The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for compensation of diffraction of beam of an antenna system. In the preferred embodiment, the antenna system is a phased array antenna. The present invention does so by controlling the phase front. The phase front is controlled by distributing frequencies such that the value of the frequency for a given emitter is proportional to the distance of the emitter from the center of the antenna system. In one embodiment of the invention, the value of the frequency for a given emitter is linear, square or otherwise, to the distance of the emitter from the center of the antenna system. A phase front formed by the time spectrum is summed with a phase front created by diffraction divergence compensation. In one embodiment, the phase front is controlled by forming the radius of the time spectrum opposite to and with the same value as the radius of the phase front created by diffraction divergence compensation. In an additional embodiment, the radius of the phase front is controlled by forming the time spectrum opposite to and with a greater value than the radius of the phase front created by diffraction divergence compensation, such that the divergence of the wave energy is reduced. In an additional embodiment, the radius of the phase front is controlled by forming the time spectrum collinear to the radius of the phase front created by diffraction divergence compensation, such that the divergence of the wave energy is increased.

Diffraction is a fundamental phenomenon of the propagation of wave energy fields such as, for example, electromagnetic or ultrasonic waves. Conventional methods of propagating energy waves are based on a simple solution to Maxwell's equation and the wave equation. Spherical or planar waveforms are utilized. Beams of energy will spread or diffuse as they propagate as a result of diffraction effects.
Present arrays are based on phasing a plurality of elements, all at the same frequency, to tailor the beam using interference effects. In a conventional antenna system, such as a phased antenna array driven with a monochromatic signal, only special phasing is possible. Resulting diffraction limited signal pulse beams begin to spread and decay when reaching a given length.
In many applications, it would be highly desirable to propagate a beam of wave energy over a long distance without an appreciable drop in the intensity of the beam. Such applications include, for example, radio microwave communication in which a non-divergent microwave beam would enable use of a smaller antennae, a decrease in the power of transmission, magnification of the mid-range of transmission, a decrease in the level of noise associated with transmission, and an increase in the confidentiality of the transmission. Further examples include use in radar, which would result in an increase in the range of the radar, a decrease in the required size of the radar, and a decrease in the power consumption of the radar. Still further examples include use in extremely long-range transmissions such as, for example, transmission between earth and satellites.
The traditional method of increasing the range of wave transmissions is to increase the size and power of the transmission into a wider beam or to utilize shorter wavelength transmissions. Increasing the width of the beam increases significantly the cost and power consumption required to transmit the beam while the use of shorter wavelengths such as x-rays is not practicable. Thus, over the past several years there has been significant efforts to increase the propagation and decrease the diffraction properties of wave beams.
One such attempt to reduce the diffraction of wave beams is to attempt to generate a wave packet with a broad frequency spectrum, referred to as an "electromagnetic missile." Electromagnetic missiles attempt to utilize a suitably tailored pulse shape which has an energy decay rate essentially limited by the highest frequencies present in the pulse generator. The high-frequency end of the pulse determines the furthest distance the missile can propagate. The generation and transmission of energy by electromagnetic missiles, however, has been severely limited in practice by the practical means of launching wave packets with extremely short rise times and pulse widths.
Another attempt to reduce diffraction of wave beams has been the use of a particular, monochromatic solution to the wave equation in a so-called "Bessel" beam. In this theoretical approach, the particular solution of the wave equation is diffractionless. The theoretical Bessel beam has an infinite number of lobes and therefore has infinite energy. Under the theoretical Bessel calculations, the energy content integrated over any lobe is approximately the same as the energy content in the central lobe. In practice, the lobes of the Bessel beam diffract away sequentially starting with the outer-most lobe. The central lobe persists as long as there are off-axis lobes compensating for the energy loss of the central lobe. However, the Bessel beam is not resistant to the diffractive spreading commonly associated with wave propagation. In fact, in practice a traditional Gaussian beam profile has been shown to be equally efficient to the Bessel beam profile.
Yet another attempt to reduce diffraction has been to use a particular parabolic approximation solution to the wave equation, known as an "electromagnetic directed energy pulse train." The pulses are produced by driving each element of an array of radiating sources with a particular drive function so that the results and localized packet of energy closely approximates this solution of the wave equation. However, further examination of this solution of the wave equation has demonstrated that the theoretical calculation of an improved Raleigh range was in error. The Raleigh range calculation was valid only at the pulse center and not across the width of the waist of the pulse. Appropriate calculation demonstrates that electromagnetic directed energy pulse trains do not defeat wave diffraction.
Yet another attempt to reduce diffraction has been to use a solution to the wave equation that is confined to a finite region of space in the wave zone, termed "electromagnetic bullets." This approach defines a radiation wave packet in the wave zone that is conformed to a suitable solid angle and extends over a finite radial extent to determine the sources required to generate the wave packet. However, this approach has not resulted in a computation that can solve the problem in a practical application.
What would thus be of great benefit would be a practical way to decrease divergence of propagated waves. To be practically applicable, such solution should apply new physical principals of compensation for the diffraction characteristics of wave propagation. The present invention achieves these objectives.

Method and apparatus for compensation of diffraction divergence of beam of an antenna system


This invention provides a process for producing a 5-hydroxy-3-oxopentanoic acid, a useful pharmaceutical intermediate, easily from a readily available, inexpensive starting material without using any extraordinary production equipment such as a very-low-temperature reactor.

The hitherto-known process for producing a 5-hydroxy-3-oxopentanoic acid derivative includes the following processes.                (1) The process in which 3-hydroxypropionic acid imidazolide prepared from 3-hydroxypropionic acid and diimidazoyl ketone is coupled to a malonic acid monoester monomagnesium salt (Synthesis, 1992, 4, 403-408).        (2) The process in which a lithium enolate prepared from tert-butyl acetate and lithium diisopropylamide is reacted with a 3-hydroxypropionic acid ester (Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-8-198832, Chem. Pharm. Bull., 1994, 42 (11), 2403-2405, Tetrahedron Lett., 1993, 49(10), 1997-2010, Tetrahedron, 1990, 46 (29), 7283-7288, Tetrahedron Asymmetry, 1990, 1 (5), 307-310, Tetrahedron Lett., 1989, 30 (38), 5115-5118, Tetrahedron Lett., 1987, 28 (13), 1385-1388, Synthesis, 1985, (1), 45-48).
However, the prior art (1) requires an expensive starting material while the prior art (2) involves a very low reaction temperature of −78° C. to −40° C., so that neither is a favorable process for commercial-scale production.

Process for the preparation of 5-hydroxy-3-oxopentanoic acid derivatives

Abstract: Further, this invention also provides a process for producing a 5-hydroxy-3-oxopentanoic acid                which comprises treating a mixture of an acetic acid ester and a 3-hydroxypropionic acid derivative with a Grignard reagent to prepare a mixture of a compound and an acetic acid ester of the above formula (I),        and permitting a lithium amide to act upon the mixture at a temperature not below −20° C. This invention provides a process for producing a 5-hydroxy-3-oxopentanoic acid, a useful pharmaceutical intermediate, easily from a readily available, inexpensive starting material without using any extraordinary production equipment such as a very-low temperature reactor. Thus, this invention provides a process for producing a 5-hydroxy-3-oxopentanoic acid which comprises permitting a lithium amide to act upon a mixture of an acetic acid ester and a 3-hydroxypropionic acid derivative at not below −20° C. Further, this invention also provides a process for producing a 5-hydroxy-3-oxopentanoic acid which comprises treating a mixture of an acetic acid ester and a 3-hydroxypropionic acid derivative with a Grignard reagent to prepare a mixture of a compound and an acetic acid ester of the above formula (I), and permitting a lithium amide to act upon the mixture at a temperature not below −20° C.


A vehicle communication system detects the presence of a passenger wearable communication device. The system receives audio signals from multiple sources inside or outside of a vehicle. The system processes the signals before routing the signals to multiple destinations. The destinations may include wearable personal communication devices, front and/or rear speakers, and/or a remote mobile device.

