The present application discloses a method for preparing an electrochromic device. The method includes placing an edge protection material on a first and second substrates, placing a first and second interlayers respectively within the edge protection material on the first and second substrates, wherein the edge protection material surrounds edges of the first and second interlayers, and interposing an electrochromic film between the first and second interlayers. The edge protection material prevents chemicals in the first and second interlayers from entering into the electrochromic film.

Electrochromism generally refers to a reversible change in optical properties of a material upon application of a potential. In particular, electrochromic materials exhibit a reversible color change due to an electrochemical reduction-oxidation (redox) reaction caused by application of an electric field.
Electrochromic materials are useful for a variety of applications, including photovoltaic devices, field effect transistors, organic light emitting diodes, general printed electronics, anti-glare windows, display systems, etc.
Usually, electrochromic materials are sandwiched between rigid substrates to make devices. The electrochromic films based on flexible substrates have advantages over the traditional electrochromic glasses in terms of weight, ease of transportation, ability to apply on curved surface, etc.
For applications involving smart window technology, the electrochromic materials need to be integrated with a glass substrate (e.g., a glass window) to be serviceable. The integration process usually requires that the electrochromic film be sandwiched between two glass panels with interlayers such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and SentryGlas etc. Then, those packages would be pressed and heated at certain pressure and temperature. After the lamination process, the interlayers will be cured and will fix the electrochromic film between glass panels. There are certain additives within the interlayers for the purpose of chemical and physical property modifications. Those additives can infiltrate into the multilayer electrochromic films and adversely affect the electrochromic films. As a result, the performance and lifetime of electrochromic films can be severely compromised.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved design of electrochromic films to address the above and other problems.

Electrochromic films with edge protection


Compositions and methods are described for nucleic acid formulation for gene delivery. A new class of low molecular weight condensing agents, namely aromatic amino acid—containing peptides, are described for use in receptor-mediated and nonreceptor-mediated gene delivery, both in vivo and in vitro.

There are a number of techniques for the introduction of genes into cells. One common method involves viruses that have foreign genes (e.g., transgenes) incorporated within the viral DNA. However, the viral genes are also delivered with the desired gene and this can lead to undesirable results.
Nonviral gene delivery systems are being developed to transfect mammalian host cells with foreign genes. In such approaches, nucleic acid is typically complexed with carriers that facilitate the transfer of the DNA across the cell membrane for delivery to the nucleus. The efficiency of gene transfer into cells directly influences the resultant gene expression levels.
The carrier molecules bind and condense DNA into small particles which facilitate DNA entry into cells through endocytosis or pinocytosis. In addition, the carrier molecules act as scaffolding to which ligands may be attached in order to achieve site specific targeting of DNA.
The most commonly used DNA condensing agent for the development of nonviral gene delivery systems is polylysine in the size range of dp 90–450. Its amino groups have been derivatized with transferrin, glycoconjugates, folate, lectins, antibodies or other proteins to provide specificity in cell recognition, without compromising its binding affinity for DNA. However, the high molecular weight and polydispersity of polylysine also contribute to a lack of chemical control in coupling macromolecular ligands which leads to heterogeneity in polylysine-based carrier molecules. This can complicate the formulation of DNA carrier complexes and limits the ability to systematically optimize carrier design to achieve maximal efficiency.
Clearly, there is a need for improved methods of gene delivery. Such methods should be amenable to use with virtually any gene of interest and permit the introduction of genetic material into a variety of cells and tissues.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

The Regents of the University of Michigan


A parallel running control apparatus for two PWM inverters includes a first and a second electric current detector for detecting AC output electric current of the PWM inverters; a first and a second electric current control circuit for outputting, on the basis of the output electric current, three-phase voltage command values of the corresponding inverters; and a first and a second pulse generating circuit for outputting, on the basis of the three-phase voltage command values, command pulses which controllably turn on and off the corresponding inverters. This apparatus also includes a first and a second driver circuit for turning, on the basis of the command pulses, on and off switching elements of the corresponding inverters; a circulating current computing element for computing, on the basis of the output electric current, a circulating current flowing between the two inverters; and a parallel running inhibition circuit for interrupting one inverter when the circulating current computed by the circulating current computing element exceeds a predetermined value.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a parallel running control apparatus for pulse-width modulation (PWM) inverters in which a plurality of PWM inverters are run in parallel to perform a variable speed control for an AC motor or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main circuitry of interphase reactor multiple inverters disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-287371. In FIG. 2, a first inverter INVa and a second inverter INVb are connected in parallel to a DC voltage source 1. The first inverter INVa has transistors 8a to 13a and three pairs of reflux diodes 2a and 3a, 4a and 5a, and 6a and 7a. The transistors 8a to 13a are connected in parallel to the diodes 2a to 7a of the three pairs of reflux diodes. Likewise, the second inverter INVb has transistors 8b to 13b and three pairs of reflux diodes 2b and 3b, 4b and 5b, and 6b and 7b. The transistors 8b to 13b are connected in parallel to the diodes 2b to 7b of the three pairs of reflux diodes.
Reference characters 14a to 16a and 14b to 16b denote interphase reactors for connecting the output terminals of the first and second inverters INVa and INVb, respectively. Reference characters 17a to 19a and 17b to 19b denote electric current detectors for detecting the output electric current of the first and second inverters INVa and INVb, respectively. Numeral 20 denotes the load of an AC motor or the like. The AC motor is connected to nodes between the interphase reactor pairs 14a and 14b, 15a and 15b, and 16a and 16b so as to obtain from the nodes a multiple and parallel three-phase output.
When such inverters are connected in parallel and a variable speed operation is performed for the AC motor, a type of conventional parallel running control apparatus (not shown) supplies a common electric current command to both inverters, and then controls the inverters so that the electric current command agrees with a detected value of an AC output electric current from the inverters. Both inverters generate PWM pulses on the basis of carrier signals common to both inverters.
As shown in FIG. 3, in another type of known parallel running control apparatus, AC detection signals obtained by the electric current detectors 17a to 19a of the first PWM inverter INVa and by the other electric current detectors 17b to 19b of the second PWM inverter INVb are converted into DC signals by coordinate converters 25a and 25b, respectively. The DC signals are matched with electric current command signals 21a and 21b. Differences found as a result of such matching are input to electric current control circuits 22a and 22b. Pulse generating circuits 23a and 23b and driver circuits 24a and 24b control the PWM inverters so that three-phase AC voltage is generated.
In the above conventional parallel running control apparatuses for PWM inverters, since the carrier signals are common to both inverters, the time when the PWM pulse is generated is determined by each of the inverters independently of each other, thus making it difficult to generate the PWM pulse of one inverter at the same time as the PWM pulse of another inverter is generated. For this reason, an AC reactor must be used to suppress a circulating current flowing between the inverters. In inverters with a large capacity, the AC reactor becomes large, thus increasing loss.

Parallel running control apparatus for PWM inverters


A motorized hose reel with a positive locking mechanism includes a spool that is rotatably supported by a support frame, a motor in driving communication with the spool and a locking pin. The locking pin is movable to any one of three positions. In the first position, a spring forces the locking pin to engage a corresponding aperture in the hose reel spool. As the locking pin is rotated, a shaft extending radially from the locking pin engages a track formed in the housing. This causes the locking pin to withdraw from the hose reel spool against the force of the spring. Further rotation of the locking pin causes the radially-extending shaft to engage a detent, which holds the locking pin away from the hose reel spool. Still further rotation of the locking pin causes the radially-extending shaft to close a switch, which completes an electrical circuit to the motor.

This invention relates generally to take-up reels of the type used for winding, and paying-out flexible elongated members such as hoses and electrical cables and, in particular, to motorized take-up reels.
It is well known in the art to provide an apparatus wherein an elongate flexible member such as a cable, rope, hose, electrical cord or the like is wound about a take-up reel for storage when not in use, and which is paid out by unwinding from the take-up reel to the appropriate length as required. A popular application for this arrangement is use of a flexible hose for carrying air, water, oil, grease, or the like from a reservoir to a dispensing nozzle. For example, in a typical mobile Liquefied Petroleum (LP) gas delivery truck, LP gas is delivered from a pressurized tank to a take-up reel which stores a length of tubular hose. When LP gas is to be delivered, the hose is pulled from the reel until the desired length is paid out. When the hose is no longer in use, a motor is engaged to rewind the hose back onto the reel.
It is often desirable to provide a positive lock to prevent the inadvertent unwinding of the hose from the reel. A common means for positively locking a non-motorized hose reel is a "pin-lock," which is a simple spring-loaded mechanism mounted to the reel frame. The spring-loaded mechanism pushes a small pin through one of a plurality of holes in one of the flanges of the reel to lock the reel to the frame. To release the reel, the pin is withdrawn from the flange and rotated to a position where a detent, catch, or similar mechanism holds the pin away from the flange. A conventional pin lock is not compatible, however, with a motorized hose reel because of the possibility of accidentally engaging the motor when the pin lock is still engaged. What is needed therefore is a pin lock that includes an interlock to prevent engagement of the motor unless the pin lock has already been disengaged.

