A soluble, extended-release composition containing a benign acidic agent preventing and dissolving plaque build-up in pipes on board a ship which is not environmentally harmful. The composition can be manufactured into a self-contained, safe to use unit which is easy to dispense, easy to monitor, and leaves no waste product to be manually disposed of.

This invention relates to extended-release compositions and their methods of use. More particularly to salt-water-soluble extended-release tablet compositions containing a benign acidic agent and the method of using the formulation for controlling the plaque build up in water and waste disposal systems.
The prevention of the build up of calcium salts in water pipes has been addressed for many systems, such as hot water heaters. The solution is often to remove the calcium from the water before it enters into the pipes. At sea, saltwater from the ocean is the process water used for ships. It would be impractical and too expensive to remove all of the calcium from sea water to meet the needs of the ship.
One of the most critical problems on board ship is the build up of calcium salts in the pipes of the ship's collection, holding, and transfer system (CHT system) used for waste disposal. Calcium in the seawater reacts with various components in urine, e.g. uric acid and oxalic acid, to form calcium salts which are insoluble in the water used to flush the pipes. These calcium salts form a plaque on the inside surface of the pipes. After a few months, the pipes become severely blocked by the build up of plaque and the system must be cleaned by hydroblasting. The hydroblasting process takes many days and many man hours to complete, and requires that the system be out of commission for that period of time.
A number of different approaches have been tried to alleviate the plaque build-up problem. The Royal Navy attempts to prevent plaque formation in its ships' CHT systems by removing the calcium from the sea water used; this is accomplished with a water softener, e.g., Calgon.RTM. and/or similar products. This method, however, is extremely expensive. The present method used on United States Naval vessels is to add sulfamic acid to the flush water. Maintaining the proper acidity of the fluid in the pipes slows down or prevents the formation of plaque produced by the precipitation of calcium salts.
Sulfamic acid is a low cost solid, however, its use presents many problems. Sulfamic acid is a strong acid and must be handled with extreme care, e.g., use of protective clothing and masks. Presently, the Navy uses perforated plastic bags containing sulfamic acid in shipboard urinals to control the build up of plaque in pipes. When handling the bags, sulfamic acid dust is spread throughout the air and is deposited on anything that comes in contact with the bags. The bag must be placed in a plastic dispenser which is then placed in the urinal. After the sulfamic acid is leached from the bag by the urinal flush water, the old bag must be retrieved from the dispenser, disposed of, and replaced with a new bag. The use of these bags of sulfamic acid: exposes a person to the harmful sulfamic acid dust which may be inhaled or touched; exposes a person to direct contact with the sulfamic acid; and exposes a person to the unhealthy environment of the urinals. Furthermore, it is difficult to observe when the contents of the bag have been depleted of the sulfamic acid because a significant amount of the volume of the bag is composed of insoluble products. All of these inconveniences result in the bags not being replaced often enough to hinder plaque build up in the CHT system. The use of these sulfamic acid bags in their dispensers has also been shown to be marginally effective at controlling plaque build-up because of the erratic pH levels they produce. By example, over a testing period of four days, the use of the sulfamic acid bags in four urinals produced a pH range of 2.0 to 8.5.
The prior art methods are prohibitively expensive, present safety hazards to users, are cumbersome to employ, are difficult to monitor, have been proven to be ineffective, and generate waste which must be manually disposed of and can be environmentally harmful.
One object of this invention is the provision of a method for preventing and dissolving plaque build up.
A still further object of this invention is the provision of a method for preventing and dissolving plaque build up using an extended-release system.
And yet another object of this invention is the provision of a method for preventing and dissolving plaque build up which is not environmentally harmful.
A still further object of this invention is the provision of a method for preventing and dissolving plaque build up which is safe to the user.
A still further object of this invention is the provision of a method for preventing and dissolving plaque build up which is effective and inexpensive to manufacture.
Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a extended-release composition to be used for preventing and dissolving plaque build up.
It is another object of this invention to provide an extended-release composition which is totally salt-water soluble and leaves no waste product to be manually disposed of.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide an extended-release composition which is easy to dispense and easy to monitor.
It is still another object of this invention to provide an extended-release composition which remains effective over a period of one to three days of normal usage.

Extended-release plaque preventing and dissolving compositions

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


There is provided a method of providing a subscriber profile of an embedded universal circuit card (eUICC) that is performed in a terminal equipped with the eUICC. The method includes determining whether the terminal having a first subscriber profile stored therein has left a first mobile network operator (MNO) area corresponding the first subscriber profile, and when it is determined that the terminal has left the first mobile network operator area and moved into a second mobile network operator area, receiving a second subscriber profile corresponding to a second mobile network operator from a predetermined subscriber management server. In this way, it is possible to support mobile communication service by changing the mobile network operator even in the eUICC environment.

1. Technical Field
Example embodiments of the present invention relate to a profile for identifying a subscriber in an eUICC, and more specifically, to a method of providing a subscriber profile of an eUICC that provides the subscriber profile capable of providing service in a non-service area.
2. Related Art
A universal integrated circuit card (UICC) is a smart card that is inserted into a terminal and used as a module for user authentication of a mobile network operator to which a user subscribes. The UICC may store a user's personal information, for example, short message service (SMS) files and a phonebook, and information on the mobile network operator to which the user subscribes, for example, an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) and a home public land mobile network (HPLMN).
The UICC is called a subscriber identity module (SIM) card in a global system for mobile communications (GSM), and a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) card in a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA).
When the user installs the UICC in the user's terminal, user authentication is automatically performed using information stored in the UICC, so that the user can conveniently use the terminal.
Moreover, when the user replaces the terminal, the user may detach the UICC from an old terminal and install it in a new terminal, to easily replace the old terminal. By installing the UICC of a desired mobile network operator, it is possible to easily change the mobile network operator and use the terminal.
That is, in an existing UICC environment, a prepared SIM profile is embedded in a separate card according to requirements of the mobile network operator (MNO), and the card is distributed separately from the terminal. In order to subscribe to services of a specific mobile network operator, the user purchases a terminal and a UICC, inserts the UICC into the terminal, actives the terminal according to activation procedures set by the operator, and then uses the terminal.
Therefore, when an international prepaid UICC is replaced, the user purchases a new local prepaid UICC and installs it in place of an old UICC in order to use the terminal.
However, in an embedded UICC (hereinafter referred to as an 'eUICC'), which is integrally installed in the terminal, the eUICC is built into the terminal when the terminal is manufactured and released, unlike the existing detachable UICC. Due to its non-detachable physical structure, it is difficult to change the MNO by detaching the eUICC.

Method of providing subscriber profile of eUICC based on change of network


A method of displaying objects of an application executes the application on a computer system. The application is configured to generate a plurality of application windows, and at least one of those application windows has indicia representing an object of something being developed by the application. The method then displays first and second application windows in a first window group on one or more monitors, and drags the second application window into a second window group to produce a given layout across the first and second window groups. In this case, the first application window remains in the first window group. The two application windows preferably are produced by a single instance of the application.

Builder applications are used as systematic engineering tools to direct and produce large scale building projects, such as industrial plants, ocean tankers, or high rise buildings. One example of such an application is the Intergraph Smart™ 3D, distributed by Intergraph Corporation of Huntsville, Ala. In short, this application implements a comprehensive product suite that facilitates project execution, handover, and plant operational efficiency. Workflows with the application ensure best practices and efficient building processes.
When using a builder application, an operator may have windows opened in multiple monitors. However, the windows operate independently and users of complex programs do not have the ability to configure and coordinate the windows.

