Various embodiments of a system and method for processing a request in a distributed software application are disclosed. In response to a client request, one or more server computers may modify a plurality of different portions of state information. The system may operate to ensure that the portions of state information are all modified atomically. The system may also operate to provide transparent connection failover functionality for the network connection between the client computer and the one or more server computers.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to web applications, e.g., distributed software applications in which a client computer executes web browser software to interact with one or more server computers.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a web application a client computer executes web browser software to communicate with one or more server computers. The server computer(s) may modify state information based on requests received from the web browser. For example, in many web applications, a web server computer receives a request from a web browser and forwards the request[LA1] to application software, e.g., where the application software may execute on the web server computer or on one or more separate application server computers. The application software may then modify state information in response to the request, such as application data, session data, or other types of state information.
In many web applications, the application software is implemented according to an N-tier architecture, e.g., where the application software is organized into multiple tiers. For example, the software in each tier may be implemented as components which are separate from components in other tiers. This may enable different aspects of the application to be largely isolated from each other. For example, many web applications utilize a 3-tier architecture including a presentation tier, application tier, and data tier. The software in different tiers may execute on the same application server as each other or may execute on different application servers.
Each tier may maintain its own state information, which may be modified in response to client requests. For example, software in the presentation tier may maintain state information related to communication sessions, software in the application tier may maintain state information related to application logic objects, and software in the data tier may maintain state information related to application data. The state information of each respective tier may be created and stored separately from the state information of other tiers. For example, the presentation tier state information and application tier state information may each be stored in different data structures in dynamic memory[LA2], and the tier state information may be stored in a database.
In some web applications, state information may be replicated across different application servers. For example, a web application may respond to a request by modifying state information on both a primary application server and a secondary application server, e.g., where each application server maintains a copy of the state information.
Data coherency problems may arise if a failure occurs while a client request is being processed. For example, if the application server fails after the state information in the presentation and application tiers is modified but before the state information in the data tier is modified then the state information in the data tier may be incoherent with respect to the state information in the other tiers.
As another example, if some or all of the state information is replicated across different application servers then a failure while processing the client request may result in the respective copies of the state information being incoherent with each other, e.g., if the failure results in the state information being modified on a subset, but not all, of the application servers.
As another example, if the state information in all the tiers is successfully modified, but the web server fails before a response is returned to the client computer then the user of the client computer may not know whether the request was successfully performed or not. Thus, the user may be forced to submit the request a second time. This may be particularly problematic for non-idempotent requests, e.g., requests that produce different results when processed multiple times. Also, if the web server fails then the user of the client computer may see an error page indicating that the network connection to the web server failed, which is undesirable in many applications.

End-to-end transactional protection for requests in a web application


A method includes monitoring a load path voltage and an operating parameter of the transistor device; operating the transistor device in a normal mode when the operating parameter is below a threshold associated with the operating parameter, where operating the transistor device in the normal mode includes operating the transistor device in one of an on-state or an off-state based on a drive signal; and operating the transistor device in a fault mode upon detecting a fault based on comparing the operating parameter with the threshold. Operating the transistor device in the fault mode includes switching off the transistor device, operating the transistor device in the on-state includes adjusting the threshold in accordance with a first characteristic curve dependent on the load path voltage, and operating the transistor device in the off-state includes adjusting the threshold according to a second characteristic curve different from the first characteristic curve.

Transistor devices such as MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors) are widely used as electronic switches in various types of applications such as, for example, power conversion, automotive, motor drive, household or consumer electronic applications. A conventional drive circuit for driving a transistor device includes a signal input for receiving a drive signal and is configured to switch on or off the transistor device based on the drive signal. Further, the drive circuit may monitor at least one operation parameter and switch off the transistor device, independent of the drive signal, based on the operating parameter in order to protect the transistor device from being overloaded. The operating parameter may include a current through the transistor device or a temperature of the transistor device.
There is a need for an improved method of operating a transistor device and an electronic circuit with a transistor device and a drive circuit.

Method for operating a transistor device and electronic circuit with a transistor device


A method for localizing a more highly automated vehicle (HAF), in particular a highly automated vehicle, in a digital map. The method includes: ascertaining a global pose estimation for the HAF using a localization module of a vehicle system of the HAF, the global pose estimation comprising a position and orientation of the HAF; transmitting at least one landmark position and at least one associated landmark property to the vehicle system; ascertaining a relative position of the landmark position concerning the HAF at least partially on the basis of the pose estimation and the landmark position; performing at least one sensor measurement and checking that the at least one landmark property is detectable at the relative position; and outputting an error indicator as the result of the checking. A corresponding system and a computer program are also described.

In view of an increase of the degree of automation of vehicles, more and more complex vehicle systems are used. Such vehicle systems and functions, such as, e.g., highly automated driving or fully automated driving, require a great number of sensors in the vehicle, which allow for an exact detection of the vehicle surroundings.
More highly automated is understood below as all those degrees of automation that correspond, in the sense of the Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen (BASt) (Federal Highway Research Institute), to an automated longitudinal and lateral guidance with increasing system responsibility, e.g., highly and fully automated driving.
The related art describes a multitude of possibilities of implementing a method for localizing a more highly automated vehicle (HAF), in particular a highly automated vehicle. Thus, for example, current vehicle systems (i.e., Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)) and highly automated vehicle systems (UAD, urban automated driving) increasingly presuppose detailed knowledge about the surroundings of the vehicle and awareness of situations. As the basis for the perception of the surroundings, sensor measurement data are used, from which various objects such as, e.g., roadway markings, masts and traffic signs may be extracted with the aid of so-called detector algorithms. On the basis of these objects, it is then possible to model a surroundings of the vehicle, which makes it possible for example to plan a trajectory for an ego vehicle or to take other decisions of action. Apart from the on-board sensor system, information from maps is increasingly used as additional source, it being possible for the maps to be transmitted from a central map or back end server to the respective vehicle. Subsequently, the received surroundings information from the maps are matched in the vehicle system with the detected surroundings information. This allows for a global vehicle localization. In order to be able to make use of required information from the map, a minimum localization accuracy must be exceeded.
Thus, conventional localization methods, for example, are based on a combination of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), such as for example GPS, GLONASS or Galileo, and driving dynamics sensors, such as for example rate-of-rotation sensors, acceleration sensors, steering wheel angle sensors or wheel speed sensors. As is conventional, a decisive factor for the accuracy of a GNSS-based vehicle localization is the quality of the GNSS resolution, which however is subject to fluctuations in location and over time. This accuracy can be improved by corrective services.

Method for localizing a more highly automated vehicle (HAF), in particular a highly automated vehicle, and a vehicle system


An information processing apparatus has a derivation unit which derives a usable memory size, and a controller which determines a default value of the memory to be used, according to the derived size.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus such as a printer capable of designating the capacity of the memory to be used, a memory control method and a memory medium therefor.
The present invention also relates to an output device such as a printer, for generating output data and outputting such data based on input data entered from an external equipment such as a host computer, a memory control method and a memory medium therefor.
2. Related Background Art
The memory size to be used in an information processing apparatus such as a printer has been designated by a command from a host computer or from a panel of the information processing apparatus.
In the conventional information processing apparatus, however, in a case where the available memory capacity is increased by the connection of an extended memory (for example RAM), the user has been unable to easily control the memory resource according to the desired application.
The printer is usually provided with a PDL (Page Description Language) analyzing program (emulation program) for generating output data by analyzing printer languages of plural different command systems.
The PDL analyzing programs can be classified into those characterized in the advanced graphics function as represented by PostScript (trade name) and those characterized by their high-speed processing function, as represented by LIPS (trade name) or PCL (trade name).
In general, the user determines the PDL of the printer according to the purpose of his application, the host computer used and the environment of the network.
In such a situation, it has become desirable to utilize plural page description languages in a single printer, instead of utilizing such plural languages in plural printers, and such requirement has been met by a technology called multi-PDL emulation.
Such technology is generally realized by taking a certain page description language as the base and emulating other languages on such base technology.
In such multi PDL emulation, as the hardware for a certain page description language is used for emulating other languages, it is difficult to regulate, among plural page description languages, the allocation of various resources, particularly that of the band raster memory.
More specifically, in a case where a system optimized for a page description language "A" is used for another page description language "B", the allocation of the resource (band raster memory) in such language "B" is not necessarily optimum in comparison with that in the language "A".
Also, the allocation of the optimum raster memory for banding varies, in the case of an extension of the memory capacity, according to the presence of two-side printing control, the internal raster resolution for the printing process, and the nature of the data (principally image or characters) within the page description language.
In a common memory configuration (wherein a full-memory area can be selected in the raster memory and the object memory (intermediate buffer)), the magnitude of the required or optimum raster memory generally satisfies the following relations:
extension memory added>standard memory PA1 two-side printing control present>two-side printing control absent PA1 low printing resolution>high printing resolution PA1 data principally composed of characters>data principally composed of image
Also the page description language is not necessarily independent of the resolution but may have a resolution optimum for the rendering process (drawing process for generating output data from the intermediate data).
For such varied requirements, it has conventionally been not possible to flexibly secure the band raster memory and the object memory for each job, and initialization of the printer has therefore been necessary.
Also, in such multi-PDL emulation mentioned above, since the configuration for a given PDL is used for other languages, the allocation of resources such as memory is not adequately adjusted among the plural page description languages.
More specifically, in a case where a system optimized for a page description language "A" is used for another page description language "B", the resource allocation in such language "B" is not necessary optimum in comparison with that in the language "A".
Also, even in data processing in the PDL "A", the optimum memory allocation varies between a job "C" for principally processing images and a job "D" for principally processing line images, but the memory allocation in the current technology is already encoded in the page description language and cannot be dynamically changed.

