The Invention is a method for quantitative analysis of a mixture of molecular compounds by two-dimensional gas chromatography having application for quantitative analysis of products from the chemical or petroleum industry. A two-dimensional gas chromatography is carried out, during which a chromatographic signal is recorded. A chromatogram in two dimensions on which chromatographic peaks form spots is generated from the signal. These spots are defined by means of polygons. Then, for each polygon, chromatographic signal portions contained between two intersections of the polygon with columns of the chromatogram are extracted. Start and end times are defined for the chromatographic peaks present in these portions and the polygon is adjusted by shifting its intersection points according to the start and end times of the chromatographic peaks. Finally, molecular compound amounts are determined by calculating the surface area of the polygons thus adjusted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to two-dimensional gas chromatography analysis. In particular, the invention is a method for quantitative analysis of petroleum samples by two-dimensional gas chromatography.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Two-dimensional gas chromatography (2D GC) is a particularly efficient separation technique for performing detailed molecular analyses. This well-known technique is for example described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,135,549 and 5,196,039. These patents describe the principle of continuous coupling of two different separation columns in order to obtain two-dimensional chromatograms.
Two-dimensional gas chromatography is a separation technique wherein all the eluted compounds of a first column are successively subjected to a separation in a second column of different selectivity. The two columns are connected in series by means of a modulator that is the key element of the device. This interface samples the effluent of the first column in a form of chemical impulses and it transfers them to the second column. The time required for performing this operation, referred to as modulation period, generally requires a very fast (some seconds) second separation: the characteristics of the second column are selected in such a way that each impulse is separated during the modulation period. FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows the principle of 2D-GC.
The more affinity the compound has with the stationary phase, the more time it will need to leave each column. At the outlet of the second column, the compounds encounter a detector. This device measures various physical properties of the gaseous mixture in its form of an intensity as a function of time. This signal, referred to as chromatographic signal or "raw 1D" signal, comprises a set of peaks, characteristic of each constituent, whose shape depends on the intensity of the property measured. Each peak is called "elution peak" or "chromatographic peak". The maximum intensity corresponding to a peak is referred to as retention time. The signal thus recorded can be of different nature depending on the detector used. The detectors (TCD, FID, SCD, NCD, . . . ) are selected according to the application type by the person skilled in the art.
Some detectors allow detection of ppm (parts per million) of a component.
The elution peak from the first column is periodically sampled by the modulator. Each fraction is focused, then continuously injected into the second column. The detected chromatographic signal, the raw 1D signal, thus corresponds to a succession of separations (materialized by peaks on the signal) carried out in the second dimension. By combining these chromatograms with an offset, it is possible to reconstruct a signal in two dimensions: the beginning of each modulation cycle marks the retention time of a compound in the first dimension, whereas the maximum of each peak marks the retention time in the second dimension. An offset has to be introduced for the retention order in the second dimension to be correct. It allows shifting all the retention times on the ordinate axis by a constant value. This operation is useful to correctly represent the structure of a chromatogram wherein the absolute secondary retention time (that is on the y-axis) of a compound is greater than the modulation period, provided that the retention time difference between the less retained compound and the most retained compound is smaller than the modulation period (that is absence of separation overlap, or wrapping around).
The result can come in a form of a three-dimensional chromatogram, two of the axes representing the retention times on each of the separation dimensions, and the third axis indicating the intensity of the signal (3D in FIG. 1). The commonest representation is two-dimensional (2D chromatogram) wherein the two axes of the separation plane indicating the temporal coordinates. The chromatographic peaks (elution peaks) then form spots whose intensity is shown by a color gradation. This representation is close to a molecular image of the sample. In the example shown in FIG. 1, two solutes co-eluted after the first separation are separated during the second separation, provided that the nature of the stationary phases coating each column is suited thereto.
However, the results obtained from a two-dimensional gas chromatography (2D-GC) have to be coupled with complex data analysis methods.
As in conventional GC (gas chromatography), quantification of a solute in 2D-GC is carried out by calibrating the response of the detector by the measurement of the surface area of the elution peak. In the specific case of 2D-GC, the chromatogram is generally represented in a form of an iso-response surface that has to be integrated to obtain the volume of an elution peak proportional to the amount of solute introduced. As mentioned in the publication below, there are three known types of two-dimensional gas chromatography (2D-GC) quantitative analyses. All these methods are based on the definition of zones delimiting the spots representative of the elution peaks. These zones are referred to as "blobs" by specialists.    Van Mispelaar V. G. et al., 2005, "Novel System for Classifying Chromatographic Applications, Exemplified by Comprehensive Two Dimensional Gas Chromatography and Multivariate Analysis", Journal of Chromatography A., 1071 (2005) pp. 229-237.1—Determination of the Concentrations of a Certain Number of Predefined CompoundsThe compounds are identified by their retention times on the two axes (that is the maximum time of a zone). The surface area of the zone is converted to concentration by calibration. A clear return to the base line between two zones is assumed in this analysis. The base line corresponds to the signal recorded in the absence of compounds (that is in the presence of the mobile phase alone).2—Determination of the Concentrations of Peak GroupsFor some applications, the number of peaks is tens of thousands with strong co-elutions. It is then practically impossible to identify each peak individually. The goal is to group them together according to pseudo-components having common chemical or structural properties (same chemical type (structural homologs) with the same number of carbon atoms, the same number of double bonds, and the same number of aromatic rings, etc.).3—Determination of the Similarities and Differences Between Several AnalysesThe goal is to automatically determine the differences in terms of presence and concentration of compounds. Image processing and classification techniques are used. These techniques are used in particular for follow-up analyses or for sample screening, while disregarding the analytical details.
There are three types of operating methods for implementing this type of analysis.
Mode 1. The principle is as follows:
Definition of a generic mask of contour zones for each constituent (or blob) for an image type. Meta-data (name of the component, properties of the component) are possibly added.
Application of the mask to a new image.
Manual modification of the blobs to determine the exact position in the new image of each contour so as to take account of (i) the experimental uncertainties and of (ii) the variations linked with the concentration of the constituents.
This operating method is provided in the software GC Image® (Zoex, USA). This operating method is difficult to apply: in fact, the definition of the contour zones of each blob greatly depends on the user and on the way the individual peaks are defined from the complete image. The method is therefore neither very accurate nor very repeatable.
Mode 2. The principle is as follows:
Automatic determination of all the peaks of the image by image analysis
One-to-one association of a peak with a blob
Manual assignment of a chemical compound for each blob.
This operating method is described in the publication below. The peaks are determined directly in the image by means of a watershed type algorithm.    S. E. Reichenbach, V. Kottapalli, M. Ni, A. Visvanathan, 2005, Computer Language for Identifying Chemicals with Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry, Journal of Chromatography, Vol. 1071, pp. 263-269.
This method is not suited to analysis of type 2 because the number of peaks is too large (several thousands). It is then impossible to assign a component to each peak. Furthermore, the implicit assumption of one-to-one relation between a blob and a peak is wrong: a blob often consists of several peaks.
Mode 3. The principle is as follows:
Automatic determination of all the peaks of the image
Identification of the peaks by rules. This operating method is described in the following publication:    M. Ni, S. E. Reichenbach, A. Visvanathan, J. TerMaat, E. B. Ledford, 2005, Peak Pattern Variations Related to Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography, Journal of Chromatography, Vol. 1086, pp. 165-170. Setting up the rules is complicated.
Mode 4. The principle is as follows:
Automatic determination of all the peaks of the raw 1D signal (SB) corresponding to the image by conventional integration (1D GC techniques).
Definition of zones (blobs) in the image by the user.
The final surface area of the blob corresponds to the sum of the surface areas of the peaks of the raw 1D signal (SB) belonging to the blob.
This operating method is provided by the software HyperChrom® (Thermo, USA).    Daniela Cavagnino, Paolo Magni, Giacinto Zilioli, Sorin Trestianu, 2003, Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography Using Large Sample Volume Injection for the Determination of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Complex Matrices, Journal of Chromatography A, 1019 (2003) 211-220.
This method however involves the following drawbacks:
It is not possible to define a mask predefining several blobs to be applied for each new analysis (pattern). For each new analysis, the user has to define a new mask, which is costly in analysis time and operator-dependent.
A blob is necessarily a predefined quadrilateral that can be deformed thereafter. Some blobs therefore cannot be correctly positioned for correctly trimming each elution peak. Now, according to type 2, it must be possible to define zones corresponding to several hundred peaks whose contour can be very tortuous.
In case of strong co-elutions, it can be very difficult to precisely define the elution peaks in the secondary chromatogram corresponding to the second separation. In this case, the proposed integration is generally erroneous because the zone to be integrated from the blob is not well defined. There is no a posteriori control in case of absence of detection of a peak.
The user cannot really visualize the limits of each blob.
Mode 5. The principle is as follows:
Definition of a mask of zones (blob) in the image
Automatic determination of all the peaks of the image
Assignment of the previously defined peaks to the blobs via statistical analyses.
This operating method is described in the following publication:    M. Ni, S. E. Reichenbach 2005, Using Edge Pattern Matching for Automatic Chemical Identification in GC 2D, Automatic Target Recognition XIV. Edited by Sadjadi, Firooz A. Proceedings of the SPIE, Volume 5426, pp. 155-163 (2004).
The adjustment between the images is performed peak by peak. The authors reduce the data by working only on the peak maximum. However, they implicitly assume a one-to-one relation between a peak and a blob (and therefore a chemical component). This is not the case in practice. Furthermore, the method provided greatly depends on the chemical composition of the product. Since a blob can contain several peaks whose concentration ratio can vary, the maximum of a blob can be very variable.
In short, two-dimensional gas chromatography is a particularly efficient technique that is used in the industry to carry out quantitative analyses of samples such as petroleum samples for example. This technique however involves complex analysis methods. Current analysis methods are not entirely satisfactory:
the definition of polygons defining the spots in the image is sometimes difficult because the number of peaks is very large. These zones can also involve several peaks,
identification of the zones (blobs): associating a chemical compound with a zone is delicate. The larger the number of carbon atoms, the larger the number of isomers. It is then delicate to associate a component with a peak.
Furthermore, these methods of analyzing two-dimensional gas chromatography (2D GC) results are manual and they therefore have two major drawbacks: they require much time and their results depend on the interpreter. Such analyses are therefore difficult to use in practice because of their inaccuracies. Because the number of polygons is general above 150, automated methods have to be applied.

