A two step process for treating an oil or gas well. The first step uses a cross linking agent, such as borax, as a preliminary wash for the well following drilling. The cross linking agent cleans the well of excess mud and pre-coats the tubing and the formation surfaces with the cross linking agent. The second step introduces a cement-polymer mixture into the well. A polymer, such as for example polyvinyl alcohol, that undergoes cross linking when exposed to the cross linking agent is employed. When the polymer comes into contact with the cross linking agent in the well, cross linking of the polymer occurs. This cross linking helps to prevent fluid loss into the formation. Also, because the cross linking agent wash previously cleaned the surfaces of the tubing and the formation, better bonding between the cement and the surfaces of the tubing and the formation occurs.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for treating oil and gas wells. More specifically, the present method serves to clean the bore hole of the well of excess mud prior to cementing and assists in fluid loss control during the cementing process. Because the method cleans the well of excess mud, this allows for improved bonding of the cement to the pipe and to the formation.
2. Description of the Related Art
Previous methods of fluid loss control have been attempted by a one step addition of fluid loss control additive to the cement, which hopefully reduces the ability of the liquid portion of the slurry from rapidly penetrating a permeable zone at the formation face. This creates a critical dependence of the fluid control on the use of a fluid loss control additive that functions at the temperature of the permeable zone. Also, the cement slurry must be designed to complement the requirements of the fluid loss additive for rheology of the fluid portion of the cement slurry. Most fluid loss control additives thicken the cement slurry into which they are mixed. Also, they may retard the hardening of the cement when it reaches its required destination. To deal with such properties, it is common for service companies to have many different fluid loss control additives and to select the "best fit" for the well conditions that are to be encountered.
The current invention is a composition and method that uses a two stage process to allow the use of one cross linking agent composition which can function as a pre wash and "seeding" of the permeable zone of the formation face, and a second or follow up composition which can be the actual cement slurry which contains the reactive polymer composition. This method is not as temperature dependant as most fluid loss additives, but can function from near freezing, i.e. near 32 degrees F., to above 300 degrees F.
A cross linking agent is to be used as a pre wash or as a "spacer" additive or drilling mud additive which is non toxic and environmentally clean. As a chemical wash, the cost is very low compared to complex chemical washes. The cross linking agent can be formulated as a non thickened water base fluid that will allow turbulent flow in the annulus at very low pump rates. The turbulent flow has been observed in laboratory simulations that show the churning action that occurs at the front of the injected wash. The detergent action of the cross linking agent together with the turbulent flow will granulate the excess mud adhering to the pipe and the loose mud at the formation face and carry the material out of the well. During this cleaning action, a "seeding" will take place at the formation face which impregnates the mud cake with cross linking agent chemical. The concentration will vary depending on the permeability at the formation face; the higher concentration going into the more permeable zones.
The cross linking agent can also be used in drilling mud or "spacers" to be available when later injection of polymer takes places. Thus fluid loss control could be obtained without the necessity of the cross linking agent wash, which in certain circumstances might not be desired. There is the possibility that a wash is not always an option if disposal of fluids is a problem.
The polymer can be added to the cement mixture as a dry or liquid fluid loss control additive that requires a cross linking agent wash to be used ahead or to be used when the drilling mud or "spacer" has previously carried the cross linking agent. The polymer is also very low in cost compared to complex fluid loss control additives and requires an order of magnitude less material than conventional additives. This is primarily the result of the permeability block occurring at the formation cement interface where the reaction of the polymer and cross linking agent takes place. If the reaction had taken place in the cement slurry prior to reaching the permeable formation, the slurry would be much thicker and usually would have to contain more water to reduce the viscosity of the reacted chemicals. Concentrating the reaction at the pressure differential interface means that cement slurry doesn't have to carry materials which can cause excessive viscosity or otherwise excessive amount of fluid loss control material. This frees the slurry designer from the excess viscosity of most fluid loss control methods. Testing at the low temperatures has shown fluid loss control with less than 0.1 percent fluid loss control additive in the cement slurry, whereas a one stage fluid loss test using conventional methods and materials requires 1 percent or more.
This two stage method and also the type of chemicals used in the method should be a significant improvement for fluid loss prevention and permeable interface sealing. Such a technique or method could be utilized in any type of permeable situation to minimize leak off of fluid from a well bore, pond, lake, dam, etc.


A content enhancement system and method for increasing search engine visibility is disclosed. Landing web pages are optimized for relevant keywords and phrases associated with e-content publications such as articles, papers, reports, newsletters, etc. Landing web pages may be generated for portions of documents that are sold individually. Landing pages are generated using content description data (including keyword data) for each document portion or content section that will be the subject of a landing page. The content description data is stored in a database. A template defines the layout and appearance of the content description data that is used to generate each landing page. Each landing page includes an optional link to a product purchase page at the publisher's web site that allows a user to purchase the product described on the landing page. Search engines index each of the landing pages making it easier for web users to locate the publisher's products.

The vast majority of Web users use search engines as their primary means for finding the Web information they need. Users select a search engine site and enter keywords related to the content or information they are seeking. It is common for 40% of e-content (articles, papers, reports, newsletters, etc.) sales to result from search engine traffic. This revenue growth is driven by several factors. First, visitor/customer conversion rates from search engine traffic are typically 300% higher than conversion rates from overall site traffic. For example, if the conversion rate for an e-commerce site is 1% for all traffic, the site can anticipate a 3% conversion rate from search engine driven traffic. Furthermore, demand usually increases over time. There is a compounding effect with repeat sales. Once customers have found a site, they often go directly to the site's URL instead of starting with a search engine.
To increase search engine traffic, most e-content publishers or providers attempt to market based on site keywords and phrases. Site keywords or phrases describe in general terms the content that is accessible from the site. Some providers complete a keyword analysis to identify additional keywords or phrases to include in their site description. While these efforts may result in some increase in traffic, they are not sufficient for several reasons. First, the web page structure is not search engine "crawlable" such that search engines can locate the page and analyze its content. Second, the site keywords or phrases do not appear in the locations within the web page that search engines are likely to analyze. Appropriate placement of keyword and phrases is an important factor in determining a web site search engine ranking. Finally, even if the provider creates web pages with appropriate structure and keywords/phrases, they become outdated quickly because search engine ranking methodologies change frequently. Because search engine ranking methodologies change, it is important to analyze and update web page structures and keyword phrase placement to respond to these changes in methodologies.
E-content publishers and providers that do not take full advantage of ubiquitous search engine inquiries to drive traffic to their site are missing an important ingredient for generating qualified site traffic. E-content publishers or providers with e-commerce sites already in place often cannot leverage search engine optimization (SEO—also known as search engine marketing or search engine placement) techniques to drive site traffic because their site architecture does not support an on-going SEO process. Effectively driving search engine traffic can have a profound impact on e-content publishers' web content sales.

System and method for generating landing pages for content sections


A bidirectional FILO capable of continuously performing the function of the FILO for different groups of codes is used to reduce a circuit scale of a Reed-Solomon error correcting device. Coefficients of an error-locator polynomial .delta.(x) and an error-evaluator polynomial .omega.(x) obtained by using a Euclid method are obtained in order from a final digit of a code to a first digit thereof. Correspondingly, a corrector starts a Chien search in order from a final byte of the code to a first byte thereof. In response to the order of the search, each group of data RSIN (Reed-Solomon Input) having digit order reversed in a bidirectional FILO are given to the corrector. The code corrected by the corrector also has digit order reversed. Therefore, the digit order is returned to original order in the bidirectional FILO for returning digit order to original order, so that a code RSOUT (Reed-Solomon Input) is output. The bidirectional FILOs can be implemented by operation of a shift register type, for example.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an error correcting device, and more particularly to an error correcting device based on a decoding method in which coefficients of an error-locator polynomial and an error-evaluator polynomial are obtained in order from the final digit of a code to the first digit thereof.
2. Description of the Background Art
FIG. 57 is a block diagram showing a structure of a Reed-Solomon error correcting device 200 according to the background art. Data RSIN of a Reed-Solomon code input to the Reed-Solomon error correcting device 200 is used to obtain a syndrome from a syndrome generator 1. A predetermined processing is performed for the syndrome in a polynomial generator 2 so that an error-locator polynomial .delta.(x) and an error-evaluator polynomial .omega.(x) are obtained.
In the polynomial generator 2, however, in the case where the error-locator polynomial .delta.(x) and the error-evaluator polynomial .omega.(x) are obtained by using a Euclid method, for example, their coefficients are obtained in order from a final digit of a code to a first digit thereof. In a corrector 3 for performing a Chien search, accordingly, it is necessary to start the search in order from the final byte of the code to the first byte thereof.
Correspondingly, in the case where the data RSIN is given to the corrector 3, it is necessary to reverse the order of digits for each group of codes. FILO (First In Last Out) type memories 61 and 62 and a demultiplexer 71 and a multiplexer 72 are provided to change the order of the digits for the data RSIN.
Errors of the data RSIN thus obtained and having the order of digits reversed are corrected by the corrector 3 on the basis of the coefficients of the error-locator polynomial .delta.(x) and the error-evaluator polynomial .omega.(x) and an element of Galois. The corrected code also has the order of digits reversed. Therefore, FILO type memories 41 and 42, a demultiplexer 73 and a multiplexer 74 are provided to return the order of digits to original order. A code RSOUT obtained after correction is output by the multiplexer 74.
A FILO type memory according to the background art (hereinafter referred to as a "FILO") operates by pushing and popping. In the case where only one FILO is used, a second set of data cannot be processed of FILO immediately after a first set of data are processed of FILO. The reason is that the first set of data are destroyed if another set of data are input to the FILO before the first set of data are completely read. Consequently, a plurality of Reed-Solomon codes which are continuously received cannot be processed.
Accordingly, the FILOs 41, 42, 61 and 62 output data in order reverse to the order of sequential data input, and should be provided in pairs as shown in FIG. 57.
The data RSIN are distributed every group of Reed-Solomon codes by the demultiplexer 71 and are given to the FILOs 61 and 62. Any of outputs is sent to the corrector 3 by the multiplexer 72. For example, in the case where the demultiplexer 71 gives, to the FILO 61, the data RSIN corresponding to a first group of Reed-Solomon codes, the multiplexer 72 gives the contents stored in the FILO 62 to the corrector 3. At the same time that the demultiplexer 71 gives, to the FILO 62, the data RSIN corresponding to a second group of Reed-Solomon codes, the data RSIN corresponding to the first group of Reed-Solomon codes are given from the FILO 61 to the corrector 3 through the multiplexer 72 in reverse order of digits. So do the FILOs 41 and 42, the demultiplexer 73 and the multiplexer 74.
In the background art, a pair of FILOs which are alternately selected should be used to continuously perform the processings of the FILOs for plural sets of data. Accordingly, a region for storing data should be twice as much as a set of data. Finally, the conventional Reed-Solomon error correcting device 200 including a FIFO (First In First Out) type memory 5 provided for matching a delay with that of the syndrome generator 1 needs a storage unit which is five times as much as a code length (wherein it is supposed that one storage unit stores one byte).


