The invention provides DC-DC converters comprising a load sensor, a variable Power MOS, and a Power MOS width controlling and driving device. The Power MOS width controlling and driving device is coupled between the load sensor and the variable Power MOS. The variable Power MOS comprises a plurality of PMOS transistors coupled in parallel and a plurality of NMOS transistors coupled in parallel. After the load sensor detects the load current of the DC-DC converter, the Power MOS width controlling and driving device conducts the PMOS and NMOS transistors according to the sensed load current to control the total size of the conduction paths that couple a transformed DC voltage output terminal to a source of an original DC voltage or ground.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to DC-DC converters.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional DC-DC converter that transforms an original DC voltage VDD to a transformed DC voltage Vout and outputs Vout by a transformed DC voltage output terminal. The conventional DC-DC converter comprises an inductance L, a PWM signal generator 102 (where PWM is an abbreviation of Pulse Width Modulation), a Power MOS enable signal generator 104, a Power MOS 110, a driver 106 for the PMOS transistor Mp of the Power MOS 110, and a driver 108 for the NMOS transistor Mn of the Power MOS 110.
The transformed DC voltage Vout is divided by resistors R1 and R2 that are coupled in series. The divided transformed DC voltage is inputted into the PWM signal generator 102 to generate a PWM signal Vswitch. The Power MOS enable signal generator 104 comprises a DTC 112 (where DTC is the abbreviation of Dead-Time Controller) and a ZCD 114 (where ZCD is the abbreviation of Zero Current Detector). The DTC 112 outputs a PMOS transistor enable signal SW_P and the ZCD 114 outputs an NMOS transistor enable signal SW_N. When the PMOS transistor enable signal SW_P is in its enable state (low), the driver 106 pulls the PMOS transistor enable signal SW_P to ground to completely turn on the PMOS transistor Mp. When the NMOS transistor enable signal SW_N is in its enable state (high), the driver 108 pulls the NMOS transistor enable signal SW_N to the original DC voltage VDD to completely turn on the NMOS transistor Mn. The transformed DC voltage Vout, therefore, is maintained within a stable region.
In general, conventional DC-DC converters are designed based on specifications provided by manufactures of loads, and thus the power consumption of the DC-DC converter is predetermined. The predetermined power consumption is usually designed as the maximum possible value under which the load can operate normally. However, when the load is a processing unit, RAM, monitor and so on, or devices that are usually in a stand-by mode (light load), the actual power consumption is far lower than the predetermined value. Thus, the conventional DC-DC converter with light load has very poor power transform efficiency.

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A hydrostatic bearing design employing inherently compensated orifices whose geometric design is such that the use of multiple orifices is substantially simplified. In normal cylindrical hydrostatic bearings, the orifices are usually employed in rows. There can be from three to 120 orifices per row, and usually from one to six rows in most designs. In these designs, the orifice is usually a separate component, which is pressed into the surface that constitutes the bearing. Inherently compensated orifices are comprised of three sections, i.e. the entrance section, the restricting orifice section, and the exit section. The first two of these sections are of circular cross section. This design employs slots versus cylindrical type of construction, thereby giving square or rectangular cross sections. The manufacturing of this type of hydrostatic bearing is greatly simplified since only three or slightly more parts are required, versus a separate part for each orifice. Various details are described with respect to the various structures illustrated. This design can be used not only with the typical cylindrical type bearing, but also can be utilized in flat and conical bearing geometries.

This type of bearing essentially is comprised of three specific types of zones constituting its geometry. The first zone would be the entrance portion to the orifice. The second zone is the restriction, which can be either a very small orifice in which the fluid control is by its diameter, or a capillary (small tube in which the fluid control is by its diameter and length). The third zone is the exit portion from the orifice. In a plain type bearing, this zone does not exist. In most bearing designs, this zone consists of a very thin disc shape.
The manner in which hydrostatic bearings work is that as the shaft approaches the orifices, because it is somewhat restricted the flow, there will be a pressure increase between the orifice area and shaft. Likewise, 180 degrees from the just mentioned orifice, the shaft will move away from the corresponding orifice. This has the effect of allowing the fluid to flow more freely causing a decrease in pressure between the orifice and the said shaft. Thus a restoring force is created which tends to keep the shaft centered in its bearing. The minimum number of orifices required per circumference would obviously be three. Normally four to 32 orifices are utilized. Another consideration concerning the design of these hydrostatic bearing systems is pneumatic hammer or "water hammer" if a fluid is used. This phenomena is basically a vibration which is set up between the shaft and its bearing. One of the main causes of this unwanted vibration is due to the time necessary for the so-called fluid compensated bearing to restore the shaft to its initial position. The fluid in association with the orifices and spacing caused by the shaft movement, sets up the occurring restoring forces. However, there is a finite amount of time required for the fluid to reach an equilibrium depending on the shaft position in its bearing. This so-called "time constant" is what causes the abovementioned vibration instabilities. In order to prevent this, very small orifices are necessary, along with the corresponding geometry such as the previously mentioned exit zone.
In general, gas lubricated bearings are normally assumed to have a given spring constant and a small amount of inherent dampening due to viscous forces. This spring constant may be measured by plotting a force vs. displacement curve. The damping coefficient may be determined by ascertaining the decrease in amplitude as a function of time of the bearing system after it is subjected to an impact load.
However, gas bearings are different from more conventional bearings in the sense that there is a finite time lag between the initial application of a displacement force and the time required for the bearing to reach a steady state condition, i.e., new position. Upon extensive investigation of experimental evidence, it was noted that this time constant or time lag is difficult to measure because it is obscured by the bearings damping. This time constant can be calculated, and becomes larger if the pocket type bearing is not designed with this in mind. It can be shown by computer simulation that, in general, the longer the time constant (first-order lag), the more unstable the system becomes. This time lag is caused by the fact that a finite amount of time is required for the fluid to flow out of the bearing or into the bearing depending on the location of the shaft until a new pressure distribution has been reached. It is known that a pocket type bearing has a greater restoring force, i.e., the force tending to establish a balancing equilibrium condition.

Compensated orifice for use in hydrostatic fluid bearing


An image processing apparatus capable of easily acquiring original data includes an image data storage unit adapted to store data contained in an image, an image reading unit adapted to convert the contents of a paper document into an image by photoelectric conversion, a region specifying unit adapted to partially or entirely specify the read image, an image compression unit adapted to compress the read image to generate compressed data, an image data search unit adapted to search the storage unit for image data similar to the specific region, and an information adding unit adapted to add, to the compressed data, a search result corresponding to the specific region as related image information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program and, for example, to a technique suitable for saving a paper document as a digital document and the saved paper document to edit the digital document.
2. Description of the Related Art
Along with the recent spread of scanners, digitization of documents is becoming more popular. However, when a digital document with, e.g., an A4 size is saved in a full-color bitmap format, the amount of data is as large as about 24 Mbytes at 300 dpi and requires an enormous storage area. In addition, data of such a large amount is unsuitable for digital transmission.
Such a full-color image is normally compressed, and JPEG is known as a compression method. JPEG can be used to compress a natural image such as a photo very effectively and ensure a high quality. However, when a high-frequency portion such as a text part is compressed by JPEG, image degradation called mosquito noise occurs. Additionally, the compression ratio is also low. Since many general documents include both text and images on one page, it is difficult to ensure both high image quality and a high compression ratio using JPEG.
To solve the above-described problems, region segmentation is executed. A background portion except text regions is subjected to JPEG compression, and each text region with color information is subjected to MMR compression. At the time of decompression, a white JPEG image portion is passed, and the black portion is expressed with a representative text color. According to an image processing apparatus disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-77633, an image is obtained by scanning a paper document. Binarization and lossy encoding are executed for a text region without decreasing the resolution while JPEG compression is executed for the background part at a high compression ratio by decreasing the resolution. With this processing, a digital document in a small size suitable for transmission and storage can be obtained without losing color information and text readability.
With the spread of computers, a document creating/editing operation using a document editor application such as a word processor has become common. Not only a demand for browsing a document digitized and saved in the above-described manner but also a demand for entirely or partially inserting a digital document into another document and editing/processing it is growing.
To meet part of this requirement, an image processing apparatus disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-265384 specifies an original document file corresponding to the image data of a scanned document by searching a database or the like and actually prints or reuses the original document file to ensure high image quality and editability.
However, a digital document created by scanning is compressed to increase the efficiency for saving the image data, as described above. Hence, if this document is used to create another document, degradation in image by compression poses a problem.
A digital document created by the image processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-77633 holds data that has undergone lossless encoding without decreasing the resolution in a text region. For this reason, the image of this region can be extracted and used without concern for degradation. However, the part other than the text region, i.e., the background region is compressed at a high ratio, and therefore, the problem of image degradation in use cannot be avoided.
In the image processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-265384, a scanned document is replaced with its original document file obtained by a search. For this reason, the data amount is not always small, and the efficiency of transmitting or saving the digital document is not always high.
In addition, in an environment where a document is created by using a document editor application such as a word processor, photos and drawings suitable for reuse may be registered in a database as individual datum. If a document newly created by using these data is not registered in the database as a document file, the original data that should exist in the database cannot be acquired for the target part even by scanning the document by the image processing apparatus.
There is a demand for a technique of solving the above-described problems, i.e., generating data with a high transmission and saving efficiency from a scan image and, when this data is to be used for, e.g., document editing, easily acquiring original data for the target part.
In consideration of the above-described problems, the present invention has as its object to enable easy acquisition of original data.

Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program


A tobacco expansion apparatus and method comprising a source of tower gas, an obloid transport duct (20), in communication with the gas source, a tobacco feeder (18) at a location along the obloid transport duct (20) and a separator (22) for recovering tobacco from the expansion apparatus. The tobacco feeder (18) is adapted to introduce tobacco uniformly across the width of the obloid transport duct (20). The apparatus improves the filling power of the processed tobacco and can be operated at higher production rates with less tobacco breakage, thereby improving tobacco yield.

Expansion is a known way to improve the filling power per unit weight of tobacco (usually measured in units of volume per gram of tobacco). One of the more practiced methods of expanding tobacco includes the steps of impregnating a charge of cut filler tobacco with an expansion agent (or "impregnant") and then rapidly heating the impregnated tobacco to volatilize the expansion agent, thereby causing an expansion of the tobacco tissue. The heating can be effected conveniently by entraining the tobacco in a stream of hot gas (or "tower gas") and directing the stream through a pneumatic conveying column ("tower"). In many expansion systems, a cyclonic separator located downstream of the tower separates the tobacco from the tower gas.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,771,533 discloses a process in which tobacco filler is impregnated with ammonia and carbon dioxide. The impregnated tobacco material is subjected to rapid heating, for example with a stream of hot air or air mixed with superheated steam, whereby the tobacco is puffed as the impregnant is converted to a gas.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,336,814 (PM 745) discloses methods for impregnating tobacco with liquid carbon dioxide, converting a portion of the impregnant to solid form and then rapidly heating the impregnated tobacco to volatilize the carbon dioxide and puff the tobacco.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,235,250 and 4,258,729 each disclose impregnation of tobacco with gaseous carbon dioxide under pressure and then subjecting the tobacco to rapid heating after a release of pressure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,366,825 discloses a method of expanding tobacco in a flow of heated tower gas, with separation of the expanded tobacco from the gas stream being achieved in a tangential separator. The patent discloses a typical prior construction of a tower, wherein the pneumatic conveying column includes a vertically directed, cylindrical pipe.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,604 discloses another pneumatic conveying column comprising an upwardly inclined duct of rectangular cross-section. Inclined ducts of the type disclosed in this patent are generally disfavored, because their incline occupies extra floor space at manufacturing facilities, and because the inclined ducts allow gravity to urge tobacco particles toward the lowermost wall of the duct. The rectangular shape also presents corners, where localized eddies tend to entrap tobacco and toast (overheat) same. The corner regions exacerbate the risk of sparking (ignition) of the tobacco within the tower.
The more traditional, cylindrical, pneumatic columns are not without their own problems. Most troublesome has been the tendency of entrained tobacco to travel along one side of a conventional tower, instead of dispersing more uniformly amongst the tower gas. This flow phenomenon is inimical to achieving full and efficient expansion of the tobacco and is referred to in the art as "roping". The limited region along the tower where the tobacco is concentrated or roped is also referred to as a dense phase region. When roping occurs, a substantial portion of the pneumatic column remains as a gaseous region containing very little tobacco, and the concentrated tobacco directly interacts with only a limited portion of the gas stream passing through the tower, so that the heating of the bulk of the tobacco stream is not as rapid or effective as might be expected. A more complete expansion is achieved when tobacco is uniformly heated as rapidly as possible, beginning immediately at the lower portions of the column.
The problem of tobacco concentrating along the wall of a conventional tower seems to become more and more problematic as tower systems are made ever larger and/or as gas velocities in the conventional towers are reduced. A strong preference otherwise exists for the lower gas velocities, because they minimize pneumatic breakage of tobacco strands.
Production scale expansion towers can suffer a roping effect along their entire lengths, unless some corrective action is undertaken. We now believe that roping becomes especially problematic with the larger towers because of a perceived relationship between the diameter of a cylindrical tower and the endurance of a dense phase flow regime. The pipe diameter seems to be proportional with the length of pipe necessary for the dense phase flow to dissipate and for the mixing of tower gas and tobacco to reoccur. A cylindrical tower of a large diameter may therefore suffer roping along a greater portion of its length than a slimmer tower.
In the past, operators of large conventional expansion towers have attempted to limit roping by resorting to elevated gas velocities, which approach exacerbates breakage of tobacco and reduces dwell time of the tobacco within a given tower. The inclusion of baffling within expansion towers (known as "ski jumps") has also been attempted as a way to disrupt roping. However, such baffling also may exacerbate breakage and its effectiveness in disrupting roped flow has proven limited. A better solution has been sought and is herein disclosed, which does not exacerbate breakage and provides other advantages as will become apparent in the description which follows.

Method and apparatus for expanding tobacco


Provided is a pen type of apparatus for measuring multiple water qualities, which is capable of measuring acidity (pH) and electric conductivity (EC) without interfering with each other in agricultural water for hydroponic cultivation to easily confirm the measured results.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring a water quality, and more particularly, to a pen type of apparatus for measuring multiple water qualities, which is capable of measuring acidity (pH) and electric conductivity (EC) without interfering with each other in agricultural water for hydroponic cultivation to easily confirm the measured results.
Description of the Related Art
The contamination of water today caused by municipal sewage and industrial wastewater not only destroys ecosystems, but is becoming a serious social concern by causing the depletion of water for industry and agriculture and water resources needed for drinking water. For example, while underground water is still clean, thoughtless development is leading to its accelerated depletion and contamination.
Recently, however, as awareness has gradually grown on the importance of managing and using water resources, various management systems for preventing the contamination of water resources and efficiently using them are being developed and implemented, so that water resources can not only be used for industry, but for household drinking water and water for living, and various other uses.
Meanwhile, modern living environments are becoming increasingly eco-friendly, whereby hydroponic techniques are becoming widespread in many households which directly cultivate hydroponic plants indoors such as immature stemmed plants or organic vegetables, and small fruit-bearing plants, and various types of household aquariums are being installed to control indoor temperature and humidity. In such cases, the individual households need to be supplied with water with a suitable level of quality for raising the hydroponic plants or the aquarium fish, and users need to personally manage the water to maintain it in an optimal state.
That is, in order to provide suitable growing conditions for a normal household to cultivate hydroponically or keep an aquarium, the quality of water used for this purpose must be continuously measured and managed in terms of water level, temperature, acidity, and electric conductivity (EC). It is particularly important that water used for hydroponics or an aquarium be measured and managed in terms of acidity (pH or hydrogen ion concentration) and EC or Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) characteristics. To this end, various types of water quality measuring devices have been disclosed so as to be easily used even by normal households. For example Korean Registered Patent No. 10-0874779 (Cited Patent Document 1) discloses a hydrogen ion concentration measuring device, and Korean Registered Patent No. 10-0865639 (Cited Patent Document 2) discloses an electric conductivity measuring device.
Also, multipurpose water quality measuring devices have recently been introduced that can measure both acidity and electric conductivity. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the general structure of a multipurpose water quality measuring device according to the related art, which was developed by the present applicant. As illustrated, a water quality measuring device 10 of the related art is configured of a bar-shaped housing 11 having a predetermined length, a measuring unit 12 provided on one side of the housing 11, and a display unit 13 and a user input unit 14 provided on an outer surface of the housing 11. A protective cap 15 for protecting a sensor of the measuring unit 12 is provided on one side of the housing. Also, while not shown, a control unit for measuring and displaying acidity and electric conductivity is provided together with a power supply unit within the housing 11.
While various methods may be employed for measuring acidity and electric conductivity using a multipurpose water quality measuring device, in general, a method is used of taking measurements using a voltage that is output according to changes in the hydrogen ion concentration inside and outside a hydrogen sensitive glass bulb, and for electric conductivity, a technique is used in which a current is applied between positive and negative electrodes and the resistance that occurs across a solution in the water being measured is used. To this end, the measuring unit 12 provided on one side of the water quality measuring device 10 is configured of a pH sensor electrode 12a for measuring acidity, an EC sensor electrode 12b for measuring electric conductivity, and a temperature sensor 12c for measuring the temperature of the water being measured.
While such a water quality measuring device has the advantage that one device may be used to measure both acidity and electric conductivity, it involves the limitation that the pH sensor electrode 12a and the EC sensor electrode 12b are disposed close together so that interference occurs between the two sensor electrodes. Specifically, when the pH sensor electrode 12a and the EC sensor electrode 12b are immersed in the same water being measured, both sensor electrodes simultaneously contact the water being measured and cause interference therebetween.
In detail, the pH sensor electrode 12a is configured of a measuring electrode within the glass bulb and a reference electrode outside the glass bulb, and measurements are taken by discharging a flow of an electrolyte solution such as potassium chloride (KCl) from the reference electrode. At this point the potassium chloride flowing out from the pH sensor electrode 12a side is dissolved in the water being measured and changes the resistance of the water being measured so that an inaccurate value is measured by the EC sensor electrode 12b when the electric conductivity is measured.
Additionally, when the water quality measuring device is stored, the pH sensor electrode 12a needs to always be maintained in a state of wet contact with the electrolyte solution (KCl), while the EC sensor electrode, on the other hand, 12b needs to be kept in a clean state. Thus, when the electrolyte solution on the pH sensor electrode 12a side contacts the EC sensor electrode 12b and contaminates the EC sensor electrode 12b, the inconvenience arises of having to wash the EC sensor electrode 12b for each use in order to maintain the clean state thereof and produce accurate electric conductivity measurements.