Motorized hose reel with anti-rotation interlock


A surface acoustic wave device includes a piezoelectric substrate, a first and a second interdigital transducers (IDTs) provided on the piezoelectric substrate. The first IDT includes multiple tracks having different frequency characteristics that are connected in parallel. The second IDT includes a normalized electrode pattern. The frequency characteristic of the multiple tracks is asymmetric to a center frequency of the SAW filter, substantially flat in a passband when those of the multiple tracks are overlapped, or complementary in the passband. Thus, it is possible to provide the surface acoustic wave device having a high damping property.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a surface acoustic wave device that employs a piezoelectric material, and more particularly, to a surface acoustic wave device having multiple interdigital transducers (hereinafter simply referred to as IDT) on a piezoelectric material substrate (hereinafter simply referred to as piezoelectric substrate).
2. Description of the Related Art
In these years, the above-mentioned type of filter, which is composed of surface acoustic wave (hereinafter referred to as SAW) device having multiple IDTs on the piezoelectric substrate, has been employed for a bandpass filter in a television set having a frequency range of 30 MHz to 400 MHz and an RF filter in a mobile telephone having a frequency range of 800 MHz to several GHz. An IDT includes a pair of comb-like electrodes. Each comb-like electrode is composed of a bus bar and electrode fingers having first edges connected to the bus bar and second edges that are open. A pair of comb-like electrodes is arranged so that the electrode fingers of the comb-like electrodes are alternately crossed or interleaved at regular intervals. In other words, the interleaved electrode fingers are alternately connected to two bus bars. A SAW is generated by applying an alternating voltage across the pair of comb-like electrodes. The SAW has a frequency response by which a filter having a desired frequency characteristic is obtainable.
FIG. 1 shows a filter with the SAW. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-41778 (hereinafter referred to as Document 1) discloses this type of filter. Referring to FIG. 1, there are arranged a first IDT 10, a ground electrode 20, and a second IDT 30 on a piezoelectric substrate 1. The first IDT 10, the ground electrode 20, and the second IDT 30 are adjacently arranged in a direction of the SAW propagation. The ground electrode 20 is arranged between the first IDT 10 and the second IDT 30, serving as a shield electrode. The first IDT 10 serves as an input electrode (or output electrode) and the second IDT 30 serves as an output electrode (or input electrode). The ground electrode 20 prevents electromagnetic coupling of the IDT 10 and the IDT 30. Also, the ground electrode 20 is arranged on a tilt in order to prevent the SAW that travels from the IDT 10 (or the IDT 30) from being reflected by the ground electrode 20 and returning to the IDT 10 (or the IDT 30).
The IDT 10 includes a pair of comb-like electrode 10a and 10b. The comb-like electrode 10a includes a bus bar 12a and multiple electrode fingers 14a. The comb-like electrode 10b also includes a bus bar 12b and multiple electrode fingers 14b. The open edges of the electrode fingers 14a face those of the electrode fingers 14b, which are referred to as overlapping parts or crossing portions. The overlapping parts of the interleaved electrode fingers that face each other are involved in excitation of SAW. As shown in FIG. 1A, an electrode finger pattern is weighted. The electrode finger pattern is defined as a pattern formed by the electrode fingers. The electrode finger pattern may be weighted by, for example, apodization. By this apodization, lengths of the electrode fingers in the overlapping parts (hereinafter referred to as aperture length) vary in the propagation direction. The aperture lengths are relatively small in the vicinity of both sides of the IDT 10, which is defined as small overlapping parts. On the other hand, the aperture lengths are relatively large around the center of the IDT 10. The aperture length is proportional to excitation intensity. Therefore, the strong SAWs are generated around the center of the IDT 10, and weak SAWs are generated in the vicinity of both ends of the IDT 10. The frequency characteristic may be altered by changing the weight by apodization.
FIG. 1B shows an electrode finger pattern that is weighted by apodization. An apodized electrode or IDT denotes an electrode or IDT having an electrode finger pattern that is weighted by apodization. Referring to FIG. 1B, there is provided an electrode finger pattern having relatively long overlapping lengths (aperture lengths) of the electrode fingers around the center of the IDT 10 (which is referred to as main lobe). On both sides of the main lobe, there are provided multiple electrode finger patterns having the aperture lengths that are shorter than those of the main lobe (which is referred to as side lobe). The aperture lengths become shorter as the electrode fingers get closer to the ends of the IDT 10. Referring to FIG. 2, a main lobe 21 includes three lobes. Two second lobes 22 are provided on both sides of the main lobe 21. Small electrode finger overlapping parts 23 are provided between the three main lobes 21 and between the main lobe 21 and the second lobe 22. Generally, the small electrode finger overlapping parts 23 occupy 50 to 60 percent of the entire electrode finger pattern. It is general in design to have a sufficient impulse response time and a high-order side lobe in order to gain a favorable filter characteristic of the SAW device.
Referring back to FIG. 1A, the IDT 30 also includes a pair of comb-like electrodes. However, the IDT 30 is not weighted, which is different from the IDT 10. That is, all the electrode fingers have an identical overlapping length. This electrode pattern is referred to as a normalized electrode pattern, and the IDT having the aforementioned pattern is referred to as a normal IDT.
The bus bar 12a of the IDT 10 is connected to an electrode pad 15. The bus bar 12b is connected to an electrode pad 16. The bus bars of the IDT 30 are respectively connected to electrode pads 17 and 18.
A filter with the above-mentioned configuration serves as a bandpass filter.
However, there is the problem in that the above-mentioned conventional SAW device does not have a sufficiently large stopband attenuation.


A child support carrier for detachable connection to a shopping cart, the child support carrier comprising a body having a space thereon for supporting a child; a plurality of wheels on the body for stably supporting the body for rolling movement on the ground; the body having an attachment mechanism for detachably coupling to a frame of a shopping cart to allow movement of the child support carrier and shopping cart as a unit, the child support carrier being capable of use independently of the shopping cart when not attached to the shopping cart.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention concerns child support and securement devices, and in particular, a device for securing, transporting, supporting and protecting children while also accommodating personal baskets and/or bulk items and/or attaching to a conventional shopping cart or a hand basket carrier type shopping cart for carrying items such as groceries or other items in retail establishments. By personal baskets is meant both baskets supplied by retailers while shopping in their stores and baskets consumers may bring in with them. By "conventional shopping cart" is meant the types of metal wire or plastic carts with the baskets permanently affixed to the cart. By "hand basket carrier shopping carts" are meant the types of shopping carts that have fixtures on frames for removably receiving portable hand baskets. These generally do not have a seating area for children whereas the conventional permanent basket shopping carts generally have a fold-down child seat near the handle of the cart.
2. Description of Related Art
Carts, such as conventional shopping carts for storing, conveying or transporting groceries or other products are known in the art to comprise a basket rigidly connected to a frame supported by two front swivel caster wheels and two rear caster wheels and the frame forms a handle at an upper, rear extremity of the cart. Conventional shopping carts usually have a collapsible child seat near the handle of the cart, suitable for only a single child and often inadequately designed for a child weighing more than 35 pounds. Placement of children in these conventional seats alters the center of gravity of the cart, thereby making the carts, especially with an empty basket, susceptible to tipping. Injuries resulting from use of these existing child seats are well documented and known in the art. (See U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,326 B1 to Reiland et al., cols. 1 and 2; see also, Consumer Product Safety Alert from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissioner, March 1990, which are both hereby incorporated by reference). As a result of the documented shortcomings of the conventional cart there have been various attempts at creating child support attachments and/or redesigning the conventional carts without the level of success that will be evident in the present invention.
In various U.S. patents to Reiland, et al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,364,326, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,031, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,021, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,548, which is now abandoned; and Des. Pat. No. D357,105) several attempts were made to find an "economically viable solution to child injuries needs while utilizing the existing inventory of carts, without significantly reducing the overall functionality of the carts." The "child carrier" of these designs includes a platform supported by at least one caster, at least one seat area, and a restraining device for each seat, such as a seat belt, to hold the child in place. The carrier is rigidly attached to the rear portion of the cart. However, these designs have their flaws to which the present invention turns its attention. While in the Reiland child seat, children are in proximate range of the upper rear extremity of the cart basket and are not necessarily facing away from the basket, therefore, they have visual and potentially physical access to items placed in the rear and upper portions of the cart. Furthermore, these carriers are not stackable or nestable along a horizontal axis, making them difficult for shopkeepers to store or retrieve from the store and/or parking lot after use. These designs fail to address the advantages associated with a nestable attachment, specifically, a shopkeeper can move several carriers in unison by interlocking them together along their horizontal axis. Also, these carriers are rigidly attached to the cart with a nut and bolt arrangement making the cart and child carrier accessory an integral unit and therefore are not easily removable from one another. This requires a shopkeeper to designate a certain number of an inventory of conventional carts to use as integrated child carriers. These carts are then not nestable and are undesirable to shoppers not accompanied by small children.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,464,238 to Reiland et al. depicts a passenger carrier attached to a cart in the form of a nesting, attachable apparatus having a seat that includes an upper portion in a first position that can be displaced to a second position to form an opening sized to receive a front portion of another cart basket in a nested configuration. This device also seats a child in proximate range of the upper rear extremity of the cart basket and thus is not necessarily facing away from the basket. Therefore, the child has visual and potentially physical access to items placed in the rear and upper portions of the cart. A more significant shortcoming of this design is that substantial space between the cart and the attachment apparatus is required to accommodate the displacement of the upper portion from the first to the second position when nesting. This additional length associated with this attachment significantly reduces the functionality of a cart because it places the cart basket out of a user's arms reach when pushing the cart from the rear handle. Thus, in order to select items and place them in the cart basket, one must walk away from the cart and the child in the attached seat, obtain an item, walk to the basket, deposit the item and then return to the rear again in order to push the cart. Furthermore, the apparatus is bolted to the cart creating an apparatus that is not easily detachable carrying the same disadvantages as discussed above. Also, the attachment lacks entertainment value to children.
Other attempts at modifying the child seat accommodations of conventional shopping carts have resulted in complete redesigns and abandonment of the conventional shopping cart. One such prior apparatus is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,924 to Reiland et al. which shows a compete redesign of the size, dimensions and configuration of the cart's basket to incorporate child seating within the center basket area as opposed to the conventionally oriented rear seating. While this cart is nestable, it fails to meet the child seating needs for shopping centers having an inventory of conventionally designed carts because these devices require replacement of existing, conventional carts to obtain the benefits of their child seating capabilities.
For at least the same reason, U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,210 to Lamnberecht fails to meet the child seating needs for shopping centers because it shows an attachable shell designed to accommodate only a particular cart design and not the standard, conventional shopping cart. The cart has a shallow basket supported by an upper frame and a large gap between the upper frame and a lower frame sized to accommodate a child's torso and head. The shell is slid over the lower frame and rests completely thereon underneath the basket. The shell includes a seat for locating a child directly below the upper basket of the cart and may be shaped as a race car or other such entertaining shape. This design is not adaptable to the conventional cart design because there is not enough room to safely place a child underneath the basket on a conventional cart. Therefore, in order to adopt the Lamnberecht design, a shopkeeper must abandon the use of conventional carts for a modified cart that is atypical of carts typically used in grocery stores.
Another apparatus having entertainment value for children also resulted in a redesigned cart. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,817 to McCue et al the disclosed apparatus is a redesigned shopping cart having a child supporting apparatus and storage compartment. The device described incorporates a shopping basket in a supporting structure, for example, shaped like an automobile, and thereby is a complete redesign of a shopping cart and is not adaptable to conventional shopping carts.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,800 to Shaw shows a child carrier supported on the front of a conventional shopping cart that is suspended from the front of the cart. Although Shaw does show a support wheel in one embodiment, the gist of this patent is that the child support is suspended above the ground by attachment to the cart. This can result in potential instability.

