An image forming device connected to one or more data processing devices is disclosed, and includes a printer unit, a copying unit, a document transport unit for transporting documents printed in the printer unit to a document mounting unit on the copying unit, and a guide member for moving the printer unit between a first position adjacent to the document mounting unit on the copying unit and a second position separated from the document mounting unit. The data processing device sends print jobs to the printer unit, and if multiple copies are desired, the printed documents are sent to the copying unit by the document transport device and copied.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an image forming device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming device connected to a data processing device, and equipped with a printer unit, a copying unit which makes copies of the documents printed in the printer unit, and a document transport device for transporting printed documents from the printer unit to the copying unit.
2. Description of the Related Art Printers which print out character and image data sent from data processing devices such as personal computers are widely known. One problem with these types of printers has been that a significant amount of time is needed to print a large number of copies, especially when compared with the time that it takes a copying machine to do the same job.
An image forming device which attempts to solve this problem is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 5-107987 (1995). This image forming device is a combination of a copying unit and a printer unit, and is connected to a data processing device. The image data output from the data processing device is printed out by the printer unit, and the printed documents are then transported to an document mounting unit on the copying unit. The documents on the document mounting unit are then sequentially transported to a document reading unit, and then read and copied as instructed. Because the documents printed in the printer unit are used as the originals in the copying unit, a large number of copies can be made at a relatively high speed.
In this image forming device, the direction in which the paper is transported in the printer unit is the same as the direction in which documents are transported from the document mounting unit of the copying unit to the document reading unit. The printed documents are discharged from the printer unit and then transported to the document mounting unit in the copying unit.
Generally speaking, the size of printers which use A4-sized paper can be reduced if the A4-sized sheets are transported through the printer in the longitudinal direction, i.e., along the length of the A4 sheet. This is because the image forming unit (such as the photosensitive drum) need only be as long as the width of the A4 sheet. In addition, there are large numbers of copying machines capable of forming images on paper up to A3 size, thus the length of the image forming unit in the copying machine need only be as long as the with of an A3 sheet (which is the same as the length of an A4 sheet). When an A4 sheet is used in this type of copying machine, it can be transported through the copying machine along its width and thus increase the copying efficiency of the copying machine.
However, in the above-described image forming device which combines a printer unit with a copying unit, A4 size documents are both transported through the printer unit and discharged to the document mounting unit of the copying unit in the lengthwise direction. As a result, the efficiency of the image forming process is lowered because these documents are transported through the copying unit in the lengthwise direction, even though the image forming unit in the copying unit is capable of processing A4 size documents along their width. In addition, because the printer unit discharges documents to the original mounting unit of the copying unit in the lengthwise direction, the overall length of the image forming device is large. This makes it difficult to produce a compact image forming device.
Accordingly, it has been proposed to transport a sheet of paper through the printer unit in a first direction (for example, along the length of an A4 sheet), and then transport it in a second direction (for example, along the width of an A4 sheet) and align the documents on the document mounting unit in the copying unit. The leading and trailing edges of the documents (with respect to the second direction) on the document mounting unit can be readily aligned, however it is difficult to align the right and left edges of the documents. If the documents are fed through the copying unit in this condition, there is a risk that a paper jam may occur, or that the images formed may be positionally shifted.
In addition, because the first direction and the second direction are different, separate drive sources are required. For example, it is conceivable that two motors are arranged such that their drive directions are perpendicular to each other. This has the effect of increasing the overall size and cost of the image forming device, as well as its power consumption.

Image forming device with a printer unit and a copying unit


Bracket for mounting a guiding rail to a support surface. The mounting bracket includes a body part having a main body defining a mounting hole and opposite parallel first and second snap flanges. The bracket further has a clip part for engaging its body part and has at least one resilient tongue and at least one resilient arm extending from the clip part in alignment with the first and second snap flanges. The invention also relates to the combination of the mounting bracket and a guiding rail, as well as to a method for mounting a plurality of the brackets and the guiding rail to a mounting surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a bracket for mounting a guiding rail for an architectural covering, such as a roller blind or screen.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
French patent document FR 2266790 discloses a mounting element for fixing to a surface surrounding an architectural opening. The known mounting element has clipping arms which can engage detent means on a guiding rail element. For this arrangement to be reasonably successful it has been necessary to provide the mounting element with a longitudinal length substantially similar to the length of the guiding rail. In the interest of material savings it has become popular to mount such guiding rails from a plurality of smaller brackets, rather than a single mounting element needing almost the same amount of material as the guiding rail. While the use of plural brackets has offered a more than adequate attachment for guiding rails, it has at times been somewhat more difficult to position and align such brackets prior to fixing these to a wall surface. This problem has been particularly apparent when three or more brackets are used in mounting a single guiding rail. Especially when an intermediate bracket is misaligned, it is either impossible to mount the guiding rail, or worse the guiding rail is warped upon mounting.


A texture map for use in graphics processing is encoded by first subdividing the texture map into a plurality of texture element blocks. The texture data elements in each texel block to be encoded are then divided into different partitions (sub sets) within the block. The partitioned block is then encoded in a compressed form as an encoded texture data block. Each encoded block is partitioned using a partitioning pattern generation function to generate the partitioning patterns. The partitioning pattern generation function sorts the texture data elements of the block into respective partitions based on their respective positions within the block. To do this the partitioning pattern generation function generates a series of sawtooth waves at various angles, phases and frequencies across the block of texture data elements to be encoded.

The technology described herein relates to a method of and apparatus for encoding and decoding data, and in particular to such a method and apparatus for use to compress and decompress texture data in computer graphics systems.
It is common in computer graphics systems to generate colours for sampling positions in the image to be displayed by applying so-called textures or texture data to the surfaces to be drawn. For example, surface detail on objects may be generated by applying a predefined "texture" to a set of polygons representing the object, to give the rendered image of the object the appearance of the "texture". Such textures are typically applied by storing an array of texture elements or "texels", each representing given texture data (such as colour, luminance, and/or light/shadow, etc. values), and then mapping the texels onto the corresponding elements, such as (and, indeed, typically) a set of sampling positions, for the image to be displayed. The stored arrays of texture elements (data) are typically referred to as "texture maps".
Such arrangements can provide high image quality, but have a number of drawbacks. In particular, the storage of the texture data and accessing it in use can place, e.g., high storage and bandwidth requirements on a graphics processing device (or conversely lead to a loss in performance where such requirements are not met). This is particularly significant for mobile and handheld devices that perform graphics processing, as such devices are inherently limited in their, e.g., storage, bandwidth and power resources and capabilities.
It is known therefore to try to encode such texture data in a "compressed" form so as to try to reduce, e.g., the storage and bandwidth burden that may be imposed on a device.
One known such texture data compression technique determines a set or palette of colours to be used for, e.g., a given texture map, and then stores for each texture element (texel) in the texture map an index into the set or palette of colours, indicating the colour to be used for that texel. This has the advantage that only an index, rather than a full (e.g.) colour value needs to be stored for each texel. This helps to reduce, e.g., the texture data storage requirements, but still has some drawbacks, such as in terms of reduced image quality and the necessary data processing.
Another known texture compression technique is to use so-called block truncation coding (BTC). In this technique the overall texture array (texture map) is subdivided into smaller blocks, e.g. of 4×4 texels, and a number (typically two) of base or primary colour values are determined for each such block, with each texel in the block being set to one of the base colour values. This again saves on the data that has to be stored and accessed, but at a cost of lower image quality.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,853 describes an improved block truncation coding technique. In this technique, two base colours are again stored for each texel block, but two additional colours to be used for the block are also derived from those two base colours (e.g. by linearly blending those colours). In this way, four colours are provided as a "palette" for the texel block, but only two colour values need to be stored for the block. Each texel in the block is then encoded using two bits, to indicate which of the four block "colours" should be used for the texel. This system provides improved image quality over basic block truncation coding, but requires more data per block.
It is also known in some texture compression schemes, such as BC6 and BC7, to divide the set of texture data elements that is encoded in a given texture data block into plural "sub-sets" or "partitions" of texture data elements.
In these arrangements, each texture data element partition for the texture data block (i.e. sub-set of the texture data elements that the texture data block encodes) may then, e.g., be reproduced independently of the other partitions of the block. This can help to enhance the reproduced image quality, e.g. where the block to be encoded includes distinct colour partitions.
In these arrangements, the encoding scheme typically uses a set of predetermined allowed partitioning patterns, e.g., that are specified for particular block sizes. The decoder then stores a set of look-up tables that indicate the relationship between a texture data element's position and the partition it belongs to for each respective partitioning pattern. However, this can lead to significant storage requirements for the decoder, particularly if it is desired to use large numbers of partitioning patterns (or conversely, the number of available partitioning patterns has to be limited to reduce the storage burden on the decoder).
The Applicants believe therefore that there remains scope for improved data encoding and compression techniques when using partitioning, particularly for use for texture data for graphics processing.

Method of and apparatus for encoding and decoding data


A method for collecting tolls on a high occupancy toll lane includes detecting a number of driver's licenses inserted into a card reader located in a vehicle and transmitting the number of driver's licenses to a roadside transceiver for a determination of a toll amount for the vehicle based on the number of driver's licenses. A transponder for use with the method includes a card reader for reading information from one or more driver's licenses inserted into the card reader and a processor operative to generate a licensed driver count related to the number of driver's licenses inserted into the card reader. In one embodiment, the processor is operative to determine whether or not a driver's license is valid and the licensed driver count is indicative of the number of valid driver's licenses inserted into the card reader.

