The invention relates to a spring-force brake system having a brake operating unit, having at least one sensor for detecting a driver braking demand upon operation of the brake operating unit by the driver, having at least one actuation unit for setting and regulating a braking force. For this purpose, it is provided according to the invention that at least one primary electronic control and regulating unit is provided which is connected at the signal input side to at least one sensor and which activates the actuation unit as a function of or on the basis of the signals of the sensor, and that at least one secondary control and regulating unit is provided which is connected at the signal input side to at least one sensor and which activates the actuation unit on demand on the basis of or as a function of signals of the sensor.

The development of power brake systems makes it possible to offer handling of the brake system that is safe and convenient for the driver. In the case of these brake systems, the driver does not build up the pressure in the brake circuits or wheel brakes directly by his physical strength. Instead, his braking demand is usually introduced into a simulator unit with a brake pedal and this demand is correspondingly detected by sensors. It is used for calculating a setpoint brake torque in an electronic control and regulating unit, the control and regulating unit then activating the actuating unit on the basis of manipulated variables corresponding to the setpoint brake torque for building up brake pressure. The actuating unit in this case comprises for example an electric motor, which operates a tandem brake master cylinder, to the chambers of which the brake circuits are hydraulically connected.
Known solutions of hydraulic power brake systems with central control have an energy supply, a (safe) central electronic control and a drive, which is responsible for the brake-pressure build-up. Some configurations of such brake systems have a hydraulic energy accumulator (high-pressure accumulator). However, such types of construction have proven to be inefficient in terms of energy, so that so-called power on demand functionalities are preferably used. In such a case, the dependence of the corresponding components on the electrical energy supply or the electrical system of the vehicle has to be accepted.
In order to meet the requirements of ECE 13, such brake systems must have a hydraulic-mechanical fallback level, where the driver can brake the vehicle with a deceleration of at least 0.3 g by physical strength in the event of failure of the primary functions of the brake system. However, a disadvantage of this is that in particular cases there is only limited effectiveness of this fallback level for the vehicle user. When the fallback level comes into effect, the driver often has the perception that there is a total failure of the brakes, since the feel of the pedal and the exertion of force necessary for braking as well as the maximum deceleration differ significantly from those in normal operation of the brake system. There is therefore usually a very great difference between the full function and the fallback level of the brake system in respect of brake-pedal force/travel and deceleration. In addition to this there is a relatively great probability of activation of the fallback level during normal vehicle operation being caused by the required electrical/electronic components, in particular in comparison with systems with normal braking function that are based on purely hydraulic/mechanical components, such as for example systems with a vacuum booster. For the driver who has become accustomed to the normal function of the brake system and has developed corresponding automatic responses, there is the risk that, in a situation where there is a failure of the normal function of the brake system, he cannot adapt himself quickly enough, so that an extremely hazardous situation may arise for the driver and his vicinity.


An aerosol dispenser, an outer container for an aerosol dispenser, and a preform for an outer container. The aerosol dispenser, outer container, and preform each have a neck including a crimp ring. The crimp ring may be configured to receive a valve cup, which is clinched thereto. The crimp ring includes one or more vents. The vents may be used to control overpressurization within the dispenser. The vents may be exposed to pressurized propellant and product due to deformation of the neck during undue overpressurization. The vents allow propellant and/or product to be released therethrough in the event of overpressurization.

Aerosol dispensers are well known in the art. Aerosol dispensers typically comprise an outer container which acts as a frame for the remaining components and as a pressure vessel for propellant and product contained therein. Outer containers made of metal are well known in the art. However, metal containers can be undesirable due to high cost and limited recyclability. Attempts to use plastic have occurred in the art. Aerosol dispensers made from plastic or at least partially made from plastic may be advantageous due to cheaper manufacturing costs, recyclability, and greater versatility in design, for example.
However, plastic components are more susceptible to elevated temperatures. Aerosol dispensers have typically been used to dispense products which can be used independent of the product temperature. For example, aerosol dispensers are commonly used to dispense cleaning products, insecticide, air fresheners, shaving cream, etc. These products are ubiquitously dispensed at the temperature ambient to the aerosol dispenser, typically room temperature.
However, room temperature may not be optimum for all products. Some products may be more optimally used in a warmed or heated condition, the terms being used interchangeably, and, thus, may undergo intentional heating. For example, certain foods are more palatable when served warm. Air freshener may disperse better when warmed. Shaving cream may be perceived to be more comfortable when warmed.
Additionally, some products may be inadvertently heated when left unattended in relatively hot environments. For example, aerosol dispensers are shipped and, thus, may be subject to shipping containers having relatively elevated temperatures or excessive temperatures. Further, some aerosol dispensers contain products which consumers carry with them and, thus, may be left unattended in environments with elevated temperatures or excessive temperatures, such as automobiles.
Overpressurization and deformation may occur during heating, either intentionally or inadvertently, of an aerosol dispenser. This overpressurization and deformation may result in rupture of the aerosol dispenser and/or premature loss of propellant and/or product. Attempts have been made to address this potentially hazardous situation of having the aerosol dispenser rupture by controlling the dispenser itself, such as by selection of specific materials and shapes of components, and/or the loss of propellant and/or product. However, there remains a need for improved control and release of propellant and/or product from aerosol dispensers exposed to elevated temperatures.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an aerosol dispenser that addresses the occurrence of rupture in the event of overpressurization and improved control over the release of propellant and/or product.

Aerosol container with spaced sealing beads


The method for generating test cases for a software program includes the step of setting a plurality of reference points in accordance with a sentence of the software program. The tracing pairs each including an initial test case as well as its adjacent vertex are set if one of them is among the reference points and the other one is not among the reference points. The essential test cases are chosen from the tracing pairs.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for generating test cases for a software program, and more particularly, to generating the method which uses fewer test cases but can still meet high-coverage requirement.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a piece of software is being developed, software testing is very important. The programmer usually creates some test cases for the modified part of the program based on his or her prior experiences in order to verify the correctness of the program. However, due to insufficient test time, the programmer would normally try to reduce the required test time, thus compromising software quality. Therefore, it is important to find out the required test cases within a limited period.
The term "coverage rate" is used to evaluate the coverage level which reflects how effectively the test cases can debug the program. There are many methods for calculating the coverage rate, such as statement coverage, branch coverage, condition coverage, decision coverage, condition/decision coverage, modified condition/decision coverage (MC/DC) and path coverage. For system testing of American airlines, a 100% coverage rate is required for the MC/DC criterion in order to reduce the number of hidden mistakes. Therefore, it is important to reduce the number of test cases but still be able to meet the high-coverage requirement.

Method for generating test cases for software program


The present invention provides systems and methods for allowing access to a voice mailbox associated with a pre-paid mobile phone subscriber's account after the expiration of the subscriber's credits. A call processing system may be configured to receive a call from a calling party and to connect the call to a voice mailbox system. The call processing system may allow the calling party to record a voice message that can subsequently be accessed by the subscriber for an access fee. The call processing center may also be configured to allow the calling party to add credit to the subscriber's account. Access fees are paid and credits are added to the account by way of pre-paid calling cards, smart cards, credit cards, debit cards, electronic fund transfers.

