An image query system, and associated method and computer program product are disclosed that enhance and accelerate image-based querying. To this end, the present invention presents a digital image query with implict and explicit associated metadata and retrieval of visually similar images or other pertinent information from a large collection of images stored on local, networked, or web-linked repositories.

The World Wide Web (WWW) is comprised of an expansive network of interconnected computers upon which businesses, governments, groups, and individuals throughout the world maintain inter-linked computer files known as web pages. Users navigate these pages by means of computer software programs commonly known as Internet browsers. The vastness of the unstructured WWW causes users to rely primarily on Internet search engines to retrieve information or to locate businesses. These search engines use various means to determine the relevance of a user-defined search to the information retrieved.
Typically, each search result rendered by the search engine includes a list of individual entries that have been identified by the search engine as satisfying the user's search expression. Each entry or "hit" includes a hyperlink that points to a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) location or web page. In addition to the hyperlink, certain search result pages include a short summary or abstract that describes the content of the web page.
A common technique for accessing textual materials on the Internet is by means of a "keyword" combination, generally with Boolean operators between the words or terms, where the user enters a query comprised of an alphanumeric search expression or keywords. In response to the query, the search engine sifts through available web sites to match the words of the search query to words in a metadata repository, in order to locate the requested information.
This word-match based search engine parses the metadata repository to locate a match by comparing the words of the query to indexed words of documents in the repository. If there is a word match between the query and words of one or more documents, the search engine identifies those documents and returns the search results in the form of HTML pages.
Furthermore, not only is the quantity of the WWW material increasing, but the types of digitized material are also increasing. For example, it is possible to store alphanumeric texts, data, audio recordings, pictures, photographs, drawings, images, video and prints as various types of digitized data. However, such large quantities of materials are of little value unless the desired information is readily queryable, browseable and retrievable. While certain techniques have been developed for accessing specific types of textual materials, these techniques are at best moderately adequate for accessing graphic or other specialized materials. Consequently, there are large bodies of published materials that still remain significantly underutilized.
As a result, it is becoming increasingly important to enable users to search by content and context, and not be limited to textual searches.

Query-by-image search and retrieval system


An efficient cost-effective process for preparation of 1-erythro-2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanol from 1-1-phenyl-1-hydroxy-2-propanone, which comprises converting 1-1-phenyl-1-hydroxy-2-propanone to 1-1-phenyl-1-hydroxy-2-propanone oxime and reducing the oxime with a catalyst consisting of finely divided nickel and aluminium metals giving good diastereomeric purity and yield.

1-erythro-2-Amino-1-phenyl-1-propanol, 1, is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in the Chinese herb 'Ma Huang'. It is isolated from the herb along with 1-ephedrine and other alkaloids.

Apart from the natural source, this material has been produced synthetically also. The synthetic methods can be broadly classified into following categories:
1. Resolution of dl-phenylpropanolamine, which in turn is prepared by:
i) catalytic hydrogenation of alpha-isonitrosopropiophenone (scheme 1)
ii) alpha halogenation of propiophenone, amination followed by catalytic hydrogenation. (scheme 2, X=halogen)
iii) Reduction of 1-phenyl-2-nitro-1-propanol (scheme 3)
2. Catalytic hydrogenation of 1-1-phenyl-1-hydroxy-2-propanone in the presence of ammonia or aralkylamines. (Scheme 4, R═H, aralkyl)
3. Reduction of derivatives like oximes, hydrazones or imines of 1-1-phenyl-1-hydroxy-2-propanone by catalytic hydrogenation, which may be effected by chiral or achiral catalysts or by dissolving metals or metal amalgams. (Scheme 5, R═OH, NH2, aralkyl)
4. Resolution of 2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanone followed by catalytic hydrogenation of optical antipode of 2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanone (Scheme 6)
5. Stereospecific synthesis using chiral precursors with known stereochemistry or chiral auxiliaries.
The resolution of dl-phenylpropanolamine has been tried by employing many resolving agents
S. Kanao, J. Pharm. Soc. Japan 48, 947-958 (1928); E. Flassig, Oesterreich Chemiker Zeitung 57, 308 (1956); and J. Org. Chem. 25, 1929-1937 (1960) disclose use of L-tartaric acid as a resolving agent.
C. Jarowsky; W. H. Hartung, J. Org. Chem. 8, 654 (1943) disclose use of L-mandelic acid as a resolving agent.
H. Takamatsu, J. Pharm. Soc. Japan 76, 1230-1233 (1956) disclose use of camphorsulphonic acid as a resolving agent.
Several patent documents also disclose methods for resolving dl-phenylpropanolamine using various resolving agents. Some of these patents are incorporated below for reference.
German Patents 2,258,410 (1973); 2,304,055 (1974) and 2,258,410 (1974) and British Patent 1,385,490 (1975) disclose resolution of dl-phenylpropanolamine employing thiazolidinecarboxylic acids.
German Patent 2,258,507 (1976) discloses resolution of dl-phenylpropanolamine using pantoic acid.
German patents 2,854,069 (1979) and 2,854,070 (1979) demonstrate use of maleamides of d- and 1-norpseudoephedrine in resolving dl-phenylpropanolamine.
Japanese Patent 4530 (1955) discloses resolution of dl-phenylpropanolamine using (2R,3R)-2,3-dimethoxy succinic acid.
However, none of these resolving agents used in prior art give good yields of optically pure antipodes of phenylpropanolamine. Besides, the cost and difficulty in recovery of these resolving agents is of great concern.
In addition, the starting material dl-phenylpropanolamine itself has been prepared by a number of methods
U.S. Pat. No. 3,028,429 (1962); W. H. Hartung; J. C. Munch, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 51, 2262-2266 (1929); U.S. Pat. No. 2,784,228 (1957); W. H. Hartung, Y. Chang, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 74, 5927-5929 (1952); H. Adkins, H. R. Billica, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 70, 695-698 (1948); M. C. Rebstock; G. W. Moersch; A. C. Moore and J. M. Vandenbelt, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 73, 3666-3670 (1951) and T. Matsumoto; K. Hata, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 79, 5506 (1957) describe in details the preparation of dl-phenylpropanolamine by catalytic hydrogenation of alpha-isonitrosopropiophenone with metal catalysts such as Ni, Pd, Pt etc.
J. R. Merchant, R. K. Pandya, J. N. Ray, Science and Culture, Calcutta 23, 313-314 (1957) describe the preparation of dl-phenylpropanolamine by reduction of alpha-isonitrosopropiophenone with aluminum amalgam.
D. H. Hey, J. Chem. Soc. 1232 (1930) demonstrate the preparation of dl-phenylpropanolamine by reduction of alpha-isonitrosopropiophenone with sodium/ethanol
V. Evdokimoff, Gazz. Chim. Ital. 81, 725 (1951) describe the preparation of dl-phenylpropanolamine by reduction of alpha-isonitrosopropiophenone with nickel-aluminium (1:1) alloy.
Other methods of preparation of dl-phenylpropanolamine as described in German Patent 468,306 (1925); H. K. Mueller, Annallen 598, 70-84 (1956) and P. Besse, H. Veschambre, J. Org. Chem. 59, 8288-8291 (1994) include reduction of 2-aminopropiophenone, which in turn is obtained by a) halogenation of propiophenone and reaction with ammonia, b) reaction of halogenated propiophenone with sodium azide followed by reduction of alpha-azidopropiophenone.
Racemic phenylpropanolamine is also obtained by reduction of 1-phenyl-2-nitro-1-propanol as discussed in literatures like N. Wilhelm; Nagai; S. Kanao, Annallen 470, 157-182 (1929); S. Kanao, J. Pharm. Soc. Japan 48, 947-958 (1928); Y. Shirozaki, J. Pharm. Soc. Japan 51, 720-722 (1931); F. W. Hoover, H. B. Hass, J. Org. Chem. 12, 506 (1947) as well as disclosed in patent documents U.S. Pat. No. 2,151,517 (1939) and British Patent 1,413,930 (1975).
These methods however have potential problems regarding poor efficiencies of conversion, contamination with diastereomeric impurities, which necessitate laborious purifications and catalyst cost.
Other methods as disclosed in German Patents 588,880 (1933); 587,586 (1933); 599,433 (1934); British Patents 365,535 (1930); 365,541 (1930); Indian Patent IN172,970 (1994) as well as exemplified in P. M. Subramanian; S. K. Chatterjee and M. C. Bhatia, J. Chem. Tech. Biotechnol. 39, 219-229 (1987) involving reductive amination of 1-1-phenyl-1-hydroxy-2-propanone are also riddled with problems.
The starting material, 1-1-phenyl-1-hydroxy-2-propanone, being an alpha-ketol, is very sensitive to extreme pH and temperature conditions. It is known to undergo very rapid racemization and isomerization to 2-hydroxy-1-phenyl-1-propanone in presence of traces of alkalies or acids (G. Richard, Compt. Rend. 214, 673 (1942)). Due to this the processes described in these references cause extensive racemization of 1-1-phenyl-1-hydroxy-2-propanone and subsequently lower the yields of 1-erythro-2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanol.
In fact, low to medium yields of racemic phenylpropanolamine have been reported by this method in Indian Patent IN 172,970 (1994); P. M. Subramanian; S. K. Chatterjee and M. C. Bhatia, J. Chem. Tech. Biotechnol. 39, 219-229 (1987) in spite of starting with optically active 1-1-phenyl-1-hydroxy-2-propanone.
British Patent 365,535 (1930); German patent 1,014,553 (1957) and O. C. Kreutz; P. J. S. Moran and J. A. R. Rodrigues, Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 8, 2649-2653 (1997) have disclosed reduction of derivatives like oxime, hydrazone, N-benzylimine etc. of 1-1-phenyl-1-hydroxy-2-propanone. The oximes, oxime ethers and hydrazones of 1-1-phenyl-1-hydroxy-2-propanone have been reduced by catalytic hydrogenation and by aluminum amalgams.
European Patent EP 1,142,864 (2003) discloses reduction of N-benzylimine by catalytic hydrogenation.
Similarly, the approaches based on resolution of 2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanone followed by reduction are not free from problems.
These approaches are disclosed in German patent 639,129 (1936); Japanese Patent JP 63091352 (1988) and literatures like H. Takamatsu, J. Pharm. Soc. Japan 76, 1219-1222 (1956) and B. D. Berrang, A. H. Lewin, F. I. Carroll, J. Org. Chem. 47, 2643-2647 (1982).
The starting material 2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanone is stable only in salt form and unstable as a base and known to undergo self condensation to give undesired by-products which include 2,5-dimethyl-3,6-diphenyl-2,5-dihydropyrazine (M. Tiffeneau; J. Levy and E. Ditz, Bull Soc. Chim. 2, 1848 (1935) and S. Gabriel, Chem. Ber. 41, 1127-1156 (1908)). The resolution efficiency is poor and overall yield of the optically pure antipodes of erythro-2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanol is also very low.
The catalytic hydrogenation of 2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanone as described in F. Skita, F. Keil, E. Baesler, Chem. Ber. 66, 858 (1932), does not give exclusively erythro-product which is very essential for overall efficiency of the process.
One more method has been described in Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 0504948 [93,04948] (1993) in which alpha-isonitrosopropiophenone is asymmetrically hydrogenated in the presence of chiral substituted ferrocene catalysts. However this method also does not give a high diastereomeric and enantiomeric excess of one enantiomer of phenylpropanolamine over other and hence was not satisfactory.
Another approach is a stereospecific synthesis of 1-erythro-2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanol from chiral precursors (T. F. Buckley; H. Rapoport, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 103, 6157-6163 (1981); K. Koga; H. Matsou and S. Yamada, Chem. Pharm. Bull. 14, 243-246 (1966); W. R. Jackson; H. A. Jacobs; G. S. Jayatilake; B. M. Matthews and K. C. Watson Aust. J. Chem. 43, 2045 (1990)) or by use of chiral auxiliaries. (W. Oppolzer; O. Tamura; G. Surendrababu and M. Signer, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 114, 5900 (1992))
In addition to the above, methods have been described by D. Enders; H. Lotter; N. Maigrot; J. P. Mazaleyrat and Z. Welvart, Nouv. J. Chem. 8, 747-750 (1984), and in Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 10 45688 (1998) in which alpha-isonitrosopropiophenone was either hydrogenated in the presence of hydrogenations having chiral ligands or reduced with borohydride complexes of 1,2-amino alcohol chiral auxiliaries.
A review of prior art methods shows that all the above stated methods suffer from at least one of the following drawbacks: cost and recyclability of hydrogenation catalyst, cost and recyclability of resolving agents, poor diastereo- and enantioselectivity in reductions, cost and availability of chiral precursors or chiral auxiliaries, cost and availability of chiral catalysts.
Thus there is a long felt consistent need to develop a process for the preparation of 1-erythro-2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanol (1-Norephedrine) that bypasses the above limitations and is more efficient in terms of yield and resolution and at the same time is cost-effective.
These considerations have thus motivated the present inventors to address the existing need of a better and cost effective method for preparation of 1-erythro-2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanol (1-Norephedrine).

