Methods (400, 500) and apparatus (16, 24) are disclosed for reporting and processing MBMS counting results. According to one exemplary embodiment, a base station counting request received from a MCE includes an update time, and identifiers for one or more MBMS services (402, 502). The base station includes the update time with its reported counting results (410). The MCE uses the update time to identify the transmitted counting request (506), and ignores counting data for services not identified in the request (516). In the same or another embodiment, if the base station has not received MBMS counting results from its supported UEs for one or more of the identified services within a defined reporting window (406), the base station transmits an empty list of service identifiers to the MCE (408). The MCE correspondingly determines that the base station has not yet received MBMS counting results for one or more of the identified services based on receiving the empty list (508, 510).

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has developed specifications for the delivery of Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS), which provides broadcast and multicast services over wireless networks. MBMS may be used for broadcasting of mobile television and radio services, as well as for file delivery, emergency alerts, and the like. Specifications are currently being developed for evolved MBMS (eMBMS), for deployment with networks based on 3GPP's specifications for Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA), also known as Long-Term Evolution (LTE).
Individual services provided by the MBMS system are known as MBMS Bearer Services. Each MBMS Bearer Service may be provided in a given service area using either multicast or broadcast modes. In MBMS the Multicast Control Channel (MCCH) is used for transmissions of control information required for reception of a Multicast Traffic Channel (MTCH). The MTCH is used for downlink transmission of MBMS services. There is one MCCH per MBSFN (Multicast-Broadcast Single Frequency Network).
The network uses a counting scheme to determine how many mobile devices (user equipment, or "UEs", in 3GPP parlance) in any given service area are currently using or are interested in using a particular MBMS Bearer Service. The results of this counting process are used to determine how to best allocate resources for the service, such as whether a service session should be stopped in a given area, or whether one or more dedicated (i.e., unicast) radio channels might yield a more efficient use of system resources than a broadcast or multicast transmission.
A general description of and high level requirements for MBMS is given in the specification "3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects; Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS); Stage 1 (Release 10)," 3GPP TS 22.146, v 10.0.0, March 2011. A complementary specification, "3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects; Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) user services; Stage 1 (Release 10)," 3GPP TS 22.246, v 10.0.0, March 2011, describes MBMS user services and user service requirements. Finally, a more detailed description of the MBMS system architecture and functionality is given in "3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects; Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS); Architecture and functional description (Release 10)," 3GPP TS 23.246, v 10.1.0, June 2011.
FIG. 1 illustrates the overall architecture of the "Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network" (E-UTRAN) portion of an LTE network 10. The network 10 includes the E-UTRAN 12 and an Evolved Packet Core 14 (or "core network") portion of the network 10. The E-UTRAN 12 includes base stations (or "eNodeBs") 16 which support wireless communication with one or more user equipment (UEs) 18. More specifically, the eNodeBs 16 provide the E-UTRA user plane (PDCP/RLC/MAC/PHY) and control plane (RRC) protocol terminations towards UEs 18. The eNodeBs 16 are interconnected with each other via the X2 interface. The eNodeBs 18 are also connected to the EPC 14 via the S1 interface. More specifically, the eNodeBs 18 are connected the MME (Mobility Management Entity) by means of the S1-MME interface and to the Serving Gateway (S-GW) by means of the S1-U interface. The S1 interface supports a many-to-many relation between MMEs/Serving Gateways and eNodeBs. Although a single reference numeral 20 is used to identify the MME and S-GW in FIG. 1, it is understood that these are separate logical entities, and possibly separate network nodes, with the MME communicating with the eNodeBs 18 via the S1-MME interface, and the S-GW communicating with the eNodeBs 118 via the S1-U interface.
The 3GPP TS 36.300 standard describes the functions performed by the MME and S-GW in great detail. FIG. 2 illustrates some of this functionality. In particular, FIG. 2 illustrates the functional split between the E-UTRAN 12 and the EPC 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the eNodeBs 18 hosts the following functions:                Functions for Radio Resource Management Radio Bearer Control, Radio Admission Control, Connection Mobility Control, Dynamic allocation of resources to UEs in both uplink and downlink (scheduling);        Selection of an MME at UE attachment when no routing to an MME can be determined from the information provided by the UE;        Routing of User Plane data towards the Serving Gateway;        Scheduling and transmission of paging messages (originated from the MME);        Scheduling and transmission of broadcast information (originated from the MME or O&M);        Measurement and measurement reporting configuration for mobility and scheduling; and        Scheduling and transmission of PWS (which includes ETWS and CMAS) messages (originated from the MME).
Additionally, as further shown in FIG. 2, the MME 22 hosts the following functions:                NAS signalling;        NAS signalling security;        AS Security control;        Inter CN node signalling for mobility between 3GPP access networks;        Idle mode UE Reachability (including control and execution of paging retransmission);        Tracking Area list management (for UE in idle and active mode);        PDN GW and Serving GW selection;        MME selection for handovers with MME change;        SGSN selection for handovers to 2G or 3G 3GPP access networks;        Roaming;        Authentication;        Bearer management functions including dedicated bearer establishment;        Support for PWS (which includes ETWS and CMAS) message transmission; and        Optionally performing paging optimisation.
FIG. 3 illustrates the logical architecture of eMBMS. The MBMS-specific components in FIG. 3 include the Multi-cell/multicast Coordination Entity (MCE) 24 and the MBMS Gateway (MBMS GW) 26. The MCE 24 is a logical entity that may be a standalone network node, or may be part of another network node (e.g., an eNodeB 16 or MME 22). The MCE 24 handles admission control and the allocation of the radio resources used by all eNodeBs 16 in the MBSFN area for multi-cell MBMS transmissions using MBSFN operation. The MCE 24 decides not to establish the radio bearer(s) of the new MBMS service(s) if the radio resources are not sufficient for the corresponding MBMS service(s) or may pre-empt radio resources from other radio bearer(s) of ongoing MBMS service(s) according to ARP. Besides allocation of the time/frequency radio resources, this also includes deciding the further details of the radio configuration, e.g., the modulation and coding scheme. The MCE 24 also performs the following functions:                Counting and acquisition of counting results for MBMS service(s);        Resumption of MBMS session(s) within MBSFN area(s) based on e.g. the ARP and/or the counting results for the corresponding MBMS service(s); and        Suspension of MBMS session(s) within MBSFN area(s) based e.g. the ARP and/or on the counting results for the corresponding MBMS service(s).The MCE 24 is involved in MBMS Session Control Signalling, but does not perform UE-MCE signalling. When the MCE 24 is part of another network element, an eNodeB 16 is served by a single MCE 24.
The MBMS GW 26 is also a logical entity. The MBMS GW 26 may be a standalone network node, or may be part of another network node. The MBMS GW 26 26 is present between the Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BMSC) and eNodeBs 12 whose principal functions is the sending/broadcasting of MBMS packets to each eNodeB 16 transmitting the service. The MBMS GW 26 uses IP Multicast as the means of forwarding MBMS user data to the eNodeB. The MBMS GW 26 performs MBMS Session Control Signalling (e.g., session start/stop) towards the E-UTRAN via the MME 22.
FIG. 3 illustrates the M1, M2 and M3 interfaces. While the M1 is a user plane interface between the eNodeB 16 and MBMS GW 26, the M2 and M3 interfaces are control plane interfaces. The MCE 24 and MME 22 communicate via the M3 control plane interface. As described in 3GPP TS 36.300, "An Application Part is defined for this interface between MME and MCE. This application part allows for MBMS Session Control Signalling on E-RAB level (i.e. does not convey radio configuration data). The procedures comprise e.g. MBMS Session Start and Stop. SCTP is used as signalling transport i.e. Point-to-Point signalling is applied."
The eNodeB 16 and MCE 24 communicate via the M2 interface. As described in 3GPP TS 36.300, "An Application Part is defined for this interface, which conveys at least radio configuration data for the multi-cell transmission mode eNodeBs and Session Control Signalling. SCTP is used as signalling transport i.e. Point-to-Point signalling is applied."
In eMBMS, a counting procedure is used to determine the quantity of UEs 18 that are interested in receiving a service. Among other things, this allows the system operator to decide whether the service should be delivered using MBMS Single-Frequency Network (MBSFN), which involves the transmission of a stream from multiple, time-synchronized eNodeBs 16 serving a particular area.
The counting procedure is initiated by the network 10, with a request sent to each eNodeB 16 involved in a particular MBSFN area to perform a count. This request, called a "MBMS Service Counting Request," is sent by the MCE 24 to each eNodeB 16. This triggers the eNodeBs 16 to send a Counting Request to their supported UEs 18, via the Multicast Control Channel (MCCH). The UEs 18, in turn, respond to their supporting eNodeB 16 with Radio Resource Control (RRC) Counting Response messages, which identify the MBMS services of interest to the UEs 18.
The MBMS Service Counting Request (or "base station counting request") is sent by the MCE 24 to the eNodeB 16, to request that the eNodeB 16 report the number of connected mode UEs 18 that are receiving or are interested in receiving one or more identified MBMS services. The MBMS Service Counting Request is currently defined by 3GPP TS 36.443, v 10.2.0 (June 2011). As described by this specification, the MBMS Service Counting Request includes the following:                Message Type;        MCCH Update Time;        MBSFN Area ID; and        One or more TMGI identifiers (i.e., TMGIs).
The MCCH (Multicast Control Channel) Update Time indicates a time at which the request should be made effective on the MCCH transmitted from the eNodeBs. A "TMGI" is a Temporary Mobile Group Identity. TMGIs are used to identify individual MBMS Service Bearers (i.e., individual MBMS services).
In response to the base station counting request, the eNodeB 16 sends back an MBMS Counting Results Report. This report is sent by the eNodeB 16 to the MCE 24, to report the number of connected mode UEs 18 that are receiving or are interested in receiving the one or more MBMS services indicated in the MBMS Service Counting Request message. The MBMS Counting Results Report is defined in 3GPP TS 36.443, v 10.2.0 as including the following:                Message Type;        MBSFN Area ID; and        MBMS Counting Result List (including, for each requested service, the TMGI identifying the service and a counting result).
However under the reporting configuration in the 3GPP specifications discussed above, there are a number of issues with the MBMS Counting Results Report, as there are certain scenarios under which it is unclear at the MCE how to process the counting results.

