The conductive sheet according to the present invention includes a base and a conductive portion that is formed on at least one main surface of the base and is formed from a plurality of thin metal wires, where a mesh pattern in which different mesh shapes are arrayed in plan view is formed by the conductive portion, and the mesh pattern is configured such that, in a power spectrum of a two-dimensional distribution of centroid positions of the mesh shapes, an average intensity on a higher spatial frequency band side than a predetermined spatial frequency is larger than an average intensity on a lower spatial frequency band side than the predetermined spatial frequency. The conductive sheet can reduce the granular feeling of noise due to pattern which the conductive sheet has and greatly improve the visibility of an object for observation.

The present invention relates to a conductive sheet, a touch panel and a display device including the conductive sheet, a method for producing the conductive sheet, and a recording medium on which a program is recorded.
In recent years, electronic apparatuses including a touch panel have become widely used. The touch panel is mounted in many apparatuses including a small-size screen, such as a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA). In the future, the mounting of the touch panel in apparatuses including a large-size screen, such as a display for a personal computer (PC), is adequately expected.
As a conventional touch panel electrode, in terms of optical transparency, an indium tin oxide (ITO) is mainly used. It is known that the electric resistance per unit area of the ITO is relatively high compared with those of metals and the like. That is, in the case of the ITO, as the size of the screen (total area of the touch panel) increases, the surface resistance of the entire electrode increases. As a result, since the transmission rate of the current between electrodes is reduced, a problem that the time until the contact position is detected after touching the touch panel (that is, response speed) increases becomes noticeable.
Therefore, various techniques for reducing the surface resistance by configuring electrodes by forming a number of lattices with a thin wire (thin metal wire) that is formed of a metal with low electric resistance have been proposed (refer to Pamphlet of WO 1995/27334, Pamphlet of WO 1997/18508 and JP 2003-099185 A).
Incidentally, when the same mesh shape is regularly arrayed, there is a disadvantage in that moire (interference fringes) is easily generated in relation to pixels constituting a display screen. Therefore, various techniques for improving the visibility of an object for observation by arraying the respective mesh shapes regularly or irregularly to suppress the granular feeling of noise (also referred to as feeling of roughness) have been proposed.
For example, as shown in FIG. 46A, JP 2009-137455 A ([0029]) discloses a window for a movable body for riding including a mesh layer 4 and the pattern PT1 of the shape thereof in plan view. In the mesh layer 4, an arc-shaped conductive wire 2 obtained by eliminating a part of the circle is repeatedly disposed in a lattice shape and the end of the arc-shaped wire 2 is connected near the center of the adjacent arc-shaped wires 2. JP 2009-137455 A describes that not only visibility but also the electromagnetic wave shielding property and the resistance to breakage can be improved thereby.
As shown in FIG. 46B, JP 2009-16700 A ([0022] to [0024]) discloses a transparent conductive substrate produced using a solution that forms a mesh-like structure on a substrate naturally when left after being coated on one surface of the substrate, that is, a self-organizing metal particle solution, and the pattern PT2 of the shape thereof in plan view. JP 2009-16700 A describes that the irregular mesh-like structure, which does not cause a moire phenomenon, is obtained thereby.
As shown in FIG. 46C, JP 2009-302439 A ([0011] to [0015]) discloses a light-transmissive electromagnetic wave shielding material and the pattern PT3 of the shape thereof in plan view. In the material, an electromagnetic wave shielding layer 6 has a structure of a sea region of a sea island structure and the shapes of island regions 8 as openings surrounded by the electromagnetic wave shielding layer 6 are mutually different. JP 2009-302439 A describes that thereby, the optical transparency and the electromagnetic wave shielding property are improved without occurrence of moire.
However, when further reducing the granular feeling of noise and improve the visibility in the patterns PT1 and PT2 disclosed in Patent Literatures 4 and 5, there is a structural problem of the patterns.
For example, in the mesh-like pattern PT1 disclosed in JP 2009-137455 A, the arc-shaped wire 2 is repeatedly disposed in a lattice shape. Accordingly, the periodicity of the wire 2 is very high. That is, when the power spectrum of the pattern PT1 is calculated, it is predicted that a sharp peak is present in a spatial frequency band corresponding to the inverse of the arrangement interval of the wire 2. Here, in order to further improve the visibility of the pattern PT1, it is necessary to reduce the size (diameter) of the arc of the wire 2.
In the mesh-like pattern PT2 disclosed in JP 2009-16700 A, the shape or size of the mesh is irregular, and accordingly, irregularity is very high. That is, when the power spectrum of the pattern PT2 is calculated, it is predicted that an approximately fixed value (close to white noise characteristics) is obtained regardless of a spatial frequency band. Here, in order to further improve the visibility of the pattern PT2, it is necessary to reduce the size of self-organization.
Therefore, in both the patterns PT1 and PT2, when further improving the visibility, there is a disadvantage in that the light transmittance or productivity is reduced.
Further, the pattern PT3 disclosed in JP 2009-302439 A does not form a mesh shape. Accordingly, a variation occurs in the wiring shape of the cut edge. Therefore, when the pattern PT3 is used, for example, as an electrode, there is a disadvantage in that stable current transmission performance is not obtained.

Conductive sheet, touch panel, display device, method for producing conductive sheet, and recording medium


According to various embodiments, the present invention provides a product indexing method including receiving product data of a product, the product data comprising at least an image, such that the image includes a product image of the product and a context image which provides the context that the product may be in, such that the context image includes at least one non-product image. Product indexing method further includes identifying the product image, identifying the context image from the image, verifying the product in the product image based on the context image, extracting the product image and indexing the product image. According to various embodiment, the present invention provides a product indexing system for the product indexing system.

Electronic commerce (e-commerce) has been growing explosively in recent years. Numerous kinds of products such as clothes, groceries and electronics are being sold on the electronic commerce websites and system which can efficiently search the desired product are necessary for the buyers. While text search shows limited capability in describing the search intention of the buyers, visual search, which let the user upload a query image to express their search intention, has been proposed. Visual search can greatly improve the user search experience, especially for the mobile users.
Specifically, a visual search system may be used to extract visual features from user's query images and search the visual features from a product visual feature index. To build the product visual feature index, traditional visual feature indexing systems may be used to extract the same visual features directly from the product images, e.g. from a product catalogue, and then apply certain indexing and compression method to generate the product visual feature index. However, the product search system needs to handle the noise and uncontrolled view angles of both query and product images. This is because, for product images, the images may be of low quality, the product in the product image may come in many possible view angles, and/or in a cluttered background (often as part of a human). Similarly, the query images may have the same issues or may have even higher variations in the noise and uncontrolled view angles.
When the query/product image is noisy, the user's search intention may not be fully satisfied if traditional visual feature indexing systems are used. For example, query/product images may be captured in certain environment having features that may not be part of the product image visual index, e.g. the query/product image of a bag may be captured when carried by a person. In such cases, there may be significant differences between the visual feature of the query image and the product image, i.e. the image of the person is different from the query image of the bag. Therefore, this may result in failure of retrieving the product.
In another example, query/product images may be post-processed with artificial effects such as captions, text boxes, decorations and image mosaics. Such post-processing may also pollute the visual feature and make certain product unable to be found by visual search.
In another example, query/product images may be taken in a different view angles, The difference in view angles of the product between the query image and the product images may affect quality of visual search results.
Therefore, it is necessary to have an reliable and effective indexing system so that the user is able to efficiently search for a product and have a more enjoyable search experience.
It is thus an object of the present invention to try to alleviate the aforementioned problems. While it is beneficial to overcome the issues above, it should be noted that there are numerous product categories in electronic commerce and therefore any solution to alleviate the aforementioned problems should be robust enough to handle the different product categories.

Product indexing method and system thereof


An audio delay and feedback apparatus includes i) a microphone for receiving an input audio signal and for generating a first electrical signal corresponding to the input audio signal, ii) a delay circuit for receiving the first electrical signal and for generating a second electrical signal corresponding to but delayed from the first electrical signal by a predetermined amount of time, and iii) earphones or a speaker for receiving the second audio signal and for generating an audio output signal corresponding thereto. An audio signal input to the microphone is delayed and fed back to the earphones so as to make speech difficult, humorous, discombobulated, and often unintelligible. The microphone, earphones and delay circuit are mounted on a headset. In one embodiment, the first electrical signal is digital and the delay circuit includes a digital memory. An A/D converter digitizes the first electrical signal and a D/A converter converts the second electrical signal to an analog signal. The system includes a memory for storing the first electrical signal and a playback circuit for selectively playing back the memory to the earphones. The playback circuit is controlled by a manually actuated switch on the headset. In an alternative embodiment, the delay circuit includes i) a moving continuous magnetic tape, ii) a write head for writing the first electrical signal onto the magnetic tape, and iii) a read head spaced from the write head for reading the first electrical signal from the tape, the read head generating the second electrical signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a novelty apparatus having a microphone and earphones, and in which an audio signal input to the microphone is delayed and fed back to the earphones so as to make speech difficult, humorous, discombobulated, and often unintelligible.
2. Description of the Related Art
Audio feedback loops are well known in the audio field. Generally speaking, a feedback loop is an undesired consequence of having an amplified audio signal fed back through the amplification loop. In an audio system, a microphone is used to receive an audio input signal, which is then amplified by an audio amplifier and output through a speaker. The feedback loop is created when the output signal from the speaker is subsequently received by the microphone. The feedback can cause undesired consequences, typically a high-pitched squeal sound, when the input signal and the amplified signal are out of synch with each other, or distortion. In general, audio feedback is an undesired side effect in audio systems.
On the other hand, in order to speak properly humans typically require audio feedback between what they say and how they hear what they say. In other words, in order to speak properly the person speaking must hear what he or she is saying. In the absence of such feedback (such as when a person is deaf), speech becomes difficult. If a device can change such feedback, then it can interfere with normal speech. Such a system could be used as a novelty device in order to observe the reaction of the user's speech to the feedback. Such person speaks as if they were drunk or a stutterer.


