The intra-picture prediction coding apparatus 150a is comprised of: an intra-picture prediction mode candidate determination unit 156a that determines intra-picture prediction mode candidates by switching among intra-picture prediction mode candidate determination methods based on an amount of resources 172; an intra-picture prediction execution unit 151 that sequentially performs intra-picture prediction on a current block using each of intra-picture prediction modes in the intra-picture prediction mode candidates and generates an intra-picture predictive image 164; a prediction difference calculation unit 152 that generates a prediction difference image 165 based on the intra-picture prediction image 164 and the image presented by the current block; a coding efficiency evaluation unit 153 that calculates an evaluation value 166 based on the prediction difference image 165; an intra-picture prediction mode determination unit 154 that determines the intra-picture prediction mode whose evaluation value 166 is the smallest among the intra-picture prediction mode candidates; and a coding unit 155 that codes a prediction difference image 168 as a result of the prediction using the determined intra-picture prediction mode as well as the intra-picture prediction mode information 167.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an intra-picture prediction coding method, an intra-picture prediction coding apparatus and a program, for determining an intra-picture prediction mode and performing intra-picture prediction coding based on the determined prediction mode.
(2) Description of the Related Art
A product that performs picture coding such as a cell phone and a DVD recorder, in general, incorporates an apparatus for realizing picture coding by predicting pixels in a block per pixel block of m×n pixels (m and n are positive integers), then, coding the information related to the prediction method, and further coding difference information that is a difference image between a predictive image and an original image using a Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) or the like. A picture coding apparatus usually includes an intra-picture prediction coding apparatus. Intra-picture prediction means to predict a predictive image for a prediction unit block of m×n pixels to be coded (to be referred to as "current block" hereinafter) using already-coded decoded pixels in a picture that includes a current block. The moving picture coding method such as MPEG-4 AVC provides plural number of prediction modes to be used for intra-picture prediction. In the intra-picture prediction coding, picture coding is realized by generating a predictive image for a prediction unit block of m×n pixels (m and n are positive integers) using a single intra-picture prediction mode, and coding a difference image between the predictive image and an input image as well as the information indicating the intra-picture prediction mode used for the generation of the predictive image. In the intra-picture prediction according to the MPEG-4 AVC, spatial prediction is performed using already-coded decoded pixels in the periphery of the current block so as to generate a predictive image for the current block.
Here is a brief but detailed description of intra-picture prediction modes. For example, the MPEG-4 AVC provides nine kinds of intra-prediction modes for luminous pixels in a 4×4 pixel block (see DRAFT ISO/IEC, 14496-10: 2002 (E), "Draft ITU-T Recommendation and Final Draft International Standard of Joint Video Specification", 2003.5.27, p. 97-102). In a DC prediction mode (prediction mode 2), as shown in FIG. 1C, predictive pixels for a current block of 4×4 pixels are generated by assigning an average value of the eight neighboring decoded pixels on left and above the current block to all the pixel values in the current block. In a horizontal direction prediction mode (prediction mode 1), as shown in FIG. 1B, predictive pixels of a current block of 4×4 pixels are generated based on the decoded pixels of four neighboring pixels on the left of the current block. In a vertical direction prediction mode (prediction mode 0), as shown in FIG. 1A, predictive pixels of a current block of 4×4 pixels are generated using the decoded pixels of four neighboring pixels above the current block. Besides, there are also the prediction modes of different directions: in direction from upper right to lower left (prediction modes 3 and 7) as shown in FIGS. 1D and 1H; in direction from upper left to lower right (prediction modes 4, 5, and 6) as shown in FIGS. 1E, 1F and 1G; in direction from lower left to upper right (prediction mode 8) as shown in FIG. 11. Namely, a total of nine intra-picture prediction modes including eight prediction modes in eight directions and the DC prediction mode as described above are available.
The MPEG-4 AVC provides four intra-picture prediction modes to be used for luminous pixels in a 16×16 pixel block.
In a vertical direction prediction mode (prediction mode 0), as shown in FIG. 2A, predictive pixels of a current block of 16×16 pixels are generated using the decoded pixels of sixteen neighboring pixels above the current block. In a horizontal direction prediction mode (prediction mode 1), as shown in FIG. 2B, predictive pixels of ga current block of 16×16 pixels are generated based on the decoded pixels of sixteen neighboring pixels on the left of the current block. In a DC prediction mode (prediction mode 2), as shown in FIG. 2C, predictive pixels of a current block of 16×16 pixels are generated by assigning an average value of thirty-two neighboring decoded pixels on left and above the current block to all the pixel values in the current block. In a planar prediction mode (prediction mode 3), as shown in FIG. 2D, predictive pixels of a current block of 16×16 pixels are generated based on the decoded pixels of thirty-two neighboring pixels on left and above the current block.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of the conventional intra-picture prediction coding apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the intra-picture prediction coding apparatus 100 is comprised of the following: an intra-picture prediction execution unit 101 that receives, as an input, an intra-picture prediction reference pixel group 162 that consists of coded pixels in a picture, that is, the pixels to be used for intra-picture prediction, and outputs an intra-picture predictive image 164 and an intra-picture prediction mode information 163; a prediction difference calculation unit 152 that receives, as inputs, an input image 161, the intra-picture predictive image 164 and the intra-picture prediction mode information 163, and outputs a prediction difference image 165; a coding efficiency evaluation unit 153 that receives, as an input, the prediction difference image 165, and outputs an evaluation value 166; an intra-picture prediction mode determination unit 154 that receives, as inputs, the intra-picture prediction mode information 163, the prediction difference image 165 and the evaluation value 166, and outputs a prediction difference image 168 and an intra-picture prediction mode information 167; and a coding unit 155 that receives, as inputs, the intra-picture prediction mode information 167 and the prediction difference image 168, and outputs a coded image 169.
The intra-picture prediction execution unit 101 performs intra-picture prediction on a predictive unit block of m×n pixels (m, n are positive integers) to be processed (to be referred to as "current block" hereinafter), using, one by one, each of the intra-picture prediction modes. That is to say that the intra-picture prediction execution unit 101 predicts the pixels of the current block based on the intra-picture prediction reference pixel group 162, and outputs the result as an intra-picture predictive image 164. The intra-picture prediction execution unit 101 also outputs, as the intra-picture prediction mode information 163, the information related to the prediction mode used for the generation of the intra-picture predictive image 164.
The prediction difference calculation unit 152 calculates a difference value per pixel between the intra-picture predictive image 164, which is predictively generated for the current block by the intra-picture prediction execution unit 101, and the image of the current block in the input image 161, and then, outputs the result as the prediction difference image 165.
The coding efficiency evaluation unit 153 calculates values, each of which indicates coding efficiency, based on the prediction difference image 165. For example, the coding efficiency evaluation unit 153 calculates a sum of absolute values of each of the pixel values in the prediction difference image 165, and outputs the result as the evaluation value 166. It should be noted that the coding efficiency evaluation unit 153 may calculate the evaluation value 166 with reference to the information other than the prediction difference image 165, e.g., the intra-picture prediction mode information based on the coded data of the neighboring coded blocks. In the case where the coding unit 155 employs the method of coding the difference between the intra-picture prediction mode of the neighboring coded block and the mode of the current block, it is possible to calculate the evaluation value 166 by further referring to the intra-picture prediction mode of the neighboring coded block.
The intra-picture prediction mode determination unit 154 outputs, as the intra-picture prediction mode information 167, the intra-picture prediction mode whose evaluation value 166 outputted by the coding efficiency evaluation unit 153 is the smallest among the intra-picture prediction modes sequentially attempted at certain intervals by the intra-picture prediction execution unit 101., The intra-picture prediction mode determination unit 154 also outputs, as the prediction difference image 168, the prediction difference calculated by using the intra-picture prediction mode based on which the smallest evaluation value 166 is obtained.
