A system and method for monitoring efficiency of a catalytic converter count switches of at least one upstream sensor interposed the engine and the converter and count switches of a downstream sensor, interposed the converter and atmosphere, during a definite time period after a switch of the at least one upstream sensor to account for propagation delay of exhaust gases traveling between the at least one upstream and downstream sensor. Upstream sensor switches may optionally be counted only if predetermined entry conditions are satisfied while downstream switches occurring during respective definite time periods after an upstream switch are counted without regard to the entry conditions. A switch ratio based on the number of switches of the at least one upstream sensor and switches of the downstream sensor is used to monitor conversion efficiency of the catalyst. The system and method may include selecting a current air flow range from a plurality of air flow ranges and associating sensor switches and/or switch ratios with corresponding air flow ranges to compensate for the propagation delay. In inferred sensor signal base on dual upstream sensors may be used to trigger the definite time periods and calculate the switch ratio(s).

The conversion efficiency of a catalytic converter may be monitored using a pre-catalyst oxygen sensor (HEGO sensor) positioned upstream from the catalytic converter and a post-catalyst oxygen sensor (catalyst monitor sensor or CMS) positioned downstream from the catalytic converter. One method known for monitoring converter efficiency is to calculate a ratio of CMS transitions or switches to HEGO transitions or switches. An increasing switch ratio is generally indicative of a degrading catalyst.
Catalytic conversion efficiency may vary greatly depending upon the particular operating conditions. To provide an accurate indication of conversion efficiency it is desirable to monitor performance under similar operating conditions over time. To reduce variation of the switch ratio due to factors other than converter degradation, a number of global and local entry conditions must be satisfied before a HEGO switch or a CMS switch is counted. Thus, any switch which occurs when the entry conditions are not met is not counted. To assure a statistically significant sample, a predetermined number of HEGO switches should be counted prior to determination of the switch ratio.
The prior art systems and methods for determining catalyst conversion efficiency based on a switch ratio do not account for the propagation delay or transit time for the exhaust gases to travel from the upstream sensor(s) to the downstream sensor. As such, downstream sensor switches which are attributable to exhaust gases created while entry conditions were satisfied may not be counted if entry conditions are no longer satisfied when the exhaust gases reach the downstream sensor. This affects the accuracy and variation of the switch ratio.
Due to packaging considerations, some engines require separate HEGO sensors for each cylinder bank even though the exhaust from both cylinder banks is combined prior to entering the catalytic converter. Prior art systems and methods may erroneously determine the switch ratio for a converter in these systems due to the cancellation effect of the combined cylinder bank exhausts.

Adaptive time window to synchronize pre- and post-catalyst oxygen sensor switch counters


A sensitive bioluminescent assay to detect proteases, including caspases and proteases that specifically cleave a peptide substrate having aspartate, is provided. In one embodiment, the assay employs an aminoluciferin or a carboxy-terminal protected derivative thereof covalently linked via a peptide bond to a substrate for a caspase or an aminoluciferin or a carboxy-terminal protected derivative thereof covalently linked via a peptide bond to a peptide substrate comprising aspartate that is specifically cleaved by a protease specific for the substrate.

Proteases constitute a large and important group of enzymes involved in diverse physiological processes such as blood coagulation, inflammation, reproduction, fibrinolysis, and the immune response. Numerous disease states are caused by, and can be characterized by, the alterations in the activity of specific proteases and their inhibitors. The ability to measure these proteases in research or clinically is significant to the investigation, treatment and management of disease states. For example, caspases 3 and 7 are members of the cysteine aspartyl-specific protease (also known as the aspartate specific-cysteine protease, "ASCP") family and play key effector roles in apoptosis in mammalian cells (Thomberry et al., 1992; Nicholson et al., 1995; Tewari et al., 1995; and Fernandes-Alnemri et al., 1996).
Proteases, however, are not easy to assay with their naturally occurring substrates. Moreover, many currently available synthetic substrates are expensive, insensitive, and nonselective. Furthermore, the use of high concentrations of the target protease, with either the naturally occurring substrate or a synthetic substrate, may be required for the assay, which may result in the self destruction of the protease.
Numerous chromogenic and fluorogenic substrates have been used to measure proteases (Monsees et al., 1994; Monsees et al., 1995) and modified luciferins have provided alternatives to fluorescent indicators (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,035,999 and 5,098,828). Methods for using modified luciferins with a recognition site for a hydrolase as a pro-substrate were first described by Miska and Geiger (1989). These heterogenous assays were conducted by incubating the modified luciferin with a hydrolase for a specified period of time, then transferring an aliquot of the mixture to a solution containing luciferase. Masuda-Nishimura et al. (2000) reported the use of a single tube (homogenous) assay which employed a galactosidase substrate-modified luciferin. A non-heterogeneous luminescent protease assay has not yet been shown.
While luminescent assays are commonly known for their sensitivity, their performance relative to fluorescent assays is difficult to predict due to fundamental differences in assay formats. Specifically, enzyme-linked luminescence assays yield light coupled to the instantaneous rate of catalysis. In contrast, enzyme-linked fluorescence assays yield light based on the cumulative catalytic activity measured over a period of time (a so-called "endpoint" assay based upon accumulation of fluorophore). By integrating the catalytic activity over a period of time that can extend from hours to days, the light signal from a fluorescent assay can be greatly increased. Similar integration over such long periods is not practical for luminescent assays.
Thus, what is needed is a method to monitor protease activity that is a rapid, single-tube, homogeneous, sensitive assay.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Bioluminescent protease assay with modified aminoluciferin or derivatives thereof


An energy discharge resistance is isolated from storage capacitance containing a voltage charge until power is removed from the storage capacitance. Then the discharge resistance may be coupled to the storage capacitance to drain residual charge therefrom. The discharge resistance is coupled to the storage capacitance when external power is removed and is un-coupled from the storage capacitance when external power is applied to the storage capacitance. In this way, unnecessary power draw during operation or standby of an electronic system is substantially eliminated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to information handling systems, and more specifically, to draining residual power from voltage planes in the information handling systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes, thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems, e.g., computer, personal computer workstation, portable computer, computer server, print server, network router, network hub, network switch, storage area network disk array, RAID disk system and telecommunications switch.
As the computing power of information handling systems increase, a corresponding increase in power is required to operated these information handling systems. Typically, power supplies of the information handling systems have large amounts of storage capacitance to provide stable voltages during operation thereof. The energy stored the capacitance of the information handling system must be drained away in order to allow safe interaction with the hardware of the information handling systems for maintenance, repair, testing, adjustment, upgrading, etc. Heretofore, resistors were connected across the storage capacitance to bleed off the voltage of the energy stored therein. These resistors served no useful purpose except as a safety device to drain the voltage charge. The resistors increased power usage of the equipment during operation thereof and added to the equipment heat load that required additional cooling. Economics and government regulations require that system power be reduced to the minimum necessary for proper operation. Thus, during operation of the information handling equipment, having parasitic power drains from voltage bleeder resistors connected across the power supply storage capacitance is no longer tolerable.
Therefore, what is needed is a solution for eliminating the parasitic power drains caused by bleeder resistors across power supply storage capacitance, and to insure that energy stored in the storage capacitance is safely and quickly drained when the equipment of the information handling system is shutdown for service, adjustment or replacement.

Draining residual charge from a voltage plane


A system including an elevator to move a tubular, the elevator including two or more remotely operable latches that can configure the elevator to handle various tubular diameters. Each jaw can include a locking mechanism that engages a portion of the housing adjacent a spacer ring in the elevator when the first jaw is in the engaged position and configured to transfer a closing force to the housing. A portion of the latches can be laterally offset from each other and another portion can overlap adjacent latches. The elevator can be explosive (EX) Zone 1 certified with an electronics enclosure contained within a sealed chamber. The elevator can use rotary actuators to operate the latches and rotate the housing of the elevator. The elevator can use a circular pressure sensor to determine weight of a tubular.

Top drives are typically utilized in well drilling and maintenance operations, such as operations related to oil and gas exploration. In conventional subterranean (e.g. oil and gas) operations, a wellbore is typically drilled to a desired depth with a tubular string, which can include drill pipe and a drilling bottom hole assembly (BHA). Casing strings can be assembled and installed in the newly drilled portion of the wellbore. During the subterranean operation, a tubular string (e.g. tubular string, casing string, production string, completion string, etc.) may be supported and hoisted about a rig by a hoisting system for eventual positioning down hole in a well. The top drive along with an elevator and a pipe handling system may be used to manipulate tubular segments and tubular strings to extend the tubular string into the wellbore or retrieve the tubular string from the wellbore.
When the tubular string is being extended into the wellbore, a pipe handling system may manipulate tubulars (e.g. single, double, or triple stands) from a pipe storage area (e.g. vertical or horizontal tubular storage) to the top drive via assistance of an elevator. The tubular can be connected to the top drive, which may manipulate the tubular to be positioned over and then connect the tubular to a tubular stub extending from the wellbore. When the tubular string is being retrieved from (or "tripped" out of) the wellbore, a tubular string can be hoisted by the top drive unit and tubular segments (e.g. single, double, or triple stands) can be disconnected from a proximal end of the tubular string via the top drive and manipulated to a pipe storage area (e.g. vertical or horizontal tubular storage) via assistance by the elevator and the pipe handling system.
However, due to the various diameters of tubulars that may be needed during the subterranean operation, the elevator is normally reconfigured during the operation by replacing latching jaws in the elevator with jaws configured to accommodate different size tubulars. This reconfiguration is normally performed manually by rig operators. This manual process of reconfiguring the elevator when different size tubulars are needed takes up valuable rig time, and reducing this impact on rig time can be beneficial.

