A method of generating a TrafficRank index for a network search engine is described. The method includes monitoring network traffic through a network device. The method further uses the monitored traffic information to generate and maintain a TrafficRank index. The invention extends to a method of generating search results, including generating search results from a search engine index and ranking the search results based on the TrafficRank index. The invention also extends to a method of generating and updating a search engine index either in real-time or in batch mode. If the method is adopted, any website or URLs accessed through website monitor/notifier/updater module by a web user, either by clicking on a hypertext link, entering the URL address on a web browser, or selecting a bookmark on a web browser, would be included and updated in the search engine index.

Traditional search engines have three basic components: a crawler, an indexer, and a user interface. The crawler is a program which starts with a seed or source URL (Uniform Resource Locator), and scans a web page associated with the seed URL by traversing each of the links on the web page, and submitting each of the traversed links to the indexer. The crawler then scans each web page associated with the traversed URLs or links, to determine further links, and the process is thus repeated recursively. The process is repeated until it is stopped manually by a system administrator, it reaches a maximum pre-determined crawl time, or it has traversed all the URLs it could find. A shortcoming of the crawling process is that web pages which are not linked to by other web pages may easily be overlooked, and therefore not indexed. Also, the crawling process can take weeks or months.
The indexer is a program which scans words or other content of the traversed web pages to populate a massive database called an index. The user interface (also known as a search engine) is a program which presents an Internet user or searcher with an input medium to enter search criteria, for example keywords or media type. The search engine program checks the index against the search criteria to return a set of relevant search results. Typically, a list of search results pages (SRP) is returned, which includes all the web pages or documents matching the search criteria of the user.
First generation full-text search engines rank the search results based on a statistical analysis of word relationships of the matched document, i.e. based only on the content of the document itself. The statistical analysis is based on number of phrases in the document which match the search criteria, size of the document, proximity and location of the matching search criteria to one another, etc. Examples of first generation search engines are AltaVista, and Excite.
Second generation full-text search engines, for example Google, look beyond the matching document to determine the rank or the search results. Google uses PageRank, which determines how many external web pages link to the matching document. The theory behind PageRank is that more important or relevant documents are referred to or linked to more often by highly PageRanked or important external web pages. A shortcoming of PageRank is that the links in the external web pages could be outdated or obsolete, and the external links do not reflect current popularity of the document.

Generating an index for a network search engine


The present invention relates to a plate for a heat exchanger, which has beads of refrigerant distributing sections formed asymmetrically and streamlined beads arranged in the same number on flow channels in the form of a zigzag so that refrigerant flowing inside a tank is distributed and introduced to tubes uniformly, thereby increasing a heat radiation amount and enhancing a heat exchange efficiency by forming uniform flow distribution and reducing a pressure drop of refrigerant, and miniaturizing the heat exchanger into a compact size.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plate for a heat exchanger, and more particularly, to a plate for a heat exchanger, which has beads of refrigerant distributing sections formed asymmetrically and streamlined beads arranged in the same number on flow channels in the form of a zigzag so that refrigerant flowing inside a tank is distributed and introduced to tubes uniformly, thereby increasing a heat radiation amount and enhancing a heat exchange efficiency by forming uniform flow distribution and reducing a pressure drop of refrigerant, and miniaturizing the heat exchanger into a compact size.
2. Background Art
In general, a heat exchanger refers to a device in which a flow channel for heat exchange medium so that heat exchange medium exchanges heat with external air while being circulated through the flow channel. The heat exchanger is used in various air conditioning devices, and is employed in various forms such as a fin tube type, a serpentine type, a drawn cup type and a parallel flow type according to various conditions in which it is used.
The heat exchanger has an evaporator using refrigerant as heat exchange medium, which is divided into one-tank, two-tank and four-tank types:
In the one-tank type heat exchanger, tubes formed by coupling two one-tank plates each having a pair of cups formed at one end thereof and a U-shaped channel defined by a partitioning bead disposed therein are laminated alternately with heat radiation fins.
In the two-tank type heat exchanger, tubes formed by coupling two two-tank plates each having cups respectively formed at the top and bottom thereof are laminated alternately with heat radiation fins.
In the four-tank type heat exchanger, tubes formed by coupling two four-tank plates each having cup pairs formed at the top and bottom thereof and two channels divided by a separator are laminated alternately with heat radiation fins.
Hereinafter, for convenience, the one-tank type heat exchanger will be described as an example.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the heat exchanger 1 includes: a plurality of laminated tubes 10 formed by coupling two plates 11, each tube having a pair of cups 14 formed at the top or the top and bottom thereof side by side and respectively having slots 14a and a U-shaped channel 12 for fluidically communicating the tanks 40 defined by a partitioning bead 13 vertically formed between the tanks 40 to a predetermined length; heat radiation fins 50 laminated between the tubes 10; and two-end plates 30 mounted at the outermost sides of the tubes 10 and the radiation fins 50 to reinforce them.
In addition, both plates 11 facing to each other are embossed and so a plurality of inward-projected first beads 15 of the plates 11 are bonded, so that a turbulent flow of refrigerant is formed in the flow channel 12 of the tube 10.
Further, in the each tube 10, the flow channel 12 has refrigerant distributing sections 16 formed on inlet and outlet sides thereof, in which each refrigerant distributing section 16 has a plurality of passageways 16b partitioned by a plurality of second beads 16a so that refrigerant is uniformly distributed into the flow channel 12.
In addition, since the double head plate is substantially same as the single head plate 11 except that two cups are provided in the bottom end of the double head plate, hereinafter only the single head plate 11 having two cups 14 formed on the top end will be illustrated for the sake of convenience.
The tubes 10 also include manifold tubes 20 projecting to sides of the tanks 40, in which one of the manifold tubes 20 has an inlet manifold 21 connected with an inlet pipe 2 for introducing refrigerant and manifold tubes 20a projecting to the other sides of the tanks 40, in which one of the manifold tubes 20a has an outlet manifold 21a connected with an outlet pipe 3 for discharging refrigerant.
The manifolds 21 and 21a are constructed of a circular pipe type formed by contacting two manifold plates respectively having semi-circular manifolds 21 and 21a. The manifolds 21 and 21a are combined with the inlet pipe 2 and the outlet pipe 3 by a brazing material of a ring type, and then, the manifolds 21 and 21a, the inlet pipe 2 and the outlet pipe 3 are combined with one another by brazing.
Moreover, the manifold tubes 20 and 20a are the same as the tubes 10 except the manifolds 21 and 21a.
As described above, referring to FIG. 1, a flow of refrigerant inside the heat exchanger 1 will be described as follows.
The tanks 40 having the inlet manifold 21 and the outlet manifold 21a of the refrigerant further include baffles 60 formed therein for partitioning introduced refrigerant and discharge refrigerant from each other.
Therefore, based on the baffles 60, the tanks 40 are divided into an inlet side 4 for introducing refrigerant and an outlet side 5 for discharging refrigerant, the tank 40 of the inlet side 4 is designated as "A" and "B" parts and the tank 40 of the outlet side 5 for discharging refrigerant is designated as "C" and "D" parts in the drawing.
When being introduced through the inlet side manifold 21, refrigerant is uniformly distributed in the A part of the tank 40 and flows along the U-shaped flow channels 12 of the tubes 10 and 20. In succession, refrigerant is introduced into the B part of the adjacent tank 40, and then flows into the C part of the same tank 40. Refrigerant flows again along the U-shaped flow channels 12 of the tubes 10 and 20a, and then, is introduced into the D part of the tank 40 having the outlet manifold 21a to be finally discharged to the outside.
During the process that refrigerant circulating inside a cooling system along a refrigerant line is introduced and discharged, the heat exchanger 1 exchanges heat with the air blown between the tubes 10, 20 and 20a and evaporates refrigerant, whereby the air blown out to the inside of the automobile is cooled by a heat absorption action via evaporation latent heat of refrigerant.
Recently, with a compact and small-size oriented trend of the heat exchanger 1, the heat exchanger 1 has to be provided with structure and performance satisfying high efficiency and low refrigerant pressure drop. Particularly, in case of the refrigerant pressure drop, since the heat exchanger 1 is gradually narrowed, if the heat exchanger 1 is manufactured by plates of the existing form, it may cause increase in work of the compressor (not shown) and decrease of system efficiency due to high refrigerant pressure drop.
That is, the prior art heat exchanger includes the first beads 15 formed at regular intervals along the flow channels 12 and bonded with each other to enhance heating efficiency and secure durability of the heat exchanger 1, and the refrigerant distributing sections 16 having the second beads 16a formed at regular intervals to uniformly distribute refrigerant stored in the tank 40 to the flow channels 12 and securing durability.
However, like the prior art plate 11, if the first beads 15 and the second beads 16a formed on the refrigerant distributing sections 16 are formed at regular intervals symmetrically, as shown in FIG. 4, refrigerant may form ununiform flow distribution, and thereby, a heat radiation amount and a heat exchange efficiency are reduced, and so, it is difficult to miniaturize the heat exchanger into a compact size.
That is, in FIG. 4, a red color indicates a part where refrigerant of great flux flows fast, and a green color indicates a part where refrigerant of small flux flows slowly.
Therefore, when we see the whole flow of the plate, the plate 11 has another problem in that refrigerant flux is small at the center in a width (lateral) direction and high at both sides, and when we see the just flow of the refrigerant distributing section, there is a problem in that refrigerant of great flux flows at the center of the refrigerant distributing sections 16 but refrigerant of small flux flows ununiformly since the speed of refrigerant current is gradually slower toward both sides of the refrigerant distributing sections 16.
Furthermore, the plate 11 has another problem in that refrigerant of great flux flows and is crowded when refrigerant is more distant from the refrigerant distributing sections 16 in a longitudinal (vertical) direction of the plate 11.
As described above, the prior art plate 11 generally shows the ununiform refrigerant flow distribution in all directions.


