A unique odor filtration device (10) which continuously removes odor causing gas phase contaminants from an air stream through the use of partially hollow wicking fibers (20) impregnated with a selected liquid (18) which can capture odor causing gas phase contaminants. The odor removing liquid (18) is a chemical composition including sodium permanganate in combination with either sodium carbonate or sodium phosphate. The odor absorbing liquid (18) can include specialized additives such as transition metal salts and other agents such as sodium iodide for additional and broader odor removal coverage. The wicking fibers (20) are formed into a filter element (12) which extends from a chamber (16) through which the air stream to be cleaned is directed into a stripping chamber (19). The odor causing contaminants are conveyed to from chamber (16) to chamber (19) by a concentration factor induced molecular migration. The wicking fibers (20) include internal longitudinal cavities (22) each with a relatively small longitudinal extending opening (24). The wicking fibers (20) are filled with the selected contaminant removing liquid through capillary action by which the individual wicking fibers (20) rapidly draw the selected liquid, with which they come into contact, through the internal cavities (22). The absorption liquid (18) remains within the wicking fiber cavities (22) and generally does not enter the space between the wicking fibers yet through the longitudinal openings (24) the liquid is in full communication with the air stream flowing past the fibers (20).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an air cleaning system and more particularly to an odor removal system using wicking fibers incorporating a liquid based chemical reagent package.
2. Description of Prior Art
An example of an adsorptive technique for the removal of odors is the use of activated charcoal as an odor removing element in a device to purify an air stream. Conventional carbon adsorbents have a broad range of effectiveness against odors. However, such activated carbon adsorptive techniques of removing odor from an air stream are effective only for a relatively short time period, are relatively inefficient at low odor concentration levels, have performance which declines rapidly at higher relative humidities, and frequently result in a relatively high pressure differential across the activated carbon filter element. As a result relatively large quantities of activated carbon are required in such filter devices, however, even with the larger amount of activated carbon the relatively large pressure differential problem will still remain. These prior devices are usually operated mechanical on a cyclic bases.
It is desirable to provide a compact, economical air filter for the continuous removal of odors which avoids the problems of reduced flow rates, reduced efficiency at high humidities, and reduced removal efficiency over time.

Chemical reagent package and method of operation effective at removing a wide range of odors

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A system and a method of multi-user coaching are introduced herein. Motion-sensing cameras are applied to capture images, and a depth image stitching module is applied to perform a depth image stitching process on the captured images to expand the motion-sensing range, so as to establish a virtual environment for multi-user coaching. Each user can be coached individually by a one-to-multiple approach to improve his or her motions. By using the system and the method of multi-user coaching, that is, the system can only calculates on motion similarities of the users, and instructions are fed back to each user. Therefore, the system and the method described herein can be extensively applied to various products, such as a virtual gymnasium, a virtual aerobics classroom, a virtual Budokan, and so on.

Nowadays, people pay more attention to proper physical exercise. In recent years, the diversity of sports allow people not to work out on the equipment in general fitness gyms but also to do exercise for full-body fitness, such as dancing, aerobics, rhythmic gymnastics, etc. Thereby, people do not get bored and are able to persevere in exercising.
Most of the full-body exercises should be paid for requiring the coach at the fitness gym. However, the coach cannot well instruct individual users due to numerous students at the gym, the students neither learn effectively nor fully understand the correct posture.
When a player plays the commercial games via the Kinect on XBOX360 KINECT, his or her movement can be tracked by the KINECT sensor to experience the most real sport amusement by undergoing the professional one-by-one fitness program in a friendly virtual gym. However, the virtual private coach only guide one player in a one-by-one program to compare his or her similarity scores at certain time frames, and it also cannot compare similarity scores with multiple players through consecutive time frames nor evaluate the correctness of the posture or the motion of individual player. In addition, the view-angle range of the infrared Kinect sensor in the horizontal direction is only 57.5°, which will limit the detection range of the research, development, and even application. Moreover, to provide images with the expanding range, the image stitching technique is only applied to stitch images by multiple RGB cameras.

System and method of multi-user coaching inside a tunable motion-sensing range

Industrial Technology Research Institute


After a heuristic event counter in a processor has triggered a performance monitoring interrupt (PMI) when the processor was executing a target program in user mode, and after the processor has switched to kernel mode in response to the PMI, a heuristic event handler automatically performs preliminary analysis in kernel mode, without switching back to user mode, to determine whether heavyweight code analysis is warranted. The preliminary analysis comprises (a) obtaining an instruction pointer (IP) for the target program from a last branch record (LBR) buffer in the processor, (b) using transaction hardware in the processor to determine whether the IP from LBR buffer points to a readable page in memory, and (c) determining that heavyweight code analysis is not warranted in response to a determination that the page pointed to by the IP from LBR buffer is not readable. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

An attacker may use malicious software (malware) to cause a data processing system to perform operations that are not desired or authorized by the rightful owner or operator of the data processing system. Some types of malware work by adding unauthorized instructions to a program. Other types of malware work by making unauthorized changes to the flow of control within a program while that program is executing, without actually changing the program code itself. An attack which makes unauthorized changes to a program's control flow may be referred to as a control flow attack. For instance, when a program is executing, malware may perform a control flow attack against that program by manipulating the program's call stack. The attack technique of hijacking the control flow of a program by manipulating the program's call stack may be referred to in general as return oriented programming (ROP).
Malware that uses ROP may be implemented as malicious data. When that malicious data is processed by a program in a data processing system, the malicious data hijacks the control flow of the program by manipulating the program's call stack. For instance, if a program does not perform adequate bounds checking before saving input data to memory, and if certain input data occupies more bytes than expected by the program, that input data may cause a buffer overrun. In particular, when the program stores that input data to the stack, some of the input data may extend past the data area of the stack and into a control flow area of the stack. In particular, some of the input data may overwrite a good return address with a malicious return address. Consequently, when the program executes the return, control may flow/return to that malicious address. Also, instructions at the malicious address may be referred to as a gadget. Although those instructions may not cause problems when used normally, those instructions may cause problems when used as a gadget (i.e., when used as a result of a malicious manipulation of the program's control flow).
Since control flow attacks may cause a program to perform unauthorized operations without injecting malicious code into the program, control flow attacks may be difficult to detect. The present disclosure pertains to technology for detecting control flow attacks.

Systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting control flow attacks


A power delivery system delivers a relatively constant voltage to a microprocessor with low inductance and low resistance. The system includes a motherboard, an integrated circuit (IC) mounted on one side of the motherboard, a capacitor bank mounted on the opposite side of the motherboard; and a power converter mounted on the side of the motherboard opposite the IC. The IC contains a microprocessor that receives power from the power converter and capacitor bank. A short electrical path between components is achieved by locating the power converter and the capacitor bank on the side of the motherboard opposite the IC. By shortening the electrical path, the system reduced the inductance and resistance created by the electrical traces. The components of the system are compressed together. Instead of utilizing long traces or specialized parts to connect the power converter to the motherboard, a compressive interface is positioned between the power converter, the capacitor bank and the motherboard. The compressive interface includes conductive materials that facilitate the flow of electricity between the various components. The compressive interface prevents excessive inductance and resistance between the power converter, the capacitor bank, and the motherboard.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention generally relates to improvements in power delivery to electronic circuits and more particularly relates to an improved power delivery system for microprocessors.
Current microprocessors and associated integrated circuits typically require higher levels of power as compared to previous microprocessors and integrated circuits. Along with higher power requirements, current microprocessors typically draw higher currents. For example, many microprocessors require approximately 100 amps of current to function properly. Additionally, modem microprocessors switch currents at very fast rates, such as from 0 amps to 100 amps in 1 microsecond or less. Overall, because modem microprocessors operate at high speeds, they typically require greater amounts of power than previously required.
Typically, microprocessors operate at relatively low voltages, for example 3.3 volts, while continuing to operate at faster speeds. The increased capability and speed of these microprocessors, however, consumes a large amount of power despite the low voltage requirement. The low voltage requirement of current microprocessors typically requires a localized power converter, such as a dc-to-dc converter, to reduce the voltage supplied to the motherboard on which the microprocessor is located. Typically, the power converter is soldered to the motherboard or plugged into the motherboard via a connector. The lower voltage is then conducted through conductors or printed circuit traces on the motherboard to a connector of the component requiring the lower voltage, such as a microprocessor.
Many power delivery systems and power converters are mounted on a board or module. The module or board is then plugged into a connector on the motherboard. Because the voltage required by the microprocessor is lower, and the power consumption is high, the currents that are supplied to the module become particularly large. Consequently, a low inductance, low resistance path from the power converter to the motherboard is difficult to establish.
The microprocessor, however, requires a minimum power level to operate. Typically, if the voltage supplied to the microprocessor drops below a certain voltage, the microprocessor does not function properly. Because of the resistance caused by long traces on the motherboard, the voltage at the power converter is typically greater than that supplied to the microprocessor via the traces. Additionally, because the current through the traces switches at a fast rate, the long traces typically yield high inductance. That is, the faster the change in current, the more the voltage at the microprocessor will drop during that change. Fast rates of current change through long traces produce high voltage change. As switching speeds increase, the voltage at the microprocessor decreases. As the voltage at the microprocessor decreases, the performance of the microprocessor decreases.
A system has been proposed that attempts to address the problems associated with resistance and inductance in integrated circuits and microprocessors by locating the power converter adjacent to the microprocessor. The microprocessor typically includes a receptacle tab that interfaces with a connector located on the power converter. The power converter is connected to the motherboard via another connector that supplies power to the power converter. The power converter then converts the power and supplies the converted power to the microprocessor via the power converter connector. The microprocessor receives the converted power via the receptacle tab.
However, a suitable motherboard connector is required along with the power converter, and specialized interface components including at least a power converter connector, and a microprocessor receptacle tab. This system is typically more expensive than other systems due to the additional components utilized. Further, this system poses problems when components require maintenance and repair. Because additional, specialized parts and components are used, alternative components typically cannot be substituted when one of the specialized parts breaks. Additionally, the presence of various components may diminish the reliability of the system. Each additional component and part is susceptible to failure. Typically, if one component or part fails, the entire system fails. Therefore, the presence of more components and parts typically increases the risk of system failure.
A need remains for an improved power delivery apparatus and system for electronic circuits and microprocessors in particular. Further, a need also exists for a less expensive power delivery system. Additionally, a need has long existed for a more reliable power delivery system and for a more readily interchangeable power delivery system.