Elevator for lifting tubulars of various sizes, the elevator having a locking mechanism


A shift control apparatus of a belt type continuously variable transmission is comprised of a controller which is arranged to set a first hydraulic pressure controlled variable based on a first target transmission ratio determined based on a vehicle traveling condition, to set a second hydraulic controlled variable based on a second target transmission ratio determined based on a predetermined transfer characteristic, to steplessly control the transmission ratio by controlling hydraulic pressures of primary and secondary pulleys hydraulic based on the first and second hydraulic pressure controlled variables, to detect at least one of the hydraulic pressures of the primary and secondary pulleys, and to correct the second target transmission ratio based on the detected hydraulic pressure.

The present invention relates to a shift control apparatus of a belt type continuously variable transmission (CVT) which is capable of steplessly changing a transmission ratio in a manner that contact radii of primary and secondary pulleys relative to an endless belt are varied by hydraulically controlling groove widths of the pulleys.
Japanese Patent No. 2813671 discloses a belt type CVT control apparatus for controlling a primary pulley hydraulic pressure and a secondary pulley hydraulic pressure of the belt type CVT. This control apparatus comprises a hydraulic pressure ratio control system and a flow rate control system, and is arranged to determine a target primary pulley hydraulic pressure from pressure values necessary for the hydraulic pressure ratio control system and a flow rate control system and to execute a shift control according to the target primary pulley pressure so as to achieve a stable shift control.

Shift control apparatus of belt type continuously variable transmission


The present invention is directed to a method for making a graphically-printed component for an absorbent disposable article. The method comprises providing a molten polymer by feeding polymer chips into an extruder and melting the polymer chips. The molten polymer is extruded in the form of a thermoplastic polymer film onto a provided nonwoven fabric in an in-line process, in which the film has a basis weight of about 10 gsm, to provide a backsheet comprising the film and the nonwoven fabric. The backsheet on the film is graphically printed with printing means to provide a graphically printed backsheet. The graphically printed back sheet is wound into a roll good, or an absorbent core is positioned between it and a liquid permeable topsheet to provide an absorbent disposable article.

Films are used in a wide variety of applications where the engineered qualities of the apertured and/or unapertured film can be advantageously employed as a component substrate. The use of selected thermoplastic polymers in the construction of film products, selected treatment of the polymeric films (either while in melt form or in an integrated structure), and selected use of various mechanisms by which the film is integrated into a useful construct, are typical variables by which to adjust and alter the performance of the resultant polymeric film product.
The formation of finite thickness films from thermoplastic polymers is a well known practice. Thermoplastic polymer films can be formed by either dispersion of a quantity of molten polymer into a mold having the dimensions of the desired end product, known as a thermo-formed or injection-molded film, or by continuously forcing the molten polymer through a die, known as an extruded film. Extruded thermoplastic polymer films can either be formed such that the film is cooled then wound as a completed product, or dispensed directly onto a substrate material to form a composite material having performance of both the substrate and the film layers.
The application of the extruded film directly onto a substrate material imparts the substrate material with enhanced physical properties. It is known in the art that the application of a thermoplastic polymer film having suitable flexibility and porosity onto a nonwoven fabric results in a composite material having significant barrier properties and is suitable for disposable protective garment manufacture.
Film substrates are desirable for a variety of end-use applications due to the barrier performance such substrates can provide. Films have proven to be particularly suitable for a variety of medical, hygiene, and industrial applications and when utilized in a laminate construct, permits cost-effective, disposable use. Use of such materials for diapers, sanitary napkins, medical wipes, and the like has become increasingly widespread, since the use of a nonwoven fabric constructs can provide a desired softness that may be required for specific hygiene applications, such as a backsheet for a disposable absorbent garment.
The use of disposable sanitary articles, and in particular disposable diapers, has come into public favor over the past twenty years due to the convenience of use. There is an ever-present demand to improve the comfort and aesthetics of the article. Recently, a soft, cloth-like backsheet has become desirable so as to reduce the amount of noise made by the diaper during an infant's activities, as well as during donning and doffing the disposable diaper. Further, it has become desirable to impart a graphical image onto the backsheet of the diaper, such as figures, animals or characters, in order to impart aesthetic appeal to the disposable article.
Traditionally, the method of making a printed backsheet for an absorbent article consists of bonding a roll of previously printed thermoplastic film to a pre-formed roll of nonwoven fabric. The film tends to have a heavier basis weight due to the problems associated with unwind tension and breakage with lighter weight films, which slows the printing and bonding processes. A need exists for an in-line process that is more efficient and allows for a lighter basis weight film to be utilized with a nonwoven that exhibits a cloth-like feel, wherein the resultant laminate exhibits the necessary barrier performance, as well as conformability for comfort when used as a backsheet for an absorbent article.

Method of making a graphically-printed component for an absorbent disposable article


An improved process is provided for producing bisphenol-A (BPA) comprising steps of (1) contacting benzene and a C3 alkylating agent to produce an alkylation effluent comprising cumene; (2) oxidizing the cumene to produce the corresponding hydroperoxide; (3) cleaving the hydroperoxide to produce product comprising phenol and acetone; (4) reacting acetone with phenol to form a reaction product stream comprising crude bisphenol-A product; (5) distilling the reaction product stream, while sending downstream to a BPA-phenol adduct crystallization and purification step, the resulting concentrated BPA phenolic feed stream; (6) producing BPA-phenol adduct crystals by crystallization of the concentrated BPA phenolic feed stream; (7) separating the BPA-phenol adduct crystals by solid-liquid separationr; (8) cracking a stream comprising at least a portion of said final mother liquor to recover a product; and (9) recovering and feeding the phenol product of step (8) to step (4) and/or step (7).

BPA and its manufacture in the prior art is described U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,805 (Iimuro, et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,000 (Moriya et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,806,394 (Evitt, et al.), which patents are incorporated herein by reference.
BPA is produced commercially by the condensation of acetone and phenol over an acid catalyst and, in fact, BPA production is the largest consumer of phenol. Currently, the most common route for the production of phenol comprises a three-step process in which the first step involves alkylation of benzene with propylene to produce cumene, followed by oxidation of the cumene to the corresponding hydroperoxide, and then cleavage of the hydroperoxide to produce equimolar amounts of phenol and acetone.
The production of BPA consumes two moles of phenol and one mole of acetone for each mole of BPA produced. According to the present invention, an integrated process in which part of the required phenol is produced from cumene, and part is produced by a heavies cracking stage, yield of the overall process is improved economically.
In the manufacture of BPA by current procedures, residue comprising some phenol, BPA and BPA byproduct is lost, usually being used as a fuel component. In the present integrated process, typical BPA byproduct residue losses are converted to phenol that is recycled and used in the reaction with acetone to reduce the overall consumption of phenol in the production of BPA.


Embodiments herein relate, for example, to operations performed by a network node for handling communication of a wireless device in a wireless communication network. The network node receives a first preamble associated with a first downlink (“DL”) beam from the wireless device. The network node transmits a random access response (“RAR”) to the wireless device using the first DL beam associated with the first preamble. Responsive to transmitting the RAR using the first DL beam, the network node determines that the wireless device has not received the RAR. Responsive to determining that the wireless device has not received the RAR, the network node transmits the RAR using a second DL beam.

