The present invention is directed to a dynamic channel selector for use with a wireless local area network and a method of selecting a channel therein. In one embodiment, the dynamic channel selector includes a channel quality subsystem that monitors a signal quality of a signal traversing a first channel of the wireless local area network and a noise level of the first channel. The dynamic channel selector also includes an interference mitigation subsystem, coupled to the channel quality subsystem, that selects a second channel of the wireless local area network as a function of the signal quality of the signal traversing the first channel and the noise level of the first channel.

The use of local area networks has revolutionized the business environment allowing a client device, such as a personal computer employed by a user, to effectively communicate both with servers and other clients associated with the local area network. Pockets of information that were once basically isolated from one another may easily be shared and augmented throughout the network. Until recently, local area networks, consisting of connections that are hard-wired, have served user needs well. However, technological advances have allowed network users to become much more mobile thereby creating user connectivity and other network operational problems.
An extension of network connectivity allows users employing wireless devices access to the wired local area network by employing a wireless local area network. This may be accomplished, in one example, by using a wireless local area network that is based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, which is incorporated herein by reference. A basic technology of an IEEE 802.11 network employs an access point whose main function is to form a bridge between the wired and wireless local area networks. The access point is analogous to a base station used in cellular phone networks. When employed, all communications between a wireless client and a wired client go through the access point.
The IEEE 802.11 standard accommodates several wireless channel structures. In each case, the access point assigns a wireless channel to each wireless client for use while communicating with the wired local area network or with another wireless client associated with the access point. Unfortunately, the wireless channels afforded by the IEEE 802.11 standard are not unique or exclusive of wireless channels assigned to other wireless devices, such as 2.4 gigahertz portable telephones. Interference afforded by such devices has been identified as a major problem in the use and application of wireless local area networks based on the IEEE 802.11 and other standards. Such interference, unless mitigated in some manner, may reduce the reliability and effectiveness of a wireless local area network to the point of being unusable.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a way to effectively mitigate interference on a wireless channel of a wireless local area network that preferably does not require changes to the wireless client.

Dynamic channel selector and method of selecting a channel in a wireless local area network


A liner hanger running system including a liner hanger having a body including a wall defined by an outer surface and an inner surface. The body includes an opening that extends through the outer surface and the inner surface. A piston housing including a wall portion defined by an outer surface portion and an inner surface portion is spaced from the outer surface of the body to define a piston Chamber exposed to the opening. A piston is arranged in the piston chamber. A liner hanger running tool including a dog key extends into the opening and engages the piston. The dog key is selectively shiftable relative to the liner hanger to release the piston and expose the opening to a setting pressure.

In the resource exploration and recovery industry, liner hangers are often used to support internal wellbore surfaces as well as provide support for various downhole tools and tubulars. A liner hanger is typically anchored in a wellbore to a lowermost casing tubular through hanger slips and a packer element. The liner hanger is run in and secured in place with a liner running tool. The liner running tool provides a platform for holding the liner hanger during a trip into the wellbore, tools used to activate packers and slips, and systems for disconnecting the liner running tool from the liner hanger. The liner running tool may also support additional tools that may be used to perform other tasks. Once disconnected, the liner running tool may be used to perform the other tasks and/or be removed from the wellbore.
The liner hanger generally includes a setting piston arranged in a liner hanger wall and a piston housing. Pressure may be applied to the setting piston through a port in the liner hanger body to activate, for example, an anchor. The pressure creates a force that acts against the setting piston to shift the anchor. During run in, the pressure port and associated pressure chamber are exposed to solid-laden fluids which may prevent the setting piston from shifting. Further, external mechanical loads perceived by the liner hanger may prematurely shift the setting piston and activate the anchor. Failure to set the anchor and/or prematurely setting the anchor can result in significant downtime thereby increasing costs on forming the well. Therefore, the industry would welcome additional systems for setting an anchor including fewer parts and which are less prone to setting failures.

Running tool including a piston locking mechanism


A molten carbonate fuel cell, which makes a separator unnecessary, cuts down the number of components, and markedly reduces the costs, is provided. In the cell, a cathode, an electrolyte plate holding an electrolyte, and an anode are provided concentrically with a tube body, the electrolyte plate is held by the anode, and the electrolyte plate is sandwiched between the anode and the cathode, so that the cell is constructed without the use of a separator.

A molten carbonate fuel cell is constituted by interposing an electrolyte plate between an anode (fuel electrode) and a cathode (oxidant electrode) to form a flat plate-shaped electrolyte electrode assembly, and stacking the electrolyte electrode assemblies in a plurality of layers, with separators being arranged therebetween. In the separator, an oxidant gas channel and a fuel gas channel are formed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A fuel gas is supplied to the anode, and an oxidant gas is supplied to the cathode, via the separator, whereupon an electrochemical reaction takes place via the electrolyte to obtain electric power.
The molten carbonate fuel cell, which has been known so far, holds a liquid molten carbonate in the electrolyte plate. Thus, the separator needs to have the shape of the gas channel or the like controlled with high accuracy, and the shapes of the anode and the cathode need to be controlled highly accurately. Moreover, the flat plate-shaped electrolyte electrode assemblies are stacked, with the separators interposed therebetween, thereby constituting a fuel cell stack. Thus, a device for clamping the plate members is required. At start-up, stresses act on the electrolyte electrode assemblies, and influence each other via the separators. Hence, the fuel cell has taken time until it reaches the operating temperature.
With the molten carbonate fuel cell, therefore, high accuracy has been demanded of its components, and the number of the components for constituting the fuel cell has increased, leading to hikes in the manufacturing costs. Moreover, a certain degree of starting time has been required until a desired output is obtained.

CENTRAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY


An arm switch assembly, for an electrical instrument having a casing and electrical contacts, comprises an elongated insulating body member with a conductive member moved into engagement with and disengagement from the electrical contacts in response to operation of a camming mechanism. The camming mechanism is slidably mounted to the casing and has a cam surface movable between first and second positions. The insulating body member includes first and second ends, and a lateral arm connected to the first end permits the insulating body member to pivot relative to the casing. A cam follower is connected to and extends laterally from the second end of the insulating body member. The cam follower engages the cam surface in the first position and disengages the cam surface in the second position. The conductive member is mounted on the second end of the insulating body member and is positioned adjacent to the electrical contacts. The conductive member engages the electrical contacts in response to movement of the cam surface to the second position and disengages the electrical contacts in response to movement of the cam surface to the first position. A compressive element mounted to the insulating body member biases the conductive member generally toward the electrical contacts.

Advances in electronics has made electrical instruments more compact and more reliable than bulkier, older electrical instruments. Today, electrical instruments that perform a multitude of functions are portable and can be carried on the user's person or conveniently stored at home. Compactibility and reliability are especially important features for an electrical instrument that performs medical measurements, such as a reflectance photometer.
Persons with diabetes use reflectance photometers to monitor the sugar level in their blood. Compact and portable reflectance photometers can be carried by diabetics and allows them to periodically and conveniently monitor their blood.
Reflectance photometers determine the sugar values of a blood sample through color development. The user places a drop of blood onto a chemically treated strip. The strip changes color depending on the sugar concentration of the blood. The user then inserts the strip of paper into the reflectance photometer, and light from a light-emitting diode is reflected onto the colored strip. Reflected light passes through a wavelength filter and strikes a photodetector. The electrical signals from the photodetector are evaluated and the sugar concentration of the blood sample is determined and displayed by the reflectance photometer.
The reflectance photometer has different mode settings essential for providing reliable measurements. In a calibration mode, the reflectance photometer calibrates itself by emitting light from a light-emitting diode onto a white surface instead of the colored strip. In this way, the reflectance photometer compensates for any distortions on the reflector surface or minor defects that could cause incorrect readings. After calibration, a user inserts the chemically treated strip with blood into the reflectance photometer. The reflectance photometer analyzes the color of the strip and gives an accurate reading of the sugar level in the blood sample.
At present, several reflectance photometers use a rubber switch that is compressed by a compression lever to change operation mode. The lever is pivotally mounted at one end to the top cover of the reflectance photometer. When the cover is placed onto the reflectance photometer, the other end of the lever is engaging a cam slide, and the lever is positioned over the rubber switch. To calibrate the reflectance photometer, the user slides the cam slide that forces the lever to compress the rubber switch and engage with electrical contacts on the reflectance photometer's printed circuit board. To determine the sugar level in a blood sample, the user slides the cam slide in the opposite direction that forces the lever to disengage the rubber switch from the electrical contacts on the reflectance photometer's printed circuit board.
This arrangement between the switch and the lever presents a problem. The reflectance photometer manufacturer must install the rubber switch separately from the lever because the lever is mounted to the top cover. The rubber switch must be carefully placed in the proper position on the reflectance photometer's printed circuit board during the manufacture of the reflectance photometer. Many times, the rubber switch can fall off the printed circuit board or become misaligned with the lever, rendering mode switching impossible and the reflectance photometer useless. Even if the rubber switch remains properly positioned, the present rubber switch and lever configuration hampers the smooth operation of the reflectance photometer. The compression of the rubber switch causes a high degree of friction between the cam slide surface and the lever, and this friction prevents the smooth switching of the reflectance photometer into calibration mode.


