The invention relates to a container incorporating a rotatable pouring spout that comprises a spout outlet remotely offset from a rotation axis and an inlet element rotatable about the axis . The container has an adjacent and corresponding outlet element. Each element has an opening offset from the rotation axis, which openings come into and out of register upon spout rotation. The container further incorporates a ball detent adapted to releasably engage the spout outlet when the openings are out of register. The spout can also be displaced along the rotation axis towards and away from the container between sealing and locking positions. The container may further comprise an engagement device which comprises a sealing element arranged between the inlet and outlet elements and extending around both openings when in register and around one of the openings when out of register. The engagement device also comprises a locking element arranged between the inlet and outlet elements that extends around one of the inlet or outlet elements when the spout is in the sealing position. When the spout is in the sealing position the sealing element engages both the inlet and outlet elements and the locking element engages only one of the inlet or outlet elements. When the spout is in the locking position, the sealing element and the locking element engage both the inlet and outlet elements.

The present invention relates to a container incorporating a pouring spout. Whilst the invention has been developed primarily for use with fluids such as petroleum-based products, solvents and water, for their safe and easy storage and pouring, it should be appreciated that the invention can be equally well applied to other substances. The invention will be hereinafter described with reference to use with such fluids mentioned above.
Containers with incorporated spouts are well-known. For example fuel storage containers comprising elongate spouts recessed in the container outlet are known wherein a cap is removed from the container outlet and the spout is withdrawn prior to pouring. A problem experienced with this type of spout is that during pouring, the liquid in the container tends to seep or leak between the spout and the container outlet.
Containers are known which incorporate a spout which is rotated between an operative or pour position wherein, by suitable valve arrangements or otherwise the spout is placed in fluid communication with the container interior, and a non-operative or closed position wherein no fluid communication between the spout and container interior takes place. Many of the known arrangements have had complex and/or costly valve arrangements at the spout-container connection region and have not sealed this region to leakage particularly well. At the same time a rapid interchange between operative and non-operative positions has not been achieved.
A further problem experienced with many containers having an incorporated spout is that after pouring a fluid therefrom, the spout end can be contaminated by for example contact with the surrounding environment. Alternatively, the spout end can be damaged if the container is dropped or bumped etc. Some devices in the art have attempted to address this problem by mounting a stopper arrangement to the spout end however many of these arrangements have been complex, cumbersome and time consuming, especially where the arrangements have tended to fasten or stick to the spout end.
An aim of at least preferred form(s) of the present invention is to provide a container incorporating a pouring spout that can be easily and rapidly operated between open and closed positions and where the effects of leakage and/or seepage between the container and spout, and contamination between the spout and surrounds can be ameliorated or eliminated. Preferred forms of the present invention at the very least provide an alternative to existing prior art devices.
In a first aspect the present invention provides a container comprising a pouring spout, the spout being rotatable about a rotation axis between first and second positions, the spout comprising a spout outlet remotely offset from the rotation axis and an inlet element rotatable about the rotation axis, the container having an adjacent and corresponding outlet element, each element having an opening offset from the rotation axis, wherein the openings have no overlap when the spout is in the first position but are aligned when the spout is in the second position, the container further incorporating a ball detent for releasably engaging the spout outlet when the spout is in the first position.
Preferably the inlet element has a mating surface parallel to a corresponding mating surface on the outlet element, each mating surface having either the inlet element opening or the outlet element opening formed therethrough, wherein the rotation of the spout about the rotation axis from the first to the second position causes the opening in the inlet element mating surface to move from out of and into register with the opening in the outlet element. Preferably the inlet and outlet elements are disc-shaped and coaxial with the rotation axis. Preferably includes a ball, the ball detent is spring-loaded, and is arranged to at least partially sit in and retain the outlet of the spout in the first position.
With containers having incorporated spouts, it is sometimes advantageous or necessary to provide a tightened or increased form of sealing between the container and spout, preferably a gas-tight sealing, particularly when volatile liquids having a tendancy to increase container internal pressure are stored. At the same time, it is advantageous if the increased sealing is not so excessive that the spout fuses to or jams with the container, or requires excessive opening force.
In a second aspect the present invention provides a container comprising a pouring spout, the spout being rotatable about a rotation axis between first and second positions and displaceable along said axis towards and away from the container between sealing and locking positions, the spout comprising a spout outlet remotely offset from the rotation axis and an inlet element rotatable about the rotation axis, the container having an adjacent and corresponding outlet element, each element having an opening offset from the rotation axis, wherein the openings have no overlap when the spout is in the first position but are aligned when the spout is in the second position, the container further incorporating engagement means which comprises:
a sealing element arranged between the inlet and outlet elements, the sealing element extending around both openings when the spout is in the second position and one of the openings when the spout is in the first position; and
a locking element arranged between the inlet and outlet elements and extending around one of the inlet or outlet elements when the spout is in the sealing position;
wherein when the spout is in the sealing position the sealing element engages both the inlet and outlet elements and the locking element engages only said one of the inlet or outlet elements, and when the spout is in the locking position the sealing element and the locking element engage both the inlet and outlet elements.
Preferably the sealing and locking elements are ring shaped and preferably the sealing element is thicker than the locking element.
Preferably the inlet and outlet elements are discshaped and co-axial with the rotation axis and preferably the sealing element extends around and is adjacent to the periphery of one of the openings and the locking element extends around and adjacent the periphery of one of the discs.
Preferably both the sealing and locking elements are arranged on the outlet element. Preferably respective grooves are provided in the outlet element for receiving the sealing and locking elements.
Preferably, when the spout is in the sealing position the sealing element sits in its respective groove in the outlet element, and in the locking position both the sealing and locking elements sit in their respective groove in the outlet element.
Preferably, the sealing and locking elements are O-rings.
In a preferred form of both aspects of the invention the spout is detachable from the container and the container further includes locking means for releasably securing the spout to the container. The locking means can be a threaded locking ring coaxial with the rotation axis, which ring releasably engages a corresponding threaded section on the container and, when the ring is engaged, within which ring both the inlet and outlet elements are disposed.
Furthermore it is preferable that the locking ring is adapted to be rotated in a first direction to act on the inlet element of the spout and compel it towards the outlet element in a direction parallel to the rotation axis so that the inlet element is clamped against the outlet element in a pre-determined position thereby inhibiting spout rotation. In the second aspect of the invention this predetermined position can correspond with the sealing position, in which case the inlet element engages the sealing element. Accordingly further rotation of the locking ring in the first direction causes the inlet element to be moved so that the spout is displaced to the locking position wherein the inlet element engages the locking element.
This arrangement enhances fluid-tight (including gas-tight) sealing between the container and the spout. Furthermore, as the inlet element engages with the locking element a positive indication of the locking of the spout to the container is provided, whilst at the same time a sealing of the container-spout interface from the surrounding environment is achieved.
It is also preferred that the locking ring is adapted to be rotated in a second opposite direction to release the inlet element from the outlet element, or in the case of the second aspect of the invention, to release the inlet element from both the locking and sealing elements, thereby releasing the spout for rotation.
The locking ring can be adapted such that further rotation of the locking ring in the second direction releases completely both the ring and the spout from the container. This can be useful, where for example it is necessary to clean the spout and/or the container.
In a further preferred form the container includes a handle having a receptable which is arranged to receive the spout at the first position. The handle can also include the ball detent mounted therein for releasably engaging the outlet of the spout when the spout is positioned in the receptable in the first position.
Preferably the handle incorporates alignment means to facilitate alignment of the ball detent with the spout outlet in the first position. It is also preferable that the handle incorporates stop means which is arranged to enable spout alignment in the second position whereby the stop means engages the spout when it is rotated to the second position and prevents further spout rotation beyond the second position.


This disclosure provides cleaning implement comprising a holder and a removable cleaning head. The cleaning head may be of various types, including brushes, sponges, dusters, and loofahs. The holder has two arms connected at a junction. Opposite the junction, the holder includes a locking mechanism. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a hingedly connected locking member on the first arm, which includes a latch portion which engages a catch disposed on the second arm. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a hingedly connected locking member on each arm, which interlock when moved to a locking position. The arms may be flexible so that they can be pushed toward each other to facilitate the coupling and decoupling of the locking mechanism.