In a liquid-discharging apparatus, the work volume of a cleaning roller of a liquid-discharging head and the work volume of a waste-liquid receiver of a head cap are displayed. A dot array or a dot is formed by discharging a predetermined liquid from a plurality of liquid-discharging nozzles provided on a nozzle surface of the liquid-discharging head. The liquid-discharging apparatus includes a roller-wiping-count storage unit for storing the accumulated work volume of the cleaning roller during a period from the beginning of use to the present time, an idle-discharging-count storage unit for storing the accumulated work volume of the waste-liquid receiver during the period, and an information output unit that receives the work volumes from the storage units, and that outputs both of or the higher one of the work volumes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid-discharging apparatus that forms dot arrays or dots by discharging a predetermined liquid from liquid-discharging nozzles provided in a liquid-discharging head.
2. Description of the Related Art
In known serial-head ink-jet printers, a print head having a size shorter than the print width of recording paper performs printing while moving from side to side. In this case, in order to prevent printing failure due to clogging of ink-discharging nozzles, idle discharging of ink is performed in a state in which the print head is positioned at a waste-ink receiver provided outwardly separate from the recording paper, and nozzle cleaning is performed by absorbing ink in a state in which the print head is positioned at an ink-absorbing mechanism provided in a head cap outwardly separate from the recording paper.
It is relatively easy to do nozzle cleaning in the serial-head ink-jet printers in which printing is performed by the print head that is reciprocally moving from side to side. Even when idle discharging into the waste-ink receiver is performed, the amount of discharged ink is small and the ink naturally dries because the print head has a small number of nozzles. Accordingly, the user does not need to replace the waste-ink receiver at appropriate intervals of use.
In recent years, full-line print heads have been provided which extend long along the width of one side of a recording sheet (e.g., A4-size sheet). In such full-line print heads, arrays of ink-discharging nozzles are arranged in a length substantially equal to the print width of the recording sheet. Therefore, when idle discharging into the waste-ink receiver is performed in order to prevent print failure due to the clogging of the ink-discharging nozzles, the amount of discharged ink is larger than that in the serial heads, and the user sometimes needs to replace the waste-ink receiver at appropriate intervals of use.
In this case, it is necessary to inform the user as to the timing of replacement of the waste-ink receiver. A technique of giving such information is proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 2755791 (page 1, FIG. 5). In this publication, the accumulated number of operations of forcibly discharging a predetermined amount of ink from the ink-discharging nozzles during a discharging recovery process is counted and stored beforehand, and it is determined whether the waste-ink receiver can receive more ink before a new discharging recovery process is performed. When it is determined that the waste-ink receiver cannot receive more ink, a warning to replace the waste-ink receiver is given.
In the technique disclosed in the above publication, the number of ink discharging operations in every discharging recovery process is counted, the accumulated number is stored, and it is determined whether the waste-ink receiver can receive ink discharged in the next recovery process, on the basis of the stored accumulated number. However, this technique is not applicable to a print head which also includes a cleaning member that wipes (absorbs) ink while moving on the nozzle surface, and in which the amount of ink absorbed by the cleaning member is detected, and the timing of replacement of the cleaning member is determined by the accumulated amount of absorbed ink. Therefore, in a print head having both a waste-ink receiver and a cleaning member, it is sometimes impossible to properly determine the timings of replacement of the discharged-receiver and the cleaning member during the use.


A spray applied building construction coating material forms a waterproofing, water vapor permeable, air barrier, building wrap coating layer between an exterior facing surface of a building sheathing layer and an interior facing surface of an exterior building cladding layer. A building construction assembly is formed by spray coating the exterior surface of the sheathing layer with the coating material or by spray coating gaps in the sheathing layer with the coating material and spray coating the exterior surface of the sheathing layer and previously coated gaps in the sheathing layer with a second coat of the coating material and applying an exterior cladding layer over the coating layer(s). For most applications, the coating material is formulated or includes additives whereby it solidifies on the sheathing to form a coating layer that has an exterior facing, textured surface. This exterior facing, textured surface provides passages between the exterior facing surface of the coating layer and an interior facing surface of the exterior cladding layer for draining water from between and permitting air flow between the exterior facing surface of the coating layer and the interior facing surface of the exterior cladding layer.

The subject invention relates to a spray applied building construction coating material that forms a waterproofing, water resistant, water vapor permeable, air barrier, building wrap coating layer (i.e. a weather resistive barrier) between an exterior facing surface of a building sheathing layer and an interior facing surface of an exterior building cladding layer; to a spray applied building wrap; and to a building construction assembly formed by spray applying the coating material onto the sheathing, allowing the coating material to solidify to form a building wrap coating layer on the sheathing, and applying an exterior cladding layer over the building wrap coating layer. For many applications, it is preferable that the coating material solidify to form a building wrap coating layer with a textured exterior facing surface that provides passages between the exterior facing surface of the building wrap coating layer and an interior facing surface of the exterior cladding layer for draining water from between and permitting air flow between the exterior facing surface of the building wrap coating layer and the interior facing surface of the exterior cladding layer.
In current building construction weather resistive barriers providing some level of waterproofing, water vapor permeability, and air passage impedance (commonly referred to in the industry as building wraps) are frequently used between the exterior sheathing layer of the exterior wall and the exterior cladding layer of the exterior wall. The exterior sheathing layer is located on and secured the exterior side of the load-bearing framing members of the exterior wall. A major function of the building wrap is to prevent or minimize the intrusion of moisture into the exterior sheathing layer of the exterior wall, the framing members of the exterior wall, the insulation within the exterior wall, and the interior sheathing layer of the exterior wall. The exterior sheathing layer is normally formed of plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), foam insulation sheathing, nonwoven glass mat faced gypsum sheathing board, or other conventional sheathing materials commonly used in the construction industry and the exterior cladding layer is normally formed of brick, concrete blocks, reinforced concrete, stone, vinyl siding, fiber cement board, clapboard, or other conventional exterior siding materials commonly used in the construction industry. There are two basic forms of building wrap. The most common form of building wrap is a sheet building wrap and the less common form of building wrap is a spray applied building wrap.
Sheet building wraps are exemplified by Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0040091 A1, Bletsos et al, published on Feb. 23, 2006 and Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0051560 A1, McKenna et al, published on Mar. 9, 2006. Where moisture penetrates through the exterior cladding layer of an exterior wall to the building wrap layer, the presence of moisture on the surface of the building wrap layer can promote the growth of fungi and molds within the exterior wall. The building wrap of the McKenna et al patent application is embossed to form "drip channels or drainage channels" and promote moisture drainage from within an exterior wall to reduce the possibility of fungi or mold growth within an exterior wall due to the retention of moisture within the exterior wall. The utilization of these sheet building wraps as waterproofing, water vapor permeable, air barriers in exterior walls is not without its problems. The performance of the sheet building wrap layers formed by these sheet building wraps can be significantly degraded from any one or more of the following causes: the sheet building wraps of the sheet building wrap layer can become torn during application, adjacent sheet building wraps of the sheet building wrap layer can come apart at the seams between the sheets, and staples or other mechanical fasteners used to secure the sheet building wraps to the sheathing to form the sheet building wrap layer can create holes in the sheet building wraps that often enlarge, especially in windy conditions. In extreme weather conditions, large sections of the sheet building wraps often tear loose. To effectively form an air barrier, these sheet building wrap products must have all seams taped and the tops (roof side) and bottoms (foundation side) of the sheet products secured to the building with air sealing caulk, mastic, or tape. Without this level of detailed sealing the air barrier performance of the sheet building wrap layers formed with these sheet products is significantly less effective.
The ability of a building wrap to provide water drainage and an air wash is particularly important when the exterior cladding is a reservoir cladding (i.e. when it rains, the cladding gets wet and absorbs water). When the sun comes out after the rain has saturated the cladding, the heat of the sun drives some of the absorbed water out through the exterior side of the cladding, but the sun also drives a significant amount of the absorbed water into the cladding and out through the inner side of the cladding. This is especially common in porous cladding materials such as brick. Most cladding materials permit some amount of absorbed water to pass out through the inner side of the cladding material through various mechanisms. The two most common mechanisms functioning to pass water out through the inner side of the claddings are wind driven rain that penetrates through cracks and seams in the claddings and the claddings functioning as reservoirs.
Spray applied building wraps are exemplified by Sto Guard® spray applied building wrap marketed by Sto Corp. of Atlanta, Ga. and by Henry® Air-Bloc 31, Henry® Air-Bloc 33, and Henry® Blueskin® Breather marketed by Henry Company of Huntington Park, Calif. These spray applied building wraps are formed by spray applying a liquid that dries (solidifies) to form a waterproofing, water vapor permeable, air barrier coating layer, such as a liquid emulsion utilized by the Henry Company that solidifies into a rubberized (elastomeric) membrane. The use of spray applied building wraps rather than sheet building wraps to form a building wrap layer eliminates many of the problems associated with the use of sheet building wraps, such as those problems caused by sheet tears, seam separation, and fastener penetration and the formation of building wraps. In addition, the spray application of spray applied building wraps is relatively fast, easy, and does not require the use of highly skilled labor. However, these spray applied building wraps do not provide drip or drainage channels to promote moisture drainage from within an exterior wall to reduce the possibility of fungi or mold growth within an exterior wall due to the retention of moisture within the exterior wall.