Apparatus and method of displaying objects in configurable window groups


A technique for improving the execution speed of a computer system by effectively reducing the costs to perform a search operation for an exception handler during the exception handling process is established. A computer system comprises 1) a compiler for compiling a program written in a programming language having an exception handling mechanism and 2) an execution unit for executing the compiled program. The execution unit calculates an occurrence frequency of an execution context in which a search operation for an exception handler is performed for execution handling, and determines the execution context to be optimized based on the frequency data. The compiler determines the exception handler for handling an exception that occurs in the above execution context, and generate a code describing a process path from a point that throw the exception in said execution context to the exception handler. Specifically, the compiler deletes the code that throws the exception, and generates a code that branches to the corresponding exception handler.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer program optimization method, in particular, to a method for reducing exception handling costs.
2. Description of the Related Art
Of the programming languages in common use today, there are some that treat excessive ranges of data entries or process results as "exceptions", and handle such exceptions (exception handling). The currently popular Java* language is representative of those that support exception handling (*trademark of Sun Microsystems). Exceptions are roughly sorted into two types. One type is the occurrence of a program status that prevents the continued execution, and the other type is the occurrence of a program status wherein the main control flow in an algorithm is unexpectedly shifted. A convenient method that is often employed to generate an exception handling sequence is one that performs a complicated, reliable procedure to recover from an exception of the second type, whereby the program control flow has been shifted.
The exception handling in Java in this respect will now be briefly explained. In Java, one "try" block is correlated with one or more "catch" blocks, which are so-called handlers (exception handlers), and have exception classes that can be processed as attributes. To continue the execution of a program following the occurrence of an exception, the exception which has occurred in a predetermined try block is thrown, and caught and handled by a matching catch block for the pertinent exception class. Typically, the following steps are performed during exception handling. Firstly, when an exception has occurred in a computer system (hereinafter referred to simply as a system) in which Java codes are implemented as components, the system generates an object of an exception class and initializes the object. Since, in Java, it is defined that a stack trace at that time can be referred to by the exception object, a stack trace is generated at the time of initialization. Then, the exception object is defined as operand, and "athrow" byte code, used to throw an exception, is executed, and in this way the system is set in an exception state.
In the exception state, the system searches for a try block that covers the athrow byte code that has thrown the exception. When the system finds such a try block, the system sequentially examines catch blocks on the list that correspond to the try block to determine whether there is a catch block that can process the current exception class. If such a catch block is found, program control is shifted to that catch block to continue the execution of the program. If no such catch block is found, in the same manner, the system continuously searches for an external or other try block until it finds an appropriate one.
The costs for the exception handling while the program is being executed can be roughly sorted into the cost in search operation for an exception handler (search cost) and the cost in generating and initializing the exception object (generation cost). A conventional technique for reducing the search cost involved in a search made for an exception handler is disclosed in Document 1.
Document 1:
"Efficient Java Exception Handling in Just-in-Time Compilation", S. Lee, B.-S. Yang, S. Kim, S. Park, S.-M. Moon and K. Ebcio¢glu, in Proceedings of the ACM 2000 Conference on Java Grande, pp. 1–8, New York, N.Y., U.S.A., June 2000 ACM, ACM Press
According to the technique disclosed in this document, firstly, at a point where an exception is thrown, program control branches unconditionally to an exception handler that is predicted without throwing the exception. Then, at the top of the exception handler, a check is performed to determine whether the class of an exception object can be processed by the exception handler. When the class of the exception object can be processed by the exception handler, the process is continued. But when the class of the exception object can not be handled, the exception is actually thrown.
Further, a conventional technique for reducing the process cost for the generation and initialization of an exception object is disclosed in reference document 2.
Document 2
"Practicing JUDO Java Under Dynamic Optimizations", M. Cierniak, C. Y. Lueh and J. M. Stichnoth, in ACM SIGPLAN '00 Conference on Programming Language Design and Implementation [2], pp. 18–31.
According to the technique disclosed in Document 2, an exception that has occurred is analyzed, and when a compiler ascertains that the generation of an exception object and the performance of the initialization process have no side-effects, and that the compiler does not use an exception handler that is found for an exception object, the generation and initialization of the exception object are eliminated.
As a general idea of the exception handling for a certain program, it is assumed that exceptions seldom occur during execution and that, even if exception handling is required, it can be performed within an extremely short time in an execution period of the program. Thus, it is assumed that the program execution speed can be increased by not imposing heavy overhead for exception handling in sections that no exceptions occur.
Typical methods for searching for an exception handler are a stack unwinding method and a structured exception handling method. According to the stack unwinding method, an exception handler that can catch an thrown exception is searched for, and the stack is traced from the last frame to the preceding frames. In a frame that is optimized to increase the exception handling speed based on the above general idea, information that is unnecessary unless an exception occurs is not included, and in some cases data on program counter is only described therein. Information concerning the frame (whether an exception handler is present, whether a lock is to be released, or whether a callee-saved register is to be recovered) is obtained by searching a code information structure database for a code information structure that corresponds to the program counter. Further, in order to proceed with the stack unwinding, it is first necessary to recover a callee-saved register or to determine whether a current exception can be caught by a frame including an exception handler. Therefore, when an exception occurs, the cost for performing a search for an exception handler can be increased.
Furthermore, according to the structured exception handling method, even if an exception does not occur, a frame including an exception handler is always registered in an execution context. Thus, by skipping those frames that do not include exception handlers when a search operation for an exception handler is performed, the cost for performing the search can be reduced.
As is described above, for a programming language such as Java that supports exception handling, it is relatively easy to generate a robust program. However, reducing the overhead required by exception handling is a critical problem, because a run-time library is usually used to process an exception, and thus, it causes a large amount of processing cost.
For exception handling, it is assumed under the above described idea that, while also assuming that exceptions seldom occur, no overhead for exception handling is required for the section where no exception occurs. However, with the situation that presently exists, wherein exception types that change the control flow of a program tend to be employed in order to easily generate a robust program, deterioration of the execution speed cannot be avoided if a system is designed on the assumption that exceptions seldom occur.
Actually, there are many applications that cause so many exceptions that affect the execution speed of a system. And while most of these exceptions are those that change the control flow, in many cases exception objects are not used. Among the costs incurred for exception handling, the costs for the generation of an exception object and for the performance of an initialization process can be reduced by employing the technique in document 2 and, depending on the application, by generating and reusing an exception object. As for the cost for searching for an exception handler, even if the technique in document 1 is employed, a determination process made to ascertain whether the prediction is correct or not becomes a new overhead. Further, in accordance with this technique, compensation is required in case that the prediction is wrong, though the prediction improves the processing speed. Thus, the costs for the generation and initialization of an exception object cannot be reduced, and the technique in document 1 is therefore not an appropriate countermeasure for reducing exception handling costs.
When the structured exception handling method is employed to perform a search for an exception handler, as is described above, the overhead required for the search can be reduced. However, another overhead is also required to register a frame including an exception handler to an execution context, and when an exception handler is available for a method that is frequently called, the execution speed of the system is drastically deteriorated.
In order to reduce the costs involved in searching for an exception handler, at compile time, an optimization process may be performed to expand a method call inline, wherein an exception may occur. However, indiscreet inline expansion increases the amount of code explosively or deteriorates its quality by requesting more compiling resources. Further, in the dynamic compiling used in Java, memory capacity and the time required for compiling are increased considerably and program pause time is increased, and thus, dynamic compiling is not practical. Specifically, even if static optimization is performed for all the exception handler search processes that could occur, in many cases a reduction in the overhead that corresponds to the optimization cost cannot be obtained. Therefore, it is preferable to select and delete only the exception handler searches that actually occur at the time of execution and affect the execution speed of the system (inlining/inline expansion).
It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to improve the execution speed of a computer system by effectively reducing the costs incurred by a search operation for an exception handler during the exception handling process.
It is another object of the present invention to improve the execution speed of a computer system by optimizing a process that actually affects the execution speed of the system based on the execution frequency of search operations by an exception handler.

System and method for handling an exception in a program

International Business Machines Corporation


An analyzer measures properties of multiple chemical samples, and includes an optical filter element having a long axis and positioned at a location where simultaneous multiple light beams, corresponding to the chemical samples to be measured, form a diffuse light spot elongated along an axis which is substantially aligned with the filter element long axis. The analyzer also includes a light source, filter means incorporating the filter element for transmitting spectrally selected portions of the light beams, sample cell means for exposing each sample to its associated light beam, and detector means for detecting the light beams after modification by the samples and after transmission by the filter. In a preferred embodiment, optical fibers carry the light beams to and from the chemical samples.

This invention relates to chemical analyzing instruments, and more specifically to optical analyzing instruments for measuring properties such as the concentration of one or more chemical species in chemical samples.
Optical analyzing instruments which have a remote sample cell communicating with a central instrument unit via optical fibers are known. These instruments analyze a single chemical sample which can remain stationary or alternatively flow through the sample cell. However, such optical analyzing instruments are not well suited for measuring properties of a plurality of chemical samples provided simultaneously to the analyzer. Rather, an instrument for each sample is used. Using multiple instruments is complex, and differences in calibration can arise between the instruments which affect the analysis.
Other instruments make use of a mechanical translator for alternatively positioning fiber optic cables at a given location in order to effect multiple channel operation. However, instruments incorporating such translation devices typically suffer from reduced reliability and repeatability due to mechanical limitations such as wear.
The present invention is specially adapted to solve these and other problems associated with measuring properties of multiple chemical samples.

Chemical species optical analyzer with multiple fiber channels


A high voltage tolerant output buffer uses a substrate voltage control circuit to control the voltage at the substrate of the transistors in the output buffer. The circuitry of output buffer is such that the voltage between any two terminals of any of the transistors is not allowed to exceed the supply voltage of the output buffer. At the same time, the voltage at the source or drain of transistors of output buffer is not allowed to increase beyond its substrate voltage. The proposed circuit for output buffer can tolerate voltages higher than the voltage at which it is operated. The novel circuitry uses less hardware and prevents power dissipation in the circuit.