Power delivery system for a microprocessor


An information processing apparatus includes a detection section for detecting that the information processing apparatus is started for the first time, a selection section for selecting at least one kind of the setting information from among a plurality of kinds of the setting information where it is detected by the detection section that the information processing apparatus is started for the first time, and a processing section for performing an initial setting process for the information processing apparatus using the setting information selected by the selection section. Consequently, the necessity for a user to perform inputting of the setting information is eliminated thereby to enhance the convenience, and also the fabrication source can reduce the management cost for the setting information.

In recent years, as a copyright protection technique in the DVD standards and so forth, for example, CPRM (Content Protection for Recordable Media) is known.
In media (DVD-RAM, DVD-RW and so forth) ready for such CPRM, all contents ready for CPRM are encrypted, and key information called MKB (Media Key Block) is recorded in the lead-in region of the medium and a medium ID which is unique ID information different for each medium is recorded in a region called BCA (Burst Cutting Area). It is to be noted that the MKB and the medium ID cannot be copied nor changed.
The MKB is issued by a licensing organization (for example, the 4C Entity, LLC), and the number of media which can be produced using one MKB is determined in advance. In particular, the MKB is updated every time a fixed number of media are fabricated, and a new MKB is issued by the licensing organization every time the production number of media exceeds the fixed number (for example, 5,000).
On the other hand, on a device side on which contents stored in the media are reproduced or contents are recorded on the media, a device key (equipment key) produced by the licensing organization in a corresponding relationship to the MKB is registered, and, in CPRM, decryption or encryption of a content is carried out to reproduce or record the content using the device key, MKB, medium ID and so forth.
For example, in CPRM, where a content recorded on a medium is reproduced using a device, the content is decrypted using a key produced using the device key, MKB and so forth.
Then, if the device key is penetrated by analysis or the like by any chance, then a new MKB is issued by the licensing organization so that the device key corresponding to the penetrated cryptographic key cannot be used. Consequently, illegal utilization of the content (medium) can be prevented.
Further, where a PC (Personal Computer) is ready for CPRM, software (application ready for CPRM) used for reproduction and recording of a medium corresponds to the device described above.
It is to be noted that, according to CPRM, a PC having a device key different from that of a PC on which a content (encrypted content) recorded on a medium is produced is used cannot perform a decryption process of the content.
Incidentally, according to a rule determined by the licensing organization described above, 5,000 device keys can be distributed in the maximum. On the ground of this, a software maker of applications ready for CPRM can take a method of fabricating 5,000 sets of packets with one device key applied thereto (refer to Non-Patent Document 1 hereinafter given).
In particular, as described above, since the number of media which can be fabricated using an MKB or a device key produced corresponding to the MKB is determined in advance by the licensing organization (for example, 5,000 media), for example, in order to fabricate fifty-hundred thousand PCs of the pre-installed model in which applications and an OS (Operating System) ready for CPRM are installed in advance, 500,000/5,000=1,000 kinds of device keys are acquired in advance from the licensing organization.
In a fabrication source of the PC, upon fabrication of PCs of a pre-installed model, a master hard disk which has a data configuration same as that of a hard disk of a PC to be shipped is prepared in advance and the master hard disk is successively copied to duplicate hard disks to be provided in PCs. However, preparation of master hard disks which individually correspond to many kinds of device keys in this manner is not desirable because an increased fabrication cost is required.
Therefore, in the conventional technique, upon shipment of such PCs of a pre-installed model as described above, a piece of paper on which one of 1,000 different device keys is printed is prepared and annexed to each PC wherein an application or an OS is installed on a hard disk thereof.
Then, if a user who bought the PC inputs the device key using a keyboard or the like while referring to the annexed paper upon first time starting of the PC, then the inputted device key is set to and registered into an application ready for CPRM, and as a result, a process such as reproduction, recording or the like can be performed for a medium described above.
However, such inputting working of the device key as described above is cumbersome to the user, and it is not convenient that, even if a PC is bought, the PC cannot be used immediately. Further, also to the trading source of the PC, it is necessary to manage the number of shipped PCs (that is, the number of shipped pieces of paper on which a device key is printed) and change, every time and the number of the shipment reaches the predetermined number, the paper to be annexed to a PC to different paper on which another device key is printed. Therefore, there is a subject that the trading source is urged to bear a burden of an increased cost required for management of the number of shipped pieces of paper on which a device key is printed.
The present invention has been made in view of such a subject as described above, and it is an object of the present invention to eliminate the necessity for a user to perform inputting of setting information to enhance the convenience and allow the trading source to decrease the management cost for setting information.
Non-Patent Document 1: "[Special feature article this week] Great special issue on recording type DVD drives; those ready for the two-layer type or those of the multi-layer type which are reasonably priced, not to endure any more!?", [online], Jun. 19, 2004, ascii24.com, [searched Sep. 9, 2004], Internet <URL:http://ascii24.com/news/specials/article/2004/06/19/6 50184-002.html>

Information processing apparatus, setup method and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium on which setup program is recorded


A measurement system and method to determine the operating characteristics of a door closure sensor technology and others. The objective of the device is to obtain in a simple manipulation, accurate, high speed data. Among the identified metrics are elements such as speed, three dimensional position, hinge orientation, cabin pressure, sound quality, inertia, work, input energy and others. Another part elaborates the methodology for data acquisition and analysis to obtain reliable results reducing user dependency.

The present invention relates in general to a measurement device and more particularly to a device for determining the operating characteristics of a door closure mechanism.
A person shopping for an automotive vehicle typically manipulates the door of the vehicle prior to sitting in the vehicle. As a consequence the operating characteristics of doors play an important role in the customer's perception, conscious or unconscious, of the quality of the product.
Equipment has heretofore been proposed to attempt to measure and quantify these characteristics, but this equipment does not quantify these characteristics comprehensively and typically involves separate testing which is time consuming and is otherwise slow, inconvenient, inaccurate and incomplete.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a system which can quickly provide comprehensive data on door operating characteristics with a simplified procedure.


