Colors similar to those which would be used in calibrating a target printer are printed on a printer of the same model and with the same materials set as anticipated for the printer calibration. These all lie within a substantially reduced portion of the gamuts of both the printer and scanner. A scanner characterization is derived only for those portions of color space corresponding to the printed colors. This may be done using spline fitting in one or more dimensions. While generic scanner calibrations generally have errors in excess of ΔE=7, with these techniques values generally less than 1.7 were obtained. This is sufficient for printer calibration.

Scanner characterization traditionally suffers from a compromise between very data intensive fitting or simplified model based characterization with less accuracy than is desired for using the scanner for subsequent printer calibration. The emphasis on scanner calibration in the past was calibration for unknown inputs—either unknown grey component replacement strategy or unknown input media. This meant that the calibration was an attempt to do well in a larger domain of inputs, rather than doing very well in a restricted domain.
To characterize a scanner for printer calibration, typically a number of patches of various colors are printed, measured with a known instrument (such as a spectrophotometer), scanned and patch averages are computed.
The usual goal of scanner characterization is to obtain the best possible result when scanning pages of unknown origin. Such pages may or may not be halftones, and they typically contain image content, rather than simple collections of constant patches. Lack of information regarding paper color (and fluorescence) and colorant materials limits the quality of such characterizations.
Sharma et al., G. Sharma, S. Wang, D. Sidavanahalli and K. Knox "The impact of UCR on scanner calibration", in Proc PICS Conf., pp. 121-124, Portland, Oreg. (1998) describe the impact an unknown amount of black substitution can have on scanner characterization. In the worst case, they found errors as high as 4.5 (mean ΔE), while when it was fully known, mean errors dropped below 1.2. When calibrating printers, there is generally no black substitution. It suffices to characterize the scanner for this case.
Many others have characterized scanners. Ostromoukhov et al., V. Ostromoukhov, R. D. Hersch, C. Péraire, P. Emmel, I. Amidror, "Two approaches in scanner-printer calibration: calorimetric space-based vs. closed-loop", in Proc SPIE 2170, pp. 133-142(1994) obtained results of 2.37 (mean ΔE). One reason for their poorer results is that the printer was a desktop inkjet printer, with more noise and lower stability than the Xerographic printer used by Sharma et al. They noted neighborhood effects, and attempted to reduce their impact by using large patches. This may give incorrect results. Hardeberg, J. Hardeberg, "Desktop Scanning to sRGB" in IS&T and SPIE's Device Independent Color, Color Hardcopy and Graphic Arts V, San Jose, Calif. (January 2000), optimized a third order (3×20) matrix, obtaining ΔE 1.4 on two scanners, with less good results on others. Previously, Haneishi et al., H. Haneishi, T. Hirao, A. Shimazu, and Y. Miyake, "Colorimetric precision in scanner calibration using matrices", in Proceedings of IS&T and SID'S 3rd Color Imaging Conference: Color Science, Systems and Applications, pp. 106-108, Scottsdale, Ariz. (November 1995), had obtained ΔE=2 using a second (3×10) matrix regression. Rao, A. R. Rao, "Color calibration of a colorimetric scanner using non-linear least squares", in Proc. IS&T's 1998 PICS Conference, Portland, Oreg. (May 1998), obtained similar values. Hardeberg's thesis, J. Hardeberg, Acquisition and Reproduction of Colour Images: Colorimetric and Multispectral Approaches, Doctoral Dissertation, l'Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications (Paris 1999), describes an experiment (p. 37ff.) in which a single scanner is characterized with a mean ΔE of 0.92, a max of 4.67 and a 95th percentile of 2.25 on a set of 288 patches (the same set used to calibrate). He also characterized and tested on (disjoint) subsets (p. 51), and found that when he used 144 patches to train, and the other 144 to test, the mean ΔE rose to 0.96, but the max (of the test set) fell to 3.36 (the max ΔE for the training set was higher, at 3.9).
Because scanners are not colorimetric, they may exhibit metamerism: colors that appear identical to a scanner might appear different to a human observer. For fixed media and black substitution strategy metamerism is not a problem. However, the conversion from RGB to XYZ various throughout color space. As compensation, scanners may measure far more patches per minute than spectrophotometers inasmuch as we can afford to sample color space substantially more densely.
The only difference between characterizing a scanner for printer calibration and characterizing it for arbitrary prints from that printer is the sampling of color space. While there is no need to characterize the scanner in regions of color space which are not used for printer calibration, all regions are typically sampled in the more general case.
By way of background, methods of printer calibration are described, with particular reference to the portions of color space they each seek to control.
One type of printer calibration involves ΔE from paper. For this printer calibration, a step wedge in each separation is used. In better implementations, the step wedge is linear in ΔE distance from paper, as predicted by the previous calibration. As a result, we cannot predict exactly which color will be needed but we can say they will be along the CMYK axes. These axes do not (exactly) run along lines in L*a*b* space, but they are confined to space curves, which stay relatively fixed. That is, it is sufficient to be able to estimate the location along the curve, and ignore any deviation from the curve. What matters is the ability of the measuring device (in this case a scanner) to detect small changes along that line.
Another type of printer calibration uses Grey Balance Tone Reproduction Curves (TRC). For this calibration, patches surrounding the presumed neutral axis are printed and measured, in order to find a better approximation of the location of the neutral axis. The neutral axis is then divided into equal increments along L* and CMY points along that axis define the TRCs. The neutral axis does not generally go to the full CMY point, as one of the three defines the limit of the CMY neutral. The others are then smoothly carried out to their limits. The procedure normally begins with a good estimate of the printer response, from a combination of a full characterization and any previous grey balance calibrations. The refinement is only CMY patches close to the neutral axis. A separate ΔE from paper TRC is built for the black separation.
In terms of being able to do a grey balance TRC with a scanner, the issue is how well can the scanner be calibrated near the neutral axis, and, once calibrated, how sensitive is it to small changes in both lightness along the axis and changes perpendicular to the axis.
Another type of printer calibration uses a two-dimensional tone reproduction curve (TRC). In this version, there are three two dimensional tables built, for CMY space. One maps from (C, M+Y) to C′, another from (M, C+Y) to M′, and the third from (Y, C+M) to Y′. Considering only the first one, the table is built with ΔE from paper along the M+Y=0 axis, grey balance along the line C=(M+Y)/2, ΔE from red along the line from white to red, ΔE from red along the line from red to black, and ΔE from cyan along the line from cyan to black. One other line is typically controlled, using a compromise between ΔE from paper to blue and to green along the line from (0,0) to (0,1). Similar lines are controlled for the other two tables. This means that the following lines through color space are controlled: paper to C, M, Y, R, G, B; paper to CMY; CMY to C, M, Y, R, G and B; paper to K. Many of these are lines that were controlled in one of the prior two calibrations. The new lines are all controlled in a one-dimensional sense, just as for the ΔE from paper calibration, so again, the only thing that substantially matters for them is the scanner response to small changes along a curve, and not orthogonal to the curve.
Still another type of printer calibration involves a three-dimensional tone reproduction curve (TRC). In this version, all of color space is sampled, but coarsely. That is, a relatively coarse grid in CMY space is used to obtain a 3D correction function. If, e.g. a 7×7×7 grid of CMY points is used to calibrate the printer, it is colors in the neighborhood of those 343 patches that matter.

Scanner characterization for printer calibration


A controllable multiple lighting element fixture and a method of controlling the same are provided. An example lighting fixture includes one or more first lighting elements positioned within or along a lighting housing. The example lighting fixture further includes one or more second lighting elements positioned within or along a circumference or perimeter of the lighting housing. The example lighting fixture further includes control circuitry configured to control one or more parameters associated with the one or more first lighting elements and the one or more second lighting elements.

In order to enable multiple lighting scenes within a single physical space, complicated dimming systems and/or wiring is conventionally required. That is, in order to dim a given light fixture, the light fixture must be dimmable and must be coupled with a dim controller. Such alterations to existing physical spaces are complex, can be expensive, and are fraught with problems. Moreover, conventional dimmable or controllable light fixtures typically only provide a singular set of lighting elements that are not independently operable from one another.
Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation many deficiencies of such systems have been solved by developing solutions that are in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, many examples of which are described in detail herein.

Controllable multiple lighting element fixture


A first electro-optic crystal substrate and a second electro-optic crystal substrate are provided as an electro-optic crystal substrate. The first electro-optic crystal substrate comprises a first periodic polarization reversal structure in which first polarization pairs, in each of which the directions of polarization in response to electric fields are opposite to each other, are arranged in a first period along a first arrangement direction which is orthogonal or inclined with respect to the direction of propagation, and light passes through the first periodic polarization reversal structure. The second electro-optic crystal substrate comprises a second periodic polarization reversal structure in which second polarization pairs, in each of which the directions of polarization in response to electric fields are opposite to each other, are arranged in a second period along a second arrangement direction which is orthogonal or inclined with respect to the direction of propagation, and light outstanding from the first electro-optic crystal substrate passes through the second periodic polarization reversal structure. At least one of a first condition and a second condition is satisfied. The first condition is that the first and the second periods are different from each other and a second condition is that the first arrangement direction and the second arrangement direction are different from each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to a technique for improving the extinction ratio of a light modulator which modulates light passing through by an electro-optic crystal substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
The index of refraction of an electro-optical crystal substrate formed using lithium niobate (LiNbO3), lithium tantalite (LiTaO3), etc. changes in accordance with a voltage which is applied from outside. Noting this, JP-A-2010-152214 proposes a light modulator which has a structure that a distribution of the index of refraction is generated inside an electro-optical crystal substrate in accordance with a voltage applied from outside and the distribution of the index of refraction functions as a diffraction grating so that light is modulated. In short, using the diffraction grating which is created inside the electro-optical crystal substrate in accordance with the applied voltage, the light modulator modulates light which is passing through the electro-optical crystal substrate.