Identification of UE counting results in eMBMS


A viscous fluid type heat generator including a housing assembly defining a heat generating chamber, a fluid storing chamber communicated through fluid passageway means with the heat generating chamber, and a heat receiving chamber for permitting a heat exchanging fluid to circulate therethrough to receive heat from the heat generating chamber. A rotor element is mounted on a drive shaft for rotation in the heat generating chamber with a gap defined between the inner wall surfaces of the heat generating chamber and the outer faces of the rotor element. The fluid passageway means includes a fluid withdrawing passageway for withdrawing the viscous fluid from the gap into the fluid storing chamber and a fluid supply passageway for supplying the viscous fluid from the fluid storing chamber into the gap. The fluid withdrawing passageway has a separate duct configuration and opens at one end to an outer peripheral region of the heat generating chamber to communicate the outer peripheral region with the fluid storing chamber. The fluid supply passageway has a separate duct configuration and opens at one end to a radially inner region of the heat generating chamber to communicate the radially inner region with the fluid storing chamber.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a viscous fluid type heat generator in which a viscous fluid is subjected to a shearing stress in a heat generating chamber to generate heat that is in turn transmitted to a heat-transfer or heat-exchange fluid circulating in a heat receiving chamber to be carried by the heat-transfer fluid to an area to be heated. More particularly, the present invention relates to a viscous-fluid type heat generator which includes an additional chamber communicated with the heat generating chamber for accommodating a viscous fluid, the amount of which is larger than the capacity of a fluid holding gap defined in the heat generating chamber. The present invention may be embodied, for example, as a supplementary heat source incorporated in a vehicle heating system for comfortably heating the passenger compartment of a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication (Kokai) No. 3-98107 (JP-U-3-98107) discloses a conventional viscous fluid type heat generator incorporated in a vehicle heating system, which includes means for adjusting the heat generating performance of the heat generator. The viscous fluid type heat generator disclosed in JP-U-3-98107 includes a housing having mutually opposing front and rear portions which define an inner heat generating chamber and a heat receiving chamber arranged to surround the heat generating chamber. The heat generating chamber is separated from the heat receiving chamber by a partition wall through which heat is exchanged between a viscous fluid in the heat generating chamber and a heat-exchange fluid in the heat receiving chamber. The heat-exchange fluid is introduced into the heat receiving chamber from an external heating system, and is delivered from the heat receiving chamber to the heating system, so as to be constantly circulated through the heat generator and the heating system.
A drive shaft is rotatably supported in the front and rear portions of the housing by bearings, and a rotor element is fixedly mounted on the shaft to rotate inside the heat generating chamber together with the shaft. The rotor element includes outer faces arranged in a face-to-face relationship with the inner wall surfaces of the heat generating chamber to define therebetween small gaps in the shape of axial labyrinth channels. The viscous fluid, generally a polymeric material such as silicone oil which has a high viscosity, is supplied into the heat generating chamber to fill the small gaps between the outer faces of the rotor element and the inner wall surfaces of the heat generating chamber.
The viscous fluid type heat generator of JP-U-3-98107 also includes a viscous fluid reservoir, the casing of which is fixedly attached to the bottom of the generator housing. A diaphragm is supported on the upper inner wall of the reservoir to define therein an additional chamber which is in fluidic communication with the heat generating chamber to permit the viscous fluid to flow freely from one chamber to the other. The heat generating chamber communicates with the environmental atmosphere through a hole penetrating the top wall of the generator housing, thereby allowing the free flow of the viscous fluid. The diaphragm is selectively shifted between uppermost and lowermost positions by the interaction of a manifold negative pressure and a spring force, both applied onto the back side the diaphragm, to adjust the capacity of the additional chamber.
When the drive shaft of the above viscous fluid type heat generator, incorporated in the vehicle heating system, is driven by a vehicle engine, the rotor element is also rotated within the heat generating chamber. At this time, if the diaphragm is located at the uppermost position and thus the viscous fluid entirely fills the heat generating chamber, the rotating rotor element provides a shearing stress to the viscous fluid held between the inner wall surfaces of the heat generating chamber and the outer faces of the rotor element. The viscous fluid then generates heat due to the shearing stress applied thereto. The generated heat is transmitted from the viscous fluid to the heat-exchange fluid circulating through the heat receiving chamber, and the heat-exchange fluid carries the transmitted heat to the heating circuit of the vehicle heating system.
In the viscous fluid type heat generator of JP-U-3-98107, if too much heat is generated by the generator and should be reduced or stopped, the diaphragm is shifted toward the lowermost position by applying the manifold negative pressure onto the back side of the diaphragm, whereby transferring the viscous fluid from the heat generating chamber into the additional chamber of the reservoir. Consequently, the heat generation due to the shearing stress applied to the viscous fluid is reduced or stopped, and the heating capacity of the vehicle heating system is reduced. On the contrary, if the heat generation of the generator is too little and should be increased, the diaphragm is shifted toward the uppermost position by applying the spring force onto the back side of the diaphragm, whereby transferring the viscous fluid from the additional chamber of the reservoir into the heat generating chamber. Consequently, the heat generation due to the shearing stress applied to the viscous fluid is increased, and the heating capacity of the vehicle heating system is increased.
In the above viscous fluid type heat generator, however, when the viscous fluid is transferred from the heat generating chamber into the additional chamber, fresh environmental air is introduced into the heat generating chamber through the top hole of the housing to compensate for the negative pressure in the heat generating chamber due to the removal of the viscous fluid. Therefore, the viscous fluid comes into contact with the introduced fresh air whenever the viscous fluid is transferred into the additional chamber, i.e., whenever the heat generation is to be decreased. This causes problems in that the oxidation and degradation of the viscous fluid is accelerated, and that the viscosity of the viscous fluid is affected or decreased due to the addition of water from the atmosphere.
The above problems caused due to the fresh air introduced into the heat generating chamber can be eliminated by forming the heat generating chamber as a fluid-tight chamber. Viscous fluid type heat generators including such a fluid-tight heat generating chamber are well known in the art, and one example is disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent Application No. 7-217035 that is a co-pending application by the applicant of the present case. The fluid-tight heat generating chamber does not allow the environmental fresh air to enter therein, and can thus prevent the viscous fluid held therein from coming into contact with the fresh air. Therefore, oxidation and degradation of the viscous fluid is prevented, and the addition of water, from the atmosphere, to the viscous fluid is avoided.
In this type of heat generator including the fluid-tight heat generating chamber, when a rotor element is rotating in the heat generating chamber, the viscous fluid such as silicone oil tends to be collected in the radially inner or center region of the heat generating chamber, by the Weissenberg effect as a normal stress effect caused due to the rotation of the rotor element positioned perpendicularly to the fluid level surface of the viscous fluid. At the same time, the viscous fluid in the heat generating chamber is subjected to the centrifugal force acting radially outwardly from the center region.
In this respect, it has been found that, when the rotor element rotates at a speed lower than a predetermined rotation speed, the Weissenberg effect is much stronger than the centrifugal force, and thus the viscous fluid circulates in the heat generating chamber substantially under the Weissenberg effect. As the speed of the rotor element increases from such a lower speed, the effect of the centrifugal force is increased and the Weissenberg effect is reduced, and thus the viscous fluid circulates in the heat generating chamber under both the centrifugal force and the Weissenberg effect. Then, when the speed of the rotor element exceeds a predetermined high rotation speed, the centrifugal force becomes much stronger than the Weissenberg effect, and thus the viscous fluid circulates in the heat generating chamber substantially under the centrifugal force.
However, the viscous fluid type heat generator including a fluid-tight heat generating chamber has a problem that the viscous fluid is held in very small gaps between the inner wall surfaces of the heat generating chamber and the outer faces of the rotor element to ensure the sufficient heat generation, and thus the viscous fluid is difficult to smoothly circulate in the small gaps. Consequently, the temperature of the viscous fluid in the fluid-tight heat generating chamber, especially in the radially outer regions of the small gaps where the viscous fluid is subjected to the higher circumferential speed of the rotor, rises to a significant level, and the viscous fluid is degraded when the temperature exceeds the limit of the heat resisting properties of the viscous fluid. Therefore, it is difficult, in this type of heat generator, to maintain good, stable and efficient heat generation for a long period.

Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho


Methods and compositions including, in one embodiment, a method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprising introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation, wherein the cement composition comprises cement; a strength-enhancing additive consisting essentially of aluminum chloride and a metal halide; and water; and allowing the cement composition to set. Another method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprises preparing a cement composition that comprises cement, a strength-enhancing additive consisting essentially of aluminum chloride and a metal halide, and water, wherein the aluminum chloride and metal halide are not combined prior to preparing the cement composition; introducing the cement composition into the subterranean formation; and allowing the cement composition to set.

The present invention relates to subterranean cementing operations and, more particularly, in certain embodiments, to cement compositions comprising aluminum chloride and associated methods. Embodiments of the cement compositions further may comprise iron chloride and/or an alkali or alkaline-earth metal halide.
Cement compositions may be used in a variety of subterranean applications. For example, in subterranean well construction, a pipe string (e.g., casing, liners, expandable tubulars, etc.) may be run into a well bore and cemented in place. The process of cementing the pipe string in place is commonly referred to as "primary cementing." In a typical primary cementing method, a cement composition may be pumped into an annulus between the walls of the well bore and the exterior surface of the pipe string disposed therein. The cement composition may set in the annular space, thereby forming an annular sheath of hardened, substantially impermeable cement (i.e., a cement sheath) that may support and position the pipe string in the well bore and may bond the exterior surface of the pipe string to the subterranean formation. Among other things, the cement sheath surrounding the pipe string should function to prevent the migration of fluids in the annulus, as well as protecting the pipe string from corrosion. Cement compositions also may be used in remedial cementing methods, for example, to seal cracks or holes in pipe strings or cement sheaths, to seal highly permeable formation zones or fractures, to place a cement plug, and the like.
Once set, the cement sheath may be subjected to a variety of shear, tensile, impact, flexural, and/or compressive stresses that may lead to failure of the cement sheath, resulting, inter alia, in fractures, cracks, and/or debonding of the cement sheath from the pipe string and/or the formation. This may lead to undesirable consequences such as lost production, environmental pollution, hazardous rig operations resulting from unexpected fluid flow from the formation caused by the loss of zonal isolation, and/or hazardous production operations.

Cement compositions comprising aluminum chloride and associated methods


A die body apparatus (101) includes a first discharge member (105) configured to be bonded with respect to a base member (103) such that aligned elongated openings (209) of the base member (103) and first discharge member (105) provide a plurality of elongated feed passages placing a plurality of feed holes (106) of the base member (103) in fluid communication with a first honeycomb network of discharge slots (415) of the first discharge member (105). In further examples, methods of assembling a die body apparatus (101) includes the step of bonding a selected discharge member (105) of at least one discharge member with respect to a base member (103). In further examples methods of extruding batch material into a honeycomb body includes the steps of bonding a selected discharge member (105) with respect to a base member (103) and extruding a quantity of batch material through the die body apparatus (101) into an extruded honeycomb body with a honeycomb network of channels.

It is known to manufacture die body apparatus with a plurality of feed holes and an array of pins that are spaced apart to define a honeycomb network of discharge slots. The die body apparatus may be mounted to portions of an extrusion die apparatus to extrude a green body from a batch of ceramic and/or ceramic-forming material. The green body is typically subsequently processed into a ceramic honeycomb substrate that may be used as a particulate filter and/or a catalytic carrier to process exhaust, for example, from a diesel engine.


In order to conform a specific correction table to the characteristics of a liquid developer to be used, the specific correction table is created by calibrating a standard correction table stored in advance by using a viscosity property value of a liquid developer for calibration at a current temperature. A concentration adjustment is performed by comparing a measured viscosity property value with a target viscosity property value which is temperature-corrected based on the specific correction table. Further, the viscosity property value of a liquid developer is detected by measuring the current of a motor for stirring the liquid developer, where a no-load stirring current value is measured in the absence of a liquid developer, and one or both of a measured current value and target current value is corrected based thereon.

One of the products known in the conventional art is the image forming apparatus of electrophotographic process using a liquid developer. In such an image forming apparatus, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoreceptor and is developed using the liquid developer, whereby a toner image is formed. This toner image is transferred onto paper and is then fixed thereon.
The liquid developer is formed by dispersing toner of a high concentration made of resin and pigment in a carrier solution as an insulating solution such as silicone oil. When developing an electrostatic latent image using this liquid developer, a thin layer of developer in units of microns is formed on a developer carrier such as a development roller. This developer formed as a thin layer is brought in contact with a photoreceptor.
When a liquid developer is used for development as described above, it is important to form a uniform thin layer using a developer of a constant concentration in order to form images of constant concentration. To put it another way, the concentration of the liquid developer must be kept constant.
A method of calculating the developer concentration by detecting the light transmittance of the developer (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H09-281808, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H11-73029 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H10-3221) is a technique known in the conventional art to measure the concentration of a developer for the purpose of maintaining the concentration of a liquid developer constant. However, a method of calculating the concentration of the developer by light transmittance has the disadvantage of poor accuracy in measuring the concentration of the highly concentrated developer. This is attributable to the fact that, when the concentration of the developer is low, the light transmittance exhibits a big change in response to changes in concentration, but when the concentration is high, the light transmittance is reduced and saturated.
The U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,001 discloses a technique of measuring the concentration of the highly concentrated developer using the viscosity thereof. The methods of measuring the viscosity of the developer adopted in the technique disclosed in this document include obtaining the viscosity from the difference in pressure of the developer in a pipe, installing a viscometer in the tank for storing the developer, and obtaining the viscosity from the torque resulting from the flowing developer. Further, the Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-154541 is provided with a concentration detecting rotary member in contact with the liquid developer. It discloses the art of obtaining the concentration of the developer by detecting the current or speed of the motor driving this rotary member. However, the method of using the developer viscosity has a disadvantage in that viscosity property value is changed if there is a change in the liquid developer temperature (hereinafter referred to as "liquid temperature" as well).
Thus, in the aforementioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-154541, a temperature sensor for detecting the liquid developer temperature is provided, and toner supply is controlled based on the 3D map representing the relationship between the motor current, toner concentration and temperature. However, the temperature characteristics are changed by a change in the type and lot of the liquid developer, and therefore, high-precision adjustment cannot be ensured by a fixed correction map.
The Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-322496 discloses the technique, wherein information on ink quality is indicated on the ink cartridge, and the image formation conditions are changed in response to the quality information. However, a great number of correction tables must be prepared to use this technique to correct the temperature characteristics of the liquid developer.
The Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H07-174607 discloses an instrumental error correction apparatus of a flowmeter for kerosene and others. This instrumental error correction apparatus specifies the type of the fluid as an object to be tested. The instrumental error is corrected based on the viscosity correction data corresponding to the temperature for each type and the viscosity data corresponding to the current temperature. However, a great number of correction tables must be prepared to use this technique to adjust the concentration of the liquid developer.