A semiconductor wafer contains the following layers in the given order:                a monocrystalline substrate wafer (1) consisting predominantly of silicon and having a (111) surface orientation,        a monocrystalline layer (3) of Sc2O3 having a (111) surface orientation,        a monocrystalline layer (4) of ScN having a (111) surface orientation, and        a monocrystalline layer (6) of AlzGa1-zN with 0≦z≦1 having a (0001) surface orientation,the semiconductor wafers are produced by appropriate deposition of the respective layers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor wafer comprising a monocrystalline substrate wafer consisting essentially of silicon which has a (111) surface orientation and a monocrystalline layer of AlzGa1-zN with 0≦z≦1 having a (0001) surface orientation.
2. Description of the Related Art
Monocrystalline gallium nitride (GaN) is of increasing importance as a substrate for producing light emitting diodes (LEDs) and field effect transistors (FETs) for high power and high frequency applications. The surface area of the substrate is a key issue for the productivity of the manufacturing process and therefore for the cost of an LED or FET. As monocrystalline silicon substrates with diameters of up to 300 mm or even up to 450 mm are currently available with high crystal and surface quality, efforts are being made to use monocrystalline silicon as a substrate for the epitaxial growth of GaN. However, due to the large lattice mismatch of 17% between GaN(0001) and Si(111) and the large difference in the thermal expansion coefficients (TEC) of the two materials, high quality GaN layers cannot be grown directly on silicon (Si).
For this reason, many types of intermediate or buffer layers have been proposed in order to increase the quality of the epitaxially grown GaN layer.
For example, M. Moram et al., J. CRYSTAL GROWTH 308 (2007), 302-308 teach the use of an epitaxial (111) oriented scandium nitride (ScN) buffer layer as a basis for GaN epitaxy. The ScN layers with a thickness ranging from 50 to 450 nm were grown on n-type Si(111) wafers using gas-source molecular beam epitaxy (GS-MBE) with ammonia as the nitrogen precursor. GaN layers were grown on the ScN/Si(111) templates using a Thomas Swan close-coupled showerhead MOVPE reactor operating at 100 Torr. In preparation for GaN growth, each template used was heated to the growth temperature at a rate of 1 K/s under a flow of 10 slm (standard liter per minute) ammonia (NH3) and 10 slm hydrogen (H2) in order to remove any native oxide from the surface of the ScN layers. The ScN buffer layer was rough and full of defects. The GaN grew on the ScN surface in the form of dislocation-free islands. By varying the GaN growth temperature, the GaN islands could be caused to coalesce in order to yield a smooth GaN film, but at the same time the density of threading dislocations on the surface of the GaN layer increased considerably up to 5×109 cm−2.
W. C. Lee et al., J. CRYSTAL GROWTH 311 (2009), 2006-2009 disclose single-crystalline scandium oxide (Sc2O3) as a template for GaN epitaxy. Sc2O3 films were deposited using e-beam evaporation from a high-purity powder-packed-sintered Sc2O3 oxide source. A few monolayers of aluminium (Al) were deposited on the Sc2O3 surface using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), followed by the exposure to nitrogen plasma for nitridation in order to form a thin aluminium nitride (AlN) layer. GaN was deposited on top of this layer. The substrate temperature for growing AlN was at about 645° C. in the beginning and was raised to 720° C., which was also used for the rest of the GaN growth. The method results in a high defect density in the Sc2O3 buffer and a limited GaN layer quality. Dislocations occurred in a density in the range of 1010 cm−3. The dislocations propagated throughout the layer starting from the Sc2O3/Si interface.


A bridging apparatus is used with an optical matrix crossconnect mechanism that has an array of reflective panels that are disposed in a plurality of columns and rows and are selectively operative between reflective states and non-reflective states. The bridging apparatus includes at least one light beam splitting device that is peripherally disposed in the array of reflective panels adjacent to an entry position of a light beam. The at least one light beam splitting device is operative in a retracted state to permit the light beam to enter into the optical matrix crossconnect mechanism in an undivided manner. The at least one light beam splitting device is operative in a beam splitting state so that the light beam entering into the optical matrix crossconnect mechanism can be divided into a first light beam portion and a second light beam portion which are directed into the optical matrix crossconnect mechanism in different directions.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention is directed to a bridging apparatus for use with an optical crossconnect device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bridging apparatus that splits a light beam being inputted into the optical crossconnect device into first and second light beam portions.
2. Description of Related Art
Many telecommunications companies have constructed ground-based telecommunications networks throughout the world. As is commonly known in telecommunications networks art, a plurality of switching stations are interconnected by trunk lines. Occasionally, a trunk line fails as a result of a natural disaster or other event. When a trunk line fails, the communication signals must be rerouted through alternative operating trunk lines.
When a trunk line fails, communications, at least briefly, are interrupted. Upon repair of the failed trunk line, it is often desirable to switch back to the original trunk line after it is repaired. This process, commonly referred to as "restoration," causes yet another, although brief, communications interruption when switching from the alternate trunk line back to the original trunk line. In the communications industry, it is desirable to minimize any interruptions of communications.
Many ground-based communications networks use fiber optic cables. To facilitate switching at the switching stations, optical crossconnect devices are used. A crossconnect device 2 as shown in FIG. 1 represents a conventional crossconnect device that includes a plurality of optical switches 4 that are arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. Each optical switching device 4 includes a reflective panel 6 that moves between a reflective state and a non-reflective state by an actuator 8. For further information regarding crossconnect devices, refer to "An Introduction to Photonic Switching Fabrics" by H. Scott Hinton, published by Plenum Press in New York and an article in the Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, vol. 5, no. 4, December, 1996, entitled "Electrostatic Micro Torsion Mirrors for an Optical Switch Matrix" by Hiroshi Toshiyoshi and Hiroyuki Fujita. The crossconnect device 2 includes light signal ports 1in-4in and light output ports 1out-4out. By way of example only, a light beam L is emitted from light input port 1in and is reflected from the reflective panel 6 drawn phantomly of an optical switching device 4 located in column C1 and row R2. The light beam L is redirected from its first optical path onto a second optical path to the light output port 2out. A fiber optic cable from an incoming trunk line is connected to the light input ports 1in-4in and fiber optic cables are also connected to the light output ports 1out-4out which are connected to various outgoing trunk lines.
If the outgoing trunk line connected to the light output port 2out fails, it would be desirable to redirect the light beam L to another light output port connected to a different operating trunk line, for example, by using light output port 3out. To switch the light beam L from light output port 2out to light output port 3out, the reflective panel 6 of the optical switching device located in column C1 and row R2 must move to the non-reflective state while the reflective panel 6 in column C1 and row R3 moves to the reflective state.
When the outgoing trunk line connected to the light output port 2out fails or is otherwise rendered inoperative, interruption occurs in the communication. By redirecting the light beam L to the light output port 3out which is connected to a different trunk line than the light output port 2out, communications is now restored. Often, it is desirable to switch back to the original outgoing trunk line once it becomes operative. To switch back from the light output port 3out to the light output port 2out, an interruption again occurs in the communication.
It is desirable in the communication industry to minimize any interruptions during communications. The present invention addresses this concern.

Bridging apparatus and method for an optical crossconnect device


The present invention provides a topical composition for application to the perianal and/or labial areas of the skin which helps prevent viscoelastic fluids, such as menses and feces, from attaching to the skin and aids in the reducing the viscoelastic properties of the fluid so that the fluid can flow into absorbent articles. The composition contains at least one viscoelastant material and at least one an anti-adherent material. the composition may be applied with a wipe, including mitts and gloves, a solid stick composition, an aerosol dispenser, a pump spray, a trigger spray, a squeeze bottle, as a foam, as a cream, as an ointment, as a salve, as a gel, as a wash or as a lotion. In addition, absorbent articles, such as pads or pants, diapers and the like may also be used as a means to transfer the composition to the skin.