Method for carrying out a quantitative analysis of a mixture of molecular compounds by two-dimensional gas chromatography


The following compound is provided as an agent for treating a disease induced by production, secretion and/or deposition of amyloid β protein, for example, a compound represented by the formula:

In the brain of Alzheimer's patient, the peptide composed of about 40 amino acids residue as is called amyloid β protein, that accumulates to form insoluble specks (senile specks) outside nerve cells is widely observed. It is concerned that this senile specks kill nerve cells to cause Alzheimer's disease, so the therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease, such as decomposition agents of amyloid β protein and amyloid vaccine, are under investigation.
Secretase is an enzyme which cleaves a protein called amyloid β precursor protein (APP) in cell and produces amyloid β protein. The enzyme which controls the production of N terminus of amyloid β protein is called as β-secretase (beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1, BACE-1). It is thought that inhibition of this enzyme leads to reduction of producing amyloid β protein and that the therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease will be created due to the inhibition.
Patent Literature 1 describes the compounds which are similar to those of the present invention, and the compounds have NO synthase enzyme inhibitory activity and are useful for dementia.
Patent Literatures 2 to 5 and Non-patent Literatures 1 and 2 describe the compounds which are similar to those of the present invention, and are useful for hypertensive agent, morphine like analgesic, tranquilizers, intermediate for medicament, NPYY5 antagonist, analgesic, or the like, respectively.
Patent Literature 6 to 24 are known as β serectase inhibitor, however, all compounds in these literatures have different structures from the present invention.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Sulfur-containing heterocyclic derivative having Beta secretase inhibitory activity

Abstract: wherein Ry is halogeno lower alkyl;    ring A is an optionally substituted carbocyclic group or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group,    R1 is optionally substituted lower alkyl or the like,    R2a and R2b are each independently hydrogen, optionally substituted lower alkyl or the like,    R3a, R3b, R3c and R3d are each independently hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, optionally substituted lower alkyl or the like,    or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a solvate thereof.


An audio apparatus comprises a receiver (201) receiving data describing an audio scene. The data comprises audio data for a set of audio elements corresponding to audio sources in the scene and further includes metadata comprising at least an audio rendering property indicator for a first audio element of the set of audio elements. A first renderer (205) renders audio elements by generating a first set of audio signals for a set of loudspeakers and a second renderer (207) renders audio elements by generating a second set of audio signals for a headphone. Further, a selector (209) is arranged to select between the first renderer and the second renderer for rendering of at least a first part of the first audio element in response to the first audio rendering property indicator. The approach may for example provide improved virtual reality experiences using loudspeakers and headphone hybrid rendering.

The variety and range of experiences based on audiovisual content have increased substantially in recent years with new services and ways of utilizing and consuming such content continuously being developed and introduced. In particular, many spatial and interactive services, applications and experiences are being developed to give users a more involved and immersive experience.
Examples of such applications are Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) applications which are rapidly becoming mainstream, with a number of solutions being aimed at the consumer market. A number of standards are also under development by a number of standardization bodies. Such standardization activities are actively developing standards for the various aspects of VR/AR/MR systems including e.g. streaming, broadcasting, rendering, etc.
VR applications tend to provide user experiences corresponding to the user being in a different world/environment/scene whereas AR (including Mixed Reality MR) applications tend to provide user experiences corresponding to the user being in the current environment but with additional information or virtual objects or information being added. Thus, VR applications tend to provide a fully immersive synthetically generated world/scene whereas AR applications tend to provide a partially synthetic world/scene which is overlaid the real scene in which the user is physically present. However, the terms are often used interchangeably and have a high degree of overlap. In the following, the term Virtual Reality/VR will be used to denote both Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality.
As an example, a service being increasingly popular is the provision of images and audio in such a way that a user is able to actively and dynamically interact with the system to change parameters of the rendering such that this will adapt to movement and changes in the user's position and orientation. A very appealing feature in many applications is the ability to change the effective viewing position and viewing direction of the viewer, such as for example allowing the viewer to move and "look around" in the scene being presented.
Such a feature can specifically allow a virtual reality experience to be provided to a user. This may allow the user to (relatively) freely move about in a virtual environment and dynamically change his position and where he is looking. Typically, such virtual reality applications are based on a three-dimensional model of the scene with the model being dynamically evaluated to provide the specific requested view. This approach is well known from e.g. game applications, such as in the category of first person shooters, for computers and consoles.
It is also desirable, in particular for virtual reality applications, that the image being presented is a three-dimensional image. Indeed, in order to optimize immersion of the viewer, it is typically preferred for the user to experience the presented scene as a three-dimensional scene. Indeed, a virtual reality experience should preferably allow a user to select his/her own position, camera viewpoint, and moment in time relative to a virtual world.
Typically, virtual reality applications are inherently limited in being based on a predetermined model of the scene, and typically on an artificial model of a virtual world. In some applications, a virtual reality experience may be provided based on real-world capture. In many cases such an approach tends to be based on a virtual model of the real-world being built from the real-world captures. The virtual reality experience is then generated by evaluating this model.
Many current approaches tend to be suboptimal and tend to often have a high computational or communication resource requirement and/or provide a suboptimal user experience with e.g. reduced quality or restricted freedom.
As an example of an application, virtual reality glasses have entered the market which allow viewers to experience captured 360° (panoramic) or 180° video. These 360° videos are often pre-captured using camera rigs where individual images are stitched together into a single spherical mapping. Common stereo formats for 180° or 360° video are top/bottom and left/right. Similar to non-panoramic stereo video, the left-eye and right-eye pictures are compressed, e.g. as part of a single H.264 video stream.
In addition to the visual rendering, most VR/AR applications further provide a corresponding audio experience. In many applications, the audio preferably provides a spatial audio experience where audio sources are perceived to arrive from positions that correspond to the positions of the corresponding objects in the visual scene. Thus, the audio and video scenes are preferably perceived to be consistent and with both providing a full spatial experience.
For audio, the focus has until now mostly been on headphone reproduction using binaural audio rendering technology. In many scenarios, headphone reproduction enables a highly immersive, personalized experience to the user. Using headtracking, the rendering can be made responsive to the user's head movements, which highly increases the sense of immersion.
Recently, both in the market and in standards discussions, use cases are starting to be proposed that involve a "social" or "shared" aspect of VR (and AR), i.e. the possibility to share an experience together with other people. These can be people at different locations, but also people in the same location (or a combination of both). For example, several people in the same room may share the same VR experience with a projection (audio and video) of each participant being present in the VR content/scene. For example, in a game where multiple people participate, each player may have a different location in the game-scene and consequently a different projection of the audio and video scene.
As a specific example, MPEG attempts to standardize a bit stream and decoder for realistic, immersive AR/VR experiences with six degrees of freedom. Social VR is an important feature and allows users to interact in a shared environment (gaming, conference calls, online shopping, etc.). The concept of social VR also facilitates making a VR experience a more social activity for users physically in the same location but where e.g. a head mounted display or other VR headset provides a perceptional isolation from the physical surroundings.
A disadvantage of headphone reproduction in such "social" or "shared" AR (or VR) use cases is that with each user wearing individual headphones, the users that are in the same location (e.g. room) are at least partly acoustically isolated from each other, which diminishes the "social" part of the experience (for instance, it becomes difficult or awkward for people standing next to each other to have a natural conversation).
This may be addressed by using loudspeakers instead of headphones for the audio reproduction. However, this has the disadvantage that the audio reproduction cannot be as freely adapted and customized to the individual user. For example, it makes it difficult to dynamically adapt the audio reproduction to the head movements, and specifically to changes in the head orientation of each individual user. Such an effect is very important for an immersive experience and loudspeakers therefore tend to be suboptimal for generating an optimized user experience.
Hence, an improved approach for audio processing, in particular for a virtual/augmented/mixed reality experience/application, application, would be advantageous. In particular, an approach that allows improved operation, increased flexibility, reduced complexity, facilitated implementation, an improved audio experience, a more consistent perception of an audio and visual scene, improved customization, improved personalization; an improved virtual reality experience, and/or improved performance and/or operation would be advantageous.