Pen type of apparatus for measuring multiple water qualities


A loading station of a high-speed, high volume conveying/sorting mechanism feeds coded articles selectively onto upper and lower platforms of a mobile transport device. The loading station includes a pivotable introduction conveyor which feeds articles selectively to a pivotable upper loading conveyor or a non-pivotable lower loading conveyor. When an article is to be fed to the upper platform, the discharge end of the introduction conveyor is swung upwardly, and the inlet end of the upper loading conveyor is swung downwardly so that those conveyors are aligned in an upwardly inclined direction toward the upper platform. When an article is to be fed to the lower platform, the discharge end of the introduction conveyor is swung downwardly so as to be in alignment with the lower loading conveyor which is inclined downwardly toward the lower platform, and the inlet end of the upper loading conveyor is simultaneously swung upwardly so that the upper loading conveyor is inclined downwardly toward the upper platform.

The invention relates to the high-speed, high-volume conveying of small articles which are to be sorted by being conveyed from a loading station to one of a number of collecting stations disposed along a conveying path. In particular, the invention relates to the loading station.
Such a conveying/sorting apparatus is used to sort articles such as packages in mail-order facilities and courier services, for example. The apparatus typically includes a rail which defines the conveying path, and a number of transport devices which travel along the rail between the loading and collecting stations. Each transport device includes a platform, such as a driven endless belt, which receives articles at the loading station and discharges them onto collection devices at respective collection stations.
Various types of conveying/sorting machines are known; in particular, commonly owned patent GB 2,111,933, relates to a sorting plant which comprises a number of transport devices or trucks, each having a rotation apron or belt constituting an article transport and unloading platform. The trucks move along a fixed route lined with containers designed to collect, and thereby sort, the articles. The articles, suitably coded on the basis of their destination, are loaded into individual cells in a loading station where sensing devices (e.g., scanners) check the type of parcel (size, weight, etc.), match each parcel with a transport platform, and load the articles into respective trucks passing through the loading station. The articles are actually introduced into the transport platforms by means of loading conveyor units which are suitably synchronized and controlled in terms of both speed and acceleration in order to produce precise movement of the articles. Such loading units are also known, being described in commonly owned patent EP 0 343 613.
Developments in the technology and the application of sophisticated types of electronic apparatus for the management of these plants have produced a considerable increase in productivity, with the result that a plant with some 300-400 transport platforms can sort over 10,000 objects an hour.
However, users' requirements have kept pace with developments in the technology, and increasingly precise units with higher productivity are required. A particularly interesting way of obtaining a high-productivity plant with a large number of outputs is to construct a conveying/sorting apparatus in which each transport device carries vertically superimposed transport platforms in the form of rotating aprons, each of which is loaded with an article to be sorted along the conveying route. The collection devices are also installed on two levels, at the respective heights of the aprons, as disclosed in commonly owned, concurrently filed, U.S. application Ser. No. 08/749,230, of Tacchi the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
That dual-platform system enables twice the number of articles to be handled in a given period of time without increasing the number of conveyor trucks or the size of the plant. However, it poses the problem of how to load the articles onto transport platforms disposed at different levels without requiring separate loading stations, one for each level, and without having to make extensive, costly modifications to the structure of the plant.

Method and apparatus for loading articles onto vertically spaced platforms of a moving transport device


The invention concerns a test program executor for an Automated Test Equipment, wherein the test program executor is configured to execute a test flow having a plurality of test suites, wherein the test program executor is configured to asynchronously execute the plurality of test suites, wherein a test suite contains a call of a function of a subsystem, wherein the function of the subsystem is related with a subsystem operation that is to be executed by the subsystem, and to signal a call of a function of a subsystem by transmitting an asynchronous request to the subsystem, the asynchronous request having a call-specific call tree hierarchy address and the call-specific operation to be executed by the subsystem, and wherein the test program executor is further configured to determine an execution order of the subsystem operations, such that the execution order of the subsystem operations depends on their call-specific call tree hierarchy addresses.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a test program executor for an Automated Test Equipment, to a computer program for implementing said test program executor, and to a test apparatus for testing a Device Under Test.
Due to cost pressure in the ATE (Automated Test Equipment) industry, there is a constant drive to increase the utilization of ATE systems. Most modern test systems, especially per-pin architectures, allow controlling tester instruments from independent threads running on a workstation. This can be used to run multiple independent tests in parallel and therefore increase the ATE resource utilization.
Unfortunately, device blocks are usually not completely independent. For example, a scan test can cause ground bounce, which in turn affects a concurrently running analog test. Often, the severity of such interference depends on the exact execution timing. From an application perspective therefore is a strong desire for fully deterministic execution timing.
Deterministic timing simplifies another problem related to concurrent test. Often, tester instruments and device interfaces are shared in between otherwise independent tests. For example, expensive tester instruments are multiplexed to multiple DUT (Device Under Test) pins or tester sites. Multiple functional blocks of a device share the same JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) interface for configuration. In case of concurrent test, access to these resources must be arbitrated. With a known timing, this arbitration can be computed upfront avoiding slow on-the-fly synchronization and locking.
Known workstations provided with test systems, for example the 93000® test system of Advantest Corp., are equipped with a four-core CPU capable of running eight hardware threads in parallel. Future systems can be expected with even significantly higher core counts. On the other hand, the test flow controlling the test execution is still single threaded like on all other ATE systems. This leads to the situation that the available CPU capacity is rarely used on known ATE systems.
Analysis of today's test flows show limited data flow dependencies, which allows the construction of a flow execution engine running many test suites in parallel. Without any further steps this would lead to an unordered non-deterministic test execution on the DUT as well as an unordered datalog.
Thus, there is a desire to improve existing test program executors such that they provide for a low latency fully deterministic concurrent execution for an ATE system.

Deterministic concurrent test program executor for an automated test equipment


Generally described, the invention provides for an indicia that is associated with a pick up notice left at a pick up location. This indicia is “linked” to the parcel(s) that were intended for pick up at the location, which may be done by a handheld portable data acquisition device that includes a scanning or reading means, allowing information to be acquired from the pick up notice as well as from the parcels, and stored on the handheld portable data acquisition device. Parcel's that do not comply with a carrier's business rules are left at the business location, along with the pick up notice. The indicia is then used to access information about the parcels that were left behind and arrange for re-pick up or alternate pick up instructions, including canceling pick up. The indicia may also be used to track parcels that were picked up as well as to make alternate delivery arrangements for the picked up parcels.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to the pick-up and delivery of items, and particularly relates to the attempted pick-up of items such as parcels (a.k.a. "packages") from a shipper by a delivery service provider (hereinafter "delivery service"), for delivery to an intended recipient (a.k.a. "consignee").
2. Description of Related Art
The pick-up of parcels and other items from a shipper and delivery of the parcels and other items to the residence or other location of intended recipients is known in the art. In many instances, when a parcel is undeliverable, a "delivery notice" is left at the particular location, and the intended recipient then has the opportunity to contact the delivery service (e.g., UPS) via telephone or the Internet and arrange to have the package(s) redelivered, held at a local operation center, redirected, or returned. However, no such parallel system exists for items that are to be picked-up by the delivery service but such pick-up is prevented or impeded in some manner.
Presently, if a shipper has left unattended items to be picked-up by a delivery service and such items are not picked up, the shipper may have no means for knowing the reason the items were not retrieved by the delivery service or even whether the delivery service attempted pick-up. Furthermore, once items have been picked up, there is no mechanism that identifies all the items picked up at a location. If provided with a package tracking number, a shipper may have to access shipping records about each individual package picked up at a specific location by the delivery service.
Furthermore, if a shipper has left unattended items for shipment at a location and such items are found later to be missing, there is no assurance that the items have been properly retrieved by the delivery service or whether the items have been dealt a more insidious fate. A shipper may have to contact the carrier to determine if all the packages have been picked up or individually contact each intended recipient to find out if they received their parcel(s). As may be understood, such activities are labor intensive.
In light of the foregoing, it may be seen that there is a need in the art to provide an improved method for providing package or other item pick-up that is less labor intensive than the methods described above and that addresses deficiencies in the art, some of which are described above