Child support carrier attachable to a shopping cart


An oleo-pneumatic shock absorber having a casing, a rod slidably mounted in the casing, first and second fluids in the casing, and a gauge. The gauge has a substrate positioned on the shock absorber. The substrate has a first region with a slot sized to fit an ultrasonic transducer arranged to encompass a range of possible oil levels within the shock absorber, a second region corresponding to a range of possible extension states of the shock absorber and a third region comprising one or more traces. Each trace corresponds to a temperature value and is indicative of an optimum relationship between the oil levels and the range of extension states at the respective temperature value associated with the trace.

An aircraft landing gear generally includes a shock absorber arranged to perform spring and damper functions. The shock absorber may contain hydraulic fluid, such as oil. An example of such a shock absorber is the "oleo-pneumatic" type, which combines oil and gas within a vessel to perform spring and damper functions.
For a fluid-containing shock absorber, the quantity of fluid present in the vessel is important in terms of ensuring the appropriate performance thereof. However, leakage and inappropriate servicing can lead to an inappropriate quantity of fluid in the vessel.
The present inventor has identified that a need exists for a means by which the appropriateness of the fluid level within such a shock absorber or other vessel can be determined in a manner which is one or more of: quick; simple; reliable; cheap to employ; and a low burden in terms of adding additional weight and/or complexity to the shock absorber.


An opening structure of image device comprises a body, at least a sliding track, at least a sliding sleeve, and a shield, wherein the sliding sleeve slide on the sliding track in order to drive synchronously the shield to achieve opening or closing status. Furthermore, the image device is entirely enclosed into the shield so as to prevent the image device from dust pollution and unexpected damage when the shield is at closing status. Meanwhile, the shield can be designed to be a special look, which will bring to user a fashionable feeling.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an opening structure of an imaging device, more particularly to an opening structure of an imaging device preventing the imaging device from dust pollution and unexpected damage.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Digital devices, such as digital still cameras, digital camcorders and digital players, are very popular nowadays. Such digital devices are also rich in the type and specification, and each consumer can choose his favorite such digital devices easily. However, as a consumer, the fashionable appearances of such digital devices play a very important role.
Therefore, each design of the digital device uses best efforts to create a distinguishable new product in order to attract the consumers. But, we look into the appearance of the digital devices in the market. Most of them may incorporate the body and lens, and such appearance is too common to make any impression on the consumers.
Furthermore, the lens of the general digital device should be free of dust. When such device does not operate, a protection device will be active to protect its lens. The general practice is to incorporate a lens protective cover, or one which can protect the lens automatically while turning off the digital device. This structure can protect the lens from the dust effectively, regardless of the variance in the appearance of the digital device.


A computer-implemented method may include: storing, by the computing device, information linking a dataset associated with a simulated image with an object range truth; receiving, by the computing device, an operational image from an observation system, wherein the operational image comprises the object; determining, by the computing device, a range of the object from the operational image based on the simulated image and the object range truth; and executing, by the computing device, a computer-based instruction based on the range of the object.

Celestial observation systems, such as satellites, may capture data and/or images of objects within a particular detection range. Observation systems may implement radar, laser, stereo passive observation, orbit determination algorithms, and/or other types of systems, devices, and techniques to estimate range of observed objects. Accurate object range detection is used to support charting, exploration, collision avoidance, or the like.
Existing object range detection techniques require the use of relatively costly and large hardware, which is of particular concern when an observation system is implemented on spacecraft having limited size, weight, and power capacity. Moreover, existing software-based object range techniques (e.g., orbit determination algorithms) may be relatively slow to converge to a usable solution.

Machine learning based object range detection


A method for customizing the response for network based intrusion prevention comprising of: 1) virtual proxying the application data to enable custom response 2) enhancing transport layer (TCP/IP) to enable selective processing and selective modification of the stream for intrusion prevention. The invention also discloses a method for customizing the processing for both network or host based intrusion prevention comprising of: 1) loading externally defined processing procedures for the detection and prevention of intrusions 2) combining multiple of these processing procedures to form a unified processing engine that can be used for intrusion detection and prevention 3) unloading processing procedures that are not needed any more 4) loading new processing procedures that improve the intrusion detection and prevention.

The present invention relates generally to intrusion prevention and more specifically it relates to a method for customizing processing and response for intrusion prevention.
History of Intrusion Detection
In 1980, James P. Anderson published a study outlining ways to improve computer security auditing and surveillance at customer sites. The original idea behind automated Intrusion Detection (ID) is often credited to him.
Between 1984 and 1986, Dorothy Denning and Peter Neumann researched and developed the first model of real time Intrusion Detection System (IDS). The prototype was named Intrusion Detection Expert System (IDES).
The report published by James P Anderson and the work on IDES was the start of research on IDS throughout 1980s and 1990s.

Method for customizing processing and response for intrusion prevention


There is provided a system and method for creating video poetry using text based related media. There is provided a method for creating a video poetry media, the method comprising receiving an ordered list of text phrases selected from a defined plurality of text phrases, presenting a plurality of video clips, wherein each of the plurality of video clips is associated with one or more of the ordered list of text phrases, receiving an ordered list of video clips selected from the plurality of video clips, and generating the video poetry media using the ordered list of video clips. In this manner, the barrier of entry for creating video poetry media is reduced, encouraging increased user participation and the creation of the “viral” effect by sharing video poetry online. Positive publicity for associated brands and media properties and additional channels for commercial promotions are thereby provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to video media. More particularly, the present invention relates to the creation of video media.
2. Background Art
A popular means of creative expression is the "video mash-up", similar to a music video or promotional clip. By creatively mixing and transitioning different video clips together and adding effects or other unique touches, there is potential to create a video that is more than the sum of its parts. By sharing such videos with friends and colleagues online, the videos may enjoy viral popularity and bring increased customer awareness to featured brands and media properties. Users can have fun creating and watching video mash-ups shared online while content providers and brands can enjoy positive publicity.
Unfortunately, present methods of creating video mash-ups are very technical, requiring detailed understanding of media production techniques and software. The process of searching, selecting, extracting, synchronizing and mixing of suitable video clips is laborious, time intensive, and tedious. Furthermore, high quality source video material is often difficult to obtain, forcing users to use low quality clips found on the Internet. As a result, most users are discouraged from creating video mash-ups, as only a very small portion of the general population is willing and able to devote the required time, resources, and specialized knowledge for the creation of video mash-ups.
Accordingly, there is a need to overcome the drawbacks and deficiencies in the art by providing an easy and enjoyable way for users to create video mash-ups.

System and method for video poetry using text based related media


A system may pre-fetch search result information in anticipation of a user request for the search result information. The system may receive a user search query and request initial search results from a server based on the search query. The system may receive the initial search results from the server and render the initial search results for display to the user. In anticipation of a user request for additional search results, the system may request additional search results from the server. The additional search results may then be pre-fetched for potential display to the user in response to a user request to render the additional search results.