Apparatus and method for adjusting concentration of liquid developer

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


A synthetic barcode module detects the presence of a barcode reader and emits light pulses that emulate light reflected from a scanned barcode. Decoded output from a conventional barcode optical scanner that receives the light pulses will be the same as the decoded output generated by scanning the emulated barcode. One or more light pipes may be utilized to facilitate receipt and transmission of an incident scanning beam to an optical sensor/emitter. A sensor/emitter, which may be an LED, may sense input light and emit light pulses to emulate a scanned barcode. A microcontroller governs sensing and emitting. The module may be programmable to emulate various barcodes.

Barcodes are ubiquitous machine-readable representations of information. As is well known, barcodes usually comprise dark images printed on a light background to create high and low reflectance, which may be converted to digital data by a compatible scanner. Linear barcodes store data in the widths of and spacings between parallel lines.
Barcodes are read by optical scanners called barcode readers. Typically, a barcode reader includes a light source, a beam moving device such as a rotating mirror to cause the light beam to repeatedly sweep along a linear path, and an optical sensor that translates optical impulses into electrical ones. Additionally, most barcode readers include decoder circuitry configured to analyze the barcode's image data provided by the photo detector and sending the barcode's content to the scanner's output port.
One example of a type of reader is a pen or wand reader, which includes a light source and a photodiode that are placed next to each other in the tip of a pen or wand. To read a barcode, the tip of the pen moves across the lines in a steady motion. The photodiode measures the intensity of the light reflected back from the light source and generates a waveform that is used to measure the widths of the bars and spaces in the bar code. Dark bars in the bar code absorb light and white spaces reflect light so that the voltage waveform generated by the photo diode is a representation of the bar and space pattern in the bar code. A decoder recognizes the barcode symbology, analyzes the content of the barcode scanned, and communicates corresponding data in a usable format to another device such as a computer. While pen readers are popular because they are inexpensive and reliable, in general they are not effective for scanning barcodes any appreciable distance from the tip because the light source is typically only focused enough to distinguish between bars and stripes at the tip.
Laser scanners work the same way as pen type readers except that they typically employ either a reciprocating mirror or a rotating prism to scan a laser beam back and forth across a bar code. The laser is usually a relatively inexpensive solid state laser that produces a red light, which is easy to detect. As with a pen type reader, a photodiode is used to measure the intensity of the light reflected back from the bar code. In both pen readers and laser scanners, the time rate of change, or rise and fall time, of the signal generated by the photo detector upon sensing reflected light is a principal means for distinguishing a bar signal from other sources of ambient light. Advantageously, today laser scanners are commonplace, relatively inexpensive and highly reliable, even when a barcode is askew and/or placed quite a distance away.
A shortcoming of conventional barcode systems is that the barcodes are static and not efficient for representing codes that may change over time. Typically, they are defined and imprinted directly on items or on packaging or labels attached to items that will be tracked. Applying the barcode is inexpensive and easy to do. Once applied to an item, a barcode does not change, unless it is physically removed and replaced by or covered with an alternative barcode. Thus, a conventional printed barcode may be used to identify an item, which may then be associated with information (e.g., price, quantity, relevant dates, origins, etc . . . ) in a database that pertains to the item. As barcode readers are commonplace and inexpensive, the barcoding system provides a convenient method for item identification. However, a conventional printed or embossed barcode is not useful for directly conveying variable information.
Another shortcoming of conventional printed barcodes is that they are readily visible, decipherable and reproducible. Thus, conventional printed barcodes are not well suited for applications that require confidentiality and security of the communicated code.
Yet another shortcoming of conventional barcodes is that their integrity is easily compromised. An accurate scan requires a clear presentation of the barcode stripes and spaces. Unfortunately, however, printed barcodes are easily mutilated and obscured by abrasion and soiling.
Still another shortcoming of conventional printed barcodes is that they are vulnerable to fraud. Conventional barcode labels are easily concealed and replaced. Unscrupulous consumers have been known to replace a correct UPC label with one for a less expensive product.
Many items and circumstances could benefit from the ability to securely and wirelessly communicate variable or static information in a manner readable by a conventional laser barcode scanner. By way of example and not limitation, such technology may be applied to security badges, fault code communication systems, and item identifiers, just to name a few. However, to compete effectively with alternative forms of wired and wireless information communication (e.g., RFID, IrDA, OBD), the device must be compact, reliable, adaptable and inexpensive. Costly, complex, bulky, unreliable and/or fragile solutions would not gain industry acceptance.
What is needed is a compact, reliable, adaptable, fraud-proof and cost effective alternative to conventional printed barcodes. Preferably, the alternative system is capable of detecting the presence of a conventional laser barcode scanner and communicating information in a form readable by the detected conventional laser barcode scanner. The invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems and solving one or more of the needs as set forth above.


A gradation correction apparatus for processing R, G, and B input signals includes a luminance signal conversion device for obtaining the original luminance signal, which is before gamma conversion, from the input signals, a luminance gamma conversion device for gamma converting the original luminance signal to the desired gradation characteristics to obtain a gamma converted luminance signal, a correction coefficient calculation means for obtaining a ratio of the gamma converted luminance signal to the original luminance signal, a first RGB operation means for multiplying the ratio by each of the R, G, and B input signals for obtaining primary gradation-corrected R, G, and B signals; a color difference signal operation means for producing a difference between each of the R, G, and B input signals and the original luminance signal; a second RGB operation means for adding the gamma converted luminance signal to each of the difference for obtaining secondary gradation-corrected R, G, and B signals; and an RGB determination means for obtaining final gradation-corrected R, G, B signals based on the primary and secondary gradation-corrected R, G, and B signals.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gradation conversion method for video signal processing, and is particularly suitable for adjusting the brightness of a video input signal in a video camera or video hard copy printer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With recent advances in hard copy printing technologies, and particularly hard copy color printing technologies, it has become possible in the last few years to produce hard copy printouts of video and computer images with high-fidelity reproduction of source image colors using subliminal heat transfer printing and other printing technologies. By using new recording materials and image processing techniques, including high definition television technologies, the resolution and color reproducibility of these hard copy printouts now approach that of conventional silver halide photographic media.
Even the best printers, however, have a limited dynamic color range that compares unfavorably with the dynamic range of a CRT by a factor of ten or more. It is therefore possible to obtain color printouts with color characteristics comparable to those of the CRT only when the dynamic range of the video input signal does not exceed the dynamic range of the printer, and the dynamic range is used to the maximum. These limitations have led to the development of specific automatic gain control and black level correction methods (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. S62-209671) to improve print quality.
When adjusting image brightness in a television receiver, a luminance signal offset value is normally provided to control the image brightness by shifting the luminance signal level. This method is effective when used with a CRT or other display device having a wide dynamic range, but is not as effective when applied in a printer. This is because the dynamic range of the image normally exceeds the dynamic range of the printer. Any shift in the brightness level is thus limited by the maximum ink density (when adjusting for a darker image) and the maximum brightness of the print medium (when adjusting for a lighter image). Brightness adjustment therefore causes a loss of image information, and results in reduced image quality.
A different method, which changes the gradation characteristics of the image without changing the dynamic range of the image, is therefore used. Specifically, the gradation characteristics are adjusted by controlling the brightness histogram of the image and achieve an effective visual change in image brightness.
As shown in FIG. 11(A), this is achieved by changing the gradation characteristics using gamma conversion of the RGB or luminance signals. To make the image appear brighter, the brightest and darkest parts of the image are left unchanged while the intermediate levels are adjusted along a smooth curve with enhanced brightness. The histogram of image brightness is thus shifted to an increased brightness level without changing the dynamic range of the image, and the image appears "brighter" to the viewer.
Another application of this technology is backlighting compensation in a video camera.
When a subject is recorded against a bright background by a video camera, the lens iris is opened more than usual to increase amount of light from the subject. As shown in FIG. 11 (B), this results in a saturated, white background with no brightness gradations (tones). Gamma conversion is also an effective means for achieving brighter intermediate tones by changing the gradation characteristics when recording under strong backlighting conditions.
These conventional gradation correction methods function effectively with monochrome (gray scale) images, but the hue and chromaticity (saturation) are also changed when these methods are used to adjust the brightness in color images.
FIG. 12 is a graph of the output signals obtained when conventional gamma conversion gradation correction is applied to the RGB signals. In this example the RGB signal values of the input signal are, respectively, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5. In FIG. 12 (A) the image is made brighter. Each of the RGB gradations is converted, the values are greater than those of the input signal, and the image appears brighter. However, the R:G:B ratio of the output signal is different from that of the input signal. The hue and saturation are therefore changed, and the colors are not high-fidelity reproductions of the input image colors. There is a particular drop in saturation because the ratio is now closer to 1:1:1.
A similar result is obtained when the gradation is changed to reduce the RGB signal values for a darker image as shown in FIG. 12 (B). The R:G:B ratio of the input and output signals is again different with the increased ratio resulting in a pronounced, unnatural increase in saturation.
As described above, the problem with this conventional method of adjusting color image brightness by changing the gradation characteristics and brightness histogram of the image is that the hue and saturation of the image are also changed.
FIG. 13 is a graph of gradation correction applied to the luminance signal to brighten the image when the video signal comprises a luminance signal and color difference signals input.
As in the above example, the input signal values are R=0.3, G=0.4, and B=0.5. In the NTSC format, the luminance signal is thus Y=0.3R+0.59G+0.11B=0.381, and the color difference signals are R-Y=-0.081 and B-Y=0.119.
The brightness of intermediate tones is, of course, changed because the gradation characteristics of the luminance signal are changed with this method, but the hue and saturation are also changed in the same way as the gradation characteristics of the separate RGB signals are changed. To obtain a brighter corrected image, the value of the converted luminance signal is greater than that of the input signal, and the amplitude of the color difference signal is left unchanged. Therefore, the reconverted RGB signal component values are R=0.404, G=0.504, and B=0.604, the R:G:B signal ratio is different from that of the source image and approaches 1:1:1, and the hue again changes and the saturation drops.
Another method makes it possible to keep the color signal ratio constant, but when gradation correction is applied to a pixel with a high luminance signal value and the R:G:B ratio is kept constant, the image reproduction range (e.g., R, G, B.ltoreq.1) is exceeded, and the hue and saturation of the reproduced image again become unnatural.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/772,559 of Haruo YAMASHITA et al. filed Oct. 7, 1991, entitled "Gradation Correction Method and Device" and assigned to the same assignee as the present application relates to the present invention.
As described above, the problem with each of the above methods, i.e., gradation correction of the separate R, G, B signals, gradation conversion of the luminance signal, and color signal conversion of high luminance pixels while maintaining a constant color signal ratio, is that it is not possible to only adjust the brightness without also changing image colors.

