An apparatus is provided that includes a plate beamsplitter having a first surface coated with a partially reflective coating, and a second surface coated with an anti-reflective coating, and a polarizing filter, oriented with respect to the plate beamsplitter so as to substantially block light of substantially incompatible polarization that has traversed the plate beamsplitter, has been reflected by the object to be range imaged, and has been reflected by the plate beamsplitter towards the polarizing filter, thereby substantially preventing the formation of a ghost image of the object to be range imaged. Thus, the invention does not suffer from optical ghost images which commonly occur due to imperfect anti-reflection coatings used to make plate beam splitters. Also, the invention makes practical the use of plate beam splitters in depth from defocus and depth from focus range imaging systems employing coaxial active illumination and viewing.

A standard image, such as an image provided by a video camera having a CCD (charge coupled device) image sensor, consists of a collection of picture elements, i.e., "pixels", where each pixel represents the brightness of a point on an object as detected at the image sensor. A range image consists of an collection of range elements, each range element representing the distance of a point on an object from a range imaging sensor. Range imaging has important industrial applications. For example, a machine vision system employing a range imaging sensor can inspect lead co-planarity of the leads of semiconductor packages in an automated quality control system.
Popular techniques for range imaging include laser triangulation and light striping. Both techniques rely on the use of an illumination source and sensing means located at different angles with respect to the object being viewed. Shifts in the sensed illumination intensity are due to height (range) differences over the surface of the object. A principal difficulty encountered with these systems is that the angled configuration unavoidably creates shadow regions which result in regions of the surface of the object where the height differences cannot be measured.
A class of range sensing techniques have been developed which employ the focal characteristics of lenses to obtain height (also range or depth) measurements. Noguchi and Nayer in "Microscopic Shape from Focus Using Active Illumination", 12th Proceedings IAPR International Conference on Pattern Recognition, pp.147-152, Jerusalem, Israel, October 1994, herein incorporated by reference, describe a system which computes depth from focus using a set of many images taken in conjunction with incremental z motion of an object, where z motion is defined as motion along the optical axis of a camera of the range sensor. This system uses projected structured (active) illumination to superimpose a strong artificial texture on otherwise smooth objects, to permit accurate sensing of best focus on such objects. The active illumination is projected onto the object through a beam splitter. Light reflected off of the object is split by the beamsplitter and focused by an imaging lens onto an electronic camera. The use of the beamsplitter provides coaxial illumination and viewing, thereby solving the shadowing problem encountered with triangulation-based systems.
In S. K. Nayer, M. Watanabe, M. Noguchi, "Real-Time Focus Range Sensor", IEEE Trans. Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, vol. 18, no. 12, pp. 1186-1196, December 1996, herein incorporated by reference, there is described a range imaging sensor using active illumination and two images of the object taken at two respective focal positions. In this case, range is locally determined by comparison of the degree of defocus in the two images. This comparison is made possible by ensuring that the known spatial frequency spectrum of the projected active illumination dominates the apparent texture of the object. A beamsplitter is again employed to provide a viewing path that is coaxial with respect to the illumination path. This coaxial relationship between the illumination path and the viewing path also greatly simplifies the depth computation, since any one position in the two images is known to correspond exactly to one point at the object. However, the introduction of a beamsplitter into the optical path produces some undesirable optical effects.
Plate beamsplitters are common optical elements. A plate beamsplitter typically consists of a thin plate of flat glass, the glass plate having a thin reflective coating applied to one side of the plate. The coating thickness is chosen so that nearly half of the light incident at 45 degrees to the plate is reflected, and nearly half is transmitted, thus splitting the light into two components, the directions of the components being separated by 90 degrees. The uncoated side of the plate will unavoidably also reflect some of the incident light.
Referring to FIG. 1, the incident ray 10 is split on the first surface 12 of the beamsplitter plate 14 into reflected and refracted component rays 16 and 18, respectively. The refracted ray 18 is again partially reflected at the second surface 20, as it leaves the plate 14. The ray reflected off of the second surface is herein called the ghost ray 22, which ray is separated from the desired first reflected ray 16 by Equation 1: ##EQU1## where t is the thickness of the glass plate 14 and d is the distance separating the two rays 16, 22.
The ghost ray 22 is so named because the second surface reflection effect produces a duplicate image at the camera which is displaced by distance `d` from the desired image. For example, if the plate 14 is 3 mm thick, the ghost is displaced by 4.24 mm. Since it is the relative degree of defocus, and not absolute contrast, that is used to compute depth by focus and defocus, the ghost image creates large measurement errors in a depth by focus or depth by defocus range imaging system.
Plate beamsplitters typically have an anti-reflective coating applied to the second surface 20 of the plate 14. Using good quality broadband coatings, the reflected light ghost can be reduced in this way to around 1%. Broadband anti-reflective coatings are used because broadband illumination is preferred in range sensors to eliminate color dependency. However, due to the sensitivity of the depth by focus and defocus techniques to ghosting, large measurement errors result nevertheless.
Other types of beamsplitters are typically used when ghosts must be eliminated. The cube type beamsplitter eliminates ghosting because there is only one 45 degree surface employed. However, cube beamsplitters are expensive and introduce very thick glass wedges into the optical path. The resulting spherical aberration, due to angle-dependent refractive shifting in the thick glass, severely degrades the performance of imaging lenses, requiring provision of special compensating optics, thereby further increasing cost. Moreover, the unused backside of the cube can cause light scattering, thereby decreasing image contrast, and consequently decreasing measurement accuracy.
Pellicle-type beamsplitters consist of a nitrocellulose membrane on an optically flat frame. The membrane is coated to form a beamsplitter which is similar to the plate type, except that thickness `t` is on the order of 2 .mu.m. Thus, the ghost image is practically superimposed on the desired image. However, pellicle-type beamsplitters are much more expensive than simple plate beamsplitters, and are undesireably fragile.

Ghost image extinction in an active range sensor


The present invention provides α-hydroxy benzeneacetic acid derivatives of the formula as defined in the specification which is a precursor indispensable for synthesis of compounds having two 5-membered lactone rings fused to central cyclohexa-1,4-diene nucleus, and a process of easily preparing the same. According to the preparation process of the present invention, the α-hydroxy benzeneacetic acid derivative can be readily prepared at high purity and yield without using toxic materials or producing toxic by-products. Some novel compounds, synthesized by using such a α-hydroxy benzeneacetic acid derivative, have excellent fastness properties, dye fixing rate and leveling property to general synthetic fiber materials such as polyester fibers and their blends with other fibers, especially to micro fibers, and also can be used as a coloring agent for plastic resins, color tonors, color filters, etc.

Dye compounds as represented in the below formula (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "benzodifuranone-based dye compound"), having two 5-membered lactone rings fused to central cyclohexa-1,4-diene nucleus, have good fastness properties such as washing fastness and sublimation fastness, whereby they are generally employed in dyeing of high functionality fiber materials such as leisure- and sports-ware. However, many prior art benzodifuranone-based compounds fail to provide satisfactory properties in dyeing of some synthetic fiber materials, especially micro fibers. In other words, these benzodifuranone-based compounds exhibit a low dyeability and fastness to micro fibers.

Examples of these benzodifuranone-based compounds are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,881, Korean Patent No. 138,255, etc., and α-hydroxy benzeneacetic acid as represented in the below formula acid is used as a precursor indispensable for synthesis of the benzodifuranone-based compounds.

In connection with the preparation process of this α-hydroxy benzeneacetic acid (or nitrile compound thereof), there are U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,334, U.S. Pat. No. 6,359,172, British Patent No. 1,576,331, Japanese Laid-open Patent No. S56-68641, etc. In these prior art processes, α-hydroxy benzeneacetic acid is produced using phenol and glyoxylic acid.
As a process for introduction of short alkoxy group to the above α-hydroxy benzeneacetic acid, British Laid-open Patent No. 2,101,998A shows a technology of condensing the mandelic acid with propyl bromide with the aid of sodium hydroxide in water. However, in accordance with this process, the condensation reaction must be run at low temperature for a long time due to the low boiling point of propyl bromide, and also propyl bromide must be continuously added to the reaction procedure so as to replace the amount of propyl bromide lost, and the synthesized compound is produced in the form of cake, which makes a high purity and yield difficult to achieve. If alkoxy bromide with a high boiling point is employed in the above reaction, the reaction temperature must be adjusted to high temperature to maintain an acceptable reaction rate, resulting in the decomposition of α-hydroxy benzeneacetic acid under the acid or alkali conditions.
In order to solve these problems, alternative approaches, as shown in Beilstein Handbuch der Organischen Chemie, enlarged edition Vol. System No. 1106/H410-411, Japanese Laid-open Patent No. S64-120058, and Korean Laid-open Patent No. 1995-18310, were developed whereby a substitute group is first introduced to hydroxyl benzaldehyde and the resulting compound is reacted with sodium hydrogensulfite and sodium cyanide, then hydrolyzed to produce a nitrile compound, which is briefly illustrated in the below reaction formula.
wherein R is as defined in Japanese Laid-open Patent No. S64-120058.
However, this process has drawbacks that the yield is very low at 50˜81% and an expensive apparatus is required to collect toxic hydrogen cyanide gas created by the reaction, and there is a possibility of water contamination resulting from toxic cyanide. Korean Laid-open Patent No. 1996-14044 suggests a process using cyanuric chloride in place of sodium hydrogen sulfite, as illustrated in the below reaction formula.
wherein R is as defined in Korean Laid-open Patent No. 1996-14044.
However, this process also has the same drawbacks as in the above process. Accordingly, there is a strong need for a novel process to effectively synthesize O-hydroxy benzeneacetic acid (including its derivatives) as an important precursor for synthesis of benzodifuranone-based compounds.