Existing information searching systems use search queries to search through aggregated data to retrieve specific information that corresponds to the received search queries. Such information searching systems may search information based locally or in distributed locations. The World Wide Web ("web") is one example of information in distributed locations. The web contains a vast amount of information, but locating a desired portion of that information can be challenging. This problem is compounded because the amount of information on the web, and the number of new users inexperienced at web searching, are growing rapidly. Search engines attempt to return hyperlinks to web documents in which a user is interested. Generally, search engines base their determination of the user's interest on search terms (e.g., in a search query provided by the user). The goal of the search engine is to provide links to high quality, relevant results to the user based on the search query. Typically, the search engine accomplishes this by matching the terms in the search query to a corpus of pre-stored web documents. Web documents that contain the user's search terms are considered "hits" and are returned to the user.
Search results provided to a user in response to a search query are typically ranked in some fashion to present the more useful, or relevant, documents higher in the list of search results, and to present the less useful, or relevant, documents lower in the list of search results. A predetermined number of the ranked search results are then typically returned to the user in the form of a web document.

Pre-fetching information in anticipation of a user request


Disclosed is a 5' flanking sequence of the human fas gene containing a promoter region. This sequence also contains at least three transcription initiation sites, as well as consensus sequences for AP-1, GF-1, NY-Y, CP-2, EB20, and c-myb. Also disclosed are methods of altering senescence of the immune system by modifying Fas activity in cells to increase or decrease apoptosis. Fas expression and function on T cells from old (22-26-month-old) mice is also compared to young (2-month-old) mice and old CD2-fas transgenic mice. Fas expression and ligand-induced apoptosis was decreased on T cells from old mice compared to young mice. In 26-month-old CD2-fas transgenic mice, Fas and CD44 expression, Fas-induced apoptosis, T cell proliferation and cytokine production were comparable to that of the young mice. These results suggest that T cell senescence with age is associated with defective apoptosis and that the CD2-fas transgene allows the maintenance of Fas apoptosis function and T cell function in aged mice comparable to that of young mice.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology. In particular, it relates to methods and compositions relating to the regulation of gene transcription and polypeptide expression.
2. Description of the Related Art
Programmed cell death or apoptosis is a fundamental mechanism in the development of an organism, and occurs from embryogenesis throughout life (Vaux et al., 1993). Much remains to be learned about the apoptotic process at the molecular level, however the more classical type of programmed cell death is thought to require activation of a set of genes that lead to DNA fragmentation and subsequent apoptotic morphological changes.
A membrane receptor-like protein, Fas, has been reported to be involved in this process. Fas antigen is a membrane-associated polypeptide that consists of 306 amino acids in mouse (Watanabe-Fukunaga et al., 1992a), and sequence analysis of the full length Fas cDNA revealed that the human Fas molecule has 335 amino acids, with a calculated molecular weight of 37,729 kda. (Itoh et al., 1991; Oehm et al., 1992). The human Fas antigen has a signal peptide of 16 amino acid residues at its amino terminus, an extracellular domain of 157 amino acid residues, a hydrophobic transmembrane domain of 17 amino acid residues and a cytoplasmic tail of 146 amino acids at its carboxyl terminus. The extracellular domain can be divided into three cysteine-rich subdomains. The cytoplasmic region contains the domain that is required for initiation of the apoptotic response (Itoh and Nagata, 1993).
Structural homology places Fas in the superfamily including tumor necrosis factor receptors, nerve growth factor receptor and CD40 (Watanabe-Fukunaga et al., 1992a; Itoh et al., 1991; Oehm et al., 1992; Itoh & Nagata, 1993). In the immune system, the occurrence of massive cell death in the thymus is at least partly due to an apoptotic process mediated through signaling by the Fas antigen (Yonehara et al., 1989; Trauth et al., 1989) that is also involved in T cell-mediated cytotoxicity (Rouvier et al., 1993). Abnormally expressed Fas is observed in the lpr mutant mouse strains (Watanabe-Fukunaga et al., 1992b; Adachi et al., 1993; Wu et al., 1993) that display lymphoproliferative disorders (Frizzera et al., 1989; Saito et al., 1992).
Fas gene expression has been found to be expressed in several tissues, including thymus, spleen, ovary and heart, and on a number of cell types, including activated T- and B-lymphocytes (Watanabe-Fukunaga et al., 1992; Itoh et al., 1991). Its expression is up-regulated by interferon-g (Itoh et al., 1991). Abnormal expression of Fas is observed in the lpr mutant mouse strains which display lymphoproliferative disorders and spontaneous autoimmune disease (Watanabe-Fukunaga et al., 1992; Wu et al., 1993; Adachi et al., 1993). Correction of abnormal expression of Fas in Fas-transgenic MRL-lpr/lpr mice partially abrogates lymphoproliferation and autoantibody production characteristic of this strain (Wu et al., 1994). Recently, the inventors identified an alternatively spliced form of Fas mRNA in human (Cheng et al., 1994). This mRNA encodes a soluble, secreted form of the Fas molecule due to the deletion of an exon encoding the Fas transmembrane domain. Elevated levels of this soluble form of Fas were demonstrated in some patients with SLE. Moreover, administration of soluble Fas to mice at levels comparable to these present in SLE resulted in apparent inhibition of in vivo apoptosis of lymphocytes.
Sequence analysis of the full length human Fas cDNA has revealed that the human Fas molecule has 335 amino acids, with a calculated molecular weight of 37,729 daltons (Itoh et al., 1991; Oehm et al., 1992; Itoh and Nagata, 1993). Structural homology places Fas in the superfamily including tumor necrosis factor (TNF).sup.3 receptors, nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor and CD40 (Watanabe-Fukunaga et al., 1992; Itoh et al., 1991; Oehm et al., 1992; Mallett and Barclay, 1991).
Fas gene has been mapped to the long arm of chromosome 10 in human (Inazawa et al., 1992; Lichter et al., 1992) and the conserved syntatic segment of chromosome 19 in mouse (Watanabe-Fukunaga et al., 1992). However, The gene structure of either human or mouse Fas has not yet been characterized. In this study, we have isolated the human chromosomal DNA for the human Fas apoptotic molecule, determined the exon/intron organization of the gene and characterized the promoter region.
Age-related immune dysfunctions of T cells include thymic involution (Hadden et al., 1992), decreased T cell response to mitogens or antigens (Powers and Belshe, 1993; Flurkey et al., 1992; Kirschmann and Murasko, 1992; Song et al., 1993; McElhaney et al., 1992), altered cytokine expression (Ernst et al., 1993; Ershler,, 1993; al-Rayes et al., 1992; Daynes and Araneo, 1992) and altered phenotype (Okumura et al., 1993; Howard et al., 1992; Thoman et al., 1993). The decrease in spleen or LN T cell responsiveness has been related to an increase in senescent memory T cells (Okumura et al., 1993; Thoman et al., 1993), which exhibit defective phosphorylation after stimulation (Shi and Miller, 1993; Heyeck and Berg, 1993; Patel and Miller, 1992; Witkowski and Miller, 1993; Saini and Sei, 1993). Thymic involution has been proposed to be due either to defects in thymocyte precursors derived from stem cells or a defect in expression of thymic factors or growth factors required for normal T cell development (Hadden et al., 1992; Candore et al., 1992; Goso et al., 1993; Fridkis-Hareli et al., 1992; Li et al., 1992). Recent evidence indicates that depletion of thymocyte stem cells can not completely account for thymic involution with age (Mehr et al., 1993). Evidence to support an age-related deficiency of growth factors has been provided by the observation that replacement of growth factors or hormones can inhibit thymic involution or T cell dysfunction with aging (Hadden et al., 1992; Candore et al., 1992; Goso et al., 1993; Fridkis-Hareli et al., 1992; Li et al., 1992).


A polarizer having at least one optical film and at least one polarizing film, wherein the absolute value of the photo-elastic coefficient C of the optical film is 2×10−12 Pa−1 or more, the optical film has an in-plane direction in which the sound propagation velocity is the maximum, and the angle between the in-plane direction in which the sound propagation velocity through the optical film is the maximum and the direction of the absorption axis of the polarizing film falls within a range of from 0° to less than 45°, is excellent in working aptitude and can prevent optical unevenness of the liquid-crystal display device accompanied by environmental changes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a polarizer and a liquid-crystal display device.
2. Background Art
A polarizer is an essential member that constitutes a liquid-crystal display device. An ordinary polarizer has a configuration in which an optical film is stuck to one or both surfaces of a polarizing film of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) resin processed for adsorption orientation with a dichroic dye such as an iodine complex or the like. For recent liquid-crystal display devices, technology of body thinning and panel enlarging is being much promoted, and a problem of optical unevenness occurring on the surfaces of liquid-crystal display devices along with environmental changes has become obvious.
Also for the polarizer that is an essential member of a liquid-crystal display device, technology of thinning and enlarging the plate is being promoted, the current situation is that polarizer deformation, if any, would cause panel display failure. Concretely, when a polarizer expands or shrinks, the liquid-crystal panel stuck to the polarizer would deform, and apart from this, a backlight member may also deform, and as a result, it is considered that the panel and the backlight member would be kept in contact with each other to cause optical unevenness.
For solving the problems, there have been proposed a system of using an optical film comprising an acrylic resin (JP-A 2009-122663), a system of reducing the retardation change (ΔRth) accompanied by environmental changes of optical films as device members (JP-A 2012-63748), etc.
As a result of assiduous studies, the present inventors have found that the synthetic resin film of an acrylic resin film as disclosed in JP-A 2009-122663 is unsatisfactory in point resistance to brittleness, and consequently, when worked into chips, peeling and cracking would occur at the cut edges of the film, and as a result, the worked polarizers of the film would generate debris at the cut edges thereof therefore causing display performance degradation.
On the other hand, it has been known that the optical film disclosed in JP-A2012-63748 has a lowered modulus of elasticity, and consequently, when the optical film is wound up as a roll, blocking may occur, and the deformation may remain still after working to produce polarizers, and as a result, there may occur display performance degradation relating to optical unevenness (in other words, brightness unevenness) at the time of black level of display in observation of at the front of display devices. In addition, it has also been known that the optical unevenness could not be fundamentally solved merely by reducing ΔRth of the optical films as device members, and it is necessary to reduce ΔRth (pol) of the optical film in polarizers.
The technical problem with the invention is to provide a polarizer which is excellent in working aptitude such as blanking aptitude or the like, and which, when mounted on a liquid-crystal display device, can prevent optical unevenness of the liquid-crystal display device accompanied by environmental changes.

