A method for identifying soil microbial strains which may be bacterial degraders of pollutants comprising the steps of placing a concentration of a pollutant in a substantially closed container, placing the container in a sample of soil for a period of time ranging from one minute to several hours, retrieving the container, collecting the contents of the container, and microscopically determining the identity of the bacteria present. Different concentrations of the pollutant can be used to determine which bacteria respond to each concentration. The method can be used for characterizing a polluted site or for looking for naturally occurring biological degraders of the pollutant. Then bacteria identified as degraders of the pollutant and as chemotactically attracted to the pollutant are used to inoculate contaminated soil. To enhance the effect of the bacteria on the pollutant, nutrients are cyclicly provided to the bacteria then withheld to alternately build up the size of the bacterial colony or community and then allow it to degrade the pollutant.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to remediation of contaminated soil, particularly remediation by bacteria, and more particularly the use of microbes for the degradation of chemical pollutants. The United States Government has rights in the present invention pursuant to Contract No. DE-AC09-89SR18035 between the U.S. Department of Energy and Westinghouse Savannah River Company.
2. Discussion of the Background
Use of microbes in industrial processes and pollution control continues to increase. Microbes are efficient and economical transformers of chemical compounds and intense effort is underway to find or engineer microbes suitable for various industrial purposes.
It was thought that certain types of compounds would not lend themselves to microbial degradation, compounds such as xenobiotic or synthetic chemicals, since these chemicals are usually toxic, do not occur naturally in the environment, and become recalcitrant when placed in a natural environment. However, research has shown that these, too, can be degraded. The range of applications for microbial degradation is thus greatly increased. In the treatment of effluents from sewage treatment plants and other industrial processes, microbial transformation of compounds is now common practice.
The major drawbacks in the utilization of microbes in remediation of contaminated groundwater and soils are the small size and sparse distribution of in situ microbial populations. Although found throughout the subsurface even to great depths, the concentration of microbes usually available for remediation of a plume of contaminants is generally low.
Stimulating microbes to degrade the contaminants is a possible solution to the drawbacks of small population numbers and sparse distribution. Generally, nutrients are injected or infused into the soil to provide nutrients that have become limiting to the microbes and thus promote the growth of microbial degraders. Many of these nutrients will stimulate the growth of both degraders and nondegraders. Identifying those microbes most effective at breaking down a given contaminant is a more efficient approach to remediation. Once the correct microbes are identified, nutrients optimal to those microbes can be supplied to enhance population growth. The identifying process should be as simple as possible in order to save time. Conventional methods of bioremediation site characterization, monitoring and control use culturing techniques which require days or weeks to incubate a colony large enough to visualize. Culturing is inaccurate because it is not specific and does not allow all environmentally active microbes to grow.
Microbes move in the ground sometimes randomly, sometimes with the flow of ground water and sometimes in response to taxis effects. A particular type of taxis is chemotaxis, defined as the movement of microorganisms toward or away from a chemical. Chemotaxis is positive or negative depending on whether it is toward or away from the chemical, respectively. Through chemotaxis, microbes seek optimum surroundings, such as those having nutrients, and avoid unfavorable ones, such as those without nutrients or with toxins. The movement is characterized by two actions, one called "runs" and one called "twiddles". When the organism runs, it swims steadily in a gently curved path. When it twiddles, it stops and jiggles in place. After a twiddle, the organism runs off again in a new direction. A twiddle is a random event, and following a twiddle, the direction for the next run is also random. When a chemical gradient is added, the random movements become biased. As the organism experiences higher concentrations of an attractant, the runs become longer and the twiddles become less frequent.
Although chemotaxis is not completely understood, it is believed that a set of proteins, called chemoreceptors, exist in the cell wall or membrane of the microorganisms and are specific for groups of closely-related compounds. A second set of proteins, methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCP), translates chemotactic signals to the flagellar motor of the microorganism. Methylation catalyzes the MCP to produce a chemical mediator that diffuses the flagellar motor so that it rotates in the same direction, thereby lengthening runs and decreasing twiddles of the microorganism's motion until the microorganism can no longer sense a concentration gradient in the chemical substance. At some point the microorganism's receptors saturate and no further increase in the substance will increase the chemotacic response.
The chemotaxis of a microbe can be used to advantage when determining which microbe will degrade a given pollutant.

Chemotactic selection of pollutant degrading soil bacteria

The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy


The present disclosure relates to a process for preparing alkali metal salt of carboxyalkyl ether of tamarind gum with one or more improved properties like improved viscosities and electrolytic stability. Particularly the present disclosure provides a process for preparing alkali metal salt of carboxyalkyl ether of tamarind gum comprising:    (a) permeating a pulverized tamarind gum powder by mercerizing said pulverized tamarind gum powder in the presence of an alkali, and a non-aqueous organic polar solvent present in an amount of at least 2 times the amount of the tamarind gum v/w;    (b) carrying out etherification of alkali-tamarind gum with etherifying agent to provide an alkali metal salt of carboxyalkyl ether of tamarind gum;    in which, steps of mercerizing the pulverized tamarind gum powder and etherification are carried out separately or simultaneously.

Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
Tamarind gum has wide applications in the fields of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, Textile manufacturing, Paper Manufacturing, Water based paint manufacturing, Construction Chemical, and food. In the recent years, it is widely tested and employed in various drug delivery applications as effective pharmaceutical excipients, textile printing thickener, and many other applications. However, it has some potential drawbacks such as unpleasant odor, dull color, tendency of fast Bio-degradability in aqueous environment. Also, it is extremely difficult to dissolve, as it is not cold water soluble and requires high temperature to completely homogenize it as a viscous solution requiring long periods of soaking before they can be thoroughly dispersed. This is a particular disadvantage where an aqueous solution of such gum is desired to be prepared using room temperature water and wherein a good shelf life of such a product is desired. In addition such gums frequently do not disperse and solubilise completely, and solutions of commercially available gums are usually turbid and contain suspended solid particles. Moreover, such solutions are usually fairly viscous and exhibit undesirably poor flow rheology at high viscosities accordingly incapable of filtrating through very fine mesh size pores for removal of the insoluble solids.
To overcome these restrictions, tamarind gum has been functionally derivatized through chemical treatment with a variety of functional groups such as carboxymethyl, acetal, hydroxyl alkyl, thiol, polymer grafting, etc. In general carboxyalkylated derivatives of tamarind gum are synthesized from the native gum through functional modification. Recently, in the polymer research, carboxyalkyl modifications gums are extensively studied conversion. Such functionally derivatized tamarind gums hold a great promise because of its improved stability, lower bio-degradability, flow rheology, cold water solubility, controlled particle size, improved Purity & mechanical behavior as well as competence in prolonged period-controlling drug releases.
It has now been discovered that carboxyalkyl ethers, and especially alkali metal salts of the carboxyalkyl ethers of tamarind gum are readily dispersible and form solutions of excellent clarity.
In general, functionalized derivatives of tamarind gum are synthesized through the conventional method by Williamson's etherification reaction using monochloroacetic acid and sodium hydroxide in the aqueous milieu at higher temperature. However, the Williamson's etherification reaction suffers from the disadvantage that it may direct to the nonspecific degradation via β elimination and/or peeling reaction initiated at decreasing sugar units because of highly alkaline pH environment, which sequentially decreases the molecular weight of the derivatized gum.
The aqueous medium method has been practiced for many years for synthesizing derivatized tamarind gum also suffers from shortcomings. In this method, the ratio of effective utilization of the etherifying agent (the ratio of (a) the amount of the etherifying agent that becomes bonded to the Tamarind, to (b) the amount of the etherifying agent initially charged) is high. However, due to non-purification slurry method the level of impurities are rather high and a high viscosity polymer is not achieved, such functionalized derivative exhibits poor pseudo plastic flow, low stability to electrolytes and poor filterability.
To overcoming such disadvantages, a solvent based method was attempted as a method characterized by a high effective utilization ratio of monochloroacetic acid used as etherifying agent, and a non-water containing inorganic polar solvent, in presence of alkali. In this method, the amount of the solvent required was from 2 to 10 times the amount of the tamarind gum. As per the conventional powder reaction process or water medium method an organic non-polar solvent was used in an amount at least 30 times the weight of the tamarind gum or dry blending at high temperature processed. Thus, in the solvent based method, a high effective utilization ratio of monochloroacetic acid could be attained, but it was difficult to obtain functionalized derivative having a high viscosity due to reduction in side reaction property. Thus, this method too suffered from limitations.
It is known that the flow characteristics of functionalized derivatives of tamarind gum are generally influenced by the distribution of the substituents introduced by the etherification. Accordingly, attempts were made to obtain improved viscosity characteristics However, in these attempts, the ratio of the amount used of the alkali increased and the effective utilization ratio of the monochloroacetic acid was reduced leading to further depolymerization of the main chain of the tamarind gum and therefore, the performance advantage inherent in the non polar solvent, water solvent, and dry blending methods is lost.
The flow characteristics, namely the viscosity characteristics of functionalized derivatives of tamarind gum are found to be influenced by the manufacturing conditions, but according to process conditions for providing functionalized derivatives of tamarind gum having high viscosity characteristics, solubility in cold water, filterability, flow characteristics, stability to acids, alkalis, and electrolytes, and other desired requisite characteristics important for various industrial applications have not yet been achieved with the conventional methods and other approaches attempted. Lack of various desired properties of functionalized derivatives of tamarind gum has also imposed limitations on exploiting it for newer applications.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a simple, cost effective, and industrially applicable process for synthesizing alkali metal salt ether of carboxyalkyl tamarind gum with higher purities, viscosities and electrolytic stability suitable for industrial applications.