A home care oxygen system includes an inline compressor that has all the check valves and gas flow passages between cylinders located in the cylinder head. Only a single check valve is used for each cylinder. The crankshaft is built up from a shaft with eccentrics and spacers.

Oxygen has many important medical uses including, for example, assisting patients that have congestive heart failure or other diseases. Supplemental oxygen allows patients to receive more oxygen than is present in the ambient atmosphere. Systems and methods for delivering such oxygen typically include a compressor as a component. U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,165, for example, discloses the use of an inline compressor for this purpose. US Published Application No. 2004/0103895, for example, discloses the use of a radial compressor for this purpose.


A power coupling mechanism having fluid dampening device with interfitting members which assist in the absorption and transmittance of stress due to torsion and thrust loads, thus reducing the size of a bearing supporting relatively rotatable parts.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power transfer apparatus having a vibration dampening mechanism, and more particularly, a power transfer apparatus disposed between a crankshaft of a power producing device, such as an internal combustion engine, and a power output device, such as an automotive transmission, for transmitting torque therebetween, where portions of the vibration dampening mechanism provide structural support for the power transfer apparatus in the presence of axial stresses, such as thrust force in an axial direction on the power transfer apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
Power transfer apparatus having a pair of flywheels and a clutch mechanism, usually placed between a crankshaft of an engine and a transmission are well known.
For example, there are flywheel assemblies in which two flywheels are combined to absorb vibration from an engine. One such flywheel assembly includes a first flywheel connected to the crankshaft in the engine, a second flywheel supported by the first flywheel for limited relative rotation therebetween, and a dampening element elastically connecting the first flywheel to the second flywheel in a circumferential direction for dampening torsional vibration between the first and second flywheels. The second flywheel has a friction surface formed on its one side close to a transmission, and a clutch is fixed to the friction surface.
The clutch is comprised mainly of a clutch disk assembly and a clutch cover assembly. The clutch disk assembly has an annular clutch disk which selectively contacts the friction surface of the second flywheel, and a hub flange having splines mated with a main drive shaft in the transmission. The clutch cover assembly includes a saucer-like clutch cover having its exterior circumferential edge fixed to the flywheel, an annular pressure plate enclosed in the clutch cover for pressing the clutch disk against the friction surface of the second flywheel, and a diaphragm spring held by the clutch cover for urging the pressure plate toward the second flywheel.
Disadvantages of the prior art power transfer device will be listed below.
1) The flywheel assembly and the clutch separately made, make for a large number of parts, and costly manufacturing. PA1 2) In disengaging the clutch, the forces associated with the release load are transmitted to the second flywheel via the clutch cover. The force applied to the second flywheel is then transmitted to a bearing disposed between the first and second flywheels. The bearing must be able to withstand the forces associated with disengagement of the clutch. Therefore, the bearing must be able to withstand large forces and still be rotatable. However, such a bearing is expensive and occupies a large space in radial direction. This impose a great restriction upon the design of the interior of the dampening element in the flywheel mechanism. PA1 3) If the first flywheel of the power transfer device is mounted to a disk-shaped flexible plate which is mounted to the crankshaft, and the flexible plate and the first flywheel are fixed at their respective outer circumferences to each other, and a bearing is provided surrounding a boss of the first flywheel to hold the second flywheel rotatably relative to the first flywheel, then it is difficult to ensure accurate concentric positioning of the flexible plate with the first flywheel and the concentric positioning of other parts. PA1 1) A seal member must be provided between the disk element and a power output element to seal the fluid within the chamber. It is desirable that a pre-load is applied to the bearing supporting the first and second flywheels, and for that purpose, an elastic element must be provided. As will be recognized, provision of the seal element and the elastic element increases the number of parts, which in turn causes a cost to rise. PA1 2) The dynamics of the flywheel assembly are such that flexural vibration from the engine may produce noise. The damper mechanism requires a certain level of inertia in order to absorb vibrations. If there is insufficient inertia, the flywheel assembly cannot absorb torsional vibration from the engine. PA1 3) Since the flexible plate and the first flywheel are fixed at their respective circumferences to each other, relative location among the flexible plate and the boss and bearing for the first flywheel are determined at the outer circumferences of the flexible plate and the first flywheel, and this causes the parts to be less concentric. The bearing is positioned outside a pitch circle of the bolts, and this imposes a restriction upon the design of the interior of the damper. PA1 4) A power transfer device system including a damper in an automobile must increase moment of inertia of a power output mechanism to reduce a resonance frequency to an engine's idling speed or below. However, the ring gear to start the engine is fixed to the outer circumference of the first flywheel, and hence, a ratio of the moment of inertia of the power output mechanism cannot be sufficiently increased. PA1 1) Since the hub flange and the driven plate are separately made, there are a large number of parts making the overall configuration complicated and costly to manufacture. Moreover, the flange of the boss extends outward to support the bearing. The boss itself, as a whole, is bulky. Since the boss is made of casting material, it has considerable mass and weight and is costly to manufacture. PA1 2) The boss in the power output element protrudes toward the transmission. Thus, the damper is large in an axial direction. PA1 3) A seal element must be provided between the hub flange and other parts to seal the fluid space. The number of components increases because of the seal element making the device costly to manufacture. PA1 4) The hub flange is supported by the bearing on an outer circumference of the boss in the power input element so as to rotate relative to the power input element. The bearing is affected by thrust load and radial load. Thus, the bearing employed herein must be sufficiently large in the radial direction. With such a large bearing, manufacturing is costly, and the bearing occupies a large space in the radial directions. Consequently, a restriction is imposed upon a design of the inside of the dampening element. PA1 5) The driven plate has an undesirably large mass and weight increasing cost and adding weight to the machine it is mounted in. In the case an automobile, where weight reduces fuel efficiency, this is undesirable.
In another prior art flywheel assembly, a fluid duct filled with fluid is defined by a disk-shaped element within a chamber partially defined by the first flywheel. A dampening element for dampening torsional vibration is provided within the chamber. The first flywheel has a center boss extending toward the transmission, and the second flywheel is supported thereon via a bearing which encircles the center boss of the first flywheel allowing for limited relative rotation between the two flywheels.
The flywheel assembly may be provided with a flexible plate which can flex itself in an axial direction between the crankshaft in the engine and the first flywheel in order to absorb flexural vibration from the engine. The flexible plate has its inner circumferential edge fixed to tip of the crankshaft and its outer circumferential edge fixed to the outer circumference of the first flywheel. A plurality of bolts are disposed circularly at the same intervals. A ring gear to start the engine is fixed at the outer circumference of the first flywheel.
Some of the disadvantages of the flywheel assembly will be listed below:
In another prior art mechanism, a damper mechanism includes a hub flange, a bearing and a dampening element. A power input element is coupled to a crankshaft in the engine while the hub flange is coupled to a main drive shaft extending from the transmission. The hub flange has a boss extending toward the transmission and a flange formed at the outer circumference of the boss. The bearing is provided between a power receiving element and the hub flange to support both of them rotatably relative to each other. The dampening element is provided within a fluid space to elastically connect the power receiving element and the hub flange in a circular direction and further to dampen torsional vibration between them. A driven plate connecting the dampening element and the hub flange is provided therebetween. The dampening element includes an elastic element provided in a window spreading toward the circumference of the driven plate, and a resistance generating mechanism for producing resistance when the input receiving element and the driven plate are relatively rotated. The window in the driven plate supports the elastic element which expands or contracts due to the torsional vibration. When the window is small in thickness, a greater bearing pressure is applied to the window, and an edge of the window has its lifetime shortened. Thus, a plurality of disk-like sheet metal plates or thick casting parts may be used to thicken and reinforce the driven plate.
Disadvantages of the prior art damper are listed below:

Power transfer apparatus having a vibration dampening mechanism which provides structural support for the apparatus