1. Priority Claim
This application claims the benefit of priority from European Patent Application No. 05016443.3, filed Jul. 28, 2005, which is incorporated by reference.
2. Technical Field
The invention relates to audio signal processing, and more particularly, to a vehicle communication system.
3. Related Art
Rapid advances in technology have lead to the adoption of extensive audio, video, and information systems in vehicles. The systems output navigational assistance, traffic reports, reports on vehicle status, play music, and play videos. The use of some many devices can create the devices, along with the configuration of a vehicle passenger compartment—which can result in complex reverberations and may be susceptible to transient vehicle noises.
To improve vehicle communications, some vehicles incorporate specific vehicle communication systems. A vehicle communication system may receive audio data representing a passenger's speech, process the received audio data, and redirect the processed audio data to vehicle passengers through vehicle speakers. Due to the positioning of audio inputs, the shape of the passenger compartment, and the configuration of the vehicle speakers, some systems may generate acoustic feedback.
In some instances, suppression and/or compensation filters are used to reduce feedback. The use of suppression and/or compensation filters may be complex and may require reconfiguration. When reconfigurations are not performed quickly, audible interference may be passed to the listener. As a result, some vehicle communication systems may reproduce speech signals that are difficult to understand.
Therefore, a need exists for an improved vehicle communication system.


A microprocessor is provided which detects an escape instruction. The escape instruction indicates that subsequent instructions belong to an alternate instruction set. In one embodiment, the number of subsequent instructions which belong to the alternate instruction set is encoded in the escape instruction. The subsequent instructions are routed to an execution unit or a separate processor for execution. Each instruction sequence within a program may be coded using the instruction set which most efficiently executes the function corresponding to the instruction sequence. In one embodiment, the microprocessor executes the x86 instruction set and the alternate instruction set is the ADSP 2171 instruction set. The escape instruction is defined using a previously undefined opcode within the x86 instruction set. Complex mathematical functions (which are more efficiently executed within a DSP) may be performed more efficiently than previously achievable using the x86 instruction set alone. Portions of the program which may be executed more efficiently using x86 instructions may be coded in the x86 instruction set, while portions of the program which may be executed more efficiently using DSP instructions may be coded in the DSP instruction set.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related to the field of computer systems and microprocessors and, more particularly, to efficient hardware for executing DSP functions within such computer systems and microprocessors.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
Computer systems employ one or more microprocessors, and often employ digital signal processors (DSPs). The DSPs are typically included within multimedia devices such as sound cards, speech recognition cards, video capture cards, etc. The DSPs function as coprocessors, performing complex and repetitive mathematical computations demanded by multimedia devices and other signal processing applications more efficiently than general purpose microprocessors. Microprocessors are typically optimized for performing integer operations upon values stored within a main memory of a computer system. While DSPs perform many of the multimedia functions, the microprocessor manages the operation of the computer system.
Digital signal processors include execution units which comprise one or more arithmetic logic units (ALUs) coupled to hardware multipliers which implement complex mathematical algorithms in a pipelined manner. The instruction set primarily comprises DSP-type instructions (i.e. instructions optimized for the performance of complex mathematical operations) and also includes a small number of non-DSP instructions. The non-DSP instructions are in many ways similar to instructions executed by microprocessors, and are necessary for allowing the DSP to function independent of the microprocessor.
The DSP is typically optimized for mathematical algorithms such as correlation, convolution, finite impulse response (FIR) filters, infinite impulse response (IIR) filters, Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs), matrix computations, and inner products, among other operations. Implementations of these mathematical algorithms generally comprise long sequences of systematic arithmetic/multiplicative operations. These operations are interrupted on various occasions by decision-type commands. In general, the DSP sequences are a repetition of a very small set of instructions that are executed 70% to 90% of the time. The remaining 10% to 30% of the instructions are primarily boolean/decision operations. Many of these mathematical algorithms perform a repetitive multiply and accumulate function in which a pair of operands are multiplied together and added to a third operand. The third operand is often used to store an accumulation of prior multiplications. Therefore, DSP hardware often includes hardware configured to quickly perform a multiply-add sequence. An exemplary DSP is the ADSP 2171 available from Analog Devices, Inc. of Norwood, Mass.
Many instruction sequences (or "routines") which perform complex mathematical operations may be more efficiently performed in a DSP instruction set such as that employed by the ADSP 2171 than in the x86 instruction set. Microprocessors often execute instructions from the x86 instruction set, due to its widespread acceptance in the computer industry. It is desirable to code the various instruction sequences of a program in the instruction set (DSP or x86, for example) which is most efficient at performing the task the instruction sequence represents. Furthermore, a method is desired for indicating the instruction set in which each instruction sequence in a particular program is coded. As used herein, an "instruction set" refers to a plurality of instructions defined for execution by a particular microprocessor. Each instruction within the instruction set is assigned a unique encoding identifying the instruction from the other instructions within the instruction set.

Microprocessor configured to route instructions of a second instruction set to a second execute unit in response to an escape instruction


To determine the transverse acceleration of a vehicle, in particular as an input quantity for an electronic vehicle control system such as ABS, TCS, EBV, etc., the output signals of wheel sensors representative of the rotational behavior of the individual vehicle wheels are evaluated. The correction factors representing the differences of the tire tread circumferences of the individual wheels are determined. A short-time correction factor and a long-time correction factor KZ and LZ are produced in each case for the non-driven vehicle wheels. A difference between the long-time correction factor and the short-time correction factor of the respective wheel is determined and evaluated in a filtering and adapting circuit. The quotient KZ/LZ of the short-time correction factor and the long-time correction factor of the respective wheel is calculated, and the difference is produced between the quotients of the left and right non-driven ##EQU1## wheels. The transverse acceleration of the vehicle Q.sub.FZ is the result of the relation

The present invention relates to a method of determining the transverse acceleration of a vehicle, in particular as an input quantity for an electronic vehicle control system, e.g., for an anti-lock system (ABS), a traction slip control system (TCS), an electronic control system for brake force distribution (EBV), an active suspension control system or a driving stability control system (DSC).
It is easily comprehensible that in some situations the control quality may be improved considerably by taking the transverse acceleration into account in the calculation of the control quantities. A dangerous situation in terms of driving stability may be determined prematurely from the transverse acceleration. Cornering and the direction of cornering can also be seen at once in the transverse acceleration. Some control systems, such as driving stability control systems, are unable to function without a measurement of transverse accelerations.
Further, the knowledge of the instantaneous transverse acceleration permits monitoring other components and sensors of a control system. For example, the function of a separate transverse acceleration transducer or a steering angle emitter may be checked by the calculated transverse acceleration. If the control system determines and takes into account the different rolling circumferences of the individual wheels by correction factors, measuring the transverse acceleration permits monitoring the determination of the correction factors.