Process for preparing alkali metal salt of carboxyalkyl ether of tamarind gum


A pressure gage detects a pressure in a vacuum-processing container as an electrical signal. A pressure detection signal from the pressure gage includes an error over time. An error detecting unit detects a signal representing the error which is output from the pressure gage while the vacuum-processing container is set at a predetermined calibration pressure. A correction value calculating unit calculates, in accordance with the signal representing the error which is detected by the error detecting unit, a signal representing a correction value used in order to cancel the signal representing the error. A correcting unit adds the pressure detection signal from the pressure gage to the signal representing the correction value which is calculated by the correction value calculating unit while an instruction for setting an interior of the vacuum-processing container at a desired pressure value is output, thereby eliminating the error over time which is included in the pressure detection signal. A pressure controlling unit controls the interior of the vacuum-processing container at the desired pressure value in accordance with an output signal from which the error over time has been eliminated by the correcting unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a vacuum-processing apparatus and, in particular, to a vacuum-processing apparatus with an auto-calibration for an output of a pressure gage.
2 Description of the Related Art
In the process of manufacturing a semiconductor device, various types of well-known vacuum-processing apparatuses are used.
For example, a plasma etching apparatus is developed as one of the apparatuses that execute the dry etching technique for performing ultra micropatterning so as to satisfy the recent demand for high-density packaging and high integration. That is, the plasma etching apparatus utilizes a technique for producing a volatile material by causing ions or molecules in a plasma, which is generated by discharge in a processing chamber set at a low vacuum by introducing a predetermined gas, to react with a material to be etched.
In various types of vacuum-processing apparatuses such as a plasma etching apparatus, for example, to control the vacuum degree of the processing chamber at a predetermined value is an important factor that significantly influences the yield of the product. In this case, a pressure gage used for detecting the pressure, i.e., the vacuum degree of the processing chamber must have an anticorrosion property against a gas and the like subjected to reactions in the processing chamber and must be able to constantly detect an accurate vacuum degree.
For this purpose, for example, a pressure gage called a capacitance manometer which has an anticorrosion property is used in order to detect the pressure in the processing chamber and to control the detected vacuum state.
A conventional vacuum-processing apparatus uses such a pressure gage to detect the pressure state in the processing chamber as a voltage signal and to control and drive a pump and the like which performs vacuum suction of the interior of the processing chamber based on an output signal.
However, in the pressure gage of this type, its output value largely varies from time to time. Therefore, calibration of the pressure gage output must be performed at least once a day to perform zero point adjustment.
This zero point adjustment (calibration) of the pressure gage output is conventionally performed by an operator by manually operating a volume control so that the meter value indicates the 0 point.
In order to constantly adjust an error of the pressure gage in this manner, volume control adjustment of the pressure gage must be frequently performed manually, leading to a cumbersome operation. If the operator has forgotten to perform the 0 point adjustment, the interior of the vacuum chamber cannot be set in an appropriate vacuum state. When processing is to be performed in this chamber, an appropriate processing condition cannot be set. In a worst case, a pump and the like may overrun and thus cause an accident.

Plasma processing apparatus using capacitance manometer and pressure control method thereof


A system includes a robotic system including a robot disposable at a mobile workstation, where the robot is configured to perform an automated operation on a workpiece. The system includes one or more transfer robots configured to transfer the robotic system to or from the mobile workstation. The system includes a control system configured to command the transfer robot to perform a transfer operation of the robotic system, where the transfer operation includes at least one of disposing the robotic system at the mobile workstation or retrieving the robotic system from the mobile workstation. The control system is configured to control the mobile workstation and the robotic system based on image data from the one or more infrastructure sensors, position data from the one or more on-board position sensors, the automated operation to be performed by the robot, or a combination thereof.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
A manufacturing environment can include a fixed workpiece and one or more robots that perform various manufacturing processes on the fixed workpiece as the workpiece traverses through an assembly line. However, certain manufacturing processes performed by the robots, such as three-dimensional (3D) printing, are not suitable when large numbers of fixed workpieces traverse through the assembly line due to the amount of time needed to complete the manufacturing process. Furthermore, certain manufacturing processes require physical access to the fixed workpiece, thereby inhibiting the efficiency of the manufacturing environment.
These issues with certain manufacturing processes in a manufacturing environment, among other issues with said manufacturing processes, are addressed by the present disclosure.

Method and system for operating a transfer robot in a manufacturing environment


A toner for developing an electrostatic latent image, including toner particles each containing a black colorant and a binder resin, wherein the black colorant comprises a metal oxide having a number average particle diameter in the range of 20 to 100 nm in an amount of 10 to 40% by weight based on a total weight of the toner particles.

This invention relates to a toner for developing an electrostatic latent image in electrophotography, electrostatic recording, electrostatic printing and so on, and to a method for producing the toner. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a black toner without using carbon black.
Carbon black has been conventionally used as a black colorant for a toner for developing an electrostatic latent image in image forming machines such as copying machines, laser printers and facsimile machines. However, because of a problem of carcinogenesis, the use of toners without carbon black has been long desired. While a magnetic material is a black colorant, the use thereof is limited to a magnetic toner. An organic black colorant such as aniline black and a Nigrosine dye has a problem because a high density image is not obtainable.
Japanese Patent No. 2736680 proposes a black metal oxide pigment composed of Fe2TiO5 and Fe2O3—FeTiO3 and a particle diameter of 0.1 to 0.5 μm. While this black pigment is safe, non-magnetic and heat resistant, it is necessary to use a large amount, i.e. 40 to 60% by weight based on the weight of the toner, in order to obtain color density comparable to the known carbon black toner. Because of high specific gravity of the black pigment, however, the toner containing such a large amount of the black pigment has 1.4 to 1.8 times as great a specific gravity as that of the conventional carbon black toner. Thus, the black metal oxide pigment poses a lot of problems such as occurrence of abnormity in a toner density sensor or a toner amount sensor and short lifetime of carriers.
Japanese Patent No. 2997206 proposes a toner containing a black metal oxide pigment composed of oxides of cobalt, manganese and iron and having a specific surface area of 50 to 100 m2/g. Because of the extremely fine particle size, this black pigment can afford image density comparable to the conventional carbon black colorant even when used in an amount of 10 to 30% based on the weight of the toner. However, the pigment is apt to form an aggregate and is not uniformly dispersed in the toner. As a consequence, the charging amount of the toner is insufficient and the developing efficiency is not good.

Black toner, image forming method and image forming apparatus using the toner


A sampling apparatus for taking a sample from the body of a patient is easily rotatable while the sample is being taken. This allows the physician to aspirate or draw the sample, rotating the sampling apparatus while holding stationary a syringe or other container for receiving the sample.

Medical devices that can remove samples from a body are used often. One type of device is fairly simple, amounting to a syringe with a sampling train and a thin tube to reach the sampling area. The tubing is typically very thin, so as to be very flexible and to reach into far areas of the body. The sampling train is typically little more than a connector to connect the tubing to a syringe. The syringe is then used both to provide suction to the tubing, and also to store the sample that is thus aspirated.
These devices are used to aspirate samples from a number of areas of the body that are not readily accessible. Included are esophageal samples, gastroenterological samples, urological samples, and samples from the vagina and uterus. One example is a procedure that is performed fairly frequently, a sampling of the endometrium of the uterus. In order to extract a sample, a physician must infiltrate the tubing into the desired area, ensuring that the tubing goes into the correct area of the body, and that no body tissues will be harmed by the sampling apparatus or by the aspiration of the sample. Once the physician is assured that the sampling tubing is placed properly, a sample is taken by aspiration. In order to take a good sample, the physician draws the plunger out of the syringe, causing aspiration at the distal end of the tubing. The physician must also rotate the syringe and plunger while aspirating, in order to insure that a representative and adequate sample is taken.
This procedure is very difficult to perform, requiring a great deal of dexterity and coordination, and the procedure is not always successful because of this difficulty. Thus, the procedure must sometimes be repeated, with all necessary steps re-taken to insure that the tubing is properly placed. A better procedure for aspirating samples is needed.