In a typical wireless communication network, wireless devices, also known as wireless communication devices, mobile stations, stations (STA) and/or user equipments (UE), communicate via a Radio access Network (RAN) to one or more core networks (CN). The RAN covers a geographical area which is divided into service areas or cell areas, with each service area or cell area being served by a radio network node such as an access node e.g. a Wi-Fi access point or a radio base station (RBS), which in some networks may also be called, for example, a NodeB, a eNodeB, or gNodeB. The service area or cell area is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio network node. The radio network node operates on radio frequencies to communicate over an air interface with the wireless devices within range of the radio network node. The radio network node communicates over a downlink (DL) to the wireless device and the wireless device communicates over an uplink (UL) to the radio network node.
A Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a third generation telecommunication network, which evolved from the second generation (2G) Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). The UMTS terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) is essentially a RAN using wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) and/or High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) for communication with user equipments. In a forum known as the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), telecommunications suppliers propose and agree upon standards for present and future generation networks and UTRAN specifically, and investigate enhanced data rate and radio capacity. In some RANs, e.g. as in UMTS, several radio network nodes may be connected, e.g., by landlines or microwave, to a controller node, such as a radio network controller (RNC) or a base station controller (BSC), which supervises and coordinates various activities of the plural radio network nodes connected thereto. The RNCs are typically connected to one or more core networks.
Specifications for the Evolved Packet System (EPS) have been completed within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and this work continues in the coming 3GPP releases, such as 4G and 5G networks. The EPS comprises the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), also known as the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) radio access network, and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), also known as System Architecture Evolution (SAE) core network. E-UTRAN/LTE is a 3GPP radio access technology wherein the radio network nodes are directly connected to the EPC core network. As such, the Radio Access Network (RAN) of an EPS has an essentially "flat" architecture comprising radio network nodes connected directly to one or more core networks.
With the emerging 5G technologies such as New Radio (NR), the use of very many transmit- and receive-antenna elements is of great interest as it makes it possible to utilize beamforming, such as transmit-side and receive-side beamforming. Transmit-side beamforming means that the transmitter can amplify the transmitted signals in a selected direction or directions, while suppressing the transmitted signals in other directions. Similarly, on the receive-side, a receiver can amplify signals from a selected direction or directions, while suppressing unwanted signals from other directions.
Beamforming allows the signal to be stronger for an individual connection. On the transmit-side this may be achieved by a concentration of the transmitted power in the desired direction(s), and on the receive-side this may be achieved by an increased receiver sensitivity in the desired direction(s). This beamforming enhances throughput and coverage of the connection. It also allows reducing the interference from unwanted signals, thereby enabling several simultaneous transmissions over multiple individual connections using the same resources in the time-frequency grid, so-called multi-user Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO).
In LTE, a connected wireless device is configured to perform Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements and report them based on events that can be triggered. Network is assisted by these reports to take decisions whether the connection should be moved from one cell to another. If a decision is made, the radio network node sends a handover command to the wireless device, i.e. an RRCConnectionReconfiguration message with the mobilityControlInformation IE which contains, among other information, the necessary information to access the target cell, such as the Random Access Channel (RACH) configuration, i.e. time and frequency resources for the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) and possibly a dedicated random access preamble.
In NR, it has been agreed that the same principles should follow i.e. the handover should contain all the necessary information that enables the wireless device to access the target cell. In other words, the wireless device also needs to have the RACH configuration, i.e. time and frequency resources for the PRACH and possibly a dedicated preamble. However, differently from LTE, the random access procedure and PRACH in NR will have a design that enables the network to:                Use analog beamforming at the Reception (RX) side to improve the PRACH detection;        By the preamble detection the radio network node is able to know the best DL beam to at least transmit a random access response (RAR).
As a consequence of these, the random access procedures in NR can be assumed to have the following characteristics:                The wireless device should be able to detect a DL beam in the cell the wireless device should access, either during a handover, in which case the accessed cell is a target cell, or initial access, in which case the accessed cell is the cell the wireless device is camping on;        To enable analog RX beamforming when receiving the random access preamble, on the PRACH, in the radio network node such as the gNB, there should be a mapping between that DL beam, or groups of DL beams, and the RACH configuration, i.e. time/frequency resources and optionally preamble subset, so analog beamforming can listen in the correct directions in the right time to receive UL transmissions on the PRACH.
In NR, there is currently a discussion for the specific structure of the synchronization signals (SS) and reference signals (RS) to support procedures such as random access, which is necessary during handovers and transitions from idle to connected state. It is herein described how a wireless device would access a target cell in RRC_CONNECTED state in NR under current assumptions/agreements in the TSG-RAN Working Group 1 (RAN1) and TSG-RAN Working Group 2 (RAN2) in 3GPP.
A combination of NR synchronization sequences e.g. NR-Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS)/Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), and Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) may constitute a so called SS Block. That may also contain a Tertiary Sync Signal (TSS) to indicate the Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol timing or equivalent information, but the TSS is still For Further Study (FFS) in WG RAN1. An RRC_CONNECTED wireless device trying to access a target cell may assume that the SS Block may be transmitted in the form of repetitive bursts of SS Block transmissions, denoted "SS Burst", wherein such a SS burst consists of a number of SS Block transmissions following close, i.e. within a timer interval, after each other in time. Furthermore, a set of SS Bursts may be grouped together, denoted "SS Burst Set", where the SS Bursts in the SS Burst Sets are assumed to have some relation to each other, e.g. that the SS Block transmissions in the SS Burst Set together forms a complete beam sweep, covering the entire intended coverage area. Both SS Bursts and SS Burst Sets have their respective given periodicity. In the single beam scenarios, the network could configure time-repetition within one SS Burst in a wide beam. In multi-beam scenarios, at least some of these signals and physical channels, e.g. SS Block, may be transmitted in multiple beams, which could be done in different manners depending on network implementation, as shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 shows examples of different configurations of an SS Burst Set. Top: Time-repetition within one SS Burst in a wide beam. Middle: Beam-sweeping of a small number of beams using only one SS Burst in the SS Burst Set. Bottom: Beam-sweeping of a larger number of beams using more than one SS Burst in the SS Burst Set to form a complete sweep. To implement which of these three alternatives is a network vendor choice. That choice depends on the tradeoff between i) the overhead caused by transmitting periodic and always on narrow beam sweepings vs. ii) the delays and signaling needed to configure the wireless device to find a narrow beam for Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) and Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). The implementation shown in the upper figure prioritizes i), while the implementation shown in the bottom figure prioritizes ii). The figure in the middle case is an intermediate case, where a sweeping of wide beams is used. In that case the number of beams to cover the cell is reduced, but in some cases an additional refinement is needed for narrow gain beamforming of PDSCH.
Let us now assume the different beamforming implementations for the SS Block transmissions in the case of handovers and assume that the target cell implements one of these alternatives.
In the case on top, where a single beam transmits the SS Burst Set, the handover command contains a single RACH configuration for the target cell. Once the wireless device receives the handover command it will access the target and a random access procedure will be triggered by the wireless device sending a random access preamble. Unless directional reciprocity is assumed in the radio network node, such as a Transmission and Reception Point (TRP) or gNB, receiving the preamble, the target cell will transmit the random access response (RAR) either by sweeping beams in all directions until the wireless device detects and transmits a handover (HO) complete message, or something equivalent to notify that the handover has been completed at the wireless device, or transmitting the RAR with time repetition in a wider beam and expect the HO complete message. In any of these cases, after the handover, depending on the data rates/service, the desired wireless device performance requires that the target cell triggers a beam management operation of beam refinement, enabling the wireless device to use a narrow beam for PDCCH and PDSCH in the target cell. That may require an additional configuration, using Radio Resource Control (RRC) and/or Layer one and Layer two (L1/L2) signaling, additional measurement and reporting mechanisms and additional delay to perform measurements in the target cell e.g. based on Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS) processes configured for beam management. In other words, after the handover, it may take some time until the wireless device again can access a narrow beam in the target cell, so it may take some time until the target cell can start to beamform PDSCH with high gain enabling high data rates.
In the bottom case, where multiple narrow beams are used to transmit the SS Burst Set, the handover command may contain multiple RACH configurations for the target cell, possibly associated with the SS Block beams or groups of SS Block beams from target cell. Once the wireless device receives the handover command it will select a beam in the target cell, check how it maps to the received RACH configuration per beam and initiate a random access procedure by sending a random access preamble associated with a target cell, beam or a group of beams, using the PRACH resources associated with the target cell, beam or group of beams. A possible mapping is shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows an example where each SS Block contains a mapping between RACH configuration and the strongest DL beam transmitting the SS Block. In this example, each PRACH occasion or resource is associated with two SS Block beams. Even without directional reciprocity in the radio network node, the implementation enables the target cell to transmit the RAR in the strongest DL beam covering the wireless device thanks to the mapping between RACH configuration (including the preamble) and the target cell DL beam. That allows the wireless device to quickly access a narrow beam in the target right after handover execution. Despite its benefit, such a solution has disadvantages in the form of rather high overhead and access latency, especially considering the following facts:                1) Most of the time when the sweeping of narrow beams of the SS Burst is being used, handovers are not even occurring. Hence, using the solution to enable a quick access to narrow beams in a target cell may be too costly without clear benefits in some cases.        2) In many cases, handovers would not really require an incoming wireless device to rely on a narrow gain beam in the target. In some cases, when the wireless device uses a low data rate service or is not even continuously transmitting data and then a wide beam access in the target could be sufficient. Hence, the overhead would not be needed in some handovers.
The middle case, where beam sweeping is considered but wide beams are used to reduce the overhead, is an attempt to find a compromise between overhead and quick access to a beam. However, the solution does also not consider the previously described facts 1) and 2) since it is a static configuration. In other words, although the solution tries to enable the wireless device to access a DL beam at the target after handover execution, in some cases where the wireless device requires a refined DL beam, additional steps will anyway be needed in the target for beam refinement.
In summary, defining as narrow beams as possible in the SS Burst Set, as shown at the bottom of FIG. 1, speeds up the wireless device access to a very narrow beam. On the other hand, the cost for that is the transmission of periodic beam sweepings of the SS Blocks in narrow beams, which may represent a significant overhead considering that it might mainly be useful these periods when the network, e.g. a neighboring gNB considers a handover into the cell for a wireless device. During initial access, one could claim that data connectivity has not yet started, hence, the wireless device may afford to start with a wide DL beam transmission until the network configures a set of CSI-RS processes for beam refinement i.e. selection within the wide beam for higher data rates. However, in the case of handovers, a wireless device might already have a high data rate service in the serving cell so that a handover to a wide beam and then perform beam refinement may represent a non-seamless handover at least for some services.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a handover execution followed by beam refinement. That step of beam refinement may anyway be necessary in the case of wide beam sweeping transmissions or repetition of the SS Block. Handing over to a target cell may fail when using beamforming leading to a reduced or limited performance of the wireless communication network.

