A running toy capable of running stably regardless of a state of a floor, a road or the like. The running toy comprises: right and left leg parts provided so as to rotate forward and backward on a first horizontal axis; right and left rotating members provided so as to rotate on a second horizontal axis; a motor for driving the rotating members, wherein the leg parts engage with the rotating members at eccentric positions respectively, phases at the eccentric positions are different from each other, and the leg parts rotate forward and backward according as the rotating members rotate; and right and left grips provided at soles of the leg parts respectively, so as to be projected from and retracted in the soles respectively, and so as to be projected from the soles when the leg parts rotate from forward positions to backward positions respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a running toy, and in particular to a running toy capable of running stably.
2. Description of Related Art
For example, as a running toy capable of walking on both feet, a toy is known that runs by continuously taking a movement of lifting and stretching out one leg in a state wherein a sole of a foot of the other leg contacts with a ground, and after lifting and stretching out the other leg in a state wherein a sole of a foot of the one leg contacts with the ground.
Further, as another running toy, a toy is known that runs by moving right and left legs forward and backward in a state wherein a portion of each of soles of feet always contacts with a ground.
Because the former running toy as described above lifts one leg when running, it is difficult that the running toy keeps a right and left balance when running, and runs stably.
On the other hand, because the latter running toy as described above slips on a slippery floor or road and does not move forward even if moving the right and left legs forward and backward, it is difficult that the running toy runs stably.
Further, because some of running toys according to an earlier development have structures so that a power source, a power transmitting mechanism and a movable part thereof cannot be changed, there is a case wherein it is difficult that the running toys run stably, according to a state of a floor or a road.
The above-described problems occur not only in a toy robot, but also in a general running toy which runs or walks.
The present invention was developed in order to solve the problems as mentioned above.
An object of the present invention is to provide a running toy capable of running stably regardless of a state of a floor, a road or the like.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a running toy comprises: right and left leg parts which are provided so as to rotate forward and backward on a first horizontal axis; right and left rotating members which are provided so as to rotate on a second horizontal axis parallel to the first horizontal axis; a motor for driving the right and left rotating members, wherein the right and left leg parts engage with the right and left rotating members at eccentric positions of the rotating members corresponding to the leg parts respectively, phases at the eccentric positions of the right and left rotating members are different from each other, and the right and left leg parts rotate forward and backward according as the right and left rotating members rotate; and right and left grips which are provided at soles of the right and left leg parts respectively, so as to be projected from and retracted in the soles of the right and left leg parts respectively, and so as to be projected from the soles of the right and left leg parts when the right and left leg parts rotate from forward positions to backward positions respectively.
The right and left rotating members are not limited specially. Each of the right and left rotating members may be a rotating member at an eccentric position of which a pin is provided, or a rotating member such as a cam, a crank and so on. Further, in case a gear mechanism is provided at each of the right and left leg parts, each of the rotating members may be a gear.
According to the running toy of the aspect of the present invention, because the right and left grips are provided at the soles of the right and left leg parts respectively, so as to be projected from the soles when the right and left leg parts rotate from the forward positions to the backward positions respectively, the grips can kick a floor or a road. Consequently, it is possible to drive the running toy forward.
Preferably, the running toy of the aspect of the present invention, further comprises: right and left cams which rotate according as the right and left rotating members rotate respectively; and right and left slave parts which move according to the right and left cams provided at the right and left leg parts respectively; wherein the right and left grips are fixed at lower end portions of the right and left slave parts respectively.
The right and left slave parts are not limited specially. Each of the right and left slave parts may be a part which is provided at the leg part so as to slide upward and downward, or a link mechanism.
According to the above-described running toy, because the right and left grips are moved by the right and left cams respectively, it is possible to project and retract each of the grips smoothly.
Preferably, in the running toy as described above, peripheral surfaces of the right and left rotating members are cam surfaces of the right and left cams respectively.
According to the above-described running toy, the cam surfaces of the right and left cams are formed on the peripheral surfaces of the right and left rotating members respectively, it is possible to simplify the structure of the running toy more than a case the cam is separated from the rotating member and provided at the running toy.
Preferably, the running toy as described above, further comprises a plurality of pairs of right and left rotating members, wherein one of the pairs has right and left rotating members having different structures from those of right and left rotating members of another pair, and the pairs can be changed to one another.
The pairs of right and left rotating members are not limited specially. One of the pairs may have right and left rotating members having different eccentric amounts of positions at which pins engaging longitudinal holes formed in the leg parts are provided from those of right and left rotating members of another pair. Further, in case the peripheral surfaces of the right and left rotating members of each of the pairs are the cam surfaces of the right and left cams respectively, one of the pairs may have right and left rotating members having different radius vectors to the cam surfaces from those of right and left rotating members of another pair.
Preferably, the running toy of t he aspect of the present invention, further comprises: a plurality of upper body parts at each of which the motor is provided, which are formed in different shapes from one another, and which can be changed to one another; and a base part at which any one of the upper body parts is provided so as to be attached thereto and detached therefrom.
According to the above-described running toy, because the upper body parts can be changed to one another, it is possible to change the whole structure of the running toy.
Preferably, the running toy of the aspect of the present invention, further comprises: a plurality of upper body parts at which motors having different characteristics from one another are provided respectively, and which can be changed to one another; and a base part at which any one of the upper body parts is provided so as to be attached thereto and detached therefrom.
The characteristic of the motor is not limited specially. The characteristic of the motor may be a horsepower, a rotation number or the like.
According to the above-described running toy, because the upper body parts can be changed to one another, it is possible to change a horsepower or a running speed of the running toy.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a running toy comprises: a plurality of upper body parts at which motors having different characteristics from one another are provided respectively; a base part at which any one of the upper body parts is provided so as to be attached thereto and detached therefrom, and at which a power transmitting mechanism is provided; and a running part which is provided at the base part; wherein any one of the upper body parts is provided at the base part so that one of the motors, which is provided at the one of the upper body parts is connected to the power transmitting mechanism, and the upper body parts can be changed to one another.
The running part is not limited specially. The running part may be wheels or leg parts.
According to the above-described running toy, because the upper body parts can be changed to one another, it is possible to change a horsepower or a running speed of the running toy.


The present invention discloses a method for training an exception-limited phonetic decision tree. An initial subset of data can be selected and used for creating an initial phonetic decision tree. Additional terms can then be incorporated into the subset. The enlarged subset can be used to evaluate the phonetic decision tree with the results being categorized as either correctly or incorrectly phonetized. An exception-limited phonetic tree can be generated from the set of correctly phonetized terms. If the termination conditions for the method have been determined to be unsatisfactorily met, then steps of the method can be repeated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of text to speech processing and, more particularly, to training a phonetic decision tree with limited phonetic exceptions for a text-to-speech system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Text-to-speech (TTS) systems are an integral component of speech processing systems. Conventional TTS systems utilize a phonetic decision tree when synthesizing the words contained in an input text string into speech output. These phonetic trees are typically created using a very sizable set of randomly selected words called the training data; the set often contains tens or hundreds of thousands of words. The accuracy of the phonetic tree is then evaluated using test data, which is another set of random words.
Due to phonetic inconsistencies inherent within written languages, these phonetic trees often include extraneous branches to handle such exceptional words. For example, the word "some" is pronounced as "sum" and not with a long 'o' as with other phonetically similar words such as "home" and "dome". When the randomly selected training data contains a large quantity of these phonetically exceptional words, the phonetic tree contains as many extraneous branches. These extraneous branches increase the processing time required by the TTS system to produce the speech output. Additionally, the larger size of the phonetic tree requires more storage space within the system.
Reducing the quantity of phonetic exceptions in the training data would help to streamline the phonetic tree. However, the voluminous size of the training data inhibits the use of a manual process to eliminate phonetic exceptions. An automated process currently does not exist for creating a phonetic tree that is not influenced by phonetic exceptions.
What is needed is an automated solution that creates a phonetic tree without the influence of phonetic exceptions. That is, the solution would use an automated process to remove the influence of phonetic exceptions on the phonetic tree. Ideally, such a solution would result in the creation of a phonetic tree containing only standard phonetic translations. Additionally, this solution can utilize an exception dictionary to phonetize words containing phonetic exceptions.

Technique for training a phonetic decision tree with limited phonetic exceptional terms


An improved plastic trash bag holder is presented. The invention will hold a standard t-shirt shopping bag firmly and permit the bag to be held in the hand by means of an attached handle or placed on a vertical flat surface by means of screw or other attachments mechanisms.

Inventions like the present one are used to manipulate plastic "T-shirt bags" intended for home use or in a business office. The devices support the bag and hold it open for easy use, making it more likely that objects to be placed in the bag make it inside. When the bag is detached from the holder, it can be used to throw the contained trash away.
Trash bags used are usually plastic with handles already provided. The present invention uses unique handle restraint devices on its frame to hold the bag by its handles, allowing it to dangle freely from the frame.
The current state of the art includes similar bag restraint devices without the present invention's features. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,948 to Groth teaches a bag handling system that consists of two interlocking frames that snap together and a scoop to help with loading the bag. U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,033 to Russell & Retka shows a bag holder that hangs from a wall or door and possesses a simple bag handle restraint system.
The present invention possesses several features not anticipated by these inventions, and others, including a simple handle restraint system that accommodates multiple-sized handles and a simple, single-frame support that can be attached removably to a cabinet door, or used with a fold-out handle to allow the bag holder to be carried. These and other features distinguish the present invention from the prior art, and make it a unique contribution.


