A power module is disclosed having a first module block defining a first rectifier and including a first rectifier switch having a first FET and connected in parallel with a first diode, a second module block including a second FET connected in parallel with a second diode, a third module block including a third FET connected in parallel with a third diode, wherein the second and third module blocks are positioned between first and second terminal interfaces of the power module, and wherein two serially connected diodes are on the first interface side of the power module in parallel with the serially connected second and third module blocks, and a fourth module block defining a second rectifier and including a second rectifier switch having a fourth FET and connected in parallel with a fourth diode.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates to three level power inverter/converter topologies, and more particularly, to the application of synchronous rectification in a uni-directional active rectifier circuit to reduce static losses by lowering the voltage drop across the circuit utilizing power semiconductor devices.
2. Description of Related Art
Synchronous rectification is a concept that has been applied in the past, particularly in DC-DC converters at low output voltage levels. In those converters where conventional circuit topologies were utilized, a voltage drop of 0.4 V to about 1.0 V in the output rectifier is common and would be converted into a significant loss, since the output voltage of a typical DC-DC power converter is usually only about 1.0 or 2.0 V.
Synchronous rectification involves the use of a power FET connected in parallel with a diode, wherein the FET is configured to be turned on when the diode is conducting, so that current flow is re-directed through the FET. Since the FET operates with lower resistance than the diode, the voltage drop across the circuit will be lower and more efficient.
Given the efficiencies associated with synchronous rectification, it would be beneficial to apply this principle to a full power circuit of a uni-directional active rectifier, also known as a Vienna Rectifier, in order to reduce the static losses across the circuit. This would be particularly advantageous in power inverter/converter topologies employed in aerospace applications, where switching speed and efficiency are sought after.

Synchronous rectification in the three-level inverter-converter topologies


The present invention provides small molecule compounds of bisheterocycle in tandem having the structural formula of P1-P2, and the use thereof as well as a composition containing the compounds, each of P1 and P2 is an unsaturated 5-member heterocyclic ring having one or two heteroatoms. This compound may effectively inhibit the replication of influenza virus, the DNA replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV), and the formation of HBsAg and HBeAg. These compounds can be used for the preparation of a medicament for viral diseases, and may overcome the limitations of the known nucleosides drugs, including cytotoxicity, the requirement of other drugs having different structures for against the drug-resistant virus variants induced by long-term therapy. The structure of the compounds according to the invention is relatively simple and easy to be prepared.

Human pathogenic viruses are a kind of nucleic acid particles with very simple structure. Most of them lack of enzymatic system, and they have to depend on the host cells to replicate their nucleic acids and proteins and then assemble into virus particles so that the viruses are replicated. Virus infection can cause various diseases and threaten the human health and lives severely. At present, the viruses with high morbidity and great harmfulness mainly include influenza virus, hepatitis B virus, AIDS virus, cytomegalovirus and herpes virus, etc.
Now in the treatment of viral diseases, there still lack of drugs of high specificity, and the common drugs used in clinical mainly are divided into the following types: the antiviral drugs for inhibiting the virus replication; the immunomodulators for enhancing the body's immune function; the antitussive, anodyne, antipyretic and antipyrotic drugs and the like against clinical symptom; the anti-infection drugs for preventing secondary infection; the vaccines for preventing virus infection and the disinfectants for blocking the transmission of viruses, etc.
At present, the study of new drugs for treatment of viral diseases is highlighted on the antiviral drugs. The widely used anti-influenza virus drugs include the adamantanamine drugs, the neuramidinase inhibitors of influenza virus, the receptor blocking agent of influenza virus and the antisense oligonucleotide against influenza virus etc. And the ones used clinically mainly are the adamantanamine drugs and the neuramidinase inhibitors. However, the hepatitis virus infection is recognized as an international therapeutic problem so far.
In 1980's, the vidarabine, vidarabine phosphate, acyclovir, zidovudine have been studied. However, they are not used to treat hepatitis now due to their poor therapeutic effect and strong toxic reaction. In recent years, many nucleoside drugs, such as lamivudine, famciclovir, lobucavir, adefovir dipivoxiil, FTC (dideoxyfluorinethiocytosine), FMAU (fluoro-methylarabinosyluracil), FDDC (fluoro-dideoxycytosine), BMS 200475 (epoxyhydroxylcarbodeoxy guanosine), have been developed by screening the drugs against hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus with the established hepatoma carcinoma cell lines, hepatitis virus transfected cell lines or transgenic cell lines, and transgenic mouse hepatitis animal model, they have obvious inhibiting activities to HBV. More than 30 kinds of drugs were carried out the preclinical trial research by the researchers in 1998-2002. And there are 21 drugs entering the stage II-III clinical trial recently. Among these trial drugs, the ones for anti hepatitis B virus are mostly the anti HIV revertase inhibitors and anti-herpes virus DNA polymerase inhibitors. Among other things, enticavir have entered stage III clinical trial, and may go on the market soon. The trial drugs for anti hepatitis C virus are mostly the broad spectrum antiviral drugs or RNA virus inhibitors, and the immunomodulators having antiviral activity.
At present, most of the approved antiviral drugs are nucleoside compounds. In the course of clinical uses, they have been found to have the following disadvantages: 1) cytotoxicity; 2) occurrence of drug resistant virus variants induced by long-term medication to which other drugs having different structure are need. Therefore, the non-nucleoside antiviral drugs became an aspect catching much attention.

Bisheterocycle tandem compounds useful as antiviral agents, the uses thereof and the compositions comprising such compounds

Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences


A system for recording, editing, processing and playing digital audio in a real-time, non-linear, non-destructive fashion. The system comprises a collection of the following modules: a disk controller for reading and writing disk-based media: an I/O processor for moving data between the disk controllers, I/O devices and connection bus, a DSP processor for processing data that exists on the connection bus, and a sample playback processor for performing memory-based polyphonic digital playback attached to the connection bus. The system's modules are connected via a connection bus that allows the transfer of multiple channels of information simultaneously in synchronism with the system's variable sample clock.