α-Hydroxy-benzeneacetic acid derivatives, and compounds having two 5-membered latone rings fused to central cyclohexa-1,4-diene nucleus based upon the same, and uses of the compounds


A sealing ring repair device for underwater swimming pool lights is designed to fit on the water side of a sealing ring. The repair device includes a top plate with a plurality of top plate screw holes sized and positioned to match the sealing ring screw holes. The top plate has an inner side, and a repair tab extends from the top plate inner side. The repair tab can be used to secure an underwater swimming pool light in place when the ring tab of the sealing ring is damaged.

Many swimming pools have underwater lighting for the safety and ambience of the swimmers. There are several different types of swimming pools and underwater swimming pool lights, but most underwater swimming pool lights include at least some of the same components. Many underwater swimming pool lights include a fixture, which is a water-tight enclosure that includes a bulb or other light producing device. An electrical cord penetrates the fixture through a water-tight seal. The fixture is affixed in the side (or bottom) of a swimming pool, and the user can turn on the light.
Underwater swimming pool lights are typically specially designed for use under water. For example, the design of the light producing device may depend on constant cooling of the lens used to separate the light producing device from the water, because the water in the pool serves to cool this lens. The light producing device may be particularly bright, because the light is intended to illuminate the water in the pool. Typically, underwater swimming pool light manufactures strongly recommend that only approved light producing devices designed for underwater swimming pool lights be used.
Special considerations apply to the design of an underwater swimming pool light fixture. The light is designed and intended to operate in an underwater environment, and it is important to isolate all electrical contacts from water ingress. However, the underwater swimming pool light fixture is intended to remain underwater essentially all the time, even when not in use. One does not remove an underwater swimming pool light from the pool when not in use. Therefore, the design of the fixture should be adequate to withstand extended immersion in water.
The underwater swimming pool light fixture is secured in place under the water line of a swimming pool. The water in the swimming pool can be corrosive, and can corrode the connectors and components used to secure the fixture in place. When this happens, the fixture can pull free from the position it was secured to, and float up to the top of the water surface. Most fixtures are lighter than water, so they will float if they are not flooded with water. A free-floating fixture is dangerous and unsightly. A floating fixture is exposed to increased chances of damage. Many pools have automatic "vacuum" machines for cleaning, and these can become entangled with a floating fixture. It is far more likely that an object falling into the pool will damaging a floating fixture than one secured into the pool wall. If the fixture is broken, water can enter the fixture and conduct electricity from newly exposed electrical contacts, creating a hazard for people in the swimming pool.
There are many types of swimming pool repairs for different circumstances. It is desirable to be able to make one type of needed repair without having to make other repairs. The ability to re-secure an underwater swimming pool light fixture that is no longer secured in place without having to repair or replace swimming pool vinyl liners or other components saves time and money.

Underwater swimming pool light repair device


An n-channel integrated circuit device (n is an integer of 1 or greater) for muting an audio signal includes a control circuit configured to generate a control signal and a delayed control signal, a charging and discharging circuit configured to charge and discharge a time constant control terminal according to the control signal and the delayed control signal, an N-th voltage-to-current converting circuit (N is an integer from 1 to n) configured to generate a (2N−1)-th current corresponding to a voltage on the time constant control terminal and a (2N)-th current corresponding to an intermediate voltage, a (2N−1)-th mirror circuit configured to copy the (2N−1)-th current to generate (4N−3)-th and (4N−2)-th intermediate currents, a (2N)-th mirror circuit configured to copy the (2N)-th current to generate (4N−1)-th and (4N)-th intermediate currents, a (2N−1)-th selecting and combining circuit configured to combine a (2N−1)-th mute control current using the (4N−3)-th intermediate current and the (4N−1)-th intermediate current, and a (2N)-th selecting and combining circuit configured to combine a (2N)-th mute control current using the (4N−2)-th intermediate current and the (4N)-th intermediate current.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an integrated circuit device and an audio system.
2. Background Art
In many cases, an audio system is provided with a muting circuit for muting an audio signal, and capable of switching between a sound output state and a mute state. It is known that a rasping sound referred to as "pop sound" is induced in such an audio system, when switching between the sound output state and the mute state. To reduce this pop sound, such an audio system is often provided with a time constant circuit for slowing the switching between the sound output state and the mute state.
The time constant circuit is generally configured with a resistor R and a capacitor C. A time constant around 10 to 100 msec is considered necessary to reduce the pop sound. However, it is difficult to achieve such a time constant with an IC (integrated circuit). Therefore, in the audio system, though the muting circuit is generally realized with the IC, the time constant circuit is provided out of the IC. In this case, the time constant circuit is connected to a time constant control terminal of the IC.
In recent years, attention has been attracted to multi-CH (channel) independent muting. For example, there exists such a demand that only a specific CH should be muted among six CHs of an audio system. In such a case, time constant circuits and time constant control terminals as many as CHs are required. However, as described above, since a time constant circuit is realized with elements out of an IC, it is highly costly to provide the time constant circuit. Therefore, it is disadvantageous in terms of cost to provide time constant circuits as many as CHs. Therefore, an audio system is proposed in which a single time constant circuit and a single time constant control terminal are associated with plural CHs (JP-A 2005-295011 (KOKAI) for example).
Description will now be made to an example of the audio system in which a single time constant circuit and a single time constant control terminal are associated with plural CHs.
Such an audio system includes, for example, sound output amplifiers and mute amplifiers, and a muting circuit of the audio system outputs mute control currents for controlling the sound output amplifiers and mute control currents for controlling the mute amplifiers, to mute an audio signal. The muting circuit outputs mute control currents for a first sound output amplifier and a first mute amplifier for muting a first CH, and outputs mute control currents for a second sound output amplifier and a second mute amplifier for muting a second CH. The muting circuit is connected to the time constant control terminal and the time constant circuit, both of which are common to these CHs.
An exemplary configuration of the muting circuit will be described. The muting circuit includes plural mute control current generating circuits connected to the time constant control terminal, a charging and discharging circuit configured to charge and discharge the time constant control terminal, and a control circuit configured to control the plural mute control current generating circuits and the charging and discharging circuit. Each of the mute control current generating circuits includes a V-I (voltage to current) converting circuit configured to compare a voltage of the time constant control terminal with a intermediate voltage, and generate a current IA corresponding to the voltage of the time constant control terminal and a current IB corresponding to the intermediate voltage, and a mute control current selecting and combining circuit configured to selectively combine the current IA and the current IB to generate a current Iout. In a subsequent stage of each of the mute control current generating circuits, there are provided a resistor for converting the current Iout to a voltage Vout, and a V-I (voltage to current) converting circuit for generating mute control currents Iout-A and Iout-B by using the voltage Vout (the V-I converting circuit is also referred to as a Gm amplifier, and hereinafter, may be expressed as a subsequent V-I converting circuit). The mute control current generating circuits are provided as many as the CHs of the audio system.
Then, an example of operations of the muting circuit will be described. Under the control by the control circuit, the charging and discharging circuit starts charging the time constant control terminal. The time constant control terminal is continued to be charged until the voltage on the time constant control terminal is changed from a first reference voltage to a second reference voltage. Since the time constant control terminal is connected to the time constant circuit, the time constant control terminal is slowly charged. It is assumed that a period for charging the time constant control terminal is t1. The V-I converting circuit needs to switch between a value of IA and a value of IB during t1, and is designed so as to carry out such a switching. Therefore, assuming that this switching period is t2, a relation between t1 and t2 becomes t1>t2. The subsequent V-I converting circuit needs to switch between a value of Iout-A and a value of Iout-B during t2, and is designed so as to carry out such a switching. Therefore, assuming that this switching period is t3, a relation between t2 and t3 becomes t2>t3.
The period t3 corresponds to a time required for switching between the sound output state and the mute state. Therefore, a shorter period t3 causes rapid switching between the sound output state and the mute state, so that an effect on the pop sound reduction is reduced. Accordingly, it is desirable that the period t3 is as long as possible. However, since there exists such a restriction that a relation between t1, t2, and t3 is t1>t2>t3, it is difficult to extend the period t3. Due to this restriction, it is necessary to extend the charging period t1 in order to extend the period t3. In order to extend the charging period t1, it is necessary to make larger a time constant of the time constant circuit by means of a large capacity of condenser or the like. However, this results in the increased cost of the time constant circuit. As described here, it is difficult to sufficiently reduce the pop sound in the above muting circuit.
Further, the above audio system requires the mute control current Iout-A for the sound output amplifier, and the mute control current Iout-B for the mute amplifier. Therefore, the muting circuit requires the subsequent V-I converting circuit for generating the mute control currents Iout-A and Iout-B from the current Iout (the voltage Vout). Therefore, the muting circuit would suffer from a problem of an increased IC chip area due to including the subsequent V-I converting circuit.