Various embodiments are described herein for a moving target detector that processes input data to perform detection for a current range cell. The moving target detector includes a Doppler filter bank module for processing the input data to provide several Doppler outputs for the current range cell, a no-land-clutter path for processing several input data sets related to the several Doppler outputs to provide detection data by performing peak selection on each of the several input data sets and performing detection on the results of the peak selection, a land-clutter path for processing the several input data sets to provide detection data by performing Constant False Alaπn Rate (CFAR) detection on each of the several input data sets and merging the detection results; and a switching logic module for selecting one of the land-clutter path and the no-land-clutter path based on clutter information.

Radar systems used for air traffic control, as well as other purposes, need to deal with more than receiver noise in that they also receive echoes (i.e. clutter) from natural environmental conditions such as land, sea and weather. When appearing at the same radar cell as targets, clutter returns can block target detection since the clutter return may be several orders of magnitude larger than targets. One option for detecting moving targets in the midst of large clutter is to take advantage of the different Doppler shifts between the targets and clutter. A Moving Target Indicator (MTI) is an example of a technique that takes advantage of this property, and has been operated in the field for decades. A Moving Target Detector (MTD) is a more advanced successor of the MTI, and represents a significant advance in target detection in clutter. The MTD also has the ability to detect large tangential targets with the help of clutter maps. Since it was originally developed by MIT Lincoln Laboratory in the 1970s, the MTD has evolved through several generations.
In a conventional current generation MTD, a burst of pulses is transmitted at a constant pulse repetition frequency (PRF), returns from which are called a coherent processing interval (CPI) on reception. In general, the PRF is staggered from CPI to CPI in order to eliminate blind speed. A bank of Doppler filters is applied across pulses received in each CPI to separate moving targets from clutter. The output of each Doppler filter is processed by a Constant False Alarm Rate (CFAR) detector that uses a dynamic clutter map. The dynamic clutter map enables the detection of large tangential targets that would otherwise be canceled by an ordinary MTI, and also helps to control the false alarm breakthrough of the nonzero Doppler filters. Other maps such as a digital Sensitivity Time Control (STC) map and a geo-censor map can also be employed during either the detection stage or the post plot editing stage in order to control angel clutter and/or other geographic interference, as is commonly known by those skilled in the art. The detections from the CFAR detectors are merged, and the final detections are further integrated in a binary integrator before being sent to a plot extractor for azimuth and range centroiding. The binary integrator correlates the detections from several consecutive CPIs to control false alarms due to clutter or second time around targets. However, there is information loss in the binary integrator in that its inputs are detection results (0 or 1), which results in processing gain loss.

Moving target detector for radar systems


A computer (500) with a graphics program, an eight-plane raster image processor program, an eight-plane print-sending program, and a contrast-control program is connected to a single-bit, four-pass, electrographic printer (430). One or more of the primary colors is individually divided into multiple layers (100', 200 . . . ), with each layer having an independently selectable contrast setting (300--330). The printer (430') is now capable of printing images with an improved color gamut and dynamic range.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to electrographic printing. Particularly, it teaches a method for improving gradations within the optical density range achievable by single-bit electrostatic printers.
2. Prior Art--Single-Bit Electrographic Printing Employing Four Primary Colors--FIG. 1
Electrographic printers generally apply an electrical charge pattern, or image, to a surface. This charge image is initially invisible. It is "developed" or made visible through the application of "toner." Toner consists of a collection of minute, typically micron-sized, electrically charged particles. The electrical charge on these particles is opposite to that in the charge pattern. Therefore the particles adhere to the charge pattern, but not to uncharged areas, rendering the charge image visible. Toner is available in a dry, powder form or a liquid form.
A typical electrographic printer in widespread use today is the 8900-Series electrostatic printer manufactured and sold by Xerox ColorgrafX Systems, Inc., 5853 Rue Ferrari, San Jose, Calif. 95138, U.S.A. These printers deposit a latent (undeveloped) electrical charge image on electrographic paper or other medium which is later "developed" using liquid toners, also called "inks." The final graphic print comprises an assemblage of binary dots, i.e. dots which are either present or absent. Another term used to describe this type of printing is "single-bit printing" since a single binary bit is either a one (dot present) or a zero (dot absent). In color images, the dots are printed successively in four primary color "planes." These planes are superposed as shown in FIG. 1 to form a single image. The black portion, plane, or layer 100 of the image, comprising dots 110, is generally laid down first. It is typically followed by a cyan layer 120, a magenta layer 130, and a yellow layer 140. Gray scale capability has been demonstrated but has generally eluded practical application. Images printed in four passes achieve the appearance of gray scale by varying the spacing among the dots using "dither patterns," in well-known fashion. In four-pass printing, the full dynamic range of each primary color is contained in its respective plane. The resulting printed image is excessively high in contrast. Shadows reproduce well. Faithful reproduction of mid-tones and highlights is not possible because of the limited dynamic range which can be accomplished using only dither patterns. Also, the number of colors which can be printed is limited since these colors are derived from dithered patterns of only four primary colors.
Prior Art--Single-Bit Electrographic Printing Employing Seven or Eight Colors--FIG. 2
An attempt has been made to improve the quality of single-bit printers--both electrostatic and inkjet--by printing seven or eight successive color passes instead of the previous four. A black pass 100' (FIG. 2) is typically printed first. In some cases, a second gray pass 200 is then printed. A true cyan pass 120' follows. Then a lighter blue or cyan pass 210 is printed. Next, a true magenta pass 130' is printed. This is followed by a lighter, magenta-like color pass 220. Finally a normal yellow pass 140' and a lighter, yellow-like pass 230 are printed. This seven-pass or eight-pass printing results in substantially improved images. However it also requires three or four extra ink colors, and the apparatus to apply them.
Prior Art--Single-Bit Electrostatic Printers--FIGS. 3 and 4
Single-bit electrostatic printers of the type made by Xerox ColorgrafX Systems employ a "contrast" adjustment. From the printer's controls it is possible to set the contrast (or saturation) of each color plane to values which lie between 0 and 99. When the contrast setting is "0" (FIG. 3), the dots 300 in a plane are absent. When the setting is 10, dots 310 are very faint. When the setting is 100, dots 330 are fully saturated. Normal settings lie in the 20 to 80 range. Dot 320 is representative of a contrast setting of 50. The contrast setting is applied equally to all dots in each color plane. Each color plane can have a different contrast setting. It is possible to set all contrast settings to greater or lesser levels in order to obtain lighter or darker prints. However these settings must be properly matched with each other to ensure proper color rendition of the final image. For example, if the cyan contrast setting is 100 and the yellow contrast setting is 0, it will not be possible to print any shade of green--which is the normal result of mixing of these two primary colors. Normally the contrast settings are adjusted so that cyan, magenta, and yellow contribute equal reflective optical densities in a three-color black image. Note that although the contrast control can be used to lighten or darken dots in a given plane, these dots are still "binary" in nature--they are either present or absent.
A prior-art, single-bit printing system is shown schematically in FIG. 4. A computer 400 contains a graphics program, a Raster Image Processor (RIP) program (described infra), and a print-sending program. In some systems, more than one computer is used. A first computer may contain the graphics program. A second may contain the RIP, and a third may contain the print-sending program. Files are easily transferred from one computer to another. Distributing the computing work can result in a saving of time. A typical print-sending program is manufactured and sold by Visual Edge Technology, Inc., 306 Potrero Ave., Sunnyvale, Calif. 94086-4113 U.S.A. The graphics program causes the image of interest 410 to be shown on monitor 420). The data which comprise image 410 are held in the computer's memory for use by the RIP program. On command, the RIP program converts the image from Red-Green-Blue (RGB) format to Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-blacK (CMYK) format and organizes it into color planes, described infra. The print sending program then sends the output of the RIP program to the printer, one color plane at a time in well-known fashion. Printer 430 then prints image 440. The density (or saturation) of color planes of image 440 are controlled by contrast controls 450. Images printed by single-bit printers using only four color planes are excessively high in contrast. Shadows print reliably but highlights and mid-tones do not reproduce faithfully. This is because the full dynamic range of a printed image must be accomplished using dither patterns. Instead of being printed with light-colored dots, light areas in an image using prior art technology comprise dark dots which are widely spaced. This is objectionable in most images.
Prior Art--Raster Image Processing
A color image which is to be printed is normally viewed on a computer screen which emits light. This image comprises an admixture of red, blue, and green dots of varying intensities. Since it is an admixture of colors, this is said to be an "additive, RGB" color image. Images printed on paper or other media generally comprise layers of pigments or dyes. These pigments or dyes overlay one-another and absorb, rather than emit, light. The paper image is thus said to be a "subtractive, CMYK" color image. In the present case, electrographic printers print the image in raster fashion. Each color plane image is printed in raster lines of one color at a time, starting it one end of the image and finishing at the other end, in well-known fashion. The second color is laid over the first, the third over the first and second, and so on.
Computer software, commonly called a RIP, is required to convert the image from an RGB image to a CMYK image. RIP software is manufactured and sold by Visual Edge Technology, Inc., 306 Potrero Ave., Sunnyvale, Calif. 94086-4113 U.S.A. Color matching, re-rasterizing to the proper dot density, and dithering to achieve light-to-dark graduations are all functions of the RIP. In a four-color printing process such as that shown in FIG. 1, the full dynamic range of the RGB image is converted to an equivalent dynamic range of the final CMYK image. The four color planes are then printed sequentially, as described supra.
This prior-art technology can be expanded to include eight colors, eight contrast controls, and eight ink applicators (not shown). In an eight-color printing process such as that in FIG. 2, the full dynamic range of the RGB image is converted to an equivalent dynamic range of the final cyan, cyan-like, magenta, magenta-like, yellow, yellow-like, black, and black-like (or gray) colors. The eight color planes are then printed sequentially, as described supra. The prior-ail, eight-color printing process requires four extra colors of ink and the apparatus to apply them to the final image surface. This is costly and requires extra quality control steps to ensure the ink colors are correct.