A simplified method of file management which assigns many related attributes to any file created by conventional software application programs, with the ability to retrieve any file or a list of such files belonging to any attribute is provided. Software objects are represented by icons, whereby these icons represent topics about which each file is related and upon performing various graphical query searches using the mathematical theory of intersecting sets for desired files, a list of all files appears in a window. When commands like "save", "save as" or open file" are executed, icons and (or) groups of icons appear in a data base window and any icon can be selected related to the file. Hard links exist enabling a predetermined chain of groups or categories to be linked with any file saved, enabling a more elaborate data base system.

The present invention relates to a method for developing a file management system for personal computers or networks which utilizes an object oriented approach for storing and retrieving information. The heart of the invention lies in implementing multiple attributes to all files enabling the retrieval of any file through any one or more of its attributes. The file management software works in collaboration with common software applications and is launched automatically when specific commands, such as "save" are executed from inside the application program, enabling the operator to input or edit attributes at this time. A new appearance to the operating system's desk top is provided enabling rapid access to any desired file by selecting attributes from various categories that appear in dedicated windows.
Prior art would involve directory systems which consist of files and directories with the ability to organize particular files into a dedicated directory and also directories into other directories. Compared with the present invention, conventional file management systems allocate very few attributes to a file, usually the name, date and the program that created it, making it very difficult to retrieve a particular file if one or more attributes are forgotten as the path through directories must be remembered. The present device would make an extremely efficient and resourceful data base system with numerous avenues to retrieve any file. Prior art would also extend to Data Base Management Systems.
Useful and practical applications for the present invention would involve file managers and data base systems commonly used in personal computers and networks. The system itself could be used as a data base to store records, since each attribute can be a record and not linked to any file in different applications.


A pixel processor, for use in conjunction with a color video monitor or an all points addressable color print engine, includes brush logic, mask logic, clip logic, and a multi-pixel logic unit to produce a page map consisting of millions of pixels, each having a color value. To portray a 2D-rasterization of overlapping objects with portions of objects being transparent, and objects shaded with colored pattern, the processor combines source S, brush T, pattern mask, source mask, and prior destination D data. Brush logic combines an RGB color setting with a pattern to provide the brush data, tiled within a source region. Mask logic ensures transparency of portions of the pattern or source as defined by pattern mask data and source mask data, respectively. Clip logic limits pixel updates in regions of the page map not within the source region. The processor includes dynamically reconfigurable bit-slice architecture, for updating multiple pixels in parallel, for example four 8-bit pixels in one color plane per operation in a 32-bit embodiment. Registers hold intermediate results of arithmetic comparisons permitting a single raster operation such as S ((S T) & (T D)) to be performed in four clock periods. The symbol " " represents a function that returns the absolute value of the difference of the operands. The symbol "&" represents a function that returns the arithmetic "minimum" of, in this case, intermediate results.

As an introduction to problems solved by the present invention, consider the conventional computer system having a laser printer, ink jet printer, or video monitor. In such a system, the page to be printed or the screen to be displayed is represented in memory as an intensity value for each picture element, called a pixel. Conventional pixel intensity values are in the range from 0 to 255 for one primary color. The entire array of pixels for a complete page or a complete screen is called a page map. Conventional color systems employ three color planes in one page map, each color plane for a primary color: red, green, or blue. With the introduction of low cost color printers, market demand has grown for printers that can quickly print whatever image is displayed on the display screen.
Images conventionally presented on a display screen originate from multiple programs operating concurrently. The image to be displayed is often a composite of overlapping regions, each region possibly originating from an independent program. Such regions overlap each other to obscure what is below when opaque and to shadow or show what is below when transparent. Within a region, areas may overlap, be opaque against a background pattern, or be transparent. The page map represents the composite image that is developed from all of the regions to be displayed, accounting for patterned areas, opaque areas, and transparent areas.
Computation of pixel intensity values in the page map is conventionally accomplished by a multi-pass firmware algorithm executed by a microprocessor circuit. The performance of such circuits is limited by microprocessor speed, instruction set, amount of memory available, and memory management. The instruction set and the width of data items are chosen and ordinarily fixed so that performance can be optimized for complex operations. These design choices make the microprocessor a performance bottle neck for pixel computations because each pixel is given the full data item width.
In view of the problems described above and related problems that consequently become apparent to those skilled in the applicable arts, the need remains in all-points-addressable displays and printers for systems that quickly compute pixel intensity values.

Computer system with parallel processor for pixel arithmetic


Methods and apparatus are provided for implementing an efficient processor having state information included in each register. A processor has registers configured to hold both data and state information, such as carry and overflow information. State information and data can be read and written in the same operation. Holding state information along with data in the same register can provide a variety of benefits, particularly in the context of multithreaded programmable chips.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to processor registers. In one example, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing state information in processor registers to allow the implementation of a more efficient processor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Electronic devices such as processors have datapaths for handling input and providing output. For example, a processor may have a datapath such as a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) datapath. The supported datapath may be associated with taking an instruction, performing an operation on input values, and providing resulting output values. Processors typically include control circuitry, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), and memory (e.g. registers, cache, RAM and ROM) for processing instructions.
Elements on the processor datapath typically have a designated width. For example, a 16-bit ALU may be coupled to 16-bit registers. The 16-bit ALU is operable to take data from 16-bit registers and write the result to another 16-bit register. However, certain computations yield results that can not be fully expressed in a 16-bit output. Consequently, additional mechanisms are often provided in order to handle results that can not be fully expressed. The additional mechanisms, however, can be complex and inefficient.
In some instances, providing registers for holding overflow information or carry information can consume valuable chip resources. It is therefore desirable to provide improved methods and apparatus for implementing electronic devices such as processors. More specifically, it is desirable to provide improved techniques and mechanisms for implementing processor pipelines with more efficient mechanisms for handling state information.