A method for optical microscopy, including using a first laser beam to excite dye particles in a sample region with light having a first wavelength. A second laser beam with a second wavelength based on the emission spectrum of the excited particles is used to de-excite the excited particles. The first and second beams have first and second respective intensity distributions which are spatially different when co-aligned; the second profile has a minimum where the first has a maximum. The region is once concurrently illuminated with the first and second beams, and an emission signal is detected. For each scanning point, the region is illuminated also with a pulse of the second laser beam or continuously prior to or after illuminating the region of the sample concurrently with both lasers. The illumination with only the second laser beam defines a background signal that is subtracted from the emission signal.

STED microscopy is one of the methods which can resolve spatially details of a microscopic sample below the fundamental Abbe diffraction limit which corresponds to about half of the wavelength of the light to be detected. For example, a single molecule having a length of about 1 nm and emitting fluorescent light at a wavelength of 600 nm will show in an image taken with a common microscope as a round spot with a diameter of about 300 nm. Two or more molecules spaced apart less than 300 nm therefore cannot be separated spatially when imaged with a common confocal microscope.
To investigate samples by confocal scanning microscopy, certain regions of it usually are marked with luminescent molecules, which in the following are denoted as dye particles. The region of the sample might be either a two-dimensional area or a three-dimensional volume. The term luminescence is meant to cover both fluorescence and phosphorescence, although for the microscopic analysis of samples mostly fluorescent dye particles are used.
Using STED microscopy it is possible to overcome the diffraction limit and a resolution down to distances of about 10 nm becomes possible. Its basic concept is for example described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,588. In STED microscopy, two laser light beams are used to control the photo physics of the dye particles contained in a region of the sample. A first laser beam emitted by a first laser with light having a first wavelength is used to excite dye particles contained in the region of the sample. The wavelength of the first laser beam is chosen depending on the absorption spectrum of the dye particles used for marking a specific sample. The size of the region depends on the settings used. In a confocal scanning environment, a region typically corresponds to the area or volume which can be illuminated with the first laser beam in the focal spot without moving it spatially. By scanning the sample region by region and detecting the intensity caused by luminescence—the term luminescence comprising fluorescence as well as phosphorescence—in each region, a two- or three-dimensional image consisting of pixels or voxels can be generated; a three-dimensional image can also be generated by combining a stack of two-dimensional images which have been taken at different positions of the focal spot along the optical axis.
In STED microscopy, the region of the sample is also illuminated by a second laser beam with light having a second wavelength. This second laser sometimes is also denoted as STED laser. It is used for de-exciting a part of the excited dye particles contained in the region of the sample illuminated by the first laser beam.
For de-exciting, in state-of-the-art approaches the second wavelength is larger than the first wavelength which also means that in principle the region of the sample which is illuminated by the second laser beam is somewhat larger than the region illuminated by the first laser beam, due to the diffraction limit. Both laser beams are co-aligned, i.e. sharing the same optical axis when illuminating the sample.
The first laser beam has a first intensity distribution and the second laser beam has a second intensity distribution, and enhancing the spatial resolution can be achieved by forming the intensity distributions in the following way: Both intensity distributions are spatially different when co-aligned along a common optical axis, and the second intensity distribution has a minimum where the first intensity distribution has a maximum which further is located in the center of the—preferably rotationally symmetric—first intensity distribution.
The first intensity distribution can for example be shaped in Gaussian form, with or without showing side lobes, however, those side lobes do not count as maxima when regarding the condition of distinctiveness of the two intensity distributions, meaning that the second intensity distribution is not required to have minima where the side lobes of the first intensity distribution are located. The region of the sample in which dye particles are excited then corresponds to the focal spot of the first laser beam, since due to the first intensity distribution the probability to excite dye particles with the first wavelength is highest in the center of the focal spot. Emission of luminescent, in particular fluorescent light—usually due to a Stokes shift at a different wavelength—then occurs consequently also mainly around the center of the first intensity distribution, the intensity of the emission signal decreasing with increasing distance from the center, depending on the width of the first intensity distribution.
To enhance spatial resolution most effectively, the intensity distribution of the second laser beam has minimum intensity in its center, but its maximum intensity is essentially annular-shaped around the center. Having a Gaussian-shaped or similar profile around the maximum, the annular shape of the intensity distribution of the second laser beam sometimes also is denoted as "doughnut". Moreover, the term "essentially annular-shaped" includes also intensity distributions that are formed for example by diffractive optical elements (DOE) and do not have ideal C∞ symmetry, but less, e.g. C4 symmetry, although basically still reminding annular shape.
While dye particles are excited with the first laser beam in the focal spot and in particular in its center, light of the second laser beam causes de-excitation of the dye particles in the ring surrounding the center by stimulated emission at the same time. Since both beams are used for illuminating the region of the sample at the same time, the depletion of excited molecules occurs in those parts of the focal spot where the intensity of the second laser beam is not zero. Therefore, only excited dye particles in the center of both co-aligned focal spots can emit luminescence. By using intensity distributions which are distinct in this way it becomes possible to enhance spatial resolution, since the second intensity distribution effectively narrows the broad intensity distribution around the maximum of the first intensity profile. Moving the co-aligned focal spots of the two laser beams across the sample covering a variety of regions consequently generates a super-resolved image of the sample beyond the diffraction limit.
By varying the intensity of the second laser beam the spectral probability to de-excite the dye molecules is varied and therefore the magnitude of reducing the spatial size of luminescence in the focal spot by the STED process is also varied: As the intensity of the second laser beam is increased, the probability of simulated emission increases as well, and the remaining region for luminescence in the focal spot decreases.
Since the overall spatial size of the part of the focal spot where luminescence takes place is reduced by the second laser beam, also the number of photons available for detection is decreased. This loss or reduction of signal in the state of the art is compensated for by shifting the second wavelength towards the long-wavelength end of the luminescence emission spectrum of the dye particles. By adjusting the difference between the first and the second wavelength, the spectral range of detectable photons can be optimized to protect the photon detectors by completely rejecting any backscattered laser light for both the first and the second wavelength. This is achieved by using high-performance optical filters with optical densities OD>6 which at the respective wavelengths have spectral widths between 10 nm for smaller wavelengths and 40 nm for larger wavelengths.
Given a typical luminescence spectrum of suitable dye particles, a spectral range up to 120 nm is remaining, meaning that about 80-90% of the maximum number of photons emitted from the dye particles can be detected.
However, the aforementioned STED method as performed in the state of the art has some disadvantages. For a given second wavelength, the optical resolution scales quadratically with the used laser power for the second laser beam. Choosing the second wavelength at the long-wavelength end of the emission spectrum results in a small cross section for stimulated emission. Therefore, to increase the probability of de-exciting an excited dye particle high laser power for the second laser beam should be used to stimulate emission depletion. Such high laser power may cause in particular in biological samples of living cells massive photophysical and photochemical damage that might deteriorate the biological implications of the super-resolved imaging. In addition, scanning several times over the same region of the sample is not possible due to photobleaching of the dye particles. To reduce the laser power, i.e. the intensity necessary for the second laser beam used for STED, one could increase the cross section for stimulated emission, since then the probability of de-exciting dye particles also would increase. To increase the cross section, the second wavelength could basically be shifted from the long-wavelength end of the emission spectrum towards slightly shorter wavelengths. Such an approach is described for example in WO 2015/022635 and in an article by D. Vicidomini et al., "STED with wavelengths closer to the emission maximum", published in Optics Express 20 (5), p. 5225 ff. (2012). When shifting the second wavelength for STED towards shorter wavelengths, also the probability of exciting further dye particles that have remained in the ground state directly with the second laser beam increases, resulting in undesirable background luminescence.
Increased background luminescence and diminished power for the second laser beam negatively influence the image contrast. However, since the spatial frequency content of the image is not distorted by this approach, the image taken when the region of the sample is concurrently illuminated with the first and the second laser beam is a superposition of a super-resolved standard image generated by the excitation beam and a background image generated by the second laser beam. Consequently, a combined emission and background signal is detected. On the other hand, a background signal can be defined when the region of the sample is illuminated only with the second laser beam, since then only the background signal will be detected. The emission signal then can be separated by standard algorithms from the background signal, e.g. by subtraction which can be done region-wise, i.e. for each single measurement. Afterwards, further deconvolution methods can be applied if appropriate.
This procedure results in a super-resolved image for only the emission signals. In the aforementioned state of the art, the background signal is recorded using the second laser beam only, either with pulsed STED excitation or with continuous excitation with the second laser beam. The background signal can be detected prior to illuminating the sample with the combined beams, or afterwards. The duration of recording both the background-only image and the superimposed image when the sample is illuminated concurrently with both laser beams is chosen to be much larger than the average lifetime of the excitation state of the dye particles, also to make sure that the background is recorded in a time window when no excitation with the first laser beam occurs. The image is taken pixel by pixel with a fibre acting as a pinhole corresponding to a diameter of one Airy unit, and subtraction is also done pixel by pixel or line by line.
However, even with this approach the power for the second laser beam, the STED beam, is still too high for some sensitive biological samples and still either damages the sample or triggers photobleaching which means that the sample cannot be imaged repeatedly.


