A method is disclosed for expanding the mid load range of a four-stroke gasoline direct-injection controlled auto-ignition combustion engine. The engine includes at least one cylinder containing a piston reciprocably connected with a crank and defining a variable volume combustion chamber including an intake valve controlling communication with an air intake and an exhaust valve controlling communication with an exhaust outlet. A system is employed for variably actuating the intake and exhaust valves. The valve actuating system is employable to operate the intake and exhaust valves with an exhaust re-compression or an exhaust re-breathing valve strategy. A reservoir chamber in communication with the combustion chamber is provided for temporary holding of residual burned gas. Residual burned gas in the combustion chamber and the exhaust outlet enters into the reservoir chamber and then loses thermal energy while in the reservoir chamber before being drawn back into the combustion chamber.

To improve the thermal efficiency of gasoline internal combustion engines, dilute combustion, using either air or EGR, is known to give enhanced thermal efficiency and lower NOx emissions. There is, however, a limit at which an engine can be operated with a diluted mixture because of misfire and combustion instability as a result of a slow burn. Known methods to extend the dilution limit include: 1) improving ignitability of the mixture by enhancing ignition and fuel preparation; 2) increasing the flame speed by introducing charge motion and turbulence; and 3) operating the engine under controlled auto-ignition combustion.
The controlled auto-ignition process is sometimes called a Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI). In this process, a mixture of combusted gases, air, and fuel is created and auto-ignition is initiated simultaneously from many ignition sites within the mixture during compression, resulting in very stable power output and high thermal efficiency. The combustion is highly diluted and uniformly distributed throughout the charge. The burned gas temperature and hence NOx emissions are substantially lower than that of traditional spark ignition engines based on propagating flame front and diesel engines based on an attached diffusion flame. In both spark ignition and diesel engines, the burned gas temperature is highly heterogeneous within the mixture with very high local temperature creating high NOx emissions.
Engines operating under controlled auto-ignition combustion have been successfully demonstrated in two-stroke gasoline engines using a conventional compression ratio. It is believed that the high proportion of burned gases remaining from the previous cycle, i.e., the residual content, within the two-stroke engine combustion chamber is responsible for providing the high mixture temperature necessary to promote auto-ignition in a highly diluted mixture. In four-stroke engines with traditional valve means, the residual content is low, and controlled auto-ignition at part load is difficult to achieve. Known methods to induce controlled auto-ignition at low and part loads include: 1) intake air heating; 2) variable compression ratio; and 3) blending gasoline with ignition promoters to create a more easily ignitable mixture than gasoline. In all the above methods, the range of engine speeds and loads in which controlled auto-ignition combustion can be achieved is relatively narrow.
Engines operating under controlled auto-ignition combustion have been demonstrated in four-stroke gasoline engines using variable valve actuation with unconventional valve means. The following is a description of one such unconventional valve strategy. With this valve strategy, a high proportion of residual combustion products from previous combustion cycles is retained to provide the necessary condition for auto-ignition in a highly diluted mixture. The range of engine speeds and loads in which controlled auto-ignition combustion can be achieved is greatly expanded using a conventional compression ratio.
A method of operating a four-stroke internal combustion engine has been disclosed in which combustion is achieved at least partially by an auto-ignition process. Flow of premixed fuel/air charge and combusted gases is regulated by hydraulically controlled valve means in order to generate conditions in the combustion chamber suitable for auto-ignition operation. The valve means used includes an intake valve controlling flow of premixed fuel/air mixture into the combustion chamber from an inlet passage and an exhaust valve controlling flow of exhaust combusted gases from the combustion chamber to an exhaust passage. The exhaust valve is opened for two separate periods during the same four-stroke cycle. The exhaust valve is opened for a first period to allow combusted gases to be expelled from the combustion chamber and for a second period to allow combusted gases previously exhausted from the combustion chamber to be drawn back into the combustion chamber. The double opening of the exhaust valve during each four-stroke cycle, creates the necessary condition for auto-ignition in the combustion chamber. This is generally referred to as an exhaust re-breathing valve strategy.
A method of operating a four-stroke internal combustion engine has also been disclosed in which combustion is achieved at least partially by an auto-ignition process. Flow of air and combusted gases are regulated by hydraulically controlled valve means as detailed above. The fuel, however, is delivered by a gasoline injector directly into the combustion chamber. The gasoline injector is said to inject fuel either during the intake stroke or the subsequent compression stroke during a single engine cycle.
In general, HCCI engine operation is limited by combustion stability at low engine load and by in-cylinder pressure rise or amplitude of pressure oscillation at a mid load limit. Too large a pressure rise or amplitude of pressure oscillation results in combustion generated noise called ringing. It has been found experimentally that both internally and externally recirculated burned gas is effective in controlling the combustion rate and hence the pressure rise. The present invention describes a method for regulating the thermal energy of the internally recirculated burned gas or internal residual as an alternative to external EGR for HCCI engine combustion control in the mid load range.

Method for mid load operation of auto-ignition combustion


A system and method for automatically mapping of hypertext input fields to software components. The system includes a hypertext preprocessor, a name-space manager, a data handler, and a component manager. The hypertext preprocessor examines the hypertext input field names and uses the name-space manager and component manager to determine the mapping between input field names and software component properties. When the hypertext page is rendered, the name-space manager registers the mapping between each submitted input field and the corresponding component property. When the input data is submitted, the data handler uses the name-space manager to find the component property for each submitted input field and uses the component manager to convert the data to the correct type before calling the appropriate component method to set the property value.