Spray applied building wrap coating material, spray applied building wrap, and building construction assembly


An adjustable vehicle seat (1) has an inclinable seat part (2). Front and rear bearings (7, 5) have upper ends pivotably connected to front and rear areas of the seat part (2) and having lower ends mounted pivotably in bearings (7, 5) in floor rails (10). The front bearings (7) have an adjustable length for changing an inclination of the seat part (2). First additional links (11) are mounted pivotably about a first axis (G2) in the seat part (2). Second additional links (12) have lower ends mounted pivotably in the rails (10) and upper parts connected pivotably to the first additional link (11) at a second axis (G6) spaced from the first axis (G2). An inclinable backrest (3) is mounted pivotably in the first additional link (11).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an adjustable vehicle seat.
2. Description of the Related Art
An adjustable vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, has an inclinable seat part and an inclinable backrest mounted to the seat part. The seat part is mounted pivotably in bearings at the front and rear adjacent to remote sides of the seat part. The bearings are mounted pivotably in the vehicle floor or rails for longitudinally adjusting the vehicle seat. The front or rear bearings can be adjusted by adjusting means so that the spacing of the pivot axes of the respective bearing and the inclination of the seat part change.
Vehicle seats, such as those of passenger vehicles, have diverse adjustment options. For example, the height, longitudinal position, inclination and/or depth of the seat and the inclination of the backrest can be adjusted.
Vehicle seats with a "parallelogram-type height adjustment" can adjust the inclination and the height of the seat part at the same time by designing the bearings of the height adjustment means as links.
EP 0 445 528 A2 discloses an adjustable vehicle seat of the type mentioned above. The vehicle seat has a seat support with the function of the seat part described above. The seat part is mounted pivotably in the links. A posterior and thigh rest which is mounted pivotably in the seat supports adjacent to the backrest and is intended for the seat user. Toggle levers are mounted pivotably in the seat rails of the vehicle seat at positions in front of the seat supports, with respect to the customary direction of travel. The toggle levers are mounted at their ends facing away from the seat rails in a pivotable manner in the posterior and thigh rest in front of the seat supports. Thus an independent adjustment of the inclination of the posterior and thigh rest with respect to the seat supports. A backrest is mounted in the rear end of the seat supports in the region of the rear ends thereof. In this case, an articulated fitting for adjusting the angle of the backrest in relation to the seat supports can be provided.
The known vehicle seat disadvantageously has a structurally highly complicated design with the diverse links for adjusting the inclination of the seat supports and of the posterior and thigh rest. Furthermore, an adjustment of the inclination of the seat supports causes a corresponding adjustment of the inclination of the backrest, but no compensation for the adjustment of the backrest to the effect that the backrest has an unchanged inclination with respect to the floor of the vehicle so that the vehicle seat user can substantially retain the leaning inclination of his back when the position of the posterior and thigh rest changes.
Adjustable vehicle seats for motor vehicles also are known from EP 0 594 526 A1, DE 197 54 962 C1, DE 101 46 144 A1 and DE 42 28 849 C1.
It is an object of the present invention to develop a structurally and kinematically simple adjustable vehicle seat of the type mentioned above where an adjustment of the inclination of the seat part leaves the angle of inclination of the backrest relative to the vehicle floor substantially unchanged.

Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft


First fluorescence diagnostic information reflecting a first characteristic value obtained on the basis of first fluorescence information on fluorescence emitted from an object part exposed to first stimulating light is output. Second fluorescence diagnostic information reflecting a second characteristic value obtained on the basis of second fluorescence information on fluorescence emitted from an object part exposed to second stimulating light is output. The wavelength of the first stimulating light is such that when the first stimulating light is projected onto clean object parts different in properties, different first characteristic values are obtained from the different object parts, and the wavelength of the second stimulating light is such that when the second stimulating light is projected onto a clean object part and an unclean object part, different second characteristic values are obtained from the clean object part and the unclean object part.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for generating fluorescence diagnostic information reflecting properties of tissue of an object part on the basis of fluorescence emitted from the object part.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has been proposed a fluorescence diagnostic information generating apparatus which projects stimulating light of a predetermined wavelength onto an object part such as an organic body and outputs fluorescence diagnostic information such as a fluorescence diagnostic image representing properties of tissue of the object part on the basis of fluorescence emitted from the object part. Such fluorescence diagnostic information generating apparatuses can be divided into those which output fluorescence diagnostic information on the basis of fluorescence emitted from the object part which has been caused to absorb a fluorescence agent and those which output fluorescence diagnostic information on the basis of autofluorescence emitted from the object part itself without use of a fluorescence agent. In this specification, the fluorescence emitted from the object part which has been caused to absorb a fluorescence agent will be sometimes referred to as "the agent fluorescence" and the fluorescence diagnostic information generating apparatus of the former type will be sometimes referred to as "the agent fluorescence diagnostic information generating apparatus", hereinbelow. Whereas, the fluorescence diagnostic information generating apparatus of the latter type will be sometimes referred to as "the autofluorescence diagnostic information generating apparatus", hereinbelow. The fluorescence diagnostic information generating apparatus is generally incorporated in an endoscope which is inserted into a body cavity, a colposcope, a surgical microscope or the like.
For example, the fluorescence diagnostic information generating apparatus includes an apparatus which outputs a fluorescence diagnostic image on the basis of the intensity of fluorescence emitted from an organic tissue which has been exposed to stimulating light. As shown in FIG. 13, the intensity of fluorescence emitted from a diseased tissue is lower than that of fluorescence emitted from a normal tissue. Accordingly, normal tissues can be distinguished from diseased tissues on the basis of fluorescence diagnostic image based on the intensity of fluorescence.
In the case where the fluorescence diagnostic information generating apparatus is incorporated in an endoscope, the distance between the stimulating light source and the object part cannot be uniform due to the protruding portions and the recessed portions of the object part and the illuminance of the stimulating light at the surface of the object part cannot be uniform. Generally intensity of fluorescence emitted from a normal tissue is proportional to the illuminance of the stimulating light, and the illuminance of the stimulating light reduces in inverse proportion to the square of the distance. Accordingly, fluorescence emitted from a diseased tissue at a smaller distance from the stimulating light source can be higher in intensity than that emitted from a normal tissue at a larger distance from the stimulating light source, and judgment on the properties of the object tissue solely on the basis of the intensity of fluorescence can result in an erroneous judgment.
In order to avoid such an erroneous judgment, there has been proposed a fluorescence diagnostic information generating apparatus which outputs the fluorescence diagnostic information on the basis of the yield of fluorescence which is a value based on the ratio of the intensity of the stimulating light which the object part receives to the intensity of fluorescence emitted from the object part and does not depend upon the distance or the angle at which the stimulating light is projected onto the object part.
However, since the stimulating light in an ultraviolet region to a visible region is absorbed in different amounts by different substances of the object part, the intensity distribution of the stimulating light projected onto the object part cannot be accurately measured by measuring the intensity distribution of the reflected stimulating light, and accordingly, it has been difficult to obtain the yield of fluorescence on the basis of the intensity distribution of the reflected stimulating light.
As a method of obtaining the yield of fluorescence (or a value reflecting the yield of fluorescence), there has been proposed a method in which near-infrared light which undergoes more uniform absorption as compared with the stimulating light in an ultraviolet region to a visible region is projected onto the object part as reference light, and the value obtained by dividing the intensity of fluorescence by the intensity of the reflected near-infrared light is employed as a value reflecting the yield of fluorescence. That is, by obtaining the value reflecting the yield of fluorescence, terms representing the intensity of fluorescence depending upon the distance between the stimulating light source and the object part and/or the distance between the fluorescence receiving portion and the object part are cancelled.
Further, the shape of spectrum of fluorescence emitted from a normal tissue differs from that of fluorescence emitted from a diseased tissue as shown in FIG. 13. A fluorescence diagnostic information generating apparatus based on the difference has been developed. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6(1994)-54792, there is proposed an apparatus which outputs fluorescence diagnostic information on the basis of a G/R ratio, the ratio of the intensity of fluorescence in a green wavelength band to the intensity of fluorescence in a red wavelength band.
Further, we, this applicant, have proposed, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10(1998)-225436, an apparatus which outputs fluorescence diagnostic information reflecting a normalized intensity of fluorescence, an intensity of narrow wavelength band light from the object part normalized by an intensity of broad wavelength band light from the object part. In the apparatus, image data in a narrow wavelength band near 480 nm and image data in a broad wavelength band from near 430 nm to near 730 nm are obtained and a normalized intensity of fluorescence is obtained by dividing the values of pixels in the image data in the narrow wavelength band by the values of pixels in the image data in the broad wavelength band. Then a pseudo-color image based on the normalized intensity of fluorescence, for instance, a color image in which color changes from green to red as the normalized intensity of fluorescence is reduced, is output as a fluorescence diagnostic image. That is, by obtaining the normalized intensity of fluorescence, terms representing the intensity of fluorescence depending upon the distance between the stimulating light source and the object part and/or the distance between the fluorescence receiving portion and the object part are cancelled, a fluorescence diagnostic image based on solely values reflecting the difference in fluorescence spectrum can be output.
The object tissue is sometimes stained with disturbance factors such as blood, mucus, digestive fluid, saliva, foam, residue and the like. When an organic tissue stained with such a disturbance factor (will be referred to as "unclean tissue", hereinbelow) is exposed to the stimulating light, the disturbance factor also emits fluorescence. Fluorescence emitted from an unclean tissue is sometimes confusing with fluorescence emitted from a diseased tissue in the normalized intensity of fluorescence and/or the yield of fluorescence.
Generation of fluorescence diagnostic image on the basis of the normalized intensity of fluorescence will be described, hereinbelow, by way of example. FIG. 14 is a view showing the shapes of spectra of fluorescences emitted from a clean normal tissue (the dotted line), a clean diseased tissue (the chained line) and an unclean tissue (the solid line) upon exposure to stimulating light of 410 nm, wherein the intensity of fluorescence is normalized so that the integrated value becomes 1.
In the case where image data in a narrow wavelength band near 480 nm and image data in a broad wavelength band from near 430 nm to near 730 nm are obtained, a normalized intensity of fluorescence is obtained by dividing the values of pixels in the image data in the narrow wavelength band by the values of pixels in the image data in the broad wavelength band, and a pseudo-color image based on the normalized intensity of fluorescence, for instance, a color image in which color changes from green to red as the normalized intensity of fluorescence is reduced, is output as a fluorescence diagnostic image, pseudo-color is generally allocated so that the normalized intensity of fluorescence emitted from the normal tissue is displayed in green and the normalized intensity of fluorescence emitted from the diseased tissue is displayed in red. Generally, normalized intensities of fluorescence not higher than the normalized intensity of fluorescence emitted from the diseased tissue are all displayed in red. Since the normalized intensity of fluorescence emitted from the unclean tissue is generally close to or lower than the normalized intensity of fluorescence emitted from the diseased tissue, the normalized intensity of fluorescence emitted from the unclean tissue is also displayed in red. That is, both the normalized intensity of fluorescence emitted from the diseased tissue and the normalized intensity of fluorescence emitted from the unclean tissue are displayed in red. When the viewer distinguishes normal tissues from diseased tissues on the basis of a fluorescence diagnostic image thus obtained, the viewer can mistake an unclean tissue for a diseased tissue, whereby the tissue-property distinguishing accuracy is deteriorated.
Since many of unclean tissues emit weak fluorescence as a clean diseased tissue, even if the fluorescence diagnostic image is generated on the basis of the intensity of fluorescence or the yield of fluorescence, the viewer can mistake an unclean tissue for a diseased tissue, whereby the tissue-property distinguishing accuracy is deteriorated.