A significant number of individuals subscribe to prepaid mobile phone networks for convenience in payment options. Subscribers to prepaid mobile phone networks generally purchase a mobile phone and pay upfront for the amount of credits desired to operate the mobile phone. The credits are depleted through the usage of the mobile phone to place calls, receive calls, access voicemail, and in some instances the subscriber's credits are depleted when a caller leaves a message on the voice mailbox associated with the subscriber's account. Credits may likewise be forfeited for non-use within a specified time frame, such as non-use within 30 days of adding the credit. Typically, when the subscriber reaches a threshold number of credits remaining on the account, a payment may be made to add more credits without interruption of mobile phone service. However, when a subscriber's account reaches a zero balance of credits the mobile phone becomes inactive and becomes unable to place calls, receive calls, or access voicemail features.
Mobile phone service providers typically give clients the option to associate a credit card or bank account to replenish the prepaid account automatically by charging the credit card or automatically withdrawing from the bank account a fixed amount (i.e. $20.00) when the account balance reaches a triggering amount (i.e. $5.00), or by adding credit at a fixed interval (i.e. every 30 days credit the prepaid account $50.00). However, many persons who use prepaid mobile phones lack credit cards, or are unbanked, and so this option is unavailable to them. These persons must add credit to their account while the account still has credit remaining to keep it active. Failure to do so may result in the subscriber losing his phone number, or being charged a fee to "reactivate" the account. In some instances a prepaid mobile phone subscriber, while not having the ability himself to add credit to his account, may have a family member who would be willing to add credit to the account to keep it active if given the opportunity. This circumstance might be found where a child has gone off to college and is temporarily out of money, and the parent would be willing to keep the child's prepaid mobile phone active if asked. When the account credits lapse, the subscriber can no longer use the mobile phone to place or receive calls. Furthermore, when the account credits lapse, the voice mailbox associated with the account can no longer be accessed by the subscriber. Thus, a lapse in account credits effectively terminates, what in many cases, is an individual's only means of telephonic communications. Furthermore, the lack of access to the subscriber's voice mailbox can have severe negative consequences if the subscriber's family or friends need to contact the subscriber for emergency purposes. Therefore, there remains a need for a system to allow a prepaid mobile phone user to have continued access to their voice mailbox after the exhaustion of prepaid credits.
It is well known that prepaid mobile phones are largely marketed to lower income individuals. Many times these individuals rely on the prepaid mobile phone as their sole form of telephonic communication. The families and friends of these prepaid mobile phone subscribers generally can only reach these individuals through a telephone call placed to the phone number associated with the prepaid mobile phone account. When the credits associated with the account are exhausted, the telephone number becomes inactive and the messages saved on the associated voice mailbox are purged or otherwise unavailable. Vital messages can be lost or made inacessible and the mobile phone subscriber is without means of receiving what may be emergency messages from individuals calling the subscriber's mobile phone number, and while the subscriber may not have the minimum amount required to activate the mobile phone, he may be able to pay a lesser amount to hear an anticipated message. Therefore, there remains a need for an associated voice mailbox, with alternative means of access, so as to allow a subscriber, whose prepaid credits have been exhausted, to receive and check messages left on a voice mailbox associated with the subscriber's mobile phone number.

Pre-paid mobile phone with temporary voice mail


An electrically-controllable wave plate comprises a layer of liquid crystal material having positive dielectric anisotropy, the layer being contained between two transparent plates. An alignment layer is provided on each plate for causing homeotropic alignment of the LC molecules adjacent the plate. Electrodes are so positioned that they apply an electric field substantially along the plane of the LC layer so that the molecules acquire variable tilt through the thickness of the layer, resulting in birefringence of the layer. The wave plate may be used in a polarisation controller.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an optical device, and particularly to an electrically-controllable wave plate and to a polarisation controller including such wave plate.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are two classes of liquid crystal device (LCD) which can be used to control the state of polarisation of light transmitted through the device. Nematic LCDs possess an electrically-controllable birefringence .DELTA.n, and hence a retardation (.delta.), with a fixed optic axis. Such devices have been exploited in a liquid crystal polarisation controller (LCPC) as described in British Patent Publication No. 2202643A. Due to their wavelength of operation-(1550 nm) and the dynamic range required for the retardation, these devices are relatively slow, with response times of several hundred milliseconds. Smectic LCDs, in particular those using chiral smectic A liquid crystal materials, may exhibit the electroclinic effect in which the optic axis of the LC layer rotates in response to the applied voltage. Such a device therefore exhibits a fixed retardation with an electrically-controllable orientation of optic axis. The electroclinic effect is very fast, with response times of only a few microseconds, but has very limited dynamic range and so is not a feasible basis for a useful polarisation controlling device.
The existing LCDs therefore have limitations on their use as polarisation controlling elements, because only either the birefringence or the optic axis orientation is controllable; the other is fixed during the fabrication of the device.
A polarisation controller should be endless, i.e. the device should not reach the limits of its range and require resetting. Clearly the electroclinic device in which the orientation of the optic axis is controlled does not meet this requirement, because of the limited angular range of the effect (typically .+-.15.degree.).
The slow response of the nematic, electrically-controlled birefringence LCPC, mentioned above severely restricts its operation capability, and devices fifty to one hundred times faster are required.

Optical device with electrodes end-to-end with electric field causing homeotropic alignment of liquid crystal in space between ends


A method of controlling an air to fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine may include receiving a request for a modification of a first flow of fuel to at least one combustion chamber, modifying the first flow of fuel in response to the request, receiving a first signal indicative of a first air supply condition, displacing a second flow of fuel in response to receiving the signal and controlling the modification of the first flow of fuel by the displacement of the second flow of fuel.

Modern internal combustion engines, such as turbo charged diesel engines are the subject of stringent emission requirements. One characteristic that features in such requirements is the amount of particulates or visible smoke that an engine emits during running. Many factors influence the amount of particulates that an engine may emit such as fuel quality, operating environment and engine characteristics such as air-to-fuel ratio, speed, load and transient behaviour. One particular reason of smoke generation may be the lack of sufficient combustion air charge during aggressive transient states. One example of such transient state may be a rapid demand for the increase of power output of the engine by an operator who decides to increase the engine speed from idle to full speed by suddenly depressing the accelerator pedal fully. Since the engine accelerates in a delayed fashion, for a short time too much fuel is injected in relation to the amount of air available for combustion, which causes an incomplete combustion and possibly a drop in temperature in the combustion chamber and hence an excessive smoke development. Significant reduction of visible smoke emitted by turbocharged diesel engines upon acceleration has been achieved over the years by pressure sensitive devices such as aneroid controllers. Aneroid controllers influence the amount of fuel delivered to the injected system depending on the inlet manifold or boost pressure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,839 describes such an aneroid controller. The controller as disclosed describes a multi-spring control arrangement to attain an improved fuel regulating characteristic rather than just a standard performance characteristic. Although the controller is compact and allegedly provides an improved regulating characteristic over the prior art, the design is complicated and may be prone to failure. The system is based on a spring loaded diaphragm having a mechanical arrangement attached for actuating a mechanism in a fuel injection pump. The diaphragm is being actuated under the influence of intake air pressure. The forces generated by the pressurized intake air are fairly weak and the system connected to the diaphragm balancing the gas forces must therefore not offer much resistance. A light spring arrangement is therefore preferred which may also improve the responsiveness of the system in general. Furthermore, as the controller is a "dry" controller, a sealing arrangement has to be in place to prevent any fuel from traveling up from the fuel injection pump into the controller. Normal tear and wear of the system in combination with the resistance offered by the sealing arrangement may hinder a proper operation of the controller.
The current disclosure is aimed at improving or overcoming at least some of the aforementioned disadvantages.

System for controlling an air to fuel ratio


Methods and systems for imaging a subject using an imaging system are provided. The method includes rotating a first detector and a second detector about a subject and determining a distance of the first detector and the second detector from the subject. The method further includes automatically adjusting the position of at least one of the first detector and the second detector to within a predetermined distance range if the determined distance of one of the first and second detectors is not within the predetermined distance range.

This invention relates generally to medical imaging systems and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for performing automatic body-contouring imaging.
Diagnostic nuclear imaging is used to study radionuclide distribution in a subject, such as a human patient. Typically, one or more radiopharmaceuticals or radioisotopes are injected into the subject. Gamma camera detector heads, typically including a collimator, are placed adjacent to a surface of the subject to monitor and record emitted radiation. At least some known gamma camera detector heads are rotated around the subject to monitor the emitted radiation from a plurality of directions. The monitored radiation data from the plurality of directions is reconstructed into a three dimensional image representation of the radiopharmaceutical distribution within the subject.
Generally, the resolution of a gamma camera degrades with increasing distance between the imaged area/organ and the detector. Therefore, it is desirable to place the gamma camera as close as possible to the patient to facilitate minimizing the loss of resolution. At least some known imaging systems use non-circular orbits, such as oval or elliptical orbits to facilitate maintaining the detectors position close to the patient during a scan. However, a standard elliptical or oval shaped orbit may not follow the body contour of a patient as closely as possible.
When the imaging system is configured for example, with a pair of gamma cameras in an "L" mode (e.g., for SPECT imaging) as is done when imaging the heart, and other organs, the gamma cameras are configured so the cameras essentially touch one another along adjacent edges. Typical gamma cameras may comprise a large scintillation crystal of NaI optically coupled to an array of Photo-Multiplying Tubes (PMTs). Signals from the array of PMTs are processed to yield the location of the scintillation event on the crystal in what is known as an "Anger" camera. Because of this construction, the gamma camera is less responsive near an outer periphery of the detector. Further, in the "L" mode with fixed gamma cameras, the number of degrees of freedom of movement are reduced. The gamma cameras move only in a lateral motion, which may not follow the body contour of a patient as closely as possible and result in a degradation of image resolution. Thus, only one of the cameras may be positioned at an optimal or preferred distance from the patient while the other camera is positioned at a greater distance that may degrade image resolution.