Digital audio workstations (DAWs) have existed ever since the invention of the compact disc commercialized applications for the digitization and processing of audio in the early 1980s. Early systems were based upon the storage of the digitized audio on magnetic tape. The linearity and thus inability of tape-based systems to instantaneously fast forward, rewind or play non-contiguous sections of audio without interruption led to the development of disk-based systems. By storing the digitized audio data on a rotating magnetic or optical disk, the disk's head assembly could rapidly be moved to non-contiguous locations much faster than the audio itself needed to be played back. By appropriate buffering of the data coming from the disk, real-time, non-linear playback of audio was possible. A similar development has occurred in the video world, such that nonlinear editing and post-production systems are now commercially available.
Commercial success of DAWs was limited by long development cycles, high cost, and low-performance technology. The popularization of the personal computer made enormous price/performance improvements in DAWs possible. In commercial or professional audio recording studio, the audio recording and playback process is only one part of the overall function of the studio. This process was previously performed by analog or digital tape-based recorder/players. With the price of a digital disk-based solution dropping, and the availability of low-cost, high performance general-purpose purpose digital signal processors (DSPs), it became feasible to include other studio functions within the DAW itself. Such functions as mixing and signal processing are ideal for performance on DSPs. One can see that an eventual goal is to replicate the complete functioning of an audio recording studio within the confines of a DAW.
By building a DAW around a commercially available personal computer three advantages were obtained. First, the development time no longer included designing a controlling computer and associated hardware and software. Second, a familiar and graphical user interface could be presented from which all DAW functions could be easily and intuitively controlled. And third, the expansion bus of the personal computer provided a standard, low-cost way to add additional hardware functionality to the system.
The difficulties now faced by system designers include questions of how to fit all of the hardware needed to emulate the functioning of an audio recording studio into the personal computer, how to partition and connect the functionality most efficiently and cost-effectively, how to design the software that runs on and controls the system hardware, how to integrate the functioning of the DAW with the functioning of the computer itself, and how to allow for system reconfiguration and expandability. Previous inventions have attempted to address only a subset of the above difficulties.
The New England Digital Synclavier Direct-to-Disk hard disk recorder was one of the first commercial attempts. It succeeded in producing a relatively low performance audio recorder. It was extremely expensive, being made of entirely custom components, and lacked internal mixing, signal processing and expandability. It was, however, well integrated with its internal sampling processor. The Synclavier consisted of a plurality of hard disk modules, each one adding more tracks of hard disk playback and recording. The hard disk modules all connected into a central controller that allowed a very limited pre-scripted level and pan control during playback. There was no signal processing available or possible within the system, nor was there a connection bus. There was a sampler module integrated with the system and, in fact, the level and pan controls of the outputs of the sampler module were used to process the hard disk playback data.
The SoundDroid from Lucas Film (DroidWorks), and its Audio Signal Processor (ASP) was another early attempt. It combined a disk controller and signal processors, but it again was built from custom components, and never achieved commercialization. It did not include a digital sampling module, nor was expansion designed into it. DroidWorks is a division of Lucas Film. In a November 1986 Audio Engineering Society convention preprint entitled "An Optical Disk Recording, Archiving, and Editing Device For Digital Audio Signal Processing" by James A. Moorer and Jeffrey Borish, a device called a DAB, or digital audio board, is described. It is essentially a VME circuit board that has disk and I/O interfaces and a DSP on board. More than one could exist on a back plane of a computer, but each board was essentially autonomous. All audio has to be routed through a single DSP on the board. This board was designed mostly as an I/O board for a larger SoundDroid system. The SoundDroid is discussed in "Digital Audio Processing Station: A New Concept In Audio Post-Production" by James A. Moorer, et al., Journal of The Audio Engineering Society, 34:6, June 1986, pp. 454-463.
The ASP board is another component of the SoundDroid system. The system consisted of multifunction cards but with very little communication between them. Rather than an integrated connection bus, they have general purpose EtherNet interfaces, to use mainly for control as opposed to audio transfer. Audio processing occurs only within individual boards in the system. RAM-based polyphonic sample playback is not performed. It is understood that the product never was completed or produced.
The Pro Tools I System made available by Digidesign, Inc. contains a disk interface card with no I/O, multiple I/O cards that also had two DSPs on them used for dedicated mixing and signal processing, and a sampler card that has no digital outputs. The system was modular, but had no digital audio connection bus nor a general purpose pool of DSPs.
The AudioFrame 1000 from WaveFrame of Boulder, Colo. (now owned by TimeLine Vista Inc. of Vista, Calif.) was a 24 channel hard disk recorder based upon a set of custom circuit boards, but the whole set of boards was controlled by a commercially available IBM-type PC. It had a disk interface, a sample playback processor, and a signal processor, as well as a connection bus to interface at least some of these units. However, the signal processor was dedicated to performing specific functions such as equalization and mixing and the system did not allow customization via adding and removing modules.
Spectral Synthesis Inc. Of Woodinville, Wash. produced a pair of boards that fit inside a commercially available IBM-type PC. The audio frame consisted of a custom bus and card cage attached via an interface card to, as mentioned, an IBM-type PC which is used only for control and user interface. The card cage could accommodate one each of three different card types: a hard disk recorder card, a sampler card and a DSP card. However, there could not have been more than one of each card type and no further DSP card could be mounted on the system. The DSP card performed mixing, EQ, reverberation and compression. It was fairly reconfigurable, but only within that one card. A 64 time slot TDM bus connected the three cards, so that hard disk data and sampler data could be mixed together and processed. The system allowed 12 channels of hard disk playback and recording, and a fixed, limited amount of signal processing. There was a connectivity bus between the two cards, but it was very limited in capacity and not designed for expansion. While the system was not expandable, the connector between the cards implemented some type of multiplex bus of about eight time slots that pass data between the two cards.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,511 issued Oct. 18, 1994 to DiNapoli et al. describes not a DAW, but a digital mixing console. The modules of this console were all identical, and each perform all the individual system tasks of 1/0, mixing and routing. As can be ascertained from the patents, the user could only add more of the same functionality. Hard disk recording and sample playback are not a part of this system. The patent, however, does disclose a connection bus for interconnecting the modules in the system.
Another company, Sonic Solutions of Novato, Calif., currently produces a system that includes a disk controller, a DSP processor and I/O processor on a single NuBus card. A number of such identical multifunction NuBus cards may be provided to fit into Apple Macintosh computers. The cards have a type of very low capacity bus connected between them to allow several channels of data to be sent to up to one more cate per channel for processing. The code running on the DSP processors is somewhat configurable, but the DSPs are allocated to specific functions and are not implemented as a plurality of general purpose DSPs, as in the present invention. It is only expandable in a limited way to two more of those cards for processing two channels of audio, and does not incorporate sample playback processing described below in reference to the present invention. There is no specific or equivalent to a connection bus for the cards within the system, and it is believed to use a private disk controller system, so their disks and files cannot be seen by the user of the host computer.

Modular digital audio system having individualized functional modules


Disclosed are a variety of amphoteric compounds having a heterocyclic quaternary nitrogen group. The heterocycle includes pyridines, piperidines, and pyrrolidines, and is linked to the hydrophobe via either an amide or an ester linkage. These heterocyclic amphoteric compounds can be advantageously prepared in high yield and purity by a two-step chemoenzymatic process, and have excellent surfactant properties.

There is an increasing industrial and societal need for safer and more environmentally-friendly ingredients and methods for preparing those ingredients. In particular, it is highly desirable to provide methods that reduce or eliminate the use of irritating or allergenic starting materials, that employ biocompatible reagents, and that optimally use starting materials derived from a natural source or are "nature-equivalent." This is of urgent interest in consumer-facing industries, such as personal and household care.
One class of materials that may be approached in a "greener" manner is surfactants. Specifically, there is a need for new amphoteric surfactants that avoid using irritating or allergenic starting materials and that are made in a more environmentally-friendly manner.
Amphoteric (or zwitterionic) surfactants are used throughout the personal and household care industries. They are classified as specialty co-surfactants that complement the performance of primary surfactants. These co-surfactants also increase the mildness of the formulation by reducing irritation associated with purely ionic surfactants.
The most common zwitterionic surfactants are amido-amine based materials produced by a multi-step process from coconut or palm kernel oil and N,N-dimethylamino-3-propylamine (DMAPA). Various patents (U.S. Pat. No. 3,280,179; U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,191) and publications (Parris et al., J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc., Vol. 54, pp. 294-296 (1977)) detail commonly used preparation methods for these types of materials. The processes generally involve the amidation of fatty acids with DMAPA at high temperatures (150-175° C.). The intermediate fatty amino-amide is then reacted with a hydrophilic species, e.g., sodium chloroacetate, to yield the betaine.
These processes have several drawbacks. For example, typical amidation processes require high temperatures for conversion and distillation to remove unreacted starting materials. These high reaction temperatures can generate by-products and impart color to the products, requiring additional steps to remove the by-products and the color.
Moreover, DMAPA is a known sensitizer, as is the corresponding amido-amine. Both are found in trace quantities in the final formulation.
Thus, there is a need for amphoteric/zwitterionic surfactants that can be prepared under milder conditions without the use of DMAPA or a DMAPA amide and that can retain or improve the performance properties of traditional zwitterionic surfactants.
The present invention addresses this need as well as others, which will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims.