Output device, information processing apparatus, memory control method and memory medium


A rake that can be adjusted between a right-handed position and a left-handed position is provided. The rake has a handle, and raking fingers forming a first raking fan and a second raking fan each having a raking edge. The raking fingers are pivotably attached to a crossbar that is pivotably attached to the handle. An actuator is provided allowing a user to pivot the crossbar relative to the handle, causing the raking fingers to move closer together on one side of the handle and to diverge on the other side of the handle, so as to provide a rake having one larger raking edge, and one smaller raking edge. Such a rake eliminates the inconvenience created by either the raking edge, or the leaves, passing over the user's feet during raking, while providing the ability to quickly adjust to right-handed or left-handed use.

The present invention relates to lawn rakes. More particularly, the present invention relates to lawn rakes having an adaptable shape to control the movement of leaves.
Previously known rakes generally have a group of raking fingers which fan out to form a raking edge. The raking fingers usually extend from a support base which is fastened to a handle, or individual fingers may extend directly from a central point along the handle. The raking fingers may form a slightly arcuate surface, and the ends of the fingers themselves may form a slightly arcuate raking edge. However, flat rakes with straight raking edges are also known.
When raking leaves, or other materials, it is advantageous to have a large raking edge so that a reasonably large amount of leaves may be moved by a single stroke of the rake. However, previously known rakes having a large raking edge suffer from certain disadvantages. For example, the raking fingers nearest the user may pass over the user's feet and deposit leaves and other debris on the user's feet and shoes. Secondly, even if the fingers themselves do not pass over the user's feet, leaves may spill out from the side of the rake onto the user's feet. Attempting to hold the rake further from the body while raking in order to overcome this problem may be tiresome and awkward.
Providing a smaller raking edge may remedy the problem of the raking fingers or leaves passing over the user's feet. However, this solution is not satisfactory because it also decreases the amount of material which may be moved by the rake in a single stroke, thereby forcing the user to make several passes with the rake.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,218, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, shows a rake that substantially eliminates or reduces the degree to which raking fingers pass over a user's feet while still raking a reasonable amount of material in a single stroke. The rake of Pat. No. 5,454,218 has two raking fans, one on either side of the handle. The two fans are of different sizes and are at an angle one with the other. The rake is used by holding it such that the smaller fan is toward the user and the larger fan is substantially perpendicular to the direction of raking. However, the rake is fixed in handedness. That is, it is constructed either for a right-handed person or a left-handed person, but not for both. This requires rake manufacturers to produce two distinctly different types of rakes. It is also difficult for a user of the rake to switch hands in the middle of raking to alleviate fatigue.
It would be desirable to provide a rake that, while allowing a user to rake a relatively large amount of leaves in a single stroke without having the rake or the leaves pass over the user's feet, can be adapted to right-handed or left-handed users.
It would be further desirable to provide such a rake that a right-handed or left-handed user is able to quickly adapt to either left-handed or right-handed use to dispel fatigue.

Rake adjustable between a right-handed and a left-handed position


An apparatus, system and method of controlling the supply of DC current from a power source to an electrical load provides for a protective circuit that senses the characteristics of the connected load prior to permitting the enablement of a switch connecting the supply and the load. A voltage arising from applying a constant current to the load during a time period is compared with a predetermined threshold determined by the intended capacity of the switch so that, when closed, the current through the switch is compatible with the switch. The protective circuit may be used in conjunction with semiconductor switches, electromechanical contactors or relays. A plurality of such devices may be incorporated in an enclosure and controlled by logic so as to manage the supply of power from a power source to a plurality of electrical loads having differing power requirements.

Direct current (DC) power may be needed for many types of telephone communication equipment, for control equipment used at electric utility substations, for computer data centers, and power plants, and other similar uses. The DC power may be supplied, for example, by a DC power source which may be supplied with AC power from an AC power source, such as the local power grid, solar energy conversion, wind generated power, or a generator and prime mover. In other configurations, the DC power source may be a storage battery system or a back-up storage battery arrangement. Thus the equipment may be supplied with AC power and perform the power conversion and regulation internal to an equipment, or by an external DC power source, perhaps replenished by any of the sources previously mentioned.
In some instances the individual equipment or cabinets of equipment may be supplied directly from a DC power source. The DC power source may have sufficient capacity to supply a plurality of devices such as computers, switch arrays and the like, where each one of the individual loads devices consumes less than the maximum capacity of the associated DC power source. It may be desirable to control the provision of the power to each individual device or to groups of devices, so as to facilitate the removal and replacement of a device, for example, for servicing, or to disable and re-power for rebooting a computer, or the like. This may be performed by switches local to the equipment, or at the DC power source and these switches may be remotely controlled as the location of the load devices may be distant from the control or monitoring facility.
When a DC power switch uses a semiconductor element, such as a MOSFET, temporary overloads are poorly tolerated. Often such devices are oversized in current carrying capability, provided with large heat sinks, or the like. Still, temporary overloads associated with short circuits, or input current surges may cause irreparable damage. This is particularly true when a plurality of DC power switches are used to distribute the power from a single large DC supply to a plurality of devices, each consuming a fraction of the total power. One not wish to depend on the capacity of the supply to limit the total current that may flow through one of the switches to a non-destructive value. Moreover, the operation of a power supply control arrangement should preferably serve to isolate a fault or overload occurring in one or more loads from affecting the supply of power from a common source to other operating loads.
Both AC and DC circuit breakers are known and have a primary function of protecting the power source against overload and damage due to a fault or overload in the equipment supplied. Circuit breakers differ from fuses in that circuit breakers can be reset, while fuses need replacement. Existing circuit breakers monitor the current being passed through the breaker and open the circuit if a fault or overload condition is encountered. However, to perform this function, the circuit breaker must be turned on, supplying power to the load and an existing fault would cause a trip of the breaker with a transient effect on the power source. Alternatively, the may be no equipment connected to the output of the circuit breaker and a voltage may be inadvertently applied to an exposed power terminal.


There is disclosed a constant force compression tool for measuring a compressible material. In an embodiment, the tool includes a handle having a passageway receiving a plunger. The tool includes a biasing member in communication with the plunger and the handle. The tool includes a retaining element in communication with the plunger and the handle. There is disclosed a system for measuring a compressible material with a measurement tube and a constant force compression tool. There is disclosed a method of measuring a compressible material. In an embodiment, the method includes selecting a measurement tube. The method includes placing a compressible material into the measurement tube. The method includes pressing a plunger against the compressible material. The method includes monitoring an indicator to determine a full volume of compressible material between the end of the plunger and the conical tube. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Generally, ground cancellous bone material is measured by scooping the material into a measurement tube followed by tamping the material with a solid rod. The amount of compression may vary due to different force amounts exerted by the users. The material expands after transfer from the measurement tube to the jar for distribution. This results in the packaging and distribution of an inconsistent amount of material that may or may not meet advertised amounts.


An imaging system is provided for imaging a scene to produce a sequence of image frames of the scene at a frame rate, R, of at least about 25 image frames per second. The system includes an optical input port, a charge-coupled imaging device, an analog signal processor, and an analog-to-digital processor (A/D). The A/D digitizes the amplified pixel signal to produce a digital image signal formatted as a sequence of image frames each of a plurality of digital pixel values and having a dynamic range of digital pixel values represented by a number of digital bits, B, where B is greater than 8. A digital image processor is provided for processing digital pixel values in the sequence of image frames to produce an output image frame sequence at the frame rate, R, representative of the imaged scene, with a latency of no more than about 1/R and a dynamic range of image frame pixel values represented by a number of digital bits, D, where D is less than B. The output image frame sequence is characterized by noise-limited resolution of at least a minimum number, N.sub.M, of line pairs per millimeter, referred to the charge-coupled imaging device pixel array, in an imaged scene as a function of illuminance of the input light impinging the charge-coupled imaging device pixels.