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


In a message exchange system, when an imaging apparatus transmits a photograph-attached message, the imaging apparatus transmits a captured image, position and orientation information of the imaging apparatus, feature point information of an object included in the captured image, and three-dimensional structure information of the object to a server. When an image display apparatus receives the message from the server, the image display apparatus corrects the captured image in a direction corresponding to a position and orientation of the image display apparatus based on the position and orientation information of the imaging apparatus, the feature point information of the object, and the three-dimensional structure information of the object.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image display apparatus, an imaging apparatus, an image display method, a control method for the imaging apparatus, and a program.
2. Description of the Related Art
Nowadays, cellular phones having a wireless communication function are generally used in sharing or exchanging images and messages between users. Such a message exchange system is useful in attaching a text to a captured image and transmitting the text-attached image.
On the other hand, a technique called augmented reality technique has become popular these days. The augmented reality technique superimposes computer graphics (CG) on an image captured by a camera when it is displayed. By using this technique, the provider of the augmented reality system can provide the user with a feeling that the CG-superimposed image is the real image.
In recent years, a message exchange system using augmented reality technique which combines the above-described two systems is also used. According to this message exchange system, if a user of an information terminal sees one's surroundings using a camera which is integrated in the terminal, the user can see messages posted by other users or himself via the display screen. According to such a message exchange system using the augmented reality technique, the posted messages are displayed at the positions corresponding to the position information acquired from a position information acquisition unit in the information terminal. The position information acquisition unit is, for example, based on the global positioning system (GPS). If the user in the vicinity of the arranged message looks around while holding the information terminal, the user can see a message-added CG on the display screen of the information terminal in the direction where the message was posted.
With respect to such a conventional message exchange system, the message is displayed by the processes described below. First, if a poster desires to post a message, the poster starts a message exchange application and touches a posting button. Then, the poster inputs a text message to be posted. At this time, if the user desires to attach a photograph to the text, the poster presses the shooting button and performs imaging. Then, when the poster touches the send button, the input text and the photograph which was taken are transmitted to a message exchange server by wireless communication. When the text and the photograph are transmitted, position information of the information terminal of the poster is also transmitted in association with the text and the photograph. The position information is acquired by a position information acquisition unit of the information terminal.
If another user desires to view the posted message, the following processing is performed. First, the user starts the message exchange application by operating the information terminal. When the application is started, the position information of the information terminal of the user is transmitted to the message exchange server by the information terminal. Further, the information terminal downloads a list of messages associated with the position of the user, for example, within 500 meters from the position of the user, by wireless communication.
Some of the messages of the downloaded group may be associated with the position information of where the messages were posted. If the user holds the information terminal in the direction the user desires to see, an image captured in that direction is displayed on the display screen of the information terminal. Further, if a posted message exists in that direction, the posted message is superimposed on the captured image. Before displaying such a message, the information terminal determines whether a message exists in the field of view based on information acquired from a built-in electronic compass and an orientation sensor.
According to the conventional message exchange system, the position information attached to the message when the message is posted is the position information of the terminal acquired by the GPS. Thus, if the user captures an image of an advertising sign of a store, inputs "I visit this store frequently." as a message, and posts it, according to this method, the position associated with the message is not the position of the store but the position where the user captured the image. Further, since the information output by the position information acquisition unit and the electronic compass includes some error, there is a possibility of a position error between the posting time and the display time. Thus, the message is not always displayed at the position designated by the poster.

Image display apparatus, imaging apparatus, image display method, control method for imaging apparatus, and program


Biotinylated isocoumarins, their use in inhibiting serine proteases with chymotrypsin-like and elastase-like specificity and in purifying proteins.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a novel class of heterocyclic compounds useful for selectively inhibiting chymotrypsin-like enzymes, selectively inhibiting elastase or for generally inhibiting serine proteases of many classes. We have found that isocoumarins substituted with biotin and hydrophobic groups are potent inhibitors of chymases, elastases, and other serine proteases. These biotinylated isocoumarins can be used to selectively or generally remove proteases from solution or biological systems. They can be used either selectively or generally to isolate serine proteases. They can also be used to selectively or generally inhibit serine proteases either in vitro or in biological systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Serine proteases play critical roles in several physiological processes such as digestion, blood coagulation, complement activation, fibrinolysis, viral infection, fertilization, and reproduction. Serine proteases are not only a physiological necessity, but also a potential hazard if they are not controlled. Uncontrolled proteolysis by elastases may cause pancreatitis, emphysema, rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial inflammation and adult respiratory distress syndrome. Human polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase may also be involved in blistering. Accordingly, specific and selective inhibitors of these proteases should be potent anti-inflammatory agents useful in the treatment of protease-related diseases (Powers and Harper, in Proteinase Inhibitors, Barrett and Salvesen, eds., Elsevier, 1986, pp 55-152, incorporated herein by reference). In vitro proteolysis by chymotrypsin or the elastase family is a serious problem in the production, purification, isolation, transport or storage of peptides and proteins. It is often desirable to remove all proteases from solution or biological systems. In other cases, it is desirable to isolate or remove a specific serine protease.
Anti-inflammatory agents are used to treat elastases-associated inflammation including rheumatoid arthritis and emphysema. Although the naturally occurring protease inhibitor, .alpha.1-protease inhibitor (.alpha.1-PI) has been used to treat patients with emphysema, this inhibitor is not widely used clinically due to the high dosage needed for the treatment and difficulty of producing large quantities. Therefore small molecular weight elastase inhibitors are needed for therapy.


A double ramped, saboted, kinetic energy assembly automatically aligns a jectile in a gun tube. The assembly has an acceleration activated device consisting of a split centering ring causing alignment during the early phase of the shot motion of the projectile. The assembly also includes a series of small protrusions or a continuous expandable ring which forces and maintains the projectile into a straight aligned position during its traversal of the gun tube. The assembly may have either a smooth bore or a rifled bore gun tube. The disclosure also include a method related to the assembly.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a stabilization band and or a ring assembly for aligning a projectile in a gun tube. More specifically, the invention relates to a double ramped, saboted, kinetic energy projectile assembly which constitutes an improvement for modern sabot designs which automatically align an assembly in the gun tube and a method related thereto.
2. Description of the Prior Art
One of the most efficient sabot assembly presently used to launch a kinetic energy projectile from a high performance gun is one constructed using the double ramp principle. An example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,220 to Bruce P. Burns, et al. which discloses a double-ramp sabot having a rear ramp 17, a central bulkhead 22 with an obturator 26, and a forward ramp 19 with a forward scoop 18. Other examples are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,284,008 and 4,372,217 to Richard D. Kirkendall, et al. which disclose a sabot having a double configuration and a centrally positioned obturator.
Typical assemblages include a shell casing, propellant/ignition system, and a projectile. The shell casing may be fixed to or be separate from the projectile. The projectile either as a discrete element or as part of an assembly with the shell casing is normally inserted into the gun barrel through a rear opening mechanism or breech. The breech is closed, the propellant charge ignited and the projectile is propelled via the expansion of combustive products through the gun barrel until it exits the barrel at its muzzle. In order to insert or chamber the projectile there must inherently be clearances between the projectile and the gun barrel. A stabilizating band device on the projectile commonly know as an obturator provides a mechanism to maintain the combustive gases at or behind the projectile by providing a seal between the projectile and the wall of the gun barrel. Other than this sealing mechanism there is no continuous radial connection or contact between the projectile and the gun barrel. In a double ramp sabot the front bore-rider fulfills two functions. Firstly, after the projectile's exit from the gun barrel, the front bore-rider aids in sabot discard. Secondly, and more importantly, in regard to the present invention the front bore-rider provides support to the projectile assembly while it is in the bore. The bore rider's surface which makes contact with the gun wall may be an integral part of the sabot or an insert. The contacting surface is commonly cylindrically shaped and of a lesser diameter than that of the inner most surface of the gun barrel. This feature allows the projectile assembly to be inserted into the gun and reduces any pressurization within the saddle region of the sabot if there is leakage around the obturator. However, the clearance necessary for the operation of this type of bore-rider has negative effects. The clearances allow the projectile assembly to be positioned in the gun tube noncencentrically and noncolinearly with respect to the center line axis of the gun barrel. The actual position of the projectile with respect to the gun tube depends upon many factors and accumulated tolerances, gun tube wear, erosion, thermal expansion, and manufacturing quality. The initial position and possible misalignment tends to affect the accuracy of the projectile's impact with a target.
3. Advantages over the Prior Art
The present invention prevents the projectile from being initially positioned out of alignment relative to the gun tube's center line. It also has the ability to prevent the projectile from becoming cocked, or misaligned, as it travels down the gun tube's length. Finally, the present invention allows propulsion gases, which may escape past the obturator, to move forward of the projectile assembly.