When a user contacts a site over the Internet, there are a number of situations in which the site (the web server) has a need or interest in collecting information from the user. Such information can be, for example, for (1) registering for a service when the server wants to collect and maintain a record of registered users (whether for paying memberships or not), (2) entering information to access a service, such as a mortgage calculator, or (3) entering ordering information, such as a book seller wanting to have a user enter his or her name, address, and credit card number.
Referring to FIG. 1, a server 10 communicates with a user/client 12 over the Internet with a hypertext application, where "hypertext" refers to the ability to link one document to another. This application, such as a World Wide Web (web) application, can include one or more hypertext documents 14 that are provided to clients and that have input fields so that the user can fill in and submit input field data back to hypertext server 10. The submitted input field data is then processed by a software component 16 that receives the data and takes actions appropriate to the application. For example, in the example of a user entering his or her name and address to order books, the software component converts each address field to a correct data type, and executes the desired functionality to complete the purchase.
Hypertext documents are typically written in HyperText Markup Language (HTML), which uses tags to identify components and actions, such as <p> for new paragraph or <A HREF="document.html"> to create a link to another document. Textual input fields are designated by <INPUT> tags. Each of the input fields is given a name by the author of the hypertext document. For example, an input field for the book buyer's last name might be named "LAST_NAME," whereas the zip code might be named "ZIP_CODE." A common technique for processing such input data is to create a software component that is specialized for each individual hypertext document, such as a component designed to receive a book order. The software component parses the submitted data to search for the input fields with the appropriate names as such names have been programmed in the software component. If the correctly named input field is found, the component must further convert the submitted data in the input field to the correct data type. Thus the component designed to process the book purchase document would parse the input and search for a field named "LAST_NAME" and a field named "ZIP_CODE" as well as all of the other required fields. If these input fields are found, the data must be converted to the correct data type; for example, the "ZIP_CODE" data must be converted from text to an integer. The component can also determine if the form is correct, e.g., check to make sure that "ZIP_CODE" has five or nine numbers for a United States zip code.
Because the hypertext document is created and maintained separately from the software component that receives the input data (even though the two are associated with each other), the names of the input fields must be carefully maintained in the document and the component to correspond to each other. If the input field for the buyer's last name were misspelled in the hypertext document as "LST_NAME" (as shown in FIG. 1), the specialized software component would not find the input field, as it would be looking for "LAST_NAME." Furthermore, the software component must encode the correct data types of each input field, and this information must be coded for each such component and field. The component must encode, for example, the fact that the input field for the buyer's zip code must be converted to an integer and must handle various types of conversion errors.
Such an application is difficult to develop and maintain, as it is easy to introduce naming and type conversion errors as the hypertext documents and software components are separately modified. Furthermore, because the software components encode the specific names and types of each input field, each component is specialized for a particular hypertext document, and not practicably re-usable for other documents or applications.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for automatic mapping of hypertext input fields to software components


A method authenticates a group driving service of a moving object. The method includes authenticating the moving object when an authentication request for the registration of the group driving service is received from the moving object, generating a certain group having group driving service registration information based on group driving registration information when a registration request for the group driving service is received from the moving object, the registration request including the group driving registration information, and transmitting the group driving service registration information of the certain group to the moving object.

As it is well-known, as a high-tech traffic technology such as an electronic control and communications and traffic information are developed and applied to traffic facilities, a vehicular transportation system is evolving into an information transportation system (ITS) that represents a traffic system whose operation and management become automatic and scientific and which improves the efficiency and safety of the transportation.
In particular, through the use of a vehicle communications technology such as inter vehicle communications and communications between a vehicle and a roadside device, the vehicular transportation system is evolving for enhancing the driving safety and providing a driver with a convenient service, thereby achieving effects of reducing a traffic accident and enhancing the traffic efficiency. A notable example thereof is the group driving of vehicles using the ITS.
This conventional group driving is managed by grouping a plurality of unspecified vehicles that is moving in the same direction, allowing the vehicles to exchange information therebetween, and implementing the group driving of the vehicles based on the exchanged information.
Since, however, the conventional group driving method is performed on unspecified vehicles, it is difficult to secure reliability between vehicles participating in the group driving by the absence of authentication for the vehicles. In addition, there is a problem of exposing privacy of the vehicles participating in the group driving.

