A method, computer readable medium and apparatus for transmitting signaling information within payload traffic. For example, the method parses a certificate received from a service provider to obtain service imprint information associated with a mobile service, inserts a service control parameter derived from the service imprint information into a packet header, and forwards the packet header within payload traffic to a policy charging and enforcing function.

With the introduction of LTE and wide availability of mobile broadband, there is significant growth in mobile services and applications. These new mobile services and applications pose huge challenges and opportunities to mobile operators in terms of providing network management (such as Quality of Service (QoS)) and control. Traditionally, mobile core network control is achieved by a policy control and charging (PCC) mechanism which is based on Internet Protocol (IP) flow at the network layer. However, most of the mobile services such as Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) need to be managed at the application level and these mobile services are mostly transactional and session based. In addition, the time sensitive nature of these transactional services requires a very low latency management solution. The traditional flow based service control does not manage the session based service well.
In addition, multiple ecosystems currently exist to support a diverse array of mobile applications. However, these ecosystems have poor or no interactions with each other. Given the dynamic nature of the mobile environment, it is difficult for these ecosystems to adapt to current conditions experienced by the mobile applications. This can lead to mobile applications not performing well when resources are not correctly allocated to meet the needs of the mobile application, particularly in real time, delay sensitive applications.

Dynamic in-band service control mechanism in mobile network


A device controls the torque of an asynchronous electric motor by controlling the phase of the motor stator voltage relative to a motor flux on the basis of a set point for the quadrature component of the stator current in a frame of reference related to the flux in turn derived from the motor torque set point. The device includes a first difference detector for detecting any difference between the set point and the current value of the quadrature component and a first regulator operating on the basis of the difference to provide the phase value to be applied to the motor to reduce the difference.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention concerns controlling the torque of an asynchronous electric motor.
2. Description of the prior art
The stator of an asynchronous electric motor is usually energized by an inverter A known way to control the torque by a so-called scalar method is to operate on the stator voltage amplitude and frequency.
Controlling the amplitude of the stator voltage at constant frequency is equivalent to controlling the rotor flux, and controlling the stator frequency at constant rotor torque is equivalent to controlling the quadrature component of the stator current in a frame of reference related to the rotor flux.
It is also known to control the phase of the stator voltage relative to the rotor flux instead of controlling the stator frequency, this so-called "vector" control providing a quicker response.
A vector control system of this kind is described in French patent application N0 89 03685 corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,288.
In this system a magnitude referred to as the set point (.alpha.cons) for the stator voltage phase relative to the rotor flux is obtained from regulated components Ud and Uq of the stator voltage respectively corresponding to the phase and quadrature components of the stator voltage in a frame of reference related to the rotor flux.
The regulated components Ud and Uq are respectively obtained from two regulators respectively receiving the rotor flux set point (.alpha.rcons) and the stator current quadrature component set point (Iqcons), the two set point values crcons and Iqcons being in turn derived from the motor torque set point.
The resulting phase set point is then compared with the current phase and if there is any difference the current stator frequency is corrected to reduce the difference.
The regulated components Ud and Uq obtained from the two regulators are also used to supply the modulus of the stator voltage to be applied to the inverter and the corrected stator frequency using a pulse width modulator to obtain the motor torque set point.
This vector control system is therefore limited to situations in which phase regulation is accompanied by modulus regulation, that is to say to situations in which the motor operates at low speeds, since it is known that modulus (i.e flux) regulation cannot be used at high speeds, when the inverter is saturated (which may be due to the minimum conduction time of the inverter power component) or when the inverter operates under so-called "full wave" conditions.

Device for controlling the torque of an asynchronous electric motor by controlling the phase of the motor stator voltage


The present invention provides methods and diagnostic kits for the detection of disease-specific antibodies in urine containing sample. The present invention is also directed toward methods for determining that a patient suffers from a disorder characterized by aberrant expression of a naturally occurring gene. Methods for monitoring the status of a disorder in a patient characterized by aberrant expression of a naturally occurring gene are also provided.