A shingle unit used for covering the hip, ridge and rake portions of an asphalt shingle roof. The shingle unit includes a top cover permanently bonded to a tapered substrate to create the visual effect of tapered thickness. The shingle is preformed to an inverted, V-shape so as to conform to the hip, ridge or rake portions of a roof. Various notches are formed on the perimeter of the top cover to facilitate longitudinal alignment and surface exposure of the shingles at installation. Depressions are formed on bottom surface of the substrate and are filled with an adhesive during manufacture. After installation, solar heat causes the adhesive to flow between the substrate and the subjacent area of the top cover, or roof, to provide wind uplift resistance.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to preformed dimensional shingles, for covering the hip, ridge and rake portions of a roof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The applicant has conducted a customary search and is aware of the following United States Patents, which have some relevance to his invention disclosed herein:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,721 to Pressutti discloses a fiberglass shingle with a stiffening member along its length and an elastic sealing member;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,929 to Bondoc teaches a flat, bendable shingle with a riser strip laminated to the lower surface of the shingle;
U.S. Pat. No. 3,913,294 to Freiborg discloses a hip or ridge cover utilizing transverse folds to create a thickened portion at the center of the shingle;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,872 to Eaton discloses a flat, embossed panel intended to be bent to conform to the hip or ridge portions of a roof;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,722 to Gould teaches a process for making composite resin shingle with a protective skin formed thereon.
Some of the listed art depicts shingles which are shipped in a flat configuration, and are later bent during installation to conform to the hip, ridge or rake portions of a roof. Since the bending occurs at ambient temperature at the job site, cracking at the fold line and consequent loss of water tight integrity is a common result. Additionally, prior art shingles requiring bending at installation have a tendency to curl up at the edges. The present invention addresses this problem by providing a shingle unit which is preformed during manufacture to accommodate the hip, ridge or rake portions of a roof.
Other cited references utilize a hollow chamber to create a high profile shingle. Such a method is prone to mechanical damage, temperature deformation and warpage. The preformed shape of the present invention, in conjunction with the continuously tapering, supportive substrate, eliminates the hollow chamber, thus providing a shingle unit that is crush-resistant. The mechanical stability of the underlying substrate also assists in maintaining the original, preformed shape of the shingle unit.
Further, all of the listed art requires the manual application of an adhesive between the hip or ridge shingle
U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,955 to Freiborg discloses a shingle with a series of folds used to create a thickened portion in the center of each shingle;
U.S. Pat. No. 2,259,962 to Owen illustrates a hip or ridge cover involving the mating of two wood shingles to form an integral unit;
U.S. Pat. No. 2,223,303 to Kiefer discloses a composition siding shingle for use on the corners of structures;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,015,374 to Epstein teaches a panel intended to simulate a plurality of wood shakes;
U.S. Pat. No. 3,605,369 to Merrill discloses a flat shingle consisting of a light metal shell filled with a non-compressible material;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,442 to Callaway shows a clamp or shingle mount intended to hold ridge shingles in proper position along a roof ridge;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,131 to Parker illustrates a roofing shingle with a dense outer skin of plastic, fiberglass or metal intended to imitate the look of a slate roof;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,187,650 to Poplin teaches an asphalt shingle, precut and folded so as to create a hollow envelope for use along the hip or ridge of a roof; and the roof, upon installation. The present invention overcomes this labor-consuming step by providing preformed depressions, partially filled with an adhesive, on the underside of the substrate. Shortly after installation of the present dimensional shingle, the adhesive is heated by solar energy, and caused to flow between the shingle and the roof. Upon setting, the adhesive provides a ridge, hip or rake shingle installation which is highly resistant to wind uplift.

Dimensional shingle for hip, ridge and rake portions of a roof


A shifting device for shifting a transmission with a shifting shaft upon which a plurality of shifting forks are located in an axial, slidable manner for carry out desired shifting procedures. The shifting device includes a selection apparatus for choosing the shifting fork to be activated for carrying out the shifting procedure and a blocking mechanism, which prevents movement of each of the non-chosen shifting forks. The blocking mechanism is located on an additional shaft which extends parallel to the shifting shaft and supports elements of the selection apparatus. A first actuator axially displaces the shifting shaft, when carrying out of the shifting procedure, and another actuator causes the additional shaft to rotate for choosing a desired the shifting fork to carry out the shifting procedure and for preventing movement of non-chosen shifting forks.

For the shifting of a transmission, especially where vehicles are concerned, a shifting device is provided in the transmission, which aids in engaging individual gear stages. As this is done, it is possible that parts of the shifting device can be manually moved by the vehicle driver or as an alternate, this function may be carried out by actuators, which are energized by at least one auxiliary power medium to execute the necessary movements of parts of the shifting device required for the shifting of gear stages.
DE-A1 198 43 584 discloses a shifting apparatus for a multi-stage shifting transmission wherein, on a single shifting shaft, a multiplicity of shifting forks (or shifting levers (hereinafter "shifting forks") are placed. A means of selection enables the choice of one of the shifting forks by a turning of a shifting shaft. Alternately, if the shifting shaft is axially displaced, then the respectively selected shifting fork is activated to carry out the shifting action. A blocking shaft, placed parallel to the shifting shaft, is likewise rotated upon the turning of the shifting shaft and thereby, in its function as a blocking shaft, employing the prevention of movement of such shifting forks which were not chosen as indicated above. In spite of this well functioning shifting apparatus, problems still remain with regards to a lock-up of a shifting apparatus in an operation including actuators.
The purpose of the invention is to make a shifting apparatus known, which obviates the presently existing problems and which enables the functioning of actuators in a simple manner.


A method and system are provided for estimating tire tread depth, the method comprising: obtaining an image of the tire informative of tread and grooves embedded therein, wherein the image is acquired by an imaging device from a first angle relative to a horizontal direction perpendicular to tread surface, and the tire is illuminated by an illumination device from a second angle relative to the horizontal direction, causing a shadow section and an illuminated section at the bottom and/or sidewall of a groove, the first angle being smaller than the second angle, such that the image captures the illuminated section and at least part of the shadow section; performing segmentation on the image to obtain image segments corresponding to the illuminated section and the at least part of the shadow section; and estimating the tread depth based on the image segments, the groove width, and the second angle.

Tires are critical components of a vehicle, since they are the only parts of the vehicle that have direct contact with the road. Tires can affect vehicle handling and safety due to their functions of supporting vehicle load, transmitting traction and braking forces to the road surface, absorbing road shocks, and changing and maintaining the direction of travel. For optimum performance, tires must have correct air pressure, tread depth, balance, etc., and the wheels of the vehicle must be properly installed and maintained. Thus for at least safety and economy reasons, tires have to be inspected on a regular basis.
The tread of a tire refers to the rubber on its circumference that makes contact with the road or the ground. The tread is a crucial piece of the tire, whose importance ranges all the way from safety to economy. It gives the tire its ability to grip the road, and even help maximize fuel economy.
As tires are used, the tread is gradually worn off, limiting its effectiveness in providing traction. Thus, over time, tires become less effective at gripping the road. In some cases, if a tread has worn down too far, it could become a serious safety issue. Tire grooves are designed to allow water to be expelled from beneath the tire and prevent hydroplaning. Shallow tread grooves also make it harder to control the vehicle in wet weather and the chance of hydroplaning increases.
Current inspection of tires for wear and damages is normally performed manually at an inspection station. For example, tread depth, which is a vertical measurement from the top of the tire's rubber to the bottom of the tire's grooves, can be obtained as an important indicator of the tire's condition. A tire tread depth gauge is often used to measure the tread depth by inserting a probe bar into the groove and pushing the shoulders flush with the tread. Measurement of the depth can be read from the top of the gauge. However, such manual inspection is not only costly and time consuming, but also prone to inspection errors and variations caused by specific personnel performing the inspection.
Although certain aspects of tire inspection have been partially automated with the development of computer technologies, there is still a need for an inspection system which can automatically provide accurate information regarding the condition of the tread.

System of tread depth estimation and method thereof


A storage system includes a plurality of kinds of packages such as channel adapters, cache switches, disk adapters, basic memory boards, a shared memory, cache memories, memory board expansions and individual disk drives. Nonvolatile memories are mounted on each of those packages to store event information concerning the package on which the respective memory is mounted. In case a package is exchanged or newly installed or in case a package fails, the event information is stored in the nonvolatile memory of the package in correspondence with the packaging position information of the package in the storage system, so that this event information can be accessed at any time.