Menses is a viscoelastic fluid composed of blood (primarily red blood cells and plasma), cervical mucus and/or tissue fragments. Mucin is found in virtually all menses samples. Mucin is a large linear glycoprotein having molecular weights up to 20 million or more. In combination with water and salts, mucin is a principal component of mucus, including cervical mucus. Mucin, with its large linear molecules, is believed to form networks in solution, giving rise to the viscoelastic properties of menses.
As menses and other non-menstrual fluids exit the vagina, they often wick along the body, causing the fluids to remain on the skin or on hair located in this region, causing the fluid to dry out and remain on the skin and/or hair. When absorbent articles are used to absorb and contain these fluids, often the fluids do not reach the absorbent article so that the absorbent article will be able to absorb and contain the desired fluids. The failure of the fluids to reach the absorbent article is often due to the viscoelastic properties of menses and menses preferred attraction to the skin. As a result of these fluids remaining on the skin, a number of undesirable situations may occur, including, transfer of the fluids to undergarments, staining of undergarments and unwanted odors.
Absorbent materials and absorbent articles are known in the art and are known to have a wide variety of uses, in particular for absorbing bodily fluids. Examples of such absorbent materials and absorbent articles include, for example; personal care products, such as disposable diapers and training pants; feminine hygiene products, such as sanitary napkins and tampons; incontinent care products, such as pads and undergarments and the like. As is mentioned above, some fluids designed to be absorbed by these articles sometimes do not reach the absorbent article, due to the fluids being deposited on skin and hair. In addition, highly viscous fluids are often difficult to absorb into absorbent articles. For example, in feminine hygiene products, the viscoelastic properties of menses often make it challenging to absorb and distribute within the feminine hygiene products. The viscosity and/or elastic components of such fluids tend to impose requirements for absorption and/or distribution within the absorbent structure of the absorbent product.
In addition, mucin causes many challenges in menses absorbent articles. Mucin in menses reduces intake of the menses fluid through the cover or body facing surface of an absorbent article. In addition, mucin tends to hamper fluid distribution in the absorbent article due to its highly viscoelastic and stringy nature. It is believed that mucin forms a three-dimensional network on the surface of the absorbent article, thereby blocking the intake ability of the absorbent article. When additional insults of menses come into contact with the three-dimensional network on the surface of the absorbent article, the additional insults may flow over the three-dimensional network, thereby causing the absorbent article to leak. Further, if the mucin component does penetrate the surface of the absorbent article, the mucin may clog the pores of the underlying absorbent layers, thereby causing a local saturation (most, if not all, of the pores in an area being filled to capacity) of the absorbent layer and/or the intake layer. The local saturation may cause leakage, especially with subsequent insults or prevent further distribution of the menses in the x, y and z directions within the absorbent article or individual layers which may be present in an absorbent article, leading to leakage or fluid remaining on the pad surface, which in turn leads to skin wetness.
Over the course of many years, a number of commercially available products have been developed to assist individuals in cleaning themselves in the labial and perianal regions of the body. Conventional bath tissues have been used for many years and, recently, flushable wet bath tissues have been introduced. These products may be used alone, or in combination, to effectuate cleansing of the perianal and labial regions.
Proper cleaning skin in the perianal and vaginal regions can be difficult due to the topography of the skin in that region and the presence of hair follicles. A common problem encountered by many individuals during cleaning of these areas after bowel movements or during menstruation is the occasional sticking of fecal material or the frequent occurrence of menses to the skin in the perianal and labial areas. Additionally, because fecal material generally contains bacteria and active enzymes, the presence of this material in the perianal region after bowel movement cleanup can also result in skin irritation, redness, and even inflammation and infection for sensitive individuals. Residual menstrual fluid can support the accumulation of organic material which can persist with subsequent cleanings. These residues contain bacteria, yeast, enzymes, odor inducing agents, and microbial growth promoters. These factors can alone or in combination cause skin irritation, itching sensations, infections, as well as personal discomfort.
Based on the foregoing, it is clear that maintaining clean and healthy skin in the perianal, labial and surrounding areas is difficult, yet important. As such, products that can improve cleaning of the skin in these regions are highly desirable, as are products which can aid in transferring the viscoelastic fluids from the body to the absorbent articles to maintain clean skin in between product changes. It would also be desirable for the products to be flushable and of low cost.

Composition and wipe for reducing viscosity of viscoelastic bodily fluids


Methods and transceivers transmit communication frames that comprise a sequence of N symbols, ensuing payload header symbols, and ensuing payload message symbols. The sequence of N symbols encodes information according to signal-to-noise ratio associated with the communication frame.

Communication satellites enable communication via links that extend over a long range and have wide area coverage, and provide solutions for various applications, including, for example, broadcasting, video transmission, and digital telephony.
Beam hopping techniques have been shown to increase the efficiency of satellite transmission while simultaneously adapting the resources of the satellite to the actual demand of ground terminals. In beam hopping, the satellite transmission time is partitioned between different beams, each illuminating a different respective area (or cell) on the ground. Beam hopping is applicable for various satellite configurations, including, for example, high throughput satellites that support a high number of beams from a single satellite, and low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations that support a high number of beams from multiple LEO satellites. Waveforms that support beam hopping have also been specified for use in the Digital Video Broadcasting—Satellite—Second Generation Extensions (DVB-S2X) standard, which provides efficient packetized data transmission, used for example in broadcast television services.
One major drawback in beam hopping is that the downlink signal from the satellite is not a continuous signal, but is in fact rather bursty. In situations in which the downlink hop times are not pre-scheduled but are rather traffic driven, the receiver requires a long preamble—i.e., header—to be able to acquire and synchronize to the signal. This is further exacerbated when the signal is received at very low signal-to-noise ratio (VLSNR), which in the DVB-S2X standard is nominally down to −10 dB. For such receivers, the transmitting satellite typically must use a very low code rate and a high degree of spreading to ensure proper signal acquisition and decoding at the receiver. The low code rate and high spreading reduces the bandwidth of the downlink signal, resulting in low data rate on the downlink.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods and devices for operating in beam hopping configuration and under a range of signal to noise ratio conditions


In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a power tool has an electric motor having a stator disposed in a field case. The stator has field coils having opposed axial ends that extend axially outwardly from opposed axial ends of a lamination stack of the stator. An armature is disposed in the stator and has a shaft on which a fan is disposed. There are gaps between the opposed axial ends of the respective field coils. The fan baffle includes an air direction member that extends into one of the gaps to direct air flow between the armature and the stator. In an aspect, the fan baffle includes a plurality of such members, one for each gap.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Power tools often have electric motors that provide the motive power for the power tool. In a number of such power tools, a fan affixed to a shaft of the electric motor provides cooling air flow to the electric motor, and as applicable, to other components of the power tool.
One common type of motor used in power tools is a universal motor. With reference to FIG. 1, a universal motor 100 has a stator 102 and an armature 104 having a shaft 106. Stator 102 includes lamination stack 108 having field coils 110 would in slots (not shown) in lamination stack 108, such as slots around pole pieces 112 of lamination stack 108. A commutator 114 is affixed to a portion of armature shaft 106 extending from one side of lamination stack 108 of stator 102 and a fan 116 is affixed to a portion of armature shaft 106 extending from an opposite side of lamination stack 108. A fan baffle 118 is disposed around fan 116. Armature 104 includes coils 300 (FIG. 3) wound in slots 302 in a lamination stack 304 affixed to armature shaft 106. Ends of the armature coils are connected to segments of the commutator 114. Motor 100 includes a field case or housing 120 in which stator 102 and armature 104 are disposed. Fan baffle 118 is illustratively affixed to housing 120. Opposed ends of armature shaft 106 are disposed in bearings 122, only one of which is shown in FIG. 1.
Each field coil 110 has opposed axial ends 124 extending axially outwardly from opposed axial ends 126 of lamination stack 108 of stator 102. Each field coil 110 illustratively has an arcuate cross-section and opposite circumferential sides of the field coils at each axial end 124 the field coil taper radially outwardly. As such, there are gaps 128 between the circumferential sides of the field coils 110 at opposed axial ends 124 of the field coils. Gaps 128 are generally V-shaped. In motor 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there are two field coils 110 and there two V-shaped gaps 128 on opposed sides of motor 100 adjacent one axial end 126 of lamination stack 108 and two V-shaped gaps 128 on opposed sides of motor 100 adjacent the other axial end 126 of lamination stack 108.
With reference to FIG. 3, there are two general passages through which air can pass through motor 100. These are passage 306 between the inside of stator 102 and the outside of armature 104 and passage 308 between the outside of stator 102 and the inside of field case or motor housing 120.
As mentioned, motor 100 may illustratively be used in power tools. By way of example and not of limitation, motor 100 may illustratively be used in a band saw 400 shown in FIG. 4, which is illustratively a DeWALT® Heavy-Duty Deep Cut Variable Speed Band Saw, model D28770, manufactured by Black & Decker, Inc. of Towson, Md. Bandsaw 400 includes a first or front section 402 and a second or rear section 404, which can be joined together by a center section 407 in which a motor, such as motor 100, is disposed. Motor 100 is coupled via an output shaft to a saw blade system 406 having a saw blade 408 entrained on wheels (not shown) in front and rear sections 402, 404. Motor 100 drives saw blade system 406.