1. Introduction
It is well established that many pathological conditions, including but not limited to infections, cancer, and autoimmune disorders, are characterized by aberrant expression of certain molecules. It is also known that the altered expression of these molecules leads to the induction of a humoral-immune response and the production of circulating antibodies against those molecules. Both the disease-associated molecules and the presence of serum antibodies are useful "markers" for the detection and monitoring of particular pathologies and for the generation of diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents.
2. Detection of Disease-associated Antibodies in Patient Samples
Although accurate assays for determining the presence of disease markers in a subject are commercially available, these assays rely on the detection of serum antibodies against particular markers and are both complex and inconvenient. There has long been a need for non-invasive, simple assays for antibodies specific for the presence of disease markers. Assays that rely on the detection of specific antibodies in urine, for example, are non-invasive, require less sample preparation and are generally less complex than serum-based assays. High-titer antibody responses have been detected in both serum and urine of HIV-, Helicobacter pylori-, Schistosoma mansoni-, Schistosoma haematobium-, and Schistosoma japonicum-infected individuals. (Wu et al. (2001) Hepatogastroenterology 48: 614–7; Zhu et al. (2000) Diagn. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 38: 237–41; Yamamoto et al. (2000) Helicobacter 5: 160–4; Bauer et al. (1992) Lancet 340: 559). A strong correlation between serum-antibody and urine-antibody levels, combined with the beneficial features of urine-based assays compared to serum-dependent tests, makes urine-based diagnostics particularly attractive. Although the presence of antibody against infectious agents in urine has been reported (Wu et al. (2001) Hepatogastroenterology 48: 614–7; Zhu et al. (2000) Diagn. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 38: 237–41; Yamamoto et al. (2000) Helicobacter 5: 160–4; Bauer et al. (1992) Lancet 340: 559), the utility of these methods for the detection of antibodies against autologous molecules such as tumor-associated antigens and self-antigens, in diagnostic methods for cancer or autoimmune disease, has never been demonstrated.
Both humoral- and cellular-immune responses against human tumor-associated antigens have been observed in patients with different types of cancer (Knuth et al. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81: 3511–5; Sahin et al. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92: 11810–3). Based on the specific recognition by humoral and/or cellular effectors of the immune system, a large number of tumor-associated antigens—and thus, likely diagnostic reagents—have been identified (Knuth et al. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81: 3511–5; Old (1981) Cancer Res. 41: 361–75; Angelopoulou et al. (1994) Int. J. Cancer 58: 480–7; Jager et al. (1998) J. Exp. Med. 187: 265–70; Tureci et al. (1997) Mol. Med. Today 3: 342–9). These antigens can be categorized into six groups according to their expression patterns, function or origin. Specifically, these groups include: a) Cancer-Testis (CT) antigens, which are expressed in normal germ cells and aberrantly expressed in different tumors (van der Bruggen et al. (1991) Science 254: 1643–7; Tureci et al. (1998) Proc. Natl. Sci. USA 95: 5211–6; Gure et al. (2000) Int. J. Cancer 85: 726–32; Gure et al. (1997) Int. J. Cancer 72: 965–71; Chen et al. (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94: 1914–8); b) differentiation antigens, which are expressed in tumor cells and the corresponding normal tissue of origin (Brichard et al. (1993) J. Exp. Med. 178: 489–95; Kawakami et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91: 3515–9; Kawakami et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91: 6458–62; Jager et al. (2001) Cancer Res. 61: 2055–61); c) mutated normal genes (Disis et al. (1997) Adv. Cancer Res. 71: 343–71; Coulie et al. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92: 7976–80; Wolfel et al. (1995) Science 269: 1281–4); d) overexpressed 'self' antigens (Disis et al. (1997) Adv. Cancer Res. 71: 343–71; Gnjatic et al. (1998) J. Immunol. 160: 328–33); e) viral antigens (Lennette et al. (1995) Eur. J. Cancer B31A: 1875–8; Tindle et al. (1996) Curr. Opin. Immunol. 8: 643–50); and f) splice variants of normal genes (Scanlan et al. (1998) Int. J. Cancer 76: 652–8; Jager et al. (1999) Cancer Res. 59: 6197–204).
The CT antigen NY-ESO-1, initially identified by serological expression cloning of a recombinant cDNA library obtained from a squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, elicits both humoral- and cellular immune responses in patients with NY-ESO-1-positive cancers (Chen et al. (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94: 1914–8; Jager et al. (1998) J. Exp. Med. 187: 265–70; Jager et al. (1999) Int. J. Cancer 84: 506–10; Stockert et al. (1998) J. Exp. Med. 187: 1349–54). NY-ESO-1 serum antibody is a reliable indicator of CD4- and CD8-positive T-cell responses against NY-ESO-1-derived peptide epitopes presented by different MHC class I and class II alleles (Chen et al. (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94: 1914–8; Jager et al. (2000) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97: 4760–5; Jager et al. (2000) J. Exp. Med. 191: 625–30). High-titer NY-ESO-1 serum antibody was found in patients with advanced NY-ESO-1-positive malignancies. Changes in NY-ESO-1 antibody titers over extended periods of time correlate with the clinical development of NY-ESO-1-positive disease (Jager et al. (1998) J. Exp. Med. 187: 265–70).
As with NY-ESO-1, other tumor-associated antigens have been shown to elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses that are demonstrated by detection of both autologous antibodies and T cells in cancer patients. Examples of these tumor-associated antigens are SSX2 (Ayyoub et al. (2002) J. Immunol. 168: 1717–1722; Sahin et al. (1995) Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA 92: 11810–11813; both incorporated herein by reference), MAGE-1 (Sahin et al. (1995) Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA 92: 11810–11813; van der Bruggen et al. (1991) Science 254: 1643–1647; both incorporated herein by reference) and tyrosinase (Sahin et al. (1995) Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA 92: 11810–11813; Brichard et al. (1993) J. Exp. Med. 173: 489–495; both incorporated herein by reference). In view of the finding that disease specific antibodies are detected in the urine of patients infected with various organisms (Wu et al. (2001) Hepatogastroenterology 48: 614–7; Zhu et al. (2000) Diagn. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 38: 237–41; Yamamoto et al. (2000) Helicobacter 5: 160–4; Bauer et al. (1992) Lancet 340: 559), and the finding that—in addition to activating cellular immunity—tumor-associated antigens induce production of detectable levels of serum antibody, the inventors investigated whether aberrations in the expression of autologous proteins in non-infectious diseases and disorders, such as tumor-associated antigens, result in the excretion of antibodies urine. The results of these investigations provide the basis for the development of urine-based tests for the detection and monitoring of spontaneous and vaccine-induced immunity against defined disease-associated antigens in patients suffering from disorders characterized by the aberrant expression of the antigen.
The present invention demonstrates that specific antibodies against an aberrantly expressed molecule can be detected in urine samples taken from patients believed to be expressing that molecule, and that these molecules and their derivatives are useful diagnostic and therapeutic reagents. This discovery has important implications for the detection and monitoring of spontaneous and vaccine-induced immunity against defined disease-associated antigens.
3. Identification of Disease-associated Antigens: SEREX
The identification and preparation of disease-associated antigens is laborious, unpredictable and expensive. Two main methods have been used for the detection of such antigens. In the gene-based approach, host cells are transformed or transfected with a tumor-derived cDNA library and tested for the expression of the specific antigen. See, e.g., dePlaen et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Sci. USA 85: 2275; incorporated herein by reference. In contrast, the biochemical approach is based on the elution of peptides from MHC-class I molecules of tumor cells, followed by isolation and purification of those peptides by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and testing for the ability of the peptides to bind MHC-class I molecules and activate cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs), including induction of CTL proliferation, release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and the lysis of target cells. The disadvantages of these approaches are highlighted by the relatively few new antigens identified by these methods. See, e.g., van der Bruggen et al. (1991) Science 254: 1643–1647; Brichard et al. (1993) J. Exp. Med. 178: 489–495; Coulie, et al. (1994) J. Exp. Med. 180: 35–42; Kawakami et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91: 3515–3519. Furthermore, these methods require established, permanent tumor-cell lines of the cancer type under consideration. Stable tumor-cell lines are very difficult to establish and maintain. See, e.g., Oettgen et al. (1990) Immunol. Allerg. Clin. North. Am. 10: 607–637. Also, numerous tumor types, including epithelial cell-tumors, are not responsive to CTLs in vitro, thereby precluding routine assay. These problems have led to the development of new methods for identifying disease-associated antigens.
The SEREX method ("Serological identification of antigens by Recombinant Expression Cloning") has been used to both identify new disease-associated antigens and confirm expression of previously identified antigens. Sahin et al. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92: 11810–11913; Crew et al. (1995) EMBO J. 144: 2333–2340; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,698,396; 6,251,603; and 6,252,052; each incorporated herein by reference. In brief, the SEREX method involves the expression of tumor-derived cDNA libraries in a prokaryotic host followed by screening with absorbed and diluted sera. The binding of serum antibodies to the expressed protein antigens identifies those proteins as antigens likely to elicit a high titer humoral-immune response. SEREX has led to the identification, isolation and cloning of a large number of immunogenic molecules that induce autologous humoral antibody responses. Several of these molecules have also been shown to induce autologous T-cell responses. NY-ESO-1 was identified by SEREX using serum from a patient with an esophageal tumor. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,698,396; 6,251,603; 6,252,052; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/062,422; each incorporated herein by reference. SEREX has also been used to monitor the status of a disease or disorder by assaying for antibodies specific to that disease or disorder. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,698,396; 6,251,603; 6,252,052; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/062,422 each incorporated herein by reference.
The search for disease- and tumor-associated antigens may be improved by screening disease- and tumor-derived cDNA expression libraries with autologous or allogeneic urine samples. The inventors have demonstrated that urine represents a source of highly specific, high-titer antibodies that are useful in diagnostic and therapeutic applications and in methods for identifying new disease-associated antigens.

Methods for detection of disease-associated antibodies in urine


An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section configured to form a predetermined test image on an image bearing member by a regular development scheme and a first bias development scheme; a concentration detection section configured to detect a concentration of the test image formed by the image forming section; and a causal part determination section configured to determine on a basis of a result of detection by the concentration detection section a causal part of an image defect that is caused when an image is output.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a causal part determination method.
2. Description of Related Art
In general, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (such as a printer, a copy machine, and a fax machine) is configured to irradiate (expose) a charged photoconductor with (to) laser light based on image data to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor. The electrostatic latent image is then visualized by supplying toner from a developing device to the photoconductor (image carrier) on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, whereby a toner image is formed. Further, the toner image is directly or indirectly transferred to a sheet, followed by heating and pressurization, whereby an image is formed on the sheet.
A related technique has been proposed in which predetermined test images are produced under different four conditions and the concentrations of the test images are detected, to thereby determine the defective part from the results of the detection. The four conditions include a first condition in which AC voltage application to the charger and light exposure are performed, a second condition in which AC voltage application to the charger is performed but light exposure is not performed, a third condition in which AC voltage application to the charger is not performed but light exposure is performed, and a fourth condition in which AC voltage application to the charger and light exposure are not performed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-63810).
In addition, a technique has been proposed in which a measured potential on the surface of a photoconductor or a measured concentration of toner attached on the surface of the photoconductor are compared with predetermined conditions, and on the basis of the comparison, the component of the image forming apparatus that requires adjustment is indicated (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-262800).
In addition, the degree of image quality problem that is caused when an image is output is determined by using a recording head in which a plurality of recording devices are laid out, and on the basis of the degree thus determined, whether the cause exists in the recording head or in the other processes is determined (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-254491).
As described above, in the above-mentioned image forming apparatuses, an image formed on a sheet through various processes including charging, light exposure, development, transfer, fixing and so forth. Therefore, when an image defect is caused on a sheet on which an image is formed, it is not easy to determine the causal part of the image defect. In particular, the image defect of vertical streaks can be caused in any of the processes, and therefore when vertical streaks are formed, the user or serviceman has to inspect the operating states of the components used in the processes. Therefore, it has been difficult for the user and serviceman to promptly determine and deal with the causal part of the image defect.

Image forming apparatus and causal part determination method


A semiconductor memory system may include a read data manager configured to store data read from a memory device, a likelihood value mapper configured to map likelihood values to the data output from the data manager and output mapping data, and a decoder configured to perform low density parity check decoding on the mapping data by using a parity check matrix. The parity check matrix may be a k*N×M matrix including k*N×M submatrices, where k, N and M are independently an integer equal to or greater than 2.

The inventive concept described herein generally relates to semiconductor memory systems and, more particularly, to a semiconductor memory system including a Reed-Solomon low density parity check decoder for correcting an error of read data when stored data is read. The inventive concept also relates a read method associated with such a system.
Semiconductor memory devices are memory devices implemented using semiconductors such as silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), gallium arsenide (GeAs), and indium phosphide (InP). Generally, semiconductor memory devices are classified as either volatile memory devices or nonvolatile memory devices depending on their ability to retain stored data in the absence of supplied power.
For a variety of reasons, errors may be included in read data of a semiconductor memory device. Error correction schemes have been studied which employ error correction codes such as a Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) code, a low density parity check (LDPC) code, and a turbo code.
A Reed-Solomon (hereinafter referred to as "RS") code extends to the aforementioned LDPC code to achieve an RS-LDPC code. The RS-LDPC exhibits relatively superior error correction capability because its minimum distance and girth are relatively long. In spite of superior error correction capability, however, the RS-LDPC has a highly random parity check matrix structure. Disadvantageously, the random structure of parity check matrix increases a computation amount and hardware complexity of the RS-LDPC decoder.

