A system and apparatus for the measurement of absolute biaxial birefringence of plastic materials is described. The materials which must be at least partially transparent can be constituted of one or several similar or dissimilar layers. In the latter case, the birefringence of each material can be determined. The technique uses a multiwavelength white light source that provides at least two beams projected at different angles of incidence on the sample. The beams pass through first polarizers before they are incident on the sample and through second polarizers after they have passed through the sample. The beams are then directed to a detector for measuring each beam intensity or transmittance as a function of wavelength for the incident angles at different times, and are analyzed using nonlinear regressions to determine retardation. By the knowledge of the thickness of the material, the absolute biaxial birefringences are calculated for any specific wavelength. The regression procedure incorporates the material dependent optical constants for the calculations and to discriminate between different materials for multilayer samples.

The orientation of the molecular chains in polymers is known to enhance some properties of the material, such as mechanical, optical, barrier, etc. In many polymer processing operations, it is desirable to induce orientation in the material, except some specific cases where any anisotropy in the material should be avoided, such as laser discs for example. This orientation in polymers can be induced by several processes such as film blowing, film tentering, blow molding, thermoforming, compression, rolling and drawing. In order to evaluate and optimize the polymer's properties and process conditions it is of tremendous importance to know the orientational states developed in the polymer.
Several techniques can be used for off-line measurement of orientation in polymers. These techniques include birefringence, infrared and other spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman, fluorescence, NMR, and others), X-ray scattering and ultrasonic techniques. Among these, birefringence, that is the anisotropy in refractive indices of the material, is the simplest. The orientation within the material can be described by the refractive index ellipsoid (indicatrix), which is defined by the refractive indices n.sub.M, n.sub.T and n.sub.N in the three axial directions known as machine, transverse and normal, which originate from the different polarizabilities in these three directions as a result of molecular chain alignment. The refractive index which is parallel to the machine direction is designated n.sub.M, the one at 90.degree. which is the transverse direction in the material plane is designated as n.sub.T, and the one in the thickness direction is n.sub.N.
Birefringence is defined as the difference between the different refractive EQU .DELTA.n.sub.MT =n.sub.M -n.sub.T EQU .DELTA.n.sub.MN =n.sub.M -n.sub.N
indices: EQU .DELTA.n.sub.TN =n.sub.T -n.sub.N
Since there are three birefringences in any material, representing the anisotropy of optical properties in three axes, the term multiaxial birefringence is used. However, in view of the fact the three birefringences are interdependent as EQU .DELTA.n.sub.TN =n.sub.T -n.sub.N =(n.sub.M -n.sub.N)-(n.sub.M -n.sub.T)=.DELTA.n.sub.MN -.DELTA.n.sub.MT
expressed by the equation:
and that it is a simple calculation to determine the third birefringence once the first two are determined, the term biaxial birefringence is commonly used in the art as necessary to define the optical properties of a sample.
On the other hand, when birefringence is only measured in one plane, the term uniaxial birefringence is used.
Birefringence can be determined in two ways, such as by the measurement of refractive indices and the calculation of their differences, or by the direct measurement of the optical retardation using polarimetry techniques. Measurement of refractive indices can be performed using a refractometer such as an Abbe refractometer for example. However, such a technique has several limitations, for instance samples with shapes may be awkward to fit the refractometer, there is generally a requirement for contact solvent and the technique is cumbersome and tedious. In addition, the use of a refractometer is not applicable for on-line monitoring.
On the other hand, polarimetry techniques generally use a monochromatic light source in an optical set-up that includes a polarizer and analyzer, between which the sample to be measured is placed to measure optical retardation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,163 (Sakai et al.) discloses a method for measuring birefringence using a combination of a polarizer and analyzer, with a sample interposed between them. The combination is rotated relative to the sample to determine the relationship between the angle of rotation and the intensity of light transmitted through the arrangement. Using light at two wavelengths close to each other, the retardation can be determined. When at least three wavelengths are used, different retardation values are obtained for the respective wavelength. From the retardation values, the birefringence of the simple is calculated, but only .DELTA.n.sub.NT in the plane of the sample. This technique does fit allow the determination of multiaxial birefringence and produces uncertain results in highly oriented materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,371 (Sakai et al.) discloses a method for obtaining data to calculate retardation values using in combination a white light source with a polarizer and analyzer, that rotate in unison and between which the sample is placed. The system however does not provide the multiaxial birefringence of the sample.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,194 (Yoshizumi et al.) discloses a method for measuring birefringence employing a laser that emits two beams at different frequencies. After the beams have passed through the sample, the beams are split by frequency and directed to two analyzers that are polarization sensitive. The devise does not make multiaxial birefringence measurements.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,092 (Noguchi et al.) discloses a method for measuring birefringence with a wide polarized light beam that passes through the sample, then through a rotating polarizer, and falls on a video camera detector. The system however does not provide the multiaxial birefringence of the sample.
According to U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,630 (Gawrisch et al.), an interference image of a biaxially stretched film strip is generated optically. Streaks in the film strip are areas of different orientation and/or thickness which are distinguished from the streak-free areas in the interference image by different intensities. In order to generate the interference image, a light source, a diffuser screen and a polarizer are arranged on one side of the film strip and an analyzer and a filter are arranged on the other side of the film strip. A detector, such as a video camera, is connected to an image analysis and computing unit for evaluation of the interference image. This non-quantitative technique only determines the change in orientation and/or thickness, but not the values of biaxial birefringence.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,309,110 (Tumerman) discloses an apparatus and method for determining optical properties of a substance by passing a beam of linearly polarized light through the substance. The polarization vector of light is mechanically caused to rotate at a definite frequency, and the light is measured by a photodetector. The relative phase shift and/or modulation coefficient of this beam after passing through the substance is compared with a reference beam that has not passed through the substance, to effect measurement of linear and circular birefringence. This technique uses a single wavelength, and cannot measure biaxial birefringence. If applied to moderately and highly oriented films, it would be uncertain by a factor of 2.pi.. It has the mechanical disadvantage, compared to the present invention, of requiring rotating polarizers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,111 (Paulson et al.) describes an apparatus for measuring the degree and direction of molecular orientation in a film as it advances from a stretching zone. The apparatus projects ultraviolet light which does not pass through the film but stimulates fluorescence that is detected by a part of the apparatus. This technique does not measure birefringence, but a parameter called D.sub.ex, representing the extent of orientation.
In the Japanese application JP93163005, a method and instrument for measuring retardation is disclosed. Its purpose is however to measure the retardation of a high polymer film or sheet having small anisotropy on line in the manufacturing process of the film or sheet by imposing a phase plate having known retardation between a polarizing section and analyzing section and the sheet to be measured between the phase plate and the analyzing section. This technique does not apply to high anisotropies and biaxial birefringences.
Canadian Patent 1,153,578 (Pindera) teaches a method for the optical measurement in mechanics using scattered light techniques. Specifically, this method relates to opto-mechanical apparatus which is useful for the rapid, accurate and theoretically correct measurements of the stress-induced birefringence, and, in particular, to determine cross-sections through elastic isodynes which carry information on the normal and shear stress components. The measurements are mentioned to be simpler when the patterns of light scattering are close to the Rayleigh model of scattering. However, this procedure is not applicable to the determination of the absolute biaxial birefringence of moderately and highly oriented materials.
In the non-patent literature, some studies mention techniques for the measurement of birefringence of materials, as described below with their advantages and disadvantages.
Abetz and Fuller, Rheol. Acta, 29, 11 (1990), describe a method that solves the problem of determining the correct birefringence and orientation angle of samples having multiple orders of retardation. The approach simultaneously uses two wavelengths of light combined with modulation of the polarization vector using a high speed rotating half wave plate, which is an achromatic wave plate. The technique is demonstrated for multiple orders in retardation. However, this method does not apply to biaxially oriented materials.
R. D. L. Marsh, J. C. Duncan and S. Brister, J. Thermal Analysis, 45, 891 (1995) published a paper on the measurement of dynamic optical birefringence, in which complex birefringence, strain and stress-optical coefficients are determined simultaneously with complex mechanical properties. Both used monochromatic light with the disadvantages mentioned above.
Hongladarom and Burghardt, Macromolecules, 26, 785 (1993), and Beekmans and de Boer, Macromolecules, 29, 8726 (1996), used a spectrographic technique for the determination of orientation of liquid crystalline polymers solutions due to their high anisotropy. This technique uses a multiwavelength source but was limited to normal incidence. The calculation procedure was not rigorous, because in the first paper (1993), the wavelength dependence of birefringence was arbitrary, and in the second paper (1996) it was not taken properly into account but approximated over a short wavelength interval. The procedure does not allow determination of biaxial birefringence.
Takahashi and Fuller (Rheol. Acta, 35, 97 (1996)) and Hongladarom and Burghardt (Macromolecules, 27, 483 (1994)) described a procedure to measure the full refractive index of solutions with a monochromatic light source and an oblique incidence. The procedure and technique described does not allow measurement of absolute birefringence of highly oriented materials.
From these examples of the prior art, it is evident that, according to present knowledge, uniaxial birefringence measurement can be accomplished in a number of ways. However, the prior art does not disclose methods or apparatus capable of making on-line biaxial birefringence measurements in samples such as moderately or highly oriented, monolayer or multilayer films, sheets or shapes in order to determine the biaxial and thus multiaxial birefingence of the samples in absolute, mathematically certain terms.