A circuit for detecting a level of an input direct voltage comprises a comparator for comparing the input direct voltage with a reference signal, which by means of an integrator is derived from pulses whose charge quantity is variable in dependence on a comparator direct voltage. The reference voltage has a d.c. component and an a.c. component. The comparator supplies comparator pulses of a given pulse duration when the d.c. component of the reference voltage is substantially equal to the input direct voltage. The level of the input direct voltage is determined from the charge quantity of the pulses and from the pulse duration of the comparator pulses.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a circuit for detecting a level or a level variation of an input direct voltage, comprising an input terminal, to which the input direct voltage can be applied, and comprising a comparator having a first input, a second input and an output, which first input is connected to the input terminal, which second input is arranged to receive a reference signal, and on which output a comparator signal is available, and comprising a control information generation device by means of which control information corresponding to the comparator signal of the comparator can be generated, and comprising a controllable pulse generator for generating pulses which are available on an output of the pulse generator and which are variable with respect to their charge quantity by means of the control information which corresponds to the comparator signal and which can be applied to the pulse generator by the control information generation device, and comprising an integrator having an input connected to the output of the pulse generator and having an output connected to the second input of the comparator and provided to form the reference signal with the aid of the pulses of the pulse generator, the reference signal having a d.c. component corresponding to the instantaneous charge quantity of the pulses of the pulse generator, and having an a.c. component superposed on the d.c. component.
2. Description of Related Art
Such a circuit of the type defined in the opening paragraph is, for example, known form EP 0 381 217 A2. In said known circuit a level or a level variation of an input direct voltage which can vary is effected merely on the basis of the value of the charge quantity of the pulses from the pulse generator, which charge quantity is determined by the duration of these pulses, as a result of which only a comparatively low resolution within a given range of levels or level variations to be detected is attainable, so that only a comparatively coarse detection of a level or level variation is possible. Moreover, the pulse generator in the known circuit does not operate continuously but intermittently during cyclically succeeding operating periods which are spaced from one another by pause intervals, which may give rise to undesirable transient effects at the beginning of each operating period. Furthermore, it is to be noted that in the known circuit a capacitor in the integrator is charged and subsequently discharged substantially completely in cyclic succession in dependence on the pulses of the pulse generator, so that residual charges left in the capacitor after discharging can have an adverse effect.

Circuit for detecting a level or a variation of an input direct voltage


An image sensing apparatus, an image sensing unit, an authentication data generating unit, a storing unit and a display unit. The image sensing unit generates image data. The authentication data generating unit generates authentication data used to authenticate whether the image data is altered. The storing unit stores an image file including the image data and the authentication data in a removable memory. The display unit displays both reduced image data obtained from the image file and a predetermined information, if the image file has the authentication data, wherein the predetermined information indicates that the image file has the authentication data.

Recent digital cameras can display, on a display device, information concerning image files in a removable memory.
Unfortunately, none of these recent digital cameras can notify a user whether each image file in the removable memory has authentication data. Therefore, even an image file having authentication data is erased by mistake. Note that authentication data is data necessary to a process of authenticating whether image data in an image file is altered.
Also, no recent digital cameras are designed by taking account of how to display, on a limited screen, information indicating whether an image file has authentication data.

Image sensing apparatus and method of controlling the same


According to an aspect of the invention, an image processing apparatus includes: a receiving unit that receives a transfer request, which contains an identifier for identification of an image object, a size of image data obtained by resizing the image object, a transfer starting point of the image data, and a transfer end point of the image data, from an information processing apparatus, a generating unit that generates the image data from the image object based on the transfer request, and a transfer unit that transfers the image data from the transfer starting point to the transfer end point to the information processing apparatus based on the transfer request.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an image processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an image transfer method, and a computer-readable recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
The Picture transfer protocol (PTP) is known as a specification for data transfer between image processing apparatuses such as digital cameras and information processing apparatuses such as smartphones.
GetResizedImageObject, which is one of PTP operations, is used to transfer an image resized to a desired pixel size. However, although GetResizedImageObject allows transferring entire image data resized to a desired pixel size, transferring only a part of the image data is not supported by GetResizedImageObject.
Meanwhile, a technique for acquiring, by designating offset and number of object identifiers, the designated number of object identifiers from the designated offset is disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2005-20683, for example.
However, such a conventional technique as that described above relates to acquisition of object identifiers rather than to transfer of image data.
In view of the above circumstance, there is a need to provide an image processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an image transfer methods, and a computer-readable recording medium that contains a computer program capable of or allowing transferring only a part of image data resized to a desired size.
It is an object of the present invention to at least partially solve the problem in the conventional technology.

Image processing apparatus, information processing apparatus, and image transfer method


An optical fiber multi-ribbon including at least two initial optical fiber ribbons having individual first sheaths for assembling the fibers of each ribbon together side by side and in a common plane. The initial optical fiber ribbons are disposed side by side and in a common plane and a common exterior second sheath surrounds the initial ribbons. The individual first sheaths of the initial ribbons and the common exterior second sheath are made from the same resin. This resin is advantageously relatively hard. Applications include high-density optical telecommunication cables.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns optical fiber ribbons. It is more particularly concerned with an optical fiber multi-ribbon in which the optical fibers are those of at least two initially independent ribbons disposed side by side in a common plane and assembled together in a common exterior sheath surrounding them.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Accordingly, a multi-ribbon of this kind can advantageously include a large number of optical fibers to be used to fabricate a high-density optical cable, for example a telecommunication cable.
Document EP-A-0 636 913 discloses an optical fiber ribbon in which the fibers are disposed and assembled together side by side. In particular, this ribbon includes at least two independent initial ribbons and a common exterior sheath around the initial ribbons. The various fibers of each initial ribbon, which have an individual protective coating, are disposed side by side and surrounded by a common assembly sheath.
The exterior protective coating of each fiber is of a conventional, relatively hard resin selected from thermosetting resins and resins that can be cross-linked, for example by ultraviolet light. This resin is used as the main constituent of the sheath assembling the fibers of each of the initial ribbons and the common exterior sheath surrounding the various initial ribbons.
In particular, the common exterior sheath around the initial ribbons includes this main constituent of relatively hard resin and a component which is not very compatible with the main constituent. In a preferred embodiment, a reactive functional group is introduced into this component and thereby incorporated into the resin forming the main constituent when the latter is cross-linked. In another preferred embodiment the component of low compatibility which is cross-linked on its own has a lower Young's modulus than the main constituent and forms a discontinuous phase of five microns or less after the resin is cross-linked. The addition of a low compatibility component of this kind into the resin constituent decreases the coefficient of friction of the resultant resin into which it has been incorporated.
These embodiments are relatively complex. Further, the absence of sufficient friction between the common exterior sheath and the sheaths of the initial ribbons means that the geometrical retention of the ribbons is not always satisfactory for mass splicing by fusing the fibers of these initial ribbons or of this multi-ribbon to those of other similar initial ribbons or another similar multi-ribbon. Furthermore, it is not easy to separate the multi-ribbon into its initial ribbons. This separation exploits the fact that the exterior resin including the low compatibility component is in fact peelable.
An aim of the present invention is to solve these problems for easy manufacture of a multi-ribbon that is easily cut to separate the initial ribbons.


A method of forming metal oxide powders includes the steps of solid state mixing of at least one metal nitrate salt, such as Fe(NO3)3 or a combination of metal nitrate salts such as Zn(NO3)3,6H2O and Ga(NO3)3, xH2O, and at least one reducing organic acid, such as tartaric or citric acid. The mixture is heated to form a metal oxide powder, such as alpha-iron oxide (α-Fe2O3) or a mixed metal powder such as zinc gallate phosphor (ZnGa2O4). A metal oxide precursor intermediate can be formed and then heated to form the metal oxide powder.

