A system and method for browsing dynamic video information over a network includes selecting a small subset of frames from video shots and collections, using a threshold difference between two compared frames, to capture the dynamic content. Further selection and interleaving the selected frames within the shots and collections can be done to satisfy resource constraints like utilization of bandwidth. Interleaving is performed in storage and transmission of the frames to improve presentation of video information and to simultaneously display selected frames on a computer display to convey the dynamic of video. The system and method permit a dynamic summary of video information to be sent to a user over a network, while reducing resources (bandwidth) used by the network for the amount of information presented to the user.

The ability to browse through a large amount of video material to find relevant clips of interest is extremely important in many video applications. In interactive TV and pay-per-view systems, customers like to see sections of programs before renting. In digital video library, it is important to provide functionality for users to quickly browse through results returned from queries and to navigate through large collections of materials. The sequential nature of video does not lend itself to easy searching and non-sequential random access operations, both of which are crucial to efficient and effective use of video material. In addition, while an entire video sequence can be transferred over a network to a client's computer for viewing, the inherently large datasize associated with video requires that a lot of bandwidth of the network and time be used for the transfer.
Video browsing is thus a method of displaying and presenting video in a simple and intuitive manner so that a user can easily go through large collection of video, as he would flip through books.
Two terms are defined here: a video shot and a video collection, which will be frequently used in this description:
A shot is a single sequence of video images, like a motion picture or a television program, recorded by one video capture medium without interruption. It is the most fundamental unit of video production.
A collection is a group of similar video shots, where similarity is defined in terms of visual characteristics. For example, in a news broadcast, a collection can be all the shots of a particular news anchor person.
Prior art displaying of video browsing include:
1. That of transferring the entire video, i.e., a video program, from a server to a client computer or loading the entire video from a local storage for sequential display on the computer display. The sequential display means one gets to see the video one frame after the other in specified sequence. Some display programs also provide VCR functions like fast-forward and fast-rewind. PA1 2. That of using keyframes. There are two ways of doing this: PA1 3. That of using graph-based presentation, as disclosed in the work of Yeung et al., M. M. Yeung, B. L. Yeo, W. Wolf, and B. Liu, "Video browsing using clustering and scene transitions on compressed sequences," in Multimedia Computing and Networking 1995, vol. SPIE 2417, pp. 399-413, Feb. 1995). In this presentation, an image icon represents a collection of similar video shots and a directed edge represents the flow of temporal information.
2A. Dividing the video into equal length segments, and for each segment, choosing one frame, say the first, for display. If there are N segments, then there are N keyframes being displayed. Examples of this are disclosed in Mills et al. (M. Mills and J. Cohen and Y. Y. Wong, "A magnifier tool for video data," in Proceedings of ACM Computer Human Interface (CHI), pp.93-98, May 1992). PA2 2B. Dividing the video into shots. For each shot, choosing one or more keyframes, for display. Example work is that of Zhang at el. (H. J. Zhang and C. Y. Low and S. W. Smoliar, "Video Parsing and Browsing using Compressed Data", Multimedia Tools and Applications, pp. 89-111, March 1995). Different numbers of keyframes are selected for each shot based on the activities in the shot. Many keyframes will be selected for shots with significant temporal activities, and few for shots with static contents.
These references are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

System and method for selecting video information with intensity difference

International Business Machines Corporation


A tube connector (1) has a connecting member (2), a nut (7), and a tube (11). To connect the connecting member (2) to the tube (11), the tube includes a formation (12) with two formation portions (14, 16). The first formation portion (14) has a first tensioning face (13) which extends parallel to an end face (4) of the connecting member (2). The second formation portion (16) has a second tensioning face (15). The tensioning face (15) extends in such a way which corresponds to the second conical bore (9) of the nut (7). The end face (4) includes an annular groove to receive a seal (23). The seal (23) achieves a precision sealing effect. A connector (1) which includes a formation as described above provides advantageous sealing conditions and ensures that the formation cannot be overtightened, especially during repeat assembly procedures.

The invention relates to a tube connecting mechanism which defines a longitudinal axis, and a connecting member. The connecting member includes a first bore starting from a planar end face of the connecting member. A nut is threadable onto the connecting member. The nut has a conical bore tapered away from the connecting member. A tube is guided through a bore of the nut. The tube includes a formation with two tensioning faces. The first tensioning face is supported on the connecting member in the tensioned condition of the tube connecting mechanism. The second tensioning face has a conical shape which corresponds to that of the conical bore of the nut and is supported in the conical bore of the nut.
Tube connectors are described in DD 240 059 A1. Here, the tube includes a connecting portion which is formed of the tube material and has contours of a standardized cutting ring. In consequence, the connecting member is provided with a conical bore having a 24.degree. cone. The nut has a conical bore with a 90.degree. cone in accordance with the standard. The cone angle of the first tensioning face, associated with the conical bore of the connecting member, is smaller than the cone angle of the conical bore of the connecting member. This achieves a linear contact of the first tensioning face at the smallest diameter of the conical bore. This measure is introduced to increase the sealing effect. The second tensioning face, which cooperates with the union nut, is pressed on. The conical piece starting from and running out forwardly towards the tube end is formed onto the second tensioning face by means of the first tensioning face. The disadvantage of such linear support is that due to the high axial threading forces, high surface pressures are generated which lead to settlement as a result of which the stringent sealing requirements are not permanently met. With cyclic bending loads introduced through the tube, the linear support of the tube in the connecting member also leads to settlement and, in consequence, to leakages.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,995 describes a similar tube connecting means. The tube has a fold whose first tensioning face constitutes a radius transition between a circular-cylindrical tube portion, arranged in front of the formation, and an inclined face of the union. The radius transition rests against a corresponding face in the connecting member. The face is provided in the form of a radius. The threaded-in nut has an end face which extends radially relative to the longitudinal axis. The nut rests against the second tensioning face. In this case, too, contact is established in the region of transition between the standard circular-cylindrical tube portion and the second portion of transition rounded towards the substantially radially extending part of the tensioning face. In addition, a cylindrical bore of the connecting member is provided with a recess accommodating a seal. The seal rests against the outer face of the cylindrical tube portion arranged in front of the formation.
This embodiment also leads to a disadvantage. When tightening the assembly, especially when repeating the tightening operation,,overtightening may occur because there is no firm, tangible stop indicating the final tightening stage of the connection.


A powered device includes a first switch, a second switch, and a controller. The first switch is disposed between a center tap of the first transformer and a center tap of the third transformer. The second switch is disposed between a center tap of the second transformer and a center tap of the fourth transformer. The controller is coupled to the first switch and the second switch. The controller is constructed and arranged to output a control signal to the first and second switches to electrically connect the center taps of the first and third transformers together and concurrently electrically connect the center taps of the second and fourth transformers together. The powered device is constructed and arranged to operate in 4-pair mode when the center taps of the first and third transformers are connected together and the center taps of the second and fourth transformers are connected together.

In a Power over Ethernet (PoE) system, Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) provides inline power to one or more Powered Devices (PDs) through Ethernet cabling (e.g., CAT-5 cabling). Such inline power delivery eliminates the need for separate AC power wiring and its associated costs. Examples of PDs include Voice over IP (VoIP) telephones, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) transmitters, security cameras, and RFID readers.
A traditional 2-pair power transmission approach involves delivery of power through two twisted wire pairs of the Ethernet cabling to a PD. In accordance with IEEE 802.3af, the PD is able to draw a maximum of 12.95 W. In accordance with IEEE 802.3 at, the PD will be able to draw a 25.5 W. Both of these standards involve delivery of power to a PD through two twisted pairs of Ethernet cabling.
A 4-pair power delivery approach (4-pair mode) involves delivery of power to a PD through four twisted pairs of the Ethernet cabling carrying two power signals. That is, one power signal passes through two twisted wire pairs (as part of a first current loop) of the Ethernet cabling and separate power signal passes through two other twisted pairs (as part of a second current loop) of the Ethernet cabling.

