Microwave examination of individuals is carried out by transmitting microwave signals from multiple antenna locations into an individual and receiving the backscattered microwave signals at multiple antenna locations to provide received signals from the antennas. The received signals are processed to remove the skin interface reflection component of the signal and the corrected signal data are provided to a hypothesis testing process. In hypothesis testing for detecting tumors, image data are formed from the test statistic used to perform a binary hypothesis test at each voxel. The null hypothesis asserts that no tumor is present at a candidate voxel location. The voxel threshold is determined by specifying a false discovery rate to control the expected proportion of false positives in the image. When the test statistic value associated with a voxel is greater than the threshold, the null hypothesis is rejected and the test statistic is assigned to the voxel. For voxels where the test statistic falls below the threshold, the null hypothesis is accepted and the voxel value is set to zero. The resulting image indicates the locations or other characteristics of detected tumors.

Various imaging techniques have been employed for detecting and locating cancerous tumors in body tissue. X-ray and ultrasound imaging techniques are commonly utilized in screening for breast cancer. X-ray mammography is the most effective current method for detecting early stage breast cancer. However, X-ray mammography suffers from relatively high false positive and false negative rates, requires painful breast compression, and exposes the patient to low levels of ionizing radiation.
Microwave based imaging methods have been proposed for use in imaging of breast tissue and other body tissues as an alternative to current ultrasound and X-ray imaging techniques. Microwave imaging does not require breast compression, does not expose the patient to ionizing radiation, and can be applied at low power levels. Microwave-based imaging exploits the contrast in dielectric properties between normal and malignant tissue. With microwave tomography, the dielectric-properties profile of an object being imaged is recovered from measurement of the transmission of microwave energy through the object. This approach requires the solution of an ill-conditioned nonlinear inverse-scattering problem which requires elaborate image reconstruction algorithms. An alternative microwave imaging approach is based on microwave radar methods that use the measured scattered signal to infer the locations of significant sources of scattering in the object being imaged, and are simpler to implement and more robust. Microwave radar methods require the focusing of the received signal in both space and time to discriminate against clutter and to obtain acceptable resolution. This may be accomplished with an antenna array and ultra-wideband microwave probe signals. For a discussion of this approach, see, S. C. Hagness, et al., "Two-Dimensional FDTD Analysis of a Pulsed Microwave Confocal System for Breast Cancer Detection: Fixed Focus and Antenna-Array Sensors," IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng., Vol. 45, Dec., 1998, pp. 1470-1479; S. C. Hagness, et al., "Three-Dimensional FDTD Analysis of a Pulsed Microwave Confocal System for Breast Cancer Detection: Design of an Antenna-Array Element," IEEE Trans. Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 47, May, 1999, pp. 783-791; S. C. Hagness, et al., "Dielectric Characterization of Human Breast Tissue and Breast Cancer Detection Algorithms for Confocal Microwave Imaging," Proc. of the 2nd World Congress on Microwave and Radio Frequency Processing, Orlando, Fla., April, 2000; X. Li and S. C. Hagness, "A Confocal Microwave Imaging Algorithm for Breast Cancer Detection," IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, Vol.11, No. 3, March, 2001, pp.130-132; and E. Fear, et al, "Confocal microwave imaging for breast cancer detection: Localization of tumors in three dimensions," IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, vol. 49, no. 8, August 2002, pp. 812-822.
This approach has been extended using space-time beamforming. E. J. Bond, et al., "Microwave Imaging Via Space-Time Beamforming for Early Detection of Breast Cancer," IEEE Trans. Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 51, No. 8, August 2003, pp.1690-1705; S. K. Davis, et al, "Microwave imaging via space-time beamforming for early detection of breast cancer: Beamformer design in the frequency domain," Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications, vol. 17, no. 2, 2003, pp. 357-381; and X. Li, et al, "Microwave imaging via space-time beamforming: Experimental investigation of tumor detection in multi-layer breast phantoms," IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, vol. 52, no. 8, August 2004, pp.1856-1865. See also U.S. published patent application 2003/0088180 A1, "Space-Time Microwave Imaging for Cancer Detection," published May 8, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

Microwave-based examination using hypothesis testing


A drive system may provide centrifugally driven clutch members into engagement and disengagement using weights between an interface of the clutch members. The weights maybe disposed in races between the clutch members. The weights may move centrifugally within the races pushing the clutch members apart during rotation of an input drive shaft. In some embodiments, two clutch members may provide the engagement and disengagement of the input drive shaft power to a drive output member and a third clutch member may be configured to engage the two clutch members during drive engagement. The third clutch member may be configured to disengage from the two clutch members as a failsafe during, for example, an overspeed condition or a jammed clutch interface.

The present invention generally relates to drive systems and more particularly, centrifugal engagement and disengagement drive systems.
In some aircraft, the wheels may be electrically driven by the motor during taxiing (sometimes referred to as E-taxi systems). Engagement and disengagement of the wheels to move the aircraft may require a clutch device to transfer drive power from the motor to the wheels. In some systems, the clutch device may be engaged by a direct command from the pilot. It is known to use, for example, push/pull type clutches to engage the input shaft with the output shaft. However, in some cases, the rotation of the input drive shaft may overwhelm the output drive shaft potentially damaging the elements (for example, the wheel assembly) connected to the output shaft. In other instances, the clutch device may become jammed staying connected to the output shaft after a command to disengage has been sent.
As can be seen, there is a need to for a drive system that can power a drive output device while providing a failsafe to oversped or jammed clutch devices.

Centrifugal engagement and disengagement drive systems


A friction brake device has a brake rotor which rotates around a rotation axis, brake pads as rotating friction members which rotate around an autorotation axis parallel to the rotation axis, rotational torque transmission devices which mutually transmit rotational torques between the brake rotor and the brake pads without depending on the friction force between the brake rotor and the brake pads, and pressing devices which press the brake pads against the brake rotor. The pressing devices press the brake pads against the brake rotor by way of non-rotating friction members which are supported so as not to rotate around the autorotation axis.

As is described, for example, in the under-mentioned patent citation 1 which corresponds to an application filed by the same applicant as the present application, as one of friction brake devices, a friction brake device has been known in which friction members that are pressed against a rotor disk are rotatable about an autorotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the rotor disk. In this disk type brake device, a braking torque is generated by means of revolution of the friction members around the rotation axis relative to the rotor disk and a resistance torque is generated by means of autorotation of the friction members about the autorotation axis relative to the rotor disk. Another braking torque is generated by means of the resistance torque being transmitted to the rotor disk by a gear device.
According to a brake device described in the above-mentioned patent citation 1, as compared to a conventional general brake device in which a braking torque is generated only by means of the friction members revolving relative to the rotor disk, a braking force can be increased. In particular, a braking force can be increased without increasing the pressing force with which the friction members are pressed against the rotor disk by pressing devices.


A method for determining a cumulative network layer reachability cost of traversing one or more autonomous network routing systems comprises receiving first network route information from an originating customer edge router, wherein the first network route information identifies a route in a customer network; determining a transit cost from the provider edge router to an endpoint associated with the originating customer edge router based upon a metric value received in a cost community attribute; repeating the determining step for each of one or more autonomous systems that lie in a path from the originating customer edge router to a destination customer edge router, to result in determining an accumulated transit costs across one or more autonomous systems; and determining, based at least in part upon the accumulated transit cost, a best path from the provider edge router to the endpoint associated with the originating customer edge router.