Methods and systems are provided for passive regeneration of a particulate matter filter coupled to a gasoline engine. During vehicle deceleration conditions, an engine is operated leaner than stoichiometry over two subsequent lean phases, including an initial longer and leaner phase followed by a shorter and less lean phase. By passively regenerating the filter using intermittent lean engine operation, engine performance can be improved.

Engines may be configured with direct fuel injectors that inject fuel directly into a combustion cylinder (direct injection), and/or with port fuel injectors that inject fuel into a cylinder port (port fuel injection). Direct injection allows higher fuel efficiency and higher power output to be achieved in addition to better enabling the charge cooling effect of the injected fuel. Direct injected engines, however, also generate more particulate matter emissions (or soot) due to diffuse flame propagation wherein fuel may not adequately mix with air prior to combustion. Since direct injection, by nature, is a relatively late fuel injection, there may be insufficient time for mixing of the injected fuel with air in the cylinder. Similarly, the injected fuel may encounter less turbulence when flowing through the valves. Consequently, there may be pockets of rich combustion that may generate soot locally, degrading exhaust emissions. In addition, particulate matter generated in gasoline direct injected engines may be finer than their diesel engine counterparts.
In some engine systems, a wall flow filter (or closed filter) may be used to filter the particulate matter from the exhaust. However, such wall flow filters may require periodic active regeneration which may adversely affect engine operation. In addition, such wall flow filters may suffer from very high back pressures, especially when coated with a catalyst. The high filter back pressure can degrade the performance of a turbocharger by reducing a pressure drop across the turbocharger. As such, this may adversely affect downsized direct injected engines that are turbocharged to provide power that is comparable to larger displacement conventional engines.
Another example of a particulate matter (PM) filter used to capture soot generated by a gasoline engine is shown by Wei et al. in US 2009/0193796. Therein, an open PM filter is included in the emission treatment system either uncoated, or coated with a suitable catalyst (e.g., a TWC catalyst) that facilitates passive regeneration of the filter.
However, the inventors herein have recognized a potential issue with such systems. As one example, the amount of catalyst loading on the filter may be limited due to backpressure constraints. The limited catalyst loading may not enable sufficient regeneration of the filter. As such, incomplete filter regeneration may reduce filter performance and degrade exhaust emissions. In addition, the limited catalyst loading may result in increased secondary emissions from the filter, such as CO from incomplete soot combustion and hydrocarbon slip. If the catalyst was on the filter to promote other reactions such as NOx reduction there could be a reduction in activity if the catalyst is blocked by soot or the activity could be limited by the smaller amount of allowable catalyst loading due to backpressure concerns.
Thus, in one example, some of the above issues may be addressed by a method comprising, during stoichiometric engine operation, flowing exhaust gas over a filter having a catalyst coating. Then, during selected conditions, shifting engine operation to leaner than stoichiometry including a first shorter and more lean phase followed by a second longer and less lean phase, the lean operation adjusted based on a catalyst oxygen content and a filter particulate matter load. In this way, particulate matter emissions from a direct injected engine can be reduced.
In one example, while a vehicle engine is operating at stoichiometry, engine exhaust may be flown over an open particulate matter filter to collect exhaust PMs, or soot. The filter may be a layered filter including at least a first catalytic coating of an oxygen storage catalyst layered on the filter substrate, and optionally a second catalytic coating (e.g., of a three-way catalyst) layered on top of the first catalytic coating. Alternatively, the catalytic coating may include a single layer of a three-way catalyst having a very high oxygen-storage catalyst content. During selected conditions, such as when the vehicle is decelerating, a lean engine operation may be opportunistically performed to passively regenerate the filter. In particular, the engine may be operated leaner than stoichiometry over a first lean phase immediately followed by a second lean phase wherein the first lean phase is shorter but more lean while the second lean phase is longer but less lean. The first lean phase may be adjusted based on a catalyst oxygen content so as to oxidize (or reoxidize) the oxygen storage catalyst of the first catalytic coating using the exhaust oxygen. In addition, some of the PMs stored on the filter may be directly oxidized. The second lean phase may then be adjusted based on the filter load as well as the first lean phase to enable the oxidized oxygen storage catalyst to complete extensive combustion of the remaining PMs stored on the filter. Overall emissions control is achieved.
As such, the periodic lean operation may be performed to passively regenerate the filter while the filter load is lower than a threshold, and reduce the likelihood of the filter load exceeding the threshold. However, if the filter load exceeds the threshold, the filter may be actively regenerated wherein stored PMs are burned to reduce backpressure caused by soot retained on the filter. For example, the active filter regeneration can occur via chemical means when excess fuel is passed over an upstream catalyst containing precious metals, causing an exotherm that actively heats the downstream filter. The fuel could be added as a late injection within the engine cylinder or via a secondary injector directly into the exhaust pipe. As still another option, the filter may be heated via external means, such as electrical heat. In one example, in the absence of any catalyst, in air, regeneration of the filter may require a temperature of around 550° C. to burn the stored soot.
In this way, a periodic leaning of engine operation may be used for sufficient passive regeneration of a PM filter. By using a first lean phase to oxidize an oxygen storage component coated on the filter, the catalyst coating may be activated while at least some PMs are burnt. By following the first lean phase with a second lean phase that uses the activated catalytic coating to oxidize the remaining PMs, the filter may be substantially completely regenerated. By reducing the need for active regeneration of the filter, wherein an additional amount of fuel is used to increase the temperature of the filter and burn off the stored soot, over-temperature related component degradation may be reduced while also improving the fuel economy of the vehicle.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.


An optical receiver circuit for receiving optical signals is described incorporating a photodetector, two coupling capacitors for coupling each side of the photodetector to respective inputs of a transimpedance amplifier, two current mirror circuits for detecting current on each side of the coupling capacitor and injecting equivalent current to the other side of the other capacitor which is at the input of the transimpedance amplifier, two low pass filters, two current sources and a transimpedance amplifier having two inputs. An optical receiver for receiving optical signals is described incorporating a photodetector having one side coupled to a reference voltage, a current source, a coupling capacitor, a transimpedance amplifier, and a circuit for injecting AC current to the input of the amplifier from the voltage developed across the photodetector. The invention overcomes the problem of requiring large coupling capacitors in an optical receiver circuit to accommodate a low bandwidth due to a long string of 1's or 0's.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an optical receiver circuit, and more particularly, to an electrical circuit which includes an AC coupling circuit and a differential transimpedance amplifier for generating a digital data stream from a radiant energy signal.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A typical high-speed optical receiver design uses a photodetector to convert the optical signal to a current signal. The current signal is coupled to the input of a transimpedance amplifier which converts the current signal to a voltage signal. One example of a transimpedance amplifier is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,498,001 which issued on Feb. 5, 1985 to L. S. Smoot. The transimpedance amplifier of '001 has an increased dynamic range. A peak detector, at the output of an inverting amplifier, turns on a field effect transistor when an AC component of an electrical signal becomes so large that the inverting amplifier would otherwise go into saturation. The field effect transistor circuit acts as an AC shunt impedance at the input of the inverting amplifier and diverts the excess AC current to ground. In addition, sense and sink current mirrors effectively divert an excessive DC component of the electrical signal away from the input of the inverting amplifier. The optical sensitivity and performance of the optical receiver remains unchanged while the dynamic range of the transimpedance amplifier is increased.
AC coupling of a current signal to the input of a transimpedance amplifier is required where a small signal may have a varying or large DC component that must be subtracted from the current signal before it can be accurately amplified. AC coupling of a current signal is also required when a differential transimpedance amplifier is used. Further, AC coupling must be used when a large voltage bias is applied across the photodetector and the current signal is to be connected to the input of a differential amplifier.
Referring to FIG. 1, an optical receiver 10 of the prior art is shown comprising a photodetector 12, an AC coupling input stage 14 and a differential transimpedance amplifier 16. The DC bias voltage across photodetector 12 is removed by identical capacitors 17 and 18. The low cutoff frequency is determined by the RC time constant of resistor 19 and capacitor 17 and by resistor 20 and capacitor 18. Large values of resistors 19 and 20 and capacitors 17 and 18 are desired in order that a sufficiently low cutoff frequency is attained. However, in monolithic integration or in an integrated circuit chip, the coupling capacitance, i.e. capacitors 17 and 18, cannot be made very large due to area constraints on the integrated circuit chip and also due to the large parasitic capacitances associated with capacitors formed on integrated circuit chips. Large parasitic capacitances lower the bandwidth and also decrease the sensitivity of the amplifier arrangement. Large values of biasing resistances, resistors 19 and 20 are desired. To maintain a large value of resistors 19 and 20 while maintaining sufficient voltage bias across photodetector 12 for large input currents, current sources may be used in place of resistances 19 and 20. The current sources maintain an average of the photodetector current. This ensures that the small-signal low cutoff frequency is sufficiently low regardless of input signal. However, for large signal input currents, a string of a few 1's or 0's causes the photodetector node voltages to approach power supply voltages, thus eliminating the input signal to the amplifier. Alternatively, if the bias voltage across detector 12 is reduced, the high-speed operation of optical receiver circuit 10 is compromised. As an example, consider a +2 dBm input signal causing a photodetector current of approximately 2 mA. For coupling capacitors 17 and 18 having a value of 10 pF, the bias voltage across photodetector 12 changes by 0.4 V/nanosecond. Coupling capacitors of only 10 pF in prior art circuits is a severe limitation particularly for sub Gbit/sec data rate applications and also for optical receiver circuits implemented in high-speed very large scale integrated (VLSI) technologies that typically require the use of low power-supply voltages. Thus, much greater capacitor values are needed in prior art circuits.
Certain communication protocols used or anticipated for use with optical fiber and optical receiver circuits have a worse case consecutive string of 1's or 0's which may be as long as 73.