Automated toll collection systems are known. Typically, these systems comprise a reader transponder or transceiver and at least one vehicle transponder. The reader transceiver includes either laneside, overhead or in-pavement antennas in each traffic lane. The reader transceiver senses the presence of the vehicle transponder by employing a vehicle sensor or by transmitting an RF signal to which the vehicle transponder responds with an identification message.
High occupancy toll (HOT) lanes are in use in many states in an effort to reduce highway demand. In specially designated HOT lanes, vehicles having at least a predetermined number of occupants, such as two or three, (i.e., high occupancy vehicles, or HOVs) are given a discounted toll rate or are not required to pay a toll at all. Single occupancy vehicles (SOVs) may be permitted to use the HOT lanes, but are required to pay a higher toll.
Enforcement of HOT lane qualification is typically performed by having a police officer monitor passing vehicles to ensure that the threshold number of occupants are present in cars using the HOT lanes or benefiting from the reduced or eliminated tolls. Such enforcement is only effective when a police officer is present and is a costly enforcement approach.

Licensed driver detection for high occupancy toll lane qualification


A sitting posture correction device for placement between a backrest and the back of a user. The device comprises an inflatable bladder which is generally spherical in shape when fully inflated and a flexible, substantially rectangular cover for the bladder forming a pocket and adapted to contain the bladder, when the latter is partially inflated, in the pocket. During use of the device, the bladder is located within the cover, is partially inflated, and is free to shift and change its shape within the cover.

This invention relates to back support devices for supporting a person""s back when he or she is seated.
Backrest cushions in many different forms are well known. Cushions in various shapes, sizes and constructions have been made available for spine comfort and support purposes. A number of devices have included foam chair inserts, and some have been inflatable. For example, inflation devices have been included in automotive seats, controlled by small air pumps which are manually operated by the driver.
In U.S. Patent No. 4,516,568 issued May 14, 1985 to K.C.A. Baxter et al., a pressure exerting device is taught. The device, which can be placed between a human back and a seat back, includes a resilient wedge-shaped member and a modified U-shaped bladder with compartments. The bladder expands the lower region of the device. A belt and an anchor are provided for securing the back support in place. A bladder cover secures the bladder to the wedge-shaped member.
Many back supports support the low back at the expense of compromising the normal curves of the middle back and the neck. These compromises place increased demand upon the middle back and neck muscles, which in turn places indirectly an increase of stress on the low back. An ideal back support should support the body so that it can maintain efficient relationships between the pelvis, spine and head. The back support must encourage the body to move and shift positions. It will stimulate the body to shift back to an optimal position when it falls away from an optimal one.
The present invention provides a device for back support purposes including an inflatable bladder which is generally spherical in shape when filly inflated. A pouch made of cloth material is adapted to contain the bladder when the bladder is only partially inflated. When the device is employed, the partially inflated bladder largely fills the pouch.
The present invention also provides a sitting posture correction device for placement between a backrest and the back of a user. The device comprises an inflatable bladder which is generally spherical in shape when fully inflated and a flexible substantially rectangular cover for the bladder forming a pocket and adapted to contain the bladder, when the latter is partially inflated, in the pocket. The cover has a closable opening for insertion or removal of the bladder. During use of the device, the opening is closed and the bladder is contained within the cover, is partially inflated, and is free to shift and change its shape within the cover.


A clutch module (100) includes a cover plate (12), a diaphragm (14), a pressure plate (16), a friction disc (18) and a reaction plate (20) mounted on a support plate (22) and fixed to the cover plate (12), the cover plate (12) includes a set of fastening lugs (66) which extend axially from a peripheral edge (58) of the cover plate (12, 56), and each of which passes axially through a corresponding axially orientated passage (68, 168) formed at the periphery (70) of one of the support plate (22) and the reaction plate (20), so as to extend axially beyond (90) the radial face (72, 172) of the element and so as to be retained axially with respect to the reaction plate (20) or support plate (22).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a clutch module, especially for a motor vehicle.
More particularly, the invention relates to a clutch module of the type comprising an assembly of adjacent components of generally annular form coaxial with each other, among which are arranged, in succession, a cover plate, a diaphragm, a pressure plate coupled in rotation to the cover plate by fastening means for enabling the pressure plate to be displaced axially with respect to the cover plate, a friction disc for coupling the clutch module in rotation to a driven shaft, and a reaction plate fixed to the cover plate by fastening means arranged at the outer periphery of the module, of the type in which the friction disc includes at least one peripheral annular friction liner, which is interposed between radial friction surfaces, in facing relationship with each other of the pressure plate and reaction plate, wherein the diaphragm bears against the cover plate and the pressure plate in order to bias the latter axially in the direction corresponding to gripping of the friction liner, and of the type in which the reaction plate is mounted on a support plate which is fixed in rotation to a driving shaft, such as the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, by means of a set of fastening members which are disposed radially inwardly with respect to the means fastening the reaction plate to the cover plate.
2. Description of the Prior Art
One example of such a clutch module is described and shown in FIG. 6 of the document FR-A-2 546 594. In that document, the means fastening the cover plate on the reaction plate, in order to form a unitary assembly in the form of a clutch module, consist of the axially orientated annular skirt, or lateral wall, which is at the outer periphery of the cover plate, and the free end of which is seamed radially inwardly around an external peripheral rib or bead of the pressure plate.
That arrangement does give satisfaction, but, for a given radial size, the friction disc is unable to be of a maximum size, because the reaction plate is a mirror image of the pressure plate and includes lugs at its outer periphery for coupling it in rotation to the pressure plate through resilient tongues, each of which is fixed at one of its ends to the lug of the reaction plate, and at its other end to the lug of the pressure plate. The presence of the tongues thus prevents the size of the friction disc from being increased in the radial direction.
In addition, rotation of the cover plate cannot be prevented in any positive way, such as with the aid of fastening screws.
Other, more complex, fastening means are proposed in the said document, for example in FIG. 2, in which it is proposed to make use of fastening screws in order simultaneously to fasten the cover plate on the reaction plate and to fasten the latter on the support plate. In that case, it is the presence of the heads of the screws that prevents the size of the friction disc from being increased radially.

Clutch module having improved means for fastening its cover plate on the reaction plate


A fiber optic sensing tool assembly is deployed in a wellbore that penetrates a hydrocarbon-bearing formation of interest to measure fluid composition and other fluid characteristics. This measurement is implemented by deploying the tool in a region in which there is substantially no fluid flow and by heating the tool through an optical delivery system. Parameters of the fluid are monitored as a function of the heating of the tool to derive information that is indicative of fluid composition and other fluid characteristics.

Hydrocarbon fluids, such as oil and natural gas, are obtained from a subterranean geologic formation, referred to as a reservoir, by drilling a well that penetrates the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Once a wellbore is drilled, various well completion components may be installed to control and enhance the efficiency of producing the various fluids from the reservoir. In some oilfields, the fluid produced from the well may include a high concentration (e.g., up to 10%) of sour gas (e.g., hydrogen sulfide). This sour gas, together with the majority of the lighter fractions of the produced hydrocarbon fluids, may be re-injected into the reservoir either as a means of disposal or to enhance production of the base hydrocarbon fluid. However, injection cycling can cause changes in the composition of the hydrocarbon fluid being produced through the wellbore. These fluid composition characteristics may be measured during well intervention procedures during which production is temporarily stopped and appropriate sensors can then be deployed in the wellbore. In sour fields, however, the presence of the sour gas can either impede or altogether prevent the opportunity to perform these types of measurements during an intervention operation.

Thermal optical fluid composition detection


Subject

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates mainly to a liquid crystal composition suitable for use in a super twisted nematic device and so forth, and a super twisted nematic device containing the composition.
2. Related Art
In a liquid crystal display device, a classification based on an operating mode for liquid crystals includes phase change (PC), twisted nematic (TN), super twisted nematic (STN), electrically controlled birefringence (ECB), optically compensated bend (OCB), in-plane switching (IPS), vertical alignment (VA) and polymer sustained alignment (PSA). A classification based on a driving mode in the device includes a passive matrix (PM) and an active matrix (AM). The PM is further classified into static, multiplex and so forth, and the AM is classified into a thin film transistor (TFT), a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) and so forth. The TFT is further classified into amorphous silicon and polycrystal silicon. The latter is classified into a high temperature type and a low temperature type according to the production process. A classification based on a light source includes a reflection type utilizing natural light, a transmission type utilizing a backlight and a semi-transmission type utilizing both natural light and a backlight.
These devices contain a liquid crystal composition having suitable characteristics. The liquid crystal composition has a nematic phase. General characteristics of the composition should be improved to give a STN device having good general characteristics. Table 1 below summarizes the relationship between the general characteristics of the two. The general characteristics of the composition will be further explained based on a commercially available STN device. The temperature range of a nematic phase relates to the temperature range in which the device can be used. A desirable maximum temperature of the nematic phase is approximately 70° C. or higher and a desirable minimum temperature of the nematic phase is approximately −20° C. or lower. The viscosity of the composition relates to the response time of the device. A short response time is desirable to display moving images on the device. Accordingly, a small viscosity of the composition is desirable. A small viscosity at a low temperature is more desirable.
TABLE 1General Characteristics of Composition and STN DeviceNo.General Characteristics of CompositionGeneral Characteristics of STN Device1wide temperature range of a nematic phasewide usable temperature range2small viscosity1)short response time3suitable optical anisotropylarge contrast ratio4positively large dielectric anisotropylow threshold voltage and small electricpower consumption5large elastic constant ratio (K33/K11)steep voltage-transmission curve andlarge contrast ratio1)A composition can be injected into a liquid crystal cell in a shorter period of time.
The optical anisotropy of the composition relates to the contrast ratio of the device. The product (Δn×d) of the optical anisotropy (Δn) of the composition and the cell gap (d) of the device is designed so as to maximize the contrast ratio. In this case, the optical anisotropy of the composition is mainly in the range of approximately 0.10 to approximately 0.20. A large dielectric anisotropy in the composition contributes to a low threshold voltage and a small electric power consumption in the device. Accordingly, a large dielectric anisotropy is desirable. A large elastic constant ratio (K33/K11) of the composition contributes to a steep voltage-transmission curve and a large contrast ratio of the device. Accordingly, a large elastic constant ratio is desirable.
A composition having positive dielectric anisotropy is used for a STN device. Examples of the liquid crystal composition having positive dielectric anisotropy are disclosed in the following patent documents. An example of a liquid crystal composition including an optically active compound is disclosed in the following patent No. 3. However, the helical pitch was not sufficiently short.    No. 1: JP H02-067232 A (1990); No. 2: JP H05-229979 A (1993); and No. 3: JP H06-200251 A (1994).
It is especially desirable that a composition has a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy and a large elastic constant ratio and that the threshold voltage has a small temperature dependence and the dielectric anisotropy is hardly effected by the frequency applied to the device in the range of a high temperature to a low temperature.

Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device

Abstract: Subject

Abstract: The subject is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large elastic constant ratio, a small temperature dependence of the threshold voltage, a small frequency dependence of the dielectric anisotropy and a short helical pitch, or that is suitably balanced regarding at least two of the characteristics. The subject is to provide a STN device that has a short response time, a large contrast ratio, a low threshold voltage, a small electric power consumption, a steep voltage-transmission curve and a small light leak.

Abstract: Means for Solving the Subject

Abstract: The invention provides a nematic liquid crystal composition that include a specific optically active compound as a first component and a specific compound having a positively large dielectric anisotropy as a second component, and that optionally may include a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or a small viscosity as a third component and a specific compound having a positively large dielectric anisotropy as a fourth component, and provides a liquid crystal display device containing this composition.


The present disclosure provides methods for producing N-(fluorosulfonyl)azoles, sulfonyldiazoles, or related derivatives thereof, and the related products including N-(fluorosulfonyl)azoles, sulfonyldiazoles, and related derivatives thereof. For example, an N-(fluorosulfonyl)azole is obtained by reaction of sulfuryl fluoride with an azoles, an azolate salt, an N-silylazole, or a combination thereof. Symmetric and asymmetric sulfonyldiazoles are obtained by further reaction of such an N-(fluorosulfonyl)azole with azoles, azolate salts, or N-silylazoles. A sulfonyldiazole can be also produced by reacting sulfuryl fluoride with an azole, an N-silylazole, or a combination thereof in one pot.

N,N′-sulfonyldiimidazole (or 1,1′-sulfonyldiimidazole) has a formula of SO2Im2, where Im represents imidazolyl. SO2Im2 is used in about 150 distinct reactions in the literature, and appears in about 300 patents and applications worldwide. Related reviews include: Abdoli, M.; Saeidian, H. Journal of Sulfur Chemistry 2015, 36, 556-582; Behme, C.; Keith, J. M. "N,N′-Sulfuryldiimidazole" in Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis, doi: 10.1002/047084289X.rs141.pub2. SO2Im2 is also used as an additive for lithium-ion batteries, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. JP2002280063A.
SO2Im2 was first prepared in 1966 from imidazole and sulfuryl chloride (SO2Cl2) (Staab, H. A.; Wendel, K. Justus Liebigs Annalen der Chemie 1966, 694, 86-90). Such a method is the most widely used for producing SO2Im2. SO2Im2 has also been prepared from N-(trimethylsilyl)imidazole (Me3SiIm) and SO2Cl2 (Selezneva, E. S.; Belousova, Z. P.; Gusak, L. A.; Zvyagina, E. A.; Purygin, P. P. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal 1992, 26, 259-262).
Preparation and use of sulfonylbis(2-methylimidazole) has been reported several times in the literature, and sulfonylbis(2-methylimidazole) are all prepared through the reaction of excess 2-methylimidazole with SO2Cl2 in dichloromethane. Except SO2Im2 and sulfonylbis(2-methylimidazole), no other sulfonylbisimidazoles are known.
In addition to SO2Im2 and sulfonylbis(2-methylimidazole), other sulfonylbisazoles reported in the literature include a few compounds such as sulfonylbis-(1,2,4-triazole) and sulfonyldipyrazole.
Sulfonylbis-(1,2,4-triazole) (SO2Tz2) and sulfonyldipyrazole (SO2Pz2) were prepared by reaction of 1-(trimethylsilyl)-1,2,4-triazole (Me3SiTz) and 1-(trimethylsilyl)pyrazole (Me3SiPz), respectively, with SO2Cl2 in pentane (Schröter, M.; Borrmann, T.; Knapp, C.; Lork, E.; Mews, R.; Stohrer, W.-D. Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie 2003, 629, 1300-1307). SO2Tz2 was also prepared using Me3SiTz/SO2Cl2 but in toluene.
Preparation of two other sulfonyldipyrazoles as well as several N-fluorosulfonylpyrazoles and N-fluorosulfonyl-benzotriazole was also reported. N-(fluorosulfonyl)pyrazole ("FSO2Pz"), several substituted N-(fluorosulfonyl)pyrazoles, and N-(fluorosulfonyl)benzotriazole were first prepared in 1992 by Shevelev et al. (Shevelev, S. A., V. M. Vinogradov, I. L. Dalinger, B. I. Ugrak, A. A. Fainzilberg and V. I. Fillipov, Bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Division of Chemical Science 1992, 41(10): 1901-1909). Metal salts of azoles were reacted with the compound O-fluorosulfonyl-N,N-difluorohydroxylamine (FSO2ONF2) under basic homogenous and basic phase transfer conditions, to give the respective N-(fluorosulfonyl)azoles. Cooling below 0° C. was required and yields were mostly below 50%.
Shevelev also described the synthesis of sulfonyl bis (4-chloropyrazole) and sulfonyl bis (4-nitropyrazole), by reaction of a slight excess of the appropriate lithium pyrazolate with the corresponding N-(fluorosulfonyl)pyrazole in acetonitrile. Shevelev also reported that these same two sulfonyldipyrazoles were produced by a disproportionation reaction of the corresponding N-(fluorosulfonyl)pyrazoles. This disproportionation reaction required the use of a soluble, dissolved metal fluoride under aprotic conditions. These were the only two N-(fluorosulfonyl)pyrazoles reported to give sulfonyl bis azoles under either set of conditions; their mild acidity was cited as the enabling cause.
N-(fluorosulfonyl)imidazole (FSO2Im) was first described in a prophetic patent application in the name of Hammami, International Application No. WO2018/157240, which was later abandoned. Hammami predicted the reaction of SO2F2 with imidazole under basic conditions to give FSO2Im. In 2018, Dong, Guo and their coworkers ("Dong and Guo") reduced the method of Hammani to practice with imidazole, a number of imidazole derivatives, benzimidazole and 2-methylbenzimidazole by infusion of gaseous SO2F2 into acetonitrile solutions of the azoles with solid sodium carbonate as the base (Dong, J; Yang, Q.; Guo, T.; Zhan, X.; Meng, G.; WO2019/101132, CN107857730, and CN110590609; see also Guo, T.; Meng, G.; Zhan, X.; Yang, Q.; Ma, T.; Xu, L.; Sharpless, K. B.; Dong, J., Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2018, 57, 2605-2610). Dong and Guo did not isolate the fluorosulfonyl azole intermediates; they were left in solution for further reactions, and only minor detail of the chemical composition of the intermediate solutions was described. There was no mention made of any sulfonyl bis azoles in the intermediate solutions prepared by Dong and Guo.
Sulfonyldiimidazole (SO2Im2) is known to be useful but is quite expensive at present, and its more widespread use is prevented by its high cost. One underlying reason is that all present methods for manufacturing SO2Im2 utilize SO2Cl2 as a reactant. SO2Cl2 is a highly corrosive and toxic liquid, adding additional cost to the related manufacturing processes.
Therefore, it is desirable to have a new safer and cheaper process with more capabilities for producing different types of N-(fluorosulfonyl)azoles, sulfonyldiazoles, or related derivatives thereof.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Sulfonyldiazoles and N-(fluorosulfonyl)azoles, and methods of making the same


An apparatus for image analysis includes: an image acquisition unit for stacking a plurality of two-dimensional image data in a predetermined order; a three-dimensional image generation unit for generating a plurality of three-dimensional data on the basis of different types of multiple items of information for the plurality of two-dimensional image data in a stacked form from the image acquisition unit; and a deep learning algorithm analysis unit for applying a two-dimensional convolutional neural network to each of the plurality of three-dimensional data from the three-dimensional image generation unit, and combining results of applying the two-dimensional convolutional neural network to the plurality of three-dimensional data.

