Various techniques and tools for chrominance motion vector rounding are described. For example, during motion compensation, a video encoder or decoder converts luminance motion vectors into chrominance motion vector having quarter-pixel accuracy. Or, during motion compensation, a video encoder or decoder converts luminance motion vectors into chrominance motion vectors using one of multiple available chrominance motion vector rounding modes.

Digital video consumes large amounts of storage and transmission capacity. A typical raw digital video sequence includes 15 or 30 frames per second. Each frame can include tens or hundreds of thousands of pixels (also called pels). Each pixel represents a tiny element of the picture. In raw form, a computer commonly represents a pixel with 24 bits. For instance, a pixel may comprise an 8-bit luminance value (also called a luma value) that defines the grayscale component of the pixel and two 8-bit chrominance values (also called chroma values) that define the color component of the pixel. Thus, the number of bits per second, or bit rate, of a typical raw digital video sequence may be 5 million bits per second or more.
Many computers and computer networks lack the resources to process raw digital video. For this reason, engineers use compression (also called coding or encoding) to reduce the bit rate of digital video. Compression can be lossless, in which quality of the video does not suffer, but decreases in the bit rate are limited by the complexity of the video. Or, compression can be lossy, in which quality of the video suffers, but decreases in the bit rate are more dramatic. Decompression reverses compression.
In general, video compression techniques include intraframe compression and interframe compression. Intraframe compression techniques compress individual frames, typically called I-frames or key frames. Interframe compression techniques compress frames with reference to preceding and/or following frames, which are typically called predicted frames, P-frames, or B-frames.
Microsoft Corporation's Windows Media Video, Version 8 ("WMV8") includes a video encoder and a video decoder. The WMV8 encoder uses intraframe and interframe compression, and the WMV8 decoder uses intraframe and interframe decompression. Interframe compression in the WMV8 encoder uses block-based motion compensated prediction coding followed by transform coding of the residual error.
In WMV8, a frame is represented as three pixel planes: a luminance (Y) plane of luminance pixel values and two chrominance (U, V) planes of chrominance pixel values. The resolution of the Y plane is double the resolution of the U and V planes horizontally and vertically. So, a 320 pixel×240 pixel frame has a 320 pixel×240 pixel Y plane and 160 pixel×120 pixel U and V planes.
The WMV8 encoder splits a predicted frame into 8×8 blocks of pixels. Groups of four 8×8 luminance blocks and two co-located 8×8 chrominance blocks (one for the U chrominance plane, and one for the V chrominance plane) form 16×16 macroblocks. Thus, each 16×16 macroblock includes four 8×8 luminance blocks and two 8×8 chrominance blocks.
For a macroblock of a predicted frame, the WMV8 encoder performs motion estimation. The motion estimation approximates the motion of a macroblock in a predicted frame by searching for and matching the macroblock in the predicted frame with a macroblock from a reference frame. In FIG. 1, for instance, the WMV8 encoder computes a motion vector for a macroblock (115) in the predicted frame (110). To compute the motion vector, the encoder searches in a search area (135) of a reference frame (130). Within the search area (135), the encoder compares the luminance values of the macroblock (115) from the predicted frame (110) to the luminance values of various candidate blocks from the reference frame (130) in order to find a good match. The WMV8 encoder may switch motion vector accuracy, and may use a search range and motion vectors with integer, half, or quarter-pixel horizontal resolution and integer or half-pixel vertical resolution. With sub-pixel accurate motion vectors, the WMV8 encoder can approximate sub-pixel motion in a video sequence.
During motion compensation, the WMV8 encoder uses the motion vectors for macroblocks of the predicted frame to determine the predictors for the macroblocks from the reference frame. For each of the motion-predicted macroblocks, the WMV8 encoder computes the difference (called the residual or error) between the original macroblock and its predictor. The WMV8 encoder splits the residual into blocks and lossy compresses the residual blocks. To reconstruct the motion-predicted macroblocks of the predicted frame, the WMV8 encoder decompresses the residuals and adds them to the predictors for the respective macroblocks.
The WMV8 decoder also uses the motion vectors for macroblocks of the predicted frame to determine the predictors for the macroblocks from the reference frame. To reconstruct the motion-predicted macroblocks of the predicted frame, the WMV8 decoder decompresses the residuals and adds them to the predictors for the macroblocks.
During motion estimation or compensation, when a motion vector has sub-pixel accuracy (i.e., half-pixel or quarter-pixel), the WMV8 encoder or decoder must determine pixel values at sub-pixel positions in the reference frame. The WMV8 encoder or decoder generates values for sub-pixel positions using interpolation filters. FIG. 2 shows sub-pixel sample positions H0, H1, H2, which have values computed by interpolation of integer-pixel values a, b, c, . . . , p.
When operating with half-pixel motion vector accuracy, the interpolation filters used for luminance pixel values at the three distinct half-pixel positions H0, H1, H2 are:H0=(f+g+R2)>>1  (1),H1=(f+j+R2)>>1  (2),andH2=(f+g+j+k+R1)>>2  (3),where R1 and R2 are rounding control values that are controlled by a one-bit rounding-control flag that indicates the rounding mode for a particular frame. If the rounding-control flag is set to 0, then R1=2 and R2=1. If the rounding-control flag is set to 1, then R1=R2=0. The value of the rounding-control flag alternates between 1 and 0 for each P-frame. At each I frame, the value of the rounding-control flag is reset to 0. Thus, the rounding control operates on a frame-by-frame basis.
Equations 1, 2, and 3 are examples of bilinear interpolation. Bilinear interpolation is fast and tends to smooth pixel values. The smoothing may have desirable effects (such as decreasing perceptibility of quantization noise), but it can also lead to loss of valid pixel information.
For quarter-pixel motion vector resolution, the WMV8 encoder or decoder first employs bicubic filters to interpolate luminance pixel values at half-pixel positions. Bicubic interpolation is slower than bilinear interpolation, but tends to preserve edge values and result in less loss of valid pixel information. The bicubic filters for the three distinct half-pixel positions H0, H1, H2 are:H0=(−e+9f+9g−h+8)>>4  (4),H1=(−b+9f+9j−n+8)>>4  (5), andH2=(−t0+9t1+9t2−t3+8)>>4  (6),where t0, t1, t2, t3 are computed as follows:t0=(−a+9b+9c−d+8)>>4  (7),t1=(−e+9f+9g−h+8)>>4  (8),t2=(−i+9j+9k−I+8)>>4  (9), andt3=(−m+9n+9o−p+8)>>4  (10).
Equations (4)–(10) can result in output outside of the range of input values. For example, for 8-bit input (range 0 . . . 255), the series of values 0 255 255 0 produces an output value of 287 in any of equations (4)–(10). So, the WMV8 encoder or decoder clamps (or, "clips") the output value of any of equations (4)–(10) to be within the valid range. For example, for 8-bit output values, values less than 0 are changed to 0, and values greater than 255 are changed to 255. Clamping addresses the range problem, but slows down computation. In addition, clamping results in loss of precision.
The WMV8 encoder or decoder then computes pixel values at certain quarter-pixel positions in a subsequent stage of interpolation. These quarter-pixel locations are situated horizontally in between either two half-pixel locations or an integer-pixel location and a half-pixel location. For these quarter-pixel locations, the WMV8 encoder or decoder uses bilinear interpolation (i.e., (x+y+1)>>1) using the two horizontally neighboring half-pixel/integer-pixel locations without rounding control.
Once luminance motion vectors are computed, the WMV8 encoder or decoder derives co-located chrominance motion vectors. Because a chrominance plane in WMV8 is half as large as a luminance plane both horizontally and vertically, luminance motion vector values must be scaled into appropriate chrominance motion vector values. In WMV8, this conversion process includes halving the luminance motion vectors and rounding the resulting chrominance motion vectors to half-pixel accuracy. Thus, luminance motion vectors having half-pixel accuracy are not converted to chrominance motion vectors having quarter-pixel accuracy. Moreover, chrominance rounding in WMV8 operates in a single mode that cannot be modified or selected by the user.
In WMV8, the pixel values at sub-pixel positions in a reference frame may exhibit underflow or overflow in some circumstances. For example, the luminance pixel value at a quarter-pixel position may be 271 (which is outside the range of 0 . . . 255) if the neighboring integer-pixel position value is 255 and the neighboring half-pixel position value is 287 (0+9*255+9*255−0+8>>4=287)(255+287+1>>1=271). To address this problem, after adding the residual blocks to the predictor for a macroblock, the WMV8 encoder and decoder clamp reconstructed values for the macroblock to be within the range of 0 . . . 255, if necessary.
Aside from WMV8, several international standards relate to video compression and decompression. These standards include the Motion Picture Experts Group ["MPEG"] 1, 2, and 4 standards and the H.261, H.262, and H.263 standards from the International Telecommunication Union ["ITU"]. Like WMV8, these standards use a combination of intraframe and interframe compression, although the standards typically differ from WMV8 in the details of the compression techniques used.
Several standards (e.g., MPEG 4 and H.263) provide for half-pixel motion estimation and compensation using bilinear filters and basic rounding control. Moreover, in H.263, chrominance motion vectors which theoretically have quarter-pixel resolution (i.e., one half of the resolution of the half-pixel luminance motion vectors) are rounded to either half-pixel or full-pixel accuracy so that no quarter-pixel values are allowed in chrominance space. For additional detail about motion estimation/compensation in the standards, see the standards' specifications themselves.
Motion estimation and compensation are effective compression techniques, but the various previous motion estimation/compensation techniques (as in WMV8 and the standards discussed above) have several disadvantages, including:
(1) When computing pixel values at sub-pixel positions in reference frames, the encoders and decoders unnecessarily lose precision in intermediate values. For instance, when computing the pixel value for a quarter-pixel position in WMV8, the intermediate values at half-pixel positions are right-shifted by four bits despite the fact that a greater bit depth might be available. Further, the WMV8 encoder/decoder clamps intermediate values during the two-stage interpolation of quarter-pixel positions, which slows down computation and results in the unnecessary loss of precision.
(2) Interpolation for pixel values in quarter-pixel motion estimation and compensation is inefficient in many cases. For example, in WMV8, the calculation of a one-dimensional quarter-pixel position requires the use of a filter for a half-pixel position followed by use of a bilinear filter.
(3) The encoders and decoders fail to account for the accumulation of rounding error that might be created in multi-stage interpolation. Rounding error occurs, for example, when pixel values are repeatedly rounded down from frame to frame in a video sequence. This rounding error can cause perceptible artifacts in low-quality, low-bitrate video sequences. For instance, when the WMV8 encoder and decoder interpolate for a pixel value at a quarter-pixel position in multiple stages, rounding control is not used. Instead, the results of each stage are rounded in the same fashion in each stage of interpolation (and without rounding control); and
(4) Chrominance rounding is not performed to quarter-pixel accuracy, and no control is given over chrominance motion vector rounding options. For example, the WMV8 encoder and decoder round all chrominance motion vectors to a half-pixel value and operate in only a single mode.
Given the critical importance of motion estimation and compensation to digital video, it is not surprising that motion estimation and compensation are richly developed fields. Whatever the benefits of previous motion estimation and compensation techniques, however, they do not have the advantages of the following techniques and tools.