Process for finding the transverse acceleration of a vehicle


Disclosed is a system and method for processing crank angle signals. The system comprises a crank angle sensor for converting a rotation of a crankshaft into analog signals; a switching circuit for converting the analog signals into crank angle signals; a timer/counter for detecting a number of pulses and tooth periods of the crank angle signals; a phase sensor for converting a rotation of a camshaft into cylinder identity signals and outputting the cylinder identity signals; and an electronic control unit for receiving the crank angle signals and the cylinder identity signals and using the signals to determine cylinder identity and rpm. The method comprises the steps of inputting a crank angle signal and a cylinder identity signal; determining if the cylinder identity signal has undergone inversion from a high to low state or vice versa; establishing a point at which the cylinder identity signal undergoes inversion as a reference position; counting a predetermined number of pulses of the crank angle signal after the reference position if the cylinder identity signal does not undergo inversion; and identifying a point at which the predetermined number of the pulses of the crank angle signal is counted as a particular cylinder.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system and method for processing crank angle signals.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Increasingly precise electronic control of engines is being employed in recent times to enhance overall engine performance, decrease fuel consumption, limit exhaust emmisions and improve ride comfort. Examples of such control include fuel injection control, ignition timing control and engine misfire control.
To perform such precise engine control, a system and method for processing crank angle signals is required to precisely detect engine rpm changes, rotation angle of a crankshaft, and a cylinder in which a misfire occurs. In the conventional system and method for processing crank angle signals, a plurality of evenly-spaced teeth are provided on a sensor wheel, which is connected to a crankshaft to rotate with the same. A predetermined space at a particular location is provided where the teeth are formed on the sensor wheel (i.e., where teeth are missing), and the space is positioned so that it may be used as a control reference location, indicating top dead center (TDC) for a particular piston within its cylinder. It is from this point that a predetermined crank angle is measured and converted into a number of rotations of the crankshaft.
Also, a phase sensor determines which piston is at TDC of a compression stroke when the crank angle sensor generates a signal, and the cylinder identity signal is generated on every rotation of a camshaft. On the basis of this information, an engine control system performs fuel injection control, ignition timing control, and engine misfire control.
FIG. 1a shows a crank angle signal sensing method in the conventional system.
In the crank angle signal sensing method shown in FIG. 1a, a distance between a tooth and a bottom of a space between an adjacent tooth of the sensor wheel connected to the crankshaft is detected by a magnetic pickup, with a high value corresponding to the teeth and a low value corresponding to the bottom of the space between the teeth. Accordingly, in the case where one revolution of the engine corresponds to 16 teeth and a space of two missing teeth, tooth periods generated every 20xc2x0 are observed, and if a tooth period is greater than or equal to twice a previous period, a missing tooth period is deemed to have occurred.
If it is determined that a missing tooth period has occurred, it is determined that a particular piston is at a TDC. The moment this occurs is used as a standard location, and from this point, a time for a 180xc2x0 crankshaft rotation is measured, and this information is used to determine a number of rotations per minute (rpm).
FIG. 1b shows a waveform of a cylinder identity signal used to discern which cylinder is at a compression TDC.
The phase sensor is linked with the camshaft to generate a cylinder identity signal with every rotation of the camshaft. When a low value of the cylinder identity signal is set to signify the compression stroke of a first cylinder, in the case where the missing tooth period of the crank angle sensor is detected while the cylinder identity signal is low, it is deemed that the first cylinder has reached TDC on its compression stroke.
However, since engine speeds can abruptly experience a certain degree of variation in a low speed state or low temperature state where viscosity resistance of the oil increases, there occurs a significant increase in how such variation in engine speed influences the determination of the missing tooth period. That is, with such circumstances in the prior art method, a ratio of the missing tooth period to a previous tooth period becomes less than two such that the reliability of determining the missing tooth period is reduced.
Further, with vehicles using engines of a small displacement, since the number of teeth provided on the sensor wheel is reduced as a result of size limits, cold starts are not possible.
The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above problems.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for processing crank angle signals in which the reliability of determining a missing tooth period is improved in both low speed and low temperature states, and in which cold starts are possible.
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a system and method for processing crank angle signals. The system comprises a crank angle sensor for converting a rotation of a crankshaft into analog signals; a switching circuit for converting the analog signals into crank angle signals; a timer/counter for detecting a number of pulses and tooth periods of the crank angle signals; a phase sensor for converting a rotation of a camshaft into cylinder identity signals and outputting the cylinder identity signals; and an electronic control unit for receiving the crank angle signals and the cylinder identity signals and using the signals to determine cylinder identity and rpm.
According to a feature of the present invention, the crank angle sensor comprises a sensor wheel having a plurality of teeth formed at predetermined intervals around a circumference of the sensor wheel, the sensor wheel being connected to the crankshaft; and a magnetic pickup for detecting variations in a magnetic field caused by a difference in distance between the teeth of sensor wheel and the magnetic pickup, and between a bottom portion between the teeth of the sensor wheel and the magnetic pickup, the difference in distance occurring as a result of a rotation of the sensor wheel.
According to another feature of the present invention, the timer/counter establishes points at which the cylinder identity signals, which are output from the phase sensor, undergo inversion from high to low states or vice versa as reference positions, then starting from the reference positions counts and outputs the pulses of the crank angle signals, and calculates and outputs a time until a predetermined number of the pulses is counted.
According to yet another feature of the present invention, the electronic control unit receives the number of pulses of the crank angle signals output from the timer/counter, then identifies a cylinder corresponding to the input pulses and calculates engine rpm based on the time until the predetermined number of the pulses is counted as determined by the timer/counter.
The method comprises the steps of inputting a crank angle signal and a cylinder identity signal; determining if the cylinder identity signal has undergone inversion from a high to low state or vice versa; establishing a point at which the cylinder identity signal undergoes inversion as a reference position; counting a predetermined number of pulses of the crank angle signal after the reference position if the cylinder identity signal does not undergo inversion; and identifying a point at which the predetermined number of pulses of the crank angle signal is counted as a point corresponding to a particular cylinder.
According to a feature of the present invention, the cylinder identity signal is a signal having a single short pulse, a signal having a pulse extending over half a period of the cycle, or a signal having two pulses of different widths.
In another aspect, the method comprises the steps of inputting a cylinder identity signal output from a phase sensor and a crank angle signal to a timer/counter, the cylinder identity signal being a signal having a single short pulse; determining, by the timer/counter, if the pulse of the cylinder identity signal has undergone inversion from low to high; establishing, if it is determined that the pulse of the cylinder identity signal has undergone inversion, a point at which the cylinder identity signal undergoes inversion as a reference position and calculating rpm at this point, the establishment of the reference position and calculation of rpm being performed in an electronic control unit; counting, one at a time, a number of pulses of the crank angle signal by the timer/counter if the cylinder identity signal does not undergo inversion; determining if the number of pulses of the crank angle signal has reached a predetermined number; determining that a particular cylinder has reached TDC at a point where the number of pulses of the crank angle signal reaches the predetermined number; and initializing the timer/counter when the number of pulses of the crank angle signal counted by the timer/counter and a result of dividing the number of pulses of the crank angle signal during one period by a number of cylinders are the same.
According to a feature of the present invention, the method further comprises the step of continuously counting the pulses of the crank angle signals during one period without initializing the timer/counter.
In yet another aspect, the method comprises the steps of inputting a cylinder identity signal output from a phase sensor and a crank angle signal to a timer/counter, the cylinder identity signal being a signal having a pulse extending over half a period of the cycle; determining, by the timer/counter, if the pulse of the cylinder identity signal has undergone inversion; initializing the timer/counter, then establishing, by an electronic control unit, a point at which the cylinder identity signal undergoes inversion as a reference position, the initialization of the timer/counter and the establishing of the reference position being performed if it is determined that the pulse of the cylinder identity signal has undergone inversion from low to high; counting a number of pulses of the crank angle signal by the timer/counter if the cylinder identity signal does not undergo inversion; determining if the number of pulses of the crank angle signal has reached a predetermined number for engine control; determining that a particular cylinder has reached TDC at a point where the number of pulses of the crank angle signal reaches the predetermined number; determining if the number of pulses of the crank angle signal counted by the timer/counter equals a sum of the predetermined number of pulses of the crank angle signal and a result of dividing the number of pulses of the crank angle signal during one period by a number of cylinders; and determining that a subsequent cylinder has reached TDC by the electronic control unit at a point where the number of pulses of the crank angle signal counted by the timer/counter equals the sum.
According to a feature of the present invention, in the step of determining, by the timer/counter, if the pulse of the cylinder identity signal has undergone inversion, a point where the pulse of the cylinder identity signal undergoes inversion from high to low and from low to high is established as the reference position.
In still yet another aspect, the method comprises the steps of inputting a cylinder identity signal output from a phase sensor and a crank angle signal to a timer/counter, the cylinder identity signal being a signal having two pulses of different widths; determining, by the timer/counter, if the pulse of the cylinder identity signal has undergone inversion from low to high; initializing the timer/counter, establishing a point at which the cylinder identity signal undergoes inversion as a reference position, and counting a number of high values of the crank angle signal during which the cylinder identity signal is in a high state, with the initializing, establishing, and counting occurring if it is determined that the pulse of the cylinder identity signal has undergone inversion from low to high, and the reference position and the number of high values of the crank angle signal being output to an electronic control unit; counting a number of pulses of the crank angle signal for controlling the engine by the timer/counter if the cylinder identity signal does not undergo inversion from low to high; determining if the number of pulses of the crank angle signal has reached a predetermined number to control the engine; determining that a particular cylinder has reached TDC at a point where the number of pulses of the crank angle signal reaches the predetermined number; performing cylinder identification based on (a) the reference position stored in the electronic control unit, (b) the number of pulses of the crank angle signal counted when the cylinder identity signal is in a high state, and (c) the number of pulses of the crank angle signal for controlling the engine; determining if the number of pulses of the crank angle signal counted when the cylinder identity signal is in a high state equals a sum of the number of pulses of the crank angle signal for controlling the engine and a result of dividing the number of pulses of the crank angle signal during one period by a number of cylinders; and determining by the electronic control unit that a cylinder subsequent to that identified in the step of performing cylinder identification has reached TDC at a point where the number of pulses of the crank angle signal counted when the cylinder identity signal is in a high state.
According to a feature of the present invention, in the step of performing cylinder identification, if there is a number of counted pulses of the crank angle signal during a long high portion of the cylinder identity signal, a point at which the number of pulses of the crank angle signal reaches a predetermined number is determined to be where a particular cylinder reaches TDC.

System and method for processing crank angle signals


An accelerometer includes a pair of conductive plates fixedly mounted on a substrate surface, a structure coupled to the substrate surface and suspended above the conductive plates, and at least one protective shield mounted on the substrate surface. The structure includes two regions of differing total moments disposed above a respective conductive plate and separated by a flexure axis about which the structure rotates during an acceleration normal to the substrate, each region having a substantially planar outer surface and an inner surface having a first corrugation formed thereon. For each of the two regions, an inner gap exists between the first corrugation and an opposing conductive plate, and an outer gap exists between the substantially planar outer surface and the opposing conductive plate, the outer gap being larger than the inner gap. The at least one protective shield is placed apart from either of the conductive plates.