Methods and systems for automatic body-contouring imaging


A vehicle heater decoupling system that facilitates an automated decoupling of the vehicle heater with a power cord plug operably coupled thereto. The present invention includes a receptacle that is configured with a disconnection member. The disconnection member is operably coupled to electrical connection members that are electrically coupled to the power cord plug. A sensor is present to provide detection of the power cord plug. A controller is disposed within the passenger compartment of the vehicle and is coupled to the electrical system of the vehicle. The controller is configured to detect the operational status of the motor of the vehicle specifically whether the motor is running or idle. The controller detects the ignition of the motor and the state of the receptacle and upon detection of the ignition of the motor and the first state the controller transmits a signal to eject the power cord plug.

As is known in the art, in cold climates it is common for owners of vehicles to electrically couple their vehicle to a power source. Combustible motors must ensure that the oil, coolant and core must not dip below a certain temperature. If a vehicle motor is attempted to be started at a temperature that is very cold either the motor will not start or damage could occur to the motor as a result of the lack of initial distribution of oil lubricant.
During the winter season in climates that experience well below freezing temperatures it is common for vehicle owners to electrically couple the vehicle to a power source. The vehicle is equipped with an electric heater that is designed to maintain the temperature of the motor at a temperature that prevents damage thereto that can be caused by cold temperatures. The owner of the vehicle will plug in their vehicle utilizing a conventional extension cord typically in the evening prior to cold weather expectations. When the owner is ready to utilize the vehicle, the electrical connection must be decoupled which essentially entails unplugging the electrical extension cord that has been coupled to the heater cord of the vehicle. While the aforementioned is a common task, there is often an occurrence wherein a distracted or hurried individual will forget to disconnect the heater cord and drive off which can result in significant damage.
It is intended within the scope of the present invention to provide a vehicle heater decoupling system that is configured to detect the heater cord status and provide an automated disconnection of the heater cord of the vehicle and a power source cord upon ignition of the engine of the vehicle.


In the field of pharmaceutical chemistry compounds of general formula I having heteroaryl alkynyl moiety or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, isomers, solvates, crystals or prodrugs thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions including these compounds, as well as uses of these compounds and compositions thereof in the manufacture of a medicament. The compounds have a strong inhibitory effect on BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase and are useful for treating diseases, such as tumors.

Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) are a class of proteases capable of catalyzing the phosphorylation of the phenolic hydroxyl groups of tyrosine residues in various proteins and thus activating functions of functional proteins. Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) play very important roles in the intracellular signal transduction pathways, and regulate a series of biochemical processes, such as cell growth, differentiation and death. Abnormal expression of protein tyrosine kinases can cause disorder of cell proliferation regulation, and further result in tumorigenesis. In addition, abnormal expression of protein tyrosine kinases is also closely associated with invasion and metastasis of tumors, angiogenesis in tumors and chemotherapy resistance of tumors.
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors can be used as a competitive inhibitor of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding to tyrosine kinase, and can competitively bind to tyrosine kinases, block the activity of tyrosine kinase and inhibit cell proliferation. Several protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been successfully developed.
Imatinib mesylate, as a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is the first molecular targeted agent. It competitively inhibits the binding sites of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to thymidine kinase (TK) receptors such as KIT, and prevents phosphorylation of TK, thereby inhibiting the signal transduction. Imatinib can inhibit the KIT mutation associated with kinase activity and the wild type KIT, and has therapeutic effect on various types of cancers. Imatinib can inhibit Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinases at the cellular level in vivo and in vitro, and selectively inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in cells of Bcr-Abl positive cell lines as well as leukemic cells from patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In addition, Imatinib can also inhibit receptor tyrosine kinases for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and stem cell factor (SCF), c-Kit, thereby inhibiting PDGF and stem cell factor-mediated cellular events. Clinically, Imatinib is mainly used in treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in accelerated phase, blast crisis or chronic phase after failure of α-interferon therapy, and patients with unresectable or metastatic malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Also, Imatinib is used for treating CD 117-positive gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).
Development and clinical use of Imatinib opens a new era of molecular targeted tumor therapy. Long-term use of Imatinib, however, may cause drug resistance, and lead to tumor recurrence. With wide clinical use of Imatinib, problem of drug resistance has become increasingly prominent. The acquired drug resistance was mainly due to Bcr-Abl point mutations, which render Imatinib unable to bind to Bcr-Abl. Also, it has been found that hundreds of Bcr-Abl point mutations are associated with imatinib resistance, of which 15 to 20% of imatinib-resistant patients have T315I mutation. Emergence of imatinib resistance arouses the research upsurge of a new generation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
AP24534 developed by Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (as shown in Formula A) well addresses this problem. Research shows that AP24534 is effective for CML patients having T315I mutation and resistant to second-generation TKIs, and is a multi-targeted kinase inhibitor against Bcr-Abl and SRC. AP24534 may act on the wild type cells and T315I-mutated cells, and inhibit Bcr-Abl and all mutants thereof including the T315I variants resistant to various therapeutic drugs, and is a broad spectrum inhibitor of Bcr-Abl.

Heteroaryl alkyne compound and use thereof

NANJING SANHOME PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.


A downhole tool for installing a gas lift valve in a well. The downhole tool may include a housing, a mandrel movably disposed with respect to the housing, a holder configured to hold the gas lift valve, and an arm supporting the holder. The arm may pivot between a retracted position in which the holder is adjacent the housing and an extended position in which the holder is disposed away from the housing. The mandrel and the arm may be operatively connected via a pin-slot joint having a pin disposed within a slot. The slot may have a first slot portion and a second slot portion. The pin-slot joint may prevent the arm from pivoting when the pin is within the first slot portion and permit the arm to pivot when the pin is within the second slot portion.

Oil and gas wells are drilled into Earth's surface or ocean bed to recover natural deposits of oil, gas, and materials that are trapped within subterranean geological formations. After a wellbore is drilled, a metal casing may be inserted therein and secured via cement, such as to protect the sidewall of the wellbore, isolate different geological formations, and maintain control of formation fluids and well pressure during various subsequent downhole operations. Thereafter, additional metal tubular strings may be inserted within the wellbore to facilitate delivery of treatment fluid downhole and transfer formation fluid to the surface. After the well is completed, various intervention operations may be performed to repair and maintain the well or otherwise optimize well productivity.
During production operations, when reservoir pressure is insufficient to force hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir to the wellsite surface, gas may be injected into a production tubing string to reduce density of the hydrocarbons located within. When density of the hydrocarbons is reduced, the reservoir pressure may then be sufficient to raise the column of hydrocarbons within the production tubing to the wellsite surface. The gas may be conveyed downhole along an annulus between the casing and production tubing and injected into the production tubing via a plurality of gas lift valves positioned along the production tubing. Each gas lift valve may be installed within a side pocket of a corresponding side pocket mandrel connected along the production tubing.
A kickover tool is used to install and retrieve a gas lift valve into and from a side pocket of a gas lift mandrel. The kickover tool comprises gas lift valve holder configured to grab and hold a gas lift valve. The kickover tool is conveyed downhole into a gas lift mandrel adjacent its side pocket. The holder is then extended laterally into the side pocket to install a new gas lift valve within the side pocket or retrieve an old gas lift valve from the side pocket. The kickover tool further comprises a holder displacement mechanism that engages a trigger recess along the side pocket mandrel and moves the holder into alignment with the side pocket. During operations, the kickover tool is conveyed into the gas lift mandrel past the trigger recess and then pulled uphole until a latch of the displacement mechanism engages the recess. Thereafter, an uphole pull of the kickover tool operates the displacement mechanism, causing the holder to be moved laterally into the side pocket. The kickover tool is then lowered downhole to install a new gas lift valve into the side pocket or grab an old gas lift valve installed within the side pocket. Current holder displacement mechanisms are complicated and, thus, more susceptible to malfunctions. Current holder displacement mechanisms also require special tools and/or partial disassembly to permit such holder displacement mechanisms to be reset to their retracted position.