Extending the dynamic range of single-bit, electrographic printers through multi-pass printing


Example aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods that learn a compressed representation of a machine-learned model (e.g., neural network) via representation of the model parameters within a reparameterization space during training of the model. In particular, the present disclosure describes an end-to-end model weight compression approach that employs a latent-variable data compression method. The model parameters (e.g., weights and biases) are represented in a “latent” or “reparameterization” space, amounting to a reparameterization. In some implementations, this space can be equipped with a learned probability model, which is used first to impose an entropy penalty on the parameter representation during training, and second to compress the representation using arithmetic coding after training. The proposed approach can thus maximize accuracy and model compressibility jointly, in an end-to-end fashion, with the rate-error trade-off specified by a hyperparameter.

Artificial neural networks (referred to herein simply as "neural networks") and other forms of machine-learned models have proven to be highly successful on a variety of tasks, and as a result, there is an increasing interest in their practical deployment, including on low-memory or low-bandwidth devices, etc. However, machine-learned model parameters tend to require a large amount of storage space compared to manually designed algorithms. To make these models more practical, it is desirable to compress the model parameters, for example, in order to decrease storage/transmission requirements.

Compression of machine-learned models via entropy penalized weight reparameterization


A non frictional wheel enhancing assembly that utilizes bolts and lubricated joints to attach to a wheel, remains level and independent of the wheel as the wheel revolves, inhibits friction and heat between the wheel and a wheel cover, and aesthetically enhances the wheel without covering the perimeter of the wheel. The wheel assembly includes an attachment surface with three extending bolts that press outwardly, against an inner circumference of a wheel hub to create pressure and grip for attaching the wheel cover with the wheel. The wheel cover also secures to the wheel through numerous lubricated joints, adapters, and fasteners. The lubricated joints facilitate revolution of the wheel cover to minimize friction between the wheel and the wheel cover, and improve fuel efficiency for the vehicle. The wheel cover displays decorative indicia. A counterweight allows the wheel cover to remain level and revolve independently of the wheel.

The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background, another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is that the rim is the outer edge of a wheel, holding the tire. It makes up the outer circular design of the wheel on which the inside edge of the tire is mounted on vehicles such as automobiles. For example, on a bicycle wheel the rim is a large hoop attached to the outer ends of the spokes of the wheel that holds the tire and tube.
Typically, wheels, rims, hubcaps, and center caps of various types provide protection to vehicle wheels and adornment for a tire. Manufacturers provide wheel rims and center caps that enhance the style of a vehicle and may advertise the brand of car. Car owners may have a desire to publicize their own interests, advertise products, promote stores, show off their affiliation with a sports or religious organization, and otherwise make a statement.
Typically, a hubcap, wheel cover or wheel trim is a decorative disk on an automobile wheel that covers at least a central portion of the wheel. Vehicles with stamped steel wheels often use a full wheel cover that conceals the entire wheel. Vehicles with alloy wheels or styled steel wheels generally use smaller hubcaps, sometimes called center caps.
Even though the above cited wheel accessories address some of the needs of the market, a wheel accessory that works in conjunction with a wheel and rim to provide an aesthetic and functional effect is still desired.


A system and method and system for controlling distribution of software to an user in a multitiered distribution chain. The system includes at least one entity that distributes the software in a locked software container, and includes means for receiving a request from the user to use the software. The method and system further includes a license clearing house for controlling usage rights of the software. The license clearing house includes means for receiving the request from the at least one entity, means for validating the request, means for generating a unique authentication certificate if the request was validated, and means for sending a reply to the user. The reply includes the authentication certificate and a master key, where the master key unlocks the software container and enables the user to use the software, and the authentication certificate identifies the user as an authorized user of the software.

Software today is developed by authors who represent both large software companies and independent programmers. Both types of authors, however, are faced with problems associated with marketing their software, and with limiting the use of the software to only authorized users.
In a direct-marketing system, an author markets software directly to the user via a computer network, such as the internet for example. Typically, a large software company distributes demonstration copies of commercial software products and invites the user to test the software. If the user is satisfied, the user sends a payment to the company in return for the commercial version of the software. Independent programmers, in contrast, often distribute what is known as shareware, in which the user is allowed to test software that is typically a smaller, but fully functioning version of a commercial program. If the user is satisfied, the user is requested to pay the programmer a fraction of the cost of the commercial product in return for technical support and documentation.
Providing the user with demonstration software or providing the software without documentation prior to payment is an attempt by the author to restrict users who have not paid from using the software. To prevent unauthorized copying, the author could send the software to the users in encrypted form and require the user to send for a key in order to unlock the software. However, after the user has received the key and unlocked the software, the user may distribute the software to others, and the author has no way of knowing which users have been formally authorized.
Another problem is that no matter whether the author is a large company or an independent programmer, direct-marketing becomes too burdensome for the author as the number of user's continue to grow. Instead, it is more advantageous for the author to take advantage of traditional multitier distribution chains.
Multitier distribution chains typically include a distributor or reseller who sells copies of the software for the author. Examples of a distributor include mail-order houses and computer bulletin boards, for instance. Most often, the distributor provides the software to the user in a box that identifies the distributor. The buyer then sends payment to the author along with the identity of the distributor; and the author, in turn, pays a commission to the distributor. Optionally, the buyer pays the distributor, who then pays the author a royalty.
The problem with conventional multitier distribution chains is that the distributor must trust the author to pay the commissions, or the author must trust the distributor to pay the royalties. In either case, neither party has a mechanism to ensure payment. In addition, the distributor or the user may provide copies of the software to others. Even if the user is required to obtain a key, once the software is unlocked and distributed to other users, the author has no mechanism to distinguish authorized users from unauthorized users.
Accordingly, what is needed is an improved system and method for controlling distribution of software in a multitiered distribution chain that enables the author to distinguish between authorized and unauthorized users. The present invention addresses such a need.

Method and system for controlling distribution of software in a multitiered distribution chain


There is provided a far infrared radiator capable of highly activating methane gas prior to combustion to thereby attain an enhancement of thermal efficiency at combustion. In a passage of methane gas prior to combustion, there is positioned absorbent material (58) produced by mixing at least carbon with tourmaline as an absorption material of absorptivity higher than that of the material of the methane gas passage. Energy-absorbing coating (59) is applied to an fixed on the external surface of the absorbent material, and on a circumferential surface of the energy-absorbing coating there are positioned magnet (54) and far infrared radiator (57) produced by mixing tourmaline with at least iron powder and carbon.

A variety of studies have been conducted on enhancement of thermal efficiency of combustors. If thermal efficiency at combustion is increased by 5%, it will become possible to cut back on fuel as a natural resource and fuel costs by 5% every month, leading to significant industrial advantages.
Therefore, there have been improved burners such as the invention described in JP 11-1707 A, for example.
On the other hand, some heaters among combustors were provided with a far infrared radiator for enhancement of heating efficiency. For example, as described in JP 2003-336811 A, an external glass cylinder is provided around a red heat section, a far infrared radiation is emitted from the heated external glass cylinder, and good heating can be thus obtained.
However, the far infrared radiation used here is associated with the heating of a far infrared radiator emitting an infrared radiation, and has been used exclusively for warming the body.
Patent Document 1: JP 11-1707 A
Patent Document 2: JP 2003-336811 A

Fuel activation apparatus for methane gas


Shadow testing of a two dimensional projection of a three dimensional scene is accelerated by superimposing the projection with a plurality of scan areas, then examining points, and edges of objects, falling within each scan area. Points are identified as potentially shadowed points if bracketed by edges of any object, and the bracketing object is identified as a potential shadower of the potentially shadowed points. Potential shadowers and potentially shadowed points undergo a series of tests to rapidly determine which, if any, of the potential shadowers are actual shadowers of each potentially shadowed point.