A silicon oxide film is formed on a semiconductor substrate made of silicon. Subsequently, a resist film containing carbon is formed on the silicon oxide film, and thereafter the formed resist film is patterned, thereby forming a resist pattern. Subsequently, the resist pattern is exposed to a sulfur dioxide gas, and then dry etching is performed on the silicon oxide film by using the resist pattern exposed to the sulfur dioxide gas as a mask.

The present invention relates to a method for fabricating a semiconductor device that can prevent resist collapse from being caused by resist patterning in a dry etching process.
A known method for fabricating a semiconductor device will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 3A through 3D show the cross-sectional structures of a semiconductor device in the order corresponding to process steps of the known method for fabricating the same.
First, as shown in FIG. 3A, a thermal oxide film 102 is formed in the upper part of a semiconductor substrate 101 made of silicon. Subsequently, the top of the formed thermal oxide film 102 is coated with a resist film. Thereafter, the resist film is patterned using a lithography method, thereby forming a resist pattern 103.
Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, dry etching is performed on the thermal oxide film 102 by using the resist pattern 103 as a mask. For example, when capacitively coupled plasma etching equipment is employed, etching conditions are as follows: tetrafluorocarbon (CF4) is supplied at a flow rate of 50 ml/min; trifluoromethyl (CHF3) is supplied at a flow rate of 30 ml/min; oxygen (O2) is supplied at a flow rate of 5 ml/min; the gas pressure is 5 Pa; the upper discharge power is 1000 W; and the lower discharge power is 1500 W. Here, the flow rate of each gas is the one in a standard state, i.e., under 0° C. and 1 atm.
In recent years, the processing precision of semiconductor devices has become finer, and thus smaller pattern sizes have also been required for resist patterns 103 used as masks for patterning a film to be etched. Therefore, the physical strength of the resist patterns 103 has become smaller (see, for example, International Publication Number WO98/32162 pamphlet).
In addition, even when a semiconductor device becomes finer, the thickness of a film to be etched hardly changes. This disables the thickness of a resist pattern 103 to become smaller, because it is necessary that the selectivity to the resist at dry etching is ensured. Thus, the value of the aspect ratio (the height to the line width) of the resist pattern 103 at pattern formation has been larger.
On the other hand, a dry etching process allows the resist pattern 103 to be etched not only in the vertical direction but also in the parallel direction with respect to the principal surface of the semiconductor substrate 101. This results in the line width of the resist pattern 103 becoming smaller during etching. Furthermore, an influence of heat and ultraviolet radiation coming from plasma used for dry etching causes stresses associated with heat stresses and degradation in the resist pattern 103. Consequently, as the processing precision becomes finer, the upper part of the resist pattern 103 collapses from the insufficient strength of the resist pattern 103 as shown in FIG. 3B, i.e., a so-called resist collapse 103a occurs. The resist pattern 103 in which the resist collapse 103a occurs serves as an etching mask as it is, so that a part of the thermal oxide film 102 below the resist collapse 103a is prevented from being etched. Consequently, a pattern abnormality 102a is formed in the thermal oxide film 102 as shown in FIG. 3C.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3D, even when the resist pattern 103 is removed by performing ashing and cleaning processes, the pattern abnormality 102a remains in the thermal oxide film 102 as it is.
As described above, the known method for fabricating a semiconductor device has the problem that a resist collapse 103a occurs in a resist pattern 103 at the etching of a film to be processed.

Method for fabricating semiconductor device

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


An amplifying-gate thyristor having an increased integrated circuit includes a main thyristor and an amplifying thyristor. The amplifying thyristor is of the gate turnoff-type. The main thyristor and the amplifying thyristor are such that the amplifying thyristor remains in the conductive state while the main thyristor is conductive. A control circuit turns off the amplifying thyristor when the current through the main thyristor is approximately its hold current.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to thyristor-type switches that can be set conductive when a voltage with a suitable polarity is present at their main terminals and when a pulse is applied to their gate, and that remain conductive as long as a voltage with a suitable polarity is applied to their main terminals. The present invention relates more particularly to amplifying-gate thyristors with high hold current which can be advantageously controlled by a low triggering current.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
FIG. 1A schematically represents a circuit for an amplifying-gate thyristor including a main thyristor T1 and amplifying thyristor T2. An anode A and a cathode K of the amplifying-gate thyristor correspond to the anode and to the cathode of the main thyristor T1. An amplifying thyristor T2 has its anode connected to anode A and its cathode connected to the gate of the main thyristor T1. The gate of thyristor T2 constitutes the control terminal G of the amplifying-gate thyristor T.
FIG. 1B shows the waveform of the current-voltage characteristic curve of an amplifying-gate thyristor (which also corresponds to a conventional thyristor).
When a voltage V1 is applied between the anode and cathode of a thyristor and a pulse is applied to gate G, the thyristor becomes conductive. First, the current I increases at a substantially constant voltage and, then, the voltage rapidly drops. The operating point F moves along a practically vertical curve C with a low voltage drop across the thyristor. For example, if the pulse applied to the gate is applied at the beginning of a positive half-period of a periodic signal, the current first increases, then decreases. When the operating point F reaches a minimum value corresponding to a hold current I.sub.H, the thyristor reverts to its off state. A gate voltage must be applied again to the thyristor T to reset it to its conductive state. Thus, the thyristor T is conductive as long as the circuit is adapted to let a current higher than the hold current flow through the thyristor.
In some amplifying-gate thyristor applications, it is desired to have a high value for the hold current IH. The thyristor should cut off when the current decreases below a relatively high value.
In the state of the art, SGS-Thomson Microelectronics markets, under reference TN22, thyristors that are controlled by a 1.5 mA-gate current, have an avalanche voltage within a range of 1000-1600 volts and a hold current higher than 175 mA.
Among the features required in order to obtain a high hold current, the thyristor cathode must have a relatively high emitter shorting hole density. Therefore, it is possible, using conventional techniques, to design a thyristor T1 adapted to have a relatively high hold current. However, it is impossible to indefinitely increase the shorting hole density and accordingly the value of the hold current. Indeed, an increase in the shorting hole density corresponds in particular to an increase in the triggering current of the thyristor and its voltage drop in the conductive state. Therefore, increasing the hold current decreases the capability to be triggered and to withstand high current flows.
Since the amplifying thyristor T2 must be sensitive enough to permit triggering at a low control current of the amplifying-gate thyristor, it unavoidably has a relatively low hold current. Thus, to manufacture an amplifying-gate thyristor with a relatively high hold current, the circuit designer uses various conventional techniques so that, once the thyristor T2 triggers the thyristor T1, only thyristor T1 remains conductive. Once thyristor T1 is triggered, it is sufficiently conductive with respect to thyristor T2 that the current in thyristor T2 becomes lower than its low hold current and it turns off.
Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, once the current is established in thyristor T, the whole anode current I will flow through the main thyristor T1, and the current in the amplifying thyristor T2 will be zero. Accordingly, at the turn off, only the high hold current of thyristor T1 intervenes since thyristor T2 is already turned off.
As indicated above, for a thyristor with a given size, the possibility of increasing the value of the hold current is limited in order not to impair the other features of the thyristor.

Amplifying-gate thyristor with an increased hold current


This invention relates to probes used in the ground for the collection of data relating to soil conditions and in particular to a construction and method of insertion of probe bodies that will house such probes. A probe body insertion apparatus comprises a tool for forming an opening in the soil using a stabilization device that encourages the excavation of an opening that is orthogonal to the surrounding ground level and which is smaller in diameter than the soil probe body to be inserted. The inserted end of the probe body is formed with a hollow portion having an opening that is downwardly facing and adapted to slice away a portion of the prepared opening. The soil sliced away falls to the base of the prepared opening. The hollow portion of the inserted end of the probe body envelopes the loose soil but allows the probe body to be inserted to the desired depth. The slicing action provides a smooth interface between the soil and the outer surface of the probe body, which is preferable for proper working of sensors used inside the probe body to measure soil parameters.