Stabilization band/ring assembly for aligning a projectile in a gun tube

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army


An apparatus for Position Error Signal (PES) measurement in a disk drive servo system includes a variable-gain amplifier that receives an analog servo signal; a multiplier coupled to the variable-gain amplifier; a low-pass filter coupled to the multiplier; a digital-to-analog converter; an analog summer that is coupled to the low-pass filter and to the digital-to-analog converter; an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the analog summer; a digital summer coupled to the analog-to-digital converter, and a phase-locked loop that provides timing signals to the multiplier, the digital-to-analog converter and the analog-to digital converter. The invention enables an output of the variable-gain amplifier to be multiplied with the clocking signal of the phase-locked loop. The multiplication output signal is then filtered by the low-pass filter. The output of the low-pass filter is summed with voltage ramp signals that are generated by the digital-to-analog converter and the resulting signals are converted to a series of 6-bit words by the digital-to-analog converter. Thereafter, the series of the 6-bit words are summed by the digital summer to generate a 10-bit PES.

In a system for reading/writing information from a magnetic disk, a magneto-resistive read/write head is used to detect magnetic information stored in substantially circular tracks on the magnetic disk. In order for the system to successfully read or record magnetic information from/to a given track on the magnetic disk, the read/write head must be precisely positioned and centered over that track. The read/write head is typically mounted on a radially-movable arm that is controlled by a disk servo control system.
The servo control system receives, from the magnetic disk surface via the read/write head, servo information signals that indicate the position of the read/write head on the magnetic disk. Conventionally, servo information is pre-recorded on the magnetic disk in the form of high-frequency magnetic flux transitions. The pattern of these magnetic flux transitions defines a binary value that typically corresponds to the track number. Accordingly, the pattern of the servo information communicated to the servo control system, via the read servo signals, identifies the specific track over which the read/write head is traveling.
The amplitude of servo information signals indicates the position of the read/write head with respect to the center of the track. With one type of magnetic media, when the amplitude of servo signals (i.e., the signal read by the read/write head when passing over the track and representing the amplitude of the servo information) is equal to zero, that indicates the read/write head is centered over the track. With another type of magnetic media, the magnetic servo information is located on either side of the track. With this type of media, an amplitude difference of zero also indicates that the read/write head is centrally positioned over the track. Conversely, a negative or positive amplitude difference corresponds to an offset between the position of the read/write head and the center of the track. In either case, once modulated, the servo signal is referred to as Position Error Signal (PES) because it feeds back to the servo control system the error associated with the position of the read/write head. Additionally, servo signals having a positive or negative amplitude indicate the extent of the displacement of the read/write head. Thus, by obtaining PES feedback, the servo control system can generate corrective control signals to adjust the position of the read/write head over the center of the track.
There have been proposed methods and circuitries for modulating servo signals into Position Error Signals. These prior art methods and circuitries typically involve the employment of an integrating capacitor for the purpose of measuring the amplitude of the analog servo signals.
For example, one prior proposed solution is shown in FIG. 1. The circuitry of FIG. 1 includes a Variable Gain Amplifier (VGA) 110, a multiplier 120, an Automatic Gain Control (AGC) circuit 140, a timing acquisition circuit 130, a charge Pump (CP) 150, an integrating capacitor 170, and an analog-to-digital converter (A/D) 180. Initially, switch 160 is opened so that no charge is accumulating in the integrating capacitor 170. Switches 133 and 147 are closed so that the AGC circuit 140 and the timing acquisition circuit 130 are in operation. Switch 190 is also closed so that capacitor 170 is not being charged. Switches 160, 133, and 147 remain in their initial state for a predetermined settlement period of time that is sufficient to (i) set the gain of the variable gain amplifier through AGC 140, and to (ii) obtain the proper timing from the timing acquisition circuit 130. During this settlement period, the VGA 110 gain is adjusted by inputting the output of VGA 110 into clipper 142 and into multiplier 144. The output of clipper 142 is then multiplied with the VGA output via multiplier 144. The current output of multiplier 144 then charges capacitor 148. The resulting voltage across capacitor 148 adjusts the gain of VGA 110. The adjustment continues for a period of time until the current output of multiplier 144 is equal to a pre-defined value of a constant current source 146. Once that equilibrium is achieved there will be no current going into capacitor 148 and, therefore, no further adjustment to the gain of VGA 110.
Additionally, during this settlement time, the timing acquisition circuit 130 locks in the phase of the output of the VGA 110 to obtain the system timing signal. This is done by qualifying the output of VGA 110 via an Automatic Pulse Qualifier (APQ) 132 and locking the phase of the output of APQ 132 via Phase Locked Loop (PLL) 134. The output timing signal is delayed for the remainder of the servo signal cycle, via Delay 136, before it is inputted into multiplier 120.
Once the predetermined settlement period expires, the VGA gain is deemed to have stabilized and the timing signal's locked phase is deemed appropriate for the timing of the system. At this time, switches 147 and 133 are opened to fix the gain of VGA and the locked phase of the timing signal. Switch 160 is then closed and switch 190 is opened to allow the charging of the integrating capacitor 170. The output of VGA is inputted into multiplier 120 and multiplied by the timing signal that is outputted from the timing acquisition circuit 130. Thereafter, the output of multiplier 120 is converted into a current signal via CP 150 and allowed to charge the integrating capacitor 170. The resulting voltage across the integrating capacitor 170 is representative of the amplitude of the servo information signal. After the integrating capacitor 170 is charged switch 160 is opened and the capacitor 170 voltage is then converted into a digital 10-bit PES via A/D 180 through a successive analog-to-digital conversion operation.
It is readily apparent to one skilled in the art that the design parameters for the prior art components (namely multiplier 144, multiplier 120, current source 146 and integrating capacitor 170) must be matched exactly in order for the above-described prior art system to obtain accurate representations of the PES value. In addition, the preset settlement period must be accurately determined in order for the system to yield an accurate result. Moreover, the total time of (i) the settlement period, (ii) the time needed for the integrating capacitor 170 to charge, and (iii) the time needed for the successive 10-bit analog-to digital conversion, introduces appreciable delay in the prior art servo control system.
What is desired is a simple system that can yield an accurate PES value without the drawbacks of the prior art design. More specifically, what is needed is a faster and more accurate system that can yield a PES value without the added delay of the prior art.

Method and apparatus for position error signal (PES) measurement in a disk drive servo system


An electronic device (100, 200) contains a first joystick mechanism (114) and a second joystick mechanism (112), each joystick mechanism (112, 114) extending outside of substantially opposed outer surfaces (403, 414) of the electronic device's casing. When a directional mechanical force is applied to one joystick mechanism (112, 114), at least one of a plurality of switches (410) may be engaged. The joystick mechanisms (112, 114) are electrically coupled, and each mechanism will provide the same functionality. The joystick mechanisms (112, 114) may be further mechanically coupled, whereby applying a directional mechanical force on one joystick mechanism will move the other joystick mechanism in the opposite direction. Additionally, the joystick mechanisms (112, 114 or 1002, 1004) may contain a sensor (416) capacitvely coupled to a conductive end cap (404, 405) to detect from which side of the electronic device (100, 200) a joystick mechanism is being moved.

A large number of personal electronics devices, such as cellular telephones, two-way radios, personal data assistants (PDAs), hand-held gaming devices and portable computers have long used a joystick as a means of entering information from the user. As these devices have become increasingly smaller, it has become more difficult to provide an input mechanism that is sufficiently large enough for a human hand to operate comfortably, while also locating this mechanism in a position to enable optimal interaction with the device. For instance, in some specific form factors, when the user attempts to interact by way of the joystick, the user's hand actually interferes with the use of the unit's display module. Additionally, form factors of cellular phones that incorporate a "flip" feature can prevent the user from accessing the joystick while the "flip" is closed. Certain software features of the device, such as overall game experience, are limited by using only the front side of the device for joystick location.
In the past, the most desirable feature for a wireless phone was simply the ability to transfer information from one location to another. But today, the complexity of these devices has enabled them to become more than a means for communicating to remote locations; they have become an integral part of society. As such, many people rely on these devices for much more than merely talking. The phones of today are capable of providing computing functions, searching the internet, playing an ever-increasing variety of games, and storing a person's entire personal and/or business contacts for instant access.
As the telecommunication industry continues to decrease the size of these devices while increasing their overall utility, the need to enhance user interaction while providing uninterrupted feedback and unobstructed viewing becomes more pronounced. Therefore a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.