Controlling inline power at a powered device


A method for dressing a grinding wheel by providing a slurry of liquid and solid particles wherein the particle size is smaller than grain size of the grinding wheel and the particles are free of sharp edges, and blasting the slurry at low pressure through a blasting nozzle onto a surface of the grinding wheel to remove foreign material on the grinding wheel by impact and by cleaning action of the blasted stream.

A super-abrasive grinding wheel, especially a CBN grinding wheel which has CBN (Cubic Boron Nitride) grains, has hardness next to diamond grain and exerts high grinding efficiency in case of grinding iron and steel materials. But, this grinding wheel easily clogs while in operation, resulting in reduction of grinding efficiency and wheel vibration.
To avoid generation of such defect, the clogging must be cleared from the grinding wheel at given time intervals. It is a well known method to use blasting of solid particles and liquid on the grinding wheel for dressing or removal of clogging of the grinding wheel.
There are publicly well known methods such as disclosed in Laid-down Japanese Patent Application Sho 63(1988)-278 763 or Laid-down Japanese Patent Application Sho 59(1984)-219 158. The former method uses shot blasting on a surface of the grinding wheel. The later method blasts grinding lubricant with abrasives at pressures higher than 20 kgf/cm.cm.
The dressing methods which have been used conventionally have always used high blasting pressure. Use of high blasting pressure often causes impacting of abrasive particles on the grinding wheel which scrub too heavily against the bonding material, thus resulting in loss of abrasive grains. In these methods, if solid particles having sharp edges are used, diamond grains or CBN grains may be broken by being hit by the hard blasted particles.
The Assignee of the present invention has disclosed in Laid-down Japanese Patent application Hei 3(1991)-3772, and corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,600, that dressing by a blasting method is effective even in the case where the blasting pressure is lower and flow rate of abrasive particles is less than those used in conventional blasting operations.
In dressing the recently developed vitrified bonded grinding wheels, which new wheel is manufactured by sintering a mixture of mineral powder and abrasive particles after the materials are shaped by a mechanical press, dressing by blasting is not used because conventional blasting using high pressure causes loss of abrasive grains from the wheel and also weakens the holding power of the bonding material of the abrasive grains.
It is an object of this invention to provide a new dressing method and an apparatus which recovers cutting efficiency of the super-abrasive wheel without drop-off or loss of the grains of the grinding wheel and also without weakening the holding power of the bonding material on the abrasive grains.
To attain this object, means is provided to blast a mixture of liquid and solid particles, which particles have a particle size equal to or smaller than that of abrasive grains of the grinding wheel, especially a super-abrasive grinding wheel, and no sharp edges on their surface, to remove foreign material from said grinding wheel by impact of the particles and cleaning action of the liquid, both of which are blasted from a blasting nozzle by pressurized fluid at low pressure (i.e. at a pressure of about 2.0 to about 3.0 kgf/cm.cm.).
Said blasted particles are (1) synthetic resin particles with a density of 1.0 to 1.5 and a hardness of 3.0 to 4.0 Mohs hardness scale, (2) a type of synthetic resin which is a so-called engineering plastic, (3) the particle size of resin particles is 0.097 to 0.425 mm, and (4) the mixing rate of solid particles in the mixture of solid and liquid is preferably about 15 to about 25 volume percent.
In the case where glass beads are used in place of solid resin particles, the particle size is between 0.02 to 0.125 mm and the mixing rate of said glass beads in the mixture of solid particles and liquid is 3 to 8 volume percent of the whole mixture. Also, the glass beads are preferably finer than #200 mesh size.
The liquid which is mixed with solid particles is preferably water or water soluble lubricant having a viscosity equal to or approximately the same as that of water. The mixture of solid particles and liquid is stirred in a pressure vessel under a pressure of 2.5 to 3.5 kgf/cm.cm.
Thus, this invention offers a dressing method which uses a light dressing media such as synthetic resin particles or fine glass beads finer than #200 mesh size. In this case, agitation or stirring of such blasting media is easy because the particles do not quickly settle to the bottom, particularly when air of slightly higher pressure (in comparison to the pressure chamber) is bled up through the bottom of the pressure chamber.
The dressing apparatus comprises (1) an enclosed pressure vessel having a conical inner surface at a lower section, (2) a shut-off valve which engages the conical inner surface of the vessel, (3) a particle supply tube which supplies a given quantity of solid particles into the pressure vessel, (4) a liquid supply tube which supplies a given quantity of liquid into the pressure vessel, (5) a fluid supply tube located at the top of said vessel for supplying pressurizing fluid into said pressure vessel, (6) a mixing fluid tube which supplies pressurizing fluid to a lower part of the shut-off valve and, by supply of the fluid, the shut-off valve is pushed upward and solid particles and liquid are mixed by the supplied pressurized fluid, and (7) a slurry supply conduit which sends slurry from the pressure vessel to a blasting gun which directs a blasting stream in perpendicular direction to a rotating axis of the grinding wheel.
Next, a more detailed description of this invention shall be given. The synthetic resin particles used as the "solid particle" in this invention is not limited strictly in kind. Either thermo-setting resin or thermoplastic resin can be used, but in either case it is necessary that particles must not have keen or sharp edges or ridges, their specific density shall be in the range of 1.0 to 1.5, and their hardness on Mohs scale shall be in the range of 3.0 to 4.0.
If specific density is too small, solid particles tend to float on the surface of liquid upon mixing of solid particles and liquid, and it becomes difficult to obtain an evenly mixed condition by agitation. If the mass of solid particles becomes too small, the impact force of said solid particles becomes small, and a proper dressing action becomes difficult.
There are a few known methods of making minute particles by breaking down compounds of synthetic resin and abrasive particles after they are mixed and solidified (Laid-down Japanese Patent Applications 61(1986)-152, 61(1986)-732, 60(1985)-73, particle size of the glass beads is usually in the range of 0.125 to 0.02 mm in diameter. But, selection of particle size shall be made upon consideration of the wheel grain size and its concentration in the super-abrasive wheel. Specific density of the glass beads is heavier than that of synthetic resin, so that particle size in use would be generally smaller than that of the synthetic resin particles.
But, in a dressing operation using glass beads, no effective dressing effect occurs when the particle size of glass beads is larger than that of the wheel grain as shown in the third Example as described hereinafter.
The specific gravity of glass beads is generally 2.7 and the Mohs hardness may be somewhat more or less than about 7. The mixing ratio of glass beads to the total slurry volume is suitably 3 to 8 in volume percent, preferably 5 percent.
There are no limitations on the method and apparatus for which it can be used in blasting slurry on a super-abrasive wheel. But, the method needs an apparatus having a mechanism which can blast slurry of consistent ratio of solid particles and liquid under constant pressure. Especially, the pressure type blasting apparatus is recommendable which works with 2.5 to 3.5 kgf/cm.cm. pressure in the pressure vessel and holds slurry in said pressure vessel pressurizing it at that pressure, with the slurry being fed to the blasting gun by pressurized fluid in the vessel and blasted from the blasting gun with the pressurized fluid.
In the case where a grinding wheel which is made by bonding abrasive grains with bond material (resin material) is to be dressed, solid particles not having keen edges shall be used as blasting media so that the bond material is not abraded too heavily, and in dressing of a vitrified grinding wheel, the bond material is not heavily abraded by blasting a soft resin 59(1984)-106, and 59(1984)-926). Particles of synthetic resin mixed with such solid particles as mentioned in the above references can be used by selecting the kind and quantity of solid particles mixed with resin.
Hardness of the particles is suitable for use in a range of 3.0 to 4.0 on the Mohs hardness scale, and these are commonly called structural or engineering synthetic resins.
In the present inventive method, synthetic resin particles which have a particle diameter equal to or less than that of the grain diameter of the grinding wheel, and in the range of 0.097 to 0.425 mm diameter, are commonly used. Selection of particles by their diameter shall be determined by consideration of grain size and grain concentration of the super-abrasive grinding wheel. It is recommended to select a structural synthetic resin such as Nylon, Polyacetal, Polycarbonate, or unsaturated Polyester.
Dressing is executed by blasting a mixture of synthetic resin particles and liquid which is evenly mixed (called a slurry) on the super-abrasive grinding wheel from a blasting gun.
The amount of synthetic resin particles in the slurry shall suitably be in the range of 15 to 20 volume percent. There may be a case that the dressing effect is too low if the volume of resin particles is too little. On the other hand, too many particles in the slurry brings ineffective results. Water is commonly used as the liquid. But, water soluble grinding lubricant which has substantially equal viscosity with water may be used in dressing of some kinds of super-abrasive grinding wheels. Suitable types of water soluble lubricant are W-1 emulsion type, W-2 semitransparent emulsion type, and W-3 emulsion type defined by Japanese Industrial Standard.
In the case where glass beads are used in place of solid resin particles for this dressing method, the material. And, abrasive grains of the grinding wheel do not fall off.
After the wheel is dressed, the grinding ability of the wheel is increased, the grinding ratio of the wheel increases, and the wheel can remove more material when compared with the same kind of wheel when dressed by some other type of dressing method.
The above-described effect, resulting by use of synthetic resin particles as the solid particles, shall be more effective by preference of kind of synthetic resin particles such that their specific gravity is in the range of 1.0 to 1.5, their hardness on Mohs scale is in the range of 3.0 to 4.0, their particle diameter is in the range of 0.097 to 0.425 mm, the volume of particles in the whole mixture is in the range of 15 to 25 volume percent, and the resin is so-called engineering plastics.
Equal results, that is, the bonding material is not too heavily abraded but foreign material is assuredly removed, can be gained by this method when the solid particles are glass beads having diameters in the range of 0.125 to 0.02 mm, and a volume of particle relative to the whole mixture in the range of 3 to 8 volume percent.
Next, is a brief explanation of the function of the apparatus. Solid particles are supplied by a particle supply tube. Liquid is supplied by a liquid supply tube. Each quantity of particles and liquid is a quantity satisfying the mixing ratio of particles and liquid. Agitating air is sent to the pressure vessel from a tube for mixing at a pressure from 2.5 to 3.5 kgf/cm.cm. which is equal with or slightly higher than the pressure inside the pressure vessel. This pressurized air, as sent from the tube for mixing air, causes a small lift of the shut-off valve, and there is created a small gap between the cone-shaped inner surface of the pressure vessel and the shut-off valve. Pressurized air passes through this gap and mixes solid particles and liquid at a location above the shut-off valve, thus making a slurry. In the above instance, the pressure inside of the pressure vessel is a little bit lower than the pressure of the air coming from the tube for mixing.
After the slurry is perfectly mixed, the pressurizing air is supplied from the fluid supply tube into an upper part of the pressure vessel. The shut-off valve descends by this supply of pressurized air and contacts the conical surface of the pressure vessel and closes the gap. Supply of agitating air may be cut off if desired. Slurry is pressurized by inducement of pressurizing air from the upper part of the vessel, and sent to the blasting gun through a slurry supply tube. In the blasting gun, the slurry is blasted against the grinding wheel with compressed air through the blasting nozzle.