Integrated circuit device and audio system


Systems, methods, and devices are described for generating multi-tone waveforms. A count signal having a count value is generated. A plurality of step values and a plurality of phase values are received. For each increment of the count value, an index value corresponding to each step value of the plurality of step values is calculated based on the step value, the count value, and a respective phase value of the plurality of phase values. A tone point value corresponding to each calculated index value is determined to generate a plurality of tone point values for each increment of the count value. The determined tone point values are summed to generate a corresponding waveform point for each increment of the count value. A waveform is generated as a sequence of generated waveform points.

Waveform generators generate custom waveforms formed by multiple sine waves. These generators use input values to determine frequencies and phases and select corresponding sine waves. Some current waveform generators use an accumulator for each sine wave used to generate the waveform. Each accumulator may include sets of flip-flop circuits and adder circuits to generate respective sine waves of a desired frequency and phase. Typically, each accumulator has a large bit width to support high resolutions for determining sine waves.


The object of the present invention is to provide an organic transistor using an organic semiconductor having excellent transistor properties, and a method for producing the organic transistor, the present invention providing, first, an organic transistor including a gate electrode (b), an insulating layer (c), an organic semiconductor layer (d) which contacts the insulating layer (c) and has a channel formation area, and source/drain electrodes (e), which are formed on (a) a substrate, wherein the organic semiconductor layer (d) contains a fluorine-based compound (surfactant), and, secondly, a method for producing an organic transistor comprising a gate electrode (b), an insulating layer (c), an organic semiconductor layer (d) which contacts the insulating layer (c) and has a channel formation area, and source/drain electrodes (e), which are formed on (a) a substrate, the method comprising: a step in which the organic semiconductor layer (d) is formed on the insulating layer (c) by printing or coating an organic semiconductor solution containing a fluorine-based surfactant; or a step in which the insulating layer (d) is formed on the organic semiconductor layer (d) containing a fluorine-based surfactant by printing or coating.

Transistors are widely used as an important electronic element (electronic part) constituting televisions or computers. At the present time, the transistors are produced using an inorganic material such as silicon. Recently, organic transistors having an organic element have received a great deal of attention (Non-Patent Document No. 1). The organic transistors can be formed by a wet-process such as a printing method. Therefore, a vacuum device, which is expensive and necessary to process silicon transistors, is not necessary. Due to this, production cost including facility investment can be dramatically reduced. In addition, processes can be carried out at low temperatures, and organic transistors can be formed on a plastic substrate. Therefore, organic transistors are thought to be an essential item in ubiquitous ages, that is, an essential component for achieving terminals having flexibility and low cost.
The organic transistor is an organic semiconductor element having essentially three electrodes, an insulating layer, and a semiconductor layer. As a production method for the electrode layer, the insulating layer, and the semiconductor layer, which form the organic semiconductor element, a wet-process such as a printing method and a dry-process such as a sputtering method can be exemplified. Among these, from the viewpoint of low-cost, a wet-process is preferable (Non-Patent Document No. 2).
In addition, as a method for improving the characteristics of the organic transistor, in order to improve crystallinity of the organic semiconductor layer making a channel formation area, a method has been suggested in which the surface of the gage insulating layer is treated with a surface treatment agent such as a silane coupling agent, and the channel formation area is formed thereon using organic semiconductor materials (Non-Patent Document No. 3 and Patent Document No. 1).
However, an ideal method for completely covering the surface of the substrate with a silane coupling agent without gaps inevitably increases liquid repellency of the surface of the insulating film. Due to this, it was difficult to form an organic semiconductor film having uniformity on the surface to be treated using an organic semiconductor solution. In the past, silane coupling agents used were limited, treatment conditions were limited, and the solvent used was also limited to carry out the surface treatment. In other words, when the conventional treatment methods are used, not only are the characteristics of the transistor produced limited, but also the solvent used is limited. Therefore, the wet-process is limited naturally. Due to this, it is difficult to produce a transistor having a large area and flexibility for practical use.
Examples of an organic semiconductor solution containing resin include a blend solution in which P3HT (poly(3-hexylthiophene)), PQT-12 (poly[5,5′-bis (3-dodecyl-2-thienyl)-2,2′-bithiophene]), or polymethyl methacrylate is dissolved in dichlorophenol. It is well-known that when the blend solution is spin-coated on the silicon oxide insulation film of which the surface is treated with a silane coupling agent, PMMA, which acts as a protective layer, is voluntarily separated as a layer, and forms a layer separation structure covering the organic semiconductor layer formed on the silicone oxide (Non-Patent Document No. 4). However, Non-Patent Document No. 4 does not disclose that a fluorine-based surfactant is added, and performance of the transistor can be improved.

Organic transistor and method for producing the same


Visualizing a wearable item can include: generating a user interface that enables a user to choose a target body for visualizing a wearable item from among a set of available target bodies; and generating a visualization of the wearable item on the target body chosen by the user by deforming the wearable item to fit the target body chosen by the user.

A wearable item can be visualized using pictures. For example, a clothing item such as a dress, a shirt, pants, etc., can be visualized in a catalog using a picture of the clothing item being worn by a model.
A picture of a wearable item on a model may not provide an optimal visualization of the wearable item. For example, a potential purchaser of a clothing item may wonder how the clothing item would look on a different body type from the body type of the model.


A non-progressive modular partition wall assembly has particular advantages for use in a clean room. The assembly includes several basic elongated framing members which may be modified for a variety of uses. The modular partition wall assembly may be constructed into different orientations and with different types of wall systems. Modifications are possible without major wall reconstruction. The framing members include an open channel with receptor arms for receiving mounting means such as nut and bolt combinations. A disclosed framing member has both an open and a closed face, and a fence extending outwardly from an outer surface of the closed face. The fence and outer surface define a sill to receive an edge of a panel. The fence may be removed if full facial contact between the inner surface of the panel and outer surface of the closed face of the framing member is desired. Various retainers may be used to secure a panel to a framing member. The inventive assembly may be constructed into numerous configurations with minimal components. Further, the inventive assembly is easily serviced and reconstructed.

This invention relates to a non-progressive wall assembly which may be used as a clean room, and in particular to an assembly constructed from a limited number of distinct framing members which may be modified for use in different orientations and with different wall structures.
There is an increasing need for cleaner environments in which laboratory procedures and high technology component production may be undertaken. The configuration and mechanical requirements for such rooms vary widely. To meet the varying requirements, a variety of wall systems may be constructed. Various wall panels are typically used, including a hollow double or utility wall, a full or solid modular wall, and a single or chase wall. A particular wall assembly may include one or more of these systems which are customized for the particular application. As a result, most clean room assemblies are expensive custom made constructions. Besides taking up a large amount of space in an existing room, any later alterations or additions require expensive retrofitting or reconstruction.


A land vehicle suspension control system comprising an actuator connected between a sprung mass of the vehicle and an unsprung mass of the vehicle, which actuator comprises a piston moveable with a cylinder and dividing the cylinder into at least two chambers; a source of pressurized fluid; and exhaust for fluid; a valve mechanism controllable by a control signal for selectively connecting at least one of the chambers to the source of pressurized fluid or the exhaust for fluid and for controlling the rate of flow fluid to and from the chambers; a sensor device for determining forces applied to the sprung mass by the actuator and the unsprung mass and for generating signals corresponding thereto; a processor device for processing signals generated by the sensor device and for generating a velocity demand control signal to control the valve mechanism, the velocity demand signal demanding a relative velocity between the sprung mass and the unsprung mass and the valve mechanism controlling the flow of fluid to the actuator in response to the velocity demand signals; a mechanism for measuring the extension of the actuator and for generating a signal corresponding thereto; a device for calculating from the velocity demand signal a calculated position signal corresponding to an extension required of the actuator; a device for comparing the calculated position signal with the signal generated by the mechanism for measuring the extension of the actuator and for generating an error signal proportional to the difference therebetween; wherein the velocity demand signal and the error signal are both used to control the valve mechanism which is controlled to drive the error signal towards zero.