Many devices and systems include various numbers and types of sensors that perform various monitoring and/or control functions. Advancements in micromachining and other microfabrication techniques and associated processes have enabled manufacture of a wide variety of microelectromechanical (MEMS) devices. In recent years, many of the sensors that are used to perform monitoring and/or control functions have been implemented into MEMS devices.
One particular type of MEMS sensor that is used in various applications is an accelerometer. Typically, a MEMS accelerometer includes, among other component parts, a proof mass that is resiliently suspended by one or more suspension springs. The proof mass moves when the MEMS accelerometer experiences acceleration. The motion of the proof mass may then be converted into an electrical signal having a parameter magnitude (e.g., voltage, current, frequency, etc.) that is proportional to the acceleration.
Another type of MEMS accelerometer that is used to sense acceleration is commonly referred to as a teeter-totter capacitive acceleration transducer, or a "teeter totter accelerometer." A typical teeter totter accelerometer includes an unbalanced proof mass suspended over a substrate using a fulcrum or other axis. The proof mass forms first and second capacitors with a first and a second conductive electrode, both of which are formed on the substrate. During an acceleration perpendicular to the substrate the proof mass tilts to a degree that is proportional to the acceleration, and the gap between the proof mass increases on one side of the axis, and decreases on the opposite side of the axis. The capacitances of the first and second capacitors change in opposite directions, and the capacitance changes are detected and used to determine the direction and magnitude of the acceleration.
Teeter-totter accelerometers are generally simple and cost-efficient to manufacture. However, since the proof mass tilts rather than moving in a uniform manner with respect to an opposing electrode, the change in the average gap size between the proof mass and the opposing electrode is relatively small. The small change in average gap size sometimes translates to a suboptimal capacitance change for some purposes. Since the change in the average gap size is relatively small, teeter-totter accelerometers may not be adequately sensitive to small accelerations. Further, the base capacitance (capacitance under zero acceleration) is often lower than desired, as making the plates larger results in larger die area and hence higher production costs.
Also, if a MEMS device such as one of the above-described MEMS accelerometers experiences a relatively high acceleration or is exposed to a relatively high force, the proof mass can move beyond a desired distance. In some instances, such movement can potentially damage the MEMS device. Moreover, the MEMS device can exhibit unstable behavior if the proof mass and/or other portions of the MEMS device travel too far when a voltage is supplied to the MEMS device. Thus, many MEMS devices include one or more types of travel stops or motion limiters that are arranged to limit the movement of the proof mass and/or other portions of the MEMS device.
Although presently-known devices and methods for limiting the travel of MEMS device components are generally safe, reliable, and robust, these devices and methods do suffer certain drawbacks. For example, some capacitor structures include integral travel stops within an active capacitor region. Some typical travel stops include corrugations or dimples that are formed with or on a proof mass, and arranged to fit between the proof mass and another capacitor plate to prevent the two masses from making electrical or mechanical contact. Other common travel stops are not part of the proof mass, but are separate structures that are positioned in an active area between a proof mass and a capacitor plate. Because the travel stops are located in an active area, they include a dielectric or other nonconductive layer that contacts the proof mass to impede the proof mass motion. Over time, the nonconductive layer can wear or lose its ability to isolate the proof mass and the capacitor plate, thereby shortening the functional life of the MEMS device.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a MEMS accelerometer that is highly sensitive, has a high base capacitance, and also consumes minimum die area. In addition, it is desirable to provide a MEMS accelerometer that is not prone to damage resulting from impacts involving the functional components. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

Z-axis accelerometer with at least two gap sizes and travel stops disposed outside an active capacitor area


An Ni—Cu—Zn-based ferrite material contains TiO2 alone as an additive in an amount of 0.1 wt %<x≦4.0 wt % in which x denotes a content of the TiO2 and unavoidable impurities. The principal components thereof are 43.0 to 49.8 mol % of Fe2O3, 4.0 to 13.0 mol % of CuO, 5 to 35 mol % of ZnO and the balance of NiO.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an Ni—Cu—Zn-based ferrite material and a process for the production thereof, and particularly to an improvement in relative resistance and Q value of the ferrite material.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With the popularization of portable devices, miniaturization of electronic devices is rapidly being promoted. A demand of further miniaturization of parts, such as laminated chip inductors, used for electronic devices is increasingly growing. A laminated chip inductor has a structure comprising a laminate of alternating magnetic ferrite layers and internal electrodes, and an external electrode electrically connected to the internal electrodes. In order to attain the small height of a laminated chip inductor, it is necessary for a magnetic ferrite layer to be made thinner. This requires the magnetic ferrite layer to have high relative resistance.
In not only laminated chip inductors, but also coiled inductors, ferrite material is required to be highly resistive. Surface-mounted type parts, such as laminated chip inductors and coiled inductors, manifest high reliability when being highly resistive. A ferrite material high in relative resistance is low in eddy electric loss and high in Q value and, therefore, development of a ferrite material high in relative resistance is highly desired in order to obtain a ferrite material having a high Q value.
To fulfill this desire, as a magnetic oxide, that high in relative resistance has to be used. Ni—Zn-based and Ni—Cu—Zn-based ferrite materials, for example, have been used because the relative resistance thereof is higher in order of magnitude than that of Mn—Zn-based ferrite material. When considering further miniaturization and reliability of laminated chip inductors and further reliability of coiled inductors, the relative resistance of Ni—Zn-based and Ni—Cu—Zn-based ferrite material has to be further enhanced.
As techniques of making Ni—Zn-based ferrite material highly resistive, there can be cited JP-A 2000-233967, Japanese Patent No. 3275466, JP-A 2000-150221, JP-A 2001-44016, JP-A 2002-141215 and JP-A 2002-255637, for example. JP-A 2000-233967 discloses a process of the production of a ferrite sinter having a magnetic permeability and a Q value enhanced with the addition of B4C and further discloses the addition of Mn2O3 to materialize a higher magnetic permeability and a higher Q value, heighten the relative resistance and prevent the insulation resistance from being lowered. In Japanese Patent No. 3275466, laminated chip parts high in strength and excellent in insulation resistance are disclosed, with an Ni—Cu—Zn-based ferrite material containing zirconium oxide as a magnetic substance. In addition, JP-A 2000-150221 discloses a low loss magnetic oxide material comprising an Ni—Zn ferrite material containing Sb2O5. Furthermore, JP-A 2001-44016 discloses an Ni—Zn-based ferrite material containing oxides of Bi and V. In these prior art references, addition of these oxides enables the high resistance of the Ni—Zn-based materials to be realized. JP-A 2002-141215 discloses an oxide magnetic material excellent in high frequency performance and high in volume resistance rate with the addition of Bi2O3 and oxide having quadrivalent positive ions and having suppressed disappearance of an internal conductor owing to diffusion of Ag that can be sintered through low temperature calcination. Moreover, disclosed in JP-A 2002-255637 is a highly relative resistant, magnetic oxide, porcelain composition having Sn, Co and Bi oxides contained in an Ni—Zn-based ferrite material.
Generally, the relative resistance is directly proportional to the sintering density, in view of which the aforementioned prior art references make attempts to add an oxide having a low melting point, such as Bi2O3, Sb2O5 or V2O5, or glass having a low melting point in order to make the relative resistance higher. However, the addition of such oxide of low melting point and such glass of low melting point is liable to induce extraordinary growth of particles in a sintered body and deterioration of magnetic characteristics thereof. These are problematic problems.
The present invention has been accomplished in consideration of the problems conventionally encountered and has as an object to provide an Ni—Cu—Zn-based ferrite material of high characteristics particularly having high relative resistance and to provide a process for the production thereof.
In order to attain the above object, the present inventors have been making keen studies repeatedly over a long period of time. As a result, they have found that the addition of TiO2 enables the relative resistance to be remarkably improved, i.e. to be one-order higher or more. The present invention has been accomplished based on this knowledge.

Ni-Cu-Zn-based ferrite material and process for the production thereof


The instant invention relates to a sound suppressor and directional control system for use with a boat hull propelled by a rearward directed jet of air, e.g. an air-boat. The device includes a propeller shroud and a aft fairing each having a layer of acoustic material to reduce sound generated by the rotating propeller. The construction of the device also provides increased maneuverability, stopping and reverse to pre-existing as well new air-boats by providing operator controlled vector thrusts.