A process is provided for transferring and releasing substances which are air-sensitive or moisture-sensitive or light-sensitive, or air-sensitive and moisture-sensitive, or air-sensitive and light-sensitive, or moisture-sensitive and light-sensitive, or air-sensitive, moisture-sensitive and light-sensitive, at least one substance (20) which is air-sensitive or moisture-sensitive or light-sensitive, or air-sensitive and moisture-sensitive, or air-sensitive and light-sensitive, or moisture-sensitive and light-sensitive, or air-sensitive, moisture-sensitive and light-sensitive. The process comprises removing the substances after preparation under a protective gas atmosphere, from a synthesis chamber, wherein, during said removing, the substances are surrounded by at least one means (32, 34) for protecting the substances and then transferring the substances to at least one test reactor (50, 60), wherein the transfer takes place in a protective-gas-free chamber and at least one substance (20) is freed in the test reactor (50, 60) from the means (32, 34) protecting it using at least one apparatus or by means of at least one process.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a process for transferring air-sensitive and/or light-sensitive and/or moisture-sensitive substances. According to the invention these substances are transferred from a synthesis chamber which is filled with protective gas into a test reactor, which is also flooded with protective gas, for activation there. The present invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out the process. The transfer itself, however, does not take place under protective gas conditions.
2. Description of Related Art
Test methods are known to date in which the test reactor is provided within the synthesis chamber. In this case, the air-sensitive substances, on transfer from the synthesis chamber into the test reactor, do not leave the protective gas atmosphere. The substances are activated while they are still in the synthesis chamber. These methods, however, have the disadvantage that substances, particularly those which are only stable to a limited extent after their activation and cannot be exposed to relatively long storage, must be transferred immediately to the test reactor in order to achieve useable test results. In addition, there is the problem here that only a limited amount of substances can be prepared and activated. That is to say only as much as can also be tested in the test reactor can be prepared and activated (U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,917).

Process and apparatus for transferring air-sensitive substances

hte Aktiengesellschaft the high throughput experimentation company


An exhaust fan, an exhaust duct through which a discharged gas flows and a filter which is provided in the exhaust duct are included. A curved portion is provided in the exhaust duct, and the filter is provided on a downstream side in a direction of flow of the gas with respect to the curved portion. On an inside wall of the curved portion of the exhaust duct on an outer side in a radial direction, a first flow control member that uniformizes the amount of the gas flowing through the filter is provided so as to be perpendicular to the shaft of the curved portion, and a space is formed between the first flow control member and an inside wall of the curved portion on an inner side in the radial direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an exhaust device and an image forming device including such an exhaust device and more particularly relates to an exhaust device in which a curved portion is formed in an exhaust duct and an image forming device including such an exhaust device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an image forming device using an electrophotographic system such as a facsimile, a printer or a copying machine, in order to reduce the discharge of substances (which may hereinafter be referred to as "unnecessary substances") such as odor, ozone and ultra-fine particles produced in the process of image formation out of the device main body, an exhaust device including a filter is provided.
An exhaust duct may be curved due to the reduction in the size of the exhaust device, restraints on the structure of the device main body or the like. When the curved portion is provided on an upstream side in a direction of flow of a gas with respect to the filter, the flow of the gas within the exhaust duct is disturbed to unbalance the amount of the gas flowing through the filter, with the result that the function of the filter may be insufficiently achieved.
Hence, in order to uniformize the flow of the gas into the filter, various types of technology have so far been proposed in which a flow control unit is provided on the upstream side of the filter (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Nos. 2011-164510, 04-242271 and 60-169620).

Exhaust device and image forming device including same


This invention describes a dynamic X-ray imaging system for small animal studies and other applications that include a volumetric CT fluoroscopy (VCTF) scanner and software, which operates in accordance with a generalized Feldkamp algorithm or any other suitable reconstruction methods. The VCTF system is a significant advancement of current micro-CT techniques. While prior micro-CT systems are featured by relatively slow data acquisition and static image reconstructions, the present invention includes real-time data acquisition hardware, a dedicated real-time image reconstruction algorithm, an extra-fast cone-beam reconstruction engine, and integrating them into a 4D micro-CT scanner. The system of the present invention can be constructed relatively economically using state-of-the-art x-ray source, electronic detector techniques and image reconstruction methods.

Although small animal models have been found indispensable in medical research, their potential has not been fully explored yet, because of a current limitation that the animals have to be sacrificed for analysis. This prevents researchers from observing in vivo the natural or perturbed physiological/pathological processes in a noninvasive and repeatable fashion. Tomographic imaging is the only approach for providing multi-dimensional data about biochemical, genetic or pharmacological processes in vivo. Therefore, NCI initiated the Small Animal Imaging Resource Programs.
Neoplasms have an intrinsic spatially distributed nature. Typically, tumors develop in different sites, metastasize to other sites and are internally heterogeneous. To reveal the characteristics of tumors, spatially distributed and temporally varied measurements need to be taken, preferably with contrast enhancement. Imaging is a key resource for studying the development, growth and therapeutic response of neoplasms, especially in the oncologic settings. It is well known that administration of a contrast material provides a short temporal window for optimally imaging the vasculature, lesions and tumors. Contrast enhancement imaging becomes increasingly important for functional studies of lesions and tumors. Analysis of volumetric and dynamic images of small animals will lead the way to application of quantitative methods in human beings.
Over the past several years, tremendous progress has been made in X-ray detector techniques, real-time/volumetric CT algorithms, and computing resources. Development of a volumetric CT fluoroscopy (VCTF) system for small animal studies has just become commercially feasible. It would be desirable to make volumetric CT fluoroscopy a vital tool in biomedical laboratories for various applications, especially small animal studies, such as contrast-enhancement dynamic imaging for diagnosis and treatment of tumors.
Currently, small animal imaging systems are rarely available, which severely restricts studies of tumors in model systems. Most biomedical imaging devices have been tuned for human studies and have suboptimal performance for small animal studies and their tumors. Therefore, it is desirable to scale down imaging systems for significantly improved images of mouse-sized objects. Micro-CT systems have been proved useful for studying bony structures, solid organs and soft tissues. With contrast enhancement, micro-CT allows 3D-motion analysis and functional imaging. Because of its unique imaging capabilities and relatively low cost, micro-CT has been established as a unique imaging modality for small animal studies in cancer research.
In 1987, Flannery et al. applied the 2D CCD array technology in micro-CT. In the 1990s, a number of micro-CT systems were constructed. Most of these systems employ CCD cameras, micro-focus x-ray tubes, and have image resolutions between 20-100 xcexcm. A major application of micro-CT scanners is small animal imaging. In recent prototypes of such systems, the data acquisition system rotates about an animal table, while in earlier systems an animal stage is rotated in a fixed data acquisition system These imaging systems permit screening of small animals for mutations or pathologies and monitoring of disease progression and response to therapy. A state-of-the-art micro-CT scanner for small animal imaging was developed by Paulus et al. at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Their scanner was demonstrated to be effective for detection and characterization of soft-tissue structures, skeletal abnormalities, and tumors in live animals. The scanner allows rapid data acquisition (5-30 minutes) and provides high-resolution images ( less than 50 xcexcm).
A system known as the Dynamic Spatial Reconstructor (DSR) was developed at Mayo Clinic [Ritman et al., 1985]. In the DSR, 28 X-ray tubes are arranged in a semicircle in a circular gantry. Projections formed on the fluorescent screen arc, scanned via multiple imaging chains, and reconstructed volumetrically. Nevertheless, the DSR suffers from a number of drawings, including its complexity and high cost.
A cone-beam X-ray microtomographic imaging systems has been developed [Pan et al., 1998]. This microtomographic imaging system consists of a conventional dental X-ray source (Astech 65), a sample translation and rotation stage, and X-ray scintillation phosphor screen, and a high resolution slow scan cooled CCD camera (Kodak KAF 1400). An epoxy embedded human inner ear specimen was studied using this system [Pan et al., 1998]. The source-to-detector distance and the specimen-to-detector distance were 70 mm and 11 mm, respectively. One hundred equal angular projections were captured by the CCD camera with a 12 bit dynamic range and 1317xc3x97967 detectors covering 30xc3x9722 mm2 on the phosphor screen. Each projection was integrated over 0.16 second, and normalized against the background. Volumetric images have been successfully reconstructed [Wang et al., 1993; Pan et al., 1998].
The present invention relates to a system for use in small animal studies and other applications that include a volumetric CT fluoroscopy (VCTF) scanner and operates in accordance with a novel method that draws from the Feldkamp algorithm The VCTF system is a significant advancement of micro-CT techniques known in the prior art, and has important and immediate applications for small animal studies. While prior micro-CT systems are featured by relatively slow data acquisition and static image reconstructions, the present invention includes real-time data acquisition hardware, a dedicated real-time image reconstruction algorithm, and an extra-fast cone-beam reconstruction engine, and integrating them into a 4D micro-CT scanner.
The system of the present invention can be constructed relatively economically using state-of-the-art source and CCD techniques. Novel image reconstruction methods improve upon prior systems, such as the DSR.