Imaging of low-light-level environments is an important capability for enabling military and law enforcement surveillance, aviation and automotive navigation, and for numerous industrial and consumer manufacturing and production processes, among other applications. For example, the conventional low-light-level imaging systems known as so-called night vision scopes are routinely employed as a principal means for enabling night time mobility and navigation by military personnel wearing helmet-mounted scopes while traveling on foot or navigating in a vehicle, e.g., a jeep, truck, helicopter or jet.
Historically, low-light-level imaging systems, including conventional night vision scopes, have been based on use of an electro-optic image sensor that provides a gain mechanism for amplifying ambient input light to produce an output image signal level that is adequate for visual display, e.g., either by a direct view display or, with the addition of an electronic imaging system, a remote view display. For example, in a typical electro-optic system such as a so-called intensifier tube imager, a lens is used to focus ambient light, such as moonlight or starlight reflected off of a scene, onto a photocathode in a vacuum tube, the photocathode being sensitive to, e.g., light from the yellow through near-infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Under application of a high voltage between the photocathode and a micro-channel plate also located in the vacuum tube, an input ambient photon incident on the photocathode causes emission of a single electron from the photocathode and acceleration of the electron toward the micro-channel plate. Upon striking the micro-channel plate, the single electron creates a cascade of many electrons, which together are accelerated toward a phosphor screen by a second applied voltage. The kinetic energy of the electrons striking the phosphor causes phosphor to glow. This electron cascade mechanism results in amplification of the input ambient light, typically by about four orders of magnitude, to produce a visible image on the phosphor screen. The phosphor image exists only momentarily in the glow of the phosphor screen, and does not exist in a storable or readable form.
To produce a real-time electronic video image, which typically is set at a frame rate of about 30 frames/second, based on the optical images formed by an intensifier tube on a phosphor screen, it is common practice to optically couple the phosphor screen to a conventional charge-coupled-device (CCD) electronic imaging camera. Optical coupling is typically achieved using an intermediate coupling lens or an optical fiber taper bonded to the CCD and either bonded or integrally-connected to the intensifier tube phosphor screen. The resulting low-light video camera, or so-called intensified-CCD camera, relies entirely on the cascade gain mechanism of the intensifier tube to provide a phosphor image that is adequately amplified to be sensed by the conventional CCD imager.
Intensified-CCD cameras like the one described above, while capable of producing a real time low-light-level video sequence, have historically been severely restricted with regard to other performance criteria. In particular, the intra-scene dynamic range of an image produced by an intensified-CCD imaging system is severely limited by the image intensifier tube. Furthermore, image resolution is severely degraded at low light levels due to electronic noise associated with the intensifier tube cascading gain mechanism. This electronic noise adds background image intensity noise and can even "swamp" low intensity images, resulting in an output image that is a poor rendition of the imaged scene. Intensifier tube imagers not including a CCD electronic camera are of course also subject to the resolution and intra-scene dynamic range limitations imposed by the intensifier tube gain mechanism.
These limitations are exacerbated in imaging low-light-level scenes because the same scene may contain very low brightness areas as well as dramatic intra-scene intensity fluctuations due, e.g., to man-made light. But because intensifier tube imagers and intensified-CCD imaging systems intrinsically rely on the vacuum tube cascading gain mechanism for production of a viable phosphor image, the dynamic range limitation imposed by the gain mechanism must be accepted, resulting in either loss of darker areas in the scene or excessive blooming in the brighter areas of the scene. Blooming is here meant as a localized brightness saturation that spills over to other nearby areas. As a result, intensifier tube imagers and intensified-CCD imaging systems are restricted to relatively small dynamic range imaging; typically no more than about 200 gray levels can be enabled by even the best vacuum tube-based systems, and generally, far fewer gray levels span the restricted intra-scene dynamic range.
Additional inherent limitations of intensifier vacuum tube technology limit the overall performance of intensifier tube imagers and intensified-CCD imaging systems. For example, the finite time required for a phosphor image produced by an intensifier tube to dissipate from the phosphor results in deleterious image artifacts in a temporal sequence of images when there is motion in the scene. In addition, vacuum tubes, being formed of glass, are fragile, and therefore require special handling considerations for the image system in which they are incorporated. The photocathode and micro-channel plate used in the intensifier tube have relatively short life cycles, requiring frequent replacement and repair. Furthermore, vacuum tubes are relatively large in size, limiting the minimum overall imaging system size. Vacuum tubes are also relatively expensive, adding significant cost to the overall cost of the imaging system. Many other performance, handling, and packaging limitations are additionally imposed by the intensifier vacuum tube technology.
Another class of low-light-level imaging systems, known as so-called slow-scan or frame-integrating cameras, do not rely on a gain mechanism to amplify ambient light for producing a viable electronic image. Instead, a slow-scan camera typically includes only a CCD imager that in operation is exposed to a low-light-level scene for an extended period of time, i.e., seconds or longer, during which time the device accumulates a large number of photoelectrons; after a time period sufficient to accumulate an adequate photoelectron count, a viable electronic image can be produced by the CCD camera. This technique overcomes some of the practical limitations of intensifier tube imagers and intensified-CCD image systems, but is inherently limited to extremely slow image capture speeds. Slow-scan cameras thus cannot accommodate real time imaging for production of video sequences at rates even close to about 25-30 frames per second. Indeed, slow-scan cameras are typically used in applications that are not primarily time-sensitive; for example, being used in astronomical applications as an electronic substitute for long-exposure film photography through telescopes.
Many critical low-light-level surveillance and mobility applications require real time digital video imaging of night time scenes, e.g., air-land scenes, characterized by a large intra-scene dynamic range. But like the systems described above, conventional low-light-level imaging systems developed heretofore have provided only suboptimal performance under such complex conditions and are further restricted by additional performance and practical limitations that impede or inhibit a high level of operational performance in applications for which real time low-light-level imaging is critical.

Real time adaptive digital image processing for dynamic range remapping of imagery including low-light-level visible imagery


A dual global positioning system (GPS) receiver navigation system. The system of the present invention includes a primary GPS receiver adapted to determine a first position. The primary GPS receiver is certified to a first integrity level and is further adapted to provide GPS navigation data to an external device. The system of the present invention also includes a secondary GPS receiver coupled to the primary GPS receiver. The secondary GPS receiver is certified to a second integrity level having less stringent requirements than the first integrity level. The secondary GPS receiver is adapted to determine a second position and monitor the primary GPS receiver to detect a fault condition by comparing the first position and the second position, such that the GPS navigation data is provided in accordance with the first certification level regardless of the second integrity level of the secondary GPS receiver.