Radio network node, wireless device, and methods for performed in a wireless communication network


A double-lock-type connector includes a female connector housing body 2 having a terminal insertion section 20 into which a male terminal is inserted, and a terminal receiving chamber 5 which can receive a female terminal 9 engaged with the male terminal, a resilient locking piece 10 projected on the terminal receiving chamber 5 for locking the female terminal 9, a rear holder 3 removably provided for the female connector housing body 2 for avoiding movement rearward of the female terminal 9 locked on the inside of the terminal receiving chamber 5 by the resilient locking piece 10, a housing side tapered guide portion 6 and a rear holder side tapered guide portion 7 for guiding the male terminal toward the terminal insertion portion 20, wherein by causing the rear holder 3 to mount on the female connector housing body 2 an integral tapered guide portion 8 is formed at whole periphery of the terminal insertion portion 20.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-pole connector which is employed for the purpose of making connections of the wire harness for the internal wiring of the automobiles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A wire harness employed for the purpose of making connections for the internal wiring of automobiles increases with the increase of electric appliance in automobiles. Connectors employed for the purpose of making connections for the wire harnesses tend to be multi-polarized accordingly. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the Japanese Utility Model Application Laid Open No. 61-153975 discloses such multi-pole connector.
The connector in which the terminals can be double-locked, has a housing 140 made of insulating material for receiving a plurality of male terminals 141 arranged in a row, and holding the male terminals 141. A motion toward a direction of one axis of the plurality of male terminals 141 is prevented by the shoulder 142 in the housing 140.
The male terminals 141 are prevented from moving backward by a movable prong 145 band-connected to the housing 140. The movable prong 145 is movable between an open-position where the male terminals 141 can be inserted into or pulled out from the housing 140 and a close-position where the electric contacts are so pressed toward the shoulder 142 at where a part of the movable prong 145 engages with the male terminals 141.
A band 147 of the movable prong 145 is arranged on both side-ends of the male terminals 141. A plurality of engaging shoulders 146 for the male terminals are provided at the movable prong 145 and an opening 149 into which the plurality of engaging shoulders 146 for the male terminals are inserted is provided at the housing 140. The plurality of engaging shoulders 146 for the male terminals and the opening 149 are provided correspondingly to the male terminals 141. An engaging portion 148 in which, when the movable prong 145 is positioned at the open-position, the plurality of engaging shoulders 146 for the male terminals leave from the male terminals 141 and while, when the movable prong 145 is positioned at the close-position, the movable prong 145 engages with the male terminals 141 so as to be held the closed state. The engaging portion 148 is provided at the plurality of engaging shoulders 146 for the male terminals and at the housing 140. Furthermore, a tapered guide portion 150 of the male metallic terminal is formed in front of the housing 140 for easy insertion of the male terminal.
On the other hand, a connector shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 has been disclosed in the Japanese Utility Model Laid Open No. 64-34770. A plurality of terminal receiving chambers 232 are elongated in the longitudinal direction of a rectangular parallelpiped-housing 231 which is made of synthetic resin. An opening which arrives at each of the terminal receiving chamber 232 is formed backward at the base of the housing 231. Terminals 234 are inserted into each of the terminal receiving chamber 232 from the rear so as to be received.
The opening is so filled that a locking nail 239 of each terminal 234 engages with a lance 233 on the inside of the terminal receiving chamber 232, with the result that a second locking portion 238 can be removably mounted on the housing 231. The rear of a protuberance 251 of the terminal 234 is engaged with the front face of the second locking portion 238 so as to be locked the terminal 234. The resilient engaging portion 241 which is bendable from one side to the other at the lower part on both side surfaces of right and left of the housing 231, is integrally formed. Each locking nail 239 projected integrally on both sides of right and left of the second locking portion 238 is engaged respectively with these resilient engaging portions 241. Both ends of U-shaped band are joined integrally with the base of the resilient engaging portion 241 and the both end portions of right and left of the second locking portion 238.
However, in the above former first example, the tapered guide portion can not be formed at the position where the engaging shoulder for the male terminal is placed because the engaging shoulder for the male terminal is an encumbrance to the mold release thereof. When the width of the engaging shoulder portion of the female connector is approximated by the width of the tab of the male metallic terminal caused by the miniaturization of the connector, the male terminal can enter into the portion where the tapered guide portion of the female connector is not in existence, with the result that the front end portion of the female terminal is pierced with the male terminal. For this reason, omission of the terminal or bad conduction occurred.
Thereby, in the above latter second example, the tapered guide portion is so constituted that it is provided at whole periphery of the opening by shifting position of the lance. However there are problems that the external diameter of the connector becomes large and the height of the female terminal box becomes high because of shifting of the lance. Additionally, since the thickness of the tapered guide portion is thin because of shifting of the lance, when the male terminal is inserted into the female terminal box, the male terminal may pierce through the tapered guide portion.


The apparatus includes an amplifier (204) having an input and an output, the amplifier output coupled to an input of a Doherty amplifier (208). The Doherty amplifier (208) includes a control input and a Doherty output. The apparatus further includes a detector (224) having an input coupled to the output of the Doherty amplifier (208). The detector provides a detected signal at its output, to a controller (228), the controller responding to the detected signal by producing a first (230) and second control output (231). The first control output is coupled to a switching regulator (232) input, the switching regulator having an output coupled to the control input of the Doherty amplifier. The second control output is coupled to a control input of a variable attenuator (202), the output of the variable attenuator coupled to the input of the amplifier (204).

High efficiency linear amplifiers such as Doherty amplifiers are well known to those skilled in the art. However, it is also well known that Doherty amplifiers typically have relatively poor linearity. In addition, their linearity is typically inversely proportional to their efficiency. As a result, although Doherty amplifiers can improve the performance of high peak-to-average ratio linear amplifiers, they may only do so over a narrow dynamic range.
At least one attempt has been made to design a Doherty amplifier which can operate with high efficiency over a wider dynamic range by nesting Doherty amplifiers, and is described in "Efficiency of Doherty radio frequency (RF)-power amplifier systems", F. Raab, Green Mountain Radio Research Company, RN84-23, August, 1984. Nesting Doherty amplifiers as described in the Rabb implementation requires paralleling additional amplifier stages and their associated drive control circuitry.
Doherty type amplifier circuits would become more attractive if their efficiency were raised at low output power levels. In particular, in multicarrier power amplifier applications for cellular base station equipment in which the RF input signal applied to the multicarrier power amplifier may vary by as much as 30 dB.
Therefore, a need exists for a system and method for amplifying a signal in which the efficiency of a Doherty amplifier is increased over an extended dynamic range.

Apparatus and method for amplifying a signal


A low power content addressable memory (CAM) device. The CAM device receives an N-bit comparand value and, in response, activates less than N compare lines within the CAM device to compare each of the N bits of the comparand value with contents of CAM cells coupled to the N compare lines.