Polarizer and liquid-crystal display device


Articles for hot hydrocarbon fluid wherein the surface for contacting the fluid is a diffusion barrier material or a catalytic material coated on a metal substrate. The material is either catalytically-inactive tantalum oxide which inhibits the formation of coke in the fluid or catalytically-active zirconium oxide which promotes the formation of a loosely adherent coke in the fluid while inhibiting the formation of gum in the fluid. The coating materials, i.e., the diffusion barrier coating material and the catalytic coating material, are deposited by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), e.g., by effusive chemical vapor deposition of an organometallic compound on the surface without the use of carrier gas, without pre-oxidation of the surface and without thermal decomposition of the diffusion barrier material or the catalytic coating material. The articles having the coated surfaces find utility in components subjected to high temperatures wherein the components are in contact with hydrocarbon fluids without additives, without special attention to quality control and without the need for special processing.

The present invention relates generally to deposits formed on surfaces in contact with hydrocarbon fluids, and more particularly, to a method of preventing or reducing the deposit of hydrocarbon fluid thermal degradation products on surfaces in contact therewith and to a metal article having a coated surface which inhibits the formation of gum and/or coke formed by thermal degradation of the fluid, without resorting to modification of the fluid, without adoption of special procedures and without installation of special equipment for their use.
As used herein, hydrocarbon fluid is defined as hydrocarbon liquids, hydrocarbon gases or mixtures thereof. As used herein, "hydrocarbon fluid degradation products" includes products which form from the hydrocarbons, for example, certain polymers resulting from thermal transformation of paraffins to cycloparaffins, aromatics and polycyclic molecules in the hydrocarbon, as well as products which result from actual decomposition of the fuel, e.g., carbon.
Because high temperature is usually associated with undesirable levels of hydrocarbon fluid deposit formation, the technical subject herein is customarily referred to as thermal instability, or in the case of fuels, as fuel instability. Flowing hydrocarbon fluids including lubricating oils, hydraulic oils and combustible fuels form gum and coke deposits on the surface of containment walls and other parts which they contact, when the fluid and/or surface are heated.
The mechanisms for formation of deposits from thermal instability have been studied and documented. In the case of fuels, it is generally accepted that there are two distinct mechanisms occurring at two levels of temperature. In the first mechanism, referred to as the coking process, as temperature increases from room temperature, starting at about 300.degree. F. (about 149.degree. C.) there is generally a consistent increase in the rate of formation of coke deposits up to about 1200.degree. F. (about 649.degree. C.) where high levels of hydrocarbon lead to coke formation and eventually limit the usefulness of the fuel. A second lower temperature mechanism starting at about room temperature, generally peaks at about 700.degree. F. (about 370.degree. C.) and involves the formation of gum deposits. This second mechanism is generally better understood than the coking process. It involves oxidation reactions which lead to polymerization which includes the formation of gums. Both coke and gum formation and deposits can occur simultaneously in the mid-temperature region.
Coke formation in hydrocarbons is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,698,512, and heat stability of jet fuel and the consequences of thermal degradation of the fuel are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,959,915, both patents being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. These patents suggest specific formulations which place limitations on the fuel chemistry and impurities associated with hydrocarbon fuels so that the fuels will be usable at high temperatures without the typical formation of gums and coke.
Gum and coke formation are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,173,247, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. It is indicated therein that at very high flight speeds, heat must be transferred, particularly from the engine, to some part of the flight vehicle or to its load, and although the fuel which is stored on the vehicle, could serve to receive this heat, in practice, such procedure is unfeasible because jet fuels are not stable to the high temperatures which are developed at multi-Mach speeds, instead, they decompose to produce intolerable amounts of insoluble gum or other deposits, for example coke. As with the previously referenced patents, the solution to the problem has been directed toward limitations on fuel chemistry and impurities associated with the fuel.
The chemistry of the hydrocarbon fluid mixture and the chemistry of the containment vessel can have a major influence on deposit mechanisms and deposit rates at temperatures where it is most desirable to use the fluid. Hydrocarbon fluids contain impurities of which sulfur and dissolved oxygen from air, are major constituents. Gums are essentially vinyl polymers formed by reactions between oxygen and olefins in hydrocarbon fluids. Coke can also be in the form of carbon polymers and can have crystalline structures, and deposits formed from decomposition products of hydrocarbon fluids, are often observed to be a mixture of gum, coke, hydrocarbons and other impurities. Gums adhere to surfaces much in the same way as glues, and accordingly, they tend to entrap other solid particles such as coke, solid hydrocarbon impurities (or products), and the like and thereby form deposits on surfaces which they contact. In the lower temperature region where gum formation occurs, oxygen from air dissolved in the liquid is the major adverse ingredient. Boiling amplifies this adversity because of the oxygen concentration effect adjacent to hot walls. If oxygen is absent, gum formation is not likely to occur.
In much of the prior art, the problems associated with gum and coke thermal deposits has predominately dealt with bulk fluid chemistry and reactions which can take place within the fluid. These investigations have involved a wide range of hydrocarbon compositions and the presence of numerous impurities such as sulfur compounds, nitrogen compounds, oxygen and trace metals. It has been observed that deposits attached to containment walls often contain very large quantities of sulfur and nitrogen compounds or intermediates thereof in addition to gums and cokes. Little attention has, however, been given in the prior art to the role of the chemistry and reactions which take place in the vicinity the containment walls and the fluid.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,157,990, certain phosphate additives are added to the monopropellant wherein the phosphates decompose in the reaction chamber and form a coating, probably a phosphate coating, on the internal generator surfaces, and it is suggested that this coating effectively inhibits carbon decomposition and scaling. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,236,046, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, the interior surfaces of stainless steel gas generators are passivated with sulfurous materials to overcome deposition of coke on the surfaces of the gas generator, and passivation is defined as a pretreatment which substantially reduces initial catalytic coke formation.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,604, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, heat exchangers are characterized by thin-walled corrosion resistant layers of electrodeposited gold or similar corrosion-resistant metals on the walls of the cooling channels within the inner wall, and the cooling channels are covered with the electro-deposited layer of gold in order to make the surfaces corrosion resistant to such storable liquid fuels as fuming nitric acid. In this prior art case, the wall is protected from corrosion by the propellent, but the intent is not to prevent deposit formations.
Protective metal oxide films on metal or alloy substrate surfaces susceptible to coking, corrosion or catalytic activity are referred to in U.S. Pat. No. 4,297,150, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, where it is first necessary to pre-oxidize a substrate surface and then to deposit on the pre-oxidized surface a metal oxide of calcium, magnesium, aluminum, gallium, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, tantalum, niobium or chromium by vapor phase decomposition of a volatile compound of the metal, wherein nitrogen, helium, argon, carbon dioxide, air or steam may be used as carrier gases for the metal compound, the volatile compound having at least one metal-oxygen bond.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,658, reference is made to the protection of metal substrate surfaces against carbon accumulation when exposed to an environment wherein carbon-containing gases are decomposed by the use of tantalum and/or tungsten entities deposited and/or diffused into the surface of the substrate. According to U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,658, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, filamentous carbon grows on surfaces at a reduced rate (by a factor of at least four) when the tantalum and/or tungsten entity deposited on the surface is decomposed at a temperature of 600.degree. C. to 1200.degree. C. to drive tungsten and/or tantalum metal into the substrate surface.
In Japanese patent application No. 57-12829, reference is made to preventing the adhesion of tar by spray coating a blend containing aluminum chloride and cobalt oxide on a surface to provide a coated surface which has a catalytic activity for the decomposition of tar compounds into compounds that can be vaporized at low temperatures. According to Japanese patent application No. 56-30514, when tar collects on a surface which has been spray coated with a blend of a tar decomposing catalyst chosen from titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, vanadium oxide, chromium oxide, molybdenum oxide, tungsten oxide, manganese oxide, iron oxide, cobalt oxide, nickel oxide, copper oxide, platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium osmium or iridium and an inorganic binder of silicate, aluminum phosphate, glass, lithium, silicate solution, colloidal silica or alumina sol, it can be heated at 350.degree. C. for 60 minutes to remove the tar built up on the surface.
Thermal instability and fuel instability, referred to above, are becoming more significant with developing technology, and it will become even more significant as processes and machinery will be required to operate at higher temperatures as afforded by advances in materials technology and as the chemical quality of hydrocarbons for fuels, oils, lubricants, petrochemical processes (plastics and synthetics) and the like, decreases. Furthermore, hydrocarbon fluids, fuels and oils derived from non-petroleum sources, such as shale and coal, will have significantly more problems with thermal instability because of their high content of olefins, sulfur and other compounds. Accordingly, it is advantageous to provide coated articles and processes for preventing the formation of adverse degradation products and foulants in such applications where thermal instability, including fuel instability, is a problem as a result of exposure of such fluids to high temperatures.
In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that it would be desirable to provide coated metal articles, e.g., fuel containment articles for containing hot hydrocarbon fluid, in which or on which degradation products formed by thermal degradation of the hydrocarbon fluid is avoided, eliminated or reduced. It would also be desirable to provide a method of protecting metal surfaces which contact hot hydrocarbon fluid, from the deposit of degradation products of the hydrocarbon fluid. It can also be seen from the foregoing that it is desirable to provide methods and articles for use with hydrocarbon fuels wherein the hydrocarbon fuel can be used as a heat sink without the undesirable deposit of insoluble gums, coke, sulfur compounds or mixtures thereof on surfaces, e.g., containment surfaces. It is also desirable to provide methods and articles for containment of vaporized fuel to reduce NO.sub.x emission and to provide methods and articles for containment of low quality fuels derived from coal, shale and low grade crude oil.
The disadvantages of the prior art processes and techniques discussed above involve the need to alter the hydrocarbon chemistry, maintain strict control of impurities and/or provide additives and special processing such as pre-oxidizing treatment, passivation treatments and/or post-decomposition heat treatments using excessive amounts of heat, and the like. All of these techniques constrain the use of the fluid, increase cost and promote uncertainty as to the quality level of the fuel or treatment at a particular time. Furthermore, there are a multitude of processes, systems and devices including petrochemical processes, machine tools, automobile engines, aircraft gas turbine engines, and marine and industrial engines in which surface deposits from hydrocarbon fluids, fuels and oils are a major problem. Deposits can foul heat exchangers, plug fuel injectors and lubrication distribution jets, jam control valves and cause problems with many other types of operating and control devices associated with hydrocarbon fluids, fuels and oils. It is a primary objective of this invention to overcome these disadvantages.