Method and apparatus for authenticating group driving of moving object

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


A method and device for determining the hydraulic conductivity of porous materials is disclosed. The method uses a general permeability equation for calculating the hydraulic conductivity. The resistivity of the porous material is measured when the porous material is at least partially saturated with a pore filling fluid. Other data, such as a formation factor, permeability constants of the porous material, and in situ moisture content of the porous material may also be derived or measured. The geophysical permeability equation is then used to calculate the hydraulic conductivity of the porous material from the measurements and data. Methods are also disclosed which provide an average hydraulic conductivity over a given area. A device for determining hydraulic conductivity of a porous material is disclosed which utilizes a plurality of electrodes for conducting electricity to the porous material. A resistivity meter may be attached between the electrodes for measuring the resistivity. The device may include an electrode positioning device for positioning the electrodes in a predetermined spacial relationship.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a geophysical method and apparatus for determining the hydraulic conductivity (also known as permeability or coefficient of permeability) of porous materials.
2. Description of Related Art
The primary objective of the invention is to provide on-site/immediate hydraulic conductivity data for construction material which is used for construction quality control and quality assurance (QC/QA), as well as field documentation for submittal to a regulating authority.
Federal and/or state environmental regulations require a QC/QA program be implemented during the construction of landfills, waste disposal facilities, and certain industrial process components that are built to serve as both process containment units and waste containment systems for environmental protection. The QC/QA program involves on-site technical or engineering staff that continuously monitor construction activities and prepare certified engineering reports as to the quality of the facility construction compared to the facility design.
The construction period for building landfills, waste disposal facilities, and certain industrial process components can range from several days to several months for the initial construction, and is often an on-going process throughout the life of a facility, as is the case in construction of new waste disposal cells at a landfill.
Clay based material liners (porous material) are used in the mining, solid waste, and construction industries as impervious fluid containment barriers for the horizontal transport of process fluids or the containment of pollutants for the protection of groundwater resources. Clay based material capping systems are routinely used in waste containment or disposal systems to prevent precipitation from infiltrating into a waste containment cell, this precludes the development of leachate contaminants that could migrate downward and impact groundwater resources.
Clay liners are normally constructed to very prescriptive hydraulic conductivity design specifications as dictated by engineering requirements or state/federal regulations. An example of a regulation that calls for a prescriptive clay liner specification is the Nevada Regulations Governing Design, Construction, Operation and Closure of Mining Operations; NAC 445.242 through 445.24388. These regulations contain a minimum design criteria for the construction of leach pads and other non-impounding surfaces designed to contain and promote horizontal flow of process fluids. The regulation states:
"Containment of process fluids must consist of an engineered liner system which provides containment equal to or greater than that provided by a synthetic liner placed on top of a prepared subbase of 12 inches of native, or imported or amended soil, which has a maximum recompacted in place coefficient of permeability: of 1.times.10.sup.-6 cm/sec; or . . . " PA1 1. The testing times are generally long, requiring several days to months to complete. PA1 2. With the exception of a large scale SDRI, the tests generally assess a very small volume of compacted clay liner material, less than one cubic foot. This sample size is too small to evaluate the secondary features (preferential flow paths) of the test site. Not examining macro defects is a major disadvantage. PA1 3. Some of the testing procedures require a relatively thick test zone, particularly the Boutwell Permeameter. PA1 4. The testing programs are expensive, and will typically cost between $10,000 and 30,000 (e.g. one SDRI setup generally cost $25,000). PA1 5. The testing procedures are highly specialized and require a highly skilled technician for setup and monitoring over the test period. PA1 6. The tests are usually performed on a test pad, and therefore do not measure the actual hydraulic conductivity of the installed liner or component part of a composite liner system. PA1 7. The tests are fixed assembly and the measurements are made at a unique fixed site over a single period of time. There is no ability to repeat the test once the test has been completed and the assembly has been removed. PA1 8. BAT Test, the Boutwell Permeameter, and the combination field/lab testing procedure are destructive testing procedures. PA1 Archie, G. E., The Electrical Resistivity Log as an Aid in Determining Some Reservoir Characteristics, Transaction of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, Vol. 146, 1942 PA1 Schlumberger C., and Schlumberger M.; Depth of investigation attainable by potential methods of electrical exploration . . . ; AIME Technical Publication No. 315; 1930 PA1 Schlumberger C., Schlumberger M., Leonardon E. D.; Electrical Coriing: a Method of Determining Bottom-hole data by Electrical Measurements.; Transactions of the AIME; Technical Publication No. 462; 1932 PA1 Vingoe, P., Electrical Resistivity Surveying, ABEM Geophysics & Electronics, Geophysical Memorandum 5/72; 1972 PA1 Wyllie, M. R. J. and Rose, Walter D., Some theoretical Considerations Related to the Quantitative Evaluation of the Physical characteristics of Reservoir Rock from Electrical Log Data, Gulf Research and Development Co., AIME Petroleum Branch; 1949 PA1 Chapman et al., U.S. Pat. No.: 4,703,279, Method of Interpreting Impedance Distribution of an Earth Formation Penetrated by a Borehole Using Precursor Data Provided by Moving Logging Array Having a Single Continuously Emitting Current Electrode and a Multiplicity of Potential Electrodes, October 1987 PA1 1. Takes a fraction of the time to perform and calculate the results. 10 minutes to a half an hour compared to several days, weeks or months; PA1 2. measures a sufficiently large volume of material, so that macro defects will be investigated; PA1 3. is capable of assessing any given thickness of either installed or natural in-situ clay based material; PA1 4. generally costs several times less than the current tests cost; PA1 5. is capable of being performed by a technician with a moderate skill level, as opposed to a highly skilled technician; PA1 6. is performed on the actual facility component being installed; PA1 7. has the capacity to be repeated as many times as desired to investigate conditional changes or stability in the unit being tested; and, PA1 8. is non-destructive.
The soil liners or infiltration barriers normally use clay based material, consisting of high clay content soil that have physical characteristics that enable standard construction techniques for the placement of the material to meet the design specification and operational permeability coefficient criteria. Conventional testing of clay liners involves the physical measurement of fluids migration into an in-place liner or through a lab sample.
Field measurement techniques, such as a sealed single, or double, ring infiltrometer, generally takes several days, weeks or even months to complete a test which causes construction and project development delays. Field measurements are typically conducted on pre-construction test pads that are built to assess the construction material and construction techniques prior to actual construction. The hydraulic conductivity test data are correlated with other material specifications including material gradation, plastic limit, Atterberg limit, density, and moisture content. The relationship between the hydraulic conductivity and the other tests is then used to develop a construction quality assurance/quality control program. The construction is generally then monitored and managed with the use of geotechnical tests, such as nuclear density and moisture content of the soil during construction.
Existing technologies for measuring hydraulic conductivity of a porous medium:
The state-of-the art methods for field investigation of clay-based liners or caps for waste disposal facilities includes the Sealed single ring infiltrometer (SSRI), and the Sealed double ring infiltrometer (SDRI). Other tests that are currently being used and are in the process of establishing American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards are borehole tests which include the BAT Test and the Boutwell Permeameter. A combination field sampling and lab testing program is also routinely used to assess the hydraulic conductivity character of a clay-based soil liner that is under construction. All of the current tests measure the direct flow of fluids through either a test pad at a facility or the installed liner at the facility. The existing technologies do not use geophysical methods as a part of the operations and calculations. The existing field technologies are described below.
Sealed single ring infiltrometer (SSRI): Tests are typically performed as construction quality assurance test prior to or during the installation of a waste disposal clay-based liner or caps, or component parts of a liner composite system. The tests take several days, weeks or months to complete. The tests are usually performed on a test pad, and therefore do not measure the actual hydraulic conductivity of the installed liner, or component part of a composite liner system. The end result of the test is that the investigator has a data set for the test pad. The data set typically includes hydraulic conductivity of the test pad, and construction parameters such as in-place density and moisture, gradation analysis, plastic index, etc., which are then used in the QC/QA program during the actual constructed clay based liner. The tests generally assess a relatively small volume, typically less than one cubic foot. This sample size is generally to small to evaluate the secondary features preferential flow paths) of the porous material.