The approaches described in this section could be pursued, but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Enterprises that host or manage large networks, such as Internet service providers (ISPs), commonly deploy virtual private networks (VPNs) so that ISP customers can securely communicate private data across non-secure semi-public Internet nodes. An ISP network comprising provider edge (PE) routers, core network routers, and other elements may be termed an autonomous system (AS). Such systems commonly use Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), as defined in Request for Comments (RFC) 1771 of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), for exchanging route information ("prefixes") and reachability information with other systems.
Current practices provide no effective way for managers of BGP VPNs to determine or account for transit costs of traffic passing through a service provider. In addition, the transit cost between multiple autonomous systems also is not considered. Thus, current practices provide no effective way for any customer edge (CE) router to find the shortest path for a prefix with multiple paths traversing several autonomous systems within the same administrative domain.
For the purpose of illustrating one relevant problem, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example network configuration. A customer network 102 has a CE router 104 that is coupled by link 105 to a PE router 106 associated with an ISP core network 109. PE router 106 is coupled by link 114 through ISP core network 109 to a second PE router 108, which is linked to CE router 110 by link 116. The second CE router 110 is associated with a separate customer network 112 of a different customer of the ISP. PE routers 106, 108 and core network 109 are associated with one ISP 120. Thus, in FIG. 1 the first and second CE routers 104, 110 are connected indirectly via a common ISP 120. CE router 104 and PE router 106 could run either BGP (and either exterior BGP [EBGP] or interior BGP [IBGP]) or an interior gateway protocol (IGP) over link 105. Similarly, PE routers 106, 108 on link 114, and PE router 108 and CE router 110 on link 116 could run any of IBGP and IGP.
In this scenario, for a route that is originated by CE router 104, and reaches CE router 110 via PE routers 108, 106, CE router 110 currently has no way to calculate the total cost for it to reach CE router 104. Generally, there is currently no way to calculate a total cost value that reflects cost values that are developed independently by different routing protocols, and there is no way to do so between EBGP and IGP in particular.
Having a way to compute total link cost or transit cost between different routing protocols would be particularly useful when there are different routing paths available via different routing protocols, or the same routing protocols, running under the same administrative domain. For example, a customer of multiple service providers may wish to select the shortest path for a given route automatically. Currently, no automatic selection mechanism exists, and path selection, in this case, is performed by manual configuration.
No other solutions that attempt to resolve this problem are known. One cost communication mechanism, which does not solve the problem identified herein, is described in Retana et al., in the document named "draft-retana-bgp-custom-decision-00.txt," available at the IETF web site and Internet-draft archive sources. Retana et al. propose a mechanism for extending community attributes to carry a cost of a route within one BGP domain or autonomous system. When route information is communicated outside an AS, the cost value is lost. Thus, the mechanism of Retana et al. cannot be used to transport a cost of a route across the boundaries of autonomous systems.

Method of determining transit costs across autonomous systems


A trailer hitch mounted recycling, transporting, and even a waste container transporting apparatus includes a tubing connector, that secures with the trailer hitch of a vehicle, and having a support plate, that mounts a lifting tube permanently thereon. A pivot rod pivotally secures to the upper end of the lifting tube, and the pivot rod connects with a lifting lever, which when pivoted from a vertical to a horizontal position, allows for movement of a container either onto or off of the ground, in preparation for its transport, or removal from this apparatus. A lifting hook slidably engages with the lifting tube, and connects with a lifting bracket at its upper end, which connects with a short lever, that provides a sliding movement to the lifting hook either upwardly with respect to the lifting tube, or downwardly therefrom, so that its hook device can secure to the container to provide for its lifting, transport, and lowering, after it has been moved to a distant location.

This invention relates to waste and related containers, even those that may be wheeled, for conveyance or transfer, but provides a lever actuated device that can easily grasp the lifting bar of the container, off the ground, lifted for a clearance distance, and allowed to be moved by a vehicle through the attachment of the transporting apparatus to the trailer hitch of a vehicle, or the like.
Other devices have been created that are designed to transport waste material, and other materials, in an effort to lessen the burden of the user to convey particularly waste or other items, to a more distant location.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,896, to Cummins, shows a trash container lifting device, and for transporting a filled trash container to a remote site for pickup. It includes a frame, that may attach to a trailer hitch, that has a manual lever for lifting of the heavy trash container off the ground surface, and incorporates spring means, for providing its mechanical advantage, for lifting a loaded container for transfer. But for its spring device, and since its lever is located approximately centrally with respect to the pickup of the ladened trash container, the mechanical advantage provided is substantially lessened, when compared to the current invention.
Other patented devices for use for lifting, for example, a garbage can, can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,376,986, to Farber, and shows a dolly like mechanism for lifting a ladened trash can, for transport.
An automobile carrier is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,338,955, to Metcalf, for use for lifting other items for conveyance purposes.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,409,103, shows a related type of device, pivotally mounted proximate an early trailer hitch, for use as a luggage carrier.
Other patented devices that show means for conveyance and dumping of a load, can be seen in the vehicle dump bed U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,740,097, 4,944,434, shows another automobile portable hauler. U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,151, shows a carrier rack that attaches to the back of a vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 2,663,474, shows an outboard motor carrier that may be attached to the back of a vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,492, shows a detachable lift unit for pickup trucks. It incorporates a load carrying platform. U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,173, shows a multi-vehicle transport system for bulk materials in confined areas.
The patent to Martin, U.S. Pat. No. 2,051,265, shows another form of carrier for a vehicle. The patent to Ellis, U.S. Pat. No. 2,930,500, shows another carrier rack to function as an asphalt roller, as an alternative usage. U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,069, shows another outboard motor carrier for a motor vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,129, shows a wheelchair carrier and loading device, for attachment to a vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,044, shows a device for controlling a loading platform for transport vehicles. U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,809, shows a hydraulic lift gate for the back of a truck bed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,628, shows a self-loading dolly mount apparatus. Finally, a vehicle hitch for securing a hand truck, cart, or other small load, to the back of a truck, can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,261. These are all examples of known prior art relating to the subject matter of the current invention.

Trailer hitch mounted recycling and waste container transporting apparatus


A data storage system includes a plurality of control/data buses. A memory section is coupled to the plurality of control/data buses. The memory section includes a plurality of memory regions and a plurality of control logic sections arranged in a matrix of rows and columns. The control logic sections in each one of the rows thereof is connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of memory regions. The control logic sections in each one of the columns thereof is connected to a corresponding one of the control/data buses. Each one of the rows of control logic sections are interconnected through an arbitration bus. The control logic section is adapted to produce a control/data bus request for the one of the control/data buses coupled thereto and is adapted to effect the transfer in response to a control/data bus grant fed to the control logic section. Each one of the control logic sections also includes a fault tolerant bus arbitration section coupled to the arbitration bus to: (1) receive a control/data bus request from the control logic in such one of the control logic sections and from the other control logic sections coupled to such arbitration bus; (2) grant access to the control/data bus to one of the control logic sections in accordance with the control/data bus requests coupled to the bus arbitration section; (3) receive control/data bus grants from the other control logic sections coupled to such arbitration bus; and (4) distribute the control/data bus request produced by the control logic in said control logic section to the other control logic sections coupled to the arbitration bus.

This invention relates generally to data storage systems, and more particularly to data storage systems having redundancy arrangements to protect against total system failure in the event of a failure in a component or subassembly of the storage system.
As is known in the art, large mainframe computer systems require large capacity data storage systems. These large main frame computer systems generally includes data processors which perform many operations on data introduced to the computer system through peripherals including the data storage system. The results of these operations are output to peripherals, including the storage system.
One type of data storage system is a magnetic disk storage system. Here a bank of disk drives and the main frame computer system are coupled together through an interface. The interface includes CPU, or xe2x80x9cfront endxe2x80x9d, controllers and xe2x80x9cback endxe2x80x9d disk controllers. The interface operates the controllers in such a way that they are transparent to the computer. That is, data is stored in, and retrieved from, the bank of disk drives in such a way that the mainframe computer system merely thinks it is operating with one mainframe memory. One such system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,939, entitled xe2x80x9cSystem and Method for Disk Mapping and Data Retrievalxe2x80x9d, inventors Moshe Yanai, Natan Vishlitzky, Bruno Alterescu and Daniel Castel, issued Apr. 27, 1993, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.
As described in such U.S. patent, the interface may also include, in addition to the CPU controllers and disk controllers, addressable cache memories. The cache memory is a semiconductor memory and is provided to rapidly store data from the main frame computer system before storage in the disk drives, and, on the other hand, store data from the disk drives prior to being sent to the main frame computer. The cache memory being a semiconductor memory, as distinguished from a magnetic memory as in the case of the disk drives, is much faster than the disk drives in reading and writing data.
The CPU controllers, disk controllers and cache memory are interconnected through a backplane printed circuit board. More particularly, disk controllers are mounted on disk controller printed circuit boards. CPU controllers are mounted on CPU controller printed circuit boards. And, cache memories are mounted on cache memory printed circuit boards. The disk controller, CPU controller and cache memory printed circuit boards plug into the backplane printed circuit board. In order to provide data integrity in case of a failure in a controller, the backplane printed circuit board has a pair of buses. One set of the disk controllers is connected to one bus and another set of the disk controllers is connected to the other bus. Likewise, one set of the CPU controllers is connected to one bus and another set of the CPU controllers is connected to the other bus. The cache memories are connected to both buses. Each one of the buses provides data, address and control information.
Thus, the use of two buses provides a degree of redundancy to protect against a total system failure in the event that the controllers, or disk drives connected to one bus fail.
In accordance with the present invention, a data storage system is provided. The data storage system includes a plurality of control/data buses. A memory section is coupled to the plurality of control/data buses. memory section includes a plurality of memory regions and a plurality of control logic sections arranged in a matrix of rows and columns. the control logic sections in each one of the rows thereof is connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of memory regions. The control logic sections in each one of the columns thereof is connected to a corresponding one of the control/data buses.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, each one of the rows of control logic sections are interconnected through an arbitration bus.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, each one of the control logic sections is coupled between a corresponding one of the control/data buses and the memory region. Each one of such control logic sections includes a control logic for controlling transfer of data between the memory and the one of the plurality of control/data buses coupled to said one of the logic sections. The control logic is adapted to produce a control/data bus request for the one of the control/data buses coupled thereto and is adapted to effect the transfer in response to a control/data bus grant fed to the control logic. Each one of the control logic sections also includes a bus arbitration section coupled to the arbitration bus. Each one of the bus arbitration sections is adapted to: (1) receive a control/data bus request from the control logic in such one of the control logic sections and from the other control logic sections coupled to such arbitration bus; (2) grant access to the control/data bus to one of the control logic sections in accordance with the control/data bus requests coupled to the bus arbitration section; (3) receive control/data bus grants from the other control logic sections coupled to such arbitration bus; and (4) distribute the control/data bus request produced by the control logic in said control logic section to the other control logic sections coupled to the arbitration bus.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, each one of the bus arbitration sections includes a majority gate fed by the control/data bus grants received from the other control logic sections for producing an internal control/data bus grant when a majority of the control logic sections indicate that the said one of the bus arbitration sections has been granted the control/data bus.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, each one of the bus arbitration sections includes an internal arbitrator response to control/data bus request from the plurality of control logic sections and provides a control/data bus grant to one of the plurality of control logic sections selectively in accordance with a pre-determined criteria.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, each one of the bus arbitration sections includes an internal arbitrator response to control/data bus request from the plurality of control logic sections and wherein each one of the plurality of control logic sections provides a control/data bus grant to one of the plurality of control logic sections selectively in accordance with a common predetermined criteria.