By way of example only, the following description relates to the insertion of probes into the ground.
Probes used to measure soil conditions take many forms and use different techniques for measuring soil properties. Capacitor based techniques are well known and involve the positioning of a capacitor type sensor (typically a pair of conductive rings) at a predetermined depth in the soil to make the measurements using the surrounding soil as a dielectric medium. A soil probe will typically have three to six such pairs located at various depths within a probe housing so as to collect data that, once analysed, will provide a soil profile of moisture and/or salinity as well as other soil properties either immediately or at intervals of time.
In particular the depth and extent of moisture penetration into the soil is of interest as is also the uptake of moisture from the soil by crops over time.
Thus the probe must be located in the soil to at least the required depth of the lowest sensor element, which typically requires a probe length of about 600 to 700 mm to be fully inserted into the soil.
Most importantly, the probe when placed in the soil, should be completely surrounded only by undisturbed soil. The presence of air gaps adjacent to the outer wall of the probe will disadvantage the measurement process since the air and water that collects in those gaps may bias the readings or in the worst case make the readings unusable.
Air gaps can occur as a result of poor installation technique and poor equipment. More particularly, the forces required to insert the probe to an appropriate depth can accidentally displace the end of the probe to the sides of the opening and this can make the opening non-circular and leave gouges in the side of the opening that become gaps after full insertion of the probe or a probe body. The soil is thus discontinuous with the outer surface of the probe, and a gap or gaps will exist into which air and/or soil water can collect. In use a measurement probe is located in a probe body.
One way in which to attempt to overcome the problems associated with insertion resistance and lack of a tight fit is to make the opening in the soil deeper so that resistance at the end of the insertion process is not as great, or alternatively or in addition make the fit of the tube to the opening in the soil as dose as possible. However, even these measures are not always successful or sufficient, as (depending on soil type) more soil than anticipated can be dislodged from the sides of the opening as the probe is inserted, the soil immediately surrounding the probe body is unnecessarily compacted and eventually when the probe is inserted to its lowest point, it still sometimes does not attain the required depth.
Dislodged soil in the above circumstance drops to the bottom of the prepared opening and builds up to a level that can, even with compression from above, resist the insertion of the probe to the required depth.
The provision of a pointed end on the inserted probe does not always suffice to ensure the most appropriate insertion force or success in obtaining the required depth.
The above mentioned problems are not always experienced, but if probes need to be removed each season so that the soil can be tilled, in all likelihood, problems of the above nature will occur. This is particularly the case for probes used in the soils of vegetable crops which need to be moved often since those crops are best grown in well tilled and cultivated ground, and have relatively short growing cycles.
The invention to be described herein will minimise or eliminate the problems described above and will also be useful in the placement of probes that use other than capacitor based techniques. It may also be useful in the placement of posts and other elongate structures into the ground.

Soil probe insertion arrangement and method of use


An industrial gas turbine engine includes in serial flow relationship a booster compressor, a core engine, a power turbine having a first shaft joined to the booster and an output shaft, and means for independently varying the radially outer and radially inner booster flow areas. The means for independently varying the radially inner and outer booster flow areas can include a dual panel variable booster inlet guide vane assembly having first and second variable vane portions. The vane assembly can include a first variable vane portion rotatably supported with a first vane panel extending in a cantilevered manner adjacent a second vane panel to provide a closely spaced radial clearance therebetween. Varying means can be positioned outward of a casing for independently varying the first and second vane portions. The variable vane assembly can be operable with compressor bleed means or power turbine outlet area varying means. In one embodiment the variable vane assembly can provide a minimum horsepower from the output shaft during unfueled shutdowns or for allowing lock-on and lock-off of an electrical generator at a synchronous speed.

Marine and land-based industrial (M & I) gas turbine engines are frequently derived from engines designed for aircraft because it can be cost effective to develop an M & I engine by modifying an existing aircraft gas turbine engine in the desired power class. One M & I engine application provides output shaft horsepower for powering an electrical generator at a synchronous speed, such as 3000 rpm or 3600 rpm for generating electricity at 50 Hz or 60 Hz. To keep development costs and kilowatt-hour costs low, M & I engine designers typically use a parent aircraft engine and make as few changes in the parent engine as needed for obtaining the desired land-based M & I engine.
One type of M & I engine used for powering an electrical generator can include two rotors. A first low pressure rotor system can include a power turbine which powers a booster compressor through a first low pressure shaft, and a load, such as an electrical generator, through an output shaft. Power turbine horsepower not required to drive the booster compressor is available as output shaft horsepower to drive the electrical generator. The booster compressor, power turbine, and output shaft are mechanically coupled and rotate together. A second core engine high pressure rotor system includes a conventional high pressure compressor (HPC) driven by a conventional high pressure turbine (HPT) through a second high pressure rotor shaft.
In the parent aircraft engine a reduction in power level setting or fuel flow to the core engine would require a corresponding reduction in speed of the power turbine and booster compressor. This reduction in speed would be necessary to match the flow delivered by the booster compressor to the flow required by the the core engine at the reduced power level. However, in the M & I derivative engine the power turbine and booster compressor must rotate at the constant synchronous speed of the electrical generator at both high and low power settings of the core engine, and regardless of the horsepower required at the output shaft by the electrical generator. The parent engine was initially designed for providing substantial horsepower from the power turbine at the synchronous speed for powering the fan in the parent engine. Thus, at low core power settings the booster compressor in the industrial derivative engine will tend to deliver more airflow than is required to the core engine, which can result in booster compressor stall. This problem can occur, for instance, during lock-on or lock-off of the generator from the electric power grid, or during an emergency unfueled shut-down of the engine.
Single panel variable inlet guide vanes (VIGVS) postioned at the inlet of the booster compressor can be partially closed to reduce booster flow to the compressor and to reduce power turbine horsepower. In addition, variable bleed valves (VBVS) can be used with booster VIGVs to further reduce the amount of booster flow entering the core engine and the power turbine horsepower. Accordingly, the parent aircraft engine could be further modified by replacing the original VBVs with larger VBVs for bleeding additional compressed air from the booster compressor, and the VIGVs could also be modified for closing even further the booster compressor inlet. However, larger VBV's are generally undesirable since they require additional structural changes to the parent engine, and larger VBVs require larger openings that can reduce the stiffness and load bearing capability of load carrying engine structures in which they are formed. In one exemplary engine application, the required flow area of the VBVs in the M & I engine would have to be increased twice as large as the original flow area of the VBVs in the parent aircraft engine for reducing the output shaft horsepower to a substantially zero value for allowing lock-on and lock-off of the generator to the electrical grid. In addition, further closure of conventional single panel VIGVs can result in undesirable pressure and temperature distortions in the compressed airflow channeled to the core engine. Such distortion can result in core compressor stall and possible damage to the core engine.
Thus, engineers and scientists continue to seek improved modifications of parent aircraft engines to obtain industrial gas turbine derivative engines.

Industrial gas turbine engine with dual panel variable vane assembly


An ink that contains a vehicle, a colorant and a sulphonated polyester terminated with acrylic acid groups, methacrylic acid groups, or mixture thereof.

This invention relates to ink jet inks, and more specifically, to improved inks that enable developed images with minimal, or reduced smear, and excellent optical densities, and which inks contain polymers of for example, block copolymers of linear sulfonated polyester and acrylic acid segments, and which polymers preferably possesses a M.sub.w of greater than about, or equal to about 3,000, for example from about 3,000 to about 10,000, a M.sub.n of greater than about, or equal to about 1,500, for example from about 1,500 to about 7,000, and a glass transition temperature of greater than about, or equal to about 20 degrees Centigrade, for example from about 30 to about 75 degrees Centigrade. The invention inks can be selected for use in ink jet printing processes, including printing processes such as thermal ink jet and piezoelectric or acoustic ink jet processes, and wherein there is provided, for example, archival print quality comparable to that obtained in xerographic dry toner development systems. With the inks of the present invention there are enabled a number of advantages, such as extended ink stability, excellent developed images and prints, high optical densities, and the like.


Disclosed is an information distribution system in which a receiving terminal installed in a mobile object can reliably receive high quality distribution information from the beginning. The information distribution system comprises data transmission units, each for transmitting a plurality of data signals including same distribution information using a plurality of different radio channels with sequentially delaying the transmission start time of the data signals; an auxiliary transmission unit for transmitting signals according to communication status of the data transmission units; a communication control unit for controlling the auxiliary transmission unit and the data transmission units; and detection means for detecting the velocity control information for the mobile object. A receiving terminal for receiving the data signals transmitted from the data transmission units is installed on the mobile object. The communication control unit selects a data transmission unit in a communication status according to the velocity control information out of the data transmission units, and controls the auxiliary transmission unit so as to notify the receiving terminal of the communication information corresponding thereto.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information distribution system for distributing information over a radio transmission channel, and to related technology thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a system for distributing information to a mobile object such as a vehicle, via a radio transmission channel, VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System), which distributes road information to the vehicle of a user using a radio beacon, a light beacon or an FM multiple broadcast is known. Also along with the spread of cellular phones, the Internet and wireless LAN (Local Area Network), systems for distributing information to many unspecified movable bodies in a relatively narrow communication area using a wireless LAN conforming to IEEE 802.11 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standard 802.11) have been proposed. This type of system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Kokai No. 2003-317187 and Japanese Patent Kokai No. 2001-184595.
Compared with an unmoving receiving terminal, the quality of distribution information received by a moving receiving terminal generally tends to deteriorate more easily. Therefore if a transmission terminal broadcasts distribution information to many unspecified receiving terminals and the receiving terminals do not reply with the ACK (Acknowledgment) of the data to the transmission terminal, then highly reliable information distribution is difficult since the transmission terminal does not retransmit the data even if a data receive error occurs to the moving receiving terminal. Also when the transmission terminal broadcasts the distribution information, the receiving terminal cannot always receive the distribution information from the beginning of the data, but may receive it from the middle of the distribution information, which diminishes the advertisement effect of the distribution information. For example, in some cases only moving images from the 10th second out of 20 seconds of moving images can be received. In particular when the receiving terminal is moving, it is difficult to remain in the narrow communication area just to receive the distribution information from the beginning, and the above mentioned problems tend to occur.