This invention relates to a land vehicle suspension control system.
By "land vehicle" is meant a vehicle adapted for motion over the land in contact therewith, examples being motor cars, motor cycles, tractors and tracked vehicles.
In particular, the invention relates to a land vehicle suspension control system for a land vehicle having an active suspension system.
An active suspension system is a suspension system in which conventional suspension components, such as springs and dampers, are assisted or replaced by actuators operable, for example in response to command signals from a microprocessor, to correct, change or control the attitude of the vehicle. An aim of such active suspension systems is to minimize variations in the forces experienced by the vehicle body, thereby improving vehicle safety and enhancing driver and passenger comfort.
The command signals which control the actuators are generally derived from measured values of a number of variables defining the vehicle's attitude. In a truly active suspension system, there is the capability of controlling the actuators to respond to measured road inputs, that is due to perturbations in the road surface, while the actuators can be controlled not to extend and contract in response to loads imposed on the vehicle suspension by virtue of vehicle acceleration and cornering and loads carried in the vehicle.
Active suspension systems are well known. For example, EP-A-0114757 discloses an active suspension system for a four wheeled motor vehicle in which force measurements are taken at the points of support of the vehicle body on each wheel/hub assembly and processed to produce a demanded output of the actuator secured to operate between the respective wheel/hub assembly and the vehicle body.
The attitude of the vehicle can then be controlled by converting the forces measured at the points of support to a set of modal forces (e.g. heave, pitch, roll and warp forces), from which the actuator outputs required to overcome the combined modal forces in order to maintain the desired attitude of the vehicle are then calculated.
A significant advantage of such an active suspension system is that the suspension characteristics of the vehicle can be continuously altered to accommodate varying road conditions and/or operating conditions of the vehicle. This facility permits the construction of a vehicle which has improved safety characteristics, since it is possible to maintain a greater degree of contact of the vehicle wheels with the land, and the behaviour of the vehicle is likely to be more predictable to the driver, than in the case of a vehicle not having an active suspension system.
Known active suspension systems include means for manipulating the values of the modal forces to produce a demanded output of actuator means arranged to oppose the modal forces, thereby maintaining a constant force on the vehicle body.
However, previous control systems used in conjunction with active suspension systems have operated on the principle of producing a demanded position of the actuator means and operating the actuator means accordingly. The actuator means generally includes a hydraulic actuator operating between each wheel/hub assembly and the body the of vehicle.
The frequency response of an electro-hydraulic actuator can be improved dramatically if the control processor can be arranged to output a velocity, rather than displacement demand. When this is the case the primary input to the actuator is a velocity demand.


A streaming orchestrator may monitor the quality of video being delivered to a home or other building. If the streaming orchestrator determines that additional performance is needed, it may create an additional User Plane Gateway in the virtual “white box” environment residing in the customer premises. The streaming orchestrator may instruct gNodeBs to continue to route traffic back to the central core functions or to route traffic to local user plane gateways which transmit video streams to the Internet via localized high-speed connections.

Network functions virtualization (NFV) refers to the replacement of network functions on dedicated appliances—such as routers, load balancers, and firewalls—with virtualized instances running as software on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware (e.g., "white boxes"). NFV's purpose is to transform the way networks are built and services are delivered. With NFV, any enterprise can simplify a wide array of network functions, as well as maximize efficiencies and introduce new revenue-generating services faster and easier than ever before. In 5G, NFV will enable a virtual network architecture aspect that allows multiple virtual networks to be created atop a shared physical infrastructure. Virtual networks can then be customized to meet the needs of applications, services, devices, customers, or operators.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A lead frame includes a lead portion having a first surface and a second surface, a connecting bar that has a first surface and a second surface and to which the lead portion is connected, and a raised portion provided on the first surface of the connecting bar. The first surface of the connecting bar is positioned between the first and the second surfaces of the lead portion. The tip of the raised portion is positioned between the first surface of the lead portion and the first surface of the connecting bar.

Quad flat no-leads (QFN) packaging is known as a semiconductor packaging technology that offers thin profile to semiconductor devices. A QFN package semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element that is mounted on a mount surface of a lead frame and encapsulated with encapsulation resin. Lead portions of the semiconductor device are partially exposed from a back surface opposite to the mount surface.
The process of manufacturing such QFN package semiconductor devices starts with etching on a metal plate to produce a lead frame. The lead frame includes regions corresponding to respective semiconductor elements arranged in a matrix. The regions of the lead frame corresponding to the semiconductor elements are defined by connecting bars, to which a plurality of lead portions disposed around the semiconductor elements are connected. The subsequent process of manufacturing the QFN package semiconductor devices is molding, in which the semiconductor elements are encapsulated with encapsulation resin.
After molding, the next process of manufacturing the QFN package semiconductor devices is sawing, in which the encapsulation resin and the connecting bars are cut off with a saw blade to separate the semiconductor elements into individual semiconductor devices. After the sawing process, in some cases, metal burrs remain on the cross sections of the lead portions cut off from the connecting bars. Metal burrs are unwanted pieces since they may cause a short circuit between the adjacent lead portions. To prevent such metal burrs remaining on the connecting bars, half-etched recessed portions are provided to the connecting bars. However, providing half-etched recessed portions to the connecting bars reduces the stiffness of the connecting bars. Reduced stiffness may lead to deformation of the connecting bars.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2015-072946 discloses a technique of leaving a non-half-etched portion on a back surface of the connecting bar opposite to the mount surface.
In the process of manufacturing the QFN package semiconductor devices, in some cases, molding is followed by external plating process. In the external plating process, an external plating layer such as a solder-plating layer is deposited on the portions exposed from the encapsulation resin on the back surface of the lead frame. For example, external terminals of the lead portions are exposed from the encapsulation resin, and the solder-plating layer is deposited on the external terminals of the lead portions.
If the non-half-etched portions are left on the back surface of the connecting bars as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2015-072946, the non-half-etched portions are exposed from the encapsulation resin on the back surface of the lead frame since the non-half-etched portions are coplanar with the external terminals of the lead portions. If the external plating process is performed, a solder-plating layer is deposited on the non-half-etched portions on the back surface of the connecting bar. In the sawing process that follows, the connecting bar and the solder-plating layer are cut off with a saw blade, and the solder-plating layer may adhere to the edges of the saw blade and the saw blade may become dull.

Lead frame and method of manufacturing lead frame


A self-service terminal (10) comprising a user interface (14) including a display (30) is described. The display has a display area (80) for presenting financial information to a user (12). The terminal (10), which may be an ATM, comprises: a sensor (16) for sensing people in the vicinity of the terminal (10), and means (74) for confining transaction information to a sub-portion (84) of the display area in response to the sensor (16) sensing people in the vicinity of the terminal (10). A method of improving privacy on a self-service terminal is also described.

The present invention relates to a self-service terminal, such as an automated teller machine (ATM), including a display for guiding a user through a transaction.
Self-service terminals are generally public-access devices that are designed to allow a user to conduct a transaction or to access information in an unassisted manner and/or in an unattended environment. SSTs typically include some form of tamper resistance, in both hardware and software. SSTs include: ATMs; non-cash kiosks that allow users to access information (for example, to view reward points on a reward card the user has inserted into the SST); and kiosks that accept payment for services (for example, Web surfing kiosks, photo printing kiosks, kiosks that allow users to buy goods, and such like). The term SST has a relatively broad meaning and includes vending machines.
An ATM is one type of SST, and typically includes a display that presents a series of screens to a user to help the user execute a transaction at the ATM. With the decreasing cost of displays, and the increased amount of information to be presented to users, there has been a recent trend towards incorporating bigger displays in ATMs. Previously, 10 inch displays were conventionally used in ATMs; whereas, it is becoming common to include 15 inch displays on ATMs.
One problem associated with using bigger displays is that a user may perceive that the transaction is not private because passers-by or people queuing to use the ATM may be able to see the display during a transaction.
To address this problem, ATMs conventionally use a privacy filter comprising a series of thin, spaced, vertical slats encapsulated within a transparent glass frame and mounted in front of the display. This privacy filter restricts the viewing angle to a direction generally normal to the surface of the filter. As a result, someone standing directly in front of the ATM can view the ATM display, but someone standing to one side of the ATM cannot view the display. However, the privacy filter does not prevent someone standing behind an ATM user from looking over the ATM user's shoulder to see the display.


A method of monitoring the condition of a machine is provided. The method includes receiving an input complex signal from the machine wherein the input complex signal has a plurality of signal components. The plurality of signal components includes at least one signal component containing a pre-determined frequency of interest and at least one signal component containing noise. The method further includes processing the input complex signal and generating an output complex signal having a plurality of signal components The plurality of signal components includes at least one signal component containing a pre-determined frequency of interest and at least one signal component containing noise. Processing the input complex signal includes executing a fixed-step integration and processing the output complex signal to assess whether a fault exists.