International Business Machines Corporation


A pliers tool for the removal of lug nut caps includes a pair of elongated handle portions, a pair of jaw portions, a pair of neck portions, a pair of V-shaped clamping plates, a pair of V-shaped channels, and a pair of V-shaped chamfered edges. The pair of handle portions are at one end of the pliers tool. The pair of jaw portions are at another end of the pliers tool. The pair of neck portions are between the handle portions and the jaw portions. A first clamping plate of the pair of V-shaped clamping plates is directly attached to a first jaw portion of the pair of jaw portions. A first channel of the pair of V-shaped channels is attached to an end of the first clamping plate. A first chamfered edge of the pair of chamfered edges is disposed on an end of the first channel.

Lug nut cap remover pliers are pliers that remove lug nut caps. The purpose of lug nut caps is to protect lug nuts and lug threads from environmental elements and adds a beautifully finished look to the wheel. Lug nut caps are fitted over lug nuts on the wheels of transport trucks, campers, RV's and many other vehicles. Lug nut cap remover pliers are generally used by automotive and truck mechanics for the removal of the lug nut caps.


A portable infusion device assembly, having two pouches in pressure transmitting relationship, the first containing infusate and the second, a driving medium. The driving medium is pressurized by activation of osmotic pump, electrochemical reaction, release of pressurized fluid or gas or mechanical means and the rate of infusion is controlled by a rate controlling means. The infusate pouch is separately manufactured and can be stored apart of the rest of the system.