Methods and apparatus for wireless communication include monitoring, by a user equipment, a signal quality value from at least one of a serving cell or a target cell. The methods and apparatus further include determining, at an expiration of an internal time to trigger (TTT) less than a network-configured TTT, that at least one of the signal quality value from the serving cell is below a serving cell threshold value, or the signal quality value from the target cell is above the signal quality of the serving cell by a comparative threshold value. Moreover, the methods and apparatus include triggering generation of a measurement report based on the determination.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to improvement of call performance during poor or changing radio conditions and/or severe changes in radio conditions.
Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide various communication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, broadcasts, and so on. Such networks, which are usually multiple access networks, support communications for multiple users by sharing the available network resources. One example of such a network is the UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN). The UTRAN is the radio access network (RAN) defined as a part of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), a third generation (3G) mobile phone technology supported by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The UMTS, which is the successor to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technologies, currently supports various air interface standards, such as Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Time Division-Code Division Multiple Access (TD-CDMA), and Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA). The UMTS also supports enhanced 3G data communications protocols, such as High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), which provides higher data transfer speeds and capacity to associated UMTS networks.
Currently, in a soft hand off mode, a Change of best cell procedure may be triggered by a user equipment (UE) using an Event 1D measurement request indicating that a target cell has performed better than a serving cell for approximately a Time-To-Trigger (TTT) duration as per the equation given in 3GPP 25.331 RRC Protocol Specification sub-clause 184.108.40.206 "Reporting Event 1D: Change of best cell." Where a cell is small and/or a network configured TTT is large, the UE might not be able to communicate with the serving cell by the time TTT has expired. As such, an Event 1D measurement may not be triggered and/or transmitted to the serving cell. Further, even where the Event 1D message is able to be transmitted to serving cell, the UE may lose its connection with the serving cell thereafter and may not be able to complete the Change of Best Cell procedure successfully and completely.
Thus, improved apparatus and methods for call performance during poor or quickly changing radio conditions and/or severe changes in radio conditions may be desired.

Methods and apparatus for providing enhanced time-to-trigger mechanism to improve UE call performance


A sheet discriminating apparatus includes a pair of conveying rotary members for conveying a sheet while rotating with the sheet sandwiched between the pair of conveying rotary members, a vibration detecting sensor for detecting vibrations of the pair of conveying rotary members. The sheet discriminating portion further includes a discriminating portion for making a discrimination in a type of the sheet based on the vibrations detected by the vibration detecting sensor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sheet discriminating apparatus for discriminating a sheet type while conveying a sheet, and to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet which is equipped with the sheet discriminating apparatus.
2. Related Background Art
In a copying machine, a printer, or the like, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is generally employed. This image forming apparatus transfers a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum or an intermediate transfer member, serving as an image carrier, onto a sheet which is transferred by a pair of rollers as a pair of conveying rotary members. The image forming apparatus heats and pressurizes the sheet by a fixing device to fix the toner image onto the sheet.
It is preferable to fix the toner image onto the sheet with a minimum amount of energy without reducing a degree of fixation of the toner image. However, there is a certain tolerance in heating temperature due to a difference in surface smoothness of the sheet, a difference in thickness of the sheet, and the like. Therefore, the toner image is fixed onto the sheet with low energy efficiency.
In view of the above, there is known an image forming apparatus equipped with a sheet discriminating apparatus for automatically making a discrimination of sheet type (see JP 2001-233500 A). This image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet after having changed an image forming condition in accordance with a type of the sheet in which a discrimination has been made by the sheet discriminating apparatus.
This sheet discriminating apparatus has an acceleration sensor serving as vibration detecting means, which is provided close to an upstream side of a nip between a photosensitive drum on which a toner image is formed and a transfer roller (or an intermediate transfer roller) for transferring the toner image from the photosensitive drum onto a sheet. The sheet discriminating apparatus detects vibrations of the sheet sent into the nip by the acceleration sensor when the sheet passes after having come into contact with the acceleration sensor, thereby making a discrimination in a type of the sheet.
However, when the sheet is sent into the nip between the photosensitive drum and the transfer roller, it may bend toward or away from the acceleration sensor. Thus, the pressure of contact with the acceleration sensor differs depending on the bending direction of the sheet, so the acceleration sensor may not always be able to detect vibrations of the sheet under a definite condition.

Sheet discriminating apparatus and image forming apparatus


A method for accessing a database is provided. The method includes creating in a design environment a file that defines a metadata. The metadata relates at least one business object and at least one query. The method also includes communicating the file to a mobile device, storing the file on the mobile device, and transforming the file into a binary structure at an initial run of a computer application running on the mobile device. The binary structure is adapted to be read by the computer application. The method also includes recording the binary structure in a memory of the mobile device. A method for providing database access for a plurality of files with a limited number of database access channels is provided. A method for is provided for accessing a database in a computing environment for a plurality of recordsets. Each of the plurality of recordsets is associated with a database access channel for fetching records of the plurality of recordsets from the database upon occurrence of a preselected event. A method of fetching data for a plurality of active file from a database having a limited number of database connections is provided. A computer readable medium is provided which stores instructions executable by a computer. The instructions include a method for providing database access for a plurality of files with a limited number of database access channels. A device for accessing a database is provided. A system for updating a database access program is provided.

Information and computer technology are an essential component of modern business operations. The utility of computer technology has been enhanced by the coupling of computers with information networks such as the Internet and the World Wide Web ("WWW"). Successful business operations in the global marketplace may require a synergetic relationship between local and distributed operations. For example, localized operations may include research and development, inventory management, customer service, strategic planning, etc. Distributed operations are conducted, for example, by sales personnel in the field who interact with customers and perform such tasks as order generation, customer relations, customer support, etc. Field personnel may utilize mobile devices such as laptop computers or personal digital assistants ("PDAs") for accessing customer information, receiving customer orders, communicating with one or more centralized databases at the home office, etc.
Field personnel may require accurate and timely information regarding the state of business operations in order to effectively perform their jobs. For example, sales personnel may require up-to-the-minute information regarding current inventory levels, product availability and customer data. Conversely, the enterprise may operate more effectively through centralized management of information regarding the operations of field personnel and information collected in the field.
One model for providing the requisite computing environment may involve a plurality of mobile devices operating in an offline mode, in which the offline mode status is transparent to the users. That is, the mobile devices may run applications in offline mode, yet the user may interact with the mobile applications as if they were running in an online mode.
A relational database allows the definition of data structures, storage and retrieval operations and integrity constraints. In such a database, the data and relations between them are organized in tables. A table is a collection of rows or records and each row in a table contains the same fields. Certain fields may be designated as keys, which means that searches for specific values of that field will use indexing. Where fields in two different tables take values from the same set, a "join" operation can be performed to select related records in the two tables by matching values in those fields. The fields may have the same name in both tables. For example, an "orders" table might contain (customer_id, product_code) pairs and a "products" table might contain (product_code, price) pairs. Therefore, in order to calculate a given customer's bill, the prices of all products ordered by that customer would be summed by joining on the product-code fields of the two tables. This can be extended to joining multiple tables on multiple fields. Because these relationships are only specified at retrieval time, relational databases may be classed as a dynamic database management system. (See The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, 1993-2003, by Denis Howe).
There is a need for a method of developing and downloading efficiently a database access system to a mobile application. There is also a need for managing databuffers and redundant copies of records in a mobile application. Additionally, there is a need for managing a limited number of database connections in a run-time environment.

Database access system, method of accessing a database, and method of designing a database access system


A system and method for testing a magnetic memory cell in a bit cell array to determine whether the electrical resistance values of the memory cell are within acceptable parameters. The system and method allows for the determination of the electrical resistance of the memory cell without parasitic resistance associated with that memory cell in order to accurately determine the electrical resistance of the memory cell.