An artificial neural network (ANN) is one of techniques for implementing machine learning.
Generally, the artificial neural network is configured of an input layer, a hidden layer, and an output layer. Each of the layers is formed of neurons, and neurons of each layer are connected to the output of the neurons of a previous layer. A value obtained by adding a bias to a value calculated through an inner product of the output values of the neurons of the previous layer and connection weights corresponding thereto is put into an activation function, which is generally nonlinear, and an output value of the activation function is transferred to the neurons of the next layer.
Existing machine learning techniques learn a classifier using the information obtained from input data through a feature extraction process designed by a human, whereas artificial neural networks learn feature extraction and a classifier from the beginning to the end (end-to-end learning).
Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) draw much attention, overwhelming the performance of existing machine learning techniques in the field of image recognition. The structure of the convolutional neural network is almost identical to the structure of a general artificial neural network and has a convolutional layer and a pooling layer as additional components.
The structure of a general convolutional neural network has convolutional layers and pooling layers alternating one after another, and an output layer comes last after two or three fully-connected layers. Neurons of the convolutional layers are connected to neurons of a previous layer only in a small area (local connectivity), unlike the artificial neural networks in which the neurons are fully connected to all neurons of the previous layer.
In addition, neurons belonging to a slice such as a feature map have a weighted value and a bias of the same value (parameter sharing). An operation progressed in this manner is a convolution, and a set of applied weight values is referred to as a filter or a kernel. The conventional neural network may effectively extract features from an image, prevent overfitting by reducing the number of parameters, and improve performance of generalization.
The pooling layer is positioned between the convolutional layers to reduce the spatial size of the feature map. This process also reduces the number of parameters and prevents overfitting. The most frequently used form is a max-pooling method of applying 2×2 filters at the intervals of 2. This process reduces the size of the feature map by half in the width and height directions.
Meanwhile, as a conventional technique, there is Korean Laid-opened Patent No. 10-2016-0122452 related to a deep learning framework and an image recognition method for image recognition based on visual contents (disclosed on Oct. 24, 2016). However, this technique provides a framework applying a basic deep learning model, which is somewhat different from constructing a model of a particular structure.

Apparatus and method for image analysis using virtual three-dimensional deep neural network


Apparatus and method suitable for making a plurality of laminated substrates by applying a plurality of laminate sheets to corresponding plurality of substrates. The apparatus includes a lamina supply member capable of holding a supply of lamina from which successive sheets of lamina can be cut. A cutter is disposed in the apparatus such that the cutter is capable of cutting through the lamina to provide said successive sheets of laminate. A heater is provided for bonding each successive sheet of laminate to a corresponding substrate whereby the corresponding laminated substrate is formed. The supply of lamina is characterized by a current leading edge. The supply of lamina is cut through along a cutting line at a predetermined distance from the current leading edge of the lamina. This provides a first sheet of laminate having a trailing edge at the cutting line. Cutting also provides the lamina supply with a successive leading edge at the cutting line. There is substantially no wasted lamina material between the trailing edge of the laminate sheet and the successive leading edge of the lamina. The laminate sheet is then bonded to a corresponding substrate. The steps of cutting the lamina along a cutting line and bonding the resultant lamina sheet to a corresponding substrate are repeated a plurality of times to yield the plurality of laminated substrates.

Laminated cards are widely used as certificates of citizenship, employee identification cards, passports, driver's licenses, transaction cards, and other applications of a similar nature in which such cards establish a person's authorization to conduct certain activities. Laminated cards typically comprise a card-shaped substrate made from a suitable material such as paper, cardboard, or plastic. Information such as photographs, data, textual information, graphics, or the like, may be printed on one or both sides of the cards. In some applications, information may also be optically or magnetically stored on recording media provided within or on the surfaces of such cards.
In view of the widespread use of laminated cards, it is important that the information provided with the cards be protected against damage. It is also important that the information be protected against unauthorized alterations. Accordingly, the information provided on the substrate may be covered by a protective plastic laminate sheet which is bonded to the substrate. Most commonly, heat-activated adhesives are used to accomplish such bonding.
When printed information on the substrate is protected by a plastic laminate sheet, the plastic sheet would have to be removed from the substrate in order to alter the printed information and then subsequently replaced after the alteration has been completed. To protect against this activity, the plastic sheet may include an authentication image of a type which is destroyed when the plastic film is removed, such as a holographic image, ultraviolet image, an image formed with pearlescent ink, a chemical patch, and the like. In an alternative approach, the authentication image is substantially invisible until the plastic is removed, after which the image becomes permanently visible. In either approach, the change in the state of the image indicates that the plastic film has been removed from the substrate. This, in turn, suggests that the printed information on the substrate may have been altered.
A number of different approaches have been used to laminate heat bondable plastic laminate sheets to card substrates, but such approaches which have been used for manufacturing large quantities of laminated cards tend to generate a substantial amount of waste material. For example, according to a "decal" approach, a 2 to 3 micron thick, heat transferrable, plastic laminate material is supported upon a carrier web. To apply the laminate material to the substrate, the substrate and the laminate material are brought into contact, and then the laminate material is transferred to the card using heat. This approach does not work too well, because the 2 to 3 micron thick coating is too thin to adequately protect the card against scratches and ultraviolet bleaching. Additionally, the left-over carrier web becomes scrap which must be thrown away. Additionally, left-over, and hence wasted, laminate material remains on the carrier web in between the transferred areas.
According to a "die-cut" approach, a much thicker laminate material is supported upon a carrier web. with the laminate material being supported upon the carrier web, a plurality of individual, spaced-apart laminate sheets are die-cut in the laminate material in a manner such that the carrier web itself is not cut at all, or at least is not cut entirely through. After die-cutting, the excess laminate material between the spaced-apart sheets is removed from the web and thrown away as scrap, thus leaving only the spaced apart, die cut sheets on the web. The individual sheets must be spaced apart relative to each other when using this approach in order to allow registration marks to be placed on the material in the unused regions between the sheets. The registration marks are used to register the sheets on corresponding substrates. Each successive die-cut sheet is then bonded to a corresponding substrate using a heater. The individual sheets must also be spaced apart in order to allow the carrier web to be pulled away from the heater after bonding in order to bring the next sheet into position for bonding to the next substrate. Like the process described above with respect to the 2 to 3 micron thick laminate material, the left-over carrier web from this approach also becomes scrap which must be thrown away.
An approach is needed which allows high volumes of laminated substrates to be fabricated without generating so much waste.

Method for applying heat bondable lamina to a substrate


The invention relates to an assembly for a cable passthrough in a wall, with a cable feedthrough (1; 20) including: a sealing section (2) made from a soft plastic component, the sealing section (2) having an opening (4) extending in the lengthwise direction for sealing accommodation of a cable that is to be passed through a housing wall; a strain relief (3) made from a hard plastic component, which is formed integrally onto the sealing section (2) and has a passthrough (5) in the lengthwise direction for the cable that is to be passed through, which passthrough (5) is aligned with the opening (4); and a slotting arrangement (6) which extends over the sealing section (2) and the strain relief (3) in the lengthwise direction of the cable feedthrough (1; 20) and through which the cable to be passed through can be introduced into the opening (4) and the passthrough (5) from the outside from a direction transverse to the lengthwise direction.

Cable feedthroughs or entries are used to introduce one or more cables into a housing, for example a switching cabinet housing, through a cutout or opening in a housing wall.
A cable grommet for a cable feedthrough is disclosed in document DE 20 2016 102 878 U1, for example.
Document WO 2016/177364 A1 describes an assembly with a wall lead-through for multiple cables. In this case, multiple sealing elements are arranged in a housing of a wall lead-through, and each receives a cable in such manner as to provide a circumferential seal.
A cable entry with strain relief is disclosed in document DE 10 2007 003 752 A1. The peripherally closed cable entry includes a sealing section and a strain relief arranged thereon. The sealing section is constructed with a sealing diaphragm which closes the opening in the cable entry and is pierced to pass the cable through, which is then surrounding in sealing manner by the sealing diaphragm. The sealing section is made from a soft elastic material, whereas the strain relief consists of a hard elastic material. When the cable entry is arranged in an opening in a housing wall, the strain relief made of hard elastic material is pushed or screwed into the opening. The sealing section is then located outside the housing opening in such a way that flanges lie next to the housing opening on the inside and the outside of the housing to provide a seal.


The invention is an improvement in a modular wall system of the type having a forward standard for attaching a merchandising display thereto. Such system also has a rearward pair of laterally-extending flanges, a web extending between each flange and the standard and at least one opening in each web for wall panel attachment. The improvement includes at least one (and preferably at least two) "slideby" brackets mounting a panel to a web. Each bracket has at least one tongue extending through the opening for slide-and-release panel mounting. The panel and attached bracket are thereby mounted or demounted without tools.