Power tool with motor air flow path control


A vehicle accessory adjusting system that adjusts a variety of on-vehicle accessories of a vehicle to suit a driver or a passenger according to personal data stored in an IC card or other portable data storage medium. The vehicle accessory adjusting system includes a memory that stores standard setting data on the on-vehicle accessories, calculation circuit for calculating personal data based on specific setting data obtained when a driver or a passenger uses some on-vehicle accessories and corresponding standard setting data of the on-vehicle accessories, a rewriting unit to rewrite the personal data stored in the IC card with new personal data; and setting circuit to set the on-vehicle accessories according to the personal data stored in the IC card and the standard setting data stored in the memory.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle accessory adjusting system that is associated with a portable storage medium to enable various settings of accessories mounted in a vehicle and, particularly, a vehicle accessory adjusting system common to a plurality of types of vehicles, to which the same portable storage medium can be applicable. The present invention also relates to a method of adjusting vehicle accessories of a variety of types of vehicles.
2. Description of the Related Art
JP-A-2002-120670 discloses an accessory adjusting system in which a personal data storing IC card is used to set various on-vehicle accessories when a driver is going to drive a vehicle. For example, when he is going to drive a lease car or a rent-a-car, he sets an IC card to the system, thereby adjusting various driving circumstances, such as a seat position or mirror positions, to him.
In the above system, it is necessary to store the IC card setting data that correspond to a specific type of vehicle, such as a sedan type, a wagon type, a sport type, etc. If the IC card for one specific type of vehicle is used to set a system of a different type of vehicle, it is difficult or impossible to adjust driving circumstances to him.
Otherwise, it is necessary to store into the IC card a large amount of setting data that include various types of vehicles, so that the IC card must have a too large memory capacity.

Vehicle accessory adjusting system and method of adjusting vehicle accessory


A dummy cell part <31> includes a capacitor <311> having a first end which is connected to one of a plurality of pads <2> and a P-N junction element <312> having a first end which is connected to one of the plurality of pads <2> and a second end which is connected to one of the plurality of pads <2>. A sense part <32> is connected to a second end of the capacitor <311>, for sensing a potential on the second end of the capacitor <311> and outputting the result of sensing to one of the plurality of pads <2>. Thus, a memory cell evaluation semiconductor device which can evaluate a single memory cell, a method of fabricating the same and a memory cell evaluation method are obtained.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a characteristic evaluation semiconductor device (TEG: test element group), and more particularly, it relates to a memory cell evaluation semiconductor device for evaluating a memory cell, a method of fabricating the same and a memory cell evaluation method.
2. Description of the Background Art
The operation of a memory cell included in a DRAM is now described with reference to FIGS. 51 to 54. A capacitor which is formed by a counter electrode CP and a storage node electrode SN stores charges, thereby writing data in the memory cell (FIG. 51). The capacitor holds the charges stored therein, thereby holding the data in the memory cell (FIG. 52). In practice, however, the charges may move through a dielectric film provided between the counter electrode CP and the storage node electrode SN to result in the so-called capacitor leakage (FIG. 53) or may move between the capacitor and a part enclosing the same to result in the so-called junction leakage (FIG. 54). Due to a leakage current resulting from such movement of the charges, the memory cell cannot hold but loses the data. Therefore, the DRAM rewrites the data in the memory cell before losing the same. The DRAM periodically performs this operation, which is called a refresh operation.
The recent DRAM is generally applied to a portable appliance such as a portable telephone, a mobile computer or the like, and must have small power consumption. However, the DRAM consumes power every refresh operation. Therefore, the DRAM maximizes the interval (hereinafter referred to a refresh execution interval) for performing the refresh operation while preventing loss of the data, thereby reducing the number of times for executing the refresh operation and reducing power consumption of the DRAM.
In order to prevent data loss in a number of memory cells provided in the DRAM, a number of memory cell samples are prepared for deciding the refresh execution interval on the basis of a sample exhibiting the shortest time up to loss of written data.
FIG. 55 is a graph statistically showing the relation between data loss and the refresh execution interval. Referring to FIG. 55, the horizontal axis shows an average refresh execution interval and the longitudinal axis shows the data loss probability. When the refresh execution interval is within the range of 0 to T0, the data loss probability is zero, i.e., no data is lost in any memory cell of the DRAM. When the refresh execution interval exceeds T0, on the other hand, data is lost at least in one memory cell of the DRAM. Referring to FIG. 55, the most efficient refresh execution interval for reducing power consumption is T0.
Two methods are employable for extending the refresh execution interval. The first method, which is adapted to entirely move the curve as shown in FIG. 56, can be implemented by improving the aforementioned leakage current as to all memory cells provided in the DRAM (this method is hereinafter referred to as "large pattern improvement"). The second method, which is adapted to zero the data loss probability around T0 as shown in FIG. 57, can be implemented by improving a specific memory cell having an inferior characteristic as to the leakage current, for example, among the memory cells provided in the DRAM (this method is hereinafter referred to as "small pattern improvement). It is effective for the small pattern improvement to statistically evaluate a number of memory cells, as shown in the graph of FIG. 55.
The difference between these two methods is now described with reference to FIGS. 58 to 60. FIGS. 58 and 59 are conceptual diagrams showing the structure of the DRAM comprising an aggregate DM of a number of memory cells MC. Referring to FIGS. 58 and 59, black squares denote defective memory cells MC. FIG. 60 is a graph showing the relation between voltages applied to the aggregate DM and leakage currents. Referring to FIG. 60, symbols ISA, ISL and IL represent an average leakage current caused in each memory cell MC, a leakage current of each defective memory cell MC and a leakage current flowing out from the aggregate DM respectively.
In the aforementioned large pattern improvement, a test in a development stage is easy to perform since the test is made on the overall aggregate DM shown in FIG. 58 by checking the leakage current IL flowing out from the same. However, the leakage current ISL, which is included in the leakage current IL, is undetectable.
In the small pattern improvement, on the other hand, it is difficult to perform a test, which is made on each memory cell MC shown in FIG. 59 by checking the leakage current IS flowing out from the same. In order to find out a memory cell MC having an inferior characteristic as to the leakage current, further, the respective ones of the memory cells MC forming the aggregate DM must be tested. However, the leakage current ISL is detectable.
Thus, the small pattern improvement is not employed in general due to the difficulty of the test as compared with the large pattern improvement.
However, electric fields in the memory cells tend to increase following the increased scale of the recent DRAM, and it is difficult to extend the refresh execution interval through the large pattern improvement.
Therefore, the refresh execution interval may be extended by the small pattern improvement. However, it is impossible to make the best use of the small pattern improvement, since there is no method of evaluating a single memory cell.

Memory cell evaluation semiconductor device, method of fabricating the same and memory cell evaluation method


Embodiments for generating digital title and transmission information are disclosed.

In the distribution of digital objects, information specifying rules for the decryption for encrypted objects and/or information establishing the right to use the digital objects in particular ways or by particular entities may be distributed along with or embedded in the digital objects. For example, an MP3 file may be executable as music by a computing platform. The MP3 file may be encrypted, and the rules for decrypting the MP3 file and/or the information establishing the right to play the music may be included as a digital envelope for the MP3 file. The rights and decryption information are therefore tightly coupled to the MP3 file. When relatively large digital objects, for example movie files, are transmitted over a network, significant resources such as computer time, disk cache, bandwidth, and electricity may be utilized. Because the rights and/or decryption information are tightly coupled to the digital objects, significant resources are utilized whenever the rights and decryption information are transmitted over a network.

Digital object title and transmission information


A method of calibrating a projection system is disclosed. The method includes determining a location of at least one hotspot on a screen within the projection system, initiating a calibration sequence of the projection system and ignoring the at least one hotspot during the calibration sequence of the projection system.