The coding unit 155 codes the prediction difference image 168 that is a result of the prediction using the determined intra-picture prediction mode, then, codes the intra-picture prediction mode information 167, and outputs the coded image 169.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of the intra-picture prediction execution unit 101. As shown in FIG. 4, the intra-picture prediction execution unit 101 includes a counter 102, an intra-picture prediction mode switching unit 252 and an intra-picture prediction unit 251, and sequentially executes intra-picture prediction at certain intervals using each of the intra-picture prediction modes. The counter 102 sequentially outputs, at certain intervals, the intra-picture prediction mode information 163 that specifies the intra-picture prediction mode to be executed. In this case, integer values ranged from "0" to "8" for uniquely specifying an intra-picture prediction mode are used as intra-picture prediction mode information. Therefore, the values from "0" to "8" are respectively outputted as the value of the intra-picture prediction mode information 163 by counting up the values. However, the count-up operation is executed only for one time after a prediction completion signal 256 changes from "0" to "1". The intra-picture prediction mode switching unit 252 instructs the intra-picture prediction unit 251 to switch the intra-picture prediction mode according to the value of the intra-picture prediction mode information 163. The intra-picture prediction unit 251 generates the intra-picture predictive image 164 for the current block using the intra-picture prediction reference image group 162, based on the intra-picture prediction mode instructed by the intra-picture prediction mode switching unit 252, and outputs it. The intra-picture prediction unit 251 also outputs the value "1" as the prediction completion signal 256, each time the generation of the intra-picture predictive image 164 based on one intra-picture prediction mode is completed.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the structure of the prediction difference calculation unit 152. As shown in FIG. 5, the prediction difference calculation unit 152 includes a subtraction circuit 261, and outputs a difference image between the input image and the intra-picture predictive image. The subtraction circuit 261 calculates the difference between the input image 161 inputted and the intra-picture predictive image 164, and outputs the result of the calculation as the prediction difference image 165. That is to say, the subtraction circuit 261 outputs the prediction difference image 165 holding pixel values. Each of the pixel values indicates a difference between each of the pixel values in the intra-picture predictive image 164 and each of the corresponding pixel values in the input image 161.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of the coding efficiency evaluation unit 153. As shown in FIG. 6A, the coding efficiency evaluation unit 153 includes a multiplexer 271, a comparator 272, a switch 273, an adder 274 and a register 275, and outputs an evaluation value indicating coding efficiency based on the prediction difference image. The evaluation value 166 is a sum of absolute values of each of the pixels in the prediction difference image 165. The prediction difference image 165 is a value of each of the pixels sequentially outputted at certain intervals from the prediction difference calculation unit 152. The comparator 272 compares the prediction difference image 165 and a value "0", and an output 284 from the comparator 272 holds a value "1" in the case where the pixel value in the prediction difference image 165 indicates "0" or smaller, and holds the value "0" in the case where the pixel value in the prediction difference image 165 indicates a value greater than "0". The switch 273, as shown in FIG. 6B, switches between a value "a" and a value "b" which are inputted based on an inputted value "x", and outputs it as an output value "c". In this case, the output 284 from the comparator 272 controls the switch 273 while an output 280 from the switch 273 holds a value "−1" in the case where the output 284 of the comparator 272 indicates "1", and holds a value "1" in the case where the output 284 from the comparator 272 indicates "0". The multiplexer 271 multiplexes the prediction difference image 165 by the output 280 from the switch 273: As a result, an output 285 from the multiplexer 271 indicates a value equivalent to the absolute value of the prediction difference image 165. The adder 274 adds the output 285 from the multiplexer 271 and an output 282 from a delay device 275. While the first pixel in the unit block is processed, the output 282 from the delay device 275 is controlled to be "0" (not shown in the diagram). When the adder 274 processes the data, which is obtained by processing the first pixel in the prediction difference image 165, the evaluation value 166 holds, as an output, the absolute value of the first pixel in the prediction difference image 165. The delay device 275 delays the operation by one pixel. When the adder 274 processes the data obtained by processing the nth pixel in the prediction difference image 165, the evaluation value 166 indicates a value equivalent to a sum of absolute values for the pixel values of the first to the (n−1)th pixels in the prediction difference image 165. Therefore, the value of an output 281 from the adder 274 equals to a sum of the absolute values for the pixel values of the first to the n th pixels in the prediction difference image 165. Through the above processing, the sum of the absolute values for the prediction difference image 165 is eventually outputted as the evaluation value 166.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the structure of the intra-picture prediction mode determination unit 154. As shown in FIG. 7, the intra-picture prediction mode determination unit 154 includes a prediction difference image storage memory 291, a comparator 292, a NOT circuit 293, and registers 294, 295. The intra-picture prediction mode determination unit 154 outputs the intra-picture prediction mode whose evaluation value is the smallest and the prediction difference image predicted using the intra-picture prediction mode based on which the smallest evaluation value is obtained. The evaluation value 166 and read data 302 are inputted to the comparator 292. The evaluation value 166 is written in the register 294 only when a write enable signal 301 indicates a value "1" while the value written in the register 294 is outputted to the read data 302 regardless of the value held by the write enable signal 301. In the register 294, a value greater than a maximum value that can be obtained as the evaluation value 166 is written beforehand as an initial state. The prediction mode information related to the intra-picture prediction mode to be attempted is sequentially inputted at certain intervals into the intra-picture prediction mode information 163, while the evaluation value resulted from the prediction based on each intra-picture prediction mode information 163 is sequentially inputted in the evaluation value 166 at certain intervals. In the case where the first evaluation value among the evaluation values thus sequentially inputted at certain intervals is given to the evaluation value 166, an output 303 from the comparator 292 indicates a value "0" since the evaluation value 166 indicates a value smaller than the value indicated in the read data 302, and the NOT circuit 293 sets the write enable signal 301 to "1". In the case where the write enable signal 301 indicates a value "1", the prediction difference image 165, which is the result of the prediction based on the intra-picture prediction mode information 163 at that time, is stored in the prediction difference image storage memory 291, and the value of the intra-picture prediction mode information 163 is written in the register 295. In the case where the k th evaluation value among the evaluation values sequentially inputted at certain intervals is given to the evaluation value 166, the smallest evaluation value among the first to the (k-1)th evaluation values sequentially inputted at certain intervals is outputted as the read data 302. The comparator 292 compares the read data 302 thus outputted and the k th evaluation value 166. In the case where the k th evaluation value 166 is smaller than the value indicated in the read data 302, the output 303 from the comparator 292 indicates a value "0". Here, the NOT circuit 293 sets the value of the write enable signal 301 to "1". In the case where the value of the write enable signal 301 indicates "1", the prediction difference image 165 resulted from the prediction based on the intra-picture prediction mode information 163 used at that time is stored into the prediction difference image storage memory 291, while the value of the intra-picture prediction mode information 163 is written in the register 295. In the case where the k th evaluation value 166 is equal to or greater than the value indicated in the read data 302, the output 303 from the comparator 292 indicates a value "1". Here, the NOT circuit 293 sets the value of the write enable signal 301 to "0", and new data is stored neither in the prediction difference image storage memory 291 nor in the register 295. Thus, the intra-picture prediction mode information corresponding to the intra-picture prediction mode whose evaluation value is the smallest, as a result of the processing related to the evaluation value 166 for all the intra-picture prediction modes attempted for the current block, is stored in the register 295, and then outputted as the intra-picture prediction mode information 167. The prediction difference image corresponding to the intra-picture prediction mode, based on which the smallest evaluation value is obtained, is stored in the prediction difference image storage memory 291, and the image data is outputted as the prediction difference image 168.
The coding unit 155 codes the intra-picture prediction mode information 167 and prediction difference image 168 which are inputted, and outputs the coded image 169. In the coding performed on the prediction difference image 168, quantization is performed after frequency transformation such as a DCT, and then, the quantized values are coded using variable length coding or arithmetic coding. As for the intra-picture prediction mode information 167, variable length coding or arithmetic coding is used.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the intra-picture prediction coding method used by the intra-picture prediction coding apparatus 100. However, the chart shows the processing that is performed per prediction unit block.
A value greater than a maximum value that can be obtained as the evaluation value 166 is substituted beforehand in a variable "min_cost" (Step S11). Then, intra-picture prediction is performed sequentially starting from the intra-picture prediction mode whose "mode" indicates "0" (Step S12), regarding the intra-picture prediction mode information 163 as a "mode", and "predImg(mode)" that represents the intra-picture predictive image 164 is generated (Step S13). Next, "diffImg(mode)" that represents the prediction difference image 165 between the generated intra-picture predictive image "predImg(mode)" and the input image 161 is generated (Step S14). After that, "cost(mode)" that represents the evaluation value 166 obtained using the intra-picture prediction mode is then calculated based on the prediction difference image "diffImg(mode)" (Step S15). The "cost(mode)" resulted from the calculation is compared with a value "min_cost(mode)" (Step S16). In the case where the evaluation value "cost(mode)" is smaller (Yes in Step S16), the evaluation value "cost(mode)" is stored in the variable "min_cost" (Step S17), the prediction mode information "mode" is stored in a variable "best_mode" (Step S18), and the prediction difference image "difflmg(mode)" is stored in a variable "best_diffImg" (Step S19). A sequence of processing (Steps S13-S19) for generating the intra-picture predictive image "diffImg(mode)" is respectively performed for the modes from "0" to "8" (Step S12). Eventually, the "best_mode", which is the intra-picture prediction mode information 167 obtained by using the intra-picture prediction mode whose evaluation value 166 is the smallest, and the difference image between the image predicted based on the above-mentioned intra-picture prediction mode and the input image 161, namely, "best_diffImg" representing the prediction difference image 168, are coded, and the coded image 169 is generated (Step S20).
With the intra-picture prediction coding apparatus as described above, the cost of hardware or the amount of processing operated by software can be reduced, and in image quality can be improved due to enhancement of predictability.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


An apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation includes a pulsed neutron generator configured to emit a pulse of neutrons, a formation radiation detector configured to detect radiation emitted from the formation due to interactions with the pulse of neutrons, and a neutron generator radiation detector having a crystal structure and configured to detect a radiation particle emitted from the pulsed neutron generator and to provide a location within the neutron radiation detector at which the particle was detected. The crystal structure includes a plurality of detection cells, each detection cell having at least two electrically conducting columns with an applied potential difference such that electrons generated in the crystal structure by interaction with the radiation particle are collected by at least one of the electrically conducting columns to provide detection locations. A processor estimates the property using the detected formation radiation and the detection locations.

Geologic formations may be used for many purposes such as hydrocarbon production, geothermal production, or carbon dioxide sequestration. Typically, boreholes are drilled into the formations to provide access to them. Various downhole tools may be conveyed in the boreholes in order to characterize the formations. Characterization of the formations and the fluids within them provides valuable information related to the intended use of the formations so that drilling and production resources can be used efficiently.
One type of downhole tool is a neutron tool that may be used to measure a property such as porosity of an earth formation. The neutron tool bombards the formation with neutrons either continuously from a chemical source or as a pulse from an electronic source. The neutrons interact with the formation to produce radiation that is detected by a gamma-ray detector. The output of the gamma-ray detector is then correlated to the formation property. Unfortunately, similar radiation may be present due to factors other than neutron bombardment of formations and this radiation may cause a decrease in accuracy of the measurements. Hence, it would be well appreciated in the drilling industry if measurement techniques were developed that would improve the measurement accuracy of neutron tools.

Measurement technique utilizing novel radiation detectors in and near pulsed neutron generator tubes for well logging applications using solid state materials


A method of breast tissue examination using time-resolved spectroscopy includes the following steps. A support that includes an input port and an output port separated by a selected distance is positioned relative to the examined breast. Locations of the input and output ports are selected to examine a tissue region of the breast. Light pulses of a selected wavelength and duration less than a nanosecond are introduced into the breast tissue at the input port and detected over time at the detection port. Signals corresponding to photons of detected modified pulses are accumulated over time. Values of a scattering coefficient or an absorption coefficient of the examined breast tissue are calculated based on the shape of the modified pulses. The examined breast tissue is characterized based on the values of the scattering coefficient or the absorption coefficient. Absorbing or fluorescing contrast agents may be introduced into the examined tissue. This method may be used in conjunction with x-ray mammography, needle localization procedure or MRI mammography.

The invention features a time-resolved spectroscopic method and apparatus for breast tissue examination.
Breast cancer is among the most common and the most feared malignancies in women. It has an unpredictable course, the treatment is frequently physically and emotionally draining and the risk of metastatic spread persists for many years. Due to its high occurrence rate, routine breast cancer screening, which includes physical examination and x-ray mammography, plays an important role in current health care. X-ray mammography can detect over 90% of all masses and increases the 10-year survival rate to about 95% for patients with cancers solely detected by mammography. Although the modern mammography uses a low-dose of x-rays, it still involves some small risk of inducing cancers by the radiation. Other tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and gadolinium enhanced MRI, have been used successfully for detection of breast tumors and may be used routinely for screening in the future.
After a small suspicious mass is detected in the breast non-invasively, an excisional biopsy is usually performed to exclude or diagnose malignancy. The biopsy specimen is removed under local anesthesia and is used for histopathological diagnosis. The statistics show that in about 75% of the excisional biopsies, the biopsied tissue is diagnosed to be benign. Thus, a majority of patients undergoes this unpleasant and costly procedure unnecessarily. Furthermore, it has been suggested that the excisional biopsy may cause spreading of the malignant tumor cells.
Therefore, a non-invasive, relatively inexpensive technique that can detect and characterize breast tumors may find its place in today's health care, alone or in conjunction with the above-mentioned techniques.

Localization of abnormal breast tissue using time-resolved spectroscopy


Disclosed is a refrigerating machine oil composition, comprising a base oil and a metal salt of a carboxylic aid having from 3 to 60 carbon atoms.. The refrigerating machine oil (lubricating oil) of the present invention is very well miscible with hydrogen-containing Flon refrigerants such as Flon 134a, achieves an excellent lubrication performance and is good enough to bring forth marked improvement of a wear resistance, particularly a wear resistance of aluminum-steel friction surfaces.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a refrigerating machine oil composition, more particularly to a refrigerating machine oil composition having good miscibility (or compatibility) with a hydrogen-containing Flon compound (fluoroalkane) such as 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (hereinafter referred to as "Flon 134a") capable of replacing conventional Flon compounds such as dichlorodifluoromethane (hereinafter referred as "Flon 12") which have been blamed for environmental pollution, and also having an excellent wear resistance, lubrication performance and stability in a Flon atmosphere.
2. Description of the Related Arts
In recent years, there have been reported that polyoxyalkylene glycol derivatives are highly miscible with hydrogen-containing Flon refrigerants such as Flon 134a which do not cause environmental pollution and will be useful as a lubricating oil in refrigerators using these hydrogen-containing Flon refrigerants (Specification of U.S. Pat. No. 4,755,316).
However, the polyoxyalkylene glycol derivatives have also been found to be a serious problem when used in connection with refrigerating machine such as automobile air conditioners and refrigerators because the compounds have a low wear resistance and are responsible for increases in the wear loss of friction surfaces between aluminum part and steel part (aluminum-steel friction surfaces) of the refrigerating machine in an atmosphere of said refrigerants. These friction surfaces are an important element in lubrication, consisting of the contact surface between the piston and the piston shoe or between swash plate and the shoe portion in the case of a reciprocating compressor, or consisting of the contact surface between the vane and the housing portion in the case of a rotary compressor.
Various different improvers of wear resistance have been well-known, but there has been no known means to prevent the wear loss of the aluminum-steel friction surfaces without adversely affecting the stability of the surfaces under the special condition of a Flon atmosphere.
The present inventors have made intensive researches and investigations with a view to developing a refrigerating machine oil (a lubricating oil) which has high miscibility with hydrogen-containing Flon refrigerant such as Flon 134a, is excellent in the lubrication performance and is effective for the improvement of the wear resistance, especially the wear resistance of the aluminum-steel friction surfaces. As the result, it has been found that the above-mentioned objects can be achieved by mixing a specific carboxylic acid metal salt with a specific base oil. The present invention has been completed on the basis of this finding.


A golf play information providing system includes a portable terminal and a server communicating with the terminal. A terminal receives an input of golf course information and customer information obtained based on position information from a GPS satellite, a GPS pseudo satellite, and an MTSAT (Multi-functional Transport Satellite) and to transfer the golf course information and customer information to the server. A server updates golf curse and customer information previously stored in the server with the latest information. The server transfers the updated golf course and customer information to the terminal. The terminal displays the golf course and customer information that have been transmitted from the server. The server registers, corrects, and deletes contents of the customer information. The terminal calculates, on the golf course, the current position based on the position information to display golf course information related to the calculated current position. The terminal sets, on the golf course, a target position on its screen that displays the current position based on the position information to calculate and display the distance between the current position and target position. Then, the terminal transfers, to the server, the golf course and customer information stored in the terminal to update the golf course and customer information in the server.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system and method for providing golf play information concerning golf play to a player on the course, and more particularly, to a golf play information communication providing system and method using a portable terminal for the player and a server which communicates with the portable terminal.
2. Description of the Related Art
In golf play, it is very important for a player to accurately grasp course layout or course yardage. Conventionally, a player has determined it by a course picture, or a visual measurement using a yardage marker (distance indication post). Alternatively, the player has determined it on caddy's advice. Many players have experience of making an error in measurement of the yardage, or being suffering from an unexpected course layout such as a pond or bunker.
As an example of the prior art for solving the above problem involving golf play, "Method of acquisition and distribution business of golf course map data for GPS (Global Positioning System)" is known (refer to, for example, JP-A-2001-319154). In the method, plural pieces of golf course map data for GPS are registered in a database connected to a network, and desired golf course map data is downloaded from the database to a user terminal.
As another example, "Information processing system" is known (refer to, for example, JP-A-2002-000786). In the system, based on current position coordinate (golf ball position) acquired from a GPS and target position coordinate acquired by pointing a target position on a course map displayed on a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), the accurate distance between the golf ball position and the target position is obtained.
However, in the above invention disclosed in JP-A-2001-319154, information related to golf play that can actually be acquired by a player by means of a terminal is limited to invariant information representing land features or the like of the golf courses that have previously registered in the database.
Accordingly, the player cannot acquire course condition information (weather, wind, ground condition) or the like, and therefore he or she cannot reflect the course condition information varying from hour to hour on his or her play in real time, which makes it difficult for the player to enjoy situational plays.
Further, in the above invention disclosed in JP-A-2002-000786, although the player can acquire the accurate distance between the golf ball position and target position, he or she cannot acquire information such as land features of the golf courses, course condition information or the like that is actually required for golf play. In addition, the accurate position information cannot be acquired only from a GPS satellite.