An electronic key system for an entry object such as a vehicle is comprised of a portable device and an in-object device. The portable device has a device body and an emergency key detachably accommodated in the device body. The emergency key has a transponder, which is separate from a transponder provided in the device body. The transponder is for verifying the authority of registration of an additional portable device, while the transponder is for verifying the authority of vehicle control. The device body is also capable of detachably accommodating an emergency key which has no transponder.

In a conventional electronic key system for vehicles, an electronically operable hand-held device (portable device) carried by a vehicle user transmits its identification information (ID code) in response to a request transmitted from an electronically operable in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle. The in-vehicle device compares the ID code received from the portable device and an ID code stored in its memory. The in-vehicle device permits predetermined operations, such as locking or unlocking of doors or starting of an engine of a vehicle, if the compared ID codes agree.
JP 2002-322841 proposes that a portable device detachably accommodates therein a mechanical key (key plate) as an emergency key for use in case of inoperability of the portable device because of battery rundown. JP 2000-64680 proposes that an in-vehicle device allows registration of additional portable devices by storing each ID code of such additional portable devices.
It is necessary that the in-vehicle device confirms that the registration of each additional portable device is requested by an authorized user from the standpoint of security. The in-vehicle device may use, as a key registration verification ID code, the same ID code as assigned to the original portable device for the normal door lock/unlock control or engine operation to confirm that the registration of the additional portable device is requested by the authorized user.
In this case, vehicle security may not be ensured. For instance, if a driver who rents a vehicle successfully registers an additional portable device without authorization, the driver can steal the vehicle by the additional portable device even after the vehicle is returned.
To overcome this problem, the key registration verification ID code may be stored in a different body such as a card, which is separate from the portable device and not normally carried. The different body however is sometimes inconvenient. For instance, it is likely to be lost or unavailable at the time of requesting the additional registration, because it is not usually carried.


In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for controlling the negative load of an engine is disclosed. The engine is drivingly connected to a hydro-mechanical drive system that includes a variable displacement pump and motor. An engine speed sensor senses the rotational speed of the engine and produces an actual engine speed signal indicative of the rotational engine speed. A travel speed sensor senses the travel speed of the machine and produces an actual travel speed signal indicative of the machine travel speed. An overspeed controller compares the actual engine speed signal to a proportional and integral threshold, produces a proportional and integral error signal indicative of the difference between the actual engine speed signal magnitude and the corresponding thresholds, calculates a proportional and integral control signal from the corresponding errors, combines the proportional and integral control signals and responsively produces a command signal. A displacement controller receives the command signal and responsively controls one of the variable pump and motor to regulate the negative engine load to optimize the retarding power of the engine without overspeeding the engine or drivetrain.

Many machines, particularly earth working machines, use a hydrostatic drive system to drive the traction wheels or tracks of the machine. The machine speed can be regulated by controlling the displacements of the two hydraulic elements of the hydrostatic drive system.
One common problem with earth moving machines which use hydrostatic or hydro-mechanical transmissions is that the machine can be operated in an engine overspeed condition. An overspeed condition occurs when the machine decelerates quickly or the machine travels down a slope in which there is a reversal of torque in the powertrain such that the engine and drivetrain provide a resistive load to the system. In a hydrostatic transmission, the hydraulic motor will act like a pump and the hydraulic pump will act like a motor. This can put undesirable stresses on the drivetrain and the engine. An overspeed condition can thus cause severe damage to the pump, motor and engine by exceeding the designed operating speed of the component.
One attempt at overcoming this problem is monitoring the engine speed and adjusting the displacements of the pump and motor to prevent the overspeeding condition. However, such systems sometimes react to an overspeed condition too late and thus damage certain powertrain components. Also, while these open-loop control schemes do prevent an overspeed condition, they do not directly control machine deceleration to optimize the energy dissipation provided by an engine friction curve. Such an engine friction curve is shown in FIG. 4 where Engine Torque is graphed against Engine Speed.
Some systems attempt to predict an overspeed condition by calculating the derivative or change of engine speed and react upon this calculated term. However, many times a derivative term can be a noisy parameter which is difficult to use as a feedback signal. Some systems attempt to filter the derivative calculation, but the filter may incorporate a lag which the derivative term was originally trying to remove.
The present invention is directed toward overcoming both of the problems as set forth above.

Overspeed control system for a hydro-mechanical drive system


The present systems and methods disclose a system for personalizing computer functionality. End-users are provided with tools to easily write rich and complex preferences, for example, by using a plurality simple IF-THEN propositional logic. The preferences are then transformed into queries and executed efficiently on structured data. Preferences that are satisfied then execute actions such as providing notification or storing data in a particular folder. Furthermore, according to an aspect of the invention, data, logic, events, inter alia, are all schematized, thereby enabling sharing of data between application components and across applications.

Users of computers and computing related technology have typically been divided into two distinct categories namely highly skilled and knowledgeable individuals and everyone else. Skilled and knowledgeable individuals know how to use computers in rich ways and bend them to their will to shape programs and facilitate rich and valuable behaviors. The rest of the world of computer users are at the mercy of the skilled and knowledgeable individuals as they are denied easy or cheap access to knowledge, information, or the ability to make computers serve their needs.
Major breakthroughs in computing have occurred when technology has broken down some of these barriers to access. In the world of mainframes, computers were too expensive for all but the largest businesses to afford. The advent of mini-computers and then personal computers (PCs) broke down the cost barrier and made computers available to small businesses and individuals. In the 1980's, programmers struggled to build graphical user interface (GUI) applications. Without rich and consistent GUIs programmers were unable to build valuable applications for PC users. The Visual Basic revolution as well as the use of controls and event-based GUIs construction enabled application developers to easily build rich applications. Subsequently, a virtuous cycle was established wherein many more end-users were able to exploit these applications. In the 1990's, end users struggled to overcome a lack of access to information. The growth of the Internet transformed this space, making almost all-valuable information accessible to anyone with a browser. However, there are still enormous barriers that need to be overcome.
Conventional computing is not personal. There is very little about a so-called personal computer that is truly "personal." It is true that data stored on a local disk is personal. However, the behavior of the machine, namely the action(s) it performs on behalf of the user, is close to identical across millions of users. Despite owning an amazingly powerful general purpose computer, the average user treats it as a static tool, useful as a communication end-point, useful as a search entry-point, useful to execute some canned mass-market applications, but otherwise incapable of any "personal computing" in the true sense of the word. The personalization capabilities available in current applications just scratch the surface of what is possible and desirable.
Furthermore, conventional computing is not automated but rather manual, requiring users to make decisions and act upon them at an appropriate time. Consider the daily routine of most typical computer end-users. Among other things, end-users gather information, react to communications, initiate or respond to communications, and organize information. Computers have improved communication between people and have improved access to information. However, computers have done little to relieve end-users from the responsibility of making decisions and acting upon them at the right time.
Still further yet, traditional computing is not contextual. Computer software typically provides option settings that are rather static and unrelated to the actual context of the user.
What is needed is a truly personalized computer system—a system that is aware of the needs and preferences of end-users and which acts in a manner guided by those needs as well as by user context. Further, computer systems and software should provide every end-user with a personal assistant for gathering and sifting of information of interest to one or more end-users and automatically reacting to that information in a manner specified by a user.