Department and other types of retail stores frequently display products on perimeter or interior walls specially configured for the purpose. Such products may be hung from hooks or brackets or displayed upon shelves which, themselves, are supported by brackets projecting from the wall. Often, such specially-configured walls are provided and installed by contractors or by contracting manufacturers on a bid basis.
Special walls constructed for the particular purpose of product display are said (in the vernacular of the industry) to include "wall standards," "key stripping" or "in-line standards." As used in the industry (and as used herein) the term "standard" is a noun referring to a vertically-oriented component, usually metal, which has spaced elongate slots along its length. Ends of support hooks or brackets are inserted into such slots to hold products or shelves.
Sometimes the wall is constructed so that the standard is concealed except to close inspection; in other wall arrangements, the standard is surface mounted. The former type is most often used commercially; the latter type is often used in private residences to make book shelves and the like. With surface mounted standards, the slotted standard is merely an "add-on" to an existing conventional wall. Of course, a benefit of wall standards is that hooks and brackets can be placed at any of a number of locations along the standard--and can just as easily be re-located as displays of products are modified to meet changing marketing needs.
Design, manufacture and installation of existing wall standard mounting systems, especially those used commercially in department stores and the like, are attended by frequently-occurring obstacles in the manufacture and sale of "wall standard" type wall display systems. These systems are very frequently sold as part of a bid project.
One obstacle is that some known systems require an existing wall for system mounting. One such system, offered by Garcy Corporation, requires that furring strips be applied to a wall before the display wall system is installed. To the extent any such system requires a wall, it loses an enormous amount of flexibility in wall placement. To put it another way, such wall display systems must be installed according to the dictates of the existing building rather than in locations most effective from a display standpoint.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,879 (Bodurow et al.) shows a wall mounting system using a rotary bolt lock to mount a panel. The bolt lock is mortised into a cavity cut into the panel edge. Locking and unlocking (for mounting and de-mounting, respectively) is by an Allen wrench inserted into an opening exposed at the panel front.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,364 (Costruba) shows a shelving support structure using sheet metal studs in a spaced, back-to-back arrangement. The studs are spaced apart by interlock members placed between the studs and each interlock member has a pair of oppositely-extending flange portions overlapping a stud flange. The structure uses spot welding and "groups" of screws to construct the standard and mount panels thereon. Such patent also illustrates how a free standing wall is constructed.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,193,885 (Gartner et al.) shows what is said to be a quickly-erectable wall with a floating wood stud. Studs are made up in advance to have several vertically-spaced clips inset into the stud by a dimension such that the laterally extending tongues of the clips are spaced away from the stud somewhat. Companion panels are grooved to accept the tongues as the studs are slipped into place.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,730,477 (Wavrunek) shows an arrangement for supporting a wall standard and permitting wall panel mounting so that the panel adjacent ends are relatively close together. U.S. Pat. No. 4,570,390 (Wendt) shows an approach somewhat like that of the Wavrunek patent and also illustrates panel notching and shaping as an aspect of panel mounting.
U.S Pat. No. 4,588,156 (Doke et al.) shows a bracket support structure in which each support has oppositely extending flanges parallel to the finished wall. Each such flange attaches to the flange of a sheet metal stud. Each support also has a pair of outward extending blades against which vertical edges of the wall board sections abut in the finished wall. The blades are of fixed dimension made to "match" wall board of a particular thickness.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,040,385 (Kellogg) shows a wall assembly using pin-and-slot mounting. Slots are cut into flanges of special studs, thereby negating the possibility of using standard sheet metal studs. U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,446 (Gudmundsson et al.) shows a relocatable vertical or horizontal wall system. The patent illustrates various ways to mount panels. Insofar as can be determined, all system components are "special." That is, standard sheet metal studs are not used and cannot be used.
Literature by Garcy Corporation describes three systems, namely, Image Plus, Adapt-A-Stud and Garcy/Stud. The first contemplates installation on furring strips mounted on an existing wall. Exterior exposed panels are retained by a rear mounted angle bracket and spring catch. The Adapt-A-Stud system uses slotted adapters mounted to a pair of spaced sheet metal studs. The slotted standard is secured with two screws through a housing and into anchor clips. The Garcy/Stud system combines the structure of two back-to-back sheet metal studs with a slotted standard. The standard is secured as in the Adapt-A-Stud system. Gypsum wall board can be mounted on both sides. It is unclear on how the wall board is secured, but it is believed to be held by fitting it into top and bottom channels as with the Image Plus system.
Another obstacle is that, characteristically, known wall standard systems are very labor intensive and require a good deal of on-site "cut and fit" by skilled, well-compensated persons. To state it differently, such systems do not lend themselves well to partial, more rapid wall fabrication at a remote manufacturing site where proper tools, jigs and the like are available.
Still another disadvantage of some known wall standard systems is that they fail to take full advantage of "parts commonality." That is, each system component is configured for a particular use in a particular part of the system and cannot be used "double duty" in any other way.
The inventive system, summarized and described in detail below, resolves many of these disadvantages in a unique way.

Modular wall system with "slideby" mounting feature


An apparatus for meltblowing multiple types of liquid materials into multi-component filaments. A pair of outer manifold elements sandwich an intermediate manifold element. Respective channels are formed between opposing sides of the outer manifold elements and the respective opposite sides of the intermediate manifold element. These recesses form channels which diverge or widen away from associated inlets at the top of the manifold assembly. A die tip is coupled to the manifold assembly at a lower side and communicates with the outlets of the channels. The die tip includes a combining member for producing a desired multi-component filament configuration and further includes air discharge passages for impinging the discharged multi-component filaments with pressurized air.

The present invention generally relates to meltblowing apparatus for dispensing thermoplastic filaments and, more particularly, apparatus for meltblowing multi-component filaments.
Meltblowing technology is used in many different applications and industries including, for example, in adhesive dispensing and nonwoven material manufacturing. This technology generally involves extruding fine diameter filaments of thermoplastic material from a row of discharge outlets and impinging the extruded filaments with pressurized air immediately upon discharge. The pressurized air may be discharged as continuous sheets or curtains on opposite sides of the discharged filaments or as individual streams associated with the filament discharge outlets. The pressurized air is often referred to as process or primary air. This air draws down or attenuates the filament diameter while the filaments are airborne. The filaments are then randomly dispersed onto a substrate or a carrier.
For certain applications, it is desirable to utilize multiple types of thermoplastic liquid materials to form individual cross-sectional portions of each filament. Often, these multi-component filaments comprise two components and, therefore, are referred to as bicomponent filaments. For example, when manufacturing nonwoven materials for use in the garment industry, it may be desirable to produce bicomponent filaments having a sheath-core construction. The sheath may be formed from a softer material which is comfortable to the skin of an individual and the core may be formed from a stronger, but perhaps less comfortable material having greater tensile strength to provide durability to the garment. Another important consideration involves cost of the material. For example, a core of inexpensive material may be combined with a sheath of more expensive material. For example, the core may be formed from polypropylene or nylon and the sheath may be formed from a polyester or co-polyester. Many other multi-component fiber configurations exist, including side-by-side, tipped, and microdenier configurations, each having its own special applications. Various material properties can be controlled using one or more of the component liquids. These include, as examples, thermal, chemical, electrical, optical, fragrance, and anti-microbial properties. Likewise, many types of die tips exist for combining the multiple liquid components just prior to discharge to produce filaments of the desired cross-sectional configuration.
One problem associated with multi-component meltblowing apparatus involves the cost and complexity of the manifolds used to transmit each of the separate component liquids to the multi-component die tip. Typical manifolds must be machined with many different passages leading to the die tip to ensure that the proper flow of each component liquid reaches the die tip under the proper pressure and temperature conditions. These manifolds are therefore relatively complex and expensive components of the multi-component meltblowing apparatus.
For these reasons, it would be desirable to provide a meltblowing apparatus having a manifold system which may be easily manufactured and yet fulfils the requirement of effectively transmitting each of the component liquids to the multi-component die tip.
The present invention therefore provides an apparatus for meltblowing multiple types of liquid materials into multi-component filaments including a unique manifold structure coupled with a multicomponent die tip. In one general aspect, the apparatus comprises an intermediate manifold element having first and second opposite surfaces. First and second outer manifold elements respectively couple to the first and second opposite surfaces and have respective opposed surfaces. Each opposed surface respectively abuts one of the first and second opposite surfaces of the intermediate manifold elements. A first channel is formed between the opposed surface of the first outer manifold element and the first opposite surface of the intermediate manifold element. A second channel is formed between the opposed surface of the second outer manifold element and the second opposite surface of the intermediate manifold element. The first and second channels have inlets for respectively receiving the first and second liquids and outlets for respectively discharging the first and second liquids. These inlets and outlets may be formed in the intermediate manifold element, in the outer manifold elements, or between the intermediate manifold element and the respective outer manifold elements. The first and second channels may comprise recesses formed in the first and second opposite surfaces of the intermediate manifold element, or recesses formed in the opposed surfaces of the first and second outer manifold elements, or any combination thereof which forms the necessary channels.
A die tip is coupled adjacent the manifold elements and includes a plurality of multi-component filament discharge outlets. The die tip further includes at least first and second liquid distribution passages adapted to receive the first and second liquids respectively from the first and second channels. A liquid combining member communicates between the first and second liquid distribution passages and the filament discharge outlets. The liquid combining member receives the first and second liquids combines these liquids into respective multi-component filaments of a desired cross-sectional configuration just prior to discharge. Air discharge outlets are positioned adjacent the filament discharge outlets for supplying pressurized air to impinge the multi-component filaments upon discharge from the die tip.
In a more specific preferred embodiment of the manifold structure, the first and second outer manifold elements have respective recesses and, more preferably, a plurality of recesses on their respective opposed surface. The intermediate manifold element is coupled between the respective opposed surfaces of the first and second outer manifold elements. The recesses on the respective first and second opposite surfaces of the intermediate manifold element communicate, and preferably align with corresponding recesses on the opposed surfaces of the first and second outer manifold elements. The communicating recesses together form at least first and second channels and, preferably, first and second pluralities of channels each having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet communicating with the die tip on the opposite sides of the intermediate manifold element.
Various advantages, objectives, and features of the invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Apparatus for meltblowing multi-component liquid filaments


The drive circuit for a matrix-type display apparatus is a scanning driver for selecting one scanning electrode respectively for four selection periods, and displaying data of each bit for four bits in a pixel on the selected electrode. The scanning driver has four shift registers corresponding to four selection periods. To these shift registers, a clock having the width of four selection periods and a bit data indicating each bit are inputted. By the AND circuit, etc., a logical product of 15 shift signals from the shift register and four select signals is obtained, and using a signal of sum (logical OR) of the logical product, the ON/OFF of a selection voltage output switch and a non-selection voltage output switch is controlled. As a result, a drive circuit suited for the multiplex driving method can be achieved.