Method and apparatus for measurement of absolute biaxial birefringence in monolayer and multilayer films, sheets and shapes


The invention relates to a method of producing packaging material in the form of a continuous laminate web (17) and being of the type which includes a core layer (2) of paper or cardboard whose one face displays a layer (7) which is disposed outside the core layer (2) and includes first an aluminium foil (4) and secondly a plastic coating (16) disposed outside the aluminium foil layer. Throughout its entire surface, the core layer (2) is covered with the above-mentioned layer (7), while along selected portions it extends out over the edges of the core layer (2). The above-mentioned layer (7) is formed in that the aluminium foil (4) and at least one thermoplastic material (6) are laminated to one another by being brought together between two rollers (10, 12) of which the one roller consists of a cooled roller and the other roller consists of a roller which is heated to a temperature exceeding the melting temperature of the thermoplastic. The above-mentioned formed layer (7) is brought together with the core layer (2) between two cooled rollers (13, 14) and co-laminated with the adhesive or binder layer of thermoplastic.

Packaging containers of the single-use disposable type, in particular such packages for the storage of liquids, are often produced from a packaging material including a core layer of paper which is coated with thermoplastic material and aluminium foil. The packaging material is often provided in the form of webs rolled onto magazine reels, the webs, after being paid out from their magazine reels, being reformed by folding into packaging containers in automatic packaging machines. A commonly occurring package of this type is that which is marketed under the Trademark TETRA BRIK® and which is preferably employed for liquid contents such as milk, fruit juice, etc. This package is produced in automatic packaging and filling machines in such a manner that the web paid out from the magazine reel is reformed into a tube by the edges of the web being united in an overlap seam or joint, whereafter the thus formed tube is filled with the intended contents and separated into individual packages by repeated transverse seals disposed in spaced apart relationship from one another and at right angles to the tube. Once the supplied contents have thus been enclosed in sealed sections of the tube, these sections are separated from the tube by incisions in the above-mentioned transverse sealing zones. The separated tube sections are thereafter formed by folding along crease lines disposed in the packaging material, to form packaging containers of the desired configuration, for example, parallelepipedic containers.
Packages of this type are often fitted with opening arrangements in the form of holes, apertures or slits made in the packaging material and covered by tear-off strips which are normally entitled "pull-tabs". When the contents consist of a sterile product such as sterilized milk or of an acidic product such as, for instance, orange juice, the package is often manufactured from a packaging laminate which includes an aluminium foil layer making the package extremely tight to penetration by gases such as, for example, oxygen gas which might oxidize the contents of the package with resultant deterioration in quality. In order to achieve the desired tightness, it is of major importance that the aluminium foil layer is not ruptured or damaged in the package forming operation or on manufacture of the packaging material. In addition, for the function of the pull-tab opening, it is vital that the aluminium foil layer possesses extremely good adhesion at the region around the opening hole over which the pull-tabs are arranged to be applied (in a manner which will be described in greater detail hereinbelow) since otherwise the opening operation might easily be unsuccessful, since the covering strip which has been applied over the intended opening can be torn off without the inside coating of plastic and aluminium foil being properly opened.
One object of the present invention is to treat and prepare in a simple and efficient manner a packaging material web of the above-outlined type in such a way that the edge of the packaging material web is effectively sealed off with an upper plastic film disposed around the edge zone. It is known in the art to seal-off liquid absorbent material edges exposed to the inside of a packaging container with thermoplastic strips which overbridge or are folded around such edges. It is also known in the art, with the same purpose in view, to provide the packaging material web with a so-called fixed edge strip of plastic, i.e., with a plastic strip which projects from the web edge of a cardboard web and which may be folded around the edge and sealed against its opposing side. Such a "fixed edge strip" is obtained by disposing cardboard webs beside one another so that a slot or gap is formed between the webs, whereafter the webs and these slots are jointly covered over with a plastic foil or, in certain cases, with a plastic foil and an aluminium foil, whereafter the covered webs are separated by the means of an incision in the region of the slot for forming a projecting, fixed strip. One drawback has hitherto been that it has not been possible to achieve adhesion—or in any event only poor adhesion—between, for example, an aluminium foil layer and a plastic layer in the region of such slots, since the aluminium foil and the plastic layer cannot be compressed together within the region of the slot or incision and particularly not adjacent the defining edges of the slots because of the differing thicknesses of the material and the consequential difficulty for the pressure rollers to compress together the material within the region of the slot. However, employing the process according to the present invention, this drawback is obviated in that a plastic/aluminium foil layer is first produced in which the components in the laminate display good adhesion to one another, and this plastic/aluminium foil layer is then laminated to the above-mentioned side-by-side disposed webs of the core material layer which includes paper or cardboard.
Using prior art technology, packaging material of the type considered here can be produced by applying, in a plurality of separate lamination operations, the different layers—i.e. the aluminium foil layer, the inner plastic layer and so on to the core layer of paper or cardboard, and such a lamination process functions excellently in those cases when the core layer is not provided with holes, apertures or slots, i.e. the regions where the coating layers extend over or beyond edge zones of the core layer. It has proved that difficulties arise, in coating an aluminium foil against a core layer web of paper or cardboard in which the core layer is provided with holes, apertures or slots, in that the aluminium foil must, in connection with the lamination (in which the bonding lamination layer often consists of a thin extrudea thermoplastic film) be pressed against the core layer substrate with the aid of a nip roller or soft pressure roller in order that sufficient adhesion between the aluminium foil layer and the core layer can be achieved. Since, in general, the aluminium foil layer is extremely thin (of the order of approx 5 to 10μ), it will be forced by the nip roller against the edges around the apertures or the slots in the core layer and be partly pressed into these holes or apertures. Since the punched holes, apertures or the like have a relatively sharp edge, there is a risk that the aluminium be ruptured, and in any event the risk occurs that the aluminium foil will become creased around the edges of the apertures or slots and will thereby either be weakened or suffer from poor adhesion between the aluminium foil and the core layer precisely in the edge zones of the holes or apertures. Further, the adhesion between the plastic layer and the aluminium foil layer will be poor in the region of these holes or slots, since the pressure of the nip roller in such regions is limited because of the material thickness reduction in the holes or slots.
These circumstances have constituted a serious problem which, first, has caused ruptures in the aluminium foil layer and thereby insufficient gas tightness in the finished packages, secondly a defective opening arrangement because of poor adhesion between the aluminium foil layer and the core layer in the edge zones around the apertures, and thirdly poor adhesion between the aluminium foil layer and the plastic layer along those parts where the aluminium foil layer and the plastic layer project out beyond the core layer and, thus, receive no support from the core layer during the compression operation.

Method of producing packaging material in the form of a continuous laminate web


The method is used for limiting the power of a transmission-end signal (xn) compiled from a plurality of differently spread-coded signals. In this context, it is assumed that the quantity of spread codes used for the differently spread-coded signals is known as code engagement information (Cch,SF,k; 80). First, correction spread codes are selected by virtue of the engagement information (Cch,SF,k; 80) being evaluated. On the basis of the selected correction codes, a spread-coded correction signal (y′n) is formed which is overlaid with the compiled signal (xn).