The synthesis of oxide materials is most commonly performed using a solid-state reaction between two or more metal oxide species. This process is generally referred to as the "ceramic method". High temperatures typically being greater than 800° C. are required to ensure the diffusion of metals in the mixture and obtain the desired compounds having homogeneous morphology and composition. During this process intermediate grinding and heating is sometimes necessary.
Synthesis methods using soft chemistry at lower temperatures are known to produce oxide materials at a lower cost. These methods include sol-gel, co-precipitation of precursors, combustion reaction, and hydrothermal or solvothermal synthesis. A more attractive method for industrial production of metal oxide powders is the co-precipitation of precursors molecules (e.g. oxalates, citrates or tartrates) and subsequent thermal reactions. But this method suffers from variability in product due to variation of factors such as temperature, concentration, pH, and the rate of addition of the respective solutions.

Method of producing nanosized oxide powders

University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.


The present invention provides a novel method to produce grade road base material using recycled oilfield waste, called “oil and gas waste,” and aggregate waste and a novel road base material. Hydration and mixing of the waste materials along with a binder, will achieve an irreversible pozzolanic chemical reaction necessary for stabilization into a road base. An asphalt emulsifier may be included in the binder to manufacture asphalt stabilized road base. The entire method is a cold batch process.

Because of their importance in all aspects of both business and private life, the construction of roads has historically been of prime importance to a society. That importance remains today. However, it has also become more apparent in recent years that most resources are not infinite but rather, are depletable. Additionally, disposing of waste materials is becoming harder and harder due both to space limitations and liability resulting from waste materials entering the environment.
Thus, there is a need for developing methods and devices to recycle waste products into new, usable products. If the components of roadbeds can be obtained from the waste products of other products and processes, then both waste product production is decreased and new product consumption is decreased. Further, it is advantageous to recycle waste products due to the economic advantage of using recycling materials and thus compounding return on the original costs of the products.
While oil and gas waste material has been a component of roadbed material there has in the prior art not existed a method, or structures for practicing the method of combining oil and gas waste product into a road bed in a manner such that the oil and gas waste material is isolated, at each step of it's acquisition, transportation, delivery, storage, treatment and mixing at a remote production plant so as not to contaminate the environment. "On the ground mixing" of oil and gas waste material to make a road base may be environmentally harmful. Applicant's use of a man made impervious layer "MMIL" and other devices and methods, in order to isolate both the oil and gas waste material, and any harmful bi-products thereof, during a process of producing a roadbed, at a plant or site designed for such novel processes and devices will yield benefits in a clean environment and also benefits and recovery of harmless compositions in the treatment process which may be further treated in such a manner as to either become benign and/or be recycled.
Moreover, Applicant's providing of a managed, isolated site and treatment process may yield more efficiency then a "on the ground process." Applicant's processes and devices for such processes used at a remote site would typically use less equipment then "on the ground mixing." Further, Applicant's novel method of stacking and of mechanical separation of the proportion of liquids from a portion of solids of oil and gas yields benefit in both isolating harmful oil and gas waste material from the environment but allows the recycling of liquid portions of the oil and gas waste material apart from the oil and gas material as a whole. Applicant provides a cement slab operation, for example, the stacking oil and gas material to generate gravity induced separation. On the ground operation requires spreading to dry the material-by absorption with the ground material. Applicant's methods are believed to environmentally sound and yield treatment of liquid portions for, for example recycling.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for making a road base material using treated oil and gas waste material


A mass spectrometer provided with an ionization chamber (10) in which ionization is performed on a sample by laser ionization, includes an opening part (12) that is provided on a side wall of the ionization chamber (10), and includes a door (13); a ventilation port (14) provided in a wall of the ionization chamber (10), which is opposite to the opening port (12); and a gas supplier (64), (67) for supplying high-pressure cleaning gas to the ionization chamber (10) through the ventilation port (14). In this configuration, the high-pressure cleaning gas flows into the ionization chamber (10) from the gas supplier (64), (67) while the door (13) is opened, thereby blowing up particles including fragments of bacterial cells, which are piled up on a floor of the ionization chamber (10), and/or sweeping particles floating near the floor, so as to discharge the particles to the outside.

As the laser ionization method in a mass spectrometer, a matrix assisted laser deposition/ionization method (MALDI) is widely known. In the MALDI, a target material to be analyzed is mixed with a compound called a matrix, and then the mixture is applied to a metal plate called a sample plate, to be irradiated with a pulsed laser beam in an ionization chamber, so that the ionization is performed. Due to the irradiation with the laser beam, the matrix absorbing the laser beam is rapidly heated, and thus is vaporized. Along with the vaporization, sample molecules are desorbed and ionized.
In other words, the MALDI is one of the moderate ionization methods in which the energy absorbed by the matrix is indirectly received by a sample. Thus, in the MALDI, macromolecules can be ionized without being fragmented. As a result of such performance, a mass spectrometer that performs the ionization with the MALDI (hereinafter, referred to as MALDI-MS) has been used even for the identification of microorganisms, in recent years. The mass spectra obtained by analyzing microorganisms with the MALDI-MS show unique patterns each associated with the corresponding one of the taxonomic groups (genus, species, strains, and so on) of the microorganisms. Accordingly, the taxonomic group of the target microorganism can be identified by performing pattern matching on the mass spectra obtained by analyzing the target microorganisms with mass spectra of the known microorganisms


An exemplary adjustable archery support system is disclosed. An exemplary system comprises an offset brake housing for mechanically interfacing the adjustable archery support system to a support post that provides a stable support for the archery bow from the ground. The offset brake housing positions the support post substantially to a side of the archery bow and out of the line of sight for the archer shooting the bow. When an actuator lever is pulled by the archer, its causes actuation, via a linkage, of an internal brake so that the entire system (and therefore the bow to which the system is mechanically attached) may be adjusted up and down the support post. Once positioned, the user may release the first actuator lever, thereby allowing the internal brake to reengage with the exterior surface of the support post so that the bow is stabilized and supported for a shot.

