A fuser member having improved toner offset release and wear characteristics. The outermost layer comprises a fluoroelastomer with thermally conductive metal oxide fillers and a silane coupling agent that is interactive with the fluoroelastomer and with a release agent which may, optionally, be used on the surface of the fluoroelastomer layer.

In electrophotographic fuser systems, fuser roller overcoats are made with layers of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomers, fluorocarbon resins and fluorocarbon elastomers. PDMS elastomers have low surface energy and relatively low mechanical strength, but is adequately flexible and elastic and can produce high quality fused images. After a period of use, however, the self-release property of the roller degrades and offset begins to occur. Application of a PDMS oil during use enhances the release property of the fuser roller surface but shortens roller life due to oil swelling. Fluorocarbon resins like polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) have good release property but less flexibility and elasticity than PDMS elastomers. Fluorocarbon elastomers, such as Viton.TM. and Fluorel.TM., are tough, flexible, resistant to high temperatures, durable and do not swell, but they have relatively high surface energy and poor thermnal conductivity.
Particulate inorganic fillers have been added to fluorocarbon elastomers and silicone elastomers to increase mechanical strength and thermal conductivity. High thermal conductivity is an advantage because heat needs to be efficiently and quickly transmitted from an internally heated core to the outer surface of the fuser roller to fuse the toners and yield the desired toner images. However, incorporation of inorganic fillers to improve thermal conductivity has a major drawback: it increases the surface energy of fuser roller surface and also increases the interaction of the filler with the toner and receiver. After a period of use, the toner release properties of the roller degrade and toner offset begins to occur due to roller wear and weak interaction between the filler and the polymer matrix. It would be desirable to provide a fuser member having a fluorocarbon elastomer overcoat layer containing thermally conductive inorganic fillers, but which still has a moderately low surface energy and good toner release property. In addition, it should be compatible with the functionalized polymeric release agent employed during fixing process.
Fuser members of fluorocarbon elastomer containing inorganic filler are disclosed, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,698 to Chen et al. which describes fuser rollers having a surface layer comprising fluorocarbon elastomer and tin oxide fillers. The fillers provide active sites for reacting the mercapto-functional polydimethylsiloxane. However, the inorganic fillers are not combined with a coupling agent and remain highly reactive with the toner and charge control agent, and this is undesirable.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,823 to Chen et al. describes fuser rollers having a surface layer comprising fluorocarbon elastomer and aluminum oxide fillers which also are not combined with a coupling agent and so are prone to high reactivity with toner and charge control agent which, again, is undesirable.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,432 to Eddy et al. describes a fluorocarbon elastomer fuser member which contains cupric oxide to interact with the polymeric release agent and provide an interfacial barrier layer.
Fuser members of condensation-crosslinked PDMS elastomers filled with metal oxides are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,570 to Heeks et al. This patent describes a silicone rubber fuser member containing aluminum oxide fillers which react with a silicone hydride release oil.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,724 to Fitzgerald et al. discloses tin oxide fillers which decrease fatigue and creep (or compression) of the PDMS rubber during continuous high temperature and high stress (i.e. pressure) conditions.
Some metal oxide filled condensation-ured PDMS elastomers are also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,740 (cupric oxide filler), U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,606 (zinc oxide filler), U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,562 (chromium oxide filler), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,596 (nickel oxide filler). All provide good results.
Unfortunately, as fuser rollers wear, the metal oxide fillers that are exposed react not only with the functionalized polymeric release agent, but also with the toner, paper substrate and charge control agent. Such reactions build up debris on the surface of the fuser roller, causing deterioration of toner release and great reduction in the life of the fuser roller. Thus, there remains a need for fuser members whose metal oxide fillers are made to enhance the interaction between elastomer and filler and also between the polymeric release agent and filler.

Fuser member with metal oxide fillers, silane coupling agents, and functionalized release fluids


A gas and heat exchange apparatus comprising at least one substantially vertical elongate hollow member, a plurality of internal members spaced inside the at least one hollow member, each internal member having at least one opening, means for gas intake and exhaust in fluid connection with the at least one hollow member, means for draining the at least one hollow member and a means for adding liquid to the upper end of the at least one hollow member.

In hydroponics, water/nutrients are generally kept in a large storage tank and recycled. This liquid is often heated through conduction or thermal heating by the sun. It must therefore generally be cooled before it can be applied to the plants. Also generally there can be a build up of noxious gases within the storage tank. If the storage tank is sealed, then those gases may be forced into solution. This gas may be deleterious to the plant life if absorbed.
Heat exchange apparatus, in general, are well known. In industrial processes, heat energy is transferred by a variety of methods, including conduction in electric-resistance heaters; conduction-convection in exchanges, dwellers, and condensers; radiation in furnaces and radiant-heat dryers; and by special methods such as dielectric heating.
The design and testing of practical heat-exchange equipment are based on the general principles of heat transfer. In simple devices, the vital quantities such as average temperature difference and heat transfer coefficient can often be evaluated easily and with considerable accuracy, but in complex processing units evaluation may be difficult and subject to considerable uncertainty. The final design of heat exchange equipment is nearly always a compromise, based on engineering judgment, to give the best overall performance in the light of service requirements.
Sometimes the design is governed by considerations which have little to do with heat transfer, such as the space available for the equipment or the pressure drop which can be tolerated in the fluid streams.
Heat exchangers are so important and so widely used in the process or chemical industries that the principles of their design have been highly developed. Standards devised and accepted by the Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association (T. E. M. A.) are available covering in detail areas such as materials, methods of construction, technique of design, and dimensions for exchangers. Most exchangers are liquid to liquid heat exchangers, but gases and non-condensing vapours can also be treated in them.
Already known are tubular type exchangers, and also plate type exchangers. A tubular type exchanger generally has a first fluid flowing in tubes inside a larger fluid tight shell. A second fluid flows in the shell, outside the tubes, either cooling or heating the fluid flowing in the tubes. This heating or cooling is generally accomplished mainly by conduction from the hot fluid to the cooler fluid through the tube wall,
In plate type exchangers, metal plates, usually with corrugated faces, are supported in a frame; hot fluid passes between alternate pairs of plates, exchanging heat with the cold fluid in the adjacent spaces. The plates are typically approximately 5 mm apart. They can be readily separated for cleaning; additional area may be provided simply by adding more plates.
Other, more practical or readily available methods of heating or cooling are also known. One such method of heating is thermal heating. In this type of heating, fluids are stored in vessels, and the vessel is exposed to the sun. The heat energy from the sun heats the liquid inside the vessel.
Methods of cooling, similar in principle to thermal heating are also known. A simple example of evaporative cooling is known, particularly in off-road and long-distance trucking. In this method of cooling, a storage vessel is surrounded by cloth, the entire vessel and cloth then submerged in water, and attached to the front of a moving vehicle. Due to the speed of the moving vehicle and the air passing by the storage vessel, now surrounded with wet cloth, evaporation takes place. Due to the fact that evaporation requires heat energy to heat the water above a particular temperature, heat is absorbed from the water inside the storage vessel, thus cooling it.
The above methods of cooling and heating are not generally appropriate for small-scale hydroponics operations. Tubular type exchangers and plate type exchangers are very expensive and require large amounts of maintenance. For these reasons, they are often only found in large chemical plants. They are highly complex pieces of equipment and as such are not serviced easily by untrained operators. They require special knowledge and training which is not generally available to an ordinary user. They are generally suited only for large throughput situations.
Methods of the gas exchange are also known. Particularly mass-transfer operations known as gas absorption and stripping, or desorption are known.
In the gas absorption, a soluble vapour is absorbed from its mixture with an inert gas using a liquid in which the sought after gas is more or less soluble. The washing of ammonia from a mixture of ammonia and air by means of liquid water is a typical example. The solute gas is subsequently recovered from the liquid by distillation, and the absorbing liquid can either be discarded or reused. Sometimes a solute is removed from a liquid by bringing the liquid into contact with an inert gas; such an operation, the reverse of gas absorption, is called desorption or gas stripping.
The methods of gas exchange have disadvantages which are similar to the heat exchanger situation. They require special skills and training for operation of the required equipment and as such are not used by users without such training. They also are expensive pieces of equipment which are often quite large and complex and therefore are out of the budget of smaller users.
It simply would not be economically viable, nor practical, to use a conventional heat or gas exchanger, in a relatively small business such as a hydroponic primary producer. Often these large-scale pieces of equipment have their own problems, and as such would not meet the needs of a hydroponic grower.


The present invention relates to a process for inactivating Carboxypeptidase Y (CPY) in a hirudin-containing culture broth produced by fermenting a transformed yeast. It has been found that inactive precursors of CPY are activated at a temperature 70.degree. C. and that the active peptidases will further degrade hirudin when the two proteins are present together in a composition. The present invention overcomes the CPY activation problem by heating a broth containing hirudin and CPY to a temperature of about 80.degree.-100.degree. C. in about one minute or less.