System and method for providing golf play information, portable terminal, and server used for the same


A method for recognizing job separator pages that tolerates more changes in imaging conditions involving pixel resolution, noise, pose changes (rotation, translation and shear) and a system which can be trained on-site to learn any new separator page. The invention is suitable for use in any scanning assembly systems such as flatbed scanners, feed through document handlers, single page feed scanners, as well wraparound document handlers, and is insensitive to leading and trailing edge-base skew detection problems. A job sheet is visually recognized. Detection of alignment markers is invariant to skew of the most general form and includes all rotations and stretches that occur on a page due to page folding.

With the advent of high speed digital copiers, scanners and automatic document processing-based document center systems, one of the challenging problems is fully exploiting their capacity. If we analyze the work flow process in using these systems, we observe that a single job is being processed even though the document handler's capacity may exceed the current job size. In such a scenario, users have to wait or return to find a time when the system is free for use. If we could allow multiple jobs to be stacked and processed, this would make such a system more convenient to use and also utilize its capacity to full. To enable this however, would require a mechanism to recognize the presence of a new job and invoke it with the respective job-specific parameters.
What follows are some prior methods directed at job separation and identification schemes where attempts have been made to recognize jobs at the scanner, processing, and printer aspects of document processing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,012, entitled "Header sheet for image communications system," issued to Verderber et al discloses a header sheet for use with an automatic image communication transmission system, having regularly spaced hash marks around the border to identify the sheet as a header. Additional markings are in the border to identify the leading edge of the sheet relative to the scan raster of the system, and areas to designate sender and addressee stations by the location of markings relative to the position of the scan raster.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,554, entitled "Job processing system for high speed electronic copying/printing machines," issued to Rourke discloses a job processing site having plural electronic printers and document scanners, a job input station with electronic job ticket for entering printing instructions for a job with a job number to a job program file, a copier to provide a hard copy of the electronic job ticket with job number in machine readable form for assembly with the documents that comprise the job so that when the job is processed at the job site, the job number is obtained to retrieve the printing instructions for the job from the job program file.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,051,779, entitled "Job control sheet for image processing system," issued to Hikawa discloses an image processing system that specifies input image information on the basis of existence of a special mark or patterns printed on a job control sheet. Selected one of various image processing is executed in accordance with the existence of the special marks or patterns to thereby obtain output image information. Each of the special marks or patterns are line drawings, each drawn so as to have a certain low correlative angle to longitudinal and transverse directions of an image provided with the special mark or patterns.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,037, entitled "Image processing system and method for processing documents in accordance with a job control sheet," issued to Saito discloses an image processing system in which input image information that is read from a document original is subjected to image processing on the basis of machine operating instruction information that is defined by a job control sheet, to obtain output image information. Machine operating instruction information borne by the job control sheet is read and interpreted, and it is judged whether or not the interpreted instruction is executable. When the machine operating instruction is executable, image processing of a batch of document originals following the job control sheet is executed to generate output image information, whereas, if the machine operating instruction is unexecutable, the batch of document original is fed forward without being processed up to the last document original that immediately precedes a subsequent job control sheet.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,371, entitled "Image processing system using job control sheets with attributes," issued to Hikawa et. al discloses an image processing system in which an input image read from a document is subjected to image processing on the basis of machine operations indicating information defined in a job control sheet, to thereby obtain an output image. The job control sheet having specific marks or patterns arranged at its four corners so as to be point symmetrical with each other for discriminating the job control sheet from a document. The specific marks are comprised of attributes which are different in part for each of the specific marks.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,381, entitled "Method for compiling multiple jobs with job reference sheets," issued to Hube discloses a method provided for printing a job, represented by a set of electronic pages, with a job reference sheet in a printing system, the printing system having a printer and a scanner adapted to both convert the job into the set of electronic pages and decode machine readable code. The method includes the steps of storing the set of electronic pages in a memory section and assigning a unique job identifier to the stored job for indicating a location of the stored job in the memory section. The method further includes the steps of printing the job reference sheet so that the unique job identifier is designated on the job reference sheet in machine readable code and scanning the job reference sheet for reading the machine readable code to retrieve the set of electronic pages from the memory section for printing with the printer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,986, entitled "Image processing system," issued to Suzuki discloses an image processing system for processing input image data according to the machine operation instructions described in a job control sheet and outputting the processed image data. An instruction recognizing unit recognizes the machine operation instructions stored in the job control sheet; a decision unit decides whether execution of the recognized machine operation instructions is possible or impossible; a processing unit processes the input image data processed by the job control sheet when execution of the machine operation instruction is possible, and outputs the processed image data; an instruction altering unit alters the machine operation instructions by an operator of the machine; a storing unit stores input image data; and a control unit controls all of the units.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,087, entitled "Constructing a multi-segment print job from multiple local or remote sources using a network interface," issued to Salgado discloses a technique of constructing a multi-segment print job from multiple local and remote sources on a network using a network interface to identify print job segments and location of segments on the network by entering a start build print job function at the network interface, identifying each segment of the print job including segment location, specifying print job characteristics such as quantity and quality for each segment, entering an end build print job function at the network interface, and identifying a printing device on the network whereby each segment of the print job is accessed and distributed to the printing device to complete the multi-segment print job.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,245, entitled "Method for transmitting image processing jobs from a client system, and routing and performing the jobs in an image processing system," issued to Leamy discloses an image processing method carried out by a system where a client system automatically logs client data and retrieves image data to produce a job file which is automatically transmitted to a modem of an image processing system. A control image processor automatically monitors the job file and carries out routing operations and also supervisor notification operations to ensure efficient and effective implementation of the image processing method as required by the client. Each of the workstations are capable of automatic configuration for particular job types by setting image processing parameter values such as memory and virtual memory settings.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,493, entitled "Image forming apparatus capable of setting an operational mode by reading image of a predetermined format," issued to Tanaka discloses an image forming apparatus which outputs an operation setting paper sheet (Op-sheet) having printed thereon an operation setting image (template) stored in a data ROM upon operating an operation setting paper sheet output key (OPS key). The image forming apparatus reads the operation setting image on the operation setting paper sheet by a scanner, and sets an operational mode according to selection items in the read image, thereby performing an image forming operation according to the operational mode. By producing a print output of the operation setting image, the operation setting paper sheet in the original form without having a deterioration of the image quality or displacement can be provided with the unique image quality of this image forming apparatus which enables the image to be surely read by the image forming apparatus. Therefore, compared with the case of adopting the conventional operational setting paper sheet to be prepared by repetitively copying the original sheet, an occurrence of reading errors can be suppressed, thereby surely preventing an operation error.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,619,649, entitled "Network printing system for programming a print job by selecting a job ticket identifier associated with remotely stored predefined document processing control instructions," issued to Kovnat discloses an approach suited for use with an arrangement including an image processing apparatus and a server, with the server being disposed remotely of the image processing apparatus. In practice, a user accesses the remotely disposed server from the image processing apparatus by entering an appropriate personal identification number and selecting a job ticket from a directory listing the job tickets resident at the server. One of the job tickets is then selected and transmitted across the network from the server to the image processing apparatus. A job is then programmed at the image processing apparatus with the selected job ticket.
It is clear that the majority of the art is focused on the output processing function related to job separation. The notion of fast detection and recognition of arbitrary separator sheets under general affine deformations has not been proposed and/or implemented and demonstrated. It is therefore an feature of this invention to provide a method that tolerates more changes in imaging conditions involving pixel resolution, noise, pose changes (rotation, translation and shear) and a system which can be trained on-site to learn any new separator page. It is suitable for use in any scanning assembly systems such as flatbed scanners, feed through document handlers, single page feed scanners, as well wraparound document handlers, and is insensitive to leading and trailing edge-base skew detection problems (unlike existing methods).
Other differences between the presented method and prior job sheet detection methods is the lacking notion of visual recognition of the job sheet, and avoidance of glyphs for purposes of alignment and location coding of job control information. Glyphs could still be used with other attributes of a job that are not location specific. In addition, herein proposed is a more extended use of the alignment marker to recover the affine pose parameters. The detection of alignment marker had been done earlier, only in restricted poses (vertical, horizontal, inverted vertical, inverted horizontal). The current alignment is invariant to skew of the most general form and includes all rotations and stretches that occur on a page due to page folding.
All of the references cited herein are incorporated by reference for their teachings.