Matrix-type display apparatuses with a memory effect include not only phase transition liquid crystal display apparatuses as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 107521/1993 (Tokukaihei 5-107521), but also ferroelectric liquid crystal display apparatuses as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 20715/1991 (Tokukaihei 3-20715), plasma display apparatuses as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 43829/1994 (Tokukaihei 6-43829), etc.
In general, the matrix-type display apparatuses have such characteristics that a selection period is required independently for each scanning electrode, which makes it impossible to select a plurality of scanning electrodes at one time. In each of the described matrix-type display apparatuses, a display is performed by varying a voltage to be applied to the scanning electrode. Specifically, a selection voltage for determining a display state of a pixel is applied, and then a holding voltage for holding the selected display state of the pixel is applied. Lastly, an erase voltage is applied to erase the display state of the pixel. The display state of the pixel can be erased also by stopping the application of the holding voltage.
In the described display apparatuses, a gray shades display is enabled, for example, by the scanning method disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 226178/1988 (Tokukaisho 63-226178). The scanning method will be explained in reference to FIG. 14.
FIG. 14 is a typical depiction of a scanning method for the matrix-type display apparatus including fifteen scanning electrodes L.sub.1 -L.sub.15, wherein the scanning electrodes L.sub.1 -L.sub.15 are selected in order according to the numbers 1-60 indicative of selection periods assigned to the top line. In respective blocks, bit numbers of data to be applied to pixels on the scanning electrodes L.sub.1 -L.sub.15 are assigned.
In this example, each bit of 4-bit data is applied to each pixel on the scanning electrode L.sub.i specified with an application of a selection voltage in each selection period. As a result, in each of the first through fourth selection periods, a pixel on the scanning electrode L.sub.15 displays the fourth bit, the pixel on the scanning electrode L.sub.1 displays the first bit, the pixel on the scanning electrode L.sub.3 displays the second bit, and the pixel on the scanning electrode L.sub.7 displays the third bit.
In FIG. 14, a non-selection voltage is applied to the scanning electrode L.sub.i to which the bit number is not assigned in each selection period.
As described, in the scanning method, a gray shades display is enabled by performing a scanning operation with a multiplex driving.
Here, a general arrangement of the ferroelectric liquid crystal display apparatus (hereinafter referred to as FLCD) to which the described scanning method is applied will be explained. The FLCD has a liquid crystal panel 61 as shown in FIG. 15. The liquid crystal panel 61 includes substrates 62 and 63 which face each other. The substrates 62 and 63 are made of a light-transmissive material such as glass, etc.
On the surface of the substrate 62, a plurality of transparent signal electrodes S made of, for example, indium tin oxide (hereinafter referred to as ITO) are placed in parallel. The signal electrodes S are coated with a transparent insulating film 64 made of, for example, silicone oxide (SiO.sub.2).
On the surface of the substrate 63, a plurality of transparent scanning electrodes L made of, for example, ITO, etc., are placed in parallel. These transparent scanning electrodes L are placed so as to cross the signal electrodes S at right angle. These scanning electrodes L are coated with a transparent insulating film 65 made of the same material as the insulating film 64.
On the insulating film 64 and 65, alignment films 66 and 67, to which uniaxial alignment process such as rubbing process, etc., is applied, are formed. For the alignment films 66 and 67, a polyvinyl alcohol, etc., is used.
The ferroelectric liquid crystals 68 are filled in a space formed between the glass substrates 62 and 63 which are laminated by a sealing agent 69 in such a manner that the alignment films 66 and 67 face each other, thereby forming a liquid crystal layer. The ferroelectric liquid crystals 68 are poured through an opening (not shown) formed in the sealing agent 69, and are sealed by closing the opening.
The substrates 62 and 63 are further sandwiched by two polarized plates 70 and 71 placed in such a manner that respective planes of polarization cross at right angle.
As shown in FIG. 16, the scanning electrode L (L.sub.o through L.sub.F) are connected to the scanning driver 81, and the signal electrodes S (S.sub.o through S.sub.F) are connected to the signal driver 82.
In the scanning driver 81, a one-bit scanning signal YI is transferred by the shift register 81a based on a clock CK, and is outputted from each output stage of the shift register 81a. The analog switch array 81b selects whether the selection voltage V.sub.c1 is to be applied to the scanning electrode L.sub.i, or the non-selection voltage V.sub.c0 is to be applied to the scanning electrode L.sub.k (k.noteq.i) depending on whether the signal outputted from the shift register 81a is in the High level or the Low level.
In the signal driver 82, the data signal XI is transferred by the shift register 82a based on the clock CK, and is outputted from each output stage of the shift register 82a. The output signal from the shift register 82a is held by a latch 82b in sync with a negative latch pulse LP. The analog switch array 82c selects whether an active voltage V.sub.S1 is to be applied to the signal electrode S.sub.j, or a non-active voltage V.sub.S0 is to be applied to the signal electrode S.sub.k (k.noteq.j) depending on whether the value held by the latch 82b is in the High level or the Low level.
In the FLCD having the described arrangement, a pixel is formed at a portion where the scanning electrode L and the signal electrode S cross. Then, by turning ON/OFF the lightening of each pixel, a display is performed on the entire liquid crystal panel 61.
As shown in FIG. 17(b), the liquid crystal molecules 91 in the pixel has a voluntary polarization P.sub.S in a direction perpendicular to the major axis direction. The liquid crystal molecules 91 move on the surface of a circular cone 92 having a vertical angle 2.theta. of twice as large as the tilt angle by receiving a force in proportion to a vector product of an electric field E generated by a potential difference between the application voltage to the scanning electrode L and the application voltage to the signal electrode S, and the voluntary polarization P.sub.S.
As shown in FIG. 17(a), when the liquid crystal molecules 91 are moved to an axis 93 by the electric field E, the liquid crystal molecules 91 become stable at position P.sub.1. When the liquid crystal molecules 91 are further moved to an axis 94 by the electric field E, and the liquid crystal molecules 91 become stable at position P.sub.2. Namely, the liquid crystal molecules 91 have the described two stable states.
Even if the liquid crystal molecules 91 are further moved by the electric field E, as long as the positions P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 do not vary, a restoring force is exerted onto the liquid crystal molecules 91 to move them back to the original stable state.
Here, by making a plane of polarization of either one of the polarization plates 70 and 71 shown in FIG. 15 to coincide with either one of the axes 93 and 94, two display states can be achieved. Specifically, the pixel having the liquid crystal molecules 91 in one stable state is in a bright display state, while the pixel having the liquid crystal molecules 91 in the other stable state is in the dark display state.
Not only the force generated by the electric field E but also a force in proportion to a product of a dielectric anisotropy .DELTA..epsilon. indicative of a difference in dielectric constant between the major axis direction and the minor axis direction of the molecule and the second power of the electric field E are exerted onto the liquid crystal molecules 91. Thus, the force exerted onto the liquid crystal molecules 91 is shown by the following formula: EQU F=K.sub.0 .times.P.sub.S .times.E+K.sub.1 .times..DELTA..epsilon..times.E.sup.2,
wherein K.sub.0 and K.sub.1 are constants.
For this reason, in the liquid crystal panel 61 in which an FLC material having a negative dielectric anisotropy .DELTA..epsilon. is sealed, when the electric field E is increased to a predetermined electric field E.sub.min, an increase in force by the negative dielectric anisotropy .DELTA..epsilon. becomes greater than an increase in force by the spontaneous polarization P.sub.S under an applied electric field E.sub.min, the force exerted onto the liquid crystal molecules 91 is maximized under the applied electric field E.sub.min. On the other hand, as a memory pulse width is known to be in reverse proportion to the force exerted onto the liquid crystal molecules 91, the memory pulse width is minimized under an applied electric field E.sub.min.
As the driving method for the FLCD utilizing the described characteristics, for example, JOERS/Alvey drive scheme (hereinafter referred to as a J/A drive scheme) is reported in "The JOERS/Alvey Ferroelectric Multiplexing Scheme" (Ferroelectrics, 1991, Vol. 122, pp.63-79) presented by Defense Research Agency in the FLC international conference (1991). The characteristics of voltage vs memory pulse width of the SCE 8 that is a FLC material available from BDH Ltd. described in the paper are shown in FIG. 18.
The circled data in FIG. 18 were measured while superimposing thereon a bias voltage of .+-.10 V shown in FIG. 19(a). On the other hand, in FIG. 18, the data marked "+" were measured while superimposing thereon a bias voltage of .+-.0 V shown in FIG. 19(b).
In the described driving method, the data in one screen is rewritten by scanning two fields. In the first field, as shown in FIG. 20(a), a voltage V.sub.SC is applied to the signal electrode S.sub.j when the selection voltage V.sub.CA is applied to the scanning electrode L.sub.i, thereby applying a voltage V.sub.A-C to the liquid crystal molecules 91 in the pixel at which the scanning electrode L.sub.i and the signal electrode S.sub.j cross each other. As a result, the liquid crystal molecules 91 can be switched to one stable state.
In the second field, as shown in FIG. 20(b), a voltage V.sub.SH is applied to the signal electrode S.sub.j when the selection voltage V.sub.CE is applied to the scanning electrode L.sub.i, thereby applying a voltage V.sub.E-H to the liquid crystal molecules 91 in the pixel at which the scanning electrode L.sub.i and the signal electrode S.sub.j cross each other. As a result, the liquid crystal molecules 91 are kept in the current stable state.
In the case of switching the stable state of the liquid crystal molecules 91 to the other stable state, first, in the first field, as shown in FIG. 20(a), a voltage V.sub.SG is applied to the signal electrode S.sub.j so as to applying the voltage V.sub.A-G to the liquid crystal molecule 91 in the pixel when the selection voltage V.sub.CA is applied to the scanning electrode L.sub.i. As a result, the stable state of the liquid crystal molecules 91 does not vary.
In the second field, as shown in FIG. 20(b), the voltage V.sub.SD is applied to the signal electrode S.sub.j when the selection volntage V.sub.CE is applied to the signal electrode S.sub.i, so as to apply the voltage V.sub.E-D to the liquid crystal molecule 91. As a result, the liquid crystal molecules 91 are switched from one stable state to the other stable state.
While the liquid crystal molecules 91 in other pixel are being switched from one stable state to the other stable state, the voltage is applied in the following manner.
As shown in FIG. 20(a), in the first field, the non-selection voltage V.sub.CB is applied to the scanning electrode L.sub.k (k.noteq.i) when the voltage V.sub.SC or the voltage V.sub.SG is applied to the signal electrode S.sub.j, thereby applying the voltage V.sub.B-C or the voltage V.sub.B-G to the liquid crystal molecules 91 in the pixel at which the scanning electrode L.sub.k and the signal electrode S.sub.j cross each other. As shown in FIG. 20(b), in the second field, the non-selection voltage V.sub.CF is applied to the scanning electrode L.sub.k when the voltage V.sub.SD or the voltage V.sub.SH is applied to the signal electrode S.sub.j, thereby applying the voltage V.sub.F-D or the voltage V.sub.F-H to the liquid crystal molecules 91 in the pixel at which the scanning electrode L.sub.k and the signal electrode S.sub.j cross each other. As a result, the stable state of the liquid crystal molecules 91 does not vary irrespectively of the applied voltage to the signal electrode S.sub.j.
The described driving method is applicable when the following conditions are satisfied:
Condition 1: Absolute values of the voltage levels -V.sub.s +Vd and V.sub.s -V.sub.d which respectively determine the voltages V.sub.A-C and V.sub.E-D shown in FIGS. 20(a) (b) indicate voltages of around 40 (V) in the characteristic diagram shown in FIG. 18 at which the force exerted onto the liquid crystal molecules 91 is in a vicinity of the maximum value; and
Condition 2: Absolute values of the voltage levels -V.sub.s -V.sub.d and V.sub.s +V.sub.d which respectively determine the voltages V.sub.A-G and V.sub.E-H shown in FIGS. 20(a) (b) are voltages of around 60 (V) in the characteristic diagram shown in FIG. 18 at which the force exerted onto the liquid crystal molecules 91 reduces from the maximum value.
Thus, the force exerted onto the liquid crystal molecules 91 with an application of voltage under the condition 1 becomes larger than the force exerted onto the liquid crystal molecule 91 with an application of voltage under the condition 2.
In order to apply the described driving method, the following conditions are also required:
The voltage V.sub.A-C takes two levels -V.sub.d and -V.sub.s +V.sub.d which are of the same polarity, and the voltage V.sub.E-D takes two voltage levels V.sub.d and V.sub.s -V.sub.d which are of the same polarity. On the other hand, the voltage V.sub.A-G takes two voltage levels V.sub.d and -V.sub.s -V.sub.d which are of opposite polarities, and the voltage V.sub.E-H takes two voltage levels -V.sub.d and V.sub.s +V.sub.d which are of opposite polarities. In the case of the same polarity, voltage levels -V.sub.S +V.sub.d and V.sub.s -V.sub.d which are easy to switch the stable state are selected. On the other hand, in the case of opposite polarities, voltage levels -V.sub.s -V.sub.d and V.sub.s +V.sub.d which are not easy to switch the stable state as compared to the case of the same polarity are selected.
The J/A drive scheme has been developed, for example, as a Malvern drive scheme that is disclosed in "A new set of high matrix addressing schemes for ferroelectric liquid crystal displays" (Liquid Crystals, Vo.13, No.4, 1993, 597-601). As shown in FIG. 21, in the J/A drive scheme (J/A in the figure), the selection voltage in the row voltage waveform is selected to have the same duration as a time slot T, while in the Malvern-2 and the Malvern-3 drive schemes respectively denoted by (M-2) and (M-3) in the figure, the selection voltages are selected to have durations of 2 times and 3 times of that of the time slot T respectively.
In the case of the FLCD as an example of the matrix-type liquid display apparatus, in the J/A drive scheme, drive voltages respectively having waveforms shown in FIGS. 20(a) and (b) are applied in the scanning of two fields required for rewriting the data of one screen, while in the drive scheme disclosed in "Color Digital Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Displays For Laptop Applications" in SID '92, as shown in FIG. 22, by adopting an erase voltage (blanking pulse BP), the data in one screen is rewritten only in the second field.
However, in the described scanning method, the scanning electrode L.sub.i is selected in a discrete manner such as L.sub.15 .fwdarw.L.sub.1 .fwdarw.L.sub.3 .fwdarw.L.sub.7. In case of scanning with the existing driver IC, problems arise in that a complicated input signal (clock, data pulse, etc.) is required, more than necessary driver IC are required, etc. For this reason, in the drive circuit constituted by the existing driver IC, it is difficult to perform a multiplex gray shades display by the described scanning method.
The multiplex gray shades display is difficult to be performed with the existing driver IC also in the case where the selection voltage is held longer than the selection period like the Malvern-2 and the Malvern-3 drive schemes as shown in FIG. 21. Specifically, for example, when the selection voltage to be applied to the scanning electrode L.sub.1 is held longer than the selection period, the selection voltage of the scanning electrode L.sub.1 also affects the scanning electrode L.sub.3 to be scanned next. As a result, not only the selection voltage to be originally applied to the scanning electrode L.sub.3 but also the selection voltage being applied over the selection period for the scanning electrode L.sub.1 are applied to the scanning electrode L.sub.3.
Furthermore, the multiplex gray shades display is difficult to be performed also in the case of scanning shown in FIG. 22 in combination with an erase voltage. Specifically, in such scanning method both the selection voltage and the erase voltage are output ted in the same selection period (see FIG. 6); however, with the existing driver IC, it is difficult to output two signals simultaneously.