Propeller driven boats, or "air-boats" as they are commonly known, have found wide application and acceptance in areas where shallow water, reeds, everglades, partially frozen lakes and sub-surface debris present hazards to the operation of a submersed propeller. A significant advantage associated with air-boats is their ability to skim over the surface of land or water alike at high speeds, having relatively little impact on whatever lies beneath it.
An air-boat operates on the principle that once the propeller generates a rearward jet of air sufficient to overcome the friction encountered by the boat hull, the hull of the boat planes over the surface. Developing a sufficient rearward jet of air necessary to plane on land or hydroplane on water requires a significant amount of power, depending on the size and weight or the boat.
Typically, an air-boat is powered by an aircraft or automotive internal combustion engine. Aircraft engines normally include a propeller directly coupled to the crankshaft of the engine and thus are generally mounted high above the water line of the boat hull to provide adequate clearance for the rotating propeller. Automotive engines are mounted lower to the waterline and typically require a crankshaft speed reducer mounted between the engine and the propeller. The speed reducer allows the propeller to be mounted sufficiently high above the water line to provide the clearance needed for rotation.
The typical propeller used in air-boats is a two blade aircraft propeller. When the propeller is rotating at maximum speed, each of the propeller tips generate shock waves which produce a significant amount of noise. The noise generated by the propeller often limits air-boat operation to secluded areas. U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,926 teaches a system for mounting two counter-rotating propellers on a single engine for reducing the noise generated by an air-boat. While this system does provide some sound reduction, the increased complexity and cost associated with installation and maintenance deters widespread use of the system.
Air-boat propellers are usually protected by an open wire mesh cage that serves to protect boaters and fowl from the dangers associated with a rotating propeller. U.S. Pat. No. D427,562 illustrates an ornamental design for an air-boat similar to many modern constructions. While the open mesh cages provide some safety they do nothing to reduce the sound generated by the propeller.
Steering of air-boats has typically been accomplished by rudders of either the conventional submerged type or the aircraft type mounted in the slipstream of the propeller. The operation of submerged rudders may be objectionable because any submerged movable part is subject to hazards such as sub-surface debris, rocks, etc. The use of a slipstream-mounted rudder is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,015,555. The use of such rudders can be disadvantageous since they are inefficient and are characterized by sluggish response because they are dependent upon the deflection of the rearward air jet. The rearward jet of air required to turn the boat produces a substantial amount of forward thrust making navigation in cluttered areas extremely difficult or impossible with this type of construction.
An alternative method of steering an air-boat is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,673. This method consists of changing the direction of thrust by turning both engine and propeller together about a vertical axis. This method also has undesirable characteristics. First, turning both the propeller and engine as a unit requires substantial structural mounts to avoid instability. Second, this method has the additional disadvantage of offering no inherent self-centering characteristics. Once turned, the gyroscopic effect generated by the propeller will continue to turn the boat until such time as the operator returns the mechanism to a centered position. Third, sharp turns create the danger of moving a portion of the propeller into close proximity with passengers in the boat.
Yet another method of steering an air-boat consists of an engine coupled, via a combination of shafts and gears to a pivoting propeller support structure, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,341,911. This design is disadvantageous due to its inherent complexity and because the vertical drive shaft coupling the engine and propeller may tend to induce rotation in the pivoting propeller support structure.
In general, air-boats of the prior art suffer from the same drawbacks. The primary drawback is the noise generated by the propeller. The noise substantially limits the areas where air-boats may be operated. Another drawback relating to prior art air-boats results from a general lack of controllability. A direct coupling between the engine and the propeller causes the propeller to rotate whenever the engine is running and stop when the engine stops. The direct coupling makes engine idling without forward motion difficult due to the continued air thrust being produced. The continuous thrust also limits an air-boats ability to stop or quickly slow down in emergency situations. Air-boats can be difficult to control when there is a loss of engine power which stops or reduces the slipstream of air produced by the propeller. After engine loss or failure the air-boat will generally become uncontrollable. Without the slipstream of air or a rudder extending into the water there is generally no means to turn or stop the boat. This may create extremely dangerous situations in the event that an obstruction is in the boats path.
Other known specialized air propelled vehicles include for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,489 which teaches a ground effect vehicle propelled by a rearward discharge of fluid therefrom. The device includes a pair of upstanding steering vanes mounted for rotation about upstanding axes and disposed on opposite sides of the center line of the fluid path. Control structure is provided to simultaneously angularly displace the vanes about their axes of oscillation. The vanes extend rearwardly of their axes of oscillation so that opposite relative angular displacement of the vanes will cause the rear ends of the vanes to swing into close juxtaposed positions. Disadvantages of this construction include complexity of the mechanisms required to independently and accurately control the steering vanes. In addition, this construction does not provide any means for slowing down or steering the boat in the event that engine power is lost.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,637 teaches an air-boat for reducing aquatic plant infestation by mulching or otherwise chopping plants growing on the surface of the water as the craft moves forward along a waterway. The air-boat includes a hull with an intake port at the bow end of the craft.
While the foregoing described prior art devices have improved the art and in some instances enjoyed commercial success, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for evermore improved air-boat constructions for broadening the capabilities and increasing the overall safety of air-boating.
Therefore what is needed in the art is a directional control system of the vector thrust type which may be utilized in conjunction with an air-boat which will enable the air-boat to be precisely maneuvered, braked and operated in reverse. The directional control system should be adaptable to pre-existing as well as new air-boats. The directional control system should provide increased turning and stopping abilities when compared to the prior art. The directional control system should also suppress a substantial portion of the sound generated by a rotating propeller to allow air-boat use in residential or cluttered areas.

Air-boat sound suppressor and directional control system


A power supply device and a wireless communication system are provided. The power supply device includes a data input port, a power over Ethernet control module, a network port, a decoder circuit and a signal strength indicator unit. The power over Ethernet control module is configured for receiving a data signal from the data input port to generate a data signal with power. The network port is configured for transmitting the data signal with power to the main board and receiving a signal in relation to a signal receiving strength state of the wireless communication device. The decoder circuit is connected to the network port and configured for generating a signal strength indicator signal. The signal strength indicator unit is connected to the decoder circuit and configured for receiving the signal strength indicator signal to display the signal receiving strength state of the wireless communication device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the wireless communication technology field, and more specifically, to a power supply device and a corresponding wireless communication system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently, with the rapid development of the network, various wireless communication systems (for example, WiMax wireless communication system) adapted into the Ethernet to be as data transmission interfaces, are widely used. A conventional wireless communication system includes a power supply device and a wireless communication device (for example, wireless base station) under the 802.3af protocol. The power supply device includes an RJ-45 input port, a power over Ethernet control module, and an RJ-45 output port. The wireless communication device is generally arranged outdoors and connected to the RJ-45 output port via a network cable. The power over Ethernet control module is configured for receiving a data signal from the RJ-45 input port to generate and transmit a data signal with power to the RJ-45 output port. The data signal with power is then transmitted to the wireless communication device through the network cables, such that the wireless communication device can be not limited by the power line and be convenient in use.
However, when erecting and/or repairing the wireless communication device used outdoors, the wireless communication system must be debugged at the erecting position. Thus it will spend long time to finish erecting and/or repairing.
What is needed, is providing a power supply device and a wireless communication system, which can solve the above problems.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Power supply device and wireless communication system

Universal Scientific Industrial (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.


A composition comprising a base and an alkoxylated compound selected from the group consisting of an alkoxylated alcohol, alkoxylated mercaptan, and mixtures thereof can be used to catalyze the reaction of a sulfur-containing compound such as, for example, n-octyl mercaptan, or hydrogen sulfide, and an alkylene oxide such as, for example, propylene oxide to produce an alkoxylated thio-compound such as, for example, n-octyl mercaptan monopropoxylate or 1-mercapto-2-propanol.

It is well-known that the addition products of an alkylene oxide and a mercaptan or hydrogen sulfide can be used, for example, in diesel fuels to improve octane number, as a surfactant for industrial applications, as an additive for transmission fluids, as lubricating oil additive, and as an insecticide such as fly repellents. Conventionally, the addition products or alkoxylated thio-compounds, are produced by reacting an alkylene oxide with a mercaptan or hydrogen sulfide catalyzed by an alkaline catalyst such as a hydroxide of an alkali metal or a hydroxide of an alkaline earth metal or an alkyl-substituted ammonium hydroxide. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,570,050 and 2,570,051. An alkaline catalyst such as sodium hydroxide in methanol has also been used as a catalyst for the reaction of an alkylene oxide and mercaptan. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,775,483.
The above-described processes, however, was found to have a lag period, i.e., no reaction initially, especially at low temperatures, i.e., lower than about 70.degree. C. Consequently, more alkylene oxide needs to be added to the reaction mixture to initiate the reaction. However, the excess amount of alkylene oxide added generally causes too vigorous and too exothermic reactions. A "too vigorous" reaction is one that the reaction mixture boils out of reactor and a "too exothermic" reaction is one that the temperatures of the reaction cannot be maintained below the highest temperature that is permissible. This too vigorous and too exothermic reaction is termed herein as runaway reaction. In order to avoid this runaway reaction so that a process can be carried out at lower temperatures to obtain a greater selectivity toward the desired product, a new process needs to be developed.