A method, apparatus and system for applying feature controls to features on a wireless device while the mobile is in a geographic area is provided. The wireless device receives instructions from a wireless network indicating which feature controls to apply. The wireless device determines that its position is within the geographic area and applies the feature controls.

Wireless devices, such as mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs), today have many features. Examples of some features include cameras, real time video, ringer adjustment, sms/mms, data and/or voice generalized communication, and capability to turn of various modes of device communication such as cellular air interface/lrDA/Bluetooth/USB etc . Certain facilities (e.g. business/government/private), may attempt to control the usage of these features by asking users to turn off the devices, or installing hardware that can control the features while the wireless device is within the geographical area under the control of the establishment.
Existing systems require hardware, such as a local transmitter or a Bluetooth beacon, to be physically located at the site where the features of the wireless device are to be disabled. The wireless device also requires additional hardware and/or software to interface to the on-site additional hardware in order to receive the control information to disable a feature on the wireless device.
For example, the Safe Haven™ product combines hardware transmitters with a small piece of control software loaded into a camera phone handset. When the handset is taken into a room or building containing the Safe Haven™ hardware, the phone is instructed to deactivate the imaging systems. The systems are reactivated when the handset is out of range. These types of systems require after market and voluntary installation, and additional capital outlay.

Geographical network initiated wireless device feature control


A system includes a mobile computing device with an image sensor that wirelessly controls at least one lighting fixture to maintain a predetermined color and intensity based on light detected by the image sensor.

Lighting is inherently very subjective due to the difference in an individual's perception of light. However, digital image/video capture is a very objective collection of pixel information. The effect of lighting on digital image/video can thus also be determined objectively and adjusted systematically.
In a given environment, when viewed from any particular point of view (e.g., from a particular camera angle) there is a color balance resultant from the ambient light and objects in the environment. If artificial lighting is introduced, the color balance of the artificial lighting may not match that of the ambient environment. This can result in artifacts or imbalances that have what would be considered an undesirable appearance. These may include differing light or color balance on one side of an object relative to another, imbalances from background to foreground, or other undesirable imbalances. It may be possible to correct some of the imbalances in post-production or via digital editing techniques, but this can be difficult if it can be done it all and it is always time consuming.
Even if the color balance of the artificial lighting is made to match the scene and environment perfectly, the scene or environment may not remain static. Oftentimes, video or images are captured where there is at least some natural light. Natural light is frequently not a static phenomena, even over relatively short periods of time. For example, light changes rapidly at sunrise or sunset. Even during the middle of the day, cloud cover and other environmental factors can change the appearance of ambient lighting.
The appearance of a scene can also change, both in terms of lighting intensity and color balance, depending upon which way the camera is facing. If a camera is static, this may not be an issue. On the other hand, varying camera angles are often desirable even in the same scene. Similarly, in the event a camera is mobile (e.g., mounted on a trolley or handheld) the color balance as seen from the camera may change quite dramatically over time.
What is needed is a system and method for addressing the above, and related, issues.


An electrical distribution system provides a Line Replaceable Modules (LRM) with a printed wire board (PWB) which is of a relatively thick construction. The PWB is manufactured of a relatively thick construction to provide structural support for a multitude of electrical components as well as a board mounted contactor. Each contactor is mounted directly to the PWB. As the primary contactor switch function is board mounted, support functions such as coil drivers, economizing switches, auxiliary switches become PWB mounted components that are assembled to the PWB for communication through the board circuit traces rather than the heretofore required wiring harnesses.

The present invention relates to an electrical energy distribution systems, and more particularly to a board mounted contactor therefor.
Electrical energy distribution systems typically include an electrical power source which powers a corresponding distribution circuit through a controllable power contactor which selectively interlinks a multitude of distribution circuits. Each distribution circuit is powered by its own source through a corresponding power contactor, however, should a source become defective, the distribution circuit can be powered by the source of at least one other distribution circuit through at least one contactor.
Distribution systems of this type are often utilized onboard aircraft. In this environment, each distribution circuit generally powers a distribution bus bar which then powers a plurality of electrical loads in parallel. Each power source is typically either of a generator driven by an engine of the aircraft, an auxiliary power unit or batteries.
The contactors reside in a power center assembly on a primary bus bar structure located within an aircraft electronics bay. The primary bus bars interface to the contactors through 6 threaded terminal posts, assuming it is a 3 phase, AC contactor. In addition to the primary power interfaces, a low power signal connection is required for control and sensing functions. Because the contactors are line replaceable modules (LRMs) each contactor must have an individual chassis to support a multitude of electrical components and wiring harnesses which connect the LRM to the power center assembly.
The contactors each include an economizer switch to reduce coil currents once closure occurs and a multitude of auxiliary contact switches which indicate the main contact position and who's signals are used for relay logic in the power system. Each of these auxiliary switches are mechanically linked to the contactors primary actuator through a complex set of brackets and adjustment screws. In addition, each of the switches requires a harness to provide the interface to the control and signal connector. During LRM replacement, tooling is required to remove the control and signal connector and large tooling is required to remove fasteners on the primary power interfaces. These interfaces also require a controlled re-torquing procedure and calibrated torque wrench during LRM replacement. Although effective, these features result in a relatively complex LRM that reduces reliability and may result in increased maintenance considerations when located within an aircraft environment.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an uncomplicated line replaceable module with a minimum of wire harness connections which reduces maintenance considerations when located within an aircraft environment.

Electrical distribution system and modular high power board contactor therefor


A downhole tool assembly for cutting laterally into an earthen formation from a wellbore. The downhole tool assembly includes a cutting head assembly and a flexible tubular member, wherein the cutting head assembly includes a rotatable nozzle and a cutting head sized and configured to cut laterally into the earthen formation. The downhole tool assembly may be guided through a channel defined by a guide assembly and positioned such that the cutting head is proximate the portion of the earthen formation to be laterally cut. A rotational source may be operatively connected and in fluid communication with the conduit and flexible tubular member, whereby torque generated by the rotational source is translated by the flexible tubular member to the cutting head, causing the cutting head to rotate and cut the earthen formation.

A multitude of wells have been drilled into earth strata for the extraction of oil, gas, and other material there from. In many cases, such wells are found to be initially unproductive, or may decrease in productivity over time, even though it is believed that the surrounding strata still contains extractable oil, gas, water or other material. Such wells are typically vertically extending holes including a casing usually of a mild steel pipe having an inner diameter of from just a few inches to over eight inches used for the transportation of the oil, gas, or other material upwardly to the earth's surface. In other instances, the wellbore may be uncased at the zone of interest, commonly referred to as an "openhole" completion.
In an attempt to obtain production from unproductive wells and increase production in under producing wells, methods and devices for forming a hole in a well casing, if present, and forming a lateral passage there from into the surrounding earth strata are known. For example, a hole in cased wells can be produced by punching a hole in the casing, abrasively cutting a hole in the casing, milling a hole in the casing wall or milling out a vertical section of casing. While more or less efficacious, such methods are generally familiar to those in the art. In openhole wells, the steps to form a hole in the casing are not required, but the methods for forming a lateral passage into the surrounding strata may be virtually identical to those used on cased well.
Under both the cased and uncased well scenarios, a type of whipstock is typically incorporated to direct the cutting head out of the wellbore and into the formation. The whipstock may be set on the end of production tubing. Because of the time and economic benefits, often the cutting tools are run on the end of coiled tubing. In at least one known conventional horizontal drilling method using coiled tubing, the cutting tool completes its transition to the horizontal direction over a radius of at least several feet and some methods require a radius of over 100 feet. The size of the radius stems primarily from the length and diameter of the cutting tools and the rigidity of the toolstring that must transition around the radius. Other known methods for creating horizontal drainage tunnels are able to transition a much tighter radius (e.g. within 4.5″ casing) by not attempting to pass relatively long and/or large diameter tools (e.g. a mud motor) outside of the wellbore. Instead most such methods utilize a flexible jetting hose with a specialized and relatively small nozzle head (e.g., less than a few inches long). Such methods may be efficacious, but typically suffer from a common problem that that they do not and/or cannot provide adequate torque to satisfactorily power a mechanical cutting means capable of cutting harder formation. Accordingly, these methods may be limited only to very soft formations.
Furthermore, most known methods and apparatus have also generally been unable to provide technically or commercially satisfactory results because of an accumulation of cuttings in the wellbore. Many known apparatus utilizing a form of jetting nozzles have been found unable to produce a satisfactorily large hole in the strata and, even when directed at soft strata, have been found to hang-up when trying to advance the nozzle into the formation.
Other known methods for creating a lateral borehole entail transferring torque from a motor through multiple discrete but connected drive segments around the whipstock to the cutting head. While such drive systems may be capable of cutting earthen formation they may suffer from one or more of the following shortcomings: they may be more costly than other solutions; they may allow for cuttings to become entrapped between the segments thereby disrupting the smooth operation of the system; and/or they suffer from being more time consuming and/or costly to service and repair.
In addition to the aforementioned, cuttings created from the lateral drilling process or materials in the wellbore can also be problematic. If the rat-hole of the wellbore (the portion beneath the work area) is not deep enough to accommodate these materials, the materials can fill the wellbore up to or above the elevation of the whipstock. This in turn, can effectively preclude the removal of cuttings from the lateral borehole being drilled as the cutting have nowhere to fall and hence cause a stop in forward cutting of the lateral borehole. Additionally, cuttings in the wellbore can fill-up so that repositioning of the whipstock—such as to a new zone of interest—movement of the whipstock cannot be done.
In view of the above, it would be desirable to have a cutting tool comprised of an essentially continuous flexible member capable of being run on a wireline unit, on coil tubing or on jointed tubing or rod, the tool capable of being run in a wellbore and of transitioning in an effective radius of less than about 36 inches to a substantially horizontal orientation, wherein the cutting tool is provided with sufficient torque to cut even hard formation, like dolomite. It would further be desirable to have a cutting system capable of rotating under the power of fluid and wherein the fluid may be emitted from the cutting tool to provide assistance in the removal of cuttings, to clean the cutting faces and/or to cool the cutting tool.