Many kinds of parenteral drug therapy require continuous drug delivery in preference to single or multiple drug injections. Benefits that accrue from continuous therapy may include, for instance, reduction of toxic or other side effects associated with sharp pulses of drug, significant improvement in the effectiveness of the therapy through the use of smaller amounts of drug, and increased patient comfort. The traditional manner of administering sustained parenteral treatments is via intravenous drip. Intravenous drip treatment is commonplace in a hospital environment, but this treatment mode obviously imposes severe restrictions on the activity of the recipient. As a result, considerable research over the last few years has been devoted to the development of small portable infusion pumps. A range of devices has appeared, including those with electric or clockwork motors that drive syringe or peristaltic pumps, and others powered by the elastic tension of an inflated balloon, or the vapor pressure of a volatile propellant. Literature incorporated herein by reference describing such pumps are Controlled Release Micropump for Insulin Administration, (M. V. Sefton et al., Ann. Biomed. Eng., Vol. 7, pp. 329-343, 1979), Continuous Intravenous Arabinosyl Cytosine Infusions Delivered by a New Portable Infusion System, (J. Bottino et al., Cancer, Vol. 43, pp. 2197-2201, 1979), or product brochures from Auto-Syringe, Inc., Hooksett, N.H. and Cormed, Inc., Medina, N.Y. These devices are typically strapped onto the wearer, or carried on a belt or in a harness. Also, most are designed to deliver relatively large quantities of fluid and do not effectively dispense small volumes of the order of a few milliliters or less.
An alternative approach that has been exploited to a limited extent is to drive the infusion device osmotically, using a Rose-Nelson pump, activated by imbibition of water or other driving fluid. The principle of the osmotic pump was originally conceived by Rose and Nelson in the 1950's (S. Rose and J. F. Nelson, "A Continuous Long-Term Injector," Austral. J. Exp. Biol. 33, pp. 415-420 (1955)). A Rose-Nelson pump consists of three chambers: a salt chamber containing excess solid salt, a drug chamber, and a water chamber. The salt and water compartments are separated by a rigid membrane permeable to water but impermeable to ionized and hydrated salt ions; the salt and drug chambers are separated by a rubber diaphragm. In operation, water is imbibed osmotically into the salt chamber, causing the rubber diaphragm to expand into the drug chamber and forcing the drug out through the delivery orifice. Depending on the salt used, the osmotic pressure developed by this type of pump is usually between 50 and 200 atmospheres. The pressure required to pump the drug from the device is small in comparison, and hence the drug delivery rate remains constant as long as some excess undissolved salt remains in the salt chamber. In comparison with mechanically-driven devices, Rose-Nelson pumps are small, reliable, and simple and inexpensive to manufacture. U.S. Pat. No. 3,604,417 discloses a modification of the Rose-Nelson pump in which a movable piston replaces the elastic diaphragm separating the drug and salt chamber, and both the drug and salt are loaded into the pump as solutions. U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,048 discloses another modification of the Rose-Nelson principal employing an impermeable elastic wall, and a movable end wall that can be screwed in to deliver a pulse dose of the contained drug at any time during the operation of the pump. U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,575 is a variant of U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,048 in which the flow rate of the dispensed agent can be varied by altering the area of semipermeable membrane exposed to the water chamber. U.S. Pat. No. 4,552,651 discloses a pump assembly with a small osmotic pump that can be filled in advance of use with the active agent to be dispensed. The action of this pump is initiated by filling the lower chamber of the housing with a hydrogel. Once the pump is in action, an optional mechanism for delivering pulse doses can be employed. All these osmotic pumps are self-driven and begin to operate as soon as all of the several chambers are filled with their fluid contents and liquid is imbibed across the semipermeable membrane into the salt chamber.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,862, commonly owned with the present application and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a portable osmotic infusion pump that can be filled with the agent to be dispensed, the osmotic salt and the driving medium, and then stored as a complete assembly, ready for activation and use without need for addition of other components. U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,582, also commonly owned with the present application and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a portable osmotic pump that includes a housing with two side-by-side compartments, where one compartment contains the osmotic salt chamber, and the second compartment contains the imbibing liquid for the pump. The latter two patents describe osmotic pumps that can be filled with all required fluids, including the drugs to be delivered, stored until needed, and then activated very rapidly on demand. They are therefore excellent systems for use as disposable drug infusion devices.
Many limitations of these infusion devices, however, have not yet been addressed or resolved. One common limitation of some of these systems is that the patient does not have control over activation of the device, or has, at best, only limited control. For example, if a device is activated by ingestion, it will begin to release drug as soon as it comes into contact with internal fluids. Another limitation is that, for many of these systems, the delivery rate of the infusate is not controlled, and, in particular, cannot be controlled by the user. A related problem is that, for many of these devices, the delivery rate of the infusate is controlled by directly regulating the flow of the infusate out of the device, for example, by a valve to control the flow rate. This configuration presents problems with sterilization of the device, due to the presence of small compartments and crevices in contact with the infusate that may be difficult for the sterilizing agent to reach. Another problem with flow regulation of the infusate fluid is that shear effects created, for example, by fluid passing through a valve, may lead to degradation of the molecules of drug in solution. For example, proteins or other large molecules are particularly susceptible to shear degradation. Moreover, reliable regulation of these very low flow rates is inherently difficult.
Yet another limitation of some of these devices is that long-term storage of the devices presents problems associated with drug stability and integrity. Many substances such as drugs fare poorly when stored, especially when stored in solution. The drug, when stored in a delivery device for a period of time, may change or deteriorate chemically and pharmacologically, and may precipitate out of solution. The drug may also react chemically with other components of the system that diffuse from various parts of the assembly into the drug chamber. This aspect of production, sterilization, and storage of a drug-bearing device is not adequately addressed in available disposable infusion devices and is a problem that therefore limits their use. Another limitation of some of these devices is related to the fact that there is, commonly, only one barrier between the infusate and driving medium, for example, a rubber diaphragm. This configuration creates potential safety problems for the user. Any tear or leak in the wall of the reservoir containing the infusate permits mixing of the infusate with the driving medium, which will result in contamination of the infusate. Such contamination would be potentially harmful to the patient if it happened during use and went undetected, particularly if the driving fluid were contaminated by bacteria or other harmful substances. Clearly, it is possible to choose a driving medium that would not be harmful to the patient if this accidental mixing were to occur, but the requirement of sterilization of the driving medium, and preservation of the driving medium's sterility during use, is yet another obstacle in the creation of a device that is simple and cost-effective to manufacture.
One means for resolving the problems of long-term infusate storage that is described in detail in this application is accomplished by containing the infusate in a removable flexible pouch within the device. In one embodiment of the invention, the pouch could be a part of the device that is filled with the infusate during manufacture, or later, for example by a pharmacist or other person, a short time before the device is used. There are many instances in the patent literature of infusion pumps where the liquid infusate is contained in a separate pouch within the device. U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,756 discloses a small osmotic pump for use in an aqueous environment, such as the gastrointestinal tract, in which the liquid infusate (e.g. a drug solution) is contained in a flexible bag within the device, and the osmotic fluid pressure is exerted directly on the flexible bag to effect infusate delivery. The flexible bag of this patent can be filled with the infusate during pump manufacture, or the bag can be filled with the infusate at a later time. This pump can be activated only by exposure to the aqueous environment, and is therefore limited generally to internal use for drug delivery. The activation means consists of the user swallowing the device or otherwise exposing the device to internal fluids, and rate control is solely a function of the permeability characteristics of the outer semipermeable layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,760,805 describes an osmotic dispenser comprised of a water porous housing confining a first flexible bag of relatively impervious material containing an active agent, and a second bag of controlled permeability to moisture containing an osmotic solution. The first and second bags are disposed within the housing such that water permeates from the external environment through the housing and migrates by osmosis into the solution contained in the second bag. The second bag increases in volume, thereby generating mechanical force on the first bag, which mechanical force in turn ejects the active agent out of the device. This pump, designed primarily for ingestion or implantation, depends upon permeation of water from the environment, e.g. gastrointestinal tract, and therefore is unsuitable for subcutaneous infusion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,207 discloses an elastic bladder pump filled with liquid under pressure, which is powered by the elastic tension of the bladder. The bladder can be filled with infusate liquid during or after manufacture. This device also includes a flow control element between the bladder and the catheter fitting to deliver the liquid infusate to the patient. Because the flow control element operates on the liquid infusate to be delivered, it has some of the attendant problems with shear effects and sterilization as described above. In addition, the bladder must be made of elastic materials, which are inherently permeable. The infusate is therefore vulnerable to absorption of contaminants by diffusion into the infusate from and through the bladder as well as loss of the drug by diffusion through the bladder if it is stored in the bladder for extended periods of time.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,181 discloses a liquid infusion pump with a power supply such as a battery and a refillable flexible infusate reservoir. This pump can be activated on demand and has a flow control means that acts directly on the pumping mechanism, which is downstream from the infusate reservoir. Therefore, the rate control means, in this case the pump mechanism, comes in direct contact with the infusate, causing the attendant problems with sterilization and shear effects described above.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,596,575 discloses an implantable liquid infusion pump that is particularly intended for the delivery of insulin. It contains two collapsible reservoirs in rigid housings, and also a mechanical pump that is regulated by an electronic unit control for management of pump activation and flow rate. One of the reservoirs contains the infusate; the space between the outer wall of this reservoir and its rigid housing is filled with the drive liquid. The second reservoir is filled with the drive liquid, and the space between the outer wall of this reservoir and its rigid housing is maintained at subambient pressure. The drive liquid is pumped from the second reservoir into the outer space of the first housing to exert pressure on the first reservoir and thus deliver the liquid infusate. The electronic control unit regulates two valves that restrict the flow rate of the drive liquid; thus the infusate does not come in contact with the valving system. The device is also provided with a separate refill system that may be used to refill the infusate reservoir. This type of refill mechanism, however, presents sterility problems during long-term use, particularly because it is used in an implantable device that cannot be cleaned during use. In addition, if the pouch wall breaks or tears, the infusate is susceptible to contamination from the driving medium, as described above.
Other patents in the literature describe portable infusion pumps that contain flexible pouches containing the infusate fluid that are removable from the device, or that can be loaded separately into the device after manufacture of the main pump assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,398, for example, discloses an extracorporeal osmotic pump in which the infusate liquid is contained in a flexible pouch that is located within a second pouch containing the osmotic fluid. In one embodiment, the infusate pouch can be removed from the main pump assembly and be replaced. This pump also contains an additional chamber filled with the driving medium for the pump, for example water or a weak osmotic solution, and incorporates rate-control and activation means. The osmotic fluid, however, has the potential to be in direct contact with the outer wall of the infusate pouch. Therefore, diffusion of the osmotic fluid into the infusate, and resulting damage, can occur if the infusate is stored within its pouch for any length of time in its fully assembled state. In addition, if the pouch wall breaks or tears, the infusate is susceptible to contamination from the osmotic fluid, as described above.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,908 discloses an infusion pump driven by electromechanical power, in which insulin is stored in a flexible pouch that is removable and replaceable, as is the pumping mechanism described. This pump can be activated on demand and incorporates a rate-control mechanism. The pumping mechanism, which incorporates the activation and rate-control means, is downstream from the insulin reservoir, and therefore comes in direct contact with the insulin infusate. As a result, this design has problems with sterilization of the pumping mechanism during manufacture, and shear effects on insulin during use, as described above. Insulin, being a large biomolecule in solution, is particularly susceptible to such damage.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,525,164 discloses a motor-driven pump with a removable and replaceable arcuated reservoir, in which a piston applies pressure directly to a portion of the reservoir to propel the drug out of the device. This device incorporates a means for activating the pump motor and controlling the pumping rate. Because the piston acts directly on the outer wall of the infusate reservoir, however, there is the possibility of shear effects on the infusate drug. Also, maintaining sterility in the pouch and pumping mechanism is difficult.
Each of these references describes an infusion pump that incorporates a separately loaded pouch or reservoir in a specific configuration, and usually with a specific motive force, yet all have problems that have inhibited their use. These problems include a high cost of manufacture, difficulties in sterilizing the drug chamber and contents, difficulties in maintaining sterility of the device, and problems with stability of the devices after prolonged storage. As a result, there remains a need for a reliable disposable infusion pump that can be loaded with sterile liquid infusate, that can maintain sterility during prolonged storage, and that can be activated on demand to provide the required pattern of delivery of very low infusate flow rates.
The present invention describes an infusion pump assembly that incorporates an infusate pouch that can be manufactured, sterilized, and aseptically loaded with infusate and assembled into a sterile pump assembly or sterilized separately from the other components of the assembly and then loaded into the pump assembly at the appropriate time. The pump is small, light, and convenient for patient use, and may be driven by a variety of motive forces in its different embodiments. The infusate pouch of this invention is simple in design, and therefore would be straightforward to manufacture and sterilize. It can also be made of nonelastic materials and therefore can be constructed using materials that are relatively impervious to invasion by environmental agents such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, or substances that are derived from components of the device. The rate of delivery of the infusate from this pouch is controlled by the expansion of a second pressure-transmitting pouch. Pressure is obtained by filling the second pressure-transmitting pouch with a driving medium at a controlled rate.
Presentation of sterile medication to the patient via infusion devices presents several unique problems in drug stability and sterility. Deposition of a drug solution into a cavity within an infusion device just prior to application requires presterilization of that cavity and delivery of a unit dose of sterile drug to the aforesaid cavity in an aseptic manner. Some methods of sterilization may be suited for some materials but totally unacceptable for other desired components. Many drugs and solutions may be rendered sterile by gamma radiation, but polypropylene components subjected to sterilizing doses of gamma radiation suffer severe radiation induced degradation. Metals may be advantageously sterilized using steam, but many drugs cannot withstand the steam sterilization regime. Separation filling and sterilization of the infusate pouch from the manufacture and treatment of the remainder of the infusion device permits optimization of the sterilizing procedure. For example, the infusate pouch may be manufactured and sterilized under conditions most suited for the materials of pouch construction. Then, at a later date, the sterile pouches may be aseptically filled with unit doses of drug solution that have been presterilized by conventional means; or alternately, the solutions may be sterilized by sterile filtration at the point of filling and the pouches sealed. These sterile dose units may then be assembled into the remainder of the infusion device or stored and shipped separately. Since the contents of the infusate pouch do not come into direct contact with the other components of the pump, it is not essential that the remainder of the device be manufactured and maintained under sterile conditions.
Drugs that have limited lifetimes in solution may be stored in a dry or lyophilized form in a two-component embodiment of the infusate pouch. In this pouch, one compartment contains the drug and another contains solvent for the drug in a separate sealed part of the pouch. The seal between the two compartments is broken just prior to use, the contents are mixed in the pouch, the pouch loaded into the infusion device, and the device is activated and attached. In this way, the shelf-life of the drug is dependent solely upon the storage conditions of the drug-containing infusate pouch.


An apparatus comprising a processor configured to migrate load from a source process running on the processor to a target process running on a peer processor in a dynamic manner by monitoring an amount of resources used by the source process, wherein the load is migrated when the amount of resources utilized by the source process exceeds a threshold. Also disclosed is a network component comprising a first processor configured to select a source process to migrate a load from the first processor based on available resources on the first processor and the source process; and a second processor configured upon receiving a migration request from the first processor to one of select and start a target process to which to migrate the load based on available resources for the second processor and the target process.

