffic, A2P traffic patterns tend to be more "spiky" in busy hours, e.g., sports score alerts that are sent at specific intervals such as at the end of each quarter in a game will cause a large surge of traffic at set intervals. Large surges in network traffic affect system performance and may cause network delays. As a result, the network operator or carrier faces the challenge of how to scale the existing MMSC infrastructure to accommodate new types of traffic patterns. Hence a need exists for an alternative MMS architecture that supports P2P traffic, as well as "spiky" A2P/P2A traffic.
Furthermore, a need exists for reducing the VASP operational management complexity when operator networks are expanded. In FIG. 4, the Network 401 is connected to the VASP 431 via Logical Connections 421a, 421b and 421c. Thus, VASP 431 is individually connected to and communicates with each MMSC in the Network 409. While the number of MMSC(s) in FIG. 4 may not be large, in a practical setting the actual number of MMSC(s) utilized may be larger. Furthermore, although a single VASP is represented in FIG. 4, in a practical setting the actual number of VASPs connected to an operator's network could be quite large. Thus, the greater quantity of MMSC(s) utilized in Network 401 dramatically increases the VASP(s) operational management complexity. Therefore, when hardware or software upgrades are performed to the MMSC(s), the VASP(s) will be informed of each upgrade from each MMSC that each VASP is connected to. Additionally, when new MMSC(s) are added/removed from the Network 401, the VASP(s) will be informed/integrated of these changes through various signaling means. Furthermore, during troubleshooting, by having a number of connections between the MMSC(s) and the VASP(s), the troubleshooting is made more complex. Thus, a further need exists for reducing VASP operational management complexity when operator networks are expanded, managed and upgraded.

Optimized MMS architecture for application-to-person and person-to-application messaging


Provided is an apparatus and method for automatically controlling power of a video appliance. The apparatus for automatically controlling power of a video appliance includes an image input unit for capturing a viewer's posture, a posture detection unit for detecting posture information from the image captured by the image input unit, a horizontal-level calculation unit for calculating a horizontal level by using the posture information detected by the posture detection unit and comparing the calculated horizontal level with a preset reference horizontal level, an alert-sound output unit for outputting an alert sound corresponding to the horizontal level compared by the horizontal-level calculation unit; and a power-signal transceiver unit for outputting a power-off signal to the video appliance corresponding to the horizontal level compared by the horizontal-level calculation unit. Accordingly, upright posture of viewers watching the video appliance can be ensured since a viewer's posture is detected and power of the video appliance is automatically controlled according to the detected posture.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for automatically controlling power of a video appliance, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for automatically controlling power of a video appliance, which can ensure upright posture in viewers by detecting a viewer's posture and automatically controlling power of the video appliance according to the detected posture.
This work was supported by the IT R&D program of MIC/IITA [2007-S-020-01, Development of Privacy Enhanced Biometric System]
2. Description of the Related Art
An increasing number of viewers are watching video contents in home through devices such as TVs, videotape recorders (VTR), digital versatile disc (DVD) players and home theaters, and demands for such video contents are rapidly increasing. Also, various kinds of video contents for infants and children are rapidly increasing and distributed, and thus it is required to provide viewing guidance to infants and children.
Particularly, it is important to ensure upright posture in infants or children who are watching video contents for a relatively long time, as well as to choose good video contents.
However, since continuous parental guidance and observation are required to ensure the upright posture, there is a need for a method or apparatus for effectively ensuring the upright posture without direct parental guidance. However, there has been no special related-art apparatus or method developed to ensure the upright posture in viewers such as infants or children, and parental guidance is still playing a main role in ensuring the upright posture.
The only method or apparatus developed for viewing limitations of viewers of video appliances such as TVs is a proximity-viewing limiting apparatus for a TV set, which includes an infrared transceiver and an ultrasonic sensor. However, this apparatus fails to recognize a viewer's posture.