An integrated circuit (IC) package has a number of components present on a single chip to perform a specific function. Apart from the basic circuitry, each IC package has a I/O block associated with it. The function of this I/O block is to interface with other IC packages or electrical devices. A bidirectional I/O block comprises of an input buffer and an output buffer, both connected to an I/O pad. When the I/O block is used in input mode, the input buffer is in driving mode whereas the output buffer is tristated. On the other hand, when the I/O block is used in output mode, the output buffer is in driving mode whereas the input buffer is tristated.
Conventionally, IC packages utilize 0 and 5 volts voltage levels to represent "0" and "1" logic states respectively. However, with advancement in technology, these voltage levels have undergone a change. For example in many current IC devices manufactured by submicron semiconductor fabrication processes, a voltage level of 3.3 volts is used instead of 5 volts to represent logic state "1". This reduction in the voltage level has lead to reduced power dissipation and hence improved performance of the IC devices.
With the introduction of lower voltage levels, present day IC devices work in mixed mode operation. In such a mode, circuits operating at 3.3 volts and 5 volts are coupled together. The complete logic circuit has tristate buffers operating at 3.3 volts and 5 volts. The problem associated with this type of operation is that tristate buffer operating at 3.3 volts may not be able to tolerate a 5 volts voltage level. This is explained in detail with reference to FIG. 1A, 1B and 1C. FIG. 1A shows a bidirectional I/O block. The I/O block (100) comprises of an input buffer (115) and an output buffer (120). Both the buffers are connected to a PAD (130). FIG. 1B shows a schematic of a conventional pad driver (140) of output buffer with PAD (130). In the present configuration, if the voltage at the pad (130) (VPAD) rises to (VDD+|Vtp|) where VDD is the supply voltage of the output buffer and Vtp is the threshold voltage of the PMOS, the PMOS P1 starts conducting and current starts flowing from pad to VDD. This results in power dissipation. FIG. 1C shows a detailed structure of PMOS (P1). The substrate of PMOS (P1) is connected to VDD and if the voltage at the pad increases to (VDD+Vt), where Vt is the threshold voltage of the diode D1, the diode D1 gets forward biased. This results in substrate current flow. Moreover, if the voltage across any transistor increases beyond a critical limit, the gate oxide of both PMOS and NMOS may break down. Hence it is required that |Vgs| or |Vgd| do not exceed VDD, where Vgs and Vgd are the gate to source and gate to drain voltages respectively.
In order to overcome the above mentioned problems in conventional I/O buffers, a tolerant I/O buffer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,150,843 issued to Shiffer et al. The 5 volt tolerant I/O buffer circuit is coupled to a power supply terminal of a predetermined power supply voltage for driving an I/O pad to a logic state depending on an input signal and an output enable signal. The I/O buffer circuit minimizes current flow into the power supply terminal when the pad is coupled to a voltage greater than the predetermined power supply voltage. A driver transistor of a first type is formed within diffusion well and is coupled to the predetermined power supply voltage and to the pad. First and second terminals of a protection transistor are coupled to respective ones of the predetermined power supply voltage and the diffusion well. When the output enable signal is active, protection transistor is turned on so as to couple the predetermined power supply voltage to the diffusion well, regardless of a voltage level of the pad.
The I/O buffer in the above-described circuitry is tolerant to a voltage signal of strength 5 volts. However, the circuit faces one problem. The inverter connected to PAD dissipates power since its PMOS never becomes completely off. The circuit for 5V tolerant output buffer as disclosed by the prior art has been shown in FIG. 2. In order to make an I/O buffer 5 volt tolerant, the P driver of the I/O buffer should always be in cutoff mode when the output enable signal is inactive. As shown in FIG. 2, when the pad is at 5 volts, if the gate of the P driver P1 is at 3 volts or less, then the transistor P1 is turned on. However, this is not desired. Therefore, when the pad is at 5 volts, the gate of the transistor P1 should also be at 5 volts. This is achieved by adding a P transistor P2 as shown in FIG. 2. When the pad is at 5 volts, the transistor P2 turns on such that the gate of the transistor P1 is also at 5 volts. As a result, the transistor P1 gets into cutoff mode. A pass gate comprising of transistors N1 and P3 is provided in the circuit as shown in FIG. 2. The function of this pass gate is to isolate the 5 volt potential at the gate of the transistor P1 from predriver logic. A P transistor P4 is present between the pad and the gate of the transistor P3. Transistor P4 passes 5 volts to the gate of P3 when the pad is at 5 volts. This helps to block leakage into the predriver whenever there is 5 volts at the gate of the transistor P1. When the output enable signal is active low, the transistor P3 should pass 3 volts across the pass gate to the gate of the transistor P1. For this purpose, transistors N2 and N3 are connected in series as shown in FIG. 2. The output enable signal is input to this pair of transistors after passing through a pair of series connected inverters. The transistor N2 is always turned on since its gate is connected to VDD. The gate of the transistor N3 is connected to an intermediate node between the two inverters. As a result, the transistor N3 is turned on whenever the output enable signal is active low.
When the output enable signal is inactive, the pad may be at 0 volts. In that case, the transistor P1 should be placed in cutoff mode to prevent current leakage from VDD to the pad. For this purpose, a pair of series connected N type transistors N4 and N5 are provided in the circuit. When the pad is at 0 volts, these transistors N4 and N5 are ON and the gate of the transistor P3 is at 0 volts, this passes 3 volts to the gate of the transistor P1, turning it off. A transistor P5 is coupled between the supply voltage VDD and the N well in which each of the P transistors is formed. This transistor blocks the leakage path through the bulk. Series connected N type transistors N6 and N7 coupled from pad to ground form the N driver pull down circuitry as shown in FIG. 2.
The above mentioned circuitry provides tolerance whenever an I/O pad is driven by an external device to a voltage level higher than that to which it is driven by the I/O buffer. However, the PMOS of the inverter connected to PAD never becomes completely off. As a result, the inverter dissipates power.
In order to overcome the above mentioned problems faced by the prior art, the present invention discloses a circuit for high voltage tolerant output buffer. The circuit comprises of an input (110) coming from predriver, an output buffer (120) and a pad (130). Apart from this, the circuit is connected to a substrate voltage controlling circuit (140) and an inverter (150).
Therefore, there arises a need for an output buffer which is tolerant to high voltage and which causes less power dissipation.


A switching electrode especially for controlling image points in liquid crystal indicators has a ground electrode, a dielectric, and a counterlectrode. Parameters of the switching element are controllable in a broad region independently from one another. The production of the switching element can be easily integrated in production process of a liquid crystal indicator.

The present invention relates to a method of producing an electronic switching element composed of a ground electrode, a dielectric and a counterelectrode, and used especially for active control of image points in liquid crystals indicators, and also to a switching element produced in accordance with the method.
Liquid crystals indicators with a high image point number have as a rule a matrix shaped arrangement of image points. The individual image points are separate controllable through data conduits. With selection of predetermined image points by applying a minimum voltage level to its associated data conduit, this selection voltage is transmitted through a switching element to the electrode of the image point cell. Such a switching element can be a so-called metal-isolator-metal element or shorter MIM-element.

Method of producing electronic switching element


In a reactor of the type having a vessel, an agitator for agitating the contents of the vessel, and a heat exchange system within the vessel, the improvement wherein the heat exchange system comprises: a first substantially annular header which comprises pipe; a second substantially annular header comprising pipe and being spaced from the first header; a third substantially annular header comprising pipe and being spaced from the first header and adjacent to the second header; a first set of tubes extending between and connecting the first header and the second header; and a second set of tubes extending between and connecting the first header and the third header.

This invention relates to a heat exchange system in a reactor such as a polymerization reactor.
Some polymerization reactions produce a considerable amount of heat. Heat exchange systems must be placed in the reactor to cool the contents of the reactor. A prior heat exchange system comprises top and bottom headers and a plurality of tubes extending between and connecting the headers. An axial or partially axial flow agitator with impellers produces a vertical flow pattern. It can be downward to the reactor bottom where the flow pattern turns and flows upward outside the impellers. Some flow is between the tubes and the reactor wall, and some is between the impellers and the tubes. Dead spots with low or no flow are observed in between the tubes. This cools the reactor contents excessively in these areas, leading to undesirably high viscosities of portions of the final product and a consequent adverse effect on the homogeneity of the final product. It also leads to poor heat transfer between the coolant in the tubes and the polymer solution. Further, these dead spots represent areas where mixing or blending of the reactor contents is inhibited and, hence, there is not thorough mixing of the reactants within the reactor.


The present invention relates to a method and an elevator system for monitoring elevators by using a virtual elevator group. The method for monitoring elevators in an elevator system including a plurality of elevators classified into a plurality of elevator groups, and at least one virtual elevator group including a plurality of elevators, at least one of which is included in a different elevator group and displaying the elevator related information on the elevators included in the selected virtual elevator group.

An elevator system is a moving means that conveniently carries passengers upstairs or downstairs. A common elevator system includes an elevator monitoring device capable of constantly monitoring elevators so as to safely carry the passengers to a target floor.
The elevator monitoring device receives operation information related to the current service floor, moving direction of the elevator, elevator moving status, hall/car call registered floor and the like, as well as control information related to movement to a specific floor, parking of the elevator and the like. Such information is received from a control unit of each elevator, thus enabling the elevators to be monitored in real time.
Generally, a plurality of elevators in the elevator system is classified into a plurality of elevator groups according to elevator characteristics for control and monitoring. Each elevator group includes at least one elevator. The conventional elevator monitoring device selects an arbitrary elevator group among the plurality of elevator groups and then displays various information on the elevators included in the selected elevator group through a monitoring screen.
When elevator-related information is displayed on the monitoring screen, the number of elevator groups that can be displayed is limited to one due to the limited size of the monitoring screen. Therefore, in order to monitor a specific elevator that is not included in the elevator group being currently displayed, the elevator group displayed on the monitoring screen must be switched to the elevator group, which includes that specific elevator.
If the elevator group displayed on the monitoring screen is changed, the elevators included in the previous elevator group cannot be monitored anymore. That is, it is impossible to monitor elevators of different elevator groups through one monitoring screen in the conventional elevator monitoring device.
Also, if setup values determining the service floors of each elevator are set differently from each other, there arises a problem in that the number of elevator groups must be set to as many as the number of elevators. Furthermore, in order to monitor each elevator, the monitoring screen must be changed as many times as the number of elevators.
In order to solve the above problems, a communication interface connecting each elevator group is employed to monitor elevators of different elevator groups through one monitoring screen. However, there is a problem in that an additional communication interface must be installed. Furthermore, since noise is generated due to the communication interface, it is difficult to obtain accurate elevator-related information.