Method of apparatus for generating fluorescence diagnostic information


Methods and systems for ensuring operation of one or more circuit breakers electrically connected on a phase of a multi-phase power line on a transformer electrically connected within a power grid at a substation are disclosed. The method includes detecting, at the transformer, a direct current component of a multi-phase power signal received at the transformer, the direct current component comprising a direct current received at a transformer neutral, the transformer neutral being electrically connected to a ground. The method further includes determining whether the direct current is above a predetermined threshold, the predetermined threshold being based on a determination that, above the predetermined threshold, at least one of the one or more circuit breakers is incapable of reliable operation. The method includes, in response to a determination that the direct current component is above the predetermined threshold, blocking the direct current between the transformer neutral and a ground.

High voltage alternating current (AC) components, such as circuit breakers, may not be able to operate reliably when significant direct current (DC) or quasi-DC is present in transmission lines and/or components in a power grid subsystem, particularly those connected to phases of a power grid transformer. Significant DC in the power grid transmission lines and in large electrical power grid transformers, including auto-transformers, two winding transformers and generator step-up (GSU) transformers, may exist in the event of geomagnetic induced currents (GICs) or electro-magnetic pulse (EMP-E3) induced currents. For example, GICs may be the result of geomagnetic disturbances (GMD) such as geomagnetic storms hitting the Earth caused by charged particle plasmas which are ejected from the sun. Another example may be the result of the explosion of a nuclear device detonated above, or substantially above, the Earth's atmosphere. Both large GIC and large EMP-E3 induced currents can occur during normal system operation during non-fault conditions.
When direct currents, such as GIC or EMP-E3 induced currents, are present in power transmission systems, numerous problems can occur. High voltage breakers may not operate reliably because they may not be able to open the circuit, and therefore the breakers will be unable to protect the power system and its components from damage when adverse conditions are experienced. Accordingly, this may result in an inability to achieve load shedding and/or islanding, or the potential inability to perform other safety-based and/or reliability-based grid operations. Also, harmonics are generated which cause the malfunction of equipment such as relays, damage of equipment such as generator rotors, induced vibration and audible noise in transformers, and excessive VAR (volts-amperes-reactive) power consumption on the power grid.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and system for improved operation of power grid components in the presence of direct current (DC)