Apparatus and method for automatically controlling power of video appliance

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


Disclosed is a three-stage valve switch structure, having a specifically designed main switch and an auxiliary switch, and is operated in cooperation with a forward rotation air passageway, and a reverse rotation air passageway, so that air of an air pump enters into a pneumatic device from said air passageway in driving an oil piston into forward rotation, pulling action, and reverse rotation; and said auxiliary switch is utilized in a condition that, in case that retrieving from a rivet nut done by a pneumatic machine tool is not complete, then said auxiliary switch can be pressed down for driving said pneumatic device into rotating its blades in a reverse manner, hereby reversely rotating said oil piston to make said retrieval from rivet nut more complete. The application of the present invention is not restricted to rivet-nut-riveter, it can also be utilized in pneumatic machine tools requiring forward rotation, pulling action, and reverse rotation functions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a valve switch, and in particular to a three-stage valve switch structure, that is capable of controlling the forward rotation, reverse rotation and pulling action in an existing manual machine tool.
2. The Prior Arts
In general, a blind-rivet-riveter is utilized in a manual machine tools for assembling plate members, such as the connection and fastening of the plate members, and that is achieved through putting a rivet through two plate members, and putting in a rivet mandrel for pulling rivet and for biting by making use of a rivet-setting device having jaw bits in a head portion of a blind-rivet-riveter, such that when user presses down on a handle, a rivet-setting device will be actuated to retract backward, so that a riveting mandrel will move backward to cause deformation wrinkles of a tube member of a rivet, hereby realizing connection and fastening of plate members. Usually, a blind-rivet-riveter is also referred to as a rivet-pulling-riveter, that is a kind of manual machine tool used exclusively for fastening and assembly of plate members. A rivet-nut-riveter is another kind of manual machine tool used frequently in industry and upholstery, that is also used extensively in rivet-fastening and assembly of avionic products, computers, communication products, vehicles, machineries, and etc, and various sheet members and pipe systems. By way of example, upon utilizing rivet-nut-riveter in fastening and assembly of two plate members, a rivet nut is put through between two plate members, such that a pull rod of rivet-nut-riveter having threaded section is screwed to a rivet nut. Therefore, when a user pressed down on a handle, the pull rod will be actuated to retract backward, so that a riveting mandrel will move backward to cause deformation wrinkles of a grip section on both ends of a rivet nut, hereby achieving connection and fastening of plate members. As such, in this assembly method, a pull rod is actuated to retract backward in realizing connection and fastening of plate members.
However, in proceeding with a nut riveting operation, it is usually realized through the three-stage actions of forward rotation, pulling, and reverse rotation, so as to cause deformation wrinkles of threaded sections on both ends of a rivet nut, hereby successfully retrieving the rivet nut. However, in the design of existing rivet-nut-riveter having single valve or double valves, usually the retraction of rivet nut is not complete, so that user will spend much time in taking out rivet nuts from an oil piston. As such, in case that design improvements can be made to valve switch of manual machine tool, wherein an auxiliary switch is utilized, such that when the retraction of a rivet nut reverse rotation is not complete, a pneumatic device can be actuated in reversely rotating its blades and then retracting a rivet nut completely by pressing down an auxiliary switch, hereby achieving convenience and much economic benefits.
In view of the problems and shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a three-stage valve switch structure, so as to solve the afore-mentioned problems of the prior art.


Embodiments of the invention are directed to retrodirective radio-frequency systems wherein a transmit antenna array includes at least one row of N transmit elements and a receive antenna array includes at least one row of N receive elements that correspond one-to-one to the transmit elements and wherein the transmit and receive elements are located on spaced planes, and centered about a common axis and located at common transmit distance and a common receive distance, respectively. In some embodiments the one row of transmit and receive elements comprises “n” rows of elements, where “n” is an integer greater than one, thereby forming a two-dimensional array. In some embodiments the total transmit radiation pattern provides an azimuth coverage of 360 degrees. In other embodiments, it may provide less coverage but be operable as independent sectors. In some embodiments, the desired transmit wave form will be identical between all transmit elements of the array, one possible example being pseudo random noise imparted on a sinusoidal carrier.

Retrodirective antennas have become of great interest for communications and radar to simplify the task of steering and focusing the beams from planar phased array antennas. In a recent radar development, pseudorandom transmit waveforms have been combined with a retrodirective antenna architecture to realize a system that can automatically point, track, and focus a beam while deriving range and angle information from the received and de-correlated signal. A problem with this approach is spatial diversity of the beam. Because all elements lie in a common plane, the maximum possible beam angle is just the beamwidth of a single element. In order to achieve this beamwidth in search mode, it is necessary that separate elements transmit quasi-orthogonal pseudorandom noise (PRN) sequences, meaning that an N-element array must minimally transmit N such sequences. This is straightforward on the transmit side, but cumbersome on the receive side because each receiver must now be able to cross-correlate against all N transmit sequences in order to process all the available radiated power. This requirement combined with separate digital Doppler filtering of each correlator output presents a huge challenge in digital signal processing from both a hardware and software standpoint.