Drive circuit for a matrix-type display apparatus

The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland


A method for offloading packet segmentations includes the steps of retrieving a packet segmentation offloading parameter in a packet and segmenting the packet into a plurality of sub-packets by taking consideration the packet segmentation offloading parameter. A device for offloading packet segmentations includes a packet parser configured to receive a packet to be transmitted, a header buffer controller configured to retrieve a header of the packet and connected to a buffer to access the header, an extractor configured to retrieve a packet segmentation offloading parameter in the packet, and a segmentation module configured to segment the packet into a plurality of sub-packets by taking consideration the header and the packet segmentation offloading parameter.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a network transmission technique, and more particularly, to a method for offloading packet segmentations.
2. Background
In network communication protocol, transmission control protocol (TCP) and internet protocol (IP) are two of the most important protocols called TCP/IP, wherein the transmission control protocol puts a transmission control protocol header to the beginning of transmit data and becomes a transmission control protocol segment. The transmission control protocol segment puts an internet protocol header to the beginning of transmit data and becomes an internet protocol packet.
Offloading is a mechanism to transfer parts of tasks to a network interface device, such as a network interface card, to reduce the load of the central processing unit (CPU). Segmentation is a mechanism to segment a packet to a plurality of sub-packets for data transmission. TCP segmentation offloading (TSO) combines advantages of two methods to segment by the network interface device. In one implementation, a content of a transmission control segment is segmented into a plurality of segments, and assigns the internet protocol header based on an original internet protocol header. FIG. 1 shows the diagram for offloading a TCP segmentation. Referring to FIG. 1, the length of the internet protocol packet is 64 KB, including the internet protocol header, the transmission control protocol header and the payload. The payload of the internet protocol packet is segmented into 46 parts (in FIG. 1, n equal to 46) by the TCP segmentation. Accordingly, the internet protocol packet is segmented into 46 sub-packets with the length of 1448 byte, wherein each sub-packet also includes the internet protocol header, the transmission control protocol header and the payload. The CPU can finish a 64 KB packet transmission by a transmit command through the TCP segmentation offloading mechanism.
For the network interface device of a bus master with a direct memory access, the packet is transmitted by a pointer of a transmit descriptor to retrieve a transmit packet. FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the transmit descriptor. As shown in FIG. 2, the transmit descriptor stores a plurality of pointers, each pointing to the packet to be transmitted in the memory. To support the TCP segmentation offloading mechanism, the network interface device needs the packet segmentation offloading parameter, which includes packet segmentation data such as the maximum segment size data. Most of the traditional TCP segmentation offloading mechanism uses the descriptor to carry the network segmentation offloading parameter.
FIG. 3 shows a diagram for offloading the TCP segmentation according to the prior art. Referring to FIG. 3, the TCP segmentation offloading mechanism changes the descriptor architecture, and each pointer saves extra packet segmentation offloading parameter corresponding to the packet. However, the network interface device with the traditional TCP segmentation offloading mechanism must be compatible with the descriptor architecture, and changing the descriptor architecture increases system bus usage and decreases memory efficiency.
FIG. 4 shows a diagram for offloading the TCP segmentation according to another prior art. Referring to FIG. 4, the TCP segmentation offloading mechanism also changes the descriptor architecture, and the descriptor sequentially stores packet pointers and the corresponding packet segmentation offloading parameter. However, this TCP segmentation offloading mechanism still increases system bus usage and decreases memory efficiency.
FIG. 5 shows a diagram for offloading the TCP segmentation according to another prior art. Referring to FIG. 5, the TCP segmentation offloading mechanism puts the packet segmentation offloading parameter at the beginning of each packet, i.e., increasing the length of the packet to carry the packet segmentation offloading parameter. However, this kind of TCP segmentation offloading mechanism may not be implemented in most operating systems, and the increased length decreases the memory efficiency.
FIG. 6 shows a diagram for offloading the TCP segmentation according to the prior art. Referring to FIG. 6, the TCP segmentation offloading mechanism changes the description architecture, which stores the packet segmentation offloading parameter in corresponding pointer of the packet. Unlike the method in FIG. 3, the transmit descriptor does not sequentially store the pointer of the packet and the packet segmentation offloading parameter. However, the network interface device corresponding to such TCP segmentation offloading mechanism must be capable of distinguishing the pointer from the packet segmentation offloading parameter, and therefore would increase the design complexity.
The traditional TCP segmentation offloading mechanism is shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 6, which all increases system bus usage and decreases memory efficiency. Moreover, the network interface device of a bus slave with the direct memory access, such as universal serial bus (USB) with remote network driver interface specification (Remote NDIS), can not change the specification and architecture; consequently, not suitable for the above TCP segmentation offloading mechanisms.
Accordingly, the industry needs a method and a device for offloading packet segmentations, without changing the present descriptor architecture to effectively achieve the TCP segmentation offloading, so as to be suitable for network interface devices of the bus slave with no direct memory access.