Tilting motion of an auxiliary mirror and a dynamically compensating balancer is separated into a component in which they tiltably move with the same phase and a component in which they tiltably move with opposite phases. As these components are processed by using respective stabilizing filters, the auxiliary mirror and the dynamically compensating balancer are allowed to tiltably move with opposite phases.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling the driving of a body in which, in a case where an object body is moved at a high speed and is stopped at an accurate position as in controlling the tilting motion of an auxiliary mirror in a reflecting telescope, controlling an arm in a high-speed robot, or controlling such as a stepper, i.e., an apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor, a compensating body is supported by a support so as to eliminate a reaction force occurring in the support for supporting the object body due to the movement of the body, and the object body and the compensating body are made to undergo motion with opposite phases, thereby allowing the reaction force occurring in the support due to the motion of the object body and the reaction force occurring in the support due to the motion of the compensating body to offset each other, so as to prevent an unnecessary force from being imparted to the support.
In particular, a description will be given of an example in which the apparatus and the method for controlling the driving of a body in accordance with the present invention is applied to an apparatus and a method for controlling the driving of an auxiliary mirror wherein in a case where an image observed with a reflecting telescope includes background noise, an auxiliary mirror which receives incident light from a main mirror is inclined at high speed and with high accuracy to a predetermined angle with respect to a reference plane, so as to eliminate or reduce the background noise.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a celestial body is observed by using a reflecting telescope, an image which is observed usually includes background noise due to the effect of the fluctuation of the atmosphere and the like. A spatial chopping method is known as one of the methods for eliminating or reducing such noise.
The spatial chopping method is a method whereby an image which includes the background noise and an image which includes only the background noise are alternately observed, and a difference between the two images is determined, so as to eliminate or reduce the background noise.
Specifically, in order to alternately observe the image which includes the background noise and the image which includes only the background noise, it is necessary to displace the angle of the auxiliary mirror to a predetermined angle.
The basic principle of displacing the angle of the auxiliary mirror is shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B and FIG. 14. In FIGS. 13A and 13B, reference numeral 10 denotes an auxiliary mirror, which is located inside the telescope.
In addition, in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the dotted line denotes a reference plane which serves as a reference at a time when the angle (inclination) of the auxiliary mirror 10 is measured. Normally, the ground, a main mirror (not shown) fixed inside the reflecting telescope, or the like is set as the reference plane. In addition, when the inclination of the auxiliary mirror 10 is parallel with the reference plane, the angle of the auxiliary mirror 10 is 0.
FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating a state when the angle of the auxiliary mirror 10 is .theta..sub.1, while FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating a state when the angle of the auxiliary mirror 10 is .theta..sub.2.
Further, FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the characteristic of the angle of displacement of the auxiliary mirror 10 with respect to a change over time.
To alternately observe the image which includes the background noise and the image which includes only the background noise, when the angle of the auxiliary mirror 10 is, for instance, .theta..sub.1, after the auxiliary mirror 10 is held at this position for a time duration T.sub.1 sufficient for the observation of the image which includes the background noise, the auxiliary mirror 10 is displaced up to an angle .theta..sub.2 for a time duration T.sub.3. Then, after the auxiliary mirror 10 is held at this position for a time duration T.sub.2 sufficient for the observation of the image which includes only the background noise, the auxiliary mirror 10 is displaced up to the angle .theta..sub.1 for a time duration T.sub.4.
If the image which includes the background noise and the image which includes only the background noise are observed alternately by repeating the above-described operation periodically, and if a difference between the two images is determined, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the background noise which is included during the observation.
As shown in FIG. 14, the change of the angle of displacement of the auxiliary mirror 10 with respect to time exhibits periodicity, and is generally designed such that .theta..sub.1 =-.theta..sub.2, T.sub.1 =T.sub.2, and T.sub.3 =T.sub.4.
Since the position of the celestial body and the fluctuation of the atmosphere change over time, the time required for alternately observing the image which includes the background noise and the image which includes only the background noise should preferably be made as short as possible.
For this reason, the time durations T.sub.3 and T.sub.4 should preferably be made as short as possible.
In addition, there has been a problem in that the background noise cannot be eliminated unless the auxiliary mirror is held accurately at the position of the angle of displacement .theta..sub.1 or .theta..sub.2 without vibrating while the images are being observed.
A conventional apparatus for driving an auxiliary mirror devised to overcome the above-described problem is shown in FIG. 15.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a conventional apparatus for driving an auxiliary mirror which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,352 and was developed for the purpose of tilting and angularly displacing the auxiliary mirror of an optical telescope, though by a very small amount, at high speed and with high accuracy.
In FIG. 15, reference numeral 10 denotes the auxiliary mirror; 11, a dynamically compensating balancer; 50, an actuator for driving the auxiliary mirror 10; 15, a hinge for rotating the auxiliary mirror 10 by a very small amount; 16, a hinge for rotating the dynamically compensating balancer 11 by a very small amount; 12, a mounting base for fixing the auxiliary mirror 10 and the dynamically compensating balancer 11 by means of the hinges 15 and 16; 51, an actuator for driving the dynamically compensating balancer 11; 52, an angle sensor for detecting the angle of the auxiliary mirror 10; and 53, an angle sensor for measuring the angle of the dynamically compensating balancer 11 with respect to the mounting base 12.
Next, a description will be given of the operation.
In a case where the dynamically compensating balancer 11 is not present, when the auxiliary mirror 10 is rotatively driven, the mounting base 12 is swayed in an opposite direction to the rotating direction of the auxiliary mirror 10 owing to its reaction (hereafter, a force occurring in the mounting base 12 due to this reaction will be referred to as a driving reaction force). As a result, the mounting base 12 tilts.
Consequently, the angle between the auxiliary mirror 10 and the mounting base 12 becomes different from that intended by a designer, so that the accuracy of displacement deteriorates.
Accordingly, to avoid the above-described drawback, the dynamically compensating balancer 11 having a shape and mass which are substantially equivalent to those of the auxiliary mirror 10 is conventionally driven with an opposite phase to that of the auxiliary mirror 10, so as to make the mounting base 12 stationary.
That is, the swaying of the mounting base 12 is controlled by designing such that the driving reaction force occurring in the mounting base 12 due to the rotation of the dynamically compensating balancer 11 and the driving reaction force occurring in the mounting base 12 due to the rotation of the auxiliary mirror 10 offset each other.
Specifically, by using servo control or the like capable of providing feedback, the displacement of the rotational angle of the auxiliary mirror 10 is measured by using the angle sensor 52, while the displacement of the rotational angle of the dynamically compensating balancer 11 is measured by using the angle sensor 53. The values measured with the angle sensors 52 and 53 are outputted as signals, and control is provided such that these output signals assume desired values.
FIG. 16 is a block diagram for explaining a method of controlling the above-described apparatus for driving an auxiliary mirror.
In FIG. 16, reference numeral 54 denotes a transfer function which expresses the dynamic characteristic of the auxiliary mirror 10. In the transfer function 54, a torque for driving the auxiliary mirror 10 is used as its input, and the transfer function 54 outputs the angle of the auxiliary mirror 10. Reference numeral 55 denotes a transfer function which expresses the dynamic characteristic of the dynamically compensating balancer 11. In the transfer function 55, a torque for driving the dynamically compensating balancer 11 is used as its input, and the transfer function 55 outputs the angle of the dynamically compensating balancer 11.
Numeral 58 denotes a stabilizing filter for providing control such that the difference between the angle of the auxiliary mirror 10 detected by the angle sensor 52 and an auxiliary-mirror-angle command signal becomes 0. Numeral 56 denotes an actuator driver for calculating the torque to be imparted to the actuator (not shown) for adjusting the angle of the auxiliary mirror 10 on receiving an output from the stabilizing filter 58.
Numeral 59 denotes a stabilizing filter for providing control such that the difference between the angle of the dynamically compensating balancer 11 detected by the angle sensor 53 and a dynamically-compensating-balancer angle command signal becomes 0. Numeral 57 denotes an actuator driver for calculating the torque to be imparted to the actuator (not shown) for adjusting the angle of the dynamically compensating balancer 11 on receiving an output from the stabilizing filter 59.
Next, a description will be given of the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 16.
First, an auxiliary-mirror-angle command signal and a dynamically-compensating-balancer angle command signal are given in order to incline the angles of the auxiliary mirror 10 and the dynamically compensating balancer 11.
The auxiliary-mirror-angle command signal is a signal in which the angle to which the designer intends to incline the auxiliary mirror 10 with respect to the reference plane is converted to a signal, while the dynamically-compensating-balancer angle command signal is a signal in which the angle to which the designer intends to incline the dynamically compensating balancer 11 with respect to the reference plane is converted to a signal. These two command signals are periodical, and are signals whose phases are opposite to each other.
In the auxiliary mirror 10, if the auxiliary-mirror-angle command signal is given thereto, the difference between the same and the angle signal of the auxiliary mirror 10 detected by the angle sensor 52 is calculated, and is transmitted to the stabilizing filter 58.
In the stabilizing filter 58, control is effected such that the difference between the angle signal of the auxiliary mirror 10 and the auxiliary-mirror-angle command signal becomes 0, so that a calculation for correcting the inclination of the auxiliary mirror 10 is made, and the result is transmitted to the actuator driver 56.
Upon receiving the result, on the basis of the result the actuator driver 56 calculates the torque for driving the actuator (not shown) for adjusting the angle of the auxiliary mirror 10, so as to drive the actuator (not shown).
Consequently, the angle of the auxiliary mirror 10 changes, so that the angle is detected by the angle sensor 52, and the above-described control is continued until the difference between the angle signal of the auxiliary mirror 10 and the auxiliary-mirror-angle command signal becomes 0 or assumes a value which can be regarded as 0.
Meanwhile, in the dynamically compensating balancer 11, if the dynamically-compensating-balancer angle command signal is given thereto, the difference between the same and the angle signal of the dynamically compensating balancer 11 detected by the angle sensor 53 is calculated, and is transmitted to the stabilizing filter 59.
In the stabilizing filter 59, control is effected such that the difference between the angle signal of the dynamically compensating balancer 11 and the dynamically-compensating-balancer angle command signal becomes 0, so that a calculation for correcting the inclination of the dynamically compensating balancer 11 is made, and the result is transmitted to the actuator driver 57.
Upon receiving the result, on the basis of the result the actuator driver 57 calculates the torque for driving the actuator (not shown) for adjusting the angle of the dynamically compensating balancer 11, so as to drive the actuator (not shown). Consequently, the angle of the dynamically compensating balancer 11 changes, so that the angle is detected by the angle sensor 53, and the above-described control is continued until the difference between the angle signal of the dynamically compensating balancer 11 and the dynamically-compensating-balancer angle command signal becomes 0 or assumes a value which can be regarded as 0.
By adopting the configuration such as the one shown in FIG. 16, angle command signals whose phases are opposite to each other are given to the auxiliary mirror 10 and the dynamically compensating balancer 11. Hence, the auxiliary mirror 10 and the dynamically compensating balancer 11 are tilted with mutually opposite phases. In addition, since the driving reaction force occurring due to the tilting of the auxiliary mirror 10 and the driving reaction force occurring due to the tilting of the dynamically compensating balancer 11 are identical in magnitude, and their directions are opposite, the driving reaction force ceases to occur in the mounting base 12.
Next, a description will be given of a method for suppressing the deflection of the auxiliary mirror 10 due to its own weight.
If the auxiliary mirror 10 has a large aperture and a large weight, the auxiliary mirror 10 deflects due to its own weight. The manner in which it deflects depends on the inclination of the auxiliary mirror 10.
If the auxiliary mirror 10 has a particularly large aperture and a very large weight, it is necessary to suppress the deflection of the auxiliary mirror 10 due to its own weight.
FIGS. 17A and 17B are cross-sectional views illustrating a mechanism for supporting the auxiliary mirror 10 provided for suppressing the deflection due to the gravity in a conventional auxiliary mirror, as shown in, for instance, Yasumasa Yamashita: "Reflecting Telescope" (University of Tokyo Press, 1992).