Process for preparation of optically active 1-erythro-2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanol

Emmellen Biotech Pharmaceuticals Limited


A helicoid structure is disclosed that includes a male helicoid provided on an inner barrel and a female helicoid provided on an outer barrel. The female helicoid includes long female crests having engagement ends positioned near a forward end of the outer barrel and short female crests having engagement ends positioned further from the forward end of the outer barrel. At least one of the short female crests is connected to an adjacent long female crest by a guiding crest respectively formed along a plane extending orthogonally to an axis of the outer barrel. When the inner barrel having the male helicoid is rotated relative to the outer barrel having the female helicoid in order to assemble the inner barrel into the outer barrel, the engagement ends of the male helicoid crests are guided by the guiding crests so that the inner barrel may be rotated without any linear movement relative to the outer barrel.

This invention relates to a helicoid structure used to drive a lens barrel together with a photographing lens held therein along an optical axis in a zoom lens apparatus, vari-focal apparatus or the like adapted to vary a focal distance of the photographing lens.
A zoom lens apparatus or a vari-focal apparatus usually uses a mechanism for moving the lens barrel together with a photographing lens held therein back and forth along an optical axis and thereby to vary the focal distance of the photographing lens. Some of such lens barrel driving mechanisms have a helicoid structure. With a mechanism of this type, a movable lens barrel which holds a photographing lens is rotatably received by a stationary lens barrel. The movable lens barrel has a male helicoid formed on its outer peripheral surface while the stationary lens barrel has a female helicoid formed on its inner surface. The female helicoid is designed for engagement with the male helicoid. The movable lens barrel is rotated around the optical axis relative to the stationary lens barrel so that the movable lens barrel may be moved back and forth relative to the stationary lens barrel depending on the direction in which the movable lens barrel is rotated.
In the case of the above-mentioned known helicoid structure, rotation of the movable lens barrel relative to the stationary lens barrel necessarily causes the movable lens barrel to move back and forth relative to the stationary lens barrel so long as the male helicoid is in engagement with the female helicoid. As one counter measure to overcome this inconvenience, it has been proposed to provide an intermediate lens barrel adapted to receive the movable lens barrel, on one hand, and to be received by the stationary lens barrel, on the other hand. In addition, there is provided a mechanism functioning to prevent the movable lens barrel from rotating so that rotation of the intermediate lens barrel causes it to move back and forth relative to the stationary lens barrel and at the same time causes the movable lens barrel to move back and forth relative to the intermediate lens barrel. However, the helicoid structure employing such arrangement has various disadvantages as will be described below.
In order to assure that the movable lens barrel is prevented from rotating, there must be provided a latch member designed for engagement with an appropriate portion of the movable lens barrel, and this engagement must be maintained during linear movement of the movable lens barrel. To achieve this, the helicoid mechanism must be constructed so that the latch member is never disengaged from the movable lens barrel even when the latch member is moving back and forth together with the intermediate lens barrel and operatively associated with the stationary lens barrel so as to be prevented from rotating together with the intermediate lens barrel.
Clearly, operative association between the stationary lens barrel and the intermediate lens barrel, as well as operative association between the intermediate lens barrel and the movable lens barrel, occur through the helicoid structure. This means that the movable lens barrel must be rotated relative to the intermediate lens barrel when the movable lens barrel is telescopically received by the intermediate lens barrel and the intermediate lens barrel must be rotated relative to the stationary lens barrel when the intermediate lens barrel is telescopically received by the stationary lens barrel. In conflict with this requirement, the latch member is to prevent the movable lens barrel and itself from rotating by engaging respective predetermined locations of the stationary, intermediate, and movable lens barrels. Accordingly, the presence of the latch member will necessarily obstruct these lens barrel segments to be smoothly assembled by rotating the movable lens barrel and the intermediate lens barrel. To solve this problem, the latch member is constructed in the form of a separable member or a screw-mountable member so as to be incorporated in the helicoid structure after the respective lens barrel segments have been assembled together. As a result, the number of parts is increased and operation of assembly becomes complicated.