In third-generation W-CDMA-based systems (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), such as UMTS, subscribers are separated by using subscriber-specific spread codes. In this case, each symbol in a subscriber-specific data sequence is multiplied by the spread code. The elements of the resultant sequence are called chips. Each subscriber-specific physical transmission channel is in this case allocated a dedicated spread code, also called channelization code. The subscriber-specific physical channels are each spread using a channelization code. For a UMTS system, the generation of the transmission signal in the downlink, i.e. from the base station to the mobile stations, is described in the UMTS-standard document 3GPP TS 25.213 V5.3.0.
The channelization codes are "OVSF (Orthogonal Variable Spreading Factor) spread codes". These are described in the UMTS-standard document 3GPP TS 25.213 V5.3.0 under Section 4.3. The various OVSF spread codes are orthogonal with respect to one another and can have various code lengths and various spread factors. The OVSF spread codes are selected from an OVSF code tree. This has a plurality of levels, whose associated OVSF spread codes are characterized by the same spread factor. Each OVSF spread code with a spread factor n is followed in the OVSF code tree by two mutually orthogonal OVSF spread codes with the spread factor 2n, but these codes are not longer orthogonal with respect to the OVSF spread code with the spread factor n. To ensure the orthogonality of the spread-coded signals, only particular OVSF spread codes are therefore permitted to be selected from the OVSF code tree: as soon as an OVSF spread code from the OVSF code tree with a particular spread factor is already being used, all spread codes with a higher spread factor which follow this OVSF spread code in the OVSF code tree are no longer permitted to be used.
After the individual physical channels have been spread, the resultant channels have a chip rate of 3.84 MHz. Next, the spread signals are coded with a scrambling code, and the chip rate remains the same. Generally, this involves the same scrambling code being used in a base station for all channels. Following subsequent power scaling, the individual channels are overlaid through addition to form a total signal. Alternatively, instead of the separate coding of the individual channels with the scrambling code, it is also possible to code the overlaid total signal with the scrambling code. In addition, the total signal is overlaid with subscriber-independent synchronization channels. The resultant complex signal is then subjected to pulse shaping and is then up-converted to the carrier-frequency band. After that, the signal is fed into a linear-operation power amplifier and is then radiated via the antenna.
The power of the total signal coded with the scrambling code has a wide dynamic range. Typically, the dynamic range is approximately 10 dB.
Such a wide dynamic range has a negative effect particularly on the power amplifier, in which linear operation needs to be ensured over the entire dynamic range. This therefore needs to be designed to be of corresponding size.
Patent Specification U.S. Pat. No. 5,991,262 discloses a technical doctrine whose aim is to reduce the dynamic range of the input signal for the power amplifier in a CDMA-based system. In this context, the power of a signal compiled from a plurality of differently spread-coded signals is limited through overlaying with a correction signal. Spreading is not performed using OVSF spread codes in this case, but rather using "Walsh codes" with a constant spread factor. The correction signal is formed by first producing a provisional correction signal from the compiled signal. Walsh code-domain transformation of the compiled signal is used to ascertain the quantity of orthogonal spread codes which are already being used. With knowledge of the spread codes which are already being used for the compiled signal, it is possible to remove from the provisional correction signal those signal components which are based on spread codes which are already being used. There thus remain only the signal components which are based on spread codes which are not yet being used. The resultant correction signal is then overlaid with the compiled signal, so that the signal power of the resultant signal is limited.
Laid-Open Specification WO 02/101954 A1, which forms the closest prior art, describes a similarly operating solution for limiting the power in a W-CDMA system. The spread codes underlying both the compiled signal and the correction signal are the aforementioned OVSF spread codes. Instead of through Walsh code-domain transformation, the quantity of OVSF spread codes which are already being used is ascertained by means of OVSF code-domain transformation. The OVSF code-domain transformation takes place for a particular spread factor SFmin.
A drawback of the solution described is that the correction signal is formed by using OVSF spread codes with the spread factor SFmin, the spread factor SFmin corresponding to the smallest spread factor for the spread codes used in the compiled signal. If, by way of example, the compiled signal contains a data channel at a high data rate which requires a spread factor of 8, then SFmin=8 and there thus remain a maximum of 7 OVSF spread codes for producing the correction signal. If the compiled signal additionally also contains further data channels at a low data rate, i.e. with a high spread factor, some or even all of the 7 remaining OVSF spread codes are eliminated as free OVSF spread codes during OVSF code-domain transformation with the spread factor SFmin, of the compiled signal. If all OVSF spread codes with the spread factor SFmin are eliminated as free OVSF spread codes, it is not possible to generate a correction signal which is orthogonal with respect to the compiled signal.
In addition, the prior art takes account neither of the influence of the coding with the scrambling code nor of the influence of a transmission-end pulse-shaping filter or of the two synchronization channels. Furthermore, the technical doctrine known from the prior art can be applied only when just one scrambling code is used in a base station; the use of different scrambling codes is thus not taken into account.

Method and circuit for limiting the power of a signal compiled from spread-coded signals


A method and apparatus are described that detect and correct for over-saturation lighting conditions in a CMOS Image Sensor.

Electronic digital cameras are superseding traditional cameras which rely upon chemical processing. As with other consumer oriented electronic products there is great pressure to reduce costs. There is also the need for low cost solid state image sensors to complement computers and communication devices and for practicable video conferencing and so on. The image input device is central to such applications. CMOS image sensors have proven themselves to be superior image input devices for low power mobile operations. CMOS image sensors may also have other applications. An important advantage of CMOS image sensors (or imagers) is that imager and signal processing circuits can easily be integrated on a single semiconductor chip. This brings into prospect single-chip camera systems. Charge coupled devices (CCDs) are used as an alternative to CMOS imagers, however, the latter may be cheaper to fabricate for a given level of performance and capacity. CMOS fabs such as may be used to build the invention are well known in the art. Typically, image sensors produce digitized raster-like arrays of electronic luminance signals corresponding to and responsive to the incident light that makes up an image.
The image sensor quality produced by CMOS image sensors has been improving in recent years to the point that CMOS image sensor performance begins to rival CCD image sensor performance. Thus, CMOS image sensors have begun to penetrate the DSC (digital still camera) marketplace. In order to ensure good image quality, CMOS image sensors may use CDS (correlated double sampling) circuits to remove FPN (fixed pattern noise). CDS is well known in the art. The use of CDS circuits has introduced a problem in that pictures of extremely bright lights or reflections from shiny surfaces may be imaged poorly. In these conditions, a spurious dark central area may appear in the middle of a very bright area. This phenomenon is sometimes termed image inversion. A method and image sensor with over-saturation detection and image inversion correction circuitry that solves the subject problem is described.

CMOS sensor with over-saturation abatement


An autonomous robotic exploration method based on a reduced approximated generalized Voronoi graph, the method including: 1) constructing a reduced approximated generalized Voronoi topological map based on a morphological method; 2) obtaining an Next-Best-View and planning a global path from the robot to the Next-Best-View; and 3) navigating to the Next-Best-View along the global path R={r0, r1, r2, . . . , pNBV} based on a visual force field (VFF) algorithm.

The disclosure relates to the field of automation technology, and more particularly relates to an autonomous robotic exploration method based on a Reduced Approximated Generalized Voronoi Graph.
Due to complexity and structured features of indoor spaces, mobile robots can be widely used in tasks related to architectural survey (such as indoor surveying and mapping, and indoor search and rescue). Therefore, performing autonomous exploration and movement in an unexplored space becomes one of the research hotspots of robot technology. The autonomous exploration technology may enable a robot to move in an unexplored environment and perceive an unknown object in the environment by various sensors carried on the robot, so as to complete a given specific task. According to the existing researches there are four main difficulties in this topic: (I) how to perform modeling for an environment; (II) how to decide where the robot go next; (III) how to find a global path connecting any two locations in a passable space; (IV) how to control the robot to track a path and avoid obstacles in real time.
At present, some feasible methods are successfully implemented in simulation experiments and real robots, where frontier-based methods have already achieved a good effect. Frontiers are distributed at a junction of an explored region and an unexplored region. Usually, the robot is very likely to obtain more environmental information at the frontiers. The frontier-based method is as shown in FIG. 2. A SLAM algorithm as background art provides an environmental occupancy probabilistic grid map and a robot pose. In each step of exploration, a series of candidate frontiers may be obtained by processing the environmental map, and the optimal candidate point can be obtained by performing feature calculation and comparison for these candidate frontiers, one global path from a current location of the robot to the optimal candidate point can be found in the environmental map based on a path planning algorithm (for example, A* algorithm), and finally, the robot is navigated to the optimal candidate point along the path. At this time, exploration is completed. Then, the next step of exploration begins by searching the candidate frontiers again until no candidate frontier is obtained or the Next-Best-View is not satisfactory. At this time, the autonomous exploration is ended.
However, some problems still exist in the frontier-based method at present. One problem is as follows: a large number of candidate frontiers are generated, resulting in a considerable redundancy, so that performing feature calculation and comparison for the candidate frontiers will take a lot of calculation time. The second problem is as follows: a path searching algorithm on the grid map cannot satisfy a real-time requirement, and the path is often close to a wall, bringing about a collision risk to the mobile robot. Some scholars propose to perform modeling for the environment by directly using a topological map so as to effectively reduce the number of candidate frontiers and accelerate a path planning speed. However, the environmental information carried on the topological map is in severe shortage, so that it is difficult to effectively perform the feature calculation and comparison for the candidate frontiers.

