Disclosed is an a.c. electric railway power distribution system comprising an a.c. busbar having at least first and second a.c. busbar sections electrically isolated by a non-energized busbar. Each of a.c. busbar sections is capable of having at least one electric train electrically connected thereto as the train moves along a railway track. A first single phase a.c. power supply is operably connected to the first a.c. busbar section and a second single phase a.c. power supply is operably connected to the second a.c. busbar section. An a.c. to d.c. electronic power converter is provided having an input operably connected to the first a.c. busbar section, and having an output operably connected to a d.c. busbar. A d.c. to a.c. electronic power converter is also provided having an input operably connected to the d.c. busbar and having an output operably connected to the second a.c. busbar section. A control unit controls the operation of the electronic power converters so as to either generate or absorb reactive power between the first a.c. busbar section and the a.c. to d.c. electronic power converter, and to either generate or absorb reactive power between the second a.c. busbar section and the d.c. to a.c. electronic power converter. In this way, voltage regulation is effectively facilitated along the a.c. busbar sections of the system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for regulating the voltage of single phase power feed lines connected to adjacent electrically isolated a.c. busbar sections in an electric railway power distribution system.
1. Brief Description of the Prior Art
In conventional electric railway traction systems, trains run along railway tracks which are at electrical ground, while single phase power is distributed variable to electric trains (i.e. variable railway loads) by an a.c. busbar which, in a catenary type system, is realized as wiring running above the railway tracks. Typically, adjacent pairs of a.c. busbar sections are electrically isolated from each other by an open circuit or dead section, referred to as a midpoint or junction along the a.c. busbar. As illustrated in FIG. 1, alternate pairs of adjacent a.c. busbar sections 1 and 2 separated by open circuit midpoint section 3 are fed with a first phase pair 5 provided to a power supply substation 4 from a three phase power supply system (not shown). As shown, first phase pair 5 is operably connected to a.c. busbar sections 1 and 2 using a transformer 6 and in-line circuit breakers 7. Similarly, adjacent a.c. busbar sections 8 and 13 separated by open circuit midpoint section 3' are fed with a second phase pair provided to power supply substation 4' from the three phase power supply system. Also shown, second phase pair 5' is operably connected to a.c. busbar section 8 and 13 using transformer 6' and in-line circuit breaker 7'. Due to the configuration of the power distribution system, power supply substations 4 and 4' provide different sources of single phase a.c. power to a.c. busbar sections 2 and 8, disposed on opposite sides of open circuit midpoint section 9 along the a.c. busbar.
When a pantograph 1O of electric train 11 slides onto midpoint section 9, single phase power supplied to the electric train from power supply substation 4, is automatically disconnected. While the pantograph slides along midpoint section 9, there is no contribution of power from a.c. busbar sections 2 or 8. Then, when the pantograph slides from midpoint section 9 onto a.c. busbar section 8, single phase power from power supply substation 4' is automatically provided to the pantograph. During this sliding "make-before-break" transfer of the pantograph along the a.c. busbar, a.c. busbar sections 2 and 8 are never electrically shorted. If the electrically isolated midpoint section 9 did not exist, undesirable reactive power flows would occur between a.c. busbar sections 2 and 8, as the a.c. power along these different a.c. busbar sections is out of phase due to loading conditions along these sections and the phase-relationship of the first and second phase pairs provided to power substations 4 and 4'. Typically, this has a significant influence on the voltage regulation of the electric railway system.
There are, of course, other factors which influence voltage regulation within electric railway power distribution systems of the type described above. Such factors include, for example, constantly changing grades along which trains move over the railway; operating conditions which necessitate that trains decelerate for speed restrictions, crossings with other trains, slowing and stopping for railroad signals; and required acceleration after stopping to pick up passengers, or to avoid encountered conditions along the railway track.
In order to improve the voltage regulation and load factor of prior art electric railway power distribution systems, a number of proposals have been set forth and implemented. These prior art proposals are discussed at length in Applicant's paper entitled "Methods Of Improving The Voltage Regulation Of 25Kv 50Hz Electric Railways," published in the Fourth International Heavy Haul Railway Conference, September 1989. Such prior art techniques include, for example, (i) reducing the distance between high voltage power supply substations, (ii) providing switching stations between these power supply substations, (iii) providing series or shunt connected compacitors to reduce active load along the power distribution system; and (iv) providing transformer-type regulations in order to provide voltage regulation. As discussed in Applicant's paper, each of these approaches suffers from a number of shortcomings and drawbacks, including the high cost of implementation or other adverse effects due to high consumption of electrical power.
One approach used by the French National Railway System involves installing equipment at power switching substation 12 in order to galvanically connect a.c. busbar sections 2 and 8 at midpoint section 9, as these a.c. busbar sections are fed single phase power from synchronized power supply substations 4 and 4'. The purpose of this switching scheme is to connect these a.c. busbar sections in an electrical parallel configuration. In France, essentially constant loading conditions exist along the power distribution system, and thus permit single phase a.c. feed supplies from adjacent power substations to remain sufficiently in phase. As a result, fast protection can be installed and voltage regulation along the electric railway power distribution system can be halved by the galvanically connected adjacent a.c. busbar sections at open circuit midpoint sections along the a.c. busbar. However, in Australia and other places where variable loading conditions are expected along the power distribution system, this paralleling technique is generally unacceptable.
Thus, there is a great need in the electric railway art for a way in which to interconnect unsynchronized and synchronized but out of single phase power feed lines supplying power to electrically isolated a.c. busbar sections of an electric railway power distribution system, while achieving voltage regulation along the system and avoiding the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art methodologies.

Voltage regulation in a railway power distribution system


Media content distribution that includes a central server, a plurality of remote display devices in electronic communication therewith. The central server receives and stores a plurality of media content, where each of the media content has one or more attributes associated therewith that relate to characteristics of the media content. The plurality of remote display devices receive via the electronic network the media content from the central server. Each of the remote display devices has one or more target attributes associated with the remote display device for causing the electronic display to display only those of the media content having one or more of the attributes associated therewith that satisfy a predetermined matching criteria with respect to the one or more target attributes.