The aviation industry relies upon numerous navigation aids in order safely to take off, navigate enroute, and land aircraft. Such navigation aids (naviads) include, for example, the instrument landing system (ILS), very high frequency omni-directional range (VOR) system, and the like. GPS, however, is increasingly being accepted as an alternative to traditional navigation aids, including even ILS.
Essentially, GPS is a space-based radio positioning network for providing users, equipped with suitable receivers, highly accurate position, velocity, and time (PVT) information. Developed by the United States Department of Defense (DOD), the space based portion of GPS comprises a constellation of GPS satellites in non-geosynchronous orbits around the earth.
FIG. 1 shows the constellation 100 of GPS satellites 101 in orbit. The GPS satellites 101 are located in six orbital planes 102 with four of the GPS satellites 101 in each plane, plus a number of "on orbit" spare satellites (not shown) for redundancy. The GPS satellites 101 are located in orbital planes, having an inclination of 55 degrees relative to the equator and an altitude of approximately 20,200 km (10,900 miles), and typically complete an orbit in approximately 12 hours. This positions each of the GPS satellites 101 in such a manner that a minimum of five of the GPS satellites 101 are normally observable (above the horizon) by a user anywhere on earth at any given time.
GPS position determination is based upon a concept referred to as time of arrival (TAO) ranging. The orbiting GPS satellites 101 each broadcasts spread-spectrum microwave signals encoded with positioning data. The signals are broadcast on two frequencies, L1 at 1575.42 MHz and L2 at 1227.60 MHz, with the satellite ephemeris (positioning data in an earth centered, earth fixed, coordinate system) modulated using bi-phase shift keying techniques. Essentially, the signals are broadcast at precisely known times and at precisely known intervals. The signals are encoded with their precise time of transmission. A user receives the signals with a GPS receiver. The GPS receiver is designed to time the signals and to demodulate the satellite orbital data contained in the signals. Using the orbital data, the GPS receiver determines the time between transmission by the satellite and reception by the receiver. Multiplying this time by the speed of light gives what is termed as the pseudo-range measurement of that satellite. If the GPS receiver clock were perfect, this measurement would be the range measurement for that satellite, but the imperfection of the clock causes the two measurements to differ by the time offset between actual time and receiver time. Thus, the measurement is called a pseudo-range, rather than a range. However, the time offset is common to the pseudo-range measurements of all the satellites. By determining the pseudo-ranges of four or more satellites, the GPS receiver is able to determine its location in three dimensions, as well as the time offset. Thus, a user equipped with a proper GPS receiver is able to determine his PVT with great accuracy, and use this information to navigate safely and accurately from point to point, among other uses.
While this position is more accurate than that obtainable using conventional navaids, there are aviation applications (e.g., take off and landing phases of flight) where an even greater level of accuracy is required. To attain these levels of accuracy, DGPS technology is employed.
DGPS functions by observing the difference between pseudo-range measurements determined from the received GPS signals with the actual range as determined from the known reference station point. The DGPS reference station determines systematic range corrections for all the satellites in view based upon the observed differences. The systematic corrections are subsequently broadcast to interested users having appropriate GPS receivers, and thereby enable the users to increase the accuracy of their GPS determined position. DGPS service and the supporting industry (e.g., avionics manufacturers) are increasingly being employed throughout the world.
In addition to accuracy, two other qualities are particularly important in the avionics field. The first of these qualities is reliability. Reliability in this context refers to the probability that a given avionics system will remain operational (e.g., continuity of service). The second of these qualities is integrity. In this context, integrity refers to the capability of equipment to assure that hazardously misleading information (HMI) is not generated and output from the equipment. Aircraft landing systems require high integrity levels in order to assure that a high enough level of safety is achieved. This integrity is usually expressed negatively, i.e., in terms of the probability of generating HMI during an hour of operation, or during an approach. To meet what is termed a "flight-essential" level of safety means to meet the requirement that the probability of generating HMI must be less than approximately 1 part in 10.sup.7 during an approach for passenger-carrying aircraft.
It is generally accepted practice that single-thread equipment (e.g., equipment without redundancy, in particular equipment that involves software and firmware) is considered to achieve only about 1 part in 10.sup.5 per approach. To achieve the 10.sup.7 level of integrity or better, redundant GPS receivers are usually used. This makes the total cost of the GPS avionics system quite high.
For example, large commercial air carriers (e.g., a commercial airline) typically employ redundant systems to achieve both the required degree of reliability (or continuity of service) and integrity. Two or more GPS receivers are installed into a GPS system of an aircraft. Each system is capable of functioning independently of the other, such that a failure in one system does not affect the operation of the other redundant system. Hence, the GPS system remains operational (e.g., GPS navigation information is still available) even though one GPS receiver has failed. This increases the reliability of GPS system, since for a system failure to occur, more than one GPS receiver must fail. Thus, even though, one GPS receiver has failed, the aircraft can continue in service until a convenient time of repair occurs.
In addition to increasing reliability, the incorporation of two or more GPS receivers into a GPS system increases integrity. For example, where two or more GPS receivers are installed, each of the receivers monitors the GPS signals and the differential corrections independently. This allows the GPS receivers to check the "health" of each other (and achieve the required 10.sup.7 level of integrity). If the GPS receivers do not agree, if their respective solutions differ by more than some pre-determined amount, the GPS system declares a fault, thus warning the rest of the avionics systems in the aircraft (e.g., the flight director) that the GPS system is currently unusable, and warning the air crew to utilize other navigation instruments or take other appropriate action (e.g., abort the approach).
While reliability is very important to some users, integrity is very important to all users. For example, with commercial air carriers, where flight cancellations due to maintenance are prohibitively costly, reliability is very important. Hence, very expensive and often redundant GPS receiver systems are installed. However, with a corporate aircraft or even a general aviation aircraft, the down time for a repair is much less costly, and hence reliability is less important. But in order to achieve satisfactory levels of integrity, the same very expensive, often redundant systems must be installed.
In particular, as the Wide-Area Augmentation System (WAAS) and the Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS) is phased in, costs of redundancy become prohibitive for many potential users. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the current ILS landing system allows for single-thread operation for many users. While commercial air carriers are not cost sensitive and generally have redundant systems installed for reliability, many other potential users are precluded from installing and using GPS systems having the required degree of integrity because of cost.
Thus, what is required is a GPS system which provides a flight-essential degree of integrity. What is required is a system which supports the use of inexpensive GPS receivers, yet still meets the flight-essential integrity requirements. What is further required is a system which supports other navigation applications in addition to aviation. The present invention provides a novel solution to the above requirements.

Inexpensive monitoring technique for achieving high level integrity monitoring for differential GPS


A device and a method for determining pressure fluctuations in a fuel supply system provide two signal filters to enable determining as much information about pressure fluctuations as possible with minimal sensor use. A sensor signal which is characteristic of a pressure in the area of a fuel injector is filtered using the two filters, which have filter characteristics that differ from one another.

Utilization of the sensor effect of the piezoelectric actuator for measuring the frequency of a pressure wave, which is generated by the opening and closing of the nozzles, is described in published German patent document DE 102 17 592, for example. The piezoelectric actuator is used to open and close the control valve of the fuel injector in order to control the injection operation. The fact that the piezoelectric actuator is able to convert electric voltage into force and electric charge into linear expansion is utilized for this purpose. The reversal of these effects is utilized to convert the mechanical force exerted on the piezoelectric actuator into an electrical voltage signal. This is known as the sensor effect.

Device and method for determining pressure fluctuations in a fuel supply system


A metering device is provided that is able to engage and release food stuff items that are being conveyed on a conveyor belt such that the relative positions of the multiple food stuff items on the conveyor belt are spaced at a predetermined interval. In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the metering device is used in combination with a sensing device that is located upstream of the metering device. The sensing device is able to detect the presence of a food stuff item upstream of the metering device such that the sensing device is able to control the engagement and release of the downstream food stuff items.

In order to economically produce and package fragile or delicate work products such as food items, it is desirable to minimize the amount of time it takes to convey an item from its production to its packaging. At the same time, it has also been desirable to maximize the efficiency by which the items are packaged by minimizing packaging errors. If items are inappropriately conveyed from a production station to a packaging station, packaging errors can occur. For example, with cookie-type or cracker-type foodstuffs, it is desirable to bake and transport the cookies on surface conveying systems with several parallel lines of cookies moving through the equipment. When the cookies are ready to be placed in their packages, the equipment typically orients a predetermined number of cookies in an edge-standing stack or "slug" and places the slugs of cookies in recesses of clear plastic cookie trays that become part of the package purchased by the consumer. A cookie tray may comprise several such recesses for receiving several slugs of cookies. If the timing of the delivery of the cookies that are delivered to the packaging station is irregular, the trays might not be properly filled.
The failure to fill the tray with cookies typically is caused by two problems. First, if the foodstuff item, such as a cookie, is not properly aligned or centered in its row on the surface conveyor, it may fall out of its row, or the item may enter into the packaging station out of alignment with the packaging machine and be misfed to the packager. Either mishap is likely to cause the formation of an incomplete slug of cookies and the cookie tray will not be properly filled with cookies. Second, if an individual item is not properly spaced apart from another item along the path of the surface conveyor, maximum packaging speed and efficiency will not be obtained and will likely result in improperly and inefficiently loaded slugs and/or trays. For example, if the items are too close to each other on the surface conveyor, the packaging machine might not be able to accept all of the items. Or if the items are spaced too far apart on the surface conveyor, the packaging machine might not place a full load of the items in the container.
Heretofore, the most common method for correcting packaging errors that were due to the improper way in which cookies were spaced or aligned prior to entering a packaging station was to employ several workers to watch over the forming slugs and trays to remove the trays that were improperly loaded. In the past, if the packaging error was due to a missing item, the usual way to prevent that void from offsetting the entire packaging process was to shut down the conveyor line to correct the void. These correction methods are, of course, expensive and are an inefficient means of conveying and packaging foodstuff items.
In other types of foodstuff industries, attempts have been made to maximize the efficiency of conveying an item from a production station to a packaging station. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,429,416 teaches that a plurality of fingers can be used to keep candy bars from fishtailing while the candy bars are being conveyed downstream to a packaging station, and also teaches a separate "hold" or gate/bar mechanism that functions to align the candy bars into columns.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,854,569 and 3,970,189 disclose a complex arrangement of a product holder, alignment rail, and a pair of angled thrusting devices. At varying stages in the conveyance stream, the product holder, alignment rail, and the thrusting devices act to align the confection items into rows and columns. However, none of these patents teach adequately aligning and spacing food items such as cookies or crackers on a surface conveyor system and they also fail to teach a means for detecting the absence of an upstream item, and how to adjust the spacing of the downstream item.