A circuit to detect states of a signal is provided. The circuit comprises an input node to receive an input signal. A state detection circuit detects a state of the input signal and generates a detection signal. The state corresponds to at least one of three states. Furthermore, the detection signal generated by the state detection circuit has a level based on the detected state of the input signal. A logic discriminator circuit generates first and second state signals based at least partly on the level of the detection signal. A clock detection circuit generates a clock signal based at least partly on a sequence of logic transitions of the first and second state signals.

A "tri-state" signal is a digital logic signal that can assume three possible states: a logic "HIGH" state, a logic "LOW" state, and a "HIGH-IMPEDANCE (HIGH-Z) state". In the HIGH and LOW states, the tri-state signal may take on respective voltage levels (e.g., about Vdd and about Vss). In the HIGH-Z state, the tri-state signal presents high impedance looking into the circuitry providing the tri-state signal. Moreover, typically, the voltage level of the tri-state signal in the HIGH-Z state is permitted to float.
Tri-state signals can be beneficially employed in conventional binary logic circuits. Assume an integrated circuit (IC) has two available input/output (I/O) pins. If the pins are connected to a conventional binary receiving circuit, each I/O pin is allowed to be either a zero or a one, providing a total of four possible input combinations (00, 01, 10, 11, where "0"=LOW state and "1"=HIGH state). However, if the receiving circuit is capable of detecting the three states of a tri-state signal, a total of nine input combinations (00, 01, 0Z, 10, 11, 1Z, Z0, Z1, ZZ, where "Z"=HIGH-Z state) are possible. Tri-state input signals thus increase the amount of information that can be conveyed into a receiving circuit for a given number of pins.
Overview
The systems, methods, and devices of the inventive subject matter each have several aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the embodiments of the invention as expressed by the claims which follow, some features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section titled "Detailed Description," one will understand how the features of the embodiments of the invention provide benefits that include improving input detection circuitry.
In one embodiment, a circuit to detect signal states is disclosed. The circuit comprises an input node to receive an input signal. The circuit further comprises a state detection circuit to detect a state of the input signal and to generate a detection signal. The state can correspond to at least one of three states. The detection signal can have a level based on the detected state of the input signal. The circuit further comprises a logic discriminator circuit to generate first and second state signals based at least partly on the level of the detection signal. The circuit further comprises a clock detection circuit to generate a clock signal based at least partly on a sequence of logic transitions of the first and second state signals.
In another embodiment, a method to detect input states is disclosed. The method comprises receiving an input signal. The method further comprises generating a detection signal based on detecting a state of the input signal. The state can correspond to at least one of three states. The detection signal can have a level based on the detected state of the input signal. The method further comprises generating first and second state signals based at least partly on the level of the detection signal. The method further comprises generating a clock signal based at least partly on a sequence of logic transitions of the first and second state signals
In another embodiment, an apparatus to detect input states. The apparatus comprises means for receiving an input signal. The apparatus further comprises means for detecting a state of the input signal and to generate a detection signal. The state can correspond to at least one of three states. The detection signal can have a level based on the detected state of the input signal. The apparatus further comprises means for generating first and second state signals based at least partly on the level of the detection signal. The apparatus further comprises means for generating a clock signal based at least partly on a sequence of logic transitions of the first and second state signals.