The polypeptide hirudin, originally isolated from the leech Hirudo medicinalis, is a highly specific thrombin inhibitor of broad therapeutic potential. F. Markwardt, Biomed. Biochim. Acta 44: 1007-1013 (1985). However, the amounts required can only be produced by genetic engineering methods by means of transformed microorganisms. It has been found that the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is suitable as a host organism for producing correctly folded and fully active hirudin. EP A1 168 342; EP A1 200 655.
The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is particularly preferably used for producing recombinant peptides and proteins by genetic engineering, forms the enzyme carboxypeptidase Y (CPY). CPY is a thermally unstable molecule. See Kuhn et al., "Isolation and Partial Characterisation of an Acid Carboxypeptidase from Yeast," Biochemistry, 13(19): 3871-77 (1974). A 5-minute heat treatment at 68.degree. C. and pH=7.0 leads to complete inactivation of CPY, and lower temperatures lead to partial inactivation of CPY.
This enzyme non-specifically cleaves off various amino acids from the C terminus of proteins and can therefore be used for determining the carboxy-terminal sequence of proteins. Obviously, this enzyme is also able to break down proteins of value expressed in the yeast, including pharmacologically active compounds such as hirudin, during the production process, in particular during chromatographic purification. This leads to the formation of by-products and losses of yield, which can be significant. In addition, CPY can reduce the stability of high-purity products if it is still present in traces in a preparation, e.g., if it is present in a lyophilizate.
Hirudin has a free C terminus and is therefore exposed substantially unprotected to enzymatic attack by CPY.
One solution to this problem is to use mutant yeast strains in which the CPY activity is suppressed or eliminated by various methods. See, for example, EP 390 676, EP 341 215 and GB 2 249 096. However, these methods necessitate a relatively great change in the yeast strain which may possibly restrict the growth behavior and/or alter the physiological stability of the microorganisms.
CPY can also be inhibited by chemical inhibitors, e.g., by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF). A chemical inhibition of this type is undesirable, at least in the case of pharmaceutically active compounds, since it can lead to partial derivatization which is sometimes undetectable.
Thus, there is a need for a process for inactivating CPY in hirudin-containing culture broths that does not have the drawbacks of the above-mentioned methods. There also is a need for a means for performing this process on a large scale, for example, on an industrial scale.

Process for inactivating carboxypeptidase Y in hirudin-containing culture broths


A fixing apparatus for a wet-type plate making machine, which includes panel heaters 13 and 14 for fixation and drying of an electrostatic latent image an a front surface of a master X after development with developing solution and a cleaning web 20 that is laid over top surfaces of the aforenamed panel heaters 13 and 14 and that will be wound around a web take-up bobbin 20B that is disposed at an end of the same panel heater 14, and which also includes a web take-up shaft 27 that has a bobbin attachment and 27a for supporting of the aforenamed web take-up bobbin 20B and a manual operation end 27b that can be turned freely with finger tips, a first one way clutch 31 that is fitted on the take-up shaft 27 and that transmits revolving movements of a clutch sleeve 31a that is reciprocally revolved by a solenoid 29 at the apparatus securing part but transmits only those in one direction to the aforenamed take-up shaft 27, and a second one way clutch 36 that in fitted on the take-up shaft 27 and that allows forced revolving movements of the aforenamed take-up shaft 27 in a taking-up direction by the aforenamed manual operation end 27b.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wet-type plate making machine and specifically to a fixing apparatus of the wet-type plate making machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has been generally known that a wet-type plate making machine wherein an electrostatic latent image on a front surface of a master is developed with developing solution develops the electrostatic latent image at a developing apparatus and then, after removing and cleaning a photosensitive stratum at a rinsing-squeezing apparatus, fixes and dries a toner image with a fixing apparatus.
FIG. 1 shows a fixing apparatus of the above type for the wet-type plate making machine, wherein a preheating panel heater B and a drying panel heater C which are aligned in a conveyance direction of a master X are disposed on a fixing apparatus frame A is disposed and, while the master X that is delivered from a rinsing-squeezing apparatus that is not shown in the figure is being conveyed by intermediate conveyance rollers D and exit conveyance rollers E, a toner image on a front surface thereof is fixed and dried. FIG. 1 also shows retaining rollers F for having the master X be in tight contact with the top surface of the drying panel heater, and electric heaters G.
In the fixing apparatus of the structure as described above, the master X which contains a lot of moisture in delivered from the rinsing-squeezing apparatus and especially the rear surface of the master X is wet with drops of liquid which contains surplus toner and residue of the photosensitive stratum.
Therefore, at the time of preheating and drying by the preheating panel heater B and the drying panel heater, the surplus toner and photo sensitive stratum residue are transferred to the top surfaces b and c of the preheating panel heater B and drying panel heater C and grow into manses. Eventually, a front edge of the master may collide against the masses sticking to the top surfaces b and c of the preheating panel heater B and the drying panel heater C to cause a jam or the masses may separated abruptly from the top surfaces b and c of the preheating panel heater B and the drying panel heater C to contaminate the toner image on the front surface of the master X.
Another problem with the conventional fixing apparatus is that the surplus toner on the rear surface of the master X has been dried as it was and the surplus toner on the rear surface of the finished master X can contaminate operator's hands.

Fixing apparatus for a wet-type plate making machine


A flask unit for producing a cope and a drag that are stacked, comprising at least two uprightly disposed connecting rods (4), a cope flask slidably fitted on the connecting rods and formed with a molding sand blowing-in port in one of its sides, and a drag flask slidably fitted on the connecting rods so that it is located under the cope flask to mate it, the drag flask being formed with a molding sand blowing-in port in one of the sides thereof.

JP A 7-16705 discloses one conventional molding machine. This machine is a horizontally split type molding machine that includes a molding sand blowing tank with downwardly-facing nozzles, and an L-shaped frame carrying a cope on the vertical surface of the vertical side of the L-shaped frame so that the cope is vertically moved and also carrying a drag on the horizontal surface of the horizontal side of the L-shaped frame so that the drag is reciprocatingly moved between a position opposing the cope and another position that is outside the opposing position, wherein the L-shaped frame is rotatable between a position outside the molding sand blowing tank and another position under the tank.
In this conventional molding machine arranged as explained above, the cope and the drag tend to be partially stacked on each other, or shifted, or a slit is produced between them when they are stacked, since they are supported by the sides of the L-shaped frame in a cantilever manner. This inherently causes a problem in that a defective cast that has a fin or the like is produced.
The present invention has been conceived in view of that problem. It aims to provide a flask unit of a cope and a drag that can be aligned, but not partially mated, and that have a molding sand blowing-in port at their side. The present invention also aims to provide a molding machine and line for molding a flaskless or tight-flask cope and drag using the flask unit of the invention.

Flask unit and cope-and-drag molding machine and line


A nicotianamine synthase is isolated and purified. Then the gene of this enzyme is cloned and the base sequence and amino acid sequence thereof are determined. This gene is employed in constructing plants, in particular, grass plants highly tolerant to iron deficiency. A nicotianamine synthase involved in the mugineic acid biosynthesis pathway; the amino acid sequence thereof; a gene encoding the same; a vector containing this gene; cells transformed by the vector; a process for producing nicotianamine by using the same; plants transformed by the gene encoding the nicotianamine synthase; and an antibody against the nicotianamine syntase.

Graminaceous plants that absorb by chelating the insoluble state Fe(III) in soil using mugineic acid and adopt so called the Strategy-II mechanism of Fe acquisition secrete Fe chelators (phytosiderophores) from their roots to solubilize sparingly soluble Fe in the rhizosphere (Roemheld, 1987). The amount of the secreted phytosiderophores increases under Fe-deficiency stress. The mugineic acid family is the only examples of phytosiderophores known so far (Takagi, 1976). Tolerance to Fe deficiency in graminaceous plants is thought to depend on a quantity of mugineic acid family secreted by plants (Takagi et al. 1984, Roemheld and Marschner 1986, Marschner et al. 1987, Mori et al. 1987, Kawai et al. 1988, Mori et al. 1988, Mihashi and Mori 1989, and Shingh et al. 1993).
The biosynthetic pathway of mugineic acid in plants is shown in FIG. 1. S-adenosylmethionine is synthesized from methionine by S-adenosylmethionine synthase. Subsequently, three molecules of S-adenosylmethionine are combined to form one molecule of nicotianamine by nicotianamine synthase. The generated nicotianamine is then converted to 3″-keto acid by nicotianamine aminotransferase, and 2′-deoxymugineic acid is synthesized by the subsequent action of a reductase. A further series of hydroxylation steps produces the other mugineic acid derivatives including mugineic acid from the deoxymugineic acid (Mori and Nishizawa 1987, Shojima et al. 1989, Shojima et al. 1990 and Ma and Nomoto 1993).
A compound in FIG. 1, a compound in the lower right, wherein R1 and R2 are hydrogen and R3 is hydroxyl, is mugineic acid. A compound wherein R1 is hydrogen and R2 and R3 are hydroxyl, is 3-hydroxymugineic acid. Also a compound wherein R2 is hydrogen and R1 and R3 are hydroxyl, is 3-epihydroxymugineic acid.
Three S-adenosylmethionine synthase genes were isolated from barley roots, but these genes were not induced by Fe deficiency (Takizawa et al. 1996). A gene Ids3, which is obtained from the barley by differential screening, is suspected to be a gene, which converts deoxymugineic acid to mugineic acid by hydroxylation and is strongly induced by Fe-deficiency (Nakanishi et al. 1993). Further, nicotianamine aminotransferase was purified and isolated from Fe-deficient barley roots, and two nicotianamine aminotransferase genes, Naat-A and Naat-B, were isolated (Takahashi et al. 1997). Naat-A expression was induced in Fe-deficient roots.
The synthesis of nicotianamine from S-adenosylmethionine is similar to polyamine synthesis from decaroboxy-S-adenosylmethionine. In contrast to polyamine synthase, however, nicotianamine synthase catalyzes the combination of three S-adenosylmethionine molecules and the azetidine ring formation at the same time (FIG. 1). Such the nicotianamine synthase is a novel type of enzyme. Previously, we reported the partial purification of nicotianamine synthase from the roots of Fe-deficient barley and expression pattern of the activity (Higuchi et al. 1994, Higuchi et al. 1995, Kanazawa et al. 1995, Higuchi et al. 1996a and Higuchi et al. 1996b). Since nicotianamine synthase is easily decomposed during extraction and purification, it has been difficult to purify sufficient quantities for amino acid sequencing.
The present invention has an object to provide a plant, especially graminaceous plant, highly tolerant to Fe-deficiency, as a result of isolating and purifying a nicotianamine synthase, being cloned the gene of this enzyme, determining the base sequence and amino acid sequence thereof, and using said enzyme.

