A system for detecting and communicating the presence of one or more computing devices is presented. The invention also presents a method and system for aggregating presence information generated by multiple devices associated with a single user. A server acting as a presence agent on behalf of a first user receives and responds to a subscription request generated by a computing device operated by a second wishing to be permitted as a watcher of the first user. When the second user corresponds to access preferences of the first user, a notify message is sent to the second user's device that includes presence information indicative of an activity level and availability level associated with the first user. When the first user employs multiple computing devices, the server generates an aggregate presence document that is representative of the overall presence of the first user.

With today's widespread use of the Internet as a primary communication medium, standard communication tools are now capable of communicating over a computer network. For instance, telephones, pagers, cell phones, handheld computers, and even fax machines now offer features to allow them to be accessed and controlled from over the Internet via an IP address designation or other network addressing scheme. This ability, whereby various communication devices that traditionally use a circuit-switched telephone network, is known as network telephony, or IP telephony when an IP network is involved.
As a result of network telephony, today's devices have the ability to communicate with one another over networks such as the Internet to share information, or receive data. Furthermore, a user having several communication devices (e.g., a cell phone, laptop and handheld PC) can configure each of these devices to a network using a single alias or identifier, such as a username (e.g., email@example.com). In this way, the user is not limited to communicating with others via a single device, but instead has the ability to communicate via several different devices. Nonetheless, the ability for a user to have several devices "present" on a computer network creates a need for other users to be able to determine the status or state of the users many devices.
Presence refers to the availability, proximity, activity level or operating state of a user on a network. Commonly, the ability for users to monitor each other's presence and generate presence information is a feature offered in connection with computer-executable modules or applications that support network telephony. Such modules or applications are known commonly as presence user agents (PUAs). Examples of typical software applications that operate as PUAs or support PUA-like features include instant messaging applications such as MSN Messenger or AOL Instant Messenger. Both of these applications provide an "available buddy" feature, in which a user of the application can determine whether select users are available for engaging in a communication. The generated by the PUA to create the buddy list, i.e. "John OFFLINE" or "Susan ACTIVE," is known as presence information, and is generally retrieved and maintained by a presence agent.
According to most conventional network configurations, the presence agent is a dedicated server or computer-executable module that maintains presence information on behalf of a user having one or more computing devices. Typically, the presence agent supports network telephony protocols such as the session initiation protocol (SIP). Users can register their computing devices with the presence agent (e.g., via a registrar module) in order to have their presence maintained and network telephony services facilitated. As such, a user of a first computing device wishing to detect the presence of a user of a second computing device does so by "subscribing" with the presence agent, such as via a SIP SUBSCRIBE message. The presence agent intermediates between the first user, also known as the watcher, and the second user to facilitate the communication of the second user's presence information to the first user.
The ability of a presence agent to accurately determine and maintain presence information for one or more users significantly enhances communication and task completion over the network. Accurate generation of presence information by the PUA operating upon a user's device is also critical for effectively conveying presence. For example, a very mobile user may only be on the network at limited times throughout the day, and from varying network locations. By subscribing as a watcher of this mobile user, it becomes possible for another user to assume the role of a watcher and detect the presence of the mobile user during the limited times at which the mobile user's computing device is actually connected to the network. So, when the mobile user is present, the watcher can correspond instantly with the mobile user via a chat session or videoconferencing call, as opposed to resorting to non-real-time communication such as e-mail messaging. Hence, presence is an especially important factor for facilitating communication between users. Unfortunately, however, conventional PUAs are unable to provide presence information with respect to varying network or operating conditions, and particularly, information sufficient enough to indicate the ability of the device being watched to actually engage in a communication session as a result of a change.
As an example of this phenomenon, consider a scenario where a second user has subscribed with a presence agent as a watcher of a first user. If the first user is in the second users' available buddy list, and the first user's computing device suddenly goes into sleep mode, the second user's buddy list should still indicate that the first user's device is available for communication rather than indicate that the first user's device is "offline." An indication of offline does not accurately reflect that the first user's device may still be connected to the network and may be available to receive messages. Yet, many PUAs only provide generalized presence information such as "offline" or "unavailable," and do not account for more intricate presence conditions. Invariably, this phenomenon results in the present agent's inability to convey the presence of the user more accurately to the watcher.
Still further, many PUAs are unable to generate useful presence information for those users that have several devices registered and present upon the network. Current measures for conveying the presence of users having multiple devices simply call for the presence information of each individual device to be presented to the watcher as a compound document, such as an HTML file. As a result, the watcher that receives the compound document indicating the presence information for each device must inherently "guess" which device's presence information most accurately reflects the presence of the user. However, just because a user's mobile phone, pager, laptop, PDA, and desktop computer are all present on the network does not mean the user is using all of them. Indeed, the presence information of the individual devices says very little about the actual presence (e.g., activity or availability) of the user.

Method and system for supporting the communication of presence information regarding one or more telephony devices


A system and method for encoding, transmitting and updating a display based on demura calibration information for a display device comprises generating demura correction coefficients based on display color information, separating coherent components from the demura correction coefficients to generate residual information, and encode the residual information using a first encoding technique. Further, the image data may be divided into data streams, compressed and transmitted to from a host device to a display driver of a display device. The display driver decompresses and drives subpixels of the pixels in based on the decompressed data. The display driver updates the subpixels of a display using corrected greyscale values for each subpixel are determined from the decompressed data.

Production variations during display device manufacturing often cause poor image quality when displaying an image on the display panel of the display device. Demura correction may be utilized to minimize or correct such image quality issues. Demura correction information may correct for power law differences between pixels due to production variations. The demura correction information may be stored within a memory of a display driver. However, display driver memory is expensive, increasing the cost of the display driver. Although the demura correction information may be compressed to reduce the amount of memory needed for storage, there is a desire to further reduce the amount of memory required to store the compressed demura correction information.
Hence, there is a need for improved techniques to reduce the amount of memory required to store the demura correction information.


A system and method for determining a coagulation time, e.g., TT, PT, aPTT, and ACT, of a blood test sample deposited in a test cartridge is disclosed. A cartridge housing having upper and lower major sides and a minor sidewall encloses a test chamber having a test chamber pivot element and is provided with a cartridge port for introducing a test sample into the test chamber,. Ferromagnetic agitator vane leaflets extend from an agitator pivot element supported by the test chamber pivot element intermediate the upper and lower major sides for rotational motion. The agitator vane leaflets can be swept, in response to an external magnetic field, through the test sample in the absence of coagulation. A timer is started when the agitator movement is commenced whereupon the agitator moves freely. Resistance to agitator movement due to coagulation is detected, and the coagulation time is measured.