Functional testing of complex digital integrated circuits. A complex integrated circuit such as a system-on-a-chip (SOC) designed using high-level tools is tested by decomposing it into functional blocks wrapped by scan path cells. A tester which includes a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or similar device is connected to the SOC to be tested, and a simulation model of a chosen functional block of the SOC selected for test is loaded into the FPGA. A test pattern is applied to the functional block of the SOC using the scan path cells, and to the FPGA simulation. The FPGA may be rapidly reconfigured to test other functional blocks of the SOC.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention deals with the testing of complex digital integrated circuits using scan path of functional blocks.
2. Art Background
Complex integrated circuits such as system-on-a-chip (SOC) devices must be tested during manufacture. Improvements in process technology and in design tools allow denser, more complex, and faster SOC devices to be designed. Higher levels of integration and fewer external pins, compared to the amount of on-chip functionality, results in the reduced accessibility of internal functional elements for testing.
Device testing is performed using automated test equipment (ATE). Improving the controllability and observability of internal nodes of a device-under-test (DUT) increases the testability and achievable fault coverage for a DUT. In order to test a DUT with a reasonable confidence of weeding out nonfunctional parts, access to internal nodes within a device is needed.
Access to otherwise inaccessible internal nodes can be obtained by designing scan path capability into a device to be tested which can then be accessed through a test access port (TAP). Suitable scan path and TAP architectures known to the art include IEEE 1149.1 Standard Test Access Port and Boundary-Scan Architecture.
Complex SOC devices are often designed and implemented as series of interconnected functional blocks, each of which can be tested independently. Each functional block can be surrounded by a test wrapper that consists of specific scan path cells. Scan path cells on selected input lines pass block input signals during normal operation, and pass shifted test signals during device test. Scan path cells on selected output lines latch specific block output signals. This arrangement allows for complex testing using a minimum of device pins. The input and output scan path cells are connected as long shift registers.
During test, (1) the operation of the device is stopped, (2) test vectors are clocked into input scan path cells, (3) the device clock toggled, and (4) the output scan path cells are clocked out and compared with a reference pattern to verify correct operation. This operation may be repeated thousands or millions of times. The potential fault coverage using this method may be quite high, but the amount of data that must be moved in and out of the device in serial fashion may result in significant test times.
Device testing is preferably performed at the actual operating speed of the DUT. The use of scan path capability does not allow continuous at-speed access to internal nodes of a device. Nevertheless, at-speed testing using scan path capability is known to the art by carefully controlling the device clock for one or more at-speed clock periods between the relatively long periods needed to load suitable test patterns.
Test patterns used for scan path testing are developed as is known to the art using one or more of the following schemes. First, actual device design data is used to generate block level structural test patterns, possibly reflecting expected defects and fault models. Next, behavioral models of the design in question may be used to develop functional test patterns. Finally, pseudo-random sequences may be used to automatically generate test patterns.
As with many other aspects of the semiconductor industry, time is money, and test time is expensive. What is needed is an improved approach to testing complex devices such as SOC devices.
An inexpensive system-on-a chip (SOC) device tester that makes use of SOC device design data, scan path, and reconfigurable logic. The SOC design is decomposed into functional blocks and surrounded by scan path cells. The high-level (Verilog or VHDL) simulation model of a chosen functional block, which is assumed to be correct, is loaded into a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or similar device. A test pattern is applied to the chosen functional block using the scan path cells, and is also applied to the FPGA simulation of the chosen block. After toggling the clock, the results are read out and compared. If the result vectors from the chosen functional block and its FPGA simulation fail to match, a record is created for further analysis. The FPGA may be rapidly reconfigured to test other blocks of the SOC device. The FPGA may also be used to provide appropriate signal levels on other pins of the SOC device.


A slide contents processor has a computer, a percentage computer and a categorizing unit. The computer computes a deviation of explanation time of each slide to total explanation time of slides. The percentage computer computes a percentage of objects in the slide based on the number of the objects by type in the slide. The categorizing unit categorizes the slide based on the deviation and the percentage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a slide contents processor, slide contents processing method, and program.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has been proposed a technique for assisting a conference or presentation in such a manner that in the conference or presentation using slides as material, slides by page included in the material and audios discussing or explaining them are recorded, and a person who has not taken part in the conference listens to the audios and views the contents of the conference while browsing the slide or a person who has not taken part in the presentation listens to the audios and views the contents of the presentation while browsing the slide. The following patent documents have been proposed.
A display device described in Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. Hei 11-242542 creates a representative drawing which can easily grasp the contents of multimedia data and displays the summary using the created representative drawing. A system described in Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 2002-109099 records material used for a presentation in a conference associated with videos and audios explaining the material and replays the material in synchronization with the videos and audios. A system described in Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 2002-304420 delivers contents so that a client can view the scene of a desired session part.
In the method of Related Art, the contents cannot be grasped unless slides used for a presentation are successively viewed. It takes about the same time as when a conference or presentation is actually performed. The display device described in Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. Hei 11-242542 cannot find, with a representative drawing, a slide the user looks for.
In the system described in Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 2002-109099, a desktop PC is necessary for browsing videos, slides and audios recorded into a server to look back upon the contents of a conference. It is difficult to browse them outside the office. It is also difficult to secure enough time to browse previous conference data in the office. In the system described in Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 2002-304420, the scene of a desired session part is hard to search for.

Presentation slide contents processor for categorizing presentation slides and method for processing and categorizing slide contents


A device includes an illuminance information referring unit configured to refer to an illuminance information database that stores therein illuminance information indicating illuminance at each of positions in a lighting device installed place in which lighting devices are installed, an identification information acquiring unit configured to acquire identification information for identifying the lighting device installed place in which a vehicle travel, and a display controller configured to cause a projection device of a head-up display device to project a virtual image. The display controller is further configured to control luminance of the virtual image projected by the projection device in accordance with the illuminance information at each of the positions in the lighting device installed place based on the illuminance information referred to by the illuminance information referring unit and the identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring unit.

A technology for automatically turning on a light of a vehicle before the vehicle enters a dark place, such as a tunnel, has been known (for example, see Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-039210 A). A technology described in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-039210 A is to automatically turn on a light depending on percentage of dark portions in image data of a front view image that is obtained by a video camera. A technology for distinguishing a tunnel by using a one-dimensional imaging device with pixels in a lateral direction that captures a video toward a vehicle traveling direction, and outputting a tunnel detection signal has been known (for example, see Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. H04-127280 A). The technology described in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. H04-127280 A is to distinguish a tunnel by binarizing a video signal obtained from the one-dimensional imaging device and processing a binary video signal.

Luminance control device, imaging control device, electronic mirror control device, head-up display device, on-vehicle display device, on-vehicle imaging device, and electronic mirror


A method for determining the temperature of an away-facing surface of an object, wherein at least one ultrasonic pulse is transmitted through a surface of the object facing a transmitter/receiver unit into said object; the at least one ultrasonic pulse is reflected at least partially in the direction of the transmitter/receiver unit on the surface of the object facing away from the transmitter/receiver unit; and the reflected part of the at least one transmitted ultrasonic pulse is received by the transmitter/receiver unit. At least one temperature value for the object surface facing the transmitter/receiver unit is also determined; at least one value is determined for the propagation time of the at least one ultrasonic pulse through the object, and at least one temperature value for the object surface facing away from the transmitter/receiver unit is determined by the at least one temperature value for the object surface facing the transmitter/receiver unit and the at least one propagation time value.