There are many applications in which it may be desirable to provide a cleaning implement with a replaceable head. Likewise, cleaning implements such as dish brushes, dusters, and the like may become soiled, wear out their cleaning heads, or otherwise be in need of disposal despite the handle being in good condition.
It may also be desirable in some applications to provide a cleaning implement with an integrated dispenser for cleaning agents, detergents, body washes and the like. Such integrated dispensers increase the cost of manufacturing a cleaning implement, particularly if they cannot be re-used when the cleaning head has reached the end of its life or is otherwise in need of replacement.
One particular application is in bathing. It is often difficult for people to wash their own backs. Many devices have been developed to resolve this issue. For example, loofahs, bristles, or sponges disposed on long handles can be used to wash one's own back when bathing.
However, conventional loofahs, bristles, or sponges are often permanently affixed to handles by adhesives or other permanent means. This type of attachment leaves nooks and crevices between different, materials, which can foster harmful bacterial growth. In addition, when the loofahs, bristles, or sponges need to be replaced, the handle must be replaced as well, resulting in waste of materials.

Lockable holder and replaceable cleaning head


In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for determining the amount of bulk material being choke-fed into an inlet of a blender from one or more bulk material containers placed on a support structure are disclosed. The system includes sensors placed on the support structure beneath the one or more containers for determining the amount of bulk material contained within the container at any given time. By monitoring the change in the mass of the material in the containers overtime the amount of material being fed into the blender can be determined. The material is metered into a mixer within the blender using a metering mechanism, such as a sand screw, which supplies a fixed capacity of bulk material into the blender. The ability to precisely measure the amount of bulk material being choke-fed into the blender enables operators to calibrate the sand screw continuously.

During the drilling and completion of oil and gas wells, various wellbore treating fluids are used for a number of purposes. For example, high viscosity gels are used to create fractures in oil and gas bearing formations to increase production. High viscosity and high density gels are also used to maintain positive hydrostatic pressure in the well while limiting flow of well fluids into earth formations during installation of completion equipment. High viscosity fluids are used to flow sand into wells during gravel packing operations. Hydraulic fracturing operations may use a wide range of fluid viscosities and characteristics also to transport proppant into natural and induced fractures in the petroleum bearing formation. The wellbore treating fluids are normally produced by mixing dry powder and/or granular materials and agents with water at the well site as they are needed for the particular treatment. Systems for metering and mixing the various materials are normally portable, e.g., skid- or truck-mounted, since they are needed for only short periods of time at a well site.
The powder or granular treating material is normally transported to a well site in a commercial or common carrier tank truck. Once the tank truck and mixing system are at the well site, the powder material (bulk material) must be transferred or conveyed from the tank truck into a supply tank for metering into a blender as needed. The bulk material is usually transferred from the tank truck pneumatically. More specifically, the bulk material is blown pneumatically from the tank truck into an on-location storage/delivery system (e.g., silo). The storage/delivery system may then deliver the bulk material onto a conveyor or into a hopper, which meters the bulk material by means of an auger screw into a blender tub.
Recent developments in bulk material handling operations involve the use of portable containers for transporting dry material about a well location. The containers can be brought in on trucks, unloaded, stored on location, and manipulated about the well site when the material is needed. The containers are generally easier to manipulate on location than a large supply tank trailer. The containers are eventually emptied by dumping the contents thereof onto a mechanical conveying system (e.g., conveyor belt, auger, bucket lift, etc.). The conveying system then moves the bulk material in a metered fashion to a desired destination at the well site.
An important aspect of delivering bulk dry material and liquid materials used in forming sand slurries and other downhole treatment and completion fluids is the accurate measurement of the amount of bulk dry and liquid materials used in the production of such slurries and fluids. Accurate measure is important for a number of reasons other than the physical properties of the slurry, an important one of which being for accounting and billing purposes. In today's downhole operations, there are a wide variety of measurement methods used, each having its own level of accuracy and unique sources of error.
Fluid additive tanks are most commonly measured volumetrically with a depth stick or strap. Each container has a unique measurement strap that is calibrated to the varying cross-sectional area of the container. This method is prone to a high degree of subjectivity due to the fact that the operator is reading the depth measured on the strap. This method also generally does not account for changes in the fluid volume due to thermal expansion or contraction as may occur with temperature changes. As the fluids are drawn from the bulk tanks it is passed through expensive, generally highly accurate, coriolis flow meters before being mixed with the treatment slurry. However, any air entrainment in the fluid significantly impacts the accuracy of the coriolis measurements. As a result, great efforts in personnel time are taken to reconcile discrepancies caused by such inaccuracies.
Dry additives (e.g., sand, proppant, gel, diverters, etc.) are generally measured using auger screws. The dry material is typically delivered to a hopper and metered/conveyed from the hopper to the mixer with an auger screw. The volume or mass flow rate of dry material is determined from the rotational speed, or revolutions per minute (RPM) of the screw and a calibration factor (weight or volume of material moved per revolution of the auger, which may be measured in lbs/rev or via a drive signal measured in lb/mA) for that particular material, screw size, and screw orientation. For example, the sand screws are placed at an angle to lift the sand from the hopper to the top of the mixing tub. Each sand type (100 mesh, 20/40 mesh, resin coated, etc.) will have different transfer efficiencies through the screw, and require a different calibration curve. However, the calibration factor may vary if additional humidity is present in the sand, or if liquid additives/coatings are being mulled into the sand in the screw, such as is the case with the SandWedge® or FinesWedge® systems, provided by Halliburton, the assignee of the present application. The depth of material covering the auger inlet and dimensional changes caused by wear also affect the calibration curve. In addition, the testing required to calibrate the screws for each material is not trivial. Accordingly, only a small number of the various sand types have measured calibration curves, and calibration factors are often assumed by the blender operators.
Due to the inaccuracies in the these measures, many customers of service companies require that additional measurements be taken to determine, in particular, the sand concentration of the treatment slurry being delivered to the wellhead. The sand concentration is indirectly measured using a radioactive densometer placed downstream and proximate an outlet of the mixing tub. If the base fluid density is accurately known, then the bulk density measurement from the densometer can be reliably used to provide the sand concentration in lbm sand per gallon of fluid. However, the exact base fluid density is often unknown due to the variety of water sources that are used, the variation in salt concentration in the water through the job, and the various additives being introduced to the fluid before the densometer.
Accordingly, a direct and precise measurement of the bulk material being added to the mixing tub prior to mixing with the liquid additives is desired.

System and method for determining slurry sand concentration and continuous calibration of metering mechanisms for transferring same


A solid electrolyte capacitor includes an anode foil on a surface of which an oxide film is formed, a cathode foil, and a separator. A gap between the anode foil and the cathode foil is filled with a solid electrolyte which contains a conductive fine particles containing a conductive polymer compound and a hydrophilic polymer compound. The hydrophilic polymer compound has a structure expressed by a following chemical formula (I) and a structure expressed by a following chemical formula (II).—(R1—O)—  (I)—(R2—O)—  (II)In the formula (I) and the formula (II), R1 and R2 are groups selected from the set consisting of a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenylene, and a substituted or unsubstituted phenylene, and represent mutually different groups.

Conventionally, there has been known a method of manufacturing a solid electrolyte capacitor which includes steps where a solution containing a conductive polymer and an ion conductive compound therein in a dispersed manner is adhered to a surface of an oxide film (dielectric layer) formed on a surface of an anode foil and, then, the solution is dried thus forming a solid electrolyte layer on a surface of the oxide film (see patent document 1, for example). In the conventional method of manufacturing a solid electrolyte capacitor, an ion conductive compound is a polymer having a repeating unit which has an electron donating site (nucleophilic site) and exhibits ion conductivity under the presence of electrolyte.
According to the conventional method of manufacturing a solid electrolyte capacitor, a solid electrolyte layer which contains an ion conductive compound in addition to a conductive polymer can be formed and hence, conductivity of a solid electrolyte layer is increased whereby it is possible to manufacture a solid electrolyte capacitor which exhibits low ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance).
Further, according to the conventional method of manufacturing a solid electrolyte capacitor, a solid electrolyte layer can be formed without using an oxidizing agent for polymerization and hence, the deterioration of an oxide film caused by the presence of an oxidizing agent for polymerization can be eliminated whereby it is possible to manufacture a solid electrolyte capacitor having a high breakdown strength and a low leakage current.
Still further, according to the conventional method of manufacturing a solid electrolyte capacitor, the above-mentioned ion conductive compound functions as an oxygen supply source and hence, even when a defect occurs in an oxide film in the course of manufacturing a solid electrolyte capacitor, a defect occurred part is repaired due to a function of the ion conductive compound. Also due to the above-mentioned reason, it is possible to manufacture a solid electrolyte capacitor having a high breakdown strength and a low leakage current.
Still further, according to the conventional method of manufacturing a solid electrolyte capacitor, the above-mentioned ion conductive compound functions as an oxygen supply source and hence, even when a defect occurs in an oxide film as a result of using a solid electrolyte capacitor for a long time, a defect occurred part is repaired due to a function of the ion conductive compound. Also due to the above-mentioned reason, it is possible to manufacture a solid electrolyte capacitor having an extended lifetime.