An electronic exchange apparatus where an exchange unit for controlling extension-line and trunk-line interface cards unique to the exchange apparatus is provided separately from a general-purpose central control unit. The exchange unit is connected to the control unit via an Ethernet and control signals are transmitted between them. The exchange unit is allowed to have only the function of converting the communication protocols between the control-channel highway and the Ethernet which are unique to the exchange apparatus. The control unit is designed to have all of the control functions associated with exchange processing. Thus, a software can be developed easily in a short time, helping reduce development costs and keep up with advances in the CPUs and peripherals.

The present invention relates to an electronic exchange apparatus comprising a control unit composed of a microcomputer and an exchange unit that actually effects exchange processing.
With the increasing communication needs and the advances in communication technology, apparatuses provided with various electronic exchange functions, such as private branch exchanges or data communication equipment, have been popular in recent years. This type of apparatus is generally provided with a microcomputer-based control unit, which supervises and controls the whole operation of the apparatus. The control unit of each apparatus is provided with a dedicated OS (operating system) on dedicated control hardware and is designed to cause the exchange unit--the hardware section provided exclusively for the apparatus--to operate by executing an exchange control application program in the OS environment.
With such a conventional electronic exchange apparatus, however, the software structure in the control unit is specialized for each type of apparatus (or the control unit has its own OS) and a general-purpose computer cannot be connected to the apparatus. This makes it necessary to develop control hardware and software unique to an apparatus each time the apparatus is developed. For example, when an application program for exchange processing is developed, it is necessary to develop the application program on the host computer and download the developed application program to the dedicated hardware environment in the control unit of the electronic exchange apparatus. As a result, the increase of the software development time has led to an increase in the development turnaround time and to the need for a dedicated central processing unit (CPU) emulator for software debugging, so that the development has required a lot of time and cost. Furthermore, since dedicated peripheral devices and interfaces must also be developed, it is difficult to keep up with new technology, such as optical disc devices. Therefore, it has been difficult to easily deal with the needs of users, such as upgrading the version.

Apparatus for electronic exchange having a general-purpose bus separating the exchange unit and control unit


A system dynamically integrates, into an application program that implements rules for controlling business operations, changes in parameters and parameter groupings that are used by or in conjunction with the rules. A dynamic business logic rule integrator provides the rules to the application software as executable routines, and a dynamic parameter manager organizes and manages the parameters. The manager integrates changes to the parameters, groups and/or links the parameters, and makes the parameters available to the rules through a dynamically configurable system database—using a set of static tables and related dynamically configurable tables, in which certain database fields or sub-fields correspond to the parameters and the tables, fields and sub-fields are established and linked together in accordance with user-defined “instances.” When parameters and their groupings are changed the manager updates, creates and/or removes database tables, and the revised tables are made available to the rules.

Many businesses use customized application software to control customer transactions, billing, and so forth. The software is designed to implement the particular business plans or rules of the user companies. For a company that provides a monthly service, such as, for example, telecommunications services, customized billing software controls customer billing operations using predetermined parameters that define customer rate plans. The parameters may be, for example, the number of minutes used per month, home calling areas, roaming rates, and so forth.
A financial services company may utilize customized application software to control trading. The application software uses predetermined parameters to determine when and if a particular type of trade is to be made, what market data is generated for customers and/or brokers, and so forth. Companies providing products may also use customized application software to control business operations relating to, for example, the warehousing of raw materials, when, if, and under what terms to sell to various customers, and so forth.
The customized application software operates in accordance with the business plans, or business logic rules, set by the user company. The application relies on a defined set of parameters that the application manipulates in accordance with the business logic rules. In the example of the telecommunications company, the application software controls the rates at which telecommunications customers are billed for particular telecommunication services based on the total number of minutes used per month, the home areas of the respective customers, associated roaming rates, and so forth. The set of parameters that define the billing plans are hard-coded into the application program, and the company can then selectively set associated values for the various parameters to distinguish, for example, between the various billing rate plans offered by the company. The application program thus allows the user company to selectively set the values for the minimum number of minutes that are associated with the various discount rates, and so forth, without requiring the application program to be re-written and re-compiled.
The application software can not, however, accommodate new business plans that either re-define the existing hard-coded parameters or include new parameters. For example, the application software must be re-written if the telecommunications company discussed above changes its billing plans to charge different rates for minutes used during particular hours. Similarly, the billing application software must be re-written if the company decides to offer new types of services, such as data transmission services, internet services, and so forth. The application software is thus re-written to include the various parameters associated with the new data transmission services and internet services, and/or the parameters associated with the time of day/week billing rates, and so forth.
For a financial services company, the application software is customized to handle the various validation, matching, execution and post-execution activities that the company uses to control the trading of particular types of securities. The application software must be re-written if the company thereafter changes the criteria it uses to, for example, validate a trade, or if the company decides to trade in a new type of security. The various validation, matching, execution and post-execution rules must be revised to include or accommodate the new criteria and/or the new type of security, as well as the revised criteria for the gathering of associated market data.
The updating of complex, customized application software is both time consuming and costly. Further, due to the complexity of the undertaking, the re-writing of the program is prone to errors. The updating must typically be performed by the company that provided the software, which is not only costly but can be delayed since the user must rely on the availability of outside personnel to do the work. In addition, re-writing and re-compiling the code may adversely affect the performance of the application in ways in which are not readily apparent, and thus, the testing of the software is critical. Longer delays are incurred if, after testing, the application code must be re-written to correct errors, and again tested.
The time it takes to update and test and, as applicable, revise and re-test, the application software may cause rather significant delays in the offering of new services and/or billing plans to customers. In response, the customers may change service providers in order to take advantage of the newer plans and/or services offered by competitors. Hidden errors in the re-written application program may also adversely affect customer relations and/or the integrity of the services provided. Such an error may, for example, result in duplicate or incorrect billing for particular services, the inability to track or confirm particular financial transactions, and so forth.
A system that allows a user to revise business logic rules, without requiring the re-writing and re-compiling of the application software is described in the incorporated co-pending application. As discussed below, we have improved the system, by including therein a dynamic parameter manger that organizes and manages parameters that are used in the business logic rules in accordance with the user's underlying business plan, and allows the user to revise the parameters by adding new ones, editing, deleting, grouping and re-grouping existing parameters, and makes the revised set of parameters available for use in the rules, all without requiring the re-writing and re-compiling of the application software.

System and method for configurable trading system


Method, device and computer program product for estimating quality of a video signal, wherein frames of the video signal are received at receiving means of the device, each frame comprising a plurality of blocks of pixels. A section of a first frame of the video signal, which is correctly received, is used to provide a concealed block for use in place of a block of a second frame of the video signal. A difference measure is determined indicative of a difference between at least some of the pixels surrounding the block in the second frame and the corresponding pixels surrounding the section in the first frame. The difference measure is used to estimate the quality of the second frame of the video signal.

A video signal can be transmitted in data packets over a network from a transmitting device to a receiving device. A video signal may comprise a sequence of video frames which are to be played out in order to thereby output the video signal. Each frame may comprise a plurality of blocks of pixels (or "macroblocks") which are coded separately. A block may be intra coded meaning that the block is coded without reference to data in other frames of the video signal. Alternatively a block may be inter coded meaning that the block is coded with reference to data in other frames ("reference frames") of the video signal. An inter coded block may be associated with a motion vector to describe motion in the image between the block and a corresponding position in the reference frame.
Errors may occur during the transmission of the video signal, for example a data packet may be lost or corrupted during transmission. When blocks are inter coded, errors may propagate through a sequence of frames of the video signal. Errors may be caused by conditions on the network on which the video signal is transmitted. As an example, network conditions may vary for receiving devices of individual users on a network (e.g. the internet) such that the errors experienced by each individual user may be different to other users. It can be useful to monitor quality of the video signal received at each of the receiving devices. Three methods of assessing video quality are:                1. Full Reference (FR) methods which evaluate video quality in a processed video signal (e.g. a received video signal) by comparing an original video signal (e.g. a transmitted video signal) and the processed video signal;        2. Reduced Reference (RR) methods which evaluate video quality in a processed video signal (e.g. a received video signal) using both the processed video signal and a small amount of information extracted from the original video signal (e.g. the transmitted signal); and        3. No Reference (NR) methods which evaluate video quality in a processed video signal (e.g. a received video signal) on the basis of the processed video signal alone (i.e. without reference to the original video signal).
The No Reference methods are particularly useful in situations where a video signal is being transmitted from a transmitter over a network to a receiver because these methods allow the receiver to estimate the quality of the video signal without needing knowledge of the original (i.e. transmitted) video signal. Therefore it is not necessary to transmit any extra information to the receiver regarding the original video signal for specific use by the No Reference method. This is in contrast to the Full Reference and Reduced Reference methods for which the receiver would be required to have extra information regarding the original video signal in order to estimate the quality of the received video signal. Therefore, desirably the No Reference methods require less information to be transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver in order for the receiver to be able to estimate the quality of the received video signal, and therefore require less bandwidth on the network.
A No Reference method for estimating video quality may do so on the basis of the number of macroblocks containing errors which it has not been possible to conceal. Error concealment effectiveness is evaluated using motion-level information and luminance discontinuity at the boundaries of error regions. Motion information can be obtained from motion vectors in an input bitstream. If the motion vectors indicate a motion that is greater than a pre-determined threshold then error concealment is considered to be ineffective. Furthermore, the luminance discontinuity is calculated as an average of the absolute difference of the luminance values at the boundary between correctly decoded regions and regions to which error-concealment has been applied. If the luminance discontinuity is larger than a pre-determined threshold then error concealment is considered to be ineffective. The No Reference method of the prior art described above provides one way of estimating the quality of a received video signal at a receiving device. However, the method is not perfect because the number of macroblocks containing errors which it has not been possible to conceal may not always provide an accurate measure of the quality of the video signal and the method increases the decoding time required to decode a received video signal.