Processor registers having state information


A method for processing a gasoline range hydrocarbon stream wherein a single reactor/distillation tower stream is fractionated into a light fraction and a heavy fraction, the light fraction is hydrodesulfurized, the heavy fraction is optionally hydrocracked and then hydrodesulfurized, and the light and heavy fractions are separately recovered.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the processing of a hydrocarbon stream that is generally in the gasoline boiling range to remove sulfur therefrom. This invention also relates to enhancing at least a fraction of said stream by catalytic cracking while desulfurizing same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Gasoline boiling range hydrocarbon streams are routinely generated by various processes in crude oil refineries or chemical plants. For example, a hydrocarbon stream containing gasoline boiling range hydrocarbons and other hydrocarbons outside the gasoline boiling range, e.g., a vacuum gas oil, is conventionally catalytically cracked in a refinery to produce gasoline boiling range material. Some chemical plants are designed to steam crack various liquid hydrocarbon feedstocks, such as straight run naphtha to produce light olefins (ethylene, propylene, butenes, etc.) and aromatics (benzene, toluene, xylenes, etc.). Steam cracking also produces an important by-product known as pyrolysis gasoline ("pygas") which is generally within the gasoline boiling range. These various gasoline streams are ultimately blended with one another and/or other gasoline streams to form a finished, commercial gasoline product for sale to the public.
Due to environmental regulations, the level of total sulfur allowed in finished gasoline has been reduced and likely will be reduced more in the future. Accordingly, it is important to reduce the sulfur content of the various gasoline blending streams that go into formulating finished gasolines.
For example, pygas is used as a gasoline blending stream and is desirably desulfurized to some extent before the gasoline blending operation. The lower the sulfur content of such a blending stream the more valuable it is because of the low sulfur requirements for finished gasoline. This assumes that the octane is not significantly lowered from hydrodesulfurization. Currently, full range pygas from a cracking plant is first stabilized in a stand-alone, first-stage hydrotreater to remove reactive olefins. Thereafter, the pygas is fractionated (split) in a separate, upright splitter tower into a light pygas fraction and a heavy pygas fraction. The light fraction is desulfurized in a separate hydrodesulfurization ("HDS") unit and then subjected to solvent extraction for the separate recovery of aromatics. The heavy fraction is sent to gasoline blending without HDS processing.
Due to ever tightening environmental regulations, it is desirable to desulfurize the heavy pygas before sending it to gasoline blending, but not necessarily to the same sulfur specifications as those set for the light pygas. Desulfurization of the heavy pygas could desirably reduce its sulfur content below the legal requirement or even well below such requirement thereby rendering that heavy pygas more valuable as a blending stock since it would meet or exceed sulfur requirements for the finished gasoline even before blending.
Heretofore, it has been taught to subject both light and heavy catalytically cracking gasoline fractions to HDS, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,948 (Didillon et al.). Didillon et al. contemplate the use of a distillation zone to form the light and heavy fractions with HDS zones outside or inside the distillation zone. To achieve their desired results, Didillon et al. require the use of a wholly nickel based catalyst on the light fraction and the use of a conventional HDS catalyst such as a Co/Mo based catalyst on the heavy fraction. Didillon et al. show by way of their Example 3 that when not using an entirely nickel based catalyst on the light fraction, but rather using a conventional HDS catalyst on both the light and the heavy fractions, their desired sulfur reduction results were not achieved as represented in their Tables 7–8. Further, Didillon et al. require mixing of the light and heavy fractions after subjecting each fraction to HDS. Accordingly, Didillon et al. not only teach, but require both HDS of the light fraction with a catalyst containing solely nickel, and mixing of the light and heavy fractions after HDS of each fraction. Additional teaching of related art was done by Johan W. Gosselink ("Sulfide Catalysts in Refineries"; CATTECH, Vol. 2, No. 2, December 1998 pp. 127–144). In FIG. 9 he teaches the use of a catalytic distillation tower/reactor to hydrodesulfurize, a lighter fraction with a CoMo/Al2O3 catalyst, and hydrodesulfurize, a heavier fraction using NiMo/Al2O3 beds. He teaches using a gas oil feed to produce a low sulfur diesel product by combining the two (light and heavy) desulfurized streams. This invention teaches away from this art by having a lighter gasoline range feed and separating the light and heavy product.

Hydrodesulfurization of gasoline fractions


Systems, methods, and machine-readable media are disclosed for automating setup of configuration data for an application program. In one embodiment, a method of automating setup of configuration data for an application program can comprise identifying a set of configuration data used by a first instance of the application program. The set of configuration data can contain data for substantially replicating a configuration for the first instance of the application program. The method can further include extracting the set of configuration data from the first instance of the application program. A manifest can be created identifying data in the set of configuration data. The set of configuration data can be saved in a portable format that includes the set of configuration data and the manifest.

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to configuring application programs and more particularly to automating setup of configuration data for an application program.
Companies using packaged enterprise software or other large-scale applications to run their businesses typically have implementation teams that configure their software before they use it. Many implementations share common configuration settings. For example, companies may have to incorporate legal requirements in their business practices, or they may have similar or identical processes due to their industry, size, or other factors.
There are several ways an implementation project team may configure an instance of a software package to meet these requirements. When experienced, outside consultants are hired to help with configuration, they may have documentation, spreadsheets, or knowledge from prior implementations that are relevant to the new customer. If the customer implements without outside help, they may ask other companies, use documentation and examples, or create configuration through trial and error.
These methods for creating configuration typically rely on the past experience of the implementer, particularly in the case of hiring outside consultants. The implementer must remember, capture or document the relevant configuration settings, manually extracting those parameters which are useful for a new implementation and excluding those which are specific to the former customer. In addition, the consultant must remember, capture or document the complete set of configuration settings to repeat the configuration.
In addition, the capturing of configuration from a prior implementation is a manual process which requires knowledge of how configuration is represented in the application, how it can be extracted out and in what forms it can be loaded into a new instance. Some software packages have tools to load data from spreadsheets into the software instance. However, these specific capabilities are not comprehensive and do not enforce relationships or completeness. Configuration is typically held in multiple, heterogeneous constructs, and extraction requires knowledge of these constructs, how they can be accessed, extracted, persisted and loaded as well as the relationships and components which, taken as a whole, would provide a complete and coherent configuration set.
Current solutions require knowledge, outside of the software package, of the ways in which configuration is stored and accessed and the relationships between elements of configuration. The loading of configuration requires manual steps, using disparate technologies, and managing completeness across multiple tasks. This is a complex problem to solve, and manual, individual efforts are prone to errors and omissions. Hence, there is a need for methods and systems that allow for automating setup of configuration data for an application program.

Tool for automated extraction and loading of configuration settings


A mounting case for an electro-optical device accommodates an electro-optical panel that is used in the electro-optical device in which display images are displayed on the basis of electrical signals transmitted to and from the outside through the mounting case. The mounting case for an electro-optical device includes a body portion that is constructed to accommodate the electro-optical panel in a state in which one end of a flexible wiring board for transmitting the electrical signals is connected to the periphery of the electro-optical panel and which has a wall portion defining an opening through which the other end of the flexible wiring board leads from the inside to the outside of the mounting case. The wall portion has a cross-sectional shape that widens from the inside to the outside of the mounting case in a cross section crossing a surface of the flexible wiring board in a direction from the inside toward the outside of the mounting case.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a mounting case for mounting an electro-optical panel used in an electro-optical device, to an electro-optical device, such as a liquid crystal device, having the electro-optical panel, and to an electronic apparatus that uses the electro-optical device as a light valve.
2. Related Art
This electro-optical panel is not installed in a casing body of a device as it is in a so-called panel state, but is installed in a state in which it is mounted or accommodated in a proper mounting case, when it is used as a light valve in an electronic apparatus, such as a liquid crystal projector. The reason why the electro-optical panel is accommodated in the mounting case is that the electro-optical panel can be easily fixed or attached to the casing body through screw holes by providing the screw holes in the mounting case.
In such an electronic apparatus, projection light to the electro-optical device is extremely strong. Therefore, in order to prevent the electro-optical panel from deteriorating due to a high temperature, the mounting case is generally provided with a cooling mechanism, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-198934. Furthermore, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-198934, the electro-optical panel generally has an external circuit connecting terminal formed at its circumference in order to communicate an electrical signal with the outside. A flexible wiring board is mounted at the circumference of the electro-optical panel. The other end of the flexible wiring board whose one end is connected to the electro-optical panel in the mounting case leads to the outside through the opening of the mounting case and is then connected to a connector of an external circuit board.
However, at this time, if the other end of the flexible wiring board is bent toward the connector and comes into contact with the mounting case, there is a possibility that the flexible wiring board can be damaged, like disconnection or a short circuit of wiring lines provided on the surface.

Mounting case for electro-optical device, electro-optical device and electronic apparatus


A rotation transmitting device having an outer ring formed with a bore, a holder fixedly mounted in the bore and rolling elements mounted in the holder so as to be rollable as the outer ring rotates. A pair of input shafts are provided coaxially with an axis of rotation of the outer ring so as to sandwich the rolling elements from both sides thereof. Output shafts are rotatably mounted in the bore at both sides of the input shafts. Cages are rotatably mounted between the output shafts and the outer ring and formed with pockets. Engaging elements are mounted in the pockets and adapted to be engageable between opposite surfaces of the outer ring and the output shafts with relative rotation between the cages and the output shafts in either direction. Elastic members are mounted in the pockets to keep the engaging elements in a position where they are not engaged. The cages and the output shafts are coupled to the respective input shafts so that a driving force can be transmitted between the input shafts and the output shafts. The input shafts and the output shafts are coupled together with gaps formed therebetween in the direction of rotation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a rotation transmitting device which can be used e.g. as a differential of an automobile.
2. Description of the Related Art
A differential of an automobile comprises an opposed pair of side gears coupled to output shafts such as axles and pinion gears coupled to an input member coupled to the propeller shaft. If there is a difference in revolving speed between the right and left wheels, the pinion gears rotate between the side gears, thus transmitting a driving torque to the respective output shafts according to the loads on the respective wheels.
But with such a simple differential comprised merely of side gears and pinion gears meshing with each other, if one of the wheels should get off the track or move onto a frozen or snow-covered surface so that the load thereon should drop sharply, the turning torque is distrubuted only to the idling un-loaded wheel, whereas torque transmission is completely shut off to the wheel still gripping the road surface.
In order to cope with this problem, many devices have been proposed which limit the differential function of a differential. As typical examples, there are known a differential having a viscous coupling adapted to distribute the driving torque to the wheel under high load making use of the shearing resistance of a high-viscosity fluid and a differential having a plurality of friction plates and elastic members adapted to retard the movement of the side gears and thus to transmit the driving torque to both output shafts.
But in the former arrangement using a viscous coupling, while the difference in revolving speed between the output shafts is small, the shearing resistance of the high-viscosity fluid is small, so that no sufficient driving torque is obtainable. If attempt is made to increase the shearing resistance while the revolving speed is low, a dragging torque tends to appear while the car is turning a tight corner at a low speed.
On the other hand, in the latter arrangement using friction plates, the internal structure of the differential tends to be complicated and heavy. When the car turns a tight corner with the friction plates in operation, a dragging torque will be produced by the frictional force on the side gears.