Various techniques have been developed for geometrically calibrating the projectors of multi-projector displays. In some geometric calibration approaches, one or more cameras provide feedback data relating to the images that are projected by the different projectors and projector calibration data is computed from the camera feedback data. The images projected by the projectors are geometrically aligned in accordance with the projector calibration data to generate seamless composite images. However, this calibration process can be negatively affected by the occurrences of "hotspots".
Hotspots are bright areas (diffuse versions of the projector's lamp and lens) that are seen by the viewer through the screen. These hotspots move with respect to the viewing angle and are more intense with higher gain screens. Because these hotspots move with respect to the viewing angle, it is possible to account for them at one angle (e.g looking straight at the screen from the front) but not at another angle (e.g. looking at the screen from the side). Consequently, these hotspots can adversely affect the calibration of the projection system and present a significant problem for the calibration process.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


In an electronic ballast, a half-bridge inverter is powered from a DC voltage and provides an AC output voltage having a waveform with trapezoidally shaped half-cycles. The DC voltage is obtained by way of a pre-converter with a control input operative to permit control of the magnitude of the DC voltage. The AC voltage is applied across the primary winding of a leakage transformer, whose loosely coupled secondary winding is connected across a gas discharge lamp. The internal inductive reactance of the secondary winding constitutes a lamp ballasting means by way of limiting the magnitude of the resulting lamp current to a desired level. Prior to the flow of lamp current, the magnitude of the DC voltage is controlled by negative feedback to the control input so as to remain at a maximum level. After lamp current has started to flow, by negative feedback derived from the lamp current itself, the magnitude of the DC voltage is reduced so as to bring the magnitude of the lamp current down to the desired level.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to electronic ballasts for gas discharge lamps, particularly to electronic ballasts having a pre-converter for establishing a controlled DC supply voltage.
2. Description of Prior Art
For a description of pertinent prior art, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,345 to Nilssen; which patent issued from a Division of application Ser. No. 06/178,107 filed Aug. 14, 1980; which application is the original in-part progenitor of instant application.
Otherwise, reference is made to the following U.S. Pat. No. 3,263,122 to Genuit; No. 3,320,510 to Locklair; No. 3,996,493 to Davenport et el.; No. 4,100,476 to Ghiringhelli; No. 4,262,327 to Kovacik et al.; No. 4,370,600 to Zansky; No. 4,634,932 to Nilssen; and No. 4,857,806 to Nilssen.

Electronic ballast with controlled-magnitude output voltage


Analog control of a plurality of light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), to generate multiple colors of light. An electronic circuit controls three or more analog outputs in response to a single analog input, each of the analog outputs controlling a different one of the light sources.

With the availability of high-brightness and low-cost LEDs in primary colors (e.g., red, green, and blue), many applications have been developed for a variable color light source. These applications may be purely decorative or may be used for purposes of indicating a status.
The majority of the designs to control these three-color ("RGB") sources have used digital techniques. Typically, these have used a programmable micro-controller such as a PIC. The brightness of the LEDs has been controlled by pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM) techniques. Programmable digital control of LEDs is popular because it offers several advantages in that it is flexible and can be remotely addressed and controlled. An example of such a programmable digital control technique is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,038 to Mueller, et al.
However, digital techniques have several disadvantages as well. The PWF or PFM waveforms used by the controller clocks and the LED control outputs generate substantial electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) from audio frequencies up to several Megahertz. Such interference can prevent convenient use of these devices in some applications, or require the use of shielding and grounding to prevent interference with nearby communications and entertainment electronics. EMI regulatory barriers may further increase the expense of using these devices. It is therefore desirable to find ways to control multi-color light sources in a way that reduces EMI and/or RFI interference.
Also, programmable digital controllers are becoming relatively more expensive compared to the LEDs that they are controlling. When blue LEDs were first introduced, they were quite expensive, and thus not suitable for some cost-sensitive applications. The cost of a programmable digital controller was a small fraction of the total system price. However, more recently, the cost of LEDs has dropped substantially, causing the control electronics to represent an increasing fraction of the total device cost. Therefore, the relative expense of programmable controllers has also become a disadvantage, and it is becoming increasingly desirable to find a more cost-efficient alternative.


A method of playing a modified form of Baccarat played on a gaming table. The acting banker and an action player are selected from a plurality of players. The acting banker establishes a bank and each of the remaining players places a wager. The dealer deals to each player including the acting banker two cards face up. Play then commences between the action player and the acting banker and moves around the table to the next player in a predetermined order. The acting banker plays each player individually according to the standard rules of Baccarat until completion. If the acting banker wins, the player's wager is added to the bank. The acting banker is not permitted to set off the amount won. At the end of play between an individual player and the acting banker, all of the player's cards are discarded and all of the acting banker's cards are discarded except the initial face up card dealt. This initial face up card is always retained by the acting banker in all games with the remaining individual players. Play continues until the acting banker's bank is exhausted or until each player at the gaming table has played his dealt hand against the hand of the acting banker.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to a variant of live card games various known as Baccarat, Baccara, or Chemin de Fer.
2. Statement of the Problem
Baccarat is an old live card game originating in Italy. Modern variants of Baccarat are played worldwide and the more popular variants are Baccarat, Chemin de Fer, Punto Banco, Baccarat-en-Banque, Scarney Baccarat, and CALIFORNIA BACCARAT.TM..
In Chemin de Fer, a player banks the game, whereas in Baccarat the house banks the game. In Chemin de Fer, the house provides a dealer and collects a commission such as 5%. In Baccarat, a player can bet on the bank winning or on the player winning. If the player wins, all bets on the player are paid at 1:1. If the bank wins, all bets are paid at 19:20. These games are fully explained in Chapters 16 and 17 of "Scarne's New Complete Guide to Gambling" by John Scarne (pgs. 459-489) (1974). Many players throughout the world are fully familiar with the rules of Baccarat and Chemin de Fer, especially the card drawing rules for the player and for the bank.
The variants of Baccarat are designed to increase the excitement and participation in playing the game by the players and thereby to increase the profitability of the game to the casino. A need exists to improve on Baccarat by offering a casino variant that has greater player participation and appeal yet adheres to the traditional rules, especially the card drawing rules of Baccarat. A need exists to have a casino variant where the dealer (casino) is not the bank and where the bank is capable of moving from player to player to more closely conform to Chemin de Fer. A patentability search has been conducted on the invention described here and the results are as follows.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,268 provides a live card game using a standard 52-card deck. In the '268 invention, the dealer deals the cards and does not act as the banker. One of the players acts as the banker. Before the play of the game commences, the "player banker" and the "action player" are chosen randomly through a random selection device such as the roll of dice. A "banker" button is placed before the banker player (a button labeled B) and an "action button" is placed before the action player (a button labeled A). Even though a player has been selected to be the banker through this randomizing process, that player has the option to decline. Once a player agrees to be banker he is the banker for a predetermined set number of plays, and thereafter the position of banker rotates around the table to subsequent players in a predetermined manner. The location of the action player button determines which player will play first against the player banker. The action then rotates from the first player to the next player in a predetermined order of rotation. If the player banker exhaust the funds on the table before him, that round of play terminates even though the remaining players have not completed their play in that hand. The '268 invention is directed to separating the dealt cards to a player into first and second hands.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,119 sets forth wagering methods for Baccarat. The '119 patent provides a variation to Baccarat wherein different types of "surrender" are provided wherein a player may surrender a portion of the bet depending on the value of the first two cards of the player and the banker hands. A separate surrender region is placed on the gaming table. This variant provides additional types of wagers that may be placed during the play of the game to increase the interest on the part of the players and to increase the profitability of the game for the casino.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,064 pertains to a modification of Baccarat. This modification eliminates the conventional 5% commission charged by the gaming establishment. The '064 invention also allows side wagers to be added to the game. The '064 invention also provides a variation to Baccarat wherein the player's and the bank's hands operate under the same criteria as to whether a third card is or is not dealt to each respective hand. In yet another variant, the '064 patent uses a mechanical randomizing device to establish a "push" or "bar" situation for what otherwise would be a winning hand. Finally, the '064 patent permits side wagers to be added to the game. A player may make an additional wager on his hand with respect to a tie or for a natural situation.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,395,120; 5,328,189; and 5,265,882 allow a player to play a casino game simultaneously against a dealer and other players. Under the teachings of these inventions, a player can simultaneously play draw poker against the dealer and either twenty-one or Baccarat against other players.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,259 sets forth a pari-mutuel electronic and live table game wherein players compete against each other to win a common pool. They do not wager against the house. In this environment, the house retains a pre-established commission.
CALIFORNIA BACCARAT.TM. from Casino Gaming Systems, Inc., modifies the drawing rules for the players and the acting banker and provides certain discretionary rules. In CALIFORNIA BACCARAT.TM. the cards are dealt face down and all players simultaneously play against the acting banker. If the bank becomes exhausted in the payout (which occurs in a predetermined manner around the table), then it is possible that players who have won will not collect. Such players have their wagers returned.
None of the prior art approaches set forth above suggest or disclose the variant to Baccarat of the present invention.