This invention provides archers with the ability to aim more accurately by adjusting the supported aiming point while at full draw. In any shooting sport, accuracy is the principal objective of the shot. Whether shooting a rifle, pistol or any type of traditional archery equipment, a supported shot is always more accurate than one made freehand or otherwise unsupported. When sighting a rifle, the shooter will typically set up some type of rest or shooting bench to prevent movement of the firearm. When hunting, the hunter will attempt to find some type of natural rest such as a tree limb, stump or rock or utilize a commercial support device to support the firearm prior to making a kill shot.
For years manufacturers have produced commercial firearm shooting support products to address the need for accuracy when target shooting or hunting. There are some very rudimentary devices for traditional archery, but none gives the archer the ability to adjust the aiming point while at full draw. Advantageously, embodiments of an Adjustable Archery Support System addresses this very important need by giving the archer the ability to make sight alignment adjustments for a supported shot while at full draw.
The most common archery aiming sight setup consists of one to six aiming pins, aligned either vertically or horizontally, and mounted in the sight window of the bow, just above the handgrip, and a second aiming point mounted on the bow string at the point where the string comes closest to the archers aiming eye while at full draw. The string mounted device, commonly called a peep sight, is usually a round or oval shaped disc with a hole in its center that is mounted on the string by evenly separating the strands of the string, inserting the disc and tying it off at the top and bottom, as depicted in FIG. 5. When the two sights are properly adjusted, the archer should be able to line up the selected front pin with the target while looking through the string-mounted peep sight at full draw. This front to rear alignment is the same concept used with firearms with one sight mounted at the muzzle on the barrel and one sight mounted at the breech end of the barrel in front of the shooters aiming eye. When both sights are aligned with the target, accuracy is greatly improved.
Alignment is relatively simple with a firearm when using a shooting support or shooting stick. Aiming adjustments are easy with a firearm because once the firearm is supported at the forearm or muzzle end, only one hand is needed to hold the weapon secure at the butt end thereby leaving the other hand free to adjust the shooting rest up, down, right or left, as needed, to align with the target. Even after cocking the weapon, the characteristics of the front and rear sights do not change. In other words, there is no difference in aiming a firearm that is cocked and ready to shoot versus one that is not.
This is not true for traditional archery. The front and rear sights on a bow are not aligned when the bow is not at full draw. Target and sight alignment cannot be achieved until the bow is at full draw. In order to cock or pull the bow, both of the archer's hands are required throughout release of the arrow toward the target. Holding a firearm in the cocked position is performed by a mechanical, spring-loaded device inside the weapon. With a bow, the archer's hands and arms perform this function. Since both hands are required to hold the bow at full draw, which is the only position where sight alignment can occur, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 6, it is impossible to make full draw sight adjustments from a supported shooting position because one hand would have to be removed from either the bow handle or the string to make an adjustment to the support. This would cause full draw to be lost or would uncock the bow and make the shot impossible, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 7. This is where embodiments of an Adjustable Archery Support System are unique, because with prior shooting support configurations, supported full draw sighting adjustments are not possible.
With an Adjustable Archery Support System, the archer can easily make fluid and smooth sighting adjustments while at full draw, never removing either hand from the bow or the string. This gives the archer a virtually unlimited and supported vertical and horizontal range of movement for sight adjustment with the ability to make supported shots that are exponentially more accurate.


A storage apparatus comprises a storage controller and multiple storage devices. The storage controller sends, to either a storage device which is a copy source of copy-target data, or a storage device which is a copy destination of the copy-target data, a copy indication showing areas of the copy source and the copy destination, and the storage device, which receives the copy indication, copies data of the copy-source area to the copy-destination area based on the copy indication without going through the storage controller.

Amount of data stored in a storage apparatus is increasing every year. Since the storage apparatus stores mass data, the storage apparatus is equipped with many physical storage devices, and a storage controller (hereinafter, ST-CL) controls read/write of the data to a storage device (TO processing). The ST-CTL, for example, controls the physical storage devices, such as SSDs (Solid State Drives) and HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), as RAID groups, and provides a volume which is logical storage space to a host computer (hereinafter, host). Although the ST-CTL provides a host with multiple volumes, the capacity of each volume is also increasing with increase of data volume.
In the storage apparatus, for example, disaster recovery and/or failure processing, the duplicate of volume is created. And the ST-CTL copies the data, stored in one or more physical storage devices which constitute a volume and the duplicate of the volume, within a physical storage device and/or between physical storage devices.
For example, in a data copy process between physical devices, the ST-CTL, which is a higher-level apparatus with respect to the physical storage device, for example, reads copy-target data (hereinafter, target data) from the physical storage device of the copy source in accordance with an indication from the host, stores the read target data in a cache memory controlled by the ST-CTL, and writes the target data, which has been stored in the cache memory, to the physical storage device of the copy destination (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1).

Storage apparatus and data copy control method


Substituted alkylmetal reagents such as (trimethylsilylmethyl)lithium are reacted with azaaromatic compounds and/or nitrogen heterocycle compounds to produce functionalized azaaromatic compounds and functionalized nitrogen heterocycle compounds.

Functionalized azaaromatic compounds, such as pyridines, quinolines, and pyrimidines, may be used as substructures in biologically active compounds. For instance, functionalized azaaromatic compounds are useful in the pharmaceutical industry, such as in the treatment of central nervous system disorders.
Traditional methods and procedures for creating functionalized azaaromatic compounds employ metalation techniques. Azaaromatics may be metallated by the deprotonation of the azaaromatic compound using bases such as lithium amides. Although lithium amides, such as lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) and lithium tetramethylpiperidide, have been used to deprotonate azaaromatic compounds, lithium amides are often not a strong enough base to completely deprotonate the azaaromatic compound. Furthermore, yields of functionalized azaaromatics produced by deprotonation with lithium amides tend to be modest. The use of other alkyllithium reagents, such as n-butyllithium, has also been undesirable because alkyllithiums, such as n-BuLi or tert-BuLi, tend to nucleophilicly attack the imine functionality of the azaaromatic compounds. In some cases, alkyllithiums with a catalytic amount of a secondary amine present can effectively deprotonate azaaromatics. This "catalyzed metalation" technique often produces modest yields. The modest yields may result because there is competing addition of the alkyllithium to the carbon-nitrogen double bond. As an alternative, the use of stronger bases has been proposed and tested for functionalization reactions of azaaromatic compounds. For instance, strong bases and poor nucleophiles such as lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (LiTMP) and mesityllithium (MesLi) have been used to functionalize azaaromatic compounds. However, the use of LiTMP and MesLi in industrial practice to produce large quantities of functionalized azaaromatic compounds is limited because the reactants are not readily available, they often require very low temperatures and/or the formation processes cannot be easily adapted to large-scale commercial production processes.
Methods for facilitating the metalation of azaaromatic compounds, which are scalable and produce high yields, are therefore desirable. Furthermore, methods, processes, and compounds for facilitating the metalation of azaaromatic compounds and other chemical compounds are also desirable.

Using alkylmetal reagents for directed metalation of azaaromatics


A phase locked loop circuit comprises a voltage controlled oscillator with a control input to which a variable control voltage is applied and a phase-frequency discriminator with an output connected to a loop filter to produce the control voltage. To provide the phase locked loop circuit with a low loop gain and a wide frequency pulling range, a plurality of discrete capacitors is associated with the voltage controlled oscillator. A switch array selectively activates and deactivates each of the capacitors in the voltage controlled oscillator. Each number of currently activated capacitors determines one out of a plurality of partial ranges of frequencies through which the oscillator can be tuned by a variation of the control voltage in a range between predetermined upper and lower control voltage limits. A total frequency range through which the oscillator can be tuned is divided thus into a plurality of partial frequency ranges each defined by a different number of activated capacitors.

When a phase locked loop (PLL) operating as a variable frequency oscillator is intended to have a wide frequency pulling range and the frequency variation is achieved with a variable capacitance element in an analog control loop, the control loop must have a high gain. A high loop gain may cause high phase and/or frequency jitter. These problems limit the frequency pulling range that can be achieved with an analog control loop.

Voltage controlled oscillator phase locked loop circuit with loop filter capacitance tuning