Solid electrolyte capacitor and manufacturing method for same


A base station forms a time-division multiplexing physical control channel comprising a set of presynchronization timeslots each carrying the same synchronization signal, and a set of synchronization supplement timeslots respectively associated with the presynchronization slots. Each synchronization supplement slot carries the same synchronization signal representing system information and furthermore a signal identifying said synchronization supplement slot, thereby enabling to complete the synchronization achieved on the basis of the presynchronization slots.

The present invention relates to the field of digital radiocommunications between base stations and mobile terminals, using time-division multiplexing of logical channels on a carrier frequency.
In these systems, the base stations transmit to the mobile terminals frequency- and time-synchronization information, as well as system information allowing the mobile terminals to initiate communication with them if necessary.
Patent Application EP-A-0 896 443 describes a system of radiocommunication with mobile terminals exhibiting the feature of offering time-division multiplexing services with various degrees of protection related to the possible use of a coded modulation on the carrier. For a given throughput, offered for the execution of the service, the number of timeslots allotted to the service is related to the coding or to the absence of coding of the modulation, and/or to the applied coding rate. In a particular embodiment of this system, one and the same service can be offered in a first mode on a half-channel with non-coded modulation, or in a second mode on a full channel with a coded modulation having a code rate of ½.
Half-channels exhibit a structure similar to that of a logical channel with time-division multiplexing of order two: one timeslot out of two is occupied by the service in the first mode. This mode allows in particular time-duplex operation, but this makes it necessary for the terminal to be provided with two frequency synthesizers operating alternately, since a single synthesizer cannot generally switch from the transmission frequency to the reception frequency within the short time span separating two successive slots. This duplication of the frequency synthesizer is not necessary in the second mode. A simplified version of the terminal can be designed, generally with a single synthesizer, not offering the same frequency switching speed characteristics, and therefore not allowing the above time-duplex operation.
Nevertheless, it is important that, in the timeslots devoted to the monitoring of the base stations of neighboring cells, these simplified terminals should be capable of decoding the same information as the terminals having a maximum switching speed.
An object of the present invention is to present a structure of the timeslots devoted to the synchronization and to the broadcasting of the main system data, which allows correct processing thereof, including by terminals having a limited frequency switching speed.

Method for broadcasting radio signals from a radiocommunication base station, base stations and mobile terminals therefor


A trust management system providing secure communication for storing and sharing personal electronic—data of health (e-health data) and a method thereof are provided. The method includes creating a security policy in accordance with at least one input of a user of the electronic device through a security policy design tool, generating a link for gaining access to the data of health based on the security policy, receiving a transmission request for the data of health using the link from a health data request device, and performing authentication on the transmission request based on the security policy.

Medical records are commonly created when health professionals treat patients. Today, most health institutions usually save the records in their database for patient further treatments. It may comprise of various personal records, such as patient or family medical history, lifestyle details, laboratory test results, surgery record, and even genetic testing result. However, by the development of ubiquitous and pervasive computing, now medical records are no longer created only by health professionals. The emerging of health sensors on mobile device, such as pulse and oxygen in blood sensor, airflow sensor, body temperature sensor, electrocardiogram sensor, and the like, enable people to independently check their health and record their own data in device.
Even though the technology is still in progress towards personal future health system, it is important to understand privacy aspect on medical records. Moreover, the future e-health system will be more likely to enable people to manage their medical records that are created by health institution. Authorization for accessing and having the records is crucial to consider as patient's privacy since the records can be possibly used by unauthorized parties to trade in return for things such as insurance coverage, employment opportunities, government benefits, and safety investigation. Therefore, this disclosure discloses the system and a method for trust management in personal e-health to manage trust between patient and second party in sharing medical records in dynamic and un-trusted environment.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

Apparatus and method for sharing personal electronic-data of health


A circuit subassembly is disclosed comprising a conductive metal layer and a dielectric substrate layer having a dielectric constant of less than about 3.5 and a dissipation factor of less than about 0.006 at 10 GHz, wherein the composition of the dielectric substrate layer comprises about 5 to about 70 volume percent of borosilicate microspheres that have been treated with an alkaline solution.

This invention generally relates to circuit materials, methods for the manufacture of the circuit materials, and articles formed therefrom, including circuits and circuit laminates.
As used herein, a circuit material is an article used in the manufacture of circuits and multi-layer circuits, and includes circuit subassemblies, bond plies, resin coated conductive layers, unclad dielectric layers, and cover films. A circuit laminate is a type of circuit subassembly that has a conductive layer, e.g., copper, fixedly attached to a dielectric layer. Double clad circuit laminates have two conductive layers, one on each side of the dielectric layer. Patterning a conductive layer of a laminate, for example by etching, provides a circuit. Multilayer circuits comprise a plurality of conductive layers, at least one of which contains a conductive wiring pattern. Typically, multilayer circuits are formed by laminating one or more circuits together using bond plies, by building up additional layers with resin coated conductive layers that are subsequently etched, or by building up additional layers by adding unclad dielectric layers followed by additive metallization. After forming the multilayer circuit, known hole-forming and plating technologies can be used to produce useful electrical pathways between conductive layers.
A dielectric layer can comprise a polymeric dielectric composite material in which the dielectric and physical properties are controlled by the use of mineral or ceramic particulate fillers. Particularly where a low dielectric constant is desired, hollow glass or ceramic microspheres can be used. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,848 (Adicoff et al.) describes a composite for a strip line board material that contains hollow, air-filled glass microspheres in a hydrocarbon matrix. U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,301 (Okada and Fujino) discloses a hollow-glass microsphere-filled polymer composite made by directly extruding a molten composition into the opening of a vertical double belt press. U.S. Pat. No. 5,126,192 (Chellis et al.) discloses a filled prepreg material having a dielectric constant below 3.2 and made using hollow microspheres from various manufacturers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,495 (Landi) discloses the use of a layer of elastomer filled with hollow microspheres for controlling impedance in a solderless connector for a microelectronic device. U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,316 (Browne and Jarvis) discloses a bonding layer for circuit boards containing hollow glass microspheres.
Following these earlier patents, U.S. Pat. No. 8,187,696 (Paul et al.) disclosed, as a less costly alternative to the use of synthetic microspheres in circuit products, the use of naturally occurring hollow microspheres known as cenospheres, so long as the cenospheres meet certain compositional requirements. Selected cenospheres were found to advantageously provide a low Dk and other desired electrical properties, while maintaining the filler volume necessary for preservation of mechanical properties. Following commercial production, however, the concern developed that the available quantities might not be guaranteed indefinitely. This supply constraint coupled with the variable nature of the naturally sourced product, even on a lot to lot basis, has prompted investigation into synthetic alternatives for the use of cenospheres. A specific desire is to obtain filler having electrical properties necessary for high frequency applications that require a low dissipation factor in circuit subassemblies.
Hollow glass microspheres have been manufactured for a wide variety of uses in composite materials. For example, hollow microspheres have been used as a component of syntactic foams for the hulls of submersibles. Such microspheres have also been used for storage and/or slow release of pharmaceuticals or hydrogen gas. The microspheres typically have a diameter ranging from 10 to 300 micrometers and are sometimes termed microballoons or glass bubbles.
Hollow glass microspheres can be made by a variety of processes, including ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. The desired properties of the formed microspheres can be improved, for certain uses, by surface treatment that can involve removing at least some of the sodium. For example, among other reasons, producing microspheres having a clean surface can enhance the wettability of the microspheres by various polymers. Also, sodium depletion of the microspheres may be desirable for applications in which glass microspheres are mixed with a chemically sensitive resin. Finally, surface treatment of microspheres can improve bonding for coupling reactions if desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,293 (Garnier) discloses treatment of glass microspheres, after their production and recovery, to increase thermal resistance, by contacting the microspheres with a dealkylization agent that increases the silica content, thereby reducing the sodium content. After production, the alkaline oxide content of the microspheres is ordinarily less than 10%. In this case, the dealkylization has the aim of bringing the alkaline oxide content below 4% or less.
Leforge, J. W. et al., in "The Development of Silica Hollow Microspheres for Use as a High Temperature Dielectric," Technical Report 60-899 (July 1961), prepared by Emerson & Cuming under USAF Contract No. AF33 (616)-7263, available from Armed Services Technical Information Agency, Arlington, Va., discloses the production of bulk microsphere materials having a low dielectric constant (less than 2.0) and a low dissipation factor (less than 0.008) that are useful at temperatures greater than 200° C. In particular, sodium borosilicate glass microspheres ("microbubbles") were acid leached to remove sodium in order to increase high temperature stability (1090° C.). Specifically, Eccosphere® microspheres of various densities were acid leached for various periods of time in various concentration of H2SO4 or HCl. Following acid leaching of the microspheres, the authors found that a slightly lower dielectric constant and equivalent loss tangent values were obtained, i.e., the authors found that the loss tangents did not decrease in spite of removal of all extractable sodium.
In view of the above, there remains a need in the art for low dielectric constant, low loss circuit materials having improved (lower) dissipation factor.