Typical routing and switching platforms comprise about one or about two fixed control plane processors, e.g., route processors (RPs). Some routers or switches also comprise line processors (LPs). The control plane processors may run a plurality of processes and handle load in substantially a static or fixed manner, where processes require substantial manual configuration. In today's modern hardware, more control plane processors are being added to "scale up" a router or switch to handle more network traffic. For example, more than about three control plane processors may be used in network components by adding or plugging additional computation elements (CEs), such as LPs, e.g., with single or multiple core control plane processors. As the cost of CEs decreases, the quantity of control plane processors that can be used in the network components increases, and thus the control plane processors' capabilities to run more processes and services increases. To benefit from such increase in capability, a more dynamic configuration model may be needed, for example to allow automatic configuration of control plane processors, migration of processes between control plane processors, and distribution of load among control processors.

Method for dynamic migration of a process or services from one control plane processor to another


A motor control method and apparatus for spindle motor control and for voice coil motor (VCM) control in a direct access storage device (DASD). Characteristics of the pulse width modulation (PWM) waveform are adapted to allow tradeoffs to be made between lower noise emission, greater power efficiency, and current ripple in the motor in order to optimize the driver operation. The transition rate of the PWM waveform is modified by changing the "off-time", which is maintained as a constant in a control register, in response to a change in the condition or mode of operation of the DASD. The "slew rate" of the PWM waveform is also controlled by a changing the value of a constant stored within the control register and can be modified in response to changes in the condition or operational mode of the DASD. In addition, in accordance with the present invention, the current that flows through the spindle motor windings during commutations is controlled by pulsing the power amplifier drive circuit at a relatively high rate in order to maintain a relatively constant total current through the windings of the motor, thus reducing acoustic noise. Thus, mechanical vibrations which result in acoustic noise are prevented or suppressed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a direct access storage device (DASD) of the type that includes a motor, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for controlling a motor within a DASD using pulse width modulated control signals.
2. Description of the Related Art
Direct access storage devices (DASDs) incorporating stacked, commonly rotated rigid magnetic disks are used for storage of data in magnetic form on the surfaces of the disks. Typically, the disks are mounted in parallel for simultaneous rotation and by an integrated spindle and motor assembly. Transducer heads are driven in a path toward and away from a drive axis in order to position the heads over the disks to allow data to be written to the disks and read from the disks. Data is recorded in data information tracks provided on the surfaces of the disks.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art DASD 100 having a spindle motor and a voice coil motor 128. The spindle motor 102 causes a disk 104 to rotate about a spindle 106. A voice coil motor (VCM) 128 causes a read/write head 108 to be positioned over the disk 104. The disk 104 is treated with magnetic material which allows information to be encoded thereon by manipulation of a magnetic field generated by the read/write head 108. Information that is read and written to the head is coupled to and from the read/write head 108 through a read/write preamplifier 110.
Additional data (commonly referred to as "servo" information) is stored with the user data on the disk. Servo information provides feedback for the VCM regarding the current position of the read/write head 108 to allow the read/write head to be properly positioned over known locations on the disk at which data is to be stored, and from which data is to be read. A servo demodulator 112 distinguishes the servo information from user data. User data is coupled through a data channel 114 to an interface microprocessor 116 which controls the communication of the user data to and from a host computer (not shown) through an interface controller 118. The servo data is coupled to a servo digital signal processor (DSP) 120.
The servo DSP 120 processes the servo information in order to produce control signals which control the speed of the spindle motor 102 and the motion of the VCM. The control signals that are generated by the servo DSP 120 are coupled to a VCM/spindle pre-driver circuit 122. The VCM/spindle pre-drive circuit 122 generates drive signals to a VCM power amplifier 124 and to a spindle power amplifier 126. The VCM power amplifier 124 in turn drives the VCM 128 to position the read/write head appropriately. Likewise the spindle power amplifier 126 drives the spindle motor 102 to cause the spindle motor 102 to achieve and maintain a desired rotational velocity.
Typically, a brushless, direct current (DC) spindle motor is used in disk drives. Spindle motor control is accomplished in accordance with one of two methods; a linear drive method or a pulse width modulation (PWM) drive method. Similarly, the VCM can be driven by either a linear drive method or a PWM drive method. Linear drive requires that current be continuously applied to the windings of the motor. In contrast, a PWM drive method requires that current is provided in pulses to the windings. A hybrid method can be used for motor control by selecting PWM drive during one portion of the operation of the DASD, and linear drive during other modes of operation. The PWM drive method has been used to improve efficiency and thus limit the high-power dissipation, particularly in the spindle motor at startup. Because current is pulsed through the windings of the spindle motor, the overall power required to rotate the motor in accordance with PWM drive techniques is less than that required for driving the motor in accordance with the linear drive method. However, pulsing the current through the winding and drive circuit components generates electrical noise which can be coupled to other circuits in the DASD. In particular, the relatively fast rise and fall times that occur in the transitions between on and off times tend to generate harmonic overtones which result in high frequency electrical noise. Accordingly, the linear drive method is the more popular than PWM drive because less electrical noise is generated.
One commercially available drive device, part number L6232, is manufactured and sold by SGS-Thompson Microelectronics for use in brushless DC motor applications, and particularly for use with disk drive applications. This device includes circuitry to perform both PWM drive and linear drive. The spindle driver is described for use to limit the high-powered dissipation that occurs during spindle startup by employing PWM drive during start-up, and then switching to linear drive when the disk approaches normal operating spindle speed, thus reducing the noise generated by the PWM drive. However, by switching to linear drive as soon as the disk reaches (or approaches) operating speed, the benefits of PWM drive are realized only during start-up. More particularly, the improved power efficiency that could be achieved by use of PWM drive cannot be used during at least some operations (such as reading and writing) due to the electrical noise that is typically generated by the PWM drive method.
Therefore, while the prior art motor control systems provide generally effective operation, it is desirable to provide an improved method and apparatus for spindle mode control in order to provide reduced power consumption by use of PWM drive, while reducing the electrical noise generated by the PWM drive method in order to limit disruption of the operation of the DASD.
Furthermore, in a typical three phase motor, three motor windings are provided through which current flows in a sequence known as a "commutation" scheme. The commutation scheme determines when current is to flow through each of the windings. FIG. 2 is an plot of the current that flows through the three windings of a three phase motor in accordance with one commutation scheme. FIG. 3 is a schematic of the output stages of a power amplifier 126 which drives the windings 301, 303, 305 of a three phase motor. It can be seen from FIG. 2, that at any one time, one winding is conducting current in a positive direction, one winding is conducting current in a negative direction, and one winding is not conducting at all. For the purpose of this discussion, it can be assumed that the positive direction of current flow is from the power amplifier toward the motor and that the negative direction of current flow is from the motor toward the power amplifier. From FIG. 3 it can be seen that in order to have current flow through any one winding, current must also flow through at least one other winding. That is, current flows from the positive power supply through one of three upper output transistors 307, 311, 315, then through the each of the windings coupled to each upper transistor that is conducting, assuming that at least one of the lower transistors 309, 313, 317 are also conducting, and through the winding that is coupled to the conducting lower transistor.
From FIG. 2 it can be seen that there are six distinct commutation phases, noted as phase 1 through phase 6 in the figure. Note that phase 1 and phase 2 are repeated in the figure. In each such phase, current flows through only two windings. For example, in the first phase, winding "A" is conducting in the positive direction, winding "B" is not conducting, and winding "C" is conducting in the negative direction. Accordingly, in phase 1 of the commutation scheme, only output transistor 307 coupled to winding A and output transistor 317 coupled to winding C are conducting. Each of the other four output transistors 309, 311, 313, 315 are "turned off" (i.e., not conducting).
In the second phase, output transistor 317 turns off and output transistor 313 turns on. As can be seen from FIG. 2, there is a perturbation in the current that flows through winding A due to the ramping down of the current in winding C (i.e., output transistor 317 turning off) before the current through winding B can achieve sufficient level to maintain the current in winding A (i.e., before output transistor 313 can start conducting sufficiently). This perturbation in the current through the windings of the motor causes a mechanical vibration which occurs at the commutation frequency in the motor, associated enclosure, and structures to which the motor enclosure is mechanically coupled. In many cases, the commutation frequency is in the audio range. For example, in one such spindle motor drive circuit, the commutations occur at 2.88 kHz. Therefore, it would be desirable to eliminate the perturbation in the current in order to reduce the acoustic noise generated by operation of the spindle motor.