Content addressable memory (CAM) devices are often used in network switching and routing applications to determine forwarding destinations for data packets. A CAM device can be instructed to compare a selected portion of an incoming packet, typically a destination field within the packet header, with data values, called CAM words, stored in an associative storage array within the CAM device. If the destination field matches a CAM word, the CAM device generates a match address that identifies the location of the matching CAM word within the storage array, and asserts a match flag to signal the match. The match address is then typically used to index another storage array, either within or separate from the CAM device, to retrieve a destination address or other routing information for the packet.
FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a prior-art CAM device 100, including an associative storage array 101 and comparand driver 103. The associative storage array 101, commonly referred to as a CAM array, is populated with CAM cells 12 arranged in rows and columns. Precharged match lines (ML) are coupled to respective rows of the CAM cells, and bit line pairs (BL and /BL) and compare line pairs (CL and /CL) are coupled to respective columns of the CAM cells. Collectively, the bit line pairs form a data port for read/write access to address-selected rows of CAM cells, and the compare line pairs form a compare port for inputting comparand values to the CAM array 101 during compare operations. The CAM cells themselves are specialized store-and-compare circuits each having a storage element to store a constituent bit of a CAM word presented on the bit lines and a compare circuit for comparing the stored bit with a comparand bit presented on the compare lines. In a typical arrangement, the compare circuits within the CAM cells of a given row are coupled in parallel to the match line for the row, with each compare circuit switchably forming a discharge path to discharge the match line if the stored bit and comparand bit do not match. By this arrangement, if any one bit of a CAM word does not match the corresponding bit of the comparand value, the match line for the row is discharged to signal the mismatch condition. If all the bits of the CAM word match the corresponding bits of the comparand value, the match line remains in its precharged state to signal a match. Because a comparand value is presented to all the rows of CAM cells in each compare operation, a rapid, parallel search for a matching CAM word is performed.
Still referring to FIG. 1, an expanded view of a prior-art CAM cell 12 is shown at 112. The CAM cell 12 includes a bi-stable storage circuit 117 (MEM) coupled to a compare circuit 119. The compare circuit 119 includes two pairs of transistors T1/T2 and T3/T4, each coupled in series between a match line (ML) and ground. Gate terminals of transistors T1 and T3 are coupled to the compare lines CL and /CL to receive a comparand bit, C, and complement comparand bit, /C, respectively, and gate terminals of transistors T4 and T2 are coupled to non-inverting and inverting inputs of the storage circuit 117 to receive a data bit, D, and complement data bit, /D, respectively. By this arrangement, when the comparand bit and data bit do not match (i.e., C=0, D=1 or C=1, D=0), a path between the match line and ground is formed between one of the series-coupled transistor pairs, T1/T2 or T3/T4, thereby discharging the match line to signal the mismatch condition. By contrast, if the comparand bit matches the data bit, at least one transistor in each series-coupled transistor pair, T1/T2 and T3/T4, will be switched off so that the match line is isolated from ground within the CAM cell.
Advances in CAM design and semiconductor process technology have enabled increased storage density and compare throughput in each new generation of CAM devices, with modern devices having several hundred thousand CAM cells and the ability to perform hundreds of millions of searches per second, or more. As storage density and compare throughput increase, however, so do power consumption and heat generation. Thermal constraints have emerged as a potentially limiting factor in meeting demands for increased storage density and compare throughput in future generations of CAM devices.
The circuits that charge and discharge the relatively high-capacitance match lines and compare lines are typically the dominant power consumers within a modern CAM device, consuming up to 70% or more of the total power budget. Referring to the prior-art CAM device 100, for example, at the completion of each compare operation, all the compare lines are discharged to enable the match lines to be precharged in preparation for the next compare operation. Then, at the start of the next compare operation, the compare line drivers 103 drive each pair of compare lines to complementary high and low states according to the state of the corresponding bit of comparand value 102. Thus, half the compare lines transition from low to high logic states during each compare operation; a substantial power consumption that increases with compare cycle frequency. A secondary effect of the compare line transitions is a dynamic, capacitive loading of the match lines which, in turn, causes the precharged level of the match lines to temporarily drop (i.e., glitch). Referring to the detailed view of CAM cell 12, for example, if compare lines CL and /CL are initially discharged (i.e., to enable the match line, ML, to be precharged), and transistor T4 is switched off (i.e., D=0), then the isolated drain of transistor T4 will float between logic low and high voltages. Consequently, if comparand line /CL is transitioned to a logic high state in the ensuing compare operation (i.e., C=0; a match condition), then a small charging current will flow through transistor T3 to charge the floating drain node of transistor T4 to a logic high level. A corresponding charging current flows through transistor T1 to charge the floating drain node of transistor T2 when D=C=1. Thus, in a match condition, the drain node of transistor T2 or transistor T4 constitutes a parasitic capacitance, illustrated in the detail view 112 by dashed capacitor symbols, which is charged by a small, parasitic current drawn from the match line. If a mismatch occurs within a cell within a given CAM row (i.e., row of CAM cells), the match line is discharged in any event, so that any parasitic currents drawn by other CAM cells within the same CAM row are largely inconsequential. In a match condition within a CAM row, however, a combined parasitic current equal to the average individual parasitic current multiplied by the number of CAM cells per row (i.e., the width of the row) is drawn from the match line, producing in the aforementioned drop in match line voltage. As the match line is used to signal a match or mismatch within the corresponding row of CAM cells, the transient drop in match line voltage may result in a false mismatch detection (i.e., CAM device should have detected and signaled a match, but does not) and ultimately, non-delivery of a packet or other system-level failure. Historically, such match line glitches have been addressed either by providing additional match line settling time (undesirably reducing compare throughput of the CAM device), or by applying additional match line precharge current to counteract the transient voltage drop, the latter solution further increasing the power consumption within the CAM device.


A method for changing a message that is presented on a multi-function device (MFD) is disclosed. For example, the method is executed by a processor and includes monitoring a user interaction with the MFD, determining a message is to be displayed based on the user interaction with the MFD, changing the message based on historical interactions with the message by a user and a plurality of parameters associated with the message to create an adapted message for the user, and causing the adapted message to be displayed on a display of the MFD.

Multi-function devices (MFDs) can be used to perform a variety of different functions. For example, MFDs can be used to copy documents, print documents, fax documents, and the like. During interaction with the MFDs, users can be presented with information. However, the way information is presented to users on MFDs currently is standardized and the same for all users.

Adaptive messages on a multi-function device


The present invention relates to an improved method to produce an electrical storage device having useful characteristics such as higher charge density, small volume, long-term reliable charge/discharge cycles, low leakage current, and the like. The dry preunit has useful properties in that it can be stored for long periods prior to contact with a non-aqueous or aqueous electrolyte. When the electrode surfaces are contacted with a non-aqueous or aqueous electrolyte, the novel capacitors produced are useful as a portable power supply in applications such as in defibrillator, electrical vehicles, radiotelephones etc.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved method to produce a useful electrical charge storage device. The device, a capacitor, has improved space requirements (small size and true bipolar construction), low current leakage, low equivalent series resistance, high voltage per cell, high total voltage, high charge capacity and a long term useful lifetime.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has been significant research over the years regarding the obtaining of a useful reliable electrical storage device, such as a capacitor or a battery. Large energy storage capabilities are common for batteries; however, batteries also display low power densities. In contrast, electrolytic capacitors possess very high power densities and a limited energy density. On the other hand, carbon based double-layer capacitors have a large energy density; but, due to their high equivalent series resistance (ESR), carbon electrodes have low power capabilities. It would therefore be highly desirable to have an electrical storage device that had both large energy and power densities.
A recent review by B. E. Conway in J. Electrochem. Soc., Vol. 138 (#6), p. 1539 (June 1991) discusses the transition from "supercapacitor" to "battery" in electrochemical energy storage. He also identifies performance characteristics of various capacitor devices.
D. Craig, Canadian Patent No. 1,196,683, issued in November 1985, discusses the usefulness of electric storage devices based on ceramic-oxide coated electrodes and pseudo-capacitance. However, attempts to utilize this disclosure have resulted in capacitors which have inconsistent electrical properties and which are often unreliable. These devices cannot be charged to 1.0 V/cell and have large, unsatisfactory leakage currents. Furthermore, these devices have a very low cycle life. In addition, the disclosed packaging is inefficient.
M. Matroka and R. Hackbart, U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,288, issued Jun. 9, 1992, discusses a capacitive power supply based on the Craig patent which is not enabling for the present invention. A capacitor configuration as a power supply for a radiotelephone is taught; however, no enabling disclosure for the capacitor is taught.
J. Kalenowsky, U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,340, issued Nov. 5, 1991, discusses a capacitive power supply having a charge equalization circuit. This circuit allows a multicell capacitor to be charged without overcharging the individual cells. The present invention does not require a charge equalization circuit to fully charge a multicell stack configuration without overcharging an intermediate cell.
H. Lee, et al. in IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol 25 (#1), p.324 (January 1989) and G. Bullard, et al., in IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol.25 (#1) p. 102 (January 1989) discuss the pulse power characteristics of high-energy ceramic-oxide based double-layer capacitors. In this reference various performance characteristics are discussed, with no enabling discussion of the construction methodology. The present invention provides a more reliable device with more efficient packaging.
Carbon electrode based double-layer capacitors have been extensively developed based on the original work of Rightmire U.S. Pat. No. 3,288,641. A. Yoshida et al., in IEEE Transactions on Components, Hybrids and Manufacturing Technology, Vol. CHMT-10, #1,P-100-103 (March 1987) discusses an electric double-layer capacitor composed of activated carbon fiber electrodes and a nonaqueous electrolyte. In addition, the packaging of this double-layer capacitor is revealed. These devices are on the order of 0.4-1 cc in volume with an energy storage capability of around 1-10 J/cc.
T. Suzuki, et al., in NEC Research and Development, No. 82, pp. 118-123, July 1986, discloses improved self-discharge characteristics of the carbon electric double-layer capacitor with the use of porous separator materials on the order of 0.004 inches thick. An inherent problem of carbon based electrodes is the low conductivity of the material resulting in a low current density being delivered from these devices. A second difficulty is that the construction of multicell stacks is not done in a true bipolar electrode configuration. This results in inefficient packaging and lower energy and power density values.
Additional references of interest include, for example:
The state of solid state micro power sources is reviewed by S. Sekido in Solid State Ionics, Vol. 9, 10, pp. 777-782 (1983). M. Pham-Thi et al. in the Journal of Materials Science Letters, Vol. 5, p. 415 (1986) discusses the percolation threshold and interface optimization in carbon based solid electrolyte double-layer capacitors.
Various disclosures discuss the fabrication of oxide coated electrodes and the application of these electrodes in the chlor-alkali industry for the electrochemical generation of chlorine. See for example: V. Hock, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,169 issued Oct. 8, 1991; H. Beer U.S. Pat. No. 4,052,271 issued Oct. 4, 1977; and A. Martinsons, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,562,008 issued Feb. 9, 1971. These electrodes, however, in general do not have the high surface areas required for an efficient double-layer capacitor electrode.
Additional references of general interest include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,718,551; 4,052,271; and 5,055,169.
None of these references individually or collectively teach or suggest the present invention.
All of these applications, patents, articles, references, standards, etc. cited in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
It would be very useful to have an improved method to produce a reliable long-term electrical storage device and the device thereof. The present invention provides such an improved method and improved device with energy densities of at least 20-90 J/cc.