Helicoid structure used to drive a lens barrel in a vari-focal apparatus


In a computer system comprising a portable computer 100 of a substantially rectangular shape having at least a first side portion 101 and a second side portion 102 and peripheral apparatuses 200 and 300 connectable thereto, the area of the portable computer is at least 182.times.257 mm or less and 140.times.216 mm or more, and among the peripheral apparatuses, the first peripheral apparatus 200 is attached to the first side portion 101 of the portable computer 100 while the second peripheral apparatus 300 is attached to the second side portion 102 of the portable computer 100, and outer dimensions A and B of the computer system, to the side portions of which the peripheral apparatuses 200 and 300 are attached, are approximately equal to those of American letter size paper, whereby the computer system and documents of American letter size can be stored side-by-side in an American letter size carrying case.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer system which is utilized by connecting peripheral apparatuses to a portable computer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a computer system comprises a portable computer having an arithmetic and logic unit including a CPU, a memory and the like, and an input-output device such as a display device wherein inputting operations can be performed by a keyboard or pen input, and separately provided peripheral apparatuses which are utilized by being connected to the portable computer. Such peripheral apparatuses are, for example, input-output devices such as a printer, a CCD camera, or a TV tuner, and a power supply device such as an AC adapter, which are connected to the portable computer in accordance with their purpose.
The purpose of this computer system lies in that it is carried to various locations and used at those locations rather than used in a state in which it is fixed to a certain location. Normally, portable computers and peripheral apparatuses accordance to purpose of use are stored in a carrying case such as an attache case or a brief case to be moved to the place where they are to be used, and the portable computer and peripheral apparatuses are utilized at that place by being taken out and connected together.
Generally, since paper comes to mind as an object to be stored in a carrying case such as an attache case or brief case, the size thereof is often determined by a predetermined paper size. For example, American attache cases may be formed in sizes able to store American letter size paper in two side-by-side rows. Otherwise, in an attache case or brief case etc. which is meant to store paper having a predetermined size such as A-4 size, the size of the case is naturally determined by the paper size. Note that A-series size or B-series size designates a paper size prescribed by JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards).
Conventionally, where a portable computer, peripheral apparatuses and paper are to be stored in a carrying case which is produced to meet such a prescribed paper size, since the length-to-width area of a portable computer such as a so-called notebook computer is approximately A-4 size (210.times.297 mm), it is not possible to store the notebook computer and paper of American letter size arranged horizontally in an American attache case capable of accommodating paper of American letter size (216.times.279 mm) in two side-by-side rows.
On the other hand, in recent times, so-called sub-notebook computers of a size smaller than American letter size have been commercialized. In the case of a computer of, for example, B-5 size (182.times.257 mm), an allowance of approximately 22 mm in the longitudinal direction and 28 mm in the latitudinal direction is produced with respect to American letter size. However, peripheral apparatuses which conform to this horizontal space have not yet been commercialized, therefore the total size of a computer system combining a portable computer and peripheral apparatuses exceeds the prescribed size. Therefore, it is not possible to store such a computer system and paper side-by-side inside such a carrying case, so that they must be stored therein in a state wherein the computer system and the paper overlap. However, where the computer system and the paper are accommodated in an overlapped state, since there is little flexibility in the thickness of the carrying case, the number of sheets of paper which can be stored is restricted, due to which the case lacks practicality.
Further, in a carrying case the size of which is determined so as to store paper of a prescribed paper size arranged side-by-side, since the total size of the computer system exceeds the prescribed paper size, the remaining storage space excluding the computer system is restricted by the total size of the computer system, limiting the amount and size of objects which can be stored therein, and seriously hindering the effective usage thereof.
FIG. 6 shows a storage state of a conventional computer system in a carrying case. In FIG. 6, a computer system 1 comprises a portable computer 100, a first peripheral apparatus 200 and a second peripheral apparatus 300, which are stored in a carrying case 3 in an assembled state. In FIG. 6, the first peripheral apparatus 200 is arranged adjacent to the length side of the computer 100 opposite the side in which a latch 136 is provided, and the second peripheral apparatus 300 is arranged adjacent to and opposite the short side of the portable computer 100.
Accordingly, among the outer dimensions of the computer system 1, the length of one side thereof is equal to the length of the short side of the portable computer 100 added to the length of the short side of the first peripheral apparatus 200, and the length of the other side thereof is equal to the length of the long side of the portable computer 100 added to the length of the short side of the second peripheral apparatus 300. Since these outer dimensions exceed the size of paper which the carrying case 3 is designed to store, it is not possible to store paper 2 in the remaining marginal space, so that the paper 2 must be stored in a small space in the lid portion of the case, overlapping the computer system 1. Further, the residual marginal space is of a size which is not standard and which is determined by the outer dimensions of the computer system 1, and which therefore often becomes a useless space.
As prior art examples showing relationships between a portable computer and a storage case therefor, there are, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,590 (Portable Computer and Carrying Case for Mobile Office, Glenn R. Spragne, issued Jun. 6, 1989), U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,776 (Protective Carrying Case for Data Processing Equipment, Bradley J. Kabanuk et al., filed Nov. 3, 1988), U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,628 (Modular Portable Work Station having a Movable Support Tray, George M. Bradbury, issued May 18, 1993), U.S. Pat. No. 5,227,953 (Apparatus for Retaining and Electrically Interconnecting Multiple Devices, Tom B. Lindberg et al., issued Jun. 13, 1993), U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,056 (Portable Office, Farrukh Zia et al., issued Sep. 7, 1993), U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,332 (Crease, filed April, 1988), U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,988 (Expandable Shock Protected Carrying Case, Lauren Brown, filed Mar. 19, 1990), U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,338 (Held, filed April, 1992), Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 162723/1987 (Document Forming and Editing Device, Takahiro Iwasaka et al., Oct. 16, 1987), Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 121427/1991 (Portable Computer Terminal Set, Toshio Oka, Dec. 12, 1991), Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 62726/1993 (Separate Type Portable Computer, Kikou Ma, Sep. 3, 1993) and Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 87620/1993 (Attache Case Incorporating Electric Cables for a Personal Computer, Keiji Morino, Nov. 26, 1993). Further, with respect to a portable computer provided with apparatuses on both sides thereof, there is, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,764 (Modular Computer System with Portable Travel Unit, Isaac Levanon, issued Sep. 6, 1988). Also, with respect to peripheral apparatuses and the like, there are, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,690 (Portable Computer and Carrying case for Mobile Office, Glenn R. Spragne, issued Jun. 6, 1989), U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,776 (Protective Carrying case for Data Processing Equipment, Bradley J. Kabanuk et al., filed Nov. 3, 1988), U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,628 (Modular Portable Work Station having a Movable Support Tray, George M. Bradbury, issued May 18, 1993), U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,764 (Modular Computer System with Portable Travel Unit, Isaac Levanon, issued Sep. 6, 1988), U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,658 (Apparatus for Connecting Computer Components, Charles E. Hanebath, issued No. 29, 1988), U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,222 (Arrangement of Components in a Laptop Computer system, R. Richard Cater et al., issued Feb. 20, 1990), U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,949 (Locking Mechanism and Support Legs for Removable Display Assembly, Matthew A. Herron, issued Sep. 18, 1990), U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,128 (Docking Module, Mattbew A. Herron, issued Jul. 9, 1991), U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,045 (Battery and Expansion Slot Changeable Computer, Hsi K. Ma, issued Oct. 15, 1991), U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,401 (Lap Top Computer with Tilting Mechanism Consisting of a Battery Pack Pivotally Attached on a Rear Surface, Jaesam Yoan, issued Apr. 21, 1992), U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,105 (Portable Electronic Apparatus having a Battery Pack with a Mechanism for Latching and an Independent Mechanism for Temporarily Preventing Detachment, Takaichi Kobayashi, issued Oct. 5, 1993), Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 66726/1993 (Separate Type Portable Computer, Kikou Ma, Sep. 3, 1993) and Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 87620/1993 (Attache Case Incorporating Electric Cables for a Personal Computer Set, Keiji Morino, Nov. 26, 1993). Further, with respect to a paper guiding tray, there are, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,431 (Carrying Case for Storing a Computer and a Printer Operatively Connected Thereto, James W. Reel, issued Dec. 13, 1988), U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,658 (Apparatus for Connecting Computer Components, Charles E. Hanebath, issued Nov. 29, 1988), Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 12154/1993 (Printer Device, Hidemi Doi, Feb. 19, 1993) and Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 16336/1993 (Printer, Hiroyuki Harada et al., Mar. 2, 1993). With respect to a portable computer having an engaging portion, there are, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,045 (Battery and Expansion Slot Changeable Computer, Hsi K. Ma, issued Oct. 15, 1991) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,105 (Portable Electronic Apparatus having a Battery Pack with a Mechanism for Latching and an Independent Mechanism for Temporarily Preventing Detachment, Takaichi Kobayashi, issued Oct. 5, 1993). With respect to installing buttons on side portions of an apparatus, there are, for example, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 149437/1990 (Laptop Computer, Tokumasa Ishitobi, Dec. 20, 1990), Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 204539/1993 (Computer Device, Takashi Arita, Aug. 13, 1993), Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 20132/1993 (Home Position Movable Mouse Type Pointing Device, Eiji Ito, Mar. 12, 1993) and Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 40938/1993 (Mouse Type Pointing Device having a Fine Adjusting Mechanism, Eiji Ito, Jun. 1, 1993).


A communication system (10) includes a rotationally invariant pragmatic trellis coded modulation (PTCM) encoder (18) and decoder (34). The PTCM encoder (18) partitions information bits (20) into primary (42) and secondary (44) data streams. A pilot bit (56) is inserted into the secondary data stream (44) during each frame (46). The secondary stream (44) then receives rate 1/2 convolutional encoding (60) that is punctured to a rate of 9/16. The primary data stream (42) is differentially encoded (50). The encoded primary and secondary streams are concurrently phase mapped (70) using an 8-PSK constellation so that an effective code rate of 5/6 results. The PTCM decoder (34) convolutionally decodes (84) the secondary stream, then re-encodes secondary stream estimates using a systematic, transparent convolutional encoder (88). The pilot bit is evaluated (92) in the re-encoded symbol estimates (90) to detect and correct any secondary stream inversion that may have occurred due to phase ambiguity. After this correction, the secondary modulation is removed (98) from phase value estimates, and the primary stream is decoded.