Circuit materials, circuits laminates, and method of manufacture thereof


In a first mode, a direction of a first control is determined based on a component in a first axial direction of a difference between a first reference coordinate point and a coordinate point of a coordinate input, and a direction of a second control is determined based on a component in a second axial direction. In a second mode, the direction of the first control is determined based on a component in a third axial direction of a difference between a first region reference coordinate point and a coordinate point of the coordinate input performed in a first region, and the direction of the second control is determined based on a component in a fourth axial direction of a difference between a second region reference coordinate point and a coordinate point of the coordinate input performed in a second region.

There are conventionally handheld terminals that perform information processing based on a touch operation. In some such handheld terminals, when the handheld terminal is in portrait position, the handheld terminal is in a mode in which the handheld terminal is automatically controlled, and when the handheld terminal is in landscape position, a character is moved by an operation performed by the user's left hand, and a viewing direction is changed by an operation performed by the user's right hand.
However, the handheld terminal described above needs to be operated by totally different methods for a process in the automatic operation mode, a process by an operation using the user's left hand, and a process by an operation using the user's right hand, and it takes time to get used to each operation.
With this in mind, it is an object of this non-limiting example to provide a storage medium storing an information processing program, information processing apparatus, information processing system, and information processing method that can enable the user to easily learn operations that are performed in different operation modes in which different operating methods are used.
To achieve the above, this non-limiting example has the following features, for example.
A non-limiting example configuration of an information processing program of this non-limiting example is carried out by a computer of an information processing apparatus that controls a game using a coordinate input detected by a touch input device having a touch region. The information processing program causes a computer to at least: change an upward/downward direction of an image displayed on the touchscreen between a first and a second display direction that is different from the first display direction by 90 degrees, depending on an orientation of the touchscreen with respect to the direction of gravity; change an operation mode between a first mode in which the upward/downward direction of the image is the first display direction and a second mode in which the upward/downward direction of the image is the second display direction; set a reference coordinate point based on a coordinate point of the detected coordinate input; perform a first control on the game; perform a second control different from the first control on the game; and setting a first and a second region in the touch region, wherein the first and second regions do not overlap each other. In the first mode, a first reference coordinate point is set as the reference coordinate point based on the coordinate point of the detected coordinate input. In the second mode, a first region reference coordinate point is set as the reference coordinate point in the first region based on the coordinate input performed in the first region, and a second region reference coordinate point is set as the reference coordinate point in the second region based on the coordinate input performed in the second region. In the first mode, a direction of the first control to be performed on the game is determined based on a component in a first axial direction of a difference between the first reference coordinate point and a coordinate point of the coordinate input performed after the setting of the first reference coordinate point. In the first mode, a direction of the second control to be performed on the game is determined based on a component in a second axial direction of the difference between the first reference coordinate point and the coordinate point of the coordinate input performed after the setting of the first reference coordinate point, the second axial direction being different from the first axial direction. In the second mode, the direction of the first control is determined based on a component in a third axial direction of a difference between the first region reference coordinate point and a coordinate point of the coordinate input performed in the first region after the setting of the first region reference coordinate point. In the second mode, the direction of the second control is determined based on a component in a fourth axial direction of a difference between the second region reference coordinate point and a coordinate point of the coordinate input performed in the second region after the setting of the second region reference coordinate point, the fourth axial direction being different from the third axial direction.
With the above configuration, if an operation has been learned in one of the two operation modes, an operation can be easily performed in the other operation mode, and therefore, operations in different operation modes in which different operating methods are used can be easily learned.
The direction of the second control may not be determined by the component in the fourth axial direction of the difference between the first region reference coordinate point and the coordinate point of the coordinate input performed in the first region after the setting of the first region reference coordinate point.
With the above configuration, when a touch operation for the first control is being performed, the second control can be prevented from being undeliberately performed due to detection of the component in the fourth axial direction of the touch operation although the second control is not intended by the user. Thus, such an incorrect operation can be prevented.
The direction of the first control may not be determined by the component in the third axial direction of the difference between the second region reference coordinate point and the coordinate point of the coordinate input performed in the second region after the setting of the second region reference coordinate point.
With the above configuration, when a touch operation for the second control is being performed, the first control can be prevented from being undeliberately performed due to detection of the component in the third axial direction of the touch operation although the first control is not intended by the user. Thus, such an incorrect operation can be prevented.
In the first mode, the direction of the first control to be performed on the game may be determined based on a component in the first axial direction of a difference between the first reference coordinate point and the coordinate point of the coordinate input performed in the first region, continuously following the setting of the first reference coordinate point.
With the above configuration, an operation in a mode in which touch operations, such as a swipe operation, flick operation, drug operation, and slide operation, are used can be easily learned.
The information processing apparatus may include a touchscreen as the touch input device. The information processing program may cause the computer to change directions. An upward/downward direction of an image displayed on the touchscreen may be changed between a first and a second display direction, depending on an orientation of the touchscreen with respect to the direction of gravity.
With the above configuration, operations that are performed in modes that are changed, depending on the display direction, can be easily learned.
The operation mode may be changed to the first mode when the upward/downward direction of an image is the first display direction, and to the second mode when the upward/downward direction of the image is the second display direction.
With the above configuration, the operation modes can be automatically changed, depending on the display direction of an image.
The first display direction may be different from the second display direction by 90 degrees.
With the above configuration, the operation modes can be changed, depending on the display directions of an image that are different from each other by 90°.
The information processing apparatus may include a touchscreen as the touch input device. The information processing program may further cause the computer to dispose a first image for giving an instruction to perform control related to the first control, in the first region on the touchscreen, in the second mode compared to the first mode.
With the above configuration, the first image for giving an instruction to perform control related to the first control can be displayed at a suitable position for an operation region that is used.
The information processing apparatus may include a touchscreen as the touch input device. The information processing program may further cause the computer to dispose a second image for giving an instruction to perform control related to the second control, in the second region on the touchscreen, in the second mode compared to the first mode.
With the above configuration, the second image for giving an instruction to perform control related to the second control can be displayed at a suitable position for an operation region that is used.
Even when the first control based on the coordinate input performed in the first region after the setting of the first region reference coordinate point is being performed, the second control may be performed based on the coordinate input in the second region.
With the above configuration, the first control and the second control can be performed simultaneously or in parallel.
The touch input device may have a rectangular touch region having a first and a second side, the first side being longer than the second side.
With the above configuration, operations in a plurality of modes in which a rectangular touch region is used can be easily learned.
The reference coordinate point may be moved to approach the coordinate point of the coordinate input according to a distance between the coordinate point of the coordinate input and the reference coordinate point.
With the above configuration, the reference coordinate point follows the coordinate input. Therefore, a most recent operation direction intended by the user can be used in control.
The first control may move a character object disposed in the virtual space.
With the above configuration, an operation of moving a character object can be easily learned.
The second control may move another object from a character object disposed in the virtual space.
With the above configuration, an operation of moving another object from a character object can be easily learned.
This non-limiting example may be carried out in the form of an information processing apparatus, information processing system, and information processing method.
According to this non-limiting example, operations in different modes in which different operating methods are used can be easily learned.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present exemplary embodiment will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present exemplary embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Storage medium storing information processing program with changeable operation modes, information processing apparatus, information processing system, and information processing method