Audio apparatus and method of audio processing for rendering audio elements of an audio scene


An acoustic emission technique and apparatus that determines the take-off velocity of a slider based upon a quantitative measurement of slider velocity without internal access to the file. The system includes a vibration detector for detecting contact energy, and for producing an output signal; and a logic circuit coupled to the vibration detector, for processing the output signal from the vibration detector to identify a slider take-off velocity. The slider take-off velocity is derived by multiplying lambda by the characteristic frequency, where lambda is the spacing between bumps in a circumferential direction. The output signal of the vibration detector disappears when the slider clears the landing zone. The vibration detector is attached to the actuator screw or other vibration transfer features accessible from outside the disk drive.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for performing in file slider take-off measurements through tuned external acoustic emissions (AE) detection, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for determining the disk velocity when a slider no longer makes contact with a disk by mounting a vibration sensor to an actuator part without disassembly of the disk drive.
2. Description of Related Art
In the past few years, the computer industry has proven to be a vibrant part of the economy. People from all walks of life continue at a rapid pace to purchase personal computers and the software to run on them. Driving this explosion is the advent of the Internet and the ability to access this information through on-line services. Another reason for the increased use and demand for computers is the industry's move to make computer software more user friendly. As a result, some software packages can require 40 megabytes of free hard drive space just to load. However, the larger software size has created the need for hard drives that can hold more information.
The separation between the magnetic read/write element and the hard disk during operation, known as the flying height, is one of the important parameters that controls the performance and durability of a hard drive. In order to increase the recording density it is necessary to decrease the flying height so that the signal-to-noise ratio obtained from the read element is within an acceptable range. Ideally, zero spacing is preferred. However, zero spacing or contact recording leads to higher friction and wear at the head-disk interface, hence degrading the performance of the hard drive.
Today, hard drives typically have a fly height between 20 and 60 nanometers (nm). This fly height is on the same order of magnitude as the roughness of the disk. As hard drive manufactures incorporate proximity recording type sliders in their drives to achieve higher storage densities, considerable strain is created in controlling wear at the slider-disk interface. Further, ensuring proper take-off of the slider is important for reliable operation of disk files. The current manufacturing screen test for slider take-off is the high resolution Faraday (HRF) technique. However, the HRF technique allows only an indirect conclusion for the actual take-off velocity.
Acoustic emission (AE) has also become a popular method to monitor slider-disk interactions. AE sensors detect the energy associated with slider-disk contact via stress waves originating from the slider. These stress waves are associated with the slider resonant frequencies, and it is apparent that the acoustic emission signal contains detailed information about the type of slider-disk interactions, such as information about the impact behavior.
One such method is disclosed in Japanese Application 60-272065, filed Mar. 12, 1985, by Fumio Shiyoubuta, and which is assigned to Fujitsu Limited. In Shiyoubuta, the frequency of rotation of a magnetic disk due to a disk driving means is gradually increased. A slider head gradually separates from the surface of the magnetic disk due to the function of a slider. Using the contact with the fine projections of the magnetic disk prior to lift-off, a mechanical vibration is generated. The vibration is transferred through a gimbal to an acoustic emission (AE) sensor to produce an output signal. When the frequency of the rotation of a disk is increased, the slider-to-disk spacing increases and the decreasing mechanical vibration is transferred through the gimbal. As the vibration decreases, the distortion of the AE sensor approaches a small constant quantity. An AE output processing part receives the AE output signal to determine that an AE output decreases to the small constant value. The identification of this small constant value is associated with the magnetic head completely breaking free from the magnetic disk. However, Shiyoubuta provides only an indirect detection of slider take-off velocity based upon acoustic convergence to the small constant value. The actual take-off velocity is not determined. Further, the actual take-off velocity is not directly derived from the output of the AE sensor.
Another example of using acoustic emissions to monitor slider-disk interactions is disclosed in Japanese Application No. 57-022362, issued to Toshikatsu et al., and which is assigned to Fujitsu Limited. In Toshikatsu et al., an AE element is coupled to an actuator part outside the disk drive enclosure. The AE element is stuck there with an instantaneous adhesive. If a magnetic head is not floated sufficiently and rubs on the surface of the magnetic disc when the magnetic disc is rotated, a rubbing tone is generated and is transmitted through an arm and a rotation shaft until it reaches the AE element through a coil and stopper. The AE element outputs an electric signal corresponding to the rubbing tone. Consequently, the contacting condition between the magnetic disc and the magnetic head is discriminated on a basis of this output signal. Nevertheless, Toshikatsu et al. also provides only an indirect measurement of slider take-off velocity based upon the rubbing tone originating from friction between the slider and the disk surface. The take-off velocity is not directly derived from this rubbing tone. Furthermore, Toshikatsu et al. couples the AE element to an actuator part and consequently requires internal access to the file thereby preventing implementation after the disk drive has been fully assembled.
It can be seen that there is a need for a technique for directly measuring slider take-off velocity that does not increase the cost of disk drive production.
It can also be seen that there is a need for an AE sensing technique that may be implemented after assembly of a disk drive.
It can also be seen then that acoustic emission techniques are needed to determine the take-off velocity of a slider based upon a quantitative measurement of slider velocity without internal access to the file.

Method and apparatus for performing in file slider take-off measurements through tuned external AE detection

International Business Machines Corporation


A user touches a touch sensitive display or otherwise provides input comprising “stroke” gestures to trace areas which are to be the subject of post-processing functions. The stroke area is highlighted and can be added to or corrected by additional stroke and “erase” gestures. Pixel objects are detected proximate to the stroke area, with a precision based on the zoom level. Stroke gesture input may be received and pixel object determination may be performed in series or in parallel.

The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
Post-processing of digital photographs (also referred to herein as "digital images") has become a standard part of photographic workflow. As digital cameras have become more powerful computers in their own right, post-processing on the digital camera is often performed to avoid the extra time and processes required in transferring the digital photograph to a separate computer. Examples of post-processing effects and filters which are available on digital cameras include brightness, contrast, color saturation, white balance, sepia conversion, nostalgia filter, and simulation of chemical film processing.
However, such post-processing, when performed on a camera, is done in relation to the entire image because of the inability to define an often irregular subset of a photograph without the larger screen, mouse, and other tools which are not available on cameras. Even on a computer with a larger screen, mouse, and enhanced zoom capabilities, selecting an area for application of post-processing functions is time-consuming, complex, requires many different steps, is not adapted for use of a touchscreen interface, and places additional burdens on the host computer.

Pixel object detection in digital images method and system


A method includes determining that a legacy application is executing on a client device. When the legacy application is open in the client device, an adoption rule is applied, wherein the adoption rule defines an instance in which a user is required to use a replacement application instead of the legacy application. When it is determined that the adoption rule is satisfied, the replacement application is executed and use of the legacy application is prevented.

Converting software applications in an enterprise setting can be a very costly and disruptive endeavor. Typically, companies must invest significant time and resources in training their staff to use the new applications. In addition, rapid switchover from a legacy application to a new application can result in significant lost productivity, while the employees learn the new system.
In some instances, enterprises allow users to use both applications for a prolonged period of time, thereby increasing productivity. However, the availability of a comfortable, known alternative often retards the time taken to learn the new system or application

System and method for enforcing application adoption


In the case of a method for the input of input data into a vehicle navigation device, by which input data are supplied to the vehicle navigation device by way of a receive interface and the input data are subjected to a plausibility check, in the event of a negative plausibility check, a prompt is emitted for correcting the input data. The input data can be corrected by a user via an operating device, and the corrected input data are imported into the vehicle navigation device.