Method for offloading packet segmentations and device using the same


A sealed fluid merchandiser (12) for use in connection with a beverage dispenser (16) includes a transparent, liquid display container (60) having a narrow liquid chamber (33) for a stable liquid (21) that simulates the beverage being dispensed and a pump housing (37) for a pump (38) that pumps the liquid being simulated through a spray manifold (44) for producing an attractive spray or bubbling effect. The stable, simulated beverage liquid has a low viscosity such that it behaves substantially identical to the beverage being dispensed. The narrow liquid chamber substantially reduces the weight and expense of the fluid merchandiser.

A wide variety of beverage dispensers are presently available, including fountain dispensers, vending machines, and glass door merchandisers, among other types of beverage dispensers. Of these dispensers, the fountain type has become very popular, and is found in a wide variety of settings, including restaurants, convenience stores, and sports arenas, among many others. Fountain type dispensers are used to dispense both premix and postmix beverages, such as soft drinks and fruit juices.
To better merchandise the beverages that are dispensed from fountain dispensers, fluid merchandisers, known as "bubbler" devices, have been developed for use in conjunction with such dispensers. Typically, a bubbler device is placed on top of a fountain dispenser, and is generally in the form of one or more transparent bowls. The beverage being dispensed, or a liquid colored to appear to consumers to be the beverage being dispensed, is sprayed or bubbled within the clear bowl to give the appearance that the beverage to be dispensed is being drawn from the bowl, and is particularly fresh. The beverage dispenser and fluid merchandiser are collectively referred to as a beverage merchandiser.
Several problems have arisen with bubblers that make use of colored fluids to simulate the beverage being dispensed. For example, when such fluids are used, the possibility for the growth of microbiological organisms, such as bacteria, mold and algae, or other unsightly growths, can arise. To avoid these growths, stable fluids, that is, fluids which are resistant to organic growth, are used. However, the viscosity of such fluids is higher than that of the beverage being simulated, and therefore bubbling does not appear natural. Although the addition of water to such prior art (resulting because the prior art bowls are not hermetically sealed) fluids can reduce viscosity, this also causes unsightly precipitate to form in the bowl, and evaporation of the water results in the need for additional maintenance to maintain the proper viscosity level.
Another problem with prior art bubblers involves their general size and shape. Prior art bowls include a relatively large volume of liquid, making them heavy, unwieldy and relatively difficult to install, service, and replace. Furthermore, pumps used to bubble the fluid are not well shielded by existing bubblers, and are often somewhat visible to the consumer, thus reducing the overall appeal of the bubbler. Or, shields that are used are often conspicuous in and of themselves, such as those made of white plastic.
Many fountain dispensers are designed to dispense at least two different beverages. It is therefore desirable to include two bubblers, one for each beverage being dispensed. With some existing simulated bubbler designs, a specific bubbler is required for each of the two sides of the fountain. Therefore, such bubblers are not interchangeable. This lack of interchangeability presents inventory and flexibility problems.
Therefore, a need has arisen for an improved beverage merchandiser that substantially reduces or eliminates these and other problems associated with prior art bubblers.

Fluid merchandiser for beverage dispenser


A computerized analyzer for a transactional data stream prepares feed records from the data stream, the feed records comprising all transaction records received in a finite time slice. A new feed record is prepared for each passing time slice, and, in a preferred embodiment, new time slices are generated during operation based on record volume received during a previous time slice. The feed records are condensed to significant feed records by selecting only those transaction records in each feed record that are significant according to prestored criteria including subscriber interest records. Once a significant feed record is prepared, it is compared with subscriber interest records to produce an alert table. An alert transmitter transmits alerts to subscribers following the alert table. Alerts are deleted from the alert table as they are sent to subscribers. The system is suited to many types of transactional data streams, and suited for such as stock quote data streams.

Scholars and historians have traditionally given names to different periods based on dominant characteristics of the time. The time we live in is often called the information age. Development of more and more sophisticated communication systems together with larger and more complex institutions has made it so. Businesses of all sorts and private individuals too, rely heavily on timely information to make decisions on an ongoing basis. Timely information is truly a most important commodity.
Much, if not most information is incremental rather than continuous, and systems for assimilating, analyzing, and reporting such information must allow for this characteristic. Such information occurs and is reported in small bites. Transaction information and transaction analysis is a good example, and of this sort of information, stock sales reports are typical, and will be used as an example in the present patent application.
In the case of stock reports, such as the transactions of the New York Stock Exchange, good and timely information can easily make a difference between success and failure in stock trading. The same is true in transaction analysis in many other areas of human endeavor. In stock trading as an example, individuals making private decisions and people making decisions for large organizations, have to have certain information for their decisions, and success may well depend on quickly noting specific events or trends in transactions. If an event or trend is missed altogether or only noticed with serious delay, the result can be catastrophic.
It is quite common today among companies and individuals as well to use computer technology to track and analyze such information, and many systems for doing this sort of analysis has been developed. Some, in the case of individuals, are designed to operate on personal computers, such as laptop and desktop PCs. In the case of bigger organizations systems may operate on large and more powerful computers. Regardless of the ability of the computer equipment, however, there are still drawbacks, based primarily on the fact that the data stream in many cases is simply enormous. In the case of stock transactions for example, people make decisions based on such as instant prices, price trends, volume of sales, volume trends, high and low sales in a fixed period, and the like. Different analysts, of course, use differing criteria. To appreciate the scope of the problem, one need only check the volume of transactions for a single trading day on the New York Stock Exchange. On Jul. 16, 1996, for example, the sales volume on the New York Stock Exchange was 422,903,290 shares in the 8-hour trading day. This is more than 14,684 shares traded per second. Shares, of course, are not traded one-share-at-a-time, but typically in blocks of 100 shares. So the number of transactions (blocks) in this particular case is over 100 transactions per second. To make meaningful analysis on the basis of such a massive transaction data stream is a prodigious process.
What is clearly needed is an analysis system that can quickly and efficiently track and analyze such a massive data stream, using equipment of a reasonable size, power, and cost, and provide summary information analyzed according to diverse sets of criteria to subscribers.

System and method for a real time data stream analyzer and alert system


A system for generating an optical signal having a preselected waveform includes: a laser source; a first waveform generator configured to apply a first signal to the laser source to create a laser output; an intensity modulator configured to receive the laser output; a second waveform generator configured to apply a second signal to the intensity modulator, the intensity modulator being configured to generate a pre-distorted laser signal based on the second signal and the laser output.

1. Field
The present invention is related to a system and method for generating high energy optical pulses with an arbitrary waveform.
2. Description of Related Art
In many different fields, it is desirable to produce optical pulses with arbitrary or pre-defined waveforms having high energy (e.g., greater than 100 mJ). One technique for generating a high-energy optical pulse may involve performing amplification and frequency conversion on a low-energy optical signal using a variety of optical components. Optical amplifiers and frequency converters by their nature, however, are non-linear devices and will inherently distort the signal waveform as they increase the energy level or shift the frequency of the signal. Additionally, the amount of energy which can be stored in an amplifier is limited by amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and parasitic coupling between gain stages. Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) limits transmission capabilities of the signal pulse and also the output pulse energy that can be obtained. Accordingly, there is a need to produce a high energy optical waveform with a desired arbitrary shape and frequency with reduced signal distortion and increased pulse energy.

System and method for generating high energy optical pulses with arbitrary waveform