Rotation transmitting device having differently rotating output shafts


An earth fault detection circuit for detecting an earth fault between a high-voltage battery and a motor includes: an A.C. signal generation portion generating an A.C. signal; a first capacitive element between the A.C. signal generation portion and one end side of the high-voltage battery; a voltage dividing circuit dividing a voltage on the one end side of the high-voltage battery; an earth fault detection portion detecting the earth fault between the high-voltage battery and the motor based on an earth fault detection signal inputted thereto; and a second capacitive element inputting an A.C. component of the voltage, on the one end side of the high-voltage battery, which is obtained by the voltage division in the voltage dividing circuit as the earth fault detection signal to the earth fault detection portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an earth fault detection circuit and a power source device including the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a power source device for controlling power source supply from a high-voltage battery to a load is connected to the high-voltage battery which is mounted in a vehicle such as an electric car, a fuel-cell car or a hybrid car. The power source device is insulated from a car body. Thus, in response to the risk of electrical shock becoming high when an earth fault occurs in the power source device, a circuit for detecting an earth fault in the power source device is proposed.
An inverter for drive-controlling a motor can be connected to the high-voltage power source as a load. In such a case, even when the earth fault in the high-voltage power source is to be detected, it becomes difficult to make a correct judgment about the earth fault since, under the influence of a noise which is generated from the inverter during the operation of the motor, the noise is superimposed on a detection signal. To cope with this, an earth fault detecting device is known as an earth fault judging means that takes the influence of such a noise into consideration. For example, JP-2006-177840-A describes such an earth fault detecting device, which includes an external noise removing circuit in which a high-frequency noise removing function can be turned ON/OFF by a switch circuit. Thus, the earth fault detecting device judges presence or absence of generation of the earth fault based on a response waveform appearing when a pulse signal is applied to one end side of a high-voltage power source through a coupling capacitor in a state in which the high-frequency noise removing function is held in an ON state.

Earth fault detection circuit and power source device


A device for filling a swimming pool having a liner and a shell includes a water supply valve to control the flow of water into said swimming pool; a vacuum pump to evacuate air from the space between the liner and the shell as the swimming pool is being filled; a probe for generating a signal when the water in the pool reaches a predetermined height; and a controller responsive to the signal from the probe to shut off said water supply valve and the vacuum pump when water is detected by the probe. A current sensor monitors the current to the vacuum pump and shuts off the water supply valve when the vacuum pump ceases operation. A bypass switch allows the current sensor to be disabled.

Vinyl lined pools are preferred over poured-in-place concrete pools by many consumers. Vinyl lined pools are typically constructed of a series of prefabricated metal panels which are assembled on site to form the side walls of the pool. The bottom of the pool is a type of concrete that is poured in place after the walls are assembled. A vinyl liner is then inserted into the shell and smoothed against the side walls and bottom of the pool. This method of construction is generally less expensive than building a poured in place concrete pool and can be completed in less time.
Another reason consumers prefer vinyl lined pools is its ease of maintenance. Concrete pools require patching and painting at the beginning of each season, whereas the vinyl liner needs replacement only after many years of use. Also, algae and other organisms are less likely adhere to the vinyl liner making it easier to keep clean.
When the liner is installed into a vinyl lined pool, care must be exercised to make sure that air is not trapped between the liner and the shell of the pool. Air pockets are not aesthetically pleasing and increase the likelihood that the liner will be torn during use. To prevent formation of air pockets during installation of the liner, a vacuum pump is used to pull air out of the space between the liner and the shell while the pool is being filled with water.
Generally, it takes anywhere from one day to two days to fill an average size pool using a garden hose attached to a household spigot. The vacuum pump must continue running during this entire period. If the vacuum pump shuts off or otherwise malfunctions, air pockets will form underneath the liner. Once the pool is filled, these air pockets are almost impossible to eliminate.
Currently, no device exists to ensure continuous operation of the vacuum pump while the pool is being filled. Further, it is not practical to continuously monitor the operation of the vacuum pump while the pool is being filled. Therefore, there is a need for a device that will automatically monitor and control the vacuum pump and water supply during the filling of the pool.


Radial input waveguide is provided having three consecutive sound wave propagation passageways, virtually divided by two folding regions along its extension from radial input up to substantially rectangular output, each one forming a different type of waves and all three channels shaped between an internal body and a shell housing enclosing it at a distance. The radially expanding initial air channel forms a cylindrical wave front between two input walls. A relatively wide region with parallel walls is available for wave folding at adaptably changeable diameters in this region with a small distance between the folded walls. All individual partial wave fronts on the periphery of the first folding region are traveling along substantially equal, accumulated from the last two air channels, path lengths, to the waveguide output, forming there a common isophase and planar wave front. The middle passageway contains all the physical dimensions necessary to control the waveguide performance, the most important being the height H and the width D, whose ratio controls the wave front output curvature.

Waveguides are commonly referred to as "acoustical transformers" transforming the acoustical impedance from a horn input to the compression driver output. The current invention is to be implemented in line array systems as a transition element between the compression driver output and the high frequency line-array input, usually a rectangular vertical area band, very narrow in a horizontal plane, which makes possible fast horn flares opening, thus defining a relatively wide horizontal coverage. The vertical directivity of a line array system is typically realized by aligning such horns as close as possible to each other in a vertical line or in a slightly curved line, in both cases trying to simulate a cylindrical or prolate spheroidal wave front of the line array group up to the highest audible frequencies. To achieve this, all individual wave front outputs must be in-phase, all the way from top to bottom along its height, in order to create a coherent common wave front, without the typical for the conical horn groups vertical lobbing. Prior art teaches us how to do this in several ways.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,167/Nov. 10, 1992, Heil teaches us how to build "Sound Wave Guide", shown in FIG. 1—"Prior Art", comprising a conduit which expands from its input to its output. The area of the output orifice of the wave guide is planar and oblong, and its conduit comprises a passage between the input orifice and the output area, adapted to guide the waves along a general direction from which the shortest paths allowed in the one or more passages are all of lengths which are practically identical from the input orifice to the output orifice of the conduit. This "Sound Wave Guide" is well-accepted and is in production by L-Acoustic Company, used in so-called V-DOSC Systems. One of the disadvantages in this prior art example is that expanding in axial direction in front of the driver, the length of the waveguide becomes relatively large. Another, probably worse, disadvantage is that this axial expansion actually widens the air-passages along the way towards the middle of the guide, where the wave front is forced to change direction to the rectangular output. With larger wall to wall distances at these foldings, inevitable phase interferences take part at higher frequencies, having quarter of the wavelengths comparable with these distances.
Adamson, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,719 B2/Jun. 24, 2003 teaches us how to use a "Wave Shaping Sound Chamber" with approximately rectangular inlet and outlet of substantially the same size in front of a typical conical horn throat. The sound chamber transforms the curvature of the fan shaped wave front that results from a conical horn throat into a wave front that approximates a planar or curved rectangular ribbon of sound. The invention claims advantages against the first prior art example, but at the expense of higher complexity, larger dimensions and eventually greater total line-array volume and mass.
In PCT published patent WO 2012/018735 A1, Donarski teaches us how to realize a plane wave front at the waveguide rectangular output by using two successive waveguides, the first being conical from the driver circular output to an annular output and the second with an annular input to a rectangular output. In both waveguides, vanes are used to address the interference problems at higher frequencies because of the increased dimensions of the air passages. Just as the previous prior art examples, this approach leads to very long, complicated and expensive waveguides, further increasing the length of the single line array element and the volume and the mass of the entire line array group.
None of the examples quoted, nor the art, to our knowledge, teach us how to make compact waveguides with precise wave front control up to the highest audible frequency range, having the possibility to precisely keep a predetermined wave front curvature at different output heights, expansion rates and axial lengths, at the same time being equally suitable for all the variety of available compression drivers. What is neither disclosed nor suggested in the art, is an acoustic waveguide that does not have the problems and limitations of waveguides in prior art, as described above.