Electronic displays (e.g. television, liquid crystal, gas plasma, light emitting diode, etc.) have become increasingly popular for use as broadcast advertisement and/or informational signs. The nature of the content displayed on these devices has varied greatly, and has included static images (usually conforming to the generally accepted digital image file standards such as JPEG, TIFF or GIF), full motion video (usually conforming to generally accepted digital video standards such as MPEG), textual based information, and/or audio. Multiple pieces of content are typically sequenced into a loop that may last several minutes. These types of signs have been placed in public areas and commercial establishments to advertise products and services, and to provide news and information to viewers. The content can be broadcast to the electronic displays from a central server.
Each sign requires a local device to control the electronic display. A networked computer, often referred to as the client computer, is typically used as the local device and generally consists of at least a central processing unit, a video display subsystem, an electronic network subsystem and a storage medium. The client computer is connected to the electronic display device via the video subsystem. The client computer is also connected to a network that enables media content to be electronically transferred from a centralized server to the client computer. Once the content has been delivered, and possibly cached on the client computer's storage medium, the content is visually displayed on the electronic display device.
Two methods have typically been used to initiate the transfer of content from the server to the client computer, and the display of the transferred content on the electronic display. The first method is performed by a human operator that decides when the transfer of the content to the client computer should begin. The operator manually instructs the server to transfer specified content to a specific remotely located client computer. The instruction from the operator may further include instructions on when the particular content is to be displayed. The second method utilizes a server computer that runs software to schedule the transfer and/or display of the content based upon time. This method enables some automation of the process of initiating the transfer and display of content.
Both the manual and the scheduled methods of transferring and displaying the content to the client computers have limitations. The manual transfer/display method is labor intensive and prone to human error, especially given the many details involved in a complex, high volume server network. Mistakes in the decision process, and even typographical errors, can result in the improper or failed delivery and/or display of content. Moreover, for larger networks, it is a daunting task to manually initiate the transfer of different content to hundreds or even thousands of separate client computers on a single network, even with computer scripts that help the human operator. Manually managing such a network of displays would be next to impossible if that content vas to individually change on a regular basis.
Automating the process of transferring individual content to individual client computers is essential, and has been done using time based scheduling. However, this process entails time consuming human pre-programming of the server's software to transfer content at specific times, and scheduling the display of such content. For example, a scheduling system may instruct content XYZ to be transferred from the server (location A) to a client computer (location B) at a specific time (say 11:00 am) on a specific date, but to be displayed starting at a different time (say 11:15 am). Given each separate content can have its own matrix of client computers and transfer/display times, a tremendous amount of programming still needs to be performed. Another problem is that the human operator is still required to be intimately involved with the details of what location should receive which content and when that should happen. Once again these details introduce a cause for concern and will eventually introduce human error.
Another flaw with automated scheduling is that it does not allow for changes to happen efficiently between the time the content has initially been scheduled to transfer and when the transfer actually occurs. Time based scheduling simply does not take into account certain environmental variables at over 1000 client locations that are constantly changing, where each could effect the ideal selection of what content should be transferred and displayed at each of the remote locations. If these variables were changing on an hourly basis, it would be impossible for the human operator to implement appropriate and timely scheduling changes. Even if an operator could physically manage to implement content changes based upon environmental variable changes, it would tend to be like a switch that simply changes from repeatedly playing one content piece, or a sequence of content pieces, to playing a different content piece or sequence of content pieces, which is not necessarily ideal. Many times it is ideal to change the mix of displayed content at just one or selected signs only, not the entire content or sequence of content on all signs, given a change in a particular environmental variable. Existing content display networks simply fail to provide such a service or function because they are broadcast systems, meaning they broadcast content throughout the entire network without any consideration of local or particular variables associated with each sign.
There is a need for a networked system of display devices that automatically monitors certain environmental variables for each display device, and transfers and displays a desired mix of content in response to the monitored variables via a narrowcast network.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Narrowcast media content distribution and display system with content biasing engine


A programmable logic device (PLD) such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) has a power-down mode of operation that reduces power consumption during standby or idle periods for the PLD. In one embodiment of the invention, the PLD includes an internal power supply operable to provide power to PLD's programmable logic blocks. The internal power supply powers down the programmable logic blocks in response to the assertion of a power-down signal.

Programmable logic devices such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) allow a designer to avoid the expense of constructing an ASIC to implement a desired function. Rather than design an ASIC, a user may configure an off-the-shelf programmable logic device such as an FPGA to implement the desired function. However, as compared to the ASIC it replaces, an FPGA is a much more complex device because the FPGA must include the circuitry necessary to make it configurable. This additional circuitry is made up of active devices and interconnects. The active devices in particular will have a certain amount of leakage current that will not be present in a corresponding ASIC. Thus, an FPGA implementing a given function will have higher static power consumption than an equivalent ASIC implementing the same function.
The architecture of a typical FPGA may be better understood with reference to FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, an FPGA 100 includes a core 105 shaving an array of programmable logic blocks 110 (also referred to in the art as programmable logic cells, configurable logic blocks, programmable logic elements, or programmable logic regions). Each logic block 110 includes one or more look-up tables (LUTs) (not illustrated) that are configured by a user to implement a desired logical function. In addition, each logic block 110 will typically include one or more registers and often some additional logic circuitry which facilitates more compact implementations of commonly used functions such as ripple-carry. Core 105 also includes a routing structure 120 that couples signals to and from logic blocks 110. Because each logic block 110 can typically implement just a few logic gates, a logical function that a user desires to implement will often require the configuration of a fairly large number of logic blocks 110. Routing structure 120 must be quite complex to allow the necessary routing of signals from one logic block 110 to another across this fairly large number of logic blocks 110. Numerous junctions in routing structure 120 are configured with multiplexers or other switching structures and drivers to allow one conductor in routing structure 120 to couple to another conductor as desired. As a result, the core 105 consisting of the configurable routing structure 120 and the logic blocks 110 consumes a substantial amount of power, even when the FPGA 100 is idle, although considerably more can be consumed when switching. It will be appreciated, however, that static power consumption (of the core) becomes more appreciable as transistor dimensions are pushed into the deep submicron region. As transistor dimensions shrink, the operating voltages must be reduced with the net effect that leakage current increases, thereby causing static power consumption increases.
Should an FPGA be powered from a line power supply, this idle power consumption may be relatively inexpensive to supply. However, in a handheld or mobile application, a conventional FPGA will demand too much power during idle periods, limiting battery charge run time to unacceptably short periods. Thus, various power-saving measures have been adopted. For example, a "brute force" approach involves turning off all the external power supplies to an FPGA while the FPGA is in a standby state. If the FPGA does not have a non-volatile configuration memory, all configuration information will be lost as a result of such power shutoffs, thereby requiring reconfiguration of the device from an external serial E-PROM or FLASH device. Such a reconfiguration typically takes 100 ms or longer, which may be an unacceptable delay.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved power-saving programmable logic device architectures.

Programmable logic device with power-saving architecture


Additional program logic is provided for wireless devices (or embedded transceivers) and for mobile system providers which permits a wireless device and/or associated application to seek out an authorized wireless service provider, register as an authenticated user on that provider's ; system, and initiate conversation, all in a manner transparent to the end user. The search and authentication process alleviates the need to produce, distribute, or stock different devices, transceivers, or program versions of a given product class, in order to correctly register with different wireless providers in different areas of the country.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to wireless telecommunications. More specifically, it relates to a method for self-registration and authentication of wireless telephony devices on mobile communications systems.
2. The Prior Art
A large body of technology, often embodied in general industry standards, exists in the field of wireless telecommunications to permit the registration and authentication of wireless devices on mobile systems. Heretofore, this technology utilized a process requiring each wireless telephony device to be programmed prior to use with identification codes specific to the mobile system on which the device was to be activated, and/or requiring the user to enter personal codes or to otherwise configure the device for use in a specific mobile system. Particularly as the number of mobile services expands, this approach adds significant complexity at all points in the distribution chain. Manufacturers and/or distributors must provide different pre-programmed devices to different areas, or must provide devices (and related instructions) that can be customized in each locale. Retailers must carry larger and more varied inventories, invest in additional sales training, and/or incur longer sales cycles. End-users must become more involved in the communications function itself rather than in the use or application of the device or service they are buying. Complexities at all levels limit the development of broad new classes of mobile products and services in which the communications function is transparent to users.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,027 to Kennedy et al. discloses a phantom mobile identification number method and apparatus. The system disclosed uses a variable mobile identification number (MIN) that has three parts which include one part set according to the area code of the cellular network system in which the user is presently located. When a roamer cellular telephone first enters a new system, the telephone device determines the identity of the new system by reading the broadcast signal from the system. The device then sets its NPA number of it's MIN for the current area code.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,625 to Zicker, discloses a method of selecting the cellular system with which a cellular telephone communicates. The invention consists of a method by which the cellular phone selects a plurality of frequency sets upon which to communicate.

Method for self registration and authentication for wireless telephony devices


An electromagnetic system includes a magnetic yoke, a coil mounted in the magnetic yoke, a lower iron core disposed in a lower portion of the coil, a top plate disposed above the coil, an upper iron core having a lower portion disposed in the coil and an upper portion extending through the top plate, an armature disposed above the top plate and fixedly connected to the upper iron core, a magnetic isolation ring disposed between the upper iron core and the top plate, and a plurality of balls each rolling in one of a plurality of first curved grooves of the armature and one of a plurality of second curved grooves of the top plate. The upper iron core moves in a vertical direction. A force applied on the armature by the ball is inclined to a central axis of the upper iron core to drive the armature to rotate.