Volumetric computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy system for small animal studies


A blast pressure recording device and method includes at least one first sensor for measuring a parameter indicative of a blast event, at least one comparator in communication with the at least one first sensor for determining whether said parameter indicative of a blast event exceeds a predetermined threshold, at least one second sensor for measuring blast pressure, a power control means providing power to the at least one second sensor only when the predetermined threshold is exceeded, and a controller for receiving and recording blast pressure.

Devices for measuring and recording the data for injury analysis are generally known in the art, and have been used in various defense, emergency personnel, and violent sporting applications. Typical prior art devices are designed to identify specific impacts that may result in possible injury, such as brain injury, to a wearer without the wearer being immediately aware of the injury. For example, sensors for identifying whether an event that is likely to have caused a concussion are known in the art. Furthermore, devices for recording data from high impact events such as direct or near direct explosive blasts are known in the art. These sensors or data recording devices are generally designed around identifying instances of severe blasts or to otherwise continually record particular data being sensed.
There is a need in the art for a personal body worn blast recorder that may be used by a variety of personnel associated with first responder and military communities, and in particular to monitor personnel involved in frequent exposures to low level blast, such as in explosive breaching, forced entry, tactical team training, training centers for the controlled use of explosives or blast weapons, or firing of large weapons, etc. There has been a need from an occupational health and safety perspective to capture the total blast exposure over time of individuals exposed to low levels of controlled blast. In recent years, various studies have documented a degradation in physiological performance for individuals exposed to frequent blast events in training schools. Tactical (or SWAT) teams involved in dynamic entry involving explosive breaching undergo much live training with low level blast. In addition to medical symptoms, there is a need to optimize positioning, tactics, techniques and procedures associated with explosive entry in a quantitative manner. There is a need in the art for a portable and versatile blast recording device that permits a team to improve their safety from blast exposure, while recording the total blast exposure over time.
Additionally, prior art devices have been unable to consistently and over a long period of time in training or in the operating theatre record blast exposure for victims of accidental blast or attack events involving first responders or military personnel, such as those from terrorist devices, improvised explosive devices, military confrontations, EOD, etc.
Furthermore, prior art devices are often difficult to wear on the person being monitored, particularly in a removable or transportable manner, and are intrusive in respect of operations being undertaken. Furthermore, they are deficient in providing a repeatable technique for quantitative and cost effective capture of blast pressure exposure in realistic field operations, and particularly with respect to continuous capture of low level blast events.
There is therefore a need in the art to address one or more of the above identified problems with prior art devices. There is also a need in the art for a blast monitoring and/or recording devices to monitor and/or record low level blasts.


A reading lens for a scanner to read an original in a reduced magnification, the lens comprising six lenses, i.e., from a first lens to a sixth lens in order on an optical axis. The first lens is a positive lens having a first lens-surface and a second lens-surface. The second lens is a negative lens disposed in contact with the first lens and has the second lens-surface in common with the first lens and a third lens-surface. The third lens is a meniscus lens and has a fourth lens-surface and a fifth lens-surface. The fourth lens is a meniscus lens and has a sixth lens-surface and a seventh lens-surface. The fifth lens is a negative lens and has a eighth lens-surface and a ninth lens-surface. The sixth lens is a positive lens disposed in contact with the fifth lens and has the ninth lens-surface in common with the fifth lens and a tenth lens-surface. At least one of the ten lens-surfaces is formed as an aspherical surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reading lens for a scanner.
An image reader scans an original and reads an image therefrom by forming a reduced image of the original on a solid-state image pickup device such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device). Such an image reader is used in an image scanner, a facsimile system and a digital copying apparatus, etc.
A reading lens unit for scanner is used in the above mentioned image reader to form a reduced image of the original on the solid-state image pickup device.
2. Description of the Related Art
The reading lens is desirably such that the distance between an object and an image is short and the field angle is wide from the stand point of realizing a small and compact image reader. It is also required that the reading lens aperture be large and the lens be bright so as to heighten the image reading speed. Besides, these days, the pixel size of the solid-state image reader is becoming small, therefore a reading lens of high resolving power is required to makes it possible to heighten the resolution of the image by using the image reader having minute pixels. For example, when a CCD having a pixel size of 7 .mu.m is to be used, the reading lens is required such that the resolution thereof be 71.4 lines/mm on the light receiving surface of the CCD. It is also required that the lens have a high contrast with respect to the above mentioned spatial frequency of the lens (resolution) over the whole area of the light receiving surface of the CCD.
A Topogon lens has a wide field angle and a flat radial image surface.
From the view point of the characteristic of the lens, reading lenses for scanner using the Topogon lens are proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laying Open (KOKAI) Nos. 63-75721 and 64-23215).
On the other hand, however, the Topogon lens is not satisfactory in the aspect of brightness so that it is hard to realize an image scanner of high functional speed. Besides, using the Topogon lens involves a problem that the color quality in the image surface is degraded as the field angle becomes large, which reduces the contrast of the image.


An optical measurement device capable of improving optical spectrum measurement accuracy without the need to structurally decrease a slit width. A diffraction grating for dispersing measurement light into respective different wavelengths is rotated in a given direction to produce diffracted light of selected wavelengths. A focusing lens converges the diffracted light to produce a converged beam. A slit control section varies the slit width at a constant scan speed to open or close the slit, thereby varying the passing bandwidth for the converged beam. A light receiving/measuring section receives the light passed through the slit, obtains a level function indicative of the power level of the received light that varies with change in optical frequency, and differentiates the level function by the scan speed to reproduce the spectrum profile of the measurement light.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical measurement device, and more particularly, to an optical measurement device for measuring an optical spectrum.
(2) Description of the Related Art
With recent increase in the amount of communicated information, large-capacity, low-cost optical fiber communication systems have been actively developed. To cope with increasing capacity, WDMs (Wavelength Division Multiplexers) for multiplexing a plurality of wavelengths for transmission have been researched and developed, making the degree of multiplexing higher and higher.
Channel (ch) spacing, which is an index of the multiplexing degree, is standardized by ITU-T. In current ordinary WDM systems, signal with a transmission rate of 10 Gbps per channel is generally multiplexed with a spacing of 100 GHz (about 0.8 nm) or 50 GHz (about 0.4 nm).
In such WDM systems, EDFA (Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier), which is an optical amplifier using an erbium (Er3+)-doped fiber (EDF) as an amplification medium, is generally used as a repeater, in order to compensate for the line loss caused during the transmission of optical signal over the optical fiber.
With EDFA, optical signal is allowed to propagate with pump light introduced into the EDF so that the optical signal level may be amplified by the stimulated emission then induced. In optical amplifiers utilizing stimulated emission as the principle of amplification like the EDFA, spontaneous emission takes place irrespective of the presence/absence of input optical signal. Thus, in a system using an EDFA, amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) caused in the amplifier constitutes noise, which deteriorates the bit error rate (BER).
Accordingly, at the stage of system design, OSNR (Optical Signal/Noise Ratio), which is expressed as the ratio in level of optical signal (S) to optical noise (N), needs to be evaluated by using an optical spectrum analyzer as an optical measurement device. What is important in high-accuracy measurement is in what manner optical noise is separated from optical signal to obtain accurate levels of the noise and signal.
In the case of measuring a signal spectrum with an optical spectrum analyzer, an optical spectrum that ought to be shown as thin lines is displayed as a thick line if the spectrum analyzer does not have sufficiently high resolving power, with the result that the tails spread and overlap with adjacent channels, making it impossible to distinguish the optical noise and signal from each other (given two spectral lines of wavelengths λ0 and λ0+Δλ0 (or frequencies f0 and f0+Δf0), the resolving power represents the smallest value of Δλ0 (or Δf0) where the two wavelengths (or frequencies) can be distinguished from each other as two discrete spectral lines).
Especially, in 10-Gbps NRZ (Non-Return to Zero)-modulated WDM systems, the tails of adjacent signal spectra overlap with each other from the outset where the ch spacing is 50 GHz, making it more difficult to distinguish optical noise and signal from each other. Accordingly, an optical spectrum analyzer with extremely high resolving power is needed to measure the OSNR with high accuracy.
Currently, optical spectrum analyzers for use in this field generally adopt dispersion spectroscopy using a monochromator (light dispersion unit=diffraction grating). Also, as techniques for improving the resolving power for an optical spectrum, there has been proposed a conventional technique wherein an intersecting slit is arranged at the slit position so that light spot components scattering in the Y-axis direction may be cut off, to thereby enhance the resolving power (see, for example, Unexamined Japanese Utility Model Publication No. H07-8736 (paragraph nos. [0013] to [0027], FIG. 1)).
Conventional dispersion spectroscopy-type optical spectrum analyzers use a method in which measurement light to be measured is dispersed by a diffraction grating and a part thereof is extracted through a slit to monitor its power. Specifically, a measurement method is employed wherein the slit is fixed with its width decreased to the smallest possible value and the diffraction grating for dispersing the measurement light is rotated to vary the wavelength band of light passing through the slit, thereby measuring the light intensities of the respective wavelength bands.
FIG. 21 illustrates the width of a beam waist formed by a lens. Generally, the focal point to which the rays of light are converged by a lens has a finite spot width, of which the theoretical minimum value is W=(4·λ·L)/(π·d).
FIG. 22 shows the arrangement of a spectrum analyzer. In the illustrated arrangement, if d0=5 cm, L0=30 cm and λ=1550 nm, for example, the spot width is 6 μm. To achieve high resolving power, therefore, the slit width at the light receiving section also needs to be equal to a minimum width of 6 μm. However, the above spot width is a theoretical limit value and in actuality has a greater value, taking the precision of the system and lens shapes, the precision of the diffraction grating, etc. into consideration.
Accordingly, to realize high-resolution optical spectrum measurement, a slit with an extremely small width is needed. It is, however, difficult to obtain an extremely small slit width for structural reasons, giving rise to a problem that it is difficult to attain sufficiently high resolving power.
The conventional technique (Unexamined Japanese Utility Model Publication No. H07-8736) also has an identical basic structure in that the spectral resolving power is enhanced by decreasing the slit width, and thus is unable to achieve sufficiently high resolving power.