A multi-mode mobile station receives a subscriber identity module (SIM) card storing at least certain communications standard required subscription information that is common to a plurality of types of cellular telecommunications systems. The mobile station also includes an internal memory for storing communications standard required subscription information unique to each type of cellular telecommunications systems for which mobile station operations are supported. If a certain type of cellular telecommunications system is selected for mobile station operation, and the inserted SIM card fails to include the necessary communications standard required subscription information for that type of system, the common information is extracted from the SIM card and used in combination with the internal memory stored unique information specific to the selected type of system in effectuating mobile station operation.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to multi-mode mobile stations operable within a telecommunications system and, in particular, to a multi-mode mobile station operable within a selected one of two or more different types of cellular telecommunications systems in instances where an inserted subscriber identity module (SIM) card includes complete communications standard required subscription information pertinent to non-selected ones of the supported types of cellular telecommunications systems.
2. Description of Related Art
Terrestrial cellular telecommunications systems are now commonly available for subscriber use in most of the major urban areas of the world. However, in spite of the success of such systems and the increasing demand for expanded coverage, there remain areas of the world where terrestrial cellular telecommunications systems do not present a commercially or economically viable communications option. For example, rural areas with low population densities do not offer a substantial enough potential subscriber base to justify the cost of installing a terrestrial cellular telecommunications system infrastructure. Notably, these rural areas sometimes lack conventional wireline (fixed) telephone service as well for the same economic reasons.
There also exist capacity concerns with respect to existing terrestrial cellular telecommunications systems. The dramatic success and acceptance of this form of telecommunications has led to increased subscription growth. With more and more users, some existing terrestrial cellular telecommunications systems have become overloaded during peak use times. While the demand justifying expansion is present, some service providers have been slow to respond by making improvements to and authorizing the expansion of the existing infrastructure. In some instances, governmental restrictions have further hampered effective service provider response to increases in demand.
The foregoing concerns have contributed towards the development of satellite cellular telecommunications systems. Such systems rely on communications satellites placed in orbit above the surface of the earth to relay telephonic communications between mobile stations (also referred to as "user terminals") and conventional terrestrial cellular and wireline telecommunications systems. The primary benefit, from both a service and cost perspective, provided by a satellite cellular telecommunications system is that a single satellite is capable of servicing the telecommunications needs of many users distributed over a substantial service area including both rural and urban areas. In fact, one satellite may be capable of providing telecommunications service throughout an entire country. Satellites are further capable of providing telecommunications service in areas of the world (like the ocean surface and remote mountain ranges) where installation of conventional terrestrial cellular and wireline telecommunications system infrastructure is difficult if not impossible.
It is well known that the terrestrial cellular telecommunications system and the satellite cellular telecommunications system operate in accordance with different communications standards. Furthermore, many different types of terrestrial cellular telecommunications systems exist, again each operating in accordance with different communications standards. Thus, for example, a subscriber wishing to access and use the Asia Cellular Satellite (ACeS) type satellite cellular telecommunications system must possess and utilize a mobile station configured for operation in accordance with the ACeS communications standard. If that same subscriber wanted to access and use the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications type terrestrial cellular telecommunications system, their mobile station must be configured for operation in accordance with the GSM communications standard. Similarly, the mobile station must be appropriately configured for operation in any other desired terrestrial or satellite cellular telecommunications system (such as, an I-CO type satellite cellular telecommunications system, or the Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS or D-AMPS) type or Personal Communications System (PCS) type terrestrial cellular telecommunications systems).
Recent developments in mobile station design have made multi-mode mobile stations available for subscriber use. Such multi-mode devices are capable of being configured for operation in any selected one of two or more available cellular telecommunications system types. For example, the mobile station may be terrestrial system oriented and configured for operation in one mode in accordance with the GSM communications standard, and in another mode in accordance with the PCS communications standard. With the advent of satellite cellular telecommunications systems, increasing numbers of mobile stations are capable of operation in one of the terrestrial cellular telecommunications systems, such as GSM, and one of the satellite cellular telecommunications systems, such as ACeS. Access to such a mobile station, in conjunction with the placement into operation of both terrestrial and satellite cellular telecommunications systems, advantageously provides the subscriber with access to telecommunications services substantially throughout the entire world.
The communications standard required subscription information necessary for specifying proper multi-mode mobile station operation in one of several available types of terrestrial or satellite cellular telecommunications systems is conventionally stored in a subscriber identity module (SIM) card which is inserted into the mobile station. Beyond being a central store of subscriber information, the primary advantage provided by the SIM card is that a subscriber and his or her subscription are no longer tied (or assigned) to a particular mobile station. The subscriber instead may insert their personal SIM card into any SIM supporting mobile station and immediately have access to their subscription to make and receive cellular telephone calls.
Instances are likely to occur where a multi-mode mobile station is capable of operation in a particular type of terrestrial or satellite cellular telecommunications system, and the subscriber in fact desires to communicate over that particular system, but the inserted SIM card does not include the particular communications standard required subscription information necessary for specifying proper multi-mode mobile station operation in that system. For example, the multi-mode mobile station may be capable of operation in both the ACeS type satellite cellular telecommunications system and the GSM type terrestrial cellular telecommunications system. However, the inserted subscriber SIM card may include communications standard required subscription information relating only to operation in accordance with the GSM type terrestrial cellular telecommunications system. Certain ACeS communications standard subscription information is missing from, or has no equivalent in, the available GSM communications standard required subscription information. Accordingly, if no GSM type terrestrial cellular telecommunications system is available to the subscriber at a given location, and even though the ACeS type satellite cellular telecommunications system is available for mobile station access, the failure of the SIM card to include the ACeS communications standard required subscription information would preclude mobile station operation over that satellite cellular telecommunications system.
There is a need then for a multi-mode mobile station to support full multi-mode operation over and access to various types of terrestrial and satellite cellular telecommunications systems even in those instances where a subscriber inserted SIM card fails to include the terrestrial and satellite communications standard required subscription information necessary for such operation.

Multiple cellular systems with limited sim card information


A method for performing motion compensated video spatial up-conversion on video. The horizontal samples in successive fields are first interpolated using a spatial interpolation technique. This is followed by interpolating the corresponding vertical samples using a motion compensated deinterlacing technique. Such techniques can include an adaptively recursive motion compensated video spatial up-conversion or an adaptively recursive motion compensated video spatial up-conversion using a generalized sampling theorem. The present invention can be used to convert video captured on a mobile device, such as a mobile telephone, so that it can be subsequently and adequately displayed on a television.