The invention relates to a method and a measurement device for determining the temperature of an away-facing surface of an object and to a use of the method and a use of the measurement device. A corresponding method and a corresponding device for temperature determination by ultrasound may be gathered from JP 2003042857 A.
Turbomachines, such as, for example, steam or gas turbines, are used as thermal engines in industry in order to convert an energy stored in a gas stream into a mechanical energy, particularly into a rotational movement. Furthermore, turbomachines, such as compressors, by which mechanical energy can be supplied to a gas stream, also come under consideration. In order, in gas turbines, to achieve as high an overall efficiency as possible in terms of energy utilization, the selected gas inlet temperatures from the combustion chamber into the flow duct of the gas turbine are as high as possible. For example, the gas inlet temperatures lie above 1000° C.
This makes it necessary, under these high physical loads, for the turbomachine to be kept under observation during operation. In this case, in particular, temperature measurement within the turbomachine delivers important information on the state of the turbomachine. For this purpose, as a rule, measuring probes mounted in the turbomachine are used, the signal and supply lines of which lead outward through the wall of the turbomachine by leadthroughs. A large number of temperature measurement points therefore require a large number of leadthroughs and seals. Under the high physical loads, these always constitute fault sources which must be avoided as far as possible in order to ensure that the turbomachine operates reliably.
JP 2003042857 A specifies a method and a device, by which the temperature of a wall surface which faces away from the device and is in contact with a liquid and, consequently, the temperature of the liquid can be measured by ultrasound. In this case, ultrasonic waves are irradiated through the wall surface facing the device into the wall and are reflected on the surface facing away. The ratio of the amplitudes of the ultrasonic waves before and after reflection on the away-facing surface which is in contact with the liquid depends in this case on the acoustic reflection factor of the surface, which is determined, in turn, by the acoustic impedance of the liquid. Since the acoustic impedance of the liquid is temperature-dependent, the temperature of the liquid can ultimately be determined from the determination and evaluation of the reflection-induced amplitude decrease of the ultrasonic radiation. To determine the amplitude decrease, the amplitude peak values are measured, although these are overlaid with interference signals and noise. It is therefore scarcely possible to determine the amplitude decrease exactly after only one reflection. For this reason, the amplitude decrease of ultrasonic waves which are multiply reflected from the two surfaces standing opposite one another is investigated. However, where relatively thick walls are concerned, this cannot be carried out, since the amplitudes of the ultrasonic waves, which also experience damping when they run through the wall, are excessively attenuated after multiple reflection and are therefore no longer measurable. Moreover, the method and the device require a liquid which is in contact with the wall and by which the reflection factor can be noticeably influenced. By contrast, where gases are concerned, a temperature-dependent change in the reflection factor is no longer measurable, since, because of the very high reflection factor of approximately 1, its slight change is no longer detectable unequivocally, particularly in the background interference.

Temperature determination of an away-facing surface of an object


A centrifugal pump of the pitot tube type is structured with axially stabilizing elements which assist in stabilizing the pitot tube assembly of the pump during high pressure operating conditions. The axially stabilizing elements include at least one seat member positionable to register against the discharge tube of the pitot tube assembly to keep the discharge tube in axial alignment and in a selected tension. The pitot pump may also include a pressure relief channel positioned to accommodate increased pressures which may arise from an o-ring failure in the sealing mechanism of the discharge assembly. The axially stabilizing elements reduce the occurrence of fretting and galling resulting from axial forces exerted on the pitot tube assembly and facilitate simplified construction and assembly of the inlet manifold to a discharge assembly or manifold. The cost of constructing and maintaining the centrifugal pump is thereby reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to centrifugal pumps of the pitot tube type, and specifically relates to such pumps having improved construction to axially stabilize the pick-up tube and discharge assemblies to minimize damage and wear.
2. Statement of the Art
Centrifugal pumps are commonly known in the art and are frequently used in a wide variety of industries to process fluids. Centrifugal pumps of the pitot tube type conventionally include a housing, a rotary casing attached to a drive unit, a stationary pitot tube, an inlet and a discharge or outlet. Fluid entering the pump through the inlet is at a comparatively low pressure (e.g., 100 psi) and is subjected to centrifugal forces as the fluid encounters the rotary casing. The increased pressure (e.g., 500 psi) of the fluid at the periphery of the rotary casing, coupled with the ram effect imposed on the fluid by the positioning of the pitot tube relative to the rotary casing, causes the fluid to enter into the inlet of the pitot tube. The pressurized fluid travels through the pitot tube and into the discharge assembly where it exits the pump. At that point, the fluid may be, for example, at a pressure of 750 psi or higher. The fundamental elements and operation of a pitot tube pump are well known to those skilled in the art.
Pitot tube pumps differ in configuration and construction, but all are subject to wear and degradation as a result of the increased pressures imposed on the fluids being processed through the pump. For example, the increased pressure resulting from centrifugal forces causes thrust loads or axial loads to exist in the housing, in the rotary casing and in the pitot tube and discharge assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 3,822,102 to Erickson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,713 to Erickson, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,279,571 to Erickson each disclose pitot tube pump configurations which recognize and address thrust loads experienced in the housing, typically near the drive shaft end of the rotary casing. In particular, those patents disclose pumps that are structured with improved thrust bearings or thrust balance means to alleviate the damaging loads.
Axial loads are experienced along the longitudinal axis of the pitot tube and discharge tube thereof due to the high discharge pressures generated by the pump. In addition, radial, tangential, and axial loads are experienced by the pickup tube head and wing as a result of hydraulic forces within the rotating casing itself. The support mechanism of a pitot tube assembly must resist all of these forces. Among the types of damage which may be experienced in a conventional pitot tube pump are a vibration or wobbling of the pitot tube which causes structural failure in the pitot tube, fretting and galling which occurs on the pitot tube and discharge assemblies, fatigue failure or loosening and loss of the mounting bolts and stress failures in the material of the inlet manifold. In some pump configurations, the degrading effects of axial loads are compounded by the cantilevered positioning of the pitot tube within the inlet/outlet manifold. In addition, conventional configurations of pitot tube pumps use very expensive bolts to attach the pitot tube to the manifold thereby significantly increasing the cost of the pump. The time required to fix or maintain the pump can be a significant limiting factor to efficient operation as well.
Thus, it would be advantageous in the art to provide a centrifugal pump of the pitot tube type which is structured to reduce axial forces in the discharge assembly to thereby stabilize the pitot tube and discharge assembly and to provide a pump construction having improved mechanical stiffness and one which is more easily repaired and maintained.

Pitot tube pump having axial-stabilizing construction


A method and system for adaptively modifying diagnostic vehicle information is provided. A system can automatically optimize default OEM diagnostic vehicle information by recognizing when to make text and non-text modifications within the information. Manual changes that are made once can be learned and used over and over again. Modifications may be made based on a desired use of the diagnostic vehicle information.

1. Field of the Application
This application relates generally to test and diagnostic systems for machines or other operating equipment. More particularly, the application relates to an automated process for optimizing diagnostic vehicle information. While the application is described in the context of a vehicle diagnostic system and method, the principles of the present application are equally applicable for air conditioning testing and servicing systems, wheel systems, as well as for various non-automotive apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Automotive vehicles are becoming highly computerized products. Consequently, a number of different types of diagnostic tools have been used to assist in diagnosis and repair of fault conditions in automotive vehicles. Such diagnostic tools can typically be connected to an on-board computer of a vehicle in order to download and analyze vehicle operational information from the on-board computer. For example, a diagnostic tool may obtain information about a vehicle's engine, transmission, mechanical systems, air conditioning systems, braking system, power system, or any other system.
Diagnostic tools often utilize information in the form of diagnostic trees, which are created by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Diagnostic tools typically allow a user to enter information, including fault symptoms, into the diagnostic tool to be used instead of or in conjunction with the information downloaded from the vehicle's on-board computer to diagnose and assist in the repair of fault conditions in the vehicle.
A number of different types of diagnostic tools have been used, such as engine analyzers, which are designed to monitor a variety of operating conditions of an internal combustion engine, and scanners for downloading data from vehicle on-board computers. In addition, diagnostic tools may include laboratory-type tools like oscilloscopes, digital volt-Ohm meters (DVOM) and the like.
Any of these diagnostic tools may be used with a computer-based diagnostic platform that permits a fault-based drivability diagnosis of a vehicle. The platform may present a user with a menu of problems indicated, e.g., by symptoms or service codes, and the user selects those problems that are pertinent to the vehicle under test. Based upon the selected faults, the system then presents the user with a list of tests to be performed to diagnose the cause or causes of the faults. The tests can be listed in the order in which they would most likely be effective in diagnosing the vehicle faults, based upon manufacturer's information and previous repair and diagnosis experience with this type of vehicle, for example.
Manufacturers create diagnostic trees to illustrate the tests for their vehicles on an annual basis, such as for individual Year/Make/Model combinations. A menu of problems and diagnostic trees can include a standard list of symptoms to be used for all vehicles since vehicles use common technology. For example, all vehicles have mechanical, ignition, fuel, and computer components that function in roughly the same manner. A standard list of symptoms is used because it provides a consistent interface and diagnostic philosophy for all vehicles, and promotes technician and service writer familiarization. Other more specific symptoms can then be assigned to specific vehicles for which particular problems are known to exist.
The diagnostic vehicle information from the manufacturers can be uploaded directly to an diagnostic device. However, for many types of devices, the information will be un-optimized for the specific output (e.g., the original text may have more value if it is shortened for a handheld device, or enhanced with animation for a PC-based information system, or enhanced with pictures or additional text for a printed manual).
As a result, experts may attempt to modify the diagnostic vehicle information to conform to a particular type of output, such as a handheld diagnostic unit, a PC-based information program, a printed manual, etc. Thus, an automotive expert will manually modify automotive diagnostic code tips within the diagnostic trees, repair procedures, component operations, testing processes and other similar functions for all possible types of diagnostic tools or output representations.
In practice, the amount of information that an expert processes is generally large, resulting in a large amount of manual manipulation, and a large amount of time being spent to modify information into its final form for use. The time element increases a cost of the product and slows a production schedule and potential release dates. As a result, a method for automatically modifying diagnostic vehicle information is desirable.