A screwdriver holder has a base and a holding bar. The base has a protrusion, a bottom board, a hanging seat and at least one hanging hole and may have multiple insert holes. The protrusion protrudes from the bottom board. The hanging seat is formed on or protruded along an edge of the bottom board. The at least one hanging hole is defined through the hanging seat. The multiple insert holes of the base are defined through the protrusion and the bottom board. The holding bar has a bottom surface or a side surface attached to the protrusion. The holding bar may have multiple pairs of aligned insert holes or multiple insert holes aligned with the insert holes of the base.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a holder for hand tools, and more particularly to a screwdriver holder.
2. Description of Related Art
A screwdriver holder is always mounted on a tool trolley and has multiple insert holes in which multiple screwdrivers are inserted and held.
However, each screwdriver is held only by a corresponding insert hole, the screwdriver is easily swaying and can not be held stably.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide a screwdriver holder to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.


A processor uses a prediction unit to predict subsequent instructions of a program to be executed by the processor. Many implementations or combinations of implementations may be used to predict the subsequent instruction of the program. In one embodiment, a branch cache is used to store branch information. A prediction table is used to store prediction information based on the branch. A prediction logic module determines whether a branch is taken or not taken based on the branch information stored in the branch cache and the prediction information stored in the prediction table.

1. Field of Art
This disclosure relates generally to branch cache architecture implemented in a configurable processing device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Factors such as the frequency with which information is retrieved from memory and the number of cycles to execute program elements make power consumption a constraint on processor operation. Additionally, latency caused by a number of cycles to fetch instructions from memory and look-up instructions in memory further constrains processor operation. Branch prediction improves performance by fetching instructions in advance, based on a prediction of which instructions are executed by a program.

Processor branch cache with secondary branches


A system and method are provided for integrating user-worn display components and communication technologies into image capture and individual verification security systems. User-worn input/output (I/O) devices are employed to streamline the security screening procedures that continue to require human interaction for visual identification of participating individuals entering secure areas, particularly in large numbers. Individual access credentials and/or permissions are verified for individuals initially upon entry within the facility, and discernible physical feature recognition information, including facial recognition information, to be associated with the access verification for the individuals is collected. The user-worn I/O devices are used by security and screening personnel to observe discernible physical features of individuals presenting themselves at one or more internal security or limited access checkpoints and to initiate comparison analysis of the observed discernible physical features with stored discernible physical feature recognition information to expedite clearance and/or verification procedures.

1. Field of the Disclosed Embodiments
This disclosure relates to systems and methods for integrating user-worn display components and communication technologies into image capture and individual verification security systems.
2. Related Art
World events have led to ever increasing vigilance in controlling access to spaces, equipment, and devices. This increased vigilance has led to large numbers of increasingly-sophisticated clearance procedures for authorizing such access. Implementation of these increasingly sophisticated security procedures, particularly those that require human intervention or human interaction, tend to significantly increase bottlenecks and delays where the clearance or access of large numbers of individuals needs to be cleared through a particular checkpoint.
Certain proprietary clearance systems incorporate technologies and automation to streamline clearance procedures. One example is the Rockwell Collins ARINC VeriPax™ system which is advertised as follows. Facing more overcrowding and greater operational challenges than ever before, airports need solutions that move passengers as quickly and efficiently as possible while accommodating evolving security requirements and new International Air Transport Association (IATA) initiatives. Rockwell Collins' ARINC Passenger Reconciliation System (PRS)—VeriPax™—optimizes passenger flow at security checkpoints by complementing existing manual processes, enables the verification of flight and boarding pass information, and incorporates new initiatives in airport technology. VeriPax™ reads boarding passes using 2D barcode scanners, automatically screens passengers against airline host systems in real time, determines clearance and provides alerts to security personnel and agents when necessary.
Systems such as VeriPax™ are intended to combat the security and passenger frustration challenges of the modern airport environment, by increasing security while simplifying security verification processes enhancing overall operational efficiency. With this, and like, systems all efforts have been made to accelerate procedures for clearing individual passengers through security screening checkpoints in busy and often overwhelmed airport environments. These efforts may provide a model for access clearance to other spaces and/or facilities.

Image capture and individual verification security system integrating user-worn display components and communication technologies


The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for pneumatically conveying bulk material which does not flow readily, in which:                bulk material is metered by means of one or more input device(s) (8) into a lateral conveyor (1); and        the bulk material in the lateral conveyor is subsequently emptied via a transport line (19)wherein the metering of the bulk material into the lateral conveyor (1) is achieved by means of the input device(s) (8) and the emptying of the lateral conveyor (1) is effected with simultaneous action of a mechanical conveyor (9) in the lateral conveyor and inflowing compressed gas (17), with the mechanical conveyor (9) having a narrow clearance with respect to the lateral conveyor (1), so that the lateral conveyor is substantially emptied during the emptying process.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for pneumatically conveying bulk material which does not flow readily.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
A method of the type mentioned at the outset and an apparatus for carrying it out are known from EP 0 692 411 A1. This known technology uses a method of pneumatically conveying bulk material, in which the latter is transported in a pipe from a departure point by means of a gas stream to a reception point with the bulk material partly filling the pipe in a dense stream having a defined velocity by production of a plug in the pipe and, after closure of the inlet opening of the pipe by means of an inlet closure valve, the pipe being entirely or partly emptied by means of overpressure and with a pseudocontinuous mass flow from the departure point to the reception point being able to be established by continuous repetition of this cycle. The "pump flow method", in which the pipe is partly filled in suction dense stream operation by provision of a device to generate a partial vacuum and is emptied by switching over to pressure operation and star feeders or pressure vessels can thus be dispensed with, is disclosed in EP 0 692441 B1. Containers and Big Bags can be emptied pseudocontinuously in double action mode when two suction lines are installed in parallel.
A disadvantage here is that in the case of "dead" materials which do not flow readily, the vacuum is not sufficient to fill the suction lines. This causes problems with the closure devices and the transport process.
As an alternative, high-pressure star feeders and single/double pressure vessels have hitherto been used according to the prior art or combined with one another as described in DE 199 60 221 C2.
The screw pumps used for some decades are provided with a high power drive motor to convey the plug of bulk material before the closure flap between screw shaft and transport line, which is kept closed by the transport pressure. Screw pumps are mainly used for mineral materials.
DD 267850 A1 shows that transport screws without a closure flap can also be utilized for feeding bulk material if an input vessel is installed above the screw intake. The screw does not serve to overcome an input pressure difference, which would be associated with leakage of air, but has the task of regulating the loading μ, i.e. the ratio of bulk material to transport air, or keeping it constant.
DE 40 14 912 A1 describes a technique in which the transport tube wall is to be kept free of deposits on the wall by means of a screw-shaped prefabricated partially flexible element having the appropriate direction of rotation so as to promote transport. Here too, the known, customary pressure vessel technology is proposed for the actual filling of the pipe.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and an apparatus for metering a predetermined amount of bulk material which does not flow readily, emptying it out completely and conveying it to a target point.