A golf bag bottom of the present invention includes a bottom base and a side frame. The bottom base has a transitional part; and the side frame is divided into two parts by the transitional part, and a notch is formed at a connection portion between the two parts of the side frame. The transitional part is formed on a ¼ position of the golf bag bottom along a longitudinal direction.

At present, a conventional golf bag generally comprises a top frame 03, a bag body 01, a golf bag bottom 02, a plurality of support brackets 05, a pair of steel wires 04, and a movable tongue block 24, as shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b). The golf bag bottom 02 generally has an inclined plane with the moveable tongue block 24 thereon. During operation, when the golf bag is placed slantways, the support brackets 05 are unfolded to pull the steel wires 04, and then the tongue block 24 is driven by the steel wires 04 to slant the golf bag bottom 02.
However, under the circumstance, the traditional golf bag cannot keeps stable, even being overturned, because of a small contacting area of the golf bag bottom 02 with the ground and heavy golf clubs contained therein. In addition, because the traditional golf bag bottom 02 is formed by assembling a lot of components together, so the manufacturing process will become rather complicated and also results in an expensive manufacturing cost and inefficiency.
Hence it is desired to provide a golf bag bottom which can overcome the foregoing drawbacks of the prior art.


An ignition apparatus includes a high voltage (HV) terminal to which a high voltage end of the secondary winding is attached. The ignition apparatus further includes an electrically conductive cup configured to surround the high voltage terminal when the secondary winding spool is inserted in the case. The high voltage terminal has one end that comes into engagement with an inner annular surface of the cup. Electromagnetic interference suppression is provided by a resistor disposed between the cup and a high voltage connector assembly that connects to a spark plug. The resistor is formed of electrically conductive plastic material.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to an ignition apparatus for developing a spark firing voltage that is applied to one or more spark plugs of an internal combustion engine.
2. Discussion of the Background Art
Ignition coils are known for use in connection with an internal combustion engine such as an automobile engine, and which include a primary winding, a secondary winding, and a magnetic circuit. The magnetic circuit conventionally may comprise a cylindrical-shaped, central core extending along an axis, located radially inwardly of the primary and secondary windings and magnetically coupled thereto. The components are contained in a case formed of electrical insulating material, with an outer core or shield located outside of the case. One end of the secondary winding is conventionally configured to produce a relatively high voltage when a primary current through the primary winding is interrupted. In a common configuration, insulating resin or the like is introduced into the gap between the secondary winding and the case for insulating purposes. The high voltage end is coupled to a spark plug, as known, that is arranged to generate a discharge spark responsive to the high voltage. It is further known to provide relatively slender ignition coil configuration that is adapted for mounting directly above the spark plug—commonly referred to as a "pencil" coil.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,724,289 entitled "IGNITION APPARATUS HAVING FEATURE FOR SHIELDING THE HV TERMINAL" issued to Moga et al. disclose a pencil coil type ignition apparatus that includes an electrically conductive cup configured to engage and surround the high voltage terminal, thereby suppressing the electromagnetic field concentration at the high voltage terminal. Moga et al. further disclose a resistor between such cup and a spring (which connects to the spark plug). The resistor is provided for suppressing electromagnetic interference. In this regard, Moga et al. further disclose a second cup on the lower end of the resistor in order to provide, among other things, an interface to the spring. However, the arrangement in Moga et al. comprises multiple, individual pieces (i.e., the resistor and the second cup) in order to mate to the spring, increasing somewhat the complexity of the apparatus. In addition, a predetermined amount or volume of the insulating resin is used, which has a certain cost. It would be desirable to reduce this cost.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved ignition apparatus that minimizes or eliminates one or more of the shortcomings as set forth above.

Ignition apparatus having conductive plastic ignition terminal and field smoother


The present invention includes a composition for implantation in a patient, comprising surface-functionalized nanodiamonds and at least one biodegradable biocompatible polymer. The present invention also includes a surgical fixation device for use in a patient.

Medical problems that affect bones, including fractures, degenerative diseases and inflammatory syndromes, impact millions of people worldwide. Bone fractures, lower back pain, osteoporosis, scoliosis and other musculoskeletal problems generally require orthopedic intervention with the use of permanent or temporary medical surgical fixation devices. The properties of these fixation devices play a key role in determining the success and recovery time for the medical procedures.
Surgical fixation devices, including plates, screws, pins, rods, anchors and staples, are used in orthopedic surgery procedures, such as: bone fracture fixation (Weiler et al., 1988, Am. J. Sports Med. 26(1):119-28); autograft ankle stabilization (Jeys et al., 2004, Am. J. Sports Med. 32(7):1651-59); reconstruction surgery of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) (Nakano et al., 2000, Clin. Biomech. 5(3):188-95); replacement of the intervertebral discs (Ella et al., 2005, J. Mat. Sci.-Mat. Med. 16(7):655-62); and posterior spinal fixation (Evans et al., 2002, J. Mat. Sci.-Mat. Med. 13(12):1143-45).
Metal surgical fixation devices are often used to replace damaged or missing bone tissue due to their high initial fixation strength (Kurosaka et al., 1987, Am. J. Sports Med. 15(3):225-29; Lambert, 1983, Clin. Orthop. Rel. Res. 172:85-89; Shelbourne & Nitz, 1990, Am. J. Sports Med. 18(3):292-99). However, metallic implant devices are not degradable, leaving cavitations in the bone once the devices are removed.
In recent years, surgical fixation devices prepared with biocompatible polymers have been investigated as potential replacements of metallic fixation devices. Biocompatible polymers have the potential to revolutionize biomedical engineering as scaffolds for hard and soft tissues, such as bone and blood vessels. Compared with conventional metal fixation devices, biocompatible polymer-based fixation devices have the advantages of causing no long-term implant palpability, no long-term temperature sensitivity, no stress shielding and no interference with post-operative diagnostic imaging. These advantages may lead to better bone healing, reduced patient trauma, reduced cost, elimination of need for a subsequent surgery for implant removal, and fewer complications from infections.
However, biocompatible polymer-based fixation devices still face challenges. The polymer or composite used in the devices should have good biocompatibility with the surrounding tissue and have mechanical properties similar to the bone tissue being replaced. Furthermore, the polymer or composite should be biodegradable so that it is gradually replaced by newly grown tissue (Claes et al., 1986, Akt. Traumatol. 16:74-77; Rokkanen et al., 1985, Lancet 1(8443):1422-24). Most current biocompatible polymers are not strong enough from a mechanical standpoint, especially when used as surgical fixation devices and bone scaffolds. Furthermore, current biocompatible polymer-based surgical fixation devices do not actively promote bone healing and regrowth, leaving voids in the tissue once the implanted device is fully degraded. There is thus a need to identify a polymer or composite material that combines structural strength and bone tissue regrowth stimulation.
Nanosized diamond powders (also known as nanodiamonds or NDs) are produced by detonation synthesis in large volumes (Shenderova & McGuire, "Nanocrystalline Diamond," in "Nanomaterials handbook," Y. Gogotsi, Ed., 2006, CRC Taylor and Francis: Boca Raton, p. 203-37) and represent a new class of relatively inexpensive carbon nanomaterial with a broad range of potential applications, including composite materials. NDs have been used as components of sorbents, lubricating and polishing compositions and as additives to electrolytic and electroless deposition baths.
NDs are composed of particles of about 5 nm in diameter and consist of an inert diamond core terminated with surface chemical groups such as C═O, COOH, and OH (Lam et al., 2008, ACS Nano 2(10):2095-2102), as shown in FIG. 1. When originally synthesized, the diamond core is often surrounded by graphene shells and amorphous carbon (FIGS. 1a and 1b; Osswald et al., 2006, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 128(35):11635-42).
NDs are a member of the nanocarbon family, but differ from other well-known nanomaterials, such as fullerenes and carbon nanotubes (Shenderova et al., 2002, Crit. Rev. Solid State Mat. Sci. 27(3-4):227-356). NDs exhibit the excellent mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of diamond at nanoscale, and actually outperform carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and other known materials. For example, the thermal conductivity of nanodiamonds (˜2000 W·m−1·K−1) is of the same order as the highest reported for CNTs (6600 W·m−1·K−1) (Berber et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 84(20):4613-16). However, in contrast to carbon nanotubes, ND is a good insulator.
An attractive characteristic of NDs is their relative lack of toxicity and their biocompatibility. NDs have recently been reported to be the least toxic of all carbon nanomaterials (Puzyr et al., 2007, Diamond Relat. Mater. 16:2124-28; Huang et al., 2007, Nano. Lett. 7(11):3305-14; Mitura et al., 2006, J. Achiev. Mat. Manuf. Eng. 16(1-2):9-16; Bakowicz-Mitura, 2007, Surf. Coat, Technol. 201(13):6131-35; Lam et al., 2008, ACS Nano 2(10):2095-2102; Liu et al., 2007, Nanotechnol. 18(5):55102; Schrand et al., 2007, J. Phys. Chem. B 111(1):2-7; Puzyr et al., 2007, Diamond Relat. Mater. 16:2124-28). In contrast, the toxicity of CNTs is still debatable and raises concerns regarding their use in biological applications (Cherukuri et al., 2004, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 126(48):15638-39; Cherukuri et al., 2006, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 103:18882-86).
The small particle size and the low toxicity of NDs make them desirable for biological applications. Still, many potential applications of NDs, including in biomedical and composite materials, remain unexplored.
There remains a need in the art to identify novel materials that are compatible with biological systems and may have used in biomedical applications, such as orthopedic surgery. The present invention fulfills these needs.