Autonomous exploration framework for indoor mobile robotics using reduced approximated generalized Voronoi graph


A ventilation system and material therefor includes a passage beneath the shingle layer of the roof of a building. The passage leads from the exterior of the building to the interior of the attic of the building. The passage is plugged with an air permeable polymeric material to allow passage of air from the exterior of the building to the interior of the building, and vice versa. The polymeric material is preferably shaped with a tapered cross section.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to the ventilation of building structures. More particularly, this invention is directed to a system and material for improving ventilation within the attic areas of residential, light commercial, and other buildings.
2. Description of Related Art
Ventilation is conventionally provided in residential and light commercial buildings through the use of soffit vents. The soffit is the band of ceiling-like area covering the bottom of the roof overhang. A soffit vent is a strip vent or the like installed in the soffit to ventilate the attic and the roof to provide air circulation in this otherwise enclosed space. However, some buildings with soffit vents have ineffectual ventilation as a result of clogging of the vents. For example, clogging often results from insulation having been pushed into the eaves and covering the vent openings, preventing air from getting into or out of the building through the openings. Clogging of the vents can also occur when paint is applied to the vents and the secondary surrounding structure without ensuring that the paint does not dry clogging the vents.
Other conventional methods for supplying air to the attic include louvered vents or ridge vents located in the portion of the structure at or near the ridge of the roof, as well as gable vents and turbines located on the roof structure. Each of these approaches, however, does not provide optimal air ventilation in the attic. The louvered vents that are located near the top of the roof generally provide ventilation only to the top of the roof at the ridge line, and thus not to the entire attic. The turbines that are attached to the roof require both a hole in the shingles and the roof deck, thus increasing the chances of water penetration into the attic; furthermore, they require energy for operation.
Roof structures not providing adequate ventilation to the attic area are known to produce high temperatures in the attic during the summer months. This typically results in reduced shingle life and increased air conditioner usage, and associated costs.
Another problem with conventional ventilation systems is the formation of ice dams on roofs during winter months in geographic areas that receive heavy amounts of snow. A conventional roof allows snow to slide down the roof until the snow stacks up against the gutter. Heat within the attic, which is generally above the freezing point of water, allows melted snow to back-up on the roof, enabling the water to migrate under the edge of the shingle and onto the wood roof deck. This water may eventually deteriorate the deck structure and eventually work its way through the ceiling of the structure. Although some government authorities require the use of a plastic or metal snow shield to help alleviate this problem, such requirements are not universal. Furthermore, this problem can occur in other geographic areas under severe weather conditions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,627 to Culton et al. discloses a ventilated roof construction that allows for air circulation beneath shingles to stall deterioration.
In other fields of art, materials are used that are composed of low density matted thermoplastic macro-filaments irregularly looped and intermingled in highly porous and/or open peak and valley, three-dimensional sheet structures. Such materials are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,212,692; 4,252,590; and 31,599; the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. One application of these materials has been as soil retention matting for use in the building industry.
A ventilation system for building structures provides a passage or passages from the exterior of the building to the interior of the attic area of the building. Each passage is filled with an air permeable solid material, preferably a low density air and, possibly, liquid permeable three-dimensional matrix of matted polymeric material. The air permeable material allows air to enter into and ventilate the attic of the building. The opening of each passage at the exterior of the building is preferably located near the eave of the roof structure, between the shingles and the roof deck or decking or sheathing and the opening preferably extends around the entire perimeter of the outer edge of the roof. A slot in the roof sheathing provides an air passage into the attic area. Optionally, a conventional opening is preferably located at the apex of the roof to provide in combination with the opening beneath the shingle, a ventilation system going from the lower part of the roof to the upper part of the roof. In warm weather, warm air will generally be ventilated out of the building through the top of the roof, with cooler air being pulled in from the lower part of the roof. In cooler weather, cool air will tend to move out of the lower areas of the roof. The air driving force within the attic may be the differential air temperature in the attic. A vent system will function more efficiently where there is a slight breeze creating a venturi. The present invention allows air to enter the attic at the opposite end from which one would normally expect to find the venturi (usually at the apex of the roof since air flow is the least restricted at this point). The system functions when an adequate air supply enters through the ventilation system of the invention to replace air being sucked out due to the pressure differential at the venturi. Also, the formation of ice dams at the base of the roof may be prevented.
The polymeric material layer is preferably shaped with a tapered cross section, with the wide area of cross section preferably located at or near the external opening of the passage. A protective layer preferably covers the polymeric material layer to protect against bugs from entering the system and/or to slow the velocity of air entering the system to prevent water from being driven under the shingle and into the slot.

Material for building ventilation system


To provide a technique for suppressing interference caused by inter-modulation distortion in dual connectivity between a plurality of radio communication systems using different RATs. An aspect of the present invention relates to user equipment including an interference indication generator that generates an interference indication including interfered carrier information that indicates a serving carrier that receives intra-device interference; and a transmitter-receiver that transmits the interference indication to a base station.

Currently, in the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), specifications of a new radio communication system, which is called New Radio Access Technology (NR) system, have been developed, as a successor to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) system and the LTE-Advanced system.
In the NR system, as with the dual connectivity in the LTE system, the introduction of LTE-NR dual connectivity is being studied; in the LTE-NR dual connectivity, data that are split between a base station (eNB) of the LTE system and a base station (gNB) of the NR system are simultaneously transmitted and received by these base stations.


A system and method are disclosed for the collection and aggregation of data from contributing members of a community, such as health-related, personal, genomic, medical, and other data of interest for individuals and populations. Contributors become members of a community upon creation of an account and providing of data or files. The data is received and processed, such as to analyze, structure, perform quality control, and curate the data. Value or shares in one or more community databases are computed and attributed to each contributing member. The data is controlled to avoid identification or personalization. Steps are taken to determine incompleteness and incorrectness of the data, and the data may be improved or completed automatically, based upon interaction with members, additional contributions of data, and so forth.

The present invention relates to techniques for filling important gaps in data, particularly in health-related data, including electronic health record (EHR) data and patient reported outcomes (PRO) data, but also in a wide range of data types, such as omic data, personal data, demographic data, and so forth. The invention also relates to platforms and approaches to aggregating data from contributing members of a community, compensating or motivating contributing members, and utilizing the data to aid both members and a larger community.
The value of big data has become generally accepted, creating an industry drive to aggregate different types of data in order to use machine learning and other tools to drive discovery. At scale even weak data can be valuable in unlocking links between our health and our genomic information and our daily habits, such as diet, exercise, drinking, smoking, hours of sleep, etc. Therefore, it is valuable to collect an individual's data from health institutions and through direct surveys and interviews. Additionally, it is now possible to collect implicit data through grocery store loyal customer tracking of purchase records, credit card records, online search habits, etc.
In all cases, even though at an aggregate level the data is valuable, there is a significant amount of missing information. Some examples are EHR and PRO data. EHRs are typically filled out by doctors online while meeting with patients. There are at least two types of challenges with these records. First, EHRs are designed primarily as billing systems for medical institutions. They record patient information such as test results, symptoms, and doctors' observations and recommendations, including treatment prescriptions. They do not typically record outcomes after treatment or whether patients followed the prescribed treatment regime. Moreover, doctors and other health professionals do not always use digital entry fields to record information. They often simply write information in unstructured comment fields. Additionally, the nomenclature and ontology used when inputting data is not standardized. There is a major challenge associated with deciphering and decrypting these free form comments.
In the case of PRO records, often patient outcomes are never reported in a system. There is no current method for identifying even when a PRO should be sought. Additionally, PROs might be required periodically over a long period of time. Some diseases and corresponding treatments may last months, years, or be persistent over a lifetime. The longitudinal information that would come from PROs is valuable in determining efficacy of treatments and in stratifying diseases diagnosed based on symptoms, to determine the underlying molecular basis for the disease.
To data solutions to fill in the holes and acquire the missing information have all been focused on using humans to review the data, identify mission information, and manually attempt to fill the gaps. People can for instance read EHR records, including fee form fields, and then populate the digital fields accordingly. Additionally surveyors call individuals and through in person interview they identify PROs, and input the corresponding information into digital database fields. In all cases the solution requires the intervention of an individual, and it is therefor not scalable in terms of labor hours or labor dollars for use with databases of tens of thousands to millions of individuals.
Beyond EHR and PRO data, many other data types may be extremely useful in piecing together an overall picture of the condition, state, or health of an individual and of groups of individuals, as well as for assessing possible pathways for maintaining health, avoiding or treating disease, recognizing and developing treatments, and so forth. But such pathways are hindered by missing or inaccurate data, and by typical "siloing" of data by separate sources, institutions, and so forth, often with no ill intent, and many times with patient or individual confidentiality in mind. At the same time, social media platforms may almost certainly share data, but again typically silo the data for their own purposes, and quite often even without any control by the individuals involved, and little or no quality control.
There is a need for improved technologies for data gathering and quality control, which scalable data aggregation and use. There is a particular need for such technologies that may enhance the control and motivate participation by contributing individuals, while protecting their privacy.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Community data aggregation with automated followup


A method of preparing a plastic-based composite profile comprised of a plastic mass containing a plurality of wood particles embedded in the plastic mass by bringing a plurality of dried wood particles and a thermoplastic polymer together with optional additives together to form a plastic-wood particle mixture, blending the plastic-wood particle mixture in blending means at a temperature sufficiently high to at least partially melt the thermoplastic polymer so as to be capable of uniformly blending with the wood particles to form a blended plastic-wood particle mass constituting an initial agglomerate; transforming the initial agglomerate into a profile preform by subjecting the agglomerate to the action of a double screw multi-zone extrusion means thereby shaping the profile preform into a profile by pushtrusion so that the agglomerate flows under pressure as a plastic plug flow in the extrusion means and through orientation and shaping stages to thereby obtain the composite profile.