An electromagnetic system is an excitation mechanism, and generally includes an iron core, an armature, a magnetic yoke, and a coil. After being energized, the coil generates magnetic flux that passes through a magnetic circuit formed by the iron core, the armature, and the magnetic yoke. The air gap in the magnetic circuit generates a force, thereby converting electrical energy into mechanical energy.
Common electromagnetic systems may be classified into direct-acting electromagnetic systems and rotary electromagnetic systems. The direct-acting electromagnetic system has been widely used in contactors and relays due to its simple structure and reliable performance.
However, in some cases, the rotary electromagnetic system is required since it may eliminate unnecessary mechanisms such as motors, cams, cranks, connecting rods and the like. At present, the common rotary electromagnetic systems include ball-rotation rotary electromagnetic systems and inclined-rotation rotary electromagnetic systems. However, the two types of rotary electromagnetic systems each have their advantages and disadvantages; the ball-rotation rotary electromagnetic system may generate large torque but have unstable motion, while the inclined-rotation is relatively stable but generates smaller torque.


A video-conferencing system is described that provides physical cues regarding remote participants. Each remote participant is physically represented at a video conference by a robotic unit that includes a monitor, camera, microphone and speaker. In this way, a physical presence of the remote participant is conveyed at the conference, so that other participants are more likely to involve the remote participant. Moreover, the remote participant has access to a gesture determination system, which inputs gesture information about the remote participant that expresses a state of mind of the participant. Such gesture information may include leaning forward to show interest, or leaning back to show disinterest. The gesture information is transmitted to the robotic unit, which is actuated so as to reflect the gesture information, and thereby express the state of mind of the remote participant in a physical, intuitive way.

Conventional video conferencing systems exist that allow people to communicate with each other over large distances. Such video conferencing systems often provide both a visual representation (video) and an audible representation (audio) of each of the conference participants, plus a set of communication tools, such as, for example, a whiteboard or shared computer application.
For example, each of the conference participants (or groups of participants) may be located at a plurality of locations. At each of the locations, a camera and associated microphone may capture audio-video information for transmission to each of the other locations. Additionally, each location may have a video screen and associated speaker(s) for outputting audio-video information received from the other locations. In this way, all of the participants may see and hear the other participants, substantially in real-time.
In the field of robotics, robots and other mechanical devices exist that are capable of reflecting movements of a user at a distance, for the purpose of performing a function or task. That is, a user movement at a first location is tracked, and the movement is reflected (e.g., mirrored) by a robot at a remote location. For example, systems exist that allow a surgeon to perform a procedure at a distance, with a remote-controlled robot performing physical actions on a patient while the surgeon controls the movements of the robot while viewing its actions using a camera.

Video conferencing system with physical cues


A mechanism is provided for process-aware code migration. A plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges are annotated within a call graph with information from execution data for executing the code and a topology of the data processing system to form an annotated call graph. Each node in the plurality of nodes is clustered into an associated cluster based on a subset of attributes used from the execution data or the topology to generate the annotated call graph to form a clustered call graph comprising a plurality of clusters. The execution data associated with each cluster in the plurality of clusters is process mined to form an existing process model. Processes identified within the existing process model are mapped to a proposed business-process model thereby forming a set of correlations between the existing process model and the proposed business-process model.

The present application relates generally to an improved data processing apparatus and method and more specifically to mechanisms for process-aware migration of code.
During current business-process code migration projects, where an existing business-process is moved to a new information technology (IT) infrastructure, rarely is there a single comprehensive view of all software components comprised within the business-process and how these software components are deployed within a current IT infrastructure. Thus, difficulty exists in knowing how the migration might affect the execution of the business-process. This problem may further be exacerbated when modifications are to be implemented as part of the migration of the business-process (e.g., adding a new task). To build linkages between software, business-process models, and IT infrastructure, the current state-of-the-art business-process migration uses a three pronged approach:                1) identify a machine-to-machine topology via tooling (e.g., IBM® Tivoli® Composite Application Manager (ITCAM)),        2) identify software components running on the current IT infrastructure by manually conducting lengthy interviews with IT administrators that may last months and tie up many knowledgeable workers for the duration, and        3) map the discovered software components into the new IT infrastructure.
The primary problem in most code migration projects is in determining what parts of the code impact what aspects of the business-process. If a business model to software view is known, then there is a better chance of achieving a successful migration. However, the mapping of the business model to the current IT infrastructure is rarely known and, even if available, may not accurately represent what has been actually implemented.

International Business Machines Corporation


A cigarette package comprising an outer container, and, within the container, a series of parallel elongated compartments each having dimensions suitable for holding only a single cigarette, the compartments each having walls formed by one or more pieces of non-combustible sheet material, such as metal foil. The compartments are such as to allow a cigarette to be removed from one end of a compartment and the butt of a smoked cigarette to be inserted into the same end of the compartment, the compartments being sufficiently narrow that a lighted butt or cigarette inserted into one of the compartments becomes extinguished.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cigarette package which can be used both for extinguishing lighted cigarettes or butts, and for disposing of such butts.
2. Prior Art
Cigarettes are usually disposed of either in ashtrays or outdoors on the ground, or sometimes in lakes or streams, with results which are unsatisfactory both aesthetically and environmentally. Outdoors, the butts not only create a litter problem, but sometimes cause forest fires. Indoors, the discarded butts are unsightly and, when not properly extinguished, give off fumes. Ashtrays containing smoldering cigarettes are sometimes emptied into waste containers with resulting fires.
Proposals have been made in the past for portable ashtrays, and for portable devices, referred to as "snuffers", which can be used to extinguish burning cigarettes. In some cases the snuffer is combined with a cigarette case. Also, some cigarette packages or cases have been designed with ashtrays or means for holding used cigarette butts. Packages or cases having such constructions are shown in the following patents:
U.S. Pat. No. 2,606,562, issued Aug. 12, 1952 to Siegel;
U.S. Pat. No. 3,096,878, issued Jul. 9, 1963 to Whitely et al.;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,976, issued Jun. 17, 1980 to Herman; and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,496, issued Oct. 9, 1990 to Focke et al.
The Siegel and Herman patents show cigarette cases which are of relatively expensive, molded plastic construction, seemingly not intended to be disposable. The Siegel case will extinguish burning cigarette butts, but will not store them. The Herman case will both extinguish and store the butts; the case with the used butts is intended to be returned to the retailer for replacement with a new, filled case. This obviously poses special marketing requirements.
The Whitley et al patent shows a disposable cigarette package which has a portion acting as an ashtray, but this construction will not store the cigarette butt.
The Focke et al patent shows a disposable package of generally conventional paperboard construction, in which a partition is provided between the space having unused cigarettes and another space which can receive the used butts. It is stated that this partition can be made of flame resistant material, such as aluminum foil, which allows for inserting butts which have not been completely extinguished. However, it would seem that a burning cigarette butt when inserted would likely contact other butts already present and cause additional combustion.
Accordingly, none of these patents provides a low cost, disposable cigarette package which is capable of receiving burning cigarette butts, extinguishing them, and also storing them until the package is finished and is disposed of.