Recognizing job separator pages in a document scanning device


A billing system and method for providing both business and personal data access to a user of a wireless communications device is provided. A user enters an access request, and it is determined if the access request is a personal type access request or a business type access request. Personal type access requests are processed in order to provide billing for the personal requests to the user of the wireless communications device, and business type access requests are processed to provide billing to the business. Such systems and methods provide enhanced convenience to mobile workers while avoiding additional costs associated with such services being incurred by the business.

1. Field
The technology of the present application relates to mobile communication systems. More particularly, the present application relates to a method and apparatus for providing separable personal and business mobile communications services, including voice and data services, using a wireless communications system.
2. Background
Wireless communications systems find wide spread use in numerous different and personal applications. Increasingly, communications systems are capable of providing voice and data access over a wireless communications network. Particularly, such data access is increasingly used to access data over data networks, such as web sites over the internet. In many cases, voice communications and data communications are billed separately, with air time charges and charges for data access having different rate structures.
One application of wireless communications devices with increasing reliance on both voice and data communications is in wireless fleet communications systems that allow vehicles in a commercial vehicle fleet, such as tractor-trailer trucks, to stay in communication with a dispatch, or central management office, using a wireless communications network. The wireless communications network may include wireless satellite links, and wireless cellular links. The wireless links are formed by radio frequency (RF) signals relayed between mobile communications terminals, such as wireless devices contained within a vehicle, and a central server using the satellites or cellular base stations. Mobile communications terminals in such applications often include a computer or processor coupled with a RF transceiver system to send and receive communications over the wireless network. Often, the communications terminal includes a user interface including a keyboard and user display and may also include an interface for voice communications, including a microphone and speaker.
The dispatch may use the wireless communications network and associated mobile terminals for communications including vehicle locations, load status, instructions to the driver as to the next destination and/or source to deliver and/or pick up materials, to name but a few. Furthermore, in applications that provide network access, drivers may access different network sites using the communications terminal to obtain information that may be used to assist the driver in making a particular delivery. For example, a driver may access a navigation site or mapping site to provide a route to a particular destination, or to find an alternate route in the event that a standard route is unavailable for any reason. Such information enables a dispatch to better assess the state of and control its vehicle fleet, and also allows operators of vehicles to perform their jobs more efficiently. Thus, overall efficiency of a particular vehicle fleet is enhanced due to the increased connectivity between a vehicle and dispatch.
While conducting business related communication using a wireless network for such vehicles enhances the efficiency of the business in general, users of such mobile terminals often desire to use the mobile terminals for personal business in addition to business related use. For example, a driver of a vehicle may desire to place a personal call using a telephone function of a mobile terminal, and/or may desire to access a network location, such as an internet site, that is not related to the business. Furthermore, with respect to network access, including internet access, it is further convenient for a driver of the vehicle to access the internet through such a system as internet access is limited while traveling. While understanding that such non-business uses provide a significant convenience for a driver, a business typically does not desire to bear the additional costs for such access to the wireless network.

Separable billing for personal data services


Pollen is washed and cleaned, crushed and sterilized. Pollen particles are filtered through a filter device and the particles of less than 50 μm of diameter are taken out. Then the pollen particles are thrown into electrolysis reducing water including active hydrogen and having reduction ability, and particles are blended in the electrolysis reducing water obtaining a flowing water after an adjustment of the mixture liquid. The flowing water is forcibly sent to a super-fine-particle making apparatus in order to make the active oxygen disappear by means of active hydrogen in the electrolysis reducing water, which active oxygen is generated during the super-fine-particle making process. Accordingly, the whole pollen, including shells of pollen, super-fined without deterioration of the pollen ingredient and the pollen ingredient can be extracted from the super-fined pollen particles.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pollen manufacturing method enabling to extract almost all pollen ingredient by means of crushing shells of the pollen gathered from bees or naturally adhered to flowers in order to make the all pollen including the shells super-fine one of nanometer size, without deterioration of the pollen ingredient.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Pollen is sexual cell of plant and adhesive so that when bees seek honey and they get honey from flowers, the adhesive pollen is adhered to the body hair of the bees. The bee gathers or collects pollen to his rear legs and makes the pollen round into a ball at a place called "press" between leg articulars of the rear legs. The pollen balls of a diameter of about 1 mm are stored in the part called "pollen basket" of his body, which basket is placed on the outside of the leg articulars, sunken at its center and surrounded with hair. It is said that the volume of pollen to be stored in the basket is about 20-30 mg. Bees bring the pollen and honey to the nest and store them in the nest. It is said that a mean volume of 145 g of pollen is necessary to grow up a male bee to an adult bee. It means that pollen includes nutritive substance ingredient necessary to live or survive and breed the bees.
However, the pollen has a grain or particle diameter of 10-100 μm and is protected by a hard double walled shell which is not broken by even using sulfuric acid, strong acid and strong alkali. As a result, it is not possible to us, human being to enjoy the benefit of the excellent nutritive substance except for breaking the shells of pollen.
According to the conventional pollen manufacturing method, enzyme treatment, fermentation treatment and mechanical treatment have been employed to break the shell of pollen. Japan Patent Application Publication No 119/2001 discloses a pollen manufacturing method for breaking pollen shell and taking pollen ingredient out of the pollen.
The enzyme treatment, fermentation treatment and breaking treatment according to the conventional pollen manufacturing method have merits and demerits and all of the conventional methods have problems of impossibilities of making pollen of super-fine-particles
According to the prior art disclosed in Japan Patent Application Publication No 119/2001, a flowing material of pollen and some liquid is led to a super-fine-particle treatment apparatus under a high pressure, the shells of pollen are broken, the flowing material containing fine-particle pollen ingredient and the liquid is flown out, a liquid part of the flowing material is removed, and pollen ingredient is taken out.
The Japan Patent Application Publication No 119/2001 above fails to disclose clearly and sufficiently a pollen manufacturing method and a super-fine-particle manufacturing apparatus. The conventional pollen manufacturing method and super-fine-particle manufacturing apparatus disclosed in the Japan Patent Application Publication fails to firmly smash all pollen including the shells and surely break them, taking out the pollen ingredient.
The Japan Patent Application Publication No 119/2001 disclosed a method for removing liquid and the like from flowing material including pollen ingredient, in which method a spray-dry treatment for spraying hot air and evaporating the liquid is employed, so that effective or useful ingredient contained in the pollen, such as vitamins and the like, which are easy to be broken by thermal effect are disadvantageously destructed.


Disclosed is a structural frame for a gas turbine engine comprising an integral fluid reservoir and air/fluid heat exchanger. A central hub includes a reservoir for storing a fluid and an outer rim circumscribes the hub. A heat exchanger is fluidly coupled to the reservoir and is in simultaneous communication with the fluid and an air stream.

(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to gas turbine engine components, and more particularly to a structural frame comprising an integral fluid reservoir and air/fluid heat exchanger.
(2) Description of the Related Art
In axial-flow gas turbine engines, incoming air is pressurized in a forward compressor section and directed axially rearward through a diffuser to a combustion chamber. In the combustion chamber, fuel is injected into the pressurized air and the resulting fuel/air mixture is burned. Hot combustion gases expand into a rearward turbine section, where energy is extracted, before exiting the gas turbine engine as an exhaust jet.
The turbine section is comprised of alternating axial stages of rotating blades and stationary vanes. The turbine blades transfer the extracted energy to one or more rotor assemblies, which are coupled to the aft ends of one or more central shafts. The shafts extend axially forward and are similarly coupled to one or more compressor rotor assemblies at their fore ends. The shafts are concentric and are supported by bearings mounted within sealed compartments in one or more structural frames of the gas turbine engine.
Pressurized oil is used to lubricate the bearings and to remove heat generated during normal engine operation. The hot oil is directed from the bearing compartments to an oil storage tank and an air/oil heat exchanger before being directed back to the bearings. In most engine configurations, the oil tank is mounted externally to a structural frame surrounding the forward most stage of the compressor, referred to as a fan stage. In other engine configurations, the oil tank is mounted beneath the engine, adjacent to a gearbox. The air/oil heat exchanger uses air from the fan stage to absorb heat from the oil and is also externally mounted. A valve modulates the compressor air to ensure the oil temperature remains within a suitable operating range under all conditions.
In the event of a fan blade or other rotating component failure, it may be possible for an externally mounted oil tank or air/oil heat exchanger to be ruptured by debris. Also, externally mounted oil tanks and air/oil heat exchangers consume a vast amount of space, complicating maintenance of other components. The oil tank, air/oil heat exchanger and associated mounting brackets increase an engine's weight, which reduces the payload carrying capacity and fuel efficiency of an aircraft.
Since aircraft safety is critically important to the aviation industry and the traveling public, any improvement to the safety of a gas turbine engine is desirous. What are needed are an oil tank and air/fluid heat exchanger that are protected in the event of a fan blade or other rotating component failure. Relocation of these critical components from an externally mounted location to a less exposed location will also simplify maintenance and reduce engine weight.