The invention relates to a method for making a plastic-based composite product which comprises at least partially of a plastic in which a material consisting substantially of particles is homogeneously embedded, which particles have tensile strength in at least one principal direction.
It is an object of the invention to provide a method for producing a plastic-based composite product which can be manufactured at low cost but which nevertheless meets high standards which may be required in respect of various properties. Such properties can relate for instance to high mechanical properties, weather resistance, nonageing properties and the like. Another object of this invention is an apparatus for carrying out the aforesaid method.

Method and apparatus for manufacturing of plastic-based composite product


An obstacle detection device is provided, which includes a storage unit, a quasi-vertical edge detection module, an intersection determination module, a position determination module, and an obstacle detection module. The quasi-vertical edge detection module receives an input image and performs a quasi-vertical edge detection procedure on the input image to obtain a plurality of quasi-vertical edges. The intersection determination module determines whether the quasi-vertical edges intersect a predetermined virtual horizontal. If one of the quasi-vertical edges intersects the predetermined virtual horizontal, the position determination module determines whether an end of one of the quasi-vertical edges intersecting the predetermined virtual horizontal is located in a detection zone. If one end of one of the quasi-vertical edges intersecting the predetermined virtual horizontal is located in the detection zone, the obstacle detection module determines that an obstacle exists and issues a warning.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an obstacle detection device and more particularly relates to an obstacle detection device based on image processing technology.
2. Description of Related Art
Due to the growing number of motor vehicles, the probability of road accidents increases year by year. In addition to the improvement in vehicle power, driving safety is another issue that needs to be focused on in the field of vehicle technology. There is research showing that, if the driver receives a warning before collision, the probability of accident can be significantly reduced. Therefore, a good and accurate obstacle detection and warning system plays a very important role in the current vehicle safety system.
Generally speaking, radar or ultrasound systems have been widely applied in today's vehicle safety system. However, sometimes radar or ultrasound systems may not be able to identify the environment, which lowers the identification rate. Moreover, the electromagnetic power of the radar or ultrasonic systems may also influence the human body. On the other hand, due to the progress in image processing and camera sensing technology, it is becoming more and more common to utilize images for obstacle detection. Many image-type safety warning systems remind the driver to keep a safe distance during driving by identifying the obstacles in the image. However, different image processing and analysis methods achieve different system performances, such as different identification accuracy or different computing time, etc. Thus, how to provide a highly-accurate obstacle detection system based on image processing is a concern of persons skilled in the art.


In response to a request from a content server to forward an encrypted document to a recipient user, a forwarding engine in the content server prepares an e-mail message that contains a link to the document publisher and an identifier for the document. Upon receiving the e-mail, the recipient user can log onto a content server in the publisher and the publisher content server resolves the link, downloads a secure viewer program and an encrypted version of the requested document to the viewer program. Subsequently, the secure viewer program requests a decryption key for the encrypted document and decrypts the document. The recipient user can then view the document content in secure viewer but cannot copy or print the document without permission from the publisher.

Global distribution systems, such as the Internet, are increasingly being used for distribution of digital content that includes text and graphic information encoded in a variety of formats. However, copyright holders and publishers of such digital content have been slow to embrace the use of the Internet for distribution of digital content because it has been difficult to control unauthorized copying and dissemination of the content once it has been delivered onto the Internet. In particular, once content has been placed in digital form and delivered to a user, it can easily be copied, printed or forwarded to other users.
Thus, providers of digital content desire to establish a secure, global distribution system for digital content that protects the rights of the content's copyright holders. On the other hand, users want freedom to exchange information as illustrated by the popularity of current peer-to-peer file sharing systems. For example, many users implement a crude peer-to-peer file sharing system by attaching a copy of a document to an e-mail message so that the document can be transmitted directly to another user. However, if the document is in plaintext, such a system lends itself to abuse by users who may make multiple copies of the document without compensating the copyright holder's. If the document is encrypted, then, if the recipient either does not have the decrypting key or cannot easily obtain the key, the objective of file sharing is defeated.
Due to the inherent problems with file sharing, most providers of digital content shy away from such file sharing systems and opt for control that is more robust. For example, one prior art technique for controlling the distribution of digital content is shown in FIG. 1. In this technique, unencrypted content is placed in a server farm that is located behind a secure firewall. A user, such as user 100, desiring access to the content stored in database 106 logs in to the server 104 using a conventional authentication scheme, such as a password or subscription service. Once connected to the server 104, an authorized user 100 can view content and request a copy of that content as indicated by arrow 108. In response to this request, the server 104 retrieves the information from the database 106 as indicated schematically by arrow 110 and displays the content.
This conventional protection technique has several drawbacks in connection with a file sharing system. First, if the content is delivered to the user in an unencrypted form that is typically stored, at least temporarily, in the computer, it can be printed or forwarded to other users without control. Therefore, in such systems, in order to view the content with a conventional browser, the browser must be equipped with a plug-in, ActiveX components or another program which controls the browser and disables the printing function and prevents forwarding the content to unauthorized users. However, in order to use this system, it is necessary to first download and install the plug-in, the ActiveX libraries or other program, before the content can be viewed. In addition, since the content is not encrypted when it is downloaded to the browser, it can still be stored and then later printed or forwarded to other users.
Alternatively, if the content is encrypted when it is downloaded to the user site, then some method of key control such as public private key pairs must be used to control the decryption of the content. An alternative to key pairs is to use a single key or key pair that is specific to each content document rather than each user. In this manner, that publisher can encrypt the content ahead of time. In response to a user request for a document and after pre-specified authorization conditions have been met, the decryption key for the requested document is provided to a program in the user's computer that decrypts the content for presentation to the user. However, such a system is only as secure as the key distribution arrangement. Further, since the decryption keys must be associated with the corresponding documents, this association is subject to discovery especially if the content server is located in an uncontrolled environment.

Method and apparatus for tracking and controlling e-mail forwarding of encrypted documents


Communication devices may determine routes for packets based on packet marking, routing parameters and/or costs associated with routes. A route may be selected and the packets may be communicated via the selected route. The parameters may comprise service class, real time compression, packet preemption, quality measurements, tier bypass and/or power usage information. The costs may comprise capacity, efficiency and/or performance information for power usage, bandwidth, memory and/or processing. The marking may comprise traffic type, user device capabilities, service class, quality measurements, latency requirements and/or power usage information. Endpoint devices, software applications and/or service providers may insert the marking into packets. Routes may be determined and/or selected based on shortest path bridging, audio video bridging, the marking, the routing parameters and/or the costs. Parameters and/or costs may be received and/or discovered from communication devices. Packets and/or the marking may be parsed and/or inspected. Costs may be based on routing parameters.

The growth of networking and systems' connectivity are some of the major developments in recent decades. Fewer and fewer systems and devices are operated as stand-alone entities, and most of today's systems are increasingly becoming elements in complex networks. This growth in networking allows improved performance and increased flexibility. For example, communication devices such as personal computers (PCs) including laptops, printers, routers, switches, voice communication devices, video and/or audio devices, gaming devices and other devices, are connected together as nodes in communication networks. Networks are designated in a variety of ways, and based on a variety of factors. Network designation may be spatial, based on the scope of connectivity among the network nodes. For example, a network may be designated as a personal area network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), and wide area network (WAN). Network designation may also be based on the backbone connecting technology. For example, a network may be designated as an Ethernet network, a wireless network, and/or a fiber optical network. Some networks are circuit switched and are built around dedicated node-to-node connectivity, wherein a dedicated circuit is created and reserved, when needed, between the communicating nodes. Other nodes are then barred from utilizing the same connection and/or other entities in the network to the extent necessary to maintain the circuit. Most networks in use nowadays, however, are based on packet switched networks. In packet switched networks, the sending node simply transmits traffic that is destined for one or more receiving nodes. The traffic comprises packets that contain, in addition to data, other information that enables directing the packets to the receiving nodes. For example, most of today's networks are Internet based network and utilizes various protocols comprising TCP/IP, for example, to facilitate packet switching. In this regard, data is encapsulated into packets that comprise a header portion and a payload portion to enable transporting, addressing and/or routing among various entities within or coupled to the network.
Network switching devices, comprising such devices as switches, routers and/or hubs, are utilized in networks to facilitate forwarding of traffic between sending and receiving nodes. Hubs contain multiple ports, wherein packets arriving at one port are transmitted via all remaining ports. Consequently, hubs are generally operable to perform minimal processing. Routers and/or switches also comprise multiple ports, but unlike hubs, switches are more actively functional in performing routing operations. For example, routers and/or switches maintain routing information that enable routers and/or the switches to examine received packets and process them accordingly to determine whether the packets are transmitted via the router and/or switch, and if so, to determine the appropriate ports to perform that transmission. Routers and/or switches may store, generate, and/or maintain addressing related information of accessible network nodes.
Some network routers and/or switches, however, may block traffic. Blocking occurs when a router and/or switch reaches a point where it is unable to perform additional switching even though it has not reached its theoretical maximum throughput, which generally is based on the combined maximum speeds of all of its ports.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