Semiconductor memory system including Reed-Solomon low density parity check decoder and read method thereof


A system and method of managing event tracking includes a tracking registry. The tracking registry includes a memory for storing tracking entries, a tracking entry hierarchy, and a registry interface configured to receive requests from a plurality of modules. The tracking registry opens a tracking entry based on a registry request received from a first module of the plurality of modules, and being associated with a first operation being handled by the first module and including a parent identifier of a parent tracking entry of the tracking entry, updates the tracking entry hierarchy based on the parent identifier, stores the first tracking entry in the memory, and closes the tracking entry based on an entry closing request received from a second module of the plurality of modules and being associated with completion of a second operation being handled by the second module. The second operation performs processing associated with completion of the first operation.

As computing solutions become more distributed in nature, it often becomes quite challenging to monitor whether all the events that occur are being properly handled. Each event typically begins with an initial stimulus, which triggers further processing and operations for handling the events, and continues until a terminal condition occurs. Examples of initial stimuli include fault conditions and requests for service. Fault conditions may include disk drive failures, over temperature conditions, etc. Requests for service may include input/output (I/O) requests, backup requests, recovery requests, replication, etc. When the further processing and operations used to handle the event is delegated to separate modules, it may not be easy to determine whether the terminal condition occurs, thus indicating that the event has been fully and completely handled. Additionally, it may be even more challenging to determine which of the many modules was unable to complete the further processing as requested.
Failure to reach the terminal condition may come from any of several sources. In some instances, the design of one or more of the modules may be faulty and result in an incomplete or defective state machine design. Failures may also occur when messages sent between the modules may be lost and/or corrupted. Deadlock conditions may occur where two or more modules are waiting on each other to finish some processing before proceeding. Additionally, one or more of the modules may include defects that result in a failure.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide improved methods and systems for managing the handling and tracking of events in a computing system.
In the figures, elements having the same designations have the same or similar functions.

System and method for managing event tracking


A process to prepare a sweet crude from an ash containing and heavy fraction of a tar sand oil comprising supplying an atmospheric distillation bottoms of a tar sands originated feed to a vacuum distillation to obtain a vacuum gas oil and a vacuum bottoms and contacting the vacuum gas oil with hydrogen to obtain a sweet synthetic crude. The vacuum bottoms obtained are separated into an asphalt fraction comprising between 0.1 and 4 wt % ash and a de-asphalted oil and the asphalt fraction is fed to a burner of a gasification reactor to obtain a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide on which a water gas shift reaction is performed. Hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide are separated from the shifted gas in an acid removal unit thereby obtaining crude hydrogen which is purified and used to obtain the sweet synthetic crude. The asphalt fraction is provided to the burner in a liquid state and wherein in case the separation step fails to provide sufficient feed for the gasification reactor, vacuum bottoms from the first step are fed to the burner in a liquid state.

The present invention is directed to a process to prepare a sweet crude from an ash containing and heavy fraction of a tar sand oil.
Such a process is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,936.
In this process various distillate fractions of a tar sands feed are subjected to a hydroprocessing step to obtain a sweet synthetic crude. From a vacuum residue fraction of the tar sands feed an asphalt fraction is isolated and fed to a gasification unit to obtain a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. From this mixture substantially pure hydrogen is recovered and used in the hydroprocessing unit.
A disadvantage of this process is that it is sensitive for process failure. For example the hydroprocessing unit requires a very high availability of hydrogen. On the other hand it is known that gasification units and de-asphalting units do not have the high reliability to ensure a high hydrogen availability.
The present invention provides a solution to the above problem.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The present invention relates to a multi-carrier resource utilization method and apparatus for power saving in a communication system using a multi-carrier, in which the activation of a secondary carrier for transmitting and receiving data traffic between a terminal and a base station is determined according to the QoS (Quality of Service) requirements such as a data traffic status between the terminal and the base station, a maximum sustained traffic rate, a maximum traffic burst size, or the like, and an indication message (Indication) indicating this is transferred to the terminal through a primary carrier to transmit and receive data traffic through the activated secondary carrier.

With the development of the communication technology, services provided by a mobile communication system are being gradually developed into packet data transmission and reception services, multimedia broadcasting services, and the like, as well as voice communication services.
In the third generation services, such as WCDMA currently being serviced, high capacity data as well as voice can be transmitted and received at a high transmission rate, and furthermore, the standardization work is actively carried out, such as long-term evolution network (LTE), IEEE 802.16m, and the like, in order to make an evolved network having a wider bandwidth, considering a rapid increase of data traffic in the future.
In particular, IEEE 802.16m, for which its standardization work is actively carried out, has set a goal to develop a standard specification satisfying the requirement of an IMT-Advanced system while maintaining compatibility with existing 802.16-based terminals and base station equipment. In the IMT-Advanced system, above all, more than 40 MHz of broadband communication service support is required, and in IEEE 802.16m, broadband communication support is also essential to satisfy the requirement of the IMT-Advanced system. However, it is in fact difficult to define a standard for all bandwidths, and as a result, a communication system using a multi-carrier approach that supports broadband using a plurality of carriers is under discussion. In the multi-carrier system, discussed under IEEE 802.16m, it is possible to transmit and/or receive data between a terminal and a base station by accessing to each other through at least two and more frequency assignments (FAs) at the same time, and therefore, it has an advantage that high-capacity, high-speed data transmission and reception is possible compared to the existing single-carrier approaches. Also, it has a feature that communication is possible using a broader bandwidth from the standpoint of a mobile station (MS) depending on circumstances, and more users can be accommodated from the standpoint of a base station (BS).
However, in the multi-carrier system, when the terminal allocates CQI channels, respectively, for all carriers allocated by the base station, CQI channels are allocated even to the channels for which data traffic is not actually generated, thereby creating a problem of generating resource consumption. Furthermore, in the terminal, all the relevant RF modules are turned on for all carriers allocated by the base station regardless of whether or not data traffic is actually generated, thereby creating a problem of having serious power consumption.

Data reception and transmission method and apparatus for power saving in communication system using multiple carriers


Perennial ryegrass plants with a spreading habit are provided. The perennial ryegrass plants of the present invention display a growth habit with intertwining tillers that form a very dense sward of 10,000 tillers or more per square foot within one growing season. The ryegrass plants of the present invention also display secondary tillers, something not seen in currently available commercial perennial ryegrass varieties. The spreading growth habit of the plants of the present invention makes a very attractive turfgrass when grown for turf and also provides high seed production.