System and method for extending application preferences classes


The replication of data between a source system and a destination system is disclosed. After having calculated a signature for a fragment of data to be replicated, the source system transmits same to the destination system. The latter determines whether or not the signature is known, e.g., whether or not a fragment is associated with the signature. If so, the data to be replicated is reconstructed (with respect to fragment in question). If not, a message indicating that the signature is unknown is transmitted to the source system, which then transmits the corresponding fragment to the destination system. The latter stores and reconstructs the data to be replicated (with respect to the fragment in question).

Field
The present technology relates to the transmission and storage of data, in particular of data originating from heterogeneous computer systems, and more particularly to the methods, devices and computer programs for optimizing the replication of data in computer systems, between a source and one or more destination systems, in particular between mass storage systems.
Description of Related Technology
Since the arrival of computer systems, data backup systems play a particularly significant role, not only for storing data before or after processing but also to allow them to be restored in the event of loss.
Thus, typically, a company information processing system comprises distributed computer systems which process data, often stored locally, and a central backup system, used for storing a copy of important data from the computer systems. To this end, the computer systems are linked to a communication network to which a mass data storage system is also linked. Periodically, for example every night, or on command, information systems transmit data to the mass storage system, to be backed up there. Thus, if a computer system experiences a hardware or software failure, is destroyed or suffers operator error, it is possible to reconfigure it or to replace it with an equivalent system.
Among mass storage systems, the so-called second generation mass storage systems, using in particular magnetic media such as magnetic tapes or magnetic cartridges, are particularly widespread. In fact, these systems for backing up and archiving data have large storage capacities and their detachable character facilitates their development. A cartridge typically has a capacity of several hundred gigabytes.
In order to facilitate access to mass storage systems independently of the systems making use thereof, virtual libraries exist, for example so-called virtual tape libraries (VTL) which allow heterogeneous computer systems to access the same mass storage system by using in particular read-write functions referencing tape or cartridge numbers. Moreover, for optimizing the access regardless of the actual performance of the media used, these libraries implement the read-write functions in parallel.
It is recalled here that data storage on magnetic tapes or cartridges is continuous. Thus, unlike storage on disk, it is not necessary to store data in respect of the structure and organization of the stored data. Moreover, the stored data are independent of the structure of these data in the system processing them. In fact, the stored data in the backup systems comprise the payload as well as the structural data used, for example, by a file system.
Moreover, when data are considered essential or critical, for example a company's accounting data, not only are they backed up but the backup is replicated (or duplicated). Generally, the data are replicated in a device remote from the backup device. Such data replication allows, for example, a quick return to activity in the event of a disaster.
Several solutions exist for data replication. Thus, there are so-called synchronous configurations according to which the data to be backed up to two different systems are transmitted to these two systems simultaneously. There are also so-called asynchronous configurations according to which the data to be backed up to two different systems are transmitted to a first backup system which itself sends them to the second backup system. Each of these configurations has advantages and drawbacks.
FIG. 1 shows an example data backup and replication environment, according to an asynchronous configuration.
As shown, the environment 100 in this case comprises a communication network 105, for example an Ethernet network, to which computers, micro-computers and/or servers, generically referenced 110, are connected, or groups of computers, micro-computers and/or servers (not shown), forming sub-systems. The computers, micro-computers and servers 110 can constitute platforms that are homogeneous or heterogeneous. These can be in particular proprietary platforms, called mainframes, for example GCOS8 from Bull and zOS from IBM, or open platforms, for example Unix and Linux (GCOS8, zOS, Unix and Linux are trademarks).
A mass storage system 115 is also connected to the communication network 105, in this case via a communication link 120, preferably a link having a large bandwidth and a high bit rate, for example a link of the Fibre Channel type. The mass storage system 115 constitutes a backup system for data generated, handled and/or processed by the computers, micro-computers and servers 110.
The platforms based on the computers, micro-computers and servers 110 can, for example, execute software backup applications such as GCOS8/TMS, Bull OpenSave, Symantec NetBackup, EMC Networker or other similar software backup applications making it possible to back up data by transmitting it to the mass storage system 115. These platforms then also generally implement magnetic tape management applications such as the computer associate tape library management system (CA-TLMS).
The mass storage system 115 is moreover connected to a second mass storage system 125 in order to replicate data backed up to the mass storage system 115. The mass storage systems 115 and 125 are in this case connected to each other via the communication link 130. The latter can be a specific link or a link established over a communication network such as the Internet.
It is noted that, according to the configuration of the environment 100, all the data stored in the mass storage system 115 can be replicated in the mass storage system 125 or not. Thus, it is possible for only certain data stored in the mass storage system 115, typically the data considered the most important, to be replicated in the mass storage system 125. The data to be replicated in the mass storage system 125 are, for example, identified in the mass storage system 115 according to their type and/or their origin (platform of origin).
In order to optimize data backup, several solutions can be envisaged. In particular, in order to reduce the volume of data to be stored, an optimization consists of compressing these data and/or carrying out a deduplication operation. Generally, data compression consists of recoding the data to reduce their size, while the deduplication of data consists of coding only data that are different and using pointers making it possible, when data are common to several data sets, to back them up in a mutualized fashion. These techniques can be implemented on the side of the mass storage system used for the backup and/or on the side of the mass storage system used for the replication.
They can also be used within the framework of the replication in order to optimize the use of the bandwidth required for the exchange of data between two mass storage systems.
However, although these solutions are efficient overall, they are often complex to implement and generally require significant processing resources. Moreover, as solutions using the deduplication of data are concerned, it is noted that data loss can prove disastrous, in particular if these data are common to several data sets. Thus, even if the deduplication of data often proves to be efficient, it is frequently decided not to use it.

Methods, devices and computer programs for optimizing the replication of data in computer systems


Liquid discharge apparatus, particularly useful as a portable inoculation gun for anti-virus inoculation of plants, includes a housing having a handle at one end configured for convenient grasping by a user, a nozzle at the opposite end for discharging liquid from a discharge opening therein, and a maniputable member manually actuatable to produce a discharge of liquid from the nozzle. The nozzle includes a gas passageway communicating with the discharge opening, and a liquid passageway communicating with the gas passageway. A gas delivery system is actuatable by the maniputable member to discharge gas at high-velocity through the discharge opening via the gas passageway. A liquid source communicates with the liquid passageway in the nozzle such that each high-velocity discharge of gas from the nozzle via the gas passageway draws a quantity of liquid from the liquid source into the gas passageway and discharges it at high-velocity with the gas through the discharge opening.

The present invention relates to liquid discharge apparatus for discharging a liquid at a high velocity. The invention is particularly useful when implemented in a portable inoculation gun for anti-virus inoculation of plants, and is therefore described below with respect to such an implementation, but it will be appreciated that the invention could advantageously be implemented in many other types of liquid-discharge device.
It has been known for many years, but not widely appreciated, that plants can be protected from a severe, deliberating virus by prior infection with a mild strain of a closely related virus. This is known as cross-protection. As described in our prior International Application PCT/IL00/00039 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,341), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, the mild viruses previously introduced for cross-protection had to be inoculated by hand-rubbing mechanical friction. This confined the number of plants that could be infected and restricted the use of the method to instances where labor costs are negligible or the value of each plant is high. Moreover, the inoculation efficiency (i.e. the percentage of plants successfully infected) by the hand-friction method is usually not high enough for commercially relevant protection. Application PCT/IL/00/00039 described a multi-barrel plant inoculation gun which facilitated, for the first time, robust inoculation of up to 250,000 plantlets in a working day, compounded by very high efficiencies. However, the method of that application is restricted to use in nurseries where trays bearing plantlets are transported on a conveyer belt and are subject to jet-propulsion from the machine as described therein. Such a method can only be used with respect to young plantlets before transfer to the field, and not with respect to plants directly sown in the field or, for example, fruit trees.