Blood coagulation is a complex chemical and physical reaction that occurs when blood (herein, "blood" shall mean whole blood, citrated blood, platelet concentrate, plasma, or control mixtures of plasma and blood cells, unless otherwise specifically called out, and may include heparinized blood) comes into contact with an activating agent, such as an activating surface or an activating agent. In accordance with one simplified conceptual view, the whole blood coagulation process can be generally viewed as three activities: platelet adhesion, platelet aggregation, and formation of a fibrin clot. In vivo, platelets flow through the blood vessels in an inactivated state because the blood vessel lining, the endothelium, prevents activation of platelets. When a blood vessel is damaged, however, the endothelium loses its integrity and platelets are activated by contact with tissue underlying the damaged site. Activation of the platelets causes them to become "sticky" and adhere together. Additional platelets then adhere to the activated platelets and also become activated. This process continues until a platelet "plug" is formed. This platelet plug then serves as a matrix upon which blood clotting or coagulation proceeds. Blood "coagulation" and "clotting" are used interchangeably herein unless specifically distinguished from one another.
If the chemical balance of the blood is suitable, thrombin is then produced that causes fibrinogen to convert to fibrin, which forms the major portion of the clot mass. During clotting, additional platelets are activated and trapped in the forming clot, contributing to clot formation. As clotting proceeds, polymerization and cross-linking of fibrin results in the permanent clot. Thus, platelet activation plays a very important function in blood coagulation.
The clinical assessment of clotting function has long been recognized to be important in the management of surgical patients. Preoperatively, the assessment of the clotting function of the patient's blood is utilized as a predictor of risk of patient bleeding, allowing advanced preparation of blood components. Perioperative monitoring of the clotting function of the patient's blood is also important because coagulopathies can be induced by hemodilution of procoagulants, fibrinogen and platelets, by consumption of coagulation factors during surgical procedures, or by cardiopulmonary bypass. Post-operative assessment of clotting function is also crucial to the patient's successful recovery. For example, 3-5% of cardiopulmonary bypass patients require surgical reoperation to stop bleeding. Prompt assessment of clotting function could rule out coagulopathy as the cause of bleeding and could avoid unnecessary surgery that adds to patient morbidity and treatment costs.
Several tests of coagulation are routinely utilized to assess the complicated cascade of events leading to blood clot formation and test for the presence of abnormalities or inhibitors of this process. Among these tests are platelet count (PLT), thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), activated clotting time (ACT), fibrinogen level (FIB), fibrinogen degradation product concentrations, and general purpose clotting (GPC) time. The aPTT test can be used to assess the degree of anticoagulation resulting from heparin administration. The PT test results can indicate the level of anticoagulation produced by warfarin (coumadin) administration. In the GPC test, the blood sample is exposed to calcium as an activating agent, but other reagents can be added to conduct the aPTT test, for example.
The ACT tests are further differentiated into high range ACT (HRACT), low rate ACT (LRACT), recalcified ACT (RACT), and HRHTC tests. The HRACT test features a slope response to moderate to high heparin levels in whole blood drawn from a patient during cardiac surgery for use in whole blood coagulation time tests. The LRACT test features a more sensitive slope response to heparin levels ideal for use in whole blood coagulation time tests run in the ICU, CCU and during dialysis. The RACT test is similar to the LRACT test, but the test is conducted on a citrated blood test sample, rather than a whole blood sample, and is typically conducted at a central testing station remote from the patient the test sample is drawn from.
The HRHTC test is a variation upon the HRACT test where an enzyme, heparinase, is added as a deactivating or neutralizing reagent to one test sample of the whole blood drawn from the patient to neutralize any heparin therein and thereby provide a heparin-free blood test sample. In this test, comparative coagulation times are determined from the heparinase-exposed blood test sample and the unexposed blood test sample. The two ACT test times will be close if no heparin is present in the whole blood drawn from the patient. The ACT test conducted on the heparinase-exposed blood test sample will result in a shorter coagulation test time than the ACT test conducted on the unexposed blood test sample, thereby establishing that the patient's blood contains at least some level of heparin.
During heart bypass surgery, the platelets of blood circulated in an extracorporeal circuit may become activated by contact with the materials present in the extracorporeal circuit. This activation may be reversible or irreversible. Once platelets are irreversibly activated, they lose their ability to function further. A deficiency of functional platelets in the blood may be indicative of an increased probability of a post-operative bleeding problem. Such a deficiency, and the resulting post-operative bleeding risk, could be remedied by a transfusion of platelet concentrate. Platelet functionality tests, e.g., the ACT test, can identify a deficiency of platelets or functional platelets and aid the attending surgeon in ascertaining when to administer a platelet concentrate transfusion. Such a test is further useful in ascertaining the efficacy of a platelet transfusion. By performing the platelet functionality test following a platelet transfusion, it is possible to determine if additional platelet concentrate transfusions are indicated. Real-time assessment of clotting function at the operative site is preferred to evaluate the result of therapeutic interventions and also to test and optimize, a priori, the treatment choice and dosage.
A number of different medical apparatus and testing methods have been developed for measuring and determining platelet activation and coagulation-related conditions of blood that can be used in real time during surgery, particularly bypass surgery, on fresh drawn blood samples or that can be used after some delay on citrated blood samples. Some of the more successful techniques of evaluating blood clotting and coagulation of fresh or citrated blood samples employ plunger techniques disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,599,219, 4,752,449, 5,174,961, 5,314,826, 5,925,319, and 6,232,127, for example. These techniques are embodied in the ACT II® automatic coagulation timer, commercially sold by the assignee of this patent application.
In U.S. Pat. No, 5,302,348, an apparatus and method are disclosed for performing a coagulation time test on a sample of blood deposited in a fluid reservoir of a disposable cuvette. A capillary conduit having at least one restricted region is formed within the cuvette. The cuvette is inserted into a testing machine that engages the cuvette and draws blood from the fluid reservoir into the capillary conduit. The blood is then caused to reciprocally move back and forth within the capillary conduit so that the blood is forced to traverse the restricted region. Optical sensors of the testing machine are employed to detect movement of the blood. The testing machine measures the time required each time the blood is caused to traverse the restricted region. Coagulation is considered to have occurred and the overall coagulation time is displayed to the operator when a measured time is a predetermined percentage longer than an immediately preceding time.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,011, a similar apparatus and method are disclosed for performing multiple coagulation time tests on a sample of blood deposited in a fluid reservoir of a disposable cuvette having multiple capillary conduits within the cuvette. Each of the conduits contains a dried or lyophilized activation reagent that is rehydrated by the blood. The blood in each conduit is then reciprocally moved across a restricted region of the conduit until a predetermined degree of coagulation occurs. Since the coagulation time is being monitored in multiple conduits, a representation coagulation time for a given sample can be determined. A normalizing control agent is present in at least one of the conduits. The normalizing control agent counteracts any effects of anticoagulants present in the blood sample, thereby allowing the blood sample to have generally normal coagulation characteristics. The normalized blood is tested simultaneously with the untreated blood to provide a reference value against which the functionality of the test system and the quality of the sample can be judged.
The apparatus and methods disclosed in the '348 and '011 patents only check the state of the sample during the reciprocal back and forth movement of the sample through the restricted region capillary. The detection of coagulation would be delayed or inaccurate if the sample coagulates between movement cycles.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,532, a device and method for performing blood coagulation assays, particularly prothrombin times and activated partial thromboplastin times and other clotting parameters are disclosed. One embodiment of the device comprises a disposable cassette containing a sample inlet for sample delivery, a pair of interleaved spiral capillary channels for driving force, and a reaction chamber with an appropriate dry reagent for a specific assay, and a piezoelectric sensor. The device could also include a heating element for temperature control, and a magnetic bender. Compressed air is employed to drive the sample into the two spiral capillary channels. The magnetic bender is driven by an electromagnetic field generator and is attached onto a piezoelectric film in contact with the blood sample. The electric signal generated in the piezoelectric film is characterized by its frequency and amplitude due to the movement of the attached metal film. The signal collected at the site of the piezoelectric film represents the process of a biochemical reaction in the reaction chamber as the blood sample proceeds to the point at which clot formation starts and is amplified by an amplifier and rectified into a DC voltage and is sent to a recording unit and/or display unit.
A method and apparatus for measuring coagulation of blood is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,432, wherein a timer is started as a stream of solid particles are introduced into a tube containing the blood sample that descend through the blood sample under the force of gravity. The particles are micron-sized grains of glass, for example, that are highly wettable and can descend through the blood sample until stopped by the fibrin network that forms as coagulation begins. Photoelectric cells detect the stopping of the particles, and the coagulation time is determined.
Other approaches to the detection of a change in viscosity of a fluid, particularly changes accompanying fibrin formation and clotting in blood samples, have been disclosed involving ferromagnetic elements or materials introduced in the fluid that are inhibited from moving freely when the viscosity change or clotting occurs.
For example, a method and apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. Re. 27,866 wherein the coagulation of a blood plasma sample is intensified by dispersing iron oxide particles throughout the plasma sample. A rotating magnetic field is applied that causes the particles to move within the sample and activate the clotting reaction. The moving particles collect fibrin strands that are formed, thereby changing the optical properties of the particle-sample mixture, and the changed optical properties are detected optically.
Further methods and apparatus employing magnetic effects for determining changes in viscosity of a fluid, particularly a blood sample, within a test tube are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,635,678, 3,836,333, 3,967,934, and 5,145,082. In the '678 and '934 patents, a steel ball within the fluid is maintained at a certain location in the test tube by a magnetic field, while the tube is moved up and down. The magnetic force is insufficient to attract the ball when the fluid in the tube changes viscosity, and the failure of the steel ball to stay within the magnetic field is detected photoelectrically. In the '333 and '082 patents, a blood sample is placed in a test tube along with a ferromagnetic member. A magnetic field is applied to the ferromagnetic member, and the applied magnetic field maintains the ferromagnetic member oriented with the magnetic field as the test tube is rotated about its axis. The magnetic force is insufficient to attract the ball when the fluid in the tube changes viscosity, e.g., due to clotting, and the failure of the member to stay within the magnetic field is detected magnetically with a reed switch.
In other approaches to measuring coagulation time, a blood sample is disposed in a test chamber having a ferromagnetic element therein. The ferromagnetic element is raised against gravity, and the field is discontinued so that the ferromagnetic member drops through the sample in the test chamber.
For example, a viscometer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,262 wherein the fluid sample under test is placed within a capillary tube along with a metal ball. A magnet mounted on a rotating drum periodically raises the ball to the top of the tube and then releases the ball so that it can fall to the bottom of the tube. The viscosity of the fluid is determined by the rate of descent of the ball in the tube.
Apparatus and methods for detecting changes in human blood viscosity are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,629,209 and 6,613,286, wherein heparinized blood is introduced into a test cartridge through an injection port and fills a blood receiving/dispensing reservoir. The blood then moves from the reservoir through at least one conduit into at least one blood-receiving chamber where it is subjected to a viscosity test. A freely movable ferromagnetic washer is also located within the blood-receiving chamber that is moved up using an electromagnet of the test apparatus and allowed to drop with the force of gravity. Changes in the viscosity of the blood that the ferromagnetic washer falls through are detected by determining the position of the ferromagnetic washer in the blood-receiving chamber over a given time period or a given number of rises and falls of the ferromagnetic washer. The blood sample can be mixed with a viscosity-altering agent (e.g., protamine) as it passes through the conduit to the blood-receiving chamber. Air in the conduit and blood-receiving chamber is vented to atmosphere through a further vent conduit and an air vent/fluid plug as the blood sample is fills the blood-receiving chamber.
The movement of the washer in the above approach is actively controlled only when it is moved up, and the washer passively drops with the force of gravity. The washer is free to float in the test chamber and may drift side-to-side as it is moved up or floats downward. The side-to-side drifting movement may affect the rise time and the fall time, which could add error to the coagulation time measured. The washer may eventually stop moving as a clot forms about it, and no additional information can be obtained on the coagulation process in the sample.
It would be desirable to provide inexpensive, relatively simple, easy to use, and accurate equipment and techniques that quickly measure one or more of the aforementioned blood coagulation times, including TT, PT, aPTT, and ACT.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Blood coagulation test cartridge, system, and method