Gas turbine engine frame with an integral fluid reservoir and air/fluid heat exchanger


A method of recovering rhenium from rhenium-containing superalloy scrap is provided. The superalloy is usually a nickel-based superalloy. The method includes the steps of forming an oxidation feedstock of flaky morphology of the superalloy scrap, and oxidizing the oxidation feedstock to convert rhenium into a volatile rhenium oxide. The flaky morphology of the oxidation feedstock is achieved by increasing the surface area of the superalloy scrap.

The invention relates generally to a method for recovering rhenium from a superalloy, e.g., from superalloy scrap. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for recovering rhenium from superalloy scrap by increasing the surface area of the superalloy scrap.
The extensive use of rhenium in fabricating high temperature alloys, its use as a catalyst in a variety of applications, its high cost, and its rarity, are important incentives for developing techniques for its recovery. (Increasing use and growing prices for rhenium are essential factors encouraging the processing of rhenium-containing wastes.) During the manufacture of rhenium containing alloys, a large quantity of machining scrap is produced. Double-component waste, such as molybdenum-rhenium or tungsten-rhenium alloys, can be readily decomposed and processed for recovering rhenium. However, most of the rhenium is contained in superalloys, especially in nickel-based superalloy waste.
Superalloys are high melting, high strength and extremely wear-resistant alloys of a comparatively large number of metals, which are used predominantly in high temperature applications, usually higher than 500 degrees Celsius. In contrast to normal alloys, superalloys are not attacked in oxidizing and corrosive environments. The technological development of superalloys is linked inextricably to gas turbines. The nickel-based superalloys are most suitable for gas turbine construction, especially aircraft turbines.
Recovery of rhenium from superalloy waste is of economic interest because it is a relatively scarce and precious metal. In some special superalloys, rhenium is found in a proportion of up to 6% by weight. However, rhenium is difficult to recycle economically, after its service life.
Most of the prior attempts have focused on pyro- and hydrometallurgical approaches for recovering rhenium from superalloys, where the superalloy is acid-digested, followed by separation of rhenium by salt precipitation or ion-exchange. However, these approaches may not always be economically suitable, because of their cost-intensive complexity, or their time-consuming nature. These processes may also result in large by-product wastes. In contrast, oxidation-based recovery of rhenium from superalloys could be a simple and efficient method. However, as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, liberation of rhenium from superalloy waste can be an inefficient process, due in part to coarse oxidation feedstock.
It would therefore be desirable to develop new methods for efficiently recovering rhenium from metal alloys—especially superalloy feedstock material.

Rhenium recovery from superalloys and associated methods


The invention provides methods for culturing yeast at a neutral pH level. Yeast cultured under neutral pH conditions exhibit desirable characteristics useful for biological purposes, such as the development of vaccines, prophylactics and therapeutics. The invention also provides for compositions and kits comprising yeast grown using the methodologies disclosed herein.

Vaccines are one of the most cost-effective measures available to the health care industry. There remains, however, an urgent need to develop safe and effective vaccines and adjuvants for a variety of diseases, including those due to infection by pathogenic agents, cancers, genetic defects and other disorders of the immune system. Publications on vaccine, for example, Rabinovich et al., Science 265, 1401-1404 (1994), state that there is still a need for safe and heat-stable vaccines that can be administered orally and that need to be administered only a few times, preferably early in life. Also preferred are combination vaccines that can protect individuals from more than one disease, as well as vaccines that do not require an adjuvant and that can elicit mucosal immunity. To date very few, if any, vaccines meet all of these criteria.
Subunit vaccines, the development of which was made possible by recombinant DNA technology, have been disappointing to date as they exhibit only limited immunogenicity. One example is the recent clinical testing of several HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) subunit vaccines which has been stopped due not only to limited efficacy of the vaccines but also because in some cases immunized individuals showed accelerated disease progression when they were subsequently exposed to HIV; see, for example, Cohen, Science 264:1839 (1994); and Cohen, Science 264: 660 (1994). One disadvantage of subunit vaccines, as well as of killed virus and recombinant live virus vaccines, is that while they appear to stimulate a strong humoral immune response, they fail to elicit protective cellular immunity. A major conclusion at the 1994 International AIDS Conference was that there remains a need for a cytotoxic T cell-mediated response to prevent, or reduce, HIV infectivity, which to date is lacking in vaccines in the clinic. In addition, HIV vaccines tested to date have failed to elicit immunity at the mucosal surfaces where primary HIV infection occurs.
Furthermore, the only adjuvants approved for use in the United States are the aluminum salts aluminum hydroxide and aluminum phosphate, neither of which stimulates cell-mediated immunity. In addition, aluminum salt formulations cannot be frozen or lyophilized, and such adjuvants are not effective with all antigens.
Yeast cells have been used in the production of subunit protein vaccines, including some of those tested in the aforementioned HIV vaccine trials. Yeast has also been fed to animals prior to immunization to try to prime the immune response in a non-specific manner (i.e., to stimulate phagocytosis as well as the production of complement and interferon). The results have been ambiguous, and such protocols have not generated protective cellular immunity; see, for example, Fattal-German et al., Dev. Biol. Stand. 77: 115-120 (1992) and Bizzini et al., FEMS Microbiol. Immunol. 2: 155-167 (1990).
In addition to vaccines, many gene and drug therapies require efficient and specific delivery vehicles to ensure the greatest possible benefit. Lack of an adequate delivery vehicle is a major roadblock to the application of gene therapy and significantly limits the therapeutic potential of many drugs. For example, recent reports have indicated that adenovirus vectors, which are currently being tested in the clinic for gene therapy applications, are stimulating undesirable immune and inflammatory responses and do not appear to be integrating in a desired manner; see, for example, Engelhardt et al., Human Gene Therapy 5: 1217-1229 (1994) and references cited therein.
Another major hurdle for yeast vaccine technology is the manufacturing process. Yeast cells have been cultured in the laboratories for many years and standard culture conditions have been established. See, for example, Methods of Enzymology, Vol. 194, Guthrie et al., eds., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1990). Standard operating protocols generally involve culturing yeast in media that is acidic as measured by pH levels. However, culturing yeast in acidic media may result in the yeast exhibiting different biological properties that are not optimal for using yeast as antigen-bearing vehicles for purposes of immunomodulation or making vaccines. Thus, there is a need for methods for growing yeast such that the yeast exhibit properties that make them better suited for being antigen-bearing vehicles. The invention disclosed herein in based, in part, on the discovery that while yeast can grow in acidic media, the biological properties that the yeast exhibit when grown in acidic media is not as desirable as when yeast are grown in media that is at neutral pH levels.
The disclosure of all patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

Methods for producing yeast-based vaccines


A temperature compensated laser diode transmitter circuit includes a laser diode, a driver circuit for supplying an a.c. drive current to the laser diode, a thermistor arranged to thermally sense the laser diode, a current source having a first and a second current output controlled by the thermistor, the first current output connected to the driver for temperature compensating the drive current, and the second current output connected to supply a temperature compensated bias current to the laser diode.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to laser diode transmitters of the type used in fiber-optic communication systems and more particularly is directed to compensating circuits for correcting the light output of the laser diode against variations caused by changes in laser diode temperature.
2. State of the Prior Art
Semiconductor laser diodes are widely used as optical sources in fiber-optic communication links. The laser diode is driven by an alternating current (a.c.) which represents the information to be transmitted over the optical fiber. The optical output of the laser diode, now also carrying the desired a.c. signal, is coupled to a corresponding optical fiber which conveys the optical signal to a receiver coupled to the opposite end of the fiber, where the transmitted a.c. signal is recovered in electrical form for further processing. A given transmitter package may include one or several such laser diodes, each with a corresponding diode driver circuit and coupled to a corresponding optical fiber.
Laser diodes have a characteristic threshold current which must be exceeded before any light output is emitted by the diode. In typical transmitter packages the laser diode is supplied with a bias current which places the diode at the threshold of optical emission. This is done in order to maintain linearity and signal strength of the a.c. signal being transmitted. The a.c. signal supplied by the diode driver circuit may be any signal varying in amplitude over time, although in digital communications it normally consists of a digital pulse train. The a.c. drive current input to the laser diode results in emission of a light output having a time-varying characteristic, typically the amplitude or intensity of the light output, representative of the a.c signal and carrying the desired information.
Semiconductor laser diodes are sensitive to changes in temperature of the environment in that the threshold current increases with rising temperature while the output level or intensity of the emitted light decreases with rising temperature. The temperature variations of concern are changes in room temperature and/or heating in the instrument housing containing the laser diode transmitter. If no correction is made for this effect, the result is distortion of the a.c. signal carried by the light output as well as diminished overall intensity of the light output. Both these consequences impair the quality of the communications link and may result in outright failure of the link if the light output of the laser diode falls below the minimum level detectable by the receiver at the other end.
Much effort has been expended in devising means for correcting for this temperature susceptibility of laser diodes. The conventional approaches broadly fall into two categories: optical feedback and active cooling. The optical feedback approach involves actually sensing the light output of the laser diode with a photo-detector, and connecting the output of the photo-detector for increasing drive current to the laser diode to compensate for diminished output with rising temperature. Active cooling calls for refrigerating the laser diode by such means as Peltier junction devices in order to hold constant its temperature. The former approach fails to correct for changes in threshold current of the laser diode, while the latter approach consumes excessive power.
Attempts have also been made to adjust the bias and drive currents as a function of temperature to compensate for temperature induced changes in the corresponding laser diode operating characteristics. However, the changes in threshold current and drive current requirement as a function of temperature vary in a manner which can be generally approximated by an exponential function. Known efforts along these lines have relied upon microprocessor systems equipped with tables of stored values representing the diode currents at closely spaced temperature points through the operating temperature range of the laser diode. This approach requires digital memory as well as a microprocessor and supporting circuits, leading to undesirable complexity and excessive power requirements.
A continuing need exists for a more efficient approach to the temperature compensation of laser diodes.