Methods and the systems for providing an interactive, program based product introduction experience are described. In one example, video content may be captured, enriched with product data, and provided on-demand to interactive user devices. Users viewing the content may be presented with supplemental information or resources allowing those users to obtain more information about objects appearing in the video, or purchase products that may be a sociopathic with those objects. The objects appearing in the video may be passively up hearing, rather than explicitly introduced or offered for sale as part of the original video content. However, the supplemental information allows such users to discover and/or purchase new products through interactivity with the video content.

Website shopping provides static images and video of products that are offered for sale. Home shopping networks provide potential customers who view a television program the ability to call or use the Internet to view and order products that are discussed during the television program. These product offerings systems have drawbacks. In the case of web site shopping, the extent of user interactivity is limited because the display of the product relates to the product alone, rather than displaying the product in the context of its use in a room, or commentary by a knowledgeable spokesperson. In the case of home shopping networks, a knowledgeable spokesperson may discuss a product, but that discussion is unnatural because it focuses specifically on sales of the product, rather than discussing the product in the context of other topics. Still further, in the case of home shopping networks, a user often is required to use a different mechanism to actually order a desired product, typically by phone or Internet. Accordingly, improvements in purchasing products that display the products in their useful environments are desirable.

Interactive purchasing of products displayed in video


A workstation with multiple, functionally related displays clustered under and controlled by a common transparent overlay control device. The position of a hand-held stylus is sensed by the overlay control device and is used as a system input to control system operations, system communications and input, manipulation and editing of images displayed on the displays. Control of certain workstation operations is achieved by directing the stylus towards function symbols which are affixed to the overlay surface. Actuators or other adjustment mechanisms are provided for adjustment of the height and pitch of the workstation for the comfort of the operator. Further, the workstation provides integrated data audio communication over ordinary narrow-band telephone lines or high speed data lines with other linked workstations.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic image processing workstation, and more particularly to a workstation comprising functionally integrated multiple displays that are clustered under a single transparent energized conductive surface, which operates as an input device and a functionally integrated communication link. Each display is optimized for a particular function. The present invention maximizes the ability of the user to create, capture, manipulate, annotate, reproduce, file, transmit and otherwise communicate electronic images.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Since the development of the personal computer, computers are now used in virtually every business. As use of computers increased systems were developed primarily to meet the specific needs of particular business sectors. For example, it is common to find, within a single business, computer applications for word processing, computer graphics, computer aided drafting, accounting, marketing data bases, project tracking, computer aided design, and corporate electronic publishing. However, while many of these applications can be accomplished with interchangeable application-specific software packages, they often utilize general purpose workstation hardware that is neither powerful enough nor application specific enough to optimize performance.
Prior art single-display workstations also are limited in their lack of display flexibility. Prior art workstations do not provide for both the document quality of high resolution black and white displays and the descriptiveness of multi-color graphics. Frequently in presenting information, the need arises to display color graphics that relate to displayed text. General purpose workstations are incapable of providing both displays on the same system.
Another limitation of prior art workstations is that they often utilize screen-displayed menu-driven software. Though screen-menu systems make operating systems easier to use, they have several characteristics that limit their performance, particularly in single display workstations where menu and work must share a single device. Screen-menu systems decrease the speed of the system due to the time required to regenerate or reprint the screen each time the menu is called or released. Further, whether keyboard or mouse controlled, menu systems require repetitious manual movements to reach the desired menu level. Moreover, in screen-menu systems, the menu is not visible to the user prior to its being called. Since the menu is hidden from the user, there is no constant visual reminder of the potential functions offered by the system.
Prior art workstations also fail to address the need for systems integration. Systems integration is necessary to provide users with a system that is both flexible in its applications, yet easy for the operator to learn and use. Of the current workstations, few offer highly efficient integration of system functions. Current workstations generally fall in one of two categories: (1) systems that are highly flexible and accommodate a variety of applications but are complex and require extensive training to use; or (2) systems that are easy to use but are rigidly designed for specific applications. Prior art workstations do not provide highly flexible systems wherein the complexity of the system is transparent to the user.
Prior art workstations also lack an integrated real-time full-duplex communication capability. Without this capability they cannot allow dispersed users to edit a single document as a simultaneous group activity. Without systems integration, workstations also are unable to integrate voice communications into the workstation. While working at a workstation, it is often necessary to discuss the activity in which the user is engaged. However, for the voice portion of the communication, the user must use standard telephone communications, which causes many inconveniences and delays. If a hand-held telephone is used, activity at the workstation is impaired due to stopping of activity while the user speaks, using one hand to hold the telephone, or inconveniently cradling the telephone between the ear and shoulder. If a speaker-phone is used, and workstation information is being transmitted via modem, the two types of information are usually not synchronized. The lack of integrated of voice and data communications capability in the prior art workstations prohibits the transmission of synchronized data and communications between workstations.
Prior art workstations also are limited in their ability to display and manipulate true graphic images. Current workstation displays are designed for ASCII-code character display. These ASCII-code based displays place characters at fixed character row and column positions and cannot arbitrarily rotate and translate characters and cannot mix these characters freely with graphics. Thus, in electronic publishing, for example, these prior art displays cannot accommodate and display kerning, ligature, and runaround type setting, to name just a few specialized type sets.
Another limitation of prior art work stations is restricted size of their field of view. The field of view of most workstation displays is limited to 23 rows for ASCII-code based systems. Since a standard hardcopy page is commonly 66 lines of text in length, the restricted field of view complicates the composition and modification of a standard page of text. Display of only 23 lines of text also increases the time and effort spent in moving from page to page within a document, as numerous keystrokes are required to view the entire document.
Inherent in current workstations is the inability to modify displayed images by allowing the user to interact directly with the displayed image. Instead, users are required to use a mouse, lightpen, or digitizing tablet. However, these input devices require the user to split his attention between the display and the input device. The user must watch a display located in one place, while manually controlling an input device located elsewhere.
Yet another limitation of current workstations is their inability to overlay and/or combine images, graphics and text. Overlaying is extremely useful in describing or modifying a displayed drawing. For one example to compare two images. For another example, when discussing a hardcopy drawing, it is often useful to graphically embellish the presentation with a colored ink pen. Without the ability to do overlays and combinations, the usefulness and power of current workstations is greatly limited in such applications.
Finally, prior art workstations generally require extensive preparation prior to presentation of material and do not readily accommodate modifications. For example, during a presentation, a need often arises for graphical annotation of the subject material. With current workstations, the modification is completed only after considerable effort in resetting parameters and re-positioning graphics characters. Since most of the current workstations do not allow for quick real-time annotation, any required annotation usually cannot be completed during the presentation period.
Prior art workstations also offer only a limited range of adjustment of display positions. Some offer upright displays that are difficult on which to write. Others offer flat displays that inhibit group viewing. Still others have limited freedom of height adjustment making them difficult to adapt to persons of differing sizes. The lack of height adjustment inhibits use of the workstation for both sitting and standing operation. As a further example of the ergonomic restrictiveness of prior art workstations, a typical configuration that is suitable for word processing often is not suitable for computer aided drafting, while a typical configuration that is suitable for computer aided drafting often is not suitable for word processing. Moreover, neither of these configurations functions effectively as a lectern apparatus for addressing an audience.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to overcome the limitations of the prior art by providing an improved system with multiplay displays that maximizes the ability of the user easily to capture, create, manipulate, annotate, reproduce, file, transmit, and otherwise communicate electronic images.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide an overlay mode that enables overlays of any combination of images, graphics, or text.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a flexible image display workstation that integrates voice and data communications with advanced image processing capability.
Another objective of the present invention is a workstation which performs image editing functions including rotation, scaling up or down in size in either or both directions, cutting, pasting annotation, "white-out", "restoration" (to previous state), and other editing functions.
Yet another objective of the present invention is a workstation which performs hierarchical filing, such as file drawers containing files which contain documents which comprises pages, including filing functions such as copy, move, delete, and reorganize.
Still another objective of the present invention is a workstation which compartments image memory either literally or virtually (by means of software) into common visual space (seen by all communication linked stations--all "conferees") and personal visual space (seen only by the individual workstation).
One more objective of the present invention is a workstation which can be controlled from beginning to end of session with a stylus which can serve as: a function selector, a pen, an eraser, a pointer, a mouse, and/or a keyboard.
Yet one more objective of the present invention is a workstation which provides a paperless editing facility and a paperless facsimile machine.
Finally, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a flexible image display workstation that is suitable for mounting in a mechanical structure that can be manipulated as to orientation and height to allow optimization as to user physical attributes and user intended activity.

Multiple display workstation with conductive surface overlay control


The invention relates to a shoe, in particular a sprint shoe, including a plate arranged in a sole area of the shoe. The plate extends essentially over the complete length of the sole area and is substantially planar in a forefoot part and is constructed of a material and configured to allow for elastic bending of the plate in the longitudinal direction, and is configured to three-dimensionally encompasses a rearfoot part of the foot. Optionally, the plate includes a heel cup in the rearfoot part to cradle the foot. Further, a wedge- or rib-like raised part may be arranged below the heel cup.