Video spatial up-conversion (V-SUC) is also known as video resolution enhancement. V-SUC is used to enhance the spatial resolution of an arbitrary video sequence through both horizontal and vertical spatial interpolation. Video spatial up-conversion is one aspect of video format conversion (VFC), in which video signals are converted from one format to another. Two typical aspects of VFC are video deinterlacing, also known as video scan rate up-conversion and video picture rate up-conversion. Deinterlacing involves enhancing the spatial resolution of a video signal through interpolation in the vertical direction. Video picture rate up-conversion enhances the picture rate (also known as frame rate) of a video signal through temporal interpolation.
Video spatial up-conversion is required for TV-out of mobile phone captured videos. Typical spatial resolutions of NTSC TV are 640×480 or 800×576. In contrast, videos captured by conventional mobile telephones have a spatial resolution typically as SIF (320×240), CIF (352×288), or QCIF (176×144). Therefore, the spatial resolution needs to be enhanced before mobile telephone-captured videos are displayed in a regular TV device. Another example of video spatial up-conversion involves the display of standard definition TV (SDTV) signals in a high definition TV (HDTV) device.
Video spatial up-conversion mainly needs to fulfill two tasks in the process of spatial resolution enhancement: anti-aliasing and high spatial frequency generation to overcome the over-smoothness artifact.
A digital video signal is obtained through three-dimensional (3D) sampling of the original continuous video signal. For example, Δx, Δy, and T can denote the sampling distances in the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, and the temporal direction, respectively, which specify a 3D sampling grid. In this situation the Fourier spectrum of the digital video signal is the ensemble of multiple replications of the Fourier spectrum of the continuous video signal along the 3D sampling grid that is specified by the sampling frequencies, fsx, fsy, and fst, where fsx=1/(Δx), fsy=1/(Δy), and fst=1/T. The replication centered at the coordinates (0,0,0) is referred to as the baseband spectrum. If the original continuous signal is band-limited and the maximum frequencies in the respective directions, denoted as fmaxx, fmaxy, and fmaxt respectively, satisfy the following constraints, namely fmaxx≦fsx/2=1/(2Δx), fmaxy≦fsy/2=1/(2Δy), and fmaxt≦fst/2=1//(2T), then the continuous signal can be completely recovered from its 3D samples. Ideal interpolation filtering then corresponds to all-pass the baseband spectrum and the other replications are zeroed-out. If the above constraints are violated, then adjacent spectral replications will overlap with each other, resulting in aliasing.
When a continuous video signal is sampled, anti-aliasing filtering is first applied so that all the frequencies that are larger than half of the respective sampling frequency are removed, avoiding the problem of aliasing. However, this is not the case for progressively scanned videos that are captured by cameras. It is known that sampling in both the vertical and temporal directions is part of the scanning format integrated with the camera. The desired anti-aliasing is therefore required in the optical path of the camera, which is extremely difficult and expensive to realize. Therefore, aliasing is usually present in the fy-ft frequency space, as shown in FIG. 1. In the fy-ft frequency space, the extent of the spectrum support is determined by the vertical details of the scene, while the spectrum orientation is determined by the vertical motions.
When a digital video signal is upsampled, an ideal interpolation filter should all-pass the baseband spectrum, without aliasing, while suppressing the aliasing portion as much as possible. As shown in FIG. 1(b), if a vertical motion is present, an ideal low pass filter for interpolation should be motion-compensated to effectively extract the baseband spectrum without aliasing.
In contrast, horizontal sampling is realized after the image acquisition process. For this reason, anti-aliasing filtering can be implemented in the horizontal direction before sampling. This implies that, for video spatial up-conversion, the interpolation in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction should be treated separately. Because the high frequency component is either filtered out in the process of sampling or suppressed due to aliasing in the process of upsampling, the video signal after spatial up-conversion is lacking the high frequency component, resulting in the blurring or over-smoothness of artifacts. Many spatial filters have been designed to boost the high frequency component during spatial interpolation.
Conventional techniques for video spatial up-conversion have been primarily realized through spatial interpolation in a frame-by-frame basis. For this reason, spatial interpolation techniques for 2D still images have been directly extended to the use for video signals, where correlation across different frames of a digital video has been completely ignored.
Spatial interpolation using finite impulse response (FIR) filtering is the most commonly used technique, where image independent FIR filters are applied in both the horizontal direction and vertical direction of a still image. Various interpolation FIR filters have been designed, with typical examples as bilinear filter, bicubic filter, bicubic spline filter, Gaussian filter, and Lanczos filter. These FIR filters are differentiated from each other mainly by different passband and stopband frequencies, as well as the length of the filter kernels. The design of these FIR filters mainly aims to all-pass the baseband spectrum containing no alias, suppress the aliasing spectrum component, and boost high frequencies to preserve image details such as edges. As we mentioned, proper anti-aliasing is usually applied prior to horizontal sampling but not in vertical sampling, it is suggested that different filters be used for horizontal interpolation and for vertical interpolation.
Image content-dependent filters have also been developed for image spatial interpolation. On such filter is referred to as the Wiener filter, which is a linear filter with a target at the least mean square error (MSE). The coefficients of these types of filters are derived from the local image content, thus adapting to the local image characteristics. Other image spatial interpolation techniques are also conventionally known. These techniques include New Edge-Directed Interpolation (NEDI), which uses the geometrical duality across different resolutions of the image content, and Adaptive Quadratic (AQua) image interpolation, which is based upon the optimal recovery theory and can be used to permit the interpolation of images by arbitrary factors. It has been shown that longer FIR filter kernels or image dependent filters are often preferred.
Nevertheless, for the techniques that use spatial interpolation for video spatial up-conversion in a frame-by-frame basis, the correlation along the motion trajectory in the temporal direction has been widely ignored. It is known that NEDI has been extended for the use of video spatial up-conversion by taking into account of motion compensation. However, this consideration of motion compensation is confined to a specific schematic framework. Additionally, motion compensation has been considered for "superresolution," a recently emerged application also aiming to enhance the spatial resolution of an arbitrary video signal. However, superresolution is considerably different from video spatial up-conversion in the sense that superresolution is targeted to generate one or a limited set of images from a given video sequence with enhanced spatial resolution. In contrast, video spatial up-conversion aims to enhance the spatial resolution of every picture in the video sequence. An effective video spatial up-conversion technique is only permitted to use a limited number of adjacent frames to enhance the resolution of current frame and the computational complexity should be kept reasonably low. Therefore, the concept of motion compensated video spatial up-conversion has not been extensively examined.

Motion compensated video spatial up-conversion


A pneumatically operated roll stop of controllable speed is provided for stopping a roll. A first end of a stop arm is operatively connected to a pivotal joint of a frame. The distal end of the stop arm is provided for making contact with the roll to be stopped. A pneumatic cylinder comprises a cylinder unit having first and second ends defining a cavity therein. A piston is axially aligned in the cylinder and separates first and second working chambers. A piston rod is operatively connected to the piston axially extending outward from the cavity at a first end of the cylinder unit. The rod is operatively engaged with the frame, and the second end of the cylinder is operatively engaged to the stop arm. A first passage is provided for pneumatically connecting the first working chamber to a control valve and a pulse valve, and a second passage is provided for pneumatically connecting the second working chamber to the control valve. A control opens and closes the control valve and modulates the opening and closing of the pulse valve for pneumatically controlling the first and second working chambers for regulating the movement of the stop arm to stop the roll.

Paper mills utilize large conveyor systems for transferring rolls, e.g., from the slitter to the packaging line, and further to the storage area. The transport system comprises, e.g., lamellar conveyors, car conveyors, ramps and a variety of equipment suited to the transfer of the rolls from one conveyor to the next and to packaging lines. Such transport equipment incorporates different types of pushers and stops employed for pushing the roll into rolling motion and then stopping the same in a controlled manner at a desired location. The most common type of a roll stop is an arm pivotally mounted at its one end and adapted for motion control by means of a pneumatic cylinder. Such a roll stop operates so that along with its rolling motion, the roll hits a contact roll mounted to the distal end of the stop arm and begins to swing the arm toward the direction of the roll motion. Simultaneously, the arm actuates a pneumatic cylinder equipped with an outlet throttle valve at that side of the cylinder actuated during the braking of the roll motion. The throttling action slows down the cylinder stroke rate, as well as thereby also the roll motion, whereby the roll motion is brought to a halt. The cylinder is returned to its home position by applying compressed air pressure to the other side of the cylinder. Such return stroke can also be utilized for pushing the roll into a new motion, e.g., away from a wrapping station.
Conventional roll stops are operated at an almost constant rate of speed deceleration throughout the entire roll stopping distance. Currently, the size difference between the minimum size and maximum size paper rolls produced in paper mills is very large; in modern mills ranges typically are as wide as 200 . . . 8000 kg. A pneumatic stop performs satisfactorily only over a restricted range of roll sizes. When several different roll speeds have to be managed, a separate valve with an individual throttling characteristic has been required for each preset stopping speed. During operation, the roll size is identified, after which a suitable valve/throttling combination is selected for use by an automation system. Obviously, the number of the valves is limited in order to avoid an excessively complicated and expensive construction of the equipment. Typically, three different valve/throttling combinations have been employed, whereby three speed ranges are selectable.
The operating principle of a constant rate-of-speed deceleration over the entire stopping distance, as employed in prior-art roll stops, has several disadvantages. The paper roll hits the contact roll of the stop arm extremely violently at the instant of first encounter, and the outer layers of the roll may become damaged and therefore unusable. These unusable portions become scrap and are discarded. The instant the roll hits the roll stop, the stop imposes a high impact energy on the roll that causes deformations and possibly even web tear. Moreover, such a conventional roll stop is slow in operation, because it operates with a constant rate of speed deceleration over the entire stopping distance. During the transfer of the rolls, the speed of the rolls must be kept low, since the braking power of the roll stops must be designed sufficiently weak to avoid damage to the roll. On the other hand, this results in a long transfer time of the rolls and reduces the speed of the transfer lines substantially. Furthermore, a great number of intermediate stops and roll retarders are necessary to control the speed of the rolling paper rolls.

Roll stop and operating method of the same


A method of implementing a wagering game. A first hand of cards is dealt on a first row. Cards can be held or discarded by a player. Cards that are held are transformed into a card with a same face value but a different suit and copied into an additional row. Cards not held are replaced in the first row and the additional row.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a method, device, and computer readable storage medium for implementing a poker-type game.
2. Description of the Related Art
Video poker games are a popular form of wagering in a casino. Casinos are always introducing new variations on their floor in order to entice players with new variations.
What is needed is a new variation of wagering game that some players may find preferable.

Multi-hand poker with card transformations