Nicotianamine synthase and gene encoding the same


A system and method for generating phase image data by using the same detector to simultaneously operate in two different modes to simultaneously obtain first and second x-ray image data with different spectral weightings. The first and second x-ray image data respectively include first and second pixel-wise measurement signal values. The detector is configured to obtain the first x-ray image data in a first measurement mode and obtain the second x-ray image data in a second measurement mode different from the first measurement mode for generating the phase image data. The generated phase image data includes pixel-wise phase values from the first and second x-ray image data and is determined by determining a phase value at a pixel from a first measurement signal value obtained in the first measurement mode at the pixel, and from a second measurement signal value obtained in the second measurement mode at the pixel.

X-ray radiography and tomography are important methods for a variety of applications, for example non-destructive investigation of bulk samples, quality inspection of industrial products and non-invasive examination of anatomical structures and tissue regions of interest in the interior of a patient's body.
X-ray imaging based on attenuation of x-rays may yield excellent results where highly absorbing anatomical structures such as bones are embedded in a tissue of relatively weakly absorbing material. This is due to the fact that the penetration depth of hard x-ray beams may be rather high, which allows for recording sharp projections of the attenuation coefficient.
In US2009/0304149 A1 and US2011/0216878 A1 x-ray imaging system adapted for detecting attenuation based image data are shown.
When different kinds of tissue with similar absorption cross-sections are under examination (for example in mammography or angiography), the contrast of x-ray absorption may be relatively poor. In this case, phase contrast x-ray radiography and tomography may be employed, where the change of phase of the x-rays penetrating the object of interest is examined.
There are several methods to retrieve phase information. Currently, the most popular is a Talbot interferometer type method, which may be grating based. However, there are alternatives, among which the in-line holography approach is appealing because it may not require any optical instruments like monochromators or gratings which need to be aligned carefully.
In WO 2008/006470 A1 an x-ray interferometer for phase contrast imaging is shown.

Generating attenuation image data and phase image data in an X-ray system


A method for producing an image pickup apparatus includes processes of: cutting an image pickup chip substrate to fabricate a plurality of image pickup chips; bonding the image pickup chips to a glass wafer via a transparent adhesive layer as well as bonding dummy chips to an outer peripheral region of the glass wafer where the image pickup chips are not bonded to fabricate a joined wafer; filling a sealing member between the image pickup chips and the dummy chips; machining the joined wafer to thin a thickness; and cutting the joined wafer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for producing an image pickup apparatus and a method for producing a semiconductor apparatus, the methods including a process of cutting a joined wafer where a plurality of image pickup chips (semiconductor chips) are bonded to a support substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
A chip size package (CSP) technology has been used for downsizing semiconductor apparatuses. In the CSP, in a semiconductor chip where a semiconductor circuit section is formed on a first main face, a through-hole interconnection is formed up to a second main face, and an external connection terminal on the second main face is connected to an interconnection board.
Here, in a small image pickup apparatus, a transparent support member that protects a light receiving section that is the semiconductor circuit section is joined to a first main face of an image pickup chip on which the light receiving section is formed. A wafer level chip size package (WL-CSP) technology has been used for collectively fabricating a plurality of image pickup apparatuses. In the WL-CSP, an image pickup chip substrate on which a plurality of light receiving sections are formed, and a transparent support substrate are subjected to machining such as formation of through-hole interconnections in a joined wafer state in which the image pickup chip substrate and the transparent support substrate are bonded via an adhesive layer. After that, the joined wafer is individualized into individual image pickup apparatuses.
In the conventional WL-CSP, however, when the image pickup chip substrate has a low yield rate of image pickup chips, an image pickup chip with a defective light receiving section is also machined as an image pickup apparatus. Thus, a production cost increases. Also, along with an increase in a diameter of a semiconductor wafer, all machining equipment needs to be compatible with a large diameter. Thus, an equipment investment amount increases, and a production cost increases, so that productivity is lowered.
Note that Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2011-243596 discloses a method for producing a package component by a CSP method in which semiconductor chips mounted on a mounting face of a silicon wafer are sealed by a sealing resin, and the silicon wafer is then polished or the like from an opposite face to the mounting face, and further individualized into individual package components.
That is, in the above production method, the semiconductor chips are not machined, but the silicon wafer is machined to become an interposer for the semiconductor chips.
In the method for producing the package component described above, a plurality of semiconductor ships are mounted, and polishing machining and the like are performed for a surface sealed by a sealing resin. There is a possibility that machining cannot be performed to obtain uniform thickness depending on bonding positions of the semiconductor chips, and a yield rate may be reduced.

Method for producing image pickup apparatus and method for producing semiconductor apparatus


A malware detection/identification system scores each subject file and/or scores ‘tags’ obtained from the subject file to determine the potential that the file contains malicious components. A file or tag score tending to indicate that the subject file may contain malicious components/properties/attributes, may be used to notify the system (and a user of the system) that the file may be potentially malicious, so that the file may be quarantined and subject to further analysis. Embodiments of the current disclosure utilize a database structure that contains multitudes (e.g., hundreds, thousands, or even millions) of “tags” that have been pulled from known malicious and known benign sample files, where the database provides many-to-many relations between the known sample files and the tags.

Malicious software, otherwise known as "malware", presents a serious problem for many types of computer systems. The existence of malware in particular computer systems can interfere with the computer system's operations, expose or release proprietary information contained in the computer system to third parties, or allow third parties to gain unauthorized access to such computer systems. Malware may include computer viruses, ransomware, worms, Trojan horses, rootkits, keyloggers, dialers, spyware, adware and the like. Most anti-virus and anti-malware tools work primarily upon the ability to identify computer files as being a malware threat. Typical malware products detect issues based on heuristics or signatures—i.e., based on information that can be assessed to be bad. A potential problem with these state of the art products is that if the subject file does not present a specific heuristic or signature attributable to know malware, it is still possible that the file may contain other properties that may be associated with a potential malware threat.


Disclosed is an organic EL dye enabling to provide an organic EL device which is capable of emitting a light at a low voltage even when it has a single layer structure. Also disclosed is an organic EL device using such an organic EL dye. The organic EL dye is represented by the general formula (1): (Y—L)nXm wherein x is an n-valent charge-transporting group, Y is a light-emitting group, L is a linking group bonding the charge-transporting group and the light-emitting group, and m and n are respectively an integer not less than 1.

Currently, in the field of electronics devices, research and development of an organic electroluminescence (EL) dye have been intensively done aiming for a next-generation light-emitting material taking the place of a liquid crystal. Theoretically, the organic EL dye can emit light with small electric power, because the dye molecule itself can emit light by feeding a current through a thin film comprising a molecular assembly of the dye. Thus, researches for application to a monitor for electro devices and commercialization are pursued at a high pace aimed at taking the place of a liquid crystal display of high power consumption.
As for the structure of the organic EL device, an organic hole transport layer and an organic electron transport layer are retained between an anode and a cathode, and an organic luminescent dye is contained in the organic hole transport layer and/or the organic electron transport layer, and upon injecting an electron from electrodes into the organic hole transport layer and the organic electron transport layer, respectively, a hole and an electron being combined, and light is emitted when the dye is relaxed from an excited state to a ground state. Therefore, by forming a panel having a multi-layer structure in which a function of carrier-mediated transport and a function of light emission are separated, for example, a two-layer structure of a hole transport layer including a hole-transporting material and an emission layer described in, for example, C. W. Tang, S. A. VanSlyke, Appl. Phys. Lett., 51, (12), 21, Sep. 1987, 913-915, or a three-layer structure in which an electron transport layer including an electron-transporting material is added to the above two-layer structure, the efficiency of recombination of the hole and the electron is enhanced and light is emitted at a low voltage of the order of 10 V. However, in the case of such an organic EL device, since light is predominantly emitted at an interface between the hole transport layer and the emission layer, which is an electron transport layer, by its function as shown in FIG. 6, there is a problem that sufficient emission efficiency can not obtained.
Further, when a multi-layer structure is employed as a device structure, it is necessary to precisely control a film thickness in a plurality of film formation steps and form a pinhole-free film, and therefore there is a problem that time and cost required for producing a device increase.
For this problem, a device structure having a single-layer structure can provide a possibility that the device can be manufactured at a lower cost. Therefore, as a device of a single-layer structure, for example, an organic EL device using an organic compound having both of a hole-transporting ability and an electron-transporting ability is proposed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2-210790, but a driving voltage is as high as 20 V and emission brightness is not enough.