Sport shoes for track and field competitions, in particular for sprinting over short distances, have conflicting requirements. For example, the shoes should be as lightweight as possible, because the weight of the shoes can obstruct fast movements of an athlete during the sprint. The importance of lightweight construction follows from the fact that a reduction of the weight of the shoe by 30 g leads to a reduction of energy consumption during running of 0.3%; however, the shoes must have sufficient stability against deformation so that the foot is sufficiently supported and guided during running.
Another consideration in the construction of sprint shoes is the elastic storing of energy by the shoe during the course of movement. During each landing phase, the shoe is deformed in the forefoot part by the rolling-off with the ball of the foot and the toes. During the subsequent push-off with the toes, the foot is straightened and the shoe returns to its original shape. These movements are repeated with each step during running.
In contrast to the commonly used layer ensemble of foamed materials for the forefoot part of a normal sports shoe, it may be possible to provide for an elastic storing of energy needed for the deformation of the shoe by a flat bending elastic plate in the forefoot part of sprint shoes, which extends into the mid and rearfoot part. In a step cycle, this plate is bent in its longitudinal direction during the rolling-off phase and elastically springs back during the subsequent push-off to its original shape and thereby supports the course of movements of the sprinter.
One example of such a bending elastic plate is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,130. The essentially flat plate of carbon fibers disclosed therein has a great bending stiffness in a longitudinal direction. It occupies the complete width of the sole in the forefoot part, but is considerably narrower in the rearfoot part, purportedly to allow, apart from storing energy, good damping of the shoe by viscous materials during first ground contact.
Another example of a bending elastic plate is disclosed in European Patent No. 0 272 082. Here, the flat plate also extends essentially over the complete length of the shoe. An additional damping material may be provided in the rearfoot part, purportedly to reduce the stress on the foot during the ground contact of the heel.
Sprint shoes according to the above discussed prior art however, have the disadvantage that the spring force of the elastic plate is not sufficiently transmitted during push-off to the complete foot. In particular, the heel part is not sufficiently included in the overall procedure due to the softer materials provided in the heel part. Although the plate itself stores energy elastically, with minimal losses, the return of invested energy, the intended effect, is only partially achieved.


In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes multiple I/O banks, each bank having multiple I/O-ESD tiles, each tile having one or more I/O circuits and electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuitry for the one or more I/O circuits in the tile. The ESD circuitry for one tile includes at least one RC-triggered clamp, whose resistance is provided by a resistor shared by one or more other RC-triggered clamps in one or more other tiles of the same bank and whose capacitance is provided by a combination of distributed capacitors, one for each of those two or more RC-triggered clamps. Each tile may have multiple instances of such RC-triggered clamps providing ESD protection for different (e.g., power supply and/or bus) nodes. The shared resistors are variable to allow different instances of the same ESD circuitry design to be implemented with the same time constant for different banks having different numbers of tiles.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronics and, more specifically but not exclusively, to electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection schemes for integrated circuits and the like.
Description of the Related Art
This section introduces aspects that may help facilitate a better understanding of the invention. Accordingly, the statements of this section are to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admissions about what is prior art or what is not prior art.
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a transient discharge of static charge flowing through an integrated circuit (IC) that arises from either human handling or machine contact. In order to prevent damage to core circuitries, it is standard industry practice to provide ICs with built-in ESD structures designed to handle ESD events. One common technique is to employ an RC (resistance-capacitance)-triggered clamp having a shunt transistor that turns on upon the occurrence of an ESD event to provide a path that shunts the ESD voltage and current from the ESD-affected node to ground and then turns off after the ESD event is over. The shunt transistor is controlled by an RC trigger consisting of a series combination of a resistor and a capacitor that establishes an RC time constant that controls the timing of the turning on and off of the shunt transistor.
A typical IC may have a different instance of ESD circuitry for each different group of input/output (I/O) circuits in the IC, where each instance of ESD circuitry may have multiple RC-triggered clamps protecting, for example, different nodes associated with different IC power supplies. In general, it is typically desirable to minimize the amount of layout area dedicated to such ESD circuitry.


A vehicle driver guarding system using a vehicle telematics service and a control method thereof are provided. The vehicle driver guarding system includes: a vehicle telematics system for receiving a final destination, calculating a final destination arrival expectation time, notifying a central information center of the calculated expectation time through a mobile communication system, receiving a vehicle driver guard confirmation message from the central information center, and transmitting a response message to the received confirmation message, to the central information center; and the central information center being notified of the expectation time, transmitting the vehicle driver guard confirmation message to the vehicle telematics system when the notified expectation time lapses and then a preset time lapses, and performing a vehicle driver guarding function upon non-reception of the response message within the preset time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle driver guarding system and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a vehicle driver guarding system using a position tracking service of a vehicle telematics service, and a control method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a vehicle telematics system detects occurrence of vehicle accident or theft, guides a vehicle running path, and provides a vehicle driver with a variety of other information using a mobile communication method and a position tracking method associated with Internet. In other words, the vehicle telematics system provides information through a vehicle based on a mobile communication system and a navigation system using a global positioning system (Hereinafter, referred to as "GPS") satellite. In other words, the vehicle telematics system provides a variety of vehicle telematics services, such as traffic information, countermeasure to emergency situation, remote vehicle diagnosis, and use of Internet (for example, financial transaction, provision of news, and transmission and reception of e-mail), using the navigation system and the mobile communication system.
At present, the vehicle using the vehicle telematics system can communicate information such as a current vehicle position and a traffic circumstance, using a position tracking function of the navigation system. In case where a vehicle accident occurs, a central information center recognizes that the vehicle accident occurs, and provides a service for occurrence of the vehicle accident. However, the service for the accident occurrence is provided in a format of notifying the vehicle accident after the vehicle accident occurs, and is impossible to guard the vehicle driver in case where the vehicle accident does not occur or the vehicle driver does not directly separately notify the central information center of the vehicle accident.
However, at present, the traffic circumstance and a variety of general traffic circumstances threaten a safety of the vehicle driver and accordingly, it is being required for a method for guarding the vehicle driver even when a direct vehicle accident does not occur or the vehicle driver does not directly separately notify the central information center of the vehicle accident.

Vehicle driver guarding system using vehicle telematics service and control method thereof


Adhesive compositions and a method for selecting adhesive compositions are disclosed herein. Preferred adhesives generally have small domains and/or a homogeneous domain distribution. The method of selecting adhesives is based on size and distribution of the domains.

Adhesives can be made in many forms. Many adhesives are made from relatively high molecular weight polymers mixed with low molecular weight tackifying resins. They may or may not be further combined with other components such as oil or wax to control properties such as viscosity at application temperature, adhesive open time, and set time.
Polymers supply many of the basic adhesive properties such as cohesion and elongational and elastic behaviors. Relatively low molecular weight resins (usually with number average molecular weights (Mn) ranging from 300 to 2000) are useful in adhesive applications. When combined with polymers such as those described above, these low molecular weight resins decrease the entanglement density of the polymer chains, which improves the adhesive properties. Tackifiers also have relatively high glass transition temperatures (Tg) for such low molecular weight amorphous materials. The Tg is typically from below 0° C. to about 90° C. Tackifiers interact with the polymer chains and associate with the amorphous polymer phases at the desired operating temperatures; therefore, good compatibility and dispersion is desired for advantageous performance.
Other components are often used and dispersed in the adhesive matrix. Waxes are often used in hot-melt adhesives (HMAS) to lower viscosity at the application temperature and to decrease the set time of the adhesive bond. The waxes crystallize rapidly resulting in a step-change in viscosity during cooling and preventing movement of the bond. For good adhesion, the wax crystals are preferably as small as possible and preferably do not form a wax surface layer on the adhesive.
It is desirable to keep a continuous polymer phase in the bulk phase to enable elongation of the matrix under stress. If this is not done, the adhesive may break at very short extensions and not be able to absorb the energy during bond deformation. It is therefore desired to have an adhesive having small and/or homogeneously distributed domains as described herein.
Good surface phase structures or domains are also desirable. Many adhesives have good adhesion to certain substrates but not to others. For example, some adhesives do not exhibit high all-around performance on polar surfaces, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylic varnishes or low energy surfaces such as polyethylene or fluorinated substrates. The adhesive industry recognizes this problem but has yet to achieve a solution. Background references include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,554,304, 4,719,260, WO 03/025036, WO 03/025037, WO 03/025038, WO 03/025084, JP 52 090535 A, and EP 0 803 559 A.
Thus, a need exists for optimum adhesives that achieve good adhesive performance regardless of the substrate. There also exists a need for a method to determine which adhesive compositions might be candidates for excellent performance on multiple substrates.
While not wishing to be bound by any theory, Applicants believe that adhesive performance, including the debonding process, is dependent on the phase structures (also referred to herein as domains) in the bulk of the adhesive and on the surface of the adhesive. When the pull-off force domains or stiffness domains are below a certain area and/or have a good homogeneous domain distribution, the overall adhesive performance is believed to be better.