Coated article for hot hydrocarbon fluid and method of preventing fuel thermal degradation deposits


There is provided an improved method for the recovery of residual, unseparated β-acetylfuranoside from reaction mixtures remaining from an initial synthesis of acetylfuranoside, which is in particular usable on a large industrial scale, more particularly in the production of capecitabine.

ACF can be prepared according to well known methods, as for example described in Helvetica Chimica Acta, Vol. 65(Nr. 149), Fasc. 5, 1982, 1531. The synthesis of ACF leads to a racemic mixture of α- and β-ACF which can be separated by selective crystallization and thus precipitation from the reaction mixture. Usually the β-ACF is the desired product, as it is a valuable starting material used in the manufacture of inter alia cytidine derivatives, such as capecitabine. Capecitabine is the active ingredient of the medicament Xeloda™. The ACF synthesis can be summarized according to the following reaction scheme 1:

EP 0 021 231 as well as WO 2005/040184 disclose the further reaction of the unseparated ACF racemic mixture, containing both α- and β-ACF, to a final product. The separation is thus only carried out subsequent to the reaction of the β-anomer to the desired end product.
In any of the known methods the remaining, residual reaction mixture (mother liquor) contains about 8-15 weight-% of not precipitated α/β-Acetylfuranoside (ratio α:β is about 35:65), which is not separated from the reaction mixture. Consequently, and in particular when used on an industrial scale, considerable amounts of valuable β-ACF are wasted, huge amounts of waste residue have to be worked-up and the costs for the entire manufacturing process up to the final product rise significantly.
It is therefore the objective of the present invention to provide an improved method for the recovery of residual, unseparated β-ACF from reaction mixtures remaining from an initial synthesis of ACF, which is in particular usable on a large industrial scale, more particularly in the production of 5′-deoxy-5-fluoro-N-(pentyloxycarbonyl) cytidine (capecitabine). The advantages of the method according to the present invention are the increase of the overall yield of β-ACF, and consequently also of capecitabine per production cycle, thereby reducing the overall production costs. In addition, the present method renders the entire manufacturing more environmentally friendly due to avoiding of unnecessary high amounts of chemical waste. The method according to the present invention can also optionally be repeated in several serially connected cycles, thereby further improving the efficacy of the present method.

Process for the recovery of beta acetylfuranoside


A computer system and method of scheduling a job in a clustered computer system having a plurality of clusters and a global storage, stores an inputted job in a job queue allocated in the global storage, selects a job to be executed, and executes the selected job in a cluster. The job selection is activated by one of a job completion, a job arrival, and a measurement completion. Upon the job selection, if the resource utilization is low, then a new job is requested. However, if the resource utilization is high, then a new job is not requested.

The present invention relates to a method of scheduling a job and a device therefor so as to enhance a load balance between respective clusters in a clustered computer system.
Recently, parallel processors have been increasingly used for the structure of computer systems. Even the general-purpose computers generally have a clustered structure in which a plurality of processor groups that share a main memory are coupled to a shared memory (i.e., global memory). Each of the processor groups that share the main memory in that structure is called a "cluster".
In a clustered computer system, a load balance between the clusters is required to achieve a satisfactory system performance. For a tightly-coupled multi-processor system, an internal load share between the processors is automatically maintained at a nearly optimum level. This is because a queue of processes that wait for a processor is held in the shared main memory, and an idle processor immediately takes a process to be executed. Typically, the individual processes release the processor every several milliseconds (ms) for other jobs, and the queuing-up operation is repeated for again ensuring system productivity.
However, in a clustered computer system, particularly in a batch processing system, moving a job that starts to be executed in a cluster to another cluster creates a large overhead. Therefore, a unit of assigning a load to a cluster must be a job that requires several minutes or several tens of minutes of processing time, to make such an assignment feasible. Several jobs or several tens of jobs are running on each cluster simultaneously. This group of jobs is the work-load at the time. The work-load is required to be balanced between the respective clusters. However, the characteristics of the individual jobs that wait for execution (e.g., the length of a processing time, the load ratio of processors, etc.) are unknown in advance.
Keeping the utilization of all clusters to nearly 100% is relatively easy if the capacity of the main memory is sufficient, since a sufficiently large number of jobs may be executed by all clusters. However, some on-line processes are often processed in the same system, or some batch jobs having a processing priority are processed concurrently with the batch jobs. In these cases, a "nearly 100% policy" is detrimental to high priority tasks. Thus, the method of scheduling the batch job for the respective cluster suffers from a very serious and difficult problem in a clustered computer system.

Method of scheduling a job in a clustered computer system and device therefor


A clothing hanger assembly includes an upper loop track and a lower loop track and a rack connected therebetween for supporting the upper loop track and the lower loop track. A plurality of hanger units are slidably coupled between the upper loop track and the lower loop track and linked to each other, thereby having a synchronous revolution along the upper loop track and the lower loop track when operated by a user. Each hanger unit includes an upper sliding device and a lower sliding device and a clothing hanger frame rotatably coupled therebetween, such that the upper sliding device and the lower sliding device are used to execute the synchronous revolution along the tracks while the frame can have a free rotation about an axis therethrough when operated by the user.

Rotatable clothing hanger assemblies used at the present time, are typified by such a patent example as U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,536, which discloses a rotatable hanger assembly having a plurality of hanger units pivotally and slidably coupled together between an upper track and a lower track, such that all hanger units are moved in concert along the tracks and clothing hung thereon can be reached easily. However, there is still one drawback of the previous hanger, in that, each hanger unit is not permitted &.o rotate about an inner axis, thus occupying a lot of space in the whole hanger assembly.


In the transfer and entry of one-touch dial data or speed dial data from a facsimile apparatus 1 to a facsimile apparatus 10, the respective sizes of one-touch dial memory and speed dial memory in the facsimile apparatus 10 are detected. The one-touch dial data are transferred and entered in the facsimile apparatus 10 (P1). The speed dial data are transferred and entered in the facsimile apparatus 10 (P2). Any remaining speed dial data are entered in the one-touch memory (P3). This reduces or eliminates overflow of the one-touch dial data or speed dial data.