Sealed double ring infiltrometer (SDRI): Tests are similar to SSRI, but more sophisticated and elaborate in measuring the hydraulic conductivity of a test pad. The tests are typically performed over a larger area than the SSRI, and therefore they have a greater ability to evaluate secondary macro features. The tests generally assess a volume of three to five feet in diameter by 12 to 18 inches thick. This sample size is thought to be large enough to evaluate the secondary features (preferential flow paths) of the porous material, thereby examining macro defects.
BAT Test: This test is a destructive test that requires drilling a small borehole (typically 1 inch) into the liner that is being investigated. The volume of influence for the testing is thought to be a sphere with a 3 to 6 inch diameter. A probe is sealed in the borehole during the testing and water is extruded into the surrounding environment. The rate of flow and the pressure is measured and the hydraulic conductivity is calculated for the porous material at the discreet test site. The tests are comparably inexpensive with respect to contemporary techniques, and take several minutes to a few days.
Boutwell Permeameter, also referred to as the Two Stage Borehole Permeameter: This test is a destructive test that requires grouting the testing apparatus into a borehole in the test site. A testing construction quality assurance program usually involves a series of tests to evaluate the overall permeability characteristics of a liner system.
Field/Lab Combination Testing: In addition to existing field technologies that are available to assess the hydraulic conductivity, a combination field/lab testing program is sometimes used to determine the permeability characteristics of a given construction project. In general, the procedures require obtaining a sample of the material that will be installed as the clay liner and then performing lab tests on the sample. The samples are collected in one of two ways. The preferred sample collecting method involves driving a two inch, or a two and one half inch diameter, six inch long brass tube into the test pad, or construction material borrow source and then performing the tests on the "undisturbed" sample. The term undisturbed is however misleading because the soil sample is dedensified during the collection process.
A second method of obtaining a clay liner sample is to measure the density of the in-situ soil, then collect the sample by digging enough soil product out of a hole in the vicinity of the density test, followed by remolding the soil product into a cylinder in the lab prior to performing the permeability test. Lab tests that are performed on the sample include either a "Rigid Wall" or a "Flexible Wall". The tests typically take three to five days to perform, once the sample arrives at the lab. The turn-around time from sample collection, and lab testing, to useful analytical results is typically five to seven days. The accuracy of this test procedure is thought to be in the order of plus or minus a full magnitude (i.e. .+-.1.times.10.sup.-1 cm/sec). The tests cost between $250 and $300 per each.
Test limitations for the above mentioned techniques are as follows:
The state-of-the-art technologies that are in use today have very little in common with the present invention. The existing technologies utilize physical fluid measurement techniques to determine the migration rate of fluids through soil products. The tests are generally slow, destructive, cumbersome, expensive, and often inaccurate.
Development of a geophysical method and apparatus for determining the hydraulic conductivity of porous materials at the earths surface utilizes three primary principles of applied geophysics. All three of the geophysical principals had their origin in the petroleum industry and were not considered, assessed, examined, or adapted for use the geotechnical engineering until Anderson and Ehni recognized their potential, conducted research to assess adaption of the principals, and developed the invention that is presented herein.
The first geophysical principal is based on work by Conrad and Marcel Schlumberger (1930) who developed a system of measuring the resistivity of surface rocks with electrodes deployed on the surface. The technique ultimately evolved into an expanding electrode array with several resistivity measurements at various electrode spacings. The electrode separation for a typical Schlumberger sounding will usually cover several measurements over a span of several hundred feet. The objective of the investigation is to measure the resistivity of several layers of rock formations in the subsurface. The variations in resistivity was used to interpret the subsurface geology. They later applied this technology to evaluating well bores drilled for petroleum exploration.
The second geophysical principal uses G. E. Archie's 1941 work. Archie presented his work in 1942 in a paper entitled The Electrical Resistivity Log as an Aid in Determining Some Reservoir Characteristics. Archie determined porosities of various materials using resistivity measurements. Mathematical formulas that G. E. Archie derived, and other relevant mathematical formulas that have been adapted for use in the invention, are outlined in the Description of the Preferred Embodiments.
The third geophysical theory expands on the permeability research developed by Tixier (1949) and Wyllie and Rose (1950). They recognized that permeability is directly related to porosity and calculated permeabilities of subsurface formations derived from resistivity data made from well bore measurements. Their work was specific to reservoir rock analysis through borehole testing in the petroleum industry.
By combining these three principles, which were directed toward the petroleum exploration and production industries, an accurate method has been developed for determining the hydraulic conductivity of porous materials at the near surface.
Earlier researchers never provided a process or method for surface investigations of hydraulic conductivity because their focus was directed towards identifying and assessing highly permeable petroleum reservoir rock that were typically sandstone formations at considerable depth (i.e. 3000 to 10,000 feet deep).
The technique developed by Anderson and Ehni employs a relatively small separation for the electrodes separation (i.e. 4 to 9 cementers). The objective of Anderson and Ehni's initial work was to obtain a single resistivity value for a relatively thin homogeneous material. This stand alone resistivity number is then used to calculate the hydraulic conductivity of the investigated surface zone. Anderson and Ehni did not test for changes in resistivity that represent changes in geologic formations. This premise, of using a unprecedented short electrode spacing for surface investigation, enabled the measurement of single layers of soil products (i.e. clay or soil layers).
Permeability calculations developed by Wyllie and Rose in 1950, or Tixier in 1949, use resistivity measurements and porosity calculations as developed by G. E. Archie, combined with a formation factor or constant. These formation and/or solution factors were empirically derived through experimentation and testing for repeatability.
The following prior art reflects the state of art of which the applicant is aware and is included herewith to discharge applicant's duty to disclose relevant prior art. However, that none of these references teach singly nor render obvious when considered in any conceivable combination the nexus of the instant invention as disclosed in greater detail hereinafter and as particularly claimed.
The present invention provides a solution to an existing, unsolved problem. The geotechnical problem involves efficient and accurate measurement of hydraulic conductivity of clay-based soil liner as used in the mining and industrial process facilities, and waste disposal and/or containment facilities. The present invention solves this geotechnical engineering problem by uniquely combing several previously uncombined technologies from the totally unrelated and non-analogous art of oil well production and oil reservoir analysis.
Those skilled in the art of geophysical borehole testing never before addressed the unrelated field of geotechnical engineering aspects of assessing hydraulic conductivity of materials on the earths surface. Even if those skilled in the art of geophysical borehole testing tried to combine the non-obvious multiplicity of geophysical steps that were combined by D. M. Anderson and W. J. Ehni, they would have failed for several reasons. Research and Development by D. M. Anderson and W. J. Ehni provided a knowledge that the resistivity of the permanent was a very important key to assessing the hydraulic conductivity of a clay-based soil liner. In addition, the mathematical constants that are used in the equations are derived from the field of geotechnical-soils engineering.
A second important step, that would be non-obvious to those skilled in the art of geophysical borehole testing, includes the use of existing geotechnical engineering techniques as a means of determining the formation factors that are needed to calculate the clay-based soil hydraulic conductivity. The multiplicity of steps that are combined and modified to yield the end result took the recognition that an existing problem, followed by research and development to employ unrelated technologies in a non-obvious manner.
Development of new geotechnical engineering, i.e. a geophysical method and apparatus for determining the hydraulic conductivity of porous materials utilizes three primary principles of applied oil field geophysics. By uniquely modifying and combining three geophysical principles that were directed primarily toward the petroleum exploration industry in the 1930's through the early 1950's, an accurate method has been developed for determining the hydraulic conductivity of porous materials at the near surface.