In a large-scale database system, data is managed by using a dedicated storage system that is separate from a host computer. This storage system, which is called a "disk array device", is configured by arranging a number of disk storages in the form of an array. Such a storage system is typically configured on the basis of a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Inexpensive Disks) technology, for example. Over a physical storage area owned by the storage system, a logical volume corresponding to a virtual storage area is formed. The host computer is able to read/write desired data by issuing a write command or a read command having a predetermined format to the storage system.
The storage system is constructed of a plurality of kinds of packages. For example, the storage system is constructed to include a plurality of channel adapters, a plurality of disk storages, a plurality of disk adapters, a plurality of cache memories, a plurality of cache switches and a shared memory. Here, each channel adapter controls data transfers with the host computer. Each disk storage is constructed of a plurality of disk drives that store the data to be utilized by the host computer. Each disk adapter controls data transfers between the individual disk storages. Each cache memory temporarily holds the data to be transferred between the host computer and each disk storage. Each cache switch controls the interface of each cache memory. The shared memory stores various commands, various pieces of control information and so on and provides a work area.
The storage system is constructed to include a plurality of packages, each composed of the aforementioned channel adapter, disk storage and disk adapter, so as to provide individual data storage services to a plurality of host computers, thereby to enhance the reliability with use of a redundant configuration. In the case where the host computer writes data in the storage system, for example, it transmits a data writing command to the storage system. This data writing command is received through a communication network by the channel adapter. A microprocessor of the storage system interprets the data writing command and reads out the data assigned by the disk storage through the disk adapter. The read data is temporarily stored in the cache memory and transmitted to the host computer through the channel adapter.
In case a fault occurs in a portion of the storage system, the faulty package is replaced by a normal package. If a fault occurs, a maintenance operator issues a maintenance exchange demand for the faulty package through a maintenance processor. On the basis of the maintenance exchange demand, a shut down is performed in the faulty package, and information concerning the shut down package is written in the shared memory.
In the conventional storage system, when a fault or the like occurs in any package, the information concerning the fault is collected in a maintenance processor (or a maintenance/management terminal). Unless such maintenance/management terminal is used, therefore, information (hereinafter called the "maintenance information") concerning the maintenance operation or the fault cannot be grasped, and the maintenance information cannot be confirmed by access to the package itself. Specifically, the faulty package or the like is normally detached from the storage system of a customer, or the storage system disposed in the evaluation branch of a company, and is sent to another branch, such as a fault analyzing branch, for analysis. However, the single package sent from that branch cannot itself confirm the maintenance information. In the conventional system, therefore, the corresponding maintenance information is exclusively extracted from a number of pieces of maintenance information stored in the maintenance/management terminal, and the package is sent together with the extracted maintenance information to the fault analyzing branch. Then, this branch refers to the maintenance information to analyze the actions of the package and perform various fault repeating tests or the like thereon.
Thus, in the conventional system, the package and the maintenance information are handled separately so that the single package cannot recognize what has happened in the package, thereby to create a problem in that the operation efficiency of the fault analysis or the like is low.

Storage of fault and position data in nonvolatile memory on system components


A cowling structure for a marine propulsion engine is disclosed which effectively prevents water from entering the air intake opening, while at the same time maintains optimum engine performance. The cowling structure has an engine cowl which encloses the engine and which defines an air intake opening. An air duct molding is associated with the engine cowl such that it extends over the air intake opening and, in conjunction with the engine cowl, defines an air inlet facing toward a rear portion of the cowling structure. A wall extends between the engine cowl and the air duct molding and is located between the air intake opening and the air inlet. Sidewalls, which are spaced apart a distance less than the width of the wall, direct any water entering the air inlet towards the wall to effectively prevent the water from entering the air intake opening.

This invention relates to a cowling structure for a marine propulsion engine, more particularly a cowling structure which prevents water from entering the air intake opening.
Marine propulsion engines, such as outboard engines, are well-known in the art. Such outboard engines typically have a cowling which encloses the engine. It is necessary for the cowling to define an air inlet to enable air to pass through the cowling and into the engine.
The engine cowlings usually define the air inlet at a rear portion and may utilize the air inlet opening to also form a grip opening which is useful when tilting up the outboard engine.
While the known cowling structures have been generally successful, they have provided insufficient protection form water entering the air inlet from following waves. Water passing through the air inlet may also pass through the air intake opening and into the engine itself. Attempts have been made to change the shape of the air duct which transports air from the air inlet to the intake opening, but these attempts have restricted the volume of the air duct such that, if sufficient water entry protection is obtained, the engine performance is diminished. The result of these attempts is that water could not effectively be prevented from entering the air intake opening while still maintaining maximum engine performance.


A series-regulator type of power supply circuit is provided. In the circuit, the emitter and collector of a transistor are connected to power input/output terminals. A control circuit controls a base current of the transistor based on the output voltage detected at the power output terminal and a given target voltage. A resistor circuit connects the base and the collector of the transistor. A bypass circuit connects the emitter and the base of the transistor and passes a bypass current. The accepting circuit connected to the power output terminal accepts (absorbs) current from an output current. An amount of the acceptance current is equal to or larger than an amount of the bypass current and a product of the bypass current and a resistance value of the resistance circuit is equal to or more than a difference between a voltage at the power input terminal and the target voltage.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power supply circuit with a series regulator.
2. Related Art
Power supply circuits, which are required by almost all electronic apparatuses, can be categorized into a large number of types, one of which is a series-regulator type of power supply circuit.
FIG. 1 exemplifies the electronic configuration of a series-regulator type of power supply circuit, which has typically been used by in-vehicle electronic equipment, such as ECU (Electronic Control Unit).
The power supply circuit 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a supply circuit 4 (main power supply) to which a voltage VS is supplied from a battery 2 via an ignition (IG) switch 3 and a second supply circuit 5 (auxiliary power supply) to which the voltage VB is supplied directly from the battery 2. Outputs of both supply circuits 4 and 5 are connected to a common output terminal 6 connected to a load circuit 7. The input side of the supply circuit 4 is connected to a second load circuit 8. The supply circuits 4 and 5 include main transistors 9 and 10, respectively. The emitter and a base of each main transistor 9 (10) are connected to its input and output. These two-systemized supply circuits 4 and 5 individually compose series regulators that operate on mutually-different target output voltages.
This series-regulator type of power supply circuit 1 operates as follows. When the ignition switch 3 is in the on-state, the supply circuits 4 and 5 both work, so that the voltage Vo at the output terminal 6 is stabilized to either one, which is higher than the other, of the target output voltage of the supply circuit 4 or that of the supply circuit 5. Meanwhile, when the ignition switch 3 is in the off-state, the supply circuit 5 operates alone, so that the voltage Vo at the output terminal 6 is stabilized to the target output voltage of the supply circuit 4.
In the latter case, the base and collector of the PNP-type transistor 9 are inserted into the circuit in the forward direction. Therefore, though it depends on how the load circuit 8 is configured, it may happen that current flows in the backward direction from the supply circuit 5 to the load circuit 8 via the collector and base of the transistor 9 and the resistor 11.
In order to avoid such a backward direction current, a conceivable countermeasure is to place a diode between the ignition switch 3 and the transistor 9. However, placing the diode there gives rise to a decrease in the input voltage to the supply circuit 4 correspond to the forward voltage Vf of the diode, thus providing a swell in a minimum operating voltage to the battery voltage VB.
The problem of this flow of backward current is not always inherent to the configuration where the two-systemized supply circuits 4 and 5 use a common output terminal. Such a problem may arise even in one-system power supply circuits, as long as there is a possibility that the power supply circuit is subjected to an inverse application of voltage from the load circuit 7.

Power supply circuit with series regulator


A friction clutch with at least one flywheel mass and a clutch housing with which there is associated a pressing arrangement for a pressing plate which is provided for the action of pressure on one side of a clutch disk the opposite side of which is supported on a counter pressure surface. Furthermore, a disengager is provided by which, upon its movement, the pressing arrangement can be functionally connected with or separated from the clutch disk. The disengager is connected by a disengagement mechanism to the pressing plate by which the movement of the disengager can be transformed into an axial movement of the pressing plate.

1.Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a friction clutch.
2.Discussion of the Prior Art
From German reference 44 14 033 A1, a friction clutch is known that has a clutch housing which is ordinarily provided on a flywheel mass. With the clutch housing there is associated a pressing means, in the form of a diaphragm spring, for a pressing plate which is provided in order to apply pressure to one side of a clutch disk. The opposite side of the clutch disk rests, in customary manner, against a counter pressure surface. The radially inner ends of the pressing means are functionally connected with the disengagement bearing of a disengager which may be constructed in accordance with German reference 44 07 665 A1. With such a disengager, which operates hydraulically, when a piston is acted on by pressure, it is moved out in the direction towards the pressing means. The pressing means is thus deformed and thereby functionally connected to or disconnected from the clutch disk via the pressing plate.
These friction clutches have the disadvantage that for each retraction or extension, the pressing means must always be considerably changed with respect to its state of deformation and/or in its position, which, insofar as the pressing means is a diaphragm spring, always goes hand in hand with a change in the tension thereof. Upon this deformation of the pressing means, considerable work must be applied via the disengager. Since the disengager must generally be operated by the driver by means of a foot pedal, the driver must either apply a high actuating force or corresponding step-up means must be provided in the engagement or disengagement path, which has a detrimental effect on the disengagement path within the friction clutch. This problem can be further increased in case of wear by the fact that the pedal forces to be applied by the driver can further increase as a result of the wear curve of a diaphragm spring. Accordingly, if the driver is to be spared this, an expensive wear compensation must be provided, which is either arranged in the friction clutch and acts mechanically in accordance with the wear compensation described in German reference 42 39 289 A1, or else a hydraulic wear compensation is provided within the disengagement system. Viewed as a whole, the force to be applied by the driver may be maintained somewhat constant by these measures, but the high technical expense and the deformation work which must nevertheless be performed on the pressing means remains.


A new pulse sequence which uses inversion recovery for lipid suppression and a spectral-spatial refocusing pulse for water suppression in spectroscopic imaging of the brain. In contrast to methods which eliminate fat by restricting the excited volume to lie completely within the brain, inversion recovery techniques allow imaging of an entire slice without such restrictions. A spectral-spatial pulse provides water suppression insensitive to a reasonable range of B.sub.0 and B.sub.1 inhomogeneities. Metabolite maps covering large volumes of the human brain can be produced with images from single and multiple slices obtained.