Liquid discharge apparatus particularly useful as a portable inoculation gun for anti-virus inoculation of plants


A complete and portable tool for retaining round, square or other non-flat stock, especially pipes, in a secure fashion while cutting and related operations are performed thereon. The portable pipe cutting tool includes an adjustable work support, V-shaped trough, chain and tightening device, catch tray, left and right support arm bracket, mounting stand, and power tool having a base portion that, as a unit, secure the pipe in place while being cut, grooved or otherwise worked on, by an operator. The portable pipe cutting tool prevents sideways, upward, rotational or other movement of the pipe during such operations.

Pipe used in the construction industry is normally welded or cut prior to installation. Existing methods for cutting pipe utilize a saw and vise arrangement. At construction sites, or other locations where there is no suitable work surface, it is common for operators to locate the saw and vise directly on the ground or on sheets of wood which are supported, for example, by concrete blocks. This arrangement requires that the operator crawl or kneel down on the ground in order to cut the pipe, which in most cases, consists of dirt, concrete, shale or mud. On a typical work day, an operator performs an average of 60–100 cutting and other operations, requiring the operator to kneel to the ground a corresponding number of times to complete each task. It can be appreciated that over the course of a given work day, the operator experiences significant bodily strain due to the uncomfortable height of the saw and vise.
A further shortcoming of the saw and vise arrangement is that it is unsafe for the operator. The vise features two flat metal jaws that squeeze the pipe on opposite sides thereof. The vise is suitable for securing flat workpieces while cutting operations are performed thereon. However, the vise is unable to retain round stock securely in place. As a result, these materials often break free of the vise, causing serious injury to the operator or damage to the cutting blade. This occurs more frequently during the colder months, when pipe tends to be brittle. In addition, the flat design of the vise often fails to accomplish the precise cutting that is required for pipe fitting operations.
Another shortcoming of existing saw and vise arrangements is that for lengthy workpieces, such as pipe, the work surface must be sufficiently long to adequately support the ends of the workpiece. However, the base portions of saws used in the art are only about 12 to 14 inches in length, which is inadequate for supporting large pipe, being defined herein as pipe having lengths of 15 inches or greater. As a result, the ends of the pipe are difficult to support and frequently sag on the dirt, concrete, shale or mud surfaces.
A variety of systems have been presented for overcoming the shortcomings of the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 3,852,917 to McKown discloses two (2) four-legged solid stands adjoined to a work deck with a pipe grooving tool for releasably supporting a large pipe. The apparatus is not designed for supporting a small pipe, defined herein as having an outer diameter of 5 inches or less. Moreover, in order for a complete cross-section of the pipe to be cut, McKown requires that the pipe be rolled or rotated while it is being cut, posing a hazard to an operator. The apparatus is not suitable for supporting small, round stock in a tight and secure fashion. McKown further requires the use of a leveling device on each leg of the apparatus in order to balance the apparatus on uneven ground so that a pipe can be cut.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,598 to Estrem discloses a portable support stand that is attachable to a saw horse for supporting a power tool. The support stand includes a flat surface for supporting a workpiece but does not provide means for steadily and fixedly securing round workpieces, such as pipe, and does not include an integral cutting device.
Accordingly, there is a need for a portable and safe device for tightly securing pipe and other lengthy, non-flat workpieces, while cutting operations are performed thereon.


The invention relates to a method for controlling gaseous fuel pressure in an accumulator (12) of a fuel system (10) for a combustion engine (102) of a vehicle (100), wherein the method comprises the steps of: determining a nominal amount of gaseous fuel to be introduced into the accumulator; introducing less gaseous fuel into the accumulator than the determined nominal amount by reducing or closing an inlet valve (24), which inlet valve is adapted to regulate input of gaseous fuel to the accumulator; and while the inlet valve is reduced or closed, performing at least one injection of gaseous fuel coming from the accumulator into at least one combustion chamber (104a-f) of the combustion engine by at least one injector (14a-f) of the fuel system, which at least one injection contributes to combustion in the combustion engine, thereby reducing pressure in the accumulator. The invention also relates to a corresponding fuel system (10).

A fuel system for a combustion engine running on gaseous fuel, like natural gas, may include an accumulator in the form of a (common) rail which is fluidly connected to a plurality of fuel injectors. During operation, the rail pressure is a control variable for the combustion which changes during operation. In order to decrease the rail pressure during operation, as a response to decreasing fuel demand, an existing solution today includes venting gas back to a tank, and when the tank pressure pass a certain threshold a pressure controlled valve release the gas to surroundings. To use the gas in the tank as fuel a second time, it usually has to be pressurized again, which require energy.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for controlling gaseous fuel pressure


A method for sending messages between a first PBX device and a second PBX device is provided. The method includes receiving a first message from the first PBX at a first gateway. The message includes a standard section and a proprietary section. The standard and proprietary sections may be provided in a protocol associated with the PBX system. The standard section is decoded but the proprietary section is not. The standard section and proprietary section are then packetized in one or more packets. These packets are then sent over a packet-based network to a second gateway and may be routed over the packet-based network using the decoded standard section. The second gateway is then configured to generate a second message including the standard section and the proprietary section for sending to the second proprietary PBX device.

The present invention generally relates to telecommunications and more specifically to techniques for sending proprietary messages from a private Branch Exchange (PBX) over a packet-based network.
A private Branch Exchange (PBX) is a telephone system within an enterprise that switches calls between enterprise users on local lines while allowing all users to share a certain number of external phone lines. The PBX is owned and operated by the enterprise rather than a telephone company. PBX systems typically use a proprietary protocol to send signaling through local lines of a trunk. A trunk may include T1 and E1 lines.
Signaling using the proprietary protocol allows enhanced features to be carried in the PBX system. For example, four-digit calling, call transfer, call park, call pickup, displaying a caller name, and other supplemental features are sent over the PBX system as if it was in one office. Accordingly, remote offices, such as offices in different cities, may be connected as if they were one office. Advanced features are provided using the proprietary signaling; however, users are limited to using the PBX system with dedicated T1/E1 lines in order to use these features.
The proprietary protocol is typically a closed protocol that is only known by the manufacturer of the PBX system. Because outside telephone companies do not support carrying signaling for the PBX system over their networks, a dedicated circuit, such as a T1 or E1 line is used in the PBX system. These lines are typically very expensive. Also, full bandwidth is used regardless of whether a call is being switched on the lines. This is because the lines are dedicated to the enterprise and bandwidth is not allocated on demand.
Because of the closed nature of the proprietary protocol, outside devices cannot decode the proprietary signaling. If a system wants to send the call over a packet-based network (e.g., an IP network), the standard protocols, such as session initiation protocol (SIP), H.323, etc., do not support sending any proprietary information. These protocols only support sending standard information as defined by that protocol. Accordingly, the proprietary signaling that is sent in the PBX system cannot be sent using these packet-based/IP protocols. Thus, users are limited to using dedicated T1/E1 lines in order to transport information in the PBX system.
There is a solution called pseudo wire emulation (PWE) that allows T1/E1 lines to be carried on an IP network. However, this approach suffers from many problems. For example, the PWE approach transports all channels and even when only some of the voice channels are ideal. Also, PWE transports all voice channels in a much longer delay than a T1 and E1 line, which degrades the voice quality because no echo cancellation is provided by the PWE. PWE does not allow signaling using the proprietary protocol to be considered over the packet-based network. Rather, PWE is a point-to-point connection that does not switch or route the calls. The calls are transferred from a designated point to another designated point.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide techniques for sending proprietary PBX signaling over a packet-based network.

Private branch exchange (PBX) networking over IP networks


The present invention relates to a cocrystal of beta-sitosterol or a pharmaceutically acceptable ester thereof or an edible acceptable ester thereof and an organic carboxylic acid coformer, an hydrate crystal form of beta-sitosterol having 1.25 molecules of water per molecule of beta-sitosterol and a combination that comprises a cocrystal of beta-sitosterol and an organic carboxylic acid; and the hydrate crystal form of beta-sitosterol having 1.25 molecules of water per molecule of beta-sitosterol. It also relates to processes for their preparation, and compositions containing them, as well as their use as a medicament or dietary supplement or functional food, and in particular in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a disease or conditions that involves an alteration of lipid metabolism, circulating levels of lipids in the blood and/or lipid composition in tissues and organs.