Accordingly, there are disclosed herein active cables and methods that enable direct connection between different generations of network interface ports or ports supporting different standards. One illustrative embodiment is an active 1:N breakout cable that includes a unary end connector connected by electrical conductors to each of multiple split end connectors. The unary end connector is adapted to fit into a network interface port of a primary host device to provide output PAM4 electrical signals that convey a multi-lane outbound data stream to the primary host device and to accept input PAM4 electrical signals that convey multi-lane inbound data stream from the primary host device. Each of the split end connectors is adapted to fit into a network interface port of a secondary host device to provide output NRZ electrical signals that convey a split portion of the inbound data stream to that secondary host device and to accept input NRZ electrical signals that convey a split portion of the outbound data stream from that secondary host device.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standards Association publishes an IEEE Standard for Ethernet, IEEE Std 802.3-2015, which will be familiar to those of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. This Ethernet standard provides a common media access control specification for local area network (LAN) operations at selected speeds from 1 Mbps to 100 Gbps over coaxial cable, twinaxial cable, twisted wire pair cable, fiber optic cable, and electrical backplanes, with various channel signal constellations. As demand continues for ever-higher data rates, the standard is being extended. Such extensions to the standard must account for increased channel attenuation and dispersion even as the equalizers are forced to operate at faster symbol rates. As the standard is extended, however, it may not be directly inter-operable with the current-generation. For example, there exists no way to directly couple current generation 100 Gbps Ethernet ports to proposed next generation 400 Gbps Ethernet ports.


A method and apparatus providing a sign post assembly including a stabilizing post member, an outer tubular post and a horizontal post member. The stabilizing post member includes a spike portion and an inner post portion with a blocking portion coupled to the post member above the spike portion. The outer tubular post defines a post bore substantially extending through a length of the outer tubular post with at least a lower open end. The outer tubular post is configured to mate with the inner post portion to substantially extend within the post bore of the outer tubular post. The horizontal post member includes a horizontal post portion and a post coupling portion. The post coupling portion is configured to operatively couple with the inner post portion of the stabilizing post member so that the horizontal post portion extends transverse to the stabilizing post member to hang a sign thereto.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to real estate sign posts. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sign post assembly and a tool for installing and uninstalling the sign post assembly.
2. State of the Art
In recent years, the marketing and sale of homes and other single family dwellings have become increasingly competitive as major real estate brokerage firms have quickly expanded nationwide through franchising. As a result, the manner in which real estate is advertised has become increasingly important. As part of this new awareness and attention to marketing, real estate brokerages have designed and put into use distinctive, personalized styles of on-site property sale signs. By way of example, many nationwide chains currently utilize a distinctive wooden sign post assembly, the right-angle design and configuration of which is readily recognizable.
While such signs provide a marked improvement in construction and appearance over the more simplistic signs previously in widespread use, these new signs are significantly more expensive and cumbersome to use. Typically, the before-described signs are fabricated of conventional "four-by-four" wooden posts, including a vertical post member approximately four to six feet in height and a horizontal post member approximately two to three feet in length. Such wooden materials with their unique appearance are relatively expensive. Moreover, such signs are necessarily large, heavy and awkward to handle, to the point that such signs cannot be conveniently transported in an ordinary automobile and, in any event, an average real estate agent has difficult handling and erecting such signs. Consequently, real estate brokerage firms typically hire an independent contractor to erect and take down such signs on-site at property listed by the firm, which of course further increases the overall expense associated with the use of such signs.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,181, to DesNoyers, discloses an outdoor sign post assembly that overcomes many of the disadvantages of the above-mentioned sign posts of the prior art. However, such an outdoor sign post assembly has particular disadvantages, in which the DesNoyers reference discloses a relatively short anchor member for supporting the sign post assembly. While such anchor member may support the sign post assembly in some conditions, often the sign post is assembled in wet ground conditions, often resulting in insufficient support to the sign assembly. This can especially be a problem for sign posts assembled in areas prone to jarring by, for example, lawn mowers and playing children. Such problem is further exacerbated by the type of materials the sign assembly is made from, specifically, light-weight plastic tubing. The light-weight plastic tubing can crack and break from being jarred and often will not weather well when exposed to outside weather conditions. Furthermore, in conditions where the ground is hardened or is frozen, the anchor member disclosed in the DesNoyers reference will cause problems for many of the average real estate agents to sufficiently drive such anchor member into the ground.

Sign post assembly and method for the same