Adaptive pulse width modulated motor control


A calibration and verification system and method for dynamically controlling sequential delivery of mixtures containing a fire suppression agent to detection locations to simulate an agent discharge during a flight operation of an aircraft and for allowing direct monitoring of the concentration amounts at the detection locations to adjust a testing operation accordingly. Each of the mixtures is prepared with a precise concentration amount of the agent. The system and method include a remote test sequence unit for determining an optimal testing time period during a flight operation to remotely control the discharge and monitoring of the agent. Prior to the optimal testing time period, an airflow at an altitude of the flight operation is drawn through each of a plurality of detectors to tare out the characteristics of a surrounding environment using a processor, thereby establishing a measurement baseline for each of the plurality of detectors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention calibrates a fire extinguisher monitoring system, dynamically controls, adjusts and measures the flow and distribution of a fire suppression agent, determines an optimal testing time period during a flight operation, and provides direct read-out of concentration amounts in substantially real time.
2. Description of Related Art
The Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) has required the use of fire suppression equipment in at least engines, auxiliary power units and cargo holds of aircrafts. A number of different fire suppression agents are available for discharge including but not limited to Halon 1301, Halon 1211, HFC-125, NOVEC 1230 and FM 200. The present invention is directed to addressing at least the following deficiencies and needs in the art:
Current available equipment in the field is capable of utilizing only 100% gas concentration for calibration in the field. There is a need in the art to calibrate a fire extinguisher monitoring system and verify a plurality of concentration amounts at a plurality of detection locations, respectively, using critical and precise concentration amounts or moles of the fire suppression agent (e.g., concentration amounts of 6%-18%) at a test site on the ground and/or during a flight operation before the fire suppression agent is discharged. Throughout the application herein, references to a "test site on the ground" or the like is not limited to a testing facility, and they may refer to any testing location (e.g., any airport) in which an aircraft and/or a fire extinguisher monitoring system may be stationed. As such, more particularly, there is a need in the art to perform the preceding calibration and verification using a calibration module capable of operating in a variety of testing sites on the ground and/or during on-flight testing.
There is yet a further need in the art to take into consideration and tare out characteristics of a surrounding environment (e.g., an airflow) at a test site on the ground or during on-flight testing given that the surrounding environment varies from a first testing operation to another, thereby causing inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the testing operations. As such, more specifically, there is yet a further need in the art to determine a measurement baseline for each of a plurality of detectors utilized to monitor the fire suppression agent discharge.
There is yet a further need to coordinate discharges of a fire suppression agent and monitoring its concentration at a plurality of detection locations with a flight operation during on-flight testing, and determine an optimal testing time period for discharging and monitoring the fire suppression agent.
There is yet a further need in the art to provide a direct read-out of the plurality of concentration amounts in substantially real time to allow dynamic adjustment of testing on the ground or during a flight operation.
There is yet a further need in the art to remotely control (e.g., from the ground) a discharge of a fire suppression agent and monitoring its concentration amount at a plurality of detection locations in a flying pilotless aircraft.

Calibration module and remote test sequence unit


The present invention relates to an electrolyte-impregnated, reinforced matrix for molten carbonate fuel cells and a manufacturing method thereof. According to the invention, the electrolyte-impregnated matrix, which comprises both the electrolyte and the reinforcing particles including a metal and an oxide, is manufactured by adding the electrolyte, as required per unit cell of a fuel cell, and the reinforcing particles including the metal and the oxide, to a slurry during the matrix preparation step, and subjecting the resulting slurry to a tape casting process. By doing so, the matrix stacking operation is facilitated, and the matrix manufacturing process is simplified. In addition, cracking caused by the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between an electrolyte sheet and the matrix can be suppressed, and thermal shock occurring during operation of the fuel cell stack can be reduced, thus improving the performance and lifetime of the fuel cell.

In a conventional method, stacked unit cells are fabricated by mixing a binder and additives by a wet process to prepare a slurry, subjecting the slurry to tape casting to prepare an electrolyte sheet, and stacking the electrolyte sheet between an air electrode, a fuel electrode and a matrix to supply the electrolyte to each cell.
However, the use of this method has disadvantages in that, because the electrolyte sheet is melted during pretreatment of the fuel cell stack so as to be absorbed into the pores of the air electrode, the fuel electrode and the matrix, the total height of the stack is reduced by the height of the melted electrolyte sheet to reduce the mechanical stability of the stack, and non-uniform melting of the electrolyte which occurs during the pretreatment process makes the surface pressure distribution of the stack non-uniform, thus further increasing the mechanical instability of the stack.
In the above conventional method, because the electrolyte thermally expands at a rate greater than the matrix during pretreatment and melts at the melting temperature to permeate into the matrix, it can cause the thin plate shaped matrix having low strength to crack. The organic material in the matrix sheet disappears due to decomposition during the pretreatment process, but the matrix sheet has no chemical bond between the sintered particles, and thus has low strength. Thus, the matrix sheet is more likely to crack than the electrode, and for this reason, gas crossover between the fuel electrode and the air electrode will occur, thus adversely affecting the performance and lifetime of the fuel cell stack.
In attempts to overcome the above-described disadvantages, Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-1999-0046201, 10-2005-0020973, 10-2006-0112314 and 10-2006-0132459 disclose a method of using ceramic fiber as a reinforcing material to increase the thermal stability of the matrix, or using a sintering aid so as to be capable of increasing the bonding strength between the matrix particles at the operating temperature of the molten carbonate fuel cell, or adding a porous metal support.
However, in the method of using the ceramic fiber, agglomeration of the fiber occurs during the slurry preparation process, or the fiber is oriented in the direction of movement of the matrix sheet, so that defects occur during production of the matrix, thus reducing the production yield. Also, the matrix provided according to this method has low resistance against the differential pressure between the air electrode and the fuel electrode, indicating that this method does not yield the expected effect. Meanwhile, in the method of using the sintering aid, the bonding strength between the matrix particles shows a tendency to increase, but the fine pores of the matrix are changed to reduce the capillary force, so that the matrix cannot retain an electrolyte. Meanwhile, in the method of using the porous metal support, the high surface pressure that is applied during the stacking process causes high stress around the support, indicating the support shows an adverse effect during pretreatment. As a result, although the above-described methods aim to increase the mechanical strength of the matrix, these methods do not present a complete solution.

Reinforced matrix impregnated with electrolytes for molten carbonate fuel cell and fabrication method thereof

DOOSAN HEAVY INDUSTRIES & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.


A key action, movable toy of the present invention moves in response to a turning action of a switch key. The toy generates a starting sound and an engine sound. A key switch mechanism which has three positions, off, on and starting, energizes a power unit, which moves the toy, to an on-state. The energizing occurs in response to a switch key moving from the off position to the starting position and to the on position. The power unit will stay on when in the on position, and a sound generation mechanism will switch from the starting sound to an engine sound when the switch key moves to the on position. The toy will move in response to a lever which controls whether the toy will move or stay stationary.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a moveable toy which can move in response to a turning action of a switch key; and, more particularly to a toy which can selectively generate a starting sound and an engine sound in response to the turning action of a switch key.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, moveable toys, such as self-propelled automobiles and trucks, are made to imitate various vehicles. A moveable toy is constructed so that wheels are driven by a motor provided in the inside of a body shaped like an automobile to cause the toy to move.
A child who buys a toy of the type mentioned, desires to own a vehicle such as an automobile in the form of a toy and also desires to imitate an adult driving the automobile.
However, the conventionally moveable toy has a problem that it cannot satisfy the desires of the child because the car only has a shape of a vehicle and moves while making a false sound of an engine (hereinafter referred to as an engine sound). The present invention has been made in consideration of the conventional problems described above.


An indicator assembly for a computer system can comprise a light guide for directing light from an indicator light source to an exterior panel of the computer system. The assembly can also comprise a photodetector configured to receive a portion of the light transmitted by the light guide. The photodetector can produce a signal representative of the portion of light received. For example, the photodetector may produce a signal representative of the color and/or intensity of the portion of light received. Using the signal representative of the portion of light received, components such as a controller can test for the presence of faults.

The present invention relates to indicator lights for computer systems and to testing for faults in an indicator assembly.
It is known to provide one or more indicators in a computer system which serve to indicate a functional state of the system by lighting up (or indeed, by remaining unlit). Typical functional states may include an on/off state, a fault state or an active state (for example whether a hard disk drive is active).
Indicators can comprise a light source and a guide for guiding light away from the light source, for example to the exterior of the computer system so that it is visible to the user. For example, an indicator can comprise a light emitting diode (LED) with a plastic cap. The cap itself may be positioned in an aperture in an exterior housing of a computer system so the user is able to determine whether the LED is lit. In some systems, a separate light guide is used to guide light from the LED to (and through) an exterior panel of the computer system. Such light guides are typically employed when the LED is located remote from the exterior panel.
Indicators are of particular use in computer systems which employ Field Replaceable Units (FRUs). FRUs in computer systems are typically provided in order to increase reliability the of the system by reducing the amount of downtime incurred when faults occur. Since a computer system comprising FRUs is essentially modular, a fault in the system can often be cured by simply replacing the particular FRU which contains the fault.
In computer systems comprising FRUs, indicators can provide an effective way in which functional states of each FRU may be readily ascertained, namely by inspecting the exterior of the FRU. This is particularly true in systems which comprise a large number of FRUs.
In the case of some applications, indicators may spend much of the time unlit. For example, where an indicator is intended to become lit only when a fault in a computer system arises (thereby alerting the user), indicators may only very rarely become lit if such faults seldom develop. Accordingly, a malfunction in the indicator itself may go unnoticed for some time. Additionally, should an indicator develop a fault, then the event or state which it is intended to indicate may go unnoticed or may be falsely determined by the user. For example, an active state may be misread by the user to be an inactive state.
Faults in an indicator may arise for a number of reasons. An LED comprised in the indicator may malfunction for example. Alternatively, a light guide connecting the LED to an exterior panel of the computer system may become loose or be dislodged (this is particularly prone to occurring during assembly of the computer). Where the light guide becomes dislodged, the indicator can fail even though the LED light source remains functional, since light emitted by the LED may not be transmitted to the exterior of the computer housing.