Adhesive compositions and method for selection thereof


A semiconductor package that includes a compound component and a diode arranged in a cascode configuration to function as a rectifier.

Power semiconductor devices, including rectifiers used for PFC (power factor correction) applications, that include a single material semiconductor device, such as a silicon-based power semiconductor device (e.g. silicon-based or SiC based diodes), are well known. For example, silicon carbide (SiC) high voltage schottky rectifiers offer an absence of recovery charges, which makes them suitable for hard switched, high frequency applications like power factor correction. However, such rectifiers typically have inherent weaknesses, such as a surge current capability and forward conduction limitations.
CSC transistors, e.g. heterojunction III-nitride based power semiconductor devices (referred to hereafter as compound semiconductor component, or CSC), for example, high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), metal insulator semiconductor (MISHEMTs), metal oxide semiconductor (MOSHEMTs), and the like devices, are known. An example of a bidirectional CSC is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/056,062, assigned to International Rectifier and incorporated herein by reference. It is known to arrange a bidirectional CSC with a diode in a cascode configuration in a circuit to obtain a rectifier suitable for applications such as PFC.
It is desirable to have a CSC packaged with a diode to use as a rectifier package that can be used as an integrated device in a power application such as a PFC.


A wireless communication apparatus compensates for phase and amplitude imbalances existing among transmit and receive branches, while also preventing likelihood information and SNR estimation error produced by such imbalance compensation. In an apparatus having a plurality of transmit and receive antennas and respective branches for each antenna, a calibration processor multiplies receive signals in each receive branch by antenna calibration coefficients, in order to correct phase and amplitude imbalances existing among the receive branches. A transmit beamforming matrix estimator then estimates a transmit beamforming matrix by using the multiplied receive signals. An estimator then solves for estimated values such as the noise power, likelihood information, and channel waveform equalization values for each receive branch, and in addition, derives a final estimated value that takes the multiplication by correction coefficients into account when averaging the estimated values for each receive branch or when computing a weighted average according to likelihood.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus, a wireless communication method, and a computer program whereby data is communicated with increased transmission capacity by means of a spatial multiplexing (MIMO) communication technique using paired transmitters having a plurality of antennas each. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus, a wireless communication method, and a computer program whereby spatially multiplexed communication is conducted by compensating for phase and amplitude imbalances existing among transmit and receive branches, and thereby obtaining a suitable channel matrix.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wireless networks are now the subject of much attention, being systems free from the wiring involved in wired communication methods of the past. Specifications such as IEEE 802.11 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 802.11) and IEEE 802.15 are recognized standards for wireless networks. For example, in IEEE 802.11a/g, a type of multi-carrier modulation method known as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is implemented as the standard wireless LAN specification.
In addition, although the IEEE 802.11a/g standard supports modulation methods that can achieve a maximum data transfer rate of 54 Mbps, there is demand for a next-generation wireless LAN standard able to realize even greater bit rates. Multi-Input Multi-Output, or MIMO, is receiving attention as one technology for realizing faster wireless communication, and a MIMO-OFDM communication method has been adopted in IEEE 802.11n, an amendment to the IEEE 802.11 standard.
MIMO is a communication method that realizes a spatially multiplexed stream by providing a plurality of antenna elements at both the transmitter and the receiver. On the transmit side, a plurality of transmit data is multiplexed by performing space-time coding, distributed across a plurality of transmit antennas, and then transmitted on a channel. Likewise, on the receive side, a receive signal received by a plurality of receive antennas via the channel is separated into the plurality of transmit data by performing space-time decoding. Thus, the original data can be obtained without inter-stream cross-talk. By means of a MIMO communication method, the transmission capacity can be increased in accordance with the number of antennas, and without increasing the frequency band. As a result, an improved data transfer rate can be achieved. Furthermore, since spatial multiplexing is used, frequency utilization efficiency is also favorable. MIMO is a communication method that takes advantage of channel characteristics, and is thus different from a simple adaptive array.
In MIMO communication, a channel matrix H is used to respectively calculate a transmit weight matrix and a receive weight matrix, for example. The transmit weight matrix is used to spatially multiplex a transmit stream from a plurality of transmit branches on the transmit side. The receive weight matrix is used to spatially separate a spatially multiplexed signal into a plurality of streams at the receive side. The channel matrix H is a numeric matrix whose elements are channel information corresponding to transmit and receive antenna pairs. The channel information referred to herein is made up of transfer coefficients having phase and amplitude components. Normally, the channel matrix can be estimated by carrying out a frame exchange sequence containing a training sequence made up of pre-defined reference symbols for exciting the channel matrix between the transmitter and receiver.
It has been established that by setting the channel matrix H equal to the singular value decomposition (SVD) UDVH (in other words, by taking H=UDVH), the transmit beamforming matrix V and the receive weight matrix UH are obtained. For example, proposals have been regarding a wireless communication system wherein the quantity of feedback information sent from the receive side to the transmit side is compressed. Instead of feeding back the transmit beamforming matrix V obtained by taking the SVD of channel information matrix acquired at the receive side, packets containing the training sequence are transmitted from the receive side to the transmit side, and the transmit beamforming matrix V is thus also obtained by SVD on the transmit side (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-160030, paragraph 0045, for example).
Meanwhile, in multi-antenna communication using a plurality of transmit and receive antennas (as typified by MIMO and adaptive arrays), there exist imbalances in the transfer coefficients (i.e., the phase and amplitude) among the transmit and receive branches. In the digital processor on the receive side, the combination of the spatial transfer coefficients and the transfer coefficients in the analog unit within the apparatus are recognized as channels, and thus branch imbalances in the analog unit can lead to channel misrecognition. For this reason, in order to obtain an accurate channel matrix and realize optimal beamforming, the training sequence used for channel estimation that is exchanged between the transmitter and receiver is multiplied by calibration coefficients to correct phase and amplitude imbalances.
For example, proposals have been made regarding a wireless communication system that conducts the following. Calibration coefficients are first found for each antenna at both the transmitter and receiver. Then, when feeding back the reference signal feedback and solving for the transfer coefficients on the basis of the reference signal, the system is calibrated using the calibration coefficients for the receive antennas as well as the calibration coefficients for the transmit antennas, respectively. As a result of such calibration, mismatches in the channel information matrix in the forward and reverse directions are corrected (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-160030, paragraph 0052, for example).
It is also thought that antenna calibration should be conducted at the receiver rather than the transmitter. This is because the calibration coefficients are based on branches with large output in order to accommodate the transmit spectral mask when the transmit signal is multiplied by calibration correction coefficients and transmitted. If there are large fluctuations in the gain in each transmit branch, then the power loss accompanying the multiplication by the calibration coefficients also becomes large, resulting in degradation in the characteristics of RF circuit chips, where fluctuations are small.
Consequently, when a MIMO communication device receives a frame containing a training sequence for exciting the channel matrix, training sequence portions in respective receive branches are respectively multiplied by calibration coefficients to correct phase and amplitude imbalances.
Meanwhile, on the receive side of the wireless communication, the noise contained in the receive signal (i.e., the signal-to-noise ratio, or SNR) is estimated. The SNR is estimated in order to conduct efficient transmission by switching to more suitable modulation and coding methods or data transfer rates on the basis of communication quality, as represented by quantities such as the estimated SNR. In addition, soft decision decoding techniques estimate the receive bit sequence by conducting maximum likelihood sequence estimation using deinterleave processing and Viterbi decoding. With such soft decision decoding techniques, some kind of likelihood information is provided to the decoder, with the likelihood information being solved for on the basis of the noise power. For this reason, there is concern that decoding performance will degrade if the noise estimation is poor.
However, when respectively multiplying the receive signals in each receive branch by calibration coefficients in order to compensate for phase and amplitude imbalances existing among transmit and receive branches as described above, the above corresponds to invalid gain being applied among branches. For this reason, in a system that conducts antenna calibration on the receive side, the occurrence of errors in the estimation of the SNR and the likelihood information performed when calibrating is dependent on the noise estimation method, leading to concerns regarding the degradation of reception characteristics.