Elevator system and method of monitoring elevators by using a virtual elevator group


A power converter has a power transistor driving a power current through an inductor to provide a controlled power-supply voltage. The power transistor is on during a first state but off during a second state when a sink transistor reduces the power current through the inductor. Both voltage sensing of the power-supply voltage and current sensing at the power transistor provide feedback to control the amount of time that the first state is active, and thus control the power current. Current sensing is provided by a smaller minor transistor in parallel with the power transistor. The minor transistor turns on after the power transistor to reduce disturbance spikes. Switches connect sources of the power and mirror transistors to an amplifier that drives a sensing transistor. The sensing transistor generates a sensing voltage from the mirror transistor source. During the second state the amplifier's inputs are equalized to provide fast response.

Many portable devices and electronic systems require a stable power supply. Devices may be sensitive to variations in the power-supply voltage, so providing a stable power-supply voltage is critical. However, the device may draw varying amounts of current from the power supply as internal transistors are switched on and off. Such current variations make providing a constant power-supply voltage difficult. When large amounts of current are suddenly sunk by the device, the power-supply voltage can drop to dangerously low levels that may cause storage upsets or logical failures.
A monolithic power converter chip or block in a larger system may have a large power transistor may be used to drive current through an inductor. The inductor smoothes changes in the large current provided by the power transistor, and additional filter capacitors store charge to help stabilize the power-supply voltage. However, the power transistor needs to be turned on and off to restore charge on the filter capacitors and thus maintain the desired power-supply voltage.
The power-supply voltage may be sensed and compared to a target voltage. However, measuring the current through the power transistor or inductor can provide more rapid feedback and better control of the power-supply current. Having multiple sources of feedback, such as both the power-supply voltage and the power current can provide extremely fast response times, such as responses in micro-seconds rather than just milli-seconds.
What is desired is a power-current sensor and control circuit. A power control circuit is desired that can quickly sense power current and adjust a power transistor to maintain a stable power supply.

Current-mode-controlled current sensor circuit for power switching converter

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.


A tuned mass damper system and vibration damper method for a hybrid electric road vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle has a powertrain with an engine, at least one electric machine and a battery. The battery mass forms a part of a vehicle vibration absorber that attenuates vibrations induced by road wheels of the vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a hybrid electric vehicle with a high voltage battery having a mass that forms a part of a tuned vibration absorption system.
2. Background Discussion
A powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle has two power sources. One source typically is an internal combustion engine and the second source is a high voltage battery. The battery acts as an energy storing device for a generator and a motor. In one possible configuration, the engine, the motor and the generator are mechanically coupled to a planetary gear set for coordinating power distribution from the engine and the battery. A vehicle system controller for a powertrain of that type will ensure that power management for optimum vehicle performance and drivability is maintained as it interfaces with a transmission control module to command a desired engine power and a desired battery power. Examples of a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain of this type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,053 and U.S. Patent Publication US-2006/00224689, each of which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
Hybrid electric vehicles of this type, of necessity, require a large high voltage battery that has significant mass. It is current design practice to hard-mount the battery on the body of the vehicle. Battery mounting structures of this type typically have semi-rigid mounting elements. They are used to protect the battery from excessive vibrations transmitted to the vehicle body from the road through the vehicle body suspension.
One example of a prior art battery mounting technique may be seen by referring to U.S. Pat. No. 3,927,728, which discloses a hybrid electric vehicle having an electric motor and an electric storage battery that are rigidly mounted on a vehicle main frame. Main mount elements are used to stiffly and rigidly support heavy components of the hybrid drive system to avoid shock and vibrations by allowing the heavy components to resiliently move in a vertical direction while preventing movement in a horizontal direction. The sprung weight of the vehicle and the heavy components mounted to the vehicle do not develop a phase shift with respect to the unsprung weight of the vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,949 discloses a mounting technique for a hybrid electric vehicle battery wherein the battery is mounted in a battery box, which in turn is resiliently supported on a vehicle frame by mounting bars. The mounting bars in turn are insulated from the frame by a vibration absorbing flexible mounting strip. In this way, road vibrations are not transmitted directly to the battery through the battery box.
Batteries used in contemporary hybrid electric vehicle powertrains can weigh approximately 70 -100 kilograms. Such installations, however, are not tuned to eliminate objectionable vehicle vibrations transmitted from the road wheels. The mass of the battery is not a part of an overall vehicle damper system.

Tuned battery pack damper for a hybrid electric vehicle


A method and apparatus for obtaining three MRI image data in a single data acquisition TR interval for use in constructing separate water and fat images by appropriate processing of the three images data is disclosed. The three image data are obtained in one exemplary embodiment by sandwiching a spin echo between two field echoes. The invention can also be used for multiple-echo and multiple-slice 3D scans.