Arteriosclerosis is the thickening, hardening and loss of elasticity of the walls of arteries. This process gradually restricts the blood flow to one's organs and tissues and can lead to severe health risks brought on by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis (also known as arteriosclerotic vascular disease or ASVD) is a specific form of arteriosclerosis caused by the build-up of an atheroma in and on the artery walls. The atheroma is an accumulation of degenerative material in the inner layer of an artery wall. The degenerative material forming the atheroma consists of mostly macrophage cells, lipids (fatty compounds), and fibrous connective tissue.
Although the precise significance of an elevation of one or more specific blood lipid fractions is not known, there have been disclosed sufficient evidences that elevated serum cholesterol levels (also known as hypercholesterolemia) were considered to be the most important factor in the ethiology of the atherosclerotic process. Therefore, intensive efforts have been made to find an effective pharmacologic agent that reduces the serum cholesterol levels. High levels of cholesterol in blood and in particular high levels of cholesterol-LDL and also to considerable extend high ratio of cholesterol-LDL to cholesterol-HDL are considered risk factors for arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis and other alterations and diseases of the blood vessels and cardiovascular system.
Phytosterols (plant sterols) are plant steroids (or phytosteroids), which encompass both plant sterols and plants stanols (phytostanols) are compounds that have a structure similar to cholesterol. In particular, their structures vary only in the carbon side chains and/or the presence or absence of a double bond (e.g. sitosterol and sitostanol). Phytosterols are widely distributed in the plant kingdom and specially found in vegetable oil, and avocados. However, they are not synthesized by the human body and therefore their presence in the body is the result of their consumption as part of the diet.
Particularly, the 3-Sitosterol (or beta-sitosterol) is the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) of (17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol. It is the phytosterol more abundant in current diets and in many phytosterol-based functional foods or food supplements. The structure of the beta-sitosterol corresponds to the formula (I):

Several clinical studies disclosed in the state of the art have demonstrated that phytosterols reduce serum cholesterol levels by inhibiting cholesterol absorption in the intestinal lumen and probably by other less known mechanisms. Particularly, beta-sitosterol is useful for the reduction of serum total and LDL-cholesterol levels because the beta-sitosterol competes with cholesterol for up taking the cholesterol by the cells or by interfering with the esterification of cholesterol. In fact, beta-sitosterol has been approved by the FDA (Food and drug Administration) for that indication.
In addition, regarding arteriosclerosis there is also increasing emphasis in other lipid entities such as triglycerides. Therefore, intensive efforts have been and are being made to find pharmacologic agents that possess hypolipemic properties with varying degrees of effectiveness and specificity to the different lipid fractions.
It is known that different solid forms of an active ingredient can have different characteristics, and offer certain advantages, for example with regard to solubility or bioavailability. Thus, the discovery of new solid forms allows for improving the pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacologic or other physicochemical properties of the active ingredients and as a consequence, the characteristics of the pharmaceutical formulations containing the active ingredients, since some forms are more adequate for one type of formulation, and other forms for other different formulations.
Particularly, in recent years cocrystal formation has emerged as a viable strategy towards improving the pharmacokinetic data of active ingredients. By cocrystalizing an active ingredient or a salt of an active ingredient with at least one coformer (the second component of the cocrystal), a new solid state form of the active ingredient is created having unique properties compared with existing solid forms of the active ingredient or its salts. However, cocrystal formation is not predictable, and in fact is not always possible. Moreover, there is no way to predict the properties of a particular cocrystal of a compound until it is formed. Finding the appropriate coformers and right conditions to obtain a particular cocrystal can take significant time, effort and resources.
Monohydrate and hemihydrate forms of beta-sitosterol have been disclosed in the state of the art. In particular, a monohydrate form of beta-sitosterol was obtained by crystallization of the beta-sitosterol in a mixture of acetone and water, then the corresponding hemihydrate was obtained by submitting the monohydrate in dry atmosphere conditions (cf. Leena I. Christiansen et al. "A novel method of producing a microcrystalline beta-sitosterol suspension in oil" European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2002, vol. 15, pp. 261-269). Furthermore, other monohydrate and hemihydrate forms of beta-sitosterol have been obtained by crystallization of beta-sitosterol with polysorbate 80 (cf. L. Christiansen et al. "Effect of beta-sitosterol on precipitation of cholesterol from non-aqueous and aqueous solutions", International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2003, vol. 254, pp. 155-166). Finally, further monohydrate and hemihydrate forms have been also obtained by crystallization of the beta-sitosterol in oil-suspensions (cf. Anna von Bonsdorff-Nikander et al. "Physical changes of beta-sitosterol crystals in oily suspensions during heating" AAPS Pharm. Sci. Tech. 2005, vol 6(3) article 51). All the above mentioned hydrate and hemihydrate forms of beta-sitosterol have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD).
From what is known in the art, there is still the need of finding new pharmacologic agents that possess hypolipemic properties with varying degrees of effectiveness and specificity to the different lipid fractions.

CENTER FOR INTELLIGENT RESEARCH IN CRYSTAL ENGINEERING, S.L.


An electronic device includes a chassis, an air-guiding housing mounted in the chassis, and an airflow control member. The chassis includes a base panel with a plurality of ventilation holes. The air-guiding housing comprises an airflow passage aligned with the plurality of ventilation holes. The airflow control member includes a shielding plate attached on the base panel. The airflow control member is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the shielding plate is located beside the air-guiding housing, and the airflow passage is communicated with the plurality of ventilation holes for allowing air flowing to an outside of the chassis via the plurality of ventilation holes. In the second position, the shielding plate is located between the air-guiding housing and the base panel for closing the plurality of ventilation holes and preventing air flowing to the outside of the chassis.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a electronic device with an airflow control structure.
2. Description of Related Art
A electronic device includes a plurality of heat generating components which generate lots of heat during working. The heat is discharged to an outside of the electronic device for preventing overheat of the electronic device. However, if the electronic device works under a low ambient temperature, some of the heat should be kept in the electronic device for increasing a temperature in the electronic device.
Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

Electronic device with airflow control structure

HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (WuHan) CO., LTD.


Disclosed is an apparatus for providing a pair of images to a fixed security camera, the apparatus comprising an angled mirror assembly comprising a left mirror and a right mirror joined at an edge therebetween and disposed at an angle between approximately 60.degree. and 120.degree., preferably 90.degree., to each other. The mirrors are mounted on the angled mirror assembly such that images transmitted through each of a pair of windows of a housing are reflected by the mirrors towards a camera assembly, and the mirrors are bevelled at a joining edge such that no image is generated from the area within and between the respective surfaces thereof. As a result, a left image incident upon the left mirror is reflected thereby towards the camera, and a right image incident upon the right mirror is reflected thereby towards the camera, and the resultant image captured by said camera is composed of a split image of the left image and the right image.

In the field of video surveillance, it is desired to provide the maximum amount of surveillance of the secured area with the minimum amount and complexity of security camera equipment. Television security cameras are often mounted in fixed positions at locations which provide the greatest possible viewing area per camera. When corridors intersect, it is common practice to install two or more cameras in fixed positions at the intersection, with each camera pointed towards a different corridor. In addition, when a long corridor must be monitored, it is common to utilize multiple cameras in fixed positions at various points thereof.
In order to monitor each of the images from the various cameras, it is necessary to provide means for switching from the image provided by one camera to the next. Alternatively, multiple video monitors can be used, corresponding to the number of cameras in the system. Both these methods of monitoring the large number of images provided by the various fixed point cameras are, however, costly.
An alternative way to provide greater coverage is to provide a security camera with means for panning the area under surveillance, rather than fixing the camera in one position. To accomplish this, servo motor drive assemblies are implemented with automatic pan or remote control mechanisms. Typically, a security guard located at a strategically located guard station will operate such remote control devices.
In addition, numerous devices exist in the prior art which operate to move assemblies of mirrors and prisms in order to provide a fixed position security camera with greater surveillance capability. Such mechanisms are also costly and must be aligned and serviced in order to maintain the needed reliability.
Although the use of automatic or semi-automatic drive assemblies enables the reduction of the number of security cameras and corresponding monitors, such assemblies are costly to install and maintain. Moreover, the chance of failure of mechanical panning devices is considerably detrimental in high security applications. Further, the use of such prior art techniques provide only one view for transmission to a monitor at any given time.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide video surveillance of a large area with minimal cost and chance of failure.
It is a further object of the present invention to enable a security camera to monitor optical images from two directions simultaneously, thus eliminating the need for mechanical devices which scan areas of a geometrical size too large or of too complex a structure for one security camera to capture.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an attachment for a standard commercially available security camera to generate separate images of different areas for simultaneous display on a standard commercially available monitor without additional electronic modifications thereto.