The present invention relates to perennial ryegrass with a spreading growth habit. All publications cited in this application are herein incorporated by reference.
Turfgrass plays a major role in our daily life. Turfgrass, from a beautification standpoint, provides a canvas for landscaped areas contributing to aesthetic appeal and adding to economic value. Recreational facilities include an array of sports fields, golf courses, parks and lawns. Turfgrass also provides functional value including dust control, erosion control, and glare reduction.
Use and appearance are prime considerations for turfgrass. To best serve a particular function, the turf should be suitable for the use for which it is intended and aesthetically appealing. It should also be well-adapted to the environment where it will be planted. Based on climatic adaptation, turfgrass species have been placed into four categories: adapted for cool humid regions, warm humid regions, cool arid regions, and warm arid regions. The major turfgrasses adapted to the cool humid regions, and irrigated areas of the cool arid regions, are species of Agrostis, Poa, Festuca, and Lolium. In the warm humid and irrigated areas of the warm arid regions, the major adapted turfgrasses are species of Cynodon, Zoysia, Stenotaphrum, Eremochloa, Paspalum, Festuca, and Agropyron. In the non-irrigated warm arid regions, species of Buchloe and Bouteloua are adapted.
Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), also called English ryegrass, is a cool-season perennial bunchgrass native to Europe, temperate Asia, and North Africa. It is widely distributed throughout the world, including North and South America, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. Perennial ryegrasses can be grown on their own for lawns in the northern regions, and are widely used as a mixture with permanent grasses or in new lawn establishment. They are also popular for winter overseeding quality Bermuda lawns, golf areas and sports fields while they are dormant in Southern states. Most golf course greens today are overseeded with perennial ryegrass for winter color cover and a better playing surface.
Perennial ryegrass lawns are one of the best lower maintenance lawns of the cool season grasses. Perennial ryegrass is one of the toughest and most wearable turf covers that can be grown. Perennial ryegrass is noted for quick germination, shiny green color, fine texture and dense forming sod. High disease and insect resistance help to make perennial ryegrass one of the leading choices for lawn and athletic covers in North America.
Perennial ryegrass is also mixed with other cool season grasses to provide more density and to rejuvenate the dominant grass in the mixture. Perennial ryegrass is often added to Kentucky bluegrass to add strength and give bluegrass time to repair while the perennial is in full growth. These two grass species can be mown at the same height and retain a sod density for which both are well known. (Dunn, J. H. et al. 1997. Tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass blends and mixtures. In: Turfgrass Research and Information Report. Univ. Missouri-Columbia Turfgrass Research Center.)
Perennial ryegrass is important in forage/livestock systems. High palatability and digestibility make this species highly valued for dairy and sheep forage systems. As a result, it often is the preferred forage grass in temperate regions of the world. It is a valuable winter and spring grazing crop that can be overseeded onto additional forages or used alone lengthening the pasture season. Perennial ryegrass is a fast growing multi-use forage crop requiring minimal tillage and is competitive enough to make a place for itself. Its compact growing habit reinforces the ground and gives a perfect erosion base for pastures with heavy traffic and, in the case of heavy rains or snow meltdown, it helps keep livestock out of the mud as much as possible. Perennial ryegrass is fast germinating, grows prolifically, and can be grazed heavily. Many varieties have been developed and are in "prescription" mixes or in stand-alone crops for complete pasture and hay production. The ryegrasses are well known for being companion grasses in mixes of fescue, clovers, timothy, orchard grass and many other pasture crops. The ryegrass is usually first to germinate and grow in while the others are developing. Perennial ryegrass is used to overseed many warmer season pastures that may go dormant or are growing slower due to cooler temperatures. This is one of the most diversified grasses used in the forage industry for permanent and semi-permanent pastures. (Hannaway, D. et al. 1999. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Pacific Northwest Extension Publication 502.)
Among northern turfgrasses, the main species grown for sod is Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). It is attractive and widely adapted to the central United States (e.g. Midwest), where it is almost exclusively used for all manner of turf areas. It is long lived, easy to mow, and relatively easy to maintain. It is preferred by sod producers, because it produces an abundance of underground, horizontal stems (rhizomes) that hold the sod together very well at maturity at about one to one-and-one-half years, and many varieties are readily available.
Kentucky bluegrass is, however, not without certain draw backs: 1) it has a very slow germination of three weeks or longer in cool weather; 2) it is very slow to develop and seedlings are weak; 3) it is susceptible to common diseases such as smut, mildew, leaf spot, brown patch, and rusts of various types; 4) it lacks drought tolerance; 5) it is very slow to recover from disease or physical damage; 6) overseeding of old stands is very difficult and rarely successful.
Since the arrival of true turf-type perennial ryegrass varieties some 30 years ago with the varieties Manhattan and Pennfine, interest in perennial ryegrasses has significantly expanded world wide. They are not only used as seeded grasses, but even more so by sod producers and on large acreages. The newer varieties of today present several distinct advantages over Kentucky Bluegrass.
However, there are also some disadvantages to growing perennial ryegrasses. In particular, perennial ryegrass sod needs to be underlain with a very thin mono-filamentous net to hold the sod together for harvest since it does not produce sod-tying horizontal stems of any kind. The net must be cut out with every harvest and must be laid down again as the next crop is established. Remnants of the net tend to remain in the field after sod harvest and present a real problem for equipment readying the field for the next crop. These remnants tend to be picked up on axels and harrow tines, as well as wrap themselves tightly into bearings and cause the bearings to fail by over heating. In addition, perennial ryegrass is somewhat less heat and cold tolerant than Kentucky bluegrass.
The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification.


A golfer training aid formed, preferably, of a synthetic turf. A first swing channel is defined by an area between opposing uprights projecting from an upper surface of the mat. A second swing channel is defined by a cut-away portion of the mat. The first swing path permits a golfer to practice a swing on the mat. The second swing path permits a golfer to practice a swing on any of a variety of surfaces including natural, manufactured or constructed which are exposed through the cut-away portion. The second swing path may also be defined by opposing rows of uprights. A golfer is aided in visualizing and executing a proper golf swing by the visual and physical cues afforded by the first and second swing channels of the golfer training aid.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to a golf training aid and more particularly, the present invention relates to a golfer training aid for use in teaching a golfer proper swing form resulting in golf shots having a substantially straight trajectory.
2. Background
The prior art relating to golf teaching aids includes a variety of devices and assemblies directed towards assisting and training a golfer in learning proper swing form and mechanics. The prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 6,821,210 to Kallage, Jr., entitled Golf Aiming and Alignment Training Mat, discloses an L-shaped golf training mat. The mat includes positioning-aiming markings, which are aligned on the upper mat surface for enabling the golfer to visualize an effective ball-placement-zone removed from the L-shaped mat. The mat provides an auxiliary alignment blade removably attachable to the mat for enabling the golfer to align and aim golf shots for variably controlled golf ball flight trajectories. The blade includes reference markings which function in cooperative association with positioning-aiming markings on the superior mat surface for enabling a golfer to align and aim for variably controlled golf ball flight trajectories.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,920 to Hamilton, entitled Golf Stroke Training Device and Method, discloses a golf-putting guide that is placed on the ground between a golfer and a golf ball. It has a vertical front surface facing the ball that is part of the elliptical vertical projection of a desired swing circle of the club head. The heel of the club head slides along the front surface of the guide in putting practice, guiding the club head in a planar swing circle that is centered between the golfer's shoulders. The top surface of the guide is marked with a series of clubface alignment lines extending backward from the top front edge of the guide. Each of the lines is perpendicular to a line tangent to the elliptical top front edge of the guide. These lines visually guide the alignment of the club head as it moves along the front surface of the guide so the club rotates only on a single axis.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,177 to Furbush, Jr., entitled Golf Club Swing Training Apparatus, discloses a device that provides for several aspects of training in the game of golf. The trainer includes a pair of guides that may be aligned with the intended ball trajectory and guide connecting links adjusted to provide visual alignment cues to the desired trajectory. Adjustable positioning markers are adjusted to provide assistance in the placement of the ball, the golfer's left and right foot, and the club swing arc, thus defining the proper placement and positioning for the club swing arc to properly strike the ball to drive it along a desired trajectory. A fence extends upward from each guide, so the swing trainer will be displaced if the club head is too far either side of the desired arc.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,810 to Rydeck, entitled Golf Club Swing Training Device, discloses a golf swing training apparatus having a plastic grass mat that shows the proper positions for the feet and hips for a golf swing, wherein the body and the golf club have to be coordinated. It gives the golfer the positions for putting, chipping, pitching, iron shots, and wood shots. A plastic or rubber guideway for the golf club is built into the mat and it shows the golfer how to position and also how to rotate his shoulders properly. The guideway shows visually, mentally, and physically how to swing the club properly, that is straight back and then to the inside, on the backswing. On the downswing it comes down inside, then straight through at the ball area, then back inside. There is a tension spring in the guideway that squares the golf club face to the target and makes the ball go straight. The back end of the guideway is flared out so that incorrect swings are corrected while the golfer is learning. There is also a tension device that is used for pitch shots, iron shots, and wood shots that trains the golfer into the correct foot and leg action. It also shows him how to resist or hold back with his upper body while his lower body starts the downswing.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,992,013 to Golden, entitled Golf Club Swing Training Method, discloses a method and device for recording the swing of a golf club over a mat and permitting the analysis of the depth of the swing, the arc of the swing and the angle of the face of the golf club head when it contacts the mat. A resilient mat is covered with a thin film of chalk dust and a golf club having an attachment secured to the golf club head capable of dispersing the dust on the mat when it contacts the mat. The dust is dispersed in a pattern on the mat, which due to the attachment, permits analysis to determine the foregoing. The mat may also be provided with indicia related to a golf ball and the equivalence of making a divot by the golfer may also be determined.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,194,565 to Schroer, entitled Indicator Device Actuable by the Movement of a Golf Club Head Between Two Spaced Strips on a Mat, discloses a golf swing practice device that includes a mat including a pair of upstanding elongated strips through which the golfer is to pass the club head on the swing.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,637,339 to Glennon et al, entitled Means for Instructing Golf Strokes discloses a device for the instruction of golf strokes, which comprises a base member and a pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extending upstanding guide shoulders on the base member. The paired guide members are adapted to define a guide way for the free passage of the head of a properly swung golf club. A golf ball is placed between the guide members on the base member and may be addressed by the head of a properly swung golf club between the guide members.
U.S. Pat. D407,773 to Greig, entitled Golfclub Swing-Path and Face-Angle Training-Mat, discloses an ornamental design for a golf club swing-path and face-angle training-mat, that includes front and rear rows of upward extending brushes that define a club head swing path.
U.S. Pat. D358,440 to Clayton, et al., entitled Golf Training Mat, discloses an ornamental design for a golf club swing-path and face-angle training-mat, that provides a stance silhouette and a series of club head silhouettes which are intended to provide a proper relationship between stance, club head position, golf club swing-path and face-angle.
While the prior art provides any of a number of devices aimed at assisting and training a golfer in learning proper swing form and mechanics, it appears that none of the previously disclosed devices provide opposing swing alignment elements for both on and off mat practice. Additionally, it appears that none of the previously disclosed devices provide both opposing swing alignment elements and a ball teeing capability. Additionally, it appears that none of the previously disclosed devices provide both opposing swing alignment elements and a removable ball teeing capability.
Therefore, advantage may be found in providing a device aimed at assisting and training a golfer in learning proper swing form and mechanics that provides opposing swing alignment elements for both on and off mat practice. Additionally, advantage may be found in providing a device aimed at assisting and training a golfer in learning proper swing form and mechanics that provides both opposing swing alignment elements and a ball teeing capability. Additionally, it advantage may be found in providing a device aimed at assisting and training a golfer in learning proper swing form and mechanics that provides both opposing swing alignment elements and a removable ball teeing capability. Advantage may also be found in providing a device aimed at assisting and training a golfer in practicing proper swing form and mechanics, resulting in golf shots having a substantially straight trajectory, by practicing the golf swing between swing channels provided both on a synthetic surface and on or above a natural terrain.
Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide a device aimed at assisting and training a golfer in learning proper swing form and mechanics that provides opposing swing alignment elements for both on and off mat practice. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device aimed at assisting and training a golfer in learning proper swing form and mechanics that provides both opposing swing alignment elements and a ball teeing capability. An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a device aimed at assisting and training a golfer in learning proper swing form and mechanics that provides both opposing swing alignment elements and a removable ball teeing capability.