Metallic alloy development has been traditionally based on experimental or theoretical equilibrium phase diagrams and the like. The synthesis, processing and mechanical testing of small and large real samples are a challenging task requiring huge amount of effort in terms of time, money, resource, tedious testing and processing equipment and man-hour for which conventional Calphad calculations etc. alone do not help much in their local structure and related property prediction. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide simulation systems and methods for structure evolution and property prediction Molecular Dynamics (MD) combined with accelerated Monte Carlo techniques, wherein information on atomic elements and composition specific to alloy material is obtained to generate a MD potential file that is further used to generate a 3D structure file by executing a structure equilibration technique. An optimized evolved 3D structure file is then generated that has atomic positions output and/or thermodynamic output for predicting properties.

Traditionally metallic alloy development has been based on past experiences and on some experimental or theoretical equilibrium phase diagrams etc. The synthesis, processing and mechanical testing of small and large real samples are a challenging task requiring huge amount of effort in terms of time, money, resource, tedious testing and processing equipment and man-hours. Moreover most of the engineering metallic materials have non-equilibrium or metastable structures for which conventional Calphad calculations etc. alone do not help much in their local structure and related property prediction. Also the long-term performance prediction remains a challenge for metals and alloys as it is largely dependent on experiences and long experiments, raising the barrier for time to market products.

Systems and methods for predicting structure and properties of atomic elements and alloy materials


An electromechanical switch includes a housing, first and second stationary contacts mounted to the housing, a movable contact, and a carrier sub-assembly. The housing has a divider wall. The carrier sub-assembly includes a support rod that extends through an aperture in the divider wall and is coupled to the movable contact. The carrier sub-assembly is configured to move the movable contact relative to the first and second stationary contacts. The carrier sub-assembly includes a contact spring surrounding the support rod between the divider wall and the movable contact. The carrier sub-assembly also includes a dampener in engagement with the contact spring. The dampener is configured to absorb vibration along one or more of the contact spring or the movable contact.

The subject matter herein relates generally to electromechanical switches (e.g., contactors or relays) that control a flow of electrical power through a circuit.
Electromechanical switches may be used in a number of applications in which it is desirable to selectively control the flow of electrical power (e.g., current). Electromechanical switches, such as contactors or relays, may include a movable contact and a plurality of stationary contacts. The movable contact is selectively moved to engage or disengage the stationary contacts. When the movable contact is engaged to the stationary contacts, electrical power may flow through the contacts. The electrical power may not flow through the contacts when the movable contact is spaced apart from the stationary contacts.
In certain applications, an audible noise is generated along the interfaces between the movable contact and the stationary contacts. For example, an electric vehicle uses an electric vehicle battery (EVB) or a traction battery to power the vehicle. Such batteries may include individual cells having one or more contactors. When an individual presses the accelerator pedal, the movable contact of at least one of the contactors is moved to engage the stationary contacts. If the individual rapidly and/or deeply presses the accelerator pedal to quickly accelerate the vehicle, a surge of current flows through the movable contact and the stationary contacts. This surge of current may cause the movable contact to oscillate and vibrate, which generates the audible noise. The audible noise can be distracting or annoying to individuals within the vehicle as well as to individuals near the vehicle.
Accordingly, a need remains for an electromechanical switch that prevents or at least diminishes the audible noise caused by oscillation of the contacts at the contact interfaces.

Electromechanical switch having movable contact and dampener


An improved full body exercise apparatus generally includes a frame with a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front and rear portions together define a longitudinal axis. The front and rear portions are coupled for rotatable engagement, and a pair of handle bars is connected to the front portion and adapted to be rotated about a vertical axis which intersects the longitudinal axis at such coupling means. A pair of pedal arms, each of which is connected to respective pivot points together define a transverse axis at a distal end of the rear portion. The transverse axis is so positioned relative to the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis to optimize physical workouts of a user of the apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to apparatus for exercising specific parts of the human anatomy, and more particularly to improved exercise apparatus which enables a compound exercise movement for conditioning a cross-section of muscle groups in a general, full body workout.
2. Statement of the Prior Art
Exercise machines of all shapes and sizes are well known in the prior art. One particularly effective full body exercise apparatus according to this prior art is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,099, entitled "Variable Resistance Exercise Apparatus" and granted on Mar. 1, 1988 to John H. Pitre. Such apparatus generally provides a longitudinally oriented frame having a front end and a rear end, a seat carried on the frame in a forward facing position such that it is capable of carrying a user in a forward facing position with respect to the frame, a foot rest carried by the frame forward of the seat and adapted to receive, in use, the user's feet with legs in a generally forwardly extended position, a pair of hand engageable push/pull handles having one handle located on each of the right and left sides of the seat, each handle being carried by the frame for longitudinal movement approximately between at least the longitudinal positions of the seat and foot rest and for lateral movement approximately between at least a juxtaposed central position and a separated position, a variable resistance apparatus employing a flywheel with centrifugal clutches for variably opposing forces applied longitudinally to the handles, and a diverting mechanism for laterally and yieldably redirecting a portion of forces applied longitudinally to the handles. The push/pull handles pass through a center of balance at an intermediate point of longitudinal travel and, when moving forward of such center, apply gravitationally assisted inertia to stretch the user. A leg exerciser operates from the same flywheel to simulate the full range leg movement of steep climbing.
While commercial embodiments of such apparatus according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,099 have achieved a great deal of success, they are relatively difficult and expensive to manufacture, equally difficult and expensively set up and used, and mechanically complex in their design so as to require complicated flywheels and the like.


Apparatus and methods for integrated emergency wash systems. Various embodiments include thermostatically controlled mixing valves arranged so as to permit load carrying by the body of the valve. Further, the integrated wash systems are especially suited for use in laboratories and manufacturing settings in which available space is at a premium.

Emergency eyewashes and showers are used in a variety of industrial, educational, and governmental settings in which dangerous chemicals are present. Should a user's eyes become contaminated (or the user's body become contaminated) a nearby, easy to use, and safe emergency washing system can provide quick and thorough flushing of the contamination.
Often, these emergency wash systems are located in laboratories or manufacturing areas in which space is at a premium. Therefore, it becomes important to efficiently pack the wash system so that the required plumbing connections are easy and inexpensive to make, and further to use as little "real estate" relative either to the floor or the wall, especially because of pre-existing facilities that need to be plumbed around and designed around. Therefore, it becomes important for the emergency wash system to require as few components as possible, and combine various functions in a single device whenever possible.
Further, as the system and the system components become more tightly packed and various functions combined, it is important to maintain accurate mixing of the hot and cold streams. In some applications, the location and surroundings of the emergency wash system are already crowded with other plumbing, other components, electrical wiring, air ducts, and the like. Space on the manufacturing floor can be especially costly. Therefore, it is important to configure the components of the wash system such that they require relatively little space, and such that they take into account these pre-existing features. This makes the installer and maintainer of the wash system able to make a simple and quick of an installation (or perform maintenance) and not have to contend with other components. By providing this efficient packaging, the emergency wash system achieves two benefits: the wash systems are installed in more locations, and the wash systems are more effectively maintained.
Yet another factor that complicates the problems thus discussed is the desire to use less water in any new water-handling device. Emergency wash systems can benefit from lower flow rates by producing a gentler and more predictable upward stream of water to flush the user's eyes or face. If an emergency washing system is not comfortable, then it is less likely to be used, which defeats the purpose of the emergency wash system. It has been observed that some eye washing systems produce output sprays that are too strong or flow too high to be comfortably used.
Yet another aspect of a low flow emergency system according to some embodiments of the present invention is to provide tepid water by means of a thermostatically controlled cartridge valve that is adapted and configured to shut off the flow of how water if there is a failure of the thermostat. It has been found that an emergency washing system adapted and configured to provide a low flow rate of tepid water can be susceptible to variations as to overall low delivery pressures, as well as relative differences in pressure between the hot and cold inlets. It has been found that utilizing a thermostatically controlled valve assembly adapted and configured to provide a positive shut off in the event of a thermostat failure also provides improved operation of a low flow system.
What is needed are improvements that address one or more of the aforementioned problems. Various embodiments of the present invention provides such novel and nonobvious solutions.