This application claims the priority of German Application No. 10 2006 008 221.4, filed Feb. 22, 2006, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to a method for the input of input data into a vehicle navigation device, by which input data are supplied to the vehicle navigation device via a receive interface and the input data are subjected to a plausibility check.
Currently, mobile CE terminals (mobile telephones, Smart phones, PDAs, etc.) frequently have databanks in which addresses can be stored, for example, in the vcard format. In order to bypass the time-consuming procedure of inputting a destination into the navigation system of a motor vehicle, methods are known which permit the reading of addresses from the address books of the CE terminals into the navigation system by way of suitable data transmission techniques (such a Bluetooth). As a rule, only input data are to be imported in this case, which input data are compatible with a databank of the navigation system or plausible with respect to comparison data stored in the databank. Thus, when address data are supplied, it can, for example, be ensured that the supplied address is indicated in the map material of the navigation system or can be found geographically.
A method of the above-mentioned type is known, for example, from German Patent document DE 199 27 647 A1. Despite the saving of time at least theoretically permitted by such methods when importing navigational destination data from the address book of a mobile device, problems frequently arise when such methods are used in practice. These problems occur when the data supplied by the address book are not compatible or plausible with respect to the databank of the navigation system. If, for example, a supplied address cannot be found in the databank of the navigation system, the plausibility check will have a negative result and the address cannot be imported as a navigation destination. German Patent document DE 199 27 647 A1 discloses no solution for handling input data for which the plausibility check supplies a negative result. Correspondingly, in the case of the known devices and methods, a manual input of the destination data is finally often still necessary. In the worst case, the user may not even notice that the importing of input data was not successful and the input data may be lost completely.
It is an object of the invention to provide a simple method by which the importing of supplied input data in the case of a negative plausibility check will be facilitated.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for the input of input data into a vehicle navigation device, by which input data are supplied to the vehicle navigation device via a receive interface and the input data are subjected to a plausibility check. In the case of a negative plausibility check, a prompt is emitted for correcting the input data. The input data can then be corrected by a user by way of an operating device, and the corrected input data are then imported into the vehicle navigation device. Preferred embodiments or further developments of the invention are described and claimed herein.
According to the invention, in the event of a negative plausibility check, a prompt to correct the input data is emitted to a user, as a rule, typically the driver of the motor vehicle. The user is then provided with the possibility of correcting the input data by way of a suitable operating device. As a result, despite an initially negative plausibility check, the input data can still be imported in a corrected form into the vehicle navigation device.
The prompt for the correction preferably takes place by an explicit textual or symbolic flag. However, this may also take place implicitly by the stressing of data to be corrected. The prompt may also take place in an acoustically or haptically assisted manner, or only acoustically or haptically.
In principle, a correcting mechanism for correcting input data may operate in multiple fashions. Accordingly, the input data may be completely or only partially capable of being corrected by the user. Variants of the invention are preferred in the case of which the correction of the input data by the user can take place at very low expenditures, for example, with a very low number of user actions.
This can be achieved, in particular, when hierarchical data blocks are supplied, for example, by way of a hierarchically structured plausibility check. Thus, the plausibility of hierarchically higher-ranking data, that is, data situated at a hierarchically higher level, is checked first and, if the result of the plausibility check for the higher-ranking data is negative, the user is given the opportunity to correct the higher-ranking data. Only when the higher-ranking data are plausible after the correction has taken place, then the plausibility of the lower-ranking data is checked. If, for example, address data blocks of the structure 1."State", 2."Zip Code/City", 3."Street", 4."House Number/Intersection" are supplied to the navigation system, the plausibility check can take place such that first the plausibility of the contents of the here higher-ranking data field "State" is checked; then the plausibility of the contents of the data field "Zip Code/City" is checked; then the plausibility of the contents of the data field "Street" is checked; and only then the plausibility of the data field "House Number/Intersection" is checked.
If the computational capacity of the navigation system is sufficient, naturally a plausibility check of lower-ranking input data may also already be taking place before the higher-ranking input data have been corrected by the user. However, no reliable restriction of the comparison data can then take place with respect to those comparison data which can be assigned to the already checked higher-ranking data. The plausibility check of the lower-ranking data can, however, take place, for example, on the basis of similarities of the higher-ranking input data to certain comparison data or relative to all suitable comparison data of the databank.
During the prompt to correct the input data emitted according to the invention, it is preferably signaled to the user on which level the plausibility check had a negative result and a correction is required. The user is thereby permitted to carry out a targeted correction of the input data at the corresponding level, and the user does not have to input unnecessary corrections in the case of already previously plausible input data or again check (or confirm already successfully validated input data).
The free-text inputs in the address book of a mobile device, which, according to the invention, are supplied as input data to the navigation system, frequently deviate only minimally from the comparison data of the databank of the navigation system. Such slight deviations may result from typing mistakes or a slightly deviated spelling. Because of the frequency of such slight deviations, the correction mechanism provided according to the invention is preferably constructed such that the user essentially has to correct only the deviations of the input data from the comparison patterns of the databank.
During the prompt for correcting the input data emitted according to the invention, it is preferably signaled to the user precisely which deviations exist with respect to one or more of the comparison patterns similar to the input data. The deviations are marked for this purpose. This can, for example, take place in that individual letters, in which the input data deviate from an otherwise similar pattern, are visually stressed, for example, have a colored backing or are shown in a special font. The user can then check the input data in a targeted manner at the deviation points and can, as required, correct only the deviations. The user's correction expenditures are therefore particularly low.
In the case of correction mechanisms which are based on the fact that the user can input new characters at a location marked by a cursor, the targeted correction can be made easier for the user in that the cursor is placed at a deviating character.
The user may also be given the opportunity of selecting that comparison pattern (depending on the input mechanism, for example, by scrolling or touching), which in fact is to be imported into the navigation system from several comparison patterns that are similar to the deviating input data.
As an alternative or in addition to the present invention, an increase of the tolerance of the plausibility check can also be considered. Small deviations will then not necessarily result in a negative plausibility check. Only clear deviations require a correction. However, an excessively high tolerance is frequently undesirable because an increasing tolerance will raise the danger of misinterpretations.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Method for the input data into a vehicle navigation device

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


A tubular fuel cell (10) contains an air electrode (24), an electrolyte (20), and a fuel electrode (12) where an interlayer material (22) is disposed between the air electrode and the electrolyte, the interlayer (22) containing a two-phase particle mixture, where the particles have a size range from 0.5-5 micrometers, but where at least 50 wt % of the particles are less than 3 micrometers and where the interlayer (22) is from 15-40 micrometers thick and from 5-50% porous.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) which contain an electrolyte between two electrodes and a new and improved interlayer material used between one of the electrodes and the electrolyte.
2. Background Information
High temperature, solid electrolyte, electrochemical generators employing interconnected electrochemical fuel cells convert chemical energy into direct current electrical energy at temperatures of about 800xc2x0 C. to 1200xc2x0 C. Such solid electrolyte fuel cells and multi-cell generators are well known; their fuel electrodes, air electrodes, solid oxide electrolytes and interconnection configurations are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,444 (Isenberg). Each electrochemical fuel cell typically includes a self-supporting porous air electrode or cathode made of, for example, doped lanthanum manganite (LaMnO3). A dense, gas-tight, solid electrolyte is deposited on, and surrounds, the outer periphery of the air electrode. The electrolyte is made of, for example, yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ)xe2x80x94of the formula(ZrO2)0.9(Y2O3)0.1xe2x80x94about 0.001 mm to 0.1 mm thick. A porous fuel electrode or anode is deposited on, and substantially surrounds, the outer periphery of the solid electrolyte and is made of nickel-zirconia cermet about 0.1 mm thick. Both the solid electrolyte and the fuel electrode are discontinuous to allow for inclusion of an interconnect on the air electrode, so as to provide means to electrically connect adjacent electrochemical fuel cells. A dense, gas-tight interconnect is deposited on a selected radial segment of the air electrode, at the portion that is discontinuous in the electrolyte and fuel electrode, and is made of calcium, strontium, or magnesium doped lanthanum chromite (LaCrO3).
In the past, protective interlayer materials have been suggested for a variety of reasons. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,597 (Singh et al.), a niobium and or tantalum doped CeO2 was suggested between the interconnect and the air electrode as a protective layer, to prevent interconnect degradation during long term electrochemical operations. Singh et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,706, recognized problems of oxygen loss from air electrode particles in contact with the solid electrolyte and the need to increase the active area for electron exchange reactions with oxygen at the electrode-electrolyte interface, suggesting a porous discontinuous interlayer of at least one of single-phase cerium oxide or praseodymium oxide. These oxides were in the form of particles having diameters from 0.01 micrometer to 0.1 micrometer and were disposed between the electrolyte and air electrode to prevent intrusion of electrolyte into the porous air electrode surface and provide abundant nucleation sites for electrolyte formation.
Li Baozhen et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,989, also recognized problems of interaction between the lanthanum oxide-based air electrode and the zirconia-based electrolyte to form poorly conducting compounds increasing cell resistance and air electrode polarization. There, use of ceria as an interface material was felt to provide substantial thermal expansion mismatch, and a terbia/yttria stabilized zirconia was suggested as an alternate interface material. A Sc2O3-stabilized zirconia electrolyte was also suggested. In most cases in these previous patents the preferred air electrode composition was a Ca and Ce doped LaMnO3 as taught by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,562,124 and 5,686,198 (Ruka and Kuo et al., respectively).
Virkar et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,239, concerned with the need for an enhanced charge transfer at the three-phase boundary of electrode/electrolyte/gas phase in electrochemical devices, suggested an electrode configuration having a solid electrolyte center, such as YSZ, covered on both sides with a porous surface layer of dense electrolyte material such as either YSZ or Bi2O3 interdispersed with an electrocatalyst. The suggested electrocatalysts included: silver; platinum; palladium; rhodium; iridium; ruthenium; (La1xe2x88x92xSrx) MnO3 where x is 0-0.5; (La1xe2x88x92xSrx) CoO3, wherein x is 0 to 0.6; (La1xe2x88x92xSrx) (Co1xe2x88x92yFey)O3, wherein x is 0 to 0.4 and y is 0 to 0.8; In2O3xe2x80x94PrO1.83xe2x80x94ZrO2, having composition ratios of In2O3 of 0-90%, PrO1.83 of 10-60% and ZrO2 of 0 to 50%; TbO2 being 35 to 40% doped YSZ; SnO2 being 0 to 20% doped with In2O3; ZrO2 being 0 to 40% doped with In2O3; Sm0.5 Sr0.5 CoO3; La0.6Ca0.4MnO3; Y1xe2x88x92xCaxFeO3, wherein x is 0 to 1; SrCo1xe2x88x92xFeO3, wherein x is 0.2 to 0.8; and TiO2 being 0 to 30% doped with YSZ.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,103 (Wersing et al.), electrochemically active interface layers were applied between solid oxide electrolyte and both the cermet anode and the air electrode cathode in a fuel cell, to improve bonding and interface surface area. The interlayer next to the cermet anode was a doped zirconium or cerium oxide, with a 1 micrometer to 3 micrometer thick interlayer of ionically and electronically conducting air electrode cathode material on the cathode side, such as one of (La.Sr.Ca)(Mn.Co.Ni)O3.
In addition to inefficiencies at the electrolyte-air electrode interface in fuel cells with regard to electrochemical activity, three-phase boundary charge transfer, oxygen loss and deleterious reactions between the two components, new problems relating to output per cell have arisen when the fuel cell is run at low temperatures, in order to try to develop even more environmentally clean SOFC power generation. Current use of a single phase cerium oxide interlayer, at thicknesses up to 2 micrometers, (as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,706, discussed previously) does not appear to provide an optimized electrochemical reaction area. What is needed is a means to decrease the charge transfer polarization further and to improve performance over what is possible through use of a single phase cerium oxide interlayer.
Therefore, it is a main object of this invention to provide fuel cells having improved performance at lower operating temperatures. It is another object of this invention to provide fuel cells having a higher operating efficiency, reduced fuel consumption per unit of power generated, and reduced cost.
These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by providing a tubular, solid electrolyte electrochemical fuel cell which can operate at temperatures of about 800xc2x0 C. to 1000xc2x0 C. which comprises: a first tubular air electrode consisting essentially of a cerium and calcium doped LaMnO3 material; a solid, tubular electrolyte consisting essentially of stabilized zirconia, disposed on a first portion of the air electrode; a tubular fuel electrode consisting essentially of a cermet material disposed on a portion of the solid electrolyte; and a tubular sintered discrete interlayer disposed between and contacting the electrolyte and air electrode, the interlayer consisting essentially of at least a two-phase mixture of 20 wt % to 80 wt % of a material selected from the group consisting of scandia stabilized zirconia particles, yttria stabilized zirconia particles, doped cerium oxide particles, and mixtures thereof, having a particle size in the range of 0.5 micrometer to 5 micrometers, and 20 wt % to 80 wt % of a material selected from the group consisting of doped lanthanum manganite particles, doped lanthanum chromite particles and platinum particles, having a particle size in the range of 1 micrometer to 5 micrometers, where at least 50% of the particles in the interlayer are less than 3 micrometers, the sintered interlayer having a thickness of 10 micrometers to 40 micrometers and a porosity between about 5% to 50%.
Preferably, the electrolyte is selected from yttria stabilized zirconia or scandia stabilized zirconia, deposited by either plasma arc spraying, or flame spraying. Voltage versus current density characteristics at the air electrode-electrolyte interface, at 800xc2x0, 900xc2x0 and 1000xc2x0 C., show a 5% to 10% improvement using the interlayer of this invention over state-of-the art single phase cerium oxide interfaces. The term xe2x80x9ctubularxe2x80x9d is herein defined as including common circular fuel cells with circular air electrodes, as well as the flattened circular design having internal ribs shown in FIG. 3, as well as other flattened and elongated oval designs discussed later. The first portion of the air electrode which the electrolyte is deposited, is that portion not to be covered by the interconnect material.