A mirror apparatus (10) includes a platform (12), a mirror support (14) depending from the platform (12), a mirror member (16) mounted to the mirror support (14) and an illuminating member (34) mounted about at least a peripheral segment of the mirror member (16) for providing illumination. The mirror member (16) may include a first mirror side (24) having a substantially planar mirror surface and a second mirror side (26) having a magnifying mirror surface. The mirror support (14) may be mounted for movement relative to the platform (12) between a first operative position and a second transport position. The mirror support (14) may be mounted for pivotal movement relative to the platform (12) between the first operative position and the second transport position. The mirror support (14) may be adapted to be releasably secured in the first operative position.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a mirror apparatus and, more particularly, relates to a foldable mirror apparatus having flat and magnifying mirror elements.
2. Background of the Related Art
Various designs exist and are commonly known for table or desk mirrors that are used for application of beauty products or the like to the facial area. Such mirrors are generally useful for their intended purposes, but are limited in their portability, versatility and ease of use.


An Infrared (IR) receiver includes a programmable decoder having a normal mode of operation and a proprietary mode of operation. When the programmable decoder is in the normal mode of operation, the programmable decoder decodes frames of an IR data transmission to produce decoded data. When the programmable decoder is in the proprietary mode of operation, the programmable decoder passes data of the IR data transmission during a time out period to produce raw data. The IR receiver also includes a pulse detection circuit that generates a pulse detection signal in response to detecting the IR data transmission. The IR receiver further includes a timer circuit that generates the timeout period in response to the pulse detection signal.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to infrared (IR) communication systems and more particularly to programmable IR data processors in such IR communications systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
IR systems are known to include IR devices, which are in communication via IR communication paths. Each IR device includes an IR controller and an IR transceiver that includes a light generating diode and a light receiving diode. IR devices conduct point-to-point communication by sending and/or receiving infrared light pulses between IR transceivers.
The IR communication typically conforms to an IR standard protocol. Some IR standard protocols are provided by the Infrared Data Association ("IrDA"). IrDA defines standard protocols for IR physical layer communications in a specification titled "IrDA Physical Layer Specification v. 1.4," published May 30, 2001. Other IrDA specifications are available at www.irda.org.
The IrDA physical layer specification is intended to facilitate the point-to-point communication between electronic devices (e.g., computers and peripherals) using directed half duplex serial infrared communications links through free space. IrDA defined four kinds of infrared links to support different data rates. Included in these links are Slow Infrared (SIR) supporting speeds up to 115.2 Kbps, Medium Infrared (MIR) supporting 0.576 Mbps and 1.152 Mbps data rates, Fast Infrared (FIR) supporting a 4.0 Mbps data rate, and Very Fast Infrared (VFIR) supporting 16.0 Mbps. Any utilization of the SIR, MIR, FIR or VFIR data transmission modes in this specification is referred to herein as "normal mode".
The IrDA schemes in the normal mode utilize framing and the framing format varies from mode to mode. An IrDA frame typically includes a start of frame indication, an end of frame indication and data therebetween. For SIR mode, its frame format begins with one start bit (logic 0) followed by 8 data bits and optional parity bit(s), and ends with one or more stop bits. This format is an asynchronous format, because only one byte of data is transmitted/received in one frame. In contrast, the MIR, FIR, and VFIR format is a continuous format, in which there is no gap between frames. This provides for a continuous transmission, for which most IR transceivers are designed.
In at least some implementations of a standard SIR mode, a frame of data is received and then there is a gap of time before the next frame is received. This time gap is a problem for IR receivers that are designed for the continuous data flow of MIR, FIR, and/or VFIR, since they expect a continuous stream of data (i.e., one frame right after the other). To such IR receivers, the time gap of an SIR transmission is viewed as a transmission error.
Additionally, many IR devices are designed to comply with an industry standard mode of IR transmission. However, as with any standard, there are compromises to ensure general compatibility between devices. Such compromises include the overhead of framing and encoding in a normal mode. However, this framing overhead may slow data transmission from one device to another for certain applications and uses. In such applications and uses, a nonstandard, or "proprietary mode" may preferably be used between compatible devices.
Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus for a programmable infrared data processor without the above-referenced limitations.


An imaging apparatus includes an imaging section which captures an object to obtain a first image signal of interlace scan type, a motion vector detection section which detects a motion vector by use of the first image signal, a vibration correction section which corrects, according to the motion vector detected by the motion vector detection section, vibration of an object image included in the first image signal, and a conversion section which converts, according to the motion vector detected by the motion vector detection section, the first image signal to a second image signal of progressive scan type.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to imaging apparatuses, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus having a function of converting a captured interlace signal to a progressive signal.
2. Related Background Art
Video cameras which capture an image signal have hitherto been known. According to the television systems, such as the NTSC system, an image signal is of 2:1 interlace type. Thus, generally, the video cameras also have a configuration which outputs an interlace type image signal of 60 fields per second.
Meanwhile, in recent years, television monitors capable of displaying a progressive type image signal instead of an interlace type signal has come into wide use. Thus, video cameras capable of outputting a progressive type image signal in addition to an interlace type image signal have also been put into practical use.
In video cameras of this type, when a captured 2:1 interlace type image signal is converted to a progressive type signal, interpolation data is generated according to a motion amount of image observed between fields to interpolate pixels to be positioned between lines by use of the interpolation data.
In this case, in order to generate interpolation data suitable for both a motion part and motionless part, for example, a motion coefficient is determined for each pixel; a signal based on intrafield interpolation and a signal based on interfield interpolation are mixed with each other with a ratio according to the motion coefficient to generate the interpolation data (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. S58-077373, for example).
In generating the interpolation data, when a vertical edge of an image is erroneously recognized as a motion part, a flicker of narrow edge is generated. To prevent this flicker, for example, there is also known a technique of recognizing as a vertical edge, a larger one from among the edges of the current field and previous field to thereby generate a stable edge signal (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H07-131678, for example).
With the apparatuses disclosed in the above described patent documents, however, a difference of signal between fields or between frames is determined in order to obtain a motion coefficient for each pixel; therefore, when the level of luminance signal changes in a direction of the time axis, the change can be erroneously recognized as a motion.


A peripheral control interface provides access to a system area network for a plurality of peripheral devices connected to the PCI through an I/O bus. A plurality of virtual data channels is defined in local memory to which outstanding requests from peripherals are assigned. Physical channel engines implement the order requests through the assigned virtual data channel with accessed data stored in local memory. A subsequent request by a peripheral can then be immediately fulfilled from data stored in memory. Data channel context stored in memory includes the number of outstanding requests by a user to whom the channel is dedicated, and a physical channel engine can pre-fetch data in response to a plurality of outstanding requests from a peripheral thereby eliminating latency in fulfilling requests.