Process for producing alkoxylated thio-compounds


A controller is configured to determine a position of an object point in a real space, based on a cornea image of a first eye and a cornea image of a second eye of a user who is viewing the object point, in a captured image generated by imaging the first and second eyes of the user by an imaging device.

In a related art, it is known to calculate the distance to a subject such as an object or a person, based on captured images respectively captured by two cameras of a stereo camera. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes calibrating relative deviation between positions and orientations of the two cameras in order to accurately calculate the distance in such a stereo camera.

Controller, position determination device, position determination system, and display system for determining a position of an object point in a real space based on cornea images of a first eye and a second eye of a user in captured image


An infant breathing aid assembly comprising an infant soother having a safety shield with at least one vent cooperates with a decongestant module having a housing for housing vapor emitting medicine and fixing means adapted to be retentively received in the vent for fixing the housing to the infant soother. In use the housing closely abuts the safety shield to substantially seal the vapor emitting medicine within the housing and the safety shield, and the housing emits vapor from the medicine.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for assisting the breathing of an infant suffering from minor ailments such as breathing and nasal congestion problems and the like due to, for example, a cold.
The invention also has application in the dispensing of therapeutic oils which may also assist in alleviating sleeping, coughing and relaxation problems in infants.


A pre-cooling system for use with a condenser of an air conditioning system is provided. In one embodiment, the pre-cooling system comprises a housing that is coupleable to a top of a condenser of an air conditioner wherein the condenser has a substantially-vertical exhaust. The pre-cooling system further comprises a valve mounted in the housing that is coupleable to a water source and wherein the valve is capable of operating independent of electrical power. The pre-cooling system further comprises a vane that is coupled to the valve and positionable in the substantially-vertical exhaust, wherein the vane has an aerodynamically-shaped cross section useable to operate the valve. The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing the pre-cooling system.

Air conditioner condenser units have evolved since early units that generally were horizontal air flow, i.e., air discharge is substantially parallel to the ground or unit base, to the more modern condensers with side air inlet and vertical air discharge. Meanwhile, the concept of spraying a mist of cool water on or around external condenser units of air conditioners in order to improve their efficiency has been. Several patents have been issued disclosing various details of and improvements to this technology, some of which are limited by the assumption of a horizontal flow condenser or a vertical flow condenser as will be detailed below.
One early system discloses a water reservoir that resides below the condenser coils with the water drawn from the reservoir and pumped upward to be sprayed onto the condenser and then running down into the reservoir. Thus, a pool of water is constantly in evidence below the condenser, and is a prime breeding ground for mosquitoes and algae. Other systems disclose the use of a compressor relay that is electrically connected to a compressor and a water valve. The compressor relay is activated by electrical power to the compressor. The use of an electrical switch to operate an electrical valve adds needless cost and complexity to the system. Additionally, this system requires at least a minimal knowledge of electricity for the installer because the compressor electrical circuit must be tapped in order to activate the water valve. Installation of the device by a property owner would be impractical for most non-skilled persons due to a general respect for or fear of electricity.
Other systems have employed a paddle switch or paddle valve that is activated by airflow created when the fan for the condenser is running. However, certain problems have been found with these units. One device describes a horizontal air flow condenser with an airflow-operated paddle valve assembly conventionally fixed to the air conditioner housing in the path of the horizontally-exhausted air stream. In this case, the paddle pivots on a horizontal pin under the force of horizontal air from the unit fan, thereby overcoming a spring pressure exerted on the paddle to keep the valve normally-closed. No details of the paddle is made, so it is likely that the shape is common, such as: rectangular, circular, or perhaps paddle-shaped, e.g., as in a ping pong paddle. Another device describes a substantially-circular flat plate, that is designed to be lifted by a vertical current of air when the condenser fan is operating. The description does not make it clear what minimum force must be exerted by the vertical exhaust to move the flat plate and operate the valve. Attempts by the present inventor to use a substantially-circular paddle with current vertical discharge condenser units was met with substantial failure. The plain paddle could not be made to operate a suitable valve.
Another device describes a pneumatically operated paddle that operates a pinch valve inexpensively constructed of polyvinylchloride, more commonly know as PVC, and flexible tubing. It would appear obvious to one of skill in the art that repeated pinching of the tube as the system operates will seriously shorten the life of the tubing.
Another system requires a temperature sensor for activating the water mist when the temperature in the condenser reaches a predetermined point. This is an unnecessary complication of the system. Other systems employ one or more of: a vibration transducer, battery backup power, temperature sensing bellows, etc., and unnecessarily complicate the system.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a condenser pre-cooling system that provides the advantages of previous systems but that does not suffer from the deficiencies of the prior art.

Pre-cooling system for an air conditioning condenser


An apparatus for supporting and dispensing articles such as bags includes a plurality of article supporting and dispensing racks that include a rack insert receiving member and a rack insert member on at least one end portion of each rack so that the racks can be stacked for holding and dispensing different sizes of articles. Each of the racks is provided with hooks that are removably and adjustably mounted on the respective racks. The hooks are adapted to be quickly and easily mounted on and removed from each of the racks so that the hooks can be positioned on a respective rack at selected positions to accommodate different size bags or articles. A locking member may be provided for locking at least two stacked racks to each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for supporting and dispensing articles such as bags, and more particularly plastic "T-shirt" type bags having perforations allowing the bags to be easily removed from the apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a plurality of article supporting and dispensing devices that can be stacked for holding and dispensing different sizes of articles such as bags, and preferably, a plurality of bag dispensers being stackable and adjustable for holding and dispensing a plurality of different size bags.
2. Description of the Related Art
Retail establishments typically use a plurality of different size bags for packaging their products sold to consumers. The bags are usually stored on a shelf or other support member provided for all sizes and shapes of bags. If different size bags are placed directly on top of each other it is difficult to retrieve a single bag of a specific shape, length and width in a single motion.
If the different size bags are each stored in separate shelves or on separate support members, the number of shelves and support members is relatively large. Therefore, the space occupied by such a relatively large number of shelves and support members is substantial and wastes valuable point of sale display space.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,184,728 and 5,332,097 to Wile teach a plurality of the same size bags being held on a hook located inside of a paperboard cartridge. The bags are of the "T-shirt" type having perforations in the lip so the bags can be torn off of the hook. However, the bag holding device of Wile is not adjustable and cannot hold a plurality of different size bags in such a manner that each of the groups of different size bags are readily accessible. Therefore, a separate paperboard cartridge and hook assembly must be provided for each size bag resulting in inefficient use of space.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,832 to Daniels teaches a rack for dispensing plastic bags. Various size bags are draped over a rod and held on stationary wire loop hooks. Each of the various size bags are disposed one on top of each other to form a stack of bags such that the body portions of the bags connected to the bag handles form a stack on the rod. Because of this arrangement, Daniels must provide lubricous surfaces on each of the bags so that the bags located in the stack do not adhere to an adjacent bag when being removed from the rod. In addition, after the bags are draped over the rod, the closure portions of each of the different size bags must be attached to a specific one of the hook loops which makes the mounting of the bags in the bag holder difficult. Furthermore, the top bags must be removed in order to replace the bottom bags.
Million, U.S. Pat. No. 3,312,339 and Dinges, U.S. Pat. No. 3,454,166, merely teach wickets for holding plastic bags having a pair of holes near the handles. With the device of Dinges, two different size bags are placed under the same hooks. Because the two different size bags are stacked on top of each other in Dinges, a large bag being removed has a tendency to adhere to an adjacent smaller bag and inadvertently remove several of the adjacent smaller bags. This effectively limits the number of different size bags to be held by the Dinges device. Furthermore, the top bags must be removed in order to replace the bottom bags. In addition, the wickets in both the Million and Dinges devices must be removed from a support base to mount additional bags on the wickets.
Ondrasik, U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,885 discloses stackable wire trays for stacking and nesting to form a plurality of baskets for holding documents, papers, letters, etc. However, the hooks of Ondrasik are not adjustable or removable. Therefore, the hook positions are set and cannot be changed to accommodate different size articles to be supported thereon.