An electrochemical cell according to one embodiment includes a solid electrolyte layer having insulating property, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The solid electrolyte layer has a first face and a second face, and allows ions to move therethrough. The first electrode is one of an anode and a cathode and provided on the first face. The first electrode includes an inside channel that allows gas to flow, a third face into which a first open end of the channel opens, a fourth face into which a second open end of the channel opens, and an inner wall face that defines the channel. The second electrode is the other of the anode and the cathode and provided on the second face.

Electrochemical cells are used, for example, to extract electric energy or for electrolysis by electrochemical reaction. Electrochemical reaction occurs at an electrode of an electrochemical cell. In forming an electrode from a pore-forming material or by thermal spraying, for example, voids, through which gas such as fuel gas can pass, are formed among the particles of the electrode.
Improvement in the efficiency of electrochemical reaction will lead to enhancing the efficiency of power extraction from and electrolysis by the electrochemical cell.

Electrochemical cell and electrochemical apparatus


A lube oil composition that inhibits lubricant viscosity increase and dispersancy decrease is described. The composition includes an oil of lubricating viscosity and a mixture of specified functionalized derivatives of pentaerythritol tetrakis 3-mercaptopropionate and amine antioxidants.

Antioxidants are added to lube oils to neutralize or minimize oil degradation chemistry. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,101 discloses certain amine/hindered phenol, acid anhydride and thiol ester-derived products are multi-functional antioxidant, antiwear and rust inhibiting lube additives.
The combination of a metallic dithiophosphate hydroperoxide decomposer and aminic antioxidant is reported to have a synergistic effect on lubricant antioxidant performance. See Maleville et al, Lubrication Science, V9, No. 1, pg. 3-60 (1996). Sulfur-substituted derivatives of mercapto carboxylic esters also are reported to posses antioxidant properties. See M. A. Mirozopeva et al., Naftekhimiya, V28, No. 6, pg. 831-837 (1988). There remains a need, nonetheless, for improved lubricant additives and lubricant compositions containing them.

Lubricant additive composition for inhibiting viscosity increase and dispersency decrease


A wireless receiver having improved receiving characteristics is provided. The wireless receiver (151) is provided with an antenna (152) for receiving wireless signals including a modulation signal and a pilot signal having a frequency different from that of the modulation signal; a distributor (159) for distributing the received signal received by the antenna (152) in two directions; a band pass filter (160) for extracting a signal composition corresponding to the pilot signal, from the one signal distributed by the distributor (159); a delay corrector (162) for delaying the other signal distributed by the distributor (159); a quadrature demodulator (163) for multiplying the signal composition from the band pass filter (160) by the other signal delayed by the delay corrector (162) by frequency and for performing quadrature demodulation; and a synthesizer (165) provided before the quadrature demodulator (163), for synthesizing the signal component from the band pass filter (160) with a local oscillation signal having a frequency equivalent to the signal component.

Conventionally, various measures are taken to provide a radio system with excellent phase noise characteristics. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of this radio system with excellent phase noise characteristics. This radio system has a local noise canceller shown in FIG. 1 to improve the phase noise characteristics.
The operation of this local noise canceller will be explained with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a characteristic diagram showing the frequency characteristics of each component of the local noise canceller shown in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 2(A), in an input signal, a modulated IF signal (BST-OFDM) and a pilot carrier (PILOT) are multiplexed and input phase noise (area shown by bold diagonal lines) is superimposed thereon.
Here, when the frequency of the input pilot carrier is fPLT, the frequency of the input signal is fsig, and the input phase noise is θ(t), input phase noise θ(t) is superimposed on fPLT and fsig, and fPLT and fsig are represented as follows:fPLT∠θ(t)fsig∠θ(t)
Input signal A is then distributed by distributor 50, one signal is outputted to a pilot branch, and the other signal is outputted to a signal branch. In the pilot branch, one signal distributed by distributor 50 is band-limited by bandpass filter 51, and only a pilot carrier component passes and is extracted, and further limiter-amplified by limiter amplifier 52.
In this case, as shown in FIGS. 2(B and C), as for the frequency characteristics of output signal B from bandpass filter 51 and output signal C from limiter amplifier 52, an IF signal component is removed, and only the pilot carrier component and input phase noise θ(t) superimposed thereon remain.
In this case, a delay occurs at bandpass filter 51. If this delay time is τBPF1, input phase noise θ(t−τBPF1) which is delayed by τBPF1 is superimposed on input pilot carrier frequency fPLT, and so fPLT is represented as follows:fPLT∠θ(t−τBPF1)
On the other hand, in the signal branch, local oscillation signal D is outputted from local oscillator 60. Here, as shown in FIG. 2(D), the frequency characteristics of local oscillation signal D outputted from local oscillator 60 consist of a signal of local oscillation frequency (LO) and in-system local oscillation phase noise superimposed thereon.
Here, when the local oscillation signal frequency in the system is fLO and the local oscillation signal phase noise in the system is φ(t), local oscillation signal phase noise φ(t) in the system is superimposed on local oscillation signal frequency fLO in the system, and fLO is represented as follows:fLO∠φ(t)
In the signal branch, the signal outputted from distributor 50 is frequency-converted (multiplied) by local oscillation signal D from local oscillator 60 at frequency converter 61, and signal E is outputted.
Here, as shown in FIG. 2(E), the frequency characteristics of signal E outputted from frequency converter 61 include a sum component and a difference component of input signal A and local oscillation signal D. Therefore, the relationship between each signal component included in signal E and phase noise to be superimposed is as follows:fPLT−fLO∠θ(t)−φ(t)fsig−fLO∠θ(t)−φ(t)fPLT−fLO∠θ(t)+φ(t)fsig−fLO∠θ(t)+φ(t)
Frequency-converted signal E is hand-limited by bandpass filter 62 so that only the difference component passes through bandpass filter 62, and consequently, is outputted from bandpass filter 62 as signal F. As shown in FIG. 2(F), as for the frequency characteristics of signal F, the sum component of signal E is removed and only the difference component remains.
In this case, a delay occurs in bandpass filter 62, and if this delay time is τBPF2, a delay of τBPF2 is generated in the phase noise superimposed on the extracted difference component and the relationship between each signal component included in signal F and phase noise to be superimposed is represented as follows:fPLT−fLO∠θ(t−τBPF2)−φ(t−τBPF2)fsig−fLO∠θ(t−τBPF2)−φ(t−τBPF2)
Delay adjuster 63 adds a delay to signal F so that the delay is equivalent to the delay time at bandpass filter 51 in the pilot branch, and outputs the delayed signal as signal G.
Here, when the delay time at bandpass filter 62 is τBPF2 with respect to delay time τBPF1 of bandpass filter 51 and the delay time at delay adjuster 63 is Δt, delay adjuster 63 adds delay Δt to signal F so thatτBPF1=τBPF2+Δt and equalizes the delay time difference from the pilot branch.
As a result, the frequency characteristics of signal G do not change and become as shown in FIG. 2(G), and the relationship between each signal component included in signal G and the phase noise to be superimposed is represented as shown below with delay Δt added to the phase noise.fPLT−fLO∠θ(t−τBPF2Δt)−φ(t−τBPF2−Δt)fsig−fLO∠θ(t−τBPF2Δt)−φ(t−τBPF2−Δt)
Signal G of the signal branch and signal C of the pilot branch outputted from above described limiter amplifier 52 are frequency-converted (multiplied) by frequency converter 70 and outputted as signal H.
Here, as shown in FIG. 2(H), the frequency characteristics of signal H outputted from frequency converter 70 include a sum component and a difference component of signal G and signal C. Therefore, the relationship between each signal component included in signal H and phase noise to be superimposed is represented as shown below:fPLT−(fPLT−fLO)∠θ(t−τBPF1)−{θ(t−τBPF2−Δt)−φ(t−τBPF2−Δt)}fPLT−(fsig−fLO)∠θ(t−τBPF1)−{θ(t−τBPF2−Δt)−φ(t−τBPF2−Δt)}fPLT+(fPLT−fLO)∠θ(t−τBPF1)+{θ(t−τBPF2−Δt)−φ(t−τBPF2−Δt)}fPLT+(fPLT−fLO)∠θ(t−τBPF1)+{θ(t−τBPF2−Δt)−φ(t−τBPF2−Δt)}
Here, as described above, delay adjuster 63 adds delay Δt so that;τBPF1=τBPF2+Δt and equalizes the delay time difference between the signal branch and the pilot branch, and therefore the equation can be simplified as follows:fLO∠φ(t−τBPF2−Δt)fLO−(fsig−fPLT)∠φ(t−τBPF2−Δt)2×fPLT−fLO∠2×θ(t−τBPF1)−φ(t−τBPF2−Δt)fPLT+(fsig−fLO)∠2×θ(t−τBPF1)−φ(t−τBPF2−Δt)
Here, when attention is focused on the difference component, the frequency of the output signal component is frequency (fLO) of the local oscillation signal in the system irrespective of the frequency of the input signal. That is, the frequency of the output signal component is constant. Furthermore, when attention is focused on the pilot carrier, the side band of the signal is inverted between input and output.
Furthermore, as for the phase noise of the output signal, inputted phase noise θ(x) is canceled, and, instead, the phase noise of the output signal becomes phase noise φ(x) of the local oscillation signal in the system. That is, when phase noise φ(x) of the local oscillation signal in the system is substantially small, the phase noise of the input signal is substantially reduced and outputted.
Thus, bandpass filter 71 performs band limitation on signal H frequency-converted at frequency converter 70 so that only the difference component and only the signal component pass, and outputs signal I. As shown in FIG. 2(I), as for the frequency characteristics of signal I, the sum component and pilot carrier components of difference component in signal H are removed, and only the signal component of the difference component remains. Further, the relationship between the signal included in signal I and phase noise to be superimposed is represented as follows:fLO−(fsig−fPLT)∠φ(t−τBPF2−Δt)
According to the principle of frequency synchronization and noise cancellation of the above described local noise canceller, even if, for example, a frequency deviation occurs in the input signal, an output signal having the frequency according to the local oscillation frequency with high frequency accuracy and high stability generated by local oscillator 60 is obtained, so that it is possible to eliminate the frequency deviation of the input signal.
Furthermore, as for phase noise of the output signal, phase noise θ(x) superimposed on the input signal is canceled, only phase noise φ(x) of the local oscillation signal in the system remains, and therefore, if phase noise θ(x) of the local oscillation signal in the system is substantially small, phase noise of the input signal is substantially reduced and outputted.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-152158