Wireless communication apparatus, wireless communication method, and computer program


Microspheres prepared by emulsifying an aqueous phase containing a drug and an oil phase containing a biodegradable polymer to form a W/O emulsion, and then mixing and agitating this emulsion with another aqueous phase constituting a continuous phase to form a W/O/W emulsion. These microspheres can release a major portion of the drug after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after their administration to the patient, and are especially suitable for intracerebral implantation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to microspheres capable of releasing a drug after a predetermined period of time. More particularly, it relates to microspheres which are adapted for intracerebral implantation having the purpose of suppressing cerebral vasospasm.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As microcapsules or microspheres used for the purpose of releasing a drug gradually over a long period of time, a great variety of pharmaceutical preparations made by supporting drugs on various carriers and polymeric matrices have been proposed.
Typical processes for the production of such pharmaceutical preparations include, for example, a process involving the formation of a W/O/W emulsion as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 201816/'87. Moreover, processes developed with a view to overcoming the disadvantages of such production process (e.g., a low degree of drug incorporation into the polymeric matrix, and a premature burst of the drug from microspheres) have also be proposed (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 145046/'94 and 32732/'94).
However, these pharmaceutical preparations have the common purpose of releasing the drug steadily from the carrier over a long period of time, and successful examples of such release have been disclosed.
On the other hand, prolonged drug-releasing type pharmaceutical preparations which are to be implanted in particular organs for the purpose of treating special diseases have also be proposed. As a specific example of such pharmaceutical preparations, Japanese Patent Application No. 50953/'94 discloses a pharmaceutical preparation which uses a complex of a water-soluble polymer, an oil, a fatty acid and the like as the carrier and serves to suppress cerebral vasospasm, and also suggests that the timing of drug release can be controlled.
In order to effectively prevent or treat certain diseases as described above, including cerebral vasospasm accompanying abnormal contractions of cerebral blood vessels observed after a definite period of time has elapsed after the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm, it is important to release the drug with controlled timing instead of releasing it simply in a steady manner. For example, the above-described cerebral vasospasm comprehends early spasm observed within 24 hours after the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm and delayed spasm observed 4 days to 2 weeks after that, and the latter is considered to be of particular interest from a clinical point of view.
Under these circumstances, it would be meaningful to provide a pharmaceutical preparation in which the timing of drug release can be controlled as described in Japanese Patent Application No. 50953/'94, i.e., a major portion of the drug can be concentratively released after the lapse of a predetermined period of time (which preparation will be referred to herein as a "delayed drug-releasing type" pharmaceutical preparation).
Although delayed drug-releasing type pharmaceutical preparations have already been provided as described above, it is still desired to provide a further improved pharmaceutical preparation or drug delivery system having such a mode of drug release. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a drug delivery system of the delayed releasing type which can release the drug concentratively after the lapse of a predetermined period of time, instead of releasing it steadily.


A method controls a Full Bridge converter with a Current-Doubler of the type including at least a first and a second half-bridges of diodes connected to respective control transistors. The method includes detecting a reference value, comparing, instant by instant, the reference value with an output voltage value of the converter, and carrying out a switching from a transfer phase to an energy recirculation phase in correspondence with instants when the output voltage value reaches the reference value.

As it is well known, the classical modulation PSM consists in driving two half-bridges of a Full-Bridge converter with fixed duty-cycle, of value close to 50% so as to have symmetrical losses by conduction between the four switches of a primary winding. In any case the duty-cycles of the two half-bridges must be as close as possible since, in case of the use of a Current-Doubler with a secondary winding, an asymmetry thereof would reflect in a difference between the currents of the filter inductances.
By turning on the two diagonals of the two half-bridges alternatively, for each switch period four main operation states of the Full-Bridge converter are obtained. With reference to FIG. 1, in the two states wherein a high-side switch (Q1 or Q3) of a half-bridge (S1 or S2) and a corresponding low-side switch (respectively Q4 or Q2) of the other half-bridge (S2 or S1) of the Full-Bridge converter 10 are on, i.e. the turn-on of one of the two diagonals causes energy transfer towards an output terminal OUT.
The other two states occur when either the two high-side switches (Q1 and Q3) or the two low-side switches (Q2 and Q4) are on. In this situation there is no energy transfer towards the output terminal and the current of the primary recirculates in the upper or lower mesh of the Full Bridge converter 1.
By modulating the ratio between the duration of the transfer periods and the duration of the recirculation periods, a variation of the output voltage is obtained. This is exactly the mechanism exploited in the converters realized according to the prior art to obtain the output voltage regulation.
In a system with analog control the output voltage, as a regulated variable, is fed back at the input of an error amplifier, so as to obtain a control variable which allows shifting in phase the two waves PWM controlling the two half-bridges S1 and S2.
A classical digital controller converts the output voltage into a digital magnitude to obtain, downstream of a digital regulator, a quantized phase shift between the two waves PWM.
As it is known, the precision required by the application determines the resolution of an input connected A/D converter.
So as not to have evident limit cycles, the digital modulator PWM should exhibit a higher resolution than that previously calculated. In practice the number of discrete phase shift values the A/D converter is supplied with is determined.
The solutions adopted up to now are based on current-mode control. For such known solutions it occurs that the analog front-end appears to be inadequate due to circuit complexity. The voltage control systems are instead simpler, but they cannot provide a current-sharing control.
In fact the only limitation the electric network realizing the Current-Doubler imposes is that the sum of the currents in the two filter inductances is equal to the load current. It is evident that any asymmetry of the system would lead to having different currents.
Thus, up to now, the Current-Doubler has been used in systems with current control. If only a control with peak current is considered (but this is also valid for controls with mean current) this implies the need of reading the absolute value of two currents by means of a trans-impedance circuit, and then of comparing them with an analog voltage reference suitably generated by the controller.
To such purpose, if the controller is of the digital type, a D/A converter is used.

Method for controlling a full bridge converter with a current-doubler


A toy backpack has a harness for securing a toy figure to the backpack, where the harness includes a pair of shoulder straps for engaging the shoulders of the toy figure, a leg strap for insertion between the legs of the toy figure, and a fastener for the shoulder straps to connect the shoulder straps with the leg strap to secure the toy figure to the backpack.

This invention relates in general to a backpack or similar transportable container suitable for children's use. More particularly, this invention pertains to children's backpacks adapted to carry toys such as toy dolls or toy stuffed animals.
Children's backpacks are a common item, and are often used for carrying schoolbooks and papers. Children's backpacks typically have an opening in the top for access to the interior, and shoulder straps to enable the child to carry the backpack over both shoulders. Another use for backpacks is in carrying toys. A common children's toy is a toy figure, which is a toy doll or toy stuffed animal. Ordinarily, carrying a toy figure in a backpack involves placing the toy figure through the backpack opening and into the interior of the backpack.


An apparatus for determining the integrity of an antenna system, including a controller, at least one valve operationally connected to the controller, a source of pressurized gas, at least one microwave antenna and a pressure sensor. The at least one microwave antenna is fluidly connected to the pressurized gas by way of the at least one valve. The pressure sensor is in communication with the controller. The pressure sensor senses the pressure of the pressurized gas. The controller is configured to check for a gas leak in the at least one microwave antenna by checking for a change in the pressure with the at least one valve being alternatively opened and closed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an antenna system, and, more particularly, to an air leak detection device for an antenna system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Typical microwave antenna systems include a transmission line, a feed horn and a reflector dish. There are many types of configurations of these components depending upon the antenna type and frequency range. The transmission line conducts radio frequency signals to and from the feed horn. The feed horn operation is critical to the proper operation of the entire antenna system. The fundamental purpose of the feed horn is to match the impedance of the transmission, which may typically be 50 ohms to that of free space, which is approximately 377 ohms. At typical microwave frequencies, such as in the C band and above, the transmission line is also commonly called a waveguide that is normally hollow. The feed horn itself, often called the feed, includes a conical structure that is hollow and is connected to the waveguide.
Often the feed horn is mounted so that it is offset from the center of the reflector. The reflector may be a section of a parabola and the offset feed scheme prevents the feed and the feed support from shading the reflector and thus reducing its effective aperture for other performance problems.
The offset feed scheme often requires the feed horn to be positioned such that rain, water or snow may enter therein. If water enters the feed horn it causes corrosion and signal loss. This problem is further exasperated by the flow of water into the radio frequency components used in the receiver/transmitter. Typically the opening in the feed horn is covered with a membrane, such as a plastic membrane to shield the system and to prevent the entry of water thereby. The plastic membrane must pass radio frequency energy with minimum attenuation. This imposes a limit on the material that can be used for constructing the membrane. Typical membranes are sensitive to sunlight and more particularly to the ultraviolet light that causes the membrane to become brittle and crack.
The radio frequency components are substantially hermetically sealed and while leakage often occurs through the membrane it is also understood that other portions of the feed horn, waveguide or radio frequency components can also allow ambient air to leak into the interior thereof. Leakage can be the result of leaking gaskets, fatigue cracks in the transmission line or other components as well. Ambient air contains gaseous water and when the ambient temperature falls to or below the dew point, condensation will occur within the system. Water that condenses therein is typically too viscous to escape and it remains trapped inside of the radio frequency components causing corrosion damage and it also modifies the impedance of the transmission line and feed horn. The most popular method of keeping the interior of the radio frequency components from the radio/transmitter all the way to the feed horn is to pressurize the system with low-pressure dry air. The pressurized dry air may slowly leak through the various openings in the antenna system but this prevents moist ambient air from leaking thereinto. Typical pressures range from 0.25 to 6 lbs per square inch above the ambient pressure. The supply of the dry air will typically have a dew point that is below −50° C.
The pressurized air may be supplied by way of a small compressor and an air-drying system. A typical installation may have four to eight or more antenna systems that utilize the pressurized dried air from the single supply source.
A leak in one of the antennas can compromise the ability of the rest of the antennas to be adequately protected since the compromise depletes the supply of dried pressurized air. A substantial leak in one antenna then can lead to the eventual failure or degradation of the rest of the antennas since they are all then starved for the necessary pressurized dry air.
What is needed in the art is a device and system that will detect and isolate a leak of air in an antenna system.