MRI systems use the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) effects that RF transmissions at the nuclei Lamor frequency have on atomic nuclei having a net magnetic moment such as those in hydrogen. The net magnetic moment of these nuclei are first magnetically aligned by a strong static magnetic field B.sub.0 (e.g., typically created by magnetic poles on opposite sides of the MRI imaging volume or inside a solenoidal cryogenic superconducting electromagnet). The static field B.sub.0 is altered by gradient magnetic fields created in the X, Y, and Z directions of the imaging volume. Selected nuclei, which spin in alignment with the B.sub.0 field, are then nutated by the perpendicular magnetic field of a NMR RF transmission at the Lamor frequency, causing a population of such nuclei to tip from the direction of the magnetic field B.sub.0. Thus, for example, in FIG. 1, certain nuclei (designated by magnetic moment M.sub.0) are aligned with the "Z'" axis by the static B.sub.0 field and then rotated to the X'-Y' plane as a result of an RF signal being imposed on them. The nuclei then precess in the X'-Y' plane as shown by the circulating arrow in FIG. 1 (which is a reference frame rotating at the nominal Lamor resonance frequency around the Z' axis).
The NMR RF spin-nutating signal will, of course, tip more than one species of the target isotope in a particular area. Immediately after the nutating RF signal tips them, the spinning nuclei will all be in-phase with each other; that is, the rotating magnetic moments of all NMR species all rotate across the "Y'" axis all at approximately the same time. However, after the NMR nutating RF pulse ends, each species of nuclei begin to freely precess at its own characteristic speed around the Z' axis. As they do, the phase of the rotating nuclei species will differ as a result of such parameters as the physical or chemical environment that the nuclei are located in. Nuclei in fat, for example, precess at a different rate than do nuclei in water. In an MRI imaging pulse sequence there are also magnetic field gradients which dephase the moments due to their local resonance frequency varying in space.
Once the spins are disturbed from their equilibrium, processes known as relaxation cause the phase-coherent component of magnetic moments in the X'-Y' plane to decay and the Z'-component to recover to its equilibrium magnitude, M.sub.0. These processes are usually characterized by exponentials whose time constants are called T.sub.2 and T.sub.1, respectively. When magnetic resonance signals are observed through flux oscillation in a plane coexistent with the X'-Y' plane, both of these processes decrease the signal strength as a function of time.
As a result, if the relative phase of components of the magnetic moments in the X'-Y' plane of FIG. 1 begin aligned on the Y'-axis, over time they will begin to spread out and disperse to fill the full rotational area. The nuclei of moment M.sub.2, for example, which initially crossed the Y'-axis at the same time as M.sub.0, gradually moves during the relaxation period to the position shown in FIG. 1 as it spins faster than M.sub.0. M.sub.1, by contrast, spins slower than both M.sub.0 and M.sub.2, and thus begins to lag them during the dephasing period. The strength of the detectable NMR response signal thus decays as the relative phases of the magnetic moments disperse (i.e., lose phase coherence) in the X'-Y' plane.
Information about NMR hydrogen nuclei can be obtained, in part, by measuring their T.sub.2, T.sub.1 decay times. In addition, before the nuclei become completely dephased another RF signal (e.g., a 180.degree. signal) can tip the magnetic moments (e.g., to a 180.degree. inverted position). This inverts the spinning magnetic moments M.sub.0, M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 so the fastest moment M.sub.2 now lags (instead of leading) M.sub.0, which in turn also now lags the slowest moment M.sub.1. Eventually, the faster moment M.sub.2 will again catch up with and pass the slowest moment M.sub.1 during which, a so-called "spin-echo" NMR RF response can be detected from the changes in net magnetic moment as the various magnetic moments come back into phase coherence. The whole procedure must, of course, be completed before T.sub.1 or T.sub.2 relaxation processes destroy the detectable X'-Y' components of the magnetic moments.
Detectable NMR RF response echoes can also be formed by application of a field gradient and it's subsequent reversal, provided that it is done before T.sub.1 or T.sub.2 relaxation destroy M.sub.X'Y'. This is commonly called a field echo, gradient echo or race-track echo.
The above are just two background examples of how the nuclei can be tipped, relaxed, brought in- or out-of-phase, etc. from which information about the nuclei can be obtained by observing detectable NMR RF response signals.
The differences in the phase relationships between the species of nuclei in one tissue versus another can be used as information to separate MRI images of fat components of tissue from fluids or water-based tissue (for these purposes, "water-based tissue" and "fluids" are used interchangeably).
Although MR images of both water and fat may contain the same or different diagnostic information, they often interfere with each other's interpretation when overlapped in an MRI image and thus make it difficult to properly interpret the composite MR image. Somewhat different diagnostic information may also be obtained from separate MR images of only the fat-based or water-based species of NMR nuclei.
At high field strengths, the separation of water and fat images or suppression of fat signals can be achieved using selective excitation or non-excitation approaches. However, at mid- or low field strengths, approaches based on chemical shift selectivity become impractical, if not impossible. At all field strengths, the difficulties of water/fat image separation are further exacerbated when there are large magnetic field inhomogeneities.
This difficulty in separating fat and water images in a practical MR imaging application is particularly true for mid- and low-field systems where the frequency separation between the water and fat signals is much reduced in comparison to that at high fields. Recently, several techniques were introduced for separation of water and fat images in the presence of large field inhomogeneities. Some of these techniques use multiple spin-echoes, thus requiring the use of multiple RF refocusing pulses. They are therefore sensitive to magnetic field inhomogeneities and also preclude multiple-echo experiments. The Three-Point Dixon method has promising features for mid- or low field applications. It uses a single spin-echo sequence but relies on the acquisition of three images for water/fat separation, an in-phase image and two out-phase images. Unfortunately, it requires a minimum of three scans to do so.
FIG. 2 shows the three data acquisition schemes for the three images in the Three-Point Dixon method. Slice selection is not shown for simplicity. As those in the art will understand from FIG. 2, three different scans are used. In the first, a 90.degree. pulse is followed by a 180.degree. pulse at a time T, yielding the spin echo S.sub.0. Then, a 90.degree. pulse is followed by a 180.degree. pulse a time .tau. earlier than the time T, yielding a spin echo S.sub..pi.. Finally, another 90.degree. pulse is followed by a 180.degree. pulse a time .tau. later than the time T, yielding a spin echo S.sub.-.pi.. The Dixon Methodology is described in "Three-Point Dixon Technique for True Water Fat Decompositions with B.sub.0 Inhomogeneity Corrected,"18 Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 371-383 (1991), by Glover et al., "True Water and Fat MR Imaging With Use of Multiple-Echo Acquisition", 173 Radiology 249-253 (1989), by Williams et al., "Separation of True Fat and Water Images By Correcting Magnetic Field Inhomogeneity In Situ," 159 Radiology 783-786 (1986), by Yeung et al., which are incorporated herein by reference, and are summarized in part below.
The value of .tau. is determined according to .tau.=1/(4.DELTA..nu.) with .DELTA..nu. being the frequency difference between the water and fat signals. The value of .tau. is thus chosen so the phase between the nuclei in, respectively, fat and water are 1) in-phase, 2) out-of-phase by .pi., and 3) out-of-phase by -.pi.. FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c schematically show in a rotating frame the MR signals in the three different acquisition schemes.
Other phase differences than .pi. can also be used as described in Hardy et al., JMRI, 1995. Additionally, the S.sub.0 signal could be derived from a gradient reversal induced field echo. It is not required that S.sub.0 be an RF induced spin echo.
In a brief summary, three NMR RF responses are required to compute separate water-based and fat-based images:
S.sub.0 =a first NMR response with phase coherent fat and water NMR species; PA1 S.sub..theta. =a second NMR response with a predetermined difference between fat and water NMR species in a first (e.g., "positive") direction; and PA1 S.sub.-.theta. =a third NMR response with the same predetermined phase difference between fat and water NMR species in the opposite (e.g., "negative") direction. PA1 1) fitting the phase derivatives to polynomial functions; and PA1 2) phase unwrapping. PA1 (A) A pixel in the image was chosen as the subseed for unwrapping and the measured phase value was assigned to the final phase value used for water and fat image reconstruction. EQU .phi..sub.f (x.sub.0,y.sub.0)=.phi.(x.sub.0,y.sub.0) PA1 (B) From the subseed, a 4.times.4 seed was built by comparing the phase values to the subseed value. If the difference is larger than a predetermined threshold, a 2.pi. unwrapping is executed: EQU .DELTA..phi.=.phi.-.phi.(x.sub.0,y.sub.0) EQU .phi..sub.f =.phi.+sign(.DELTA..phi.).times.2.PI. PA1 (C) Continuing from the seed, a four column cross is built using a single direction prediction: EQU .phi..sub.p =1/4 {.phi..sub.f.sup.-.spsp.4 +.phi..sub.f.sup.-.spsp.3 +.phi..sub.f.sup.-.spsp.2 .phi..sub.f.sup.-.spsp.1 +4.delta..phi..sup.-.spsp.1 +3.delta..phi..sup.-.spsp.2 +2.delta..phi..sup.-.spsp.3 +.delta..phi..sup.-.spsp.4 } EQU .DELTA..phi.=.phi.-.phi..sub.p PA1 (D) Using the cross, the four quadrants of the image are unwrapped using the same prediction approach, but in two directions. Unwrapping is executed when both directions show the same execution for unwrapping. In other situations, the average of the predicted values is used. When the pixel value is below the intensity threshold, the phase value is again set to the predicted average value.
Once S.sub.0, S.sub..theta., S.sub.-.theta. and .crclbar. are known, then separate MR images of the NMR fat species and/or the NMR water species can be derived. The following more specific description of an exemplary embodiment is based on the .crclbar.=.pi. example detailed in the Dixon paper.
In the presence of field inhomogeneities, the MR signals can be described by EQU S.sub.0 =(P.sub.w +P.sub.f) EQU S.sub..pi. =(P.sub.w -P.sub.f).sup.e.spsp.i.phi. EQU S.sub.-.pi. =(P.sub.w -P.sub.f).sup.e.spsp.-i.phi.
where .phi. is the phase angle due to field inhomogeneities or frequency offset, and P.sub.w and P.sub.f are water and fat spin densities, respectively.
Thus .phi. can be determined from S.sub..pi. and S.sub.-.pi. by EQU .phi.=1/2arg(S.sub..pi.. S*.sub.-.pi.)
where arg produces the phase angle of a complex number.
Water and fat images can then be reconstructed according to EQU I.sub.water =S.sub.0 +0.5S.sub..pi. e.sup.-i.phi. +0.5S.sub.-.pi. e.sup.i.phi. EQU I.sub.fat =S.sub.0 -0.5S.sub..pi. e.sup.-i.phi. -0.5S.sub.-.pi. e.sup.i.phi .
The central component of this method--and also the most demanding component to determine--is the phase angle .phi.. The phase angle is generally determined by phase mapping. Calculating .phi. from S.sub..pi. and S.sub.-.pi. involves:
Each of these are discussed in turn below.
i. Polynomial fitting
The magnetic field is modeled using a polynomial function: ##EQU1##
To find the coefficients a.sub.n and b.sub.n, partial spatial derivatives of the phase value .phi. are calculated and fit to the polynomial functions: ##EQU2## Fitting was performed with weighted least-square with the weighting factors determined according to ##EQU3## where S.sub.0 (x,y) is the pixel value in the in-phase image and S.sub.0max is the maximum of that image.
From p.sub.n and q.sub.n, a.sub.n and b.sub.n are calculated from the equations: ##EQU4## ii. Binary Phase Unwrapping
If it can be assumed that the magnetic field fitting is relatively accurate within a small error range, for example, .+-.0.2.pi., then unwrapping can be performed by simply comparing the measured phase .phi. with the predicted phase .phi..sub.p : EQU .DELTA..phi.=.phi..sub.p -.phi.
If .vertline..DELTA..phi..vertline.>.pi., then .phi..sub.f used for water and fat image reconstruction is determined by ##EQU5## where integer truncates the resulting quotient to whole number. iii. Unwrapping by Region Growing
However, the field fitting may contain large errors (for example, >.pi.) which will cause errors in phase unwrapping and consequently result in water/fat mutual contamination in the final images. To unwrap in a more fool-proof way, a region growing algorithm was implemented as the following:
where .phi..sub.f.sup.-1 (i=1, . . . 4) are unwrapped phase values of the neighboring pixel, .delta..phi..sup.-1 (i=1, . . . 4) are phase increments between two neighboring pixels from the polynomial fitting.
If the pixel value is smaller than the intensity threshold, .phi..sub.f is set to .phi..sub.p. Otherwise, if .vertline..DELTA..phi..vertline.<.pi. set .phi..sub.f to .phi.. If .vertline..DELTA..phi..vertline.>.pi. then EQU .phi..sub.f =.phi.+integer(.delta..phi./2.pi.).times.2.pi..
See Szamowski et al., Radiology 192, page 555-561, 1994 for more discussion of region growing approaches to phase correction.
iv. Results
Shown in FIG. 4 are head images reconstructed with binary phase unwrapping. The left image of FIG. 4 is a water and fat image; the middle image is water only; and the right image is fat only. The corresponding images reconstructed using the region growing algorithms are shown in FIG. 5. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the abdominal images reconstructed in the same way as for FIGS. 3a-3c and FIG. 4, respectively.
As can be seen, this prior method obtains separate fat and water images but disadvantageously requires three separate data acquisition scans (e.g., 3 TR intervals) to obtain them.