This invention relates generally to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and more particularly the invention relates to spectroscopic imaging of the brain, for example, while suppressing interfering lipid signals and water signals.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-destructive method for the analysis of materials and represents a new approach to medical imaging. It is completely non-invasive and does not involve ionizing radiation. In very general terms, nuclear magnetic moments are excited at specific spin precession frequencies which are proportional to the local magnetic field. The radiofrequency signals resulting from the precession of these spins are received using pickup coils. By manipulating the magnetic fields, an array of signals is provided representing different regions of the volume. These are combined to produce a volumetric image of the nuclear spin density of the body.
Numerous studies have shown that .sup.1 H spectroscopic imaging can potentially provide valuable clinical information for diagnosing and evaluating metabolic processes in normal and diseased brain. However, a number of technical difficulties must be overcome. Water suppression throughout a large region of interest (ROI) is difficult due to both B.sub.0 and B.sub.1 inhomogeneities. In addition, intense lipid signals from subcutaneous fat surrounding the skull must be eliminated to avoid overwhelming the much smaller desired metabolite signals.
Known successful techniques for spectroscopic imaging use a series of spatially selective RF pulses (one along each spatial axis) to excite a rectangular region which is carefully positioned to lie wholly within the brain. The excited ROI is then phase encoded along two axes to generate a 3-dimensional data set which can be processed to form images of the various metabolites. Without the ROI restrictions, the relatively coarse locations provided by the phase encoding is typically insufficient to prevent unwanted fat signals from severely contaminating the desired spectra, even for voxels deep within the brain.
While limiting the ROI to an interior volume is an effective method of fat suppression, there are a number of limitations. Locating a rectangular ROI within the skull involves a fundamental tradeoff between the achievable lipid suppression and the size of the excited volume. While a large ROI is desirable, care must be taken to keep the edges of the volume away from the skull. Thus, examining regions close to the skull is particularly difficult and usually requires a significantly smaller ROI. One alternative prior art method uses multidimensional pulses to excite an elliptical ROI which fits more easily within the skull. However, any method which uses spatially selective RF pulses to eliminate the subcutaneous fat will suffer from imperfect slice profiles and finite slice transition widths.

Method for performing single and multiple slice magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging

Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University


A nephelometric process turbidimeter for measuring a turbidity of a liquid sample includes a transparent sample vial which comprises a sample vial lateral inner surface. A vial head comprises a vial head lateral inner surface. The vial head and the sample vial together define a sample volume of a liquid sample having a shape of a cylinder. A sample inlet opening is arranged at the vial head and comprises an inlet opening axis. A sample outlet opening is arranged at the cylindrical vial head lateral inner surface to be axially closer to the sample vial than to the sample outlet opening. The inlet opening axis is inclined with respect to an inlet cross plane with an inclination angle of 10° to 80°, and is angled with respect to a radius line from a middle of the cylinder to the sample inlet opening with a tangency angle of more than 15°.

A nephelometric turbidimeter determines the concentration of solid particles suspended in a liquid sample within a sample vial by projecting a measurement light beam into the liquid sample within the vial. An optical turbidity sensor which is provided outside the cuvette body detects the amount of light scattered by the suspended solid particles at an angle of, typically, 90° with respect to the light beam axis. In a process turbidimeter, the liquid sample within the sample volume defined by the sample vial is exchanged continuously, quasi-continuously, or periodically to continuously supply a control circuit with turbidity values for controlling the turbidity of the liquid. The measurement frequency or response time of the turbidimeter is defined by the sample exchange time, which is the time needed to completely exchange the sample within the vial in a defined grade as, for example, by 99%. The higher the measurement frequency of the turbidimeter is, the shorter is the reaction time of the control circuit, and the shorter the reaction time of the control circuit is, the better is the control quality of the control circuit.
In a state of the art nephelometric process turbidimeter, a separate vial head is provided on the vial opening to thereby define, together with the sample vial, a closed sample volume. The vial head is provided with a sample inlet opening and a sample outlet opening, both being located at the end wall of the vial head, the end wall lying in a cross plane with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical sample vial. The sample exchange time of this arrangement ranges from 30 to 120 seconds.


A moving image reproducing device is disclosed which comprises a flash memory for recording a plurality of items of moving image data, a display unit for displaying moving image data recorded in the memory, and a CPU for allowing a plurality of items of moving image data recorded in the memory to be reproduced simultaneously on the display unit. The CPU is adapted to, in order to keep the end of movie playback of each of the plurality of items of moving image data in time coincidence, delay the start time of movie playback of moving image data other than the moving image data which is the longest in playback time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a moving image reproducing device and method which allow playback of moving images.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, in addition to digital video cameras, there have been commercially available many digital cameras that are capable of recording a moving image data file consisting of consecutive still images shot in time sequence on a memory card comprised of, say, a flash memory and reproducing the moving image data file recorded on the memory card.
Some of these digital cameras have a so-called multi-image display function built in, by which two or more still images recorded on the memory card are selected and then reproduced (displayed) simultaneously on the screen of the display unit at the back of the camera; however, none of them are adapted to simultaneously reproduce two or more moving image files recorded on a memory card.