A data processing device that can eliminate interference symbol interference (ISI) of a transmitted data through a timing recovery circuit and ferret out a correct sampling time. It includes an analog-digital converter, a timing recovery device and a sync-word matching filter. The analog-digital converter is used for receiving an analog signal, sampling the analog signal at a sampling frequency, generating a series of sample values, and converting these sample values to a digital signal having a main cursor component, a pre-cursor interference component, and a post-cursor interference component. The post-cursor interference component has a plurality of post-cursor channel response. The timing recovery device is used for eliminating the post-cursor interference component in accordance with the digital signal, while retaining the first post-cursor channel response, and the main cursor component and the pre-cursor interference component to generate an output signal. The sync-word match filter estimates a timing error according to the output signal and adjusts the sampling frequency for optimization.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a data processing device, particularly to a data processing device that erases inter-symbol interference (ISI) of the transmitted data through a timing recovery circuit and extracts a correct sampling time.
2. Description of the Related Art
The growing popularity of data communication and the trend towards user's demand for transmitting audio and video at a very high baud rate have resulted in a great workload for communication network. A promising method is to transmit digital data by using a narrow-band telephone line; however, in existing user-subscribed loop the transmission will be restricted due to inter-symbol interference (thereafter, ISI), if data transmission is undertaken at an extremely high baud rate.
An interface circuit of a user-subscribed loop generally comprises a transmitter and a receiver. In an integrated service digital network (thereafter, ISDN) system, the speed of a U-interfaced transceiver transmits and receives digital data is set at 160 Kb/s, as shown in FIG. 1B. In the transceiver a data frame 310 of 240 bit or 120 baud (including 9 frame sync-words) is formed and then encoded into a pseudo-random bit stream by a scrambler, the bit stream is further converted into a 2B1Q (two binary, one quaternary) code through a 2B1Q encoder according to ANSI Working Group T1E1 standard, and combinations of binary bit 00, 01, 10, 11 are mapped to 4 symbol levels, such as -3, -1, +1, +3. Next, before the signal is delivered to a remote place via a user-subscribed loop, the transmitter will convert the symbol levels into analog pulses with a filter. In the aforementioned frame sync-word SW={sw0, sw1, sw2, sw3, sw4, sw5, sw6, sw7, sw8}={+3, +3, -3, -3, -3, +3, -3, +3, +3}.
The signal outputted to the U-interfaced transceiver is sampled at 80 Kbaud per second, the sampled sample will be processed by the transceiver to extract original digital data, and finally be determined to be 0 or 1 by the DSP, wherein a typical impulse response of transmission channel is shown as in FIG. 1A, the typical impulse response, after being sampled by the transceiver, generates a plurality of h(n) discrete channel response, such as h.sub.-2, h.sub.-1, h.sub.0, h.sub.1, h.sub.2, . . . h.sub.N, wherein the main pulse is defined as h.sub.0, and the peak of the pulse is generally called a main "cursor." Moreover, the channel responses h.sub.-1 .about.h.sub.-2 are called pre-cursors, and the gradually decreasing channel responses h.sub.1 .about.h.sub.N with a long tail 10 are called post-cursors. Both of them often create inter-symbol interference to adjacent main pulses. The sampling timing t.sub.0 is normally chosen at a time when the peak of the pulse meets a determined value h.sub.0, that is, the time when the maximal h.sub.0 will be obtained.
Since pulses will lose their fidelity in the transmission process and become fuzzier, thus are difficult for a receiver to detect. The two main causes leading to losing pulse fidelity are, firstly due to the inter-coupling of pulses across the hybrid circuit, and this is a common problem in dual-line system signal transmission commonly known as an echo and is erased with an echo-erasing device in the receiver.
Another cause of losing pulse fidelity is due to ISI, as shown in FIG. 1A. Sometimes, the tail 10 of the impulse response of a fidelity-losing pulse can extend to tens of subsequent main pulses, therefore, ISI occurs when a signal is transmitted at the time of sampling, that is, the signal the receiver receives is more than just the current main cursor component, the sampled result further includes the interference component caused by a pre-cursor and the interference component caused by a tailed post-cursor.
As mentioned above, the sampling timing t.sub.0 is normally arranged at the time when the peak of the pulse meets a determined value h.sub.0, that is, the time to obtain the maximal h.sub.0. But when baud-rate sampling position is not on the peak of the pulse, a timing error will occur. As a result, the probability for a DSP to make wrong decisions on data gets higher; therefore, a timing recovery device is required to correct baud-rate sampling positions. At the phase when the receiver adjusts its coefficient, that is, in the training state, the signal can be delivered to a sync-word matching filter to obtain the value of a timing error and to estimate the timing error from the obtained impulse response. However, the impulse response has a tailed post-cursor that makes the estimate difficult to be precise and is therefore not applicable in a steady state (after the adjustment coefficient of the receiver has been optimized).


A heat exchanger includes a plurality of mini-channel tubes. The mini-channel tubes extends for an axial length defined between two manifolds. The mini-channel tubes include a plurality of generally rectangular flow passages. The generally rectangular flow passages are aligned adjacent to each other to define a lateral dimension. A first lateral width of the generally rectangular passages is defined with a ratio of the axial length to the first lateral width being between 201.3 and 215.3. An aircraft system is also disclosed.

This application relates to a heat exchanger having mini-channel tubes.
Heat exchangers are known and utilized in any number of applications. One application that requires a number of heat exchangers is an aircraft.
One known heat exchanger for use on aircraft applications includes two cooling circuits. A first cooling circuit contains a warm fluid which is sourced from a power electronics component for cooling the component. A second cooling circuit contains a warm fluid which is sourced from a power electronics component for cooling the component. The third circuit utilizes a cool air source such as lavatory/galley discharge air to overboard.
A heat exchanger may be formed of a plurality of very small channels known as "mini-channels" which move a fluid between opposed ends for the first circuit fluid. Air supplied from the third circuit passes over the mini-channel tubes.


A method for synchronizing an environment simulator with a real-time system. If the clock speed of the system microprocessor is so fast, and/or the process being simulated is so complicated, that the simulator cannot keep up with the microprocessor, then the microprocessor is slowed down to match the speed of the simulator, either by temporarily disabling the clock oscillator of the microprocessor, or by decreasing the frequency of the clock oscillator of the microprocessor. The system responses to the simulated environment are recorded, and displayed with response times adjusted back to the original speed of the microprocessor.

The present invention relates to the simulation of a real-time system controlled by a microprocessor-driven controller, and, more particularly, to a method for synchronizing the simulation with the activity of the microprocessor.
Many electronic devices are run by microprocessors under software control. Examples of such devices include automatic control systems such as vehicular fuel injection systems, and computer embedded electronic devices generally. These devices are characterized by an intensive real-time exchange of electronic signals between the controller and its environment. In this context, the "environment" of the controller consists of peripheral components, some of which produce signals indicative of conditions in the device under control. These signals may be digital signals or analog signals. In either case, the microprocessor periodically samples the signals at a certain sampling rate.
The thorough debugging and testing of software-controlled systems has been an ongoing challenge to system developers, and is an ongoing topic of intensive research. The debugging and testing of real-time systems in a real world environment often is impractical, or even dangerous, for several reasons:
(a) The environment to which the system must respond often is not conveniently available to the developer. PA1 (b) The critical emergency conditions that these systems must respond to often are sufficiently unusual not to be encountered even in a well-planned series of shakedown tests. PA1 (c) An undebugged system is likely to respond incorrectly to such an emergency condition, endangering both the system and the developer.
One successful and very popular approach to this problem has been to employ simulators. A digital simulator is a computer-embedded system that models the events of the system under control and the responses of the system itself and, on the basis of the modeling, generates the corresponding signals that would be presented to the microprocessor for sampling. Instead of connecting the controller to the peripherals, the controller is connected to the simulator, and the interaction of the microprocessor with simulated signals is monitored to see if the microprocessor responds as expected. Such a simulator may be used generally for the debugging, testing and evaluation of embedded systems.
One problem that arises in these simulations is that the simulator may not be able to model the external events fast enough to keep up with the controller's sampling rate. For example, a fuel injection system programmed to optimize fuel economy and engine power must react to a variety of external parameters, such as atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity, and including parameters, such as engine temperature and cylinder pressure, which are themselves functions of the behavior of the fuel injection system. A simulator must perform many computations to model all these parameters at a high sampling rate, and this is not always possible in real time because of the limited compute power of the simulator.
There is thus a recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a method of testing a real-time system, using a simulator, in which the simulator does not have to model external events as fast as the real-time system responds to them.

Method for synchronizing the simulation of the environment of a real-time system


A system comprising a local processor capable of accessing a host system typically comprising one database, is provided with a communication processor which controls synchronous serial communication between the host system and a plurality of synchronous devices in a varied range of clocked rates. The communication processor facilitates remoting of a single terminal having resident protocol conversion control capability, while a related plurality of terminals locally access a host system via a single host synchronous port.

