An encoding circuit transforms a picture signal into blocks of, for example, 8*8 coefficients, in which each block of coefficients is read motion- adaptively. In the case of motion within a sub-picture, the block of coefficients is read in such an order that the obtained series of coefficients includes, as it were, two interleaved sub-series. The first series starts with a dc component. In a first embodiment, the second series starts with the most relevant motion coefficient. In a second embodiment, two interlaced sub-fields are separately transformed and the second series also starts with a dc coefficient. As a result, the coefficients are transmitted as much as possible in their order of significance. This particularly produces the largest possible clusters of zero value coefficients. Such clusters are transmitted as one compact run-length code so that an effective bit rate reduction is achieved, also for moving pictures.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an encoding circuit for transform coding of a picture signal. The invention also relates to a decoding circuit for decoding an encoded signal supplied by the encoding circuit.
An encoding and a decoding circuit of this type may form part of a television broadcasting system, in which case the encoding system forms part of a television transmitter and each television receiver is provided with a decoding circuit. The encoding and decoding circuits may also form part of a video recorder.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is generally known, a television picture may be assumed to be a two-dimensional array of pixels. In a 625-line television system, the picture comprises 576 visible picture lines, and each picture line comprises 720 visible pixels. The television picture thus comprises 576*720 pixels. If the luminance of each pixel is represented by, for example, 8 bits, the transmission of 25 pictures per second requires a bit-rate of approximately 83 Mbit/sec for the luminance information only. This is found to be inadmissibly high in practice.
By subjecting each picture to a two-dimensional transform, the number of bits per picture, and hence, the bit-rate can be limited considerably. To perform such a transform, the picture is partitioned into sub-pictures of N*N pixels each, for example, into 72*90=6480 sub-pictures of 8*8 pixels each. Each sub-picture is subsequently converted into a coefficient block of N*N coefficients by two-dimensional transform. The transform is intended to obtain a block of coefficients which are mutually uncorrelated. Among the known transform methods, the discrete cosine transform (DCT) is generally considered to be the best alternative.
The following is a representation providing insight into the two-dimensional transform. Associated with the chosen transform is a collection of N2 mutually orthogonal basic pictures B(i,k) with i,k=0, 1, 2, . . . N, each comprising N*N pixels. Of these basic pictures, B(0,0) has a uniform luminance. As the index k increases, the basic picture B(i,k) has higher spatial frequencies in the horizontal direction, hence more detail. As the index i increases, the basic picture has higher spatial frequencies in the vertical direction. In the two-dimensional transform, each sub-picture is considered as the weighted sum of said basic pictures B(i,k) each with its own weighting factor y(i,k); i,k=0, 1, 2, . . . N. The weighting factors y(i,k) correspond to the previously-mentioned coefficients. It is these coefficients which are transmitted instead of the original pixels.
A reduction of the number of bits to be transmitted per picture is now achieved by transmitting only those coefficients which have a significant value. For example, the coefficient y(0,0), being the weighting factor of the basic picture B(0,0) and thus a measure of the average luminance of the sub-picture, is always transmitted. This coefficient y(0,0) is also referred to as "dc coefficient". The other coefficients, referred to as "ac coefficients", are only transmitted when their absolute value is larger than a predetermined threshold value. This is referred to as threshold coding. The coefficients may also be subjected to a coarser quantization as the corresponding basic picture comprises more details. This is because the human eye cannot observe fine details very well. The latter is also referred to as frequency-dependent quantization. In practice, frequency-dependent quantization and threshold coding are often combined. Then, only those coefficients are transmitted which still have a value which is unequal to zero after quantization.
The transmission of only those coefficients having a value which is unequal to zero implies that the address of the location of these coefficients in the two-dimensional coefficient block should also be transmitted. In practice, the coefficient block is read in a predetermined sequence for this purpose so that, for each coefficient block, a series of coefficients is produced in which said address is represented by a scanning sequential number. Reference 1 describes a method of scanning the coefficient block in accordance with a zigzag pattern, starting with the dc coefficient y(0,0). Generally, the largest part of the signal energy in a sub-picture is concentrated in the low spatial frequencies. The significant coefficients are therefore often the coefficients y(i,k) with a small value for i and k. In the known zigzag scanning method, the significant coefficients acquire low scanning sequential numbers, the zero value coefficients are clustered for the greater part, and acquire high scanning sequential numbers. Such a series of coefficients can be transmitted efficiently.
However, the zigzag scanning pattern is not efficient for moving pictures. In fact, when there is motion within a sub-picture, the value of the coefficients representing high spatial frequencies in the vertical direction increases drastically. These are the coefficients y(i,k) having a large value for i. The vertical scanning shown in FIG. 1c of Reference 1 has now proven to be more efficient.

Encoding circuit for transform coding of a picture signal and decoding circuit for decoding said signal


Provided is a portable information device having an RFID, the device being a device in which no effect is produced on original communication of the portable information device for which an EMC measure is taken, the device having good productivity, and the device keeping communication distance without damaging portability. A place where an antenna is set is located on the side of a battery cover of a battery receiving section to make the communication distance of an incorporated RFID long. A circuit configuration wherein a condenser for resonance is connected to both ends of the antenna coil and an IC is connected to an intermediate tap of the antenna coil is made so as to make it unnecessary that the resonance frequency of the RFID is individually adjusted and make the production of the RFID easy. A magnetic material sheet is arranged between the antenna coil and a battery to ensure a magnetic circuit for causing a magnetic flux from an external apparatus to pass through the antenna coil of the RFID and make the Q of the resonance circuit high.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable information device, in particular, a portable information device on which an RFID (radio frequency identification) for making communication with an external apparatus through magnetic field signals is mounted.
2. Description of the Related Art
An example wherein an RFID is mounted, which is one of automatic recognition techniques for communicating ID (identification) data and various data to an external apparatus, using a magnetic field having a given frequency and radiated from the external apparatus as a signal carrier wave, is the so-called non-contact IC card, such as an IC telephone card or an electronic ticket. In the case that an RFID is mounted on a portable information device and is used, it is indispensable to ensure communication distance. It is required to exclude the effect of obstacles on a magnetic circuit for this.
It is known for this purpose to arrange a flexible magnetic material having a permeability of 100 or more about an excitation frequency of 100 KHz or less proximately to the rear of a loop antenna as a measure for being not affected by any magnetic circuit obstacle with ease (see, for example, Document 1: JP-A No. 9-284038).
There is also known a product wherein a flexible magnetic material is arranged proximately to a loop antenna in the same manner but the value of the relative permeability thereof is not specified (see, for example, Document 2: JP-A No. 2000-276565 and Document 3: JP-A No. 2001-68916).
There is also known a circuit for matching the input-impedance of an LSI with the output-impedance at an intermediate tap point of a resonance circuit composed of an antenna coil and capacitors connected to both ends thereof (the intermediate tap point may be positioned outside the resonance circuit dependently on the impedance) (See Document 4: JP-A No. 2000-278172.)
In order to make communication distance long, to make the resonance frequency of a receiver circuit of an RFID consistent with the frequency of a signal carrier wave from an external apparatus has been performed. For example, in RFIDs of a non contact type IC card, it is known to trim the use number of rows of fine condensers for resonance, which are made of printed patterns, in each of the RFIDs (See Patent document 5: JP-A No. 11-353440).


A device for securing a coffee filter paper in a grounds container comprising a single thin sheet of thermo-plastic, heat resistant, resilient material having a plurality of fingers spaced symmetrically around the periphery, for placing adjacent a paper filter with its open central core at the center of the filter and in combination therewith wedged into a coffee grounds container with the instant invention exposed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is generally directed to coffee filter retainers and more particular to filter paper stabilizing rings and the like which serve to maintain the rigid orientation of the filter's side walls.
2. General Background
Most conventional drip type coffee makers utilize a bowl or open mouthed container to hold the coffee grounds. The container is usually slidably retained in position on the coffee maker to receive hot water generated by the coffee maker. A very thin paper of loose weave fiber filter is generally employed to prevent the coffee grounds from being passed through the grounds container. Various means have been devised to insure proper seating of the filter in the grounds container. Especially by generic brand filter manufacturers when trying to adapt the filter to as many different coffee makers as possible. Examples of such attempts to make universal fits are the pleated side walls utilized in most filters.
A problem occurs when a filter does not seat well in the container, becomes bent during storage or on contact with coffee maker. In such cases the grounds are allowed to wash out of the filter or the brewing water is directed around the filter in such a manner as to prevent the proper brewing cycle of the coffee.
Recent art suggest that coffee filter problems have not been solved and new ways are constantly being sought. Examples of the art are disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. to Benedict, 4,735,719, Kopp, 4,656,932, Johnstone 4,963,262, Dilorenzo, 4,666,724, Franke et al., 4,885,987, Alvarez, 2,684,624, Anson, 5,064,533 Sandvig, 4,728,425 and McMichael. In each of the prior art cases cited, the apparatus is dependent upon the size and or shape of the grounds container. These devices are inherently bulky, expensive to manufacture, package and display and are not readily disposable. All of the cited prior art assume a downward orentation or molded to conform to the shape of a specific grounds container, unlike that of the present invention.