A vehicle wireless communications blocker may be used in a vehicle for an occupant's wireless communications device and may include a long-range and short-range wireless transceiver both coupled to a controller. The controller may be switchable between off-hook and on-hook states based upon control signals via the short-range wireless transceiver, and the occupant's wireless communications device may be blocked from occupant communication via the long-range transceiver when in the off-hook state. The blocker may include a housing to be installed in the vehicle, a short-range wireless transceiver carried by the housing to wirelessly communicate with the short-range wireless transceiver of the occupant's wireless communications device, and a controller carried by the housing and coupled to the short-range wireless transceiver to selectively switch the controller of the occupant's wireless communications device to the off-hook state so that the occupant's wireless communications device is blocked from occupant communication via the long-range transceiver.

Automobile accidents are a major cause of death for people ages 15-19, and distractions, such as mobile phones, may be a major contributing factor. Phone conversations, dialing, and text messaging are several functions that may distract young drivers. Legislation that makes it illegal to operate a mobile phone while operating an automobile, and driver education may not be effective. Moreover, while it is an option for parents to take away their children's phone, or lock it away, etc., these options may deprive the children the use of the phone in emergencies and other urgent situations.
U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0270463 to Copperman discloses a venue controlled disabling of capabilities of mobile communications devices. More particularly, Copperman discloses a cellular telephone having an additional receiver that receives one or more signals from a signal source that is connected to an on/off switch and/or vibrate switch. The phone can be turned on/off/vibrate with either the phone's external control, or by receiving a signal from a venue controlled source. The additional receiver and transmitter within the cellular telephone may communicate via an REF signal, infrared signal, sound signal, or chemical compound.
U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0270122 to Ewell, Jr. discloses a system for disabling a mobile communicator. More particularly, a mobile communicator includes a locational tracking unit and a disabling circuit. The disabling circuit changes the mobile communicator from an enabled state to a disabled state. Further, the audible receiving and transmitting functions of the mobile communicator are disabled when the location of the mobile communicator as determined by the locational tracking unit satisfies at least one condition.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,123,874 to Brennan discloses a cellular phone blocker whereby a cellular phone jamming device is coupled to a vehicle's ignition. When the vehicle engine is running, a signal is transmitted by the cellular phone blocker to inhibit reception by the cellular phone. If a person wishes to use the cellular phone, the engine must be stopped. Such jammers may affect nearby phones, and may not be permitted in some jurisdictions.
Lastly, Q-Zone, offered by the Bluelinx Corporation of North Carolina, is a two-part system based on Bluetooth wireless technology. A software portion resides inside the mobile device itself, and a hardware node is installed in a venue. When a node encounters a mobile phone, the node sends a signal for the device to enter a quiet mode. Once the device leaves the node area, the previous settings are automatically returned.
Unfortunately, the prior art blocking systems may have certain drawbacks that include, but are not limited to implementation cost, and the ability to selectively communicate with certain parties when limited communication and/or blocking are desired. Accordingly, further improvements are desirable.

Mobile wireless communications device blocker and associated methods


A noise filter has a magnetic core having a pair of magnetic core members each with a coupling surface. Each of the magnetic core members has a dented portion so arranged that, when the magnetic core members are closed together on the coupling surfaces, a closed magnetic path and an opening for inserting therethrough a cable are formed between the magnetic core members. An electrically insulating outer sheath member is disposed on an outer surface of each of the pair of magnetic core members. An electrically insulating coating member is disposed on an inner wall surface of each of the dented portions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a noise filter which is detachably mounted on (i.e., which is attached to, and detached from) a cable such as a data transfer line or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a conventional noise filter which is detachably mounted on a cable such as a data transfer line or the like, there has hitherto been know one as disclosed in Japanese Published Unexamined Utility Model Registration Application No. 39997/1988. Namely, the noise filter comprises: a magnetic core which is made up of a pair of magnetic core members (or elements) of ferrite or the like such that, when the pair of magnetic core members are coupled (or closed) together on their coupling surfaces, a closed magnetic path is formed and an opening for inserting therethrough a cable is also formed between the magnetic core members; and an electrically insulating case which is made up of a pair of electrically insulating case members (or elements) for containing therein the pair of magnetic core members. When the pair of electrically insulating case members are closed together, the pair of magnetic core members are coupled together on their coupling surfaces.
As described above, in the conventional noise filter, the pair of magnetic core members are contained inside the respective electrically insulating case members, and the external surfaces of the magnetic cores are thus covered by the electrically insulating case. However, since the dented portions of the pair of magnetic core members which form the opening for inserting therethrough the cable are exposed to the outside, there is the following disadvantage. Namely, when the noise filter is attached to, or detached from, the cable, or when the noise filter is allowed to slide on the cable after it has been attached thereto, there is a possibility that the cladding of the cable (or a cable sheath) is damaged by the corner edges of the dented portions of the magnetic core members.
The present invention has an object of providing a noise filter which is free from the above-described disadvantage.

Magnetic core noise filter with an integrally formed outer sheath and inner insulator


A vehicle body structure includes a pillar structure, a roof rail structure, a reinforcement member, and a reinforcement bracket. The pillar structure has a box section defining a pillar cavity. The roof rail structure has a box section defining a roof rail cavity in communication with the pillar cavity. The reinforcement member is positioned in and extends through the pillar cavity and the roof rail cavity. The reinforcement bracket has a first attachment portion attached to the pillar structure at a first location, a second attachment portion attached to the pillar structure at a second location opposite the first location, and a body portion extending across the pillar cavity between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion, the body portion being attached to the reinforcement member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a vehicle body structure. More specifically, the present invention relates to reinforcement of a pillar structure in a vehicle body structure.
2. Background Information
Vehicles are continually being redesigned to improve narrow offset and roof crush test performance. Such redesigns can include improvements to the vehicle body structure, including improvements to the pillar structures (e.g., the A-pillars, the B-pillars, etc.). One challenge involves improving narrow offset and roof crush test performance a vehicle frame structure without appreciably increasing the cost of producing the vehicle.


The present application provides a method and device for constructing a projection image. The method for constructing a projection image comprises: performing projection on an equirectangular panoramic image with a cylindrical surface equal-area projection model to obtain a cylindrical surface equal-area projection image; obtaining a two-dimensional coordinate of each of pixels in the cylindrical surface equal-area projection image; obtaining a two-dimensional coordinate in the equirectangular panoramic image corresponding to each of pixels in the cylindrical surface equal-area projection image; performing pixel interpolation on the cylindrical surface equal-area projection image based on color information of each of pixels in the equirectangular panoramic image and the obtained two-dimensional coordinate in the equirectangular panoramic image corresponding to each of pixels in the cylindrical surface equal-area projection image to generate a panoramic image subjected to the cylindrical surface equal-area projection transformation. The resolution and bit rate of the panoramic image or video can be reduced by the method of the present application.