Integrated emergency wash and shower system


Swing kinetic and boom potential energy may be recovered in a machine having a movable work tool, a swing motor for rotating the work tool, a hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the work tool, a pump selectively connected to the swing motor and the hydraulic cylinder, and a power source outputting power to drive the pump. The machine may further include a first accumulator, a swing charge valve having a charge set pressure, and a boom charge valve. The swing charge valve selectively fluidly connect the swing motor to the first accumulator, and open to fluidly connect the swing motor to the first accumulator when a swing motor fluid pressure is greater than a charge set pressure of the swing charge valve. The boom charge valve may selectively fluidly connect a head-end chamber of the hydraulic cylinder to the first accumulator when the work tool is lowered.

Hydraulic machines such as excavators, dozers, loaders, backhoes, motor graders, and other types of heavy equipment use one or more hydraulic actuators to accomplish a variety of tasks. These actuators are fluidly connected to an engine-driven pump of the machine that provides pressurized fluid to chambers within the actuators. As the pressurized fluid moves into or through the chambers, the pressure of the fluid acts on hydraulic surfaces of the chambers to affect movement of the actuators and a connected work tool.
Swing-type excavation machines, for example hydraulic excavators and front shovels, require significant hydraulic pressure and flow to transfer material from a dig location to a dump location. These machines direct the high-pressure fluid from an engine-driven pump through a swing motor to accelerate a loaded work tool at the start of each swing, and then restrict the flow of fluid exiting the motor at the end of each swing to slow and stop the work tool.
One problem associated with this type of hydraulic arrangement involves efficiency. In particular, the pressurized oil provided by the pump may slowly accelerate the work tool to its steady state swing speed, making the hydraulic system less responsive to the operator swing commands than is desirable to efficiently complete the required tasks. Moreover, the fluid exiting the swing motor at the end of each swing is under a relatively high pressure due to deceleration of the loaded work tool. Unless recovered, energy associated with the high-pressure fluid may be wasted. In addition, restriction of this high-pressure fluid exiting the swing motor at the end of each swing can result in heating of the fluid, which must be accommodated with an increased cooling capacity of the machine.
One attempt to recover swing kinetic energy in a swing-type machine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,850,806 to Zhang et al. issued on Oct. 7, 2014 (the '806 patent). The '806 patent discloses a hydraulic control system for a machine that may have a work tool movable through segments of an excavation cycle, a motor configured to swing the work tool during the excavation cycle, at least one accumulator configured to selectively receive fluid discharged from the motor and to discharge fluid to the motor during the excavation cycle, and a controller. The controller may be configured to receive input regarding a current excavation cycle of the work tool, and make a determination based on the input that the current excavation cycle is associated with one of a set of known modes of operation. The controller may be further configured to cause the at least one accumulator to receive fluid by actuating an electro-hydraulic charging valve, and to discharge fluid by actuating an electro-hydraulic discharge valve, during different segments of the excavation cycle based on the determination. The arrangement with two electro-hydraulic valves provides flexibility in design as the performance of the valves is tuned to the particular machine in which the hydraulic control system is implemented. The discharge valve discharges recovered energy in the accumulator directly back to the swing motor during swing acceleration. However, swing acceleration performance can vary based on the pressure within the accumulator at a given time. Moreover, the discharge valve cannot be opened during charging portions of the excavation cycle, so excess kinetic energy may be wasted or lost once the accumulator is fully charged. Therefore, opportunities exist for providing energy recovery systems in swing-type machines that provide more consistent performance in swing acceleration, are more portable between different sizes and types of machines, and are more efficient at capturing kinetic energy.
The swing-type elevation machines (e.g., excavators, front shovels, backhoes, etc.) and other non-swing-type elevation machines (e.g., wheel loaders, bulldozers, telehandlers, etc.) may be used to move heavy loads, such as earth, construction material, and/or debris, and may utilize an implements to move the loads. The implements may be powered by hydraulic systems that similarly use pressurized fluid to actuate a hydraulic actuator to lift the implement. During operation of a lifting machine, the implement with or without a load of material may be raised to an elevated position. As the implement and the load may be relatively heavy, the implement may gain potential energy when raised to the elevated position. As the implement is released from the elevated position, this potential energy may be converted to heat when pressurized hydraulic fluid is forced out of the hydraulic actuator and is throttled across a valve and returned to a tank. The conversion of potential energy into heat may result in an undesired heating of the discharged hydraulic fluid, which may require that the machine possess additional cooling capacity. However, recovering that lost or wasted potential energy for reuse in the hydraulic system may improve the machine's efficiency.
An energy recovery system having integrated boom and swing circuits is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2014/0119867 to Wen et al. published on May 1, 2014 (the '867 publication). The '867 publication discloses an energy recovery system that may have a boom circuit with at least a one linear actuator configured to move a work tool, and a boom accumulator configured to selectively collect pressurized fluid from the at least one linear actuator and to discharge pressurized fluid back to the at least one linear actuator. The energy recovery system may also have a swing circuit with a swing motor configured to move the work tool, and a swing accumulator configured to selectively collect pressurized fluid from the swing motor and discharge pressurized fluid back to the swing motor. The energy recovery system may further have a common supply passage extending between the swing and boom circuits to connect discharge passages, and a combiner valve may be disposed within a common supply passage. The combiner valve may be selectively moved to combine the outputs of pumps of the circuits to provide supply fluid for only the swing circuit, for only the boom circuit, or for both the swing and the boom circuits. A common return passage may also extend between the swing and boom circuits, and may connect the return passages of the swing circuit and the boom circuit. In this manner, a makeup accumulator may be filled with fluid from both circuits and, likewise, the makeup accumulator may provide fluid to both circuits. In such systems, the swing circuit and the boom circuit work independently with separate motors and accumulators. The circuits show improved efficiency when integrated as taught by the '867 publication, but may be more difficult to implement in smaller machines due to the package size required for the motors and accumulators. In view of this, opportunities exist for integrating boom and swing circuits in a manner that is portable between the machines in which the energy recovery system may be implemented.

Hydraulic system recovering swing kinetic and boom potential energy


The needle roller bearing A comprises a cage 3 having a plurality of long window-shaped pockets 3a formed at an appointed interval on its circumference, and a plurality of needle rollers 4 rollably accommodated and retained in the pockets 3a of the cage 3. The connection radius R (radius of curvature) between the inner diameter side portion of the pocket wall surface 3a1 and the inside surface 3b1 of the annular portion 3b, and the connection radius R (radius of curvature) between the inner diameter side portion of the pocket wall surface 3a2 and the inside surface 3b1 of the annular portion 3b of the cage 3 are set to a value having a relationship of 0.2<R/Dr.ltoreq.0.5, preferably 0.3.ltoreq.R/Dr.ltoreq.0.5 with respect to the diameter Dr of the needle roller 4.

The present invention relates to a needle roller bearing and a supporting structure of a connecting rod using the same.
For example, in a small-sized two-cycle engine for a motor cycle, there are many cases where a needle roller bearing having no bearing ring, in which a cage and a plurality of needle rollers are assembled, is used at fitting portion between a major boss portion of a connecting rod and a crank pin and at fitting portion between a minor boss portion of a connecting rod and a piston pin. This is because the size and weight of the engine are attempted to be decreased by utilizing the advantages of this type of needle roller bearing, in that the needle roller bearing is light and has a lower sectional height and a greater load capacity.
FIG.4 shows a conventional needle roller bearing B used to support a connecting rod. The needle roller bearing B comprises a cage 13 in which a plurality of long window-shaped pockets 13a are formed at an appointed interval on the circumference, and a plurality of needle rollers 14 which are rollably accommodated and retained in the respective pockets 13a of the cage 13.
The cage 13 is an annular body in which both sides of the pockets 13a in the axial direction are annular portions 13b and both sides of each of the pockets 13a in the circumferential direction are bar portions 13c continuous to the annular portions 13b. The middle portion 13c1 of the bar portion 13c in the axial direction is recessed so that it has a smaller diameter than both-side portions 13c2 thereof in the axial direction, and the middle portion 13c1 is made continuous to the both-side portions 13c2 via inclined portions 13c3. Furthermore, the annular portions 13b protrudes toward the inner diameter side like flanges so that they have smaller diameter than both-side portions 13c2 of the bar portions 13c. Therefore, the longitudinally sectional view of the cage 13 including the bar portion 13c is made roughly M-shaped as the entirety.
The cage 13 of such a needle roller bearing B as described above is produced in such a manner that, after the roughly M-shaped basic form shown in the same drawing is obtained by lathing a steel pipe material or the like, the pockets 13a are punched out by pressing. However, conventionally, taking the performance into consideration when punching out the pockets, a connection radius R' (which is formed when securing the roughly M-shaped basic form by lathing) with the annular portion 13b, which is shown in enlargement in FIG.4(b) is set to as a small value as possible (that is, is set to R'/Dr.ltoreq.0.2 where the diameter of the needle roller 14 is Dr).
Although setting the connection radius R' to a small value improves the punching-out performance of the pockets 13a, this becomes disadvantageous in view of the contact surface pressure at a contact portion with the end surface of the needle rollers 14 because the dimension Y3 in the radius direction (and an area Y4 which is brought into contact with the end surface of the needle rollers 14) of a pocket wall surface 13a1 at the annular portion 13b side of the pocket 13a is made small. Furthermore, the connection radius R' being small becomes to be disadvantageous in view of the strength of the connection part (stress concentration) between both-side portions 13c2 of the bar portion 13c and the annular portion 13b. On the other hand, these factors regarding the durability and strength of the cage 13 can be eliminated by thickening both-side portions 13c2 of the bar portion 13c. However, this results in an increase of the weight of the cage 13 to cause the advantages of this type of needle roller bearing to be decreased.
Furthermore, since in the conventional needle roller bearing B the inside surface 13b1 of the flange-like protruding portion of the annular portion 13b of the cage 13 is formed on a plane parallel to the radius direction. Therefore, since the cutting resistance is large, the machining must be carried out with the feedrate of a cutting tool slowed down.
This type of needle roller bearing is lubricated with a lubricant oil included in a fuel-air mixture of gasoline and lubricant oil, which are sent into a crank chamber or a cylinder chamber, and is operated in an environment where contamination (worn particles of the piston, etc.) is liable to enter the bearing. Therefore, by setting the inner diameter D1' of the annular portion 13b of the cage 13 to a larger value by an appointed degree than the inscribed circle diameter D0 of needle rollers 14, thereby forming an annular clearance S' between the inner circumferential surface of the annular portion 13band the outer circumferential surface of its counterpart component (crank pin or piston pin), circulation of the lubricant oil into the bearing and discharge of contamination from the inside of the bearing are secured. Conventionally, the inner diameter D1' of the annular portion 13b of the cage 13 is set to a value having the relationship of (D0+0.15Dr).ltoreq.D1.ltoreq.(D0+0.20Dr) with respect to the inscribed circle diameter D0 of the needle rollers 14 and the diameter Dr of the needle rollers 14 (that is, equivalent to the inner diameter of the middle portion 13b1 of the bar portion 13c). However, recently, in line with the tendency of downsizing, lightening, and increasing the revolution speed and output of an engine, there are many cases where this type of needle roller bearing is used in an environment where a shortage of lubricant oil arises and contamination is liable to be accumulated. Therefore, it is requested that the lubrication performance and discharge performance of contamination are further improved.