A method of and system (110) for controlled activation of at least one function in a product or component at a remote location, which activation requires a correct activation data item to be available in the product or component. The method comprises receiving one or more noisy outputs of an unclonable element associated with the component from the remote location, and providing helper data to the remote location, which helper data transforms the one or more noisy outputs to a single value which corresponds to the correct activation data item.

Products such as televisions, mobile phones, DVD players, computers, laptops and other electronics, but also computer programs for such products, implement a large variety of features or functions. These functions are usually called intellectual property (IP) blocks and are provided by IP providers, one or more different companies or other entities. The IP blocks can be provided e.g. as part of chip designs, bitstreams for field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or software components.
Because those IP blocks are often made available on a per-product royalty basis, it is desirable to control activation of these IP blocks. That is, an IP block should not be in operation in a product unless this fact has been reported to—and optionally authorized by—the IP provider.
Known solutions in this field include the reporting of a unique identifier associated with the product or IP block to a remote server, whereupon the server returns an authorization code associated with the unique identifier.
Preferably the authorization code is designed in such a way that only with a correct authorization code, the IP block's functionality can be activated. Activation in this context is often implemented by comparing the authorization code with a predefined code available to the IP block. If the codes do not match, the function is not enabled. The authorization code can also be used as a key to unlock or decrypt all or part of the IP block, for example as a decryption key to decrypt a bitstream to be loaded onto an FPGA to cause the FPGA to provide the function in question.
For example each Xilinx Spartan™-3A platform is provided with a unique serial number, referred to as "Device DNA". The configuration data comprises an authentication value that corresponds to the Device DNA of one particular specimen. Each specimen is provided with a module that verifies whether the Device DNA of the platform matches the authentication value, and enables all or part of the module's functionality only if there is such a match, i.e. if the right configuration data is present.
The authorization code can also be used as a key necessary to process input provided to the IP block, for example as a decryption key for audiovisual content to be decrypted by the IP block or to authenticate the product at a remote server with which data is to be exchanged.
WO 2006/053304, hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a method of determining a key from a physically unclonable function (PUF) provided on such a device. This involves applying error control data to the response from the PUF. The key can then be used e.g. to enable the device to decrypt data such as encrypted audiovisual content, or to authenticate itself to other parties.
Another approach to obtain a key from a PUF is disclosed in B. Skoric, P. Tuyls and W. Ophey, "Robust key extraction from Physical Unclonable Functions", Applied Cryptography and Network Security ACNS 2005, LNCS 3531, pp. 407-422 (2005). A key is derived from a PUF response by applying certain helper data to the raw response.
A problem in this field is that of cloning. An IP block or even an entire device can be copied in its entirety, i.e. including the unique associated identifier. The IP block in the clone now can be activated using the same authorization code as the IP block in the original. The clone thus does not need to be reported to the remote server, causing under-reporting of activated IP blocks and associated loss of royalties.
To protect against cloning, various solutions are available that provide supposedly unclonable identifiers. For example WO 2006/071380, hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a field configurable device, such as an FPGA, which supports secure field configuration without using a volatile or non-volatile storage for cryptographic keys on the device. This device is provided with a physically unclonable function or PUF that, given a challenge, provides an output which is unique to each particular specimen of the device. However a particular PUF cannot be cloned or reproduced on another device. To ensure that the same output is produced, certain error correcting data needs to be applied to a certain response. This makes it possible to derive the configuration data from the output of a PUF. Only one particular specimen can then successfully reconstruct the configuration data.
Generally speaking these approaches provide protection against unauthorized copying by tying the IP block to a particular specimen of a product by means of a PUF-derived unique item. A copy of the IP block will not operate on a different specimen because the PUF on that specimen will differ from the PUF on the original specimen, which will cause the reconstruction of the configuration data to fail. This may lead to a wrong authentication value or key.
These solutions have in common that, at some point, the identifier needs to be read out and supplied to the remote server to receive the corresponding authorization code. During that process, both the identifier and the authorization code can be observed and recorded. A clone can then still be produced, for example by providing the clone with a simple chip that reproduces the observed identifier. This chip then replaces the memory or other item that originally provides the identifier.
Measures can be taken to hinder the eavesdropping on the activation process, but those are complex and may be beyond the capabilities of many devices. The abovementioned WO 2006/071380 uses public-key encryption to securely transfer the identifier, or recommends the use of a separate enrolment procedure in a trusted environment.
Further, the inventors have realized that the above implicitly assumes a complete trust in the entity that programs or loads this helper data into the component or product in question. In many cases this entity will be a third-party manufacturer that produces the products or intermediary components. This entity should report to the IP provider(s) which and how many products or components he has manufactured, so that the right royalty for the IP blocks he has used can be charged.
However a manufacturer can simply manufacture more using the very same facilities as used for the 'official' products. These extra products of course have their own unique PUF, but the manufacturer is able to provide them with the right helper data, which will cause the IP blocks that rely on the PUF to function as if they were installed on the originals. The manufacturer has to know how to provide helper data otherwise he cannot produce the official products. This makes it possible for a manufacturer to pass off these extra, unauthorized products as originals. It is now also possible to under-report the number of products manufactured, which means the IP provider receives lower royalties than to which he is entitled.
Thus there is a need for a method of controlled activation of a function that prevents the activation of cloned devices.


An ergonomic, self contained hand-held thread inspection tool is power driven, which uses current draw as a surrogate for torque to initiate automatic reversal and gage withdrawal in case of jamming. The distal end carries the thread gage attached to a motor-driven spindle. A thread depth collar sleeve, adjustable by manual turning, concentrically surrounds the thread gage. When threaded into a blind hole or onto a protruding stud and operated, the distal end of the thread depth collar sleeve comes in contact with a part, pushing it against spring force. This movement is internally sensed, causing an indicator to flash, signaling “test OK”, while automatically reversing the spindle to withdraw the thread gage. If during the forward excursion of the thread gage a torque exceeding the pre-set torque limit is encountered, a buzzer is sounded signaling an over-torque problem and the spindle is simultaneously reversed for automatic gage withdrawal.

Thread inspection is a necessary part of many manufacturing or quality control procedures. It involves the spinning of externally or internally threaded gages into threaded holes or onto threaded studs respectively. These threaded holes or studs may be integral parts of machines or perhaps just fastener parts such as nuts or bolts. Power driven spindles on which gages are fitted to facilitate rapid and uniform testing are used.
The prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,700 of Peplinski for a blind hole thread gage using a modified commercial nut driver. This bench mounted device uses strain gages to monitor torque during testing, as well as sensing when a given hole has been tested to its proper depth. U.S. Pat. No. 7,059,055 of Wickham et al. is a commercial tester for checking thread presence in blind holes rapidly. Both single spindle and multi-spindle devices are described using adjustable slip clutches to limit the torque applied during testing. Upon detecting the proper depth of testing or upon exceeding the torque limit, the tester automatically reverses the drive motor to disengage the gage from the hole being tested.
The prior art does not reveal a compact hand-held ergonomic thread inspection tool that is power driven, and uses current draw as a surrogate for torque to initiate either automatic withdrawal or alert the user to operate the reversing switch manually in case of jamming.

Compact ergonomic thread inspection tool


An inflatable and implantable balloon for treatment of degenerative disc disease, bones, lesions, spinal deformities and spinal motion segment instabilities. The balloon is comprised of adjustable and expandable volumes. Further disclosed are methods of forming, inserting, expanding, and implanting the multi-volume balloon for proper placement and stabilization of the spinal lesion or disease. Still further disclosed are kits for aligning and stabilizing elements of the spine.