Systems are known which facilitate access to databases of information while managing incoming and outgoing calls of a telephone communication system. Such systems typically comprise a host computer with mass storage capabilities for maintaining database information. A protocol converter facilitates conversion of synchronous data output from the host computer for manipulation and use on asynchronous terminals which access the host computer locally and which are coordinated by one or more port controllers.
A call management and database access system such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,130 further incorporates a local processor which controls a telephone line control unit (LCU) that controls a plurality of lines connected between local switching means and the LCU. Typically the local processor has means for playing a recorded message to provide a voice response to the LCU and a calling party; means for generating and recognizing DTMF (touchtone) signals; and means for controlling the port controllers to control connection of the terminals to the local processor or to the protocol converter for communication with the host computer. Known systems, however, are of limited efficiency because limited database information is available to an intervening human operator so that the operator must re-initiate a- dialogue with a caller and then request database information via a local terminal.
In known systems, such as generally illustrated in FIG. 1A, communication between a host and a terminal or other device such as a printer, requires that all the equipment involved be capable of communication via an appropriate communication protocol as known in the art, such as SDLC or BISYNC. Protocol conversion is required, typically at the local processor or system controller level (C1), so that the asynchronous terminal (T) or device can use the information communicated by a synchronous port of the host processor(s). Information issued from the host is packaged, i.e. in SDLC in a "frame", with coded fields for identification, control and verification. The coded information must be unpackaged from the information usable by the asynchronous terminal. The unpackaging of data or information from the host to send to an asynchronous terminal and the packaging of data received from an async terminal to send to the host, is generally performed by a controller (Cl) having protocol conversion capabilities. The controller typically operates under host program control and considerable controller overhead can be required in packaging and unpackaging information transfers, negatively impacting the host.
As illustrated in FIG. 1B, a plurality of terminals (Tl-Tn) or devices can access and be accessed through a controller (C2) via a single synchronous port (P1) of a synchronous host, which processes a packet or frame of information according to a particular protocol. When it is desired to access and receive information at a remote terminal (Tra) asynchronously from a host port (P2) via a telecommunications modem (M1, M2), an entire synchronous port of the host is occupied. Accordingly, the waste of resources can be significant. For instance, if the single synchronous port (P2) was capable of communicating with 8 terminals, the entire 8-terminal port would have to be dedicated to a modem for transmission even if only one terminal was desired for remote access. Such a configuration results in inefficient and costly allocation of resources, in addition to considerable processor overhead.
Further, where it is desired to access and receive information at a terminal (Trs) synchronously from a host port (P3) via a telecommunications modem (M1, M2) a controller (cont) at the remote cite is necessary to provide the protocol conversion. A required dedicated controller, in communication with the remote synchronous terminal Trs is an expensively inefficient hardware implementation.

Remote workstation use with database retrieval system


In an example, one or more member profiles and corresponding elapsed times indicating, for each of the one or more member profiles, how long the corresponding member of a social networking service took to respond to a request for confidential data with a submission of confidential data are obtained. Then a first set of one or more features are extracted from the one or more member profiles. The first set of one or more features and corresponding elapsed times are fed into a machine learning algorithm to train a confidential data response time prediction model to output a predicted time to respond to a request for confidential data for a candidate member profile. A second set of one or more features are obtained from a candidate member profile and fed to the confidential data response time prediction model, outputting the predicted time to respond to a request for confidential data.

In various types of computer systems, there may be a need to collect, maintain, and utilize confidential data. In some instances, users may be reluctant to share this confidential information over privacy concerns. These concerns extend not only to pure security concerns, such as concerns over whether third parties such as hackers may gain access to the confidential data, but also to how the computer system itself may utilize the confidential data. With certain types of data, users providing the data may be somewhat comfortable with uses of the data that maintain anonymity, such as the confidential data merely being used to provide broad statistical analysis to other users.
One example of such confidential data is salary/compensation information. It may be desirable for a service such as a social networking service to entice its members to provide information about their salary or other work-related compensation in order to provide members with insights as to various metrics regarding salary/compensation, such as an average salary for a particular job type in a particular city. There are technical challenges encountered, however, in ensuring that such confidential information remains confidential and is only used for specific purposes, and it can be difficult to convince members to provide such confidential information due to their concerns that these technical challenges may not be met. Additionally, it can be important to ensure that proper sampling of members is made so that statistical insights from confidential data submitted from the members can be accurate.

Estimating the conditional response time to a request for confidential data


A method for controlling a supercharged engine, that includes determining an overlap of valves by opening a supercharged non-fuel-containing air inlet valve and closing an exhaust valve before the exhaust phase of an engine cylinder and in the vicinity of the top dead center (TDC), actuating a blocking means for blocking a supercharged non-fuel-containing air intake means to admit supercharged air flowing in the supercharged non-fuel-containing air intake means into a chamber to scavenge residual burned gases when a pressure of the supercharged non-fuel-containing air is greater than a pressure of the exhaust gases, and actuating the blocking means to shut off the supercharged air flowing from the supercharged non-fuel-containing intake means into the chamber when pressure of the supercharged non-fuel-containing air is less than pressure of the exhaust gases.

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a supercharged engine, particularly an indirect injection engine, and an engine using such a method.
In general, the power delivered by an internal combustion engine is a function of the amount of air introduced into the combustion chamber of this engine, which quantity of air is itself proportional to the density of this air. As is known, this air can be compressed, by any compression means, such as a turbocompressor, before its admission into the engine cylinder in order to supercharge this cylinder with air.
In order to improve this filling with air still further, provision is made to evacuate the residual burned gases from the combustion chamber before the end of the exhaust phase of the engine, and replace them with supercharged air, a stage which is more commonly known as burned gas scavenging.
As is better described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,217,866, this scavenging is effected by having, at the end of the exhaust phase, an overlap phase between the exhaust and inlet valves of one cylinder. More specifically, this overlap is effected by simultaneously opening the exhaust and inlet valves, by several degrees to several tens of degrees of crankshaft rotation angle, near the top dead center (TDC). For this, a specific intake means is provided, comprised of a pipe and a valve, for supercharged non-fuel-containing air, in addition to a conventional intake means, also comprised of a pipe and a valve, provided to admit supercharged fuel-containing air into the combustion chamber. This burned gas scavenging is thus effected by overlapping the exhaust valve and the supercharged non-fuel-containing air valve. During this overlap, the exhaust valves remain open and supercharged non-fuel-containing air is admitted into the combustion chamber. This supercharged non-fuel-containing air, which is at a higher pressure than that of the burned gases, scavenges these gases and evacuates them through the exhaust valve or valves thus filling the space freed by these gases. At the end of scavenging, the exhaust valves close and supercharged fuel-containing air is introduced into the combustion chamber by another intake means which is provided with a fuel injector in the case of multipoint fuel injection.
This type of engine, although it gives satisfaction, nonetheless has several non-negligible drawbacks.
In certain operating modes of a multicylinder engine, especially at high speed and full load, a counter-scavenging phenomenon occurs in the cylinder and prevents the residual burned gases from evacuating. This counter-scavenging is generally due to the rising of a puff of exhaust gas from a cylinder at the start of the exhaust phase going to the cylinder which is in the terminal exhaust phase and in which the scavenging occurs. In this case, during scavenging, the supercharged non-fuel-containing air inlet valve is open and since the pressure of the exhaust gas puff is greater than the supercharged air pressure, the air inlet is blocked and residual exhaust gases pass into the non-fuel-containing air inlet pipe. These gases in the pipe are then readmitted into the combustion chamber in the intake phase of the engine.
This has the disadvantage of uncontrollably modifying the level of residual gases contained in the combustion chamber and impairing the combustion that occurs subsequently.
To remedy the foregoing, provision is made so that the means commanding the movement of the inlet valves, such as a camshaft, are such that the valve of the non-fuel-containing air intake means can remain constantly closed until the end of the engine exhaust phase to eliminate the overlap phase between the supercharged non-fuel-containing air valve and the exhaust valve. For this purpose, this camshaft has a phase shifter preventing the non-fuel-containing inlet valve from opening until the exhaust valves are closed.
Such a phase shifter has a complicated design, requires precise regulation, and increases the cost of the inlet valve control means.

Method for controlling a supercharged engine, particularly an indirect injection engine, and engine using such a method


An electronic control circuit controls a brushless DC motor. It includes an input power supply control circuit. A microcontroller integrated circuit has control functions to control a brushless DC motor. Additional control functions are provided by software program instructions, which when executed, cause the microcontroller integrated circuit to perform additional control functions for the brushless DC motor.