Magnetic Random-Access Memory (MRAM) is a non-volatile data memory technology that stores data using magnetoresistive cells such as Magnetoresistive Tunnel Junction (MTJ) cells. At their most basic level, such MTJ elements include first and second magnetic layers that are separated by a thin, non-magnetic layer such as a tunnel barrier layer, which can be constructed of a material such as Mg—O. The first magnetic layer, which can be referred to as a reference layer, has a magnetization that is fixed in a direction that is perpendicular to that plane of the layer. The second magnetic layer, which can be referred to as a magnetic free layer, has a magnetization that is free to move so that it can be oriented in either of two directions that are both generally perpendicular to the plane of the magnetic free layer. Therefore, the magnetization of the free layer can be either parallel with the magnetization of the reference layer or anti-parallel with the direction of the reference layer (i.e. opposite to the direction of the reference layer).
The electrical resistance through the MTJ element in a direction perpendicular to the planes of the layers changes with the relative orientations of the magnetizations of the magnetic reference layer and magnetic free layer. When the magnetization of the magnetic free layer is oriented in the same direction as the magnetization of the magnetic reference layer, the electrical resistance through the MTJ element is at its lowest electrical resistance state. Conversely, when the magnetization of the magnetic free layer is in a direction that is opposite to that of the magnetic reference layer, the electrical resistance across the MTJ element is at its highest electrical resistance state.
The switching of the MTJ element between high and low resistance states results from electron spin transfer. An electron has a spin orientation. Generally, electrons flowing through a conductive material have random spin orientations with no net spin orientation. However, when electrons flow through a magnetized layer, the spin orientations of the electrons become aligned so that there is a net aligned orientation of electrons flowing through the magnetic layer, and the orientation of this alignment is dependent on the orientation of the magnetization of the magnetic layer through which they travel. When the orientations of the magnetizations of the free and reference layer are oriented in the same direction, the majority spin of the electrons in the free layer is in the same direction as the orientation of the majority spin of the electrons in the reference layer. Because these electron spins are in generally the same direction, the electrons can pass relatively easily through the tunnel barrier layer. However, if the orientations of the magnetizations of the free and reference layers are opposite to one another, the spin of majority electrons in the free layer will be generally opposite to the majority spin of electrons in the reference layer. In this case, electrons cannot easily pass through the barrier layer, resulting in a higher electrical resistance through the MTJ stack.
Because the MTJ element can be switched between low and high electrical resistance states, it can be used as a memory element to store a bit of data. For example, the low resistance state can be read as a "0", whereas the high resistance state can be read as a "1". In addition, because the magnetic orientation of the magnetic free layer remains in its switched orientation without any electrical power to the element, it provides a robust, non-volatile data memory bit.
To write a bit of data to the MTJ cell, the magnetic orientation of the magnetic free layer can be switched from a first direction to a second direction that is 180 degrees from the first direction. This can be accomplished, for example, by applying a current through the MTJ element in a direction that is perpendicular to the planes of the layers of the MTJ element. An electrical current applied in one direction will switch the magnetization of the free layer to a first orientation, whereas switching the direction of the current such that it is applied in a second direction will switch the magnetization of the free layer to a second, opposite orientation. Once the magnetization of the free layer has been switched by the current, the state of the MTJ element can be read by reading a voltage across the MTJ element, thereby determining whether the MTJ element is in a "1" or "0" bit state. Advantageously, once the switching electrical current has been removed, the magnetic state of the free layer will remain in the switched orientation until such time as another electrical current is applied to again switch the MTJ element. Therefore, the recorded data bit is non-volatile in that it remains intact in the absence of any electrical power.
The MRAM cells in an array on a chip can be connected by metal word and bit lines. Each memory cell is connected to one of these word lines and bit lines. Each word line connects a row of cells, and each bit line connects columns of cells. Circuitry such as CMOS structures can provide a selection transistor which is electrically connected to the MTJ stack through the top or bottom metal contacts. The direction of the current flow is between top and bottom metal electrode contacts.
Reading the state of the cell is achieved by detecting whether the electrical resistance of the cell is in the high or low resistance state. Writing to the cells requires a sufficiently high DC current flowing in the direction through the MTJ stack between the top and bottom metal electrode contacts to induce a spin transfer torque that orients (switches) the free layer into the desired direction. The amount of current needed to write to a cell is higher than the current that flows through the cell during the read process, so that a read operation does not change the state of the cell.
The resistance area product (RA) and tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) qualities of the MTJ critically affect the performance of the MRAM memory array. The ability to characterize these properties (RA, TMR) during fabrication and even during operation is important for quality control and for determining the memory state of MTJ MRAM elements. A method that is preferably non-destructive is desired for obtaining timely feedback in the design/research process and for monitoring of fabrication process after the MTJ pillars have been defined by masking and etching. Worledge et al. have described a method for measuring magnetoresistance (MR) and resistance area product (RA) of un-patterned magnetic tunnel junction film stacks. The RA is measured by making a series of four-point probe resistance measurements on the surface of an un-patterned wafer at various probe tip spacings. The probe tips are spaced apart on the order of microns for typical applications. The MR is obtained by repeating the measurement while applying different magnetic fields. (Worledge et al.; Magnetoresistance measurement of un-patterned magnetic tunnel junction wafers by current-in-plane tunneling, Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 83, No. 1, 7 Jul. 2003, pp. 84-86; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,927,569.)
Commercially available automated metrology tools (e.g. from CAPRES), which are designed for measuring selected magnetic parameters of un-patterned MTJ film stacks, use multi-point probes with probe tip spacings in the micron range. Four and twelve-point probes are available for these automated metrology tools. As an example, a CAPRES twelve-point probe is used with a 12 by 14 multiplexor (MUX) to select a total of 495 different pin-configurations each with different probe spacings (pitch). This approach allows the selected tests to be performed with different probe spacings without having to have the tips be movable with respect to each other. Existing automated metrology tools also provide means for applying a selected magnetic field to the test sample.

Measurement of MTJ in a compact memory array


A support is provided for use with computer devices. The support is made of a flexible material and incorporates an oval axial cross-section along with curved inner walls to provide a cushion. The support may be placed adjacent to a computer keyboard or mouse to function as a wrist rest. Additionally, the support may be used as supporting legs on a lap desk.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention is generally related to a support. More specifically, the invention relates to a flexible support that provides cushioning when using computer devices.
2. Background
Computer devices are used in many aspects of everyday life. A variety of accessories have been made for use with these computer devices. One such product is a wrist rest. The wrist rest provides elevation and support for the wrists when using a keyboard or mouse. Wrist rests commonly used today typically comprise a strip of foam rubber or gel pad. Another product is a lap desk. Lap desks are used to support a laptop computer or other computer device, typically at an angle.
With computer devices continuing to become more prominent, a need exists for a better product for use with these computer devices.


A figure electing device permits an operator to use a pointing device such as a mouse to elect a figure from among one or more figures located in the vicinity of a point that is indicated on a figure display image plane by the pointing device, so that the elected figure can be subjected to figure processing. The figure electing device computes the possibility of being elected for every figure by fuzzy inference based on fuzzy rules, and determines the figure designated by the pointing device based on the possibilities allocated to positions relative to the point designated by the pointing device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a figure electing device used in a figure processor, and particularly to a figure electing device for designating a desired figure from among those figures that are displayed on a figure processing image plane in accordance with a pointer.
2. Description of the Related Arts
A conventional figure electing device, as shown in FIG. 14, is composed of coordinates detecting means 1 for receiving position information on an image plane of a point on a figure processing image plane indicated by a pointer and computing the coordinates of that point, figure detecting means 2 for detecting figures located in the vicinity of the computed coordinates and figure determining means 3 for electing a desired figure out of detected nearby figures, and is used by being connected to figure processing equipment 4 for processing figures using the figure processing image plane.
When a pointing device such as a mouse indicates a specific position on a figure processing image plane, a conventional figure electing device receives a position information on the image plane of the indicated point and designates the figure closest to the indicated point. The figure processing equipment 4 performs figure processing such as editing of the figure designated as described above using the figure processing image plane.
The operation of a typical conventional figure electing device will be described in further detail by reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 15, an example of a display on a figure processing image plane as shown in FIG. 16, and a particularly enlarged diagram thereof shown in FIG. 17 along with FIGS. 18A-18C and FIG. 19.
FIG. 16 illustrates an example of various types of figures which can be objects of figure processing. A user moves a pointer such as an arrow mark, a finger or crossed lines displayed on a figure processing image plane as illustrated in FIGS. 18A through 18C, onto or nearby a figure to be processed by a pointing device such as a mouse, a track ball and so on. When a point is indicated by clicking a button, pushing a key or so on at an appropriate position, the pointing device provides position information in an image plane of the indicated point.
The coordinates detecting means 1 receives the position information in the image plane, and computes and outputs the coordinates of the indicated point (step A1).
The figure detecting means 2 receives the coordinates computed by the coordinates detecting means 1, sets a circle having a fixed radius with the coordinates of the indicated point as the center as shown in FIG. 17 (which shows the vicinity of the indicated point on an enlarged scale), and detects all of the figures included partially or entirely within the circle (step A2). For easy and rapid detection, an improved method is disclosed in JP-A-2-110777, which uses preset rectangules circumscribing the drawn figures, and another method is disclosed in JP-A-2-275574, which uses a table listing figure locations classified based on specific dots to be searched according to a pointed location on the screen. When any figure exists in the vicinity of the indicated point, processing proceeds to step A3, and when no figure exists, the processing routine is ended.
In the step A3, the figure determining means 3 elects the figure located closest to the indicated point out of the nearby figures detected by the figure detecting means 2. Information on the figure thus elected is provided to the figure processing equipment 4, and figure processing such as editing can begin.
However, the above-described conventional figure electing device has the problem that the device sometimes designates a different figure from the one intended by the user because the user may be confused if a pointer having directivity, such as an arrow mark (FIG. 18A). Further, or a finger (FIG. 18B), is used to designate a distant figure in a specific direction if a figure which overlaps other figures as shown in FIG. 19 is designated, the uppermost figure is designated preferentially, and the desired figure cannot be designated.