Method and apparatus for providing separate fat and water MRI images in a single acquisition scan


Thermoplastic polyester fiber reinforced polyester panels which have extremely smooth and paintable surface and which can be deformed when hot to conform to a molded useful article without substantial loss in molecular weight or physical properties such as strength.

This invention relates to fiber reinforced resin matrices and more particularly it relates to polyester fiber as the reinforcing fiber for a polyethylene terephthalate resin matrix. Plastic shells reinforced with fiber glass are used for certain applications such as automotive body parts or housings for tools or electronic equipment. The reinforcing fibers such as glass are cast or encapsulated in a matrix such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polypropylene (PP).
There are several methods which are usually employed to form these structures. One such method uses injection molding of PET blended with a very short cut length of glass fibers. A second method uses a polyester in a solvent base which is sprayed into a mold, then laid up with glass, and then sprayed with another layer of polyester and a cross-linking agent to make this structure permanently solid. Yet in another method preform sheet is produced by consolidating (technically pre-consolidating) a mixture of glass fiber and PET or PP or by extruding PET or PP to a glass fiber mat. The sheet thus obtained is then vacuum formed or thermo-formed in a mold in a male female mold.
In all these techniques the PET has to be heated above its melting point to obtain conformance with the mold shape. Most homopolymer PET degrades very rapidly due to oxidation and hydrolytic degradation and looses it molecular weight and strength at this high temperature.
Hence, in all the above techniques, the moisture or oxygen has to be excluded from coming in contact with the hot polymer blend. This requires elaborate injection molding or blanketing or drying equipment or the use of antioxidants in the polymer.


Potentials at a plurality of points on a diameter of a semiconductor wafer 13 are measured actually. Then, a potential distribution on the diameter is obtained by spline interpolation of potentials between the actually-measured points adjacent in the diameter direction. Thereafter, a two-dimensional interpolation function regarding a potential distribution in the semiconductor wafer 13 is obtained by spline interpolation of potentials between points adjacent in the circumferential direction around the center of the semiconductor wafer 13. Then, a potential at a observation point on the semiconductor wafer 13 is obtained by substituting the coordinate value of this observation point into the two-dimensional interpolation function. As a result, a potential distribution due to electrification of the wafer can be estimated accurately, and the retarding potential can be set to a suitable value.

The present invention relates to a charged particle beam apparatus that irradiates a specimen with a charged particle beam and detects secondary charged particles generated from the specimen, and relates to a control method for that apparatus.
As an apparatus for observing a circuit pattern formed on a specimen such as a semiconductor wafer, there is a charged particle beam apparatus. A charged particle beam apparatus is an apparatus that irradiates a specimen with a primary charged particle beam, detects secondary charged particles generated by the irradiation, and expresses and displays these secondary charged particles as an image. In the case where the primary charged particle beam is an electron beam, the charged particle beam apparatus is called a Scanning Electron Microscope (hereinafter, abbreviated as SEM).
In the case of an SEM, when an electron beam goes deeply into a specimen, resolution of secondary charged particles becomes lower. Further, quite a few of specimens have low tolerance to an electron beam. Thus, some SEMs are provided with a mechanism for applying retarding potential to a specimen.
Among specimens, there are specimens that are electrified by themselves. For example, in the case where a specimen is a semiconductor wafer, plasma etching processing or resist coating processing are considered to be a cause of electrification of the specimen. However, it is impossible to explain all the causes of electrification. In any way, a stationary charge that remains even when a specimen is grounded is considered to be a cause of such electrification. Such electrification deflects the path of an irradiated electron beam or shifts a focused focal point. As a result, it takes a time for adjusting an electromagnetic lens or the like to adjust the focus position once again, and throughput of measurement of a minute pattern is largely reduced.
Thus, the below-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of estimating an electric potential of a semiconductor wafer. This technique detects potentials at a plurality of points on a line passing through the center of a semiconductor wafer in the course of carrying the semiconductor wafer to a specimen exchange chamber by a delivery robot, and obtains an electric potential distribution function of the semiconductor wafer. In detail, first, potentials at a plurality of points in the radius of a semiconductor wafer are detected, and the potentials at these points are approximated by a quartic function, and then a potential distribution function is obtained by rotating this quartic function about the wafer's center that is taken as the origin. Then, this potential distribution function is used to estimate a potential at a observation point, and the estimated value is fed back to the retarding potential. As a result, focusing is performed in a short time.
Patent Document 1: International Publication WO2003/007330
The technique described in Patent Document 1 however assumes that potential distribution on a wafer becomes concentric, or in other words, 1-fold rotationally symmetric. Thus, in the case where the actual potential distribution is not rotationally symmetric, a large difference occurs between the actual potential distribution and the estimated potential distribution and the retarding potential can not be set to a suitable value, so that measurement at the observation points takes a time.
The present invention focuses on this problem of the conventional technique. And, an object of the present invention is to provide a charged particle beam apparatus that precisely estimates the wafer's potential distribution due to static electrification, and can set setting parameters of a charged particle beam optical system such as a retarding potential and the like to suitable values, and to provide a control method for that apparatus.

Charged particle beam apparatus and control method therefor


A controlling and monitoring control application associated with one or more work operations of one or more utility devices is disclosed. The controller is programmed for controlling one or more external work operations associated with one or more utility devices. An I/O board is connected in communication with the primary controller having a module with a plurality of device-specific control applications associated with one or more device-specific work operations. The housing of the controller includes one or more cable access points for plugging a cable into the controller. The cable access points are sealed to prevent water from entering into the housing. A mounting bracket assembly provides flexibility for mounting the controller at various orientations and/or positions. The controller also includes a DC control circuit for controlling backlight luminance over the entire dimming ratio.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to a controller enclosure for utility devices, and more particularly to a universal controller enclosure, mounting and orientation of the same for controlling and monitoring control applications associated with one or more work operations for one or more utility devices.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Utility devices are generally controlled and monitored by a device-specific controller. For example, a product dispenser for a ware washing system is controlled and monitored by a dispenser controller whereas the ware washing system is controlled by a separate ware washing controller. Since the dedicated controls and hardware for each controller are also included in the controller enclosure, the controllers are difficult to position in highly accessible locations such as on the front of a utility device. A controller enclosure is often also subjected to interrogation by environmental conditions resulting from the utility device or the operating environment. For example, controller electronics and hardware can degrade and fail over time by exposure to the steam and moisture byproducts of the ware washing process. Thus, controllers often are located a distance from the utility device it controls to prevent damage to the enclosure. Not only are controller degradation and accessibility a concern, but so is communicating data to and from the controller especially via wired connections. Often, user interface points allow conditions within the environment, such as moisture, to enter and degrade the controller and its components.
It is therefore desirable to provide a controller capable of simultaneously controlling multiple utility devices that can be positioned at any location on or adjacent to a utility device regardless of the environmental conditions.
It is further desirable to provide a controller that is accessible upon need by wired connection regardless of the environmental conditions at the install location.
It is further desirable to provide a controller enclosure that is watertight at cable ingress locations.
It is further desirable to provide a controller enclosure that is mountable, positionable and oriented for viewing and to prevent water ingress at openings into the enclosure.

Controller enclosure, mounting and orientation of same


A modulator circuit (28) for directing a voltage across a modulator element (26) to modulate a beam (20) includes a first inductor L1 that is electrically connected in parallel to the modulator element (26) and a second inductor L2 that is electrically connected in parallel to the first inductor L1 and the modulator element (26). A resonant frequency of the modulator circuit (28) is controllable over a range of between approximately 200 and 380 MHz. Additionally, the modulator circuit (28) can include a third inductor L3 that is electrically connected in parallel to the inductors L1, L2, and the modulator element (26). Further, the modulator circuit (28) can include an added capacitor (546) that is electrically connected in parallel to the inductors L1, L2, and the modulator element (26).

Optical modulators are used to electrically modulate a laser beam from a laser source. One type of optical modulator includes a crystal and a drive circuit that applies a driving voltage across the crystal. In this design, the laser beam is directed at the crystal. The voltage across the crystal changes the index of refraction of the crystal. The amount in which the index of refraction is changed is proportional to the amount of voltage applied to it. With this design, the crystal changes the path length of the laser beam through the crystal in accordance with the frequency of the driving voltage. Thus, a laser beam emerging from the crystal is modulated by the frequency of the driving voltage.
Typically, a voltage source directs only a few volts to the driving circuit. However, the crystal requires a much higher voltage to properly modulate the beam. Accordingly, the drive circuit must direct a relatively high voltage to the crystal. Unfortunately, existing drive circuits can be relatively physically large in size, expensive, low in sensitivity, complicated, and/or inefficient to operate. Moreover, existing drive circuits may only be able to be tuned to relatively low resonant frequencies.