Pragmatic trellis coded modulation (PTCM) has become popular because it allows a common basic encoder and decoder to achieve respectable coding gains for a wide range of bandwidth efficiencies (e.g. 1-6 b/s/Hz) and a wide range of coding applications, such as 8-PSK, 16-PSK, 16-QAM, 32-QAM, etc.
In general, PTCM employs primary and secondary modulation schemes. The words "primary" and "secondary" do not indicate relative importance. Rather, the secondary modulation is simply applied to a first subset of information bits, and the primary modulation is applied to the remaining information bits. Conventionally, the secondary modulation scheme differentially encodes its subset of information bits, then encodes these differentially encoded bits with a strong error detection and correction code, such as the well known K=7, rate 1/2 "Viterbi" convolutional code (i.e. Viterbi encoding). The primary modulation scheme need do no more than differentially encode its subset of the information bits. The resulting symbols from the primary and secondary modulation schemes are then concurrently phase mapped to generate quadrature components of a transmit signal. The symbol data are conveyed, at least in part, through the amplitude and phase relationships between the quadrature components of the transmit signal.
Carrier-coherent receiving schemes are often used with PTCM because they demonstrate improved performance over differentially coherent receiving schemes. Coherent receivers become phase synchronized to the received signal carrier in order to extract the amplitude and phase relationships indicated by the quadrature components. However, an ambiguity results because the receiver inherently has no knowledge of an absolute phase reference, such as zero. In other words, where one of 2.sup.k possible phase states are conveyed during each unit interval, where K.sup.k equals the number of symbols conveyed per unit interval, then the receiver may identify any of the 2.sup.k phase states as the zero phase state. This ambiguity must be resolved before the conveyed amplitude and phase data successfully reveal the information bits. Conventionally, the differential encoding, when used in connection with transparent convolutional codes applied to the secondary modulation, allows decoding circuits to resolve the phase ambiguity with respect to the secondary modulation. When the secondary modulation is decoded, these decoded bits are then used to re-generate the secondary modulation for use in decoding the primary modulation. The ambiguity must be resolved to correctly re-generate the secondary modulation so that the primary modulation can then be decoded.
Unfortunately, such schemes have conventionally been rotationally variant, particularly for higher orders of modulation. In other words, the decoders cannot remain locked regardless of which phase reference point is originally selected. As a result, when the decoder locks at some phase states, the differential decoding on the secondary modulation allows the decoder to quickly begin decoding data. However, when the decoder locks at other phase states, an extensive and time consuming normalization rate detection process is performed to regain lock.
The difficulty in achieving rotational invariance is believed to be caused, at least in part, by choosing a scheme for mapping symbols generated by convolutional encoders to phase points which excessively commingles primary and secondary modulation symbols in the resulting phase constellation. It may result in part from using a Gray code for mapping symbols generated by convolutional encoders to phase points and in part from attempting to convey more than one convolutionally encoded symbol from a given secondary information bit stream per unit interval.
In addition, the use of differential encoding upon the convolutionally encoded secondary information bit stream is undesirable because when a single error occurs, two highly correlated errors are observed in the decoder. Consequently, a significant degradation of error probabilities results.
Another technique known in connection with digital communication schemes, including PTCM, is puncturing. When signal-to-noise ratios in a communication channel permit, the convolutional coding may be punctured to improve the effective coding rate at the cost of reduced coding gain. Conventional systems which use punctured coding attempt to achieve a coding rate as close to one as is possible to maximize the data transfer rate and justify the complexity of including a puncturing and depuncturing system. While puncturing is desirable in many applications, the significant reduction in coding gain which results from the conventional practice of achieving a coding rate as close to one as possible is highly undesirable for the convolutional encoding applied to the secondary information bits of PTCM. The secondary modulation of PTCM requires strong coding because the secondary information bit stream is used to decode the primary bit stream. Single errors in this bit stream lead to many other errors, and significant weakening of this coding results in a significant degradation of error probabilities.

Trellis coded modulation communications using pilot bits to resolve phase ambiguities


A system for interactively selecting and activating groups of electrically powered devices such as computer and computer peripheral devices. A preferred system includes computer and computer peripheral devices, an interactive video display and a controller. The computer and computer peripheral devices include a printer and at least two computers, each of the computers including a printer port. The computers include a controller interface computer which executes a controller interface software module to generate control signals including user interface control signals. The video display receives the user interface control signals and, in response to the signals, interactively prompts a user to provide user inputs to the controller interface computer. The user inputs include a designation of a selected group of devices from the plurality of electrically powered devices. The controller includes circuitry adapted to provide power to the selected group of devices and to selectively provide communication links between the electrically powered devices, such as a communication link between one of the printer ports and the printer, as determined by the control signals. A preferred system allows more than one user to simultaneously select, activate and use groups of electrically powered devices. The preferred system additionally includes mechanisms for receiving prepayment from the users and for providing the users with receipts.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for interactively selecting and activating groups of electrically powered devices and, more particularly, pertains to a system for interactively selecting, activating and monitoring the usage of groups of electrically powered devices such as computers and computer peripheral devices and household appliances.
2. Description of the Related Art
Within the last few years, more and more retail outlets specializing in the rental of computer equipment have appeared in this country. A known approach to monitoring the usage of computers and peripheral devices is through a network such as Novell. Such an approach to monitoring the statuses of electrically powered equipment for the purpose of generating billing is deficient in that it is highly complicated, requires bidirectional communications and cannot readily be adjusted to compensate for changes in the communication interfaces and interface hardware of the monitored devices.
In addition to monitoring usage of computers and computer peripheral devices, it is desirable to be able to remotely activate and deactivate such devices. Current X10 technology employing A/C lines is deficient in that it does not provide bidirectional feedback.
Known computer rental outlets depend upon activation inputs from human employees and, therefore, operate at greater expense. Accordingly, it is also desirable to provide a system which automates the activation and deactivation of electrically powered devices. Although it is known to functionally connect an electrically powered device to a mechanism for receiving payment, the art is devoid of a self-service system which allows multiple users to simultaneously select, activate and prepay for the use of groups of electrically powered devices.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a system which allows multiple users to simultaneously select and activate groups of electrically powered devices.
A further object is to provide a system controller which facilitates simultaneous selection by more than one user of groups of electrically powered devices, automated activation of the groups of devices after prepayment is received, automated deactivation of the devices, and automated generation of receipts for each of the users.
Another object is to provide a system including a user input mechanism in the form of an interactive, touch-sensitive video display for entering user inputs including a designation of a selected group of electrically powered devices.
Another object is to provide a control module which receives user inputs and, in response thereto, generates: control signals for driving an interactive video display, switching control signals for a power switching device, and communication link control signals for establishing communication links between electrically powered devices.

System for interactively selecting and activating groups of electrically powered devices


A torque detection device on a power tool includes at least one resistive strain gauge connected to an outer periphery of the shaft which is rotatably received in the barrel of the tool and driven by a motor. At least one conductive collar is mounted to the shaft and electrically connected to the at least one resistive strain gauge. A display device includes a display screen which is located at an outer periphery of the barrel and electrically connected to at least one signal member which is electrically connected to the at least one conductive collar. The at least one resistive strain gauge is deformed together with the deformation of the shaft so as to transfer the deformation of the at least one resistive strain gauge to electronic signals which are displayed by digits in the display screen.

Conventional power tools powered by electric power are used in a wide range today and the electric power can be supplied by connecting a cable to a receptacle on the wall. The power can also be provided by a battery pack which is easily connected to the tool so that the tools can be portable without limitation by the length of the cable. The users use the tools to output a torque to tighten or loosen objects conveniently, however, the users do not know the exact output torque that is applied to the objects and the information of the value of the output torque is important when dealing with precision machine. Too much torque might hurt the objects on the precision machine, insufficient torque cannot meet requirements for the objects.
The present invention intends to provide a torque detection device for power tools wherein the exact output torque can be displayed in the display device on the tools so that the users can easily control the quality of work.