Temperature compensation of laser diodes


According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a non-volatile memory and a controller. The memory includes a plurality of storage areas. Each of the storage areas includes a plurality of memory cells to which threshold voltages are set in accordance with data. The controller acquires a first threshold voltage distribution of memory cells in a first storage area of the storage areas. The controller acquires a second threshold voltage distribution of memory cells in a second storage area of the storage areas. The controller detects non-normalcy in the first storage area or the second storage area from a first divergence quantity between the first threshold voltage distribution and the second threshold voltage distribution.

Memory systems including non-volatile memories such as the NAND flash memories have been known. The NAND flash memory may exhibit defect or failure in characteristics related to the word lines. Conventionally, such defect or failure has been regarded as an event to an unknown cause that a large number of uncorrectable defects of read data has occurred. That is, it takes a long period of time and a large amount of effort to detect and/or analyze such event.
In spite of occurrence of such event in a word line, access to the defective word line is permitted and executed during a period from occurrence of the defect to detection and/or analysis of the detect. Upon every access to the word line in response to a request from a host, a higher degree of error correction is executed, which leads to deteriorating responsiveness of the memory system.


Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for relaying information from a cardiac pacemaker to an external device. Logic on the pacemaker modulates a heartbeat clock of the pacemaker to encode information onto a blood pressure sequence. This is accomplished by adding or subtracting a small subinterval to or from a pulse repetition interval of the pacemaker. A muscle stimulator beats the heart according to the modulated sequence. A monitoring device external to the body monitors the blood pressure to retrieve the encoded information, or message. The encoded information is then decoded to determine the information in the message. This information may concern the pacemaker as well as other devices within the body that are in communication with the pacemaker such as blood monitors, etc. Since the message is conveyed via simple modulation of the heart beat intervals, no separate transmitter is required in the pacemaker which would otherwise increase cost and decrease battery life.

1. Field of the Subject Disclosure
The subject disclosure relates to pacemakers. In particular, the subject disclosure relates to pacemakers for conveying performance information of a cardiac pacemaker to an external device.
2. Background of the Subject Disclosure
Recipients of cardiac pacemakers are occasionally required to visit their doctors to check up on the performance of their installed pacemakers along with a general check up. The doctor uses devices that can communicate with a pacemaker inductively, i.e. without the need to intrude through skin or other tissues. The devices retrieve performance information from the pacemaker, including battery charge level and any errors in the software controlling the pacemaker. Such equipment is highly specialized, expensive to acquire and expensive to operate with a trained specialist. When not at a medical facility with such equipment and specialists, the pacemaker's performance cannot be remotely monitored. Any sudden onset of performance issues, such as a battery draining at an abnormal rate, may present a life threatening situation that is undetected until it is too late to take action.
Mobile devices, such as cellular telephones, have become a common tool of everyday life. Cellular telephones are no longer used simply to place telephone calls. With the number of available features rapidly increasing, cellular telephones are now used for storing addresses, keeping a calendar, reading e-mails, drafting documents, etc. These devices are small enough that they can be carried in a pocket or purse all day, allowing a patient to stay in contact almost anywhere. Recent devices have become highly functional, providing applications useful to business professionals as well as the casual patient.
Mobile devices are frequently used for sending and receiving messages. Such devices may, for instance, send basic text messages using Short Message Service (SMS) and enhanced messages using Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). Unfortunately, nowadays, the number of abilities also allows mobile devices to introduce new malware propagation vectors such as SMS/MMS messaging and file transfers. MMS messages can embed text, audio, images and video. However, none of these messaging capabilities have been applied to cardiac pacemakers.
On a worldwide basis there are 3 million people with pacemakers now and it is growing by 600,000 per year and accelerating. Therefore, what are needed are improved devices, systems, and methods to collect and analyze information from a cardiac pacemaker.

Mobile applications and methods for conveying performance information of a cardiac pacemaker


A novelty candy/pen holding device designed to provide fun and entertainment to children of all ages. The device includes a main housing comprising a hollow stretchable and bendable plastic tube or any suitable material with a hollow plastic upper housing connected with the main housing. The plastic upper housing has an aperture at the top to hold a ball point pen ink cartridge or any other writing accessory. The lower end of the main housing has a threaded end cap whereupon a threaded candy/gum reservoir is threaded to the main housing. To dispense the candy/gum from the reservoir, remove the ball point pen ink cartridge from the aperture of the hollow upper housing and tilt the reservoir so the candy/gum travels through the hollow main housing into the hollow upper housing and out the aperture at the top of the hollow upper housing into a child's hand. Replace the ball point pen ink cartridge to keep the candy/gum inside of the container. This device is designed not only as a candy dispenser and as a toy which stretches and bends into different positions, but also as a fun writing tool. The hollow upper housing can be designed as a fire hose nozzle, animal heads, or character heads or any other configuration.

Heretofore various devices have been made which have elongated, flexible, bendable hollow tube-like parts. Some of these have been set forth in U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 3,134,453 sets forth an amusing device having an elongated part made of spring steel covered by a protective covering. The elongated part can be bent into different shapes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,499 has an elongated hollow bendable tubular member which is used in a musical device for making different sounds. U.S. Pat. No. 4,495,550 sets forth a flashlight with a flexible bellows which can be bent in different directions for directing the light to different places. U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,538 is directed to a construction toy which utilizes bendable hollow members. U.S. Pat. No. 3,615,596 sets forth a combination lollipop-writing accessory with a rigid body portion.

Combination edible product holding dispenser and writing accessory device


The present invention relates to a process for the manufacturing of pure and substantially oligomers-free 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol di(alkyl carbonate)s which comprises the steps of: a) Preparing a reaction mixture consisting of at least one dianhydrohexitol, at least 2 molar equivalents with respect to the amount of dianhydrohexitol present, of at least one dialkyl carbonate of formula R—O—C(═O)—O—R, where R has the same meaning indicated above, and from 0.01 to less than 0.1 molar equivalents of a transesterification catalyst with respect to the amount of dianhydrohexitol present; and b) Heating the reaction mixture up to its reflux temperature in a reactor preferably equipped with a rectification column comprising a number of theoretical distillation plates sufficient to separate continuously from the reaction mixture by fractional distillation the alcohol obtained or the azeotrope which the alcohol forms with the dialkyl carbonate present in the reaction mixture. The process comprises further recovering the transesterification catalyst from the reaction mixture and isolating the 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol di(alkyl carbonate).