The present invention is directed to largely reduce peak current at the time of operation of a boosting circuit provided for an EEPROM. In the erase/write operation, first, a low-frequency clock signal as a selection clock signal is input by a low-frequency clock control signal to a charge pump. After lapse of a certain period (about ⅓ of fall time), a high-frequency clock signal having a frequency higher than that of the low-frequency clock signal is output by a high-frequency clock control signal and is input as the selection clock signal to the charge pump to boost a voltage to a predetermined voltage level. In such a manner, while suppressing the peak of consumption current, the fall time of the boosted voltage can be shortened.

The present invention relates to a voltage boosting technique in a semiconductor memory and, more particularly, to a technique effective when applied to control of a boosted voltage in an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory).
In recent years, an IC card having the functions of a credit card and a telephone card is being spread. The IC card is a card having a shape similar to that of a magnetic card and on which a CPU and a memory are mounted. Reading/writing on the memory is controlled by the CPU. The card itself has a ciphering function and therefore has a high security function and large storage capacity.
There are IC cards of a contact type having, as one of means for transmitting/receiving information to/from an external device such as a reader/writer, mechanical coupling means to the external device, a non-contact type for transmitting information via an information transmitting medium such as waves, and a so-called dual way type of a contact/non-contact type.
An IC card of the non-contact type, in the vicinity of an external device, receives electric waves emitted from the external device. Current flows in a coil as an antenna provided in the IC card by electromagnetic induction, an alternating current voltage is applied to a semiconductor integrated circuit device to which both ends of the coil are connected, thereby supplying power.
The semiconductor integrated circuit device converts the supplied alternating current voltage to a direct current voltage by a rectifying circuit, generates an internal power source voltage Vdd via a regulator, and supplies it to modules.
In an IC card, an EEPROM is widely used as a memory. The EEPROM is an electrically erasable and programmable read only memory and stores data to be input/output to/from the IC card.
The EEPROM has a voltage boosting circuit constructed by a charge pump circuit and the like. The voltage boosting circuit generates a write voltage and an erase voltage used for data writing operation from the internal power source voltage supplied via the regulator.
Examples of the semiconductor memory of this type are a flash memory which performs a time division process to suppress peak current (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-109894) and an EEPROM in which voltage boosting speed is controlled to be constant irrespective of load capacity (refer to International Publication No. W02-19342).

Data processing circuit for contactless IC card


System and apparatus for actively managing calls in a wireless cellular network. A host receives input data from a plurality of cells regarding the status of calls in that cell. Input data may include call variables such as carrier signal strength over interference (C/I), forward and reverse link power, beam and channel assignments, handoff status, and triangulation data regarding location/movement of active calls. The host processes the input data with reference to known cell neighborhoods, and creates output data for each cell that includes information on other active calls in the neighborhood. The output data then updates the cell with information regarding active calls in the cell's vicinity. The cell may then make adjustments to call variables taking into account local interference conditions. Further, through reference to (1) fixed data regarding the network such as topography or statistics, and/or (2) immediate past historical data regarding active calls, the host may also create output data taking into account predicted impending interference conditions.

It is known that the performance of wireless communications systems, and particularly mobile cellular systems, can be affected by a number of factors. Generally, such cellular systems are operated over these factors to achieve an optimum ratio of signal strength to interference (C/I) for the reception experienced by each mobile user while still providing enough capacity throughout the system.
Recent advances have been made in addressing various of these individual factors that affect reception performance. The emergence of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) as a method of broadcasting multiple signals simultaneously on a single broad frequency band throughout the system has remediated problems of co-channel interference and multi-path fading. The arrival of CDMA has also simplified cell-to-cell handoff procedures, creating a "soft" handoff that eliminates frequency assignment and management.
Improvements in cellular capacity and call quality through the use of coordinated multiple antennas are also now known. For example, above-referenced copending and commonly assigned U.S. Patent applications APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ANTENNA COMBINING IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS and MULTIPLE ANTENNA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM teach substituting multiple narrow-beam antenna configurations for traditional single or three-face base-station antennas. According to these inventions, the use of time delay techniques with summing of the received CDMA signal allows the output of multiple antennas to be combined and interpreted by receiver technology standard in the art. Among other improvements, these inventions allow assignment of a narrow transmission beam between the base station and the mobile, thereby reducing the potential for signal interference and facilitating forward-link and reverse-link power management.
Further innovation is taught in above-referenced co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. Patent application SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FREQUENCY MULTIPLEXING ANTENNA SIGNALS, in which the down-mixing and subsequent up-mixing of the outputs of multiple antenna signals with pre-selected local oscillator frequencies permit said signals to be combined and carried simultaneously on a reduced number of antenna cables.
A need now exists for an intelligent control system that will synergize the advantages offered by some of the foregoing recent innovations, thereby providing overall improved wireless service to the mobile user.
Moreover, the current art recognizes that cells in a cellular system also typically act autonomously within parameters set for the cellular system. The exception is in regard to handoff, where neighboring cells will typically coordinate a channel change as a mobile enters a new cell. Especially in high interference environments, however, autonomous cell operation, substantially without reference to neighboring cells, can increase the potential for co-channel interference, possibly causing signal quality degradation or, worse still, loss of call or assignment of the signal to the wrong mobile.
Currently, the possibility of such co-channel interference is minimized by devising cell re-use patterns that adopt "worst case assumptions" about required channel bandwidth separation and physical spatial separation of cells. The available spectrum for each carrier normally consists of a plurality of channels combined into 21 channel sets. These channel sets are than separated by a maximum physical distance in order to reduce co-channel interference. Since each cell is generally comprised of three 120-degree sectors, each sector has only seven channel sets to work with. Typically, a passive channel re-use pattern is devised whereby it is left to a predetermined configuration of physical cell separation and neighboring channel allocation to minimize the potential for co-channel interference.
An intelligent control system, in which cell operation and channel assignment is actively inter-coordinated, would therefore also enhance cellular capacity. Further, by utilizing narrow beam technology such as disclosed in the above-referenced co-pending commonly assigned U.S. patent application, dynamic beam control and power management could be combined with interactive channel assignment to provide a system with optimum capacity and reduced signal interference.