A digital video cassette recorder reproduces signals which have been compressed to digital data and recorded in predetermined M tracks (Mxe2x89xa71) with helical scan in the unit of page consisting of N frames (Nxe2x89xa71). Further, position data have been added to the digital data on recording. On reproduction, the position data are detected to determine which reproduction position is reproduced, and a control signal to designate a field to be output is generated by observing the reproduction position during a frame period. A first storage device stores decoded data in the unit of N frames, while a second storage device delays the data a time of one field. By observing the reproduction situation with the position data, a memory controller controls reading from the first storage device according to the control signal, while a switch selects data to be output between data from the first storage device and data from the second storage device according to the control signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital video cassette recorder where digital signals are subjected to high efficiency compression for recording and in particular to slow reproduction of signals in such a digital video cassette recorder.
2. Description of Prior Art
In a digital video cassette recorder, video signals are digitized, and the digital signals are subjected to high efficiency coding and recorded in a plurality of tracks with helical scan. Slow reproduction is a function of a digital video cassette recorder, and signal processing on slow reproduction is described, for example, in Japanese Patent laid open Publications 3-132183/1991, 5-344472/1993 and 9-261591/1997.
In a prior art digital video cassette recorder described in Japanese Patent laid open Publication 3-132183/1991, signals consist of a series of unit period such as horizontal period (referred to as block), and an index signal is added to each block. An index number indicates a number of field to which the block belongs and a number of block. When signals are reproduced, an index number is reproduced to determine which field is to be reproduced. Reproduced signals are subjected to error correction and the like for each block and stored in a frame memory. In slow reproduction, the data of one field stored in the frame memory are read in the unit of field according to change in the detected index number.
In the digital video cassette recorder, the index numbers added on recording are reproduced, and the output field is controlled on reproduction. However, if data are subjected to high efficiency compression in the unit of field or frame and subjected to shuffling recording, index number cannot be defined when signals are recorded. Then, the output field cannot be controlled.
Another prior art digital video cassette recorder described in Japanese Patent laid open Publication 5-344472/1993 solves this problem. Data are compressed at a high efficiency in the unit of fields (group) and subjected to shuffling recording. When compressed data in a plurality of fields (or a group) are read, truck index numbers which have been added on recording are reproduced to detect which position is reproduced. Signals of each field are output according to the detection in the unit of group. However, when compressed data are reproduced, the output of data are completed in each group. Then, the output time for a field on slow reproduction varies largely among fields. Thus, the reproduced pictures are not smooth on slow reproduction.
In a prior art digital image signal reproduction apparatus described in Japanese Patent laid open Publication 9-261591/1997, when compressed image data are read in the unit of a plurality of fields (or a group), the last field in a group and the first field in a following field can be output as one frame in slow reproduction. Then, the output of the reproduced images is improved to continue more smoothly. However, though the operation at a particular reproduction speed is described, it is not described how the slow reproduction is controlled at any reproduction speed.
An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus where an image can be reproduced smoothly on slow reproduction.
An apparatus according to the invention reproduces data recorded on a tape in slow reproduction. The digital video signals are compressed and recorded in predetermined M tracks (Mxe2x89xa71) on a tape with helical scan in the unit of a page consisting of N frames (Nxe2x89xa71), and position data representing position in the M tracks are added to the digital data on recording at predetermined positions in the M tracks. A reproduction processor converts signals reproduced from a magnetic tape to compressed digital data. A decoder decodes the compressed digital data reproduced by the reproduction processor to digital data, and a first storage device stores the decoded data in the unit of N frames. Further, a second storage device delays data received from the first storage device by a time of a frame. On the other hand, a position detector detects the position data in the data reproduced by the reproduction processor to determine which reproduction position is reproduced in an area where the data in a page are recorded. Thus, the situation of data reproduction is observed by detecting the position data. A read controller receives the reproduced position during a frame period and generates a control signal according to the determined reproduction position observed during a frame period. The control signal is determined to make output time of a frame even. A memory controller controls read from the first storage device according to the control signal, while a switch selects data to be output between data received from the first storage device and data received from the second storage device according to the control signal.
Preferably, a frame consists of two fields. The second storage device delays data received from the first storage device by a time of a field. The read controller generates the control signals by checking whether reproduction of an area of M/(2N) tracks of an area recording the data of one page is completed in the former half or in the latter half of a frame period and whether the completion of the reproduction of an area of M/(2N) tracks is zero, one or two times in a frame period, the control signal being determined to make output time of a field even.
Preferably, the memory controller controls the reading according to a combination of the control signal of a prior frame and that of a current frame.
Preferably, the switch selects the data to be output according to a combination of the control signal of a prior frame and that of a current frame.
Preferably, the decoder comprises an inner correction decoder and an outer correction decoder. The position data are added to the digital data subjected to outer correction. The inner correction decoder subjects the data reproduced by the reproduction processor to inner correction decoding. The read controller receives the data from the first inner correction decoder and detects the position data therein.
Preferably, the position data includes a first position information representing a position in a track and a second position information representing a track in the M tracks.
Preferably, the position detector determines the second position information detected at the last in a scan and detects the first position information detected first after the determined second position information is changed.
Preferably, the second position information is recorded to have a margin relative to a data to be determined currently.
Preferably, data are recorded to the tape with shuffling in the M tracks and the reproduction processor converts the recorded data to the digital data without shuffling.
Preferably, the read controller generates the control signal further by taking direction of tape running into account.
In a method according to the invention for reproducing signals recorded on a tape in slow reproduction, the signals are compressed to digital data and recorded in M tracks (Mxe2x89xa71) on a tape with helical scan in the unit of a page consisting of N frames (Nxe2x89xa71), and position data representing position in the M tracks are added to the digital data on recording at predetermined positions in the M tracks. On reproduction, signals reproduced from a magnetic tape are converted to compressed digital data. The reproduced digital data are decoded and the decoded data are stored in a first storage device in the unit of N frames. Further, data received from the first storage device are stored in a second storage device for delay by a time of a frame. On the other hand, the position data in the reproduced data are detected to determine which reproduction position is reproduced in an area where the data in a page are recorded. A control signal is generated according to the determined reproduction position observed during a frame period, the control signal being determined to make output time of a frame even. Reading from the first storage device is controlled according to the control signal, and data to be output are selected according to the control signal between data received from the first storage device and data received from the second storage device.
Preferably, in the method, a frame consists of two fields. The data received from the first storage device are delayed by a time of a field. The control signals is generated by checking whether reproduction of an area of M/(2N) tracks of an area recording the data of one page is completed in the former half or in the latter half of a frame period and whether the completion of the reproduction of an area of M/(2N) tracks is zero, one or two times in a frame period. The control signal is determined to make output time of a field even.
Preferably, in the method, the position data includes a first position information representing a recording position in a track and second position information representing a track position in the M tracks.
An advantage of the present invention is that images can be reproduced smoothly on slow reproduction in a digital video cassette recorder.

Apparatus reproducing signals on slow reproduction

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A method and apparatus for detecting deviation of an examined surface from a reference plane, by: generating first and second beams of radiation, directing the first beam along a first fixed path and focussing it at a first spot on the examined surface, directing the second beam along a second fixed path intersecting the first path at a point in the reference plane and focussing the second beam to a second spot on the examined surface, and detecting the deviation of the centers of the first and second spots with respect to the intersection point in the reference plane to provide an indication of the deviation of the examined surface from the reference plane.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting surface deviations from a reference plane. The invention is particularly useful in applications involving detecting such deviaions while examining a mask pattern on a semiconductor substrate, and is therefore described below with respect to such an application, but it will be appreciated that the invention could advantageously be used in many other applications as well.
Scanning electron microscopes are commonly used for the accurate indication of critical dimensions of patterns on silicone wafers for the production of integrated circuits. These indications are done when the patterns are at the focal plane of the microscope objective. Any deviation of the pattern from the focal plane affects the indications and therefore must be detected so that the lens or the pattern position can be properly readjusted.
A number of optical systems are known for determining such deviations of the pattern from the focal plane of the microscope objective. Examples of known techniques are described in an article published by H. D. Wolpert, Photonics Spectra June 1987, pp 165-168 and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,264,935. Such systems are generally based on focussing a beam of radiation (e.g., a laser beam) on the examined surface and reflecting the beam to a position-sensitive detector such that any deviation in the examined surface from the focal plane of the microscope objective produces a non-symmetry in the light spot projected on the detector with respect to a reference point on the detector.
However, such a method is sensitive to differences in reflection of the substrate. This greatly limits its use when employed for imaging a masked pattern on a semiconductor substrate for the manufacture of integrated circuits. However, patterned surfaces produce significant and non-uniform scattering, and defraction, and non-uniform reflection. This results in an error, known as a drawback, in the position indication. The drawback is not constant and depends on the random geometrical and optical structure of the pattern on the examined reflecting surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,356,392 discloses one system for reducing this drawback. According to the system described in that patent, an auxiliary beam is focussed along a first path to a spot on the examined surface, and is reflected back along a second path to a second spot at the location of the first spot on the examined surface. The second path includes a retro-reflector which inverts the beam directed back along the second path, such that after the double reflection to the examined surface, the two halves of the beam tend to cancel out local differences in reflection.
However, such a system suffers from the following disadvantages: (1) Since the beam used for detecting the deviation in the examined surface from a reference plane is reflected from the examined surface twice, the scattering and/or the absorption at the examined surface substantially attenuates the beam intensity, and thereby decreases the collection efficiency; the system therefore requires the use of a position sensitive detector having a very wide dynamical range, which is not attainable in some situations with the present technology.
(2) In addition, the optical beam undergoing the second reflection is not completely symmetrical with the optical beam undergoing the first reflection because of significant distortions at the time of and following the first reflection; and this non-symmetry between the beams undergoing the two reflections can result in significant positional errors.
It would therefore be highly desirable to provide a method and apparatus for detecting the deviation of an examining surface from a reference plane, in which the above-described drawbacks are reduced or eliminated. It would be particularly desirable to provide such a method and apparatus which could be used in examining patterned surfaces of semiconductor substrates for the manufacture of integrated circuits.

Method and apparatus for detecting surface deviations from a reference plane


Some embodiments include a club head for adjusting vertical spin of a golf ball. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

The initial spin rate and spin direction that a golf club head imparts on a golf ball at impact can affect both the distance the golf ball travels and the flight path of the golf ball. For example, as a result of the Magnus effect, the spin rate and spin direction of a golf ball can affect the aerodynamic lift forces acting on the golf ball while the golf ball travels through the air. The spin rate and spin direction can be broken up into vertical and horizontal components. Specifically, the vertical spin rate and direction of the golf ball can affect the vertical aerodynamic lift forces acting on the golf ball (e.g., resulting in an upward or downward force acting on the golf ball, depending on the rate and/or direction of vertical rotation). Furthermore, the horizontal spin rate and direction of the golf ball can affect the horizontal aerodynamic lift forces acting on the golf ball (e.g., resulting in a leftward or rightward force acting on the golf ball, depending on the rate and/or direction of horizontal rotation).
Minor horizontal rotation can result in a fade (rightward) or draw (leftward) bias in the flight path of the golf ball while greater horizontal rotation can result in the golf ball slicing right or hooking left. Meanwhile, vertical rotation can affect the vertical flight path of the golf ball. For example, for a backward spinning golf ball, increasing the spin rate of the golf ball can increase an upward lift force acting on the golf ball to help carry the golf ball through the air. However, like any projectile, too much lift or too little lift can reduce the total forward distance traveled by the golf ball. The optimal vertical spin rate varies, and can depend on the initial forward ball speed of the golf ball and the playing conditions (e.g., weather).
For a wood-type club head, the applied spin rate and/or direction, the center of gravity and/or moment of inertia, and the characteristic time of the club head can all contribute to the desirability for use of the club head because each of these factors can affect the distance a golf ball travels, the launch angle of the golf ball, the spin rate and/or direction of the golf ball at impact, and/or the forgiveness of the club head.
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.
The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms "include," and "have," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.
The terms "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "over," "under," and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.
The terms "couple," "coupled," "couples," "coupling," and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements or signals, mechanically and/or otherwise. For example, two or more mechanical elements may be mechanically coupled, but not be otherwise coupled. Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.
"Mechanical coupling" and the like should be broadly understood and include mechanical coupling of all types.
The absence of the word "removably," "removable," and the like near the word "coupled," and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not removable.
In many examples as used herein, the term "approximately" can be used when comparing one or more values, ranges of values, relationships (e.g., position, orientation, etc.) or parameters (e.g., velocity, acceleration, mass, temperature, spin rate, spin direction, etc.) to one or more other values, ranges of values, or parameters, respectively, and/or when describing a condition (e.g., with respect to time), such as, for example, a condition of remaining constant with respect to time. In these examples, use of the word "approximately" can mean that the value(s), range(s) of values, relationship(s), parameter(s), or condition(s) are within ±0.5%, ±1.0%, ±2.0%, ±3.0%, ±5.0%, and/or ±10.0% of the related value(s), range(s) of values, relationship(s), parameter(s), or condition(s), as applicable.