Article supporting and dispensing apparatus


There is provided a system and process of delivering online media content files to websites which are not capable of being blocked. The system and process provides a publisher with a sub-domain name that is pointed to an IP provided by an ad server and ask publisher to update his DNS records. Concurrently, the system delivers the user a script on the newly suggested sub domain that publisher inserts in HEAD tag of web pages where it is determined that the unblockable ads are to be displayed.

Online advertising is the sole source of revenue for publishers, who provide free contents to end users. In last couple of years online advertising has become very aggressing where nature of ads have become disruptive and at the same time ads have started consuming lot of bandwidth and thus slowing down time it takes to load a web page.
Above mentioned problems have led to emergence of ad blocking technologies, which block ad related html code present on web pages. Ad Blockers are designed for web browser specifically and also designed to be installed in computer so that they can block ads appearing on any application including browsers. Ad blockers have three types of rules:                Specific domains blacklist, any web request on those domains is blocked by Ad Blocker        There are some generic rules e.g. any request which match wild card based rule for */ads/* will be blocked.        There are html element specific rules; and if such an html code is found on any web page, its execution will be blocked or it will be hidden from user view.Any ad server that does not become part of this blacklist ends up showing ads until that ad server becomes part of black list.
Traditionally ad serving business requires specialization and publisher have to take services of some 3rd party ad serving companies. Ad serving companies have relationship with various advertisers and thus publisher does not have to establish that one is to one relationship with every advertiser. When a publisher signs up with an ad serving company, it provides html code based on their own domains. As ads are served on various publisher websites using ad tag on same domain of ad serving company, it makes Ad Blockers to easily block ads on all publisher sites using ad tag from same ad serving company by simply adding ad server related domain in black list.
However Ad Blockers do not block html contents served on publisher domain or sub domains as they may be crucial for functioning of publisher website unless they have website specific such rules.
Considering a single ad server may be providing good ads and at the same time may provide disruptive/bloated ads also, blocking of ad server company related domain results in blanket blockage of ads on publisher site.

System and process for displaying media content files in an unblockable manner


A hardware-implemented multi-layer perceptron model calculation unit includes: a processor core to calculate output quantities of a neuron layer based on input quantities of an input vector; a memory that has, for each neuron layer, a respective configuration segment for storing configuration parameters and a respective data storage segment for storing the input quantities of the input vector and the one or more output quantities; and a DMA unit to successively instruct the processor core to: calculate respective neuron layers based on the configuration parameters of each configuration segment, calculate input quantities of the input vector defined thereby, and store respectively resulting output quantities in a data storage segment defined by the corresponding configuration parameters, the configuration parameters of configuration segments successively taken into account indicating a data storage region for the resulting output quantities corresponding to the data storage region for the input quantities for a subsequent neuron layer.

Functions of control units of technical systems, such as internal combustion engines, electric drives, battery storage devices, and the like, are frequently realized by models that represent a mathematical mapping of the real system. However, physical models, in particular given complex relationships, lack the required calculation precision, and, given today's computing capacities, as a rule it is difficult to calculate such models within the real-time requirements necessary for control devices. For such cases, an approach is to use data-based models that describes relations between an output quantity and input quantities exclusively on the basis of training data obtained using a test bench or the like.
In particular, data-based models are suitable for modeling complex relationships in which a plurality of input quantities between which reciprocal relationships exist are taken into account in a suitable manner in the model. In addition, modeling using data-based models offers the possibility of supplementing the model by adding individual input quantities.
Data-based functional models are as a rule based on a large number of support points in order to achieve a degree of modeling precision adequate for the respective application. Due to the large number of support points, a high computing capacity is required for the calculation of a model value with a data-based functional model, such as a Gauss process model or a multi-layer perceptron model. In order to enable calculation of such a data-based functional model in real time in a control device application, model calculation units based on a hardware realization can therefore be provided.

Model calculation unit and control device for calculating a multi-layer perceptron model


The content description of multimedia content contains a plurality of descriptor values that pertain to specific events within the media. A Transport Hint Table (THT) provides a set of synchronization events that indicate the relation between timed events in the media and their representation in the content's description data. The THT allows for synchronized delivery of presentation of content description data with the associated events in the media. The THT provides a set of sync events based on the existence of “time” related events obtained from the content description data, which are relevant to particular events in the media. The THT allows the transport layer encoder to use the time-related events to synchronize the scheduled delivery times of media content segments and their associated descriptions. The THT also provides information for fragmenting a description for delivery and for managing resources at the decoder.

Digital multimedia information is becoming widely distributed though broadcast transmission, such as digital television signals, and interactive transmission, such as the Internet. The information may be in still images, audio feeds, or video data streams. However, the availability of such a large volume of information has led to difficulties in identifying content that is of particular interest to a user. Various organizations have attempted to deal with the problem by providing a description of the information that can be used to search, filter and/or browse to locate the particular content. The Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) has promulgated a Multimedia Content Description Interface standard, commonly referred to as MPEG-7 to standardize the content descriptions for multimedia information. In contrast to preceding MPEG standards such as MPEG-1 and MPEG-2, which define coded representations of audio-visual content, an MPEG-7 content description describes the structure and semantics of the content and not the content itself.
Using a movie as an example, a corresponding MPEG-7 content description would contain "descriptors" (D), which are components that describe the features of the movie, such as scenes, titles for scenes, shots within scenes, time, color, shape, motion, and audio information for the shots. The content description would also contain one or more "description schemes" (DS), which are components that describe relationships among two or more descriptors and/or description schemes, such as a shot description scheme that relates together the features of a shot. A description scheme can also describe the relationship among other description schemes, and between description schemes and descriptors, such as a scene description scheme that relates the different shots in a scene, and relates the title feature of the scene to the shots.
MPEG-7 uses a Data Definition Language (DDL) that specifies the language for defining the standard set of description tools (DS, D) and for defining new description tools and provides a core set of descriptors and description schemes. The DDL definitions for a set of descriptors and description schemes are organized into "schemas" for different classes of content. The DDL definition for each descriptor in a schema specifies the syntax and semantics of the corresponding feature. The DDL definition for each description scheme in a schema specifies the structure and semantics of the relationships among its children components, the descriptors and description schemes. The DDL may be used to modify and extend the existing description schemes and create new description schemes and descriptors.
The MPEG-7 DDL is based on XML (extensible markup language) and the XML Schema standards. The descriptors, description schemes, semantics, syntax, and structures are represented with XML elements and XML attributes. Some of the XML elements and attributes may be optional.
The MPEG-7 content description for a particular piece of content is defined as an instance of an MPEG-7 schema; that is, it contains data that adheres to the syntax and semantics defined in the schema. The content description is encoded in an "instance document" that references the appropriate schema. The instance document contains a set of "descriptor values" for the required elements and attributes defined in the schema, and for any necessary optional elements and/or attributes. For example, some of the descriptor values for a particular movie might specify that the movie has three scenes, with scene one having six shots, scene two having five shots, and scene three having ten shots. The instance document may be encoded in a textual format using XML, or in a binary format, such as the binary format specified for MPEG-7 data, known as "BiM," or a mixture of the two formats.
The instance document is transmitted through a communication channel, such as a computer network, to another system that uses the content description data contained in the instance document to search, filter and/or browse the corresponding content data stream. Typically, the instance document is compressed for faster transmission. An encoder component may both encode and compress the instance document or the functions may be performed by different components. Furthermore, the instance document may be generated by one system and subsequently transmitted by a different system. A corresponding decoder component at the receiving system uses the referenced schema to decode the instance document. The schema may be transmitted to the decoder separately from the instance document, as part of the same transmission, or obtained by the receiving system from another source. Alternatively, certain schemas may be incorporated into the decoder.
The content description may be transmitted prior to, or subsequent to, the content that it describes or may be transmitted along with the content. For example, MPEG-2 provides mechanisms for the inclusion of a content metadata stream with the content video stream. An MPEG-7 content description may be transmitted in this additional data stream. However, some standards may not allow for such an additional stream, and no current standards allow for the synchronization of the descriptive data with its associated content. That is, with current standards, the content descriptions descriptor values and the multimedia content they describe (e.g., scene, shot, frame) are not synchronized for delivery and presentation. For example, the current MPEG-7 standard lacks the necessary tools to map the timed transport of MPEG-7 data onto arbitrary delivery layers such as MPEG-2 and MPEG-4, to achieve synchronization with the multimedia content.