Apparatus and method for lateral well drilling


An original image is divided into a plurality of pixel blocks each consisting of a plurality of pixels. A density histogram represented by an electric signal is obtained for each pixel block. Respective pixel blocks are analyzed to find adjacent pixel blocks which are uniform and continuous in density. If the pixel blocks thus found are continuous in density with the reference pixel blocks located at the corner of the original image, the pixel blocks are regarded as those representing the background portion of the original image. The numbers of pixels in the density histogram is corrected for each background pixel block, and highlight and shadow points for determining a gradation curve is determined. The gradation curve is set in a signal-converter to convert an image signal representative of the original image.

1. Field of The Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for converting an image signal representing an image having gradations and more particularly, to improvement in establishing highlight and/or shadow points in a gradation converter employable in a color process scanner.
2. Description of Prior Arts
As is well known in the field of color image reproduction, a color original image having gradations is photoelectrically read by a process scanner and the original image signal thus obtained is converted into a processed image signal in gradation converter provided in the process scanner. The conversion is required for obtaining a desired image expression on a medium on which the original image is reproduced, and the conversion characteristic in the gradation converter is determined in accordance with a gradation curve. The gradation curve is obtained through establishment of highlight and shadow densities on a two-dimensional coordinate plane on which the gradation curve is to be defined. The highlight and shadow densities are called "reference densities", while the points defined on the coordinate plane in accordance with the highlight and shadow densities are called "reference density points".
The highlight and shadow densities may be determined by an operator through manual operation. However, the manual determination of the gradation curve requires a skilled operator, so that many original images cannot be processed in a short time. Accordingly, automatic determination of gradation curves has been developed.
In a conventional procedure for automatic establishment of the highlight and shadow points, an input highlight density and an input shadow density for a gradation curve are determined through the procedure shown in FIG. 17.
An original to be reproduced is prescanned to provide the density of the original image for each color component for each pixel in the process step S501.
The densities for the respective color components are averaged to determine an average density for each pixel, and then an average density histogram is constructed in the process step S502.
In the process step S503, a cumulative density is calculated for each rank for each color component to provide a cumulative density histogram shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 19 shows the cumulative density histogram only for the color component R.
In the process step S504, the relative frequency of the pixels added up from the low-density rank is determined. A cumulative relative frequency histogram shown in FIG. 18 is then constructed in which the relative frequency varies from 0% to 100% with respect to the average density ranging from a minimum generated density to a maximum generated density.
In the process step S505, predetermined cumulative density appearance rates RN.sub.H, RN.sub.S corresponding to highlight and shadow points providing experimentally derived optimal gradation conversion characteristics are applied to the cumulative relative frequency histogram, to provide tentative highlight and shadow average densities D.sub.MH and D.sub.MS corresponding to the cumulative relative frequency.
The tentative highlight and shadow average densities D.sub.MH and D.sub.MS are applied to the cumulative density histograms by color component shown in FIG. 19 to provide the input highlight and shadow densities for each color component in the process step S506. The highlight and shadow points or reference density points through which the gradation curve is to be drawn are established as a function of the obtained input highlight and shadow densities and arbitrarily pre-established output highlight and shadow densities.
Unfortunately, the conventional method has drawbacks to be described below. When the original depicts a scene having a bright background or photographed against the light, the input highlight density becomes lower than a preferable level so that the reproduced image is finished darkly. When the original depicts a scene having a dark background, on the other hand, the input shadow density becomes higher so that the reproduced image is whitish.
The cause of such dark or whitish reproduced image will be described below. When the original depicts the scene having the bright background, the cumulative density histogram of FIG. 19 is affected by the bright background to have more frequent lower-density ranks. This results in a low tentative highlight average density determined from the cumulative relative frequency histogram of FIG. 18 and, accordingly, a low input highlight density obtained in the process step S506. The low input highlight density causes the gradation curve in a highlight region to be shifted toward the output shadow density since the gradation curve is produced as a function of the input highlight density. As a result, the reproduced image is finished darkly.
When the original has the dark background, the cumulative density histogram of FIG. 19 has more frequent higher-density ranks, so that the input shadow density given in the process step S506 grows high. This causes the gradation curve in a shadow region to be shifted toward the output highlight density, resulting in the whitish finish of the reproduced image obtained by the gradation conversion in accordance with the gradation curve.
Such a problem occurs also in the case where the original image includes a portion having a very low density and a certain area such as a glittering metal portion, even if the portion is not located in the background of the original image. The conventional method causes the undesired image-reproduction in which the input highlight density becomes lower than a preferable level so that the reproduced image is sometimes finished darkly or gives an impression that the entire color thereof is turbid.

Method of and apparatus for converting image signal representing image having gradation

Dainippon Screen Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


A method of operating a phase change memory array is disclosed and includes identifying a read disturb condition associated with the phase change memory array, and performing a conditional refresh operation in response to the identified read disturb condition. A phase change memory is also disclosed and includes an array of phase change memory cells, and a read disturb system configured to identify a read disturb condition and perform a refresh operation on the array in response thereto.

In the case of conventional memory devices, in particular conventional semiconductor memory devices, it is sometimes common to differentiate between functional memory devices (e.g., PLAs, PALs, etc.) and table memory devices. For example, some table memory devices include ROM devices (Read Only Memory) such as PROMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, flash memories, etc., and RAM devices (Random Access Memory or read-write memory) such as DRAMs and SRAMs.
In the case of SRAMs (Static Random Access Memory), individual memory cells consist of, for example, six transistors configured as a cross-coupled latch. In the case of DRAMs (Dynamic Random Access Memory), generally only one single, correspondingly controlled capacitive element (e.g., the gate-source capacitance of a MOSFET) is employed, wherein charge may be stored in the capacitance. The charge in a DRAM, however, remains for only a short time, and a periodic refresh must be performed, to maintain a data state. In contrast to the DRAM, the SRAM requires no refresh, and the data stored in the memory cell remains stored as long as an appropriate supply voltage is fed to the SRAM. Both SRAMs and DRAMs are considered volatile memories, wherein a data state is only retained as long as power is supplied thereto.
In contrast to volatile memory, non-volatile memory devices (NVMs), e.g., EPROMs, EEPROMs, and flash memories, exhibit a different property, wherein the stored data is retained even when the supply voltage associated therewith is switched off. This type of memory has several advantages for various types of mobile communications devices such as, for example, in an electronic rolodex on cell phones, wherein the data therein is retained even when the cell phone is turned off.
One type of non-volatile memory that has recently been developed is called resistive or resistively switched memory devices. In such a resistive memory, a memory material positioned between two appropriate electrodes (i.e., an anode and a cathode) is placed, by appropriate switching processes, in a more or less conductive state, wherein the more conductive state corresponds to a logic "1", and the less conductive state corresponds to a logic "0" (or vice versa). Suitable resistive memories can be, for example, perovskite memory, as described in W. W. Zhuamg et al., "Novell Colossal Magnetoresistive Thin Film Nonvolatile Resistance Random Access Memory (RRAM)", IEDM 2002, resistive switching in binary oxides (OxRAM), for example, as described in I. G. Baeket. al., "Multi-layer crosspoint binary oxide resistive memory (OxRAM) for post-NAND storage application", IEDM 2005, or phase change memory.
In the case of phase change memory, an appropriate chalcogenide compound (e.g., a GeSbTe or an AgInSbTe compound) may, for instance, be used as the active material that is positioned between the two corresponding electrodes. The chalcogenide compound material can be placed in an amorphous, i.e., relatively weakly conductive, or a crystalline, i.e., relatively strongly conductive state by means of appropriate switching processes, and thus behaves like a variable resistance element, which as highlighted above, may be exploited as differing data states.
In order to switch the phase change material from an amorphous state to a crystalline state, an appropriate heating current is applied to the phase change element, wherein the current heats the phase change material beyond the crystallization temperature thereof. Alternatively, the electric current can be fed through an external resistive heater in close proximity to the phase change material in order to heat the phase change material beyond its crystallization temperature. This operation is sometimes called a SET operation. Similarly, a change of state from a crystalline state to an amorphous state is achieved by application of an appropriate heating current pulse, wherein the phase change material is heated beyond the melting temperature thereof, and the amorphous state is obtained during the rapid cooling process thereof. This operation is sometimes called a RESET operation. The combination of SET and RESET operations is one means by which data can be written to a phase change memory cell.