Method to fabricate a reliable electrical storage device and the device thereof


Machines, calibration kits for machines, and methods of calibrating machines are disclosed herein. A machine includes a chassis, a frame, and a calibration kit. The chassis has a first coupling element and the frame has a second coupling element configured for interaction with the first coupling element to pivotally couple the frame to the chassis. The calibration kit is coupled to the chassis adjacent the second coupling element.

Operation of machines such as motor graders may be associated with, or otherwise require, precise measurement of geometries and/or locations of one or more components thereof to account for machine-to-machine variation. In some conventional configurations, measurements taken by an operator may be associated with undesirable human error. In other configurations, measurements may vary according to, and be dependent upon, the particular implement mounted to the front of the grader. Devices or methods for measurement of geometries or locations of components of graders that avoid the aforementioned drawbacks remain an area of interest.


When a digital broadcast is decoded and then re-encoded and digitally recorded, detailed program information contained in the original digital broadcast and information such as age-based viewer control information or parental control information may be lost. This problem is solved by providing a digital tuner to demodulate the digital broadcast signal and output the MPEG-TS, a demultiplexer to demultiplex the MPEG-TS into the component packet streams, an AV decoder to decode the demultiplexed AV data packets, and an AV encoder to re-encode the demultiplexed AV data packets into AV data packets for recording. A control microprocessor reads, reconstructs, and sends the PSI or SI packets demultiplexed by the demultiplexer to save the viewer control information to the system multiplexer. The system multiplexer multiplexes the PSI or SI packets with the re-encoded AV data packets, and the multiplexed stream is then written to the recording medium.

Digital broadcasting services using broadcast satellites and communication satellites have now started, and demand for digital recording and playback devices enabling time-shift viewing of digital broadcasts is growing. Existing digital recording and playback systems such as taught in Japanese Unexamined Patent Appl. Pub. 2001-218143 filter and extract the desired program from the broadcast stream for recording. Referred to as simply a "digital recorder" below, this conventional digital recording and playback device is described next.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a conventional digital broadcast reception system having a recording/playback function as taught in Japanese Unexamined Patent Appl. Pub. 2001-218143.
As shown in FIG. 8, the output of the reception demodulator 101 is connected to the input to packet filter 102, one input to the selector switch 105, and the input to the data table extractor 106. The output of the packet filter 102 is connected to the input to the data table substitution unit 103. The output of the data table substitution unit 103 is connected to the input to the recording/playback device 104. The output of the recording/playback device 104 is connected to the other input to the selector switch 105. The output of the data table extractor 106 is connected to an input to the control microprocessor 108. The outputs of the control microprocessor 108 are connected to the reception demodulator 101, packet filter 102, data table generator 107, recording/playback device 104, demultiplexer 110, and AV decoder 111. The output of the data table generator 107 is connected to the input to the data table substitution unit 103. The output of the selector switch 105 is connected to the input to the demultiplexer 110. The output of the demultiplexer 110 is connected to the input to the AV decoder 111. The output of the AV decoder 111 is connected to the input to the monitor 112. The output of the user interface 109 is connected to an input to the control microprocessor 108.
Operation of this conventional digital broadcast reception system with a recording/playback function is described next.
The control microprocessor 108 first sets the selector switch 105 to the reception demodulator 101 side. The reception demodulator 101 demodulates the received digital broadcast signal, and outputs an MPEG-TS (MPEG transport stream) packet stream. This packet stream contains packets for carrying program video data and audio data ("AV transport packets" below), and packets for carrying data tables ("data table transport packets" below). The demultiplexer 110 and AV decoder 111 process the packet stream as instructed by the control microprocessor 108, and construct an electronic program guide (EPG) transmitted from the broadcast station at that time into a format that can be processed by the control microprocessor 108. The electronic program guide can then be presented to the user as graphical information displayed on the monitor 112, or through the user interface 109.
The user then refers to the presented program guide and selects the program desired for recording from among the multiple program options. The selected program is not limited to programs currently being broadcast, and could be a program scheduled for future broadcasting. When a program scheduled for future broadcasting is to be recorded and the control microprocessor 108 knows what the current time is, the control microprocessor 108 executes an operation such as described below when the scheduled broadcasting time comes.
This program recording operation is described next. Using the user interface 109, the user tells the control microprocessor 108 what program to record by, for example, specifying the program number. These program numbers are one of the fields in the program guide data table, which includes program broadcast times and the program matrix, and the control microprocessor 108 can therefore use the program_number to identify a unique program.
The packet stream output from the reception demodulator 101 at this time is input to the packet filter 102 and data table extractor 106. The data table extractor 106 extracts and inputs the data tables from the input packet stream to the control microprocessor 108. The control microprocessor 108 determines if the program to record is currently being broadcast based on the input data table. This specific operation is described next.
First, the control microprocessor 108 references the event information section of the Event Information Table (EIT) containing detailed information about each program to find the program_number and identify the program. The control microprocessor 108 then reads the running_status value for that program in the Event Information Table, and thus determines if the recording program is currently being broadcast. If the recording program selected by the user is a program scheduled for future broadcasting, then several seconds to several minutes before the program is to start the control microprocessor 108 confirms whether the selected program will be broadcast as scheduled to both ensure that the program will be recorded from the beginning and prevent recording errors.
If transmission of the scheduled recording program is confirmed, the control microprocessor 108 sends the PID value of the packets to be passed to the packet filter 102. This PID value is the PID of the packets carrying video data for the recording program, the PID of the packets carrying the audio data for the recording program, the PID of the packets carrying other program related information as instructed, and the PID of the packets carrying the PSI (Program Specific Information) table containing information about the packets belonging to each program contained in the stream. Packets (such as null packets) identified as not needing recording do not need to pass the packet filter 102, and the PID for those packets is therefore not passed by the control microprocessor 108 to the packet filter 102. If the recording capacity of the recording medium used by the recording/playback device 104 is sufficient, the packet filter 102 could also be told to pass video data and other information relating to programs other than the recording program. If the video data carrier packets contain multiple hierarchically coded video packets, this will be indicated in the PMT (Program Map Table), and the control microprocessor 108 can therefore determine whether to control multiple video streams as instructed by the user.
The filtering operation of the packet filter 102 results in dropped packets in the packet stream. The content of the PSI table when it is output from the reception demodulator 101 therefore does not match the new packet stream output from the packet filter 102. The data table generator 107 therefore generates a new PSI table corresponding to the new packet stream as instructed by the control microprocessor 108. Multiple programs are contained in the packet stream from the reception demodulator 101, and this applies to when only one of those programs is to be recorded.
It should be noted that the Network Information Table (NIT) is optional according to the MPEG standard, and it is therefore not always necessary to pass and record the Network Information Table through the packet filter 102. Even if the Network Information Table is filtered by the packet filter 102, the lack of the Network Information Table has little effect on other devices. However, the data table generator 107 could include the program_number 0, that is, the Network Information Table, in the recording program information, and the Network Information Table could be inserted to the packet stream by the data table substitution unit 103. This affords compatibility with digital information processes that require the Network Information Table.
The new PSI table generated by the data table generator 107 is input to the data table substitution unit 103, and thereby substituted for the PSI table contained in the packet stream that passed the packet filter 102. This assures that the PSI table matches the packet stream output from the packet filter 102. In addition, data for descriptors relating to programs other than the recording program is deleted from the new Program Association Table (PAT), and the total amount of data in the packet stream is therefore compressed. The number of packet is also reduced as a result deleting descriptor data.
The transport packets contain a continuity_counter that increment one in each of plural packets having the same PID value. When packet dropping occurs as noted above, this continuity_counter is controlled by the data table generator 107 so that the appropriate value is assigned to each packet.
The new packet stream thus generated is sent to the recording/playback device 104 and recorded to a data storage medium in the recording/playback device 104. A separate index area is provided from the area for continuously recording the stream, and the recorded program can be played back by recording where the program was recorded to the recording medium (i.e., the address information) in this index area.
If the recording medium is a fixed disk medium or semiconductor memory, this index area can be anywhere outside the continuous recording area to which the program data is recorded. If the recording medium is a tape medium, the index area is any area (such as the beginning of the tape) outside the contiguous program data storage area, including an electronic memory device built in to the tape cassette of a digital video cassette. Furthermore, if a tape medium is used, random access performance can be improved with the tape by repeatedly recording the program address information between program data segments using a data format that can be easily distinguished from the transport packets carrying the program data.
Because this recording operation is done without using the signal lines connecting the reception demodulator 101, selector switch 105, and demultiplexer 110, the desired programs can be recorded while the user is viewing a different program. In order to process multiple programs received over different channels, however, the reception demodulator 101 must be able to process multiple streams received through multiple transponders. As a result, the reception demodulator 101 must therefore have a multichannel reception capability and a distribution function for distributing the multiple transponder streams to the data table extractor 106 and demultiplexer 110 sides.
The operation for playing the recorded program back is described next. When a program is recorded as instructed by the user, the control microprocessor 108 updates the list of recorded programs graphically displayed on the monitor 112, for example. The user can then view this list to select the recorded program for playback.
The user then uses the user interface 109 to tell the control microprocessor 108 which program to play back. The control microprocessor 108 then refers to the program data address information written to the index area, and starts to read the desired program data from the storage medium of the recording/playback device 104. The control microprocessor 108 also switches the selector switch 105 to the recording/playback device 104 side. The playback stream read from the storage medium thus passes the selector switch 105 and is sent to the demultiplexer 110 and AV decoder 111. The control microprocessor 108 controls the demultiplexer 110 and AV decoder 111 to present the reproduced program on the monitor 112.
The digital information passed to the demultiplexer 110 during program playback includes such program information as the PSI table and the video and audio data, but does not include the electronic program guide and other related information. When compatibility with other systems that process this related information with the program information during normal digital broadcast reception is considered, the control microprocessor 108 stops processing this related information other than the program information during playback of a recorded program so that dropping this related information does not create a problem with system operation.
By thus providing a mechanism for replacing the PSI table, this conventional digital broadcast reception system can record only the desired programs to a recording/playback device while maintaining full MPEG compatibility, and the recording efficiency of the recording/playback device 104 can thus be maintained as more fully described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Appl. Pub. 2001-218143.
While the prior art thus increases the recording efficiency by replacing only the packets for data table transfer, and reconstructing and recording the desired program from a broadcast packet stream containing multiple programs to a recording/playback drive, the AV data packets that predominately control the recording efficiency are simply recycled directly from the original packet stream.
Digital broadcasts also carry program rating data inserted to the broadcast packet stream so that a parental control system enabling program viewing to be controlled according to the viewer's age, or more specifically the program ratings. This rating system works in conjunction with the receiver. It is therefore desirable for this parent control system to also work when playing back programs recorded from such a broadcast. However, decoding digital broadcasts and then re-encoding the program for digital recording often loses detailed program information, including this parental control information, contained in the original digital broadcast.