Moving image reproducing device equipped with multi-image playback function


There provides a two-point modulation phase modulation apparatus capable of obtaining an RF phase modulation signal of superior modulation precision with low power consumption and a simple configuration even in the event of inputting a wide band baseband modulation signal. A differentiator (21) of the opposite characteristics to the attenuation characteristics of anti-alias filter (22) is provided at the front stage of a D/A converter (6). As a result, it is possible to sufficiently suppress an alias signal without raising the sampling frequency of the D/A converter (6) (i.e. low power consumption) using an anti-alias filter (22) of a simple configuration (i.e. low cost) with a low order for a narrower bandwidth than a PLL modulation frequency bandwidth, and it is possible to obtain an RF phase modulation signal where the entire frequency band of input digital baseband modulation signal (S1) is reflected in a superior manner.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention particularly relates to a two-point modulation phase modulation apparatus modulating a carrier frequency signal using an input digital baseband modulation signal by carrying out two-point modulation using a PLL (Phase Locked Loop), and a polar modulation transmission apparatus, a wireless transmission apparatus, and a wireless communication apparatus using this two-point type phase modulation apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the related art, phase modulation apparatus employing PLL's where a carrier signal is modulated by a baseband modulation signal so as to form a transmission signal (i.e. a baseband modulation signal is upconverted to a wireless frequency) are widely employed. In this type of phase modulation apparatus, low cost, low power consumption, superior noise characteristics and modulation precision are generally required. In the case of carrying out modulation using PLL's, it is desirable to make the PLL frequency band (PLL frequency band) broader than the width of the frequency band (modulation frequency band) of the modulation signal in order to give good modulation precision.
However, when PLL frequency bandwidth is made wide, this invites deterioration in noise characteristics. Technology referred to as two-point modulation where PLL frequency bandwidth is set to be narrower than modulation frequency bandwidth with modulation being applied at two different locations, modulation within the PLL frequency band and modulation outside of the PLL frequency band, has therefore been proposed (for example, refer to the specification for U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,895).
FIG. 1 shows an example configuration for two-point type phase modulation apparatus of the related art. Two-point modulation phase modulation apparatus 10 has PLL circuit comprised of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 2 with an oscillation frequency changing according to a voltage of a control voltage terminal, frequency divider 3 that frequency-divides an RF phase modulation signal outputted by VCO2, phase comparator 4 that compares an output signal of frequency divider 3 and phase of a reference signal and outputs a signal according to the phase difference, and loop filter 5 that averages and outputs an output signal of phase comparator 4.
In addition to this, two-point modulation phase modulation apparatus 10 has DDS (Direct Digital Synthesizer) 1. DDS1 forms a reference signal based on inputted digital baseband modulation signal S1, and transmits this to phase comparator 4. Phase comparator 4 compares the phases of the reference signal inputted from DDS1 and frequency-dividing signal from frequency divider 3, and transmits a signal corresponding to the phase difference to loop filter 5. As a result, two-point modulation phase modulation apparatus 10 carries out modulation of the first point based on input digital baseband modulation signal S1.
Further, two-point modulation phase modulation apparatus 10 has D/A converter 6 that analog-converts input digital baseband modulation signal S1, anti-alias filter 7 that suppresses alias components contained in output signal S2 of D/A converter 6, and adder 8 that adds output signal S3 of anti-alias filter 7 and an output of PLL circuit loop filter 5 and outputs the added signal to a control voltage terminal of VCO2. As a result, two-point modulation phase modulation apparatus 10 carries out modulation of the second point based on input digital baseband modulation signal S1.
When this kind of two-point modulation technology is used, it is possible to output a wide frequency band RF phase modulation signal that goes beyond the PLL frequency band even if the PLL frequency band is set to be narrower than the modulation frequency band. As a result, it is possible to suppress deterioration of noise characteristics due to PLL.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a frequency characteristic for a baseband region for illustrating operation of the two-point modulation phase modulation apparatus. Here, a transfer function expressing the PLL frequency characteristic is taken to be H(s) (where s=j ω). H(s) has a low-pass characteristic as shown in FIG. 2. A low-pass filter of transfer function H(s) is then applied by the PLL to input digital baseband modulation signal S1 inputted to the PLL circuit via DDS1 and phase comparator 4. On the other hand, a high-pass filter of transfer function 1-H(s) as shown in FIG. 2 is applied to input digital baseband modulation signal S1 inputted to PLL circuit via D/A converter 6, anti-alias filter 7 and adder 8. Namely, when input digital baseband modulation signal S1 is taken to be Φ (s), a baseband component contained in an RF phase modulation signal outputted by voltage controlled oscillator 2 bears no relation to a PLL frequency characteristic, as shown in the following equation.H(s)Φ(s)+{1-H(s) }Φ(s)=Φ(s)  (1)
As described above, when two-point modulation is applied to the PLL, a baseband modulation signal component mainly within the PLL frequency band is transmitted from loop filter 5 to VCO2, while baseband modulation signal component mainly outside of the PLL frequency band is transmitted from anti-alias filter 7 to VCO2. As a result, at VCO2, baseband modulation signal components for within the PLL frequency band and outside of the frequency band are added together, and it is possible to output a wide band RF phase modulation signal that goes beyond the PLL frequency band.
In addition, it is necessary for input digital baseband modulation signal S1 to be the dimension of the frequency. VCO2 acts as an integrator and an RF phase modulation signal outputted by VCO2 is therefore converted to a dimension of phase by VCO2. Here, for example, the dimension of the GSM scheme baseband modulation signal is typically phase. As a result, in reality, with baseband modulation signals such as in GSM schemes where the dimension is phase, after differentiation to give conversion to a frequency dimension, this is inputted as input digital baseband modulation signal S1 of FIG. 1.
Here, a description is given of the operation of anti-alias filter 7 using FIG. 3. The input digital baseband modulation signal S1 shown in FIG. 3A is converted to an analog signal S2 by D/A converter 6. As shown in FIG. 3B, with an analog signal S2 outputted by D/A converter 6, an alias signal that is half the frequency of the sampling frequency (fs) of D/A converter 6 wrapped around a frequency axis at a border is generated. This alias signal is then suppressed by the frequency characteristics of the anti-alias filter 7. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3C, a baseband analog modulation signal S3 without alias component is outputted from anti-alias filter 7. The horizontal axis of FIG. 3 is shown to take the Log of the frequency.
It is necessary to sufficiently suppress the alias signal in order to satisfy the specifications for noise outside of the wireless frequency band. In order to achieve this, it is therefore preferable to take large amount of attenuation of anti-alias filter 7 at the frequency of the alias signal. However, if the frequency bandwidth of anti-alias filter 7 is made too narrow in order to make the amount of suppression of the alias signal (the right side portion of the analog signal S2 of FIG. 3B) large, an original baseband modulation signal component (the left side portion of the analog signal S2 of FIG. 3B) is suppressed and modulation precision deteriorates.
Typically, it is possible to set a sampling frequency fs sufficiently high compared to the baseband modulation frequency bandwidth so as to make the generation frequency of the alias signal high. As a result, it is possible to take large amount of the attenuation of the generation frequency of the alias signal even if the frequency bandwidth of the anti-alias filter 7 is made sufficiently broader than the baseband modulation bandwidth.
However, in wireless communication in recent years, as shown in FIG. 4A, cases where a wide frequency band signal is used as baseband modulation signal S1 are common. In this case, if only the alias signal component (the right side portion of the analog signal S2 in FIG. 4B) is suppressed without suppressing the original baseband modulation signal component (the left side portion of the analog signal in FIG. 4B), as shown in FIG. 4B, an anti-alias filter 7 is required where the frequency bandwidth is broader than the frequency bandwidth of the PLL that rapidly changes the frequency characteristic between the original baseband modulation signal component and the alias signal component. Namely, a high-order anti-alias filter 7 is necessary. However, increasing the order of anti-alias filter 7 means increasing the number of dependent circuits consisting of resistors and capacitors, and the configuration of the anti-alias filter 7 therefore becomes complex.
On the other hand, as described above, a method of increasing the sampling frequency fs of the D/A converter 6 is considered as a method of suppressing only the alias signal component without increasing the order of the anti-alias filter 7 (i.e. without complicating the configuration of anti-alias filter 7). However, it is necessary to increase the clock frequency in order to increasing the sampling frequency fs of D/A converter 6 which raises another problem of the power consumption increasing as a result.

Two-point modulation type phase modulation apparatus, polar modulation transmission apparatus, wireless transmission apparatus and wireless communication apparatus

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A method for carrier aggregation-based demodulation is provided, which includes: when uplink data sent by UE based on a scheduled SCC is received, if a current moment is a periodic CQI reporting moment and a first PCC scheduling result of the UE is not received when a demodulation format used for demodulating the uplink data needs to be determined before the current moment, demodulating the uplink data respectively based on a first demodulation format and a second demodulation format, to obtain a first demodulation result, a second demodulation result, a first check result, and a second check result; and if the first PCC scheduling result is already received when the demodulation is completed, determining, based on the first PCC scheduling result, the first demodulation result, the second demodulation result, the first check result, and the second check result, a demodulation result of correctly demodulating the uplink data.

Currently, a carrier aggregation (CA) technology is introduced in a long term evolution-advanced version (LTE-A). The CA technology can aggregate a plurality of consecutive or nonconsecutive component carriers (CC), to form a wider spectrum for data transmission, thereby increasing a data transmission rate. An aggregated carrier includes one primary component carrier (PCC) and one or more secondary component carriers (SCC). User equipment (UE) may send uplink data to a base station through an allocated PCC and SCC, and may report a periodic CQI (Channel Quality Indicator) to the base station.
Specifically, three periodic CQI report mechanisms are specified in a CA scenario, including: 1. When uplink scheduling is performed on the PCC of the UE, a periodic CQI is sent on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) of the PCC in a form of channel associated signaling, that is, there is periodic CQI channel associated signaling on the PUSCH of the PCC; 2. When no uplink scheduling is performed on the PCC of the UE but uplink scheduling is performed on the SCC of the UE, a periodic CQI is sent on a PUSCH of the SCC in a form of channel associated signaling, that is, there is periodic CQI channel associated signaling on the PUSCH of the SCC; and 3. When no uplink scheduling is performed on the PCC and the SCC, a periodic CQI is sent on a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) of the PCC. For the foregoing three periodic CQI report mechanisms, in an inter-base station carrier aggregation scenario including a primary base station and a secondary base station, the primary base station is configured to perform uplink scheduling on the PCC, the secondary base station is configured to perform uplink scheduling on the SCC, and after the primary base station completes the uplink scheduling on the PCC and the secondary base station completes the uplink scheduling on the SCC, the primary base station needs to send a PCC uplink scheduling result to the secondary base station, so that the secondary base station can determine, in advance with reference to PCC and SCC uplink scheduling results, a demodulation format used for demodulating uplink data on the SCC, that is, when receiving, at a periodic CQI reporting moment, uplink data transmitted on the SCC, the secondary base station determines, in advance, whether to demodulate the uplink data on the SCC based on a format used when there is periodic CQI channel associated signaling on the PUSCH or a format used when there is no periodic CQI channel associated signaling on the PUSCH. However, in an inter-base station carrier aggregation scenario based on relaxed backhaul, that is, a scenario in which there is a relatively high transmission delay, for example, an inter-base station carrier aggregation scenario in which a transmission delay is greater than 2 ms, because there is a relatively high transmission delay between the primary base station and the secondary base station, after the secondary base station completes the uplink scheduling on the SCC, when needing to determine the demodulation format used for demodulating the uplink data on the SCC, the secondary base station may not receive the PCC uplink scheduling result sent by the primary base station. Consequently, whether uplink scheduling is performed on the PCC cannot be determined, and whether there is periodic CQI channel associated signaling on the PUSCH of the SCC cannot be determined, either. Consequently, a correct demodulation format cannot be determined in advance. In this case, when receiving, at the periodic CQI reporting moment, the uplink data transmitted on the SCC, the secondary base station does not learn a demodulation format used for demodulation.
To resolve a problem that in the inter-base station carrier aggregation scenario based on relaxed backhaul, the base station does not learn, at the periodic CQI reporting moment, a format used for demodulating the uplink data on the SCC, the prior art provides an SCC scheduling avoidance method, that is, the secondary base station does not perform uplink scheduling on the SCC at the periodic CQI reporting moment, that is, the UE does not transmit uplink data on the SCC. Because uplink scheduling on the SCC is avoided at the periodic CQI reporting moment, the secondary base station does not need to demodulate the uplink data on the SCC at the periodic CQI reporting moment. However, in the method, a particular uplink scheduling opportunity is lost on the SCC, and consequently, an uplink data transmission rate is affected.

Carrier aggregation-based demodulation method and apparatus


The invention relates to a transition between a ridge waveguide and a planar circuit on which a conductor is provided. The transition includes at least one conductive link connecting the end of said ridge to said conductor between two contact points. According to the invention, the contact points face a common access provided for putting the conductive link in place. It is thus possible to implement the contact points industrially, e.g. by means of a thermocompression machine.