The synthesis of realistic images in three dimensional computer graphics requires the evaluation of a shading model simulating the propagation of light within a scene or environment. Synthesis of realistic shading, and hence of realistic images, requires the use of a global illumination model in which all illumination in the scene, both from direct lighting and reflected light, is taken into account. Shadowing provided by surfaces between the light sources (both direct and reflected light) must also be determined and taken into account to synthesize a realistic image. In the prior art, this process, known as shadow testing, has been time consuming since all points in the scene must be tested against all objects to determine which objects actually shadow the points.
A number of global illumination techniques for generating realistically shaded three dimensional graphics are known, the most common of which are ray tracing and radiosity. The following publications, which are incorporated herein by reference, are illustrative: Goral, Cindy M. et al. "Modeling the Interaction of Light Between Diffuse Surfaces", Computer Graphics, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 213-222 (July, 1984); Cohen, Michael F. et al., "The HemiCube: A Radiosity Solution For Complex Environments", SIGGRAPH Proceedings, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 31-40 (1985); Greenberg, Donald P. et al. "Radiosity: A Method For Computing Global Illumination", The Visual Computer, vol. 2, pp. 291-297 (1986); Cohen, Michael F. et al., "An Efficient Radiosity Approach For Realistic Image Synthesis", IEEE CG&A, pp. 26-35 (March, 1986); Cohen Michael F. et al., "A Progressive Refinement Approach to Fast Radiosity Image Generation", Computer Graphics, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 75-84 (August, 1988). See also the following publications, incorporated herein by reference, which describe various ray tracing techniques: Maxwell, Gregory M. et al., "Calculation of the Radiation Configuration Using Ray Casting", Computer Aided Design, vol. 18, no. 7, pp. 371-379 (September 1986); Arvo, James, "Backward Ray Tracing", Apollo Computer, Inc. Chelmsford, Mass. (date unknown); Cook, Robert L. et al., "Distributed Ray Tracing", Computer Graphics, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 137-145 (July, 1984); Chattopadhyay, Sudeb et al., "Bi-Directional Ray Tracing", Proceedings of Computer Graphics 1987, pp. 335-343 (1987).
In ray tracing techniques in particular, shadow testing is normally the most computationally expensive process. The reason for this is that each object in the entire environment (scene) must be tested to determine if it occludes each light source (both direct and reflected) for every ray intersection point. For scenes with complex lighting schemes, the percentage of time required for occlusion testing (i.e., shadow testing) can increase to over 80% of the total computation time. This is also true of radiosity techniques that employ ray tracing to compute the form factors employed by radiosity. See, e.g., commonly assigned co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 088,392 filed Jul. 6, 1993, a continuation of Ser. No. 531,377 filed May 31, 1990, now abandoned entitled "Three Dimensional Computer Graphics Employing Ray Tracing to Compute Form Factors in Radiosity"; see also, Wallace, John R. et al., "A Ray Tracing Algorithm For Progressive Radiosity", Computer Graphics, Vol. 23, no. 3 (pp. 315-324) (July, 1989).
Attempts have been made in the prior art to reduce the time necessary for shadow testing. See, e.g., Haines, Eric A. et al., "The Light Buffer: A Shadow-Testing Accelerator", IEEE CG&A, pp. 6-11, September, 1986. This document discloses a method for reducing shadow testing time in ray tracing techniques by generating light buffers, each of which partition the environment with respect to an individual light source. These partition descriptions are then used during shadow testing to quickly determine a small subset of objects that may have to be tested for intersection. See also, Reeves, William T. et al., "Rendering Antialiased Shadows With Depth Maps", Computer Graphics, Vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 283-291 (July, 1987) which is directed to aliasing problems for shadow algorithms that use depth maps. However, the solution discussed in this document is also expensive to implement, both in terms of required processing time and required memory space.
It is therefore desirable to provide a shadow testing method that is fast and inexpensive in terms of required memory, particularly for complex scenes. It is also desirable that the method not exhibit aliases and artifacts, and that visibility determination of points within the scene be accurate to the tolerance of floating point numbers. The present invention achieves these goals.

Accelerated shadow testing method for three dimensional graphics rendering system


A method to synchronize data between a spreadsheet application and a marketplace application is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request to synchronize data items between the spreadsheet application and the marketplace application, the data items relating to a type of listing of items associated with the marketplace application. Additionally, the method includes executing a process to synchronize the data items between the spreadsheet application and the marketplace application, the process to include at least one of downloading one of the data items from the spreadsheet application and uploading one of the plurality of data items to the marketplace application, the executing of the process to occur independently of the executing of the spreadsheet application. Furthermore, the method includes displaying a status of the executing of the process in a native user interface element of the spreadsheet application.

A user of a network-based publication system may perform various tasks with respect to the network-based publication system. For example, the user may use a spreadsheet application (e.g., Microsoft® Excel®) to manage information about multiple items that may be listed on the network-based publication system. Such items may include items the user has sold, is selling, or plans to sell using the network-based publication system. Additionally, the user may wish to add, modify, or remove multiple listings (e.g., advertisements of items for sale) on the network-based publication system that correspond to the multiple items.
The network-based publication system may provide various mechanisms to enable the user to perform the various tasks. For example, the network-based publication system may provide a mechanism (e.g., user interface of a web site) to enable the user to add, modify, or remove individual ones of the multiple listings. Furthermore, the network-based publication system may provide a mechanism to enable a user to import and export files (e.g., Comma Separated Value (CSV) files) to manually synchronize data items between the software application and a marketplace application of the network-based publication system. However, these mechanisms may not enable the user to perform the various tasks as efficiently as the user would like.

Application module for managing jobs asynchronously


An apparatus for picking mushrooms including a carriage, at least one picking head arranged to move back and forth horizontally, and a suction pad apparatus configured to grip mushrooms for picking. A movable camera or scanner may be arranged to image an area in which the mushrooms grow. A first member may be coupled to the picking head and arranged to move back and forth horizontally for moving the suction pad apparatus horizontally. A controlled parallelogram mechanism may lift and lower the suction pad apparatus and couple the suction pad apparatus to the first member, and which may be arranged to maintain a position of the suction pad apparatus irrespective of a height on which the suction pad apparatus is positioned.

According to prior art champignon mushrooms are grown on a substrate consisting for example of compost treated in a suitable manner and supplemented with mycocelial filaments. The filaments are grown in suitable temperature and humidity, and it is supplied with additional nutrients, and the substrate is covered with a layer of peat, if necessary. Champignon mushrooms do not need light in order to grow. Champignon mushrooms that have grown sufficiently are picked and several harvests are obtained from the substrate. The growing methods are well known, and the picking is typically performed manually.
The substrate is typically placed on shelves, in which there are several superimposed layers, wherein the floor space is efficiently utilized. The shelves are typically dimensioned in such a manner that manual picking from the entire substrate is possible, wherein the shelves are long and narrow. The shelves form for example different kinds of boxes, in which the substrate is placed. The substrate is often uneven or it has a curved shape.
In prior art apparatuses have been developed for picking of mushrooms, which automatically detect the mushrooms, pick them up, cut the stem and transfer the mushroom either on a conveyor or in a collection vessel. One apparatus is disclosed in the document WO 91/11902, in which the apparatus comprises cameras and suction pads by means of which the mushrooms are transferred into containers. However, the transfer mechanism of the suction pads is complex, heavy and it occupies a great deal of space. It is necessary to arrange several cameras in the apparatus so that it would be possible to image the entire width of the substrate. When only one camera is used, the image thus formed is very distorted at its edge areas, wherein significant imprecision occurs in the determining the location of the mushroom, as the height of the mushrooms also varies. Because the substrate is typically positioned on low shelves, the camera must be positioned very low as well, which, in turn, reduces the area that can be scanned with the camera. The addition of cameras increases the costs and the size of the device.
One apparatus is disclosed in the document WO 93/00793, in which the apparatus comprises several cameras and a suction pad attached at the end of a moving arm, by means of which the mushrooms are picked up and dropped on a moving belt. The purpose of the cameras is to scan the substrate and determine the location of a mushroom. The drawback of said apparatus is, however, that it does not recognize the height at which the mushroom is located. In practice, the height or position of the mushroom in the vertical direction varies significantly. The apparatus lowers the moving arm always at the same height and the flexible structure of the suction pad grips the mushroom. As for the suction pad, it is not certain that the suction pad will grip a mushroom located at a distance and that this will take place sufficiently gently. The positioning of the suction pad accurately at the location of the mushroom also requires the movement of the carriage, wherein picking becomes slower.
Other apparatuses for picking of mushrooms have been disclosed in documents EP 0428284 and NL 6814542.
Document U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,751 discloses a picking apparatus and a camera by means of which it is possible to detect an asparagus for picking purposes. Document U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,561 discloses an apparatus by means of which fruit or vegetables can be picked by means of a camera.