In recent years, with the advent of panoramic cameras (such as Google jump, OZO, Eyesir, Teche, Upano and the like) and advanced Virtual Reality (VR) display devices (such as Oculus VR, Samsung Gear VR, HTC vive and the like), a panoramic video has drawn many attention to the technology research and development and product content innovation, and is widely used in various fields such as VR cinemas, panoramic games, panoramic education, panoramic medical care, panoramic tourism and the like.
In order to clearly show local view contents in a player to be watched by a user, it usually needs to shoot a panoramic video with more than 4K ultra-high resolution. An ultra-high resolution video with more than 4K resolution (more than 3840 px*1920 px) has massive amount of pixels, which brings a big data challenge to storage, compression, transmission, decoding and rendering of the panoramic video. For the big data challenge, how to reduce the resolution and bit rate of the panoramic video has become one of the key issues that must be resolved for the panoramic video.

Projection image construction method and device

BEIJING QIYI CENTURY SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A liquid silicone rubber base is prepared by mixing an organopolysiloxane containing at least two alkenyl groups, reinforcing silica having a BET specific surface area of at least 50 m.sup.2 /g, and optionally, a mixing assistant. The mixing step includes a first stage of mixing under a first shear stress of at least 1.times.10.sup.6 N/m.sup.2 for 1-5 minutes and a second stage of mixing under a second shear stress which is up to 1/2 of the first shear stress for at least 2 minutes. The silicone rubber base is sufficiently shelf stable to minimize a viscosity rise with time.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for preparing a liquid silicone rubber base useful as a source of silicone rubber and a method for preparing a liquid silicone rubber composition therefrom.
2. Prior Art
In the current silicone rubber market, liquid silicone rubber compositions enjoy an increasing share since they are smoothly flowing, readily applicable through injection molding machines and amenable to automatic processing. Among others, addition curing type liquid silicone rubber compositions based on alkenyl group-containing organopolysiloxane are on widespread use. Their preparation methods are generally designed so as to increase the manufacturing yield and accommodate for the manufacture of various types of products. Typically, a liquid silicone rubber base is once prepared as a common intermediate before a particular silicone rubber composition is prepared by blending the base with an appropriate curing agent and other ingredients.
The liquid silicone rubber base is generally prepared by blending an alkenyl-containing organopolysiloxane as a base component with a large amount of reinforcing silica filler. In JP-B 28737/1993, for example, a silicone rubber composition for injection-molding is prepared by blending 100 parts by weight of organopolysiloxane with up to 300 parts by weight of a filler as typified by finely divided silica.
However, when a large amount of reinforcing silica filler is blended to form a liquid silicone rubber base from which a liquid silicone rubber composition is prepared, no products having stable physical properties are obtained unless the silica filler is previously sufficiently surface treated or the silica filler is heat treated at relatively high temperature for a long time in the presence of a surface treating agent. JP-A 238228/1995, for example, discloses the addition of hexamethyldisilazane and heat treatment at room temperature for 1 hour and then at a temperature of 100.degree. to 250.degree. C. for at least 2 hours for restraining a viscosity increase with the lapse of time and imparting satisfactory shelf stability. Also JP-A 130344/1986 discloses heating/mixing treatment at 150.degree. C. for 2 to 3 hours. In either case, the processing time taken from the mixing of silicone oil as a base component with an inorganic filler to the completion of a base polymer is crucial. Heavy kneading or long-term heat treatment must be carried out to increase the rubber strength of the resulting liquid silicone rubber base polymer. A further long time is required in larger scale mass manufacturing plants.
Active research works have recently been made on the continuous process which generally relies on kneading operation using a continuous kneading machine including a single or twin screw extruder. In the continuous kneading machine, a certain limit is imposed on the ratio of the shaft length to the screw diameter since kneading operation is carried out while applying significant shear rates by high speed rotation. The residence time in the continuous kneading machine is naturally limited and generally as short as several tens of seconds to several minutes. Accordingly, a sufficient processing time is not ensured. As a result, the liquid silicone rubber base undergoes a viscosity increase and loses shelf stability. A liquid silicone rubber composition prepared from the base suffers from losses of basic rubber properties such as elongation and tensile strength and losses of fatigue endurance due to insufficient dispersion of the filler.
JP-B 28008/1992 discloses an attempt of heating a mixing section of a twin screw extrusion mixer at 200.degree. to 300.degree. C., thereby processing liquid silicone rubber base at a higher temperature to compensate for a shortage of processing time. Although this improves the rubber strength (tensile strength and elongation) of the resulting liquid silicone rubber composition, problems still remain with respect to viscosity and shelf stability. The liquid silicone rubber base and a liquid silicone rubber composition prepared from the base experience a change of flow with time. It is difficult to obtain a liquid silicone rubber base of stabilized quality.

Methods for the preparation of liquid silicone rubber base and liquid silicone rubber composition


The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for mapping defects on a light transmissive support surface of a document scanning or photocopying device. The method includes a step of cleaning the support surface between steps of operating the device so as to reflect light from defects associated with the support surface. At least a selected characteristic of the reflected light, such as its intensity, at predetermined pixel locations before the step of cleaning is compared with the same characteristic of the reflected light at the same pixel locations after the step of cleaning. A selected pixel location is mapped to a defect map if (1) the characteristic for reflected light is substantially equal for the selected pixel location at each step of operating the device, and (2) the characteristic for the reflected light at a step of operating the device substantially meets a predetermined standard.

Flatbed scanning or copying devices, or "multi-function peripherals" (MFPs) typically provide a glass plate for supporting a document to be scanned or copied by the device. Light for illuminating the document is transmitted through the glass plate to the document, and the light is reflected by the document back through the glass plate to light sensitive components in the device to produce an image of the document. Therefore, any light blocking or light scattering defects on the glass plate will leave an "artifact" on the image, distorting or corrupting the image.
Such defects are either transitory or non-transitory. Transitory defects, such as dust, hair, and chemical deposits, are generally removable, though it is recognized herein that some of these otherwise transitory defects may not be accessible for removal by a user of the device because the deposits have become lodged on the underside of the platen glass. This is a not uncommon occurrence in low-end, consumer type scanners which may not be sealed well against such incursions. Non-transitory defects, such as scratches and pits in the glass, are not removable. Both types of defects are common, particularly in relatively inexpensive consumer grade scanning devices.
Defects can be accounted for and the image can be corrected using known interpolation techniques. This accounting can be done initially at the factory and at any time by the user during use of the apparatus, and is preferably done throughout the life of the apparatus because defects will typically accrue through use. In a prior art methodology, the platen glass is wiped clean, and it is assumed that any defects remaining are permanent. The apparatus is then used to image the platen without a document, so that all of the reflected light corresponds to the remaining defects. An interpolation algorithm is used to interpolate between pixels corresponding to locations on the platen glass for which no reflected light is received that span one or more pixels for which reflected light is received. However, a number of the defects remaining after a cleaning may actually be transitory defects that have merely been moved from one location on the platen glass to another. Similarly, cleaning can often add defects to the platen glass, by transferring defects existing on or in a cleaning device, such as dust or lint on or in a cloth.
It is recognized herein that it is undesirable to correct the image for defects that are transitory because these may either be removed or moved during use (hereinafter "removable"). Further, correction imposes a cost in image quality, as some information is typically lost in interpolating, so that correction will introduce distortion if it is not needed, or if it is applied at an inappropriate location.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method and apparatus for mapping defects on the light-transmissive support surface of a document scanning or photocopying device that provides for distinguishing defects for which image correction should be performed as a result of the defects being permanent, and defects for which image correction should not be performed as a result of the defects being removable even though they may not actually have been removed.

Method and apparatus for mapping defects on the light transmissive support surface of a document scanning or photocopying device


A milling disk for a floor machining appliance has a plurality of mounts for holding interchangeable plate-like milling tips, the milling disk being driven for rotation by the floor machining appliance and being held substantially parallel to the substructure to be machined so that the milling tips may bite into the substructure and remove matter from the surface thereof. The milling tips are constituted by ceramic cutting tips.

The invention relates to a milling disk for a floor machining appliance comprising a plurality of milling means mounts for interchangeable disk-like milling means, such milling disk being driven for rotation thereof during operation by the floor machining appliance and being moved essentially parallel to the substructure to be machined so that the milling means may bite into the substructure and machine away the surface thereof. Moreover, the invention relates to a floor machining appliance having such a milling disk.