Specifically, the auxiliary mirror 10 is segmented into a plurality of blocks, and the weight of each of the blocks themselves is further separated into a component parallel to the auxiliary mirror 10 (a component perpendicular to the optical axis of the auxiliary mirror 10) and a component perpendicular to the auxiliary mirror 10 (a component parallel to the optical axis of auxiliary mirror 10). A supporting mechanism for suppressing the positional deviation due to the weight of the auxiliary mirror 10 itself is provided for each component.
FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation in the direction of the optical axis of the auxiliary mirror 10 (the direction perpendicular to the auxiliary mirror 10), and FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis (the direction parallel to the auxiliary mirror 10).
In FIGS. 17A and 17B, reference numeral 10 denotes the auxiliary mirror; 12 denotes the mounting base for fixing the auxiliary mirror 10; 31 and 32 denote link mechanisms for supporting the load of the auxiliary mirror 10 in the direction of its optical axis; 33 denotes a counter weight for canceling a component, acting in the direction of the optical axis, of the weight of the auxiliary mirror 10 itself; 34 denotes a fulcrum of the link mechanism 31; 41 and 42 denote link mechanisms for supporting the load of the auxiliary mirror 10 in the direction perpendicular to its optical axis; 43 denotes a counter weight for canceling a component, acting in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, of the weight of the auxiliary mirror 10 itself; and 44 denotes a fulcrum of the link mechanism 41.
Next, a description will be given of the operation. In a telescope having a large mirror surface, since the weight of the mirror itself is large, the deformation due to its own weight cannot be ignored. To reduce the deformation due to its own weight, the weight must be supported by being distributed at a multiplicity of supporting points, and a function must be provided whereby its supporting force changes in correspondence with the elevation angle of the telescope.
If it is assumed that the weight of the block itself is W, and the weight of the counter weight 43 itself is Wc when the auxiliary mirror 10 is segmented into a plurality of blocks, FIG. 17A shows that when the elevation angle of the auxiliary mirror 10 is .theta., its component in the optical-axis direction is Wsin.theta., and that the optical-axis component of the force generated by the counter weight 33 and amplified by the link mechanisms 31 and 32 is Wc(s.sub.2 /s.sub.1)sin.theta..
It should be noted that s.sub.1 is the distance from the fulcrum 34 of the link mechanism 31 to the point of application, and s.sub.2 is the distance from the fulcrum 34 to the center of gravity of the counter weight 33.
Consequently, if the dimensions of the link mechanisms and the mass of the counter weight 33 are selected such that the formula W=Wc(s.sub.2 /s.sub.1) is satisfied, it becomes possible to offset the optical-axis-direction component of the weight of the auxiliary mirror itself irrespective of the elevation angle of the telescope. Hence, it becomes possible to suppress the deflection of the auxiliary mirror 10 in the optical-axis direction due to its own weight.
FIG. 17B shows that the component, perpendicular to the optical axis, of the auxiliary mirror 10 is Wcos.theta., and that the component, perpendicular to the optical axis, of the force generated by the counter weight 43 by means of the link mechanisms 41 and 42 is Wc(s.sub.2 /s.sub.1)cos.theta..
It should be noted, however, that s.sub.1 is the distance from the fulcrum 44 of the link mechanism 41 to the point of application, and s.sub.2 is the distance from the fulcrum 44 to the center of gravity of the counter weight 43.
Consequently, for exactly the same reason as that for the optical-axis direction, if the dimensions of the link mechanisms and the mass of the counter weight 43 are selected such that the formula W=Wc(s.sub.2 /s.sub.1) is satisfied, it becomes possible to offset the component, perpendicular to the optical axis, of the weight of the auxiliary mirror itself irrespective of the elevation angle of the telescope. Thus, by disposing a multiplicity of mechanisms, such as those shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, on the auxiliary mirror, it is possible to automatically vary the supporting force without causing the supporting force to be concentrated on a particular point of application and irrespective of the elevation angle of the telescope.
With the above-described apparatus, the vibration of the mounting base 12 becomes a problem. If the mounting base 12 vibrates, it becomes difficult to accurately determine the inclination of the auxiliary mirror 10 and the dynamically compensating balancer 11, and the transition time is prolonged.
In the event that a time lag has occurred between the torques generated by the actuators (not shown) for tilting the auxiliary mirror 10 and the dynamically compensating balancer 11 by imparting torques thereto, the driving reaction force occurring in the mounting base 12 by tilting the auxiliary mirror 10 and the driving reaction force occurring in the mounting base 12 by tilting the dynamically compensating balancer 11 cease to offset each other, possibly swaying the mounting base 12.
In addition, if the angle sensors are installed on the mounting base 12, it means that the detected angle of the auxiliary mirror 10 is the one which is detected from the mounting base, and the auxiliary mirror 10 is controlled in such a manner as to tilt the auxiliary mirror 10 to a designated angle from the mounting base 12.
At this time, the design is made so that the mounting base and the reference plane are located in parallel.
The angle at which the auxiliary mirror 10 is tilted must be controlled in such a way as to be tilted to a designated angle from the reference plane. Therefore, if the inclination of the mounting base and the inclination of the reference plane differ from each other, there is a problem in that the angle cannot be detected adequately when the angle of the auxiliary mirror from the reference plane is detected from the mounting base.
The aforementioned problem will be described with reference to FIG. 18.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the fact that it becomes impossible to control the angle of the auxiliary mirror due to the swaying of the mounting base in a conventional apparatus for controlling the driving of an auxiliary mirror.
In FIG. 18, reference numeral 10 denotes the auxiliary mirror; 11, the dynamically compensating balancer; and 12, the mounting base. The mounting base 12 is disposed in such a manner that the angle of the auxiliary mirror 10 with respect to the mounting base 12 and the angle of the auxiliary mirror 10 with respect to the reference plane are identical.
Reference numeral 13 denotes a supporting structure for supporting the mounting base 12 at the reference plane. Since the supporting structure 13 does not completely fix the mounting base at the reference plane, the mounting base 12 sways in correspondence with the rigidity of the supporting structure 13 if the difference between the driving reaction force occurring in the mounting base 12 due to the tilting of the auxiliary mirror 10 and the driving reaction force occurring in the mounting base 12 due to the tilting of the dynamically compensating balancer 11 becomes excessively large.
As shown in FIG. 18, the motion of the auxiliary mirror 10 and the motion of the dynamically compensating balancer 11 are not completely independent, and have a characteristic that they interfere with each other via the supporting structure which supports them. Although the effect is small in the case of a relatively small-size apparatus for controlling the driving of an auxiliary mirror, the rigidity of the supporting structure relatively declines in the case of a large-size auxiliary mirror, so that the motion of the auxiliary mirror and the dynamically compensating balancer induces the motion of the supporting structure. As a result, the effect of the motion of the two members on changes of their respective angles becomes large.
Reference numeral 52 denotes the angle sensor for detecting the angle of the auxiliary mirror 10, and numeral 53 denotes the angle sensor for detecting the angle of the dynamically compensating balancer 11, the angle sensors 52 and 53 being mounted on the mounting base 12.
In FIG. 18, the mounting base 12 is not completely fixed, and is installed on the ground or the like by means of the supporting structure 13 which has finite rigidity.
In the spatial chopping method, since the auxiliary mirror 10 receives light from the main mirror (not shown) fixed in the reflecting telescope, if the inclination of the main mirror (not shown) is set as the reference plane, it is necessary to adequately control the relative angle between the main mirror (not shown) and the auxiliary mirror.
For this reason, the relative angle between the main mirror (not shown) and the auxiliary mirror 10 is controlled by installing the mounting base 12 in parallel with the inclination of the main mirror (not shown) and by providing the angle sensors on the mounting base 12.
Here, it should be noted that since the angle sensors are provided on the mounting base 12, the angle of displacement between the auxiliary mirror 10 and the dynamically compensating balancer 11 is one which is measured not from the reference plane but from the mounting base 12.
It is assumed that the mounting base 12 is stationary with respect to the reference plane, and that only the actuator (not shown) for adjusting the inclination of the auxiliary mirror 10 is generating torque at this time, thereby rotating the auxiliary mirror 10 clockwise.
The mounting base 12 rotates counterclockwise due to the driving reaction force occurring due to the rotation of the auxiliary mirror 10.
Consequently, the conventional controlling apparatus, which is based on the assumption that the mounting base 12 does not become offset from the reference plane, judges that such a relative displacement has occurred that the dynamically compensating balancer 11 has undergone clockwise rotation, as it were.
Since the control system for controlling the angle of the auxiliary mirror 10 and the angle of the dynamically compensating balancer 11 is configured as shown in FIG. 18, by rotating the dynamically compensating balancer 11 counterclockwise the conventional control system operates in such a manner as to cause the angle of the dynamically compensating balancer to approach the angle designated by the dynamically-compensating-balancer angle command signal.
This force for rotating the dynamically compensating balancer 11 counterclockwise now constitutes a driving reaction force for rotating the mounting base 12 clockwise, so that the control system operates in such a manner as to allow that force to assume a value which designates a relative displacement by rotating the auxiliary mirror 10 clockwise.
In other words, as the mounting base 12 vibrates, if an attempt is made to control either one of the auxiliary mirror 10 or the dynamically compensating balancer 11, an influence is exerted on the other, so that the tilting of the auxiliary mirror 10 and that of the dynamically compensating balancer 11 interfere with each other.
Thus, with the conventional control system, despite the fact that the motion of the auxiliary mirror 10 and that of the dynamically compensating balancer 11 interfere with each other, the control of their angles is respectively provided independently. Hence, there has been a problem in that the vibration of the mounting base 12 cannot be suppressed due to the above-described phenomenon in the case where the mounting base 12 vibrates.
Additionally, since it becomes impossible to maintain the relationship of parallelism between the mounting base 12 and the reference plane due to the swaying of the mounting base 12, there has been a problem in that the reliability of output values of the angle sensors declines, and that the transition time is prolonged.
In addition, the conventional method of supporting an auxiliary mirror of a reflecting telescope makes it possible to provide satisfactory performance in the case of a telescope in which the auxiliary mirror 10 is used by being fixed.
However, with the telescope of the type in which the auxiliary mirror 10 is repeatedly tilted at high speed, wide-band servo control for controlling the displacement of the tilting angle of the auxiliary mirror is indispensable. For that reason, the structure for supporting the auxiliary mirror 10 which is driven must be made rigid.
If the structure for supporting the auxiliary mirror 10 is arranged to be rigid, an excessively large driving force is required for driving the auxiliary mirror 10. Consequently, with the supporting mechanism which is comprised of a multiplicity of small component parts, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the link mechanisms each provided with a counter weight vibrate, so that there has been a problem in that the servo control system causes resonance in the supporting mechanisms.
In addition, in a case where the auxiliary mirror 10 is inclined to a predetermined angle, sensors are required which are capable of accurately measuring a region in the vicinity of the predetermined angle.
If it is assumed that the angles between which the auxiliary mirror 10 is tiltably moved are .theta..sub.1 and .theta..sub.2 (where .theta..sub.1 >.theta..sub.2), the range of measurement by the measuring means should preferably be greater than .theta..sub.1 and smaller than .theta..sub.2.
In other words, requirements of the sensor for measuring the angle are that the measurement range should be wider than the angular range in which the auxiliary mirror 10 is tiltably moved, and that the detection accuracy in the vicinity of the angle at which the auxiliary mirror 10 is held should be high.
However, a wide extent of the measurement range and a high level of detection accuracy are generally in a reciprocal relationship.
That is, the measurement range and the detection accuracy are in such a relationship that if the measurement range is made wide, the detection accuracy declines, whereas if the detection accuracy is made high, the measurement range becomes narrow.
In addition, even if a multiplicity of sensors respectively having narrow but different detection ranges and high detection accuracy are arranged to detect a wide range, it becomes necessary to correct the positional deviation of heads (not shown) of the multiplicity of sensors. Further, the number of lines or wires of the wiring for transmitting the signals outputted from the individual sensors increases substantially.
Moreover, in a case where the direction of the drive rotation axis of the auxiliary mirror 10 is arbitrarily changeable, the auxiliary mirror 10 can be tilted in various directions.
In this case, as the direction of the rotation axis changes, the distance from the drive rotation axis of the auxiliary mirror 10 to the angle sensor changes. Hence, if the direction of the rotation axis changes, both its detection range and a region which is to be detected with high accuracy also change simultaneously even in the case of the same angle sensor.
Accordingly, the region of angles for which high detection accuracy is required also changes, so that it is not effective to install an angle sensor having high detection accuracy by being offset in advance from a neutral position.
Namely, with the conventional angle sensors for detecting the angle of the auxiliary mirror 10, only either an angle sensor having high detection accuracy or an angle sensor having a wide measurement range is used, so that there has been a drawback in that either the high level of detection accuracy or the wide extent of the measurement range must be sacrificed.