Method and system for adaptively modifying diagnostic vehicle information


A lens barrel rotation detection apparatus for detecting a rotational state of a lens barrel to which a lens for image pickup is attached and which is rotated in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction by driving force of a driving section, includes: a single rotatable member rotatable together with rotation of the lens barrel; and three rotation detection section for detecting a rotational state of the rotatable member. The rotatable member has a fixed pattern formed thereon so as to be detected by said rotation detection section and a rotation limit section indicative of limit positions of a range of rotation of the lens barrel. The rotation detection section is disposed for detection of presence or absence of rotation of the rotatable member and the limit positions of the range of rotation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a lens barrel rotation detection apparatus and a lens barrel rotation type image pickup apparatus wherein a rotational state of a lens barrel to which a lens for image pickup apparatus is attached and which is rotated in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction by driving force of a driving source is detected.
2. Description of the Related Art
For example, a video camera for a videoconference and a security video camera are known as lens barrel rotation type image pickup apparatus wherein the lens barrel rotates. Video cameras of the type mentioned are configured from applications thereof such that the lens barrel can rotate in a horizontal direction (hereinafter referred to as panning direction) and a vertical direction (hereinafter referred to as tilting direction). In particular, the lens barrel is mounted for rotation in a panning direction and a tilting direction toward an image pickup subject so that the image pickup subject can be captured at the center of a picked up image. Further, a rotational state of the lens barrel, that is, presence or absence of rotation of the lens barrel and a limit position of a range of rotation, can be detected.
In related art, as rotational driving mechanisms for a panning direction or a tilting direction, those of the direct type and those of the speed reduction type are known. In a rotational driving mechanism of the direct type, a driving motor, that is, a driving source, which exerts rotational driving force, is connected directly to a pedestal which is rotatable together with the lens barrel supported thereon without including a speed reduction mechanism formed from gear wheels or the like. On the other hand, in a rotational driving mechanism of the speed reduction type, a plurality of plain gear wheels and so forth are combined to transmit driving force of the driving motor while reducing the speed of rotation of the driving motor so that the lens barrel can be driven to rotate even if the lens barrel is large and heavy. Further, of whichever one of the direct type and the speed reduction type the rotational driving mechanism is, it includes a lens barrel rotation detection apparatus for detecting a rotational state of the lens barrel, that is, presence or absence of rotation of the lens barrel and a limit position of a range of rotation.
Incidentally, an image pickup apparatus having a zoom function includes a zoom position detection apparatus for detecting a limit position of a zoom range. The zoom position detection apparatus can detect a moved position of the lens when the focal distance of the lens is varied by electric driving operation. To this end, the zoom position detection apparatus includes a comb-shaped rotational member for rotating together with rotation of a focus ring or a zoom motor and two photo-couplers for detecting the rotational state of the rotational member. The moved state of the lens, that is, presence or absence of rotation of the focus ring or the zoom motor and a limit position of the range of rotation, are detected from an output pattern of the two photo-couplers which varies depending upon whether light beams emitted from light emitting members of the photo-couplers are intercepted by or are transmitted between the teeth of the comb-shaped rotational member, that is, depending upon whether the light receiving member of each of the photo-couplers is placed into a no-light receiving state or a light receiving state. A zoom position detection apparatus of the type described is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 5-11163 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-324664 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 2).
Although both of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are directed not to a lens barrel rotation detection apparatus but to a zoom position detection apparatus, since the apparatus of both documents can detect presence or absence of rotation of a focus ring or a zoom motor or a limit position of a range of rotation, it is considered possible to apply the apparatus to a lens barrel rotation detection apparatus if a similar rotational member and similar photo-couplers are used. For example, if a comb-shaped rotational member which rotates together with rotation of a lens barrel is used and the rotational state of the rotational member, that is, presence or absence of rotation of the rotational member and a limit position of a range of the rotation, are detected by two photo-couplers, then rotation of the lens barrel can be detected.

Lens barrel rotation detection apparatus and lens barrel rotation type image pickup apparatus


Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for RGD mimetic γ-AApeptide compounds, γ-AApeptide compounds capable of binding an RGD binding site on integrin αvβ3, linear γ-AApeptide compounds, cyclic γ-AApeptide compounds and multimeric RGD mimetic γ-AApeptide compounds, methods of making each, and methods of using each, and the like. In embodiments, the RGD mimetic γ-AApeptide compounds can be used in imaging, diagnostics, and treatment of angiogenesis related conditions.

Cancer causes about fifteen % of all human deaths worldwide. Early detection and treatment will lead to the improved survival for various cancers. However, the development of many cancers is still poorly understood, and drugs have not been proven to be generally efficient in the treatment of cancers. Positron emission tomography (PET) has been widely used in clinical oncology for tumor diagnosis, staging, and treatment monitoring. Development and clinical translation of novel, molecularly targeted PET tracers will facilitate future developments in personalized medicine for cancer patients, such as patient stratification and monitoring the therapeutic responses to anti-cancer drugs. Non-invasive PET imaging of tumor angiogenesis (e.g., new blood vessel formation) has gained tremendous interest over the last decade, since the development and metastasis of solid tumors depends on tumor angiogenesis.
Angiogenesis is a fundamental biological process involved in the growth of most solid tumors; as such, anti-angiogenic approaches, such as the development of angiogenesis inhibitors represents a promising strategy for cancer treatment, diagnosis, and prevention. Integrins, a family of heterodimeric cell surface receptors involved in a wide range of cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, including tumor angiogenesis, have been active targets for development of anti-angiogenic therapies.
Among the many proteins involved in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis of solid tumors, integrin αvβ3 is one of the most intensively studied. Several PET tracers targeting this cell adhesion molecule have entered clinical investigation. Frequently overexpressed on the tumor neovasculature, as well as cancer cells of many tumor types (e.g., lung/prostate/breast cancer and glioblastoma), integrin αvβ3 is an attractive target for both cancer diagnosis and therapy. Integrin αvβ3 binds tightly to ECM proteins such as fibronectin, fibrinogen, and vitronectin, which contain the tripeptide sequence RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp), a prominent recognition motif involved in cell adhesion. Since αvβ3 is highly upregulated on the endothelium during tumor angiogenesis, peptides or small non-peptidic molecules mimicking the RGD recognition motif may represent promising anti-angiogenesis agents by targeting αvβ3 for cancer prevention or targeted diagnosis.

RGD mimetic γ-AApeptides and methods of use


A thermal power sensor for providing an output signal that is linearly related to the amount of power derived from a power source over a first range and that is square law related to the amount of power derived from a power source over a second range which may overlap the first range. The apparatus comprises a pair of matched transistors connected in a common emitter configuration. Each of the matched transistors is thermally coupled to a matched resistor so that heat generated in the resistor is transmitted to its respective transistor to cause temperature variations therein. The current through each transistor is a function of the temperature of the transistor. The matched transistors are connected in series with a pair of cascode transistors. The cascode transistors are connected to a first differential amplifier which senses and amplifies the differential voltage which results from any difference in current flow through the matched transistors. The output of the first differential amplifier is connected to the bases of the cascode transistors to vary the bias voltage applied to the matched transistors. A second differential amplifier is connected to the differential output of the first differential amplifier and has its output connected to the second matched resistor. The effect of the feedback loop which includes the first differential amplifier, the cascode transistor and the matched transistors is to maintain the current flow through the matched transistors constant, whereby their collector-emitter voltage is linearly proportional to the power being sensed. The effect of the second loop, including the second differential amplifier and the second matched resistor, is to maintain thermal equilibrium and equality between the matched transistors and their associated resistors to provide a square law indication of the power being sensed. A combined indicator is provided for providing an indication of sensed power over the first and second ranges.

Thermal sensors have long been used to measure power, particularly at RF and microwave frequencies. One type of conventional thermal sensor uses a pair of power-dissipating elements, such as resistors, with a related pair of temperature-sensitive elements thermally coupled to the power-dissipating elements. The input signal to be measured is applied to the first resistor, thereby causing it to couple thermal energy to the first temperature-sensitive element in accordance with the power of the input signal. The temperature-sensitive elements may be such semiconductor devices as junction diodes or bipolar transistors.
The signals from the first and second temperature-sensitive elements are each fed to an input of a differential amplifier which produces a DC output signal. This DC signal is fed to the second resistor and is caused to dissipate a power that equals the power dissipated by the input signal in the first resistor. When balance is achieved, the DC voltage developed across the second resistor by the differential amplifier is equivalent to the RMS or effective value of the input signal which causes the temperature rise in the first resistor. One implementation of this technique is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,668,428, issued to Henry Koerner. Attention is also directed to U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,099, issued to van Kessel, and to U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,061, issued to Chapel.
While this arrangement can have good sensitivity and works well at full-scale or high levels, it suffers several significant limitations inherent in its design. As an example, at low signal or power levels, there are several error effects that limit performance and reduce the useful range of the device. At very low input signal levels, noise in the temperature-sensitive elements is amplified by the necessarily large forward gain of the differential amplifier. The output noise from the differential amplifier is dissipated in the second resistor. The amplified noise power is an offsetting signal that degrades the linearity of the power sensor for low input signal levels. The noise also establishes a floor which the input signal must exceed in order to be detected. The noise thus limits the dynamic range of the power sensor. Other problems with these prior art thermal power sensors also exist, as described in greater detail below.


In the case where state information has already been obtained from a service providing server on the Internet at the time when an MFP requests access to the service providing server, a mediation server gives a notification using the MFP based on the state information. In this case, the mediation server switches a notification method between a method of displaying a view on a display panel of the MFP and other methods in accordance with a function of the MFP.

Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to an image processing system, a mediation server, an image forming apparatus, and a notification method, and particularly to an image processing system, a mediation server, an image forming apparatus, and a notification method, for which service on the Internet can be utilized.
Description of the Related Art
Service on the Internet (also referred to as cloud service) has become available through an intra-corporate network including an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral). Examples of how to use such service are: uploading a document obtained by scanning using an image forming apparatus to a server on the Internet (Scan-To-Cloud); printing a document stored in a server on the Internet with the designated image forming apparatus (Follow-Me-Print); and the like.
The service on the Internet is independent of the intra-corporate network. Accordingly, there may also be a case where the service is not working when a user wants to use the service in such a way as described above. Therefore, it is important to give a notification of the service status.


Silanes of the general formula

The invention relates to novel silanes with hydrophilic groups, their synthesis and surfactants in aqueous media comprising the novel silanes. More particularly, it relates to silane surfactants, which are resistant to hydrolysis in acidic and alkaline media and significantly lower the surface tension of aqueous media. The concept of xe2x80x9caqueousxe2x80x9d media is understood to include also those media which consist predominantly of water and additionally can contain water-soluble or water-miscible organic solvents.
It is known from the state of the art that organo-modified siloxanes, such as polyether siloxanes or polysiloxanes, which have substituents with anionic, cationic or amphoteric groups, an appropriate structure and a balanced ratio of hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups, can lower the surface tension of aqueous solutions to a pronounced extent.
Surfactants with at least silicon atoms are disclosed in the German patent 41 41 046. They correspond to the general formula
wherein
R1 is a methyl or phenyl group, with the proviso that at least 90% of the R1 groups are methyl groups,
R2 is R1 or xe2x80x94(CH2)6xe2x80x94OSO3xe2x88x92.M+, wherein
M+ is an alkali, xc2xd alkaline earth or optionally an alkyl-substituted ammonium ion,
R3 is R1 or R2,
with the proviso that in the average molecule, at least one R2 or R3 group is a xe2x80x94(CH2)6xe2x80x94OSO3xe2x88x92.M+,
a is 0 to 5, and
b is 0 to 5.
The selected siloxane hexyl sulfates, which are trisiloxane hexyl sulfates in the event that three silicon atoms are present, bring about a pronounced lowering in the interfacial tension of neutral aqueous media to values of about 21 mN/m. However, they are unstable in acidic or alkaline solutions and, due to the hydrolysis of the Sixe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94Si bonds and renewed condensation of the hydrolysis products to higher molecular weight oligomers, very rapidly lose their effectiveness and partly become insoluble in aqueous media.
Surfactants with a low content of silicon atoms are furthermore described in the European publication 0 367 381 (A2) and the British patent 1,520,421.
The European publication 0 367 381 (A2) relates to organosilicon compounds of the general formula
wherein the R groups, independently of one another, represent an alkyl, aryl, halogenated alkyl or halogenated aryl group with up to 18 carbon atoms, each Rxe2x80x2 groups represents an alkylene group, which separates adjacent silicon atoms by up to 6 carbon atoms from one another, and the Rxe2x80x3 groups independently of one another represent R or, when a=0, the R3SiRxe2x80x2 group. Z is a hydrophilic substituent, which contains sulfur, nitrogen or phosphorus, a carboxy-functional group or the salt of such a group, while a has a value of 0, 1 or 2.
It follows from this that, by definition, the organosilicon group contains at least two silicon atoms. The synthesis of these carbosilanes is relatively expensive and is carried out, for example, by a reaction similar to a Grignard reaction. After that, carbosilane surfactants with a quaternary, sulfonate or betaine structure are synthesized by means of the hydrosilylation of, for example, allyl glycidyl ether or allylamine. The substances, so obtained, lower the surface tension of a 1% solution in distilled water to 23 to 25 mN/m.
Carbosilanes surfactants and their synthesis are disclosed in the British patent 1,520,421. They have the general formula
wherein R is a methyl, ethyl, propyl or trifluoropropyl group, with the proviso that at least 50% of the R groups are methyl groups, Rxe2x80x2 is an alkyl group with 1 to 6 carbon atoms and Rxe2x80x3 is a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group with 2 to 6 carbon atoms, which connects Q and the adjacent silicon atom by a bridge of at least 2 carbon atoms. Q is an xe2x80x94O(C2H4O)cX, wherein c has a value of 3 to 12 and X is a hydrogen group, Rxe2x80x2xe2x80x3 group,
in which Rxe2x80x2xe2x80x3 is an alkyl group with 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a has a value or 1 or 2 and b a value of 2 or 3.
By definition, at least two silicon atoms must be present here also. In application tests, these compounds show remarkable foaming properties.
In this connection, it was known to those skilled in the art that, within groups of these known carbosilanes with comparable structure, the surfactant properties of the compounds deteriorate as the number of silicon atoms decreases, particularly from 4 to 3 or 2. This observation is reflected in the theory of Neumann (A. W. Neumann, D. Renzow, Zeitschrift f. Phys. Chem., New Issue 68, 11, (1969)), which states that the permethylated surface of the siloxane backbone is responsible for lowering the surface tension of aqueous solutions to below 30 to 40 mN/m.
Furthermore, reference is made to the Japanese publications of H. Maki et al. in YUKAGAGU 19, No. 4, page 51 ff. and YUKAGAGU 19, No. 11, page 23 ff., both from the year 1970, in which defined compounds of the formulas
(CH3)3Si(CH2)3(C2H4O)nH and ((CH2)4)3Si(CH2)3(C2H4O)mH
are described, wherein n=4.0 or 7.7 and m=10 or 17. However, these compounds lower the interfacial tension of a 0.1% by weight solution only to values of not less than 26.5 mN/m.
Likewise, quaternary nitrogen compounds having the formula
Bu3M(CH2)3N+(CH3)3Clxe2x88x92 (Bu=Butyl, M=Sn, Si),
which, admittedly, are bacteriostatic but not very surface active, are described in these Japanese publications. The best representatives of these quaternary compounds lower the surface tension of a 1% aqueous solution to 32 mN/m.
The present invention is based on the surprising finding that, in contrast to general theoretical or factual knowledge, as expressed, for example, in the Neumann theory, selected silanes, that is, compounds with only a single silicon atom, but in which the ratio of hydrophilic to hydrophobic parts of the molecule is balanced, lower the surface tension of water exceeding effectively and, in contrast to the siloxane surfactants, are resistant to hydrolysis for days and weeks even in acidic and alkaline media. A further and not foreseeable advantage of the inventive silanes is their complete biodegradability, which makes them particularly suitable for use as surfactants. Such a profile of properties could not be derived from the state of the art and contradicts the previously customary assumptions concerning structural requirements, which organosilicon compounds should fulfill in order to show interfacial tension-lowering properties in aqueous systems.
An object of the present invention is a novel silane. Another object of the invention is the synthesis of novel silanes. Yet another object of the invention is a surfactant in aqueous media comprising the novel silanes.
The silanes have the general formula
wherein
R1, R2 and R3 in the molecule are the same or different and represent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon groups,
R4 is a divalent hydrocarbon group with 4 to 12 carbon atoms and a lateral hydroxyl group, wherein the hydrocarbon group can be interrupted by an ether oxygen, and
R5 is a hydrophilic, ionic group.
Examples of preferred R1, R2 and R3 groups are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl or phenyl groups. However, preferably only one of the R1, R2 and R3 groups is a phenyl group. Preferably, at least 90% of the R1, R2 and R3 groups are methyl groups.
The R4 group is a divalent hydrocarbon group with 4 to 12 carbon atoms and a lateral hydroxyl group. This group is derived from an epoxide, which has an olefinic double bond, which can be hydrosilylated, and the epoxide ring of which has been opened. Diagrammatically, this can be shown by the following example:
The group in the box corresponds to the R4 group.
Preferred examples of the R4 group are:
R5 is an ionic group having the formula
In the above, R6, R7 and R8 are alkyl groups with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, which can be the same or different in the molecule. Examples of such groups are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and the isobutyl group.
X+ is a univalent cation and, moreover, usually a hydrogen, alkali, xc2xd alkaline earth or optionally a substituted ammonium ion. In particular, isopropyl-, triethyl-, butylmethyl-or octylammonium ions come into consideration as substituted ammonium ions.
Yxe2x88x92 is any anion, preferably a halide or acetate ion. The chloride ion is preferred as halide ion.
The following compounds are examples of inventive silanes:
Yet another object of the invention is the synthesis of inventive compounds, which is characterized in that
a) epoxides, which have a olefinic double bond, are reacted by means of an addition reaction in the presence of a hydrosilylation catalyst with silanes of the general formula
and
b) the epoxide ring of the silane-modified epoxides is opened by a known reaction and the product obtained is
b1) sulfonated, or
b2) quaternized by reaction with tertiary amines having the formula
in the presence of an acid YH, or
b3) converted by a reaction with a compound of the formula
into the betaine.
Preferably, the hydrosilylation is carried out at an elevated temperature and/or in the presence of a solvent, a platinum catalyst being used as catalyst.
Step b1) of the method is carried out in a known manner by reacting the silane-modified epoxides with alkali sulfite/alkali hydrogen sulfate or by reacting the sulfite/hydrogen sulfate of the desired cation in the presence of a polar solvent. As solvent, an isopropanol/water mixture is preferably used. The reaction preferably is carried out at an elevated temperature, for example, at the boiling point of the isopropanol/water mixture.
Step b2) of the method, namely the reaction of silane-modified epoxides with different tertiary amines also is preferably carried out in the presence of a polar solvent, particularly a short-chain, low-boiling, aliphatic alcohol, such as isopropanol. The reaction proceeds in the presence of a protonic acid, acetic acid being preferred.
Step b3) of the method comprises the reaction of the silane-modified epoxides with dialkylaminoacetic acid in the presence of a polar solvent, particularly, a lower molecular weight aliphatic alcohol, such as isopropanol.
It is, of course, also possible to react the silane-modified epoxide initially with a dialkylamine, such as dimethylamine in an equivalent manner and then to convert the product obtained by reaction with sodium chloroacetate in the presence of a polar solvent, such as isopropanol, into the betaine.
It is well known to those skilled in the art that the critical micelle concentration (cmc) in aqueous solutions, which is an important parameter for characterizing the surfactant behavior of a compound, depends on the degree of bonding of the counterion to the rest of the surfactant. The cmc of the surfactant decreases as the bonding of the counterion to the rest of the surfactant increases. The degree of bonding depends on the polarizability, the valence and the hydrate shell of the counterion. The specific surfactant properties of a compound, such as the foaming and wetting capability, the solubility and the surface tension-lowering effect, are affected not only by the surfactant group, but also by the counterion.
It is also possible to have steps b1) and b2) of the method proceed simultaneously and to synthesize anion-cation surfactants, by carrying out the reaction of the product of step a) of the method with trialkylammonium hydrogen sulfite. The sulfonate, as well as the corresponding quaternary ammonium compound as a complex are then obtained in equimolar amounts. This is explained by the following reaction outline:
Yet another object of the invention is the use of the inventive silanes as surfactants in aqueous media. In this connection, it is possible to lower the surface tension of aqueous solutions to values of about 23 mN/m by the addition of 1% by weight of the inventive compounds. At the same time, the biological degradability of the inventive compound is of quite special significance. It is supplemented by the resistance of the silane surfactants to hydrolysis.
Important possible applications of the inventive silane surfactants are their use, for example,
as wetting agents:
in preparations for the treatment of plants (agricultural formulations); for improving the wetting of substrates with a low surface-free energy, such as polyethylene and polypropylene surfaces; for use in the paint industry; for the production of photographic films; in galvanizing technology;
as dispersant:
for dispersion paints, pigments and fillers;
as emulsifiers or additives in the textile industry for the production of textile auxiliaries, fabric softeners, lubricants, antistatic preparations; as a dyeing auxiliary;
as surfactants in general:
for use in fire extinguishers; as foam stabilizers; as surface-active additives to high speed printing inks, adhesives, dispersion adhesives, melt adhesives; for use in detergents; as additives for industrial cleaners;
as raw materials for use in cosmetics, for example, in grooming aids, shampoos, shower gels;
in technical applications and in the household:
anti-condensation agent for use in dishwashing detergents, laundry detergents, toilet cleaners, automatic gloss emulsions.
The preparation of the inventive compounds and their properties are described in greater detail in the following Examples, it being understood that the Examples are provided by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