Geophysical methods and apparatus for determining the hydraulic conductivity of porous materials


To exam mask defect impact during the transfer of a mask pattern to a wafer layer, tools can use mask images obtained during mask inspection. Specifically, these tools can also use optical models of such mask images to simulate wafer images. However, when feature sizes become very small, optical models may not provide sufficiently accurate simulation results. Using a photoresist model would yield significantly more accurate simulation results than using an optical model. Unfortunately, resist modeling is very slow, thereby making it commercially impractical. A simulation tool can generate a simulated wafer image having the accuracy of a photoresist model with the speed of an optical model by using a threshold look-up table. In one embodiment, the threshold look-up table could include variables such as feature size, pitch size, feature type, and defect type.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to simulating wafer printing and in particular to supplementing wafer print simulation using optical models with a threshold look-up table (LUT).
2. Description of the Related Art
To fabricate an integrated circuit (IC), a physical representation of the features of the IC, e.g. a layout, is transferred onto a plurality of masks. Note that as used herein, the term "mask" includes "reticles". The features make up the individual components of the circuit, such as gate electrodes, field oxidation regions, diffusion regions, metal interconnections, and so on. A mask is generally created for each layer of the IC. To create a mask, the data representing the layout for a corresponding IC layer can be input into a device, such as an electron beam machine, which writes IC features onto the mask. Once a mask has been created, the pattern on the mask can be transferred onto the wafer surface using a lithographic process.
Lithography is a process whose input is a mask and whose output includes the printed patterns on a wafer. To facilitate this pattern transfer, a material called photoresist is applied as a thin film to the surface of a wafer layer. The photoresist is exposed to light or some other form of radiation through the mask. This development can remove either exposed portions of the photoresist (for a positive photoresist) or unexposed portions of the photoresist (for negative photoresist). Therefore, subsequent processing of the wafer, which includes etching of the exposed portions of the wafer layer, should replicate the mask pattern in that wafer layer.
To optimize this replication, compute programs can be used to simulate the two-dimensional aerial image that is formed from exposing the mask. Such tools can simulate wafer printing using mask images obtained during mask inspection. These tools typically use optical models to simulate the two-dimensional aerial images (i.e. the wafer images). Based on the predicted aerial image, the mask pattern can be altered, if necessary, to better replicate the mask pattern on the wafer layer.
However, when feature sizes shrink below 90 nm, optical models may not provide sufficiently accurate simulation results. Specifically, the role of photoresist (also called resist) can significantly increase below this dimension, thereby changing the simulation results provided by optical models. Moreover, the next generation resist, i.e. resist for the 193 nm technology node and below, may fail to provide high contrast definition. Current optical models assume that resist at the 248 nm technology node can provide high contrast definition. Therefore, simulations generated using these optical models for the next generation of resist could be inaccurate.
Using a resist model for feature sizes below 90 nm would yield significantly more accurate simulation results than using an optical model. Unfortunately, resist modeling is computationally intensive. Specifically, a user must provide various resist parameters (e.g. photoresist thickness, etch rate, etc.) in addition to stepper parameters (e.g. numerical aperture (NA), wavelength (λ), partial coherence (σ), and illumination type). Therefore, resist modeling is very time consuming, e.g. on the order of 10× slower than optical modeling, thereby making it impractical in a production environment.
To increase the accuracy of the simulation results using an optical model, a threshold could be determined. The threshold refers to the level of light intensity at which the photoresist is activated, thereby printing a feature on the wafer. Unfortunately, a mask house, which is responsible for manufacturing the mask, would typically not have this threshold information.
The threshold of a specific feature (or defect) can be inferred from a neighboring feature. For example, a reference (i.e. a known) feature in the mask image could be simulated-to determine its critical dimension (CD). That CD can then be used to determine the threshold on an associated aerial image. This threshold can then be used in simulating the feature of interest in the same mask image. However, a mask typically does not include such reference features. Therefore, an optical model with a fixed (e.g. a standard) threshold is generally used, thereby resulting in sub-optimal simulation results.
Therefore, a need arises for a commercially viable process that can provide accurate simulation results when feature sizes shrink below 90 nm.

Method and apparatus of wafer print simulation using hybrid model with mask optical images


An insulative cover piece for insulating a pipe of a P-trap drain piping assembly located under a sink comprises an elongated body formed of a flexible insulating material configured for being positioned over the pipe. A longitudinal slit formed in the body defines opposing edges so that the body is spreadable along the slit. A fastening structure is connected to the body proximate an edge on a side of the slit and the fastening structure is operable for engaging the other edge on the other side of the slit to span across the slit and hold the edges together to effectively close the slit without the need for a plurality of separate and difficult-to-manipulate fasteners.