Method and apparatus for improved control over cellular systems


A torsion bar apparatus for a self-closing door. The longitudinal dimension of the apparatus is reduced while the initial torque when the door is closed is maintained and the weight applied to the user during the door opening operation is reduced. One vertical side of a door is rotatably supported by a frame by means of hinges. One end of a first torsion bar is fixed to a frame, and a connecting member is fixed to the other end of the first torsion bar so as to be unable to rotate. In this state the first torsion bar is rotatably and vertically movably inserted into the door. One end of a second torsion bar is engaged with the connecting member so as to be unable to rotate and movable in the longitudinal direction and the second torsion bar is extended toward the one end of the first torsion bar and the other end of the second torsion bar is fixed to the door.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a self-closing door apparatus and, more particularly, to a torsion bar apparatus used in a self-closing door apparatus for automatically closing a door by the self-aligning torque which is generated when a torsion bar is twisted, and a torque adjusting device for such a torsion bar apparatus.
This kind of self-closing door apparatus is conventionally adapted to a wide field of refrigerating machines and equipments such as refrigerators and show-cases equipped with a freezer, and is very useful for preventing the cold air from leaking out of the door which is left open. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,078, the torque for closing a door is generated in most cases by the self-aligning torque of a twisted torsion bar (referred to as torque rod in the above-described U.S. Pat. specification).
According to the above-described U.S. Pat. specification, the upper end of a torsion bar (torque rod) is fixed to a door, and the hexagonal head portion at the lower end of the torsion bar (torsion rod) is engaged with a hexagonal opening of a worm wheel so as to be unable to rotate. When the upper portion of the torsion bar (torque rod) is rotated with the door opening operation, the torsion bar (torque rod) is twisted. The self-aligning torque generated by the twisted torsion bar urges the door to rotate in the direction in which the door is closed.
This structure, however, has the following defects. In this type of self-closing door apparatus, a certain initial torque is necessary in order to stably maintain the closed state of a door, but it is preferable for the user, who feels the weight of the door, that the torque during the opening operation is small. However, the self-aligning torque of the torsion bar increases in proportion to the angle of torsion of the torsion bar. If the gradient of the straight line indicating this proportional relationship is steep, a large force is required for opening the door, thereby deteriorating the operability.
The flexibility of a torsion bar is proportional to the length and inversely proportional to the sectional area thereof. Therefore, if two torsion bars are made of the same material and have the same sectional area, the one having a greater length has a gentler gradient in the straight line which indicates the proportional relationship between the self-aligning torque and the angle of torsion. However, if the length of the torsion bar is increased too much, the torsion bar comes into contact with the electric wiring and the like within the door and involves a fear of impairing the electric wiring.
In the torsion bar (torque rod) described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,078, the worm wheel is rotated by a worm so as to adjust the torsional torque of the torsion bar (torque rod), that is, to adjust the initial torque of the torque rod in the door-closed state. According to this structure, the user can freely adjust the torque of the torsion bar generated by the door closing operation. It is also possible to continuously adjust the degree of torsion of the torsion bar (torque rod).
In this structure, however, since the worm wheel is rotated by the worm in order to apply the initial torque to the torsion bar (torque rod), the torsion bar (torque rod) is not twisted by stages. It is therefore difficult to quantitatively detect the torque applied. Especially, in the case of adjusting the torque in the direction of reduction, since the point at which the initial torque is zero is not clear, the degree of torsion is sometimes inconveniently reduced to a point exceeding zero by not only restoring the twisted torsion bar (torque rod) to the original position but further twisting, thereby generating a torque for opening the door.
In addition, in the case of restoring the degree of torsion of the torsion bar (torque rod) to zero when the door is replaced, for example, in order to change the direction in which the door is opened, since the point at which the initial torque is zero is not clear, as described above, the hexagonal head portion of the torsion bar (torque rod) must sometimes be released from the worm wheel in the state in which the torsion bar is still twisted. In this case, when the engagement between the hexagonal head and the worm wheel is cancelled, the torsion bar (torque rod) rotates forcibly, thereby involving a risk of breaking parts or injuring the worker.

Torsion bar apparatus for self-closing door and torque adjusting device therefor


The present invention is directed to a promoter, designated EPSP. The present invention is also directed to DNA molecules including the EPSP promoter, such as a DNA construct containing the promoter operably linked to one or more genes or antisense DNA. The invention is further directed to transformed plant tissue including the DNA molecule and to transformed plants and seeds thereof. The promoter is useful for driving gene or antisense expression for the purpose of imparting agronomically useful traits such as, but not limited to, increase in yield, disease resistance, insect resistance, herbicide tolerance, drought tolerance and salt tolerance in plants.

This invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence isolate from corn and to methods of using the sequence. In particular, the invention relates to a nucleotide sequence derived from the EPSP corn synthase gene which is capable of directing constitutive expression of a nucleic acid sequence that is operably linked to the EPSP corn synthase sequence.
The selection of a promoter in the genetic engineering of a gene is often a critical factor in obtaining expression of the desired gene. Promoters are typically found at the 5′ end of a gene which is either directly or indirectly recognized and bound by a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase during the initiation of transcription of the gene. Consequently, promoters play a major role in regulating gene expression. There are three general classes of promoters used in the genetic engineering of plants: 1) tissue specific promoters, 2) inducible promoters, and 3) constitutive promoters. Tissue specific or organ specific promoters drive gene expression is a certain tissue such as in the kernel, root, leaf, or tapetum of the plant. Chemicals or environmental stimuli such as heat, cold, or wounding induce inducible promoters. Although tissue specific and inducible promoters are required for certain applications, constitutive promoters are the most widely used promoters in the industry. Constitutive promoters are capable of driving a relatively high level of gene expression in most of the tissues of a plant. Constitutive promoters are particularly useful for producing herbicide tolerant plants. The most widely used constitutive promoter in the genetic engineering of plants is the CaMV 35S promoter. Other constitutive promoters include the maize polyubiquitin promoter and the rice actin promoter. In general, those familiar with the art agree that constitutive promoters that drive a high level of gene expression in most of the tissues of a plant are few in number and are of considerable value in the field of genetic engineering of crop plants.
Thus, it is desirable to develop additional constitutive promoters for use in plant transformation.


The invention concerns multi-layer web formation by means of a simple basic-stock system and in particular a method for regulation of the properties of the different layers in a stock system that comprises several layers by means of additional stocks. The source (M) of basic stock is divided into 2 . . . n separate component flows (M1 . . . Mn), with which additional stocks (B1 . . . Bn) are mixed so as to form homogeneous mixtures with the basic stock, and the homogeneous stock flows are passed further by means of pumps (A1 . . . An) through machine screens (s1 . . . Sn) into the inlet header of a multi-layer headbox (P).

The invention relates to the formation of a multi-layer web by means of a simple basic-stock system and in particular to a method for the regulation of the properties of the different layers in a system comprising a number of layers formed by means of additional stocks.
As is well known, paper or board is formed out of one or several layers. The stock is prepared from either one or several fresh stocks and passed to the paper or board machine into each inlet header along one or several fresh-stock lines out of the same fresh stock or separate fresh stocks. To the fresh stocks, as a rule, the necessary chemicals and fillers are added in order to regulate the properties of the layers, such as flocculation and formation. Different stocks and stock lines can be passed into the different layers in multi-layer web formation, and the properties of the stocks in a simple stock system can be varied by means of additives and chemicals by feeding said agents into the different layers as appropriate quantities.
In the FI Patent 71, 377, a method for manufacture of multi-layer board is described, in which the stock suspension that forms one of the surface layers is fed onto the horizontal portion of a first wire. Between the layers, a third stock suspension is fed, which forms an intermediate la er, ahead of a wedge-shaped gap formed by a second wire onto the web layer already formed. After this the first wire and the two web layers are passed into contact with a third wire, onto whose horizontal portion the stock suspension is fed that forms the other surface layer. The consistency of the stock suspension that forms the intermediate layer is considerably higher than the consistencies of the stock suspensions that form the surface layers.
In the U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,555, a paper machine for manufacture of multi-layer paper is described. In this machine, there are at least two twin-web formers, which produce a multi-layer paper web, in which connection a paper is obtained whose properties at both faces are equal.
In the FI Patent 92,729, a stock feed system for a multi-layer headbox and a method in the operation of a multi-layer headbox are described. In this system, a stock produced out of the same fresh stock is passed into each inlet header of the multi-layer headbox, to which stock the necessary chemicals and fillers have been added.
In the published patent application DE 196 24 127, a method of multi-layer web formation is described, which comprises several, at least three, stock layers, of which the compositions of the outermost stock layers have been chosen so that draining of water out of them takes place more readily than out of the stock layer in the middle. The outer layers comprise long fibres, in which case the layers are more porous. This promotes the draining of water and the drying of the paper web.
The prior-art solutions involve a number of significant drawbacks. A separate headbox that sprays starch or fibre suspension is an expensive solution, and its use is restricted mainly to board machines and to low speeds below 1000 meters per minute. In solutions in which one or several stock layers are ground, the draining of water is clearly reduced, and thereby the runnability and the efficiency of production become lower, and the costs become higher. When the running speeds of paper and board machines rise to a level clearly higher than 1000 meters per minute, the requirements imposed on the compositions of the stock layers change decisively, and problems start occurring both in the process and in the quality of the product with the prior-art solutions. The so-called basic stock currently used does not meet the ever increasing requirements concerning the profiles of paper grades in the direction of thickness, of which requirements, as an example should be mentioned bonding strength and smoothness of the paper, and this problem cannot be solved by means of addition of admixtures to the layers. Further, in the prior-art methods, the different stocks are introduced onto the web separately as layers of their own.
The object of the present invention is a method for the formation of a multi-layer web by means of a simple basic-stock system, in which additional stocks are fed to among the basic stock or stocks in order to regulate the web formation consistencies and the strengths of the layers and the printing properties of the product.
It is a further object of the present invention to solve the problems that have been encountered in the prior-art solutions.
It has been noticed that the objectives of the present invention can be achieved by using a method of multi-layer web formation.

Multi-layer web formation by means of a simple basic-stock system