A data processing system having a plurality of hardware units providing a predetermined set of functional capabilities. The data processing system is configurable to allow selectively electronically enabling at least a subset of the functional capabilities. The system includes a portion for receiving a replaceable hardware unit. The system also includes a control unit for determining a type of the replaceable hardware unit. The control unit is configured to determine the subset of functional capabilities to be electronically enabled and electronically enabling the determined subset of functional capabilities if the replaceable hardware unit is of a first type. The control unit is also configured to enable entire functional capabilities of the replaceable hardware unit if the replaceable hardware unit is of a second type.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to configurable data processing systems. Particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for alternatively activating a replaceable hardware unit of a first or a second type, providing a predetermined set of functional capabilities to a data processing system, whereby said data processing system is being configured to allow selectively electronically enabling of at least a subset of said functional capabilities.
2. Description of the Related Art
While the multiple models, variations and capabilities of modern computers represent a wide variety of choices to the consumer, the concomitant requirement that multiple variations and models of such computers be manufactured and stocked represents a substantial burden to computer manufacturers. Each existing model, variable functional characteristic or capability of a computer represents a large number of different systems, subassemblies and components, which must be manufactured and stocked to maintain customer satisfaction. In order to permit a wide variety of functional characteristics to be implemented within a single computer system, variations in functional characteristics within such a computer system have been suggested that renders it unnecessary to physically or mechanically manipulate the respective computer system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,144 by Frank A. Almquist et al., assigned to International Business Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., US, filed Mar. 7, 1995, issued Sep. 3, 1996, "Method And System For Selectively Altering Data Processing System Functional Characteristics Without Mechanical Manipulation", discloses a method and system for selectively altering the functional characteristics of a data processing system without physical or mechanical manipulation. A data processing system is first manufactured having a predetermined set of functional characteristics. A multibit alterable code which includes a functional characteristic definition is then initially loaded into physically secure, nonvolatile memory within the data processing system, utilizing an existing bus, or a fusible link which may be opened after loading is complete. The functional characteristic definition is loaded from nonvolatile memory into a nonscannable register within a secure portion of a control logic circuit each time power is applied to the data processing system and the definition is then utilized to enable only selected functional characteristics. Entering a security code, which matches one of a number of preloaded codes and an encoded alternate functional characteristic definition, may thereafter selectively enable alternate functional characteristics. The alternate functional characteristic definition may be enabled on a one-time, metered, or regularly scheduled basis and variable capability data processing systems may be implemented in this manner utilizing a single manufactured system, without the necessity of manufacturing and storing multiple data processing system models.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,982,899 by Jurgen Probst, assigned to International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., US, filed Aug. 11, 1995, issued Nov. 9, 1999, "Method For Verifying The Configuration The Computer System" teaches a method for verification of configuration data which is expressive of the configuration of a computer system. A computer system having configuration data stored therein, further includes an identifier for uniquely identifying the computer system. A copy of the stored configuration data is encoded via an encoding method, which uses the identifier, and the encoded configuration data is encrypted via an encryption method, which uses a private key. Subsequently, the encrypted configuration data is decrypted via a decryption method using a public key producing a decrypted result. The decrypted result may either be decoded using the identifier and compared to the stored configuration data or alternatively the stored configuration data may be encoded using the identifier and compared to the decrypted result.
Such measures omitting the need of physical or mechanical manipulations of computer systems in order to modify their functional characteristics may lead to compatibility issues related to replaceable hardware units, such as I/O-cards, memory cards and graphic cards.

Alternatively activating a replaceable hardware unit


A system for providing quality of service routing functions in a connectionless network having multiple nodes. The system generates a link resource advertisement for each node in the network. Each link resource advertisement includes information regarding link resources available on a particular node in the network. The system also generates resource reservation advertisements for each node in the network. Each resource reservation advertisement includes information regarding a particular node's current reservations for a data flow. Network paths are calculated in response to a quality of service request. The calculations are performed based on information contained in the link resource advertisements and resource reservation advertisements.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for providing quality of service routing functions in a network environment.
2. Background
Various types of data may be transmitted between hosts coupled to a network. Certain types of data transmissions (or data flows) may require a specific Quality of Service (QoS) from the network. QoS may be specified in terms of minimum bandwidth requirements, transmission delay, or the amount of memory or buffer space required for the data flow. For example, a video conference or other real-time data may have a high QoS and require substantial bandwidth and minimum delay from the network. By specifying the QoS required for a particular data flow, the data source or destination can ascertain whether an acceptable path is available. Thus, QoS routing allows data flows to be routed around links without adequate resources.
Link-state routing protocols are used to advertise the existence of various connections (or links) in a network. By advertising the existence of network links to other nodes (or routers) in a network, each router learns the topology of the network.
An example of a link-state routing protocol is the Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) routing protocol. Each router running the OSPF protocol maintains an identical database describing the network topology. Using this topology database, each router is able to generate a routing table by constructing a shortest-path tree with the router at the root of the tree. OSPF is a dynamic routing protocol; i.e., OSPF detects changes in network topology and recalculates paths based on the new topology. Typically, all routers in an autonomous network run the OSPF protocol simultaneously.
OSPF allows multiple networks and routers to be grouped together. These groupings are commonly referred to as areas. The specific topology of a particular area is not broadcast to other areas. Instead, a summary of the area is transmitted to other areas, thereby reducing the amount of link-state information which must be transmitted through the network. Since a router may be connected to more than one area, each router that borders multiple areas maintains a separate topology database for each area. A separate copy of OSPF's basic routing algorithm is executed in each area. Additionally, routing within a particular area is determined only by the topology of the particular area. Each area may use a different authentication scheme, such that some areas use stricter authentication schemes than other areas.
OSPF provides link state advertisements (LSAs) for describing the local state of a router or network. Each LSA is flooded (or broadcast) throughout the area. The topology database is generated and maintained using the data contained in the LSAs.
MOSPF is a multicasting extension to OSPF. Multicasting is the distribution of datagrams from a source to multiple destinations. The multiple destinations may be members of a multicast group such that each member of a multicast group receives datagrams addressed to the group. By adding a new type of LSA, the group membership LSA, MOSPF is able to determine the location of all multicast group members in the network.
Another type of LSA which may be supported by OSPF is the Opaque LSA. The Opaque LSA provides a general mechanism to permit future extensions of the OSPF protocol.
OSPF and MOSPF are examples of protocols used with connectionless networks. Connectionless networks rely on addressing information within the transmitted data to properly route data through the network.
Various protocols and other mechanisms may be used to trigger or request a QoS route calculation. A specific QoS signaling protocol is the Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP). RSVP may be used by a host to request a particular QoS from the network. Additionally, the RSVP protocol is used by routers to deliver QoS requests to all nodes along the path of the data flow. Other protocols or resource reservation mechanisms may be used in connection with the present invention to request a specific QoS for a data flow.
As mentioned above, QoS routing may request a particular bandwidth or other network resource for a specific data flow. However, many connectionless networks fail to provide a QoS routing function. For example, neither OSPF nor MOSPF provide a mechanism for a host to request a specific QoS from the network. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a QoS routing capability for use in connectionless networks.

Method and apparatus for providing quality of service routing in a network


A patterned conductive textile is provided by applying a finish to selected parts of a fabric which inhibits the formation of a conductive polymer coating on those areas. A conductive polymer is then oxidatively synthesized onto the remaining areas from an aqueous solution comprising the starting monomer, an oxidizing agent, and, optionally, a doping agent or counterion. The areas with the inhibitor finish remain substantially free of conductive polymer and a pattern of conductive and nonconductive areas is thus produced.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a method of coating a conductive polymer on a substrate and to materials produced thereby. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of coating a conductive polymer on selected areas of a substrate in a controlled pattern by first inhibiting the formation of the coating on certain areas of the substrate and then applying a conductive polymer coating to the non-inhibited areas.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The impartation of increased electrical conductivity to substrates such as textile fabrics is well known. Textiles, such as fibers, yarns, and fabric, having a conductive polymer coating, are disclosed by Kuhn, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,096. These textiles, while finding application in the control of static electricity, attenuation of electromagnetic energy, and resistance heating, are generally isotropic, which may impose limitations on their use.
Methods have been suggested to increase the electrical conductivity of only a portion of a substrate. For instance, Pittman, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,727 discloses textiles having a conductivity gradient produced by blending conductive and non-conductive yarns. Likewise Gregory et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,135 teaches a conductive gradient achieved by contacting a conductive textile with a chemical reducing agent. These two methods are believed to be acceptable for producing conductivity gradients in simple patterns but difficult to apply in the production of more complex patterns.
Other methods have been disclosed in which an entire substrate is coated with a conductive polymer and then selected portions of the conductive polymer are removed. Adams, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,573 for instance teaches a method in which a textile fabric coated with a conductive polymer is subjected to a water jet process which removes a portion of the coating from selected areas of the substrate. Since only a portion of the coating is removed by the water jet, the difference in conductivity between different areas that can be achieved may be limited. Further, the process is inherently limited by the expense and sophistication of the water jet equipment required to practice it.
DeAngelis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,736, teaches a method in which selected areas of a substrate, already having been coated with a conductive polymer across its whole surface, are further coated with a protective film. The substrate is then subjected to a third treatment in which a chemical etching agent is used to remove the conductive polymer from the exposed portions of the substrate which were not coated with the protective film. Finally the substrate is rinsed to remove excess etching agent. Such a process, with so many operational steps, is rather complicated and lengthy and, like any process which involves coating an entire substrate only to remove large portions of the coating, necessarily involves a good deal of material loss.
For these reasons, there still exists a need for a simpler, quicker, and less wasteful method of coating substrates with conductive polymers in which only selected areas are coated in the first: instance and which is readily adaptable to producing complex patterns of varying conductivity on large substrates.