Recording/reproduction device and method


The dynamoelectric machine has endwindings 24 including a plurality of superposed conductor bars 22 and adjacent end turns 20. Rabbets 32 are formed along the undersides of the adjoining conductor bars and end turns to receive gussets 30 for reinforcing the joints therebetween. One or more of the conductor bars and end turns have cooling passages 36, 38 with ports 40, 42 opening to one side of the joint at locations short of the joint. A cooling block 48 is disposed on one side of the joint extending between the superposed conductor bars and superposed adjacent end turns and spaced from the joint to define a chamber 60 in communication through the ports with the passages for passing cooling gas therethrough in heat exchange relation to the joint assembly.

A rotor for a dynamoelectric machine typically comprises a cylindrical forging of magnetic metal having a plurality of longitudinal slots opening through the outer surface of the rotor at circumferentially spaced positions thereabout. Conductor bars are disposed in the slots for carrying current. The ends of the conductor bars are suitably connected with conductive end turns to form the required current pattern. Because the conductor bars and end turns give rise to resistive heating, certain dynamoelectric machines require additional cooling of the rotor endwindings. This is typically provided by grooved ventilation passages within the end turns and conductor slot bars through which cooling gas may flow.
The various ventilation schemes which make use of cooling grooves in the endwindings, however, introduce manufacturing complexities. One such complexity is that it is difficult to form or fabricate a well shaped, mechanically sound coil corner with a cooling groove passing through it. It is also somewhat difficult to maintain the shape of the cooling groove to proper tolerances when forming it around the coil corner. In addition, many of the present grooved endwinding ventilation schemes require complex baffling in the endwinding region to set up high and low pressure regions to properly channel the cooling gas into and out of the cooling grooves. Some of the baffling schemes require additional shaft machining to create mechanical support for the baffles.
Several approaches have been used to duct cooling gas from grooves in the circumferentially oriented end turns to grooves in the conductor slot bars. The simplest approach was to use round corner turns and let the duct follow the curvature of the corner. This approach, however, does not apply to designs with square corner windings.
For designs with square corner coils, twin layer turns are used to form ducts by laying together two grooved pieces of copper with the grooves facing each other. At the coil corner, a gusset is brazed in place as a means of joining the circumferential end turns to the conductor bars. At the coil corner, the gusset is also grooved so as to allow cooling gas to flow from the end turn to the conductor bar.
A third approach involves feeding the gas into each turn on both sides of the coil corner and ducting it away from the coil corner. This requires additional baffling in the pole center to create a low pressure region into which the gas in the end turns can flow which creates an undesirable amount of complexity.
A fourth approach, as described in Kaminski et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,503, makes use of single layer conductor bars and twin layer end turns. Gas is channeled away from the coil corners much like in the third approach described above.
A fifth approach, described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,814,655, requires the gas to flow through the reverse side of a single layer gusset. This involves an undesirable degree of pressure loss.
A sixth approach does not rely on internal ducts at all but rather channels all the gas externally via sinuous passages in the coil-to-coil blocking. This has the disadvantage of giving up the benefits of free convection cooling. It also creates a rigid endwinding structure which is not conducive to thermal expansion of the rotor winding.

Dynamoelectric machine rotor endwindings with corner cooling passages


The present invention provides an authoring tool (10) which simplifies the authoring and editing functions of a simulated training system. The authoring tool (10) utilizes a development tool and method (40) which condenses authoring, editing and testing into one environment. This authoring tool, (10) referred to as the learn mode courseware tool, includes a user interface (70) which permits the author to produce, edit and test procedural logic structure. In addition, the system (10) permits the author to preview audio, video, and graphics displays, and also permits the author to interact with a representation of many trainer devices (18, 20, 26) at a single trainer device (32).

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to simulation and training systems and more particularly to an interactive system for authoring and editing such systems.
2. Discussion
Many complex systems place great demands on their operators. As a result, operators of many such systems require many hours of training to reach a desired level of proficiency. Examples of such systems having high training costs include sophisticated stationary process control systems, as well as ground and airborne vehicles.
Since it is not always practical to train operators of such systems on actual equipment, various kinds of simulators have been developed. For example, for pilot training, hardware mockups are commonly used. When coupled with a computer generated simulated exterior view, these mockups can give students valuable experience with the myriad of controls and situations they will encounter when operating the actual aircraft.
Unfortunately, hardware mockups are relatively expensive to construct and may quickly become obsolete when changes in hardware occur. To overcome this problem, a simulation and training system has been developed which avoids the use of hardware mockups by simulating the hardware on video screens. This system is disclosed in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 995,569, filed Dec. 12, 1992, a file wrapper continuation of Ser. No. 07/605,621, now abandoned, entitled "Glass Trainer", which is hereby incorporated by reference. In the Glass Trainer system views of an operating environment such as an aircraft cockpit are stored on a video storage means and presented on a screen. Manipulable controls and changeable displays are presented as computer generated graphics overlays on the video monitor. The user can manipulate these controls by means of a touch screen. This system eliminates the necessity of building a hardware mockup of the operating environment since all of the necessary views of the environment and controls appear on one or more video monitors. The use of overlay images to simulate the appearance of the controls and displays in a plurality of states means that separate images are not required for each possible set of states of the system. In addition, the appearance of the simulated environment can be easily changed by simply photographing a new image of the new revised operating environment and by changing the appearance of the overlay graphics.
While representing a significant advance over conventional hardware mockup systems, the Glass Trainer system presents some complexities in the task of authoring and editing the simulation and training displays and procedures. For example, the author must consider that one change in a sequence or graphic display in one particular training sequence may affect numerous other parts and aspects of a particular training program. In addition, the author of such training procedures needs to be able to test various portions of the simulation immediately after making the changes without going through the entire training course.
Thus, it would be desirable to provide an interactive tool for authoring and editing simulated training systems such as the Glass Trainer that simplifies the authoring and editing process. Further, it would be desirable to have such an authoring tool which reduces the time required to edit and test the training procedure. Also, it would be desirable to have such an authoring tool which provides immediate feedback to the author regarding changed procedures as they are being developed.