A method and apparatus for determining a rate of rotation uses a fiber-optic gyro which has a 3.times.3-coupler. A first channel of the coupler is optically connected on one side with a light source and on the other side with a first photo element; and the two other channels are optically connected on one side with a fiber coil and on the other side with a second and third photo element respectively. A depolarizer is arranged at least between the light source and the 3.times.3-coupler or at one end of the fiber coil; alternatively, the fiber coil has a polarization-maintaining fiber. An electronic signal processing system is used to determine a temperature-related value, independent of the rate of rotation, for damping of the fiber coil and of the 3.times.3-coupler, based on the signals of the three photo elements and from temperature-dependent coefficients determined by calibration. Then the rate of rotation is computed based on the signals of the three photo elements, the temperature-dependent coefficients and the computed, temperature-related value for the damping.

This application claims the priority of German patent document no. 197 06 858.8, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to a method for determining a rate of rotation by means of a fiber-optic gyro.
The fiber-optic gyro according to the invention has a 3.times.3-coupler with a first channel which is optically connected on one side with a light source and on the other side with a first photo element. The two other channels of the 3.times.3-coupler are optically connected on one side with respective ends of a fiber coil and on the other side with a second or third photo element respectively. A depolarizer is arranged at least between the light source and the 3.times.3-coupler or at one end of the fiber coil and/or the fiber coil having a polarization-maintaining fiber.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,498, discloses a fiber-optic gyro with a 3.times.3-coupler which operates close to-the so-called quadrature point, without requiring a modulator. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,715 discloses a fiber-optic gyro with a modified 3.times.3-coupler which derives the rate of rotation from the quotient of the difference and the sum of two photo elements. The advantage of this signal analyzing process is that the intensity of the light source is cancelled out and its fluctuations therefore have no influence on the measuring signal. Furthermore, in this quotient formation, a variable coil damping is also cancelled out. However, a disadvantage of this simple quotient analysis is the limited usable range of the Sagnac phase at a value within .+-..pi./2, typically .+-..pi./3.
Furthermore, German Patent Document DE 39 12 005 C2, provides a signal analysis method for a fiber-optic gyro which compensates for contrast fluctuations by pseudo-statistical polarization fluctuations of the light in the fiber coil by computing processes. Also, in Applied Optics, Vol. 29, 1990, Pages 5360 and on, the rate of rotation for a fiber-optic gyro having a 3.times.3-coupler is computed by placing the sum or difference signal of the above-mentioned photo element signals in relation to the rate of rotation, to the contrast of the interference signal, to six different temperature-dependent coefficients as well as to the damping of the optical elements, particularly the fiber coil. The temperature-dependent coefficients are determined by calibration of the gyro, and depend only on the light source, the coupler (or couplers in the case of multi-axis gyros), and the photo elements, these values being easily reproducible in the case of recurring temperatures. The contrast depends on the characteristics of the coil and the polarization of the light. The damping of the light in the optical components, particularly in the fiber, is a function of temperature and is subject to an environmentally caused aging. In addition, in contrast to the other temperature-dependent coefficients, the damping has a comparatively large hysteresis in the case of changing temperature courses.
According to German Patent Document DE 39 12 005 C2, the contrast can be eliminated from the above-mentioned equations for the sum or difference signal. The advantage to the initially described quotient analyzing method is that the usable range of the Sagnac phase can be expanded to .+-..pi., thus to approximately the triple value. However, the determined rate of rotation still depends on the fiber damping. For this reason, it was attempted according to German Patent Document DE 39 19 060 C2 to calculate the value of the damping by means of a recursive algorithm. However, this is successful only if the gyro signals are known at the 0 rate of rotation and at a rate of rotation other than 0. The latter results in a significant operational limitation since, after switching-on the gyro, the 0 rate of rotation must exist at least once; in addition, the relatively long computing times required for the recursive algorithm impair the measuring speed of the gyro.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for determining the rate of rotation of a fiber-optic gyro by means of which the influence of any damping variations on the measuring signals can at least be reduced.
This and other objects and advantages are achieved by the method according to the invention, which is based on the. consideration that, when stabilizing the contrast (for example, by using polarization-maintaining fibers according to German Patent Document DE 41 34 312, or using a fiber which is not polarization-maintaining, by means of an additional depolarizer or several depolarizers according to German Patent Document DE 41 20 675 and German Patent Document DE 39 42 819) the equations for the gyro signal analysis known from the above-mentioned Applied Optics document can be solved for the damping. The rate of rotation can then be determined by means of a damping value computed in this manner, together with the remaining measuring signals.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Method for determining the rate of rotation


A common payload rail externally supports a submerged payload from an unmanned marine vehicle. A vehicle interface module has a conforming surface rigidly secured to the unmanned vehicle and feed-through conduits. A functionality module is secured to the vehicle interface module and contains internal interfacing components to minimize or eliminate any modifications to the payload and vehicle. A payload interface module having feed-through conduits is secured to the functionality module and has longitudinally extending rail structures sized to engage correspondingly shaped longitudinally extending receiving means on the payload. The longitudinally extending rail structures are shaped to extend into longitudinally extending receiving means on the payload to arrest lateral displacement between the payload interface module and the payload and at least one securing mechanism on the payload interface module is disposed to engage the payload to arrest longitudinal displacement between the payload interface module and the payload.

This invention is for a common payload rail for securing an added payload capability to increase the versatility of unmanned vehicles (UV). More particularly, this invention secures an added payload capability externally to unmanned systems such as unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) and unmanned sea-surface vehicles (USVs) with minimal modifications required to the internals of the unmanned system.
Contemporary methods for increasing or improving the payloads for UUVs usually involve the insertion of additional payloads within the system. This procedure frequently required space that may not be available and often involved extensive and costly modifications to internal systems in the vehicle. Later developed external payloads for USVs are generally suspended by support systems and towed behind the vehicle. The added-on support and handling systems are usually unique and expensive to construct and install and can compromise the effectiveness of the host unmanned UV.
Thus, in accordance with this inventive concept, a need has been recognized in the state of the art for an efficient capability to directly mount a variety of external payloads to a submerged vessel or the underside of a surface vessel or on an outrigger off the side of the vessel via a rapidly and inexpensively installed common payload rail having the payloads designed for selective connection and disconnection.

Common payload rail for unmanned vehicles

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


In a storage management system, a host recognizes a plurality of storage apparatuses as one virtual storage apparatus. The user divides each of the volumes that the storage apparatuses have into a plurality of classes in accordance with a policy. When a user specifies moving target data and a class or a policy of a moving destination, the data is reallocated to a class that meets it. The class or policy is held as a data allocation policy. If a sufficient empty space is not present in the moving destination class, by finding out from allocated data, data that also complies with a policy of other class, target data to be expelled and a class of expelling destination are determined for expelling data, so as to ensure a sufficient empty space for reallocation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a storage management system, and in particular to a technology for controlling data reallocation between or among memory areas which are controlled by the storage management system.
2. Description of the Related Art
A storage management system comprises and constructed by at least one storage apparatus which is referred to as, for example, a disc array sub-system. This storage apparatus has drives such as hard disc drives and semiconductor memory drives located and constructed in an array form, and provides a memory area which is based on RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks). A host computer (hereinafter referred to as "host") accesses to a logical memory area provided by the storage apparatus to read/write data.
The amount of data managed in organizations such as corporations, local governments, educational institutions, financial institutions, government and other public offices, by the way, is continuing to expand year by year, and the amount of data increases, storage apparatuses are added and replaced. In order to handle such increased amount of data and complicated system configuration, it is proposed to improve utility efficiency of storage apparatuses by reallocating data handled by an application program such as a mail management software and a database management software, to an appropriate position in accordance with how frequently the data is accessed, and the like. See Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokai) No. 2001-67187 (FIGS. 4-6).
Also in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokai) No 2003-140836 (FIGS. 3-4), a method is proposed in which after all disc apparatuses in the system are classified from performance point of view and the order of performance among classes is defied in advance, data in a memory area of a high rate of use by the disc apparatus is reallocated to a class of a higher-performance. In the document, a data reallocation control technology is disclosed in which a sufficient unused area for reallocation is ensured by reallocating data from the high-performance class to a low-performance class before performing the reallocation to the high-performance class, in case no unused area was found in the high-performance class selected as a reallocation destination.
In each of the above-mentioned patent documents, a technology is disclosed in which data stored in one volume is copied to another volume based on information on performance and usage of disc to reallocate the data.
However, the technology as described in JP 2001-67187 is not convenient for use because it requires reallocating data individually by each volume unit, and does not allow a volume to be moved between or among classes which are freely defined by the user. In the technology as described in JP 2003-140836, when a sufficient empty area is not left in the class selected as a reallocation destination, an empty area is obtained by unconditionally reallocating an area of low rate of usage by the disc apparatus, out of the areas classified as the class, to a class of lower performance (in the following description, not only reallocation to a lower-performance class but also reallocation for obtaining a sufficient empty area for reallocation will be referred to as "expelling data"). Since the user of data has been unable to specify the way in which an expelling target and an expelling destination class are selected, there is a possibility that a class selected as an expelling destination for the data selected as the expelling target does not correspond to the data reallocation destination which the user of the data originally assumed.