Processes for synthesizing dianhydrohexitol di(alkyl carbonate)s have been described in the patent application US 2004/241553 and in the Japanese document JP 6-261774 by reaction between a dianhydrohexitol and a chloroformate ester. However, a major disadvantage of such processes is the use of toxic compounds such as the chloroformate esters.
A safer and environmental benign transesterification process avoiding toxic reactants is described in the patent application US 2012/0041169 in which a 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol, particularly isosorbide, is reacted with a dialkyl carbonate, preferably dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and diethyl carbonate (DEC), in the presence of a transesterification catalyst, such as a base, preferably potassium carbonate (K2CO3) lithium hydroxide (LiOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) and to give the corresponding 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol di(alkyl carbonate) in good yields shifting the equilibrium to right by distilling continuously the alcohol or the azeotrope formed. However, a drawback of this process is that a high fraction of oligomers (oligocarbonates) is formed as by-products, at the expense of the desired 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol di(alkyl carbonate), in particular when a relatively low dialkyl carbonate/dianhydrohexitol molar ratio is used, for example of less than or equal to 20 or 10. According to US 2012/0041169, in order to limit the oligomer fraction to approximately 5% of the solvent-free reaction mixture, a molar excess of dialkyl carbonate greater than 40 must be used which leads to a lower productivity and, hence, to an undesirable increase in the production plant size. Furthermore, the greater the excess of dialkyl carbonate used the more energy will be consumed to remove this chemical from the reaction mixture by evaporation at the end of the transesterification reaction. Moreover, to obtain a 99% pure 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol di(alkyl carbonate) a costly purification step either by distillation under high vacuum (<1 mbar) or by crystallization is employed. Likewise, another drawback of this process is the high amount of catalyst used, comprised between 0.1 and 10 molar equivalents which is very particularly between 1 and 3 molar equivalents with respect to the amount of dianhydrohexitol.
In view of the above, there is still the need in the state of the art of providing an improved process for manufacturing 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol di(alkyl carbonate)s which overcomes at least part of these drawbacks.

Method for manufacturing 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol di(alkyl carbonate)s

Fundacion Technalia Research & Innovation


Embodiments of the present invention may be realized in a fractional-N spread spectrum clock (SSC) generator utilizing an SSC state machine generating a single clock gating signal to drive a fractional-N phase locked loop (PLL) frequency multiplier to generate an SSC output clock. The SSC generator leverages upon the development of the digital PLL to implement the SSC generator within the final core PLL. The SSC generator only requires a relatively low base frequency reference clock and digital programming including an SSC rate and a modulation definition signal to produce the fractional-N spread spectrum output clock. The SSC generator results in cost savings through a high frequency SSC output clock generator that utilizes a relatively slow reference clock without the need for multiple high frequency clocks or multiple feedback clocks to drive the PLL.

The present invention relates to computer system clocks and, more particularly, relates to a fractional-N phase locked loop (PLL) computer clock driven by a spread spectrum clock (SSC) gating signal to reduce electromagnetic interference.
Computer clocks are a known source of electromagnetic interference (EMI), which is a disturbance that adversely affects electrical circuits. This disruption can limit and degrade the performance of these circuits. Spread spectrum clocking is a technique in which a particular clock frequency is spread in the frequency domain to correspondingly spread out the EMI over a wider bandwidth to reduce the concentration of the interference. Systems for reducing EMI using various SSC approaches have been practiced for generations. Historically, these approaches required multiple high frequency clock generators operating at the desired range of output frequencies, which are combined in some fashion to create the SSC clock signal.
Phase Locked Loop (PLL) frequency multiplier chips have been developed for generating high frequency computer clocks from lower frequency reference clocks. This approach utilizes a crystal oscillator to generate a relatively slow base frequency known as the reference clock. The reference clock is then fed into the PLL, which multiplies the frequency to generate an output clock that is anywhere from one to one hundred times the base reference clock. The PLL multiplication rate may typically be varied using a feedback control signal, for example over a range of ±1% around the base multiplication rate, to provide an SSC characteristic to the output clock. The spread spectrum output clock produced by the PLL is then utilized as the final SSC output clock for the design. With this approach, varying the PLL multiplication rate to spread the output clock spectrum typically requires multiple feedback clocks operating at desired range of output frequencies. The various feedback clocks are combined in some manner to create the feedback signal to drive the PLL multiplication rate to produce the variable frequency SSC output clock. Generating and combining multiple high frequency feedback clocks to create the SSC gating signal requires complex circuitry and control techniques that become impractical as the desired output frequency increases.

Fractional-N spread spectrum state machine

International Business Machines Corporation


A tubing conveyed tool for use in perforating a well bore utilizing abrasive perforating techniques. The perforating tool is particularly useful in non-vertical wells. The perforating tool is designed to permit running and setting a bridge plug, and then perforating the well bore without requiring the removal of the tool string. An eccentric weight bar can also be used to allow for directional perforating in non-vertical wells. The eccentric weight bar uses gravity to cause the bar to rotate to a predetermined position.

After drilling a well for hydrocarbons, it may be necessary to perforate the walls of the well to facilitate flow of hydrocarbons into the well. Wells require perforation because the drilling process causes damage to the formation immediately adjacent to the well. This damage reduces or eliminates the pores through which the oil or gas would otherwise flow. Perforating the well creates a channel through the damage to undamaged portions of the formation. The hydrocarbons flow through the formation pores into the perforation channels and through the perforation channels into the well itself.
In addition, steel casing may be set within the hole adjacent to the hydrocarbon bearing formation. The casing forms a barrier that prevents flow of the hydrocarbons into the well. In such situations, the perforations go through the casing before entering the formation.
Traditional methods of perforating the well (both casing and the formation) involved lowering tools that contain explosive materials into the well adjacent to the hydrocarbon bearing formation. Discharge of the explosive would either propel a projectile through the casing and into the formation or, in the case of shaped charges, directly create a channel with explosive force. Such devices and methods are well known in the art.
In vertical wells, gravity may be used to lower the perforating device into position with wireline being used to hold the device against gravity and retrieve the device after discharge. For lateral wells, which may be horizontal or nearly horizontal, gravity may only be used to lower the perforating device to a point where the friction of the device against the well bore overcomes the gravitational force. The perforating device must then be either pushed or pulled along the lateral portion of the well until the device reaches the desired location.
For wireline conveyed devices, motorized devices called tractors, which are well known in the art, are sometime used to pull the explosive perforating device into position. Tractors, however, can be unreliable and may be damaged by the explosive force of the perforating device.
Another method for positioning the perforating device is with coiled tubing. This technique is sometimes called tubing conveyed perforation or TCP. One advantage of TCP is that the perforating device is attached to the end of the coiled tubing and the coiled tubing pushes the device into the proper location. For lateral wells, the tubing will often contain wireline within the coiled tubing. The wireline can be used to carry an electric current to discharge the explosive contained within the perforating device.
Another advantage of tubing conveyed perforation is the ability to set a hydraulic bridge plug at a location in the well below (distal in relation to the wellhead) the relevant hydrocarbon bearing formation, or between two hydrocarbon bearing formations. This allows the producing zones of the well to be isolated. Once the bridge plug is set, the perforating device can be fired and any fluids from the newly perforated zone will not flow into any regions separated by the bridge plug.
Special explosive perforating devices have been developed that contain a channel for the flow of hydraulic fluid. Thus, the bridge plug can be set, and the perforating device discharged with a single trip of the coiled tubing. Without a flow channel in the perforating device, the tubing end would have to return to the surface, have a perforating device attached, and return to the hydrocarbon bearing formation before perforation can be performed. Thus, the ability to set the bridge plug and perforate in a single trip saves significant time.
While the perforating devices used in prior art methods of TCP have provided the ability to set a bridge plug and perforate the well in a single trip, the methods are still limited. For example, the length of the perforated zone is limited to the length of perforating gun assembly. In other words, to perforate along a 100 foot length of the well, the perforating gun assembly must be at least 100 feet long. This does not include the length of the bridge plug at the end of the gun assembly. However, the increased length also increases the mass of the gun assembly, making the assembly more difficult to deploy in horizontal wells.
Long gun assemblies have an additional disadvantage. The gun assembly is introduced into the well using a lubricator. The lubricator is a device attached to the well head below the coiled tubing or wireline injector, depending on whether tubing or wireline is used to convey the gun assembly. The length of the lubricator is directly related to the length of the gun assembly. If the gun assembly is 100 feet long, the lubricator is at least the same length. In such a case, the injector, either coiled tubing or wireline, above the lubricator is at least 100 feet in the air which creates difficulties running hydraulic hoses, control lines, and with maintenance should the injector head fail.
One alternative to the explosive perforating device is an abrasive perforating device. Abrasive perforating devices direct a concentrated stream of fluid against the casing and, once the casing is penetrated, the surrounding formation. The fluid contains a suspended solid or solids, such as sand, to wear away the metal and rock of the casing and formation. Abrasive perforation is well known in the art.
The operator merely increases flow of the abrasive fluid to begin perforation and decreases flow to stop perforation. The depth and size of perforations are controlled by the fluid pressure and by the length of perforation time. With an abrasive perforator, perforations can be made across a long interval of the well in a single trip and without increasing the size of the tool string. Thus abrasive perforators avoid the problems created by the increased size and weight of long gun assemblies.
Prior art abrasive perforation devices have been run on the end of tool strings. Thus, the fluid channel ends at the bottom of the abrasive perforating device. This configuration has prevented the addition of other tools, such as bridge plugs, below the abrasive perforating device. As mentioned above, running a bridge plug or other tool below the abrasive perforator is sometimes desirable.

Methods and devices for one trip plugging and perforating of oil and gas wells