Functionalized nanodiamond reinforced biopolymers


A system and method for communicating a device's capabilities uses a digital watermark embedded in content data. The watermark includes parameters concerning a source unit's communications capabilities. The watermark is embedded within content data, such as multimedia data, of a data packet. A destination unit, upon receiving the data packet detects if a watermark is present, and if so extracts the source's capability parameters from the watermark. The destination unit then negotiates with the source unit to use certain capabilities based on the source capability information contained in the watermark.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to communicating information using digital watermarks.
2. Description of the Related Art
The technique of marking paper with a watermark for identification is as almost as old as papermaking itself. With the advent of digital media there are many techniques for applying this ancient art to our new technologies. Such a watermark, applied to digital media, is referred to as a digital watermark. A digital watermark is described by M. Miller et al., A Review of Watermarking Principles and Practices, in Digital Signal Processing in Multimedia Systems, 18, 461-85 (K. K. Parhi and T. Nishitani, Marcell Dekker, Inc., 1999), as a piece of information that is hidden directly in media content, in such a way that it is imperceptible to a human observer, but easily detected by a computer.
Although the applications of using digital watermarks differ from the applications of using paper watermarks, the underlying purpose and approach remain the same. The conventional purpose of using a digital watermark is to identify the original document, identify a legitimate document or prohibit unauthorized duplication. The approach used in applying a digital watermark is much the same as in watermarking of paper. Instead of using mesh to produce a faint indentation in the paper providing a unique identifiable mark, a digital pattern is placed into an unused area or unnoticeable area of the image, audio file or file header. Digital watermarks have also been used to send information concerning the message in which the watermark is embedded, including information for suppressing errors in signal transmission and calibration information. These conventional uses of watermarks, however, fail to fully integrate an intelligent watermark capable of supplying information along with the original signal, image or packet of data.
More specifically, prior digital watermarking techniques suffer from the shortcoming of relying on source identification being tied into the network transport protocol. Conventional source identification and authentication schemes use a source identification field embedded in a packet header by the network or transport layer for ascertaining source origin and authentication. Since network and transport layer headers get stripped off of a packet by those layers, these schemes limit identification and authentication to being performed by the data transport or network protocols.
Current fallback schemes to support the capabilities of, and to be compatible with, preexisting and deployed equipment, referred to here as legacy equipment, also inhibit the growth and deployment of new and advanced features in multimedia voice, video and data equipment. For example, in the military radio environment LPC-10e vocoders (voice operated recorder), which use linear prediction compression (LPC), have been in use for years and are widely deployed. However, performance of the LPC-10e vocoder is inadequate in severely degraded background noise environments. Newer technologies, such as in the Federal Standard MELP (mixed excitement linear processing) vocoder, have significantly reduced background noise effects. The capabilities of such newer technologies often go unused because currently deployed fallback mechanisms default to the lowest common denominator capabilities of the communicating devices. That is, these fallback schemes reduce the operating capability of the deployed equipment to the lowest capability level of the devices in communication (e.g. to the capabilities of the legacy LPC—10e vocoder). Accordingly, the advanced capabilities of new equipment goes underutilized until all legacy equipment in a network is upgraded.
Even after the legacy equipment leaves the network, the voice data streams present in the network and that were generated to be compatible with the LPC-10e vocoders remain in the legacy LPC-10e waveform even though such a waveform is not required for operation once the legacy equipment is removed from the communication network. This is due to the fact that the newer radios are not capable of discriminating new equipment sources from legacy equipment sources purely from the transport layer information in the transmitted data stream. This prevents the new equipment from automatically negotiating capabilities with other devices to operate with the greatest capabilities common to the communicating devices.

Digital multimedia watermarking for source identification


This invention provides peptides of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is H, CH.sub.3 or an N-protecting group;. Y is PA1 Z is COR.sub.1, ##STR3## wherein: R.sub.1 is H, OH, CH.sub.2 Cl, CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CO-pip, CF.sub.2 --CF.sub.2 --CO-pip, CH.sub.2 --CH(CH.sub.3)--CO-pip, CF.sub.2 --CF(CF.sub.3)--CO-pip, CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CO-Pro-NHEt, CF.sub.2 --CF.sub.2 --CO-Pro-NHEt or a chromophoric group, PA1 Aa.sub.1 is Dpa, Nal or Dba; and PA1 Aa.sub.2 is ##STR4## or C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl-substituted derivatives of it, wherein R.sub.8 is CH.sub.2, CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2, S--CH.sub.2, S--C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 or CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2.. (1) C.sub.3 -C.sub.9 alkyl optionally substituted by C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, PA2 (2) C.sub.5 -C.sub.10 aryl optionally substituted by C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, PA2 (3) C.sub.5 -C.sub.10 alkylaryl optionally substituted by C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, PA2 (4) (CH.sub.2).sub.n --Q or ##STR2## wherein Q is H, amino, amidino, imidizole, guanidino or isothioureido and n is 1-5; PA2 R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 may be the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of OH, OR.sub.6 and NR.sub.6 R.sub.7, wherein R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 may be the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1-10 alkyl, phenyl or C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 arylalkyl, or, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 taken together represent the residue of a diol, PA2 R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are the same or different and are selected from: (1) R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, wherein R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 may be the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of OH, OR.sub.6 and NR.sub.6 R.sub.7, wherein R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 may be the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1-10 alkyl, phenyl or C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 arylalkyl, or, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 taken together represent the residue of a diol, (2) Gly-pip, (3) Ala-pip or (4) Gly-Pro-NHEt;

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to thrombin inhibitors and substrates.
2. Description of the Related Art
Thrombin, the last enzyme in the coagulation system, cleaves soluble fibrinogen to fibrin, which is then crosslinked and forms an insoluble gel forming the matrix for a thrombus. When a vessel is damaged, the above process is necessary to stop bleeding. Under normal circumstances there is no measurable amount of thrombin present in plasma. Increase of the thrombin concentration can result in formation of clots, which can lead to thromboembolic disease, one of the most common serious medical problems of our time.
Thrombin contributes to haemostatic control by means of several biological reactions. In addition to its primary function, the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, thrombin activates Factor XIII, which is responsible for the crosslinking of fibrin. Thrombin also acts by means of a positive feedback mechanism involving the activation of Factors V and VIII, which both are necessary for its own formation from prothrombin. Thrombin has another essential role: its binding to platelets initiates platelet release and aggregation which is responsible for primary haemostasis.
Fibrinolysis is the process which causes an enzymatic dissolution of fibrinogen and fibrin clots. Plasma contains a protein, plasminogen, which under the influence of various activators is converted to plasmin, a proteolytic enzyme, the activity of which resembles that of fibrin. Plasmin breaks down fibrin to fibrin degradation products.
Under normal conditions, the fibrinolysis system is in balance with the coagulation system. Small thrombi formed in the blood stream can be dissolved enzymatically and the circulation through the vessels can be restored by the activation of the fibrinolytic system in the body. If the fibrinolytic activity is too high, it may cause or prolong bleeding and if it is too low compared to the activity of the coagulation system, there is a risk of thrombosis.
The reactions of thrombin are further controlled by natural inhibitors in plasma. The most important of these are antithrombin III and heparin. These two compounds have been isolated and are therapeutically and prophylactically used in conditions where there is an imbalance in the haemostatic mechanisms with risk for prothrombin activation.
Mainly two types of therapeutic agents are used for the prevention of thrombosis. The heparins act by accelerating the inhibition of thrombin by antithrombin III. Coumarin derivatives, the oral anticoagulants, e.g. Warfarin, prevent the generation of thrombin by blocking the post-translational vitamin K-dependent .gamma.-carboxylation in the synthesis of prothrombin. Neither Heparin nor Warfarin are ideal. Heparin must be given parenterally and as it functions as a cofactor to antithrombin III it has no effect without this inhibitor. The effect of Warfarin develops very slowly and individual doses must be adjusted by frequent tests. None of these anticoagulants is specific for thrombin, they also inhibit other serine proteases and both of them may cause bleeding if the doses are not correctly balanced.
Thus, direct acting, specific thrombin inhibitors, having oral activity would be useful alternatives to the above anticoagulants. Much research in this area has resulted in the synthesis of different kinds of inhibitors of thrombin.
By imitating amino acid sequences of fibrinogen, the important natural substrate of thrombin, several good short peptide substrates for thrombin have been synthesized. The very first developed sequence with affinity for the active site of thrombin was Phe-Val-Arg 1! which mimics the fibrinogensequence preceding the bond split by thrombin. This sequence has later been improved to give D-Phe-Pro-Arg and D-Phe-Pip-Arg which have been used in chromogenic substrates, e.g. D-Phe-Pro-Arg-pNA and D-Phe-Pip-Arg-pNA 1! and in inhibitors of thrombin, e.g. the peptide aldehyde D-Phe-Pro-Arg-H 2!, the irreversible inhibitor D-Phe-Pro-Arg-CH.sub.2 Cl 3!, inhibitors with a ketomethylene bond e.g. D-Phe-Pro-Arg-k-Gly-piperidide 4! and in the recently synthesized peptide boronic acid inhibitors e.g. Z-D-Phe-Pro-boroArg 5! and the nitrile: Boc-D-Phe-Pro-ArgCN 6!.
Thus, D-Phe-Pro-Arg has been considered the best sequence for about 15 years, and it has been shown to have very good affinity for the active site of thrombin, in substrates (Km around 10.sup.-6 M) as well as in inhibitors (Ki 10.sup.-7 M to 10.sup.-9 M).