The present invention provides a transmitting apparatus equipped with a modulator, a frequency converter that up-converts a modulated signal (or digital IF signal) of a baseband, and an amplifier that amplifies a transmit signal lying in a radio frequency band to a desired signal level. In the transmitting apparatus, a controller including a level determinater and a bias setter is provided with a limiter setter. The level determinater and bias setter of the controller setter perform dynamic bias control of the amplifier. Further, the limiter setter changes the setting of a threshold value of the limiter according to an average level of an input signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transmitting apparatus used in a wireless transmission system, and particularly to a transmitting apparatus suitable for use in a transmission system which places importance on a reduction in power consumption as an infra-facility.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an electronic device that operates in an analog region, the existence of a nonlinear characteristic is almost inevitable, and its input/output characteristic contains a linear region and a nonlinear region. This particularly presents a problem for a main amplifier (corresponding to a final-stage power amplifier for an RF signal) of a wireless communication transmitting apparatus.
In the case of such an apparatus, the output of the main amplifier is supplied to an antenna and transmitted by radio. Therefore, when a nonlinear region exists in the output, a harmonic due to nonlinear distortion is produced and exerts an influence on a transmission system in an adjacent frequency band as spurious radiation, thereby causing a fear of interfering with other transmission system. Therefore, the nonlinear distortion is placed under strict control.
Meanwhile, in order to suppress the nonlinear distortion, the electronic device such as the main amplifier may be used in a linear region alone. Since, however, the linear region generally stays within a range in which an input level is low, power efficiency (output power/power consumption) of the amplifier is reduced where it is operated only in the linear region. Consequently, energy saving cannot be obtained in the case of the main amplifier.
Thus, a large challenge for a transmitting apparatus is how to improve power efficiency while suppressing the nonlinear distortion. On the other hand, as a technique that will bring about the attainment of this challenge, there is first considered the application of a limiter (refer to, for example, a patent document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-46480) or (Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 2003-258683). Now, the present limiter means an amplitude limiting circuit which is also called limiter. In the present specification, however, it will be explained as one unified as the limiter.
FIG. 3(a) shows one example of a transmitting apparatus according to a prior art, which is equipped with a limiter. As illustrated in the figure, the transmitting apparatus comprises a modulator 101, a limiter 102 which suppresses peak power of a modulated signal, a frequency converter 103 which up-converts a modulated signal (or digital IF signal) of a baseband to a radio frequency band (converts it to a high frequency), and an amplifier 104 which amplifies a transmit signal lying in a radio frequency band to a desired signal level and supplies it to an antenna. Thus, the present amplifier 104 corresponds to the main amplifier referred to above.
In this case, the limiter 102 functions so as to limit the amplitude of the modulated signal outputted from the modulator 101 to a certain predetermined voltage (called threshold value Vth) and suppress a momentary high level region (peak level) that appears in the input of the amplifier 104 as shown in FIG. 4.
The effect shown in FIG. 4, of the limiter, which can be confirmed in another form, corresponds to an appearance probability characteristic shown in FIG. 5. In the present figure, the horizontal axis indicates a peak to average power ratio (PAPR: abbreviation of Peak to Average Power Ratio), and the vertical axis indicates appearance probability. It is well understood from the characteristic of FIG. 5 that the peak power has been suppressed by the limiter as is apparent from comparison between characteristics prior and subsequent to the passage thereof through the limiter.
The relationship between the nonlinearity of such an amplifier and the limiter is further well-shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6(a) shows a case in which no limiter is provided, and FIG. 6(b) shows a case in which the limiter exists. Referring first to FIG. 6(a), a nonlinear region of an input/output characteristic of the amplifier is made active when signal input power reaches a peak, so that nonlinear distortion occurs.
On the other hand, when the limiter exists as shown in FIG. 6(b), the peak of the signal input power is suppressed by the limiter. Therefore, only a linear region of an input/output characteristic of the main amplifier can be made active. As a result, since the nonlinear distortion is reduced, the operating point of the input/output characteristic can be deepened correspondingly, thus making it possible to improve the power efficiency of the amplifier.
Next, as a technique that contributes to an improvement in power efficiency of the amplifier, may be mentioned the application of a dynamic bias technique in addition to the above (refer to, for example, a patent document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-176368) or 4 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-500781)).
Now, FIG. 3(b) shows one example of a transmitting apparatus according to a prior art, to which the present dynamic bias technique is applied. As shown in the figure, the present transmitting apparatus is identical to the prior art of FIG. 3(a) in that the former is provided with a modulator 101, a frequency converter 103 that up-converts a modulated signal (or digital IF signal) of a baseband, and an amplifier 104 which amplifies a transit signal lying in a radio frequency band to a desired signal level.
In FIG. 3(b), however, a controller 105 is further provided. On the other hand, the limiter 102 shown in FIG. 3(a) is omitted.
As shown in the figure, the controller 105 is provided with a level determinater 105A and a bias setter 105B. The level determinater 105A determines (detects) an average level of a modulated signal outputted from the modulator 101. Then, the bias setter 105B sets bias of the amplifier 104 in accordance with the result of determination (detection) thereby to obtain control by the dynamic bias technique, i.e., dynamic bias control.
Here, the dynamic bias control, if described intelligibly, means control for operating an amplifier whose original maximum output is, for example, 100 W, as an amplifier whose maximum output is 50 W, or operating it as an amplifier whose maximum output is 10 W.
Let's now assume that there is an amplifier having such an input/output characteristic as shown in FIG. 7(a), and when the average level of an input signal is increased to a saturated region of the input/output characteristic in this case, i.e., the amplifier is excited up to the full dynamic range, the maximum output, i.e., the original maximum output is 100 W, for example.
Assuming, in this case, that as shown in the figure, the average level of the input signal is low and an operating range does not reach a saturation point, the expected dynamic range is not utilized and goes to not only waste but also a loss in power consumption. Thus, this runs counter to an improvement in power efficiency.
Thus, in such a case, a source voltage or power supply voltage (or source current) of the amplifier is restricted according to the average level of the modulated signal outputted from the modulator 101 to lower the saturation point of the input/output characteristic as shown in FIG. 7(b) and set the maximum output to, for example, 50 W. If done in this way, then power consumption is suppressed and the power efficiency can be improved.
This is called dynamic bias control. In brief, it indicates such control that the source voltage (or source current) of the amplifier is controlled according to the input level and the maximum output of the amplifier is restricted depending upon the average level of the input.
The dynamic bias control is generally utilized in mobile communications or the like where the average level of the input signal greatly changes. This is because the traffic is low from midnight to early morning or the like and the average level of a signal at this time is commonly far inferior to the pre-estimated saturation power (corresponding to the maximum output impossible to output any longer) of the amplifier.
It will be also described intelligibly. Since the traffic increases in the daytime, for example, the average level of the input is also high and hence an output of 50 W, for example, is required. When, however, the average level is reduced late at night and even an output of 1 W is enough, it is useless to use the 100W amplifier as it is.
Thus, in this case, the source voltage or current of the amplifier is restricted by the dynamic bias control and the amplifier is operated as the 100 W amplifier when 50 W is required, for example. If the amplifier is controlled in such a manner that it is operated as a 10 W amplifier when 1 W is required, then power consumption is reduced, thus making it possible to improve power efficiency and make a contribution to energy saving.
Meanwhile, since there is no limitation to energy saving, a transmitting apparatus utilizing the above limiter and dynamic bias control in combination has been estimated as the prior art as shown in FIG. 3(c) with a view of aiming at a further reduction in power consumption. This is however equivalent to one wherein the transmitting apparatus shown in FIG. 3(b) is provided with the limiter 102 of the transmitting apparatus shown in FIG. 3(a). Other configurations remain unchanged.
However, the transmitting apparatus of FIG. 3(c) utilizing the limiter and dynamic bias control in combination in this way involves problems to be described below.
As already described, when power (or voltage) to be handled exceeds the threshold value, the limiter restricts the exceeded power (or voltage). Therefore, the limiter essentially corresponds to the nonlinear device itself. When the power (or voltage) level is increased where the power (or voltage) is greatly restricted, the rate of distortion of a signal increases and hence the prescribed signal quality cannot be maintained.
That is, since the distortion rate increases when the threshold value of the limiter 102 is reduced in the prior art, there is a limit to a reduction in threshold value although it is done to increase the efficiency of the amplifier. Thus, the threshold value should unavoidably be set to a threshold value corresponding to a value larger than some degree in the case of the transmitting apparatus shown in FIG. 3(c).
Therefore, a problem arises in that when the dynamic bias control and the limiter are thus utilized in combination in a state in which the threshold value of the limiter is above some degree, in other words, the limitation made by the limiter is not so effective, the amplitude of the signal is inputted up to the saturation point of the input/output characteristic reduced by the dynamic bias control as shown in FIG. 8, thereby generating large nonlinear distortion.