A transition is a passive microwave element making it possible to go from one means of propagation to another. It is thus possible to transmit a microwave signal through a system comprising waveguides of different shapes, e.g. rectangular and circular waveguides, microstrip lines, striplines, and/or coaxial cables.
It is frequently necessary to transmit a signal between a waveguide and a planar circuit. A ridge waveguide is a rectangular or circular waveguide provided with a metallic ridge. The planar circuit may be constituted by a microstrip circuit, by a coplanar circuit with or without a ground plane, or by a suspended microstrip circuit.
In a known manner, the transition may be of the type having localized constants or of the type having distributed constants:
A localized-constant transition between a waveguide and a planar circuit is shorter than the wavelength of the guided wave. It is usually constituted by a probe penetrating into the waveguide perpendicularly to the direction in which the waveguide extends, and connected to the planar circuit. The probe is constituted by the core of the coaxial cable or by an etched metal-plated line on a substrate whose opposite face is locally stripped of its metal plating. The drawback with that type of transition is that it requires the direction of the microwave signal to be changed through 90.degree., and the overall size of the transition is then large. This applies to E-plane and H-plane transitions. In addition, such transitions are difficult to implement and they do not offer a wide matching band.
A distributed-constant transition is no shorter than the wavelength of the guided wave. It is usually constituted by a smoothly-varying or stepped impedance transformer. That end of the impedance transformer which is situated at the transition has a ridge-shaped cross-section (see FIG. 5). That type of transition has a wider bandwidth. Reference may be made, for example, to French Patent Application No. 2 552 586 as applied to a transition between a waveguide and a coaxial line or a microstrip line.
The principle of that solution is described with reference to FIG. 1 which is a section view of a transition between a waveguide and a microstrip line, as described in the work "Microwave transition design" by J. S. and S. M. Izadian, Artech House 1988, Page 54, FIG. 4.1.
In FIG. 1, a waveguide 10 includes a cover 11 to which a ridge forming a smoothly-varying impedance transformer 12 is fixed. The ridge 12 is at the center of the waveguide 10, and its free end 13 is put in contact with a conductor 14 by putting the cover 11 in place, the conductor being mounted on a substrate 15 whose bottom face constitutes a ground plane. The conductor 14, the substrate 15 and the ground plane constitute a microstrip line. Electrical continuity is thus provided between the ridge 12 and the line 14.
The drawback with that solution is that it makes it necessary to comply with tight manufacturing tolerances in order for the electrical contact to be good. In addition, contact problems arise in the presence of thermal expansion.
A solution remedying that drawback consists in providing a flexible conductive link between the end of the ridge and the conductor provided on the planar circuit.
FIG. 2 is a section view of such a transition with reference numerals 10-15 identifying the same elements as like reference numerals already described in FIG. 1.
In a first configuration, the conductive link is referenced 20, and is represented by an uninterrupted line. The link 20 connects the end of the ridge 12 to the conductor 14 of the planar circuit, the contact points being referenced 21 and 22. In a second configuration, the conductive link is referenced 23 and is represented by a dashed line. The link 23 has contact points referenced 24 and 25.
The drawback suffered by those two configurations is that the links 20 and 23 cannot be put in place industrially (e.g. by means of a thermocompression machine) because the contact points 21 & 22 and 24 & 25 are not accessible from identical directions. By way of example, with respect to the link 20, a thermocompression machine that is to make the contact point 20 must have access in direction 26, while, to make the contact point 22, it must have access in direction 27. This means that two openings must be provided enabling access to be given, and that the transition must be turned over between two thermocompressions. Similarly, with respect to the link 23, the access directions for the thermocompression machine are 27 and 28, and the same problem arises.

Transition between a ridge waveguide and a planar circuit which faces in the same direction


An umbilicus system includes a mobile medical unit and interior and exterior treatment platforms connected to the mobile medical unit with respective umbilici that include bundles of lines for conveying medical and electrical utilities from the mobile medical unit to the treatment platforms. The umbilici are supported within the treatment platforms on trays that have openings for extending free ends of the umbilici from either end of the treatment platforms. The utilities conveyed by the umbilici are made available from medical action boards located at a front end of the treatment platforms.

Medical outcomes often depend upon the timeliness of initiating care. This is particularly true of severe injuries, where such timeliness is referred to as a patient's so-called "golden hour" within which medical intervention is most effective at saving lives.
Natural disasters and combat, which can produce great needs for such medical interventions, often take place in remote locations far away from hospitals or overwhelm the capacities of local care facilities. Rapid transport of patients can expand the range of available facilities, but the deployment of mobile medical facilities to the areas of need is sometimes the only or most effective way of dispensing timely medical care.
Mobile medical facilities take many forms from trailers to tents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,390 to coinventor Young discloses a fixed-walled mobile medical unit that is deployable by either air or ground transports. The mobile medical unit can be deployed alone or in combination with similar medical units to provide a variety of medical care specialties including surgery, emergency care, intensive care, pre- and post-operation care, as well as multi-bed wards.
Although such flexibility of purpose is important for dealing with the wide variety of medical needs on battlefields or sites of disasters, flexibility of capacity is also important for dealing with sudden influxes of patients. For this reason, applicants have devised a new umbilicus system that greatly expands the capability of mobile medical units to provide continuous care to multiple patients.

Mobile medical treatment platform with utilities umbilicus


A method and cementing composition for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore, wherein the cementing composition comprises a mixture of cementitious material, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and sufficient water to form a slurry.

The present embodiment relates generally to a cementing composition for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore.
In the drilling and completion of an oil or gas well, a cementing composition is often introduced in the well bore for cementing pipe string or casing. In this process, known as "primary cementing," the cementing composition is pumped into the annular space between the walls of the well bore and the casing. The cementing composition sets in the annular space, supporting and positioning the casing, and forming a substantially impermeable barrier, or cement sheath, which isolates the well bore into subterranean zones. Thus, the undesirable migration of fluids between zones is prevented after primary cementing.
Changes in pressure or temperature in the well bore over the life of the well can result in compromised zonal isolation. Also, activities undertaken in the well bore, such as pressure testing, well completion operations, hydraulic fracturing, and hydrocarbon production can affect zonal isolation. Such compromised zonal isolation is often evident as cracking or plastic deformation in the cementing composition, or de-bonding between the cementing composition and either the well bore or the casing.
As the name implies, cementing compositions are made chiefly of cement. Due to its incompressible nature, neat cement is undesirable for use where there is a chance of expansion or contraction in the well bore. Cement has a high Young's modulus, and fractures at slight strains when subjected to stresses ("brittle failure"). When the imposed stresses exceed the stress at which the cement fails, the cement sheath can no longer provide zonal isolation. While the Young's modulus of cementing compositions can be lowered by adding silica compositions, such silica treated cementing compositions ("water-extended slurries") suffer from lower compressive and tensile strengths.
Therefore, a cementing composition that can provide greater elasticity and compressibility, while retaining high compressive and tensile strengths, is desirable for primary cementing.

Elastomeric admixtures for improving cement elasticity


The present invention provides a reaction time measurement system that includes a hard-wired or battery-powered accelerometer module attached to a starting block or platform to detect acceleration when a contestant moves. Although the block is grossly stationary, it undergoes slight movement and mechanical vibration, so the accelerometer produces an output signal. A filter or a processing unit in the module processes the output signal to define the reaction time or moment when the athlete starts to leave the block. Preferably the module removably attaches to the starting block by a rigid coupling, and its processor stores and annotates the accelerometer signal. A link or connector signals the reaction time, or the stored signal on request, to a central monitor at which false start detection determination are made and records created. The module may be used as an individual training device, in which a runner's readiness and take-off impulse are analysed as a reaction waveform, or his reaction time and starting speed recorded. For use in a track system, multiple separately addressed modules each annotate the accelerometer signal trace with one or more externally applied or synchronized timing marks.