Techniques for training a call center operator trainee are described. A database contains queries including caller speech providing information to be used in routing a call. Each query is associated with an operator response as well as numerical values produced by analyzing the query and the operator response. A training module presents a query to a trainee and receives the trainee response. The training module compares the trainee response to one or more of the numerical values in the database to determine if the trainee response is consistent with the correct destination for the call. If the trainee response is not consistent with the correct destination, the training module provides guidance to assist the trainee in associating the query with the correct destination.

Interpretation of spoken or other verbal requests or instructions is an important function in the operations of many organizations. Organizations often require employees to handle spoken requests, often from customers who may not phrase the requests in any standard way. Training of these employees often includes presenting sample requests to the employees, observing the employee's response to the requests, determining if the employee has responded correctly and giving guidance to the employee if the response is incorrect. Such training often requires a human trainer to present the sample requests and evaluate the employee's response. The use of a human trainer imposes costs for the labor of the trainer.
One specific activity which requires training in the interpretation of spoken or other verbal instructions is routing of telephone calls to an organization. Most calls received by a large enterprise or service center are then transferred from a centralized telephone number through the operation of a call center. Calls to the centralized telephone number are answered by an automated call router or a human operator. The incoming calls are then routed to a destination based on information received from the customer, such as a touchtone entry, a statement of the call destination, a description of activities or services to which the call relates, or a more generalized statement of the issue which the customer wishes to address. A skilled human operator can discern a caller's intentions even if they are expressed in indirect ways, but an operator must be trained in order to route calls successfully.
Frequently, call centers often experience a high degree of turnover among their human operators. A continuous influx of new operators leads to a continuous need to train these new operators. Typically, training of call center operators is performed by human instructors. A human instructor can present a query to an operator trainee, interpret the trainee's response, and determine whether or not the trainee's response is correct. If the trainee operator's response is not correct, the instructor can point out that the response is not correct and can furnish guidance about which elements of the query indicate the correct destination of the call.
However, the labor costs associated with the use of human trainers constitutes a major element of operating costs for a call center. Moreover, it may be difficult for the call center to provide training quickly enough to keep pace with the influx of new operator trainees. It would be desirable to be able to train call center operators or other persons required to interpret spoken requests and other verbal information using an automated system which could present a query to a trainee, identify the trainee's response as correct or incorrect and provide guidance to the trainee if the trainee's response was incorrect.

Methods and apparatus for automatic training using natural language techniques for analysis of queries presented to a trainee and responses from the trainee


A loading vehicle detects the position of a receiving vehicle relative to the loading vehicle and determines whether the receiving vehicle is to be repositioned. If so, it sends a repositioning message to the receiving vehicle and receives acknowledgement that the loading vehicle has remote control of the positioning mechanisms in the receiving vehicle. A loading vehicle operator input is detected and a position control signal is sent to the receiving vehicle to reposition it relative to the loading vehicle.

There are a wide variety of different types of vehicles that are used to load material into vehicles. For instance, these loading vehicles can include excavators, wheel loaders, knuckle boom loaders, among others. Similarly, there are a wide variety of different types of vehicles that receive the material and transport it. Such vehicles can include dump trucks, articulated dump trucks, logging trucks, among others.
In construction scenarios, loading vehicles (such as an excavator or a wheel loader) often performs a digging operation to obtain material from a pile, from the ground, or elsewhere. It then moves the material so that it is over a dump body of a receiving vehicle, such as a dump truck, and loads the material into the receiving vehicle. Knuckle boom loaders, or other forestry equipment, can also be used to load logs onto logging trucks.
The receiving vehicles then often transport the material that was loaded onto them to an unloading site where they are dumped or otherwise delivered. It is not uncommon for there to be a plurality of different receiving vehicles that transport material over the same route, to the dumping or unloading area.
The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Loading vehicle and receiving vehicle control


An in-vehicle motor-driven compressor includes a temperature rise estimator configured to estimate a temperature rise of the diode based on an expected reverse current, an on-voltage of the diode, and a heat resistance of the diode. The in-vehicle motor-driven compressor further includes a rotation speed controller configured to set a rotation speed limit of the electric motor, based on the estimated temperature rise of the diode so that a temperature of the diode does not exceed a junction temperature of the diode even when the electric motor is stopped and the reverse current flows through the diode, and limit a rotation speed of the electric motor to lower than or equal to the rotation speed limit.

The following description relates to an in-vehicle motor-driven compressor and a method for controlling the in-vehicle motor-driven compressor.
An in-vehicle motor-driven compressor includes a compression unit that compresses a fluid and an electric motor that drives the compression unit. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2017-180211 describes an example of an in-vehicle motor-driven compressor including an inverter that drives the electric motor. The inverter includes switching elements that perform switching to drive the electric motor and diodes that are connected in parallel to the switching elements. The switching elements perform switching so that the inverter converts the DC voltage from a vehicle battery into AC voltage. The obtained AC voltage is applied to the electric motor as a drive voltage so as to drive and control the electric motor.
The in-vehicle motor-driven compressor is supplied with power from the vehicle battery and thus affected by the input voltage from the battery. The voltage of the vehicle battery changes in accordance with the condition of the vehicle. This may decrease the input voltage from the battery input to the in-vehicle motor-driven compressor. When the input voltage of the battery that is input to the in-vehicle motor-driven compressor is low and the electric motor is stopped while operating at a high rotation speed, a voltage of a back electromotive force (back electromotive voltage) of the electric motor will exceed the input voltage of the battery. This causes a reverse current to flow from the electric motor via an inverter to the vehicle battery. Specifically, when the electric motor is stopped, the switching elements do not perform the switching. This causes the reverse current to flow from the electric motor via the diodes to the battery. When the back electromotive voltage of the electric motor is high, excessive reverse current flows through the diodes. The diodes may break if the temperature of the diodes exceeds a junction temperature of the diodes.
In this respect, for example, the maximum rotation speed of the electric motor may be limited in accordance with the input voltage of the battery. However, in this case, even in situations in which more power can be supplied from the vehicle battery to the in-vehicle motor-driven compressor, the limit on the maximum rotation speed will be set in accordance with the input voltage of the battery. This narrows the operation range of the in-vehicle motor-driven compressor.

In-vehicle motor-driven compressor and method for controlling in-vehicle motor-driven compressor