Color gradation correction method and apparatus

Matsushita Electric Industrial, Co., Ltd.


The pipeline leak detector travels through a pipeline passively due to the flow of liquid through the pipeline. The device includes leading and trailing rings shaped to produce hydrodynamic resistance in order for the device to be carried through the pipeline. Wheels are provided about each ring, with at least one wheel having an odometer to measure distance traveled through the pipe. The rings are joined by a plurality of axially oriented connecting rods. A plurality of sensing elements extend between the rings. Each sensing element has a thin laminate of a piezoelectric film sandwiched between two electrically conductive layers, with an electrically insulating coating on the outside of each conductive layer. One of the rings includes microelectronic circuitry for data acquisition and storage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices and systems for detecting fluid leaks, and particularly to a pipeline leak detector that travels through a pipeline to detect leaks in the walls and/or joints of the pipeline.
2. Description of the Related Art
Pipelines for the conveyance of various liquids are often the most convenient means for transporting such liquids from one point to another. Obviously, there is some economic benefit or advantage in moving the liquids from one place to another, or there would be no point in spending the money to construct the pipeline in the first place. While many persons think of the conveyance of liquids, such as oil, as providing the greatest economic benefit, even less costly liquids, such as water, can provide significant economic benefit when they are transported from locations where they are readily available to locations where they are needed, e.g., major urban areas, agricultural areas, etc.
Due to the financial value of such liquids, it is important to reduce the loss of these liquids to the greatest practical extent. Moreover, many liquids, such as petroleum products, are harmful when released into the general environment. While water is not inherently toxic, it can also do great damage if a sufficient quantity is released into an area where it is not desired, e.g., flooding, soil erosion, softening of underlying soil and weakening of structural foundations, etc. Even relatively small water leaks can result in damage over a prolonged period of time, and the economic loss resulting from the water loss can also be significant over a lengthy period of time, even when no environmental damage occurs.
A number of different robotic devices have been developed in the past for insertion into pipelines, with the devices traveling through the pipe and reporting or registering the locations of the internal condition of the pipe and/or any apparent leakage. These devices are generally known as "pigs," due to the generally elliptical spheroid shape of many such devices. Numerous principles are used by such devices for the detection of internal damage to pipes, including acoustic sensing. However, acoustic sensing is not suitable for use with all pipe materials. Many pipe materials, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other plastics, rapidly attenuate acoustic transmissions to the point that it is difficult to detect anomalous echoes that may indicate damage to the pipe. Moreover, many of the robotic devices are self-propelled, with the propulsion systems producing a certain amount of acoustic "noise" that can be difficult to filter out when the device is attempting to detect returns from its acoustic detection system.
Thus, a pipeline leak detector solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS


A transparent structural element for covers extruded in a synthetic thermoplastic material includes two or more horizontal sheets parallel to each other and shaped to form a corrugated profile, wherein the two or more sheets are spaced and connected by a plurality of ribs having an undulating trend, the ribs having an undulating trend being present in both flat parts of the corrugated section and in tilted connection parts between the flat parts. In one embodiment, the transparent structural element for covers is made of polycarbonate (PC) or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA).

In the construction of industrial warehouses, roofs of buildings, etc., structural elements are often used which ensure a certain safety for loads and allow great facility of use. A type which has been widely used for some time consists of corrugated sheets, which however have now become outdated due to the perishable nature of the metallic materials of which they are made.
Corrugated multiwall sheets made of a transparent plastic material having straight septa are currently widely used in substitution of or combined with these known sheets, which, contrary to the metallic corrugated sheets formerly used, allow the passage of light. For example, DE 2824759 discloses extruded sheets made of a plastic material.
These known corrugated multiwall sheets made of a plastic material, however, do not have the possibility of sustaining heavy loads, as their structure and characteristics are strictly associated with plastic materials.
It should also be noted that in some cases one must be able to intervene on already existing structures, such as those consisting of metallic corrugated sheets, in order to replace those that have deteriorated or even create a series of openings in the whole structure that allow the passage of light in the underlying environments.
In any case, it is certainly evident that for reasons of safety, these structural elements that are used in substitution, must also have the mechanical resistance requisites necessary for the purpose. They must in fact be efficient as they will form a part of an existing structure which, when finished, must in any case be relatively sturdy, at least with respect to loads.
In the case of a horizontal covering surface, for example, these transparent structural elements must have a high resistance to compression so that they do not become deformed if an unexpected load is deposited on them, such as a certain quantity of snow.
A solution to this requirement can be found in flat sheet-like elements made of solid glass, dimensioned so as to guarantee adequate mechanical performances and at the same time allow the passage of light.
It should be noted however that, due to the above dimensioning and performances required, the glass sheets are often heavy and therefore difficult to move and install.
Furthermore, flat panels such as those described in EP 1 543 945, have also been proposed by the same applicant, which, however, as it is known, specifically as a result of their completely flat form, have limited capacities.
In addition, it is also required to confer a certain aesthetic significance to structures of this type, particularly if created ex novo.

Transparent structural element for covers


A method of managing access to protected file content is disclosed. The method includes: receiving a request to open a first file stored on the computing device; determining that the first file is a protected file; in response to determining that the first file is a protected file: identifying a first application that is suitable for opening the first file; determining that the first application is an unsecured application; and in response to determining that the first application is an unsecured application, locking the first application to prevent unauthorized access of application data of the first application in a locked state.

Modern computing devices support various types of applications. In addition to applications that are pre-installed on their devices, users may download third-party software to enable a wide range of functionalities. Each third-party software has its own policy for handling different aspects of application behavior such as, for example, mobile data usage, payment processing, network connection settings, and cache data management.
Users may store sensitive data on their computing devices that they wish to keep private to themselves or accessible to a limited number of authorized parties. Safekeeping of data on a computing device can often be challenging. In particular, divergent policies of third-party software installed on a computing device may pose difficulties for secure management of private user data.
Like reference numerals are used in the drawings to denote like elements and features.