Method and system for dynamic routing and/or switching in a network


An image forming apparatus includes: and a unit that electrically shuts off a pressure generating unit corresponding to a nozzle ejecting no droplet, from a drive waveform generating unit for a period of a time Tb satisfying a relation Tb≧T2, and that applies, at a time after the shutoff, a voltage of a potential V1 to the pressure generating unit, where a potential serving as a reference for the drive waveform is denoted as V1, a minimum potential difference from the potential V1 required to displace a pressure generating unit to vibrate a meniscus with ejecting no liquid droplet from a nozzle is denoted as ΔV2, a time required for a potential to drop by the potential difference ΔV2 due to self-discharge after a pressure generating unit is charged to a predetermined potential is denoted as T2.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and particularly to an image forming apparatus that is provided with a print head ejecting liquid droplets.
2. Description of the Related Art
As image forming apparatuses such as printers, facsimile apparatuses, copying apparatuses, plotters, and MFPs combining these functions, there are known, for example, liquid ejection recording type image forming apparatuses, such as inkjet recording apparatuses, which use, as a print head, a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid droplets.
As a method of driving the liquid ejection head in such an image forming apparatus, there is known a method in which, to a pressure generating unit in a head for a nozzle from which no liquid droplet has been ejected (hereinafter referred to as a non-ejection nozzle), a so-called minute-drive waveform is applied, which causes meniscus of the nozzle to vibrate with causing no liquid droplet to be ejected, to maintain the nozzle.
If the minute-drive waveform is applied to all of the nozzles from which no droplet has ejected, large electric power consumption occurs. Therefore, there is known a method to reduce the power consumption by applying the minute-drive waveform only to the non-ejection nozzles that have continued to be in the non-ejection state for a predetermined period of time or by predetermined times.
There is also known an apparatus in which, in order to reduce the power consumption, crosstalk occurring between adjacent liquid chambers is used and the adjacent nozzles are sequentially driven at a slight time difference therebetween so as to obtain a large effect of the minute-drive with a small number of times of the drive (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2008-229890).
However, there is a problem that increasing the interval of the sequential minute-drive reduces the effect of the minute-drive, and thus makes it impossible to maintain stable droplet ejection characteristics.
In the apparatus that uses the crosstalk, it is necessary to apply a large number of pulses in a short period of time and select pulse for each head. Therefore, there is also a problem that a minute-drive waveform must be generated and switched at a high speed in a very short period of time. There is also a problem that this method cannot be applied to heads that have small crosstalk and thus can perform stable droplet ejection, and therefore can be applied only to heads that have large crosstalk and thus inherently cannot perform stable droplet ejection.
In view of the above-described problems, there is a need to reduce electric power consumption with a simple configuration.


Presented is a method of determining network topology. A determination is made whether a remote port on a first network device for establishing a layer 2 connection is an aggregate port. If the remote port is an aggregate port, identify the aggregate port and a coupled second network device based on Management Information Base (MIB) attributes. Identify a base port of the second network device from the aggregate port on the first network device, and a local interface index number corresponding to the identified base port from a mapping between local interface index numbers and corresponding base ports of the second network device.

A network topology is the basic design of a computer network. It details how key network components such as nodes and links are interconnected. Network topologies may be physical or logical. Physical topology means the physical design of a network including the devices, cable installation, etc. Logical topology refers to how data is actually transferred in a network. The information of network topologies is essential for purposes such as load redistributing, network monitoring, routing, etc.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP


In a system for automatic identification, a method performed by an appliance coupled to a network balances load among appliances. The network includes a plurality of tags, a plurality of readers that read the tags, and a plurality of appliances. The appliances service the readers to provide information for a server, also coupled to the network. The server performs an application program in accordance with the information. The method includes in any order: (a) determining an unallocated capacity for service by the appliance; (b) determining a load for servicing a reader of the plurality; and (c) if the load fits within the unallocated capacity, providing a signal to the network for another appliance of the plurality, the signal for indicating that the appliance can service the reader. Another method performed by an appliance includes in any order: (a) determining a figure of merit of communication between tags and readers; (b) sending information for a reader to adjust communication with the tags in accordance with the information.

Conventional automated identification systems may in addition perform data collection functions. Such systems typically include tags, readers, and computer systems that perform application programs generally for monitoring the position and movement of tagged items, persons, and animals. These systems have wide utility in personal, commercial, government, education, and scientific fields including, for example, managing inventory (e.g., auto parts, mail, baggage), capturing point of sale transactions (e.g., groceries, utility meters), capturing product life cycle information (e.g., truck tires), controlling access to facilities and equipment by authorized persons, and monitoring the movements of vehicles, livestock, prisoners, soldiers, children, and employees, to name a few applications. Information and statistics from automated identification systems may support business decision making (e.g., throughput planning, insurance claims, valuation of a business, improvement of a supply chain).
Readers and computer systems coupled to the readers for performing application programs represent functionality installed at an investment cost that is generally returned over time by the value of the automated identification and data provided by the system. It is desirable to reuse this installed investment as additional applications for automated identification and/or data collection are discovered. One approach is to upgrade readers and computer systems to read additional types of tags and process additional types of information. Typically, upgrading software is less expensive than upgrading hardware.
Unfortunately, software for use in automated identification systems is difficult to design, deploy, and upgrade in part because determinations that are fundamental to system functions are generally made in the application program. For example, readers that report raw data to an application program place the burden of raw data analysis on the application program for an increasing quantity and perhaps decreasing quality of raw data as the number of readers in an installation increases. Raw data communication may also adversely consume the capacity of communication media including wired and wireless networks between readers and computer systems performing the application programs. The fundamental notion of the location of a tag is typically determined in the application program based on the identity of the tag, the identity of the reader reporting the tag, and the installed location of the reader. Another fundamental notion, to control equipment in the neighborhood of the tag, is conventionally accomplished by the application program. Consequently, there remains a need to reserve to the application program operating in an upper layer of the system those functions that are unique to the application (e.g., inventory replenishment thresholds) and to perform in a lower layer of the system functions that may be useful in one or more of several applications (e.g., reporting the location of a tagged item).
As automated identification systems expand to cover more items, it is desirable to be able to add equipment and software with a minimum of reconfiguration of existing equipment and software. It is also desirable to add diverse readers and diverse application programs with a minimum of reconfiguration of the existing investment as new applications in the same locations are identified. For example, an employer's system may initially control access to facilities by employees. Later the employer may desire to perform operations research and/or capital equipment utilization research. These additional applications may require diverse tags, diverse readers, and additional application program resources. It is desirable to make these additional application programs operable with a minimum of additional investment.
Without systems and methods according to various aspects of the present invention, the proliferation and integration of reliable and scalable automated identification and data collection systems will be impeded. Consequently, the costs of such systems will not reflect greater economies of scale. Benefits to the public will not be realized including material benefits of lower costs of goods (e.g., owing to less shrinkage), lower costs of services (e.g., package delivery), and other benefits (e.g., lower the risk of losses due to ineffective security).

Middleware appliance for scalable and reliable automated identification


An outboard jet drive marine system for a boat includes a housing, the housing has front and rear sides, and a top and bottom. The housing is adapted to be affixed behind a hull of a boat. An engine is disposed within the housing. A jet drive unit is releasably mounted to a housing extending from the rear of the housing and is operatively coupled to the engine in the housing. The jet drive unit includes a jet unit housing and drive shaft disposed within and supported by the jet unit housing. The jet unit housing is detachably received by the housing.