A feedback and protection circuit is provided for detecting voltage and current of a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) of a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel backlight apparatus and integrating all voltage and current input signals to output single current and voltage feedback signals to a PWM controller, so as to stabilize and control the voltage and current of the CCFL and determine whether any detected input signal is abnormal. If any CCFL is short circuited (CCFL is touched by people) or open circuited (CCFL is not lit), an abnormal status protection signal will be produced and sent to the PWM controller to stop all outputs of the backlight apparatus to prevent damages to circuit components or injuries to people. The circuit is designed in an integrated circuit to achieve the effects of reducing the area occupied by the circuit component layout and lowering the overall cost.

Since an LCD panel backlight apparatus uses a high-frequency AC sine wave power supply to provide energy for a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) to emit lights, therefore a DC-to-AC circuit is used for the purpose of achieving the energy conversion. A traditional DC/AC inverter usually adopts one pulse width modulation controller (PWM controller) specifically designed for the DC/AC inverter to control the whole inverter circuit to supply a sufficient light source for all cold cathode fluorescent lamps to emit lights. However, a piece of PWM controller only has a voltage feedback input terminal, a current feedback input terminal and an abnormal status protection control input terminal, and the LCD panel backlight apparatus must be able to integrate each voltage input signal and each current input signal of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp and output a single voltage feedback signal and a current feedback signal to an input terminal of the PWM controller. On the other hand, the LCD panel backlight apparatus must be able to detect whether or not any cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) is short circuited (or touched by a human body) or open circuited (or not lit), so as to output an abnormal status protection signal to the PWM controller and turn off all outputs of the backlight apparatus to protect the inverter circuit and prevent damages to circuit components or injuries to people due to electric shocks. The present traditional way is to recreate a feedback and protection circuit by various different components, and thus many complicated components are required. Referring to FIG. 1 for a circuit block diagram of a traditional LCD panel backlight apparatus feedback and protection circuit, each pin of an input terminal CNl1 is connected to an input voltage, a reference ground, an enable signal and a dimming signal, wherein the switching switch control circuit 1 comprises a plurality of power transistors (not shown in the figure) and a PWM controller 2, and an output terminal of the PWM controller 2 outputs a plurality of control pulse waves for driving various different switch topologies to electrically conduct the power transistors (not shown in the figure), such that the input voltage terminal can be converted from a primary coil of the transformers T1˜T4 to a secondary coil to transmit energy. The leakage inductance of the secondary coil has a resonance with each serially connected capacitor to produce a sine wave voltage, which is outputted to two lateral sides of each cold cathode fluorescent lamp, such that the lamp emits lights to provide a light source of the backlight apparatus. The leakage inductance of a secondary coil of the transformer T 1 produces a resonance with capacitors C11, C12 connected in series; the leakage inductance of a secondary coil of the transformer T2 produces a resonance with capacitors C21, C22 connected in series; the leakage inductance of a secondary coil of the transformer T3 produces a resonance with capacitors C31, C32 connected in series; and the leakage inductance of a secondary coil of the transformer T4 produces a resonance with capacitors C41, C42 connected in series. Both terminals of output terminals CN1˜CN4 are connected to a cold cathode fluorescent lamp for receiving a resonance to produce AC sine wave power respectively. The purpose of capacitors C12, C22, C32, C42 is to output and divide each high voltage and pass the voltage to the diodes D11, D21, D31, D41 to obtain a maximum voltage value, and the voltage-divided resistors R3, R2 are inputted by a voltage feedback input terminal of the PWM controller 2. The purpose of the diodes D12, D22, D32, D42 is to clamp a negative voltage of the capacitors C12, C22, C32, C42 to the diodes and reduce the voltage to approximately −0.7V. After the diodes D15, D25, D35, D45 obtain the voltage at the terminals of the capacitors C12, C22, C32, C42, the voltage is divided respectively by resistors R14 and R15, R24 and R25, R34 and R35, and R44 and R45 and filtered by capacitor C13, C23, C33, C43 to conduct transistors Q11, Q21, Q31, Q41 in the situation of obtaining a sufficient normal operation time. If any lamp is short circuited, then the transistors Q11, Q21, Q31, Q41 cannot be electrically conducted with the reference ground, and the power voltage VCC will be charged immediately to a capacitor C3 through a resistor R5. If the capacitor C3 is charged to an operating voltage of the transistor Q1, the transistor Q1 will be conducted to pull a current feedback input terminal of the PWM controller 2 to a low potential, such that the PWM controller 2 stops outputting, and thus closing all outputs of the backlight apparatus, and the resistor R33 is used for discharging the energy of the capacitor C3.
Further, the resistors R11, R21, R31, R41 are connected between the cold cathode fluorescent lamp and the reference ground for obtaining a current detection signal. Diodes D14, D24, D34, D44 are used for clamping the negative voltage of the resistors R11, R21, R31, R41 to the diodes and reducing the voltage to approximately −0.7V. After the diodes D13, D23, D33, D43 obtain a maximum voltage value of the resistors R11, R21, R31, R41, the voltage is divided by resistors R4, R1 and inputted to a current feedback input terminal of the PWM controller 2. After diodes D16, D26, D36, D46 obtain voltages at the terminals of the resistors R11, R21, R31, R41, and the voltage is divided by the resistors R12 and R13, R22 and R23, R32 and R33, and R42 and R43 and filtered by the capacitors C14, C24, C34, C44, a sufficient normal operation time can be obtain to conduct the transistors Q12, Q22, Q32, Q42. If any lamp is open circuited, then the transistors Q12, Q22, Q32, Q42 cannot be conducted to the reference ground, and the power voltage VCC will immediately charge the capacitor C3 through the resistors R6. If the capacitor C3 is charged to an operating voltage of the transistor Q1, the transistor Q1 will be conducted to pull the current feedback input terminal of the PWM controller 2 to a low potential, so as to stop the output of the PWM controller 2, and close all outputs of the backlight apparatus. The shortcomings of the traditional circuit include a use of many distributed components to achieve the feedback and protection control circuit, and an increase of the level of difficulty and the area of the layout of the printed circuit board as well as an increase of cost of the overall inverter circuit, and a control of an excessively large range of operating voltages of the transistor, and thus modulations cannot be made properly or protections cannot be achieved.
Therefore, it is a subject for the present invention to create a feedback and protection circuit of a liquid crystal display panel backlight apparatus that simplifies a traditional feedback and protection circuit composed of various different components and achieve the effects of reducing the area occupied by the circuit component layout and lowering the overall cost.

Feedback and protection circuit of liquid crystal display panel backlight apparatus


The present disclosure provides for and includes improved devices and methods for the production of Purified Hydrogen Peroxide Gas (PHPG) that is substantially non-hydrated and substantially free of ozone.