Expandable medical devices, for example balloons, are commonly used for dilating and unblocking clogged or narrowed arteries (angioplasty). More recently, balloons have been used in surgical contexts other than angioplasty because the implants can be introduced into a surgical site with a reduced profile to minimize disruption of the surrounding tissues, nerves, and blood vessels.
In the context of vertebral reconstruction, balloons could be particularly useful. Vertebral reconstruction procedures, including percutaneous procedures such as kyphoplasty or vertebral body stenting, are used to correct a fractured vertebrae, a spinal deformity, or spinal instability, while intervertebral procedures, such as open surgery spinal fusion procedures, are used to correct the loss of disc height due to degenerative or herniated discs. Balloons using percutaneous procedures are not yet known to be commonly used in spinal fusion and intervertebral disc replacement procedures. Classic spinal fusion procedures are often effective to restore proper vertebral spacing and therefore relieve pressure on nerves and consequent pain, despite the huge open wounds and subsequent surgical trauma involved.
A problem with currently used fusion procedures occurs when two vertebral bodies are fused together because eventually the lack of an intervertebral disc between the two fused vertebral bodies overloads the adjacent intervertebral discs accelerating the degeneration of these adjacent discs. One treatment option is an intervertebral disc replacement, such as a prosthetic disc. This procedure is also used in patients with degenerative or herniated discs. A problem associated with a prosthetic disc is the vertebral bodies may need varying support in different locations. Pressure distribution on the damaged intervertebral disc may no longer be uniform, due to the years of damage to the spine that typically occurs before surgery is considered. Therefore, a prosthetic disc may not provide the necessary support to the vertebral bodies.
Another issue related to use of implants is that diseases, such as degenerative disc disease (DDD), are dynamic diseases: the intervertebral disc degenerates progressively and presents a variety of symptoms, and therefore treatment options. Disc degeneration is a normal part of the aging process and may not be an issue for a normal person. For an individual with DDD, however, a degenerated disc can cause severe chronic pain and lead to chronic debilitating conditions if left untreated. In some patients, DDD can be treated without surgery, but if non-surgical treatment options are unsuccessful, surgery is typically recommended. The surgical option selected for a patient depends on the stage of disc degeneration, i.e., early-, mid-, or late-stages of degeneration. Some examples of surgical procedures include: discectomy, corpectomy, fusion, dynamic stabilization, intervertebral disc arthroplasty (also called Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR)), and spinal decompression. Once traditional surgical procedures, such as fusion, are used to treat DDD, there is an increased rate of re-operation for patients to treat additional problems associated with DDD. One solution to this problem is to provide a method of treatment for DDD that allows a patient to retain mobility and preserve the range of motion to minimize the need for re-operation.
As one skilled in the related art would readily appreciate, there is a continuing need for new and innovative expandable medical implants and insertion devices directed toward the treatment of diseased and damaged bones and discs. More specifically, there exists a need for expandable medical implants that provide maximum support and ease of positioning within a cavity of bone and/or the disc space.

Angulated rings and bonded foils for use with balloons for fusion and dynamic stabilization


A method, computer usable medium including a program, and a system for braking a vehicle during brake failure. The method and computer usable medium include the steps of determining a brake force lost corresponding to a failed brake, and determining a brake force reserve corresponding to at least one non-failed brake. At least one commanded brake force is determined based on the brake force lost and the brake force reserve. Then at least one command brake force is applied to the at least one non-failed brake wherein at least one of an undesired yaw moment and a yaw moment rate of change are limited to predetermined values. The system includes a plurality of brake assemblies wherein a commanded brake force is applied to at least one non-failed brake.

This document describes a new control strategy for dealing with failure of brake actuators in vehicles equipped with brake-by-wire systems and possibly with steer-by-wire systems. Brake-by-wire systems refer to any brake system in which brake actuators at each wheel can be controlled independently of the driver input and of each other. Steer-by-wire systems are steering systems in which the front (or rear) steering angle can be controlled independently of the driver, providing means of imparting a steer angle correction when necessary.
Algorithms for failure detection and identification in brake by wire systems have been developed. These algorithms either rely on sensor redundancy or use model-based techniques to detect and specify failure modes. It is therefore assumed in this document that when a failure occurs, it is sensed and reported to the control system. The main objective of the control algorithm during the failure mode is to redistribute the control tasks to the functioning actuators, so that the vehicle performance remains as close as possible to the desired performance despite the failure. This invention provides a means of accomplishing this task in an optimal way under all operating conditions.
During normal braking without failures, brake force distribution among four wheels is typically symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis of vehicle symmetry. When one of the brake actuators fails it does not generate the desired force. This has two undesirable effects on vehicle dynamics: 1) vehicle deceleration is less than desired since the total braking force acting on the vehicle is reduced; and 2) brake force distribution becomes asymmetric, pulling the vehicle to the side as a result of unbalanced yaw moment acting on the vehicle. In order to maintain the desired level of deceleration, while minimizing the unbalanced yaw moment, the brake force distribution among the remaining three wheels must be modified. If the vehicle is equipped with steer by wire, an automatic steering correction may be generated in order to balance at least part of the yaw moment generated by asymmetric braking. The solution to this control allocation problem generally depends on the operating point of the vehicle, and the desired motion of the vehicle.
Consequently, a significant need exists for improving braking control after a failure of a brake-by-wire braking actuator.

Integrated control of brake and steer by wire system using optimal control allocation methods

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force


Methods of using a laser to separate a glass sheet is presented that employs an elongated and, preferably, asymmetrically-truncated laser beam. The methods allow glass sheets suitable for use in modern display applications to be separated at speeds up to about 200 mm/s with low levels of residual stress, e.g., levels of residual stress which are less than or equal to 100 psi, and preferably less than 50 psi. Glasses with high coefficients of thermal expansion (e.g. greater than about 35×10−7/° C.) may be separated at faster speeds. Such low levels of residual stress translate into low levels of distortion during the manufacture of display panels (e.g., LCD panels) as well as in improved properties (geometry, strength, defect-free etc.) of the separated edges. The methods can be used with glasses of various types including glasses having high coefficients of thermal expansion and also with glass sheets of different thickness.

Cutting of glass is conventionally accomplished by using mechanical tools. Typically, the glass is first scored, such as by using a scoring tool (e.g. a sharp carbide wheel for example) that creates a score, or median crack, in the glass, and incidentally, substantial damage to the glass at the cut edge. However, alternative processes exist that use CO2 laser radiation at a wavelength of 10.6 μm to heat the glass and create tensile stress via a temperature gradient to produce a score, a less damaging process. During laser scoring, a small initial flaw is formed on a surface of the glass near one of its edges to generate a median crack (also known as a partial vent or, simply, a vent). The vent is then propagated by a laser light formed into a beam that traverses across the surface of the glass followed by a cooling area produced by a cooling nozzle. Heating of the glass with a laser beam and quenching it immediately thereafter with a coolant creates a thermal gradient and a corresponding stress field that is responsible for the propagation of the vent. When the score is completed, bending or shear stress is then applied to the glass that causes the vent to complete its propagation through the thickness of the sheet. In either case, however, separation of the glass sheet is a two step process consisting of creating a score, and then applying a stress to the glass (e.g. a bending stress) to propagate the vent and separate the sheet, sometimes referred to as "score and snap". In some processes, a second laser beam may be used to apply thermal stress to the glass that completes the separation process.
A problem with conventional techniques for separating sheets of glass using a laser relates to the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the glass as it is initially scored. Conventional laser scoring techniques have used glasses with relatively high CTE'S, e.g., Corning Incorporated's Code 1737 LCD glass which has a CTE (0-300° C.) above 37×10−7/° C. More recent glasses, e.g., Corning's EAGLE2000® and EAGLE XG™ glasses, have lower CTE'S. Higher CTE'S, such as that of Code 1737 glass, translate into higher tensile stresses during heating which, all other things being equal, means that it is easier to laser score such glasses at higher speeds. The lower CTE's of the more modern glass substrates used by the LCD industry result in much lower scoring speeds when conventional laser scoring technology is used, further prolonging such two step methods. Finally, the two step process can be challenging to achieve good edge quality.
It would be beneficial to provide a single step process for separating glass sheets that can provide a clean edge (minimal damage to the glass) with minimal residual stress with a faster cycle time.


The invention provided a protective brace for a portable device. The protective brace includes a hold part, a first shock-absorbing part and a second shock-absorbing part. The shock-absorbing parts are at opposite sides of the hold part separately; and each of the anti-vibrate part is wider and higher than the hold part in width and height respectively; the hold part, the first shock-absorbing part, and the second shock-absorbing part define a holder for the portable device. The cute frame-like protective brace have the merits of shock absorbing, open-operation and lightweight.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a protective brace, particularly to a protective brace for a portable device.
2. Related Art
As a tend of portable devices is to become as small and tiny as possible, protecting small, tiny, multi-functional, sophisticated portable devices is a subject itself to electronic designers. Present protective mediums tend to pack the portable devices in a casing, making increasing a volume of the portable device an inconvenient operation.
The U.S. Pat. No. 6,646,864, entitled "Protective case for touch screen device", issued on Nov. 11, 2003, discloses such a protective case of a portable device. The case includes a rigid case and an aperture in the case. A flexible membrane mounts in the aperture for touching the screen of the portable device.
However the present protective case has two disadvantages, firstly, the protective case lacks an shock-absorbing fitting in case the portable device is dropped. Secondly, a user of the portable device cannot operate the portable device directly. In addition, the heavy and bulky protective case impacts the cuteness and lightness of the portable device.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous if the protective case is of shock-absorbing and direct-operating. Another object is to provide a light and cute protective case for the portable device.

Bao'an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, P.R.C.

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd.