Conventionally, water which drains from a sink or basin, such as a restroom sink, travels through the drain opening of the sink and empties into undersink piping. The undersink piping directs the water from the sink into the building's waste water system. The undersink drain piping is commonly referred to as a "P-trap" drain assembly, and "P-trap" assemblies are common to many sinks in both commercial and residential applications.
The P-trap assembly generally includes a vertical pipe section which extends downwardly from the sink drain opening and extends below the sink to couple with a J-shaped pipe section. The J-shaped pipe section makes a 180.degree. bend and then extends vertically upward to couple with an L-shaped pipe section which makes a 90.degree. bend from the J-shaped section to extend generally horizontally into the wall to connect the P-trap with the waste water system of the building. The P-trap creates a vapor barrier preventing undesirable vapors from passing back into the building through the drain piping. The J-shaped section also serves the purpose of capturing or trapping any foreign objects which fall down the drain and which may become lodged in the waste water drainage system therefore clogging the system, hence the name "P-trap". Under the force of gravity, any foreign objects will sit in the bottom of the J-shaped section to be subsequently removed, such as by a plumber.
Also extending below sinks are hot and cold water supply pipes commonly referred to as supply water angle valves, which include supply line sections which extend generally horizontally from the wall to connect to a valve and faucet line sections that extend generally vertically upward from the valve to connect to the sink faucet apparatus.
Current building regulations require that restroom facilities in a public building, such as restroom sinks, be accessible to all people, including disabled persons and particularly those disabled persons who must use a wheelchair. Persons in wheelchairs must usually maneuver the chair partially under a restroom sink to access it. Since the water supply pipes and P-trap drain pipes protrude from the wall under the sink, there is a risk of abrasions to the person's legs from the hard piping or even burns from the temperature of the piping caused by the water passing therethrough. The current federal and state regulations regarding undersink piping, most notably the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), require that the P-trap and water supply piping be covered and insulated so as to protect a person using the sink from being burned or from incurring injuries from impact with the piping. As a result of these regulations, various methods and apparatuses have been utilized to try and adequately cover and insulate undersink P-traps and water supply piping.
In the past, one of the more popular methods of insulation was to utilize loose foam insulation which was wrapped around the piping. However, traditional foam insulation usually fits poorly and is difficult to secure resulting in wasted time and frustration by the plumber or other installer. Furthermore, the foam wrap, due to its poor fit and inadequate securing means, is not very aesthetically pleasing in its appearance. Additionally, the ribbed construction of a wrapped pipe leaves ridges and cavities which trap dirt and other bacteria under the sink.
Various other methods and apparatuses have been utilized to cover a P-trap and supply piping beneath a sink as is evidenced by various patents in the field. While many such devices adequately insulate the pipes, they have various drawbacks. For example many of these other devices and methods are difficult and time consuming to secure and use.
Securement of the devices around the drain piping is of particular importance because it is generally one of the more time consuming steps, and thus one of the more expensive steps, of the installation process. For example, many of the prior art devices for covering undersink pipes are slit for being spread apart and positioned around the pipes. A series of aligned holes are positioned on either side of the slit and fasteners are placed through the holes and secured to hold the insulation pieces in place. One popular fastener for such a purpose is an elongated piece which is threaded through the holes and which ratchets tight as one end is pulled through the other end, commonly referred to as a "cable tie". Another elongated fastener, which is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,392, includes an end clamping piece which is pulled through the holes until it snaps into place while spanning the slit. A portion of the fastener is then broken away from the clamping piece which holds the slit closed. Another fastening structure is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,463 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
One particular drawback is that many of the prior art fasteners are separate from the insulation pieces and may become separated therefrom before or during installation. Since currently used fasteners are somewhat small, they are particularly susceptible to being lost or misplaced. As may be appreciated, an installer will have to maintain an adequate supply of fasteners and if they are lost or if the installer's supply runs out, they will have to look for more or obtain more before completing the installation. This significantly slows down the installation process and increases the overall cost of installation.
Improper installation is also a problem, since a separate fastener is required for each pair of aligned holes in the insulation piece for proper installation. If sufficient fasteners are not available, the installer may be tempted to make the installation without a fastener for each hole. Such a scenario is particularly likely if the installer has lost some of the fasteners. Skipping one or more holes may leave an exposed portion of the undersink piping, thereby partially defeating the purpose of the insulation pieces. Improper installation also makes the installation look sloppy and unappealing.
An additional drawback of existing fastening structures is that they are exposed once the installation is completed. The multiple cable ties or other fasteners stick out away from the cover pieces and thus may further make the installation look sloppy and improperly installed. This draws away from the aesthetic look of the insulation. Furthermore, the fasteners provide areas for dust and germs to collect on the insulation.
Another problem with existing undersink insulation products is that they are difficult to remove once installed. Prior art fastening structures are designed for permanent installation and generally cannot be undone without breaking the fastener. If work must be done on the undersink piping, the fasteners have to be cut or broken away to allow removal of the insulation pieces from the pipes. Thus, new fasteners will often be necessary for re-installing the insulation. Since the plumber doing the work on the pipes is probably not the one who originally installed the insulation, it is unlikely that he would have the necessary fasteners readily available. Therefore, he will have to find additional fasteners or leave the pipes uninsulated. The first alternative, and time associated therewith, increases the expense of the plumbing repair, the latter alternative is unacceptable.
Therefore, it is an objective of this invention to eliminate or reduce the drawbacks associated with prior art insulation devices for covering undersink piping. It is particularly an objective to address the drawbacks associated with prior art fastening structures for undersink insulation.
It is an objective of the invention to eliminate the need for a large number of separate fastening structures for securing insulation pieces to the pipe. It is specifically an objective to reduce the hassle and time required to install the insulation pieces and to thus increase the cost efficiency and reduce the overall costs of the installation process.
It is another objective of the invention to improve the overall aesthetics of the insulation pieces.
It is still another objective to reduce the capture of dirt and germs by the pieces and fasteners and to therefore provide a cleaner, more sanitary bathroom environment.
It is an objective of the invention to ensure proper installation and to eliminate gaps in the insulation pieces and exposure of portions of the pipes.
It is another objective to simplify the removal of undersink insulation pieces to provide access to the piping and to provide easy re-insulation of the piping.