A hydraulic antivibration device is provided that is capable of suppressing generation of strange sounds while ensuring a low dynamic spring characteristic upon inputting of relatively small amplitude vibration and a high damping characteristic upon inputting of relatively large amplitude vibration. To that end, upon inputting of relatively large amplitude vibration, displacement-regulating ribs of one of sandwiching members serve to regulate displacement of an elastic partition membrane pinched by the sandwiching members thus obtaining a high damping characteristic. The displacement-regulating ribs consist of three pieces extending radially and rectilinearly, so that the area of openings of the sandwiching members is made wide enough to ensure more a low dynamic spring characteristic. Displacement-regulating protrusions of the elastic partition membrane are disposed to correspond to the displacement-regulating ribs thereby ensuring to suppress the generation of strange sounds.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a hydraulic antivibration device, more particularly to such a hydraulic type of antivibration device that is capable of restraining the generation of strange or unusual sounds (noise) while ensuring a low dynamic spring characteristic upon inputting of vibrations of a relatively small amplitude and a high damping characteristic upon inputting of vibrations of a relatively large amplitude.
2. Description of Related Art
As an antivibration device supporting and securing an automotive engine so as not to transmit the engine vibration to the body frame, a hydraulic type (liquid-filled type) of one is known.
A typical hydraulic antivibration device is constructed so that a first attachment fitting to be mounted to the engine side and a second attachment fitting to be mounted to the body frame side are connected through a vibration-isolating base composed of rubber-like elastomer, and a liquid-filled chamber is formed between a diaphragm attached to the second attachment fitting and the vibration-isolating base. And the liquid-filled chamber is comparted by a partition member into a first and a second liquid chambers, which are in turn brought into communication with each other through an orifice.
According to this hydraulic antivibration device, it is possible to perform a vibration damping function and a vibration isolating function owing to a fluidization effect of fluid between the first and second liquid chambers through the orifice and a vibration-deadening effect of the vibration-isolating base.
For such hydraulic type antivibration devices, further known are a so-called elastic membrane structure, wherein an elastic partition membrane is disposed between the first and second liquid chambers so that a hydraulic pressure variation (hydraulic pressure difference) between both chambers may be absorbed by deformation of the elastic partition membrane due to reciprocating motion thereby to obtain a low dynamic spring characteristic upon inputting of a small amplitude vibration (JP Patent Application Publication 2001-27277 A, e.g., FIG. 12), a so-called movable membrane structure, wherein displacement-regulating members are provided at both sides of the elastic partition membrane so that the displacement magnitude of the elastic partition membrane may be regulated from the both sides to increase the stiffness of the membrane thereby enhancing a vibration-damping characteristic upon inputting of a large amplitude vibration (JP Patent No. 2875723, e.g., FIG. 4), and so forth.
With the elastic partition membrane structure mentioned above, however, the problem of strange sounds, which will be later described, does not arise, yet the stiffness of the elastic partition membrane is constant irrespective of amplitudes, so that when a low dynamic spring characteristic will be obtained upon inputting of a small amplitude vibration, the hydraulic pressure difference between both liquid chambers is easy to be alleviated by the elastic partition membrane, upon inputting of a large amplitude vibration. As a consequence, the problem here was that it was unable to exhibit sufficiently the fluidization effect of fluid, causing a significant reduction in damping characteristic.
On the other hand, in the movable membrane structure, the opening area for transferring the hydraulic variation of the first liquid chamber or the second liquid chamber to the elastic partition membrane is narrowed by the space amount in which the displacement-regulating member is disposed. Thus it was unable to transmit the hydraulic pressure variation between both liquid chambers efficiently to the elastic partition membrane, with the result that the hydraulic pressure difference was difficult to be alleviated by the elastic partition membrane and hence it was hard to obtain a low dynamic spring characteristic.
Further problem with the movable membrane structure was that because of the structure that the elastic partition membrane is made to abut against the displacement-regulating member, upon abutting thereof the displacement-regulating member is oscillated, which oscillation is transmitted to the body frame, thereby generating strange sounds.


A system and method for automatically improving the picture quality of television or other video based images, based upon picture content, using improved rule based picture analysis and compensation techniques. The distribution of facial and non-facial tones in a television picture are determined and used to control of picture color quality using neural network techniques. A preferred embodiment of the invention adjusts the brightness, contrast and color saturation of a displayed picture based upon selected portions of the received picture signal. These controls are adjusted every 1/60th of a second (i.e. at the end of each field) to provide an improved visual display. Analysis of the video signal in one field of a frame provides the information for adjusting the picture quality of the subsequent field of that frame.

Television pictures are subject to variation in quality, for example color saturation and tint, due to less than ideal or inconsistent studio and production, signal processing and transmission conditions. These conditions are caused, for example, by improper lighting conditions, improper signal conditioning following recording, poor transmission, low quality signal demodulation in the receiver, or imperfect camera work.
Variation in picture quality can also be caused by improper picture settings at the receiver. Viewers can compensate for selected picture "imperfections" (i.e. in color, tint, brightness, contrast) using the receiver controls available to adjust these parameters. VIR reference signals transmitted along with the program signal can also be utilized by a properly equipped television receiver, to help adjust for transmission based inconsistencies in the picture. Unfortunately however, since the causes and degree of picture quality variation can change from program to program and scene to scene, the viewer usually has a choice of either putting up with the variations not correctable using VIR systems, or adjusting the receiver controls with each change in picture quality. In addition, VIR based systems require the broadcasters to agree to send the VIR signal and fail to address differences in the transmission medium or defects in the receiver.
The use of rule based "fuzzy logic" to control electronic apparatus has been described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,490, incorporated by reference herein. This patent describes a system for process control using predetermined reasoning rules. Computer software architecture for performing rule based reasoning and analysis is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,620 which is also incorporated by reference herein. Such software is commercially available, for providing a decision system shell. Such a software package is commercially available under the name "CubiCalc".
The use of neural networks (nets) to simultaneously process information inputs in a non-linear system, to provide a solution, are well known in the information processing art. References describing such neural nets, their applications and implementation, include "An Introduction to Computing With Neural Nets", Lippmann, IEEE, ASSP Magazine, Apr. 7, 1987 and "Analogue Circuits for Variable-Synapse Electronic Neural Networks", Tsividis & Satyanarayana, Electronic Letters, Nov. 19, 1987", as well as U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,645, which are incorporated by reference herein.
The instant invention has as its object, to provide a system for automatically improving the picture quality of television or other video based images, based upon picture content, using improved rule based picture analysis and compensation techniques. The embodiments decribed herein can be implemented, for example in a VLSI chip to provide a cost effective and robust implementation (i.e. one not substantially effected by fabrication variations).