Method and system for authoring, editing and testing instructional materials for use in simulated trailing systems


An electrical circuit for generating clock pulses for a multi-chip computer system which contains a clock generation chip and various logic circuit chips. The clock pulses used on the logic circuit chips are generated on the clock generation chip and are transferred to the logic circuit chips. For the generation of the clock pulses a so-called clock splitter circuit is provided on the clock generation circuit. This clock splitter generates two pulse strings out of a third pulse string which is derived from an oscillator. The clock splitter contains a number of gates and latches which have an impact on the throughput time of a pulse to run through the clock splitter, as well as on the skew of the two generated pulse strings. The invention provides an electrical circuit which has an improved throughput time and skew of the generated pulse strings.

Electrical circuits are known for example from multi-chip computer systems which contain a clock generation chip and various logic circuit chips. The clock pulses used on the logic circuit chips are generated on the clock generation chip and are transferred to the logic circuit chips. For the generation of the clock pulses a so-called clock splitter circuit is provided on the clock generation circuit. This clock splitter generates two pulse strings out of a third pulse string which is derived from an oscillator. The clock splitter contains a number of gates and latches which have an impact on the throughput time of a pulse to run through the clock splitter, as well as on the skew of the two generated pulse strings.
It is an object of the invention to provide an electrical circuit which has an improved throughput time and skew of the generated pulse strings.

Electrical circuit for generating pulse strings

International Business Machines Corporation


An external storage medium storing a computer readable access control program and a plurality of files. The access control program performs a first accessing process permitting a computer to access only the access control program when the computer attempts to access any of the files. A file view process is performed so as to display a view of the files when the computer accesses the information via the access control program. A second accessing process is performed when the computer accesses the information via the access control program while a user designates a prescribed file from the file view. The access control program stores information related to accessing executed by the second accessing process in the storage medium as access usage information.

In the past, access to an information rewritable external storage medium such as a DVD+RW has not been recorded and controlled. However, since the preferences of a user are generally reflected in the type and frequency of access to the external storage medium that stores data, this information can be useful for a supplier of the external storage medium, if collected with the consent of the user.

Access usage data storing and transmitting program and storage medium


The present disclosure discloses a control method of a wearable device execution module and a wearable device. The control method includes detecting at least one touch position and determining a set consisting of the detected at least one touch position as a current touch position set, the at least one touch position being a position at a predetermined touch sensing area; determining an execution module corresponding to the current touch position set as a current execution module based on a correspondence between predetermined touch position sets and execution modules and generating a control command; and transmitting the control command to the current execution module so that the current execution module executes the control command.

Along with the rapid development of social economy and social growth of the aging population, people pay more attention to their health. Wearable devices which can easily detect the health condition at any time become the urgent needs of society. The current wearable device is configured to measure only a single physiological parameter (such as pulse rate). When a plurality of physiological parameters (such as pulse rate and blood pressure) needs to be detected, a user needs to use different kinds of wearable devices to detect the different physiological parameters. This may degrade user's convenience for operation, and thus cause, to the user, inconvenience in portable performance and operation performance.

Control method of wearable device execution module and wearable device


There is provided a hook-and-loop fastener manufacturing method. Injection molding is performed to form a molded product in which a pillar group and a base plate having a surface from which the pillar group protrudes are integrated into a unified body. A tip part of the pillar group is cut to form a cut product in which a small pillar group shorter than the pillar group and the base plate are integrated into a unified body. A tip part of the small pillar group is melted to form pillar body portions which are non-melted portions and engaging portions which are melted portions and thicker than the pillar body portions from small pillars. The engaging portions are cooled to determine shapes of a plurality of engaging elements including the pillar body portions and the engaging portions.

As an example of a hook-and-loop fastener, there is a hook-and-loop fastener in which a base plate and plural engaging elements protruding from one surface of the base plate are integrally molded. There are various types of engaging elements and an example thereof is an engaging element called mushroom in that the engaging element has the similar shape as a mushroom.
As an example of a method of manufacturing the hook-and-loop fastener according to the related art including mushroom engaging elements, there is a method using a base mold for molding a base plate, a head mold for molding heads of mushrooms, and a destructively-detachable leg mold for molding pillar-shaped legs of mushrooms (Patent Document 1). In this manufacturing method, after injection molding is carried out using the molds, the destructively-detachable legs are melted with, for example, water to move the base mold and the head mold in a direction in which both are separated from each other to enable mold opening.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H07-509668 A
However, in the above-mentioned manufacturing method, a material other than a resin which is a molding material is essentially required for the destructively-detachable leg mold. In addition, it is necessary to consider how to dispose of the destructively-detachable legs melted with water after the molding.


Techniques, systems, architectures, and methods for amplifying the time difference between events detected on a focal plane array, allowing greater resolution than that afforded by a reference clock are herein disclosed.

Digital detection of visual and infrared (IR) images is a very widely used technology, having applications ranging from consumer-oriented cameras and video apparatuses to law enforcement and military equipment. For virtually all of these applications, there is a growing demand for higher image pixel counts, higher pixel density, increased sensitivity, improved dynamic range, lower power consumption, faster image processing, and the ability to switch between modes offering different balances of these characteristics, dependent on the requirements present at a given time. Especially in the special contexts of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Man Portable Devices (MPDs), power dissipation of imaging components is fast becoming a very significant concern.
Another area in need of improvement is the time precision with which imaging events are recorded. This is especially true in the special contexts of asynchronous imagers, two dimensional Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) systems, flash imaging LIDAR, 3D flash imaging systems, Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors, and other, similar systems, which utilize pixels that measure and send information concerning the duration during which the pixel was impinged upon by a light source (some also measure the intensity of that light) and/or the time at which the excitation occurred. This information, in the case of LIDAR systems, is used to determine range to a target and also differences in range between targets within the sensor's field of view. More specifically, Lidar measures distance to a target by illuminating the target with laser light and measuring the reflected light with an image sensor. Differences in laser return times can then be used to make digital representations of the target. For this reason, improvements in timing accuracy directly translate to improvements in measurement accuracy.
At the heart of all digital imaging systems, including the aforementioned LIDAR and asynchronous imaging systems, is the Focal Plane Array (FPA), which is a two-dimensional array of elements upon which an image is focused, whereby each of the FPA elements or "pixels" develops an analog output "signal charge" that is, typically, proportional to the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation that is impinging on it after a given interval of time, although some systems exist, such as Geiger Mode Avalanche Photodiode Arrays (GmAPD), that are configured to have a nearly infinite gain, resulting in only a single electron causing a pixel that forms a part of such an array outputting a full-high digital voltage (i.e. the output of the pixel does not have a linear relationship to its input). In either case, this signal charge can then be stored, measured, and used to produce an image or otherwise obtain information regarding an event.
FPAs typically include or are in operative communication with at least one reference clock that serves various purposes within the FPA, one of which is to accurately timestamp and measure the duration over which electromagnetic radiation impinges on a pixel or group thereof.
One existing way to increase the timing precision of a focal plane array is to increase the frequency of the reference clock(s). This solution, however, increases power usage.
Another existing solution involves the use of multiple, relatively-slow reference clocks that are phase shifted from each other. This solution also results in significantly higher power usage while requiring additional circuitry to implement.
Even another way is to use a Time-to-Digital Converter (TDC) 100, a device for recognizing events and providing a digital representation of the time they occurred that is commonly used to measure a time interval and convert it into digital (binary) output, such as that illustrated in FIG. 1 and whose behavior is illustrated in FIG. 2. TDCs 100, however, require fairly elaborate calibration due to variations caused by design and temperature. This elaborate calibration must be performed over a potentially broad range of temperatures that the system may need to operate in to ensure the accuracy of its measurements over that entire temperature range and increases system complexity as well as bandwidth and memory requirements, which increases power usage.
What is needed, therefore, are systems and methods that increase the precision with which imaging events are recorded without significantly increasing complexity or power usage.

In pixel time amplifier for LIDAR applications

BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.