Cigarette package capable of extinguishing and storing cigarette butts


In plural internal logic circuits, plural transistors having the same function are merged into a single merged transistor. This merged transistor is interposed between a ground and a virtual ground line connected with a ground node of an inverter included in each of the internal logic circuits, and has a threshold voltage higher than a threshold voltage of a transistor included in each inverter. The merged transistor is controlled in accordance with a block selecting signal. Since the merged transistor is merged among the internal logic circuits, its gate width can be set larger, resulting in attaining a high speed operation of each inverter. During a standby, a leakage current can be suppressed since the merged transistor is in an off-state. During an operation, a leakage current can be suppressed in an unselected circuit block since the merged transistor is in an off-state. Accordingly, while suppressing increase of the circuit area, the internal logic circuits can attain a high speed operation and a leakage current can be minimized during both a standby and an operation.

The present invention relates to improvement of a semiconductor integrated circuit, particularly, a decode circuit for use in a DRAM, a flash memory or the like. More particularly, it relates to operation speed increase and power consumption decrease in a logic circuit in which an input order of signals is previously determined.
In accordance with recent spread of portable equipment and in view of energy-saving, there are increasing demands for decrease of power consumption of LSIs. In order to decrease the power consumption, decrease of a supply voltage is effective. Moreover, in accordance with refinement of transistors, the decrease of a supply voltage has become indispensable in the design of LSIs for attaining reliability thereof. However, when the supply voltage is decreased, the driving ability of a transistor is degraded. As a result, necessary performance as an LSI cannot be attained. A driving current Id for a transistor is substantially obtained as follows : EQU Id=.beta..multidot.(Vgs-Vt).sup.2
Therefore, as a threshold voltage Vt decreases, the driving ability of the transistor is improved. For example, in the case where the supply voltage is 1.0 V and a voltage of 1.0 V is applied as a gate-source voltage Vgs, the driving ability of the transistor can be substantially doubled by decreasing its threshold voltage Vt from 0.5 V to 0.3 V. However, when the threshold voltage is decreased, there is a possibility of a leakage current, and hence, the threshold voltage of the transistor included in a circuit cannot be simply decreased.
Accordingly, as a conventional method of attaining both a high operation speed and a small leakage current, an MTCMOS circuit has been proposed as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 6-29834. Now, application of this MTCMOS circuit to a decode circuit for a memory will be exemplified.
This decode circuit comprises a plurality of circuit blocks including a large number of logic circuits connected with one another in parallel. Each circuit block is connected with a power line through a P-type MOS transistor having a high threshold voltage, and is connected with a ground line through an N-type MOS transistor having a high threshold voltage. The respective P-type and N-type MOS transistors having the high threshold voltage in each circuit block are commonly controlled in accordance with two operation/standby switching signals complementary to each other.
Therefore, during a standby, the two MOS transistors having the high threshold voltage are in an off-state in accordance with the operation/standby switching signals in each circuit block, so that each circuit block can be disconnected from the power line and the ground line. Thus, a leakage path from the power line to the ground line through each circuit block can be effectively cut off by using the high threshold voltages of the MOS transistors, resulting in decreasing a leakage current. On the other hand, during an operation, the two MOS transistors having the high threshold voltages are in an on-state in accordance with the operation/standby switching signals in each circuit block, so that the power line and the ground line can be connected with each circuit block. Thus, the logic circuits in each circuit block can be operated. At this point, when the logic circuits in each circuit block include transistors having a low threshold voltage, each of the transistors has high driving ability owing to its low threshold voltage, and hence can be operated at a high speed. In this manner, both a high operation speed during an operation and a low leakage current during a standby can be attained.
In the conventional decode circuit, however, although a leakage current can be suppressed during a standby, both the P-type and N-type MOS transistors having the high threshold voltages are required. Therefore, the area of the resultant circuit is increased because these transistors are hierarchically inserted.
Furthermore, when the threshold voltage of the transistor having the high threshold voltage is set at an excessively large value for the purpose of decreasing a leakage current, the driving ability of the transistor having the high threshold voltage can be degraded. As a result, even when each of the transistors in the logic circuits has a low threshold voltage, the high speed operation performance of the logic circuits can be spoiled by the transistor having the high threshold voltage. Therefore, the high threshold voltages of the P-type and the N-type MOS transistors are set in a range where a low leakage current during a standby and a high speed operation of the circuit can be attained, and hence, excellent results cannot be expected in both objects.
Moreover, in the conventional decode circuit for a memory, when a predetermined one circuit block is selected during an operation, one of the logic circuits is selected in the selected circuit block, so that the output of the selected logic circuit is used as a decode signal. However, in each of the other plural circuit blocks (namely, unselected circuit blocks) excluding the selected circuit block including the selected logic circuit outputting the decode signal, the two MOS transistors having the high threshold voltage are in an on-state in accordance with the operation/standby switching signals. Therefore, the unselected circuit blocks are connected with the power line and the ground line, so as to form a leakage path in each of these unselected circuit blocks and allow a leakage current to flow. In this manner, the conventional decode circuit has a disadvantage of a large leakage current in the unselected circuit blocks during an operation.

Semiconductor integrated circuit and decode circuit for memory

Matsushita Electrical Industrial Co., Ltd.


A technique is provided for modeling a network relationship via providing a graphical representation of the network relationship and labeling the graphical representation based on a symbol sequence. Further, one or more tools is provided by the present technique for interactively visualizing and/or analyzing the graphical representation of the network relationship based on the symbol sequence.

The invention relates generally to graphical modeling of a network and in particular to graphical modeling of a network based on symbol sequences.
A wide variety of techniques are employed to visualize and/or analyze various network relationship, such as blood vessel networks, neural networks, electrical circuit networks, power system networks, communication networks transport networks or any other network. One of the popular techniques of representing a network relationship is by providing a graphical representation of the network. Though the graphical representation of the network relationship enables visualization of the network relationship and associated problems, the analysis is typically performed manually.
For example, in a medical imaging application, a blood vessel network is manually analyzed to identify potentially life-threatening aneurysms, or to plan surgical operations, or for other purposes. Alternatively, computer implemented techniques may be employed for the analysis of the graphical representation of the network. However, these techniques generally employ a brute force graph search algorithm that may be computationally very intensive even for small graphs. In medical imaging applications, atlases are useful frameworks for the representation of anatomy derived from imaging data such as CT scan or MRI scan. Such atlases are used for finding and comparing "normal" and "abnormal" regions. However, a limitation of such a method requires spatial correspondence between the atlas and the case being compared with. Thus, a spatial registration is performed between the atlas and the case under comparison that is complex and prone to errors. An equivalent to an atlas in non-medical applications would include a standardized circuit diagram. The current techniques are therefore cumbersome and inefficient.
It is therefore desirable to provide an efficient method for intelligent, automatic, and interactive visualization and analysis of various network relationships. It is also desirable to provide a graphical representation of a network relationship that is spatially independent.

Graph extraction labelling and visualization


An apparatus and method for analyzing the brightness characteristics of a projected image and using the analyzed characteristics to improve the appearance of the projected image is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the brightness characteristics of the projected image are analyzed at selected points across the raster of the image. An analysis array or array of data elements including brightness components corresponding to detail elements is then generated. The data elements in the array are then used to create compensation signals that are applied to the projected image through, for example, an overlay of smoothing factors or generation of a smoothing curve, to enhance the quality or appearance of the image by improving the regularity of brightness in all areas of the image. This regularity of brightness across the full span of the image is useful as a general improvement to the image and as a compensation for projector or projection surface brightness anomalies. In arrayed projection applications, central hot spotting, edge vignetting, electron beam or light source misalignments all can detract from evenly displayed images and all can benefit from the application of compensation that depends on an analysis array of the projected image.