System for improving the quality of television pictures using rule based dynamic control


The present invention provides a relief method of competition between a Down Link RRC message and inter-cell movement of user equipment which can continue communication even when acknowledgment of the Down Link RRC message cannot be performed. An RLC layer of the radio network controller (RNC) divides a Down Link RRC message into RLC AMD_PDU and transmits them, and gives an RLC error notice to an RRC layer from the RLC layer when a number of RLC AMD_PDU resending is exceeded because RLC ACK cannot be received from user equipment (UE). An RRC layer of the radio network controller activates a timer. When receiving CELL UPDATE within a fixed period, the RRC layer regards the RLC error as competition with inter-cell movement of the user equipment to reset the RLC layer of the radio network controller. The RRC layer of the radio network controller makes RLC RESET INDICATOR be TRUE in RRC:CELL UPDATE CONFIRM from the radio network controller so as to reset the RLC layer of the user equipment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile communication system, a relief method of competition between a Down Link RRC message and inter-cell movement of user equipment, and a radio network controller.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a mobile communication system constructed of a radio network controller (RNC) which has a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer and a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, which are defined in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP), and user equipment (UE), the user equipment in a CELL_FACH state can communicate with only a specific cell.
In addition, there is a processing method of securing a radio resource, which is distributed under a situation that an RRC supported by a mobile unit is not converted to a operating state from a pause state, not to be released carelessly (e.g., refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-159297).
Nevertheless, since user equipment in a CELL_FACH state can receive a Down Link message only from one specific cell, the user equipment transfers a with-in range cell of itself to a radio network controller by CELL UPDATE processing when movement between cells arises. By this, a radio network controller can send a DL message for the user equipment to a cell. However, when the competition processing arises in the timing when a DL message, which a radio network controller transmits, and inter-cell movement of user equipment are almost simultaneous, that is, when the radio network controller has transmitted the DL message to an old cell before cell update procedure from user equipment which becomes a trigger is completed, the user equipment cannot receive the DL message.
Here, in the 3 GPP, in message transmission between user equipment and a radio network controller, an RLC acknowledged mode (RLC AM) which performs acknowledgment of the transmission in an RLC layer is defined. Therefore, when user equipment moves to another cell before the user equipment receives an RLC AM message which a radio network controller has transmitted, the radio network controller cannot receive RLC ACK which is a response to the message.
In this case, although RLC resending is performed up to a number of RLC AM_DATA resending (Max DAT) in the RRC layer of the radio network controller, when a number of RLC resending exceeds the above-mentioned number of resending, that is, when user equipment has already moved to another cell, a high order RRC layer is notified of an RLC alarm. In conventional processing, since RLC states between the user equipment and radio network controller become unmatched in the case of a CELL_FACH state by RLC alarm reception, the call is released.
Up to now, since acknowledgment could not be performed when a radio network controller transmitted an RLC AM, an RLC state became mismatched and the call was released. Nevertheless, the present invention aims at providing a relief method of competition between a Down Link RRC message and inter-cell movement of user equipment in a mobile communication system which can continue communication by resetting RLC and resending the RRC message if necessary.

Mobile communication system, relief method of competition between downlink RRC message and inter-cell movement of user equipment, and radio network controller


A graphics processing system includes an initial processing system that receives a command to render an image component polygon and generates parameters for calculating image values for the image component polygon. The graphics processing system also includes a backtrack register capable of storing a pixel location. A rasterization engine scans a pixel span in a selected direction and determines whether the pixel span is to be scanned in a direction opposite the selected direction. The rasterization engine stores a backtrack location in the backtrack register in response to a determination that the pixel span is to be scanned in a direction opposite the selected direction, and stores a location to begin scanning a subsequent pixel span in the backtrack register in response to a determination that a backtrack location is not stored in the backtrack register. The rasterization engine also calculates image values for each pixel in the pixel span in the current scan direction. A pixel data processing system receives the image values from the rasterization engine and stores the image values in a frame buffer for display. The graphics processing system has increased image rendering speed without a corresponding increase in the number of logic gates or the amount of chip area required for the rasterization engine.

The present invention relates to three-dimensional graphics processing, and in particular to a method and system for efficient rendering of image component polygons.
In computer graphics, the surfaces of 3-D objects are approximated using polygons (typically triangles). Using smaller polygons creates more realistic 3-D objects on the computer screens. However, using smaller polygons requires a larger number of polygons to represent an object.
Surfaces of objects and the polygons representing the surfaces are provided in a three dimensional coordinate system, typically referred to as xe2x80x9cobject spacexe2x80x9d O(x, y, z). However, graphical displays used with computers and consumer video equipment are only two-dimensional. Therefore, an image of the objects is displayed on a graphical display by projecting the object onto a two-dimensional coordinate system, typically referred to as xe2x80x9cscreen spacexe2x80x9d S(x, y).
Generally, a polygon can be described by the polygon""s vertices. Typically the description of a vertex includes the coordinates of the vertex in object space, i.e. (x, y, z); perspective projection parameters (w, s, t); the color of the vertex, typically using color space coordinates (r, g, b); an alpha parameter; and a fog parameter. The vertex information is processed through well known setup processes into a parameter list suitable for a 3-D pipeline. The exact parameter list format depends on the 3-D pipeline used.
The 3-D pipeline performs rasterization of the polygons, i.e. the conversion of polygons into pixels in screen space. A common rasterization algorithm for polygons includes four major steps: walk edges, walk spans, compute texture coordinates, and compute fog value. Many elements of the theory and techniques of rasterization are known to those skilled in the art.
Texturing pixels is a technique for mapping an image (xe2x80x9ctexturexe2x80x9d) onto the polygonal surfaces of a computer-generated object, so as to allow the object to appear more realistic in a displayed scene. Texture mapping allows a texture to be superimposed onto each polygon of an object, using transformation techniques that compensate the appearance of the texture in each polygon for lighting conditions, angles of viewing and other conditions which may affect the appearance of the object. Many elements of the theory and techniques of texture mapping are known to those skilled in the art.
As screen space pixels are generated by rasterization, the screen space pixels are blended in a blender or back end processor to create 2-D images suitable for graphic displays. Specifically, the blender or back end processor performs Z-buffering and alpha blending on the screen space pixels. Z-buffering determines which screen space pixels can be seen on the graphics screen. Specifically, Z-buffering compares the z-coordinate of each screen space pixel against the z-coordinate of the screen space pixel with the same x- and y-coordinates already in the frame buffer. If the screen space pixel is in front of the frame buffer pixel, the parameters of the screen space pixel is stored in the frame buffer; otherwise the contents of the frame buffer remain unchanged. The frame buffer is typically addressed by mapping the x- and y-coordinates of a pixel into a memory address. The frame buffer stores parameters regarding the pixel such as color space values and the z-coordinate. Alpha blending controls the translucence of overlaid surfaces. The screen space pixels are stored in a frame buffer for displaying on a graphics display. Many elements of the theory and techniques of Z-buffering and alpha blending are known to those skilled in the art.
For realistic 3-D graphics, a 3-D image may include thousands of polygons for real-time applications or even millions of polygons for high-resolution 3-D images. Since many calculations are required to render each polygon, a high-quality image can consume a large amount of processor time. Thus, performance and image quality are often competing considerations due to the limited processing speeds available. Any decrease in the processing time required to render an image component polygon is desirable, since it enables either higher-quality graphics to be produced at a given frame rate or faster rendering of a given image.
Therefore, a need has arisen for a three-dimensional graphics processing system and method that address the disadvantages and deficiencies of the prior art. In particular, a need has arisen for a three-dimensional graphics processing system and method capable of efficient rasterization of an image component polygon.
Accordingly, a method for displaying an image component polygon is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving information indicating the location of the perimeter of the image component polygon, selecting a current pixel span with a plurality of pixels, selecting a current scan direction for the current pixel span, storing a location to begin scanning the subsequent pixel span, scanning at least one pixel in the current pixel span in the current scan direction to determine whether the pixel is within the image component polygon, determining image values for each pixel in the current pixel span in the current scan direction that is within the image component polygon, storing the image values in a frame buffer for display, and scanning the subsequent pixel span from the stored location after each pixel in the current pixel span has been scanned.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a graphics processing system includes an initial processing system that receives a command to render an image component polygon and generates parameters for calculating image values for the image component polygon. The system also includes a backtrack register capable of storing a pixel location. A rasterization engine scans a pixel span in a selected direction and determines whether the pixel span is to be scanned in a direction opposite the selected direction. The rasterization engine stores a backtrack location in the backtrack register in response to a determination that the pixel span is to be scanned in a direction opposite the selected direction, and stores a location to begin scanning a subsequent pixel span in the backtrack register in response to a determination that a backtrack location is not stored in the backtrack register. The rasterization engine also calculates image values for each pixel in the pixel span in the current scan direction. A pixel data processing system receives the image values from the rasterization engine and stores the image values in a frame buffer for display.
An advantage of the present invention is that the rasterization method described herein provides an efficient process for determining which pixels are within an image component polygon, and for calculating interpolant values for those pixels which are within the image component polygon. Another advantage of the present invention is that the method reduces the amount of scanning of pixels outside the image component polygon, thereby reducing image rendering time. Yet another advantage is that, by using an existing register, the method increases image rendering speed without a corresponding increase in the number of logic gates or the amount of chip area required for the rasterization engine.