Integrated circuit to identify read disturb condition in memory cell


A paste composition for a solar cell electrode, a solar cell electrode fabricated using the same, and a solar cell including the electrode, the paste composition including a mixture of conductive powders, the mixture of conductive powders including about 30 wt % to about 55 wt % of a first spherical powder having an average particle diameter D50 of 1.5 μm or less; about 3 wt % to about 8 wt % of a flake powder having an average particle diameter D50 of about 2 μm to about 3.5 μm; and a balance of a second spherical powder having an average particle diameter D50 of greater than 1.5 μm; glass fit; and an organic vehicle.

1. Field
Embodiments relate to a paste composition for a solar cell electrode, an electrode fabricated using the same, and a solar cell including the electrode.
2. Description of the Related Art
Solar cells may generate electric energy using the photovoltaic effect of a p-n junction that converts photons of sunlight or other incident light into electricity. In the solar cell, a front electrode and a rear electrode may be formed on front and rear surfaces of a semiconductor wafer or substrate with the p-n junction, respectively. Then, the photovoltaic effect of the p-n junction may be induced by sunlight entering the wafer, and electrons generated by the photovoltaic effect of the p-n junction may provide an electric current flowing through the electrodes. The electrodes of the solar cell may be formed on the wafer by applying, patterning, and firing a paste composition for electrodes.

Paste composition for a solar cell electrode, electrode fabricated using the same, and solar cell including the electrode


A container-type data center enabling transportation while having IT equipment stored therein, Vibration isolation table units laid on a floor surface in a storage unit of a container are composed of a lower plate and an upper plate, and multiple spring vibration isolators are fixed between the plates. The lower plates of adjacent vibration isolation table units are fixed via a lower fixing member, and upper palates of adjacent units are fixed via an upper fixing member. Two racks are loaded per single vibration isolation table unit. By adopting this configuration, even when shock is applied on the container, the vibration transmitted from the container can be absorbed by the spring vibration isolator. Thus, even when the container is transported with the IT equipment and the like stored in the rack, it becomes possible to prevent the occurrence of failures such as fluctuation of the IT equipment, fall of the equipment by vibration, or detachment of internal components.

A container-type data center has necessary facilities for constituting a data center stored in a container-type box used as a cargo transportation means using a trailer or the like, as taught in Non-Patent Literature 1. Actually, a container-type data center can store servers, storage apparatuses, control devices, air-conditioning facilities and power supply facilities, so that the container itself can be operated as a data center. It is possible to recognize the container-type data center as a new form of data center capable of being installed outdoors or being transported.
It has been recognized in Japan that the use of such container-type data centers are difficult due to the restrictions by the Building Standards Act, but on Mar. 25, 2011, a notice has been issued from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on "Handling of the Building Standards Act regarding Container-type Data Center". According to the notice, "Regarding container-type data centers that can be disposed independently on land, those having only a main body of a server device and facilities required for realizing the functions of the data server installed therein having minimum internal space required for realizing the functions of the data server such as the airway for air conditioning, and which are unattended during operation so that a person only enters the container when a serious failure occurs to the devices installed therein, are classified as a storehouse or other similar facilities defined in Article 2 item 3 of the Law. However, when multiple data centers are stacked, they are handled as a facility corresponding to a building architecture, instead of a storehouse or other similar facilities."
As for containers, the size of the external shape of the container is prescribed based on ISO Standards, and in many cases, 40-feet-type containers are assigned as the container-type data centers. In the prior-art container-type data center, outdoor units of the air conditioning facility were disposed outside the container, so that it was necessary to arrange the container-type data center at a determined location, install outdoor units for air conditioning near the container, and then connect the air conditioning piping with indoor units of the data center.
Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-298298) discloses a vibration isolator of a container or the like, and the method for using the same, applicable to commonly used containers, and protecting loaded articles from vibrations when being transported while suppressing costs, wherein a vibration isolator of a container or the like is disposed in a transporting container or under a merchandise transport pallet to provide vibration isolation, in which a buffer member is disposed between a base frame and a loading frame, having notch receiving constitutions of twist locks disposed at least at four corners of the base frame, and twist locks are disposed at the corresponding parts of the loading frame.
Patent Literature 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2013-4097) discloses providing a container-type data center capable of suppressing vibration, including a container and a number of cabinets arranged in the container, wherein a first shockproof device and a second shockproof device are mounted to the bottom and the top of each of the cabinets, the second shockproof device including a shockproof member and a connecting apparatus arranged between the shockproof member and the container to connect the shockproof member and the container, wherein the connecting mechanism is adjusted to either have the shockproof member abut to or move away from the container.
Patent Literature 3 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-177836) discloses a portable computer room which can be easily installed, and can be immediately used from the day it is installed, and a method for constructing the portable computer room, wherein the computer room is composed of a room box and various pieces of equipment in the room box. The room box is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped, and its side wall and top plate are covered with an electromagnetic shield, having damping legs mounted on the back face of the floor. An entry system is mounted on the side part of a door. This system executes entrance and exit control and security management of the room. Servers are operated by a DC power source from a power unit. Terminal equipment installed in the room is connected to a wiring panel. An optical access device converts optical signals entered from the outside through an optical fiber into electric signals, and outputs the same to the servers. A video monitoring device constantly takes images inside the room.
Patent Literature 4 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. S60-5372) discloses an electronic device system unit characterized in comprising an electronic device unit having electronic devices mounted on a pallet having a vibration proof double-floor structure formed by integrating an upper side mounting floor and a lower side fixing frame with a shock absorbing member sandwiched therebetween, having cables used for connecting the electronic devices mutually or for connecting the devices with external devices wired in the underfloor space of the pallet and having a connecting terminal for connecting a portion of the cables and to external wiring at the end of the pallet, and a movable container unit having at least a power supply device and an air conditioning device installed in a casing having a waterproof and heat insulating structure and accommodating the electronic device unit that is fixed in a detachable manner to a fixing frame of the pallet.


Disclosed is a package formed from a one-piece wrapper, typically made of carrier board, that is folded around twenty-four cans or bottles including a top and bottom of the package having cuts or perforations that partially separate the package into two twelve-packs; each side of the package having at least one tear-strip aligned with the cuts or perforations that will complete the separation into two twelve-packs; and the top of the package having a second pair of tear-strips which will allow the two twelve-packs to be separated into four six-packs. The wrapper can be folded in such a manner that the two six-packs of each of the two twelve-packs is separated by a center divider in the wrapper. This divider has a perforated top end which is aligned with the tear-strips. The two sides of the divider are held together by an adhesive which allows the six-packs to be separated. The combination of the tear-strips and the adhesive hold the container into a twenty four-pack, while easily allowing it to be divided into two twelve-packs, or four six-packs.