Some facsimile apparatuses are equipped with speed dial and one-touch dial functions to provide a short cut for selecting destinations.
Speed dials enable facsimile transmission to a specific destination by allowing a user to enter a combination of usually two to three numbers through the numeric keys (ten-keys) of the facsimile apparatus. The combination of numbers used in speed dialing is generally shorter than the phone number (FAX number) of a destination facsimile apparatus, making speed dialing an efficient way of making facsimile transmission. For example, by assigning speed dial numbers to frequently called destinations, the operability and efficiency of facsimile transmission can be greatly improved.
One-touch dials enable facsimile transmission to a specific destination with the use of designated keys that are independently provided from the numeric keys. One-touch dialing uses only a single key to make transmission, and therefore is more convenient than speed dialing. For example, by assigning one-touch dial numbers to most frequently called destinations, faxes can be sent even more easily and efficiently.
A facsimile apparatus with speed dial and one-touch dial functions is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Publication for Unexamined Patent Application No. 181848/1997 (Tokukaihei 9-181848, published on Jul. 11, 1997). The facsimile apparatus disclosed in this publication has a data backup system that enables the data of assigned speed dial numbers and one-touch dial numbers to be restored even when they are erased. More specifically, the facsimile apparatus can re-enter the lost data of speed dial numbers and one-touch dial numbers by obtaining the data from a different apparatus.
Other facsimile apparatuses are equipped with a multicast function that enables data to be sent to multiple destinations. The multicast function sends faxes to specific multiple destinations by group dialing in which a group dial number is entered using, for example, numeric keys, designated keys (independently provided from the numeric keys), and combinations of numeric keys and designated keys.
In group dialing, the multicast destinations may be assigned by speed dial numbers or one-touch dial numbers, for example. Alternatively, FAX numbers may be assigned to group dial numbers (number entry).
That is, in group dialing, the data of group dial numbers may be entered by a combination of one-touch dial numbers, speed dial numbers, and FAX numbers.
A problem of these conventional apparatuses is that some of the speed dial numbers and one-touch dial numbers may be left out when they are transferred from one facsimile apparatus to another.
Specifically, facsimile apparatuses produced by different manufacturers have different memory sizes for storing data of speed dial numbers and one-touch dial numbers. That is, the number of destinations (the number of maximum entries) for the speed dial numbers or one-touch dial numbers may not be the same between the facsimile apparatuses of different manufacturers, or the facsimile apparatuses of different models.
For example, the number of maximum entries for the speed dial numbers and the number of maximum entries for the one-touch dial numbers may be different from those in a newly purchased facsimile apparatus of a different model. In this case, some of the speed dial numbers and one-touch dial numbers may be left out and the data may be lost when transferring the data of speed dial numbers and one-touch dial numbers to the new facsimile apparatus.
The problem is also caused when using group dial numbers in the facsimile apparatus. Namely, when group dial numbers are entered using a speed dial number or a one-touch dial number, one-touch dial numbers may not be entered properly when the data is lost. In this case, a user is forced to reset the data of group dial numbers.

Facsimile apparatus and data entry method thereof


Disclosed is a film, and process for making the same, that can be used as a label and which provides an etched appearance by the application of the combination of at least two layers of coarse-grained inks. A more specific form of the invention is to prepare a heat-shrink over-wrap film label as disclosed and then apply it to a regular glass bottle so as to create the appearance of an all-over etched treatment or a look of etched treatment to specific areas only. According to another more specific version of the invention, a heat-shrinkable overwrap sleeve may be printed as described above with a portion of the finish gradated from a full strength coating on the main body section of the container to a lesser degree in a continuous gradation over to a narrower neck part of the bottle to be covered. When the heat-shrinkable film is applied on a container with a narrow neck, the degree of frost effect remains uniform, being counter-balanced by the lesser application of the frost effect in the area where a higher degree of shrinkage takes place.

A now-popular packaging style for wine and other beverages in glass bottles is to treat the exterior of the bottle with a physical or chemical etching process to create a soft matte or frosted appearance. The etch treatment can be all-over, in a design, or with area(s) omitted for screen printing.
Physical etching is accomplished by sandblasting fine particles against the surface to be decorated. In chemical etching, an acid is applied to react with the glass surface. Either method is laborious, costly, involves the use of harsh chemicals, and produces waste material requiring expensive disposal. Also, some assert that a glass bottle so treated may suffer impaired strength.
The work of others who have addressed this challenge are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,099,944; 5,571,557; and 6,214,424.


A silicon-containing film-forming composition includes a polysiloxane and organic solvent. The polysiloxane includes a first structural unit, a second structural unit, and a third structural unit. The first structural unit is derived from a tetraalkoxysilane. The second structural unit is derived from a compound shown by a formula (1), wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an electron-donating group, at least one R1 is an electron-donating group, R2 represents a monovalent organic group, and n represents 0 or 1. The third structural unit is derived from a compound shown by a formula (2), wherein R3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and R4 represents a monovalent organic group.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a silicon-containing film-forming composition, a silicon-containing film, and a pattern forming method.
2. Discussion of the Background
When forming a pattern in the production of semiconductor devices or the like, microfabrication of an organic or inorganic substrate is performed using a pattern-transfer method which utilizes lithographic technology, a resist development process, and etching technology.
However, along with an increase in degree of integration of semiconductor devices provided on a circuit board, it has become difficult to accurately transfer an optical mask pattern to a resist film in an exposure step. For example, during a microfabrication process of a substrate, a dimensional error (deviation) of the resulting pattern may occur due to the effect of standing waves of light formed in the resist film. In order to reduce the effect of standing waves, an antireflection film is formed between the resist film and the surface of the substrate.
A resist pattern is also used as a mask when a substrate with a silicon oxide film, an inorganic interlayer dielectric, or the like formed thereon is processed. It is necessary to reduce the thickness of the resist film and the antireflection film along with the progress of miniaturization of patterns. Since slimming of a resist film lowers the mask performance of the resist film, there is a tendency that it is more difficult to provide a substrate with desired microfabrication without damaging it.
As a solution to this problem, a method of forming an underlayer processing film (silicon-containing film) on an oxide film or an interlayer dielectric of a substrate to be fabricated, transferring a resist pattern to the underlayer processing film, and dry-etching the oxide film or the interlayer dielectric using this underlayer processing film as a mask is used. Since the reflectance of such an underlayer processing film changes with the film thickness, it is necessary to adjust the composition and the like to minimize the reflectance according to the film thickness. Other requirements demanded of the underlayer processing film include capability of forming a rectangular resist pattern without a skirt-like foot and the like, excellent adhesion to the resist, a sufficient masking property when processing an oxide film and an interlayer dielectric, producing a minimal amount of development residue due to penetration of a resist material into the resist underlayer film, excellent resist film/resist underlayer film etching selectivity, and excellent storage stability as a solution, and the like.
In general, the resist film/resist underlayer film etching selectivity can be promoted by increasing the amount of Si atoms included in the silicon-containing film. A resin composition comprising polysiloxane using a tetraalkoxysilane has been proposed as a composition for obtaining a silicon-containing film with a large Si content (refer to Japanese Patent Application Publication (KOKAI) No. 2000-356854, Patent Application Publication No. 2002-40668, etc.).

Silicon-containing film-forming composition, silicon-containing film, and pattern forming method