The present invention relates to an analyzer and feedback device and method for enhancing the quality and appearance of the projected image.
Devices and methods for manipulating the brightness of an image are known. Examples of such systems include the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,390 (xe2x80x9cthe ""390 patentxe2x80x9d), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The system in that patent allows the brightness of an image to be precisely adjusted from detail element to detail element across an entire video image. Coarse adjustments can be made to parameters of the brightness ramping curve, while fine adjustments can be made for specific detail elements to correct artifacts generated by the video components.
In one embodiment, the system disclosed in the ""390 patent encompasses a method for smoothing the brightness of two adjoining overlapping video images produced from two discrete video signals which each have a plurality of detail elements each with a brightness component. The method comprises applying a predetermined set of smoothing factors to the brightness components of the detail elements of the two signals, projecting the images as modified by the smoothing factors onto a display, modifying selected smoothing factors in response to the appearance of the projected display, and, finally, storing a representation of the smoothing factor modifications.
Utilizing the features disclosed therein, the system of the ""390 patent enables a seamless multiple video image display to appear more consistent and uniform in brightness than a conventional single video image display. As a result, it is useful not only for displays with multiple overlapping video images, but also for smoothing the brightness of a single video image.
It some applications, it may be desirable to have a system in which the projected image is analyzed, and an array created of the brightness components of the projected image. The data in the array can then be used to automatically or manually modify selected smoothing factors in response to the appearance of the projected display, thereby enhancing the quality and appearance of the projected image.
There is therefore provided according to a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus and method for analyzing the brightness characteristics of a projected image and using the analyzed characteristics to improve the appearance of the projected image. In one embodiment of the invention, the brightness characteristics of the projected image are analyzed at selected points across the raster of the image. An analysis array or array of data elements including brightness components corresponding to detail elements is then generated. The data elements in the array are then used to create compensation signals that are applied to the projected image through, for example, an overlay of smoothing factors as described in the ""390 patent, to enhance the quality or appearance of the image by improving the regularity of brightness in all areas of the image. This regularity of brightness across the full span of the image is useful as a general improvement to the image and as a compensation for projector or projection surface brightness anomalies. In arrayed projection applications, central hot spotting, edge vignetting, electron beam or light source misalignments all can detract from evenly displayed images and all can benefit from the application of compensation that depends on an analysis array of the projected image.

Apparatus and method for analyzing projected images, singly and for array projection applications


The present invention provides a liquid crystal display panel and a manufacturing method thereof, and a manufacturing system. The method comprises filling a mixture of liquid crystals, a first polymeric group, a second polymeric group, and a dichroic pigment in a first substrate and a second substrate which are arranged into a cell; and controlling the first polymeric group and one portion of the dichroic pigment to be polymerized to form a first alignment layer and a first polarizing layer, and the second polymeric group and another portion of the dichroic pigment to be polymerized to form a second alignment layer and a second polarizing layer. The present invention omits a coating process.

After a liquid crystal display panel is filled with liquid crystals, the liquid crystals need to be aligned. A current alignment process is coating liquid crystal display panels in polyimide liquid, and performing a pre-baking process, an ultraviolet irradiation process, and a high temperature curing process, etc., to form an alignment film for alignment. The manufacturing process is more complicated, and a high temperature process is not suitable for some products such as quantum dots that need to be manufactured under a low temperature process.
Therefore, current liquid crystal display panels have technical problems of high temperature alignment process and complicated processes, which need to be resolved.

Liquid crystal display panel and manufacturing method thereof, and manufacturing system


A display control system specifies, in a case where one of a plurality of individual information items associated with a common information item is specified, the common information item associated with the specified individual information item, and other individual information items associated with the common information item. The display control system determines an order of the specified individual information item, the common information item, and the other individual information items such that the specified individual information item is positioned between the common information items and the other individual information items. In a case where a page turning operation is performed in a predetermined direction, the display control system displays pages of the other individual information items. In a case where the page turning operation is performed in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, the display control system displays the page of the common information item.

Display control systems have been known that associate a common information item with a plurality of individual information items. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes the system for associating hotel information (common information) indicating general information of a booked hotel with room information (individual information) indicating details of rooms of the hotel, and displaying an electronic pamphlet including these pages arranged in the predetermined order. For example, a user looks for a page of the room to stay in the electronic pamphlet, and checks the room information. Further, the user can check the hotel information by a page turning operation, and compare the room information with other room's information.

Display control system, display control method, and program for page arrangement of information items


A stationary communication device (SCD) is placed at a predetermined position to form a communication area covering vehicles traveling on a road. A vehicular communication device (VCD) is mounted on a vehicle for communicating with the SCD when the vehicle enters in the communication area. The SCD divides sound guidance data into a plurality of sound data blocks of predetermined communication frames and transmits the divided sound data blocks successively. The VCD receives the divided sound data blocks transmitted from the SCD, and requests the SCD to transmit specific sound data block again when the VCD fails to receive this specific sound data block, thereby issuing a sound guidance using the received sound data blocks including the specific sound data block transmitted again.