Methods for treating plants and fields in agricultural applications are provided by selective delivery of superheated steam. Particularly preferred applications include delivery adjacent to grape vine leaves in order to defoliate basal leaves and to kill localized insect pests, and by injecting superheated steam in strawberry beds prior to planting to kill nematodes. The superheated steam is delivered at temperatures in excess of about 250° F.

Selective defoliation of a field growing crop such as grape vines has long been known as a desirable practice. Thus, for example, U.S. Pat. 2,865,135, issued Dec. 23, 1958, inventors Gamboni et al. discloses a grape leaf stripping mechanism to strip the leaves from grape vines by a mechanical apparatus rather than manual defoliation. The apparatus disclosed by this patent uses a pair of heaters to effect the defoliation.
More recently, the University of California publication on Grape Pest Management (2nd Edition, 1992, publication 3343) notes that among the practices for disease control are the removal of basal leaves from vines approximately two weeks after bloom. This practice reduces Botrytis bunch rot and produces a superior wins grape in many North Coast vineyards, and has also been reported to reduce first-generation leaf hoppers. The publication notes that most leaf removal is presently done by hand, but that mechanical systems are being developed and used by several growers. (Supra, xi.)
Removal of basal leaves on grape vines also permits the grape clusters to hang free and allows light penetration for coloring and budwood development, and allows air and chemical spray penetration for reducing molds, moisture, and insect infestation. Leaf removal has proven to produce a better acid/sugar ratio in ripening berries, and thus results in better quality wines and/or juices.
Manual defoliation is, obviously, labor intensive and thus tends to be costly. In addition, manual defoliation when performed shortly after fruiting tends to bruise the very small berries in the fruit cluster. Further, manual defoliation leads supply to displace pests such as leaf hoppers to the adjacent, remaining leaves where they can continue to wreak their damage and subsequently can return to the fruit cluster.
The presently known mechanical means for defoliating are disadvantageous because those that blow air or pull a vacuum tend to damage the berries by bruising or removing the berries themselves.
Another problem area for cultivated fields and crop maintenance such as vineyards particularly in California are that typical soils contain nematodes that feed on roots, which reduce root efficiency. Nematode infestation of vineyards are manifested by reduced vigor and yield with a light yellowing of leaves because nematode-infected vine roots are unable to meet above-ground demands for nutrients and water.
Preplant fumigants such as methyl bromide profoundly affect nematodes, and current advice for preparing a new vineyard includes the application of a nematicide such as methyl bromide (Grape Pest Management, supra, p. 290). However, methyl bromide bas been implicated in harming the ozone layer. As a consequence, considerable environmental pressure has been building against its use. Nevertheless, in February 1996, the California Senate voted to delay a proposed ban on the ozone-depleting fumigant, methyl bromide, until the end of 1997. A reason for delaying the proposed ban was due to lack of effective alternatives for agriculture in soil pest control, particularly for crops such as strawberries.
On small scale soil treatments, nurseries have been able to use steam as a sterilant for minimizing fungal infections. Thus, bedding plant nurseries have been able to grow seedlings in steam sterilized soils. But such small scale soil treatments are not presently practical or possible for in the field use. Further the steam used is not a very efficient process, since it involves for example, temperatures close to 212° F.

Agricultural methods with superheated steam


A ferroelectric space charge capacitor memory device includes a pair of spaced first and second electrodes; a ferroelectric dielectric disposed between the electrodes; a coercive voltage supply for applying a coercive voltage to the dielectric to write the dielectric into one of two polarization states and to establish in each polarization state in the dielectric a space charge region proximate each electrode having a charge opposite to that of the electrode with a neutral region between the space charge regions, the relative sizes of the neutral and space charge regions defining the capacitance of the dielectric, the neutral region having an internal polarization field opposite to that represented by the space charge regions; a bias voltage supply for applying to the dielectric a bias voltage less than the coercive voltage at a rate lower than the rate of space charge formation to define a capacitance level representative of one of the polarization states; a pulse generator for introducing to the dielectric a read signal at a rate faster than the rate of space charge formation, which together with the bias voltage is less than the coercive voltage; and a current sensor responsive to the introduction of the read signal to the dielectric for determining the capacitance level representative of one of the polarization states.

Present non-volatile digital memories utilize several technologies, including magnetic media, magnetic bubble, floating gate, optical media, and destructive read-out ferroelectric memories. Each of these techniques has certain disadvantages. Magnetic media memories include magnetic disk, magnetic tape, magnetic core, plated wire, and magnetic bubble memories. The magnetic disk and magnetic tape memories involve mechanical systems to access the data, and are therefore slow, bulky, and sensitive to shock and vibration. Magnetic core and plated wire memories are physically large, slow to read and write, and are not compatible with modern very large scale integration (VLSI) electronics. Magnetic bubble memories have long access times to read and write, and do not allow random access addressing of the stored data. Floating gate memories include devices referred to as EEPROMS (electrically-erasable programmable read-only memories) and FLASH memories. Both these terms refer to integrated circuit memories which are capable of reading and writing binary data. These memories store data by means of electrical charge stored on an insulated MOSFET gate. They are slow to write data, slow to erase data, and are very sensitive to radiation. Optical memory devices utilize mechanical devices to access the data. The read and write times of these devices are slow, they are large and heavy, and they are sensitive to shock and vibration.
Ferroelectric memories are a relatively new technology. Methods to detect the state of a ferroelectric memory capacitor fall into two categories: destructive read-out and non-destructive read-out. Destructive read-out alters the polarization state of the ferroelectric memory capacitor during the read process, so the capacitor must be restored to its original state after the read-out in order to preserve the data. This is the memory technique currently in use for ferroelectric memories. There are two disadvantages to the destructive read-out method. The first is that the repeated reading and writing using coercive voltage levels required by the destructive read-out wears out the ferroelectric material, causing it to lose its retentive properties. The second disadvantage is that information stored in the memory that uses destructive read-out may be lost if the memory is upset by an electrical or radiation transient between the time that the ferroelectric capacitor is read and the time when its original state is restored. In other words, the destructive read-out cycle introduces a time period in which the memory is volatile, that is, retained only in the electronic state of the circuit.
Methods of non-destructive read-out of ferroelectric memories have been proposed. One such method attempts to utilize the hysteresis in the conductivity of the ferroelectric at low voltage levels. Another method employs ferroelectric dielectric material as the gate insulator in a MOSFET-like device. The conduction of the transistor depends on the polarization of the gate insulator, providing a non-destructive read mechanism. Another method which might be considered non-destructive or partially non-destructive is to perform the memory read with a partial switching of the ferroelectric. The switching of the ferroelectric is performed until the difference in polarities can be differentiated, and then the switching cycle is reversed. This technique subjects the ferroelectric memory capacitor to only a partial, instead of a full, switching cycle.
These methods for non-destructive read-out of a ferroelectric memory have encountered technical problems concerning the properties of the ferroelectric material which so far have made them commercially impractical.

Ferroelectric space charge capacitor memory

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.


A shock absorbing grip for a golf club having a strip formed of a polyurethane layer bonded to a felt layer. The strip is spirally wrapped about the golf club handle with the side edges being in adjoining relationship. Stitching extends from the underside of the felt layer over the outer surface of the polyurethane layer to tighten the portion of the polyurethane layer between the stitching to define a slip-inhibiting protrusion that forms a spiral protrusion along the length of the completed grip.

The present invention relates to an improved grip for golf clubs, tennis racquets, baseball bats and other sporting equipment employing handles subject to shock when such devices are impacted by a ball.
It is well known that shock generated by impact between a golf club and a golf ball or a tennis racquet and a tennis ball can adversely affect muscle tissue and arm joints, such as elbow joints. The energy generated by such impact is usually of high frequency and short duration with rapid decay, and which is often known as "impact shock." Tight grasping of a golf club grip or tennis racquet grip to keep it from slipping in a user's hands contributes to such impact shock.
Applicant has previously developed resilient grips which successfully reduce or substantially eliminate impact shock to the muscle and arm joints of the users of golf clubs and the like. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,059 granted to applicant Dec. 20, 1994, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,482 granted to applicant Dec. 17, 1996. Such earlier grips utilize a polyurethane layer bonded to a felt layer to define a strip which is spirally wrapped around the handle of a golf club, tennis racquet or baseball bat to conform generally to the external configuration of such handle. In earlier grips of applicant's design, the thickness of the polyurethane layer relative to the thickness of the felt layer as compared to prior art resilient grips was a minimum of approximately 0.18, with the thickness of the polyurethane layer being about equal to or thicker than the thickness of the felt layer in a typical grip of my design. Also, in some of such earlier grips, the side edges of the polyurethane-felt strip tended to unravel in use, and where the strip was not properly applied to a golf club handle, the grip would tend to loosen relative to the handle, particularly, when a golf club was withdrawn from a golf club bag. To overcome these disadvantages, my later grip designs utilize heat-compressed radially inwardly extending reinforcement side edges formed in the polyurethane layer along the length of the strip. The recessed side edges also enhance the frictional grip of a user's hands on the golf club or tennis racquet. Although my prior grips provide generally satisfactory results, under humid or rainy conditions slippage of a user's hands on the grip can occur with a result in diminished control of the golf club or tennis racquet. To counter such slippage the user must exert considerable gripping pressure on the grip.