This invention relates generally to systems and methods for distinguishing a signal having a frequency of interest from noise and more particularly, to systems and methods for recovering a signal of interest from a complex signal.
Electric machines, such as motors, are used for a wide variety of applications including but not limited to closing or opening electric switches, and/or providing power to electrical appliances. A condition monitoring system may be used to evaluate the condition of an electric machine by monitoring pre-determined frequencies of interest associated with the machine. Monitoring the frequencies of interest with which such an electric machine operates facilitates accurately determining whether the machine is operating satisfactorily or malfunctioning.
At least some known condition monitoring systems sample a plurality of signals from the machines being monitored to determine the associated operating conditions and communicate these conditions to an operator. The signals collected may be complex signals composed of a plurality of components that includes a signal component containing a particular frequency of interest and a component containing noise. However, because the magnitude of the noise that may exist in a machine output signal, it may be difficult to isolate the component containing the frequency of interest. Moreover, in some instances, the component containing the frequency of interest may not be easily isolated from the noise component when such frequency of interest component is indistinguishable from the noise component.
To facilitate isolating the complex signal component containing the frequency of interest, at least some monitors use a filter to narrow a range of frequencies, from the sampled signals to a band of frequencies that includes the frequency of interest. After the operational frequency range is narrowed, the frequency of interest may then be detected from within the frequency band. However, when the complex signal component containing the frequency of interest is indistinguishable from the noise component, all spectrum peaks may represent frequencies of the noise rather than the frequency of interest. Arbitrarily selecting one of the spectrum peaks may produce random results with little assurance of isolating the frequency of interest. Thus, it may be difficult to distinguish the frequency of interest from within the frequency band.
To further facilitate isolating the signal component containing the frequency of interest of a machine, at least some monitors use at least one oscillator. The oscillator may be configured to facilitate improving a signal-to-noise ratio of an input complex signal by adjusting an oscillation frequency of the oscillator based on a pre-determined frequency of interest of the input complex signal. This process is sometimes referred to as frequency rectification.
At least some known oscillators include physical, analog devices that oscillate within a set of pre-defined parameters. For example, an oscillator may be configured to output a signal with a pre-defined amplitude or range of amplitudes at a pre-determined frequency or range of frequencies. More specifically, an oscillator may be configured to output a continuous signal with an amplitude that oscillates back and forth between two values for a pre-determined number of cycles in a pre-determined period of time. Alternatively, at least some known oscillators are configured as electronic computer simulations of physical, analog devices to generate output signals substantially similar to the physical, analog models they are based upon.
These oscillators may be configured such that they tend to oscillate in an undisturbed state with a substantially stable frequency until a perturbation is introduced. These oscillators may also be configured such that when a perturbation is introduced to the previously undisturbed oscillator, the oscillator may tend to migrate to an alternate, substantially stable state with characteristics that are similar to the characteristics of the perturbation. For example, such an oscillator may be configured such that it oscillates with an undisturbed oscillation frequency within an order of magnitude of a frequency of interest. When a complex input signal, with a frequency of interest and noise components as described above, is input to the oscillator, under certain conditions, the oscillator may shift its oscillation frequency to be substantially similar to that of the frequency of interest. The resultant output signal from the oscillator may be represented by a frequency spectrum that has a notable peak substantially close to the frequency of interest due to a reduction of the noise component amplitudes. The relative amplitude of the signal at the frequency of interest is therefore increased relative to the noise.
Upon completion of frequency rectification, frequency extraction may be used to generate a frequency of interest signal for further utilization in subsequent equipment condition monitoring.
When electronic computerized models of the aforementioned oscillators are configured to execute frequency rectification, the associated configurations use a set of algorithms that may consume a significant amount of computing resources and may provide an undesired delay in determining if equipment malfunctions exist.

Methods and apparatus for frequency rectification


A descramble section extracts required information for descrambling transmitted together with TV signals and converts scrambled signals to ordinary TV signals in response to input control signals. A microcomputer system has a function of processing view-contract management using a required information for descrambling and applies the control signals to the descramble section based on a result of the viewer-contract management processing, when an IC card is not connected. On the other hand, when IC card is connected, the microcomputer system gives the required information for descrambling to the IC card and gives control signals from the IC card to the descramble section without processing the viewer-control management. The IC card performs the viewer-contract management processing using the necessary information for descrambling, and gives control signals to the microcomputer system based on the result of the viewer-contract management processing.

This invention relates to a descrambler for undoing scrambled signals such as video signals and audio signals and decode them to ordinary signals.
In paid broadcasting, such as CATV (a community antenna television) and satellite broadcasting, video and audio signals are scrambled so that the broadcasting can be received by only such customers who have contracted and are paying fees. A device for undoing the scramble from scrambled video and audio signals is called a descrambler, and inner processing made by the descrambler is divided largely into two steps.
A first processing step of the descrambler utilizes transmission data transmitted from a broadcasting station to determine whether the scramble should be undone or not, and as a result, if it is determined to undo the scramble, the scramble given to video and audio signals are undone to decode them to the original signals by a second processing step. In the first processing step, status of a contract between the broadcasting station and the viewer is determined by the descrambler, and an ON/OFF descramble processing is managed. This process is hereinafter called viewer-contract management processing.
In a general descrambler, the viewer-control management processing is carried out by using a microcomputer system. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show examples of the type of processing.
Referring to FIG. 1, the descrambler shown uses an IC (integrated circuit) card 130 having a microcomputer system built therein. The process is carried out by the microcomputer system built-in the IC card 130, thereby a descramble section 120 is controlled. According to this control, undoing of the scramble from scrambled video and audio signals are processed in the descramble section 120.
Details of this descrambler will now be described below.
The process carried out in the descramble section 120, which is a block constructing descrambler, can be largely divided into two steps. By a first processing step, a packet which has been multiplexed with television signals is extracted from TV signals, and the extracted packet data is given to the IC card 130 (a microcomputer system). Then, the scramble is undone by a second processing step.
The packet contains information, such as, individual information, program information, and message information. These packet data are transmitted by time-divisionally multiplexing with video signals and audio signals, e.g. multiplexing with vertical interval signal, or by frequency multiplexing. Then, by the extraction process from the packet, the data is extracted and provided to the microcomputer system in the IC card 130.
Of the information contained in the packet, the individual information relates to individual contractors. The descrambler for viewers who have contracted and are paying is given individual information containing, for example, permission for descrambling for a certain period, e.g., for a month, by a sponsor for broadcasting so that the descrambler may make program information available. On the other hand, a descrambler for viewers who have not contracted is not provided with information for permission of descrambling, so that program information is not available. In the case when a viewer has canceled the contract, or a viewer has failed to pay fees, the descrambler for such viewer is given individual information containing information for not permitting a descramble.
Further, the individual information includes an ID (an identification) of each contractor, and when the ID matches with the ID stored in an ID memory 141 in the IC card, transmitted individual information is taken by the microcomputer system in the IC card 130. Furthermore, the individual information is enciphered by a peculiar key stored in a key memory 142, and the microcomputer in the IC card 130 makes the decoding process by using the key, and reads only correctly decoded information, thereby to avoid reading other viewer's individual information.
The program information relates to a broadcasting program, of which condition is compared with that of individual information. In the case of the descrambler shown in FIG. 1, the microcomputer in the IC card 130 compares the given individual information with the program information, determines whether the viewer of the given individual information has a right to receive the program being broadcasted. If the viewer has the right, the information necessary to undo the scramble is separated from the program information, and such separated information is applied to the descrambler section 120 as scramble control signals.
As described above, the microcomputer in the IC card 130 controls the descramble section 120. In some cases, this program information is enciphered similar to the individual information. In this case, a key for decoding the codes is contained in the individual information, and the key is given to each descrambler for processing.
It may be that a descrambler utilizing an IC card receives only the program information and stores the individual information in advance at the time of issuing the IC card.
The process described above is an example of a descrambler utilizing an IC card. FIG. 2 shows an example of descrambler which does not utilize an IC card.
In the example of FIG. 2, a universal microcomputer system 131 is used instead of an IC card. With this example, too, packet data, which is extracted by a descramble section 120, is given to the microcomputer system 131, which is the same as in the case of using an IC card 130, whereupon the microcomputer system 131 carries out the viewer-contract management processing and controls the descramble section 120. This operation is the same as the IC card 130 of FIG. 1.
In future digital television broadcasting, the packet will not be multiplexed with television signals, but all signals including the television signals will be put in a packet form so that they will be treated the same.
In the meantime, with a descrambler which uses an IC card as shown in FIG. 1, the cost of an IC card is higher than the cost of a universal one-chip microcomputer, and thus undesirably requires an increased amount of initial investment for starting mass production.
On the other hand, a system which uses a universal one-chip microcomputer, as shown in FIG. 2, lowers the production cost. However, in a descrambler which uses a universal one-chip microcomputer, if contents of the processing stored in the microcomputer are decoded and an illegal descrambler is manufactured, the decoded descrambler must be changed entirely to a new descrambler, thereby requiring that the microcomputer software be changed, and thus preventing safe and secure operations in future.


An apparatus includes at least one processing device including a processor coupled to a memory. The at least one processing device is configured to perform the step of monitoring a level of connectivity, of the at least one processing device, for one or more wireless data networks. The at least one processing device is also configured to perform the step of, responsive to determining that the monitored level of connectivity is at or below a designated threshold level of connectivity, utilizing a messaging protocol of one or more cellular voice networks to transfer web content. The at least one processing device is further configured to perform the step of, responsive to determining that the monitored level of connectivity is above the designated threshold level of connectivity, utilizing the one or more wireless data networks to transfer the web content.