The present invention relates to a radio communication system used for communications performed between a stationary communication device and vehicular communication devices, preferably employed in an automatic toll collection system, and relates to arrangements of the stationary communication device and the vehicular communication device used in this communication system.
An electronically controlled toll collecting system comprises a stationary communication device placed at a predetermined position of a tollgate for performing radio communications with vehicular communication devices mounted on vehicles passing through the tollgate. According to such an automatic toll collection system, collection of toll can be performed without toller""s aid by exchanging data between the stationary communication device and the vehicular communication device.
This kind of electronically controlled toll collecting system usually provides a sound guidance (or voice guidance) for letting users know road information etc. To this end, the stationary communication device transmits sound data by radio wave. The vehicular communication device, mounted on a vehicle, receives the sound data transmitted from the stationary communication device and converts the received sound data into perceptible sounds through a speaker in a passenger compartment of the vehicle. Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. 4-111195, published in 1992, discloses a conventional sound guidance system. For the radio communications performed between a stationary communication device and a vehicular communication device, a predetermined communication frame is used for transmitting communication data. In such a sound data transmission performed between the stationary communication device and the vehicular communication device, there is a possibility that a huge amount of sound data cannot be transmitted by a single communication frame. To solve this problem, it is preferable to use a plurality of separate communication frames for transmitting the massive sound data. However, the vehicular communication device may fail to receive all of the separate communication frames. This will result in an inaccurate sound guidance.
An object of the present invention is to provide a reliable radio communication system used for communications between a stationary communication device and vehicular communication devices. Another object of the present invention is to provide arrangements of the stationary communication device and the vehicular communication device used in this communication system.
In order to accomplish this and other related objects, a first aspect of the present invention provides a communication system comprising a stationary communication device placed at a predetermined position and forming a communication area covering vehicles traveling on a road, and at least one vehicular communication device mounted on a vehicle for communicating with the stationary communication device when the vehicle enters in the communication area. The stationary communication device divides sound guidance data into a plurality of sound data blocks of predetermined communication frames and transmits the divided sound data blocks successively. The vehicular communication device receives the divided sound data blocks transmitted from the stationary communication device, and requests the stationary communication device to transmit specific sound data block again when the vehicular communication device fails to receive this specific sound data block, thereby issuing a sound guidance using the received sound data blocks including the specific sound data block transmitted again.
Preferably, the vehicular communication device includes a sound data storage means for storing a predetermined number of sound data beforehand, and the stationary communication device transmits a designation signal in addition to the divided sound data blocks so that the vehicular communication device reads particular sound data from the sound data storage means in response to the designation signal. An index number may be attached to each sound data stored in the sound data storage means of the vehicular communication device. In this case, the stationary communication device transmits the designation signal including an index number corresponding to the particular sound data. To reduce a data transmission amount, it is effective to store frequently or commonly used sound guidance information in the sound data storage means of the vehicular communication device.
Preferably, the stationary communication device transmits display data paired with corresponding sound data blocks, and the vehicular communication device comprises a display unit for displaying contents of the sound data blocks based on the display data paired with the sound data blocks.
Preferably, the stationary communication device and the vehicular communication device comprise a bandwidth limiting circuit which limits a frequency band of communication data for modulating a carrier wave used in radio communications performed between the stationary communication device and the vehicular communication device. The bandwidth limiting circuit may convert a rectangular waveform signal of digital communication data into a sine waveform signal.
Preferably, sound data are compressed by sampling characteristic points together with corresponding time information to create a polynomial representing a time variation of the sound data.
Alternatively, a plurality of phonemes are prepared beforehand and a sound is created by multiplying respective phonemes with appropriate parameters and adding the multiplied phonemes.
It is preferable that the vehicular communication device analyze missing sound data based on already received sound data and selectively issue a sound guidance or a display guidance according to the analysis.
To check any missing sound data, it is preferable that the divided sound data blocks are referred by sequential numbers.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a vehicular communication device mounted on a vehicle for communicating with a stationary communication device, comprising a receiving means for receiving divided sound data blocks successively transmitted from the stationary communication device, a request means for requesting the stationary communication device to transmit specific sound data block again when the specific sound data block is not received successfully, and a sound generating means for generating a sound in a compartment of the vehicle based on the received sound data blocks including the specific sound data block transmitted again.
Preferably, the vehicular communication device further comprises a temporary data storage means for temporarily storing the divided sound data blocks successively transmitted from the stationary communication device, and the sound generating means issues the sound based on the sound data blocks stored in the temporary data storage means. The sound generating means has a function of reissuing the sound based on the sound data blocks stored in the temporary data storage means.
The vehicular communication device may further comprise a sound output terminal connectable to an external speaker provided in the compartment of the vehicle. Preferably, a built-in speaker of the vehicular communication device causes no sound when the external speaker is connected to the sound output terminal. The external speaker may be a speaker of an external audio component. In this case, a sound output switcher is provided between the sound output terminal and the external audio component for selecting sound data sent to the external speaker. For example, the sound output switcher comprises a sound signal detecting circuit for detecting a sound signal generated from the sound output terminal, and a switching unit for supplying the sound signal to the external speaker when the sound signal detecting circuit detects the sound signal. To listen to a sound guidance easily, a sound signal sent from the sound output terminal to the external speaker can be enlarged than a sound signal sent from the external audio component to the external speaker.
A third aspect of the present invention provides a stationary communication device placed at a predetermined position for forming a communication area to communicate with a vehicular communication device mounted on a vehicle entering in the communication area; comprising a sound data transmitting means for dividing sound guidance data into a plurality of sound data blocks of predetermined communication frames and transmitting the divided sound data blocks successively to the vehicular communication device, and a missing data transmitting a means for transmitting specific sound data block again in response to a request returned from the vehicular communication device that fails to receive this specific sound data block.
A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a communication system comprising a stationary communication device placed at a predetermined position and forming a communication area to transmit sound data to vehicles traveling on a road, and at least one vehicular communication device mounted on a vehicle for receiving the sound data transmitted from the stationary communication device when the vehicle enters in the communication area. The vehicular communication device includes a sound data storage means for storing a predetermined number of sound data beforehand, and the stationary communication device transmits a designation signal in addition to the sound data so that the vehicular communication device reads particular sound data from the sound data storage means in response to the designation signal.

Information delivery method for vehicular communication devices


Apparatus and methods for rotating objects in accordance with the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes a shaft including a socket opening in at least one end of the shaft and a handle connected to the shaft by a unidirectional bearing. An embodiment of the invention adapted for rotating a tension rod having a terminal end includes a shaft including a socket opening in at least one end of the shaft and a handle connected to the shaft by a unidirectional bearing. In this embodiment, the socket opening is capable of engaging the terminal end of the tension rod.

In the tuning of a standard drum, a tool is used to tighten or loosen a tension rod. There are typically tension rods equally spaced around the top of a drum which are designed to secure a drum ring (or hoop) to the drum using lugs. The drum ring holds down the head or skin of the drum. Tightening or loosening the tension rods around the drum creates a lower or higher pitch by stretching or loosening the drum head. A drum key is a tool that is often used to tighten or loosen tension rods. Typically, a drum tool has a cylindrical shaft with a wingnut style handle in a fixed position at the top. At the base there is an opening that can engage or mate with the shape of the terminal end of the tension rod. Once a drum key is engaged with a tension rod, the rotation of the drum key causes the tension rod to rotate. The standard drum key is usually a single fixed piece in the shape of a "T".
Ratchet style drum keys are also known and are designed to provide an efficient method of tightening tension rods in circumstances where obstructions would prevent a "T" shaped drum key from performing complete rotations. Ratchet style drum keys can have the disadvantage that there is some play before the ratchet transfers torque. This play before pressure is applied to the tension rod can make ratchet style drum keys imprecise for the purposes of providing fine tuning of the tension in a drum head.


An external biometric reader and verification device for providing access control to a computing device, and associated methods, are disclosed. The external reader can store and verify biometrics under the control of the computing device and send identity verification messages to the computing device. One disclosed device includes a biometric reader communicatively connected to an external secure microcontroller. The external secure microcontroller stores a set of biometric data and a signing key. The signing key can be injected by a device manufacturer in a controlled key injection room in a manufacturing facility and can be used to sign a certificate. An operating system of the computing device can be programmed to send a request for the certificate, receive the certificate, and predicate control of access to the operating system using the verification messages on verification of the certificate.

Identity verification is an important feature of modern computerized devices. Computerized devices provide portals to sensitive control systems, confidential information, and personal identity information that should only be accessible to a certain individual or set of people. Aside from security, identity verification can provide a degree of convenience for tracking use of a device or customizing the device for a user. In the case of a multiuser device, the device can use identity verification information to provide data or interfaces that are specifically applicable to a single user or provide a more accurate record of which user conducted which actions using the device. For example, a factory terminal can keep track of which employee used the device to conduct a specific assembly line action. Furthermore, some multiuser devices are designed specifically for identification purposes such as timecard systems that track when an employee clocked in for work, or electronically controlled access points that determine whether a user is authorized to pass through a physical barrier.
Traditional approaches for identity verification include verification operations conducted using various kinds of information that are colloquially referred to as: who you are, what you know, and what you have. Biometric (who you are) information is replacing passwords (what you know) information in an increasing number of applications due to its universality, permanence, and convenience. However, the permanence of biometric information has caused this increase in usage to be accompanied by increased privacy concerns. If a favorite password is compromised by an identity thief, a user can very easily switch to a different arbitrary string of characters. However, if biometric data is compromised, the situation is much more serious. Aside from its permanence, the simple fact that biometric information is a part of one's person leads to an increased level of sensitivity towards the surreptitious acquisition of that information by malicious actors. People that are not usually concerned with permanent personal information like their mother's maiden name being stored externally and used to identify them will sometimes balk at providing a fingerprint or iris scan to a third party.

Authenticated external biometric reader and verification device


If, in encoding and recording an AV stream, time_controlled_flag as the attribute information is set to 1, the relation between the time lapse of an AV stream and the amount of data bytes of the AV stream is linear within a preset error range. If the time_controlled_flag of the AV stream file is set to 1, and a certain time portion of the stream is erased by way of partial stream erasure, an unoccupied area corresponding to the erased time portion and which can be recorded at a bitrate indicated by TS_average_rate may be created on the disc.