Antenna leak detection device and method


A vehicle protection apparatus can protect a vehicle's exterior. The exterior can have an optional opening. A support attached to the vehicle can support a guard and allow it to move between (a) a retracted position that does not obtrude on the appearance of the vehicle's exterior, and (a) a deployed position in front of the vehicle's exterior and, when existing, in front of the opening in the exterior. The guard may be mounted on the support to translate linearly and in some cases angularly as well. In such cases the guard may be in an upright position when deployed, and in a non-upright position under the vehicle when retracted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to vehicle exterior protection devices, and in particular, to apparatus that is unobtrusive unless deployed.
2. Description of Related Art
One of the most common of life's frustrations is scratches and small dents occurring when a vehicle is parked, especially in a parking lot. Damage to a parked car is more likely since modern bumpers are relatively soft and protrude less. These softer bumpers often have a fine finish matching the rest of the vehicle's exterior, so that impacts to come the bumper can detract from the vehicle's overall appearance. Also, compact automobiles are often parked next to taller SUVs and trucks and this size mismatch also makes impacts more likely.
While many arrangements have been proposed for protecting the vehicle's exterior, these often involve an extendable device that is visible even when stored in a retracted position. Other devices sought to stow the protective mechanism out of sight under the vehicle, but these arrangements have employed long articulated arms that can easily bend upon impact and therefore offer little protection.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,410 hydraulic cylinders mounted under a car can extend a bumper 14 sidewardly. Thereafter bumper 14 can be raised and supported on arms 13 and 13′.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,644 arm 22 can extend and rotate due to a camming action that lifts arm 24 in order to raise and telescopically expand guard member 16. See also U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,697.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,283 a pair of arms pivotally mounted in a vehicle's wheel wells can rotate a protective guard from under the vehicle to a position alongside the vehicle's doors, in response to a radio-controlled motor.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,677,595 discloses a normally exposed bumper protection bar 7 seated in a pocket or recess in the bumper. When the brake pedal is pressed hard hydraulic cylinders 9 extend bar 7 beyond the bumper
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,205 pneumatic pistons extend a bumper 1 either when a control switch is actuated or when a brake pedal is fully depressed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,934,912 bumpers are supported on hydraulic shock absorbers that can be regulated based on the weight of the vehicle's payload. See also U.S. Pat. No. 3,972,551.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,777 a normally protruding trim guard is mounted in a recess in a side panel of a motor vehicle. Pneumatic pressure applied to the trim guard when the vehicle is parked expands the trim guard to provide added protection.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,605 pneumatic pressure can swing a normally protruding portion of protective trim outwardly to provide added protection.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,281 normally protruding door bumpers are extended either by an electric motor or by a spring that is free to operate when a latch is released in response to operation of the door lock button.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,503 trim guard is pulled into a retracted position when the vehicle is running; otherwise a compression spring outwardly extends the guard.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,234,222 a pair of arms may be extended from the side of a vehicle. A tape or wire is strung taut between the two arms to protect the side of the vehicle.
See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,189,941 and 6,550,844.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved arrangement for protecting a vehicle's exterior.

Apparatus for protecting the exterior of a vehicle


A method for driving a nonvolatile memory element includes: a writing step of changing a variable resistance layer to a low resistance state, by applying a writing voltage pulse having a first polarity; and an erasing step of changing the variable resistance layer to a high resistance state, by applying an erasing voltage pulse having a second polarity different from the first polarity, wherein in the writing step, a first input and output terminal of a field effect transistor is a source terminal of the transistor, and when a pulse width of the writing voltage pulse is PWLR and a pulse width of the erasing voltage pulse is PWHR, PWLR and PWHR satisfy a relationship of PWLR<PWHR.

In recent years, with advance in digital technology, electronic devices such as mobile information devices and information consumer electronics have been developed to provide higher functionality. With the higher functionality of such electronic devices, there is a rapid progress in miniaturization and speeding up of semiconductor elements for use in the electronic devices. Among them, the usage of high-capacity nonvolatile memory device such as flash memory is rapidly expanding. Furthermore, as a next-generation nonvolatile memory device to replace the flash memory, research and development is under way for a nonvolatile memory device including a variable resistance nonvolatile memory element has a feature that a resistance value reversibly changes according to electrical signals.
FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a conventional example of such nonvolatile memory element (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1 and Non Patent Literature 1). As shown in FIG. 22, in a nonvolatile memory device 1030, a transistor 1020 and a nonvolatile memory unit 101 are formed on a main surface of a semiconductor substrate 1024. The transistor 1020 is a circuit for controlling conduction to a bit line of the nonvolatile memory unit 1010, and comprises a source region 1025b, a drain region 1025a, a gate insulating film 1026, and a gate electrode 1027. The nonvolatile memory unit 1010 includes a bottom electrode 1002 connected to the drain region 1005a, a variable resistance layer 1003 in which a resistance reversibly changes according to a voltage pulse or a current pulse, and a top electrode 1004. Furthermore, the transistor 1020 and the nonvolatile memory unit 1010 formed above the semiconductor substrate 1024 are covered with an interlayer dielectric 1028, and the top electrode 1004 is connected to an electrode wiring 1029.
In Patent Literature 1, as a substance composed in the variable resistance layer 1003, one of nickel oxide (NiO), vanadium oxide (V2O5), zinc oxide (ZnO), niobium oxide (Nb2O5), titanium oxide (TiO2), tungsten oxide (WO3), cobalt oxide (CoO), and the like is used. It is known that such transition metal oxide shows a specific resistance value when a voltage or a current having greater than or equal to a threshold value is applied, and that the resistance value is maintained until a voltage or a current is newly applied. Moreover, in Non Patent Literature 1, as the substance composed in the variable resistance layer 1003, Pr(1-x)CaxMnO3 (PCMO) is used. A perovskite material is known to show the above described variable resistance property.

Method for driving nonvolatile memory element, and nonvolatile memory device having a variable resistance element

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


An integrated, wind-pumped hydro power generation system includes at least one wind turbine generator device configured to generate output power for a common bus, and at least one hydro generator device configured to generate output power for the common bus. The hydro generator device is powered by water flow. The wind turbine generator device and the hydro generator device include corresponding local controls associated therewith, and a set of supervisory controls is in communication with the common bus and each of the local controls.

The present disclosure relates generally to renewable power generation systems and, more particularly, to a system and method for integrating wind pumped and hydroelectric energy storage systems.
Wind is one of the fastest growing renewable energy resources. Turbines, which use the kinetic energy of wind to generate mechanical energy, convert the mechanical energy to electricity. Wind turbines typically have two or three blades that are faced into or away from the wind. As the wind causes the blades to rotate, the shaft in the turbine spins. The mechanical energy generated may be used to power certain tasks, such as pumping water for example, or the mechanical energy may be converted to electricity. When connected to a generator, the spinning of the shaft drives a generator, which in turn produces electricity.
However, the intermittent nature and variable speed of wind are the major drawbacks of wind generation systems, thus resulting in low system availability and low penetration. Existing solutions to the intermittency problem of wind power generation devices (such as through the use of energy storage systems) have traditionally either been cost prohibitive or have low energy efficiency. Another way to mitigate intermittency and increase system availability is to use wind generation in parallel with other generating sources, which can be complimentary to the wind. It has been observed that in certain locations of the world, wind and hydro show complimentary patterns of availability, both on a daily basis and a seasonal basis.
Pumped hydroelectric storage is one of the more economically viable energy storage methods. At times of low electrical demand, excess electrical capacity is used to pump water into an upper reservoir. When there is higher demand, water is released back into the lower reservoir through a turbine, thereby generating hydroelectricity. Reversible turbine/generator assemblies can act as both pump and turbine. Some facilities, for example, use abandoned mines as the lower reservoir, while others use the height difference between two natural bodies of water or artificial reservoirs. As a result of evaporation losses from the exposed water surface and mechanical efficiency losses during conversion, about 60% to about 85% of the electrical energy used to pump the water into the elevated reservoir may be regained from this process. This compares relatively favorably with respect to other energy storage devices such as some types of batteries and hydrogen fuel cells.
Notwithstanding the respective advantages of wind generated power systems and hydroelectric storage systems, the challenges of integrating wind with pumped hydroelectric storage (as well as with loads in both grid-connected and stand-alone systems) while, at the same time, optimizing energy usage and maintaining transient stability have not been adequately addressed. In addition, problems such as frequency and voltage references, pump and generation mode transition, interaction with power electronic interfaced loads, and stand-alone operation still need to be solved.
Moreover, there are no directly integrated, wind-pumped hydro systems presently in operation. Most of the documented or proposed systems are intended to function at high power levels and are operated only as grid-connected systems. Accordingly, it would be desirable to implement an integrated, wind-pumped hydroelectric system that provides a cost effective solution to the intermittency issue, for both grid-connected and stand-alone applications.