Method and system for efficient rendering of image component polygons


In an electrophotographic apparatus having a blue (purple) semiconductor laser as a light source, the electrophotographic apparatus has an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging means, an exposure means, a developing means, a transfer means and a destaticizing means. The exposure means has a semiconductor laser and the destaticizing means having a light-emitting diode, wherein wavelength λa (nm) of the semiconductor laser, wavelength λb (nm) of the light-emitting diode and wavelength λc (nm) at which the electrophotographic photosensitive member has a maximum spectral sensitivity satisfy the following relationship (1):λa<λc<λb  (1)and any of the λa, the λb and the λc is within the range of from 380 nm to 520 nm.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an image forming apparatus (electrophotographic apparatus) such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine or a platemaking system, which employs an electrophotographic process.
2. Related Background Art
In recent years, various approaches are taken because of an increasing need for the achievement of ultrahigh image quality in regard to images reproduced from the image forming apparatus. In particular, the exposure process that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of an electrophotographic photosensitive member is positioned on the upstream side in the electrophotographic process, and is the basis of image formation. Accordingly, making beam spot diameter small in the exposure process enables achievement of ultrahigh resolution, and is a very effective means for the achievement of ultrahigh image quality.
Near infrared region semiconductor lasers having conventionally been used have lasing wavelengths of about 650 to 780 nm, and have spot diameter of about 100 μm. Its limit has been about 50 to 80 μm whatever improvements are made on various optical members in order to make the beam spot diameter small. Also, even if improvements on various optical members have made the beam spot diameter small, it is difficult to obtain the sharpness of a contour of the beam spot. This is known from the diffraction limit of laser beams that is represented by the following equation (9). The following equation (9) shows that the lower limit of beam spot diameter (D) of a beam spot is proportional to the wavelength (λ) of the laser beam. (NA is the numerical aperture of a lens.)D=1.22λ/NA  (9)
Accordingly, it is contemplated to use as an exposure light source (a writing light source) of the electrophotographic apparatus a short-wavelength blue (purple) semiconductor laser (hereinafter simply "blue semiconductor laser"), which is being put into practical use in DVD and so forth in recent years (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H9-240051, page 2, claim 1). Compared with the conventional near infrared region semiconductor lasers, in the case when the blue (purple) semiconductor laser having about a half lasing wavelength (380 to 450 nm) is used as an exposure light source, the beam spot can be made to have a fairly small spot diameter in the state the sharpness of the contour of the beam spot is maintained, as shown in the above equation (9). Hence, this enables achievement of ultrahigh resolution, and is very advantageous for the achievement of ultrahigh image quality.
Thus, the use of the blue (purple) semiconductor laser as an exposure light source makes it possible for the surface of an electrophotographic photosensitive member to be irradiated with a laser beam in a spot diameter of about 40 μm or less in the state the sharpness of its contour is maintained.
In an electrophotographic apparatus having such a blue (purple) semiconductor laser as an exposure light source and made to have a small beam spot diameter, an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a certain or higher sensitivity to light irradiation of an image exposure device is required as a matter of course. Further, in order for the electrophotographic photosensitive member to effectively utilize the light with which it is irradiated, the photosensitive member is required to have a maximum spectral sensitivity at wavelengths of about 380 to 520 nm. However, very few electrophotographic photosensitive members have such a maximum spectral sensitivity at the wavelengths of about 380 to 520 nm. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H10-239956, page 5, discloses a report concerning a selenium (Se-Te) photosensitive member which is an inorganic photosensitive member having a maximum spectral sensitivity at a wavelength of about 460 nm.
Meanwhile, in these days, various studies are made which take note of application of the blue semiconductor laser to organic photosensitive members which have various advantages that they have a small environmental load, can be manufactured and handled with ease and enjoy a low cost. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H10-239956, page 3 and FIG. 4 on page 6, discloses an image forming apparatus in which a photosensitive member having a maximum spectral sensitivity at wavelengths of 600 nm or less is used in combination with a laser diode which emits a short-wavelength laser beam. It shows an embodiment which makes use of an organic photosensitive member making use of a perylene type or azo type pigment as a charge-generating material and having a maximum spectral sensitivity at wavelengths of 540 to 580 nm. In this case, in respect of spectral sensitivity, a light source having a wavelength of about 640 nm or more (a red LED or the like) is considered usable which is conventionally used in destaticizers (charge elimination devices). However, organic photosensitive members can not be said to be effectively used in respect to the lasing wavelengths of 380 to 450 nm the blue (purple) semiconductor laser has. In an attempt to make the amount of laser light extremely large to secure sensitivity in order to more improve their sensitivity, the running potential may vary so greatly as to be insufficient for the reproduction of stable images with ultrahigh image quality throughout their running. At the same time, they also involve various disadvantages that the reliability of lasers to reproduction stability may lower, a high laser cost may result and the laser may have a short lifetime. Moreover, there is a limit to laser power, and proper sensitivity can not always be secured.
On account of the foregoing, it is sought to use an organic photosensitive member having a maximum spectral sensitivity at the wavelengths of 380 to 520 nm. However, as stated above, it is very difficult in regard to materials to design an organic photosensitive member which can effectively used in respect to the lasing wavelengths of 380 to 450 nm the blue (purple) semiconductor laser has. In addition, it has newly been found that, where such an organic photosensitive member having a maximum spectral sensitivity at the wavelengths of 380 to 520 nm is used and is used at a proper amount of light of the blue (purple) semiconductor laser, although it can be said to be effectively used in respect to the laser irradiation light, there is a technical problem that the running potential varies greatly. Hence, even the organic photosensitive member having a maximum spectral sensitivity in the wavelength region of the blue (purple) semiconductor laser has been insufficient for the reproduction of stable images with ultrahigh image quality throughout its running.