According to an embodiment, a test preprocessing method includes, detecting a brightness of a specimen based on image of the specimen acquired by capturing the specimen before test processing of the specimen, and detecting a chylous state of the specimen based on the brightness, and detecting a hue of the specimen based on the image, and detecting a hemolytic state of the specimen based on the hue.

1. Field of the Invention Embodiments described herein relate generally to a test preprocessing apparatus, a test preprocessing method, and a specimen processing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In processing for various kinds of blood tests such as biochemical analysis, the state of the specimen or the specimen container may affect the test result (for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2008-76185). For example, if blood serum is in a chylous, hemolytic, or icteric state, contains an impurity such as fibrin, or has defective blood clotting, the state affects the test result later or makes it impossible to conduct the test. Hence, in general, the operator visually confirms the color of the specimen to detect its state, or an analysis apparatus is used to test a specimen reacted with a reagent.
Detecting a test inhibiting factor before a test enables to prevent waste of reagents or processing for the test. However, there is a demand for more accurate and quick processing. In particular, sequentially detecting a plurality of inhibitors requires a long time. In addition, since different inhibitors may affect each other, accurate detection is difficult.

Test preprocessing apparatus, test preprocessing method, and specimen processing apparatus


A first network device for use in a blockchain network is described. The first network device comprises

Blockchain networks require that a consensus be established among participating nodes in order to accept or reject a transaction to be added to a blockchain. The consensus protocol may require numerous messages being exchanged among participating nodes. In order to secure these exchanges, authentication of nodes is required. While many authentication protocols exist, it may be desirable to have access to a lightweight protocol that allows devices with limited processing or power resources to act as nodes in the blockchain network.

Methods and devices in a blockchain network

Abstract: means for, while carrying out a first iteration of a consensus protocol involving a second node device (103), in response to a trigger event (3040), obtaining a time interval function of a time interval start trigger event (3040) and of a time interval end trigger event (3080), each event being linked to a message of the consensus protocol and wherein at least the end trigger event (3080) comprises receiving a message from the second node device;                means for transmitting (3083) first data (Delay_102) representative of said time interval to said second node device;        means for, during a subsequent iteration of said consensus protocol involving said second node device, receiving a message (3140) from said second node device, said message containing second data (DelayTX_102) representative of said time interval from said second node device;        means for authenticating said second node device as a function of said second data. A second network device, methods at the first and second network devices and a computer readable medium with code for carrying out the methods are also described.


A handheld synthetic vision system includes a display, a sensor suite and a computer all housed in a handheld unit. The system enhances normal vision by displaying to a user actual or digitally created visual scenes of objects and information that may or may not be perceptible to unaided human senses.

Synthetic vision and the closely related field of augmented reality encompass techniques and devices that give people an enhanced understanding of their surroundings through visual displays. Synthetic vision is an improvement over normal vision because it uses digital graphics to let people see things that would otherwise be invisible: a runway shrouded in fog, a buried pipeline, or a proposed building yet to be built.
A synthetic vision display may show: (I) actual real-time images such as live video or radar, (II) digitally created real-time images such as computer graphics, or combinations of (I) and (II). The combined presentation of actual and digitally created images on a display recreates the visible and invisible world as one travels through the air, on the earth's surface or under the sea. The combination of real and recreated views is sometimes called augmented reality. Here "synthetic vision" and "augmented reality" are used interchangeably.
Although the possibility of synthetic vision has been discussed for years, actual usable systems have only recently emerged as compact computing, attitude sensing and position sensing technology have matured. It has recently become possible, for example, to install a basic synthetic vision system in an aircraft although such systems are still in the development phase. A synthetic vision system in an aircraft cockpit may show pilots an accurate, three-dimensional view of desired flight paths, traffic, runways, terrain and obstacles near the aircraft. Research has shown that synthetic vision is easy for pilots to learn and use.
Azuma proposed an "optical see-through augmented reality modified-scale display" in US 2004/0051680 incorporated herein by reference. Azuma uses an optical approach where a user directly sees the real world through optics with graphics optically merged in. According to Azuma, "a person looking through a pair of binoculars might see various sights but not know what they are. A soldier could look through a pair of augmented binoculars and see electronic battlefield information directly superimposed upon his view of the real world (labels indicating hidden locations of enemy forces, land mines, locations of friendly forces, and the objective and the path to follow). A spectator in a stadium could see the names of the players on the floor and any relevant information attached to those players . . . " Lynde, U.S. Pat. No. 6,181,302 incorporated herein by reference, describes a similar augmented reality binocular system for marine applications.
The multimedia group at VTT Information Technology in Espoo, Finland has built an augmented reality system using a personal digital assistant as the display. See "Implementation of an Augmented Reality System on a PDA", W. Pasman and C. Woodward, Proc. ISMAR 2003, Tokyo, Japan, 4-7 Nov. 2003 incorporated herein by reference. The software runs in a client/server model and calculations are distributed between a server laptop and the PDA, using a WLAN link. Among other tasks, the software uses ARToolkit to track markers placed in the scene.
Surveylab Group Limited, Wellington, New Zealand offers the "IKE" line of rapid data capture devices. IKE combines GPS positioning, a digital camera and a laser range finder in a handheld device that records position-tagged digital photographs.
Ellenby proposed an "electro-optic vision system which exploits position and attitude" in U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,411 incorporated herein by reference. Ellenby mentions a planoptic approach to retrieving display data in which "the data store can have pre-programmed information regarding particular scenes that are of interest to a specific user. The position determining means and the attitude determining means control the pointer of the data store."
Conventional approaches to synthetic vision include undesirable limitations. Some of these are due to lack of computing power. Performing three dimensional graphics is computationally expensive. Each point in a graphics database—including vertices of all lines and polygons—must undergo a perspective transformation and projection using floating-point 4×4-matrix arithmetic. Additional integer math is required to actually draw polygons or lines on a screen. High bandwidth to video memory is required to achieve sufficient frame refresh rates. It has been estimated that a person using a calculator to perform all the computations in a complex scene could complete only two frames in his lifetime!
A new generation of 3D rendering chips, developed in response to demand from PC multimedia and gaming markets, are making sophisticated graphics possible at favorable price/performance levels. The power of a $10,000 graphics machine ten years ago can now be found on a single graphics chip or even incorporated into a microprocessor itself. In 1994 state-of-the-art mobile computing was represented by an 80486-based laptop with DOS as the operating system. Graphics chipsets had no 3D acceleration capabilities and display frame rates were limited to 12˜15 Hz. By 1997 better operating systems and chipsets such as the GLiNT 500TX could achieve graphics frame rates as high as 20 Hz. Today, inexpensive mobile computers routinely incorporate microprocessors running as fast as 1 GHz, high resolution active matrix liquid crystal display screens and high resolution graphics with 20 Hz or greater update rate capability.
Another key problem in conventional synthetic vision is registration. Registration refers generally to displaying actual and digitally created objects in proper position relative to one another. Registration errors have many sources including inaccuracy in knowing one's position and, in some applications, inaccurate modeling of the curvature of the earth's surface. Some conventional synthetic vision systems use special fiduciary marks placed in a real scene to help overcome registration errors. A mark, such as a large letter "A" in a known location, can be recognized by image processing software. Since the mark's location is already known, digitally created objects can be aligned to it. The registration problem is especially acute for high magnification systems and for optical see-through devices.
Some conventional synthetic vision systems use a planoptic function approach to computer graphics. In this approach scene data for each possible position and attitude of a device is prerecorded in memory. The current position and attitude of the device are then used to select scenes from memory. Since it is desirable for the device to be able to display scenes corresponding to many different positions and attitudes, a large memory capacity is needed.
What is needed is a synthetic vision system that is small and light enough to be easily hand held for personal use or compactly mounted in a vehicle. Desirable attributes of such a system would include precise positioning, reduced registration errors and graphics rendering at 20 Hz or greater frame rates. Ideally the system should include compact attitude and heading sensing devices.
In addition it would be desirable to extend synthetic vision to include display of actual and/or digitally created scenes from arbitrary view points. For example, it would be useful for a construction engineer to be able to see a proposed building or a buried water pipe from a variety of perspectives: his current location, from overhead, from 45 degrees off to one side, etc.
It would also be desirable for the system to use a modern graphics rendering scheme in which data is culled from a database of objects according to their spatial locations and the extent of a computed view frustum. Culling allows the computer to quickly identify large blocks of data that can be ignored for a particular scene. In contrast to a planoptic approach, objects need only appear in a database once.