This invention relates to packaging a plurality of containers and more particularly to a package that can be separated into a plurality of packages. Even more particularly the invention relates to a one-piece wrapper made into a package for holding containers which can be easily separated into individual smaller packages upon delivery to the retailer, lowering the cost of manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, storage and delivery of containers.
Several different multi-unit packaging systems have been developed for the marketing of a number of packaged products, for example, bottled and canned beverages and other liquid products. Currently, most bottle or can containers are shipped in units of six, generally referred to as the six-pack package. Four six-packs are normally placed together in a paper tray for shipment from the manufacturer to the retail outlet. At present the six beverage containers in a six-pack are typically held together by a piece of plastic having six circular apertures or by a simple wrap-around paperboard package such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,593 issued Jan. 28, 1986 to Muller. When a paper tray of six-packs arrives at the retail outlet, the paper tray must be discarded if the containers are to be sold as six-packs. If the retailer would prefer to have two six-packs packaged together as a twelve-pack unit, or would prefer to sell six-packs individually, the manufacturer must establish a different manufacturing line to produce six-packs, twelve-packs, and twenty four-packs, and all manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, storage and delivery between the manufacturer and the retailer must store the six-packs, twelve-packs, and twenty four-packs separately.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,759,378, issued Sep. 18, 1973 to Werth, attempts to alleviate this problem by providing a container that will hold four six-packs. The container is comprised of a wrapper which wraps around all four six-packs, and has a tear-strip which allows the wrapper to be separated into two twelve-packs. A primary disadvantage of this type of package is that the tear-strip completely surrounds the entire carton, and therefore, the carton must be turned a full 360 degrees in order to remove the tear-strip.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,942,631 issued Mar. 9, 1976 to Sutherland, et al, also addresses the problem of separating containers after they arrive at the retailer. This invention, however, primarily addresses changing the outer carton which contains the six-packs into a display case.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,415,082 issued Nov. 15, 1983 to Martin, partially addresses the problem of shipping multi-unit cartons, each of which contains a liquid. A tear-strip is provided to separate the cartons and the outer wrapper is then used as a handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,758,777 issued Aug. 14, 1956 to Dixon, partially address the problem of shipping multi-unit cartons. Dixon, however, uses nearly double the quantity of material to form the packages as conventional packaging and this excess material, as well as being costly, significantly complicates the forming machinery necessary to assemble the packages at high speeds. The Dixon package requires a band to hold the packages together, since without the band, the bottom of the packages would separate. Thus the band serves the same function as the tray used with most conventional packages, and has the same cost and disposal problems. Also, once the band is removed, the package can only be separated into four six-packs and cannot be separated into twelve packs. Furthermore, the perforations separating the cartons would be difficult to break unless they are cut, thus increasing the complexity of the separation operation. Perforations are not very effective in packaging made of the heavy material necessary to hold twenty-four containers.
European Patent Application 0,029,365 Filed Nov. 14, 1980 addresses the problem of holding the containers in a package by forming apertures in the top of the package, but does not address the problem of multi-unit shipping.
None of the above described inventions address the primary problems associated with the current packaging methods. First, is the problem of requiring separate manufacturing lines and separate packaging, warehousing, transportation, storage and delivery in order to produce six-pack, twelve-pack and twenty four-pack packages. A second problem is the tray used to contain four six-packs: these trays are costly to produce, require added handling, produce unnecessary waste, and become a disposal problem. A third problem is having to dispose of the plastic six-pack carriers. Furthermore, none of the packaging methods described in the above patents address the easy separation of a package into four six-packs or two twelve-packs. There is need in the art then for a versatile package which is manufactured as a one-piece wrapper that holds a plurality of containers together as a single unit, and later can be separated by the retailer into two twelve-packs, or further separated by the retailer into four six-packs. There is also a need in the art for such a packaging method that would eliminate the cost, waste and disposal problems associated with the tray and plastic six-pack carriers presently used. There is further need in the art for a package wherein the wrapper that surrounds the twenty four-pack is the same wrapper surrounding the twelve-packs and six-packs, eliminating the need for any additional wrappers. Yet another need is for such a wrapper that eliminates or minimizes the use of perforations, because of the difficulty of separating heavy cardboard packages at the perforations.


A water collection system.

1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)
The present invention relates to a kit for construction of a water conservation system including a chamber for water collection and distribution.
2. Background
Conservation of water is a highly desirable practice in the United States, particularly in arid regions. In many applications utilizing water, it is desirable to collect the water for subsequent controlled distribution. In one application, for example, the water is used in a decorative water system, referred to in the landscaping trade as a "water feature" such as a garden waterfall, water fountain, or similar structure where the water provides aesthetic display. In such systems water is pumped to an elevated height and allowed to flow by gravity into a collection chamber where it is used in various ways. For example, the chamber may function as a pump well, comprising a pre-constructed water impermeable housing installed in a sub-surface excavation within a natural or man-made aquifer. The man-made aquifer may comprise a bed of granular material such as gravel contained in a below surface cavity. A system of this type is shown in U.S. Pub. No. US2005/0098488.
In general, a chamber may serve as a depot for water collection, water level maintenance mechanisms and water pumping equipment.
In another application, natural rainwater that drains from, for example, a roof of a building may be directed by various means well known to those in the art, such as gutters and drain pipes, to a collection point. A chamber is deployed in a cavity of a natural or man-made aquifer to collect the drained water for subsequent controlled distribution. The distribution may comprise the simple slow flow of the water throughout the aquifer where it may be used to provide water to vegetation or it may be piped to another location.
The term "aquifer" is used to refer to a rock formation or group of rock formations containing granular material, such as gravel. The word "chamber" is used to refer to a reservoir, container, enclosure, housing, compartment, or other enclosed space of any three dimensional shape, such a cylinder, box, cone, sphere or the like and constructed of any material such as plastic, metal, wood, or other relatively water impermeable material. The word "water" refers to H2O in liquid form usually containing relatively small quantities of minute solid material; water may be, but is not necessarily, potable. "Controlled distribution" refers to storage and delivery of water by a system other than natural dissipation, such as percolation into the subsurface, evaporation, or uncontrolled runoff, to thereby permit re-application of the water in a higher use.

Abstract: A water collection system.


A method for recommending broadcasting contents, is performed by a multimedia contents reproducing device of a first user. The method includes the operations of logging a broadcasting contents viewing behavior pattern of the first user and generating a first user profile; transmitting the generated first user profile to an external server by using a network; receiving a recommendation result about one or more recommended broadcasting contents from the server, wherein a preference degree correlation between the first user profile and a second user profile of at least a second user registered in an account of the first user is reflected in the recommendation result; classifying the one or more recommended broadcasting contents in the received recommendation result into broadcasting timetable categories; and displaying on a screen a recommendation result about the classified one or more recommended broadcasting contents.

1. Field
One or more embodiments relate to a method of recommending broadcasting contents and a recommending apparatus therefor in a multimedia contents reproducing device of a user.
2. Description of the Related Art
A social network represents a network that horizontally broadens from oneself on the basis of the identity of each individual person. That is, based on an individual, the network adds people who have similar interests to that individual, thereby having a characteristic different from general communities.
Since personal value estimation and personal human networking significantly affect a person's social life, the social network has been highlighted on the basis of that point of view.
Since this social network is highly useful in the establishment of personal identity and for human networking, the social network increases rapidly. In this regard, recently, new internet services based on already built human-networks has been successively developed. For example, to provide a personalized recommendation service via a social network service is usefully employed to provide new music, new movies, new products, new restaurants, etc.
Meanwhile, with respect to the usage of devices such as TVs or PVRs (personal video recorders) that can record/reproduce broadcasting programs, a large number of research has been conducted to enhance a function to recommend a user preferable program from among various channels.

Method of recommending broadcasting contents and recommending apparatus therefor


A method for the determination of the deflection of a wind turbine blade is provided. A distance between at least one root location towards a root end of the wind turbine blade and at least one tip location towards a tip end of the wind turbine blade is measured. A blade deflection profile is then calculated based on the measured distance between the root and tip locations and a known modal profile of the wind turbine blade.

During operation of a wind turbine, considerable forces act on the blades of the wind turbine, bending and deflecting the blades. Such deflection can be so extreme as to cause the wind turbine blade tips to strike the tower of the wind turbine, thereby causing damage to the blade or event complete failure of the wind turbine structure.
In efforts to reduce the risk of tower strike, wind turbine manufacturers have utilised different techniques in wind turbine construction. In some cases, wind turbines use pre-bent blades, having tip ends which project away from the wind turbine tower, thereby increasing the tip-to-tower clearance. Additionally or alternatively, wind turbine manufacturers design wind turbines to have increased tilt angle and/or distance from the tower of the wind turbine rotor. Such solutions present additional complications in the area of cost and constructional challenges.
A further option is to accurately monitor the location of the tip end of the wind turbine blades, and to control the wind turbine accordingly. For example, if the tip location of a blade is detected to be deflected towards the tower to an extent that there is a danger of a tower strike, the wind turbine may be controlled to pitch the wind turbine blade to move the tip end of the blade away from the tower. In extreme cases, the wind turbine may be completely stopped to prevent a tower strike.
Such positional monitoring is often performed using a triangulation or trilateration system, which can require the monitoring of the tip end of a wind turbine blade from two-three separate locations, with subsequent calculation of the tip end location. An example of such a system is described in PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 2005/068834 A1. However, one of the challenges with such systems is ensuring continuous, reliable, and accurate operation of the monitoring systems.
It is an object of the invention to provide for an alternative blade deflection monitoring system, having improved reliability and accuracy.