A timing generator circuit according to the present invention receives rate signal pulses and delay assignment data composed of rate number data and clock number data, and outputs timing signals delayed from the input timing of the rate signal pulses by intervals corresponding to the delay assignment data. The timing generator circuit comprises a counter for counting clock signals, which is reset by means of the rate signal pulses; a shift register for sequentially shifting the delay assignment data or data corresponding to the delay assignment data by means of the rate signal pulses; a coincidence detector for detecting data corresponding to predetermined rate number data from among output data from a stage of the shift register, and outputting pulses when clock number data contained in the output data coincide with count values of the counter; and a multiplexer for multiplexing the pulses outputted from the coincidence detector section and outputting the result as a timing signal.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to timing generator circuits used in TG (timing generator) sections of IC testers and the like, and more specifically to timing generator circuits which output rate signal pulses of undefined periods after delaying them by the intervals of clock periods assigned by delay assignment data which are provided in synchronization.
2. Background Art
In IC tests due to IC testers, constant measurement sequences are carried out at defined timings. For example, IC function tests are basically performed by the repetition of the following procedure.
a. Test patterns for the function test are read one at a time from a memory at timings which are defined by a program (a measurement program which determines the measurement procedure for the relevant IC). PA0 b. Patterns corresponding to the IC input terminals are selected from among the binary data of "1"'s and "0"'s forming the readout pattern, and a voltage waveform corresponding to these "1"'s and "0"'s is supplied to each input terminal of the IC at a timing determined by the program. PA0 c. As a result, response waveforms obtained from each output terminal of the IC are sampled at timings determined by the program, and the results are collated with the test patterns in order to judge whether or not the IC is functioning normally.
In order to properly perform these types of function tests, timing control must be performed so that the procedure can be performed with the determined timings.
Additionally, depending on the IC which is undergoing the test, instead of supplying the binary data forming a pattern immediately as an input waveform to the IC, there may be cases wherein a voltage waveform corresponding to the binary data is supplied to the IC after a time lag of a desired interval, or wherein a multiplexed clock signal is generated in accordance with the binary data and supplied to the IC. These types of tests require more complex timing control schemes.
As means for performing this type of timing control, various types of timing generator circuits are provided in IC testers. FIG. 5 shows an example of the structure of such a timing generator circuit. This timing generator circuit operates in synchronization with a clock signal .phi..sub.0 having a constant frequency f.sub.0, and delays rate signal pulses supplied from other circuitry inside the tester by a time interval assigned at a resolution of 1/f.sub.0, then outputs them as timing signals. Additionally, in this example, the structure is such as to be capable of delaying the rate signal pulses by 4 rates (wherein 1 rate is the interval between the rate signal pulses).
As shown in FIG. 5, this timing generator circuit comprises a demultiplexer 11, a counter section 12 and a multiplexer 13.
The demultiplexer 11 is a circuit which quadruple-interleaves delay assignment data D.sub.0 and a rate pulse signal T.sub.0 supplied from a control section (IC tester control system) which is not shown in the drawing, then outputs the results from first through fourth output terminals. That is, if this demultiplexer 11 outputs delay assignment data D.sub.0 and a rate signal pulse T.sub.0 supplied at a certain time from the first output terminal, the next delay assignment data D.sub.0 and rate signal pulse T.sub.0 are outputted from the second output terminal, and the next delay assignment data D.sub.0 and rate signal pulse T.sub.0 are outputted from the third output terminal, so as to output the delay assignment data D.sub.0 and rate signal pulse T.sub.0 while sequentially switching the output terminal.
The counter section 12 has four internal down-counters 12.sub.A .about.12.sub.D. These down-counters 12.sub.A .about.12.sub.D have mutually independent load input terminals LD and data input terminals DATA. The rate signal pulse T.sub.0 and delay assignment data D.sub.0 quadruple-interleaved by the demultiplexer 11 are respectively supplied to the load input terminal LD and the data input terminal DATA of each down-counter. Additionally, the down-counters 12.sub.A .about.12.sub.D each count down in accordance with a clock signal .phi..sub.0 of frequency f.sub.0, and output a pulse when the count value reaches "0". The multiplexer 13 multiplexes the four pulses obtained from these down-counters 12.sub.A .about.12.sub.D, then outputs the result as timing signal T.sub.OUT.
As explained above, the demultiplexer 11 quadruple-interleaves and outputs rate signal pulses T.sub.0 and delay assignment data D.sub.0. Therefore, when considering the down-counters 12.sub.A .about.12.sub.D, each down-counter is supplied with a rate signal pulse T.sub.0 and delay assignment data D.sub.0 for each four rate signal pulses that arrive from the demultiplexer 11, and the delay assignment data D.sub.0 is assigned as the initial count value. Each down-counter counts down from this initial value with the clock signal .phi..sub.0 and generates a pulse when the count value becomes "0". That is, the down-counters 12.sub.A .about.12.sub.D are able to count over three intervals of the rate signal pulses, i.e. over four rates; therefore, the rate signal pulses can be delayed by four rates.
FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the operations of the timing generator circuit. Hereinbelow, the operations of the timing generator circuit will be explained with reference to the diagram. In this diagram, N.sub.1 .about.N.sub.4 are the count values of the respective down-counters 12.sub.A .about.12.sub.D, T.sub.1 .about.T.sub.4 are the pulses outputted from the respective down-counters 12.sub.A .about.12.sub.D, and T.sub.OUT is a timing signal outputted from the multiplexer 13.
First, a rate signal pulse T.sub.0 (t.sub.1) and delay assignment data D.sub.0 (d.sub.1) are supplied, then inputted to the down-counter 12.sub.B via the demultiplexer 11. In this example, a "7" which orders a "delay of 7 clock minutes" is supplied as the delay assignment data D.sub.0 (d.sub.1). Therefore, a "7" is assigned to the down-counter 12.sub.B, and a countdown is started with this "7" as the initial value in accordance with the clock signal .phi..sub.0. In a similar manner, when the next rate signal pulse T.sub.0 (t.sub.2) and delay assignment data D.sub.0 (d.sub.2) (="5") are supplied, a "5" is assigned to the down-counter 12.sub.C via the demultiplexer 11. At this time, the count value N.sub.2 of the down-counter 12.sub.B is "4", and a parallel countdown is performed in accordance with the clock signal .phi..sub.0 by the down-counters 12.sub.B and 12.sub.C.
When the next rate signal pulse T.sub.0 (t.sub.3) and delay assignment data D.sub.0 (d.sub.3) (="5") are supplied, a "5" is assigned to the down-counter 12.sub.D via the demultiplexer 11. At this time, the count value N.sub.2 of the down-counter 12.sub.B is "3", the count value N.sub.3 of the down-counter 12.sub.C is "4", and a parallel countdown is performed in accordance with the clock signal .phi..sub.0 by the down-counters 12.sub.B and 12.sub.C and 12.sub.D.
When the next rate signal pulse T.sub.0 (t.sub.4) and delay assignment data D.sub.0 (d.sub.4) (="4") are supplied, a "4" is assigned to the down-counter 12.sub.A via the demultiplexer 11. At this time, the count values of the down-counters 12.sub.B, 12.sub.C and 12.sub.D are "1", "2" and "3", and a parallel countdown is performed by all of the down-counters. When the next clock signal .phi..sub.0 is supplied, the value at the down-counter 12.sub.B becomes "0", so that the down-counter 12.sub.B generates a pulse T.sub.2 and stops the countdown. Thereafter, the count values of the down-counters 12.sub.C, 12.sub.D and 12.sub.A sequentially become "0", so that each down-counter sequentially outputs a pulse T.sub.3, T.sub.4 and T.sub.1, then stops the count. These pulses are multiplexed by the multiplexer 13 and supplied to the circuits inside the IC tester as timing signal T.sub.OUT so as to be used for timing control in the procedure for creating voltage waveforms to be supplied to the IC being tested.
In order to form IC testers which are capable of high-precision measurements, the resolution of the generation timing of the timing signals must be increased. Furthermore, in order to increase the resolution, the frequency f.sub.0 of the clock signal .phi..sub.0 supplied to the counter section 12 must be increased. However, the conventional timing generator circuit described above has a structure wherein n (n=4 in FIG. 5) down-counters are connected in parallel inside the counter section 12, so as to require a large amount of hardware which operates at high speeds of frequency f.sub.0, thereby resulting in considerable power consumption and a high cost.


A new and improved overhead door safety apparatus is disclosed for a cable controlled door whose movement is guided by a stationary guide track. The new apparatus includes a brake assembly which is attached to the door and which is responsive to a decrease in a predetermined cable tension. When the decrease in the predetermined cable tension takes place, the overhead door safety apparatus is actuated causing the brake assembly to apply a braking action on movement of the overhead door. More specifically, in the brake assembly, a cable-tension-responsive track follower guides motion of the door by following the track. The cable-tension-responsive track follower has a first and a second operating state. The first operating state permits smooth movement of the cable-tension-responsive track follower along the track as the door moves when a control cable maintains a predetermined amount of cable tension. The second operating state of the cable-tension-responsive track follower is automatically actuated and automatically provides a braking action against the track to halt movement of the overhead door when a control cable has less than the predetermined amount of cable tension, such as when a counterbalance spring breaks or when the cable itself breaks.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to overhead garage doors, and more particularly, to a safety device to prevent the overhead door from moving downward in the event of a failure in tension of a control cable.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of both manually operated and power operated overhead garage doors is well known in the art. In addition, special apparatus to deal with certain unsafe conditions associated with such overhead garage doors are also known.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,367 of Fairman discloses an overhead garage door that has elongated coil springs to substantially balance the door weight for ease of opening the door. A safety device is provided in the event that a coil spring breaks. The safety device employs an elongated flexible member that extends longitudinally axially through the elongated springs and substitutes for the spring in the event that the spring breaks. The extent to which the door moves after breakage of a spring depends upon the extent of stretching that the elongated flexible safety member undergoes after the spring breaks. Moreover, if a control cable breaks, the door will not be restrained from rapidly moving downward.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 262,939 of Shook et al discloses a safety locking device for garage doors which includes a hinged flap.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,269,253 of Ziegler discloses a garage door with safety guards installed over the gaps between hingedly connected horizontal panels to prevent fingers from being caught between the horizontal panels.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,049 of Duncan discloses a safety device for overhead garage door counterbalance springs. A flexible safety cable extends through the open center of the spring and is anchored at each end to the garage structure. The safety cable is placed under sufficient tension to contain the spring against horizontal or vertical movement in the event that the spring breaks. The extent to which the door moves after breakage of a spring depends upon the extent of stretching that the flexible safety cable undergoes after the spring breaks. Moreover, if a control cable breaks, the door will not be restrained from rapidly moving downward.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,853 of Price discloses a safety device for garage door springs that are used to couterbalance the weight of the door. An elongated flexible member extends longitudinally through each of the coil springs and is anchored at each end to fixed supports. If spring breaks, broken portions of the spring will be retained on the elongated flexible member. The extent to which the door moves after breakage of a spring depends upon the extent of stretching that the elongated flexible member undergoes after the spring breaks. Moreover, if a control cable breaks, the door will not be restrained from rapidly moving downward.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,938 of DeMent discloses a safety device for a power operated overhead door which is operated by wire control cables for raising and lowering the door. A cam plate having a toothed edge is pivotably moved to instantaneously clamp or bind against the wire control cable to stop its downward movement in the event that any obstacle such as a small child, is detected in the path of the door while it is being closed. However, the cam plate is biased to permit the wire control cable to move in a direction to open the door even after the safety device is actuated. Moreover, if a control cable breaks, the door will not be restrained from rapidly moving downward.
Thus, while the foregoing body of prior art indicates that it is well known to use safety devices to protect against damage or injury from broken counterbalance springs, that it is well known to grab a tensioned control cable to prevent an overhead door from moving lower onto a sensed child who stands under the door, and that it is well known to guard against a person's fingers being caught between adjacent horizontal panels of an overhead garage door, the provision of a simple and cost effective device for automatically halting downward movement of an overhead garage door, in the event that tension in a control cable is abruptly lost, is not disclosed.
In this respect, the prior art described above does not teach or suggest the provision of a simple and cost effective device for automatically halting downward movement of an overhead garage door in the event that tension in a control cable is abruptly lost device due to either breakage in a counterbalance spring or breakage in the control cable. The foregoing disadvantages are overcome by the unique overhead door safety 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.