Storage management system, storage management server, and method and program for controlling data reallocation


Channel tracking is performed using a channel taps covariance matrix. In one embodiment, the channel taps covariance matrix may be used as part of the step term of an adaptive algorithm.

Many communication devices utilize a channel estimate to accurately detect data within a signal received from a communication channel. In one approach, the channel estimate is used to determine a set of channel taps to be used by an equalizer to remove certain channel effects from the received signal. In systems where the channel characteristics do not change significantly over time (i.e., time invariant channels), a single set of channel taps may be determined at the start of transmission (or before the start of transmission) and used for the duration of the subsequent communication. Such a technique is referred to as preset equalization. In systems where channel characteristics are expected to change with time (e.g., in mobile communication systems), channel tap adjustments are typically made periodically or continuously during the communication in a process known as adaptive equalization. One form of adaptive equalization that is commonly implemented in communication systems uses the well known least-mean-square (LMS) algorithm to adaptively modify the channel taps. The LMS algorithm is an iterative technique that utilizes a noisy estimate of an error gradient during each iteration to adjust the estimated channel taps in a manner that reduces average mean-square error (MSE). As can be appreciated, techniques and structures for enhancing the effectiveness and/or accuracy of LMS-based adaptive equalization are generally desired.

Channel tracking using channel covariance estimation


The invention relates to a new process for the preparation of compounds of the general Formula I ##STR1## wherein R stands for piperazinyl, 4-methyl-piperazinyl or 4-ethyl-piperazinyl group and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which comprises reacting a compound of the general Formula II ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 stand for halogen, for an aliphatic acyloxy group containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms and optionally substituted by halogen, or for an aromatic acyloxy group containing 7 to 11 carbon atoms with a piperazine derivative of the general Formula III ##STR3## wherein R.sup.3 stands for hydrogen, methyl or ethyl or a salt thereof and subjecting the compound of the general Formula IV ##STR4## thus obtained wherein R, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are as stated above to hydrolysis after or without isolation and if desired converting the compound of the general Formula I thus obtained into a salt thereof or setting free the same from its salt.. The compounds of the general Formula I are known antibacterial agents.

This invention relates to a new process for the preparation of 1-cyclopropyl-7-substituted-6-fluoro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro-quinoline-3-carboxy lic acid derivatives and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
It is known that the 1-cyclopropyl-7-substituted-6-fluoro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro-quinoline-3-carboxy lic acid derivatives of the Formula I ##STR5## wherein R stands for a piperazinyl, 4-methyl-piperazinyl or 4-ethyl-piperazinyl group possess high antibacterial activity (Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. 1983, 2, page 111; J. Clin. Pharmacol. 1985, 25, page 82; Drugs Exptl. Clin. Res. 1985, 5, page 317.
The quinoline carboxylic acids of the general Formula I can be prepared by reacting 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid and a cyclic amine in the presence of a solvent at a temperature of 135.degree.-140.degree. C. for 2 hours (German Open Application 3.033.157; German Open Application 3.142.854).

Process for the preparation of quinoline carboxylic acids

Chinoin Gyogyser- es Vegyeszeti Termekek Gyara Rt.


A method of manufacturing durable press garments by inserting garments constructed of a cellulose fiber-containing fabric into an apparatus capable of tumbling the garments about a generally horizontal axis in such a manner as form a tunnel defined by the garments. The method tumbles the garments and injects a durable press resin into the tunnel in the form of a mist to impregnate the garments with the durable press resin. The method dries the impregnated garments and cures the dried garments.

Wrinkle-resistant fabrics and methods of imparting wrinkle resistance to cotton and cotton-blend fabrics are well known in the textile industry and have been used to manufacture wrinkle-resistant or permanent press garments. Typically, wrinkle-resistant fabrics are produced by applying to or otherwise impregnating a fabric with resins or other crosslinking agents and, in the presence of a catalyst, heating the fabric to a temperature at which cross-linking of the reactive fibers, i.e. curing, will occur at the desired rate. Several examples of durable press compositions and processes are discussed below.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,336,023 to Warburton, Jr. discloses a process for treating a fabric for the purpose of rendering the fabric wrinkle-resistant. The disclosed process includes the steps of saturating the fabric with a durable press treatment solution containing an activated bis-vinyl compound, a copolymer, and an aqueous base; passing the fabric through pad rolls; drying the fabric; and curing the fabric.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,356 to Hendrix discloses a process to prevent yellowing of durable press fabrics which have been treated with a non-formaldehyde finishing agent such as glyoxal, polymers of glyoxal and higher aldehydes. This process includes exposing a moist finished fabric to an oxidation solution at an elevated temperature, followed by neutralization, rinsing and drying operations. The oxidative treatment may be performed either during or immediately after curing of the finished fabric in a continuous process, or at a later time as a totally separate process.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,488,701 to Herbes discloses a crease-proofing composition comprising certain imidazolidinones. The crease proofing composition of the Herbes patent is applied to cellulosic textile materials. A catalyst or accelerator may also be employed. Following the application of the crease proofing agent and curing catalyst, the material is subjected to drying and curing operations.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,323,624 to Hunsucker discloses using certain urea-aldehyde compositions to treat textiles and nonwoven cellulose products so as to impart wrinkle resistance and durable press properties. Hunsucker further discloses that catalysts such as magnesium chloride and zinc nitrate may also be used. The cellulosic materials are saturated with the composition, pressed and then heated to cure the resin. Hunsucker discloses that the treated fabrics have much improved hand when the treatment is conducted in the presence of nitroalkanes or nitroalkanols, and the residual aldehyde is much reduced, thereby improving the environment.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,656,246 to Lord discloses a method of making a durable press garment which may be conducted in the home. This method includes the steps of pressing an assembled garment to form at least one crease therein, impregnating the garment with a liquid, containing a crease proofing agent, permitting the garment to dry and then heating the garment to cure the crease proofing agent. Lord further discloses that the method may also include the initial fabrication of the garment by cutting and sewing together suitable pieces of fabric and/or repressing the garment after the drying step and before the curing operation.
Other examples of durable press agents and processes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,632,296 to Pandell and U.S. Pat. No. 3,181,927 to Roth and in copending patent application Ser. No. 08/078,608.
While known methods of manufacturing durable press garments generally result in garments having satisfactory permanent press or wrinkle-resistant properties, these methods require the use of excess resins which add to the cost of manufacture and pollute the environment and, in most cases, produce garments which exhibit undesirable hand (i.e. excessive stiffness).
The present invention provides a method and apparatus which eliminate the use of excess durable press resins and other chemicals and which yield wrinkle-resistant garments having excellent hand (i.e., softness).

Apparatus and method for imparting wrinkle-resistant properties to garments and other articles


A method of manufacturing iron-based powder includes providing an iron-based molten steel manufactured through a iron making process and a steelmaking process to a tundish; and performing water atomization over the molten steel discharged through a nozzle connected to the tundish. The iron-based powder is manufactured from the molten steel refined after a molten iron tapped from a iron making process is charged into a converter without a pre-treatment process of the molten iron, thus economically providing the highly clean iron-based powder.

In accordance with the recent development of the industry of parts for sintering, which have a complicated shape required in vehicles and machineries, a use amount of iron-based powder used as a raw material thereof is rapidly increased.
The parts for sintering are subjected to a process of filling the iron-based powder that is the raw material in a mold having a shape of a product manufactured to be fit for the purpose, applying a high pressure of 4 to 7 ton/cm2 to perform compressing and forming, and performing sintering treatment at high temperatures in order to provide physical and mechanical characteristics to obtain a sintered body having a high density.
Particularly, in order to manufacture sintered parts for vehicles, the powder itself should have excellent qualities such as appropriate grain size, flowability, apparent density, green density, and high cleanness so as to manufacture a high density sintered body.
It is known that since iron powder manufactured through a water atomization process does not cause a phenomenon where pores remain in a vacancy formed by reduction of oxides in the powder during a reduction process unlike reduced iron, internal pores hardly exist therein, and thus when the same pressure is applied, the iron has a green density having a high value of 0.5 g/cm3 or more as compared to the reduced iron and thus is suitable for manufacturing high density sintered parts.
Further, when the iron-based powder is manufactured, it is very important to maintain high cleanness of the iron-based powder through minimization of impurities, such as carbon (C), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and phosphorus (P), which negatively affect compressibility.
Another important factor required in the iron-based powder together with excellent qualities such as high cleanness and high green density is economic feasibility of a manufacturing process.
In the conventional art, after scrap iron was re-melted in an arc electric furnace and subjected to a refining process including oxygen blowing such as decarburization and dephosphorization to form molten steel, iron-based powder was manufactured by a water atomization process.
However, in the conventional art, since scrap irons having different impurity contents were reused, a lot of time and costs were used to constantly maintain components of the molten steel.
Further, in general, since surface tension of the molten steel subjected to water atomization is high, there is a problem in that when the molten steel is powderized during the water atomization process, since a shape of the powder tends to become spherical, green strength of a formed material is reduced when the powder is compressed, and thus the formed material is undesirably damaged during transportation.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.
The present invention has been made in an effort to provide a method of manufacturing iron-based powder by providing an iron-based molten steel manufactured through an iron making process and a steelmaking process to a tundish, and performing water atomization over the molten steel discharged through a nozzle connected to the tundish.