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A sponge mop (10) having unique features such as squeegee left lever slide flexible member (18LAA) and squeegee right lever slide flexible member (18RAA) permitting the user to mop a horizontal floor while concurrently cleaning a vertical baseboard.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sponge mop. More particularly, the present invention relates to sponge mop having flexible outer distal ends functioning to permit cleaning of baseboards while mopping.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous innovations for mops are present in the prior art. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention as hereinafter contrasted.
The patented inventions differ from the present invention because they fail to describe or claim at least one combination of the following features depicted in the present invention: sponge left outer plate, sponge right outer plate, squeegee left lever slide, squeegee left lever slide flexible member, squeegee right lever slide, squeegee right lever slide flexible member, left mop head housing and right mop head housing.
Numerous innovations for mops are present in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.
The present invention relates to a sponge mop, More particularly, the present invention relates to sponge mop having flexible outer distal ends functioning to permit cleaning of baseboards while mopping.
The types of problems encountered in the prior art are sponge mops do not permit the user to clean baseboards while mopping.
In the prior art, unsucessful attempts to solve this problem were attempted namely: fixed vertical members mounted on mops. However, the problem was solved by the present invention because it functions as both a horizontal sponge mop and combination horizontal vertical sponge mop for cleaning baseboards.
Innovations within the prior art are rapidly being exploited in the filed of cleaning utensils.
The present invention went contrary to the teaching of the art which describes and claims fixed vertical mops.
The present invention solved a long felt need for a sponge mop capable of cleaning both horizontal and vertical surfaces concurrently.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sponge mop having a shaft, mop head, sponge, squeegee, and handle.
More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide the mop head having a mop head hinge, left mop head, left mop head housing, right mop head, and right mop head housing.
In keeping with these objects, and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in the sponge having a sponge body, sponge left base plate, sponge left outer plate, sponge right base plate, and sponge right outer plate.
When the squeegee is designed in accordance with the present invention, it has a squeegee slider, squeegee top handle, squeegee bottom handle, squeegee left lever, squeegee left lever slide, squeegee left lever slide flexible member, squeegee right lever, squeegee right lever slide, and squeegee right lever slide flexible member.
The novel features which are considered characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawings.
10xe2x80x94sponge mop (10)
12xe2x80x94shaft (12)
14xe2x80x94mop head (14)
14Axe2x80x94mop head hinge (14)
14Lxe2x80x94left mop head (14L)
14LAxe2x80x94left mop head housing (14LA)
14Rxe2x80x94right mop head (14R)
14RAxe2x80x94right mop head housing (14RA)
16xe2x80x94sponge (16)
16Axe2x80x94sponge body (16A)
16Lxe2x80x94sponge left base plate (16L)
16LAxe2x80x94sponge left outer plate (16LA)
16Rxe2x80x94sponge right base plate (16R)
16RAxe2x80x94sponge right outer plate (16RA)
18xe2x80x94squeegee (18)
18Axe2x80x94squeegee slider (18A)
18BTxe2x80x94squeegee top handle (18BT)
18BBxe2x80x94squeegee bottom handle (18BB)
18Lxe2x80x94squeegee left lever (18L)
18LAxe2x80x94squeegee right lever slide (18LA)
18LAAxe2x80x94squeegee right lever slide flexible member (18LAA)
18Rxe2x80x94squeegee right lever (18R)
18RAxe2x80x94squeegee right lever slide (18RA)
18RAAxe2x80x94squeegee right lever slide flexible member (18RAA)
20xe2x80x94handle (20)
22xe2x80x94floor (22)
24xe2x80x94wall (24)


An optical lens manufacturing method according to the present invention comprises: an optical lens base material preparation step of preparing an optical lens base material 40, which is formed of light transmitting material, has a columnar shape, and is provided with a first side face 44 and a second side face 46 that are mutually parallel, of which at least one of both first side face 44 and second side face 46 has a plurality of curved surface parts 43; a drawing step of drawing optical lens base material 40 in the columnar axis direction; and an optical lens preparation step of cutting optical lens base material 40, which has been drawn, at a desired length to thereby prepare optical lens 1. The plurality of curved surface parts 43 of optical lens base material 40, which has been drawn in the drawing step, function as optical action components that act on incident light or emitted light.

The methods of manufacture by use of a precision mold and manufacture by application of a silicon semiconductor manufacturing process or LIGA process are known as the conventional methods of manufacturing an optical lens accommodating for a semiconductor laser element as a light emitting element in which a plurality of light emitting components are aligned.

Method of forming an optical lens by drawing material with curved surface parts


A device provides precise determination of angle or position based upon linear array imaging of unique coded sequences imprinted on a reference wheel or linear scale. An optical image of coded reference marks thus obtained is digitally processed to identify the width and centroid location of lines within a sequence, from which precise angle or position can be derived. The device provides either absolute or relative angle or position measurements that may be used for reference, control, monitoring, or display. The code sequence, imprinted on the exterior cylindrical edge of a code wheel or on the face of a code strip, is subdivided into unique coded segments, The coded segments and imaging array are sized such that the array is always able to image a full contiguous segment for any angular or linear position.

The invention relates to a new and improved miniature sensor for the precise measurement and digital encoding of both absolute and relative values of angle or position combined in a single instrument. More particularly, the invention relates to precise angle and position determination using an imaging array and frontal illumination to observe, interpret, and calibrate coded markings on the cylindrical edge of a reference wheel or on a planer face of a linear strip.
Digital encoders convert position or motion into a sequence of digital pulses and are used in a wide variety of control and measurement applications. Incremental encoders keep track of accumulated pulse count to provide a direct measure of motion relative to their initial state. Absolute encoders interpret a given reading, converting it directly to position without the need to retain prior pulse history. Encoders are generally designed specifically for either angle or position measurement, and operate using either field or optical sensing techniques.
Field sensing devices include magnetic encoders as well as resolvers, synchros, inductosyns, and linear variable differential transformers. Magnetic encoders sense motion of a polarized magnet or that of small uniformly spaced magnetic dipoles encoded on a reference scale. The other devices have current carrying coils on their rotor or slider as well as the stator, thus requiring electrification on both sides. Memory is generally required to make a magnetic encoder appear to function as an absolute encoder, along with additional electronics for analog to digital conversion and linearity control. Except for the dipole counter, which is non-absolute, the presence of coils or magnets on the moving side limits the opportunity for significant miniaturization.
Optical encoders are inherently digital, processing light rays passing through or reflected from a coded scale and sensed by one or more photodetectors. The most common type of optical rotary encoder (U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,231) consists of a light source, a coded disk pivoted in a precision ball bearing, and an array of discrete photocells. A light emitting diode (LED) shines through the code disc, having alternate annular segments of transparency and opacity. These coded segments interrupt the light beam creating light pulses that are detected by the photocells. To achieve precision, the segments are laid out on an elaborate code wheel in several concentric tracks. A 10 track encoder is capable of producing 210 or 1024 distinct positions, equivalent to an angular resolution of 0.351 degrees (360/1024).
Greater accuracies, of 14 bits and higher, are available but require a larger diameter code wheel to accommodate additional tracks, or alternatively a finer grating resolution and/or alternate process that can significantly impact the cost of manufacturing. Such inherent limitations present significant obstacles for newer applications where size and cost are critical factors.
In view of the above, it would be desirable to achieve miniaturization in an absolute rotary encoder, with resolution equivalent to or better than that of somewhat larger diameter conventional encoders. It would be further desirable to incorporate internal self-calibrating features into the design, thus enabling some relaxation of the normally high tolerances associated with manufacture and assembly of the product, so as to minimize its cost of production. Still further, it would be desirable to provide the ability to perform both angle and linear position computations using the same apparatus without requiring modification to its internal electronics, or operating software.