Milling disk for a floor machining appliance


Disclosed is a delta-sigma modulator (or noise shaper) having resolution over 18 bits. The delta-sigma modulator may increase the linearity and decrease its size, by employing only one feedback loop path and applying a coefficient of less than 1 to the integrators. Also, the delta-sigma modulator according to the present invention may be used for the analogue-to-digital convertor with the reduction of the effective value of capacitor. In the case where the decimal values are corrected to digital values, it is possible to design the digital noise shaper which is used in the digital-to-analogue convertor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a modulator used in an analogue-digital converter and a digital-analogue converter and, more particularly, to a delta-sigma modulator (or noise shaper) having resolution over 18 bits.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a delta-sigma modulator, which is used in the oversampling an analogue-to-digital converter (hereinafter, referred to as an ADC) and a digital-to-analogue converter (hereinafter, referred to as a DAC) are used as a low-pass filter with respect to input signal, and also the transition of quantized noise is achieved in a high frequency region. With the increase of the order in its architecture and the oversampling ratio, the noise may decrease in frequency band of interest. In particular, since the signal-to-noise ratio is over 100 dB, in the case of the audio signal processing, the modulator is designed at the oversampling ratio of 128 and the order of 4. However, its area may increase. Accordingly, in the case of the audio signal processing of 18-bit resolution, the modulator is typically designed at the oversampling ratio of 64 and a fifth order architecture.
FIG. 1 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a conventional delta-sigma modulator in the fifth order architecture. The conventional delta-sigma modulator, shown in FIG. 1, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,274,375. entitled "Delta-Sigma Modulator For an Analogue-to-Digital Converter with Low Thermal Noise Performance", assigned to Crystal Semiconductor Corporation. In FIG. 1, the reference numerals 40, 44, 46, 50 and 52 denote integrators, 54 and 56 multipliers indicating feedback coefficients, 60, 62, 64, 66 and 68 feedforward coefficient blocks, 26 and 28 comparators, 70 a three-level DAC, 38, 42, 48 and 58 summing junctions, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 1, two feedback loops (multipliers 54 and 56) are provided to secure stability of the delta-sigma modulator. In the first feedback loop, the output of the integrator 46 is fed to the summing junction 42 in the front of the integrator 44 via the multiplier 54 having the feedback coefficient of 0.0115. In the second feedback loop, the output from the integrator 52 is fed to the summing junction 48 in the front of the integrator 44 via the multiplier 56 having the feedback coefficient of 0.020. In the delta-sigma modulator including the feedback loops, the more the number of feedback loops is, the higher its stability is. The increase of the feedback loops may cause its linearity to deteriorate.
Particularly, the decrease of the linearity and the increase of its size result from the first feedback loop. Accordingly, it is desired that the coefficient within the first feedback loop is set to a low value in order that the "zero" point in the input signal band can be in close vicinity to the frequency of 0. However, in this case, the low value of coefficient causes the chip size to be increased.

Delta-sigma modulator for an analogue-to-digital converter with only one feedback coefficient

Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.


The present application discloses a thermally conductive panel having a honeycomb core interior portion and a non-metallic thermally conductive face sheet. The honeycomb core interior portion extends between a first end portion and a second end portion of the panel. The face sheet extends across a surface of the honeycomb core interior portion. In operation, the panel is in thermal communication with a heat source.

The present application relates generally to systems for dissipating heat. In some applications, the present application relates to passenger vehicle illumination systems, such as ceiling mounted lights for passenger vehicle cabins.
Passenger vehicle cabins, such as aircraft cabins, typically require illumination elements to enable persons inside the vehicle to see. Conventionally, these illumination elements have been mounted on walls or stowage bins. The heat generated by the illumination elements and their power modules and controllers has necessitated separate dedicated heat sinks, which add weight to the vehicle.
Mounting the illumination elements on the stowage bins of aircraft, for example, has been problematic because of the additional weight caused by these components, which additional weight leads to higher loads and heavier panel buildups, and because the stowage bin arrangements vary depending upon the aircraft cabin layout. This variability of the stowage bin arrangements has caused the set of illumination elements to vary from aircraft to aircraft. It is desirable to have a system for supporting light fixtures that can remain constant from vehicle to vehicle, or that reduces the total weight or complexity of the system.


A method of processing electric arc furnace dust includes the steps of preheating a portion of electric arc furnace dust to a temperature of at least 170 degrees centigrade by convection heating to form a preheated dust. The preheated dust is further heated by microwaves until a zinc in the preheat dust vaporizes to form a metal vapor and a residue. The metal vapor is then condensed.

Electric arc furnace (EAF) dust is produced in the steel making process. This dust contains hazardous materials and the dust is collected in a bag house for further processing. The primary hazardous materials in EAF dust are lead, cadmium and hexavalent chromium. Because these constituents leach, most EAF dust from the production of carbon steel is considered hazardous. One solution to this problem has been to process the EAF dust so that it is stabilized and will not leach. The stabilized EAF dust is then placed in a landfill. The cost of transporting this material and landfill cost can be large. A second solution has been to use a pyromettalurgical process that uses a Waelz kiln to heat the dust and fume zinc and other impurities off. Before the EAF dust can be processed it has to be mixed with coke (carbon) and sand. The carbon acts as a reductant and as all or part of the fuel. The sand controls the chemical and physical properties of the slag in the kiln. The mixture has to be heated to very large temperatures 1200–1300 degrees centigrade and the left over slag or residue has the consistency of hot fudge which makes it difficult to work with in various material handling steps. While this process is able to remove most or all the hazardous materials which have commercial value, the energy costs are very large and the process requires a very large capital outlay. The large capital outlay is necessary because the process is only economically viable if it processes a large amount of the EAF dust. As a result, the EAF dust has to be transported to a central location for processing. This increases the cost of the process.
Thus there exists a need for a process that can economically remove the hazardous material and recover the commercially valuable material from EAF dust.

System and method of processing electric arc furnace dust


A trash compacting apparatus having a flexible, collapsible containment bag formed of substantially non-stretchable wall material, and a flexible, collapsible, expandable bladder having substantially impermeable walls. The bladder is arranged relative to the containment bag for expansion therein in a manner such that the expansive force of the bladder during expansion is confined within the containment bag. The bladder functions to compress any flexible bag of trash housed with the bladder in the containment bag.

This invention relates to an apparatus for and method of compacting trash, and more particularly to an apparatus and method not critically requiring a rigid, fixed walled compaction chamber.
Prior art trash compactors characteristically have had rigid, fixed walled compaction chambers for use in combination with a displaceable drive assembly, typically a piston or plate, and a drive means such as a mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic actuator for displacement of the drive assembly. Traditionally both the drive assembly and the drive means have been physically part of or integral to the trash compactor, making for a particularly large, heavy and obtrusive compactor that almost always is used in the home as a "built-in" wall or counter unit.
Yet to be addressed by those skilled in the trash compacting art is the influence of recycling upon the users of trash compactors, and on trash compactor design itself. It is believed that a majority of households currently actively participate in community recycling programs. These programs typically require items such as paper, plastic, aluminum, and glass to be separated from the "other" items of trash that are typically picked up curb side by a waste hauler. As a result, the quantity of trash for compaction in the household setting has been somewhat reduced, and the physical quality of it is becoming relatively less variable. No longer are bulky and obtrusive compactors critically necessary. Instead, the real need now is for a simple and inexpensive, consumer-oriented trash compactor exhibiting lightweight portability and easy use in and about the home, apartment, garage, yard, farm, or business, as the need arises. This invention is directed to such a compactor.


This invention is a dynamic orthodontic bracket system which allows brackets to be adjusted for particular angulations required for each individual tooth of a patient, while the frames are continuously attached to tooth surface. The orthodontist manually adjusts the relationship of a bracket and a frame during treatment eliminating the necessity of a full repositioning of all components. The bracket is positioned such that it can move in various directions to achieve a proper angulation for tooth repositioning. The base of the bracket and the interior surface of the frame can be textured to provide friction and secure the components once positioned for proper tooth movement. The exterior of the frame can also be textured to provide more secure attachment to the surface of the tooth. This system will lead to lower treatment cost and quicker adjustments of the orthodontic bracket system.