An intelligent vision-based detection and ranging (iVidar) system consists of at least four cameras to form at least two stereo vision systems. The first pair of two cameras forms a first stereo vision system with a field of view A1 and has a baseline B1. The second pair of two cameras forms a second stereo vision system with a field of view A2 and has a baseline B2. Where B2 is greater than B1 and A2 is smaller than A1. One of the preferred configurations for the current invention is to mount the second stereo vision system field of view A2 to cover a perspective vanishing point in the along-track direction.

For automotive vision sensors, image processing of road scenes can provide rich information about the road environment that other sensors (such as radar or lidar) might fail to obtain. Today, cameras are used in certain vehicles for lane detection and offer lane keeping assistance or lane departure warning systems. Furthermore, some vehicles already provide automatic traffic sign recognition systems that can inform a driver about the speed limit or other type of road conditions. Further on, with recent artificial intelligence advancements, cameras are able to detect pedestrians or cyclists, which would otherwise fail with radar sensors or lidar sensors.
Generally, for a camera, it is relatively easy to measure a cross-track (lateral) distance given adequate camera resolution. However, a current camera system with vision processing is less effective for an along-track (longitudinal) distance measurement of an object. A monocular system uses only one camera and exploits the geometry of the road scene, along with the knowledge about the size of the cars, for example, to estimate the along-track distance. On the other hand, a stereo vision-based system uses two cameras to estimate the 3D coordinates of an object directly by computing the epipolar line disparity similar to how a human visualize the distance through two eyes.
Current various vision-based camera systems have sensing ranges (distances) from up to 3 m to up to 80 m and a field of view (FOV) from around 20 degree to 180 degree depending on the sensing range (distance). Usually the wider is the FOV, the shorter is the sensing range (distance). In a stereo vision-based system, the depth capability rapidly drops with distance and limited to a range of up to around 40 m. Another limitation of current vision-based detection and ranging system is the accuracy: while radar and lidar have rather constant ranging errors over distance, the range accuracy of camera systems typically decreases quadratically with distance. For example, at 3 m, a range error of 5 cm is typically achievable, while the error at 40 m might grow rapidly up to around 3 m depends on the camera focal length and pixel size.
In a prior art disclosed by Adomat et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 10,334,234, it described a "stereo" system with two monocular cameras for a vehicle with two different field of views (FOV) in order to extend the sensing range. One camera has a smaller FOV to provide more resolution at far distance sensing and serves as a fixed zoom camera. While the other camera is with larger FOV to provide more coverage yet for shorter distance sensing. However, this embodiment is fundamentally not a stereo vision-based system. A stereo vision-based system requires both cameras cover more or less the same (overlap) FOV and the same pixel resolution to enable a stereo pair epipolar line disparity computation. In this disclosure, only the center portion of the field of view forms an overlap area of the two cameras FOVs. If stereo pair epipolar line disparity computation needs to be performed in this overlap area, it will also require to reduce the zoom camera (smaller FOV) pixel resolution to the same lower resolution of the other camera thus rendering the zoom effect in void. In summary, if this disclosed configuration is used for "stereo" vision, it does not extend the sensing range beyond the shorter distance (larger FOV) sensing camera.
In another prior art disclosed by Schmiedel et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 8,139,109, it described a vehicle management system consists of at least a first, a second, and a third video camera. The system is configured to receive input from a combination of at least two cameras selected from among the first, second, and third cameras based on an event associated with a vehicle to provide at least a first, a second, and a third stereo ranging depth. This disclosure tries to use the different baseline of stereo pair to extend the sensing range. However all three cameras have the same FOV (or focal length) thus limit their range extension up to the longest baseline to shortest baseline ratio. For example, in this disclosure, the longest baseline is 1.5 m and the shortest baseline is 0.5 m. Therefore, the distance (range) extension can only be up to 3×.

Intelligent vision-based detection and ranging system and method


Surgical implants operative to simultaneously function as a pubovaginal sling for the treatment of incontinence and as a support member to effectuate cystocele repair. The implant comprises a first sling portion operative to be positioned beneath the urethra, per conventional pubovaginal sling surgery. The implant further includes a second bladder support portion extending from the sling support portion that is oriented to extend beneath and be surgically attached to a portion of the bladder to thus enable the same to be supported to a degree necessary to effectuate cystocele repair. The implant may be fabricated from a unitary piece of harvested tissue, synthetic material or combinations thereof. Preferably, the sling portion of the implant is fabricated from a synthetic material whereas the bladder support portion of the implant comprises a segment of harvested tissue sewn to the sling portion.

Concomitant cystocele repair and placement of a pubovaginal sling for the treatment of urinary incontinence by means of a transvaginal approach is known in the art. In this regard, a high correlation exists between such medical conditions and it is frequently desirable to address both via a single surgical procedure. Specifically, such procedure seeks to accomplish both goals of lifting and tightening the tissue around the bladder so that it no longer pushes against weakened tissue in the front wall of the vagina (i.e., cystocele) and positioning a sling beneath the urethra in order to provide structural support thereto such that accidental leakage of urine is eliminated or substantially reduced, particularly during provocative events such as coughing and the like.
The specifics regarding suburethral sling surgical procedures are described in detail in the references of Blaivas, Jerry G., Successful Pubovaginal Sling Surgery, Contemporary Urology, July, 1993; Blaivas, Jerry, G. Treatment of Female Incontinence Secondary To Urethral Damage Or Loss, Urologic Clinics of North America, Vol. 18, No. 2, May, 1991; Raz, Schlomo, Surgical Therapy For Urinary Incontinence, Atlas Of Transvaginal Surgery, W. B. Saunders, 1992, Loughlin, K. R., The Endoscopic Fascial Sling Treatment of Female Urinary Stress Incontinence, J. Urol, 1996, A.P.R.; 155 (4): 1265-7; and Staskin, D. R., et al., The Gore-Tex Sling Procedure For Female Sphincteric Incontinence: Indications, Technique And Results, J. Urol, 1997; 15(5): 295-9, the teachings of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
With respect to the simultaneous repair of the cystocele and placement of a pubovaginal sling, such procedure is disclosed by Kobashi et al., in the reference A New Technique for Cystocele Repair and Transvaginal Sling: the Cadaveric Prolapse Repair and Sling (CaPS), Urology, December, 2000 4:56 (Suppl. 1): 9-14 and by Chung et al., in the reference Technique of Combined Pubovaginal Sling and Cystocele Repair Using a Single Piece of Cadaveric Dermal Graft, Urology. 2002 April; 59(4): 538-41, the teachings of each of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Despite the optimal opportunity to concurrently perform cystocele repair and pubovaginal sling surgery via a transvaginal approach, there has not to date been any type of implantable support material/tissue that is readily sized and configured to be surgically affixed into position such that both the bladder is properly supported (i.e., so that it no longer pushes against the vagina), and that the urethra is provided with a suburethral sling optimally positioned to treat the related condition of incontinence. In this respect, to the extent concurrent cystocele repair and pubovaginal sling surgery are performed, the prior art teaches the use of a harvested piece of tissue derived from a cadaver that must be surgically fashioned for implantation within a particular patient. To derive such implantable material, however, is exceptionally problematic due to the requirement that cadaveric tissue be available. Moreover, even to the extent a source of cadaveric tissue is available, the same must necessarily be excised to near precise dimensions and thereafter implanted with great care. In this respect, to the extent the harvested tissue is improperly sized or is otherwise torn or damaged during implantation, such supportive material will be rendered useless and require that at least one additional segment of material be harvested. As a consequence, substantial time, expense, and potential patient discomfort associated with such surgical procedure can frequently occur.
Accordingly, there is a substantial need in the art for a surgical implant operative to serve both as a suburethral sling for the treatment of incontinence, as well as provide structural support necessary to effectuate cystocele repair. There is additionally a need in the art for such an implant that can be readily fabricated from known implantable materials, and specifically sized and configured for immediate surgical implantation in procedures involving both the placement of a suburethral sling and supportive tissue to effectuate cystocele repair. There is still a further need in the art for such an implant that may be fabricated from materials possessing desirable properties, such as biocompatibility, material strength, and adaptability for use in surgical procedures. There is yet a further need in the art for such an implant that is of exceedingly simple construction, low cost to manufacture, and is capable of being readily deployed using known surgical techniques.