Device for electing a figure from among figures depicted on a display device

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A system for mixing a bioprocessing fluid includes a container receiving the bioprocessing fluid and a support member supporting the container in an interior of a housing. A first channel is bounded by a first stationary arm and a second stationary arm with the first channel receiving the container. A first mixing arm and a second mixing arm are located in the interior. The first mixing arm is connected to the second mixing arm by a connecting member. The first mixing arm is located in the first channel and the second mixing arm is located in a second channel. The connecting member is movable to cause the first mixing arm to contact a first outer surface of the container to cause mixing of the bioprocessing fluid.

The development and commercialization of many processes in the fields of medicine, chemistry, and agriculture require the use of fermentation devices or "bioreactors." As used herein, the term "fermentation" means a process for the production of a product by culturing cells or microorganisms, the process of culturing cells or microorganisms, or a process for the bioconversion of one material to another. In some bioprocesses, the organisms themselves are the desired product.
Cell culturing, for example, is often carried out in vessels that permit the contacting of cells with nutritive media and oxygen. In industrial applications, such processes are often carried out in very large vessels, often far greater than 50 liters in capacity. During research and development, however, it is generally desirable to test such processes on a much smaller scale. Historically, fermentation devices and bioreactors with volumes of 50 liters or less have suffered from various deficiencies.
Many problems with existing devices lie with the mixing mechanisms employed. Some processes use enzymes immobilized on the surfaces of particles within a liquid medium. As a result, most of the enzymatic activity is limited to the surfaces of the particles. Any method of mixing the liquid medium that causes abrasion of the particles will necessarily reduce enzymatic activity. Similar damage can be caused to cells or microorganisms within a liquid medium.
Magnetic stirrers, for example, are inapplicable to some processes, including the culturing of cells or microorganisms, because of the tendency of the magnetic stirrer, that necessarily contacts an interior surface of the vessel, to damage delicate components, such as living cells and microorganisms, that become trapped between the magnetic impeller and the vessel surface. Attempts have been made to alleviate this disadvantage through the use of super conductive materials. TC Tech Corp. (www.tc-tech.com), for example, markets a mixing device wherein a disposable impeller is levitated above the vessel's bottom, thereby eliminating the potential for entrapment of cells or microorganisms between the impeller and the vessel wall. Such devices are, however, expensive to use, due to the desirability of operating the magnets at super conducting temperatures.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0008389 to Carll describes a disposable cell culture vessel with a hollow sleeve in its interior, into which is placed a magnetic stirrer. In some embodiments, the sleeve is fitted with a flexible blade. Such a device also reduces or eliminates the tendency of magnetic mixers to damage delicate components. However, due in part to the fact that the mixing action of the device is provided by the simple rotation of a magnetic bar, the device is incapable of providing greater agitation or aeration of the liquid medium. Rather, the placement of a magnet within the hollow sleeve allows the gentle rotation of the impeller and the subsequent undulation of the flexible blades when an adjustable magnetic force, such as a magnetic stir plate, is applied to the vessel. This creates a gentle stirring of the cells, which keeps the cells in suspension and prevents the cells from shearing. Where more vigorous agitation or greater aeration of the liquid medium is needed, such a device is inadequate.
Other devices use blades or similar mechanisms to mix their liquid contents. U.S. Pat. No. 3,468,520 to Duryea et al., for example, describes a paddle-like mechanism residing within a bottle, which is designed to agitate a suspension of cells. Such devices, however, require the introduction of a foreign object, in the form of the mixing mechanism, into the liquid medium. This greatly increases the possibility of contamination of the medium by substances or organisms residing on the mixing mechanism. Avoidance of such contamination requires thorough cleaning and sterilization of the mixing mechanism before each use, which can greatly increase not only the burden and expense of using such devices, but also the level of technical experience required by its users.
Others have attempted to integrate the mixing mechanism into the vessel itself. U.S. Pat. No. 3,432,149 to Stalberg et al., for example, describes an apparatus for stirring a liquid having internal wings, wherein rotation of the device along its longitudinal axis exerts a dragging action on the liquid. However, such a device is capable of exerting a dragging action on only a small portion of the liquid. "The height of the liquid-dragging part of the vessel is at the most half of the intended liquid level, suitably no more than one-third thereof and preferably about one-fourth thereof." Col. 2, lines 43-46. In addition, such a device is incapable of aerating the liquid by, for example, projecting a portion of the liquid above the level of the standing liquid, thereby creating turbulence between the surface of the liquid and a gaseous layer above it.
Attempts have been made to eliminate the need for internal mixing mechanisms altogether. U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,029 to Nees, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,540,700 to Freedman et al., for example, describe devices for pivotally rotating vessels containing cells and a nutrient medium. There is a limit, however, to the degree of mixing attainable with such devices. For example, Nees notes that "acceleration magnitudes are essentially determined only by the gravity of the micro carrier in the earth's gravitational field, reduced by the viscosity of the nutrient solution." Col. 2, lines 11-14. Thus, for processes requiring a greater degree of mixing or agitation, including, for example, processes requiring greater aeration of the liquid medium, such devices are not useful.
Another method by Wave Biotech has no internal mixers and uses a flexible vessel that is pleated. The action resembles that of the bellows of an accordion. A portion of the vessel is compressed and released such that fluid in the pleats must squirt into the main bulk of the fluid to cause agitation and mixing. The pleated vessel is quite expensive to construct and cannot be scaled up to large sizes. Furthermore, the mixing is poorly related to that in commercial fermenters thus making this agitation method of questionable use when generating data for scale up.
A need exists, therefore, for a device that avoids the above described limitations. Specifically, there is a need for a fermentation chamber and mixing apparatus that (1) will not damage delicate components of the liquid medium, such as living cells and microorganisms, (2) can provide sufficient agitation of the liquid medium to ensure proper mixing and/or aeration, (3) is inexpensive to produce and use.

Systems and methods for mixing bioprocessing materials


This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for reclaiming gypsum from waste paper laminated gypsum wallboard. The invention is directed to an apparatus that is useful for separating paper laminate from gypsum wallboard comprising: a roller and a plate spatially disposed from the roller. The aperture between the roller and the plate is sized to be slightly less than the wallboard thickness thereby creating a fracturing action between the gypsum and the paper laminate. The first roller can be driven by a power source. A roller can be substituted for the plate and can be undriven or driven independently of the first roller.

Gypsum wallboard, comprising a gypsum core and planar paper outer surfaces, is widely and extensively used by the western world building construction industry in the construction of residential and commercial buildings. The gypsum wallboard is typically supplied in half-inch five-eights inch or three-quarter inch thick sheets measuring 4 feet by 8 feet in width and length. The entire wallboard panel can be used in most situations. However, in some situations, only a portion of the wallboard panel can be used, the extraneous portions being cut away by the wallboard installer. Those cut-away parts cannot be used elsewhere. As a consequence, in any building construction or renovation project, a substantial amount of waste gypsum wallboard is generated. As much as 10 percent of the gypsum wallboard panels supplied to the construction site may end up as waste gypsum wallboard.
This waste wallboard has, in the past, created disposal problems in the Greater Vancouver Regional District in British Columbia, Canada, because when the waste wallboard is buried in a conventional waste landfill operation, obnoxious hydrogen sulfide gas and soil leachate are generated. The generated obnoxious gas odour problem has made it necessary to initiate a program of special waste wallboard sorting, stockpiling, storage, and materials handling to facilitate ocean dumping. Currently, in the Greater Vancouver Regional District of British Columbia, approximately 20,000 tons per year of gypsum wallboard waste material is dumped in the Pacific Ocean. This is an expensive waste disposal procedure. It may also lead ultimately to ocean pollution.
The gypsum of the wallboard scraps is valuable and could be reused. However, a serious problem with waste gypsum wallboard is that the paper outer layers remain bonded to the gypsum core and are not readily removable. It is difficult to efficiently remove the paper outer layers from the gypsum core without leaving a substantial amount of paper residue on the gypsum. Gypsum wallboard manufacturers have, to date, been unable to recycle any more than about one percent of the total waste wallboard production because paper contamination of the finished product must be minimized. Such manufacturers currently use a combination of hammer mills and screening plants, which combination, under ideal conditions, is capable of removing about 65 percent of the paper. This process requires considerable energy consumption and creates unwanted airborne gypsum dust.
DE-A-27,09,975, Sep. 14, 1978, discloses a horizontal pair of roughened rollers 28 and 30 which are adjustable in angle to provide a shearing action on a plate 20. No delamination of exterior layers from a core is disclosed.

Method and apparatus for reclaiming gypsum from waste wallboard