Cover assembly with integral securing apparatus for covering undersink piping


A communication system, a relay device, and a communication method are provided in a configuration where multiple communication devices are divided into multiple groups, a relay device is provided for each group, and the relay device relays data exchanges between groups. The data that is exchanged between a second relay device and an external wireless communication device is stored such that it is distributed among multiple databases of first relay units. Data received from the external communication device is stored in an individual region in the database of the first relay device and a data storage destination table in the second relay device is encrypted. If the first relay device stores data received from an ECU in the database, the second relay device is notified, and the second relay device updates the data storage destination table according to the notification.

A communication system that performs various processes by connecting multiple communication devices with a communication line and performing data exchange among the multiple communication devices is used in various fields. For example, in the field of vehicle-mounted LANs (Local Area Networks) that are installed in vehicles, multiple ECUs (Electronic Control Units) that each perform different processing are mounted on a vehicle. Due to the multiple ECUs exchanging data with each other, various functions are realized as a system. Communication devices have gained more functions and more advanced functions in order for systems to have more functions and more advanced functions, and this has been accompanied by an increase in the number of communication devices in a system and an increase in the amount of data exchanged between the communication devices. Thus the communication load has increased. Because of this, a configuration is commonly employed in which the communication devices are divided into multiple groups, multiple communication devices in a group are connected by a common communication line and data is exchanged as an increase in the communication load is suppressed by a relay device such as a gateway relaying the exchange of data between groups.
For example, JP 2002-261790A proposes a vehicle-mounted network system having a configuration in which multiple vehicle-mounted modules having standard interfaces and CPUs (Central Processing Units) that process information via the interface are connected to an information processing LAN on a vehicle, and a vehicle-mounted gateway integrates communication between the multiple vehicle-mounted modules, and the vehicle interior and exterior.
Also, various functions have been furthermore realized due to wireless communication being performed with an external device by an ECU that is installed in a vehicle. In the vehicle-mounted network system in JP 2002-261790A as well, a function of performing communication with external devices is included in the vehicle-mounted gateway.
JP 2002-274293A proposes a vehicle management system in which a management computer installed in a vehicle and a vehicle information terminal detachably connected to the management computer are included, and a management computer performs personal verification and the like with an external device based on information registered on a personal ID (Identifier) card that is inserted into the vehicle information terminal.

Communication system, relay device, and communication method


An approach for implementing a vehicle data exchange platform for identifying vehicle sensor data and providing methods for storage and exchange of the sensor data. The approach includes detecting a presence of a vehicle within a predetermined space, wherein the vehicle is configured with one or more sensors for collecting sensor data. The approach also includes configuring one or more sensor interfaces associated with the predetermined space to retrieve the sensor data from the one or more sensors, the vehicle, or a combination thereof. Further, the approach includes processing the sensor data to determine a storage location for the sensor data.

With the proliferation of sensors on vehicles and devices using media in vehicles, information collected as part of those vehicle sensors may be available for user application, as well as the consumption of a variety of content (e.g., programs, applications, media content, etc.). For example, a user may utilize the information collected by the sensors in their vehicle to adjust their driving style, to notify other of potential route issues, determine and notify of any issues/damage to the vehicle has occurred, etc. But also devices within the vehicle may be used to execute various computer programs, view videos (e.g., movies), listen to music, play video games, read literary works, or the like, etc. In various scenarios, over time, a user's vehicle may accumulate a large amount of vehicle data and media. For instance, a vehicle may store all its sensor readings over the course of its life, a user may purchase or download numerous video game programs for use on a game console in the vehicle, various productivity programs (e.g., for drawing, word processing, dictation, etc.), many movies for a vehicle display, music for vehicle sound system, or the like. This explosion in data collected from the vehicle sensors and growing use of vehicles as entertainment centers during travels has made the use and storage of that information very important to getting the most out of our vehicles.
Traditionally, cars only had certain sensors or timers for oil changes, tire pressure sensors, engine issue indicators (e.g., engine overheating), or very little data collected by sensors within the vehicle were stored on in the car. With the growth in creating more control over cars through onboard computers, the number of sensors has greatly increased thereby creating more efficient cars with better resource consumption and power exchange based on the capabilities of the engine. Although, storage of the data created by those sensors has not been limited by local storage, the additional need for more processing to make better data from the sensor data creates the need to transfer the data from the vehicle. Additionally, traditionally, only the most expensive cars had monitors to display movies and navigation, but as the expense for those parts has gone down, those devices are now becoming more ubiquitous in all cars. With the increase in use of cars as entertainment centers for travel, a need for increased storage space in the vehicle is needed.
Based on the foregoing, there is a need for providing an exchange of vehicle data.

Method and apparatus for providing vehicle sensor data access and storage


A switching regulator circuit can include multiple switching regulator stages coupled to an output. A first switching regulator stage may be operated at a different frequency than a second switching regulator stage. In some cases, one switching regulator stage is operated at a different duty cycle. The switching regulator circuit may also include multiple switching regulator stages that cancel ripple at an output node.

The present disclosure relates to switching regulator circuits and methods.
Regulator circuits are used to provide voltage and current in a wide variety of applications. One type of regulator circuit is a switching regulator. Switching regulators typically include switching circuits that selectively couple voltage and current to an inductor. Energy is stored in the inductor and then translated to different voltage and current levels according to system needs. For example, one example switching regulator (e.g., a "Buck" regulator or "down converter") may receive 10 volts and 1 ampere ("amp") of current from a power supply and generate 1 volt at approximately 10 amps.
Systems on a Chip (SoCs), processors (e.g., CPUs and GPUs), memories, and other complex digital information processing systems are sometimes composed of several voltage domains, such as V_Core(s), V_DDR, V_Serdes, V_Memory, etc. Providing power to these different voltage domains can be challenging because of the strict requirements of these systems, such as limitations on voltage variation and current load and load step requirements, for example. Powering up these voltage domains with independent voltage regulators featuring a high slew capability present several advantages. First, it allows optimization of the voltage of each power domain according to the power need of a particular power domain at any given point of time. Having voltage regulators with fast slew capabilities presents the advantage to track the workload of each power domain in real time or quasi real time, therefore keeping supply voltage always near a minimum and significantly reducing power consumption. It also allows the power domains to be fully powered down independently without relying on inefficient headers or power switches in the SoCs, CPUs or GPUs, for example.
In some applications it may also be advantageous to integrate one or more voltage regulators inside a digital integrated circuit (IC) package to reduce the system integration complexity at board level, reduce the number of inputs and outputs (IOs), and/or reduce the input current of a digital IC. However, package integration of a voltage regulator inside a package is challenging because of the limited space inside the package. Building an efficient and effective regulator that can fit inside a package and meet the stringent requirements that are often associated with complex digital ICs remains a challenge. The industry needs fast, highly efficient, and very small footprint voltage regulators that can be integrated in the package of modern SoCs, CPUs, GPUs, and other digital ICs.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to overcome the limitations of existing switching regulator technology.