Method and apparatus for pneumatically conveying bulk material which does not flow readily


Methods and containers for preserving a product such as a respiratory product having an internal vapor pressure. The product is placed into an enclosure, and the enclosure is sealed and pressured with appropriately humidified air or other suitable oxygen containing gas to a positive pressure with respect to ambient pressure to provide a vapor pressure greater than or at least equal to the internal vapor pressure of the product. The volume of the product in relation to the volume of the enclosure and the pressure are such that the enclosure has free air space sufficient to prevent the onset of an anaerobic condition for substantially the storage period of the product assuming the enclosure is maintained approximately at a predetermined temperature. The temperature of the enclosure may be controlled, and may be maintained below the normal freezing temperature of water, and preferably below the normal liquid to solid phase change temperature of the product, but is maintained above the liquid to solid phase change temperature of the product under pressure in the enclosure. Various pressurized packaging methods and structures also are disclosed.

The present invention relates to the packaging of items under certain conditions, including pressure greater than ambient pressure, where such conditions can be beneficial for purposes such as safeguarding or preserving the item.
The invention may be applicable, for example, to preserving products as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,080 to Elbert G. Keller, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,994,424 to Myer S. Selby et al, or in United Kingdom Patent 710,979 to Bezalel Niedzwiedz. The aforecited Keller patent, for example, describes ways to preserve products which have a cellular respiration and an internal vapor pressure. As is disclosed in the Keller patent, such respiratory products have a partial vapor pressure which is greater than the partial vapor pressure in the surrounding atmosphere, forcing moisture and nutrients to leave the product and resulting in drying and early death or deterioration of the product. In accordance with the patent, a positive pressure gradient with respect to the internal vapor pressure of the product is provided in an enclosed area surrounding the product to negate the outward diffusion of moisture and nutrients of the product.
It will be appreciated that the aforementioned Keller patent provides a way to preserve products without certain of the limitations of the prior art. In addition, it will be appreciated that positive pressure within a container can provide the added benefit of preventing contaminates from readily entering the package. Moreover, internal pressure permits packaging which resists damage to the contents of the package because packaging can be constructed so that the internal pressure adds structural strength to the exterior of the package.
Further consideration of the problem of storing and preserving living organisms, particularly after harvest, has led to the belief that there are a variety of other conditions, especially as they relate to packaging, which affect the preservation of such products. Thus, for example, certain fresh foods stored in such a way that they are completely deprived of oxygen or there is insufficient oxygen for the storage period may cause food poisoning as a result of the onset of an anaerobic condition.
Increasing the pressure in the container will increase the amount of oxygen for a given volume of air space and will thus effectively extend the storage life. This will permit a more efficient use of containers or packages and has the added benefit of permitting the product to be cooled more rapidly since the coefficient of heat transfer by conduction increases with an increase in pressure.
However, there are limits to the extent to which pressure can be increased without adversely affecting some stored products. For example, the cellular structure of strawberries may be damaged by high pressures whereas meat may withstand such pressures without damage. Thus, with a product like meat, the effective free air space may be acceptable despite little remaining volume in the container or package if the pressure is maintained at a high level with respect to ambient pressure.
Another factor which has an effect on the free air space required to avoid an anaerobic condition in a container is the respiration rate of the product in the container. Different products have different respiration rates, and the respiration rate of a particular product also will vary as a function of temperature. Thus, the oxygen in the container will be used at different rates depending on the nature of the product and its temperature. Moreover, the length of time the product is to be preserved in the container will be a factor in determining the amount of free air space needed in the container to avoid an anaerobic condition.
In addition to conditions relating to free air space and the avoidance of an anaerobic condition in the container, other steps may be taken to extend the life of respiratory products. As is noted in the aforementioned Keller patent, pressurization may be used independently or in conjunction with depressed temperature, to preserve such products.
It will be appreciated that under positive pressure the freezing temperature (phase change temperature) for any product is lower than at normal atmospheric pressure. Phase change temperature is the temperature at which the liquid components change from a liquid to a solid and, in the case of water, expands in volume. Such expansion can damage cell structure.
At depressed temperatures the respiration rate of the product is lowered. If the temperature is depressed below the normal freezing temperature of the product at atmospheric pressure but above the freezing temperature of the product under positive pressure, this even lower temperature further depresses the respiration rate and further contributes to the preservation of respiratory products without a change of state from liquid to solid and cellular damage to the product. Thus, using pressure in accordance with the aforementioned patent in conjunction with temperatures below the normal freezing point of the product but insufficiently low to freeze the pressurized product itself will provide beneficial effects while avoiding cellular deterioration of the product.
One problem in conventional systems for pressurizing a product relates to opening a pressurized container. In the aforementioned patents, there is no provision for reducing the pressure of the container before opening the container. Thus, if the pressurized container holds any type of liquid, there is a great likelihood that it will be sprayed on the user when the pressurized package is opened. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have a package which could be depressurized before being opened.

Method and apparatus for preserving products

International Manufacturing & Licensing, Inc.


A system for dynamically scaling a power voltage including a system on chip (SoC) and a power control circuit. The SoC includes a plurality of application circuits. The SoC is configured to generate internal clock signals in response to an externally supplied clock signal. The SoC also generates a target voltage that changes based on a change of an operating current. The internal clock signals are respectively provided to the application circuits. The operating current is a sum or total current of the application circuits. The power control circuit generates an internal power voltage based on the target voltage and provides the internal power voltage to the SoC. The system for dynamically scaling a power voltage including a SoC may decrease power consumed in the SoC because the system of dynamically scaling a power voltage decreases a required voltage margin by changing a target voltage before a transition of the SoC current.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to system on chip devices. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a system and method of dynamically scaling a power voltage associated with system on chip devices used in mobile electronics.
2. Discussion of Related Art
System on chip (SoC) technology is widely used in mobile electronic devices to provide fast operational speeds with relatively small power consumption. Dynamic power consumption of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuit may be represented by Equation 1:Pd=CL×VDD2×fp,  [Equation 1]where Pd indicates power consumption, CL indicates a capacitance of the integrated circuit, VDD indicates a power supply voltage (hereinafter, it is referred to as a power voltage) provided to the integrated circuit and fp indicates an operational frequency of the integrated circuit. Power consumption is provided in proportion to the capacitance (CL), square of the power voltage (VDD) and the operation frequency (fp). Generally, as the operation frequency (fp) decreases, the power consumption Pd may be decreased. However, semiconductor integrated circuits need to be operated at a high operation frequency (fp) which would increase power consumption Pd.
FIG. 1 is a graph illustrating the relation between power voltage and a maximum operation frequency of a conventional SoC. As the power voltage increases, the maximum operation frequency also increases. FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating the relation between a throughput and a power voltage of a conventional SoC. FIG. 2 illustrates that the power voltage increases when the throughput is large and the power voltage decreases when the throughput is small.
FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating a waveform of a power voltage of a conventional SoC when a target voltage is transmitted. Output voltage VDD of a converter swings between a lower limit voltage and a higher limit voltage in response to target voltage VTARG. Power voltage VDD includes an overshoot voltage VOVSH when target voltage VTARG transitions from a low to a high logic voltage, and power voltage VDD includes an undershoot voltage VUNSH when target voltage VTARG transitions from a high to a low logic voltage. Power voltage VDD drives the SoC and is controlled within a predetermined range. The higher limit voltage is determined based on a hold violation that occurs when the operation speed of the transistors in the SoC is fast. The lower limit voltage is determined based on a setup violation that occurs when the operation speed of the transistors in the SoC is slow. Overshoot voltage VOVSH and undershoot voltage VUNSH are controlled between the higher limit voltage and the lower limit voltage. The overshoot voltage VOVSH and the undershoot voltage VUNSH are increased in proportion to the variation of the target voltage VTARG. Therefore, the overshoot voltage VOVSH and the undershoot voltage VUNSH are decreased by changing the target voltage VTARG step by step.
A clock signal is applied to the SoC based on a gated clock scheme in order to decrease power consumption consumed in several application circuits within the SoC. The gated clock scheme applies clock signals to the application circuit blocks to be activated, and disables clock signals applied to application circuit blocks which are deactivated. The power consumption of the SoC is rapidly increased or rapidly decreased when the clock signals applied to the application circuit blocks are enabled or disabled. A rapid change in the power consumption of the SoC causes a change in the overshoot voltage VOVSH and the undershoot voltage VUNSH of power voltage VDD.
FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating waveforms associated with a power voltage according to changes of a load current and a target voltage in a conventional SoC. The undershoot voltage VUNSH of power voltage VDD results at time T3 when the load current ILOAD transitions from about 10 mA to about 50 mA. The overshoot voltage VOVSH of power voltage VDD results at time T4 when load current ILOAD transitions from about 50 mA to about 10 mA. The load current ILOAD denotes a current of the application circuits in the SoC. In a conventional SoC, the target voltage VTARG and the power voltage VDD are fixed as illustrated in FIG. 4. Thus, target voltage VTARG requires a sufficient voltage margin so as to force power voltage VDD to be greater than the lower limit voltage even though the undershoot voltage VUNSH is generated. The target voltage VTARG is a fixed value, for example, about 1.25V forcing unnecessary power consumption in a conventional SoC. Accordingly, there is a need to suppress the overshoot voltage VOVSH and the undershoot voltage VUNSH when load current ILOAD is changed due to a clock signal transition.