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for evaluating an athlete's initial reaction or starting performance in a contest or practice event.
In a number of athletic competitions such as foot races, all contestants start at a fixed instant, and the performance of each is assessed by the order of crossing the finish line. Typically, in a track event, the runners each first assume a "ready" position on a starting block, and then push off when the start signal, usually an explosion from a starting gun, is given. In some aquatic events related arrangements exist wherein swimmers push off from a wall or release a grip on a support.
For longer track events, where each runner is confined to one lane and the paths curve, it is necessary to have the runners start at different stations which may be placed at staggered positions many meters apart, thus compensating for the incrementally increasing path lengths along the outside lanes. This assures that all runners arrive at a common finish line after running the full, fixed, distance. Because of the spaced-apart starting positions along the track, and because the speed of sound is only about three-hundred fifty meters per second, a delay of up to a tenth of a second is possible between the instant when the starting signal reaches the front starting block and when it reaches the back starting block. This delay can be minimized by appropriate placement of the starting gun to uniformize the distance, hence the sound signal transit time, to the various positions. In addition to this intrinsic spatial delay, each runner has a finite reaction time, typically about one to several tenths of a second, between hearing the sound and pushing off from the starting block. Moreover, the start of a race is a time of extreme nervous tension, and it is not uncommon for a runner to push off early before hearing the starting gun, or even before the gun has been fired.
In general, when such behavior is observed, a false start is called, and all runners must again line up and be prepared to take off. Several false starts may disqualify a runner. However, since the starting activity occurs when contestants are spread out over a number of different starting positions which may further be staggered from each other, and since a false start typically involves time intervals on the order of a small fraction of second, a false start may simply not be observed by the starter or judges, and may go undetected.
There do exist various automated systems which use specialized equipment for detecting false starts by accurately timing when each runner pushes off. Furthermore, some track association rules have codified the definition of a false start as one occurring in less than one hundred milliseconds after the starting signal. This interval corresponds both to the distance between the extreme front and rear starting positions along a standard track, and to a generally accepted minimal reaction time. It also corresponds roughly to the accuracy with which a human observer would be able to discern such a start. Judges may also exercise some discretion in calling a false start.
The general methodology used to detect a false start in the available automated detection systems is to employ a sensor which measures the force exerted by a runner on the starting block, and then to analyze the shape of the force curve to detect a moment which is considered to be the moment when the athlete has pushed off. That moment is then compared to the moment the starting signal was applied to determine whether the athlete's start was too early. The starting signal itself can be provided by an electronic trigger on the starting gun, or by a timing signal derived by detecting the starting shot with a microphone placed close to the gun. The runner's starting moment, determined by a curve analysis algorithm, is typically considered to be a point in time at which the force on the starting block passes a very high threshold, or a moment at which the force peaks. Automated start detection systems of this type generally require modifying the starting blocks, or providing specially configured starting blocks which, instead of transferring all force directly to the track surface, ride on a carriage and are arranged so that all or a portion of the force exerted by the athlete on the starting block is transferred to or through a force sensor, e.g., a strain gauge, which may for example be mounted between the block and the carriage.
One such commercially available system locates the force sensor in a position to detect force exerted in the backward direction, and it analyses the output to determine when the athlete exerts a threshhold force of about 250 Newtons, which is sufficiently high to be accepted as indicative that the athlete has reacted and is pushing off. Such a detection protocol, however, may introduce a certain level of inequality between runners, inasmuch as an athlete with a highly sprung set position normally exerting a force of 240 Newtons will trigger the sensor with a relatively small shift in tension or minor adjustment of his starting posture, whereas another individual who exerts only 100 Newtons in his ready position may be able to initiate more movement without exceeding the false start force threshhold or triggering an alarm. Furthermore, the commercial embodiment of this system requires a track organization to purchase a proprietary set of starting block assemblies.
Another similar system is based on specially modified starting blocks. This system also detects the change in force applied to the starting blocks, but uses a different algorithm to determine the athlete's moment of reaction.
Still another system in current use can be attached to various starting blocks by disassembling the starting block and attaching a special load bearing rear end to the block. In this system, the changes in force are converted to a voltage output which is digitized. As the runner pushes off, the maximum change in force achieved by the athlete is determined, and the moment of reaction, or actual starting time, is taken to be the instant when the curve reaches a threshold percentage, such as twenty per cent, of the maximum value.
Each of the foregoing approaches requires either a special proprietary starting block arrangement in which the block and force sensor are carried on a special carriage or otherwise formed of several components to house the strain detection structure, or else requires an invasive fitting to the preexisting starting block which involves disassembly of the block and attachment of special load bearing rear end to the block. Thus, to use one of the foregoing reaction-time measurement systems, one must either replace existing equipment or extensively customize it. These requirements impose a rather high capital requirement for updating a track system to reliably detect false starts, and conversely, they unduly limit an organization's ability to switch or replace starting block equipment once it has been acquired.
In general, the moment of starting is an important moment. The reaction time of one to several tenths of a second is a relatively large interval, which, for a short distance event, is comparable to the spread between a winning time and a time which does not even place. It is therefore important for an athlete to adopt a position which allows him to leave the block with the greatest possible speed, and to perfect his starting technique so that this is dependably achieved with the smallest reaction time and without false starts. However, practicing one's starting technique involves a cumbersome sequence of acts, and typically involves close observation by a coach. Thus, unlike many aspects of an athlete's performance, the starting reaction cannot be drilled in solitary practice. While an athlete's start may be objectively measured during an actual contest by the above-described systems, such equipment is itself too unwieldy for individual training and casual use by an athlete to improve his reaction time, and it also requires a monitor or operator.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a reaction time detection system which is simply applied to diverse existing starting blocks.
It would also be desirable to provide a reaction time detection system which sets up simply and dependably in a multiple-contestant system.
It would also be desirable to provide a reaction time detection system useful for individual training.
It would be further desirable to provide a reaction time detection system with enhanced warning, alarm, or signaling abilities.
It would further be desirable to provide a reaction time detection system which is automated to make false start determinations and interface with recording or display equipment of the host organization.


A method for producing internal antenna components for small radio devices. A radiator is supported by a flat-topped protrusion formed in a plastic blank—e.g., by pressing with a hot tool. The length of the protrusion sets the height of the planar antenna. The radiator and its conductors are formed by removing material from a conducting film attached to the top of the protrusion. A feed and a shorting conductor are formed as extensions of the radiator. Contacts are attached to the feed and the shorting conductor to connect the antenna component to the radio device. Elongated gaps made in the plastic blank around the edges of the protrusion can facilitate loosening of the component. A plurality of antenna components can be formed on a uniform plastic blank and placed in a common package. The method results in low manufacturing costs and quick production time.

The invention relates to a method for producing components suitable for internal radiators, particularly in small-sized radio devices.
A growing number of different mobile phones and other small-sized radio devices are on the market for different telecommunication needs and for customers with different solvency. Regarding the price it is of course desirable that the device assortment extends as low as possible. The price of a device depends mainly on its manufacturing costs, which therefore must be forced low, particularly in cheap models.
This description depicts one possibility to reduce the manufacturing costs of a radio device, regarding the antenna. In practice the antennas located in small-sized radio devices have a planar structure: The antenna comprises a radiating plane and a ground plane in parallel with it. For instance in mobile phones a common way to make a planar antenna is that a dielectric support frame is formed by injection molding, and the radiating plane with its feeding and shorting conductors is made of metal sheet by cutting and bending. The support frame and the radiating plane are fastened to each other, and the resulting component is attached to a circuit board with the ground plane on its surface. Disadvantages of the method are the high costs required by the production line and the relatively long throughput time in the production. A simpler method is for instance to utilise printed circuit board techniques: a larger number of mutually identical radiator patterns are formed on a surface of a relatively large circuit board, and then the board is cut into pieces. Then the individual radiators are relatively cheap, as are their support mechanisms. However, the assembly of the antenna with its feeding and shorting conductors causes significantly high costs.
Usually a radio device as a whole is produced in a different place than its antenna component. In that case, by using known antenna manufacturing methods the antenna components are then packed one by one for the transport, which causes a significant extra cost.


A drive assembly of a firearm includes a hammer, a firing pin, a trigger and drive means for driving the firing pin. The hammer includes a main body having at least a first tooth, a first seat engaged by the firing pin and a second seat engaged by the drive means that intercepts the first seat. The firing pin and the drive means are movable in the respective seats between a first rest portion, distal one from another, and a second firing position, respectively, proximal one to another. The trigger includes a first portion that, when the trigger is pivoted, it is movable between the first and second positions, respectively. The trigger includes a second portion configured to engage/disengage the first tooth and a third portion configured to counter the drive means when the first portion of the trigger is in the second position and the first tooth is disengaged.

As known, the firearms, such as pistols, revolvers, guns and the like, are provided with safety devices, usually called "safeties", intended to prevent an accidental discharge of the firearm.
A bullet can be fired by accident, for example by the firearm falling to the ground, or by an awkward operation of the person handling the firearm which could cause the so-called firearm hammer to undesirably unlatch.
If safeties are activated, particularly in case of revolvers, they prevent the firearm hammer from striking the bullet through the so-called firing pin.
In detail, a revolver provided with a so-called passive safety system typically comprises, in addition to a handle and to the above mentioned hammer and firing pin, also a frame having the hammer pivoted thereto so as to be rotatable at least between a cocked position and a striking position and to which the firing pin is combined to be, in its turn, movable between a striking or firing forward position and a rest or safe backward position, and a user-operated trigger for controlling the hammer to be unlatched and thus rotated and for causing the bullet to be stricken and thus discharged.
Applicant's Italian Patent, IT 1327534, discloses a safety device for a revolver, comprising transmission means extending into the hammer and interposed between the trigger and a movable firing pin, wherein the hammer is provided with a safety tooth apt to interact with a beak-shaped end of the trigger to lock the hammer when it is unlatched.
In particular, the safety device of the aforesaid Patent locks the firing pin in a forward position when the hammer is in a cocked position, and moves the firing pin in a safety backward position when the hammer is unlatched from the cocked position and the trigger beak engages the safety tooth of the hammer.
In practice, in the safety position, even if the hammer is totally in abutment against the firearm frame, the firing pin is not able to act onto the bullet charge.
Although a solution such as the above evaluated one achieves the purpose, it suffers from some drawbacks among which the most important is to be mechanically complex, both structurally and functionally.
In fact, it is quite difficult to assemble and mount the several elements that make up the transmission means, and is also complicated to drive them and make them work on the whole.