The US Department of Energy estimates that alternating current motors consume more than 65% of the electricity produced today and total electricity sales in the US will increase at an average annual rate of 1.9%, from 3,481 billion kilowatt hours in 2001 to 5,220 billion kilowatt hours in 2025. With a reduction in electrical energy consumption by 33%, by today's measure, is equivalent to the total output of 840 fossil fuel-based power plants. Throughout the world, electricity is used at an average rate of 40 billion kilowatt-hours each day, with a projected average annual growth rate of 2.3% for the next 20 years.
With few exceptions, much of the electricity is not used in the form in which it was initially produced. Rather, it is reprocessed to provide the type of power needed in the technology that is being employed. Power electronics convert electrical power from one form to another. By the end of this decade, it is expected that up to 80% of electrical power will be processed by power electronics equipment and systems.
To control a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor, it is critical to know the rotor position. One known method is to fit Hall Effect Sensors inside the motor to detect the rotor position. This method has the disadvantage of fitting the hall sensors (including components and assembly costs). Sensorless control methods do not have this disadvantage. There are at least two different types of sensorless control methods: 1) detecting the back-emf zero crossing; and 2) space vector control (or field oriented control).
The back-emf zero crossing detecting method is more suitable for motors with trapezoidal back-emf. The noise margin at zero crossing for this type of motor is relatively large since the zero crossing is sharp as shown in FIG. 4.
But for BLAC (Sinusoidal back-emf) motor, the zero crossing is more gradual, therefore noise margin at zero crossing is much smaller as shown in FIG. 5. The space vector control method on the other hand is ideally suited for BLDC with sinusoidal back emf. It consists of controlling the components of the motor stator currents, represented by a vector, in a rotating reference frame d,q aligned with the rotor flux. It requires the dynamic model equations of the motor and returns the instantaneous currents and voltages in order to calculate and control the variables. So-called Clarke and Park transformation will take place to translate the stator variables (currents and angle) into a flux model. This flux model is compared with the reference values and updated by a PI controller. After a back transformation from field to stator coordinates, the output voltage will be impressed to the machine with Pulse Width Modulation (PWM).

Control electronics for brushless motors


Apparatus for drying flowing gas includes a generally cylindrical vessel having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, two perforated plates of different metals in contact with each other transverse the interior of the vessel, and a third perforated plate downstream from the two mutually contacting plates.

Various devices and chemicals have been used to remove moisture from natural gas, particularly when it is flowing. One of the most recent mechanical approaches to come to the attention of the inventor herein is that of Kloberdanz in U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,811. In this patent, an elaborate helical path is contrived for the flowing gas so that a centrifugal effect is applied to the relatively heavy moisture and other liquid to separate it from the gas. Such apparatus is difficult and expensive to fabricate and is generally subject to the observation that the more parts a device has, the more likely it is that something will go wrong with it. Large surface areas and numerous and lengthy intersections of plates and parts are conducive to corrosion. See also Dingfelder U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,209.
The art of gas/liquid separation, particularly that involved with the removal of relatively small amounts of moisture from large amounts of gas moving through gas pipelines, is in need of an inexpensive device which is simple, efficient, and corrosion-resistant.


A hearing aid has an input transistor, an amplifier and transmission circuit, an output transducer and a calculating unit that realizes fuzzy logic functions. The calculating unit responds to a tap signal taken at the amplifier and transmission circuit and supplies an event signal that is supplied to the amplifier and transmission circuit and influences an output signal emitted thereby. At least the calculating unit is implemented in digital circuit technology. Such a hearing aid can be manufactured with little development and circuit outlay, operates reliably and enables an optimum matching to the specific requirements of the hearing aid user.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a hearing aid having a calculating unit which operates on one or more signals in order to produce or set operating parameters for the amplifier and transmission stage in the hearing aid, connected between the input and output.
As used herein "signal" means the curve of one or more physical quantities and one or more measuring points over time; each signal can thus be composed of a bundle of individual signals.
2. Description of the Prior Art
European Application 0 674 464, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,620, discloses a hearing aid of the above type wherein a fuzzy logic controller is provided in order either to modify the signal transmission characteristic of an amplifier and transmission means or to automatically select a set of parameters from a parameter memory that influence the signal transmission characteristic.
European 0 674 463, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,717,770, discloses a similar hearing aid wherein an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit has a fuzzy logic controller allocated to it.
The hearing aids disclosed in these published applications, however, only provide a realization of fuzzy logic functions in analog circuit technology. A problem of a high circuit-oriented outlay arises therefrom, this being especially disadvantageous because of the miniaturization required in hearing aids.

Hearing aid having a digitally constructed calculating unit employing fuzzy logic


A computer-implemented method including the steps of: receiving, by a computer system including at least one computer, a media work uploaded from a first electronic device; receiving, by the computer system from a second electronic device, a tag associated with the media work having a media work identifier; storing, by the computer system, the media work identifier and the associated tag; obtaining, by the computer system from a third electronic device, a query related to the associated tag; correlating, by the computer system, the query with associated information related to an action to be performed; and providing, from the computer system to the third electronic device, the associated information to be used in performing the action.