Dynamically scaling apparatus for a system on chip power voltage


A signal generation circuit for driving a display device, comprises capacitance unit having a first terminal serving as an input terminal of an information signal, and a second terminal, first switch unit for connecting the second terminal of the capacitance means to a first reference potential source, second switch for connecting the first terminal to a second reference potential source, first signal read-out unit for reading out a signal from the first terminal while the second terminal is connected to the first reference potential source, and second signal read-out unit for reading out a signal from the second terminal while the first terminal is connected to the second reference potential source.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display apparatus used as a display of a personal computer, video camera recorder, digital camera, TV receiver, video projector, and the like, and a circuit for a display device.
2. Related Background Art
Various types of display apparatuses are available. For example, display apparatuses using display devices such as a plasma display, electrochromy display, liquid crystal display, DMD, and the like are known.
Of these apparatuses, a display apparatus using a liquid crystal display will be described below.
A conventional color liquid crystal display apparatus having the arrangement shown in FIG. 17 is known. Referring to FIG. 17, the apparatus comprises a display pixel unit 10, a vertical scanning circuit 20 for the display pixel unit, a sampling switch 30 of an input image signal, a horizontal scanning circuit 40 for the sampling circuit, a line memory 100 for temporarily storing an image signal, and an analog buffer 110 for current-amplifying a signal read out from the line memory.
Each of display pixels on the display pixel unit 10 comprises a switching transistor 11, a liquid crystal 12, and a pixel capacitor 13, as shown in FIG. 18. The gate of the switching transistor 11 is connected to the vertical scanning circuit 20 via a gate line 14, and the input terminal of the switching transistor 11 is connected to the analog buffer 110 via a vertical data line 15. The other terminal of the pixel capacitor 13 is connected to a common electrode line 16, and is applied with a common electrode voltage V.sub.LC.
The sampling switch 30 receives color signals (red, blue, and green) from a signal processing circuit 50 at its input terminal. The signal processing circuit 50 performs correction processing (gamma processing) taking the relationship between the applied voltage and the transmittance (liquid crystal characteristics) into consideration, inverted signal processing for prolonging the service life of a liquid crystal, and the like. A control circuit 60 drives the display apparatus at a predetermined timing.
FIG. 19 shows the arrangement of an inverted signal generation circuit conventionally arranged in the signal processing circuit 50 shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 20 is an output waveform chart of the inverted signal generation circuit shown in FIG. 19. Signal inversion processing in the display apparatus shown in FIG. 17 will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 18 to 20. Referring to FIG. 19, the amplitude of a video signal U.sub.1 is normally about 1 V, and this signal is converted into an inverted signal U.sub.4 whose amplitude (V.sub.H -V.sub.L) is about 10 V, as shown in FIG. 20, so as to drive a liquid crystal. Referring to FIG. 18, the common electrode 16 (V.sub.LC) of the liquid crystal 12 is connected to a common electrode 17 (V.sub.COM) of the pixel capacitor 13, and its common electrode potential V.sub.LCCOM is roughly a middle potential of the inverted signal U.sub.4. In the inverted signal generation circuit shown in FIG. 19, the input video signal U.sub.1 is amplified by an amplifier 51 to positive and negative polarity signals U.sub.2 and U.sub.3 each of which has an amplitude of about 5 V, and these signals are input to level shift circuits 52 and 53. The inverted signal U.sub.4 is generated by alternately switching the output signals of the level shift circuits 52 and 53 in response to control pulses.
A display apparatus in which color filters R, G, and B are arranged on each pixel is known. In order to drive this display apparatus in a non-interlace mode, two methods are available. One method is a double-speed driving method for driving an input video signal S as a doubled frequency signal to write signals in two pixel lines of the display pixel unit, and the other method is a two-system input method having two signal input systems for the display pixel unit.
The above-mentioned inverted signal generation method requires a signal voltage of ten-odd V. The power supply voltage of a normal IC is 5 V. The technical trend is to lower the power supply voltage, and to drive an IC by, e.g., 3.3 V. However, in an existing display apparatus, since a liquid crystal with a high load capacitance is driven by a high-voltage, high-frequency signal, a driving IC is manufactured using an IC having a high withstand voltage and a large p-n junction area. As a result, the IC chip size increases, resulting in high cost and large consumption power. Such an IC cannot be easily applied to the double-speed driving method and a multi-pixel display apparatus with a large number of terminals.
Furthermore, in the case of the two-system input method, the signal level difference between the two systems causes noise such as vertical or horizontal stripes and line flicker. More specifically, in this method, signals are written in two pixel lines using two system inputs. In this case, the level difference between the two pixel lines causes deterioration of image quality in correspondence with the period of an inverted signal. Upon polarity inversion in units of pixel lines, the brightness varies in units of pixel lines, and this variation appears as noise such as vertical or horizontal stripes. In particular, when color pixels have a delta layout, human eyes recognize the level difference between pixels, which are adjacent in the horizontal direction, as a vertical stripe. When the signal polarity is inverted every two pixel lines, the level differences conspicuously appear in units of two lines in turn. In this case, especially, line flicker stands out. This phenomenon is closely associated with the vertical motion of an input image. When the motion of an image becomes close to the field period, the above-mentioned phenomenon becomes conspicuous. According to the experimental results of the present inventors, it is found that the image quality begins to deteriorate when the level difference reaches several ten mV.
It is very difficult to adjust the signal level of several ten mV or less with respect to the signal amplitude of ten-odd V. In consideration of the used temperature conditions and aging, it is conventionally reckoned that such noise cannot be eliminated.
As one of conventional methods, a method of reducing an offset voltage of a buffer circuit at the output side of a memory has been described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 4-371997. However, this method changes a voltage at the other terminal of memory means to reduce the offset voltage of the buffer circuit, but does not aim at reducing the amplitude of an input signal to the memory.

Inverted signal generation circuit for display device, and display apparatus using the same


In response to the occurrence of an application event in a portable terminal with the communication function that has an application control CPU (ACPU) and a communication control CPU (CCPU), the operation of a control target unit, which is under control of a CCPU and which operates at an intermittent reception time, is detected. During the operation period of the control target unit, an ACPU sends a transmission request to the CCPU to start the CCPU. When the CCPU is in the sleep state in the intermittent reception cycle, the CCPU is not started by the ACPU.

There are two types of portable terminals with the communication function: one is a portable terminal that uses a single CPU, and the other is a portable terminal that uses multiple CPUs, for managing and controlling the communication function and the other service functions (for example, see Patent Document 1).
As the service function of a portable terminal is extended and sophisticated, more and more portable terminals will use multiple CPUs.
One CPU is a communication control CPU (CCPU) that controls and manages the RF (radio frequency) unit and the signal processing DSP (digital signal processor) required primarily for the actual communication. The other CPU is an application control CPU (ACPU) that controls and manages the user interface for the liquid crystal display unit, the audio input/output unit, the key unit, and the optical unit of the portable terminal.
Today, more and more portable terminals use multiple CPUs. This is because a single-CPU portable terminal, if used for managing and controlling both the communication function that does not functionally change so much and the application function such as the digital camera function or the game function that is extended and added, requires a long time and a high cost for developing the CPU and its control software. The single-CPU configuration also involves a high possibility of design errors and therefore causes the increases of the development risk.
In the multiple-CPU configuration, the ACPU and the CCPU are controlled as follows. When data processing is not performed, the ACPU is usually placed in the sleep state to consume less power; when data communication is not performed, the CCPU is usually placed in the sleep state to consume less power except when it monitors a communication start request sent from an external unit. For example, when communication is requested through the user key operation that is the user interface, the ACPU starts the CCPU to allow the CCPU to carry out communication.
However, in the intermittent reception operation mode in which the communication is turned on and off at a regular interval to monitor the call acceptance state, the CCPU enters the active state and sleep state in synchronization with the time at which the intermittent reception operation is executed. However, the ACPU cannot sense this time. If the ACPU sends a transmission request to the CCPU randomly, the CCPU in the sleep state is forced to start and, as a result, the consumption current flows. This consumption current shortens the operation time, the call time, and the wait time of the portable terminal driven by a battery. Therefore, there is a need for a CPU operation method for minimizing the waste.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. JP-A-11-85337

Multiple-CPU portable terminal with communication function and control method