A distance adjustment device for a chair includes a guide rail, a movable plate slidably mounted on the guide rail, a movable handle pivotally mounted on the movable plate and having a first end detachably engaged with the guide rail, and a fixed handle secured on the movable plate and located opposite to a second end of the movable handle. Thus, the user only needs to hold the push portion of the movable handle and the grip portion of the fixed handle by his one hand to unlock and move the movable plate, so that the distance adjustment device is operated by the user's one hand.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a distance adjustment device, and more particularly to a distance adjustment device for a chair.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional distance adjustment device is mounted on a chair and comprises a guide rail fixed on a seat portion of the chair, and a movable plate is fixed on a backrest or an armrest of the chair and slidably mounted on the guide rail. Thus, the movable plate is movable relative to the guide rail so as to adjust the distance between the backrest or armrest and the seat portion. In operation, a user holds the guide rail by his one hand and applies a force on the movable plate by his other hand to drive the movable plate to move relative to the guide rail to adjust the relative position between the movable plate and the guide rail so as to adjust the distance between the backrest or armrest and the seat portion. However, the user has to operate the conventional distance adjustment device by his two hands, thereby causing inconvenience to the user in the distance adjustment, and thereby wasting the user's manual work.


Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to the coordinated classification of network traffic. In one implementation, the present invention enables a coordinated network environment for traffic classification where an upstream network device classifies a data flow and adds traffic class information to at least one packet in the data flow. Downstream network devices in the communications path to the destination host can use the traffic class information in the modified packet, bypassing at least some of the local traffic classification operations and thereby reducing CPU utilization. In one implementation, the last downstream network device strips the traffic classification information from the modified packet before it is forwarded to the destination host. Embodiments of the invention reduce or eliminate redundant network traffic classification operations performed by a plurality of network devices in a communications path.

Enterprises have become increasingly dependent on computer network infrastructures to provide services and accomplish mission-critical tasks. Indeed, the performance, security, and efficiency of these network infrastructures have become critical as enterprises increase their reliance on distributed computing environments and wide area computer networks.
To facilitate monitoring, management and control of network environments, a variety of network devices, applications, technologies and services have been developed. For example, certain data flow rate control mechanisms have been developed to provide a means to control and optimize efficiency of data transfer as well as allocate available bandwidth among a variety of business enterprise functionalities. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,216 discloses a method for explicit data rate control in a packet-based network environment without data rate supervision. Data rate control directly moderates the rate of data transmission from a sending host, resulting in just-in-time data transmission to control inbound traffic and reduce the inefficiencies associated with dropped packets. Bandwidth management devices allow for explicit data rate control for flows associated with a particular traffic classification. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,000, above, discloses automatic classification of network traffic for use in connection with bandwidth allocation mechanisms. U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,980 discloses systems and methods allowing for application layer control of bandwidth utilization in packet-based computer networks. For example, bandwidth management devices allow network administrators to specify policies operative to control and/or prioritize the bandwidth allocated to individual data flows according to traffic classifications. In addition, certain bandwidth management devices, as well as certain routers, allow network administrators to specify aggregate bandwidth utilization controls to divide available bandwidth into partitions. With some network devices, these partitions can be configured to provide a minimum bandwidth guarantee, and/or cap bandwidth, as to a particular class of traffic. An administrator specifies a traffic class (such as FTP data, or data flows involving a specific user or network application) and the size of the reserved virtual link—i.e., minimum guaranteed bandwidth and/or maximum bandwidth. Such partitions can be applied on a per-application basis (protecting and/or capping bandwidth for all traffic associated with an application) or a per-user basis (controlling, prioritizing, protecting and/or capping bandwidth for a particular user). In addition, certain bandwidth management devices allow administrators to define a partition hierarchy by configuring one or more partitions dividing the access link and further dividing the parent partitions into one or more child partitions.
Furthermore, network security is another concern, such as the detection of computer viruses, as well as prevention of Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks on, or unauthorized access to, enterprise networks. Accordingly, firewalls and other network devices are deployed at the edge of such networks to filter packets and perform various operations in response to a security threat. In addition, packet capture and other network data gathering devices are often deployed at the edge of, as well as at other strategic points in, a network to allow network administrators to monitor network conditions. Other network devices also perform security or data gathering or monitoring functions, such as packet capture devices.
Many of the systems and technologies discussed above incorporate or utilize traffic classification mechanisms to perform their respective functions. Identification of traffic types associated with data flows traversing a network generally involves the application of matching criteria or rules to explicitly presented or readily discoverable attributes of individual packets, or groups of packets, against an application signature which may comprise a protocol identifier (e.g., TCP, HTTP, UDP, MIME types, etc.), a port number, and even an application-specific string of text in the payload of a packet. Indeed, the rich Layer 7 classification functionality of Packetshaper® bandwidth management devices offered by Packeteer®, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. is an attractive feature for network administrators, as it allows for accurate identification of a variety of application types.
The through-put of network devices that utilize traffic classification can become a concern, as traffic classification, especially granular classification mechanisms, can include a variety of CPU-intensive operations. If a network device, such as an application traffic management device, becomes a bottleneck, it can defeat the very purpose for which the network device was deployed—namely, increased efficiency and performance. Network device vendors, therefore, must configure their network devices with sufficient computational resources to avoid creating a performance bottleneck. Classification of data flows especially in modern network environments, however, is often one of the most CPU-intensive tasks performed by the network devices. In addition, recent trends seen in many network applications suggest that the resource intensive nature of network traffic classification will only increase. Indeed, an increasing number of network applications employ data compression, encryption technology, and/or proprietary protocols that obscure or prevent identification of various application-specific attributes, often leaving well-known port numbers as the only basis for classification. In fact, as networked applications become increasingly complex, data encryption and/or compression has become a touted security or optimization feature. Indeed, data encryption addresses the concern of security and privacy issues, but also makes it much more difficult for intermediate network devices to identify the applications that employ them. In addition, traffic classification based solely on well-known port numbers can be problematic, especially where a network application uses dynamic port number assignments or incorrectly uses a well-known port number, leading to misclassification of the data flows. In addition, classifying such encrypted network traffic as unknown (or encrypted) and applying a particular rate or admission policy to unknown traffic classes undermines the granular control otherwise provided by bandwidth management devices and, further, may cause legitimate, encrypted traffic to suffer as a result.
Traffic classification mechanisms have to adapt to address these circumstances. For example, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/938,435 discloses network traffic classification mechanisms that classify network traffic based on the behavioral attributes of the data flows. U.S. application Ser. No. 10/720,329 discloses the classification of data flows based on heuristic behavior pattern matching. These classification mechanisms differ from traditional classification mechanisms which classify traffic based on explicitly presented attributes of individual data packets; however, they are quite resource intensive, requiring maintenance and analysis of a significant amount of stateful information for each data flow.
Enterprises network topologies can span a vast array of designs and connection schemes depending on the enterprise's resource requirements, the number of locations or offices to connect, desired service levels, costs and the like. A given enterprise often must support multiple LAN or WAN segments that support headquarters, branch offices and other operational and office facilities. Indeed, enterprise network design topologies often include multiple, interconnected LAN and WAN segments in the enterprise's intranet, and multiple paths to extranets and the Internet. These network topologies often require the deployment of a variety of network devices at each remote facility. In addition, some network systems are end-to-end solutions, such as application traffic optimizers using protocol intervention technologies, requiring network devices at each end of a communications path between, for example, a main office and a remote facility.
In a typical network environment where the classification information is not exchanged, each network device separately analyzes the data flows in order to classify them. Often times, the methods used for classifying network traffic on these network devices will result in the same or similar classification of the data flows traversing the network devices. While the prior art is suitable for its intended objective, the separate classification of data flows traversing a plurality of identical or similar network devices results in certain inefficiencies. In other words, a downstream network device, such as bandwidth management device, located along a communications path traversed by a given data flow fails to take advantage of the classification information derived by an upstream network device in the communications path. Additionally, in fault tolerant networks, redundant networking devices are used in active-and-standby configurations. U.S. application Ser. Nos. 10/611,573 and 10/858,340 disclose the configuration and deployment of application traffic management devices in redundant network topologies. In these deployments, the active and standby network devices transmit synchronization packets to maintain the same state, while one or both network devices forward network traffic. In these configurations, both network devices classify the same traffic independently in order to maintain the same flow state and statistics information. The resources spent classifying the traffic reduces performance, which can become a concern as traffic loads increase.
In light of the foregoing, a need in the art exists for increasing the efficiency and performance of network traffic classification. A need also exists in the art for reducing the resource requirements associated with network traffic classification. Embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill these needs.