§1.1 Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns linking traditional media to new interactive media, such as that provided over the Internet for example. In particular, the present invention concerns identifying a work (e.g., content or an advertisement delivered via print media, or via a radio or television broadcast) without the need to modify the work.
§1.2 Related Art
§1.2.1 Opportunities Arising from Linking Works Delivered Via Some Traditional Media Channel or Conduit to a More Interactive System
The rapid adoption of the Internet and associated World Wide Web has recently spurred interest in linking works, delivered via traditional media channels or conduits, to a more interactive system, such as the Internet for example. Basically, such linking can be used to (a) promote commerce, such as e-commerce, and/or (b) enhance interest in the work itself by facilitating audience interaction or participation. Commerce opportunities include, for example, facilitating the placement of direct orders for products, providing product coupons, providing further information related to a product, product placement, etc.
In the context of e-commerce, viewers could request discount vouchers or coupons for viewed products that are redeemable at the point of purchase. E-commerce applications also extend beyond advertisements. It is now common for television shows to include product placements. For example, an actor might drink a Coke rather than a Pepsi brand of soda, actors and actresses might wear designer-labeled clothing such as Calvin Klein, etc. Viewers may wish to purchase similar clothing but may not necessarily be able to identify the designer or the particular style directly from the show. However, with an interactive capability, viewers would be able to discover this and other information by going to an associated Web site. The link to this Web site can be automatically enabled using the invention described herein.
In the context of facilitating audience interaction or participation, there is much interest in the convergence of television and computers. Convergence encompasses a very wide range of capabilities. Although a significant effort is being directed to video-on-demand applications, in which there is a unique video stream for each user of the service, as well as to transmitting video signals over the Internet, there is also interest in enhancing the television viewing experience. To this end, there have been a number of experiments with interactive television in which viewers can participate in a live broadcast. There are a variety of ways in which viewers can participate. For example, during game shows, users can answer the questions and their scores can be tabulated. In recent reality-based programming such as the ABC television game show, "Big Brother", viewers can vote on contestants who must leave the show, and be eliminated from the competition.
§1.2.2 Embedding Work Identifying Code or Signals within Works
Known techniques of linking works delivered via traditional media channels to a more interactive system typically require some type of code, used to identify the work, to be inserted into the work before it is delivered via such traditional media channels. Some examples of such inserted code include (i) signals inserted into the vertical blanking interval ("VBI") lines of a (e.g., NTSC) television signal, (ii) watermarks embedded into images, (iii) bar codes imposed on images, and (iv) tones embedded into music.
The common technical theme of these proposed implementations is the insertion of visible or invisible signals into the media that can be decoded by a computer. These signals can contain a variety of information. In its most direct form, the signal may directly encode the URL of the associated Web site. However, since the alphanumeric string has variable length and is not a particularly efficient coding, it is more common to encode a unique ID. The computer then accesses a database, which is usually proprietary, and matches the ID with the associated web address. This database can be considered a form of domain name server, similar to those already deployed for network addresses. However, in this case, the domain name server is proprietary and the addresses are unique ID's.
There are two principal advantages to encoding a proprietary identifier into content. First, as previously mentioned, it is a more efficient use of the available bandwidth and second, by directing all traffic to a single Web site that contains the database, a company can maintain control over the technology and gather useful statistics that may then be sold to advertisers and publishers.
As an example of inserting signals into the vertical blanking interval lines of a television signal, RespondTV of San Francisco, Calif. embeds identification information into the vertical blanking interval of the television signal. The VBI is part of the analog video broadcast that is not visible to television viewers. For digital television, it may be possible to encode the information in, for example, the motion picture experts group ("MPEG") header. In the USA, the vertical blanking interval is currently used to transmit close-captioning information as well as other information, while in the UK, the VBI is used to transmit teletext information. Although the close captioning information is guaranteed to be transmitted into the home in America, unfortunately, other information is not. This is because ownership of the vertical blanking interval is disputed by content owners, broadcasters and local television operators.
As an example of embedding watermarks into images, Digimarc of Tualatin, Oreg. embeds watermarks in print media. Invisible watermarks are newer than VBI insertion, and have the advantage of being independent of the method of broadcast. Thus, once the information is embedded, it should remain readable whether the video is transmitted in NTSC, PAL or SECAM analog formats or newer digital formats. It should be more reliable than using the vertical blanking interval in television applications. Unfortunately, however, watermarks still require modification of the broadcast signal which is problematic for a number of economic, logistical, legal (permission to alter the content is needed) and quality control (the content may be degraded by the addition of a watermark) reasons.
As an example of imposing bar codes on images, print advertisers are currently testing a technology that allows an advertisement to be shown to a camera, scanner or bar code reader that is connected to a personal computer ("PC"). The captured image is then analyzed to determine an associated Web site that the PC's browser then accesses. For example, GoCode of Draper, Utah embeds small two-dimensional bar codes for print advertisements. The latter signal is read by inexpensive barcode readers that can be connected to a PC. AirClic of Blue Bell, Pa. provides a combination of barcode and wireless communication to enable wireless shopping through print media. A so-called "CueCat" reads bar codes printed in conjunction with advertisements and articles in Forbes magazine. Similar capabilities are being tested for television and audio media.
Machine-readable bar codes are one example of a visible signal. The advantage of this technology is that it is very mature. However, the fact that the signal is visible is often considered a disadvantage since it may detract from the aesthetic of the work delivered via a traditional media channel or conduit.
As an example of embedding tones into music, Digital Convergence of Dallas, Tex. proposes to embed identification codes into audible music tones broadcast with television signals.
All the foregoing techniques of inserting code into a work can be categorized as active techniques in that they must alter the existing signal, whether it is music, print, television or other media, such that an identification code is also present. There are several disadvantages that active systems share. First, there are aesthetic or fidelity issues associated with bar codes, audible tones and watermarks. More importantly, all media must be processed, before it is delivered to the end user, to contain these active signals. Even if a system is enthusiastically adopted, the logistics involved with inserting bar codes or watermarks into, say every printed advertisement, are formidable.
Further, even if the rate of adoption is very rapid, it nevertheless remains true that during the early deployment of the system, most works will not be tagged. Thus, consumers that are early-adopters will find that most media is not identified. At best, this is frustrating. At worst, the naive user may conclude that the system is not reliable or does not work at all. This erroneous conclusion might have a very adverse effect on the adoption rate.
Further, not only must there be modification to the production process, but modifications must also be made to the equipment in a user's home. Again, using the example of watermarking of print media, a PC must be fitted with a camera and watermark detection software must be installed. In the case of television, the detection of the identification signal is likely to occur at the set-top-box—this is the equipment provided by the local cable television or satellite broadcasting company. In many cases, this may require modifications to the hardware, which is likely to be prohibitively expensive. For example, the audible tone used by Digital Convergence to recognize television content, must be fed directly into a sound card in a PC. This requires a physical connection between the television and the PC, which may be expensive or at least inconvenient, and a sound card may have to be purchased.
§1.2.3 Unmet Needs
In view of the foregoing disadvantages of inserting an identification code into a work, thereby altering the existing signal, there is a need for techniques of identifying a work without the need of inserting an identification code into a work. Such an identification code can then be used to invoke a work-related action, such as work-related commerce methods and/or to increase audience interest by facilitating audience interaction and/or participation.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for linking an electronic media work to perform an action


An apparatus for photographing a moving object has a velocity detector that measures a velocity of an object, at least one camera that has an image sensor and is located so as to capture the object, an operating processor that calculates a photograph point in accordance with resolution required for an object image, a camera controller that controls the camera on the basis of a detected velocity so as to photograph the object when the object passes the photograph point, and an image transmitting processor that transmits image data, obtained by the camera, outside. The operating processor calculates the photograph point by using an object-resolution conversion diagram. The object-resolution conversion diagram represents a correspondence relationship between an angle of view, a number of pixels, an object distance, and a resolution.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a photographing system for taking a picture of a moving object, such as a vehicle traveling on a road, especially, it relates to a photographing system that is capable of identifying or specifying a license plate or a make and model of the car, a face of a driver in the car, and so on.
2. Description of the Related Art
Camera systems for detecting or monitoring vehicles on the road, velocity monitoring equipment, which automatically detects a velocity of a moving vehicle and takes a picture of the vehicle, and license-plate reading equipment, which automatically recognizes the character on the license plate, are located on roads and highways, to monitor and regulate vehicles.
In the velocity monitoring equipment, for example, a Doppler radar system utilizing the Doppler-effect, detects a velocity of a moving vehicle, and a photograph of the vehicle is taken by cameras located above the road. Also, in the case of a pulse radar system, a pulsed high-frequency radio-wave is radiated, and the vehicle is photographed by a digital camera. The obtained image data is automatically transmitted to a traffic control center. On the other hand, in the license-plate reading equipment, a cameras takes a picture of a car on a lane in real-time to recognize a number of the license-plate, and the specified car is followed by other cameras located points. The velocity detecting equipment and the license-plate reading equipment are independently developed and are located at different positions.
In general, resolution required for an image depends upon an object to be photographed. For example, the recognition of the driver's face requires relatively high resolution compared to that of a license-plate. Whereas, identifying of the license plate requires higher resolution compared to the resolution required for recognition of the car configuration. Therefore, to always obtain an object image with high-resolution regardless of the object to be photographed, a special camera with a great number of pixels should be located to improve the resolution, so that the amount of image data to be transmitted increases.

Method and apparatus for photographing moving object


A nanopore-containing substrate includes a substrate, a membrane on the substrate, and at least one nanoscale electronic element disposed on or embedded in the membrane. The membrane defines at least one nanopore. The nanoscale electronic element is aligned with one of the nanopores such that a shortest distance between an edge of the nanoscale electronic element and the edge of the nanopore is less than 50 nm. The nanopores may be formed by etching through a dielectric layer using a solution while applying a voltage to the nanoscale electronic element relative to the solution. The nanopore-containing substrate can be used to detect or sequence a biopolymer, such as a nucleic acid. The nanopore-containing substrate may be used with a biopolymer detection and/or sequencing system.

In the nanopore-based sequencing space, one demonstration of sequencing involved measuring ionic current flowing through a channel protein embedded in a membrane as DNA passed through. This method is limited in that it requires biological materials to be part of the device, which tend to be less durable than non-organic materials. It also involves slowing the DNA down to approximately 1 ms per nucleotide in order to obtain sufficient signal-to-noise. Another limitation is that it is not easily parallelizable, since only one pore per microfluidic channel can be used.
In the solid-state nanopore-based sequencing space, current methods have relied primarily on measuring ionic current through solid-state nanopores (e.g., silicon nitride, graphene, hafnia) that have been formed by etching with ion beam or electron beam, which involves a high-vacuum system that tends not to scale well to an industrial process. Furthermore, there have been no demonstrations of sequencing. To date, the best demonstrations with solid-state pores have distinguished between different 30-nucleotide long single-stranded DNA molecules (e.g., 30 adenines, 30 cytosines, etc.).
In the area of solid-state nanopore-based sequencing with field-effect readout, one demonstration involved using a 50 nm-wide silicon nanowire with a nearby pore. Approximately 3000 nucleotide double-stranded DNA was detected, but no sequence information was obtained. Another demonstration involved using a graphene nanoribbon to detect approximately 3000 nucleotide double-stranded DNA plasmids, but no sequence information was obtained. Both of these methods have the same limitations associated with producing nanopores using an electron beam. Additionally, the electron beam may damage the field-effect nanoscale device (nanowire or nanoribbon). The nanowire method also has the limitation that the 50 nm width of the wire is approximately 150 times the separation between nucleotides in DNA. One limitation of the graphene nanopore is that graphene nanoribbons have dangling bonds at their edges, making them both more reactive than nanotubes, and making their electrical properties highly variable.

Nanopore-containing substrates with aligned nanoscale electronic elements and methods of making and using same