Club heads for adjusting vertical spin of a golf ball and methods of providing the same


The present invention provides a photothermographic material including a support having disposed on one surface thereof at least one image-forming layer containing a binder, an organic silver salt, a reducing agent for reducing silver ions, an organic polyhalogen compound and a photosensitive silver halide, wherein the photosensitive silver halide has a silver iodide content ranging from 10 mol % to 100 mol %. The silver halide further contains at least one metal selected from a first metal group and one metal selected from a second metal group, with a proviso that none of the at least one metal selected from the first metal group and the at least one metal selected from the second metal group are the same.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a photothermographic material having a high silver iodide content. More specifically, the invention relates to a photothermographic material that exhibits high sensitivity and low fog, and is excellent in lightfastness of images after processing.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years in the medical field, it has been strongly desired to reduce the volume of processing waste fluids from the standpoints of environmental protection and conservation of space. Thus, there has been a need for technologies relating to photothermographic materials which are applicable for medical diagnosis or photographic technologies and can efficiently be exposed by a laser image setter or a laser imager to form clear black images having high resolution and sharpness. These photothermographic materials are advantageous in providing customers with a thermally developing system that does not need liquid-type processing solutions, and which is simple and not harmful to the environment.
There is also a need for the similar technologies in the field of ordinary image forming materials. In particular in the field of medical diagnosis, which requires detail depiction, high quality images excellent in sharpness and graininess are needed and blue black image tone is desired in view of diagnosing readiness. Currently, various types of hard copy systems using pigments and dyes, for example, ink jet printers and electrophotographic systems are widely used as the ordinary imaging system. However, the materials are not yet satisfactory in view of image quality (sharpness, graininess, gradation and tone) for providing diagnostic ability necessary for medical images and recording speed (sensitivity), and they have not yet reached a level at which they can replace existent medical films containing silver sats, that are used in a conventional wet developing system.
On the other hand, photothermographic image forming systems using organic silver salts are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,152,904 and 3,457,075, and in "Thermally Processed Silver Systems" written by D. H. Klosterboer, "Imaging Processes and Materials" written by Neblette, 8th Ed., edited by J. Sturge, V. Walworth & A. Shepp, Chap. 9, p. 279, 1989. Usually, photothermographic materials have a photosensitive layer produced by dispersing a catalytically active amount of a photocatalyst (e.g., silver halide), a reducing agent, a reducible silver salt (e.g., organic silver salt), and optionally a toning agent for adjusting silver color tone in a binder matrix. Photothermographic materials of this type are, after having been imagewise exposed, heated to an elevated temperature (e.g., at 80° C. or higher) to form black silver images through a redox reaction between a reducible silver salt (serving as an oxidizing agent) and a reducing agent. The redox reaction is accelerated by catalytic action of latent images which have been formed on silver halides exposed to light. Therefore, the black silver images are formed in the exposed area (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,910,377 and Japanese Patent Application Publication (JP-B) No.43-4924).
As a result, the Fuji Medical Dry Imager (FM-DP L) was marketed as a medical diasnostic image-forming system utilizing the photothermographic materials.
There are two methods for manufacturing the photothermographic material utilizing the organic silver salt. The first method involves applying a coating liquid containing the silver salt dissolved in a solvent and the second method involves applying an aqueous coating liquid containing polymer fine particles as a main binder followed by drying. The latter method is advantageous in that it only requires a simple manufacturing equipment since a step for recovering the solvent is unnecessary, making it well-suited for mass-production.
Since such an image forming system utilizing the organic silver salt does not employ a fixing step, it is problematic in that after development, image preservation is adversely affected, especially when the printed out image is exposed to light. In order to improve this printout problem, a method utilizing AgI formed by converting the organic silver salt is described in certain patent publications, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,143,488 and European Patent (EP) No. 0922995. However, these methods of utilizing the conversion of the organic silver salt with iodine were incapable of obtaining sufficient sensitivity, and were thus unable to create practically applicable systems.
Other photosensitive materials utilizing AgI are described in patent publications (e.g., WO97/48014, WO97/48015, U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,705, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 8-297345, and Japanese Patent No. 2785129), however, these could not achieve sufficient sensitivity or fogging levels, and hence, these materials are unsuitable for actual use as photosensitive materials exposed with lasers.
In order to increase sensitivity of a photographic silver iodide emulsion, a means of sensitization by immersion in halogen receptors such as sodium nitrite, pyrogallol and hydroquinone has been known. Also, immersion in an aqueous silver nitrate solution, or sulfur sensitization at pAg 7.5 have been known. These have been described in publications such as the Journal of Photographic Science, Vol. 8, page 119 (1960), ibid. Vol. 28, page 163 (1980), or Photographic Science and Engineering, Vol. 5, page 216 (1961). However, as shown in the Examples herein, the sensitizing effects exhibited by these halogen receptors were poor in the photothermographic material as disclosed herein.
Doping a photosensitive silver halide with a heavy metal has been carried out on a variety of silver halides. For example, doping a transition metal belonging to Groups VI to X of the Periodic Table into the inside a silver halide grain is described in JP-A No. 2001-42471. It is preferable that a larger amount of the doping material is distributed on a surface of the grain or in the vicinity thereof rather than inside the grain, or is uniformly distributed within the grain so as to exhibit high sensitivity. As such silver halides, silver bromide, silver iodobromide and silver chloroiodobromide are used with a silver iodide content ranging from 0.01 mol % to 10 mol %, and preferably from 0.1 mol % to 5 mol %.
JP-A No. 2000-66325 discloses a method for doping a silver halide grain with an iridium-type dopant and a transition metal dopant other than iridium, localized in mutually different regions, to obtain high sensitivity. In particular, the effect of the method to enhance sensitivity at the time when irradiated with high intensity light is set forth. As the silver halides, similar to the above, silver bromide, silver iodobromide, silver chloroiodobromide and silver iodide are used with a silver iodide content ranging from 0.01 mol % to 10 mol %, and preferably from 0.1 mol % to 5 mol %. It is also described therein that such a doping method is applicable to a multi-color photosensitive material having two or more silver halide emulsion layers, however, there is no mention that this method is applicable to a photothermographic material.
As described above, for use in the silver halide emulsions having a silver iodide content of 10 mol % or less, preferable heavy metals and preferable methods for adding such metals are conventionally known, however, for use in the silver halide emulsions having a high silver iodide content of 40 mol % or more, no metals or methods are known whatsoever. The silver halide emulsion having such a high silver iodide content exhibits characteristics that differ completely from those of the silver halide emulsion having a silver iodide content of 10 mol % or less. When doping of a heavy metal ion is carried out, known technologies pertaining to the silver halide emulsion having a silver halide content of 10 mol % or less cannot be applied, and therefore, development of a new technology has become necessary.
Conventionally, silver halides having a high silver iodide content were not put into practical use, for the reasons detailed above. Accordingly, there has been no interest or motivation in doping of heavy metals, not to mention any interest in applying such doping to photothermographic materials.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Disclosed is an apparatus comprising a plurality of path computation elements (PCEs) associated with a plurality of inter-coupled domains and configured to communicate with a path computation client (PCC) associated with one of the domains and to implement a Forward Search Path Computation (FSPC) for a preferred path crossing the domains from a source node in a source domain of the plurality of inter-coupled domains to a destination node in a destination domain of the plurality of inter-coupled domains, wherein the preferred path is computed without using a determined order of the domains from the source domain to the destination domain.

In some networks, such as Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) networks and Generalized MPLS (GMPLS) networks, a Traffic Engineering (TE) Label Switched Path (LSP) can be established using a Resource Reservation Protocol-TE (RSVP-TE) for a given path. A path can be provided by a Path Computation Client (PCC) and/or a Path Computation Element (PCE). For example, the PCC may request a path or route from the PCE, which computes the path and forwards the computed path information back to the PCC. The path can be a point-to-point (P2P) path, which comprises a plurality of nodes and/or Label Switch Routers (LSRs) and extends from a source node or LSR to a destination node or LSR. Alternatively, the path can be a Point-to-Multipoint (P2MP) path that extends from the source node to a plurality of destination nodes. The RSVP-TE can also be used to establish backup P2P and P2MP LSPs to reroute packets during network link or internal node failures and thus guarantee packet delivery.