Orthodontics is a specialty in dentistry that moves teeth within the jaw bone and straightens the teeth by moving them to the proper three-dimensional location. In orthodontics, brackets are pieces of metal with a slot that accepts a flexible or rigid metallic wire. Such brackets are conventionally bonded to the teeth on a base (via a frame) and serve as vehicles allowing the orthodontist to apply force to the tooth to move it across the wire to its proper location with the proper angulation.
The interaction of force, wires and brackets guides the three dimensional movement of the tooth. The force applied to the teeth, by the wire, forces the teeth to slowly alter their positions to align with the wire and therefore position them correctly in three dimensions.
Conventional brackets generally have a fixed slot wherein the position of the slot relative to the tooth is fixed. Historically, brackets were the same for all teeth, regardless of patient individuality. Since every tooth has a unique three dimensional relationship with the rest of the teeth, the orthodontist was required to bend the wire that passed across the bracket slot in order to correct tooth angulation for each individual tooth.
In orthodontics, the angulation of the bracket slot in each dimension is described differently. The angulation of the bracket slot in the left-right direction is called 'tip' and the angulation of slot in the back-forward direction is called 'torque'. An average tip and torque has been calculated for every tooth, based on studies of normal dentitions. A modification was presented a few decades ago by which specific brackets were created for every tooth according to their average angulations so that when a straight wire was passed through the slot, the difference between the angle of the straight wire and the angle of the slot would force the tooth to track the wire and achieve the proper angulation. However, the inaccuracies occurred when a bracket was not bonded to the proper location on the tooth, which led to an improper angulation of the tooth and ultimately to a misaligned tooth.
Also, the presumed angulations are merely averages, based on estimates of average sizes and shapes of teeth. Each individual is different with varying morphology for their teeth. Whenever a patient's teeth do not fall within the normal range, the straight wire technique does not produce optimum tooth angulation and location. Commonly, brackets are not always placed in the proper location on the tooth resulting in erroneous bracket positioning. In order to correct for such problems, a certain number of brackets are repositioned during the course of the treatment to address these inaccuracies and improper bracket placements. Repositioning is both time-consuming and expensive and oftentimes does not cure the improperly positioned bracket. The process of bracket repositioning involves a patient's office visit, removal of the old bracket, polishing of the tooth surface, priming of the surface and application of the new bracket to the surface. This process can take anything from 5 to 15 minutes per tooth, depending on the location of the bracket and the experience of the clinician.
A need exists for a dynamic bracket system that allows the clinician to change the angulation of the bracket to achieve proper tooth alignment. A further need exists for a dynamic bracket system that allows a change in angulation in a number of different directions. Yet a further need exist to do so using a system that is efficient, easy to adjust and cost effective.


A CMOS integrated circuit includes a substrate having an NMOS region with a P-well and a PMOS region with an N-well. A shallow trench isolation (STI) region is formed between the NMOS and PMOS regions and a composite silicon layer comprising a strained SiGe layer is formed over said P well region and over said N well region. The composite silicon layer is disconnected at the STI region. Gate electrodes are then formed on the composite layer in the NMOS and PMOS regions.

The present invention relates to methods used to fabricate semiconductor devices, and more specifically to a method used to increase the performance of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), devices, via the use of a channel region comprised in part with a strained silicon-germanium layer.
An attractive approach for increasing CMOS transistor performance is the use of a silicon-germanium (SiGe) layer located in the channel region of the CMOS device. The biaxial stress in the SiGe layer, creating strain induced band structure modification, allows enhanced transport properties of electrons for N channel (NMOS) devices and enhanced transport properties of holes for P channel (PMOS), devices, to be realized. However the ability to place a SiGe layer in a region that will subsequently underlay the gate structure, as well as to subsequently accommodate shallow source/drain regions, can be challenging in terms of integrating the SiGe devices into a conventional CMOS process.
This disclosure will teach a process in which a SiGe layer is selectively grown on only the active device regions, eliminating the need for costly patterning procedures to remove portions of the SiGe layer overlying non-active device regions, such as insulator filled shallow trench regions. This invention will also describe a composite layer comprised with silicon layers overlying as well as underlying the SiGe component of the composite layer. The silicon layer overlying the SiGe layer, silicon cap layer, allows a gate insulator layer to be thermally grown consuming only a portion of the silicon cap layer. In addition, this invention will also describe the thickness and composition of the silicon cap, SiGe and silicon buffer layers, needed to accommodate the biaxial compressive strain needed for enhanced hole mobility in the PMOS channel region, and the strain induced energy splitting in the conduction band allowing enhanced electron transport properties to enhance electron velocity overshoot in the channel region of NMOS devices. Prior art, such as Ismail et al, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,713, describe the use of thick buffer layers, used with a SiGe layer, however the use of these thick layers may not allow for the easy integration into a conventional CMOS process as this present invention does.

Complementary metal oxide semiconductor transistor technology using selective epitaxy of a strained silicon germanium layer

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


A fault monitoring method for a robot (10) or other work machine (30) is disclosed, in which the period that starts when the robot or the work machine starts moving and ends when the work machine stops moving is set as one unit, the difference between the maximum torque and the minimum torque within the unit is set as a maximum fluctuation range, a fluctuation range control value is set on the basis of the maximum fluctuation range, an average is taken of the maximum fluctuation ranges at plural points during operation, a second average value (t1, t10, t100) is determined, and a fault is determined to have occurred when the second average value exceeds the fluctuation range control value.

Servo motors are a type of control motor, and are characterized as having exceptional rotational speed control and positional control. Servo motors are installed in a variety of work machines, and in particular are widely employed as driving sources for robots.
Servo motors are capable of directly driving a load. However, the load is often driven via a reducer or other power transmission mechanism. This is due to the fact that the output torque from the servo motor can be markedly increased when the load is driven via a reducer. In addition, if the reducer is composed of a belt, chain, or drive shaft, a benefit will be presented in that the movement can be transmitted to a location that is distant from the servo motor.
The fact that faults occur in servo motors and power transmission mechanisms in a work machine must be taken into account.
Faults that occur in work machines range from serious faults, which are critical enough to necessitate an emergency shutdown of the machine; minor faults, which cause no interference even if operation is continued until the time of the next repair; and moderate faults, which are between the serious faults and the minor faults in terms of severity.
The presence of faults in the servo motor itself can be determined by detecting anomalies via monitoring electric current values or performing other electrical monitoring. On the other hand, anomalies are difficult to detect when the servo monitor is operating normally but a fault has occurred in the power transmission mechanism. A detecting technique such as disclosed in JP-5-346812 A and JP-11-129186 A has been required.
In the anomaly-detecting device disclosed in JP-5-346812 A, a post-feedback command signal is integrated when the servo motor is being controlled by a controlling device via feedback. The time required for the resulting integration value to reach saturation is monitored. For example, the servo motor drives an arm as a load via a belt. However, if the belt breaks, the load suddenly changes, and the integration value changes markedly. Specifically, the load decreases, which causes fluctuations in the load to become less pronounced and the magnitude of the post-feedback command signal to decrease. When this occurs, the time required for the integration value to reach saturation (saturation time) increases. If a configuration is used in which an anomaly is determined when the saturation time extends past a reference time, the breaking of a belt or another anomaly can be detected. However, an anomaly cannot be detected if the change in the load fluctuation is small. In other words, the anomaly detecting device disclosed in JP-5-346812 A is intended for discovering serious faults such as the breaking of a belt, and is unable to address minor faults.
In the work robot disclosed in JP-11-129186 A, the work rate W1 on the drive side of a driving shaft is calculated on the basis of a driving current Ii and actual angle θi of a servo motor. A work rate W0 on the load side of the driving shafts is additionally calculated on the basis of the actual angle θi and a motion equation that relates to the particle model of a robot mechanism part. The difference or ratio between the resulting work rate W1 and the work rate W0 is compared with an established criterion. If a gear or the like is worn down due to change over time, the work rate W1 will generally be greater than the work rate W0 during acceleration. The difference or ratio at this time will become progressively more pronounced as the wear on the gear or other components increases. In other words, a detectable difference or ratio will not be generated in the event of small-scale wear. This approach is suitable for serious faults in which a difference occurs between the work rates, but is unsuitable for minor faults in which a difference between the work rates is not likely to occur.
A first problem arises in that a monitoring technique that corresponds to minor faults is not established in JP-5-346812 A or JP-11-129186 A.
It is also possible that, e.g., a turntable and a robot occupy a single work area. The turntable, in which a servo motor is used as a driving source, would be monitored by the anomaly-detecting device disclosed in JP-5-346812 A, and the robot would be monitored by the anomaly sensor of the work robot disclosed in JP-11-129186 A. Faults will be detected in the turntable and robot using different fault monitoring systems.
In other words, when there are multiple types of work machines manufactured by different makers, the fault monitoring systems attached to the servo motors for driving the work machines tend to have various functions. In such instances, diverse fault monitoring systems must be arranged in the work area (the production site or the surrounding area), substantial effort is required to maintain control over the systems, and greater space is needed to accommodate the systems.
In other words, the second problem arises from the fact that no technique has been established for allowing central control over a variety of servo motors when a variety of work machines are present.
A demand has accordingly arisen for a technique whereby a monitoring technique corresponding to minor faults can be performed and a variety of servo motors can be centrally controlled.

Fault monitoring method for work machine