This invention relates generally to system area networks (SAN), and more particularly the invention relates to a peripheral controller in a SAN which supports multiple concurrent data channels with reduced read latency over the SAN.
System Area Networks using data packet switching are well known and in use today. The ServerNet of the Tandem Computer Group of Compaq Computer Corporation is a System Area Network which can employ two switch interconnect fabrics (X, Y) in a packet switch, point to point network with an address space supporting over a million end nodes where each end node can communicate directly with any other end node. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the ServerNet with the two X, Y fabrics (router nodes) 10, 12, interconnecting the end nodes 14 which typically include CPUs, I/O controllers and PC work stations. While two fabrics can provide highly reliable, clustered configurations, only one fiber is architecturally required.
A plurality of peripheral components can be connected to one end node of the ServerNet through a peripheral component interface or PCI. Heretofore, a plurality of peripherals have been connected through a common bus to a PCI unit through which system Read requests from the peripherals are channeled. Typically, a peripheral given access to the bus will tie up the bus until a data request is completed. Moreover, the peripheral will remain in an idle state until the data is retrieved. Additionally, because of data limits in packet switching, a peripheral can be required to make a plurality of data requests in completing a data exchange transaction.
The present invention is directed to a PCI which supports multiple, simultaneous data channels with reduced Read latency in transactions initiated by an end node.
In accordance with the invention, a PCI connects a plurality of peripheral devices to end nodes on the system fabric through a plurality of internal independent channels. A peripheral requesting a data transaction in the network is assigned one of a plurality of PCI data channels for use in the transaction. The channel remains assigned to the peripheral until the transaction is completed. Thus, by using the plurality of channels, a plurality of data transactions can be supported simultaneously for one or more peripherals coupled to the PCI.
In accordance with the invention, latency in effecting data transactions is reduced by several features of the invention. When a Read request is received from a peripheral by the PCI, local PCI memory is first accessed for the data, and if the data is not present a channel is assigned to the peripheral for the transaction. The peripheral is then instructed to relinquish the bus and retry the request at a later time. Other peripherals can then have access to the PCI through the bus for requesting data transactions. Meanwhile, the data is requested from the network through the assigned channel, and once the data becomes available it is transferred through the assigned channel for storage in the local PCI memory.
To further reduce latency, Read transactions are scheduled ahead of time for the most recently active requestor so that Read data is already present in the local end node memory when it is being requested. Thus, Read latency over the SAN can be eliminated entirely for subsequent Read transactions thereby greatly improving overall system performance.
The invention and objects and features thereof will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims when taken with the drawings.

Peripheral component interface with multiple data channels and reduced latency over a system area network


Techniques are presented for synchronizing data store tables. Elements of first tables are linked together to form dependent chains. The dependencies are not housed with the elements in the first tables; rather, the dependencies are housed in multiple second tables. Each second table maps one of the elements from one of the first tables to another of the elements in another of the first tables.

Information is the life blood of an enterprise. The advent of technology has allowed information to be collected in real time and has allowed for the quantity and variety of information to appear boundless. An enterprise will collect, organize, analyze, mine, and report its information in an attempt to better plan and operate the enterprise. The information may also be used to increase knowledge of customers to thereby increase customer loyalty and revenues.
One challenge with the abundance of information is processing large volumes of data in practical and useful time frames. Another challenge is integrating information that may be housed in a variety of different databases, tables, or locations and keeping that information in synchronization.
When information is integrated if can provide valuable insights to the enterprise. One technique for this is for an enterprise to place pointers or links in one data store table to point to another data store table that is being integrated or linked in some logical fashion. These links can grow very large and span multiple tables and perhaps data sources. If a single element in one of the table's changes, then each table in the list has to be visited and updated to reflect the new change. This can create a serious synchronization bottleneck and is especially problematic when versioning of information is being maintained within each of the independent tables, such that when a change is made the previous version is still maintained as a prior version.
Thus, it can be seen that improved techniques for synchronizing data are desirable.

Techniques for synchronizing data store tables


Photographically useful radiation-sensitive high chloride {100} tabular grain emulsions containing iodide are disclosed. A high proportion of the {100} tabular grains contain crystal lattice dislocations extending inwardly from their peripheral edges. The dislocations are created by introducing elemental iodine into a high chloride {100} tabular grain emulsion, reducing the iodine to iodide, displacing chloride ions at the peripheral edges of the tabular grains with iodide ions, and then continuing growth of the high chloride {100} tabular grains. The dislocations in the peripheral and, particularly, corner regions of the tabular grains increase their sensitivity.

Marked improvements in the performance of photographic emulsions began in the 1980's, resulting from the introduction of tabular grain emulsions into photographic products. A wide range of photographic advantages have been provided by tabular grain emulsions, such as improved speed-granularity relationships, increased covering power (both on an absolute basis and as a function of binder hardening), more rapid developability, increased thermal stability, increased separation of native and spectral sensitization imparted imaging speeds, and improved image sharpness in both mono- and multi-emulsion layer formats.
Although tabular grain emulsions can be selected to provide a variety of performance advantages, depending upon the photographic application to be served, initially commercial interest focused on achieving the highest attainable photographic speeds with minimal attendant granularity. This capability of high bromide {111 } tabular grain emulsions was demonstrated by Wilgus et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,226 and Kofron et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,520. It was, of course, recognized that minor amounts of iodide further improve the speed-granularity relationship, and Solberg et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,048 taught that increased iodide concentrations near the peripheral edge of the tabular grains further improved the speed-granularity relationship.
Sometime after silver iodobromide {111} tabular grain emulsions appeared in photographic film products Ikeda et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,806,461 microscopically examined high bromide {111} tabular grains and concluded their superior speed-granularity could be attributed in part to the presence of 10 or more dislocations in tabular grains accounting for at least 50 percent of total grain projected area. This observation was reiterated by Takehara et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,068,173, Haga et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,836, Suga et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,012, and Maruyama et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,014. Before tabular grain emulsions were commercially used and before the observations of Ikeda et al, dislocations had been observed in high bromide {111} tabular grains and postulated to facilitate latent image formation, as illustrated by G. C. Farnell, R. B. Flint and J. B. Chanter, "Preferred Sites for Latent-Image Formation", J. Photogr. Sci., 13:25(1965); J. F. Hamilton, "Electron-Microscope Study of Defect Structure and Photolysis in Silver Bromide Microcrystals", Photogr. Sci. Eng., 11:57(1967); and G. C. Farnell, R. L. Jenkins and L. R. Solman, "Grain Disorder and its Influence on Emulsion Response", J. Photogr. Sci., 24:1(1976).
Black et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,988 discovered that the crystal lattice dislocations in the central region of high bromide {111} tabular grains increase pressure sensitivity while the crystal lattice dislocations in the peripheral region of the tabular grains increase sensitivity without increasing pressure sensitivity.
The first high chloride tabular grain emulsions contained {111} tabular grains, as illustrated by Wey U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,215 and Maskasky U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,463. Maskasky U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,292,632 and 5,275,930 overcame the problem of high chloride {111} tabular grain morphological instability by providing the first high chloride {100} tabular grain emulsions. The combination of the known ecological and developability advantages of high chloride emulsions with the higher tabular shape stability of high chloride grains with {100} crystal faces has stimulated interest in high chloride {100} tabular grain emulsions.
Several forms of incorporation of iodide into high chloride {100} tabular grains have been investigated. House et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,938, Chang et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,904, and Saito EPO 0 670 515 realized advantages to be obtained when iodide is added at or near grain nucleation.
Brust et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,798 observed a speed increase without an offsetting granularity increase when a band of higher iodide content is grown onto a high chloride {100} tabular grain. Potassium iodide is the demonstrated source of iodide during band formation. Chang et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,663,041 is cumulative with Brust et al.
Maskasky, Scaccia and Chen U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,602 discloses a process of preparing iodohalide grains wherein iodide ion is introduced into the crystal lattice structure by introducing elemental iodine into the dispersing medium and maintaining the dispersing medium within a pH range of from 5 to 8.