Coordinated environment for classification and control of network traffic


A system for sensing the amplitude and phase of an RF current flowing in an antenna element of a directional antenna system that uses a sampling device such as a current sample loop that is connected to an antenna monitor with fiber optic cable. The system uses an interface at the current sample loop on each of the antenna elements to convert an RF current sample to an optical signal. The fiber optic cable transmits the optical signal to the antenna monitor where it is converted back to an electrical signal for appropriate phase and amplitude comparison with the RF currents sampled from other antenna elements in the directional antenna system.

Designing, constructing, and operating today's AM directional array is becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex. There are increasing demands for new stations and better coverage from increasingly challenging physical locations. Today, there are nearly 5,000 licensed AM stations in the United States. Over 1,800 of these are licensed for directional operation. At this time there are a little more than 500 construction permits outstanding for new and modified directional facilities and over 900 applications for construction permits.
The opportunities for these new and improved facilities are made possible by sophisticated computer programs that can analyze existing licensed station coverage or proposed coverage as well as the FCC rules providing protection for stations on the same frequency and adjacent frequencies, and signal propagation to produce intricate antenna patterns. These patterns can then be analyzed to produce physical antenna array specifications and electrical networks to maximize coverage.
An important part of adjusting and maintaining an AM directional antenna system is accurately monitoring the phase and amplitude of the RF current in each directional element in the antenna array. A conventional method of sampling the phase and amplitude is with a sampling coil or loop positioned off the antenna tower that is connected by a coaxial cable to an antenna monitor. In order to avoid coupling to the base of the antenna tower, the coaxial cable leading to the sampling coil is wound into a high impedance choke. In addition, it is generally necessary to ensure that the coaxial cables that extend from the antenna monitor to the sampling coil on each of the towers are the same length and are subject to the same environmental conditions. This is typically accomplished by burying the coils of coaxial cables underground. The result is often a mass of cables that must be maintained and periodically inspected to ensure that the differences in the signals measured at the antenna monitor are due variations in the current flowing within the antenna towers themselves and not due to differences in the coaxial cables. Given these problems, there is a need for an easier method of determining the current and phase in antenna elements of a directional broadcast antenna.

Optical fiber coupled antenna current monitor


An ear plug provides, in the exemplary embodiment, an ear plug body adapted to fit against a cavum conchae of the ear and defining an outwardly opening main cavity therewithin. An inner end of the ear plug body is sized and configured for fitting into an ear canal of the ear, while a base of the main cavity defines a sound hole that extends down through each of the base and inner end. A chamber wall is positioned within and extends across the main cavity, forming a hollow air chamber in fluid communication with the sound hole capable of selectively clearing any water droplets that may enter the main cavity and obstruct the sound hole. In an alternate embodiment, the base of the main cavity provides an upwardly protruding sound hole body configured for elevating an opening of the sound hole a distance above the base.

1. Field of the Invention
Aspects of this invention relate generally to ear plugs, and more particularly to a water sports ear plug configured for protecting a user's ear canal from coming into contact with water and wind, while also consistently allowing sound to pass therethrough.
2. Description of Related Art
Surfers, swimmers, water skiers, and others who are in substantial contact with water often encounter problems with water entering the ear canal. This is particularly troublesome when the water entering the ear canal is relatively cold or becomes cold as a result of wind. A person subject to repeated conditions of this nature may develop a condition commonly referred to as surfer's ear—the development of bony stenosis of the external ear canal due to diffuse exostoses.
The common solution for preventing water or other foreign objects or substances from entering a person's ear canal is an ear plug. However, in the desire to perform at the peak of one's ability in any sport, the majority of participants will reject the use of any equipment which impairs the participant's ability to perform in the sport. Such is the case when the use of an ear plug during water sports and activities prevents or inhibits the ability to hear sounds clearly. Again, failure to use ear plugs during such water activities can have health impairing consequences, and the surgery to repair such consequences is a gruesome solution to restore one's hearing.
The following art defines the present state of this field:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,187 to Scott is generally directed to an earplug particularly adapted for use by surfers and swimmers having a small hole therein which keeps out water but which allows the user to hear, said plug being made of a soft plastic having a density of less than 1 whereby said plug will float.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,238 to Scott is generally directed to an earplug for attenuating sound and providing a watertight seal at the auricle which is made of solid, closed cell, slow recovery foam having an external flange adapted to extend beyond the auricle, the surface of the plug being convex to reflect away sound, and having an inwardly extending conical portion fitting into the auricle or cavum conchae and the outer portion of the ear canal sealing off the meatus of the external ear canal without substantially penetrating the external ear canal. The closed cell foam provides a multitude of convex and concave surfaces which dramatically reflect, dissipate and attenuate sound waves.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,961 to Adams is generally directed to ear plugs for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and other water related activities that form a watertight seal within an individual's outer ear canals. The ear plugs have a lumen extending along the ear canal. A hydrophobic membrane extending across the lumen, which admits air into or out of the ear canal but blocks water, seals the ear against water but transmits air. This passage of air equalizes pressure across the plug, improves hearing with the ear plug in place, and prevents water contaminants, such as harmful infectious agents and pollutants, from entering the ear canal.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,745 to Mobley et al. is generally directed to a pressure regulating ear plug for regulating the rate of change of pressure inside an ear to minimize the pressure differential between the middle ear and a volume of the external ear cavity adjacent the ear drum, made of an ear plug adapted to fit tightly within the external ear cavity with no or minimal air leakage, and disposed within the ear plug is a pressure regulator with a slow leak rate. The pressure regulator is preferably made of a porous ceramic material.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,729 to Castillo is generally directed to an ear plug for preventing water and wind from entering the ear canal while allowing audible tones to pass therethrough. The ear plug is provided with an ear plug housing which is provided with an outer member and an inner portion. The outer member is adapted to reside in the outer ear of the user and an elongate tubular member having an exterior portion adapted to extend downwardly within the ear canal of the user. The ear plug is further provided with an ear plug insert. The ear plug insert is provided with a retaining member which is generally annular, a membrane which is made of a water impervious material and is adapted to allow audible tones to pass therethrough, and an insert housing which is generally annular. The insert housing is provided with a first end which is axially disposable in the interior portion of the elongate tubular member which is adapted to receive the first end of the insert housing. The insert housing is further provided with a second end which is adapted to circumferentially receive the retaining member with the membrane securely disposed between thereto, so as to axially enclose the second end of the insert housing thereby preventing water and wind from entering the ear canal while allowing audible tones to pass therethrough.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,061 to Haussmann is generally directed to a passive hearing protection earplug for being worn at least in part in the ear canal of a user, comprising a hard shell having an elasticity of from shore D 85 to shore D 65 and pulling means which are adapted for being manually operated by the user and which are provided at the outer end of said shell, said shell having an outer surface individually shaped according to the measured inner shape of the user's ear canal and outer ear. The shell has a size and an outer shape which are adapted to enable said shell to be manually moved, by seizing the pulling means, from a sound attenuation position into a communication position from which it is automatically returned into the attenuation position by elastic forces exerted by deformed parts of the user's ear canal and concha upon release of the pulling means. The invention also relates to a use of such an earplug and a method for manufacturing such an earplug.
In a bit more detail, and as illustrated by the above discussed prior art, while ear plugs have traditionally been designed to reduce or block out sound, there have been some approaches taken—including the '941 patent to Adams and the '729 patent to Castillo—to design ear plugs that allow sound to pass through, while blocking harmful elements of water and wind. However such ear plugs nevertheless tend to block too much of the sound to provide a satisfactory solution.
At least one attempt was made to solve this problem—namely, the '187 patent to Scott—by providing a small opening through a membrane such that sound is capable of passing through to the ear canal without any significant interference. The opening is of such a size to allow sound to pass through, while still protecting the ear canal from exposure to the harmful elements of water and wind. While such a design works well for letting sound through when the ear plug is initially inserted into the ear, it fails in use when the user comes in contact with water. This failure is due to water droplets that often stick to the exterior of the small opening in the membrane, and thus occlude the sound from getting through. The only way to regain the original level of sound passing through the opening is to somehow dislodge the water droplets, usually through violent tapping on the ear plug until the droplets become dislodged. This is not only an irritation to the external parts of the ear, but also a dangerous habit as it can also cause damage to the ear canal due to the violent nature of striking the ear plug.
Thus, while the prior art described above teaches various types of ear plugs, it fails to teach an ear plug capable of protecting the user's ear canal from coming into contact with water and wind, while also consistently allowing sound to pass therethrough. Aspects of the present invention fulfill these needs and provide further related advantages as described in the following summary.