Pathogenic microbes, molds, mildew, spores, and organic and inorganic pollutants are commonly found in the environment. Microbial control and disinfection in environmental spaces is desirable to improve health. Numerous ways have been used in the past in an attempt to purify air and disinfect surfaces. For example, it is already known that Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) produced by, e.g., photocatalytic oxidation process can oxidize organic pollutants and kill microorganisms. More particularly, hydroxyl radical, hydroperoxyl radicals, chlorine and ozone, end products of the photocatalytic reaction, have been known to be capable of oxidizing organic compounds and killing microorganisms. However, there are limitations to the known methods and devices, not only due to efficacy limitation but also due to safety issues.
ROS is the term used to describe the highly activated air that results from exposure of ambient humid air to ultraviolet light. Light in the ultraviolet range emits photons at a frequency that when absorbed has sufficient energy to break chemical bonds. UV light at wavelengths of 250-255 nm is routinely used as a biocide. Light below about 181 nm, up to 182-187 nm is competitive with corona discharge in its ability to produce ozone. Ozonation and UV radiation are both being used for disinfection in community water systems. Ozone is currently being used to treat industrial wastewater and cooling towers.
Hydrogen peroxide is generally known to have antimicrobial properties and has been used in aqueous solution for disinfection and microbial control. Attempts to use hydrogen peroxide in the gas phase however, have previously been hampered by technical hurdles to the production of Purified Hydrogen Peroxide Gas (PHPG). Vaporized aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide produce an aerosol of microdroplets composed of aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. Various processes for "drying" vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) solutions produce, at best, a hydrated form of hydrogen peroxide. These hydrated hydrogen peroxide molecules are surrounded by water molecules bonded by electrostatic attraction and London Forces. Thus, the ability of the hydrogen peroxide molecules to directly interact with the environment by electrostatic means is greatly attenuated by the bonded molecular water, which effectively alters the fundamental electrostatic configuration of the encapsulated hydrogen peroxide molecule. Further, the lowest concentration of vaporized hydrogen peroxide that can be achieved is generally well above the 1.0 ppm Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) workplace safety limit, making these processes unsuitable for use in occupied areas.
Photocatalysts that have been demonstrated for the destruction of organic pollutants in fluid include but are not limited to TiO2, ZnO, SnO2, WO3, CdS, ZrO2, SB2O4, and Fe2O3. Titanium dioxide is chemically stable, has a suitable bandgap for UV/Visible photoactivation, and is relatively inexpensive. Therefore, photocatalytic chemistry of titanium dioxide has been extensively studied over the last thirty years for removal of organic and inorganic compounds from contaminated air and water.
Because photocatalysts can generate hydroxyl radicals from adsorbed water when activated by ultraviolet light of sufficient energy, they show promise for use in the production of PHPG for release into the environment when applied in the gas phase. Existing applications of photocatalysis, however, have focused on the generation of a plasma containing many different reactive chemical species. Further, the majority of the chemical species in the photocatalytic plasma are reactive with hydrogen peroxide, and inhibit the production of hydrogen peroxide gas by means of reactions that destroy hydrogen peroxide. Also, any organic gases that are introduced into the plasma inhibit hydrogen peroxide production both by direct reaction with hydrogen peroxide and by the reaction of their oxidized products with hydrogen peroxide.
The photocatalytic reactor itself also limits the production of PHPG for release into the environment. Because hydrogen peroxide has greater chemical potential than oxygen to be reduced as a sacrificial oxidant, it is preferentially reduced as it moves downstream in photocatalytic reactors as rapidly as it is produced by the oxidation of water.
TABLE 1Oxidation/Reduction Half ReactionsStandard ReductionPhoto-Activation of CatalystPotential (eV)hv ⇄ h+ + e− (on TiO2 catalyst)≤−3.2hv ⇄ h+ + e− (on TiO2 catalyst with co-catalyst) ≤−2.85Loss of Free Electrons Due to Electron-HoleRecombinationh+ + e− ⇄ heat (on TiO2 catalyst)≥3.2h+ + e− ⇄ heat (on TiO2 catalyst with co-catalyst)≥2.85Formation of Hydroxyl Radicals (only if water isadsorbed on active sites on catalyst, preventingElectron-Hole Recombination)h+ + H2O ⇄ OH* + H+2.85Thermodynamically Favored loss of HydroxylRadicals by Free Electron Reduction in aConcentrated Plasma Reactor, but Avoided in aPHPG ReactorOH* + e− + H+ ⇄ H2O2.02Combination of Hydroxyl Radicals to FormHydrogen Peroxide is not ThermodynamicallyFavored Compared to Free Electron Reductionin a Plasma Reactor, but is Promoted by a PHPGReactor by Creating a Dilute Hydroxyl RadicalField Separated from Free Electrons2OH* ⇄ H2O21.77Spontaneous Reactions That would Destroy anyHydrogen Peroxide in Concentrated PlasmaReactors, but which are Avoided by a PHPGReactor by Creating a Dilute Hydroxyl RadicalField Separated from Free Electrons and Light2OH* + H2O2 ⇄ 2H2O + O22.805H2O2 + 2H+ + 2e− ⇄ 2H2O1.78H2O2 + hv ⇄ 2OH* (by Photolysis)1.77e− + H2O2 ⇄ OH* + OH−0.71Reactions that Create Hydrogen Peroxidethrough the Forced Reduction of Dioxygen in aPHPG Reactor, but not in a Concentrated PlasmaReactore− + O2 ⇄ O2− (First Step is non-Spontaneous)−0.132H+ + 2e− + O2 ⇄ H2O2 (Overall Reaction)0.70Other Reactions Common in a ConcentratedPlasma Reactor, but which do not take place in aPHPG Reactor, which does not use Ozone-Producing Wavelengths of LightO2 + hv ⇄ 2O* (by Photolysis)≤−5.132O* + 2O2 ⇄ 2O32.99O3 + 2H+ + 2e− ⇄ O2(g) + H2O2.075O3 + H2O + 2e− ⇄ O2(g) + 2OH-1.24Ozone Destruction of Hydrogen PeroxideO3 + H2O2 ⇄ H2O + 2O21.381
Additionally, several side reactions generate a variety of species that become part of the photocatalytic plasma, and which inhibit the production of PHPG for release into the environment as noted above.
In general, hydroxyl radicals are produced by the oxidation of water and require an oxidation potential of at least 2.85 eV to take place. The catalyst, therefore, must be activated by photons with at least this required energy. Photons with lower energy than 2.85 eV will not produce hydroxyl radicals, but photons with energy of at least 1.71 eV can photolyse hydrogen peroxide into hydroxyl radicals. Excess light with energy of 1.71 eV or above should be avoided due to the destruction of hydrogen peroxide.
Inside a plasma reactor, where it is possible for free electrons to recombine with hydroxyl radicals and form hydroxide ions, this is the thermodynamically favored reaction because it has the highest reduction potential, 2.02 eV. All reactions with lower reduction potentials, such as the combination of hydroxyl radicals to form hydrogen peroxide, 1.77 eV, are not favored. In rare instances where the formation of hydrogen peroxide occurs, a stoichiometric excess of two free electrons will be created. In this case the stoichiometric excess of free electrons makes it possible for lower potential reactions to take place, most notably the reduction of the hydrogen peroxide molecule into a hydroxyl radical and a hydroxide ion, 0.71 eV, then further down to water by separate reduction of the radical and of the ion.
In a plasma reactor, the abundance of free electrons ensures that the reduction of hydroxyl radicals dominates, and that any hydrogen peroxide that may theoretically be formed is immediately reduced back into water.
In contrast, in a PHPG reactor, production of hydrogen peroxide is favored because the reactor separates hydroxyl radicals from the free electrons, preventing the reduction of the hydroxyl radicals to water. This permits the next most favored reaction to take place, the combination of hydroxyl radicals to form hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide can be reduced back down to water by decomposition (reaction of hydrogen peroxide molecules with each other), but this effect is minimized by ensuring that the hydrogen peroxide produced is dilute.
Also, since the PHPG reactor separates hydroxyl radicals from the free electron remaining on the catalyst, the free electrons are forced to reduce another species, in this case dioxygen. The reduction of dioxygen to the superoxide ion has a negative reduction potential, −0.13 eV, which indicates that it is non-spontaneous, but only slightly so. The non-spontaneity is overcome by the build-up of free electrons on the catalyst, creating an increasing thermodynamic reduction pressure. This non-spontaneous reaction is the first of four steps in the reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide, the remaining three of which are all spontaneous. It is important to note that when all four of these steps are combined into a single reduction reaction, the overall potential is positive, or spontaneous. It is easy to overlook the fact that the non-spontaneous first step must take place in order for the three remaining spontaneous steps to follow.
The reduction of dioxygen to hydrogen peroxide, forced by the removal of hydroxyl radicals from the free electrons remaining on the catalyst, results in the desired production of yet more hydrogen peroxide, of course.
The reactions listed in Table 1 are the most pertinent. Other reactions, known in the art can be added and their relative contributions reactions on the catalyst surface determined by their relative potentials compared to the key reactions. Notably, as in the formation of ozone by plasma reactors, another high potential reaction is introduced that destroys hydrogen peroxide. To completely avoid ozone production, one need only avoid the use of light at wavelengths of 186 nm and below.
The wavelengths of light used to activate photocatalysts are also energetic enough to photolyse the peroxide bond in a hydrogen peroxide molecule and are also an inhibitor in the production of PHPG for release into the environment. Further, the practice of using wavelengths of light that produce ozone introduces yet another species into the photocatalytic plasma that destroys hydrogen peroxide.O3+H2O2⇄H2O to 2O2
In practice, photocatalytic applications have focused on the production of a plasma, often containing ozone, used to oxidize organic contaminants and microbes. Such plasmas are primarily effective within the confines of the reactor itself, by nature have limited chemical stability beyond the confines of the reactor, and actively degrade the limited amounts of hydrogen peroxide gas that they may contain. Further, because the plasma is primarily effective within the reactor itself, many designs maximize residence time to facilitate more complete oxidation of organic contaminants and microbes as they pass through the reactor. Since hydrogen peroxide has such a high potential to be reduced, the maximized residence time results in minimized hydrogen peroxide output.
Also, most applications of photocatalysis produce environmentally objectionable chemical species. First among these is ozone itself, an intentional product of many systems. Further, since organic contaminants that pass through a reactor are seldom oxidized in one exposure, multiple air exchanges are necessary to achieve full oxidation to carbon dioxide and water. As incomplete oxidation occurs, a mixture of aldehydes, alcohols, carboxylic acids, ketones, and other partially oxidized organic species is produced by the reactor. Often, photocatalytic reactors can actually increase the overall concentration of organic contaminants in the air by fractioning large organic molecules into multiple small organic molecules such as formaldehyde.
Methods of vaporizing aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions produce, at best, hydrated forms of hydrogen peroxide. Also, though photocatalytic systems are capable of producing hydrogen peroxide, they have multiple limitations that severely inhibit PHPG production for release into the environment. We have previously disclosed methods and devices for producing PHPG in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/187,755, published May 1, 2012, as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0041617, and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Purified hydrogen peroxide gas generation methods and devices


In one aspect, there is disclosed a process for enabling communication of a communication device over a spectrum including the steps of: providing a communication device, detecting available analog signals, analyzing the detected analog signals, connecting to a highest energy signal, and repeating these steps.