Smartphones and other types of mobile computing devices run mobile applications that provide various functionality for users of the mobile computing devices. To provide such functionality, many mobile applications require a connection to the Internet via one or more wireless data networks to transfer web content. When connectivity on the wireless data networks is poor or low, the functionality of the mobile applications may be affected as real time data or web content is not able to be sent from the mobile devices or received at the mobile devices. There is thus a need for techniques which enable the transfer of web content or other data when mobile devices experience poor or low connectivity on wireless data networks.

Web content transfer utilizing messages of messaging protocol of cellular voice network


The present invention provides an integrated system of full optical complete bridge safety monitoring with speech warming for smart phones. The Integrated system of full optical complete bridge safety monitoring includes a stabilizing device, optical sensing device and communication device. The basic structure involves cable and optical fiber connecting two ends and joined by heat shrink tubes. A measuring segment is located between two heat shrink tubes. The stabilizing device provides a pre-determined tensile strength to the measuring segment. The optical fiber sensing device detects a response via a Fiber Bragg grating in the optical fiber's measuring segment. When the measuring segment receives a response, it changes from first phase to second phase and creates a signal change from the reflected signals. Signal processing device converts the signal changes to physical parameters. The communication device sends warning signals to users. Warning signals are sent to users' smart phones, to proactively inform the bridge's safety status with speeches.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an integrated system of full optical complete bridge safety monitoring with smart phone speech warning function. It is particularly relating to an integrated system of full optical complete bridge safety monitoring that is equipped with Fiber Bragg grating and communication device. The system is used to measure bridge structure in real time and send warning signals to user ends via communication device instantly. Warning signals are then sent to the user's mobile phone and to notify the user the latest status of bridge safety.
2. Description of Prior Art
Public Infrastructure is essential to people's lives and properties. Constructions of infrastructure facilities such as bridges, roads, tunnels, reservoirs, and harbors, are reaching saturation. The development and management of infrastructure are shifting from construction to maintenance. On the other hand, conservation of water and soil was not prioritized in early years. Frequent natural disasters such as typhoon and earth quacks are adding to the instability of aquatic and geographic environment.
Many newly-completed infrastructure facilities already have structural issues within their designed service years. On the other hand, service years of older infrastructures need to be extended due to economic considerations. Therefore real time monitoring systems are required to monitor such infrastructures' conditions. Structures have to be under long term monitoring so that unforeseen safety issues can be discovered in time. Therefore appropriate repairs or maintenances can be carried out before the loss of lives and properties is incurred due to structural damages to infrastructures.
The emphasis of structural monitoring is gradually shifting from the construction stage to the operation stage. Remote and real-time monitoring can effectively reduce costs and enhance early warming functions. It helps in prioritizing budget allocation in maintenance, repair and replacement. It is an essential measure for building a management system for infrastructure safety.
New developments, such as the high speed railway and other important constructions, require a higher structural standard of quality, safety and service years than average infrastructure developments. Therefore a monitoring system plays an important role to ensure their safety and service functions.
The present invention is to provide an economical and efficient measuring technique which helps bridge management to execute routine checks. Bridge safeties are monitored in real time during earthquakes or floods. Should incidents occur, warnings are given instantly to provide road users protection and disaster management.

Bridge safety monitoring integrated system with full optical fiber and the method for sensing thereof


A computer implemented method and system for associating advertisements with a web page comprises: obtaining advertisement keyword meanings associated with the advertisements; indexing the advertisements according to the keyword meanings; disambiguating the page to identify page keyword meanings; expanding the page keyword meanings; searching for matches between the advertisement keyword meanings and the expanded page keyword meanings to identify relevant advertisements; and providing the relevant advertisements in association with the web page.

When working with large sets of data, such as a database of documents or web pages on the Internet, the volume of available data can make finding information of interest difficult. Various methods of searching are used in an attempt to find relevant information in such stores of information. Some of the best known systems are internet search engines, such as Yahoo (trademark) and Google (trademark) which allow users to perform keyword-based searches. These searches typically involve matching keywords entered by the user with keywords in an index of web pages.
It is known for search engines to generate revenue by selling certain keywords to advertisers. These advertisers pay for a common search term, such as "bank" and have their ads shown to users when that word is entered in a query.
However, if the advertiser for the keyword "bank" is a financial institution, then their advertisements will appear even for other meanings of the word "bank" such as "to turn an aircraft." Some advertisers purchase a sequence of keywords such as "bank account" to better target their advertising. However, such sequences will match fewer results, so that a query for "bank loan" would not match "bank account."
There is a need for a system and method which addresses deficiencies in the prior art.

System and method for associating queries and documents with contextual advertisements


Systems and methods scan a previously printed sheet using a scanner to create an original scan, and evaluate the original scan to identify marks printed on the printed sheet. For example, any marks, such as the straight and curved marks located in separation areas (areas separating data areas of the printed sheet) of the printed sheet can be evaluated using a specialized image processor. Then, these systems and methods alter the pixels of such marks to add security features (e.g., microtext, microprinting, etc.) to the marks that identify the time, place, and user of the scanner, and this process produces an altered scan. Rather than outputting the original scan, these systems and methods instead substitute the altered scan in place of the original scan and, therefore, output the altered scan from the image processor in place of the original scan.

Systems and methods herein generally relate to scanning of sheets to produce scanned images, and more particularly to the processing of such scanned images with respect to security features.
Copying of proprietary data is a major problem for companies of all sizes. This ranges from the "almost harmless" pricelist copying, to the security of internal intellectual property or data of the government and military. For this reason, it is useful to deter people from improper copying. Deterrent is the preferred situation, since a crime that was never committed is largely preferred to a crime where the perpetrator was discovered and punished after the damage was done. In colloquial language, this is best stated as "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Altering scans to include security features identifying scan origination


Control apparatus is provided for a medical diagnostic imaging system, such as a mobile X-ray unit. The imaging system includes a battery or like power storage device of limited capacity, and a number of components disposed to perform respective corresponding functions. The control apparatus includes a user interface for enabling an operator to generate commands which selectively direct the components to perform their respective corresponding functions. The control apparatus further includes a system control means, comprising a controller and set of control circuits, for initially placing the imaging system in a powered-up mode, wherein each component is coupled to receive power from the battery. A sleep mode activation device is included in the system control for decoupling a first set of components from the battery, while allowing a second set of components to remain coupled thereto, following a first time period during which no command is generated by the user interface. Each component of the second set performs a function which is required to enable the system control to recognize that a command has been generated.

The invention disclosed and claimed herein is generally directed to apparatus for conserving power in a medical diagnostic imaging system, such as a mobile X-ray unit. More particularly, the invention is directed to apparatus of such type for use with a medical diagnostic imaging system operated by power from an electric battery or other device having a limited power storage capacity.
As is well known, the term "medical diagnostic imaging system" is generally applied to equipment which uses a radiographic or magnetic technique to provide images of internal human body structures. Such equipment includes X-ray, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging systems, although it is not limited thereto. As is further well known, these types of systems are comparatively expensive. Accordingly, system suppliers are increasingly interested in developing diagnostic imaging equipment which is portable or mobile, so that it can be readily moved from one location of use to another. The utility of such equipment may thereby be significantly enhanced. Developments of this type are exemplified by a product of the General Electric Company, which is known as the AMX-4 X-ray unit. This product comprises an X-ray machine mounted on a wheeled carriage and provided with a drive motor and steering controls. The motor is powered by a rechargeable battery likewise mounted on the X-ray unit. The unit can thus be easily moved, for example, from one room to another in a hospital.
In mobile units of the above type, it has been found useful to employ the storage battery to operate respective X-ray imaging components, such as the generator, inverter and rotor controller, in addition to operating the unit drive motor. This arrangement minimizes components. Moreover, such arrangement enables the unit to be readily moved from one X-ray site to another, and then operated at the new site without concern about the availability of an external power source, such as an electric outlet of suitable voltage. However, the power storage capacity of a single battery is limited, and such dual use may tend to draw battery power down quickly under certain conditions. While the battery can be recharged when the X-ray unit is not in use, the needs of a health care environment are sometimes very unpredictable. For example, a series of medical emergencies could arise, requiring continuous use of the X-ray unit over an extended period of time, without opportunity to recharge the battery. If battery power was low at the beginning of the period, or if the unit consumed power unnecessarily, the battery might become depleted when power was still needed to acquire X-ray exposures of a patient. Thus, in such mobile X-ray and other diagnostic imaging equipment, it would be desirable to conserve or minimize use of battery power as much as possible. In some circumstances, it could be significantly beneficial to conserve even comparatively small amounts of power, if such conservation would enable the battery to acquire several additional X-ray exposures. It could also be desirable to minimize strain on the battery during recharging procedures.