Transport hint table for synchronizing delivery time between multimedia content and multimedia content descriptions


The present invention relates to a suspended ceiling hanger clip and a suspended ceiling formed using the hanger clip. The suspended ceiling hanger clip has a longitudinally extending base having a first end and a second end and a pair of generally parallel co-extensive flanges extending downwardly from the base. At least one projection in each flange is formed with a ramp surface. An aperture is formed in the base for receiving an upper end of the elongate suspension rod therein. The suspension rod has a longitudinal axis extending along a length between spaced apart upper and lower ends, with the lower end having an attachment means. The upper end of the suspension rod extends through and is fixedly retained from removal from the aperture in the base of the hanger clip.

It should be noted that reference to the prior art herein is not to be taken as an acknowledgement that such prior art constitutes common general knowledge in the art.
Suspended ceilings, which may also be referred to as drop ceilings or false ceilings, are well known and are a type of architectural design element used in commercial and residential buildings. Suspended ceilings typically include a suspended grid of support members hanging from wires or rods attached to the plenum, and panels or planks secured to the grid. The popularity of these ceilings is due, at least in part, to the visual and acoustic benefits coupled with the simplicity and ease of installation of the system.
The most common form of suspended ceilings includes light weight panels, often square or rectangular in shape, that "drop" into a supporting exposed T-grid without additional fastening mechanisms. These types of drop ceilings provide easy access to the plenum space above the ceiling for access to air conditioning equipment, wiring, plumbing, and the like. These systems are typically referred to as an exposed grid suspended ceiling. They consist of long metal strips, called primary sections which form main-tee and cross-tee interconnected sections which together form a grid system, which are then filled with acoustical ceiling tiles. These exposed grid systems feature a standard metal frame around each tile.
Due to an increasing demand for more aesthetically pleasing suspended ceilings another form of suspended ceiling was designed. This system includes a flush mounted building board attached to a grid of channels and rails. These systems typically remove the supporting T-grid and direct-fix plasterboard to a grid-work of channels and overhead structure to provide a more pleasing flush finish. These systems use clips and hangers in order to suspend a grid of furring channel and top cross rails below a supporting structure which can then be sheeted with an appropriate board lining. This allows the designer to bring the ceiling level down to the required height. These systems are typically referred to as a concealed grid suspended ceilings.
Effective building design requires balancing multiple objectives, including aesthetics, acoustics, environmental factors, and integration with the building's infrastructure. This together with the cost of construction as well as long-term operation costs provide the building designer with a myriad of issues. It is now common design practice to use a combination of both exposed and concealed grid suspended ceilings to produce a particular architectural design. For example, both systems can be utilised and interlocked to produce a ceiling which has a perimeter detail formed of a flush mounted builders board concealed grid system which transitions into an exposed grid suspension system. This system provides the aesthetically pleasing perimeter detail of the concealed system with the added benefit of the exposed grid access to the facilities located above and within the suspended ceiling such as electrical wiring, plumbing and air-conditioning.
In the above systems to simplify the transition from one system to another the concealed grid system of top cross rails is utilised seamlessly throughout. In order for the exposed grid system of tees to connect to the top cross rail a clip was designed which passes over the top of the top cross rail and connects to the suspension head of the tees. This ensures that the ceiling level of both suspended ceilings is maintained across the combined architectural designed suspended ceiling system.
Both systems present installation issues and drawbacks when it comes to mounting items in or within the suspended ceiling. The applicants Australian Patent Application No 2015251495 addresses the issues with the direct-fix concealed grid system and is hereby incorporated by reference thereto.
The exposed grid system described above is designed to fit seamlessly within the top cross rail of the concealed grid system. In order to maintain the ceiling level with the direct-fix plasterboard the clip which is designed to pass over the top cross rail will suspend the exposed grid system at the correct level. Therefore, with plasterboard being directly fixed to a furring channel and the exposed grid attached to the top cross rail the distance between both the finished plasterboard surface, the exposed grid surface and the top cross rail is determined by the locking key which retains the furring channel to the top cross rail and the clip which connects over the top cross rail for the exposed grid system. This minimum distance needs to be considered when mounting items in or on the ceiling system. For example, the small clearance between the top cross rail and the exposed grid system can be problematic when mounting recessed lighting or the like components in the ceiling.
Given the number of fixing components in the above systems, it can be somewhat limiting where items like lighting, speakers and air conditioning ducts and vents can be placed. These items are typically flush mounted onto the outside surface of the exposed grid metal frame or the tile and the majority of the size of these items is located within the ceiling cavity formed between the tile or metal frame and the top cross rail forming the suspended ceiling frame. Therefore there needs to be sufficient clearance within the cavity for these items.
A number of difficulties also exist in that they are time-consuming to install and accuracy of spacing may be poorly maintained over large expanses of ceiling. Support system designs that provide ready access into the plenum above usually do so at the expense of a cluttered appearance with too much of the support system being visible from below. Another problem is that supports that pass alongside recessed fluorescent lighting fixtures often intrude into the area that should be kept clear in order to realise minimum interference with the flow of room supply air furnished by air supply boots attached to the fixtures.
Clearly it would be advantageous if a hanger clip for an exposed suspended ceiling could be devised that helped to at least ameliorate some of the shortcomings described above. In particular, it would be beneficial if a hanger clip which has the ability to provide a clearance between the top cross channel and the exposed grid metal frame was devised or to at least provide a useful alternative.

LOCKING KEY PTY LTD AS TRUSTEE FOR LOCKING KEY UNIT TRUST


A method for operating a control device of a motor vehicle driving by automation. The method includes determining a location of the motor vehicle, and acquiring driving-environment data of the motor vehicle, a control characteristic of the control device of the motor vehicle being formed in such a way that a driving behavior of at least one other road user is influenced in defined manner.

The extent of features of driver assistance systems in today's motor vehicles is increasing constantly, and is evolving toward automated driving.
Concepts of automated operation for motor vehicles are already known in the related art. To that end, various driving-environment sensors are used to sense a driving environment of the motor vehicle. Familiar systems such as adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane-keeping assists, blind-spot detection systems, automatic emergency-braking systems and so forth are provided for realizing a semi-autonomous vehicle operation with longitudinal control, lateral guidance, etc. of the motor vehicle.

Method for operating a control device of a motor vehicle


An electronic animal trap with a CPU-controlled, rearming, three-killing-plate configuration and extended killing cycle for trapping and exterminating larger rodents such as rats. The high-voltage output circuit is connected to a pair of killing plates which are activated with a high-voltage pulse train for a killing cycle when a pest of known impedance is sensed across said pair of plates. A third killing plate, electrically coupled to a first plate of said pair of plates, is brought to the voltage level of the first plate within approximately 1 msec of circuit activation for increased kill and escape-prevention capabilities.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to electric or electronic animal traps, and relates more particularly to an animal trap adapted to catch and electrocute a targeted animal, and also to rearm in the event the continuing presence of the animal is not detected upon completion of a killing cycle.
2. The Prior Art
A number of animal traps have been developed which include structural devices to trap an animal and prevent its escape, along with electric or electronic components which act to kill the trapped animal.
One such device is found in copending application, Ser. No. 10/043,161, filed Jan. 14, 2002 (the '161 application), now U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,328, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The trap disclosed in the '161 application is virtually escape-proof, electrocuting the animal while also providing a visual indicator signaling when the trap has initiated a kill cycle and thereafter requires servicing to remove an electrocuted animal.
Other trap designs that have effectively prevented pest-escape in the prior art are set forth in copending application, Ser. No. 10/320,688, filed Dec. 17, 2002 (the '688 application), now U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,899, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The diverter traps disclosed in the '688 application utilize at least two fixed barriers or diverter members that are positioned between the opening of the trap and a pair of spaced charge plates electrically connected to a voltage source. The two charge plates are configured such that contact with both charge plates simultaneously by a target animal will actuate the electric charge to effectively kill the animal.
While these traps may be used effectively with smaller rodents and insects, a problem still exists with larger pests such as rats in that, while the trap may have been triggered by an animal so as to initiate the kill cycle and subsequent entry into a standby mode requiring service to reset the trap, larger vermin may not have been able to fit into the trap or, if subjected to the voltage, may not have been killed and may have escaped. As a result, since the standby mode indicates the presence of a dead pest, because it was in fact initiated by a false trigger, wasted effort is expended by exterminator personnel or other users in servicing and resetting a trap which is, in fact, already empty.
Therefore, a need exists for a trap that combines an electronic circuit having higher voltage to provide greater killing power, with a detection mechanism that is able to rearm the trap without human intervention in the event of pest escape.

CPU-controlled, rearming electronic animal trap with three-killing-plate configuration