Method and apparatus for controlling the driving of a body


An ECU executes a program including the steps of determining a first value as a detection error when such specific conditions that a most recent IG OFF time period is equal to or longer than a predetermined time period, that motor running has continued since start of running, that a time period of running is equal to or shorter than a predetermined time period, that a square value of a current during running is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, that a temperature at the time of start of running is within a predetermined range, and that a temperature of an atmosphere is within a predetermined range are satisfied, determining a second value as a detection error when the specific conditions are not satisfied, estimating SOC by using the determined detection error, and controlling drive based on the estimated SOC.

In recent years, a hybrid car, a fuel cell car, an electric car, and the like which run with driving force from a motor have attracted attention as one of measures for addressing environmental issues. Such a vehicle is equipped with a power storage device, and a state of charge of a power storage device should accurately be estimated in order to sufficiently exhibit performance of the power storage device.
In view of such issues, for example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-331482 discloses a state of charge operation device for accurately finding a state of charge while continuing operation of a state of charge with minimum necessary accuracy even though data cannot normally be obtained, to thereby suppress influence on a control system to the minimum. This state of charge operation device includes first operation means for operating a first state of charge based on a sum value of charging and discharging currents of a power storage device, second operation means for operating a second state of charge based on an open-circuit voltage estimated from internal impedance of the power storage device, third operation means for operating a state of charge of the power storage device by weighting and combining the first state of charge and the second state of charge by using a weight set in accordance with a state of use of the power storage device, first abnormal condition processing means for stopping operation by the second operation means and fixing a weight value such that the combined value in the third operation means is set to the first state of charge when voltage data of the power storage device cannot normally be obtained, second abnormal condition processing means for stopping operation by the first operation means and fixing a weight value such that the combined value in the third operation means is set to the second state of charge when current data of the power storage device cannot normally be obtained, and third abnormal condition processing means for estimating, when temperature data of the power storage device cannot normally be obtained, a temperature from the calculated internal impedance based on a voltage of the power storage device and the charging and discharging currents and adopting this estimated temperature as an operation parameter in the first operation means and the second operation means.
According to the state of charge operation device disclosed in the literature described above, a state of charge can accurately be found by making use of both advantages of a state of charge based on a sum of currents and a state of charge based on an open-circuit voltage, and in addition, even though an abnormal condition occurs in any system for measuring a voltage, a current, and a temperature and data cannot normally be obtained, operation of a state of charge can be continued with minimum necessary accuracy and influence on a control system can be suppressed to the minimum.

Vehicle control device and vehicle control method


A document printer is provided comprising a printer housing, a user interface and an internal printer controller positioned within the printer housing. The internal printer controller is programmed to designate a document format according to a format command entered at the user interface. A data stream input port is in communication with the internal printer controller and is operative to receive a data stream. A document construction module is in communication with the internal printer controller. The document construction module enables the internal printer controller to (i) extract predetermined data fields from the data stream according to the designated document format and (ii) convert the extracted data fields to document data. A document data printing mechanism is responsive to the internal printer controller and is operative to print the document data in the designated document format. The format command may comprise a specification of a format identity or a specification of an automatic document format selection mode.

The present invention relates to document printing and, more particularly, to a document printer wherein the capability of the printer's internal controller is enhanced through the addition of a document construction module and through the provision of improved document printing software. The document construction module and the improved printing software enable extraction of appropriate data fields from a data stream transmitted to the printer from a host. Data fields are extracted according to the identity of a specified or designated document data format and the extracted data fields are converted to document data for reproduction on a printed document.
Conventional label printing systems include a thermal or laser printer and a host computer which produces a data stream. The host, e.g. a personal computer, a minicomputer, or a mainframe, must be controlled, configured and/or programmed to communicate properly with the printer. For example, in the printing apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,333, issued to Tanaka, a host computer in communication with a printer is controlled so as to transfer only specific types of data to the printer during specified time periods. Similarly, in the printing apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,245, issued to Oguri et al., the host is programmed or controlled such that an instruction to change forms is intermittently inserted into the host data stream to cause the printer to produce a new form type. It is also necessary to ensure that the instruction to change forms is one which is recognized by the printer as a change form instruction.
The Standard Register Company of Dayton, Ohio, has introduced LABEL-LINKUP.RTM. as a means of avoiding reprogramming, reconfiguration, control, or other interference with the operations of the host computer and the content of the host data stream. The LABEL-LINKUP.RTM. system requires the connection of a controller comprising a keyboard, monitor, hard drive, etc., between the host and the document printer. Label appearance and printing operations can be changed without modifying the operating characteristics of the host by utilizing the LABEL-LINKUP.RTM. system. However, the LABEL-LINKUP.RTM. controller must remain connected between the host and the printer to continue printing operations and, consequently, a LABEL-LINKUP.RTM. controller must be provided at each printing location.
Accordingly, there is a need for a document printer and a document printing system for producing a variety of document formats from a host originated data stream wherein it is not necessary to control, reconfigure, or reprogram the host system or pass the data stream through a peripheral printing controller.

Printer with internal document data construction


An electrical connector assembly includes a housing that has an insert and an organizer separate from, and coupled to, the insert. The insert and the organizer have insert openings and organizer openings aligned with corresponding insert openings. The organizer openings have a smaller diameter than the insert openings and the insert openings have a lip that extends into the insert opening. Electrical connectors are received in the housing that have shells and include clips surrounding corresponding shells. The clips engage the lips of the insert openings for securing the electrical connectors in the insert openings. The organizer openings circumferentially surround the shells and restrict lateral movement of the electrical connectors.

The subject matter herein relates generally to electrical connector assemblies, and more particularly to RF connectors.
Due to their favorable electrical characteristics, coaxial cables and connectors have grown in popularity for interconnecting electronic devices and peripheral systems. Typically, one connector is mounted to a circuit board of an electronic device at an input/output port of the device and extends through an exterior housing of the device for connection with a coaxial cable connector. The connectors include an inner conductor coaxially disposed within an outer conductor, with a dielectric material separating the inner and outer conductors.
A typical application utilizing coaxial cable connectors is a radio-frequency (RF) application having RF connectors designed to work at radio frequencies in the UHF and/or VHF range. RF connectors are typically used with coaxial cables and are designed to maintain the shielding that the coaxial design offers. RF connectors are typically designed to minimize the change in transmission line impedance at the connection by utilizing contacts that have a short contact length. The connectors have a short mating distance and, particularly when using multiple connectors in a single insert, typically include a pre-compressed spring to ensure the connectors are pushed forward and the contacts are engaged.
Known RF connectors having springs are not without disadvantages. For instance, known connectors not only allow compression along the axial direction of the connector, but also in lateral directions as well. During mating, the contact axes of the connectors may not be properly aligned with one another due to the lateral movement of the connectors. The spring thus forces the connector in an undesired direction and may cause damage to the contacts. Additionally, when both connectors are tilted off-center, there is a greater chance that the contacts are not properly aligned and may be damaged during mating.
A need remains for a connector assembly that may be manufactured in a cost effective and reliable manner. A need remains for a connector assembly that may be mated in a safe and reliable manner.


In a voice mode, when a shutter button of a camera is fully depressed, first and second switches are turned ON, recording of voice starts. The shutter button is released. When the shutter button is half depressed after the shutter button is released the recording of the voice is stopped. Since the recording of voice is performed between when the shutter button is released and when it is depressed half, no mechanical sound is recorded.