High chloride tabular grain emulsions and processes for their preparation


A sealing structure for an underwater pump comprises an elbow pipe having a first flange formed at an inlet thereof with an inclined inner surface; an underwater pump having a second flange formed at an outlet thereof; a guide member attached to the second flange and disposed between guide bars vertically mounted under the water so that the guide member is vertically movable along the guide bars, wherein the guide member comprises an annular hollow portion disposed between the outlet and the inlet; and a gasket mounted to the annular hollow portion, wherein the gasket comprises a tapered front portion with an inclined surface that makes close contact with the inclined inner surface of the first flange.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a structure in which a conventional underwater pump is installed. As shown in FIG. 1, a supporting frame 1 is mounted to the top of a water tank (not shown), and an elbow pipe 2 is mounted on the bottom of the water tank. To the supporting frame 1 is attached a bracket 9, by which the upper ends of a pair of guide bars 3 are fixed to the supporting frame 1. The lower ends of the guide bars 3 are attached to the elbow pipe 2. At one side of an underwater pump 4 is connected a guide member 5. When the underwater pump 4 is to be installed under the water in the water tank, a pulling rope 6, which is connected to the underwater pump 4, is moved down by means of a hoist (not shown). As the pulling rope 6 is moved down, the underwater pump 4 moves down due to its own weight while being guided along the guide bars 3. After the underwater pump 4 moves down along the guide bars 3, a flange 7a formed at an outlet 7 of the underwater pump 4 is connected to another flange 2a formed at an inlet of the elbow pipe 2. As a result, the outlet 7 of the underwater pump 4 communicates with the elbow pipe 2.
When the underwater pump 4 is energized through a power line 8, the underwater pump 4 is operated. When the underwater pump 4 is operated, the water in the water tank is discharged to the outside via the outlet 7 of the underwater pump 4, the elbow pipe 2, and a discharging pipe (not shown) connected to a flange 2b formed at an outlet of the elbow pipe 2.
FIG. 2 is a front view, partially in section, showing connection of a conventional underwater pump and an elbow pipe.
As shown in FIG. 2, to the upper side of the inlet of the elbow pipe 2 is fixed a supporting bar 25 while the right and left ends of the supporting bar 25 are extended outwardly. To the flange 7a formed at the outlet 7 of the underwater pump 4 is connected the guide member 5.
The guide member 5 comprises: an annular hollow part 51 having a central opening 52 formed therethrough for communicating the outlet 7 of the underwater pump 4 and the inlet of the elbow pipe 2 to each other; a projection part 54 having an inclined surface making contact with the inner side of the supporting bar 25; and a guide part 55 disposed between the guide bars 3 in such a manner that the guide part 55 is vertically movable along the guide bars 3. The outer side of the annular hollow part 51 of the guide member 5 is vertically disposed. Similarly, the outer side of the flange 2a formed at then inlet of the elbow pipe 2 is vertically disposed.
In the case of the above-mentioned connection of the conventional underwater pump 4 and the elbow pipe 2, however, a reaction force (A) is applied to the underwater pump 4 in the direction opposite to the elbow pipe 2, and a pressure (B) caused by the sum of the weight of the underwater pump 4 and the pressure of the water in the water tank is also applied to the underwater pump 4 in the lower direction of the underwater pump 4 when the underwater pump 4 is operated. Consequently, the underwater pump 4 and the guide member 5 are upwardly rotated counterclockwise about the supporting bar 25 by means of a resultant force (C), which is the sum of the reaction force (A) and the pressure (B). As a result, there is a gap created between the lower side of the annular hollow part 51 and the lower side of the flange 2a formed at the inlet of the elbow pipe 2, and water leaks through the gap.


Method and system for testing policies to determine cost savings, which in one embodiment comprises receiving identities of a set of one or more persons associated within an organization, the one or more person's travel related expenditures are to be governed by at least a first and second policy; from the set of one or more persons, identifying a first group governed by the first policy and identifying a second group governed by the second policy; identifying the travel costs incurred by the first group and costs incurred by the second group; and following the passage of a predetermined period of time, in view of the respective separate policies, performing a cost analysis on travel costs incurred by the first group during the predetermined period of time and the travel costs incurred by the second group during the predetermined period of time.

Companies have different ways of doing business, and sometimes even each division within a corporation may have a different way of doing business. Accordingly, different ways of doing business may cause variations in the savings realized by a corporate policy, and when setting corporate policies for employee travel or other expensed employee activities, the financial effect of a certain policy, when put into practice, may not always be clear.
What is clearly needed is a system and method that allows reality-based evaluation of the financial effect, that is, the amount of savings, of a specific expense policy, when said policy is put into practice under the actual business methods and practices of a company or division of a company, instead of attempting to measure the effects of a policy on a theoretical basis or on a peer-comparison basis only

Method and system for testing of policies to determine cost savings


The invention concerns a method (300) and system (100) for improving voice quality of a vocoder (138, 158). The method includes the steps of monitoring (312) a pitch of a voice signal (400) at a transmitting unit (110); when the pitch of the voice signal reaches a predetermined threshold (840), shifting (326) the pitch of the voice signal to at least a portion of a predetermined range (810); transmitting (338) the pitch-shifted voice signal to a receiving unit (112); and at the receiving unit, reshifting (342) the pitch-shifted voice signal to a level that compensates the step of shifting the pitch of the voice signal at the transmitting unit.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to methods and systems that transmit and receive audio and more particularly, that rely on multiband excitation vocoders to do so.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, portable electronic devices, such as cellular telephones and personal digital assistants, have become commonplace. Many of these devices include a vocoder, such as a multiband excitation (MBE) vocoder. An MBE vocoder is a device that converts analog speech waveforms from various individuals into digital signals. These digital signals are then typically transmitted to another portable electronic device, where they are decoded and broadcast through a speaker to a user of the receiving portable electronic device.
Many MBE vocoders, however, have a limited encoding range. For example, most MBE vocoders are only able to encode speech waveforms that have pitch values between 80 Hz and 500 Hz. The range is limited because the vocoder is provided with a relatively small number of bits to cover the whole spectrum of pitch values generated by the different types of user voices (only a small number of bits are provided to preserve bandwidth).
Generally, the limited range is suitable for encoding the many different types of user voices. The pitch values of certain voice types, however, may exceed the encoding range of the vocoder. For example, the pitch values of the voice of a woman or a small child may surpass this range, particularly if the woman or small child is in an excited state. That is, the pitch inflections of certain individuals may exceed an allowable pitch range. In this instance, the vocoder cannot properly encode the speech waveforms, which will result in a degradation of voice quality.

Method and system for improving voice quality of a vocoder


A method and system for asserting a lock in a distributed file system is provided. All distributed locks have a lease for a limited time period, wherein the lease may be renewed periodically. A lock manager data structure is provided to maintain mode compatibility of locks granted to different client nodes for the same object. The process of acquiring or reasserting a lock includes determining whether there are other valid locks in use, as well as whether a valid lock is in operation in a conflicting or compatible mode with a requested lock. A new lock lease may be granted and a lock lease which has expired may be reasserted if a conflicting lease is not present.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to a system and method for acquiring a distributed lock or reasserting a lock upon which a lock lease has expired. More specifically, the invention relates to respecting lock mode compatibility in a lock acquisition.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A storage area network ("SAN") is an increasingly popular storage technology. FIG. 1 is a prior art diagram 10 illustrating a SAN 5 with multiple server nodes 12 and 14, and multiple client nodes 16, 18, and 20. The SAN has metadata space 25 reserved for the server nodes 12 and 14. Each of the client nodes may access an object or multiple objects stored on the file data space 27 of the SAN, but may not access the metadata space. In opening the contents of an existing file object on the storage media in the SAN 5, a client contacts the server node to obtain metadata and locks. Metadata supplies the client with information about a file, such as its attributes and location on storage devices. Locks supply the client with privileges it needs to open a file and read or write data. The server node performs a look-up of metadata information for the requested file within the metadata space 25 of the SAN 5. The server node communicates granted lock information and file metadata to the requesting client node, including the location of all data blocks making up the file. Once the client node holds a distributed lock and knows the data block location(s), the client node can access the data for the file directly from a shared storage device attached to the SAN 5. Accordingly, one advantage of a SAN is that it allows multiple computers to access storage devices, also known as storage media.
In distributed system with shared persistent storage, such as the configuration shown in FIG. 1, modifications to file metadata are coordinated between a client node and a server node using distributed locking techniques. However, problems arise when a client node holding a lock stops communicating with other nodes or when the server node is subject to a failure. The communication failure may be due to the client node experiencing a failure, or a network failure causing the client node holding the lock to be subject to a network partition. For either the failure of the server node or a termination of communication with the client node, problems arise through a loss of any modifications to a file subject to the lock or to the file's metadata. In addition, access to the file subject to the lock may not be possible because of an inability to recover a lock from the node that owns the lock.
Prior art solutions for addressing failure associated with a distributed lock include leased based locks, versioned locks, lock expiration, and lock reassertion techniques. However, these prior art techniques do not always allow a client node to reassert a lock it previously held while maintaining cache consistency. In addition, the prior art techniques do not always deny a client node from reasserting a lock it previously held. Accordingly, there is a need for technique that enables client nodes to reassert a distributed lock while maintaining cache consistency.

Discipline for lock reassertion in a distributed file system

International Business Machines Corporation