The invention relates to a method for artificially ageing a catalyst device for use on a catalyst test bench for converting exhaust gases comprising at least one constituent from the group consisting of C-, HC- and NOx-containing constituents, in which method hot ageing gas which comprises at least one constituent from the group consisting of C-, HC- and NOx-containing constituents is allowed to flow through the catalyst device, and to a corresponding apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for artificially ageing a catalyst device in accordance with the preamble of claim 1 and to an apparatus which is suitable for carrying out the method.
2. Background
In the past, the US state of California has made a name for itself by imposing early and strict emission legislation for gasoline vehicles. This legislation means that it is necessary to develop exhaust-gas aftertreatment systems which have a service life of more than 100 000 miles. In the European Union, the legislature, using exhaust classification Euro 3, stipulates a service life of 80 000 km, and then from vehicle models from 2005 onward, by introducing exhaust classification Euro 4, a service life of 100 000 km.
To reduce traffic-produced air pollution, in 1988 the California Air Resources Board (CARB) introduced stricter emission limits for all gasoline vehicles in California with OBD (On-Board Diagnosis). In addition to these stricter regulations, all components of relevance in the exhaust gas had to be subject to continuous monitoring by the electronic control units available. The European Union introduced similar legislation for all gasoline vehicles from model year 2001 onward. The exhaust classifications distinguish between the limit values for the emissions and the on-board diagnosis. The limit values for the OBD are provided with a fixed deterioration factor by the CARB and are intended to reflect the performance of an aged component. Therefore, when this exhaust limit is exceeded, the driver must be made aware that a component which is of relevance to emissions is defective by means of an optical system.
This monitoring of all on-board diagnoses must be certified during homologation (approval) before the legislature using correspondingly aged components in order to demonstrate the fault detection. Furthermore, it is necessary to provide evidence that the emission guidelines as prescribed by the legislature are satisfied in accordance with the predetermined durability.
In addition to type certification, the legislature in the field, especially in California and the USA, is monitoring automobile manufacturers to establish whether the prescribed regulations are being complied with and whether the statutory regulations can be extended further. For example, the LEVII legislation, which applies from models dated 2004 onward, primarily provides for stricter regulation of the NOx emissions. This applies in particular to OBD, since currently only the hydrocarbon (HC) emissions are regulated, which means that the automobile manufacturer will also only use diagnosis technology to monitor a deterioration in the conversion of hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas. Since experience and field tests in recent years have established that nitrogen oxide emissions do not have comparable ageing properties to hydrocarbon emissions, from models dated 2004 onward excessive NOx emissions also have to be monitored in addition to the hydrocarbon emissions.
For example, with the introduction of the LEVII legislation in the USA, the emissions from the catalyst to be monitored must not exceed the emission limit to be applied by more than 1.75 times with regard to either the methane-free hydrocarbon emissions or the nitrogen oxide emissions, and the conversion rate of the aged catalyst must not drop below 50% either for the methane-free hydrocarbon emissions or for the nitrogen oxide emissions.
Furthermore, the LEVII legislation requires the ageing of entire exhaust systems for manufacturers which do not provide for cylinders to be shut down in the event of detected misfires above the levels of misfires which damage the catalyst.
The ever-increasing demands imposed by the legislature require automobile manufacturers to invest more research into the ageing processes of components which are of relevance in terms of exhaust emissions.
The aged components represent an important constituent in the investigation of the relevance to exhaust gas during the use of each vehicle. For example, on the one hand it must be established what influence an aged component has on the emissions, and on the other hand it must be established to what extent the performance has changed compared to a new component. This information has to be correspondingly processed in the software during use.
In this context, the ageing performance of catalytic exhaust systems and the simulation of ageing states are of huge importance.
Currently, there are in principle three different artificial ageing methods for motor vehicle catalysts.
One alternative is to simulate misfires in the vehicle. The unburnt air and fuel mix is afterburnt in the catalyst and produces relatively high catalyst temperatures. However, this method of ageing has not proven to be reproducible in the past, since it has been impossible to determine a uniform cycle for ageing the different catalyst systems. Moreover, during a constant operating point it is difficult to keep the temperature in the catalyst at one level. On account of the uncontrolled combustion of the unburnt fuel in the catalyst and the associated uncontrollable temperature peaks, furthermore, the component is weakened, even to the extent of the catalyst being visually destroyed. Furthermore, this ageing method may be relatively time-consuming and cost-extensive, since it generally requires a plurality of catalysts for different tests, and also on account of the expensive use of engine test benches and the availability thereof.
A further method of catalyst ageing is the furnace or vacuum furnace ageing method. In this method, only the monolith of the catalyst is aged at a temperature of from 1000 to 1350° C. in the furnace. After the ageing, the monolith has to be passed on to the corresponding suppliers in order to be installed in the catalyst housing. The correspondingly aged component then has to be mounted in the vehicle and run in for several hundred kilometers in order to be stabilized with regard to emissions. If the emission objective is not achieved after one exhaust gas test, the ageing process has to be repeated. In general, a plurality of iterative ageing steps are required in order to obtain the desired deterioration in the conversion rate. This method can lead to considerable time delays in the OBD application process. In addition to being time-consuming, the work of dismantling and fitting the catalyst and also the stabilizing program which has to be passed through after each ageing step also involve the use of expensive resources. Furthermore, this ageing method cannot be used to age the entire exhaust system, since different loading of the component as a result of the different positions of the catalysts in the vehicle cannot be simulated using this method.
In addition to the methods mentioned above, the artificial ageing of catalysts on the engine test bench is also employed. In one specific long-term running cycle, the catalyst is subjected to extreme temperature peaks and operating states in order to accelerate ageing. In addition, the ageing can be accelerated by lambda controller interventions to set a "rich" or "lean" mix. On account of the use of an engine test bench, this method is relatively expensive and cannot be transferred to different exhaust systems. In this context, it is also possible to use a combination of a rich exhaust-gas mix with additional oxygen enrichment of the exhaust gas for more effective afterburning. However, it has been found that, on account of the temperature peaks which occur, partial melting or even complete erosion of the monolith may occur in the catalyst.
Therefore, all the methods listed are iterative ageing methods which either require a relatively high level of outlay on resources, such as for example engine test benches, or presuppose an unknown number of test carriers. A further problem is that modern catalysts are tailor-made for the individual automobile manufacturers, for example with different cell densities and/or different levels of precious metals, and therefore the ageing characteristics differ between these catalysts. Therefore, it is not currently possible to use a uniform ageing cycle which causes the exhaust gas to deteriorate to a comparable level.

Method and device for artificially ageing a catalytic converter


A product packaging container including end caps with reciprocating pins moved by rotating cams that secure a sidewall sheet fabricated of a flexible material capable of receiving ink or laser printing on one surface, and an end cap may include a sound-playing circuit that plays when the pins are actuated to release the sidewall sheet. Embodiments of a frusto-conical floral stand with a nutrient-filled bladder are provided. A frame kit is provided that, when assembled, holds the sidewall sheet of the container therewithin. A method for processing orders and shipping parcels such as horticultural articles in such containers is also provided, and the orders may specify a personalized sound and a personalized message on the sidewall sheet for framing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a container for packaging and shipping parcels. In addition, the present invention relates generally to methods of ordering, packaging and transporting parcels such as horticultural articles between purchasers and recipients. The present invention especially concerns packaging containers and methods that integrate advantageous and innovative components and techniques in kit form as well as convey a message to the recipient.
2. Information Disclosure Statement
Parcels for shipment may be packaged in a variety of ways. More particularly, gifts such as stuffed animals, flowers, chocolates, jewelry, etc. have conventionally been placed in cardboard boxes by the manufacturer or distributor for shipment to the recipient. In the case of horticultural articles such as flowers, a purchaser may order flowers and have them shipped to their final destination via a major carrier such as Federal Express or DHL in a box provided by the carrier or seller. In some cases, the box may contain not only the gift of flowers but may contain various items such as an expandable vase, flower food and a card that may include a personal message from the purchaser. One major problem with this packaging and method of processing the shipment is that the shipping container may not be designed to provide for the arrival of fresh flowers that are securely held during shipment. That is, flower arrangements may be damaged due to movement during shipping. In some cases, a water-filled block of absorbent floral foam having a plastic liner is secured in an open top cardboard box at the base of a shipping carton. In this assembly, cut flowers puncture the liner in order to obtain the necessary water during delivery. This assembly, however, properly functions only when the box is vertical and water may leak from the punctured liner. The use of a block assembly may also not adequately support the flowers during delivery. Further, the packaging or box itself is typically disposed of by the recipient upon arrival and serves no other function except to attempt to protect the contents of the box during transportation. As such, there exists a need in the logistics art for a shipping container that is not only capable of safely and economically shipping various fresh horticultural articles but can serve a functional purpose for the recipient.
There further exists a need in the art for a method of processing gift orders utilizing such containers. Currently, a purchaser may buy gifts such as flowers by placing an order over the Internet or calling a local florist. The order may be processed and placed in a shipping channel by many different entities or flower brokers without the seller having any control over where, or under what conditions, the flowers are cultivated. One problem associated with this process is that shipping time may be delayed due to the time required to process the order through the various entities or channels. Specifically, the use of multiple entities in the process can result in a longer time between ordering and arrival of the flowers as well as the possible sacrifice of flower freshness. Another problem that arises is one of social responsibility and accountability. That is, without the ability to trace the origin of the flowers, the purchaser is unable to receive a guarantee that the flowers meet any recognized international "fair trade" standard. As such, there exists the need for a method of processing gift orders for items such as flowers that allows for not only quicker and more efficient processing but allow for traceability of the flower's origin. The present invention seeks to fulfill the needs articulated above.
Goetcheus et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,767 (issued Aug. 22, 1995), describes systems and methods for delivering personalized audio messages, whereby a customer provides a personalized audio message as by using a microphone or by using a telephone connection to a central facility computer system, and the personalized audio message is programmed into a portable playback device for later playback by a recipient of the personalized audio message. Such a system may be used for the sound-playing means of the present invention, and to personalize the sound-playing means of the present invention with a personalized audio message.
West, U.S. Pat. No. 6,011,833 (issued Jan. 4, 2000), describes a system for arranging for delivery of a bouquet of flowers with a pre-recorded personalized greeting that may be heard by the recipient upon calling a predetermined telephone number.
Charrin et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,908 (issued Feb. 1, 2000), describes a tapered conical vase for cut flowers that is assembled from a foldable flat sheet-like material with tabs.
Weder et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,600 (issued Apr. 27, 2004), describes a variety of vases for cut flowers, including conical vases, that are assembled from a foldable sheet of material.
Turner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,013 (issued Apr. 6, 2004), describes an audio recording and playback system that might be suitable for use as the sound-playing means of the present invention to provide the prerecorded audio message of the present invention.
None of these references, either singly or in combination, discloses or suggests the present invention.

Floral stand, frame kit and container and method of use