Implantable sling having bladder support


A toner concentration detecting device for detecting a toner concentration of a two component developer including a differential transformer which is connected with a phase detecting circuit. A variable capacitance diode is connected between the primary coil and the secondary coil and a variable resistor is provided to supply the variable capacitance diode with a DC voltage to vary the capacitance of the diode. The variable resistor and DC voltage are located at a remote location from the transformer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to means for detecting toner concentration in a two component type developer for an electrostatic copying machine or other apparatus which is designed to produce copies in accordance with the principle of the electrostatic photography. More particularly, the present invention pertains to toner concentration detecting means of a type which contains a differential transformer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A so-called two component type developer for developing a latent image includes a carrier in the form of particles of a magnetic material and powders of a colored toner. In order to maintain the quality of the copies to be produced, it is required to maintain the concentration of the toner in the developer within a desired range. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,645 issued to K. Kanai et. al. on Jun. 3, 1986 proposes a toner concentration controlling apparatus which utilizes a differential transformer. According to the proposal by the U.S. patent, the differential transformer has a primary winding and a pair of secondary windings which are wound in opposite polarities around a core. The primary winding and one of the secondary windings provide a detection transformer which is adapted to be placed adjacent to the developer in the developer container and produces a detection signal representing the toner concentration in the developer. The primary winding and the other of the secondary windings provide a reference transformer which is adapted to provide a reference signal. The detection and reference transformers have outputs which are connected with a phase detection circuit which is adapted to detect the difference in the phase of the outputs of the detection and reference transformers. A similar toner concentration detection device is also disclosed by the Japanese laid-open patent application 60-154275 disclosed for public inspection on Aug. 13, 1985.
In using the toner concentration detecting device of this type, it is required to make a toner concentration adjustment after it has been mounted on the developer container so that any manufacturing tolerances are compensated for. Although not specifically illustrated in the aforementioned U.S. patent, described therein is an adjusting screw provided in the magnetic gap of the reference transformer for adjusting the coupling coefficient of the reference transformer.
A conventional type arrangement for the adjustment of the coupling coefficient of the reference transformer provides a variable capacitor between the primary and secondary windings.
However, the conventional arrangement has inconveniences in determining the type of variable capacitor to be used. A ceramic variable capacitor is preferable in that it is compact and has a high heat resistant property. However, it has an inherent disadvantage of a setting drift wherein the capacitance of the capacitor changes after a certain time period due to a change in the thickness of the silicon oil film which is provided between the rotor and the stator of the capacitor. Therefore, it is difficult to carry out an accurate adjustment with the use of the ceramic variable capacitor. Other types of capacitors are not preferable because they are generally bulky and do not have satisfactory heat resistance.
A further problem in using a variable capacitor is that when it is desired to locate the variable capacitor in a readily accessible position it is required to provide an extension of a high frequency wiring. Such a high frequency wiring can cause noises which may lead to an unreliable operation of the detecting device. Therefore, it is difficult to locate the variable capacitor in a readily accessible place.

Toner concentration detector for a two-component developer


An electronic spreadsheet is provided for automatically creating, expanding, and validating lists of cells. A list is created by receiving a user request for selecting a cell range, identifying a list range for the selected cell range, determining a header row for the list range, and generating a border for surrounding the list range. A list is expanded by determining that one or more cells are adjacent to the list and automatically expanding the list to include the new cells. A list is validated by determining a data type of data entered into the list and comparing the data type of the data entered into the list to a list data type. If, as a result of the comparison, the data type of the data entered into the list does not match the list data type, then the data type of the data entered into the list is invalid.

Electronic spreadsheets organize information into a matrix of columns and rows. Each column within a row is referred to as a cell. Each cell of an electronic spreadsheet stores a data element, such as text or numerical data, or a formula which uses data elements from other cells to calculate a desired result. Various data elements in multiple cells may be combined to create lists. For example, a list may be created to track the performance of salespersons for a national software company. Such a list may include a header row including field names such as the name of each salesperson, the geographic region assigned to each salesperson, and the amount of sales generated by each salesperson. The list may also include one or more data rows following the header row for displaying data associated with each field name. Field names in a header row may be manually formatted by a user to set them apart from associated data rows. The list may further include a formula for calculating a combined sales total for all salespersons in the company.
Often, new data elements are added to spreadsheet cells in order to expand a previously created list. For example, a new column of cells storing data elements may be added to a two-column list resulting in the list being expanded to three columns. In order to facilitate data entry, electronic spreadsheets may also include functionality to apply a variety of data types which restrict the type of data which may be entered into a cell. Illustrative data types include text, number, currency, date and time, hyperlink, etc. For example, the cells in a header row may be restricted to a text data type. Data types may usually be applied to a single cell or a group of cells (i.e., rows and/or columns) in a spreadsheet. Thus, a typical electronic spreadsheet may include a variety of different data types at a given time.
In prior electronic spreadsheets, lists are created in an ad-hoc fashion without any support for automatic recognition of the range the list may have, headers (i.e., field names), and formulas which may be present in a range of cells storing data elements. In these prior electronic spreadsheets, cells containing headers must be manually selected and formatted (if desired) by a user through commonly known user interface techniques, such as selecting options from a pull-down menu. Similarly, "total" cells reflecting the result of an aggregation of cells due to a formula must also be manually defined and/or formatted by the user. Furthermore, prior electronic spreadsheets fail to provide support for automatically recognizing new cells added to expand an existing list. For example, prior spreadsheets make no distinction between new cells storing field names and new cells storing data and/or formulas without manual intervention by the user. Finally, prior electronic spreadsheets provide no automatic validation of data elements added to cells in a list based on a data type previously defined for a cell or range of cells.
Thus, significant drawbacks found in prior electronic spreadsheets include the inability to recognize data elements in the creation and expansion of lists and the inability to automatically validate cell data elements, without instruction from the user. It is respect to these considerations and others that the present invention has been made.

Creating and managing structured data in an electronic spreadsheet


One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for ionizing airborne particulates. The system includes an insulating substrate and a first electroplated structure on the insulating substrate. This first electroplated structure includes an anchor and a probe structure on the anchor that is separate from the insulating substrate. A second electroplated structure is included on the insulating substrate. The first electroplated structure and the second electroplated structure form a unipolar corona discharge based ionizer

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an airborne particulate analyzer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a microfabricated device for selectively removing and analyzing airborne particulates from an air stream.
2. Related Art
A number of techniques are presently used to separate airborne particulate matter from an air stream in order to determine the size and possibly type and quantity of particulates in the air stream, and to filter the air stream. These particulates can include environmental pollution and pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses.
Current approaches to separating airborne particulate matter involve using large devices, some of which require a radio-active ionization source. This is particularly true for devices used for separating particulates smaller than 100 nm in size. These devices typically grow particulates to an optimal size after separation to facilitate optical counting. Handheld devices do not exist that are capable of separating and counting particulates smaller than 100 nm. Detection of particulates smaller than 100 nm is advantageous because it includes airborne pathogens such as viruses.
The techniques used to detect particulates optically are limited to discrete size bins. These devices are only capable of detecting specific size particulates (i.e. 100 nm, 300 nm, 500 nm, etc). They cannot, however, be re-configured to give values for 150 nm, 180 nm, etc. This is because a specific wavelength that is equivalent to the particulate size is required for their detection. In order to count all particulates, a laser source or array of laser sources to give a continuous wavelength spectrum is required. This is prohibitively expensive.
Current portable devices are not able to determine the composition of the particulates, and hence provide little benefit in detecting chemical and/or biological agents. On the other hand, devices which are able to detect these chemical and biological agents are typically laboratory devices, which are unsuitable for field work.
The size of current particulate analyzers that are able to detect particulates smaller than 100 nm precludes using them in portable devices, and the substantial price of these particulate analyzers makes ubiquitous positioning within an urban area prohibitively expensive.
Hence, what is needed is a portable apparatus, which can effectively size and count particulates smaller than 100 nm in an air stream without the drawbacks cited above. Determining the actual size of the particulates is advantageous because it can possibly lead to determining the source of the particulates.

Microfabricated device for selectively removing and analyzing airborne particulates from an air stream

The Regents of the University of California


An adapter designed to connect a dc to dc power converter between a dc power supply and an electronic sensor that provides inputs to an electronic controller. The dc to dc power converter transforms the voltages from the power supply so that the voltage signal to the sensor on the negative lead is biased at a level that prevents noise from triggering an unintended response from the electronic controller.

In control systems requiring high reliability, redundant electronic controllers are often connected in parallel for backup in the event of a failure. In these systems, the inputs from the sensors and the outputs from the electronic controllers may be connected to ground in a manner that creates high current ground paths and loops in the circuit, causing flyback currents to flow into the electronic controllers and undesired noise on the input signals. An example of this occurs when the solenoid of an inductive component in an engine control system such as a coil or an engine injector has a common ground with one or more pulse width modulated (PWM) type sensors such as a throttle sensor. In this situation, noise is likely to be coupled with the sensor signal. If a momentary spike in the noise level reaches the threshold detection level for the controller input signal, the controller will respond due to the noise instead of the sensor signal, thereby degrading system performance. The noise may also feed back into the sensor circuit and cause false triggering of the throttle sensor PWM signal. Similar noise problems may be caused when a variety of components produced by different manufacturers are used in the same controller.
It is usually expensive and difficult to eliminate this noise. Shielding the wiring, or a redesign of the wiring harness are two potential solutions to the noise problem, however, both are very expensive to implement. Another potential solution is to develop a software program to filter the signal, but developing and installing the software is also very expensive. Relay switches may be used to connect the solenoid common, but system reliability will be lowered. It is also desired to have a cost effective means to correct the noise problem on newly manufactured electronic controllers as well as to retrofit controllers already in use.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.