Silanes with hydrophilic groups, their synthesis and use as surfactants in aqueous media

Abstract: Silanes of the general formula

Abstract: are prepared, wherein R1, R2 and R3 in the molecule are the same or different and represent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon groups, R4 is a divalent hydrocarbon group with 4 to 12 carbon atoms and a lateral hydroxyl group, wherein the hydrocarbon group can be interrupted by an ether oxygen, R5 is a hydrophilic, ionic group. A method for synthesizing these compounds is described. The silanes greatly lower the surface tension of aqueous solutions, the surface tension being reduced to values of about 23 mN/m. The silanes are biologically degradable and have pronounced surfactant properties.


A communications detector for detecting remote user hang-up or disconnection by a telephone answering machine (TAM). The remote hang-up detector (RHUD) may operate in conjunction with a modem and does not affect transmission and receipt of modem signals and modem performance. An optically isolated voltage detector indicates to the TAM that the remote user has hung up by detecting reversal or interruption of the loop current supplied by the central office, thereby causing the local user or modem to likewise hang up.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to telephone system architecture for enabling a telephone answering machine (TAM) operable in a modem environment to recognize when a call originator has hung up or has otherwise been disconnected. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention enable a local modem operating in a TAM mode to return to an on-hook state and terminate the recording of any message in response to a determination that the remote caller is also back on-hook.
2. Description of Related Art
In computer-based TAM systems, incoming and outgoing messages can be recorded through a modem without a separate, external answering device. In typical arrangements, the modem is connected indirectly to the central office line via the computer, as well as to an external power source. The central office functions as a switching unit installed in the public switched telephone network (PSTN), and includes necessary operating equipment and devices for terminating and interconnecting multiple telephone lines and trunks leading to subscribers' telephone sets. The central office generally provides a nominal 48 volt power supply to the telephone in an off-hook condition across the PSTN. That is, for example, the two wires of the telephone line are connected to a battery in the central office. When the telephone handset is picked up, or goes off-hook, a standard hook switch simply connects the two wires so that current flows from the central office over one wire to the telephone and returns down the other wire to the central office.
Typically, the modem is coupled to the central office via a variety of electronic components, switches, and relays. An off-hook relay coupled between the central office and the modem connects the modem to the central office line by closing, for example, when a telephone set, coupled to the modem arrangement, is picked up, or goes off-hook. If a telephone set is not included in the modem arrangement, when the internal modem connection receives indication of an incoming call, a microprocessor controls the off-hook relay, causing it to close to connect the modem to the central office. In effect, this is analogous to picking up the telephone handset. When the off-hook relay closes, the central office is connected to the modem via the 48-volt supply which provides a DC loop current to the modem through the modem's internal data access arrangement. The DC loop current indicates that the central office line has been connected, and may also be used to power up other electronics associated with the telephone line, such as an external telephone in addition to the modem. A detailed discussion of a telephone and modem arrangement is described in copending application entitled "Data Access Arrangement with Telephone Interface," Ser. No. 08/536,886, filed Sep. 29, 1995, and invented by R. Rahamim and R. W. Frankland. The disclosure of the aforementioned copending application is incorporated herein by reference.
When a telephone call is connected by the central office, the continuing presence of both the originator (remote line) and the answering party (local line) is indicated by the maintenance of the DC loop current in the circuits on both sides. If one party hangs up, the central office, which detects the loss of the current in that party's circuit continues to monitor the current in the other circuit to detect whether the other party has also hung up. If, after several seconds have elapsed, the central office detects that the loop current continues to flow, the central office will signal the other party that the call has ended by reversing the direction of the loop current or interrupting it momentarily.
For example, when one party picks up a telephone handset, the off-hook relay closes, allowing the DC current to flow from the central office. When that first party dials a telephone number for a second party, the central office connects the first party to the second party's line, and sends back a small AC current to indicate a live ringing tone. When the remote side, or second party, picks up the telephone handset, the central office detects the flow of the remote DC loop current and determines whether the local DC loop current is still flowing. If the loop current at both sides continues to flow, the central office will connect the first and second parties together.
If either party is a TAM, when the other side hangs up, the TAM must detect that the call originator has hung up to terminate further recording. Thus, if the central office detects a lack of loop current on the call originator's side and an active loop current on the TAM side, the central office will typically interrupt the local loop current for 1.2 seconds. In some areas, the central office will interrupt the connection by reversing the voltage polarity. Traditionally, if the TAM is considered to be off-hook and thus connected to the central office during this interruption of the loop current, a recorded statement requesting the user to "please hang up" is announced.
However, since the off-hook line is just a TAM, which may have just recorded a message from a remote party, the TAM may not be able to detect the interruption of the loop current. In many TAMs, the TAM controller is programmed or otherwise caused to disconnect its own connection with the central office in response to predetermined signal levels. Typically, the determination of whether the TAM can "hear" anything from the calling line is determined by detecting the average voltage level on the line over a period of time, between particular frequencies. For example, the TAM will listen to any noises or sounds from the calling line and, according to typical voice frequencies averaged together, will look at the energy of the sounds to determine if there is no longer a voice on the calling side. However, it has been found that this type of waiting and listening also causes problems in that the period of noise or silence will be recorded before the TAM eventually stops recording and is disconnected.
Presently, for a modem operating in a TAM mode, to detect when a call originator hangs up, the modem is configured to detect "near silence" on the line for a certain time period which indicates that the message has ended, and that the remote caller has hung up. However, problems can arise when the calling party merely pauses in the middle of the message, causing the modem to hang up. Or, if the line noise is greater than the "near silence" threshold, the modem may continue to record the noise indefinitely.


A system for analyzing a chemosensor that includes a light source directed at a chemosensor, and a spectrometer arranged to detect a signal from the light source after passing through the chemosensor. The spectrometer includes signal conditioning electronics and spectral decomposition software which allows the spectrometer to perform a spectral analysis in order to identify, in real time, one or more heavy metals in a continuous flow of water interacting with one or more dyes on the chemosensor.

Real-time monitoring of environmental and industrial waters for metal pollutants of concern for public and environmental health via the standard methods of sampling followed by laboratory analysis is not possible or practical with current technology. Toxic metal ions enter environmental waters, through improperly treated industrial waste water, landfills, and mine runoff. Although many monitoring methods have been tried, there is no proven technology capable of reliably measuring low levels of pollutant concentrations in real time, in the field. There is a critical need for a real-time monitoring system to ensure and enforce regulatory compliance and to warn of threats to public and environmental health.
Embodiments of the invention provide such a real-time monitoring system and method of operating same. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein.

System and method for measuring dissolved metal concentrations using a chemosensor film