A measuring device that measures a measurement object includes a two-dimensional measuring unit that outputs two-dimensional image data by performing image pickup on the measurement object, a three-dimensional measuring unit that outputs three-dimensional data by three-dimensionally measuring the measurement object; and an obtaining unit that detects a temporary edge of the measurement object using the three-dimensional data, sets an edge detection range in a two-dimensional image using the detected temporary edge, and detects an edge of the measurement object in the edge detection range using the two-dimensional image data to obtain shape information of the measurement object.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a measuring device, a calculating device, a measurement method, and a method for producing an item, which calculate shape information, such as the dimensions, the tolerance, and the angle, of a measurement object by measuring the measurement object.
2. Description of the Related Art
An image measuring device is a device that measures the dimensions of a measurement object. The image measuring device performs image pickup on a measurement object to obtain an image of the measurement object. Then, the image measuring device detects edges (ends) of the measurement object from data regarding a change in the intensity of the image, and calculates the distance between the detected edges, to measure the dimensions of the measurement object. In the method for detecting the edges from the data regarding a change in the intensity of the image of the entire measurement object, surface texture (surface unevenness) or an inner side of a chamfered portion of the measurement object may be falsely detected as an edge. Therefore, when a range in which the edge detection is performed from the data regarding a change in the intensity of the image (edge detection range) is set within a narrow range of the vicinity of true edges, it is possible to reduce the possibility of a false detection. In an existing measuring device, in order to precisely detect the edges of the measurement object, it is necessary for an operator to determine portions that are thought to be the edges from the image and manually set the edge detection range.
Accordingly, in order to reduce such a troublesome task of the operator, a method in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-42324 is proposed. This document proposes a measuring device that binarizes a two-dimensional image of the entire measurement object to extract contour lines (temporary edges), and that automatically sets an edge detection range in the vicinity of the contour lines to more precisely detect the positions of the edges within the range. Japanese Patent No. 4400894 proposes a measuring device that three-dimensionally measures a measurement object and that extracts the edges of the measurement object from three-dimensional point group data of the measurement object.
As mentioned above, in the method for detecting edges from data regarding a change in the intensity of the entire image, portions other than the edges may be falsely detected as the edges. Therefore, in the method discussed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-42324, even if a two-dimensional image of the entire measurement object is binarized when the measurement object has surface texture, contour lines (temporary edges) may be falsely detected where the surface texture is provided. As a result, an edge detection range cannot be properly set afterwards.
In the method discussed in Japanese Patent No. 4400894, since three-dimensional data is used, the influence of surface texture on edge detection is small. However, measurement time and the quantity of three-dimensional point group data are in a trade-off relationship, so that it is practically difficult to obtain three-dimensional point group data having a high resolution (high density). This is because, even if three-dimensional point group data having a high resolution is obtained, it takes a long time to process a large quantity of three-dimensional point group data. In contrast, when three-dimensional point group data having a low resolution is obtained, the precision is reduced. Thus, the positions of the edges cannot be detected with high precision.

Measuring device of measurement object, calculating device, measurement method, and method for producing item


Two metal blocks (50, 52) are welded to respective metal sheets (30, 32) to form sealed assemblies. The sealed assemblies are then diffusion bonded together to form two metal preforms (54, 56). The thick ends (36) and (40) of the metal sheets (30, 32) and the metal blocks (50, 52) are hot formed so that a continuation of the plane X of the first surfaces (42, 46) of the metal sheets (30, 32) extends through and across the metal blocks (50, 52). The metal preforms (54, 56) are machined to remove the portion of the metal blocks (50, 52) extending above the first surfaces (42, 46) of the metal sheets (30, 32) respectively. The metal preforms (54, 56) and a metal sheet (58) are assembled into a stack (64). The metal preforms (54, 56) and the metal sheet (58) are diffusion bonded together and then superplastically formed to produce a hollow fan blade (10). The method enables thinner metal workpieces with better microstructure to be used and increases the yield of metal workpieces.

It is known to manufacture hollow metallic articles by diffusion bonding and superplastic forming metal workpieces. These metal workpieces include elementary metal, metal alloys, intermetallic materials and metal matrix composites.
The diffusion bonding and superplastic forming process may be used to produce contoured articles for example fan blades, or fan duct outlet guide vanes, for gas turbine engines by superplastically, or hot forming, an integral structure formed by the diffusion bonding process.
A procedure for manufacturing an article by diffusion bonding and superplastic forming is disclosed in our European patent EP0568201B. In EP0568201B the integral structure formed by the diffusion bonding process is twisted before the integral structure is superplastically formed. Additionally the integral structure is hot creep formed in the superplastic forming dies.
Additionally our UK patent GB2306353B discloses manufacturing a fan blade by diffusion bonding and superplastic forming. In GB2306353B the integral structure is formed from two metallic workpieces which subsequently define the outer profile of the fan blade. The two metallic workpieces are produced by cutting an inclined slot through a parallelepiped metal block to produce two longitudinally tapering metallic workpieces. The thicker ends of the metallic workpieces are aligned to form the root of the fan blade and the remainder of the metallic workpieces are machined to the appropriate thickness to give the required mass distribution.
This manufacturing process requires that the thickness of the original parallelepiped metallic block is about half, just less than half, of the thickness of the root of the finished fan blade in order to allow machining to produce the root. A problem with this process is that it is wasteful of metal, machining time and is expensive. Additionally the microstructure of the parallelepiped metallic block is not the optimum microstructure, due to the thickness of the original metallic block.
The problem is partially overcome, as also disclosed. in GB2306353B, by using thinner parallelepiped metallic blocks and adding extra small metallic blocks at the thicker ends of the two longitudinally tapering metallic workpieces to form the root of the fan blade. The metallic blocks are initially welded to the parallelepiped metallic blocks to seal them together before they are diffusion bonded together. The welding process introduces a "heat affected zone" in which material properties are compromised. This gives a minimum thickness of the parallelepiped metallic blocks from which the fan blade may be manufactured because the properties of the metal may not be degraded on the surfaces of the fan blade root.