Method of manufacturing iron-based powder

RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY


A repair kit for adjustable size headgear includes one or more replacement elements, each replacement element having matching attachment means, each replacement element also having a fastener for attachment to the hat with which the adjustable size mechanism is used, the fastener including means for surrounding a portion of a broken element of the adjustable sized hat so as to provide a connection to the hat having sufficient strength in tension to prevent the replacement element from separating from the hat.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to headgear, and more particularly to a repair kit for repairing adjustable elements on headgear.
2. Prior Art
In the prior art, there has been no adequate technique for repairing adjustable straps on headgear. For example, on currently popular baseball style caps which have straps at the back of the cap which may be joined together at any of a number of links to fit a user's head, the hat generally becomes useless if one of the adjustable strap members breaks or becomes damaged.
Some prior art attempts at solving the problem involved mechanical fasteners similar to paper staples, adhesive tape or chemical adhesives
A disadvantage of prior art attempts at solving the problem of broken or damaged straps for adjustable headgear is that these approaches are neither reliable nor aesthetic and are generally not adopted by the hat wearing public.
Accordingly, there is a need for a reliable mechanism for repairing straps on adjustable headgear that is reliable and would be accepted by the consuming public.


In one embodiment, a packet is processed by three flow tables in a network device of a software-defined networking (SDN) system. In the first flow table, upon finding a match based at least partially on an IP address value of the packet, the network device adds a first identifier based on the IP address value to metadata of the packet and forwards the packet to a second flow table, where upon finding a match based at least partially on a port value of the packet, the network device adds a second identifier based on the port value to the metadata and forwards the packet to a third flow table. At the third flow table, upon finding a match based at least partially on a combination of the first and second identifiers, the network device performs one set of instructions of the matching entry on the packet.

Software-defined networking (SDN) is a network architecture that aims at decoupling control plane functions from data plane functions such that separate apparatuses may be utilized for different functions. In the SDN architecture, network intelligence and states are logically centralized, and the underlying network infrastructure is abstracted from the applications. As a result, networking may be simplified and new applications become feasible. For example, network virtualization can be accomplished by implementing it in a software application where the control plane is separated from the data plane. Also, a network administrator of a SDN system may have programmable central control of network traffic without requiring physical access to the system's hardware devices. With these benefits, SDN architecture based systems (referred to as SDN systems or SDN networks exchangeably herein below) are gaining popularity among carriers and enterprises.
For implementing SDN, the Open Networking Foundation (ONF), an industrial consortium focusing on commercializing SDN and its underlying technologies, has defined a set of open commands, functions, and protocols. The defined protocol suites are known as the OpenFlow (OF) protocol. In the OpenFlow protocol, packets of traffic flows are forwarded through one or more flow tables in an OpenFlow switch (a network element). Packets are matched against flow tables for forwarding decisions. In the process, a packet is matched to match fields of flow table entries of a flow table. The match can be an exact match, where a value extracted from the packet needs to be the same value of a corresponding match field to make a match; the match can also be a wildcard match where the value extracted from the packet can be any value to make a match; or the match can be a range match where the value extracted from the packet needs to be within a defined bounded range of values to make a match.
In networking, a port is an application-specific or process-specific software construct serving as a communications endpoint in a network device. The purpose of ports is to uniquely identify different applications or processes running on a single network device so that these applications and processes may share a single physical connection (e.g., network links between network devices). A port is typically associated with an Internet Protocol (IP) address, as well as the type of protocol used for Open System Interconnection (OSI) in layers 4-7, where the type of protocol may be the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), and etc. In the OpenFlow protocol, packet matching for a port value is defined as an exact match only. However, in some applications, a range match for the port value is more advantageous.

Method and system for supporting port ranging in a software-defined networking (SDN) system


This invention includes a path-based method and system that restore a distributed telecommunications network (90) from a failure condition (92). First, the method and system notify all the network nodes (22, 24, 26, 28) of the fault of a link (12). Next, an alternate route finding phase occurs for finding alternate paths (S-T1-T4-D) to reroute the disrupted traffic. For finding alternate paths (S-T1-T4-D), the alternate route finding phase includes sending messages (70, 100) throughout the distributed telecommunications network. Upon finding some alternate paths (S-T1-T4-D), the method and system send connect commands (100) to make the necessary cross connections in the distributed telecommunications network nodes (22, 24, 26, 28) that are on the alternate paths (S-T1-T4-D). Throughout the distributed network restoration process, the method and system synchronize (62) the distributed telecommunications network nodes to avoid possible race conditions among the nodes.

With the widespread deployment of fiber optic transmission systems and the alarming rate of outages due to fiber cuts, there is great interest in improving the process of restoring disrupted traffic from minutes to sub-seconds following a fiber or span cut. Automatic protection switching probably is the fastest technique and can switch the disrupted traffic to dedicated spare links in under 50 milliseconds. However, it also requires high dedicated spare channel capacity. With recent advances in digital cross connect systems (DCS), there is increasing interest in using DCS in network restoration.
There are two basic approaches to reroute the disrupted traffic due to a fiber span cut. The link restoration approach replaces the affected link segment of a disrupted channel by a spare path between the two disrupted ends. The path restoration approach releases each disrupted channel and lets the source and destination end of the channel re-establish the connection. With the additional release phase the path restoration approach takes more time than the link restoration. However, the path restoration approach can find more efficient spare paths with fewer link segments and can handle the node failure situation with the same logic. The link restoration approach has applications in achieving fast network restoration.
A well-known distributed network restoration method for a DCS-based fiber network was proposed by W. D.
Grover in "The Self-Healing Network: A Fast Distributed Restoration Technique For Networks Using Digital Cross-Connect Machines", Proc. GLOBECOM '87, pp. 28.2.1-28.2.6, 1987 and detailed in his 1989 Ph.D. dissertation for the Department of Electrical Engineering at University of Alberta entitled, "Self Healing Networks: A Distributed Algorithm For K-Shortest Link-Disjoint Paths In A Multi-Graph With Applications In Real Time Network Restoration." The protocol associated with that process is called the Self-Healing Network (SHN) protocol.
Another distributed network restoration process for DCS-based fiber networks has been proposed by Yang and Hasegawa in "FITNESS: Failure Immunization Technology for Network Survivability," Proc. of GLOBECOM '88, pp. 47.3.1-47.3.6, November 1988. This method became known as Bellcore's FITNESS approach
RREACT is another distributed approach to network restoration and is described in detail in "RREACT: A Distributed Protocol for Rapid Restoration of Active Communication Trunks", UCCS Tech Report EAS-CS-92-18, November 1992.
The above approaches are not sufficient as they appear to be unstable and result in an explosion of messages throughout the network following the failure of a network link or node. These approaches also rely upon extensive knowledge of the network topology prior to the failure. Unfortunately, the information could be out of date at the time of the failure, especially in the situation of a multiple link failure. The complexity, instability, and unreliability make these approaches unsatisfactory for many types of distributed telecommunications networks.

Method and system for restoring a distributed telecommunications network


A ferrule securing assembly including a die set assembly for reducing a cylindrical ferrule. The die set assembly having a female die and a male die. The female die having a female die opening sequentially defined by a tapered section, a parallel section, and a concave seat. The male die having a concave die face with at least two lateral edges, a medial area, and a radius of curvature. The male die is receivable in the female die opening to move the ferrule through the tapered section so as to forge the ferrule into a substantially oval shape, to move the oval shaped ferrule through the parallel section, and to compress the oval shaped ferrule between the concave die face and the concave seat to forge the oval shaped ferrule into a substantially cylindrical shape. The radius of curvature of the concave die face being greater than the radius of curvature of the concave seat such that contact between the ferrule and the concave die face is shifted from the lateral edges of the concave die face to the medial area of the concave die face as the ferrule is moved through the tapered section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for securing a connector employing a connecting body such as a ferrule over an inner member such as a wire. The present invention also has general application in making mechanically secure connections using connectors having a connecting body requiring shrinkage or mechanical deformation to be secured over an inner load carrying member, such as a guy wire or support cable. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for connecting ferrules such that the connected ferrule is substantially circular in shape but with sufficiently reduced cross-sectional area so as to achieve a circumferentially tight fit around the inner members.
2. Brief Description of Related Art
The field of wire termination utilizes a number of common practices to achieve electrically and mechanically efficient connections. In general, these practices involve some form of asymmetric deformation of a terminal ferrule around a group of wires. Prior art publications teach various forms of indentation of the ferrule, a general flattening of the ferrule, or a creasing, piercing, or buckling of the ferrule wall onto the inner members. The aforementioned methods create sharp and inconsistent deformations, indentations, and creases in the ferrule. In addition, the non-uniform shape of the reduced terminal creates voids between the terminal and the wires leading to possible fouling and corrosion from moisture migration into the voids. Still yet, the unpredictable variations formed by these methods of deformation create connections with equally unpredictable and inferior mechanical strength. Less common and more exotic methods do achieve symmetric connections such as hexagonal or square shapes, but still do not achieve finished connections having a substantially circular cross-section and thus suffer from the aforementioned problems to some degree.
It is more desirable to drive the finished ferrule into a near-circular shape. A number of advantages are achieved over methods using simple physical deformation to connect the ferrule. These advantages include excellent mechanical security and electrical conductivity; consistent mechanical pressure across the inner cross-section of the connection; an attractive appearance; no distress on inner wires or cable strands; no bending, cracking, tearing or piercing of ferrule walls; no exposed sharp edges of the ferrule to snag or foul in assembly; thickening and strengthening of the wall of the connected ferrule; and elimination of voids or gaps in the captured wire or cable thus removing points of entry for corrosive chemicals, liquids or gases.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,010,183, issued to E. W. Forney, Jr., on Nov. 28, 1961, discloses a crimping method in which a terminal ferrule is reduced in cross-sectional area without material change to its shape. The Forney patent further teaches a die set comprising a male die and a female die. The female die provides a die opening enlarged at its upper end and sharply tapering to a parallel section rounded at its lower end. The male die provides a curved surface of substantially the same radius of curvature as the rounded section at the bottom of the female die.
The method and apparatus of the Forney patent is fundamentally flawed in that the curved portions of the male and female dies have substantially equal radii of curvature. Using substantially equal radii of curvature introduce point loads and shear stresses between the lateral edges of the male die's curved face and the ferrule, such that the ferrule is sharply deformed at these points of contact as it is pushed into the opening of the female die. The point loads and shear stresses introduced by the apparatus of the Forney patent create sharp indentations and protrusions, materially changing the shape of the ferrule such that the smoothness and continuity of the outer surface is sacrificed. Using a substantially equal radius in the male die also creates extremely thin and fragile lateral edges along the width of the upper die. Exposing these edges to the forming pressures between the dies will cause them to break down and fail. In addition, the Forney patent diagrams a sharp transition within the tapering portion of the female die. It has been found in practice that pressing a ferrule into such a sharply tapering transition will cause it to bind and effectively jam the mechanism, damage the ferrule, and result in a failure to complete the forming process.