Medical diagnostic imaging system with power conserving control apparatus


A method of increasing resolution in a camera includes: a) ascertaining a pixel location in a first image for each of a plurality of identifiable image points, where a first particular identifiable image point among the plurality of identifiable image points is located in a first pixel in the first image; b) ascertaining a pixel location in a second image for each of the plurality of identifiable image points; and c) determining a first region within the first pixel, the first region smaller than the first pixel, in which the first particular identifiable image point is located, based at least in part on the ascertained pixel locations of the plurality of identifiable image points in the first and second images.

There is a need for increasing resolution in a camera. The simplest method of increasing resolution is merely to increase the size of the light-sensitive portion (such as a CCD pixel array) of a camera. The obvious problem with this method is that the most expensive portion of a camera is the light-sensitive portion. Other methods include artificially shifting an image by half the dimension of one pixel in the light-sensitive pixel array from one frame to the next and compiling the image data gathered from the subsequent images. A problem that exists with such a method is the need to accurately, predictably, and repeatably shift the image by half the dimension of a pixel from one frame to the next. A complicated, expensive image moving mechanism is required, and inaccuracies caused by external bumping, vibrating, and/or shaking (such as induced by a human person holding the camera) cannot be prevented or accounted for.

Method for increasing resolution in a camera


A holding device produces a retaining pressure on a contoured airplane component (40) for holding the component in place when work is performed on the component. For this purpose the holding device (10) comprises a support (11) and at least one holding element (16) connected to the support (11) and projecting from the support (11) for contacting the contoured airplane component (40) in a holding zone. A spacing between a contact area of the holding element (16) and the support (11) is adjustable in accordance with the contour of the airplane component (40) in the holding zone. The adjustment of the position of the holding element relative to the support (11) moves the holding element (16) more or less against the surface contour so that the holding force is applied exactly where needed on the holding zone. A plurality of holding elements can be advanced toward the surface contour to variable extents so that all contact areas together conform to the surface contour.

When working an airplane component, for example when drilling holes in an airplane component with a drilling unit, a holding device is used in order to apply a holding pressure to the airplane component, such as two skin sections that may not shift relative to each other while drilling continues. The holding pressure counteracts the force applied by the drilling unit to the airplane component. Such a holding pressure may, for example, also be required for preventing the entry of drilling chips into intermediate spaces between airplane components to be interconnected. Conventionally, a support plate with a plurality of holding pins is, for instance, provided for a determined zone on the surface of an airplane component. Depending on the contour of the airplane component in this zone the holding pins project out of the support plate by an individually set spacing in which the pins remain in order to achieve a contour true adaptation and thus a uniform holding pressure of the holding pins in the determined zone on the airplane component. Thus, for each determined zone of the surface of an airplane component a holding device is required that is individually adapted to the respective contour. Once the contour defined by the pin ends is set, the holding device can be used only on an airplane component zone having the same surface contour. The set pins can not be used on any other surface contour. Therefore, the stocking and handling of a multitude of individual holding devices is unavoidable, complicated, and expensive. Thus, keeping many holding devices in stock is not economical, particularly if airplane component contours deviate significantly from a standard contour. Further, some pins may contact the component surface while some may not. Thus, there is the danger that drilling chips enter into the intermediate spaces between two airplane components to be interconnected.

Holding device for generating a retaining pressure on an airplane component


A merchant account activation system that includes an Internet server that works in conjunction with a master account file operating on a mainframe computer and an expert computer system that is used to configure point-of-sale terminals. Many of the steps of the activation procedure are performed by a merchant activation routine running on the Internet server, which allows a merchant to apply for a merchant account during an on-line session conducted with the Internet server. The merchant activation routine obtains application information from the applicant during an on-line session, conducts a credit check and “scores” the application as a credit risk during the on-line session. If the application is approved, the merchant activation routine displays a fee schedule and associated terms and conditions to the applicant for acceptance. In response to merchant acceptance of the terms and conditions of a merchant account during an on-line session, the merchant activation routine or an associated computer operated by the acquirer generates identification information associated with the merchant account and the point-of-sale terminal, such as a Merchant Identification Number (MID) and a Termination Identification Number (TID).

Merchant accounts allow businesses to accept payment by credit cards and other payment instruments that rely on remote validation and/or transaction processing. For convenience, merchant accounts will be described in the context of credit cards. Nevertheless, it should be understood that merchant accounts may also be used in connection with other payment instruments that rely on remote payment-source validation and/or transaction processing, such as debit cards, smart cards, wire transfers, money orders, traveler's checks, personal checks, and various types of e-money. In fact, the merchant accounts described in this specification may be used in connection with any type of financial transaction system that uses some type of remote payment-source validation and/or remote transaction processing.
Basically, a "merchant account" is a contractual arrangement between a merchant and an "acquirer," such as First Data Merchant Services, that remotely processes financial transactions conducted by the merchant. For example, the merchant accepts credit-card transactions as payment for goods or services provided to its customers, and the acquirer performs the services of remote credit card validation and transaction processing. Typically, the merchant enters information from the magnetic strip on the credit card into a point-of-sale terminal using a "card swipe" reader or a keypad on the terminal. In response, the terminal automatically places a telephone call to the acquirer's computer system, which performs the validation and transaction processing operations. Specifically, if the credit card is validated, the acquirer charges the cost of the transaction to the customer's credit card account, and credits the corresponding value to the merchant's account. To provide these services, the acquirer maintains contractual relationships and electronic communication capabilities with all or many of the major credit card issuers. This allows the acquirer to validate the credit cards and process the transactions in "real time" at the time of the transaction. For this service, the acquirer charges a small fee per transaction.
To establish this type of merchant account, the merchant typically applies for the account by filling out a written application. The merchant account application includes information relating to the type of business, its location, sales data, owners, bank accounts, authorization to pay for the merchant account services, and so forth. After receiving the written application, the acquirer manually transcribes the information from the application into the acquirer's computer system. The acquirer then conducts a credit check and, based on the merchant's credit rating and type of business, determines a fee schedule and associated terms and conditions for providing the merchant account services. The acquirer then incorporates this information into a written contract, which is delivered to the merchant.
If the merchant agrees to the fee schedule and associated terms and conditions, the merchant signs the contract and returns it to the acquirer. At this point, the merchant may also order one or more point-of-sale terminals from the acquirer for use in accepting credit card payments. To enable the acquirer's computer system to communicate with each point-of-sale terminal, the merchant obtains telephone service for each point-of-sale terminal and specifies the associated telephone directory number for each point-of-sale terminal. Upon receipt of the executed contract and the point-of-sale equipment order, the acquirer assigns the merchant a "Merchant Identification Number" (MID). The acquirer also assigns each point-of-sale terminal a "Terminal Identification Number" (TID), loads operating software onto the point-of-sale terminals, and configures each terminal with the associated MID/TID and the appropriate telephone number for accessing the acquirer's computer system.
The acquirer also provisions its master account file with a record for the new merchant account, including the MID/TID information, the telephone directory number assigned to each point-of-sale terminal (or alternatively using network codes), and other information related to the operation of the account, such as accounting and billing schedules. The acquirer is now ready to receive and process credit card transactions for the merchant account via telephone calls placed from the merchant's point-of-sale terminals to the telephone number assigned to the acquirer's computer system. In addition, the acquirer has the ability to place telephone calls to remotely access the point-of-sale terminals. This allows the acquirer to reconfigure each point-of-sale terminal, for example by downloading new operating software, changing the MID/TID data, altering the telephone number for accessing the acquirer's computer system, and so forth. This may include alteration of file layouts for sending or receiving data transmissions.
The acquirer then ships the point-of-sale terminals to the merchant, who connects each terminal to its associated telephone line or wireless unit. The merchant is now ready to begin accepting credit card transactions. It should be noted that as an alternative to obtaining new point-of-sale equipment as described above, the merchant may use existing point-of-sale equipment. For example, the merchant may already own one or more point-of-sale terminals for use in a new merchant account relationship. In this case, the acquirer may remotely reprogram each point-of-sale terminal by placing a telephone call to the terminal and downloading new operating software and/or configuration data. Alternatively, the merchant may ship the terminals to the acquirer for reprogramming. That is, there are several methods for authorizing a merchant to use a merchant account and ensuring that the MID/TID and telephone information maintained in the merchant's point-of-sale terminal is consistent with that maintained in the acquirer's master account file. The process of accomplishing this result is known as "activating" the merchant account for credit-card transactions.
Although the activation process described above has worked well, it can take several days or weeks to complete. In particular, the use of the mail to deliver the merchant account application to the merchant, and then to receive the completed application from the merchant, typically takes about a week. The data transcription and approval process often takes another week. The process of configuring and delivering one or more point-of-sale terminals to the merchant may take yet another week. In today's world of e-commerce and fast-paced business decisions, this old-world merchant account activation system may unnecessarily delay the start up of new business ventures. Therefore, there is a need for a faster and more efficient system for activating merchant accounts.


A method for forming a powder from an evaporite mineral feedstock, the feedstock comprising at least 50% by mass of particles having a diameter exceeding 10 mm, the method comprising introducing the feedstock to a high pressure grinding roll press configured so as to generate an output 40% or more of which by mass has a diameter less than 400 μm.