This invention relates to outboard jet drive marine propulsion systems. The present invention relates to an outboard jet drive for a boat and especially to an outboard jet drive having an engine and jet drive mounted in a housing, which is removably attached to a boat hull.
There have been several proposed types of outboard set drives for watercraft but most are similar to an outboard motor in which the outboard motor propeller and lower unit have been replaced with a jet drive. The jet drive includes a jet pump in the lower unit that operates to provide propulsion force for a watercraft. There are advantages in employing jet pumps for propulsion units as opposed to propellers. The jet drive permits operation in shallower water, also the propeller is shrouded, and there is less likelihood of injury. There has been a variety of proposed constructions for outboard jet drives for positioning the jet pump in different positions relative to the hull transom and bottom of the transom but in a typical jet drive, the engine and jet drive are located directly in the hull with an opening in the bottom of the hull for capturing water passing under the hull and then utilizing the jet pumps to thrust the water out the rear of the hull to propel the boat. Outboard jet drive units are made similar to typical outboard motors with a motor driving a drive unit, which operates a jet drive unit.
Generally, the engine package includes an internal combustion engine mounted in a thin fiberglass hull. The base plate of the hull includes a water inlet scoop for feeding water to the pump and an exhaust port for exhausting the water. The pumps high-pressure water outlet is pointed in the aft direction above the water line to propel the craft by the reaction force resulting from the high velocity water jet. In the F. C. Clark U.S. Pat. No. 3,055,175, a marine propulsion unit takes a conventional outboard motor and replaces the prop unit with a marine jet motor using a pump to issue a jet of water to propel a boat. The Parker U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,319, is for a boat with a removably inboard jet propulsion unit in which the integral jet power unit is encased in a waterproof housing and positioned in a well located in the hull and is mounted to be removed from the hull.
Many of the shortcomings of the prior art were overcome by Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,600 in which an outboard jet propulsion unit is detachably mounted to a boat so that the main fuel tank and controls are mounted within the hull of a boat while the outboard jet drive unit is mounted away from the boat in a housing with an engine and is removably attached to the transom of the boat. The fuel tank and controls are connected between the hull and outboard drive through quick disconnect couplings. The housing is shaped to support an engine on a platform directly over the jet drive unit for actuating the jet drive unit through a clutch mechanism with the engine and jet drive positioned parallel to each other.
The outboard jet unit as designed by Applicant was satisfactory, however, it did not fully realize the efficiencies of jet propulsion. Accordingly, an outboard jet propulsion unit which overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art is desired.

Outboard jet drive marine propulsion system


A structure and method is provided for optimizing memory resources, by establishing a history file for recording data processing criterion. The history file is then recorded in a first memory. Information either stored in the first memory or scheduled to be stored in the first memory can then be selectively reallocated and stored in an alternate memory. All or portions of the reallocated information can then be restored back to the first memory subsequently, with reference to the history file.

The present invention relates generally to the field of computer systems, and specifically to a method and structure of managing memory resources in a computing environment.
A computing environment can be comprised of a single computer unit, such as a PC, or a plurality of nodes in processing communication with one another. The nodes themselves may be comprised of one or more individual units, such as PCs or even monitors, or large computing networks that are electronically linked to one another locally or remotely. Independent of the size of the environment, processing tasks are performed through the use of messages. Messages can be used to perform functions for a single application running on a single unit, or for multiple applications running on multiple nodes. In a larger and more complex computing environment, messages are also used to establish communications between nodes or provide access to shared common resources.
A message is simply a string of data comprised of bits and bytes, representing different items. For example, a message can include names and addresses, images and documents that need to be transferred (sent or received) at a given processing time. Such data can include character strings, bit strings, binary integers, packed-decimal integers, floating-point numbers and the like. The data string may also include destination information or the return address of the requesting node or application, when applicable, depending on the message type. There are generally four types of messages: a "request" message, a "reply" message, a "one-way" message such as a command, and a "report" message that is used when something unexpected occurs.
At any one time, many messages may be in transit concurrently. Due to the extent of the messages and to prevent their loss, queues are established to hold unprocessed messages up until processing time. In more complex environments, a plurality of applications or nodes may even share one or more queues at any one time. Therefore, it is important that the type of message queuing implemented provides reliable storage and transfer of information independent of the underlying running application or even the device type. To address such issues and minimize compatibility concerns, sophisticated commercial message queuing packages, such as IBM's MQSeries, have been developed that offer a high-level application program interface (API) which shields programs from the complexities of different operating systems and underlying networks.
Regardless of the type of queuing provided, in most instances, a collection of different types of queues may be implemented to address the transfer needs of a particular environment. In such instances, a queue manager, stores the implemented message queues in a storage area set-aside in a dedicated memory location in the computing environment. This memory location, hereinafter referred to as the permanent memory or permanent memory location, is designed to hold transferred information (i.e. messages and queuing information) in transit until processing completion.
Unfortunately, the permanent memory has only a finite storage capacity. In critical peak periods, depending on the amount of messages requiring concurrent storage, the storage capacity may become exhausted. This is especially true in situations when executing applications utilize files that are growing at a rate faster than the data can be processed and removed.
When capacity is met or exceeded, further storage becomes impossible and a "queue full" condition is established. The inability to provide further storage when needed may cause loss of important information and impact further processing, at least until the condition is relieved.
In recent years, memory management techniques have been introduced to boost storage capacity by providing a temporary memory, such as a disk, at a different location in order to complement the capacity of permanent memory during critical peak periods. When the permanent memory reaches capacity or nears capacity, new or previously stored information is reallocated and stored in the temporary memory for later retrieval. The reallocated information will be later transferred back to the permanent memory once the storage capacity concerns of the permanent memory have been alleviated.
The challenge, however, with prior art methodologies that utilize reallocation techniques remain in the transferring of the reallocated information back to the permanent memory. In complex environments, it is of utmost importance to determine correctly how much data can be transferred back during each processing period without overwhelming or under-utilizing the permanent memory and the processing environment. Transferring too little information back at any one time from the temporary memory into the permanent memory, will require information to be retrieved frequently and transferred back, causing unintended processing delays. It is more efficient to transfer back larger quantities of information at any one time when possible, rather than to transfer the same amount over multiple transfers.
Similarly, too much data transfer at one time can cause an over-capacity condition leading to more reallocation of data from the permanent memory back to the temporary memory. The key, therefore, is to transfer back the largest amount of data without exceeding the storage capacity of the permanent memory.
One other consideration is to control the data transfer in such a way that doesn't impact one or more of the running applications. A sudden increase in data influx may easily overwhelm a running application, even in instances where the permanent storage capacity is not a consideration. The latter is especially important when queuing packages are utilized that offer a high-level application program interface (such as IBM's MQSeries).
Consequently, a new method and structure is needed that can determine an optimal rate of information retrieval and transfer back to the permanent memory after information is reallocated to a temporary memory due to storage capacity concerns.

Structure and method for efficient management of memory resources

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention regenerates optical signals in an intact optical state according to a low-speed optical clock. In one embodiment, an optical splitter applies a portion of optical pulse signals to a clock recovery circuit and the rest to an optical splitter. The optical splitter applies half of the input signal to an optical regenerator and the rest to another optical regenerator. The clock recovery circuit regenerates an electric clock signal with half the frequency of the input optical pulse and applies the clock to an optical clock pulse generator. The optical clock pulse generator generates an optical clock signal with half the frequency of the input optical pulse whose phase matches with that of the optical signal at the optical regenerator. An optical regenerator regenerates the optical signal from the optical splitter in an intact optical state. A polarization combiner combine the optical signals from the optical regenerators in mutually orthogonal polarization.

In a conventional optical signal regenerator, especially in a conventional optical signal regenerator to regenerate high-speed optical pulse signals as fast as 40 Gbit/s in an intact optical state, an optical clock pulse train synchronizing with an input optical signal pulse train is gated by the input optical signal pulse train. Owing to this operation, even if a pulse waveform of the input optical signal is distorted, each pulse waveform of output optical signals becomes almost identical to that of the optical clock pulse train.
It is difficult to obtain a high-speed optical gate element. It is also difficult to stably generate a high-speed optical clock not only for technical aspects but also in terms of production costs. It is possible to generate a high-speed optical clock by multiplexing low-speed optical clocks in the time domain. However, a conventional optical pulse multiplexer is unable to gain sufficient pulse extinction ratios and it is yet unsatisfactory in respect of stability, quality, and costs.
Furthermore, in a high-speed optical pulse signal, to orthogonalize polarization directions of adjacent optical pulses is considered effective for suppressing interference between the adjacent pulses and also preferable for transmission characteristics. In a conventional configuration that utilizes an optical gate, it is necessary to modulate polarization of gate output light so that polarization directions of adjacent optical pulses orthogonalize at the gate output. However, it is difficult to obtain such a polarization modulating element that operates at high-speed and has such functions described above.


An electrophotographic recording apparatus is provided having a reduced overall size. The space around a photosensitive member required for the developing unit to be located is minimized, more particularly, it i minimized in the lengthwise directional space. In the electrophotographic recording apparatus having a photosensitive member which moves at a predetermined speed; an exposure device for exposing the photosensitive member; a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image obtained by the exposure; and a transferring device for transferring a developed visible image to a recording paper sheet or the like, the developing unit is composed of developing devices, a plurality of supporting members for supporting the developing devices and an element for rotating the supporting members. The supporting members can be rotated while making a portion adjacent to a widthwise directional end of the photosensitive member to be a supporting point in a range from a state where the surface of the photosensitive member and the surface of a developing roll of each developing device run parallel to each other to a state where they are positioned substantially perpendicular to each other.