Method of manufacturing an article by diffusion bonding and superplastic forming


A deflection current circuit having reduced power requirements. A switch 33 is controlled by a control circuit 71 in association with the horizontal deflection period. A switch 73 is controlled by the control circuit 72 in synchronization with the horizontal deflection period modulated by the vertical deflection period. Switch 33 is turned off in the retrace interval, and during the period in which the switch 33 is in the off-state, the switch 73 is turned off for a predetermined period. The off-period of the switch 73 is modulated by the vertical deflection period to produce greater horizontal deflection in the center of the screen.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of deflection current generating circuits suitable for use in, for example, a television receiver or a video monitor. More particularly, this invention relates to a television deflection circuit having horizontal pin distortion compensation and reduced power consumption.
2. Background of the Invention
A conventional arrangement of a horizontal deflection circuit and neighboring circuits of a television receiver are shown in FIG. 10. A horizontal deflection circuit 1 is connected with a power supply 3 through a primary coil 2a of a flyback transformer 2. A secondary winding 2b of the transformer 2 is connected to a rectifying/smoothing circuit which is formed of a diode 4 and a capacitor 5. A horizontal deflection current from the horizontal deflection circuit 1 is supplied to a deflection yoke 7 of a CRT 6 having a screen 6a.
FIG. 11 shows the circuit arrangement of the horizontal deflection circuit 1. This horizontal deflection circuit 1 has a parallel circuit of an NPN transistor 22, a diode 23, and a capacitor 24 all in parallel with the series combination of deflection yoke 7 and capacitor 25. The transformer 2 also has a secondary winding 2c, the output of which is rectified by a diode 21.
The operation of this arrangement will be described below. The DC voltage from the power supply 3 is supplied through the primary coil 2a of the transformer 2 to the collector of the NPN transistor 22. This NPN transistor 22 is turned on and off when a signal having a period corresponding to the horizontal deflection period is supplied to its base. The result is that the NPN transistor 22 produces, at its collector, a flyback pulse (retrace pulse) Vcp as shown in FIG. 12(b).
The capacitors 24 and 25 and the deflection yoke 7 make up a resonant circuit, which is resonant at the switching frequency of the NPN transistor 22. Thus, in the deflection yoke 7 a deflection current I.sub.7 of a so-called saw-tooth wave flows. As shown in FIG. 12(a) , this wave linearly increases during the trace interval and linearly decreases during the retrace interval. The electron beam scans (or is deflected) in the horizontal direction on the screen 6a of the CRT 6 under control of this deflection current.
The flyback pulse voltage Vcp is boosted by the secondary coil 2c of the flyback transformer 2, and rectified by the diode 21 so that a high voltage Hv is generated at the cathode of the diode. This high voltage Hv is supplied to the anode of the CRT 6. The voltage induced in the secondary coil 2b is rectified by diode 4 and smoothed by capacitor 5 into a DC voltage Vc. This voltage vc is used for the focus voltage and heater voltage of the CRT 6 and so on.
As shown in FIG. 12(b), the distance from an electron gun 6b to the screen 6a is the shortest at the center of the screen 6a, longer at the top and bottom of the screen 6a, and the longest at the corners of the screen 6a. Consequently, a so-called horizontal pin is generated as illustrated in FIG. 13(a) . If this horizontal pin is left as it is, the displayed image appears distorted. Thus, usually a circuit is added to the horizontal deflection circuit for correcting this horizontal pin distortion.
FIG. 14 shows the principle of a horizontal deflection circuit which is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Gazette No. 57-39102. In this example, a DC voltage from a power supply 31 is supplied through a coil 32 to a parallel circuit of a switch 33, the capacitor 24 and a series circuit of the horizontal deflection coil 7 and the capacitor 25. The power supply 31 and the coil 32 correspond to the power supply 3 and the primary winding 2a of the flyback transformer 2 in FIG. 11. The switch 33 corresponds to the parallel circuit of the NPN transistor 22 and the diode 23.
In this embodiment, the parallel circuit (the first parallel circuit) of the switch 33, the capacitor 24 and the series circuit of the horizontal deflection coil 7 and the capacitor 25 is connected to a parallel circuit (the second parallel circuit) of a switch 34, a capacitor 35 and a series circuit of a coil 36 and a capacitor 37. Also, this second parallel circuit is connected in parallel to a series circuit of a coil 38 and a power supply 39. In other words, this horizontal deflection circuit is formed by connecting the first parallel circuit to the second parallel circuit having the same construction as the first parallel circuit.
In order to correct the horizontal pin, it is necessary that the retrace pulse (the voltage V.sub.24 across the capacitor 24), as shown in FIG. 15(a), supplied to the horizontal deflection coil 7, be adjusted in its level to be larger at substantially the central portion (at the central area of the screen) than at the left and right ends (at the upper and lower ends of the screen). The level of a retrace pulse resulting from the addition of this voltage V.sub.24 and the voltage, V.sub.35 across the capacitor 35 is constant as shown in FIG. 15(c) because it is specified by the power supply 31 and the width of the retrace pulse.
Thus, if the voltage V.sub.35 is changed to decrease at the central portion (at the central region of the screen) and increase at the left and right ends (at the upper and lower ends of the screen) in association with the vertical deflection period as shown in FIG. 15(b), the voltage level V.sub.24 can be adjusted to be larger at substantially the central portion (at the central region of the screen) than at the left and right ends (at the upper and lower ends of the screen).
In this example, the switch 34 is operated to switch in synchronism with the switch 33, so that the retrace pulse is generated at the junction between the capacitor 35 and the coil 38. In addition, the voltage from the power supply 39 is changed to decrease at the central portion (at the central region of the screen) and increase at the left and right ends (at the upper and lower ends of the screen) in association with the vertical deflection period as shown in FIG. 15(b). As a result, the level of voltage V.sub.24, as shown in FIG. 15(a), is changed to be larger at substantially the central portion (at the central region of the screen) than at the left and right ends (at the upper and lower ends of the screen) , so that the horizontal pin is corrected.
Other known horizontal pin correction systems are known as the power supply modulating system and the PCT system. The power supply modulating system modulates the voltage of the power supply 3 by the vertical deflection period as, for example, shown in FIG. 11. In the PCT system, as shown in FIG. 11, the transformer has its secondary winding connected in series with the horizontal deflection coil 7, and its primary winding supplied with a vertical deflection current.
In either of these systems, however, the voltage Vcp is modulated by the vertical deflection period, and hence the various voltages taken out of the transformer 2 are modulated by the vertical deflection period. Therefore, these systems can be applied to the so-called separate type circuit arrangement having the horizontal deflection circuit and the high voltage generating circuit separately provided, but cannot be used in the so-called conventional type circuit arrangement having both circuits combined into a single circuit.
The system shown in FIG. 14 can be used not only for the separate type arrangement but also for the conventional type horizontal deflection circuit. In FIG. 14, the various voltages derived from the secondary winding of the transformer, even with the coil 32 connected as its primary winding, are not modulated by the vertical deflection period.
Several significant problems exist with these known circuit arrangements. In the circuit arrangement shown in FIG. 14, it is necessary for current to flow not only in the second parallel circuit of the switch 34, the capacitor 35 and the series circuit of the coil 36 and the capacitor 37, but also in the series circuit of the coil 38 and the power supply 39, and thus the power consumption is relatively large. The present invention reduces horizontal pin distortion at a significantly reduced power consumption.


A method for producing at least one capillary in a moldable material. The capillary has a large length in relation to its cross-section. A closed cavity is created within the moldable material and the material is stretched in at least one direction so that the cavity forms a substantially elliptical or parabolic capillary whose length is large in relationship to its cross-section. The material may be heated before stretching so that the cavity is expanded and shaped into an essentially spherical form. Suitable materials for the practice of the invention include glass, plastic, quartz, silicon, or metal.

Capillary tubes whose inner surface has total reflecting properties with regard to electromagnetic radiation and whose longitudinal section is substantially elliptical/part elliptical or parabolic/part parabolic, can be used for focusing and or concentration of X-ray radiation beams, so that these are concentrated to a small area with high intensity.
However, a very high surface quality is required on the inside of the capillary tube, to enable for the X-ray radiation beam to pass by means of reflection from one opening at one end of the ellipsoid to an opening at the opposite end of the ellipsoid. It has also been shown that there should be a relationship in the magnitude of 1:1000 between both axes of the ellipsoid, to achieve an advantageous focusing of the X-ray radiation beam.

Method for producing a capillary inside a moldable material