Method for determining the deflection of a wind turbine blade using the wind turbine blade's known modal profile


A motor vehicle column includes an inner shell and an outer shell made from a metal, which are connected to each other in respective flange regions and which enclose a hollow space between them. In the hollow space a reinforcement element having a basic body made from a fiber composite plastic is arranged to strengthen the body component. The reinforcement element includes a metallic insert, which connects the reinforcement element to the inner and/or outer shell.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a body component, in particular a column for the motor vehicle.
Body components in so-called monocoque construction have many uses in the construction of motor vehicles, in particular for columns and carrier parts, as well as for doors, flaps or similar. German patent document DE 10 2004 012 399 A1 discloses a vehicle column in monocoque construction. Here, the column comprises an outer shell and an inner shell, which are connected to each other via respective flanges and enclose a hollow space between them. In order to give the body the necessary stability both under normal operating loads and in the case of a crash, an additional reinforcement sheet is arranged in this hollow space. Disadvantageously, such multi-part sheet constructions are, however, particularly heavy, such that with the overall weight of the motor vehicle, the fuel consumption thereof, and thus exhaust emissions, also increase.
German patent document DE 10 2007 010 341 A1 describes a component in monocoque construction, in which the reinforcement element between the outer and inner shell is produced from a fiber composite plastic in order to save weight. Here, the reinforcement element is adhered to the shell. Weight can hereby be saved; the adhesion, however, increases the process time due to the setting requirements. Due to the adhesion, the structural element is also connected unreleasably to the shells.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a body component according that is particularly light, simple and quick to produce, as well as simple to repair.
Such a body component, in particular a column, for a motor vehicle comprises an inner shell and an outer shell made from a metal, which are connected to each other in respective flange regions and which enclose a hollow space between them. A reinforcement element having a basic body made from a fiber composite plastic is arranged in this to strengthen the body component. According to the invention, the reinforcement element comprises at least one metallic insert, by means of which the reinforcement element is connected to the inner and/or outer shell. In other words, the joining location of the reinforcement element to the shells of the body component is a metal-metal connection. Thus, an adhesion can be dispensed with and simultaneously, a more stable, reversible connection, for example by screwing or similar, can be enabled. Such a body component is therefore both particularly light and particularly procedurally reliable and quick to join and simple to repair.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reinforcement element comprises two metallic inserts, which are connected to the inner and/or outer shell in the flange regions. In other words, such a reinforcement element extends transversely through the entire hollow space and connects the two flanges between the shells to each other, wherein respective metal-metal connections are provided on both connection sides. A particularly good level of stability is hereby achieved, wherein the advantages referred to above are maintained.
The inserts are preferably formed as sheet metal, which can be simple metal strips or also transformed sheet metal constructions. In both cases, the production of the inserts, as well as the connection thereof to the fiber composite plastic, can be carried out particularly simply and cost-effectively.
An example of this is the overmolding of the inserts with the fiber composite plastic, wherein at least one through opening or a similar positive-fit element is expediently provided in the inserts in order to ensure a stable and reliable interlocking between the plastic matrix and the insert part. As well as the simple overmolding, other methods are obviously also conceivable. For example, the insert parts can also be embedded into the reinforcement element in the course of resin transfer molding or during production of the fiber composite component in the course of a sheet molding compound process.
Expediently, the reinforcement element has further reinforcement fibers made from a metal. These extend expediently through the entire body of the reinforcement element, in order to give this particularly high strength.
Simultaneously, the provision of such metal reinforcement fibers enables a subsequent connection of the inserts to the reinforcement element, for example by welding or soldering, such that the inserts do not have to be embedded fixedly into the plastic matrix. The reinforcement fibers can also be overmolded in a simple manner with the fiber-reinforced plastic or, however, can be connected to the plastic matrix in the course of resin transfer molding or the production of a sheet molding compound.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the reinforcement element has a substantially S-shaped cross-sectional profile. Hereby, it can be supported on the shell inner walls by its plastic region and thus ensures particularly good strengthening, wherein the soft support simultaneously prevents potential flapping during movements of the reinforcement element.


Methods of optimizing a plurality of numerically controlled delay lines (NCDLS) in a DDR memory controller are presented herein. In one embodiment, a method may comprise, for example, one or more of the following: acquiring a plurality of statistics, the plurality of statistics defining an operating region for the DDR memory controller; and calculating optimal values for the plurality of NCDLs, the optimal values calculated using the plurality of statistics.

Signal timing is a critical aspect of high-speed digital circuit design. Reading data from memory and writing data to memory can be erroneous if control signals are not in sync with each other. In high frequency digital design, control signals can go out of sync due to different length of tracks they traverse on PCB, physical characteristics of the devices mounted on the board and changes in environment in which circuit is working.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional systems will become apparent to one of skill in the art through comparison of such systems with the inventions as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

Scheme for optimal settings for DDR interface


A thermally conductive wedgelock having improved thermal conductivity is used to secure a circuit card assembly in a card guide slot formed in a housing of an electronics package. The circuit card assembly has a thermal mounting plate that is used to secure the assembly in the slot. The thermally conductive wedgelock secures the circuit card assembly in the housing and conductively couples heat from the circuit card assembly to the housing by way of the card guide slot. The wedgelock provides a secondary heat path to the card guide slot to housing in addition to the primary heat path through the thermal mounting plate. Apparatus is provide for expanding the wedgelock in the card guide slot to secure the circuit card assembly therein. The thermally conductive wedgelock may be made of copper or other metal having high thermal conductivity. The wedgelock preferably comprises two tapered wedges, and has a guide that prevents rotation between the adjacent wedges.

The present invention relates generally to electronic packages employing mechanical fasteners designed to secure circuit card assemblies in a housing, and more particularly, to an improved electronic package having a high thermal performance wedgelock that secures a circuit card assembly and improves the heat transferred from the circuit card assembly to a housing.
Semiconductor reliability is highly affected by the operating temperature at the junction between the die and the substrate. A 10.degree. C. increase in junction temperature can decrease component reliability by up to 50 percent. Increased performance within the heat conductive path will allow electrical components to operate at lower temperatures under the same conditions, thereby improving reliability. For example, many military and commercial applications require semiconductor junction temperatures to be no higher that 100.degree. C. to 110.degree. C.
Enclosures that are designed to remove heat from circuit card assemblies by way of thermal conduction, such as those assemblies containing high power semiconductor devices, are increasingly challenged to remove higher levels of heat. This is because newly developed semiconductor devices typically contain more circuitry and therefore tend to generate higher heat loads, or because components are smaller, thus permitting the circuit cards to contain more components, thereby increasing amount of heat generated per card.
A wedgelock is a mechanical fastener designed to secure a circuit card assembly in a housing by expanding and applying contact pressure between the circuit card assembly and a card guide surface of the housing. A common style of wedgelock used with conductively cooled circuit card assemblies produced by the assignee of the present invention, for example, is made from aluminum and uses a five piece wedge assembly. The wedge assembly is used as a mechanical fastener to secure the circuit card assembly in the housing by expanding the wedges and causing pressure to be applied between a circuit card assembly card guide surface and either a thermal mounting plate, a thermal management layer, or a portion of the housing.
Heat transfer is achieved by the application of contact pressure between the thermal mounting plate and card guide surface. Conventional wedgelocks used by the assignee of the present invention, for example, are not designed to allow heat conduction through the wedgelocks. Estimates show that only three percent of the heat load is conducted through the conventional five piece aluminum wedgelock. This low heat conduction is due to the very small contact area between individual wedges when they are in an expanded condition to secure the circuit card assembly.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide for an improved electronic package and high thermal performance wedgelocks that secure a circuit card assembly in the package and improve the heat transferred from the circuit card assembly to a housing of the package.