High power density solid oxide fuel cells having improved electrode-electrolyte interface modifications


A continuous tube mill apparatus for changeover production of a first product to production of a second product of a different size or shape which includes a tube forming section having a stationary section and a removable cassette. The stationary section includes a pair of horizontally disposed spaced apart forming roll receiving spindles. The removable cassette includes a cradle, a first pair of forming rolls for disposition on respective spindles and a pair of side forming rolls cooperating with the first mentioned forming rolls. Means are provided for moving the cradle and the first pair of forming rolls into and out of engagement with the spindles.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a mill for the production of continuous seam-welded tubes or pipes and, more particularly, to a system for changing such a mill from the production of tubes of one size or shape of tube to the production of tubes of another and different size or shape.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In accordance with a well known process for producing seam-welded tubes, a continuous strip or skelp is advanced through forming sections of a tube mill apparatus which includes a series of forming rolls. The strip is formed into a tubular form having an open, longitudinally extending seam formed by the abutting edges of strip being formed. The tubular form is then advanced through a welding section wherein the abutting edges are urged together and joined by a suitable welding process. The welding process may cause the formation of an unwanted bead which may next be removed by a suitable scarfing procedure. The welded tube is then after passing through a cooling zone, advanced through a series of sizing and squaring rollers whereby the tube is formed to the final configuration and size. The advancing continuous tube is then severed by means of a travelling cutting unit into individual sections of a predetermined length.
The tube forming apparatus is designed to be capable of conversion to the production of various sizes and cross-sectional configurations of tube. As will be readily manifest, such apparatus constitutes massive precision machines representing a considerable investment of capital. Heretofore, it was often necessary to shut down a production of tubes of one size or shape to convert the apparatus to produce tubes of a different size or shape. More specifically, the line was shut down and the various components were individually removed and replaced by components required for production of the next product. The replacement components then had to be properly set and adjusted on the line before production could resume. The entire changeover routine could consume a considerable period of time, as much as five or six hours or more. obviously, the changeover time involves a considerable expenditure in time and capital, and an extensive loss of production. As a result, it becomes necessary to maintain unduly large inventories of finished products, contrary to the current trend toward maintaining minimum inventory and frequently changing from the production of one product to another.
The aforementioned deficiencies were overcome by producing a tube mill of the type illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,988 Nelson D. Abbey, III et al. The apparatus utilized in the aforementioned patent includes an automated procedure for exchanging components of the mill sections to change from production of tubes of one size or shape to the production of tubes of another and different size or shape. The stand assemblies of the mill to be changed during the changeover procedure are mounted on removable sub-base sections adapted to be carried on a fixed mill base. The stand assemblies and associated subbase may be removed from the fixed mill base and transferred to a remote wash station and thence to an off-line changeover location adjacent a secondary storage cart.
An automatically operated pressure fluid activated push-pull module pulls the front stand onto the secondary storage cart for temporary removal to a temporary storage area. Simultaneously, another secondary cart carrying empty roll racks is positioned along the roll stand assembly adjacent the exposed forming rolls and associated spacers. The push-pull module pushes the roll rack toward forming rolls and roll manipulators push the rolls and spacers onto the empty roll rack. The secondary storage cart carrying the removed forming rolls is moved to another position away from the stand assembly and eventually to a remote forming roll storage area. Another secondary storage cart with roll racks carrying the changeover rolls is indexed adjacent the roll stand assembly and the push-pull module pushes the roll rack toward the roll stand allowing the roll manipulators to be actuated to engage and pull the new forming rolls onto the roll stand assembly. The secondary cart with the emptied roll racks is moved toward the secondary forming roll storage cart exposing the newly positioned forming rolls.
The secondary front stand storage cart is indexed adjacent the roll stand assembly with the newly positioned forming rolls and the front stands are pushed into engagement with the roll stands and secured in place preparatory to being returned to the mill section for operation.
It will be appreciated that the advantages of a tube mill of the type alluded to above include less down time of the mill even for relatively short production runs.
The continuous tube mill incorporating the above concepts enables preventative maintenance and cleaning of the forming roll assemblies to be easily accomplished without disruption of production.
Since each of the primary sections of the mill are effectively independent of the other, each section may be of differing sophistication without adversely affecting the overall mill operation.
In most instances in the changeover systems of the prior art, the changeover modules include the forming rolls, the associated bearing blocks, the supporting spindles, and the adjustment mechanism. The transportation of particularly the spindles exposes the bearing surfaces to dirt, dust, and grime that tends to decrease the effective life cycle of the equipment. The cost of each module is considerably high. This is a result of the fact that each module is for all intents and purposes a complete forming station.