Managing access to protected data file content


In a computer system of the present invention, whether or not master data has been updated is managed for each division key as master data management information. If the master data has been updated, a job is re-executed, but when the job is re-executed, data is divided using only a division key corresponding to updated master data, and thereby a sub-job which is a re-execution target is localized with the division key unit so as to re-execute a job.

A batch process is performed on mass data such as a daily or monthly process of finance and account records. In this batch process, it is important to guarantee a finish time. This is because, if the batch process does not finish, the start of a subsequent business service is disrupted. Therefore, the batch process requires high-speed for finishing even mass data in a predetermined time, reliability for a reliable finish, and rapid handling of failures. In addition, the batch process is also required to have a low costs and facilitated operations which are necessary to reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
In relation to these matters, for example, PTL 1 discloses a method (job scheduling method) of controlling a job net (also referred to as a job network) in which a plurality of batch jobs are correlated with each other in order to intensively control a lot of jobs and to easily monitor execution circumstances of jobs.
On the other hand, the job net is required to finish in a predetermined time in order to start a service which uses an execution result of the job net at a predetermined start time. However, since a process time of the batch job depends on an amount of data which is input and output, the job net cannot finish in a predetermined time if data increases. As a countermeasure for this, for example, PTL 2 discloses a job scheduling method in which data is divided, the divided data is assigned to each job so as to be processed in parallel on a plurality of computers, thereby speeding up a batch job process of mass data. In the job scheduling method of PTL 2, data is divided in advance, job definitions corresponding to the number of divisions are generated, and a relationship between the divided data and the job definition is recorded in a parallel process management table. A job which is to be executed is determined by referring to the parallel process management table when scheduling is performed, and a job definition including identification data of the job is provided to job management.

Job management system that determines if master data has been updated, then re-executes a sub-job based on available executing computers and data sharing status


A method for managing application modalities using dialogue states can include the step of asserting a set of activation conditions associated with a dialogue state of an application. Each of the activation conditions can be linked to at least one programmatic action, wherein different programmatic actions can be executed by different modality components. The application conditions can be monitored. An application event can be detected resulting in an associated application condition being run. At least one programmatic action linked to the application condition can be responsively initiated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of computer software and, more particularly, to multimodal applications.
2. Description of the Related Art
A multimodal application is an application that permits user interactions with more than one input mode. Examples of input modes include speech, digital pen (handwriting recognition), and the graphical user interface (GUI). A multimodal application may, for example, accept and process speech input as well as keyboard or mouse input. Similarly, a multimodal application may provide speech output as well as visual output, which can be displayed upon a screen. Multimodal applications can be particularly useful for small computing devices possessing a form-factor that makes keyboard data entry more difficult than speech data entry. Further, environmental conditions can cause one interface modality available in a multimodal application to be preferred over another. For example, if an environment is noisy, keypad and/or handwritten input can be preferred to speech input. Further, when visual conditions of an environment, such as darkness or excessive glare, make a screen associated with a computing device difficult to read, speech output can be preferred to visual output.
Although users of small computing devices can greatly benefit from multimodal capabilities, small computing devices can be resource constrained. That is, the memory and processing power available to a small computing device can be too limited to support the local execution of more than one mode of interaction at a time. To overcome resource constraints, multimodal processing can be distributed across one or more remote computing devices. For example, if one mode of interaction is speech, speech recognition and synthesis processing for the speech mode can be performed upon a speech-processing server that is communicatively linked to the multimodal computing device. Software developers face a significant challenge in managing distributed multimodal interactions, some of which can be executed locally upon a computing device, while other interactions can be executed remotely.
Conventional solutions to distributed multimodal interaction management have typically been application specific solutions that have been designed into an application during the application's software development cycle. Accordingly, the features available for each modality, such as speech recognition features, are typically tightly integrated within the software solution so that future enhancements and additional features can require extensive software rewrites. Because hardware and software capabilities are constantly evolving in the field of information technology, customized solutions can rapidly become outdated and can be costly to implement. A more flexible, application-independent solution is needed.

Application module for managing interactions of distributed modality components

International Business Machines Corporation


From among a plurality of interconnected segments of a travel route of a transportation vehicle, an operator manually assigns a plurality of segments that form a path for the transportation vehicle to actually travel, such assignment is received, a travel instruction is generated in accordance with the plurality of assigned segments, and the transportation vehicle is instructed to travel in accordance with the travel instruction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transportation vehicle system and, in particular, manual input performed by an operator to assign a travel path to a transportation vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a travel instruction is given, a transportation vehicle, such as an overhead traveling vehicle and an automated transportation vehicle or the like, autonomously selects a travel path. Such a transportation vehicle stores a map illustrating a travel route. On the map, the travel route is divided into a plurality of segments and, for example, a coordinate of segment boundaries and travel time required for each segment are illustrated. In such a coordinate, a difference between both ends of the segment defines a length of the segment. For example, two types of travel instructions are provided such as a transportation instruction given to assign a "from position" where an article is loaded and a "to position" where an article is unloaded and an instruction given to simply assign a position of a travel destination.
However, the environment for manually assigning the travel path to the transportation vehicle has not yet been developed. That is because, generally, the transportation vehicle has only to be assigned with the travel destination, and the travel path to the travel destination is not important. However, when a layout of the travel route is changed or the like, it is necessary to assign the travel path for testing, and then to instruct the transportation vehicle to travel. In such a case, in order to assign the travel path through an existing method, a plurality of instructions in which the travel destination is assigned need to be generated. Hereinafter, a path that is selected from the travel route for the transportation vehicle to actually travel will be referred to as a travel path.
Patent Document 1, "JP2000-153905A", discloses that a transportation vehicle is manually operated through the use of a remote controller. In a case where an overhead traveling vehicle is used, when executing such a manual operation, an operator needs to assign a speed and a divergent direction to the transportation vehicle while walking along the travel route, which thereby detracts efficiency.

Transportation vehicle system and method for assigning travel path to transportation vehicle


A single-sided continuous optoelectrowetting (SCOEW) device for manipulating droplets retained in a fluid over the SCOEW device with dynamic patterns of low intensity light, such as from a display screen, is described. A single pair of lateral electrodes are utilized for providing a lateral electric field bias, with transport motion controlled in response to projecting light through a photoconductive layer and dielectric layer adjacent to which droplets are retained. The device is configured for optically manipulating droplets having volumes spanning over five orders of magnitude, and can be configured to perform droplet dispensing, transport, splitting, merging, mixing and other droplet manipulation functions involving any of the above on a single sided surface.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to optoelectrowetting, and more particularly to single-sided continuous optoelectrowetting for droplet manipulation with light patterns.
2. Description of Related Art
Droplet-based microfluidic systems have attracted broad interest for lab-on-chip applications. Demonstrated droplet manipulation technologies are versatile and include surface acoustic wave, thermocapillary force electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD), dielectrophoresis (DEP), and magnetic forces. Among these systems, EWOD provides advantages in regard to fast response times, simple implementations, and large force application at millimeter to micrometer scales. EWOD-based applications, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) clinical diagnostics, DNA enrichment and ligation, proteomics, electronic paper, and on-chip cooling have been shown.
Conventional EWOD devices are typically implemented by sandwiching droplets between two parallel plates fabricated with one or more arrays of addressable electrodes. Actuation is achieved by digitally addressing these electrodes to induce transport from one set of electrodes to another. Certain single-sided EWOD devices integrate actuating and ground electrodes on the same substrate allowing manipulating larger droplet volumes per sample footprint, improved droplet mixing efficiencies, and flexible integration with other components such as optical detectors and external sample reservoirs.
Recent optoelectrowetting (OEW) mechanisms enable optical manipulation of droplets using light beams to overcome complex wiring and interconnect issues faced by EWOD devices using physical metal electrodes when addressing a large number of droplets in parallel on a 2D surface. Droplets manipulated in electrowetting-based devices are typically sandwiched between two parallel plates and actuated by digital electrodes. The size of pixilated electrodes limits the minimum droplet size that can be manipulated. To overcome size limitations of pixilated electrodes, a continuous optoelectrowetting device (COEW) mechanism was developed that enables continuous transportation of picoliter (pL) droplets sandwiched between two featureless and closely positioned electrodes (15 μm separation gap), one transparent Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) electrode and one photoconductive amorphous silicon electrode. However, the thick amorphous silicon layer used in COEW for matching the electrical impedance of the dielectric layer is difficult to reproduce due to large residual stress during the deposition process. Large voltage leaks in areas not covered by droplets also resulted in droplet instability issues while satellite droplets ejected from mother droplets were often observed during experiments.
Accordingly, a need exists for electrowetting droplet manipulation devices and methods which are simpler to implement while providing high accuracy.