Electronics package employing a high thermal performance wedgelock


A metal halide lamp comprises a light-transmitting discharge vessel having a discharge space portion, a sealed portion, and a pair of electrodes projecting into the discharge space. The discharge vessel is constructed and arranged to have a D/L ratio being in a range of about 0.25 to about 1.5 and a t/L ratio being in a range of about 0.16 to about 1.1, wherein L is an interspace of tips of the electrodes, D is a maximum inner diameter of the discharge vessel, and t is a maximum wall thickness of the discharge space portion. An ionizable filling contains a rare gas and a metal halide including at least sodium (Na) or scandium (Sc) and does not substantially include mercury (Hg). Each of conductive wires is connected electrically to the electrodes extending from the discharge vessel. The metal halide lamp may be used for a metal halide lamp apparatus or a vehicle lighting apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a metal halide lamp substantially not including mercury (Hg), a metal halide lamp apparatus and a vehicle lighting apparatus using the lamp.
2. Description of Related Art
Generally, a metal halide lamp is provided with a discharge vessel filled with an ionizable gas filling including a rare gas, a metal halide, and mercury (Hg). Such a metal halide lamp is practical for use in various light fixtures because of its high efficacy and good color rendering properties.
Particularly, in the view of its high efficacy and a color rendering, it is suitable for such a metal halide lamp to be improved. When the metal halide lamp is used as a vehicle headlight, it must be able to pass a brightness test. The brightness of the lamp shining on a screen must reach a predetermined luminous flux after a predetermined time has elapsed after the vehicle headlight turned on. According to Japan Electrical Lamp Manufactures Association Standard No. 215 (hereinafter JEL-215), a lamp for a vehicle headlight is required to generate its rated luminous flux of 25% one second after the lamp turned on. It is further required to generate its rated luminous flux of 80% four seconds after the lamp turned on.
The mercury (Hg) of a metal halide lamp having mercury (Hg) and a metal halide, primarily emits about four seconds after the lamp is lit. Four seconds later, the metal halide starts to emit, so that the lamp starts to increase its luminous flux. The luminous efficacy of mercury (Hg) is half of that of the metal halide. Therefore, the lamp must be supplied twice as much power as that of an ordinary lamp in order to increase the luminous flux to an acceptable level within four seconds after the lamp turned on. For example, in case of applying the lamp having mercury (Hg) to the vehicle headlight, the lamp lights at a rated luminous flux of 25% in one second, and the lamp can emit the rated luminous flux of 100% in four seconds. However, color characteristics, e.g., a color rendering property or a chromaticity is not good during the initial few seconds after the lamp started. For example, the lamp has an out of white color region on the chromaticity diagram at the beginning of lamp operation. It takes about ten seconds for the lamp""s chromaticity to get into the white color region. Furthermore, for this type of lamp, luminous flux slowly increases at the beginning of lamp operation in comparison with that of a halogen incandescent lamp. If the electrical power is further supplied to the lamp in order to increase luminous flux, it is likely to overshoot the desired steady state level of luminous flux because of increased mercury (Hg) evaporation during the initial second after the lamp turned on. Accordingly, in the view of a initial luminous flux of the lamp, it is difficult for the metal halide lamp having mercury (Hg) to be used as a vehicle headlight.
A metal halide lamp is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,529 (prior art 1). A gas discharge lamp is suitable for using with a reflector as a vehicle headlight. The gas discharge lamp comprises a lamp envelope made of quartz glass having an elongate discharge space. Electrodes are arranged near both sides of the an elongate discharge space. Current-supply conductors, connected to respective electrodes, extend outwardly from vacuum-tight seals.
The lamp envelope is filled with an ionizable gas filling including a rare gas, mercury (Hg), and a metal halide. The lamp envelope has a wall thickness (t) of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm, and an inner diameter (D) of 1 mm to 3 mm at the midway point between the electrodes. The distance (d) between the tips of the electrodes is 3.5 mm to 6 mm. Each of the electrodes projects a length (l) of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm into the lamp envelope. The quantity A (mg) of mercury (Hg) used in the lamp is determined as follows: 0.002*(d+4*l)*D2xe2x89xa6Axe2x89xa60.2(d+4*l)*D⅓, wherein the inner diameter (D), the distance (d), and length (l) are expressed in mm. Prior art 1 describes a metal halide lamp, which is horizontally arranged. The lamp operates with high efficiency and contains mercury (Hg) in its bulb. However, mercury (Hg) is harmful to our environment and the amount of mercury used in bulbs should be reduced. Also the arc formed by discharge in the bulb is not vertically spread as desired. Rather, the arc height is contracted. Metal halide lamps not including mercury (Hg) (called a mercury less or a mercury free lamp) are disclosed in Japanese Patent 2,982,198 (prior art 2), Japanese Laid Open Application HEI 6-84,496 (prior art 3), HEI 11-238,488 (prior art 4), or HEI 11-307,048 (prior art 5).
According to the prior art 2, a metal halide lamp is filled with either scandium (Sc) halide or a rare metal halide and a rare gas, and is ignited by a pulse current. The metal halide lamp described in prior art 3 has a metal halide and a rare gas so that its color characteristics do not change even if a dimmer controls the lamp. According to prior art 4, a metal halide lamp can be configured to further include another kind of metal halide (a secondary metal halide), e.g., magnesium (Mg) halide, in addition to its primary metal halide in order to improve its electrical characteristics. The metal halide lamp of prior art 5 includes yet another metal halide (a third metal halide), e.g., indium (In) or yttrium (Y) halide, which has an ionization voltage of 5 to 10 eV and an operational vapor pressure of 1xc3x9710xe2x88x925 atm, in addition to scandium (Sc) halide and sodium (Na) halide. The electrodes of this metal halide lamp do not evaporate too much, so that a discharge vessel does not easily blacken.
In the case of a metal halide lamp not including mercury (Hg), a rare gas primarily slightly illuminates about four seconds after the lamp turned on. The luminous efficacy of the rare gas is lower than that of mercury (Hg). Accordingly, even if the lamp is supplied twice as much power as that of an ordinary lamp in order to increase its luminous flux in four seconds or more, after the lamp turned on, the lamp can not satisfy the aforementioned regulation of JEL-215 sufficiently.
The inventions claimed herein describe metal halide lamps, metal halide lamp apparatus, and vehicle lighting apparatus.
In one embodiment of the invention, a metal halide lamp includes a light-transmitting discharge vessel having a sealed portion, and a pair of electrodes projecting into a discharge space of the vessel. Its (D/L) ratio is in the range of about 0.25 to about 1.5, and a t/L ratio is within about 0.16 to about 1.1, wherein L is an interspace of tips of the electrodes, D is a maximum inner diameter thereof, and t is a maximum wall thickness of the discharge space portion. An ionizable gas filling, which contains a rare gas and a metal halide including at least sodium (Na) or scandium (Sc) and not substantially including mercury (Hg), fills in the discharge vessel. Conductive wires electrically connect to respective electrodes and extend from the discharge vessel.
The inventions also include a metal halide lamp apparatus. A metal halide lamp apparatus includes a metal halide lamp and a ballast. The ballast has a relation between a filling pressure X (atm) of xenon (Xe), and a maximum electrical power AA (W) according to the following formula:
3 less than X less than 15, AAxe2x89xa7xe2x88x922.5X+102.5,
wherein the maximum electrical power AA (W) is a maximum wattage supplied to the lamp in four seconds after the lamp turned on.
The inventions presented herein include a vehicle lighting apparatus. A vehicle lighting apparatus includes a metal halide lamp, a reflector accommodating the metal halide lamp, a front cover arranged to an opening of the reflector, and a ballast.
These and other aspects of the invention are further described in the following drawings and detailed description of the invention.

Metal halide lamp and a vehicle lighting apparatus using the lamp

Toshiba Lighting and Technology Corporation


The present invention provides a chewable composition containing granules of water-soluble dietary fiber. The chewable composition has highly agreeable organoleptic properties and is consumable without the need of an ingestion aid.

Dietary fibers are complex carbohydrate polymers found in plants, which are not digested by the human digestive system, and the fibers are broadly divided into water-soluble and water-insoluble groups. Although dietary fiber is not considered an essential nutrient, a high dietary fiber intake may reduce the risk of several chronic diseases. A diet having 20-35 grams of dietary fiber a day is highly recommended. However, a typical diet of Western countries tends to provide sufficiently less than the recommended amount of dietary fiber. As a result, a variety of dietary fiber supplements are commercially available. Although powder dietary fiber products are available, which are dissolved in water or other liquid drink, such products are not easily portable and may not be a desirable way to ingest the fiber for some.
There are different forms of edible products that are designed as supplementary source of dietary fibers. For example, snack bars, cereal and cookies that contain dietary fibers are commercially-available. Additionally, chewable tablets and swallowable pills containing dietary fibers are available. A chewable tablet is a highly desirable mode for delivering dietary fibers since it is easily portable and can be ingested without the need of an ingestion aid, e.g., water. However, a chewable tablet must have agreeable organoleptic properties.
One example of a chewable fiber tablet is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,455,068. The patent discloses a chewable product that contains inulin or fructooligosaccharide fiber and is produced by compression molding a dry mixture of dry blended ingredients including inulin or fructooligosaccharide. Although fiber tablets can be produced as taught by the patent, the dry compression process does not always provide organoleptically agreeable chewable products when dietary fibers other than the disclosed dietary fibers are used.


A method for optimizing startup time and efficiency for a WBC laser diode system having numerous diode elements, wherein each diode element is measured, an optimal band region is determined for each diode element, and placed in an optimal placement within an array of diode elements.

1. Field of the Invention
The present embodiments relate generally to Wavelength Beam Combining (WBC) systems and methods for improving the desired output power turn-on time.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When diode emitters or elements are used in WBC systems they have the advantage of generally being more efficient than all other types of lasers. However, if the diode elements or emitters are not chosen or designed properly the output power turn-on time can be slow, such as ranging from milli-seconds (ms) to several seconds. For material processing this not desirable and often the output power turn-on time needs to be in the micro-second time range. These challenges are compounded when an increased power or high-power output is desired that requires combining multiple emitters.
Applicant has recognized that diode emitters operating in WBC systems will encounter slow turn-on time output power if not designed properly. This turn-on time problem is due to the fact that when the laser system is turned on from zero output power to full operating power there is a large thermal induced gain shift at the junction of the diode emitters. At zero output power the junction temperature of the diode emitters is essentially the same temperature as the heat sink or coolant temperature. At the full operating power the junction temperature will increase. This change in junction temperature will shift the gain of the diode elements accordingly. If the shift of the gain peak is larger than the gain bandwidth of the diode elements than the output power turn-on time will be slow.

Method for improving performance of wavelength beam combining diode laser systems