According to the present invention, the oxidation of the surface of solder particles is inhibited and the generation of solder balls in the reflow soldering process is inhibited. More specifically, the present invention protects the surface of the solder particles from oxidation during all steps, including the storage of a solder powder, formation of a paste from the solder powder, printing, transferring to a reflow oven and reflow soldering, to minimize the oxidation of the solder particles at these steps so that the generation of solder balls is minimized. In addition, the present invention provides a method for making the solder powder and a solder paste using the solder powder. The objective of the present invention is achieved by the solder powder, the particles of which have on the surface thereof an organometallic compound composed of adipic acid and a metal of the solder alloy. This solder powder is produced by reacting particles of the solder alloy powder with vaporized adipic acid. According to the present invention, the solder powder, the particles of which have on the surface thereof an adipic acid-derived organometallic compound combined chemically with the surface of the solder particles, is blended with a flux to be made into a paste.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a solder powder which comprises solder particles having a protective layer formed thereon composed of a metal salt of adipic acid, a method for making the solder powder and a solder paste using the solder powder.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With the recent wide-spread use of compact, light-weight apparatuses, such as a portable telephone, the electronic circuits which are to be incorporated in these apparatus are being miniaturized and more densely packed, highlighting the increasing importance of the technology of mounting a variety of parts on a circuit substrate. Particularly, the technical level of micro-soldering, which is the most important mounting technology, is becoming increasingly higher. As a result, a strict technical requirement is placed on the solder paste. For example, the particle size of the solder powder is becoming smaller and yet the generation of solder balls must be minimized because of the adoption of a manufacturing process which abolishes a cleaning treatment of a soldered product due to the phasing-out of flons, i.e., chlorofluorocarbons. The solder balls are generated in the soldering operation mainly due to the presence of an oxide film on the surface of the particles of the solder powder. Since this oxide film does not break off even if the interior of the solder particles are fused when the temperature reaches the melting point of the solder, the solder particles cannot combine with other fused solder portion and thus small balls are formed. This phenomenon becomes particularly conspicuous when a fine solder powder is used in order to enhance the printability. Based on the above-described background, many attempts have been made to inhibit the surface oxidation to thereby inhibit the generation of the solder balls. Examples of these attempts include a technique wherein a solder powder is produced in an atmosphere of an inert gas, a technique wherein the solder particle is made as spherical as possible to decrease the surface area and a technique wherein fine solder particles which are more susceptible to the oxidation are eliminated. These techniques, however, have drawbacks, for example, that the inhibition of the solder ball generation by these techniques is limited and that the surface of the solder particles is damaged when the fine particles are eliminated by means of sieving. Moreover, the elimination of fine solder particles by sieving is disadvantageous from the viewpoint of the current trend of using fine particles for finer pattern printing. Anyway, an attempt to decrease the oxidation of the surface of the solder particle itself by the above-mentioned techniques is not successful because it is impossible to provide an oxygen-free atmosphere for all steps, such as storing or handling of the solder powder, making a paste from the solder powder, printing, transferring to a reflow oven and reflow soldering, even if the solder powder is produced in a strictly controlled, oxygen-free atmosphere. Consequently, the oxidation of the solder powder at the above-mentioned steps cannot be perfectly prevented. Yet another method for minimizing the generation of solder balls by preventing the oxidation of the solder powder at the above-mentioned steps includes the incorporation of an active ingredient in a slightly excessive amount for the removal of the oxide in the flux at the time of impasting the solder powder. The resulting residual flux after soldering is removed by cleaning with a flon. However, according to the scheduled phase-out of flons in view of environmental protection, a manufacturing process which dispenses with the cleaning step by reducing the incorporated amount of the active ingredient is intensively studied in order to increase the reliability of the products.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,407 proposes a tin-based alloy solder powder composition which comprises particles of a tin-based alloy solder coated with a flux composed of an organic acid. The types of the coating flux according to this U.S. patent include a dicarboxylic acid, more particularly, succinic acid and salicylic acid. According to the U.S. patent, since the organic acid coated onto the alloy particles dissolves the tin oxide formed on the surface of the solder particles and thus cleans the surface of the tin-containing solder particles, the generation of the solder balls is inhibited. Such an organic acid is blended with the solder powder by means of a beads mill for a short period of time so that the particles of the solder powder are coated with the organic acid.
One problem of the invention of the above-mentioned U.S. patent is that, since the organic acid layer is formed by mere mechanical blending by means of the beads mill, the organic acid merely adheres to the surface of the solder alloy particles, so that the adhesive strength of the organic acid to the particles of the solder powder is weak and the organic acid partly peels off the particles at the time of handling or impasting the solder powder and, therefore, the oxidation prevention of the solder powder is insufficient. Another problem is that, when a paste is produced from this solder powder, the organic solvent contained in the paste dissolves away the organic acid to remove the organic acid layer from the particles of the solder powder and that the oxidation of the solder powder is accelerated at a reflow step because of the presence of the damage which has been caused by the treatment with beads on the surface of the particles of the solder powder. In addition, it is an art-recognized fact that the above-mentioned organic acids are not so effective with lead oxide in the case of a lead-containing solder alloy, which is commonly used as a solder alloy, although these organic acids are effective in dissolving the tin oxide to clean the solder particle surface. Therefore, the use of a flux which contains a substance such as isopropylamine or triethanolamine, is considered indispensable for inhibiting the generation of solder balls in the case of a lead-containing solder alloy.

Solder powder, method for making the solder powder and solder paste using the solder powder


The present disclosure describes a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) apparatus and methods of forming and using the SERS apparatus. An example of a SERS apparatus includes a nanoporous material on an upper surface of a substrate, a plurality of SERS-active structures on an upper surface of the nanoporous material, and a Raman-active material on a surface of each of SERS-active structures.

Molecules can be identified using Raman spectroscopy. When molecules are placed on particular surfaces an enhanced Raman signal is produced such that a particular signal may be markedly increased, which contributes to surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The increased signal can include a spectrum that is uniquely identifiable to a particular molecule.

SERS structures with nanoporous materials

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


This invention relates to a pressure reducing valve wherein a spool is driven axially by a first plunger which moves according to the magnetization state of a first solenoid, and a control port is connected to a supply port and a tank port according to the axial position of this spool. The pressure of the control port acts on the spool in the opposite direction to that of the plunger via a feedback passage, and the pressure increases or decreases according to the current flowing through the first solenoid. According to this invention, a second plunger is arranged in series with the first plunger, and a spring tends to push the second plunger toward the first plunger. A second magnetized solenoid however keeps the second plunger held back against the restoring force of the spring so that it is not in contact with the first plunger, and releases the second plunger so that it pushes the first plunger when the current fails. Hence, even if the current supplied to the first and second solenoids is cut off, the control port maintains the predetermined pressure, and a fail-safe mechanism is realized by means of a simple construction.

An electromagnetic pressure reducing valve, as shown in FIG. 5 for example, comprises a solenoid 8 which causes a spool 1 to slide for connecting a control port 4 to either a supply port 5 or a tank port 6 depending on the slide position.
The spool 1 is inserted such that it is free to slide in a hole 2a in a valve housing 2. The control port 4, supply port 5 connected to an oil source P and tank port 6 connected to a tank T open into this cavity, and a feedback oil passage 3 which branches off the control port 4 enables a pressure Pc of the control port 4 to be applied to one end 1a of the spool 1.
The solenoid 8 is housed in a case 10 connected to the valve housing 2, and a plunger 9 is made to support the opposite end 1b of the spool 1 according to the magnetization state of the solenoid 1. When an electric current is passed through the solenoid 8, the solenoid 8 is magnetized, and the plunger 9 is thereby pulled toward a base 7 of the case 10 so as to push the spool 1 towards the left of the figure. The pushing force in this case is proportional to the magnetizing current flowing through the solenoid 8.
Small gaps exist between the hole 2a and the spool 1 so that the control port 4, supply port 5 and tank port 6 are interconnected. The lengths S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 of these gaps in the axial direction vary according to the position of the spool 1, however S.sub.1 +S.sub.2 is always constant.
The pressure Pc generated in the control port 4 varies according to the ratio of S.sub.1 and S.sub.2. For example, when S.sub.1 is small and S.sub.2 is large, the pressure Pc increases.
If a current i.sub.1 is supplied to the solenoid 8, a driving force F.sub.1 acts on the spool 1 tending to push it toward the left of the figure. Further, as the pressure Pc acts on the left end of the spool 1 via the feedback oil passage 3, a pushing force F.sub.2 based on this pressure Pc acts on the spool 1 in a right hand direction. If the pressure receiving surface area of the spool 1 is Aa, this pushing force is given by: EQU F.sub.2 =Pc.times.Aa (1)
The spool 1 is thus held in a position at which the driving force F.sub.1 due to the solenoid 8 and the pushing force F.sub.2 acting in the reverse direction are balanced. The driving force F.sub.1 is proportional to the electric current i.sub.1 flowing through the solenoid 8, while the pushing force F.sub.2 is proportional to the pressure Pc generated by the control port 4. In the balanced state: EQU Pc=F.sub.1 /Aa (2)
The pressure Pc is therefore proportional to the current i.sub.1 flowing through the solenoid 8. In other words, if the magnetizing current flowing through the solenoid 8 increases or decreases, the spool driving force F.sub.1 of the plunger 9 varies, so the spool is displaced to a position at which the pushing force F.sub.2 is in equilibrium with it, and the ratio of S.sub.1 to S.sub.2 varies. By varying the ratio of S.sub.1 to S.sub.2 in this manner, a high pressure supplied to the supply port 5 is reduced to an arbitrary control pressure Pc.
However, if in such an electromagnetic proportional reducing valve the current flowing through the solenoid 8 is interrupted for some reason, the spool driving force F.sub.1 of the plunger 9 drops to zero, the spool moves to the right of the figure as far as it can, and the control pressure Pc falls to the pressure Pr of the tank port 6.
If the magnetizing current i.sub.1 is interrupted due to a fault when a hydraulic actuator 20 is supporting a load due to the pressure Pc, the control port 4 is no longer to maintain the pressure, and the hydraulic actuator 20 shortens. If the actuator 20 is used in a hydraulic unit for distributing the driving force in a torque split type four-wheeled vehicle and power is no longer supplied to the solenoid 8 due to a fault in the electric circuit, therefore, four-wheeled drive becomes impossible.
To prevent this, another pressure valve could be provided for the event of an oil pressure emergency situation, but this would make the hydraulic circuit more complex and inevitably lead to greater cost.
Alternatively, the plunger 9 could be pulled toward the spool 1 by a spring so that even if the spool driving force F.sub.1 dropped to zero when the solenoid magnetizing current i.sub.1 was interrupted, the control port 4 maintained a certain minimum pressure, but in this case it would no longer be possible by ordinary means to set the pressure Pc of the control port 4 below this minimum level.