Generally communication devices, for example wireless communication devices including a cell phone, are able to communicate over a narrow frequency band. Additionally, such devices typically are limited to a specific signal that is dictated by the hardware of the communication device. For example, cellular phones may be limited by the communication protocols hardwired into the device or provided by SIM cards associated with the device. Such devices are limited in that they may only communicate using signals designated by the hardware of the device. The signals dictated by the hardware of the device may not provide the fastest or best communication of the device in comparison to other signals that may be available for use. There is therefore a need in the art for a process for enabling communication of a communication device over a spectrum such that various signals may be utilized by the device. Additionally, there is a need in the art for a process for enabling communication that allows for the highest energy signal to be utilized by the device. Further, there is a need in the art for a process for enabling communication of a communication device over a spectrum such that the communication between various signals is not detected by a user.

Process for enabling communication of a communication device over a spectrum


A high precision replication system creates a nearly atomic level replica. The basic building block of the replication system is a substrate with a smooth replication surface which is to be replicated, and a graded transition layer applied to the replication surface. The graded transition layer comprises a binding material that adheres strongly to the replication surface and a release material that adheres to the replication surface with substantially less force than does the binding material. The portion of the transition layer closest to the substrate comprises predominantly the binding material, and the portion of the transition layer farthest from the substrate comprises predominantly the release material. A separation layer is applied to the transition layer, followed by a coating. The coating provides a backing to the separation layer, acting as structural support to the separation layer. The coating with the separation layer adhered thereto is then separated from the transition layer, thereby providing a high fidelity replica.

This invention relates to a high precision replication system for forming high fidelity replications of a master substrate surface.
The use of a highly polished lenses and mirrors is essential in some high technology systems, such as optical systems and solar panels. For example, in telescopes and microscopes, the efficiency of the optical system depends on the precision of the lens or mirror used in the optics. An imperfect surface leads to light loss due to reflection, and inaccuracies from interference due to uncontrolled refraction.
Similarly, a well polished transparent surface for a solar panel is important for high efficiency. A well polished surface transmits more light with less light loss than does an unpolished, rough surface. For applications such as solar panels for spacecraft, it is extremely important that highly polished, smooth solar panels be used to maximize the energy available to the satellite.
Other applications where highly polished surfaces are useful include sun sensors or star sensors used in spacecraft applications, because a highly polished surface has less reflection of light than a rough surface.
Rather than individually fabricating highly polished surfaces, techniques have been developed to replicate a master surface. Because the cost of labor needed to polish individual lenses or mirrors is extremely high, replication is a cost-effective technique to produce large quantities of very smooth surfaces. Typical of prior art replication systems are those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,235,654 and 5,160,668 (polymer polymerization on a substrate), 5,175,929 (chemical vapor deposition), and 5,296,178 (spraying a high melting point metal). However, typical replication systems typically add defects to a replicand not present in the master. The best replication systems now are able to produce replicands with an RMS smoothness only within 10 to 20 Angstroms of the masters, when the masters have an RMS smoothness of less than 100 Angstroms.
Other disadvantages of conventional replication systems are they can be time-consuming and expensive to use. Another disadvantage of current replication systems is the replicands produced can be relatively thick and heavy. Also, the replicands typically have an RMS smoothness only within 5 to about 20 Angstroms of the masters, which can represent more than 20% error, often time-consuming and expensive polishing is necessary.
For the foregoing reasons, there exists a need for a high precision replication system which can produce replicands close to the smoothness of the master, and preferably with an RMS smoothness within 10 Angstroms of the master when the master has an RMS smoothness of less than 100 Angstroms. In addition, it is preferred that such a system produce low cost and lightweight replicands.


The present invention relates to a zoom lens system which is invariable in terms of the total length during zooming, has a field angle of 50.degree. or more and a coverage from the wide angle to quasi-telephoto region, and is suitable for use with a lens shutter type camera having a waterproof function. This zoom lens system comprises a first lens unit G1 having a positive refracting power, a second lens unit G2 having a negative refracting power and a third lens unit G3 having a positive refracting power. During zooming, the first lens unit remains fixed, while the second and third lens units are moved such that the second lens unit is larger than the third lens unit in terms of the maximum amount of movement, whereby zooming is carried out. The third lens unit is constructed from a front sub-unit G3F having a positive refracting power and a rear sub-unit G3R having a negative refracting power, said rear sub-unit including at least one negative meniscus lens convex on the image surface side.

The present invention relates generally to a zoom lens system having a field angle of 50.degree. or more at the wide angle end and a coverage from the wide angle to quasi-telephoto region and lends itself well fit for a lens shutter type of still cameras and, more particularly, to a compact zoom lens suitable for use with a camera having a waterproof function in addition to the characteristic mentioned above.
Recently, a number of compact zoom lens systems have been proposed for a lens shutter type of camera lenses which have primarily been provided in the form of zoom lens systems.
For instance, JP-Kokai-56-128911 or JP-Kokai-57-201213 discloses a zoom lens system which comprises two, say, positive and negative, lens units in order from the object side and in which the respective lens units are moved to the image surface side for zooming from the wide angle to telephoto end.
According to JP-Kokai-63-153511 or JP-Kokai-1-252916, on the other hand, a zoom lens system comprising three, say, positive, positive and negative, lens units in order from the object side is proposed. In this zoom lens system, the respective lens units are designed to be moved from the image surface to object side for zooming from the wide angle to telephoto end.
However, the zoom lens systems referred to above are all increased in terms of the total length (i.e., the distance from the first surface of the lens to the film surface), while zooming is carried out from the wide angle to telephoto end by the movement of the first lens unit; in other words, their mechanisms are imperatively complicated so as to incorporate them in waterproof cameras, giving rise to increases in the cost and size of such cameras. Thus, they are unsuitable for use with waterproof cameras.
Among zoom lens systems the total lengths of which are kept invariable during zooming, there is a certain type of zoom lens system which comprises four, say, positive, negative, positive and positive, or alternatively positive, negative, negative and positive, lens units, and is designed to perform zooming by moving the second and third lens units on the optical axis which serve as a variator and a compensator, respectively, as well-known for a long time in the art.
However, this type of zoom lens system is likely to give rise to distortion with an increase in the lens diameter of the first unit, because the first unit is a positive lens so that the entrance pupil is spaced away from the first unit. Therefore, some difficulty is involved in reducing the focal length at the wide angle end, thereby making the field angle wide.
Incidentally, JP-Kokai-56-48607 refers to a zoom lens system comprising four, say, positive, negative, negative and positive, lens units and designed such that the focal length at the wide angle end is reduced to 35 mm. However, this type of zoom lens is again unsuitable for use with a lens shutter camera, because of using many lenses and being increased in terms of the total length and lens diameter as well.
In addition, JP-Kokai-63-70217 comes up with a zoom lens system for a lens shutter camera, in which the first lens unit remains fixed. Problems with this zoom lens system, however, are that its field angle is less than 50.degree. and its zoom ratio is as low as about 1.5.


In one embodiment, a fiber optic cable comprises a core comprising a central strength member and a plurality of buffer tubes arranged around the central strength member, where each buffer tube includes a plurality of optical fibers. The fiber optic cable includes a mica layer arranged around the core, a glass yarn layer surrounding and in direct contact with the mica layer, an inner sheath surrounding and in direct contact with the glass yarn layer, a metal armor surrounding the inner sheath; and an outer sheath surrounding and in direct contact with the metal armor. The central strength member comprises a hydroxide-containing flame retardant polymeric material, and the plurality of buffer tubes contain a water-blocking filling material comprising a silicone gel, where the silicone gel has a drop point of at least 200° C., and where the fiber optical cable is configured to be fire resistant.

In certain applications, optical cables should be able to withstand fire without significantly decreasing of their transmission performance. For instance, cables used in fire alarm systems and/or local video surveillance should be able to continue to transmit data/signals in the presence of fire.
GB 2 138 168 discloses a fire resistant fiber cable comprising an optical fibre. The cable can comprise an inner core of fiber reinforced plastics, around which the optical fibers are placed. Around each of the optical fibers there is provided a jacket of organic material, and the spaces between the fiber and the jacket are filled up with silicone grease. Around each jacket of organic material there is wound a layer of mica tape, preferably arranged on a glass carrier. Around one or a group of organic jackets with fire retardant covers there is provided a layer of glass tape. Outside the glass tape there is provided a filler jacket having good fire retardant properties. Outside said filler jacket there may be an armour, braiding, covering or wiring of glass, steel or other fire-proof material.
US 2015/0131952 discloses a fire resistant optical communication cable. The cable comprises a plurality of core elements including bundles of optical fibers located within tubes arranged around a central strength member formed from glass-reinforced plastic. A layer located outside of and surrounding the elements of core may be a fire retardant tape such as mica tape. An armor layer may be located outside of the fire retardant layer. A plurality of particles of an intumescent material is embedded within the material of cable jacket.
FIREFLIX catalogue of Caledonian Cables Ltd (2016, page 30) discloses, inter alia, a fire resistant armoured fiber optic cable comprising a central loose tube containing 2-24 fibers, filled with water-blocking gel, said tube being wrapped with a fire blocking mica glass tape. fiber glass is wound around the tube to provide physical protection and tensile strength, with added fire protection. The cable can be jacketed with a thermoplastic LSZH (low smoke zero halogen) inner sheath. Around said inner sheath, a corrugated steel tape armor and an outer LSZH sheath are provided.
FIREFLIX catalogue of Caledonian Cables Ltd (2016, page 35) discloses, inter alia, a fire resistant armoured fiber optic cable comprising from 5 to 36 fiber containing tubes, stranded around a central strength member. The central strength member can be made of glass fiber reinforced plastics. Each tube contains from 4 to 12 fibers and is filled with a water-blocking gel. The tubes are individually wound with fire blocking mica glass tape. The jelly filled tube is water-blocked by using swellable tape and thread. The cable is jacketed with an inner sheath in thermoplastic material LSZH, around which a corrugated steel tape armor and an outer LSZH sheath are provided.