A device, method and kit for collection of a urine specimen from an animal includes a cup to receive and hold the urine specimen, a lid to close cup after collection of the specimen, and a holder with a generally upright center extension member, a handle connected at the upper end of the extension member, and a cup holder extending forwardly from the lower end of the extension member and having an opening slidably receiving the cup for manual positioning of the cup under the animal from which the urine specimen is to be collected.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a device for collection of animal waste.
More particularly, the invention relates to a device for collection of a urine specimen from an animal, such as to be delivered to a laboratory for testing and analysis, and which, while suitable for other uses, is especially suitable for personal or home use in connection with collection of a specimen from a family dog or cat. The invention also relates to a method for collecting an animal urine specimen, and to an animal urine specimen collection kit.
2. Description of Related Art
The owner of a dog or cat may, upon occasion, need to collect a urine specimen from the animal for delivery to a veterinarian and subsequent testing and analysis purposes.
Many prior animal waste collection devices, particularly those intended for personal use, focus on the collection and disposal of solid waste. Solid waste collection devices are shown in Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,052,214; Fisher, U.S. Pat. No. 3,281,178; Jones, U.S. Pat. No. 3,446,525; Pezzino, U.S. Pat. No. 3,786,780 and Bauklon, U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,395. Bauklon discloses a portable waste collection device with a bowl-shaped container to hold a plastic bag, and apparatus to close the bag after collection of the waste. The Pezzino device includes a rod provided with a handle at the upper end and a bag holder at the lower end. The bag holder has a substantially open front end for installation and removal of a waste collection bag. The bag is held in position on the holder with a string that encircles the top of the bag and slips over a hook on the rod, and with prongs that slip into slits along the sides of the bag. The Fisher device also includes an elongated body with a handle at one end and a bag holder at the other end. In this instance, the bag holder is a forwardly opening frame structure over which the folded-over collar of a bag is slipped to hold the bag with its open end facing forwardly to scoop solid waste from the ground. Johnson provides yet another device with a closable bag and mechanism for collection and disposal of solid waste. The Jones device has movable forks to grab and pickup dog waste from the ground. None of these prior devices lend themselves for convenient collection of a urine specimen. Rather, they are intended and specifically adapted for use in collecting and disposing of solid waste.
Prior devices intended for collection of urine specimens from a dog or cat are often configured to be secured around the hind quarters of the animal. Such devices are shown in Chao, U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,843; and Andrisani, U.S. Pat. No. 3,090,356. These types of devices are relatively complicated and inconvenient to use. The owner must secure the device onto the animal with multiple straps, well before the animal may be ready to urinate. The animal must then wear the device until the specimen is collected and the owner removes the device.
Collection of a urine specimen from a household pet should not be such a complicated and inconvenient task. A trained pet will signal its owner when it is ready to go outside. It would be convenient if the owner could simply let the animal out, as usual, and then accompany the animal with an easy to use device that enables collection of a urine specimen without interrupting the animal's routine. In addition, the need for a urine specimen collection device by the typical pet owner is an infrequent occurrence. Accordingly, there is a need for a less expensive urine specimen collection device that is less intrusive and more convenient to use than the prior devices intended for the same general purpose.


A discrete Raman amplifier comprises a Raman gain fiber, an input port into the Raman gain fiber for receiving optical signals to be Raman amplified, and an output port out of the Raman gain fiber for emitting Raman-amplified optical signals. A pump light input provides pump light to the Raman gain fiber at a plurality of wavelengths so as to provide Raman amplification over the selected signal wavelength range. Within both the pump light wavelength range and the selected signal wavelength range, the Raman gain fiber has only positive chromatic dispersion, and the Raman gain fiber has a moderate effective area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of fiber optical communications, and in particular to Raman amplification systems and techniques.
2. Background Art
Demand for large transmission capacity has been increasing exponentially due to the rapid spread of Internet services. There is thus an ongoing effort in the fiber optical communications industry to find cost-effective ways to meet this demand.
Currently, network operators deploy optical fiber transport systems employing only one of either the C-band (1530-1565 nm) or L-band (1570-1610 nm). Erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) technology is typically employed to provide loss compensation. The transmission fiber typically used to implement these systems actually has a spectrum window that is wide enough to transmit signals over a wavelength range encompassing both the C-band and L-band (i.e., 1530-1610 nm), without a guard band (i.e., at 1565-1570 nm). Thus, by employing this combined wavelength range, it would be possible to double transmission capacity over an existing transmission line.
A major obstacle, for deploying an optical transport system in C+L band is the lack of a wide-band optical amplifier that covers the wavelengths ranging from 1530 nm to 1610 nm, without any intermediate guard band (i.e., bandless). Discrete broadband Raman amplifiers will be in high demand in optical networks of this type. However, conventional discrete Raman amplifiers (DRA) will degrade the performance of future WDM polarization-division-multiplexed (PDM) phase-modulated coherent systems. In particular, conventional DRA designs fail to address a number of issues, including nonlinear impairments, associated system performance, and efficiency.


A method of fabricating a SiAlON ceramic body includes: a) combining quantities of Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and CeO.sub.2 to produce a mixture; b) forming the mixture into a desired body shape; c) heating the body to a densification temperature of from about 1550.degree. C. to about 1850.degree. C.; c) maintaining the body at the densification temperature for a period of time effective to densify the body; d) cooling the densified body to a devitrification temperature of from about 1200.degree. C. to about 1400.degree. C.; and e) maintaining the densified body at the devitrification temperature for a period of time effective to produce a .beta.'-SiAlON crystalline phase in the body having elemental or compound form Ce incorporated in the .beta.'-SiAlON crystalline phase. Further, a SiAlON ceramic body comprises: a) an amorphous phase; and b) a crystalline phase, the crystalline phase comprising .beta.'-SiAlON having lattice substituted elemental or compound form Ce.

Engineering ceramics are non-metallic, inorganic materials, such as oxides, nitrides and carbides of the metals silicon, aluminum, boron and zirconium. Starting materials for such compositions typically require high temperature processing at above 500.degree. C. to achieve desired densification and desired finished product characteristics. These characteristics include great strength, hardness and substantial chemical inertness which are retained to temperatures in excess of 1000.degree. C.
One type of ceramic includes the SiAlON family, which is characterized by inclusion of the elements Si, Al, O and N. One example SiAlON is .beta.'-SiAlON which has a crystal structure like .beta.-Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, but having some of the silicon atoms replaced by aluminum atoms, and for valency balance, nitrogen atoms replaced by oxygen atoms. Because of their light weight and high resistance to temperature and corrosion, silicon nitride and related composites such as SiAlONs have the potential to be substituted for superalloys containing strategic and critical materials.
The SiAlONs are usually formed by first mixing Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2, and another metal oxide such as Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 into a powder mixture. The powder mixture is compacted or otherwise formed into a desired shape, and then fired at approximately 1750.degree. C. for a few hours. The function of the added metal oxide is to react with the alumina and silica (which is present on the surface of each silicon nitride particle) to form a liquid phase which dissolves the reactants and precipitates the product. Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 also functions as a sintering aid which when present in sufficient quantity enables pressureless sintering.
The liquid phase (which still contains dissolved nitrides), cools to form an amorphous glass. The result is a homogenous solution of glass having .beta.'-SiAlON grains dispersed throughout. Typically, a Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 densified .beta.'-SiAlON contains about 15% by volume of Y-SiAlON glass and 85% by volume .beta.'-SiAlON grains.
SiAlONs can also be formed in a Si.sub.2 N.sub.2 O phase, commonly referred to as O'-SiAlON. Such is typically represented as Si.sub.2-x Al.sub.x O.sub.1+x N.sub.2-x. .beta.'-SiAlON is commonly described with the general formula Si.sub.6-z Al.sub.z O.sub.z N.sub.8-z, where solid solution exists for 0.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.4.2. O'-SiAlON offers improved resistance to oxidation at elevated temperatures, while .beta.'-SiAlON possesses mechanical strength similar to .beta. silicon nitride.

Sialon ceramic compositions and methods of fabrication


Infrared radiation from a light source such as a laser diode illuminates the field of view of a surveillance camera. The amount of illumination is varied in intervals, which may for example, be about 3/4 of a second, by varying the power applied to the light source. The radiation may emanate from optical fibers surrounding a camera lens, or through other ports. The power to the laser diode may be altered in response to background light sensed by a photo cell. A filter on the camera preferentially passes reflected illumination of the source while alternating background illumination.

Recording of surveillance scenes is commonly used to deter criminal activity and to assist in apprehending the person responsible for the crime. Inside of banks and stores, video cameras have been quite successful in assisting the apprehension, and therefore useful as deterrents. On the other hand, recorded surveillance in the vicinity of automatic teller machines has been less successful. The scene monitored by a video camera at an ATM is typically poorly lit for video/photographic purposes. The field of interest is typically back lit and/or underexposed in that the sun or remote lights adequately illuminate the background scene, but not the face of an ATM user or an attacker near the ATM. In bright sunlight, for instance, the camera automatic gain control (AGC) may reduce sensitivity below that which provides an adequate definition of a face near the ATM.
Even with additional illumination, it frequently happens that the video or photographic record will be overexposed, or underexposed, despite the use of AGC and reasonable illumination.
The problem could be solved by bright spotlights shining on the area where the ATM user (or other subject) would normally be while operating the machine, but this will make customers extremely uncomfortable, and sun-blind the user to the extent of making it difficult to read the prompts and indicia while using the machine, and difficult to see an oncoming attacker or other threat.

Varied intensity and/or infrared auxiliary illumination of surveillance area