The branch instruction control apparatus of the present invention is a control apparatus in which a plurality of entries in which data required for the implementation control of the branch instructions is stored in order of decoding successively from the top entry, and said apparatus comprises a mechanism which, when one or more entries are successively released in order of older decoding from the top entry among the entries whose implementation control of the corresponding branch instruction has been completed, moves the contents of the remaining entries in a direction toward the top entry by the number of entries released, and a unit for storing data required for the implementation control of newly decoded branch instructions in one or more empty entries which are near the top entry including the entries which become empty by the movement, in the same cycle as in the movement of the said contents.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an instruction control method in a computer system, and more specifically to a branch instruction control apparatus and a control method in which new entries are made and a flag required for the control of a branch instruction is updated in accordance with the release of entries as an entry control method for a branch reservation station for controlling a branch instruction, and entries are rearranged by a bubble-up mechanism, in a computer in which an out-of-order method is adopted.
2. Description of the Related Art
When an instruction is controlled in an instruction control apparatus, an instruction which has been inputted to an implementation pipeline in advance sometimes affects the implementation of succeeding instructions. When the succeeding instructions are implemented based on the implementation results of the preceding instruction, if the processing of the preceding instruction is delayed, no succeeding instructions can be implemented during that time, and the succeeding instructions must keep waiting for the completion of the preceding instruction. In this way, a branch instruction in particular, among instructions which affect the implementation of succeeding instructions, greatly affects the succeeding instructions. When the preceding instruction which has been implemented in advance is an instruction which is going to change branch conditions, unless the implementation results of that instruction are not fixed, it is not possible to judge whether a branch exists or not. If it is not possible to judge whether a branch exists or not, the sequence of the succeeding instructions of the branch instruction cannot be established.
As a result, the succeeding instructions cannot be inputted to the implementation pipeline, so that the processing within the instruction control apparatus stops temporarily, thus causing the processing capability to be reduced. This also applies to an instruction control apparatus which adopts any other processing method, and is the problem common to any instruction control apparatus. In order to solve this problem, usually, an instruction control apparatus holds a branch prediction mechanism. By predicting a branch, it is possible to input the succeeding instruction sequences of the branch instruction one after another to the implementation pipeline without waiting for the completion of the branch instruction.
In the case of an out-of-order processing method having a branch prediction mechanism, a plurality of branch instructions are inputted to the implementation pipeline based on branch prediction results. The branch instructions which are inputted to the implementation pipeline are controlled in a branch instruction control unit. The branch instruction control unit can control a plurality of branch instructions, but there is an upper limit in the number of branch instructions which can be controlled at a time. If the processing of branch instructions is delayed, the resources of the branch instruction control unit decrease gradually, and when the number of branch instructions which are inputted to the implementation pipeline reach the upper limit of the number of entries which can be processed at the same time, no new instruction can be inputted to the pipeline any more.
In such a case, since the succeeding instruction sequences cannot be inputted to the implementation pipeline even if the prediction in the branch prediction mechanism is correct, the processing capability decreases. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to improve the throughput of the branch instruction processing in the branch instruction control unit and increase the number of branch instructions which can be controlled by the branch instruction control unit at the same time. However, merely by increasing the number of branch instructions (entries) which can be controlled by the branch instruction control unit at the same time, the throughput of the branch instructions cannot be improved, for example, when a toothless state of entries takes place as described later.
When the instruction control apparatus is controlled by the out-of-order method, all the instructions are controlled by the instruction control unit called a reservation station. A plurality of reservation stations exist in the instruction control unit, and by which reservation station an instruction is controlled is determined depending on the kind of the instruction. A pointer method or a bubble-up method is a general method for controlling entries of a reservation station. When entries are controlled by the pointer method, it is possible to effectively use the number of entries which are limited resources without waste, but there is a demerit in that the pointer method cannot easily cope with the tendency of high frequencies used in instruction control apparatuses in recent years.
Each entry of the reservation station is controlled by a VALID signal indicating that the entry is valid or invalid. When entries are controlled by the bubble-up method, unless the VALID signal is 0 (zero) and the entries are invalid, succeeding instructions could not use the entries in prior art. Consequently, until the entries are released (reset) and the succeeding instructions can come to use the entries, the entries are toothless temporarily, and useless cycles in which part of entries cannot be used are generated.
When an branch instruction is controlled by a reservation station, entries must be released in order. Therefore, the entries in the reservation station must always line up in the order of instructions. When the entries of a branch reservation station are controlled by the bubble-up method, if the entries become toothless temporarily after the entries are released and the entries cannot be used effectively, the entries reach the seeming upper limit of the number of entries, so no new instruction can be inputted to the implementation pipeline. Moreover, unless no succeeding instruction can be registered to the branch reservation station although, in fact, there is some space in the entries, the throughput of the branch instruction decreases, thus causing the performance of an instruction control apparatus to be decreased.
The prior art of the branch instruction control method which uses such a branch reservation station that has been described above is explained below using FIG. 1 to FIG. 5. FIG. 1 is an example showing the release of entries in a branch reservation station and the process of making a new entry in accordance with the input of a new instruction in prior art.
A total of ten entries, for example, from RSBR0 to RSBR9 are provided in the branch reservation station. In a first cycle, data or flags required for the control of branch instruction 1 to branch instruction 6 are stored for six entries from RSBR0 to RSBR5; branch instruction 7 and branch instruction 8 are going to be inputted to RSBR6 and RSBR7 respectively from the side of the decoder; and the control is going to be completed for branch instruction 1 to branch instruction 3.
In the following cycle, three entries from RSBR0 to RSBR2 in which flags, etc. for three branch instructions whose implementation control has been completed are stored are released; flags, etc. for branch instruction 7 and branch instruction 8 are stored for RSBR6 and RSBR8; and new entries are going to be made in RSBR8 and RSBR9 for branch instruction 9 and branch instruction 10 which are inputted from the side of the decoder.
In the following cycle, bubbling-up is carried out, and the contents of each entry are moved in a direction toward the top entry. In prior art, this bubbling-up is carried out after the entry positioned in a direction toward the top entry is released and the VALID flag for the released entry is lowered. Consequently, the bubbling-up is carried out after it is confirmed that the entries from RSBR0 to RSBR2 have been released and the VALID flag has been lowered.
In the bubbling-up here, it is supposed that the contents of an entry are moved in a direction toward the top entry by the number of one entry for each of the entries. The flags, etc. for branch instructions from branch instruction 4 to branch instruction 8 are stored in the entries from RSBR2 to RSBR6. Then, data for branch instruction 9 and branch instruction 10 which were going to be newly inputted to RSBR8 and RSBR9 in the preceding cycle is stored, that is to say, new entries are made.
As a result, RSBR0, RSBR1 and RSBR7 out of ten entries are empty, that is to say, toothless. So, when trying to input new branch instructions from the side of the decoder in this cycle, there is no empty entry on the rear end side of the branch reservation station, and no new branch instruction can be inputted in the implementation pipeline.
FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 show part of the control circuit corresponding to a conventional technology of FIG. 1. In order to compare the conventional control circuits shown in these figures with the control circuits of the present invention which will be explained later, described below is the operation of these control circuits (shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5).
FIG. 2 shows a bubble-up control signal output circuit (No. 1). In the prior art shown in FIG. 1, all the entries from RSBR0 which is the top entry to RSBRm which is the (m+1) th entry exist in the branch reservation station. In other words, when flags, etc. are stored, a disabled bubble-up signal indicating bubble-up inability is outputted from the buffer 100. In the prior art shown in FIG. 1, bubbling-up is carried out in the form in which the contents of an entry are moved in a direction toward the top entry by the number of one entry for each of the entries, so bubbling-up is impossible when data is stored continuously in all the entries from the top entry to the (m+1)th entry.
FIG. 3 shows a bubble-up control signal output circuit (No. 2). In FIG. 3, when all the entries from RSBR0 to RSBRm does not exist, that is to say, when data is not stored in all the entries, that is to say, when there is even a single empty entry on the way, an enable_1up signal indicating that the bubbling-up of the entry following the empty entry is possible is outputted from the buffer 101.
FIG. 4 shows the output circuit of a load permitting (enabling) signal for data for RSBRm from the decoder. In FIG. 4, when a VALID signal indicating that RSBR (m−1) is valid for the AND gate 102, and a signal indicating that entries from RSBRm to RSBRn which is the last entry do not exist, that is to say, these entries are empty are inputted, loading of data such as a flag in the entry RSBRm is permitted from the decoder.
FIG. 5 shows the latch circuit holding data such as a flag required for the control of branch instructions as the entry of the branch reservation station. FIG. 5 corresponds to the RSBR0 of the top entry, and in the prior art shown in FIG. 1, the same type latch circuit as shown in FIG. 5 is used in correspondence with the three entries from the top entry to RSBR2.
In FIG. 5, a set signal which sets data such as a flag to the entry of RSBR0 is given to the set terminal. When a COMPLETE signal indicating that the branch instruction for the entry of RSBR0 via the OR gate 104 has been completed, a CLEAR signal which releases the entry of RSBR0 when re-instruction fetching is required as will be described later, and RS1 as a RESET signal used for interrupt, etc. are inputted to a reset terminal, and when these signals become H (1), a reset is executed. The COMPLETE signal of RSBR0 resets the contents of the latch 103, but basically, it is used to lower the VALID flag in order to carry out bubbling-up as described above.
In the configuration of the latch circuit for seven entries from RSBR3 to RSBR9, the difference lies only in that only a COMPLETE signal as the entry of the OR gate 104 is excluded. This is because in prior art of FIG. 1, when the control of branch instructions is completed, the entries which are released are limited to three entries from RSBR0 to RSBR2, and entries which are released at the same time are limited to one or more entries which can be released continuously from the top entry.
The following document is available as the prior art concerning the out-of-order instruction control method.
Patent document 1: Kokai (Jpn. unexamined patent publication) No. 2000-181707 "Instruction Control Apparatus and Method"
In this document, an instruction control apparatus is disclosed in which a reservation station in which a plurality of instructions which have been decoded and which have not been issued to the implementation unit are stored temporarily is provided, and in which information stored in entries is moved by the bubble-up method for the reservation station. However, even in this technology, the problem was not solved in that entries become toothless with the operation method in which bubbling-up is carried out after the VALID flags of the entries which have been released are lowered as described in FIG. 1.

Branch instruction control apparatus and control method


This invention relates to an efficient way to calibrate and control a raster output scanner (ROS). The scan non-linearity of a ROS may be measured and an appropriate calibration curve setting for the ROS may be determined. The setting and other scan line parameters may then be used as an address to a memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM). The memory may store a set of calibration curve data and the address is used to look up the data from one of these curves. The ROS may then be controlled based on the calibration data retrieved from memory.

Printing systems utilizing lasers to reproduce information are well known in the art. These printing systems typically use one or more Raster Output Scanners (ROS) to expose the charged portions of a photosensitive medium, such as a photoreceptor, to record an electrostatic latent image. The photosensitive medium is exposed to a toner, which is attracted to the electrostatic latent image. The toner may then be transferred to the print medium, such as sheet of paper, to reproduce the image.
Typically, an ROS will build the electrostatic latent image onto the photosensitive medium using a series of scan lines. Printing systems may also use multiple ROS units to form the image on the photosensitive medium. For example, color printing systems may use a plurality of ROS units, where each ROS forms a scan line for a separate color. Thus, it is important that the ROS units operate precisely and accurately. For example, registration of each scan line of ROS units in a color printing system can be required to be within a 0.1 mm circle or within a tolerance of .+−.0.05 mm.
Ideally, a ROS should be capable of exposing a line of evenly spaced, identical pixels on the photosensitive medium. In order to form these pixels, a ROS focuses its light beam into a spot along a scan line on the photosensitive medium. The speed at which a ROS scans along a scan line is known as the spot velocity.
However, the inherent geometry of the optical system used in a ROS makes obtaining evenly spaced, identical pixels problematic. Common manufacturing variances and errors may also cause inaccuracies by an ROS. These shortcomings in a typical ROS result in errors known as "scan non-linearity." Scan non-linearity refers to the deviations in uniform pixel placement by a ROS along a scan line.
Scan non-linearity results in a poorer image quality. For example, scan non-linearity can cause mis-registration between colors in a multiple ROS laser printer. Therefore, many known systems include scan non-linearity correction mechanisms.
Unfortunately, such correction mechanisms can be difficult to implement. For example, the non-linearity signature varies from ROS to ROS. Thus, each ROS must be separately measured and adjusted by a technician to correct its scan non-linearity. This calibration process can also be tedious and time consuming. In addition, over the lifetime of operation, the scan non-linearity of a ROS may vary or change. This may render the implemented correction obsolete or ineffective.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide methods and systems that are capable of efficiently correcting scan non-linearity in a ROS. In addition, it would be desirable to provide an efficient process for calibrating a ROS to correct or minimize its scan non-linearity.

Scan linearity correction parameters addressing ROM address bits