Fire resistant fiber optic cable with high fiber count


An endpoint computing device network slice certificate provisioning and management system includes a core network system that is coupled to a Radio Access Network (RAN) system and configured to allocate a plurality of a network slices and make each of the network slices available for use in wireless communications via the RAN system. An endpoint computing device is configured to establish a first network connection with a first network slice included in the plurality of network slices and perform, via certificate provisioning wireless communications over the first network connection with the first network slice, certificate provisioning operations to provision a certificate for the endpoint computing device. The endpoint computing device may then use the certificate to verify at least one server device to provide at least one verified server device, and perform secure network communications with the at least one verified server device.

The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly utilizing one or more network slices to securely provision a certificate on an endpoint information handling system and manage that endpoint computing device.
As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
Information handling systems such as, for example, server computing devices, networking computing devices, storage systems, desktop computing devices, laptop/notebook computing devices, tablet computing devices, mobile phones, and/or other computing devices known in the art, sometimes utilize digital certificates in order to provide for secure communications between those computing devices (e.g., between client computing devices and application server devices, as well as any other computing devices that would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure.) In some examples, such certificates may be utilized to provide secure communications via an Out-Of-Band (OOB) connection between a client computing device and a server device that is independent of an In-Band (IB) connection utilized by the operating system provided on the client computing device, and that may be used to perform management operations such as security operations, service operations, and/or other operating-system-agnostic, client computing device management operations known in the art. However, the cost and complexity associated with securing the OOB connection has been a barrier to the adoption of the OOB management discussed above. For example, conventional certificate provisioning that is performed to secure an OOB connection between a client computing device and a server device is often performed using a USB device (e.g., installing a certificate stored on the USB device on the client computing device so that the server device may verify that computing device, which is typically not an viable option when many client computing devices are being deployed due to the time requirements associated with it), or by providing a second secure network adapter device in the client computing device (in addition to a first network adapter device that is used to perform IB networking operations) that is dedicated for OOB networking operations, each of which are associated with additional costs and complexity in provisioning a certificate on that client computing device. Furthermore, a variety of additional software is required on the client computing device in order to validate the client computing device with the server device using the certificate, perform port filtering operations, and/or provide other software operations known in the art, while complex infrastructures are required on the server side to enable the OOB operations discussed above.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a computing device certificate provisioning and management system that addresses the issues discussed above.

Endpoint computing device network slice secure certificate provisioning and management system


A bar code symbol reading system is disclosed comprising a hand-supportable bar code symbol reading device which embodies an electronically-controlled bar code symbol reading engine for producing a raster-type laser scanning pattern in either a hands-free or hands-on mode of operation for scanning 1-D and 2D bar code symbols. The electronically-controlled bar code symbol reading engine has (i) a high-speed/high-resolution raster scanning mode of operation, during which a high-speed, high-resolution raster-type scanning pattern is precisely generated under electronic control, and (ii) a high-speed/low-resolution raster scanning mode of operation during which a high-speed, low-resolution raster-type scanning pattern is precisely generated under electronic control. The electronically-controlled bar code symbol reading engine is induced into its high-speed/high-resolution raster scanning mode of operation when the hand-supportable bar code symbol reading device is removed from its support stand, and into its high-speed/low-resolution raster scanning mode when the hand-supportable bar code symbol reading device is placed into its support stand. The bar code symbol reading engine comprises a pair of mechanically-damped off-resonant laser beam scanning mechanisms that are arranged on a miniature optical bench and electronically-controlled by either a synchronously or synchronously driven drive circuit. When asynchronously driven, the raster laser scanning pattern floats slightly along the y-scanning direction to facilitate reading of 2-D bar code symbols during the hands-on mode of operation.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to laser scanning bar code symbol reading systems, and more particularly to portable bar code symbol reading systems capable of generating raster-type laser scanning patterns having variable speed and resolution for reading various types of 1-D and 2-D bar code symbols during hands-on and hands-free modes of operation.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Bar code symbols have become widely used in many commercial environments such as, for example, point-of-sale (POS) stations in retail stores and supermarkets, inventory and document tracking, and diverse data control applications. To meet the growing demands of this recent technological innovation, bar code symbol readers of various types have been developed for scanning and decoding bar code symbol patterns and producing symbol character data for use as input in automated data processing systems.
In general, laser scanning bar code symbol scanners are used for reading one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2-D) bar code symbols on products and packages for identification purposes. 2-D bar code symbols are advantageous in that they have the capacity to encode a substantially larger volume of data than 1D bar code symbols. Consequently, 2-D bar code symbols have enjoyed increasing popularity over recent years.
Many different techniques exist for scanning laser beams across objects bearing 2-D bar code symbols. Examples of 2-D laser scanning mechanisms for reading 2-D bar code symbols (e.g. the popular PDF 417 symbology) are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,665,954, 5,691,834, and 5,550,367 and EPO Patent Application Publication No. EP 0 731 417 A2, incorporated herein by reference.
While each of these prior art laser scanning mechanisms are capable of producing a raster-type laser scanning pattern, such prior art techniques are unnecessarily complicated, expensive to manufacture, and generally do not enable precise speed/resolution control within the raster scanning pattern in a simple and practical manner required by numerous 2-D scanning applications.
Thus, there is a great need in the bar code symbol reading art for a bar code symbol reading system and method which overcomes the above-described shortcomings and drawbacks without compromising system performance and versatility.

Bar code symbol reading system employing electronically-controlled raster-type laser scanner for reading bar code symbols during on hands-on and hands-free modes of operation


A system for detecting the operation of the motor or engine of a motor vehicle equipped with at least one tire-pressure-monitoring-system transmitter including: a low-frequency stage including a resonant stage connected in series with an antenna, a processing stage, a first switch and a second switch, the first switch being connected to at least two capacitors so as to control the parallel connection of at least one of the capacitors, the second switch being connected to at least two resistors so as to control the parallel connection of at least one of the resistors, outputs of the low-frequency stage being arranged to receive input from the processing stage, in order to transfer the perceived signal to a processor of the signal, which is configured to compare the level of the perceived signal to a preset threshold level.

Systems for monitoring tire pressures, also known as tire pressure monitoring systems TPMS, have recently been rolled out on all motor vehicles following revision to the European standards concerned with motor vehicle safety and equipment.
A prior-art tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) employed by a radio-frequency link comprises a TPMS tire-pressure-monitoring-system receiver connected to the electronic control unit of the vehicle, and at least one TPMS tire-pressure-monitoring-system transmitter placed in a wheel of the vehicle and connected to the measuring means of the tire pressure monitoring system TPMS. In general, each wheel of the vehicle is equipped with one TPMS tire-pressure-monitoring-system transmitter.
Each TPMS tire-pressure-monitoring-system transmitter is equipped with a high-frequency stage and with a low-frequency stage.
The high-frequency stage allows a data link to be set up with the TPMS receiver in order to exchange wheel measurement data with the vehicle.
The low-frequency stage allows the TPMS transmitter to be paired with the TPMS receiver, the wheel of the vehicle in which it is placed to be identified, and various diagnostics of the vehicle to be carried out on the wheel or by a tool on the wheel.
The TPMS transmitter is a stand-alone battery-powered system. An acceleration sensor is employed in order to switch the TPMS transmitter between its various operating modes depending on whether the vehicle is moving or not, and especially between a mode in which RF (acronym for radio-frequency) is periodically transmitted, which is called the driving mode, and a mode in which RF transmission is stopped, which is called the parking mode.
However, the acceleration sensor has a particularly high power consumption; hence its use decreases the battery life of the TPMS transmitter. Its presence also generates cost and weight requirements during the design phase.
The movement of the vehicle is correlated to the operation of its motor or engine, whether the vehicle is an electric, hybrid or ICE (acronym of internal-combustion engine) vehicle. In order not to be dependent on the presence of an acceleration sensor to determine whether the vehicle is moving, there is a need for a TPMS allowing it to be determined whether the motor or engine of the vehicle is in operation.

System and method for detecting the operation of the engine of a motor vehicle