System and method for computing point-to-point label switched path crossing multiple domains


The present invention relates to polyamines which are prepared by reacting. a) unsaturated oligoesters having an average of 2 to 4 double bonds per molecule and PA1 b) optionally other unsaturated compounds suitable as Michael addition acceptors and having an average of 1 to 4 double bonds per molecule with PA1 c) (cyclo)aliphatic diamines having two primary amino groups and PA1 d) optionally other amino-functional compounds suitable as Michael addition donors.. The present invention also relates to the use of these polyamines as a binder component in lacquers and coating compositions, particularly as reactants for blocked polyisocyanates in one-component stoving lacquers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to new polyamines prepared from (cyclo)aliphatic polyamines and unsaturated oligoesters having an average of 2 to 4 double bonds per molecule, and to their use in combination with blocked polyisocyanates as binders for coating compositions.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Polyhydroxyl compounds, e.g. polyester polyols or polyacrylate polyols, are used as reactants for blocked polyisocyanates in storage-stable one-component stoving lacquers. There have been many attempts to reduce the baking temperature of these lacquers, which is approx. 170.degree. C. Suitable catalysts, such as organic tin compounds or tertiary amines, bring about a reduction of the baking temperature to approx. 150.degree. C., but this is not sufficient. The fact that catalysts also catalyze the reverse reaction at excessively high temperatures, which may occur when the baking temperature is exceeded due to production-related reasons, is also a disadvantage.
Although the desired low baking temperature of approx. 120 to 140.degree. C. may be achieved with new blocking agents having a lower unblocking temperature (EP-A 159,117, which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,837), the coating compositions do not usually have sufficient storage stability.
Therefore, there is a need for a co-reactant for blocked polyisocyanates, which can be used for the preparation of one-component polyurethane stoving lacquers and which not only has a high level of reactivity with the blocked polyisocyanates, but also has good storage stability in combination with blocked polyisocyanates.
It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,715,335 to react unsaturated polyesters with diamines having a primary and a tertiary amino group, to optionally allow said reaction products to continue to react with diamines having two primary amino groups, and to quaternize the products at the tertiary nitrogen atoms with epichlorohydrin. The resulting products are recommended as additives for the preparation of paper and as flocculation aids.
EP-A 273,243 describes both polyester polyols containing amino and amide groups which are prepared by reacting unsaturated polyester polyols with low molecular weight polyamines having two primary amino groups, and the use of said products for the preparation of poly(urea)urethanes which are particularly suitable as adhesives. The polyester polyols used for the reaction with diamines are the known unsaturated polyester polyols having a relatively high molecular weight and an OH number of about 10 to 500 mg KOH/g. The polyester polyols are obtained by reaction of polyvalent, preferably divalent .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acids and/or their anhydrides with polyol compounds. Modified polyester polyols having an OH number of 50 to 500, preferably 150 to 350 mg KOH/g and a total nitrogen content of 1 to 7 wt. %, preferably 2 to 5.5 wt. %, are described as being particularly suitable for adhesive applications. A weight ratio of polyamine to polyester polyol of 0.5:100 to 30:100, preferably 4:100 to 15:100 should be maintained for modification.
It has now been found that special low molecular weight oligoesters may be prepared either by transesterification of di(cyclo)alkyl esters of maleic or fumaric acid with di-, tri- or tetraols or by esterification of maleic anhydride, maleic or fumaric acid with di-, tri- or tetraols and monoalcohols. The oligoesters contain a statistical average of 2 to 4 double bonds per molecule and may be reacted, optionally in admixture with other unsaturated compounds, with (cyclo)aliphatic diamines by the Michael addition (addition of CH-acidic compounds and amines to vinyl carbonyl compounds). New polyamines are obtained which, when combined with blocked polyisocyanates, yield storage-stable, one-component binder combinations which require substantially lower baking temperatures for cross-linking when compared to known one-component polyurethane (PUR) binders.

Polyamines and their use in coating compositions


A substituted phosphite suitable for lubricating base stocks and thermoplastic polymers represented by the structure:

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to novel liquid phosphite compositions useful as antioxidants for thermoplastic polymers and lubricant additives compositions. The present invention relates to phosphite stabilizer compositions, and in particular additive blends comprising a phosphite stabilizer for lubrication compositions and solid compositions of thermoplastic polymers.
2. Discussion of the Background Information
There is a continuing demand for liquid phosphite stabilizers for lubricant, thermoplastics and elastomer applications. Plastics, elastomers and lubricants when exposed to heat and oxygen (air), which are ubiquitously present during their manufacture, transportation, storage, or use, will undergo oxidation. Oxidation can cause deterioration of materials properties (discoloration, embrittlement, softening) to the extent of catastrophic failure. Lubricants, for example, oxidize to form undesirable oxidation by-products that contribute to an increase in total acidity, formation of gums, discoloration, polymerization, rancidity, and/or odor. As a consequence, loss of designated physical and tribological properties of the oils may occur. Conventional antioxidants, including aromatic secondary aminic antioxidants and phenolic antioxidants, are effective, at least to some extent, in controlling the oxidation of lubricating oils and are being widely used. The performances of the conventional antioxidants are generally satisfactory when the lubricants to be protected are used under relatively mild conditions without prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures and contaminants. It is known that in more extreme service environments, especially those contaminated with catalytic transition metals, such as iron, the decomposition rates of lubricants may increase so dramatically that even at higher concentrations, such conventional aminic and phenolic antioxidants do not retard oxidation effectively.
Industrial turbines, such as those commonly used for power generation, require the use of high quality lubricants. Conventional lubricants, such as the original rust and oxidation ("R&O") type circulating oils that are based on API Group I/II/III base oils and conventional additives, have a long and successful history of application for use in many turbine systems, for example, hydraulic systems. However, with the evolution of new turbine equipment that operates under more severe conditions of thermal and mechanical stress, it is necessary to use suitable turbine lubricants having carefully balanced additive packages and compatible base stocks for optimum oxidative stability and anti-wear properties.
An effective method to address the aforementioned issue of iron-catalyzed oil oxidation is the use of metal deactivators that can counteract the catalytic effects from iron and other transition metals. However, as stated in the EP Publication No. 0 316 610 A1, the addition of metal deactivators to lubricants has given rise to a problem of decreasing the critical anti-seizure and antiwear properties of the antiwear/extreme pressure agents that are commonly used in lubricant formulations.
Lubricant compositions containing aromatic secondary amines and substituted phenols are widely known in the art. Likewise, turbine lubricants containing various alkylated diphenylamines and hindered phenols as primary antioxidants are known, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,336 which uses an antioxidant comprising an alkylated diphenylamine and/or phenylnaphthylamines, and sulfurized olefins and/or sulfurized fatty acids and/or ashless dithiocarbamates and/or tetraalkylthiuram disulfides.
The use of secondary antioxidants, such as organophosphites, as stabilizers for various lubricating substances is also known. These lubricant compositions include an organophosphite and a substituted phenol or aromatic secondary amine are also known.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,999 discloses hydraulic fluid compositions, particularly automatic transmission fluid compositions, containing a major amount of lubricating oil and a minor amount of each of (A) a phosphite or disubstituted phosphate, (B) a substituted phenol or an aromatic secondary amine and (C) an oil-soluble dispersant copolymer containing N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,652,411 discloses a polyglycol base lubricant containing, in minor proportion, as a stabilizer, a mixture comprising: a substituted amine, an aliphatically substituted phenol, and organic phosphate, a polyhydroxyquinone, a benzotriazole, an amine salt and a substituted organic phosphite.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,923,672 discloses a lubricating oil composition said to be particularly suitable for use in steam turbines or gas turbines. The turbine oil composition comprises a major amount of a mineral or synthetic hydrocarbon base oil and an effective amount of a combination of the following materials: triphenyl phosphite or a trialkyl-substituted phenyl phosphite; diphenylamine or alkylated diphenylamine; phenyl α-naphthylamine, phenyl β-naphthylamine, alkyl or alkylaryl substituted phenyl α-naphthylamine, or alkyl or alkaryl substituted phenyl β-naphthylamine; benzotriazole or alkyl-substituted benzotriazole; partial ester of alkyl or alkenyl succinic anhydride. In a preferred aspect, the turbine oil composition contains additionally an effective amount of a copolymer of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and an α-olefin.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,652,385 discloses lubricant compositions of a low-volatility tri-substituted phosphite and low-volatility sterically hindered phenolic stabilizers that provide effective antioxidant qualities to lubricating oils selected from hydrotreated oils, poly-alpha-olefin oils and paraffinic white oils, and mixtures thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,057 discloses lubricant compositions of a low-volatility tri-substituted phosphite and selected substituted isocyanurate phenolic stabilizers that provide antioxidant qualities to lubricating oils selected from hydrotreated oils, poly-alpha-olefin oils, paraffinic white oils and mixtures thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,614 discloses that substituted para-phenylene diamines have been found to be effective antioxidants capable of protecting crankcase lubricating oils from thickening and sludge formation after prolonged exposure to oxygen at elevated temperature. Additional anti-wear additives such as di- and tri-alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl phosphites are also disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,847 discloses a fluorophosphite compound of the formula:
This compound shows superior performance as a stabilizer in polymers, such as polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride. Also disclosed is a process for making this compound.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,014 discloses an improved method of reducing compressor gas leakage by providing a compression cylinder with a lubricant comprising less than about 1% of a synergistic mixture of antioxidants, wherein the antioxidant mixture comprises at least one phosphite antioxidant and at least one other antioxidant.
U.S. Publication No. 2003/0171227 discloses stabilizing compositions for lubricant base stocks and lubricant formulations that are composed of a mixture of (a) at least one aromatic aminic amine antioxidant optionally blended with at least one hindered phenolic antioxidant and (b) at least one neutral organo phosphate or phosphite, optionally blended with at least one acid organo phosphate or phosphite.
U.S. Publication Nos. 2006/0073992 and 2006/0069000 disclose a stabilized lubricant composition that comprises lubricating oil and a mixture of (a) at least one organophosphite compound and (b) at least one aromatic secondary amine or one substituted phenol or mixtures thereof. The compositions have been found to be highly resistant to oxidation under demanding service conditions and to be useful as turbine lubricants.
U.S. Publication No. 2006/0223918 discloses compounds of the structure:
wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are independently selected alkyl groups, provided that R1 is different from R2. The compounds are useful as stabilizers for thermoplastic resins.
International Publication No. WO2007/149143 discloses a compound comprises a blend of at least two different phosphites of the structure
wherein R1, R2, and R3 are independently selected alkylated aryl groups and wherein said blend is a liquid at ambient conditions. The compositions are useful for stabilizing thermoplastic resins and elastomers.
The disclosures of the foregoing are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Phosphite stabilizer for lubricating base stocks and thermoplastic polymers