Apparatus and method for displacing noise on a signal from the detection threshold of an electronic controller


A wind blade with a self-supporting structural framework, having multiple chord-wise members and one or more span-wise members is provided. Each of the multiple chord-wise members and the one or more span-wise members have an aerodynamic contour. The wind blade also comprises a fabric skin located over the self-supporting structural framework in a tensioned state to generate an aerodynamic surface, wherein the fabric skin is attached via multiple tensioning members to both the chord wise members and span wise members.

The present application relates generally to wind turbines and more particularly relates to wind turbine rotor blades having a tension fabric skin structure.
Most environment friendly energy sources presently available come from wind power that is considered to be one of the cleanest. In this regard, wind turbines have gained increased attention. Wind turbines generate electricity by effectively harnessing energy in the wind via a rotor having a set of rotor blades that turns a gearbox and generator, thereby converting mechanical energy to electrical energy that may be deployed to a utility grid. The construction of a modern rotor blade generally includes skin or shell components, span-wise extending spar caps, and one or more shear webs. Present technology uses several molds to fabricate the various pieces of the blade that are bonded together in large resin-infused molds. Such finished blades are relatively heavy and includes a hardened shell encasing the molded hardened shear webs or spar caps. This leads to difficulty in transportation and assembly of the wind turbines. Further, the size, shape, and weight of rotor blades are factors that contribute to energy efficiencies of wind turbines. An increase in rotor blade size increases the energy production of a wind turbine, while a decrease in weight furthers the efficiency of a wind turbine. Furthermore, as rotor blade sizes grow, extra attention needs to be given to the structural integrity of the rotor blades. Accordingly, efforts to increase rotor blade length, decrease rotor blade weight, and increase rotor blade strength, while also improving rotor blade aerodynamics, aid in the continuing growth of wind turbine technology and the adoption of wind energy as an alternative energy source.
There is therefore a desire for an improved rotor blade and method for assembling such a rotor blade for a wind turbine would be desired in the art. Such wind blades should improve overall system efficiency while being inexpensive to fabricate and providing a long lifetime.

Wind turbine blades with tension fabric skin structure


In a focusing electrode system in an electron gun for a color cathode ray tube, distortion of an electron beam, that takes place when horizontal and vertical diameters of a main focusing lens are different is corrected by adjusting power of a dynamic four polar lens. The system includes a first focusing electrode adapted to have applied a static voltage, and a second focusing electrode adapted to have applied a dynamic voltage synchronous to a deflection of electron beams. The second focusing electrode includes, one end having a burring part on a circumference of each of three electron beam pass-through holes at upper and lower portions thereof. A size of the burring part of the electron beam pass-through hole at a center thereof is different from a size of the burring part on each of the electron beam pass-through holes at outer portions thereof. The other end has a single electron beam pass-through hole that is identical to a single electron beam pass-through hole in one end of an anode electrode and an electrostatic field control electrode provided inside that is identical to an electrostatic field control electrode provided inside of the anode electrode. The resulting system adjusts diameters of the main focusing lenses to be formed between the second focusing electrode and the anode electrode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electron gun for use in a color TV or a high definition industrial picture tube, and, more particularly, to a focusing electrode system in an electron gun, in which distortion of an electron beam, which takes place when horizontal and vertical diameters of a main focusing lens are different, is corrected by adjusting power of a dynamic four polar lens.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Being one of elements in a color cathode ray tube, the electron gun is a device in which three electron beams emitted from cathodes are focused onto a fluorescent screen coated with red, green and blue fluorescent materials inside of the cathode ray tube to generate a fluorescent light, to form a pixel.
FIG. 1 illustrates a longitudinal section of a general in-line type electron gun, and FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the main focusing lens part shown in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the electron gun 1 is provided with a triode part 2 for forming electron beams and a main focusing lens part 3 for focusing the electron beams. The triode part 2 is provided with cathodes 4 for emitting thermal electrons, a control electrode 5 for controlling the thermal electrodes, and an accelerating electrode 6 for accelerating the thermal electrons. The main focusing lens part 3 arranged next to the triode part 2 is provided with a focusing electrode system 7 having a first focusing electrode 71 adapted to have applied of a low static voltage, a second focusing electrode 72 adapted to have applied of a high dynamic voltage and having a burring part 723 with upper and lower parts on one end 721 thereof facing the first focusing electrode 71 on a circumference of each of three electron beam pass-through holes 722, and an anode electrode 8 arranged next to the second focusing electrode 72 and adapted to have applied a positive voltage.
Upon the aforementioned electrodes are applied the respective voltages, the electron beams are controlled and accelerated to a preset extent by the controlling electrode 5 and the accelerating electrode 6. Then, the electron beams are elongated in vertical direction by a diverging force in up and down directions of a dynamic four polar lens formed between the first and second focusing electrodes 71 and 72 both by the voltage difference between the first and second focusing electrode 71 and 72 and the burring parts 723. Then, the electron beams are converged by the main focusing lens formed by a voltage difference between the second focusing lens 72 and the anode electrode 8, finally accelerated toward the screen by the positive voltage, and deflected to a certain spot on the screen by a non-uniform magnetic field which is formed by deflection yokes for making a self convergence of the electron beams. The non-uniform magnetic field is adapted to elongate the electron beams in a horizontal direction, forming a haze, a thin dispersion of an image, of the electron beam spot on the screen in up and down directions. However, as explained, since the electron beams have been elongated in the vertical direction already before incident to the main focusing lens by the dynamic four polar lens, the horizontal elongation of the electron beams by the non-uniform magnetic field after incident to the main focusing lens is prevented, to form an electron beam spot of a well rounded circle on the screen. Further, as the size of the main focusing lens is the larger, the main focusing lens between the second focusing electrode 72 and the anode electrode 8 reduces the spherical aberration more, to form the electron beams that spot more clear. In general, the size of the main focusing lens is proportional to sizes of electron beam pass-through holes on opposite ends of the second focusing electrode and the anode electrode.
FIG. 2 illustrates track formed electron beam pass-through holes 725 and 825 formed on the opposite ends, 724 and 824, respectively, of the second focusing electrode 72 and the anode electrode 8 adapted to pass the three electron beams in common for implementing large sized electron beam pass-through holes 725. In order to prevent the main focusing lens from having a horizontal diameter greater than a vertical diameter by shapes like the electron beam pass-through holes 725 and 825, large aperture lens with blade (L-B lens, hereinafter electrostatic field control electrode) 91 and 92 are provided inside of the second focusing electrode 72 and the anode electrode 8. Each of the electrostatic field control electrodes is provided with an electron beam pass-through hole 911 and 921 at a center thereof and blades 912 and 922 of each with a certain width bent at a right angle on both ends thereof. Each of the blades 912 and 922 adapted to be disposed between the three electron beams forms an additional lens so that a horizontal direction converging strength of the main focusing lens is reinforced for preventing the main focusing lens from having a horizontal diameter greater than a vertical diameter, thereby allowing to form three large sized main focusing lenses each of which has a spherical aberration less than the main focusing lens formed by known three electron beam pass-through holes. However, when a diameter of the main focusing lens at the center is compared to a diameter of the outer main focusing lenses, it can be known that virtual effective diameters of the main focusing lenses at the center and at outer portions are different from each other.
FIG. 3 illustrates a graph showing relations between an electron beam diverging angle and an electron beam radius at an outlet of the main focusing lens, from which virtual effective diameters of the main focusing lenses can be calculated according to a known method, wherein the closer the lines to a non-aberration line (the straight line in FIG. 3), the greater the diameter of the lens. The calculation of diameters of the main focusing lenses according to the graph shows that the diameters of the main focusing lens at the center CV and at the outer portions SV in vertical direction are the same 8 mm, and the diameters of the main focusing lens at the center CH and at the outer portions SH in horizontal direction are 7.5 mm and 7 mm respectively, the horizontal diameters SH at the outer portions being smaller than the horizontal diameter CH at the center. This implies that the horizontal diameters SH at the outer portions are influenced by the spherical aberration more than the horizontal diameter CH at the center. In the case when there is no size difference between the horizontal diameters CH and SH of the main focusing lenses at the center and at the outer portions and between the vertical diameters CV and SV of the main focusing lenses at the center and at the outer portions, as shown in FIG. 4A, voltages of the electron beam spot in horizontal and vertical directions measured on the screen when the electron beam is deflected in 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock direction of the screen (hereinafter called "horizontal direction") show no changes in the horizontal direction and an exponential rise in the vertical direction. This is because, as explained before, the horizontal direction voltage comes from the first focusing electrode 71 to which is applied a static voltage that has no changes in voltage and the vertical direction voltage comes from the second focusing electrode 72 to which is applied a dynamic voltage that is changed depending on an amount of deflection of the electron beams to be made. However, as shown in FIG. 4B, in case there is a great size difference between the horizontal diameter SH and vertical diameter SV of the main focusing lens at the outer portions due to the electrostatic field control electrodes 91 and 92, the horizontal direction voltage of the electron beams measured on the screen gradually rises when the electron beams are deflected in the horizontal direction of the screen even if the first focusing electrode 71 is applied the static voltage while the vertical direction voltage rises exponentially. FIG. 4C shows halos in the horizontal direction caused by horizontal over convergencies of the outer electron beams. The halo gives bad effect to the resolution in the periphery of the screen.