Recently, a variety of types of optical discs have been proposed as a recording medium that can be removed from a recording apparatus. These recordable optical discs have been proposed as a large capacity medium of several GBs and are thought to be promising as a medium for recording AV (audio visual) signals, such as video signals. Among the digital AV signal sources (supply sources), to be recorded on this recordable optical disc, there are CS digital satellite broadcast and BS digital broadcast. Additionally, the ground wave television broadcast of the digital system has also been proposed for future use.
The digital video signals, supplied from these sources, are routinely image-compressed under the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 2 system. In a recording apparatus, a recording rate proper to the apparatus is set. If digital video signals of the digital broadcast are recorded in the conventional image storage mediums for domestic use, digital video signals are first decoded and subsequently bandwidth-limited for recording. In the case of the digital recording system, including, of course, the MPEG1 Video, MPEG2 video and DV system, digital video signals are first decoded and subsequently re-encoded in accordance with an encoding system for the recording rate proper to the apparatus for subsequent recording.
However, this recording system, in which the supplied bitstream is decoded once and subsequently bandwidth-limited and re-encoded prior to recording, suffers from deteriorated picture quality. If, in recording image-compressed digital signals, the transmission rate of input digital signals is less than the recording rate for the recording and/or reproducing apparatus, the method of directly recording the supplied bitstream without decoding or re-encoding suffers from deterioration in the picture quality only to the least extent. However, if the transmission rate of the input digital signals exceeds the recording rate of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus, it is indeed necessary to re-encode the bitstream and to record the re-encoded bitstream, so that, after decoding in the recording and/or reproducing apparatus, the transmission rate will be not higher than the upper limit of the disc recording rate.
If the bitstream is transmitted in a variable rate system in which the bit rate of the input digital signal is increased or decreased with time, the capacity of the recording medium can be exploited less wastefully with a disc recording apparatus adapted for transiently storing data in a buffer and for recording the data in a burst fashion than with a tape recording system having a fixed recording rate imposed by the fixed rpm of the rotary head.
Thus, it may be predicted that, in the near future when the digital broadcast is to become the mainstream, an increasing demand will be raised for a recording and/or reproducing apparatus in which broadcast signals are recorded as digital signals, without decoding or re-encoding, as in a DataStreamer, and in which a disc is used as a recording medium.
If the recording medium is increased in capacity, a larger volume of data (herein the image or speech pertinent to a program) can be recorded on the recording medium. So, a larger number of programs are recorded on one disc, with the result that the operation of the user selecting a desired one of many programs recorded in the disc is complex. Thus, a necessity is felt for enabling a user to confirm data recorded in reproducing the disc to enable a desired program (data) to be selected extremely readily.

Information processing apparatus and method, program, and recording medium


A string of light uniquely matches light bulbs to sockets based on a structure. Each light bulb has a bulb and a base. The bulb has a bottom, and the base is connected to the bottom of the bulb and has a thread and a central contact protruding coaxially from the base. Each socket has a recess to hold the light bulb and has an inner sidewall, a thread formed on the inner sidewall, a resilient contact mounted longitudinally on the inner wall and abutting the outer surface of the base and an central contact in the recess and selectively abutting the central contact of the light bulb depending on the structure of the light bulb and the socket.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a string of light, and more particularly to a string of light with matched light bulbs and sockets so particular light bulbs with a particular visual effect can only be mounted in corresponding sockets.
2. Description of the Related Art
People use ornaments to improve the ambiance of festivals and holidays, but conventional ornaments are not conspicuous enough to attract people. Consequently, people usually mount strings of lights inside or outside ornaments to make the ornament shine. The ornaments are normally placed at entrances to houses, restaurants and exhibitions as decorations. Particularly, the strings of lights usually have standard lamps and non-standard lamps (i.e. blinking lamps) to provide a special visual effect.
To create a blinking visual effect, a blinking lamp comprises a circuit, a blinking bulb and a socket. The blinking bulb has a thermally sensitive element that open or closes the electrical illumination circuit through the blinking bulb when the thermally sensitive element is in a corresponding "hot" or "cold" state. Generally, standard lamps and blinking lamps are arranged to form a specific configuration or to produce a specific effect, so standard bulbs and blinking bulbs are mounted in specific positions. A thermal switch is also used to switch current between a flasher bulb and a low resistance bypass circuit. However, strings of flasher bulbs must have a certain number of standard bulbs to ensure a resistance is always in the line to prevent an over current situation. However, the standard bulbs are often replaced with flasher bulbs to enhance the visual effect.
However, conventional sockets for standard bulbs or blinking bulbs are the same and techniques for connecting sockets and different types of light bulbs are also the same. Thus, to arrange the light bulbs in appropriate positions takes time. Moreover, if one light bulb breaks, a user cannot determine what kind of light bulb should be bought to replace the broken light bulb. If light bulbs are put in incorrect positions, the specific configuration or the specific effect cannot be achieved.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a string of light with a matched light bulb and socket to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problem.

String of light with matched light bulbs and sockets


This document provides methods and materials related to treating subjects having specific genetic variations associated with neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

Genetic risk can be conferred by subtle differences in individual genomes within a population. Genes can differ between individuals due to genomic variability, the most frequent of which are due to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). SNPs can be located, on average, every 500-1000 base pairs in the human genome. Additional genetic polymorphisms in a human genome can be caused by duplication, insertion, deletion, translocation and/or inversion, of short and/or long stretches of DNA. Thus, in general, genetic variability among individuals occurs on many scales, ranging from single nucleotide changes, to gross changes in chromosome structure and function. Recently, many copy number variations (CNVs) of DNA segments, including deletions, insertions, duplications and complex multi-site variants, ranging in length from kilobases to megabases in size, have been discovered (Redon et al., Nature, 444:444 (2006) and Estivill, X. & Armengol, L. PLoS Genetics 3(10): e190 (2007)). To date, known CNVs account for over 15% of the assembled human genome (Estivill and Armengol, PLoS Genetics 3(10): e190 (2007)). However, a majority of these variants are extremely rare and cover a small percentage of a human genome of any particular individual.
Parkinson's Disease (also known as Parkinson disease, Parkinson's, idiopathic parkinsonism, primary parkinsonism, PD, or paralysis agitans) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. Parkinson's disease (PD) can be characterized by a progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. While PD is a complex disorder of unknown etiology, it is postulated that symptom manifestation occurs after the fraction of functional dopaminergic cells falls below a threshold of twenty percent. Symptoms of PD can include tremor, muscular rigidity, bradykinesia, akinesia, and postural instability. A hallmark of idiopathic or sporadic Parkinson's disease can be the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons and a depletion of dopamine, more specifically in the basal ganglia, and is thought to result from a combination of genetic predisposition (Vaughn et al., Ann. Hum. Genet. 65:111 (2001), and environmental factors (Shapira, Adv. Neurol. 86:155 (2001)). Thus, research efforts have focused on discovering means to prevent, protect and restore the dopaminergic cell network (Latchman et al., Rev. Neurosci. 12:69 (2001)). As genetic polymorphisms conferring risk neurological diseases, including PD, are uncovered, genetic testing can play a role for clinical therapeutics.
There is a need to identify new treatments for neurological diseases, such as PD, and the identification of genetic risk factors that can assist in the stratification of patients for development of potential therapeutics.