The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates Beyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). A method for preventing a loss of data packets of a transmission end is provided. The method includes performing a path switching operation, receiving, from a reception end, a switching status report that includes information related to the data packets that were not received by the reception end, and retransmitting the data packets that were not received by the reception end, where the path switching operation is an operation of switching a data transmission path from a first communication system to a second communication system or from the second communication system to the first communication system, and where the first communication system is a fourth generation (4G) communication system, and the second communication system is a fifth generation (5G) communication system that uses a millimeter-wave (mm-wave) band.

In order to meet the wireless data traffic demand that is on an increasing trend after commercialization of fourth generation (4G) communication system, efforts for developing improved fifth generation (5G) communication system or pre-5G communication system have been made. For this reason, the 5G communication system or pre-5G communication system has been called beyond 4G network communication system or post long term evolution (LTE) system.
In order to achieve high data rate, implementation of 5G communication system in a millimeter wave (mmwave) band (e.g., like 60 GHz band) has been considered. In order to mitigate a radio wave path loss and to increase a radio wave transmission distance in the mmwave band, technologies of beam-forming, massive multiple input and multiple output (MIMO), full dimension MIMO (FD-MIMO), analog beam-forming, and large scale antenna for the 5G communication system have been discussed.
Further, for system network improvement in the 5G communication system, technology developments have been made for an evolved small cell, improved small cell, cloud radio access network (cloud RAN), ultra-dense network, device to device communication (D2D), wireless backhaul, moving network, cooperative communication, coordinated multi-points (CoMP), and reception interference cancellation.
In addition, hybrid frequency shift keying (FSK) and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) modulation (FQAM) and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC), which correspond to advanced coding modulation (ACM) system, and filter bank multi carrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), and sparse code multiple access (SCMA), which correspond to advanced connection technology, have been developed in the 5G system.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

Method and apparatus for preventing loss of data packets


A non-planar chemical preconcentrator comprises a high-surface area, low mass, three-dimensional, flow-through sorption support structure that can be coated or packed with a sorptive material. The sorptive material can collect and concentrate a chemical analyte from a fluid stream and rapidly release it as a very narrow temporal plug for improved separations in a microanalytical system. The non-planar chemical preconcentrator retains most of the thermal and fabrication benefits of a planar preconcentrator, but has improved ruggedness and uptake, while reducing sorptive coating concerns and extending the range of collectible analytes.

Portable, handheld microanalytical systems, which have been termed "chemical laboratories on a chip," are being developed to enable the rapid and sensitive detection of particular chemicals, including pollutants, high explosives, and chemical and biological warfare agents. These microanalytical systems should provide a high chemical selectivity to discriminate against potential background interferents and the ability to perform the chemical analysis on a short time scale with high sensitivity. In addition, low electrical power consumption is needed for prolonged field use.
Current gas-phase microanalytical systems typically comprise a gas chromatography column to separate the chemical species, or analyte, in a gas mixture and a detector to detect the separated species. Such microanalytical systems can also include a chemical preconcentrator. The chemical preconcentrator serves the important function of collecting and concentrating a chemical analyte on a sorptive material at the inlet of the microanalytical system. In particular, selective analyte preconcentration is an essential step for early-warning, trace chemical detection in real-world, high-consequence environments where a high background of potentially interfering compounds exists. The chemical preconcentrator can deliver an extremely sharp analyte plug to the downstream gas chromatograph by taking advantage of the rapid, efficient heating of the sorbed analyte with a low-heat capacity, low-loss microhotplate. The very narrow temporal plug improves separations, and therefore the signal-to-noise ratio and detectability of the particular chemical species of interest.
Previous microfabricated chemical preconcentrators have used a heated planar membrane suspended from a substrate as the microhotplate, wherein the sorptive material is disposed as a layer on a surface of the membrane to sorb the chemical species from a gas stream. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,378 to Manginell et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. The high thermal efficiency and extremely low heat capacity of the planar preconcentrator enables rapid thermal desorption of the chemical analyte with very low power consumption. However, analyte uptake on the sorptive layer is not optimum, due to sorptive materials limitations and the low collection area of the sorptive layer of the planar preconcentrator. Additionally, to allow for adequate contact of the analyte with the sorptive layer, intricate, post-process manifolds and/or flow lids may be required. Finally, the rapid desorption of the analyte when heated may cause the flow chamber to overpressure and rupture the thin suspended membrane, destroying the planar preconcentrator.
The present invention directly addresses the problems described above. Like the planar preconcentrator, the microscale non-planar chemical preconcentrator of the present invention can have a high thermal efficiency and a low heat capacity, enabling rapid desorption of the sorbed chemical analyte with low power consumption. However, the non-planar chemical preconcentrator uses a high-surface area, low mass, three-dimensional, flow-through support structure that can be coated or packed with a sorptive material. The high-surface area of the sorption support structure allows improved analyte collection and concentration, especially important for trace chemical detection. Furthermore, the flow-through structure allows pressure equalization across the thin heated membrane, preventing membrane rupture due to overpressure from analyte desorption and improving the mechanical ruggedness of the device. The non-planar chemical preconcentrator can be easily integrated with other microanalytical system components in a hybrid or monolithic fashion.


Separate executable agents each perform tasks on associated information that is changing over time, to produce current information, Inputs and outputs are delivered among agents to enable assembly of a body of aggregated and summarized management information, based on the current information, to be used to manage at least a portion of an enterprise.

This description relates to providing enterprise information.
Enterprise managers, for example, need to be able to view current, consistent, filtered information, presented in conformity with the enterprise's business models, to be able to manage the enterprise (or portions of it) effectively. The underlying data and intelligence on which the management information is based is typically distributed across the enterprise, scattered over many systems and processes, and hidden from the view of the managers. The data is often fragmented, inconsistent, and stale when it reaches the managers. Any new request by a manager for information is fulfilled by ad-hoc processes which patch data from the existing information sources. Changes in business methodology render the "hard-coded" information processes inappropriate and create information corruption. Managers play a role as business analysts by applying their loose scenario-based perceptions to such information. Drilling down into the lower levels of information is difficult.
The kinds of information that the managers need to be able to view are often high level measures (also called metrics) of the performance of the enterprise, for example, a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) presented through methodologies such as balanced scorecard and six sigma. The sources of raw data on which such metrics are built may include operational systems, analytical systems, and desktop data. Operational systems include enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as those offered by SAP; customer relationship management (CRM) systems such as those offered by Siebel, supply chain systems, manufacturing systems. Analytical systems include business intelligence systems such as those offered by Cognos, Hyperion, and Business Objects; warehousing systems such as those offered by Oracle and Microsoft; and reporting systems such as those offered by Crystal. Desktop data may be embedded in Excel spreadsheets and other documents.