System and method for integrating wind and hydroelectric generation and pumped hydro energy storage systems


A fuel pressure relief system for a dual fuel engine including at least one gaseous fuel admission valve positioned between a gaseous fuel inlet region and an air intake region is provided. The system includes a first pressure sensor positioned in the gaseous fuel inlet region and a second pressure sensor positioned in the air intake region. An electronic controller is connected to the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor. A gaseous fuel vent path extends between the gaseous fuel inlet region and a portion of an air intake path of the engine. A vent valve is positioned along the gaseous fuel vent path and is connected to the electronic controller for control thereby. When the differential pressure across the gaseous fuel admission valve exceeds a predetermined level the fuel vent valve is opened to relieve the pressure.

A dual fuel engine can typically operate in two modes. In a strictly liquid fuel mode a liquid fuel, such as diesel fuel, is injected directly into an engine cylinder or a precombustion chamber as the sole source of energy during combustion. In a dual fuel mode a gaseous fuel, such as natural gas, is mixed with air in an intake port of a cylinder and a small amount of diesel fuel is injected into the cylinder or the precombustion chamber in order to ignite the mixture of air and gaseous fuel. In such dual fuel engines, one or more of such gaseous fuel admission valves are positioned between a gaseous fuel inlet region and an air intake region of the engine. The pressure of the gaseous fuel inlet region is regulated in attempt to maintain the pressure within such region at a predetermined set amount higher than the pressure within the air intake region so that when the valve is opened the gaseous fuel will pass into the air intake region for mixing with the air. Thus, there generally exists some differential pressure across the gaseous fuel admission valves.
A solenoid actuated gaseous fuel admission valve such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,724 can be used to deliver the gaseous fuel in such engines. The nature of solenoid actuated gaseous fuel admission valves is such that a current delivered to a solenoid coil thereof actuates the valve. However, gaseous fuel admission valves have certain limitations, including that the valve cannot be properly actuated, that is opened, if the pressure difference across the valve exceeds a certain maximum level. The maximum differential pressure rating for a given valve may vary according to size and make of the valve.
During certain operating conditions within a dual fuel engine it is possible that the differential pressure across the gaseous fuel admission valves will exceed the maximum differential pressure of the valves, such that the engine cannot be properly operated in a dual fuel mode. For example, one such case would be where the engine is operating in a dual fuel mode at a high engine load. In such case the pressure withn the air intake region is high and the pressure within the gaseous fuel inlet region is regulated to a slightly higher level. Engine operation might then be switched to a liquid fuel mode. During the liquid fuel mode if the load on the engine drops, the pressure within the air intake region also drops. However, the pressure within the gaseous fuel inlet region remains high, and possibly high enough that if engine operation were to switch to a dual fuel mode at the low engine load, the differential pressure across the gaseous fuel admission valves would exceed the maximum differential pressure rating of the valves.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.

Method and apparatus for relieving a differential pressure across a gaseous fuel admission valve of a dual fuel engine


A metal halogen electrochemical energy cell system that generates an electrical potential. One embodiment of the system includes at least one cell including at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode, at least one electrolyte, a mixing venturi that mixes the electrolyte with a halogen reactant, and a circulation pump that conveys the electrolyte mixed with the halogen reactant through the positive electrode and across the metal electrode. Preferably, the positive electrode comprises porous carbonaceous material, the negative electrode comprises zinc, the metal comprises zinc, the halogen comprises chlorine, the electrolyte comprises an aqueous zinc-chloride electrolyte, and the halogen reactant comprises a chlorine reactant. Also, variations of the system and a method of operation for the systems.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to metal halogen electrochemical energy systems.
2. Related Art
One type of electrochemical energy system uses a halogen component for reduction at a normally positive electrode, and an oxidizable metal adapted to become oxidized at a normally negative electrode during the normal dispatch of the electrochemical system. An aqueous electrolyte is used to replenish the supply of halogen component as it becomes reduced at the positive electrode. The electrolyte contains the dissolved ions of the oxidized metal and reduced halogen and is circulated between the electrode area and a reservoir area and an elemental halogen injection and mixing area, to be consumed at the positive electrode. One example of such a system uses zinc and chlorine system.
Such electrochemical energy systems are described in prior patents including U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,713,888, 3,993,502, 4,001,036, 4,072,540, 4,146,680, and 4,414,292. Such systems are also described in EPRI Report EM-1051 (Parts 1-3) dated April 1979, published by the Electric Power Research Institute. The specific teachings of the aforementioned cited references are incorporated herein by reference.

Metal halogen electrochemical cell system


A system of analysis operating preferably on a sample of rock derived from oil drilling in a site situation and possibly under difficult environmental conditions, which allows the total quantity of hydrocarbons contained in said sample to be measured, both already present and generable following transformation of organic matter contained in the same sample, in the first case also allowing a quantity of each single hydrocarbon species to be measured.

The present invention relates to a system of analysis that operates preferably on a sample of rock derived from an oil drilling site, possibly under difficult environmental conditions. The system of analysis allows the total quantity of hydrocarbons contained in said sample to be measured. The total quantity of hydrocarbons measured are those already present and those generated after transformation of organic matter contained in said sample. In the first case, the quantity of each single hydrocarbon species can also be measured. The time range wherein said system of analysis succeeds in completing these analyses is sufficiently reduced to allow the results of the analyses to be used for drilling. The configuration of said system guarantees sufficient functioning stability for allowing the use of the system under difficult environmental conditions, whether by land or sea.
Under the current state of art, devices for analyzing the content of hydrocarbons in rock samples from oil drillings are not easily transportable because of their excessive size. This prevents the use of such devices at a sitewhere mobile laboratories with reduced space are used. As a result, rock samples from oil drilling sites must be collected and later sent to a laboratory where they will be later analysed. The results may reach the end user only after long periods have passed. Consequently, it is not possible to use the results of rock analyses as an immediate decision-making instrument for drilling.
Moreover the features of operations of said devices require the presence of an expert operator.
The object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a system for analyzing rock samples derived from oil drillings, which:                occupies less space to allow the use thereof in site situations;        allows for faster results of analyses relating to the content of hydrocarbons in said samples over a shorter period of time with respect to known systems;        is reliable and rugged as to be be used in difficult environmental situations; and        requires the presence of an operator trained only in the use of an instrument without the need for a person skilled in the art.
Moreover, devices in the current state of art do not allow an analysis, within a reasonable span of time and directly in a site situation, of the total and fractioned quantity of hydrocarbons already present in the rock sample.
Another object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a system of analysis that allows for measurement, within a reasonable length of time, in a site situation, and even under difficult environmental conditions, of a quantity of hydrocarbons already present in a rock sample, both total and fractioned, and derived preferably from oil drilling.

Device for measuring total or fractionated quantity of hydrocarbons in a solid sample


A door assembly including a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access through an opening which has a top, a bottom defined by a floor, and at least two sides, the door assembly. The assembly having a door body having upper and lower portions, and being mounted proximate the opening such that the lower end portion being proximate the floor when the door is in the closed position. A protective body is configured in connection with the door so as to be moveable between a first position under at least a portion of the door body lower portion when the door is in at least a partially open position and a second storage position. The protective body having at least one debris collecting surface, and opposing ends, the protective body being configured such that debris collected on the debris collecting surface will be urged toward one of the opposed ends.

Overhead-doors are typically sealed by contacting a lower portion, typically the bottom edge portion of the door, and perhaps a seal, with the floor. However in many applications this can pose a problem where debris is located on the floor beneath the door because, when the door is closed against the floor, the bottom of the door and/or seal can come into contact with the debris. Also, debris in many forms including condensed moisture can contaminate the lower portion of the door by various means. Accordingly, when the door is opened, there is the potential for this debris to fall from the bottom portions or leading edge of the door and/or seal onto objects (e.g. food) and/or people passing through the doorway.
In order to prevent such debris from falling onto objects and/or people passing beneath the door, the Applicant of this invention has previously provided a protective body consisting of essentially a collection surface connected to a pneumatic cylinder. When the door is fully opened, the protective body substantially spans the width of the door and collects debris that falls while the door is fully open. When using this protective body however, as the door begins to close, the protective body is rotated from a position where the collection surface is substantially horizontal to the floor to a position that is substantially perpendicular to the floor. This leads to a situation where debris collected on the protective body will drop onto objects and/or people or the floor below when the guard is moved out of the path of the door. So while protection of contamination by debris dropping is provided during the fully open time of the door, during opening and closing, where traffic may still be in the door opening, contamination may occur. The present invention is directed towards structures and methods to solve these deficiencies and to provide new advantages in prevention of contaminating cargo or persons traversing the opening or passage while the door is still overhead.

Method and device for preventing contamination from a door which opens vertically