Method and apparatus for securing connecting ferrules


This invention relates to a display panel tensioner whereby a flexible display panel, generally of the type carrying advertising or promotional material, may be supported under tension to thereby provide a smooth and neat appearance that enhances the aesthetics of the display panel. The tensioner comprising a body having attachment formations whereby it may be secured to a support structure, a track formed in the body and receiving an elongate tensioning member that is longitudinally movable along the track between terminal positions with the tensioning member being movable in a plane generally parallel to a plane in which a display panel is to be supported thereby, resilient biasing means urging the tensioning member towards one terminal position thereof relative to the track, and attachment means for releasably attaching a display panel assembly to the tensioning member.

There are numerous instances in which it is desirable to support a flexible display panel so as to be easily visible by persons in the surrounding area. Display panels frequently deviate from their planned size and shape and such deviations contribute to distortions when the display panels are supported in use. These distortions may evidence themselves in many different forms such as creases and folds that detract from the general legibility of the panel and adversely affect the aesthetic appearance thereof.
The problem, in applicant's view, centres on the inability of most current support devices to hold the flexible panels under a uniform tension in order to display the panel in a smooth and neat condition.

Display panel tensioner and assemblies thereof


A new and improved combined snow pusher, ice chopper, and broom apparatus for clearing a surface includes a handle which is supported by a support and which projects upward from the top of the support at a first acute angle with respect to the support. Bristles are supported by the support, and the bristles project downward from the bottom of the support by a first distance. A panel element is supported by the support at the front of the support. The panel element is connected directly to the support, and the bottom end of the panel element projects downward past the bottom of the support by a second distance. The second distance is less than the first distance, whereby the portion of the panel element which extends below the support element protects the interface between the bristles and the support, whereby the panel element does not contact the surface to be cleared. The bottom end of the panel element includes a sharp lower edge. In a first mode of operation, the bristles are placed on the surface to be cleared, the panel element is used to push material out of a path on the surface, and the bristles are used to sweep material out of the path on the surface. In a second mode of operation, the apparatus is rotated 180 degrees, and the sharp edge of the panel element is placed on the surface to be cleared. In this mode, the apparatus can be used for chopping ice.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to implements for clearing snow and debris from sidewalks, driveways, and the like, and more particularly, to an implement having both snow plow and broom functions.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Shop brooms are well known and generally include a long straight handle portion connected to a relatively long and wide broom portion which provides excellent sweeping capabilities. However, such shop brooms are not well suited for clearing sidewalks and driveways of substantial snow accumulations. In this respect, it would be desirable if a device were provided which is well suited for clearing substantial snow accumulations and which also provides excellent sweeping capabilities.
Conventional snow shovels provide blades which closely contact the surface of the sidewalks, driveway, and the like. As a result, the leading edge of a blade often bumps up against uneven surfaces, such as uneven blocks of sidewalk concrete, and transmits a jolt to the user of the snow shovel. In this respect, it would be desirable if a snow shovel were provided which rode over uneven surfaces in a sidewalk, or the like, thereby preventing the user from being jolted by those uneven surfaces.
Moreover, the close contact of conventional snow shovels with the surface being cleared often does damage to the surface that is being cleared. Snow shovels often have metal blades, and the metal blades often do damage to the surface being cleared. In this respect, it would be desirable if a snow clearing apparatus were provided that avoided damage to the surface being cleared due to contact by a metal snow shovel blade.
Not only does contact between a metal blade and the surface being cleared cause damage to the surface, but the contact may also cause damage to the blade. Concrete surfaces are very abrasive and may rapidly wear out the leading edges of metal or plastic blades. In this respect, it would be desirable if an implement for clearing snow from surfaces were provided which prevented the surface from damaging the snow clearing blade.
Some snow shovels are designed to move snow from walkways and the like by sliding under a quantity of snow, and by the user lifting the shovel and the snow and throwing the snow away from the walkway. Such repetitive lifting and throwing of snow can be very laborious. Moreover, such lifting and throwing puts considerable stress on back muscles, leading to unpleasant back aches. In this respect, it would be desirable if a snow moving implement were provided that avoided lifting and throwing of snow.
When snow accumulates, patches of ice are often present. To remove ice, a chopping action is often required from a sharp metal implement. In this respect, it would be desirable if a snow removing implement were provided with a sharp portion for chopping ice. Also with respect to ice, it would be desirable if the implement that is used for clearing snow could also have provisions for dispensing a material that is designed to reduce the slipperiness of ice. Such a material could be an abrasive such as sand or a ice melting chemical such as salt.
In many persons minds, clearing snow from walkways and clearing debris from indoor floor surfaces are two distinct operations which require two separate and distinct implements. Moreover, the snow clearing implement usually gets less service because of its seasonal nature. Thus, for most of the year, the snow clearing implement must be kept in storage. To size money and storage space, it would be desirable if a single implement were provided that could be used all year round for its sweeping characteristics and could be used for clearing snow when the occasion arose.
Most conventional snow clearing implements and most conventional broom implements have long, straight handles. Such handles present a relatively sharp handle point to the body of the user if the user wants to get directly behind the handle and push it. In this respect, it would be desirable if a handle were provided for a snow pushing implement which avoided presenting a relatively sharp handle point to the body of the user when the user pushes the implement.
A number of snow clearing implements are known in the prior art as represented by the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,773,375 of Nehls; 3,804,451 of Burke; 4,597,204 of Heiden; 4,991,324 of Fine et al; and Des. 302,059 of Sanders. Nehls discloses a snow removal device designed for removing snow from high, elevated roofs. Burke discloses a snow broom in which an array of metal tines can be selectively maintained separately as broom bristles or maintained in close association as a shovel blade. Heiden discloses a snow pusher which has an adjustable straight handle, a resilient blade, and a snow diverting member. Fine et al discloses a snow removal device having two handles and a blade whose width is adjustable.
In particular, with respect to the Sanders patent, Sanders discloses a snow broom in which a snow pushing panel is mounted on the top of the bristle support. The bristles are completely exposed to the snow, and no ice chopping capabilities are possible. It is noted that snow and moisture can easily push into the region of the bristle support where the bristles are connected to the bristle support. When this interface region deteriorates, bristles can easily fall out of the bristle support. In this respect, it would be desirable if the bristles of a broom that is converted into a snow pusher have a provision for protecting the interface between the bristles and the bristle support from snow damage.
Thus, while the foregoing body of prior art indicates it to be well known to use snow pushers and brooms, the prior art described above does not teach or suggest a combination snow pusher, ice chopper, and broom apparatus which has the following combination of desirable features: (1) is well suited for clearing substantial snow accumulations and which also provides excellent sweeping capabilities; (2) rides over uneven surfaces in a sidewalk, or the like, thereby preventing the user from being jolted by those uneven surfaces; (3) avoids a user lifting and throwing snow; (4) avoids damage to the surface being cleared due to contact by a metal snow shovel blade; (5) prevents the surface from damaging the snow clearing blade; (6) having a sharp portion for chopping ice; (7) can be used all year round for its sweeping characteristics and can be used for clearing snow when the occasion arose; (8) provides a handle for a snow pushing implement which avoids presenting a relatively sharp handle point to the body of the user when the user pushes the implement; (9) in a push broom converted into a snow broom, has a provision for protecting the interface between the bristles and the bristle support from snow damage; and (10) provides for dispensing a material that is designed to reduce the slipperiness of ice. The foregoing desired characteristics are provided by the unique snow pusher, ice chopper, and broom apparatus of the present invention as will be made apparent from the following description thereof. Other advantages of the present invention over the prior art also will be rendered evident.