Focusing electrode system having burring parts of differing sizes


A flat knitting machine comprising: at least a pair of front and rear needle beds defining a gap therebetween; and a set-up device disposed below said gap, said set-up device including: a plurality of setting-up needles, each having a setting-up needle base member and a setting-up needle slider member, the setting-up needle slider member being movable relative to the setting-up needle base member to selectively hold and release a set-up portion of a knitted fabric; a setting-up needle bed supporting the plurality of setting-up needles so that the plurality of setting-up needles are juxtaposed to one another and that each of the setting-up needles is movable in both a fabric pull-down direction and a direction opposite thereto; first biasing means for biasing each of the setting-up needles in the fabric pull-down direction relative to the setting-up needle bed; and setting-up needle hold and release means for moving the setting-up needle slider member relative to the setting-up needle base member to thereby control the setting-up needle slider member to hold and release the set-up portion of said knitted fabric.

Conventionally, in a flat knitting machine, there is provided a set-up device which is disposed below a gap between a pair of front and rear needle beds. The set-up device pulls down a knitting yarn supplied as the set-up portion of a fabric being knitted to thereby apply a tension to the completely knitted fabric and thus prevent stitches retained to knitting needles from moving apart from the knitting needles, so that the set-up device can pull down the knitted fabric until the knitted fabric is held by a roller type of wind-down device. As the above-described set-up device, the present applicant discloses a slider opening/closing type of set-up device in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,097,684 and 5,040,384.
In a set-up device used in an ordinary flat knitting machine, setting-up needles juxtaposed side by side in a setting-up needle bed are all pulled down while they are held at the same height. Therefore, such a set-up device is suitable to knit a fabric in which the number of knitted courses is uniform in every wales. However, when knitting a fabric in which the number of knitted courses varies from wale to wale, the set-up device is not able to apply an appropriate pull-down tension to the respective wales. In view of this, when knitting a fabric in which the number of knitted courses varies from wale to wale, (in order that the pull-down tension can be made as uniform as possible in order that the respective portions of the fabric be knitted in parallel according to a ratio between the numbers of knitted courses), it is necessary to create the knitting data with the numbers of the knitted courses of the respective portions taken into consideration. However, merely adjusting the numbers of knitted courses is not sufficient to attain the above object. Therefore, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-60443, there is disclosed a method in which a collar portion referred to as a wing collar is knitted by flechage following a sacrificially knitted portion to thereby enable to knit a fabric for a collar in which the number of knitted courses varies from wale to wale. However, when the fabric for a collar is knitted following the sacrificial knitting in this manner, the knitting yarn is consumed wastefully for the sacrificial knitting.
As a preceding invention relating to a set-up device made by the present applicant, there exists Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-26472. In the device disclosed in this publication, there is mounted a spring which is used to bias individual setting-up needles in their pull-down direction. In the set-up device, a knitted fabric is released from the setting-up needles by a fabric release plate which pushes out the knitted fabric in a direction where the knitted fabric can be removed from the hooks of the setting-up needles. However, with use of this method in which the knitted fabric is released by the fabric release plate, if the knitted fabric is one having the number of knitted courses varies from wale to wale, the distance between the portion of the knitted fabric to be contacted by the fabric release plate and the set-up portion of the knitted fabric varies from wale to wale. Thus, this causes the case a problem that the knitted fabric is hard to be released from the setting-up needles in the areas having a large number of knitted courses. Also, a space, which exists below a gap between the front and rear needle beds and in which the fabric release plate is disposed, is limited. Therefore, the fabric release plate is disposed at a position further lower than just below the gap. And, in the case of the knitted fabric such as the wing collar disclosed in the above-cited Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-60443, the number of knitted courses in the knitted fabric is small. Accordingly, in most cases, the fabric is not knitted so long as to be released by the above-described fabric release plate. In this case, of course, the knitted fabric cannot be released by the fabric release plate.
As described above, according to the method in which the knitted fabric is released by the fabric release plate, the knitted fabric can be released only when the distance between the setting-up needles and fabric release plate is a certain long distance. However, in other distances, there is a possibility that the knitted fabric cannot be released from the setting-up needles. Therefore, in the set-up device disclosed in the above-described Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-26472, it is difficult to knit a fabric in which the number of knitted courses varies greatly from wale to wale. Also, in a flat knitting machine using the slider opening/closing type of setting needles disclosed in the above-described U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,097,684 and 5,040,384, there is disclosed a mechanism in which there is formed a position controlling butt in the slider or in the setting-up needle body, and a cam is engaged with or removed from the butt to thereby control the appearance or retreat of the hook of the setting-up needles, so that holding and release of the knitted fabric can be controlled regardless of the fabric to be knitted. However, in this publication, there is no disclosure relating to a method for holding and releasing the knitted fabric when the individual setting-up needles are so formed as to be independently movable. The set-up device of the present invention aims at-solving the above-described problems in the conventional set-up devices.

Flat knitting machine comprising a set-up device


A motion vector prediction method in an error resilient mode. In the motion vector prediction method capable of decoding backwards, motion vectors of macro blocks are calculated, and motion vectors of macro blocks each having one motion vector are predicted while moving to another macro block from left to right, and motion vectors of macro blocks each having four motion vectors are continuously predicted in a predetermined sequence to have correlation in prediction of the four motion vectors. Thus, in the motion vector prediction method based on the image signal compression method of the MPEG-4 or H.263 standard, the motion vector prediction is performed with continuity and correlation among the motion vectors, so that two-way decoding is possible during transmission of blocks with a predetermined packet, resulting in better error resilient characteristics.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motion vector prediction method, and more particularly, to a motion vector prediction method in an error resilient mode.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, redundancy of a moving picture must be effectively eliminated so as to compress the moving image. The moving picture experts ground (MPEG) adopts a motion prediction method. According to the motion prediction method, the current frame is divided into a plurality of macro blocks, and then each macro block (reference block) is compared with each macro block (matching block) of a previous frame within a given area, to calculate the difference therebetween. Then, the macro blocks having the lowest difference are selected to calculate motion vectors representing the difference in positions between the reference and matching blocks. In the motion vector prediction, the difference between a predicted motion vector and actual motion vector of the current block is encoded, in place of encoding the motion vector itself of the current block, thereby improving coding efficiency.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional motion prediction method and coding sequence adopted in the MPEG-4 and the H.263 standards.
In FIG. 1, reference numerals 10 through 18 represent macro blocks each consisting of 16 pixels×16 pixels, reference numerals 10 and 16 are macro blocks each having one motion vector, and reference numerals 12, 14 and 18 represents macro blocks each 10 having four motion vectors. The macro blocks 12, 14 and 18 are divided into four subblocks of 8 pixels×8 pixels, based on the MPEG-4 or the H.263 standard, and those four motion vectors are calculated from the four subblocks.
Here, prior to transmission of the difference among each 15 motion vector, motion vector prediction is separately performed in upper subblocks 121, 122, 141 and 142 and lower subblocks 123, 124, 143 and 144 of the macro blocks 12 and 14 from the macro block 10 in a solid arrow direction. Here, a motion vector is predicted from motion vectors calculated in the upper subblock 142, the macro blocks 16 and the subblocks 181 through 184 of the macro block 18 with correlation. However, the motion vector prediction is not performed between the motion vectors of the subblock 144 and the macro block 16, and the motion vector prediction continues toward the lower subblocks 183 and 184 from the macro block 16.
Thus, if an error occurs, the motion vector can be decoded from the macro block 16 toward the upper subblock 142 in a backward direction. However, if an error occurs in the lower subblock 123 of the macro block 12, it is not possible to reversely calculate the motion vectors of the subblock 144 and its left subblock 143 from the macro block 16 using a motion vector prediction code.
As a result, it is not possible to decode the blocks following the erroneous block, thereby increasing loss in motion vector value. Although an error concealment is adopted, there is a problem of loss of information.