1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a camera and a computer program. The camera is such that it can record at least voice.
2) Description of the Related Art
The present day digital cameras can record voice and moving images in addition to still images. Almost all the cameras, including the digital cameras, are provided with a shutter button. In digital still cameras, the start and the end of the recording are controlled by operating the shutter button. Generally, the recording is started when the shutter button is pressed once and recording is stopped when the shutter button is pressed once more. In addition, the shutter button is normally coupled with a first switch which starts auto-focusing (AF) and auto-photometry (AE) and a second switch which starts the actual recording. An arrangement is made such that the first switch is turned on when even a weaker force is applied to the shutter button and the second switch is turned on with a force stronger than at which the first switch is turned on.
However, when the shutter button is pressed for recording the voice (or moving images), a mechanical sound produced due to the operation of the second switch disadvantageously gets recorded. Moreover, since the second switch can only be operated when the shutter button is pressed with stronger force, the camera gets a shake.
The problem that the mechanical sound gets recorded can be solved by deleting the data recoded at the end of the recording, when the recording is stopped. However, this technique requires a complicated processing to be performed. As thee data is generally recorded in an external recording medium, a control to read the data, delete and edit the data is required. If moving images are recorded along with the voice, then a control to read the corresponding images, delete or edit the images is also required.
A different technique to solve the problem of mechanical sound disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-293156 will be explained here. There are provided a voice collection unit that collects voice, a recording unit that records the voice, and a muffing unit that generates and superimposes a sound that cancels the mechanical sound on the voice collected. Thus, in this technique, the mechanical sound is deleted using a sound generated. However, this technique has a disadvantage that a means that generates the sound that cancels the mechanical sound is required. This increases the cost and also makes the configuration complicated.


Process of molding a container in a contamination-controlled environment (102) starting from a parison (20) made of plastic material, comprising the steps of: injecting air into the parison (20) at the maximum pressure of 16 bar and subsequently, at the maximum pressure of 40 bar in such a way as to obtain the container; discharging the air from the parison or from the container (20) externally of the contamination-controlled environment (102) until the air pressure inside the container (20) reaches a predetermined value comprised between 0.5 bar and 3 bar; completing the discharge of the air from the container (20) towards the contamination-controlled environment (102).

The present invention relates to a circuit for exhausting air from a parison, a system for supplying and exhausting air from a parison and an aseptic moulding process using said circuit and said system. In particular, the invention has application in the field of moulding containers made of plastic material, such as PET bottles, under aseptic conditions.
For the sake of clarity, the stretch-blowing process for moulding containers made of plastic material starting from heated parisons is briefly summarised below.
The heated parisons are made to advance towards a rotating carousel having a plurality of moulding stations. In each station there is present a mould consisting of two half-moulds which reproduce the shape of the sides of the container to be obtained. At one of the bases of the mould there is an element for shaping the bottom of the container, known in the art as "mould bottom", which engages with the half-moulds to define a moulding cavity. Once the parison has been laterally clamped, the half-moulds are locked in a closed position by mechanical systems. Present at every mould there is also a closure element, called "seal", having the task of hermetically sealing the mouth of the parison on the neck thereof and of delivering pressurised air into the parison itself.
In the initial phase of the moulding process, the seal delivers air into the parison at medium pressure (maximum of about 15 bar). While air is being delivered at medium pressure, a stretching rod is progressively inserted into the parison, until reaching the bottom of the same. After touching the bottom, the stretching rod continues its linear stroke in order to stretch the parison until the latter reaches approximately the length of the container to be obtained.
Subsequently, the seal blows air into the parison at high pressure (maximum of about 40 bar) so as to expand it until it adheres to the inner walls of the half-moulds and of the mould bottom. Simultaneously, the stretching rod retracts until it is outside the container. The air inside the container is maintained at a high pressure for a few moments so as to consolidate the moulding thereof.
The air inside the container is subsequently discharged, again through the seal. At the end of the process of emptying out the air, the seal is moved away from the container. The locking systems disengage from the two half-moulds, which can then be opened, enabling removal of the mould bottom and subsequent extraction of the moulded container.
An important part of the moulding apparatus is the circuit supplying air to be blown into the parison, which circuit is described below.
Situated downstream of the compressor which supplies air at a high pressure (up to about 40 bar) there are filtering means comprising at least a coalescing filter for eliminating aerosols of water and oil and solid particles, and an activated carbon filter for eliminating odours and oil and hydrocarbon vapours. Downstream of the filters, the supply line forks into a medium pressure circuit (maximum of about 15 bar) and a high pressure circuit (maximum of about 40 bar). Aseptic technology further requires the use of HEPA (acronym of "High Efficiency Particulate Air") filters to remove particles of a size exceeding 0.2 μm from the air.
The air at medium pressure and the air at high pressure are delivered to the individual moulding stations by means of a distribution system comprising tubing and a rotating manifold. At each moulding station, near the seal, the presence of a valve assembly is essential in order to:
establish selective communication between the pathway of the air under medium pressure and the parison placed in the closed mould;
establish selective communication between the pathway of the air under high pressure and the parison placed in the closed mould;
enable air to be discharged from the moulded container externally of the mould, passing through a damper.
However, the apparatus and systems described thus far pose a number of problems in the case of use under aseptic conditions.
As is well known, aseptic moulding takes place in an environment that is washable, sterilizable and kept under microbiological contamination control. It is thus fundamental to ensure a correct filtering of the gaseous fluids to be introduced into the controlled environment, correct management of the pressures in the different areas so as to control the path of any unwanted particles, correct monitoring of the environment, and a correct management and adequate quality of the C.I.P. (acronym of "Cleaning In Place") cleaning and S.I.P. (acronym of "Sterilization In Place") sterilization cycles.
To this end, the Applicant has recently developed an aseptic moulding apparatus in which the rotating moulding carousel is protected by an isolator suitable for defining a contamination-controlled environment, whereas the driving means of the carousel and mould are located outside said isolator. For the purpose of adapting to aseptic technology, "ad hoc" solutions have been conceived for the seal and the stretching rod (European patent application no. 10425259, PCT patent application published as WO2011/030183).
However, the problem of obtaining a complete sterilization of the circuit supplying air to be blown into the parison has remained unsolved to date. In fact, while the HEPA filters, tubing and rotating manifold are easily sterilizable, that is not the case with the valve assembly.
In order to prevent the sterilized moving parts of the valves from coming periodically into contact with non-sterilized surfaces, thereby becoming vehicles of contamination, valves have already been developed which are provided with a membrane capable of isolating the supply circuit from the drive circuit (see, for example, document WO2011/042184).
However, there still remains the problem of isolating the line for exhausting air from the parison towards the outside environment. During blowing, this exhaust line would be exposed to contamination originating from the outside environment, and should thus remain closed.
On the other hand, safety and accident prevention regulations require that a compressed air circuit be completely emptied and maintained empty both during maintenance operations and during emergency shutdowns. Therefore, the discharge valve should be normally open. In this context, the technical task at the basis of the present invention is to propose a circuit for exhausting air from a parison, a system for supplying and exhausting air from a parison and an aseptic moulding process using said circuit and said system, which overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Circuit for exhausting air from a parison, system for supplying and exhausting air from a parison and aseptic moulding process using said circuit and said system


An energy expenditure garment includes a body portion and limb portions made of a base fabric and incorporating at least one elastic resistance band which is free of any limb extremity anchor structure. The garment includes structure for retarding slippage of the garment during an exercise while still permitting some degree of slippage.

Various garments have been suggested which involve elastic elements to provide a resistance to an activity which would require the swinging or bending of the arms and/or legs and/or body. Generally, such elastic elements are elastic cords or bands which are separate from the remainder of the garment, but are otherwise attached to the garment or the elastic elements are in the form of elastic panels which are integral with the remainder of the garment. Examples of such garments described in patents are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,109,546, 5,176,600, 5,186,701, 5,201,074, 5,306,222, 5,570,472, 5,700,231, 5,708,976, 5,727,254, 5,737,772, 5,737,773 and 5,745,917. Additional disclosures of such garments are found in various U.S. patent applications, namely, Ser. No. 08/834,887, filed Apr. 7, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,122; Ser. No. 08/840,917, filed Apr. 25, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,842; Ser. No. 08/880,715, filed Jun. 23, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,322; Ser. No. 08/892,669, filed Jul. 14, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,947; Ser. No. 08/922,256, filed Aug. 25, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,826; Ser. No. 08/929,945, filed Sep. 15, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,491 Ser. No. 08/944,517, filed Oct. 6, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,959 Ser. No. 08/962,721, filed Nov. 3, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,058; Ser. No. 08/975,450, filed Nov. 21, 1997, Ser. No. 08/986,521, filed Dec. 8, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,827; and Ser. No. 09/083,830, filed Mar. 12, 1998.
The general approach which has been previously taken is to anchor the elastic elements so as to assure that a resistance is required to stretch the anchored elements, such anchoring is usually in the form of some structure located at the limb extremity such as the wrist/hands and/or feet/ankles.


A method for accessing data in a storage area network is provided. The method initiates with receiving a request for a list of targets on the storage area network. All the targets on the storage area network are exposed to the requestor and authentication requiring a password is requested from the requestor to grant access to the targets on the storage are network. Access to the targets is granted if the password is acceptable, and access to the targets is refused if the password is unacceptable.

Storage routers allow access to logical units via a mapping mechanism. Under this technique, the client's identification is used to determine whether access to a particular logical unit may be granted. This mapping scheme is implemented for each command from a particular client. The mapping technique is required since a single target was provided to a client logging into the system. The target housed zero or more logical units that the client was allowed access to. As the login permitted access to the storage appliance but did not control access to the logical units, the mapping technique was implemented.
Access control using mapping techniques requires the storage appliance to have knowledge of the identity of all clients. As the number of logical units and clients increases, the mapping becomes more complex and less efficient, especially when applied on a per command basis.
As a result, there is a need to solve the problems of the prior art to provide for a more efficient access control technique for a storage appliance.

Controlled discovery of SAN-attached SCSI devices and access control via login authentication

Microsemi Storage Solutions (U.S.), Inc.