Single sided continuous optoelectrowetting (SCEOW) device for droplet manipulation with light patterns

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA


A semiconductor element such as an encapsulated or non-encapsulated semiconductor chip having a multitude of terminals is mounted on one surface of a quadrate substrate. A multitude of connector pins extend from the other surface of the substrate. A plurality of connector lands are formed on a surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the corresponding terminals of the semiconductor element. The connector lands are electrically connected to the connector pins through wiring. The connector pins have a pitch that is larger near the connector lands than at locations farther away from the lands. The pitch between adjacent connector pins is made larger as necessary or desired so as to allow the passage of an increased number of connecting wires between the adjacent connector pins, thus ensuring high density wiring with improved efficiency.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor package, and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a pin-grid-array device (hereinafter abbreviated as a PGA package) including a substrate provided at one surface with a plurality of connector pins.
A typical conventional PGA semiconductor package is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The illustrated PGA package includes a semiconductor element 102 in the form of a quad-flat package (hereinafter simply referred to as a QFP) or a packaged or encapsulated semiconductor chip of a quadrate or rectangular configuration mounted on a surface of a quadrate or rectangular-shaped substrate 101, the QFP 102 having a multitude of terminals 103 outwardly extending from the outer peripheral side surfaces thereof. The terminals 103 are connected such as by soldering to corresponding mounting or connector lands 104 which are formed on the substrate 101 in an aligned, parallel relation to the four side edges thereof at locations separated a predetermined distance therefrom. The connector lands 104 are electrically connected through fine connecting wires 105 such as gold wires to corresponding external terminals 106 in the form of connector pins which are disposed around the QFP 102 and which extend from and perpendicular to the other surface of the substrate 101. The respective connector pins 106 have their basal ends inserted into and fixedly secured such as by soldering to corresponding through-holes (not shown) in the substrate 101 that are arranged in a grid-like pattern.
With the above-described conventional PGA package, however, the multitude of connector pins 106 are disposed at one and the same pitch or interval (for example, 2.54 mm, 1.78 mm or 1.27 mm). As a result, it is required that connecting wires connecting the connector pins 106 and the respective connector lands 104 be carefully arranged so as not to be in contact with adjacent connector pins 106. Accordingly, the number of connector pins 106 is limited and the distance or pitch between adjacent connector pins 106 is relatively large, so the number of connecting wires 105 passing between adjacent connector pins 106 particularly near the corners of the QFP 102 is limited, thus causing no problem or difficulty in wiring. However, as the number of the connector pins 106 increases, the following problems arise.
In the course of recent developments in semiconductor technology, an increased number of the connector pins 106 as well as the resultant reduced distance or pitch between adjacent pins 106 inevitably leads to an increase in wiring density of the connecting wires 105, thus causing increased difficulty in wiring. In particular, the number of the connecting wires to be disposed between adjacent connector pins 106 is increased at locations near the mounting or connector lands 104, so difficulty in wiring first arises at locations near the connector lands 104.


The present invention relates to a method for providing an electronic environment for facilitating user interaction with a business. The method displays an abstract graphical proxy for the environment, displays an abstract graphical proxy for at least one consumer within the environment, and provides the consumer with interactive business facilities. The environment is a marketplace structured by the business. The environment includes a chat application. The chat application includes one of private chat and public chat. The environment comprises interactive applets. Each consumer proxy is individualized according to consumer input or each consumer proxy is individualized according to consumer activity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to social proxies, and more particularly towards a marketplace social proxy for the facilitation of business-to-consumer interaction.
2. Description of Prior Art
The growth of on-line consumer support and sales has led to important questions regarding consumer education, attitude change, persuasion, decision making, and satisfaction in on-line environments. Current on-line sales environments isolate consumers from one another. These sales environments provide only basic sales service, for example, offering a picture of the product/service and a general description. Some independent services (e.g., cnet.com) provide consumer-to-consumer interaction via bulletin boards to serve as distributed knowledge (opinion) reservoirs. However, no known direct sales approach has implemented a system or method for consumer-to-consumer interaction.
In the area of online user interaction, there are several efforts working towards creating a computer interface capable of displaying intangible qualities typically associated with live interaction. In particular, FTP, NNTP, IRC (e.g., The Palace), Babble, Loom, Coordinator, usage summaries for web sites, Ebay and Amazon.com's user interface. These systems include elements which relate to attributes normally associated with a physical interaction. For example, by posting the number of visitors to a web site (e.g., usage summaries), a user can have a feeling of belonging to a larger group of people interested in that web site. These and other systems are described below.
FTP allows online users "anonymous"—to have access to a collection of documents; one or more users being authorized to add documents to the collection. (See Ed Krol, The Whole Internet Catalog. O'Reilly and Associates, Inc. Sebastopol, Calif. 1992.) Interfaces to FTP-accessible collections of documents (e.g., bulletin boards) do not provide dynamically updated, graphical representations of the activity of a given online marketplace environment.
NNTP or network news, provides a venue in which users can asynchronously post messages and responses into administered news groups (i.e., predefined groups of messages which are meant to relate to specified topic, e.g., all articles in alt.sport.soccer should deal with soccer), every post indicating the ID of the contributor. Lotus Notes' discussion databases provide a functionally equivalent form of online interaction. Here again, no resource based on these technologies provide business users with a dynamically updated, graphical representation of the activity of a given online business environment.
Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is similar to NNTP in that it allows users to post messages and responses in predefined topic areas—called channels in IRC. The main difference with IRC is that the interactions are synchronous rather than asynchronous as in NNTP.
The Palace, is a collection of Internet chat rooms. The site uses a graphical display and user icons. A Palace Site is an online community where users can come together and chat while being represented by a graphical image. There are thousands of existing Palace Sites. Users can connect to The Palace Sites with The Palace Viewer (PTV) or The Palace User Software. Currently, channels available include: Welcome, TV, Movies, Music, Romance, Teens, and International. Within each channel is a collection of related Palace Sites. For example, within the Music channel, specific Palaace Sites may exist for particular genres or artists. TPV allows users to visit Palace Sites through their web browsers. With TPV and The Palace Server, a user can add a Palace community to a web site. The Palace User Software enables a user to connect to all the different Palace Sites located in Palace Space.
Other implemented forms providing synchronous online communication also exist, for example, Instant Messaging from Apple, and the discussion section of Groove from Groove Networks, Inc. Although these applications and systems provide user with a list of all operational clients, none provides a dynamically updated graphical representation indicating the type or level of activity of the users.
Loom, a visualization tool for Usenet (NNTP) news groups, provides a technique for displaying the emotional mood (e.g., hostile, happy) of an NNTP-based online community (e.g., a Usenet news group) by analyzing the content of its interactions. (See Judith Donath et al. "Visualizing Conversation" published in the Journal of Computer Mediated Conversation. Volume 4, number 4, June 1999.) Although this utility can analyze online interactions and provide a graphical representation of aspects of the interactions, it only provides this information asynchronously, specifically by analyzing the overall content records from each NNTP room. Thus, the graphical representation it provides is not dynamically updated.
Babble provides dynamic indicators of the presence and activity of all operational users with respect to the available topics (i.e., discussion areas created by the users). These indicators are computed using the activities of the participants (e.g., connections, postings, and topic switches). (See Thomas Erickson, et al. "Socially Translucent Systems: Social Proxies, Persistent Conversation, and the Design of 'Babble.'" published in Human Factors in Computing Systems: The Proceedings of CHI '99. ACM Press, 1999.) Although lightly structured styles of interaction are frequently adopted (e.g., interaction in the "-Commons Area-" is informal conversation, while interaction in the "Babble Problems" topic consists of serious question/answer dialogs), no way is provided to customize the graphical representation or the information it renders so that the specific critical qualities and quantities of an online marketplace are (dynamically) displayed.
Online games, like chess and bridge (e.g., Chessmaster 6000 by Mindscape, Inc.), provide structured and enforced styles of interaction, but not ones that dynamically and graphically indicate the activity of a given online marketplaces.
Coordinator, a method of structuring human communications, provides an electronic mail-based system that allows users to structure conversations and track tasks. For example, a typical interaction begins with a "Request" message from person A to person B, requesting something from person B by a certain date. This e-mail note asks Person B to respond with a "Promise" message (promising to perform the action), with a "Decline" message (declining to perform the action), or with a "Counteroffer" message (offering to perform the action by a different date or to perform a different action). If B promises to do the action, then a typical conversation might continue with B, eventually sending a "Report completion" message (indicating that the action has been performed) and A replying with a "Close" message (indicating that the action was performed satisfactorily). (See: Flores et al. "Method and Apparatus for Structuring and Managing Human Communications By Explicitly Defining the Types of Communications Permitted Between Participants." U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,748, May 4, 1993.)
The Oval implementation of Coordinator extends the base functionality by allowing end-users to modify interaction rules mid interaction (see Malone et al. "Experiments with Oval: A Radically Tailorable Tool for Cooperative Work" via URL http://ccs.mit.edu/papers/CCSWP181/index.html#4b).
Thus, Coordinator, implemented with Oval allows users to define and maintain structured styles of online interaction. These two facilities still fail to provide a dynamically updated, graphical representation of the state and activity within a given online marketplace; and handle interactions where messages are posted to a group of recipients, all of whom are not known a priori (e.g., as is the case in many online business environment, i.e., one often does not know who one's customers will be at the start of the day).
In the online auctions provided by Ebay.com., users can get data concerning the activity of other buyers and sellers (e.g., how many transactions they have successfully completed). Although this provides an indication of user activity in a online marketplace, no dynamically updated, graphical representation is provided.
Amazon.com also provides information concerning the activities and comments from it customers. E.g., for any given product sold by Amazon.com, one can learn what other buyers who have purchased the given product have also bought (e.g., customers who purchased the first Harry Potter book also purchased every other book about Harry Potter). Although this provides indication of user activity, Amazon.com does not provide any graphical representation, nor does it provide information that is dynamically updated.
Therefore, a need exists for a method and system for implementing a graphical online environment including consumer and business proxies for providing a dynamically updated, graphic view (representation) of current marketplace conditions.