The present invention relates to grinding apparatus for grinding the hard metal inserts of rock drill bits, said grinding apparatus having a grinding machine carried on an support system that provides a feed pressure for said grinding machine during grinding, said grinding machine equipped with a grinding pin driven by motor to rotate about its longitudinal axis wherein the grinding cup is rotated at variable speeds and the support system provides a variable feed pressure.

In drilling operations the cutting teeth (buttons) on the drill bits or cutters become flattened (worn) after continued use. Regular maintenance of the drill bit or cutter by regrinding (sharpening) the buttons to restore them to substantially their original profile enhances the bit/cutter life, speeds up drilling and reduces drilling costs. Regrinding should be undertaken when the wear of the buttons is optimally one third to a maximum of one-half the button diameter.
Manufacturers have developed a range of different manual and semi-automatic grinding machines including hand held grinders, single arm and double arm self centering grinding machines and grinders designed specifically for mounting on drill rigs, service vehicles or set up in the shop. The present invention is particularly applicable to mobile grinding apparatus of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,312 and semi-automatic grinding machines as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,654 and in International Application published under WO 02/04169.
These types of machines utilize a grinding machine having a spindle or rotor rotated at high speed, typically about 12,000 to 22,000 RPM. A grinding cup mounted on the end of the rotor or spindle grinds the button and typically the face of the bit/cutter surrounding the base of the button to restore the button to substantially its original profile for effective drilling. In addition to the rotation of the grinding cup, these types of grinding machines may include features where the grinding machine is mounted at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the button and the grinding machine is rotated to provide orbital motion with the center of rotation lying in the center of the grinding cup. When grinding the buttons, the centering aspects of the grinding machine tend to center the grinding machine over the highest point on the button. On buttons where wear is uneven, typically gauge buttons, this may result in regrinding the button off center from its longitudinal axis.
The conventional grinding machines switch between grinding pressure and balance pressure to achieve the desired effect. This, for example, does not allow for a grinding pressure equal to zero. In conventional grinding machines, the minimum grinding pressure is equivalent to the weight of the arm or lever section and the components attached to it.
Longstanding problems with these types of grinding machines are vibration and noise due to high rotational speeds, wear, the requirement for large compressors for pneumatic systems and long grinding times per button, in the larger sizes of six minutes or more.

Grinding apparatus for buttons on rock drill bit


A foregrip for a firearm may comprise a mounting device configured to attach to a mounting rail of a firearm and a grip body. The grip body may include a top portion configured to be removably attached to the mounting device and a lateral side portion configured to be gripped by the hand of a person using a firearm. A cavity may be disposed within the grip body, and a blade may be disposed at least partially within the cavity, wherein the blade is movable between a refracted position and a deployed position relative to the grip body.

The Armalite Rifle (AR) platform has been the standard battle rifle platform of the United States for the past fifty years. Introduced in the 1960s as a replacement for the M-14 rifle, M-16s were deployed in Vietnam as the military's new standard battle rifle. The M-16 was originally known as the AR-15, the designation originating from the Armalite Company that produced the first M-16s.
In the intervening years, the AR platform evolved to more sophisticated configurations and capabilities. One major innovation was the introduction of the Picatinny rail system adopted as a standardized mounting system that allows accessories from multiple vendors to be mounted on the battle rifle and interchangeable from one weapon to another.
The Picatinny rail, alternatively known as the U.S. MIL-STD-1913 rail, NATO STANAG 2324 rail, or simply "Tactical Rail," is a bracket used on firearms in order to provide a standardized mounting platform. The Picatinny rail is a dovetail or T-shaped mount with transverse grooves that prevent the mounting accessory from moving back and forth due to recoil. The rail comprises a series of ridges with a T-shaped cross-section interspersed with flat "spacing slots." Accessories are mounted either by sliding them on from one end to the other by means of a mount that is clamped to the rail with bolts, thumbscrews or levers, or onto the slots between raised sections.
With the advent of the Picatinny rail system, manufacturers began producing various accessories to aid soldiers in the field with a wide array of products ranging from multiple telescopic sights, range-finding devices, red-dot aiming devices, laser aiming devices, rail-mounted flashlights, alternate sights, and bi-pods, all of which represent the majority of categories of accessories available for mounting on the Picatinny rails. Vertical foregrips and other accessories mounted at the six o'clock position on shoulder-fired weapons have become known in military, law enforcement and civilian arenas.
A vertical foregrip is designed to attach to a firearm for the forward hand (or "offhand"). Such vertical foregrips aid in the maneuverability of the firearm, since the natural angle of a person's outstretched hand is more oriented to grasping objects at a vertical angle, rather than a horizontal one perpendicular to the body. Prior art foregrips attachable to rifles provide some levels of utilization but are less functional in design. Most foregrips of this type are constructed whereby the interior of the foregrip is a hollow cavity for storing "small parts." Other uses comprise installing batteries inside the foregrip cavity to power Picatinny rail-mounted flashlights, or where the foregrip and flashlight are an integral unit and the batteries again are contained within the foregrip cavity. Some prior art grips provide the option of allowing the foregrip to be positioned at various angles.

Utility foregrips for use with firearms, and related methods


Digital filtering and sample rate conversion blocks are combined in order to reduce hardware and/or computational complexity. Input data samples provided at a first sample rate are converted to output data samples at a second sample rate unequal to the first sample rate. An Infinite Impulse Response filter having internal states are updated at the first sample rate filters the input data samples in, to produce filtered data samples at the first sample rate. Output data samples are output at the second sample rate, where each output data sample is created as the sum of at least two intermediate products, a first intermediate product and a second intermediate product. The first intermediate product is defined by a first function of the internal states multiplied by a first function of the time difference between output samples and internal state updates, and the second intermediate product is defined by a second function of the internal states multiplied by a second function of the time difference between output samples and internal state updates.

FIG. 1 illustrates the traditional way of sample rate conversion as a separate block in an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC). Specific digital sampling frequencies are indicated via f1 and f2. Analog input 110 may be input to discrete-time analog Delta-Sigma ADC 120, outputting digital data at a first sampling frequency f1. Digital low-pass filter 130 may remove unwanted components from the digital data, which is then sent to a sample rate converter 140, which outputs the digital data at a second (desired) sampling frequency f2. As illustrated in FIG. 1, this Prior Art approach requires separate components for the sample rate conversion and also for the ADC. Moreover, traditional sample-rate conversion techniques can be cumbersome and difficult to implement.
Frequency domain effects of sample rate conversion can be analyzed by upsampling the original digital samples by an integer M, and then downsampling that sequence by N. For example, if f2=0.8f1, then upsampling by M=4 and then downsampling by N=5 gives the desired sample rate transformation. FIGS. 3-7 illustrate the process in the frequency domain. (The dots indicate that the images are repeated, but only the ones of interest are illustrated.)
FIG. 3 shows the repeated images of the original spectrum sampled at f1, when it is upsampled by 4. FIG. 4 divides the upsampled spectrum into 5 equal pieces in preparation for downsampling by 5. The dotted lines indicate the boundaries of the 5 equal pieces, and the line marked N=5 corresponds to the new sampling frequency f2. FIG. 5 shows images, which must be removed via filtering prior to downsampling, and the dash-dot line corresponds to the magnitude response of the filter used to remove the images. FIG. 6 shows the results after the filter removes the images. FIG. 7 shows the new spectrum with sampling rate f2.
Thus, in a traditional design, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, a low-pass filter is required to remove the quantization noise produced by the delta-sigma ADC, and another filter may also be required to remove images as part of the sample rate conversion.

Sample rate conversion combined with filter