Electromagnetic proportional pressure reducing valve


A multifunction modular electronic apparatus for performing information technology and telecommunications functions comprises a first module (101) for performing a plurality of first functions; a second module (102) having substantially the same physical dimensions as the first module for performing second functions; and a hinging mechanism (103, 104, 105) for enabling the two modules to be mechanically coupled, to rotate relative to each other over a full range of 360 degrees while remaining stably mechanically coupled in any intermediate position over the range, and to be fully separated from each other.

Users of portable electronic devices often must carry more that one such device in order to be able to use and implement diverse desired information technology and telecommunications (IT&T) functions. Typically existing function-specific portable electronic devices include laptop computers, mobile wireless telephones, digital cameras, personal digital assistants (PDA), electronic books, music players, video players, electronic-game sets, geostationary positioning systems (GPS), and a variety of other application-specific portable electronic gadgets each offering a different use or application.
Progress in miniaturization already enables manufacturers to offer today several such functions combined in a single apparatus. A state-of-the-art hand-held device, for example the iPAQ Model 6315 of the Hewlett Packard company, offers: full PDA functions; cellular telephone; wireless connectivity for data (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth); digital camera; MP3 music player; reading of downloaded books; sound recording; touch-sensitive display and attachable miniature keyboard; simplified software programs such as Microsoft® Word, Outlook and Excel; all in a space of approx. 4.5″×3″×0.75″. However, such highly portable devices always offer compromises between what users need or want and what technology allows manufacturers to offer at market prices. The HP iPAQ, for example, could use more memory (e.g. a hard disk) and a higher-speed processor, the latter implying a need for bigger battery power. Also, its small display screen makes viewing of websites and reading of text rather uncomfortable. Although existing notebook computers incorporating several of the functions mentioned above offer display screens of adequate size, such computers are generally bulky and heavy to carry.
Thus there exists a need for a portable electronic IT&T apparatus that is flexibly adaptable to users' needs by being modular and expandable while maintaining overall sizes and weights of the order, for example, of those of thin paperback books. In addition, commercially available existing portable systems do not offer the user the flexibility and ability to selectively choose and combine among a variety of needed functions performed by modules that may be either mechanically coupled together or physically separated, and which are compatibly dimensioned. Also, commercially available existing portable systems lack the ability to functionally connect several modules in order to yield powerful systems and achieve synergies among the modules by, for example, optimally distributing component parts and functions among the modules.

Multifunction modular electronic apparatus


A dual acting hydraulic jarring tool which includes dual acting metering devices and is particularly well suited for coiled tubing application. A common annular chamber is formed between reciprocating cylindrical assemblies and dual engaging and metering devices are used to engage and meter hydraulic fluid at a predetermined rate flowing from one chamber to another chamber defined within the annular space. An improved retarding and metering mechanism is also disclosed which serves to retard relative telescoping movement of one cylindrical assembly relative to the other cylindrical assembly and meter the hydraulic fluid at the predetermined rate. The present invention is particularly well suited for coiled tubing application due to its low load requirements, minimal overall length and enlarged interior bore for the passage of downhole tools; however, the present invention is well suited for use with conventional drilling strings as well.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a well jarring tool used to free stuck pipe within a well bore. More particularly, the present invention relates to a double acting hydraulic well jar useful in coiled tubing and conventional drilling applications which includes a metering system to establish a predetermined timing sequence prior to applying either an upward or downward jarring action.
2. Description of the Related Art
Jarring tools are used to free stuck drill pipe or well tools in a well bore. They provide a substantial upward or downward jarring action in an effort to transmit sufficient force to dislodge a stuck member. Double acting jars which can transmit either upward or downward jarring loads are well known in the prior art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,186,807; 4,865,125; and 5,007,479. Such jars typically use a hydraulic-type fluid to isolate well bore pressure and provide the working fluid through which the jarring tool operates.
With the advent of coiled tubing techniques, the need exists for a variety of downhole tools capable of performing their traditional functions but in the confines of a coiled tubing application. Briefly, a coiled tubing operation involves the use of a single continuous pipe or tubing for drilling application rather than the more traditional 30-foot drill pipe sections. The tubing, which is coiled onto a reel and uncoiled as it is lowered into the well bore, can be used for either drilling or workover applications. However, coiled tubing presents a number of working constraints to existing tool design. First of all, due to the limited size of the coiled tubing, limited compressive loads can be placed on the tubing by the rig operator. Essentially, this means that downhole tools which require compressive force to operate, such as a jarring tool, must be capable of operating with the limited compressive load capability of coiled tubing. In addition, in coiled tubing application the overall length of the downhole tool becomes significant since there is limited distance available between the stuffing box and the blowout preventor to accommodate the bottom hole assembly. A typically bottom hole assembly might include a quick disconnect, a sinker bar located below the quick disconnect to provide weight to the bottom hole assembly, the jarring tool, a release tool below that of some type, and then an overshot. There may be other tools as well which may be needed. Thus, the length of the jarring tool itself becomes particularly significant since the entire bottom hole assembly must fit within the limited distance between the stuffing box and blowout preventor to introduce it into a pressurized well. Furthermore, within these confines, the jarring tool must have a large enough internal bore to permit pump-down tools to pass. Thus, the coiled-tubing jarring tool must have a limited overall wall thickness in view of limited outer diameter conditions.
As in the case of traditional drill pipe, coiled tubing or other down hole tools may get stuck in the well bore at times. Under these circumstances, repetitive upjarring or downjarring with a jarring tool is particularly advantageous. Thus, the need exists for a double acting hydraulic jarring tool which can satisfy the limited compressive load, limited length and large bore requirements of coiled tubing application as mentioned above but which also employs a metering principle to provide sufficient time for the operator to prepare for an upjarring or downjarring activity and provide for multiple jarring applications. Preferably, such a jarring tool design would have application in a conventional drill string as well.


An infotainment system is for a vehicle having a body defining an interior space. The infotainment system includes a playback device receiving and processing a plurality of sets of infotainment data. The infotainment data is organized in a hierarchy. The playback device transmits a plurality of sound signals. Each sound signal corresponds to a respective one of the sets of infotainment data. A plurality of speakers are communicatively coupled to the playback device. Each speaker is disposed at a different respective location within the interior space. Each of the speakers is adapted to receive a respective one of the sound signals and convert the respective sound signal into a corresponding audible sound. A user interface is communicatively coupled to the playback device. The user interface enables a user to navigate between levels of the hierarchy of infotainment data by making selections. Each of the selections corresponds to a respective one of the sets of infotainment data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to infotainment (i.e., information/entertainment) systems for vehicles and, more particularly, the infotainment systems capable of receiving, processing and navigating multiple forms of infotainment media.
2. Description of the Related Art
Vehicles are typically equipped with an infotainment system capable of receiving infotainment media, such as radio signals, music files stored on a compact disc, music files stored on an MP3 device, music and video files stored on a digital video disc, and navigational information including map files and radio frequency signals provided by a global positioning system (GPS). Many of these infotainment systems are capable of receiving and processing multiple forms of infotainment media. For instance, a vehicle infotainment system might include any combination of a radio receiver for receiving broadcast radio signals, a satellite radio receiver for receiving satellite radio signals, a compact disc player, a digital video disc player and an MP3 port for linking to an MP3 storage device. The infotainment system provides the user with in-vehicle infotainment derived from these infotainment media.
In order to enable a user to select the type of infotainment medium, such infotainment systems are equipped with a user interface in the form of a visual display and multiple buttons. The visual display informs the user as to which infotainment medium is being engaged and additional information regarding that medium. To change infotainment media (such as between radio and CD) and/or select infotainment data within that media (such as a particular song on the CD), the user typically disrupts his/her visual attention from the road and views the visual display. The user then finds the button pertaining to the infotainment media of choice (e.g., the CD Player) and views the display to determine which infotainment data (e.g., which CD in the CD Player) he/she wishes to enjoy. The user may again disrupt his/her visual attention to view the display and determine which data (e.g., which song on the CD) is currently playing and select the data of choice. Accordingly, the user takes his/her eyes off of the road frequently to operate the infotainment system and navigate through the available infotainment media and data.