Method and system for marketplace social proxies


Fatty acid terminated polyanhydrides suitable for use as controlled release matrices in biodegradable sustained release drug delivery systems and methods for making thereof are described. The polymers are more soluble in organic solvents, and have a lower melting point than the corresponding non-fatty acid terminated polyanhydrides. The fatty acid terminated polyanhydrides are also more hydrophobic than the corresponding polyanhydrides that are not terminated with a fatty acid, and combine the properties of thermodynamic and hydrolytic stability, and easy storage. The polymers can be produced with a controlled and low molecular weight. The polyanhydrides are useful in a number of applications, including as a matrix in biodegradable drug delivery systems.

This invention is in the area of polymers for controlled delivery of substances, and more specifically encompasses biodegradable polyanhydrides whose end groups are terminated with fatty acids, and methods for making thereof.
There has been extensive research in the area of biodegradable controlled release systems for bioactive compounds. Biodegradable matrices for drug delivery are useful because they obviate the need to remove non-biodegradable drug-depleted devices. The ideal polymeric matrix would combine the characteristics of hydrophobicity, stability, organic solubility, low melting point, and suitable degradation profile. Such a polymer must be hydrophobic so that it retains its integrity for a suitable period of time when placed in an aqueous environment, such as the body, and stable enough to be stored for an extended period before use. The ideal polymer must also be strong, yet flexible enough so that it does not crumble or fragment during use.
Controlled release devices are typically prepared in one of several ways. For example, the polymer can be melted, mixed with the substance to be delivered, and then solidified by cooling. Such melt fabrication processes require polymers having a melting point that is below the temperature at which the substance to be delivered and polymer degrade or become reactive. Alternatively, the device can be prepared by solvent casting, where the polymer is dissolved in a solvent, and the substance to be delivered dissolved or dispersed in the polymer solution. The solvent is then evaporated, leaving the substance in the polymeric matrix. Solvent casting requires that the polymer be soluble in organic solvents.
Many polymers have been evaluated for their suitability for use as a matrix for a delivery device, including polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, polyorthoesters, polyacrylonitriles, and polyphosphazenes. None of these polymers have exhibited all of the desired characteristics for use in the controlled delivery of substances.
Polyanhydrides have also been studied for use in controlled delivery devices, as reported by Leong, et al., J. Med. Biomed. Mater. Res. 19, 941 (1985); and J. Med. Biomed. Mater. Res. 20, 51 (1986). One of the first polyanhydrides studied for its controlled release behavior was poly(bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)methane anhydride), described by Rosen, et al., Biomaterials 4, 131 (1983). The aromatic polyanhydride exhibited near zero order (linear) erosion and release kinetics at 37.degree. C. and 60.degree. C. Shortly thereafter, three related polyanhydrides: poly 1,3-(bis(p-carbophenoxy)propane anhydride (p-CPP) (an aromatic polyanhydride); the polymer formed from the copolymerization of p-CPP with sebacic acid (a copolymer of an aromatic diacid and an aliphatic diacid); and polyterephthalic acid (an aromatic anhydride), were prepared and examined for release rates by Leong, et al., J. Med. Biomed. Mater. Res. 19, 941 (1985).
These aromatic polyanhydrides were found to have unacceptably slow degradation rates. For example, it was estimated that it would take a delivery device prepared- from p-CPP more than three years to completely degrade in vivo. Further, anhydride homopolymers based on aromatic or linear aliphatic dicarboxylic acids were found to be highly crystalline and have poor film forming properties. Aromatic polyanhydrides also have high melting points and low solubility in organic solvents.
Polymers prepared from linear aliphatic diacids are hydrophilic solids that degrade by bulk erosion, resulting in a rapid release of the drug from the polymeric matrix. Consequently, linear aliphatic diacids are unsuitable for use in controlled drug delivery systems. Hydrophobicity of such polymers can be increased by copolymerizing the linear aliphatic diacids with aromatic diacids. This approach, however, results in an increase in the polymer melting temperature and a decrease in solubility in organic solvents. Furthermore, such copolymerization does not improve the drug release profile, but instead increases the degradation and the elimination time of the polymer both in vivo and in vitro. Since both homopolymers and copolymers of linear aliphatic diacids are very sensitive to moisture, they require storage under anhydrous and low temperature conditions.
As described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,128 to Domb and Langer, high molecular weight copolymers of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids with aromatic diacids are less crystalline than aromatic or linear aliphatic polyanhydrides, and they form flexible films. Degradation rates are also increased by copolymerizing an aromatic dicarboxylic acid with an aliphatic diacid. However, bulk erosion still occurs because areas of the polymer containing aliphatic anhydride linkages erode faster than aromatic anhydride linkages, forming channels in the matrix through which the substance to be delivered is released in an uncontrolled fashion. For example, in the p-CPP sebacic acid copolymer described above, the aliphatic anhydride bonds are cleaved in vivo and all of the drug is released in ten days, while the aromatic regions remain intact for another five and one-half months. Further, the copolymers have inferior mechanical properties; they become brittle and crumble into flakes on exposure to moisture.
U.S. Patents that describe the use of polyanhydrides for controlled delivery of substances include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,311 to Domb and Langer, entitled "Polyanhydrides with Improved Hydrolytic Degradation Properties," which describes polyanhydrides having a uniform distribution of aliphatic and aromatic residues in the chain, prepared by polymerizing a dicarboxylic acid with an aromatic end and an aliphatic end; U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,176 to Langer, et al., entitled "Controlled Drug Delivery High Molecular Weight Polyanhydrides," which describes the preparation of high molecular weight polyanhydrides in combination with bioactive compounds for use in controlled delivery devices; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,724 to Domb and Langer, entitled "Preparation of Anhydride Copolymers", which describes the preparation of very pure anhydride copolymers of aromatic and aliphatic diacids.
There remains a strong need, however, for a polymer having the desired characteristics of hydrophobicity, stability, strength, flexibility, organic solubility, low melting point, and appropriate degradation profile, for use as a matrix for controlled delivery devices. It would also be useful to be able to substantially alter the degradation and release kinetics of the polyanhydride for a wide variety of applications without significantly affecting the physical properties of the polymer.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a biodegradable polymer that releases an incorporated substance in a controlled manner, wherein the polymer is highly hydrophobic, and degrades by surface erosion.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a biodegradable, surface erodible polymer that is thermodynamically and hydrolytically stable, and can be stored under mild storage conditions.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a biodegradable controlled release microparticulate, injectable delivery system suitable for controlled in vivo administration of peptides and proteins, which is not acidic even in the absence of additives, and which stabilizes the incorporated peptides and proteins to be released without the use of additives.