The present invention relates to an electrophotographic recording apparatus capable of performing color printing, and, more particularly, to an electrophotographic recording apparatus having a plurality of developing devices so disposed adjacent to a photosensitive member as to be selectively moved to a position at which development can be performed at the time of the photographic recording operation.
Hitherto, electrophotographic recording apparatuses of a type having a developing unit which includes a plurality of developing devices have been disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication Nos. 2-61665 and 2-27375 each having a developing unit incorporating a plurality of developing devices disposed in a vertical direction so that a desired developing device is moved at the time of use to a position at which development can be performed by vertically moving the developing unit. Another type has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2-64569 which has a developing unit having a plurality of developing devices disposed in the vertical direction so that the developing unit is vertically moved at the time of use so as to select a desired developing device, the selected developing device being further pushed forward in the horizontal direction to the position at which development can be performed (hereinafter called a "vertical reciprocative type"). Another type has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2-83557 which includes a developing unit having a plurality of developing devices disposed in the horizontal direction so that a desired developing device is moved to the position at which development can be performed by moving the aforesaid developing unit (hereinafter called a "horizontal reciprocative type"). Other types have been further disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication Nos. 2-83557, 2-100065, 62-102261 and 60-257459, and the like each having a developing unit including a plurality of developing devices disposed in the circumferential direction thereof so that a desired developing device is moved to a position at which development can be performed by rotating the developing unit around the central axis thereof at the time of use (hereinafter called a "rotative type"). Furthermore, other types have been disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication Nos. 3-21962 and 2-167575 each having a developing unit which includes a plurality of developing devices disposed in a sector configuration so that the developing unit is rotated to form a circular arc at the time of use, causing a desired developing device to be moved to the position at which development can be performed (hereinafter called an "arc reciprocative type").
Although the aforesaid conventional electrophotographic recording apparatuses each having a developing unit, which includes a plurality of the developing devices, are able to considerably shorten the length required to dispose the developing unit adjacent to the photosensitive member, the realized effect of shortening the length has been unsatisfactory. In particular, the aforesaid vertical reciprocative type apparatus encounters a problem in that an excessively large portion is required to dispose the developing unit in a vertical region adjacent to the photosensitive member including a passage through which the developing unit is moved. The horizontal reciprocative type apparatus similarly raises a problem in that an excessively large portion is required to dispose the developing unit in a horizontal region adjacent to the photosensitive member including a passage through which the developing unit is moved. The rotative type apparatus also raises a problem in that an excessively large portion is required to dispose the developing unit in a region adjacent to the photosensitive member including its rotation drive mechanism. Furthermore, the arc reciprocative type apparatus raises a problem in that an excessively large portion is required to dispose the developing unit in a region adjacent to the photosensitive member including its rotation drive mechanism.

Electrophotographic recording apparatus having a plurality of developing devices which can be changed over


An apparatus and a process for the prevention of the rollback of a vehicle with a vehicle braking system (18), wherein a braking system (18) comprises a vehicle brake pressure modifying apparatus (20); a device (28, 34, 36) which are enabled to recognize a forward movement of the vehicle, and a brake control apparatus (16), which is connected to the vehicle brake pressure modifying apparatus (20) and the device (28). There is generated in the control apparatus (16) a signal which, upon a standstill of the vehicle, activates a brake and sensor combination (8, 28) which acts upon a transmission (2) of the vehicle, the brake and the sensor combination (8, 28) being supplementary to the brakes of the vehicle brake system (18) and, upon a recognition of a forward motion of the vehicle, the braking fluid pressure in the vehicle brake pressure modifying apparatus (20) is reduced and thus the brake and the sensor combination (8, 28) acting upon the transmission is released.

Where an application involves a transmission with automatic gear shifting, especially in commercial vehicles, a backroll blocking agent, otherwise known as a "hill-holder", is desired to provide security against reverse movement during a temporary stop. This desire arises especially from the fact that automatic transmissions are being increasingly used in those fields in which torque converter transmissions were previously employed. Because of the inherent characteristics of torque converters, however, these possess a tendency for forward creep, which hinders or at least minimizes backrolling.
Release devices for automatic transmissions have been made known, wherein an electronically controlled vehicle brake can be installed to function as a backroll blocker. Functional logic programming adds to the release of an energized vehicle brake; a signal of increasing torque of the frictional clutch binding the motor to the transmission. By a coincidence of a declining braking moment at the vehicle brakes and a simultaneous increase of traction-torque of the vehicle clutch, the function of backroll blocking is created.
EP 0 280 818 A1 discloses a braking system governing an apparatus, which recognizes the position of the vehicle and, following the establishment of a predetermined torque, which torque is transmitted from the motor to the vehicle wheels, a valve in the brake system opens, thus reducing the brake pressure, allowing the vehicle to again start forward.
In the manner of an example, DE 198 26 068 teaches of a transmission brake, which can be placed in a vehicle transmission, wherein it serves to assist in the synchronization of the located gear drive therein. Since the inertia of the transmission, this is carried out upon the synchronization of rotating parts, which rotates at varying speeds, can be braked through a shifting procedure through a transmission braking system with the result that the shifting procedure is accelerated. The transmission brake system is normally designed in lamellate fashion and is controlled by a pressure medium, usually oil, by means of a piston.
The purpose of the present invention is to provide the functionality of the backroll brake. At the same time, the purpose is to provide assurance that, even in the case of disturbances or failure of operation of the vehicle braking system, no critical condition can arise.

Preventing reverse creep in a motor vehicle


The present invention provides a rubber composition, in which reversion when vulcanizing at a high temperature is inhibited without losing rubber properties and which is obtained by efficiently crosslinking with sulfur, and a pneumatic tire using the rubber composition. Specifically, the present invention relates to a rubber composition comprises a rubber component containing diene rubber and fluorinated graphite and a pneumatic tire using the rubber composition. The rubber composition preferably contains 0.1 to 50 parts by weight of fluorinated graphite based on 100 parts by weight of the rubber component containing diene rubber.

The present invention relates to a rubber composition, in which reversion is inhibited without losing rubber properties such as scorch properties, and a pneumatic tire using the composition.
Conventionally, sulfur has mainly been used as a vulcanizing agent for vulcanizing rubber. Usually, when diene rubber such as isoprene rubber is vulcanized at a high temperature using sulfur as a vulcanizing agent, as shown in FIG. 1, polysulfide bonds that link the crosslinking points are split and reversion occurs. When reversion occurs, there is the problem that properties, such as elastic modulus and heat generating properties, of the vulcanized article decrease. Also, there is the problem that rubber properties such as strength at break and elongation at break decrease, as the polysulfide bonds in the rubber also tend to break easily after vulcanization. To solve these problems, employed are the method of vulcanizing at a relatively low temperature and methods such as semi EV vulcanization (semi-effective vulcanization) and EV vulcanization (effective vulcanization), in which sulfur vulcanization reaction is conducted efficiently by reducing the amount of sulfur and increasing the amount of the vulcanization accelerator. However, as secondary effects of these methods, a long period of time is required for vulcanization, thereby decreasing productivity, and there are problems in processability, as scorch properties are lost.
Also, known is the method of using a vulcanizing agent for rubber that inhibits reversion when vulcanizing (see JP-A-2002-53706). However, both the effects of inhibiting reversion and preventing decrease in rubber properties cannot be satisfied.
Furthermore, known is a rubber composition in which expanded graphite is compounded in diene rubber, but the effect of inhibiting reversion is not satisfactory (see JP-A-2002-293990).
The present invention aims to provide a rubber composition, in which reversion when vulcanizing at a high temperature is inhibited without losing rubber properties and which is obtained by efficiently crosslinking with sulfur, and a pneumatic tire using the rubber composition.

Rubber composition and pneumatic tire using the same


The described implementations relate to processing of electronic data. One implementation is manifested as a system that can include an inference engine and at least one processing device configured to execute the inference engine. The inference engine can be configured to perform automated detection of concepts expressed in failure logs that include unstructured data. For example, the inference engine can analyze text of support tickets or diary entries relating to troubleshooting of an electronic network to obtain concepts identifying problems, actions, or activities. The inference engine can also be configured to generate output that reflects the identified concepts, e.g., via a visualization or queryable programming interface.

Reliable datacenters and associated networks are useful to various applications, including the delivery of cloud services. However, mitigating a network failure can be a very challenging task, as the root cause of a given network failure is not always apparent to network engineers. Conventionally, network engineers may learn from experience or formal training how to deal with particular types of network failures. However, even formally-trained network engineers with years of experience may take a relatively long time (e.g., days) to diagnose and repair certain failures.
When working on a particular failure, network engineers may use support tickets to track steps taken to diagnose and mitigate problems. However, these tickets often include large amounts of relatively unstructured data including free form text, device logs, automated messages, email conversations, etc. Some tickets can grow very large, and may even have on the order of one million words. In view of these characteristics of support tickets, it can be very difficult for even skilled network engineers to discern, from support tickets, how to troubleshoot associated network failures.