This invention relates to forming a powder of an evaporite mineral and to forming pelletised products, for example for use as fertiliser.
Polyhalite is an evaporite mineral. It is a complex hydrated sulphate of potassium, calcium and magnesium of general formula K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4.2H2O. Deposits of Polyhalite occur in, amongst other countries, Austria, China, Germany, India, Iran, Turkey, Ukraine, the UK and the USA.
Polyhalite has the capacity to be valuable as a source of agricultural fertiliser. In some prior art processes it has been proposed to decompose natural Polyhalite to extract specific nutrients. See, for example, WO 2013/074328, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,946,068 and 4,246,019. However, intact Polyhalite is also usable as a fertiliser, being able to supply sulphur, potassium, calcium and magnesium to the soil.
Mineral Polyhalite can be spread in raw, crushed form. That minimises processing costs, but it has a number of disadvantages. Once applied to the soil the raw mineral takes some time to break down, delaying the bioavailability of its constituents. If applied in chipped form, the Polyhalite tends to be of irregular shape and size, meaning that there can be difficulties in applying it uniformly, and that it can be difficult to apply using some types of agricultural spreading machinery. Untreated powdered Polyhalite might in some circumstances be capable of being uniformly spread. However, since Polyhalite powder can be strongly hygroscopic its mechanical properties can vary quickly and radically over time once exposed to air; and again it can be difficult to spread evenly with some types of machinery.
It is known from to form Polyhalite-containing pellets for use as a fertiliser.
A number of problems arise in processing evaporate minerals such as Polyhalite into pellets. One is that it can be difficult to obtain a reliable pelletised product from evaporite feedstocks due to problems surrounding controlling the takeup of water by the evaporite mineral. This can result in uneven operation of the process.
Another difficulty has been found to arise from the problems surrounding binding of evaporite mineral powder into pellets, with binding being unreliable in some operational circumstances. It has been found that the binder and its method of application needs to be carefully selected in order to achieve good results.
One way to form pellets is to first form a powder of the evaporate mineral, and then to integrate the powder into pellets. Another difficulty has been found to arise from the problems surrounding converting the raw mineral into powder for pelletising, especially on an industrial scale. It would be possible to use a wide range of conventional powder-forming crushers such as cone crushers, attritor mills and ball mills in order to form the powder. However, the crushing process is highly energy intensive, especially when performed at very large scale. It would be desirable to identify a crushing process that uses relatively little energy. One factor that contributes to the energy usage is the extent to which material needs to be recycled through the crushing stage. A crushing process that generates a considerable proportion of powder on a single pass, and without a significant dwell time in the crushing stage, would be preferred.
A further significant factor is the mechanism for separating the output of the crushing stage by size, to ensure that larger pieces of mineral are excluded from the powder stream. One option would be to use a screen for this purpose, for example a rotating drum screen. This can achieve high levels of throughput in good conditions, but it can be relatively inefficient and the screen can become clogged, especially if the powder is damp.
A high pressure grinding roll (HPGR) machine comprises a pair of rollers which are disposed adjacent to each other, arranged on parallel axes. The rollers are spaced apart, defining a crushing channel between them. Material to be crushed is fed into the zone between the rollers. The rollers rotate in opposite directions so as to draw feedstock into the crushing channel. Crushed material is ejected from the downstream side of the crushing channel. The rollers may be formed of or coated with a particularly hard material so as to improve their effectiveness and/or lifetime. In typical applications, HPGR rollers have a lifetime of around 6000 hours.
Conventionally, HPGRs are not used for fine grinding. In a typical installation where powder is the desired output, HPGRs are used to form an intermediate product which is then subjected to ball milling or another form of processing. One reason for this is the difficulty of configuring an HPGR installation to generate powder with a typical feedstock. The rollers might have to be precisely set very close to each other, and this might be expected to result in a low level of throughput.
An air classifier comprises a chamber through which a stream of material feedstock passes from an inlet to a first outlet. Normally the inlet is located below the outlet so that the material passes to the outlet under the action of gravity. A draught of air blows across the stream of material, towards an second outlet, offset from the first outlet. Finer components of the stream are deflected by the draught and exit through the second outlet, whereas coarser components exit through the first outlet. To the knowledge of the applicant, air classifiers are not typically used for processing crushed ore.
There is a need for an efficient process for forming powder of an evaporate mineral such as Polyhalite, and for pelletising such a powder.

Forming evaporite mineral products and their use as fertiliser


A radar of the present invention has: (1) an antenna unit for transmitting a radio wave and receiving a reflected wave of the radio wave; (2)                rotating means for rotating the antenna unit about an axis along a direction of transmitting the radio wave; and (3) control means for detecting an azimuth of a target from the reflected wave, the azimuth using the axis as a reference and being defined in a plane determined from a posture of the antenna unit and the axis.

Some radars mounted on vehicles can detect the azimuth angle of a target existing on a road (a deviation angle between a directional line from the radar to the target: hereinafter called a target azimuth angle). For example, "Development Trend of Vehicle Millimeter Wave Radars", Journal of The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, Vol. 1996, October (pp. 977–pp. 981) describes: (1) a mechanical scan type radar which realizes horizontal scanning of a main beam of a transceiver antenna by mechanically swinging the transceiver antenna; (2) a beam switching type radar which realizes horizontal scanning of a main beam by sequentially switching between transceivers for transmitting beams having different directions; and (3) a monopulse type radar which detects a target azimuth angle in the horizontal plane from a phase difference of reception waves received by two antennas disposed right and left. The radars mounted on vehicles enumerated herein all have as their main object detecting a target on a road, so that only the target azimuth angle in the horizontal plane is detected.


The electrical connector with mounting fixture of the present invention comprises a mounting fixture and a two-piece cable mounting cover. The mounting fixture is mounted to the host computer""s internal frame (not shown). This internal frame is a standard frame that is included with the computer for mounting fixed hard disk drives, cd-rom drives, and floppy disk drives. The two-piece cable mounting cover encases the data cable connector and the power cable connector and is mounted to the mounting fixture. The other end of the data cable is connected to the host computer""s motherboard. Utilizing the electrical connector with mounting fixture of the present invention, a removable mass storage device can be conveniently removed from or installed into a host computer. Additionally, the present invention significantly reduces the number of connectors, adapters, and connections. Therefore, the problems associated with the conventional removable hard disk drive assembly can be avoided and a more convenient, simple, durable, and inexpensive assembly is provided.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to an electrical connector. More particularly, the present invention relates to a connector with mounting fixture for connecting a removable storage device to a host computer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hard disk drives are typically installed inside of a computer system and used for storing data. However, for security and convenience purposes, removable hard drives are also available. This type of hard drive can be removed from the computer system by a user and taken to another location or computer for use or secure storage.
The conventional assembly includes a hard disk drive, an adapter case, and a mounting case. The hard disk drive has a fixed data connector and a fixed power connector. The adapter case includes a mounted connector, printed circuit board (PCB), a data cable with two connectors, and a power cable with connector. The mounted connector is fixed on the printed circuit board along with one of the data cable connectors. The mounting case includes a connector mounted to a small PCB that also has a data connector and power connector mounted on it. Finally, in order to connect the conventional removable hard disk drive assembly to the host computer, a ribbon cable with two connectors must be attached. One end of the ribbon cable attaches to the mounting case data connector and the other end attaches to a connector fixed on the motherboard of the computer.
As can be seen, the conventional removable hard disk drive assembly, in addition to the adapter case and mounting case, requires numerous connectors, cables, printed circuit boards, and adapters.
This multitude of connections is not only cumbersome to install but is also very susceptible to having any number of problems such as data loss, errors, and damage.
Therefore, there is need for an improved removable hard disk drive assembly that overcomes the disadvantages of the conventional removable hard disk drive assembly.
In order to overcome the disadvantages of the conventional assembly, the present invention provides an electrical connector with mounting fixture for connecting a removable storage device to a host computer without requiring a multitude of connectors, cables, printed circuit boards, and adapters.
The electrical connector with mounting fixture of the present invention comprises a mounting plate or fixture and a two-piece cable mounting cover. The mounting fixture is mounted to the host computer""s internal frame. This internal frame is a standard frame that is included with the computer for mounting fixed hard disk drives, cd-rom drives, and floppy disk drives. The two-piece cable mounting cover encases the data cable connector and the power cable connector and is mounted to the mounting fixture. The other end of the data cable is connected to the host computer""s motherboard. Since the cable connectors are firmly held in the proper arrangement and alignment, the previously fixed storage device can be conveniently converted into a removable storage device. The present invention also allows other system improvements to be implemented without requiring the use of special connectors, pcb""s, or cables.
Utilizing the electrical connector with mounting fixture of the present invention, a mass storage device can be conveniently removed from or installed into a host computer.
It can be clearly seen that the present invention significantly reduces the number of connectors, adapters, and connections. Therefore, the problems associated with the conventional removable hard disk drive assembly can be avoided and a more convenient, simple, durable, and inexpensive assembly is provided.
Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

Connector with mounting fixture for removable storage device