Abstract: wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C22 alkyl and C4-C22 cycloalkyl; R2 and R3 are selected to form a C5-C18 aryl; and R4 and R5 are selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C22 alkyl, C2-C22 alkenyl, C4-C22 cycloalkyl, and C5-C8 aryl. The substituted phosphite may be combined with at least one primary antioxidant as well as other additives.


Embodiments of this application disclose a radio frequency resource allocation method, apparatus, device, system, and a storage medium. The method includes: obtaining radio frequency information of an access point AP (for example, RSSI signal strength between the AP and each neighboring AP, and data traffic of the AP in a data collection period), predicting, based on the radio frequency information of the AP, load of the AP that is in target duration after a current moment, and allocating a radio frequency resource to the AP based on the load of the AP. This implementation can reduce actual interference on an entire network and improve user experience.

With popularization of terminals, wireless local area network (WLAN) services are explosively increasing. More enterprise applications are deployed on mobile terminals, and more key enterprise applications are transferred to enterprise WLAN networks. Therefore, the WLAN networks rapidly increase in market value. However, spectrum resources are limited (13 channels), and in actual network deployment, a quantity of neighboring access points (AP) of each AP is usually more than 20. This causes a problem of co-channel interference between APs. Interference is a primary factor that affects user experience. Therefore, WLAN vendors focus on how to allocate global radio frequency resources such as AP channels and frequency bandwidths to reduce interference and increase a user rate.
In a radio frequency resource allocation manner provided in a related technology, network topology information (received signal strength indicator (RSSI) information between APs, power, and the like) is periodically collected. Then, the APs are sorted based on the collected network topology information, and a channel is sequentially allocated to each AP based on a sorting result. An allocation process is to resolve a combination optimization issue, to achieve a minimum RSSI sum in a combination. Finally, the frequency bandwidth is allocated. If an AP has an idle secondary channel, in other words, a neighbor of the AP does not occupy the secondary channel, the frequency bandwidth can be increased for the AP.
However, in the related technology, only RSSI information of a neighboring AP is considered during radio frequency resource allocation, and the RSSI information can reflect only possible interference. Therefore, when an RSSI-related indicator is used as an optimization indicator, although the RSSI-related indicator is optimized, actual interference usually does not decrease, but even increases.

Radio frequency resource allocation method, apparatus, device and system, and storage medium


A turbine rotor for a supercharger includes a TiAl turbine wheel and a carbon steel shaft joined to each other via an Ni brazing filler metal at a brazed part distanced from a back face of the turbine wheel so that a turbine wheel outer diameter ratio calculated by “a distance from the back face of the turbine wheel to the brazed part”/“an outer diameter of the turbine wheel” is within a range of from 7 to 10%.

A turbocharger for an automobile has been downsized for the purpose of improving fuel economy. Also, the exhaust gas temperature has been increased for the purpose of improving performance.
In response to the need for reduced size and improved performance, there is proposed a turbine rotor including a TiAl turbine wheel having high thermal resistance and a steel shaft joined to each other by Ni brazing. For instance, Patent Document 1 (JP2000-202683), Patent Document 2 (JPH10-193087), Patent Document 3 (JPH10-118764) etc are known.
Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a turbine wheel of TiAl intermetallic-based alloy and a carbon steel shaft are joined to each other via an intermediate material. The turbine wheel is joined to the intermediate material so that the projection-like joint portion of the turbine wheel is fit into the recess-like joint portion of the intermediate material and a brazing filler metal is inserted therein.
Patent Document 2 also discloses a structure in which a TiAl turbine wheel and a structural or martensite heat-resistant steel rotor shaft are joined to each other by inserting a brazing filler metal (silver brazing, nickel brazing, or copper brazing) between a projection of the TiAl turbine wheel and a recess of the shaft so as to fit the projection into the recess. Similarly, Patent Document 3 discloses a structure in which a TiAl turbine wheel and a structural or martensite heat-resistant steel rotor shaft are joined to each other via a brazing filler metal.

Turbine rotor for supercharger and manufacturing method thereof


A wastewater fluid level sensing and control system is provided. The system comprises a control panel, a reservoir, at least one pump and a fluid level sensing device. The control panel comprises a housing and user interface input and output devices for use with configuring the operation of the control panel. The control panel may be configured to turn on one or more of the pumps to lower the level of fluid in the reservoir. When the level is above a selectable level, the control panel is operative to cause at least one alarm signal to be output.

It is often desirable to know information about fluid levels in reservoirs. Determining fluid levels and controlling fluid levels in reservoirs, such as in sewage tanks, wells, water cisterns or tanks, and other fluid system and storage vessels, whether enclosed or open and exposed to the environment, has been done in a number of ways. For example, in tanks that are visually accessible, an operator may periodically take visual readings of the fluid level.
Visual readings, however, are often not desirable in systems where an automatic response is required when the fluid level reaches a certain threshold. In such cases the activation of a pump or valve may be necessary to move more fluid into the tanks or to discharge fluid from the tank. In systems where visual readings are not available or when an immediate response is required, control systems are typically employed that are responsive to a fluid level indication. Such control systems may illuminate a light on an indicator panel representing the fluid level and/or trip an audible alarm to notify a human operator that corrective action is required.
Examples of fluid level sensing devices for use with wastewater reservoirs or other fluid holding vessels are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,051 of Jul. 22, 2003 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,005 of Sep. 3, 2002 which are both incorporated by reference herein.
Different types or configurations of tanks often require different types or configurations for control systems associated with the tank. For example, some tanks may have one pump while other tanks have more than one pump which are capable of moving fluids out of the tank. In addition, some tanks may include fluid level sensing devices in the form of mechanical floats positioned at various levels in the tank, while other tanks may use fluid level sensing devices such as a pressure bell located at the bottom of the tank such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,051.
Although control systems have been produced for each of these systems, such systems are generally limited to working with only a specific type of wastewater tank configuration. If the requirements for the tank change over time, a completely new system which can accommodate the new requirements for the tank must be installed. Thus there exists a need for a control system which is more easily adaptable to changing requirements for a wastewater system.
Wastewater control systems are often designed to cause one or more pumps to start pumping fluid out of a tank responsive to the level of fluid in the tank. It is often desirable to use pumps with single phase motors for this purpose. Because single phase motors do not have multiple phases, to begin rotation, start windings are required to achieve motor acceleration. Historically, this has been achieved with the use of a potential relay that measures the voltage during the start. In response to the voltage measurement, a relay can be configured to drop out the start winding. Because start capacitors operate in parallel with the start winding, the relay must open at the correct time so that the voltage does not build too high and blow up the start capacitor. Thus, to increase the reliability of such control systems, there exists a need for a control system which can reliably prevent start capacitors from being damaged.
Embodiments of control systems for monitoring and controlling wastewater systems may include a momentary contact push button accessible from the outside of the control system housing. Such a push button may be capable of temporarily silencing an alarm produced by the control system until the wastewater system is again working properly. For example, the control system may include a circuit board within the housing of the control system which is operative to monitor and control conditions associated with a wastewater system. The circuit may include a latching relay which is coupled to the push button. The latch relay may be responsive to the momentary contact push button being pressed to open (i.e., deactivate) the portion of the circuit which produces the alarm.
The momentary contact push button may be positioned on the control system to be accessible by an operator without opening the housing. However, control system housings are often designed to comply with one or more standards for water resistance such as the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) standards. An example of such a standard may included a NEMA 4X standard for a housing which specifies that the housing is capable of resisting certain levels of water and corrosive materials. In a wastewater environment, the control panel may be relatively close to the fluids that are being monitored and controlled by the control panel. In addition, in a wastewater environment, the housing for the control system may be exposed to relatively high levels of water vapor, humidity, or other potentially corrosive and destructive gases and fluids. Thus, the circuits within the housing of the control system must be protected from the environment outside the housing.
Placing holes through the walls of such housings for placement of push button silencing alarms can compromise the NEMA rating of the housing. Although gaskets with oiltight push button switches can be used, adapting a housing to include such a button without compromising the NEMA rating of the housing can add to the complexity and cost of the manufacture of the control system. As a result, there exists a need for an improved housing for wastewater control panels which enables alarms to be silenced without opening the housing and which is adapted to minimize the opportunity for environmental conditions outside the housing from degrading the circuits and other components inside the housing.

Wastewater fluid level sensing and control system