Switching regulator circuits and methods


A method for managing backup power in the event of a power supply deficit or disruption includes detecting the power supply deficit and recruiting some or all of the backup battery units associated with electronic devices in the system to provide a backup power supply. Depending on the severity of the power supply failure, the selected backup battery units can be reconfigured from providing power to local electronic devices to providing power along a backup power supply pathway to other electronic components in the system.

A datacenter typically contains a collection of computer servers and components for the management, operation and connectivity of those servers, including power management components such as automatic transfer switches or power supply units, which can direct power to electronic components from primary or backup power supplies. Although such systems can typically protect the datacenter from power loss events, long-term outages or large-scale outages can tax the ability of backup power supplies to maintain the operation of the datacenter. In addition, subsequent failure of common backup systems, such as generators, can overwhelm the ability of conventional power management techniques to cope with unexpected power loss. Improved methods of managing backup power are needed for maintaining basic functions in a datacenter when subjected to severe power outage.


A mobile handset transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal. The mobile handset determines when it is in close proximity to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) capable device. If the mobile handset is in close proximity to a VoIP capable device, then the RF signal to the base station is disabled and a communications link is established with the VoIP capable device such that a call can be made by the mobile handset and routed as VoIP packets through the VoIP capable device.

IP telephony services have become widely available through personal computers and specially developed IP telephony devices. Moreover, personal computers and specially developed IP telephony devices generally offer many additional services and enhanced functionality not offered by traditional mobile handsets (e.g., cellular phone). Nevertheless, in a world that is focused on mobility and progressive complexity, there is a rising need for utilizing the latest advances in IP telephony services while remaining mobile, especially in an enterprise context.
For example, as enterprises grow and spread, there are more companies outfitted with an in-house IP telephony system covering the offices, while requiring their employees to carry mobile handsets such as cellular phones and/or personal digital assistants (PDA) for personal contact and for staying in touch while on the move. However, as mentioned above, many traditional mobile handsets can not access the additional services and enhanced functionality offered by personal computers and specially developed IP telephony devices.
In response, recently, dual-mode cellular/wireless fidelity phones (dual-mode cellular/WiFi phones) capable of working both within the cellular network and within an enterprise Internet Protocol Private Branch exchange (IP PBX) have been created. However, generally these dual-mode cellular/WiFi phones are relatively limited in terms of functionality, storage capacity, connectivity and compatibility with current networked applications and data sources as compared against personal computers and specialized IP telephony devices.
In particular, these dual-mode cellular/WiFi phones are generally not able to access the additional services and enhanced functionality available to many personal computers and specialized equipment without expensive hardware changes that usually require complex hand-off designs. Furthermore, the hardware modified dual-mode cellular/WiFi phones capable of accessing the additional services and enhanced functionality of specialized equipment are typically complex, expensive and suffer from high power consumption. To exacerbate the problem, they often rapidly become obsolete as technology advances.

Method for establishing voice communications using a mobile handset


Improved prosthetic heart valves, their methods of manufacture, and systems and devices for manufacturing the valves are described. The prosthetic heart valves can be configured for transcatheter implantation. The prosthetic heart valves can have artificial leaflets. The prosthetic heart valves can be manufactured in numerous ways, such as by polymeric dipping processes.

The human heart has a number of valves for maintaining the flow of blood through the body in the proper direction. The major valves of the heart are the atrioventricular (AV) valves, including the bicuspid (mitral) and the tricuspid valves, and the semilunar valves, including the aortic and the pulmonary valves. When healthy, each of these valves operates in a similar manner. The valve translates between an open state (that permits the flow of blood) and a closed state (that prevents the flow of blood) in response to pressure differentials that arise on opposite sides of the valve.
A patient's health can be placed at serious risk if any of these valves begin to malfunction. Although the malfunction can be due to a variety of reasons, it typically results in either a blood flow restricting stenosis or a regurgitation, where blood is permitted to flow in the wrong direction. If the deficiency is severe, then the heart valve may require replacement.
Substantial effort has been invested in the development of replacement heart valves, most notably replacement aortic and mitral valves. There is currently substantial interest in the transcatheter implantation of prosthetic valves. Transcatheter valve implementations often involve a bioprosthetic valve integrated with an artificial arterial stent. This method offers the advantages of a tissue based valve with the minimally invasive catheter based implantation technique. Examples of such transcatheter implantation techniques include aortic valve replacement techniques, such as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), and mitral valve replacement techniques such as transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) and transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR). These techniques involve introducing the valve prosthesis to the patient's body by way of a catheter, and then expanding the prosthesis over the existing damaged heart valve (as opposed to resecting the native valve first). Transcatheter implantations of bioprosthetic valves suffer from the finite life span of the biological tissue used to form the valve leaflets, further exacerbated by the catheter based implantation. In order to fit the valve into a catheter, the valve must be reduced to a smaller cross-sectional size than the size necessary for operation in the aortic or mitral valve position. This size reduction can creases the tissue leaflets, and these creases are susceptible to calcification at a higher rate than uncreased tissue.
For these and other reasons, needs exist for improved implantable valves, and for improved systems, devices, and methods for manufacturing implantable valves.

Systems, devices, and methods relating to the manufacture of intravascularly implantable prosthetic valves