The invention relates to a manipulation-proof RFID antenna structure having a carrier substrate, an RFID antenna, a chip, and an adhesive coating. The structure includes the following layers in varying sequence: a) a carrier substrate, b) a thin UV-curable varnish layer into which a hologram is imprinted, c) a partial metallization as a mirror layer, k) optionally a smoothing varnish layer, l) optionally a partial copper layer forming the antenna, m) optionally a strap or a microchip, n) an adhesive layer, o) optionally a removable cover film (release liner), p) optionally a printed layer, and q) optionally a non-imprinted UV varnish layer.

The invention relates to a manipulation-proof RFID antenna having a security feature.
It is known, especially in multi-layer configurations for proof of manipulation, to provide an intermediate layer, which has a partially varying adherence to the support. This intermediate layer is provided with an adhering layer and applied onto the carrier. If an attempt is made to remove the configuration from the support, this seemingly homogeneous, substantially invisible intermediate layer is damaged in a defined manner due to the varying adhesion regions. The breakage locations can be assembled exactly again only with difficulty, with the result being that any manipulation is evident.
The varying adhesive regions are produced by way of, for example, partially applying a release layer and/or an adhesive layer on the carrier substrate. The varying adhesive regions frequently have defined forms, for example the form of patterns, indicia, lines, letters, geometric shapes, logos, lettering and the like.
A closer inspection reveals generally that the intermediate layer was damaged, that is to say manipulation has occurred. However, if particular care was taken, the damage is often not detectable at first glance.
WO 01/71848 discloses an RFID label having a track that is connected to the RFID components. If manipulation of the tag occurs, this track is damaged. If this track is damaged or interrupted, the antenna ceases to function or its properties are changed.
WO 02/077939 likewise discloses an RFID label having a track that serves to prove manipulation. This track consists of regions made of a metallic conductor and regions of electrically conductive printing ink.

Manipulation-proof RFID antenna having safety feature


A conductive rubber film having a volume resistivity in the direction perpendicular to the film surface of 0.1-5 .OMEGA.cm is obtained by blending 100 parts by weight of a rubber component comprising rubber with an iodine value of 30 or less (e.g. hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer rubber) with 5 to 100 parts by weight of conductive carbon having a specific surface area of 20 to 2000 m.sup.2 /g, and forming the blend into a film of 0.01-0.2 mm thick by casting by the use of a solvent (e.g. methyl isobutyl ketone). The film is made into collectors and an electric double layer capacitor using an aqueous electrolyte is produced by using the collectors. This capacitor has a low internal resistance, namely, it can be obtained as a high-output capacitor.

An electric double layer capacitor is an electric device comprising polarizable electrodes and an electrolyte. As the electrolyte, an electrolytic solution prepared by dissolving an electrolyte salt in water is generally used (JP-A-49-68254, etc.). The electric double layer capacitor has a function of storing electric charge in an electric double layer formed between the electrolytic solution and each electrode by polarization of the electrode. Such an electric double layer capacitor using an aqueous electrolyte is utilized as a small-sized power source for semiconductor memory backup, etc. and is under development as a large-sized power source for an automobile, etc.
Conventional electric double layer capacitors are roughly classified into two groups, i.e., those using an aqueous electrolyte, usually an aqueous sulfuric solution having a concentration of approximately 25-50% (JP-A-62-268119, JP-A-63-213915, JP-A-2-174210, etc.) and those using an organic solvent-based electrolyte (JP-A-49-68254, JP-A-7-86096, etc.). In general, the capacitors using an organic solvent-based electrolyte have a higher output voltage but are disadvantageous in that because of the low ionic conductivity of the electrolyte, the internal resistance is high, resulting in an insufficient output current. On the other hand, the capacitors using an aqueous electrolyte have a low output voltage but are advantageous in that because of the high ionic conductivity of the electrolyte, the internal resistance is low, resulting in a strong output current.
In addition, since the capacitors using an organic solvent-based electrolyte are flammable, the development of an electric double layer capacitor with a higher output using an aqueous electrolyte is desired from the viewpoint of safety.
However, for increasing the output of a large-sized power source obtained by connecting electric double layer capacitors using an aqueous electrolyte, as a plurality of cells in series or in parallel, the output current should be increased by reducing the internal resistance. The internal resistance is caused by the aqueous electrolyte, carbon as electrodes, collectors, etc. The internal resistance due to the aqueous electrolyte and carbon as electrodes can be reduced by thinning the cells of the capacitor, but the thinning decreases the capacity of each cell, so that the balance between capacity and voltage is lost.
A rubber film containing a conductive material is generally used as the collector (JP-A-2-174210, JP-A-4-240708, JP-A-5-299296, etc.). Such a conventional conductive rubber film, however, has a volume resistivity in the direction perpendicular to the surface of as high as approximately 8-500 .OMEGA.cm and hence makes it difficult to increase the output of the capacitor. Moreover, such a conductive rubber film is poor in acid resistance and hence is attacked by the acidic aqueous electrolyte when used for a long period of time, so that it is deteriorated in function or leaks the aqueous electrolyte in some cases.

Collector and electric double layer capacitor


A communication system with an antenna array having a respective antenna for each of a multitude of communication modules and a control system which seiectiyely reassigns communication over a first of said multitude of communication modules to a second communication module of said multitude of communication modules in response to identification of a predicted interference within a predetermined interference matrix.

The present invention relates to a communication system, and more particularly to management of an antenna array.
Aircraft communications systems usually include a receiver-transmitter, a digital interface of the control panel mechanism to and from the receiver transmitter, and an antenna system. The antenna system of a typical communications system is connected to the receiver-transmitter by a coaxial cable, sometimes known as a transmission line. This basic arrangement can be found in aircraft and in ground installations.
Some conventional communications systems connect the receiver-transmitter and the antenna as a dedicated, matched pair, and the antenna is tuned to operate efficiently over the particular receiver-transmitter's operating range. In more complex applications, a receiver-transmitter may be connected to a second antenna by a control mechanism and a coaxial relay. A typical application may be an upper antenna and a lower antenna, each mounted on an aircraft. This type of dual antenna design allows the crew to direct the radio to the preferred antenna so as to increase coverage for the upper hemisphere or the lower hemisphere (or fore/aft, etc.) according to the operational requirements at that time. Such antenna switching is performed by switching the antenna control lines and the RF coaxial lines via a combination of coax switches and conventional control line switching usually performed by relays. The result is an effective communications system that provides a desired spatial coverage, but may frequently results in some interferences due to the practical limitations of space available to locate antennas.
As receiver-transmitters have become capable of covering a wider spectrum of frequencies, the design of the antenna hardware has become more complex and more expensive. Active impedance tuning elements in the antenna are digitally switched in or out of the antenna's internal impedance matching mechanisms to adjust the effective impedance of the antenna for optimum/efficient transmission.
Furthermore, as the capabilities of radios continue to increase, or as the number of radios installed on the airborne platform (eg; helicopter or fixed wing) increase, the potential for mutual interference increases. Close spacing of dedicated antennas can result in the radiated power of one radio interfering with another radio whose antenna is in proximity to the other antenna that is transmitting. The nature of the interference may be caused by transmit power of a level such that the receiving radio/antenna's receiver bandwidth processes the RF energy at the edges of its receiver bandwidth. This is sometimes referred to as the skirts of the receiver. This undesired interference problem is further increased when the radios are wideband units that cover a broad portion of the RF spectrum. When wideband transmitters of any kind are utilized such as for communications, navigation, IFF, etc., the harmonic content of each transmitter may also interfere with any of the receiving devices located in proximity.
Aircraft may typically have from three to as many as fifty antennas on the fuselage. Each antenna is installed to achieve proper coverage and the correct ground plane. The ability to locate an antenna at any arbitrary location to avoid interference may not be possible due to lack of ground plane, interference with maintenance access, or ground clearance. Interference of one transmitter with another receiver is most often a compromise to balance coverage, pattern efficiency, and mutual interference. As the number of antennas increases, so does the difficulty in locating antennas. These types of considerations must be addressed for ground stations, fixed wing aircraft, and helicopters.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a communication system which provides desired spatial coverage while minimizing interference due to the practical limitations associated with the space available to locate a multiple of antennas.


The disclosure discloses a method and apparatus for inputting an emoticon. An embodiment of the method comprises: acquiring a facial image of a user, and locating a facial feature point of the facial image; determining facial expression information of the user based on a location of the facial feature point; selecting an emoticon matching the facial expression information from a preset emoticon library, wherein the emoticon library is used for correspondingly storing the emoticon and the facial expression information; and displaying the selected emoticon in an input interface. The embodiment increases the speed of inputting an emoticon.

Existing technologies provide certain techniques for inputting an emoticon: a user may select a corresponding emoticon from an emoticon list or input the emoticon by inputting a code representing the emoticon.
For a system requiring selecting an emoticon from a list to input the emoticon, a user needs to manually select from a specific list before each input, and with the increase of the number of symbols in the emoticon list, the user needs to spend increasingly more time in finding an emoticon before inputting the emoticon.
For a system using an identification code to input an emoticon, a user needs to remember the corresponding identification code or specific text of the emoticon. When the number of emoticons increases, more identification codes need to be remembered by the user, thereby slowing down the emoticon inputting speed of the user.

Method and apparatus for inputting emoticon

BEIJING BAIDU NETCOM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.