Infotainment system with surround sound media navigation

Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America


A moldable protective cushion for a vehicle door, having a central portion, a first end and a second end, and a receiving groove or aperture having a first moldable wall and a second moldable wall. The receiving groove or aperture being positioned in the central portion of the protective cushion, and extends along a first arm and a second arm of the cushion. The first and second arms are joined at a corner forming a protective cushion. The protective cushion is positioned and secured to a vehicle door by molding the first moldable wall and the second moldable wall to conform to a corner of the vehicle door.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates generally to door cushions and guards and more particularly to a vehicle door protective cushion or guard that is detachably secured to the corner of a vehicle door to protect a passenger from injury from contact with the corner of the vehicle door and is moldable and impressionable so as to accommodate any vehicle door type.
2. Background Art
Various door cushions and guards have been proposed and implemented for both protecting the door or door edge and for protecting users from injury and harmful contact. Although prior devices have been adapted and used for various protective purposes, there exists a need for a vehicle door guard or cushion to protect a user from harmful contact with the door edge, which is easy to place or install on the door, is usable with any type of car or vehicle, is protective to the user and which is easily removed, if desired from the vehicle door.
In the past, there have been various devices proposed and implemented as vehicle or car door guards designed in the form of moldings of guards on the exterior or edge of a vehicle door. Such devices have primarily been designed to protect the vehicle door from damage from contact with objects. Such devices have been proposed as somewhat permanent additions to the vehicle or car, where the device is either screwed or bolted onto the door, or other permanent fastening means used such as adhesives.
There have also been proposed and implemented devices to protect the user of passenger of a vehicle from unwanted collision with the vehicle door when entering or exiting the vehicle. Again such devices have been flawed because they have been very cumbersome to install, and have been essentially permanent additions to the vehicle or car, where the device is either screwed or bolted onto the door, or other permanent fastening means used such as adhesives. Moreover, as there are a great variety of vehicles and car doors, such earlier devices have been greatly limited by being of a fixed form and not easily adaptable to a wide variety of vehicles.
As the edge of a vehicle door can pose a great a hazard to passengers and cause injury to those entering and exiting who may come in contact accidentally with the corners of the door, there is a need for a vehicle door guard or protective cushion which is easy to mold and install on any vehicle door, which provides protection to the passengers or other users of the vehicle, and which may easily be removed from the door if desired. The sharp corner of a vehicle door is a significant hazard to individuals entering or exiting a vehicle, and this risk is magnified for older individuals or for those with either a height or posture that results in their eye or face aligning with the sharp corner of the door. Aside from vehicles such as passenger cars, vehicles such as taxis, police cars, and passenger vans the abovementioned risk is magnified.
Accordingly a primary object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle protective cushion or guard that is easily positioned and secured to the corner of any vehicle door to protect the passenger or other user from injury from contact with the corner of the door.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a protective cushion or guard for vehicle doors which is moldable, impressionable, and easy configured for any vehicle door type or size, an which is easy to install, use, and remove, if desired from the vehicle door.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a vehicle door protective cushion or guard that does not interfere with the normal usage of the vehicle or sealing of the vehicle door, and may be provided in a variety of sizes, configurations, and styles.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.


A cargo enclosure for a vehicle includes a side panel having at least one pocket is formed therein. The pocket has a back wall, a pair of opposing side walls and a front wall having an aperture therein. A bottom surface of the pocket is canted downwardly from the back wall toward the aperture in the front wall such that any debris or other material that may infiltrate the pocket will readily slide down the canted bottom surface, through the aperture and onto a bottom surface of the cargo enclosure.

Typical vehicle utility beds include a steel welded bed with a plastic liner disposed within the steel bed. Alternatively, the bed can be a one-piece plastic molded utility bed. The bottoms of such plastic beds and liners generally have a plurality of ridges extending longitudinally approximately the length of the plastic bed or liner from the tail gate of the bed toward the front of the bed. Since the ridges extend longitudinally, i.e. lengthwise, debris or other material deposited in the bed or liner can be easily cleaned or removed from the bottom of the bed or liner using a broom, water hose or air hose.
Most contemporary beds and liners also include pockets formed with side panels of the bed or liner for retaining bed dividers and/or side rail stakes. Such divider/side rail pockets tend to gather, accumulate and retain small debris or other materials. Small debris and/or other materials that have collected in the pockets are difficult to remove from the pockets and can interfere with using the pocket to retain a bed divider and/or side rail stake. Often a small brush or other suitable tool is required to remove the collected debris or other material.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a vehicle cargo enclosure, such as a cargo bed or bed liner, that incorporates divider and/or side rail stake pockets that resist collecting and accumulating debris or other materials.


A method is provided for calibrating a test platform to establish a phase relationship between copies of a signal at a measurement location within the test platform. Phase relationships of the copies of the signal traversing signal paths and ending at the measurement location are manipulated. Vector signal addition from the copies of the signal is analyzed as the phase relationships are manipulated to find a phase offset adjustment that establishes a particular phase relationship between the signal paths.

1. Field of the Invention
The technology disclosed relates to a test platform for testing radio communications in a MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) RF (radio frequency) environment, and more particularly to techniques for phase calibration among multiple signal paths in the test platform.
2. Description of Related Art
In a test platform for testing radio communications in a MIMO RF environment, a multi-path radio channel can be emulated in a channel emulator as multiple delayed copies of a signal transmitted from a signal source, and through multiple signal paths within the test equipment. The test platform needs to ensure that the combined copies of the signal represent the desired test condition. A test platform includes multiple pieces of testing equipment. Because of the connections between pieces of testing equipment and electrical characteristics of each piece of equipment, including relative phase relationships between different components within a piece of testing equipment, there can be phase misalignment between signals throughout the signal paths in the test platform.
An opportunity arises to provide a method of calibrating a test platform to establish a phase relationship between signals reaching a measurement location from multiple signal paths.


A method and apparatus for managing a landing site for an aircraft is presented. The landing site is selected from a group of landing sites. A description is communicated to a platform about a state of the aircraft along a route of the aircraft over time to the landing site. The aircraft is flown to the landing site using the description of the state of the aircraft along the route of the aircraft over time.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates generally to aircraft and, in particular, to landing sites for aircraft. Still more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for describing a route to a landing site using a formal language.
2. Background
Commercial aircraft have planned routes from an originating airport to a destination airport. However, during the flight of an aircraft, events may result in the use of a different landing site other than the destination airport. This alternative landing site may be, for example, an alternate airport. Events such as thunderstorms, inconsistencies in the aircraft, changes in usable airspace, issues at the destination airport, and other events may result in an alternate landing site being selected for the aircraft.
Although a pilot of an aircraft is highly trained in emergency procedures, the pilot may be focused on tasks other than selecting an alternate landing site. For example, the pilot may be focused on managing flight of the aircraft in heavy turbulence, flying the aircraft with an undesired configuration, or on some other task. These and other situations may be stressful and may require more attention from the pilot than desired.
The pilot may assess the available landing site options that are in range of the aircraft and select one of these landing sites from the pilot's prior experience. The pilot may then find a way to fly the aircraft to the selected landing site avoiding terrain, no-fly zones, other aircraft, and other obstacles that may be present in reaching the selected landing site.
Currently, this burden of assessing landing sites and routes to landing sites is placed on the pilot with some potential help from an air traffic controller. The air traffic controller may provide assistance through the knowledge of the overall state of the airspace around the aircraft. Additionally, other aides may be present, such as navigation systems, which may select the nearest airport to the current location of the aircraft.
These types of systems, however, do not take into account potential intervening terrain, no-fly zones, weather conditions, and other obstacles. The navigation systems may only provide a simple direct point-to-point route for the aircraft.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a method and apparatus that takes into account at least some of the issues discussed above, as well as other possible issues.


A chair armrest includes a vertical adjuster and an angle adjuster combined with the vertical adjuster for adjusting its height, and its angle to the right, the left, the backward and the forward direction so as to suit to different body size of different users and different occasions.

This invention relates to a chair armrest, particularly to one possible to be adjusted in its height, and its angle to the right, the left, the backward, and forward direction so as to suit body size of a user, who can sit comfortably on a chair.
Modern society forces people work busily and tensely, and the design of chairs directly concerns daily life people. Above all, the curvature of a backrest and a seat is the essential of study for makers, who always make effort to produce a most comfortable chair having a curvature to suit to body structure. Except the curvature of a backrest and a seat, armrests at two sides of a chair have also large impact to comfortableness for sitting. Common armrests of chairs are immovable, impossible to suit to every body, as each person has different body size.


A nozzle coupling includes a connector having an attached nozzle and opposing ends. The connector is capable of receiving fluid and conducting it to the nozzle and the nozzle is capable of receiving fluid from the connector and spraying it outwardly therefrom. Facets of the connector extend longitudinally of the connector from one of the opposing ends to the other of the opposing ends, and each of the facets are capable of being borne against a surface to locate the nozzle.

Misting systems are popular in hot and dry climates where the rapid evaporation of mist is capable of quickly and efficiently cooling outdoor areas, such as private and commercial patios, outdoor seating areas, outdoor restaurants, etc. A problem with existing misting is that it is difficult to fix and alter the direction of the mist spray.
Thus, there is a need for a new and improved misting system and, more particularly, for a new and improved nozzle coupling for use with a misting system that is inexpensive, easy to construct and maintain, and that is capable of directing mist in predetermined directions.