Methods and compositions for inhibiting and treating neurological conditions


A diesel engine is adapted to operate in a conventional diesel combustion mode within a first speed and load range, and in a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode in a second load and speed range. When operating in the homogeneous charge compression ignition mode, the emissions are dramatically reduced, resulting in a significant net reduction in emissions over the total load and speed operating range of the engine.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for reducing emissions in a diesel engine, and more particularly to such an apparatus and method which adapts a diesel engine to operate, within preselected speed and load ranges in a convention diesel mode, and in other preselected speed and load ranges in a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode.
2. History of Related Art
Conventional diesel engines tend to emit relatively high concentrations of various oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) and particulate matter (PM), because the diffusion flame, i.e., a long gas flame that radiates uniformly over its length and precipitates free carbon uniformly, results in fuel droplets disbursed in the fuel/air (F/A) charge burning near stoichiometry. A method of combustion identified as Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI), as described in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/905,789, filed on Jul. 28, 1997 by the inventor of the present application, has the potential to dramatically reduce NO.sub.x and PM emissions. This is due to the homogeneous mixture of fuel and air being able to provide a uniformly dispersed lean fuel mixture before the start of combustion in each compression stroke of the engine. However, it is difficult for a compression ignition diesel engine to operate in an HCCI mode over a wide speed and load range.
The present invention is directed to overcoming the problem of relatively high emissions in a conventional diesel engine. It is, therefore, desirable to have an diesel engine, and a method of operating a diesel engine in which HCCI combustion is combined with convention diesel combustion so that, when the engine is operating in the speed and load ranges suitable for HCCI combustion, the engine can operate in the homogeneous charge compression ignition mode and produce lower emissions. It is also desirable to have an engine that takes advantage of the low emissions potential of homogeneous charge compression ignition within selected portions of the operating range of a conventional diesel engine by combining the two modes of combustion in one engine.

Apparatus and method for reducing emissions in a dual combustion mode diesel engine


In one embodiment, there is provided a printed circuit board including a first rigid circuit board layer having a first signal trace arrayed on it, a second rigid circuit board layer having a second signal trace arrayed on it, a first signal path coupled between the first signal trace and the second signal trace, an electrostatic discharge device located between the first rigid circuit board layer and the second rigid circuit board layer, the electrostatic discharge device having a first electrode coupled to the first signal path, an electrostatic discharge reactance layer coupled to the first electrode, and a second electrode coupled to the electrostatic discharge layer but not coupled to the first signal path. The circuit board also having a ground plane, where the ground plane is coupled to the second electrode.

The problems of static electricity and Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) are well known in the electronics industry. In general, electronic components are damaged following the occurrence of electrical events that cause the transfer of charge from one material to another creating a voltage surge related to voltage potential differences between the two materials. The Electrostatic Discharge Association (ESDA) cites industry experts as estimating that product losses due to ESD range from 8-33%. According to the ESDA, others have estimated the actual cost of ESD damage to the electronics industry as running into the billions of dollars annually. See http://www.esda.org/basics/part1.cfm.
In general, basic methods of protecting components from ESD damage include some basic precautions such as proper grounding or shunting that will "dissipate" or discharge transient signals away from the device to be protected. Still other methods include the use of packages and handling techniques that will protect susceptible devices during transport and shipping. While such techniques have been effectively used to shield the product from charge and to reduce the generation of charge caused by any movement of product within the container housing the device to be protected, they have not completely eliminated the risk of damage. Moreover, it is well known that more modern devices operating in the higher frequencies (GHz and above) using submicron line widths are more susceptible to damage which can not be overcome using such methods.
Components designed to react to ESD events and provide a discharge path to ground are known in the arts. Examples of such components include diodes and capacitors. In addition, other components are based on the teachings of references such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,590 entitled "Over-voltage protection device and method for making same" to Shrier et. al which describes a discrete electrical protection device that utilizes a gap between two electrically conductive members attached to an electrically insulating substrate. According to the '590 patent, the electrical protection device can be either surface mounted or built with through-holes for accommodating leads on an electrical connector. The '590 describes and claims methods for making an electrical protection device that includes an electrically insulating substrate.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,310,752 entitled "Variable voltage protection structures and method for making same" to Shrier et. al. describes and claims a variable voltage protection component that includes a reinforcing layer of insulating material having a substantially constant thickness embedded in a voltage variable material. According to the '752 patent, the reinforcing layer defines a uniform thickness for the variable voltage protection component resistive to compressive forces that may cause a reduction in the clamp voltage or a short in the voltage variable material. The '752 patent also describes methods for making such a variable voltage protection component.
Prior art ESD suppression devices, such as those incorporating the teachings of the '590 patent and the '752 patent, have been successfully made and used. Generally, such devices utilize a couple of electrodes with some type of surge material interspersed between the electrodes. One electrode provides the transient signal input terminal while the other provides the discharge path to ground. A barrier layer known as the substrate or reinforcement layer is used to provide the necessary stiffness permitting the component to be surface mounted or through-holed.
Such prior art protection components, however, suffer from several limitations attributed to the requirement that a substrate or reinforcing layer be used. Specifically, the use of a substrate adds significantly to the component's overall size and cost. In addition, the relatively large size and profile of such prior art protection components makes their use impractical in tight spaces where board space is limited. Moreover, since the substrate material is a primary expense in the manufacture of such components, the use of prior art protection components on a widespread basis can be cost prohibitive. In addition, the use of prior art ESD protection devices in printed circuit board applications may require an individual device be surface mounted to each component or signal path to be protected which may be cost prohibitive.
As electronic devices became faster and smaller, their sensitivity to ESD increases. ESD impacts productivity and product reliability in virtually every aspect of today's electronics environment. Many aspects of electrostatic control in the electronics industry also apply in other industries such as clean room applications and signal line proliferation.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

Devices and system for electrostatic discharge suppression


An aqueous composition useful for providing a chemiluminescent signal in analytical methods is stabilized by the presence of specific amounts of either a low molecular weight cationic surfactant or a cationic polymer. The composition also includes a 2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinedione derivative, such as luminol, and 4'-hydroxyacetanilide. A chemluminescent signal is generated using the composition in the presence of peroxidase or a peroxidase-labeled specific binding species (such as an antibody or oligonucleotide).

Luminescent and luminometric assays are those which produce an emission of light as a result of the presence of an analyte of interest. The light emission is generally of sufficient duration for it to be measured or detected and thereby allow the determination of the analyte.
There are several major types of assays whereby a chemiluminescent signal can be used to advantage to determine an analyte:
1) Assays where a chemiluminescent compound is used to directly label a specific binding ligand such as proteins, oligonucleotides, antigens, haptens, hormones, nucleic acids and other compounds of biological interest. Chemiluminescence can be detected by adding a peroxidase and an oxidant to the labeled ligand.
2) Assays where catalysts or cofactors of luminescent reactions are used as labels for specific binding ligands. For example, peroxidase can be conjugated to ligands and used to provide a chemiluminescent signal.
3) Assays where chemiluminescent reactions are used to determine the products formed by action of an enzyme label other than peroxidase on suitable substrates. An example of this type of assay is the determination of a glucose oxidase-labeled specific binding ligand by generating hydrogen peroxide in the presence of peroxidase.
4) Non-immunoassays to determine a peroxidase or oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide generated as a result of a non-immunoreactant analyte.
Further details of such assays are provided in extensive literature such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,950 (Kricka et al) and publications noted therein.
A common reaction system used to generate chemiluminescent signals is that utilizing a 2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinedione derivative (identified herein as a "DPD"), such as luminol or isoluminol, as a substrate for peroxidative action. Attempts have been made to improve the sensitivity of chemiluminescent assays, including those where a DPD is used. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,950 (noted above) describes the use of certain aromatic amine enhancers. Similarly, certain aromatic phenols are described for the same purpose in U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,044 (Kricka et al).
This technology has been used commercially to some success, but there is a need for further improvement in sensitivity at very low analyte concentration, increased storage stability of reagents and kinetic stability (that is, duration of constant light output).
The use of micelles to improve chemiluminescence with various systems is described in considerable literature, including U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,931 (Cohen et al), U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,769 (Chang et al) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,182 (Schaap) and by Hinze, Contri.Cient.Tecnol. 1985, Numero Espec., pp. 20-23.
It would seem apparent that micelles could be combined with enhancers to obtain even further improvements in chemiluminescence, but it has been observed that such is not true when the enhancers of U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,044 (such as p-iodophenol) are used with micelles.

Chemiluminescent composition containing cationic surfactants or polymers and 4'-hydroxyacetanilide, test kits and their use in analytical methods