A self-recharging battery comprising a generator and an energy storage device contained within the battery case. The generator comprises a magnetic structure configured to generate a compressed magnetic field and a coil configured to focus the compressed magnetic field in electrical conductive elements of the coil.

1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure generally relates to a system and method for storing energy and more particularly to a system and method for portably converting energy into an electrical current and storing the energy.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional portable energy storage devices, such as conventional batteries and storage capacitors, are either disposable or rechargeable by coupling the device to a remote source of electrical energy. Disposable devices inherently limit the amount of portable stored energy available to a user. Carrying extra disposable devices is expensive, and a user must accommodate associated weight, storage space, and disposal requirements. They also are environmentally unfriendly. Conventional rechargeable devices are more environmentally friendly than non-rechargeable devices, but a remote source of energy is required to recharge the devices and the energy available between accesses to the remote source of energy is limited. In addition, recharging requires user intervention.
Conventional shake-flashlights and similar shake-activated devices provide for storing limited amounts of energy, enough to power, for example, an LED for a brief period of time, but typically do not produce enough energy to power a conventional flashlight light bulb, and other high current draw devices, for example, a cell-phone, a camera, a GPS system or a conventional flashlight. They also are bulky and require physical activity expressly directed to charging the device. In addition, conventional shake-activated devices are not readily deployable to power another portable device. They also produce objectionable levels of magnetic fields that can potentially interfere with the operation of electronic devices, such as cell-phones and health-related devices, such as pacemakers.
Conventional crank-powered devices have much more energy-storage capabilities than conventional shake-activated devices, but similarly are bulky, require physical activity expressly directed to recharging the device, are not readily deployable to power another portable device, and may generate objectionable levels of magnetic fields.
Electro-magnetic and electro-mechanical devices and applications, such as, for example, motors, generators and alternators, typically employ coils and/or magnets. Conventional magnetic structures employ a single magnet to generate a magnetic field, or a plurality of magnets arranged to generate a magnetic field. The magnets are typically permanent magnets or electromagnets. The efficiency of many applications is dependant on the gradient of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic structure.
When an increase in output or performance was desired, conventionally the size or number of coils was increased or the size or strength of the magnets would be increased. These approaches introduce weight, cost, size and durability issues. These approaches also are not practical for many applications. Therefore it can be appreciated that there is a need for improved coils and magnets for use in electro-magnetic and electromechanical devices and applications.


Techniques are described for performing a copy operation. A first request is received to perform a copy operation. The first request includes a set of parameters in accordance with a defined interface and include a source area and a target area. The source area includes source ranges and source devices. Each of the source ranges identifies a portion of a logical address range of a different one of the source devices. The target area includes target ranges and target devices. Each of the target ranges identifies a portion of a logical address range of a different one of the target devices. The first request is partitioned in to a plurality of other requests each of which is a request to copy a portion of source data located in the source area to a corresponding location in the target area. The other requests are then issued.

Technical Field
This application generally relates to data storage, and more particularly to techniques used in connection with determining and performing data movements in a multi-tiered storage environment.
Description of Related Art
Computer systems may include different resources used by one or more host processors. Resources and host processors in a computer system may be interconnected by one or more communication connections. These resources may include, for example, data storage devices such as those included in the data storage systems manufactured by EMC Corporation. These data storage systems may be coupled to one or more host processors and provide storage services to each host processor. Multiple data storage systems from one or more different vendors may be connected and may provide common data storage for one or more host processors in a computer system.
A host processor may perform a variety of data processing tasks and operations using the data storage system. For example, a host processor may perform basic system I/O operations in connection with data requests, such as data read and write operations.
Host processor systems may store and retrieve data using a storage system containing a plurality of host interface units, disk drives, and disk interface units. Such storage systems are provided, for example, by EMC Corporation of Hopkinton, Mass. The host systems access the storage system through a plurality of channels provided therewith. Host systems provide data and access control information through the channels to the storage system and the storage system provides data to the host systems also through the channels. The host systems do not address the disk drives of the storage system directly, but rather, access what appears to the host systems as a plurality of logical disk units, logical devices, or logical volumes (LVs). The logical disk units may or may not correspond to the actual disk drives. Allowing multiple host systems to access the storage system allows the host systems to share data stored therein.
In connection with data storage, a host may issue I/O operations to copy data from a source location on a source device to a target location on a target device. The source and target devices may be on the same or different data storage systems. To perform the operation, the host may issue a read command to read the data to be copied from the source location of the source device from a source data storage system. In response, the source data storage system may send the requested data across a network connection to the host. The host may then issue a write command to a target data storage system including the target device. For the write operation, the host transmits the data to the target data storage system whereby the target data storage system writes the data to the target location of the target device.


A bracket assembly includes a bracket, an inserting member, an elastic member disposed on the bracket, first and second arms oppositely and pivotally connected to the bracket, and an operation member. The elastic member includes first and second elastic portions correspondingly disposed. The first and second arms each include a first portion having a contact portion abutting against the respective first or second elastic portion and a second portion having a hook portion and a connecting portion oppositely disposed. The operation member is connected between the connecting portions of the first and second arms.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bracket, particularly to a bracket assembly for a slide which can be manually operated.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a rack device is assembled on a rack by means of a pair of slide assemblies. That is to say, the rack usually comprises a first pair of supports and a second pair of supports. Wherein, the first pair of supports corresponds in position to the second pair of supports. One side of the rack device is assembled on the first pair of supports by a slide assembly; the other side of the rack device is assembled on the second pair of supports by another slide assembly. Moreover, the supports of the rack each generally include at least one mounting hole; two opposite ends of each slide assembly respectively include a bracket. The bracket has an inserting member which can be inserted into the mounting holes of the supports, whereby the two opposite ends of each slide assembly can be respectively assembled on the supports of the rack for positioning the slide assembly on the rack.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,357,362 discloses a bracket positioning structure for a slide, in which, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the bracket positioning structure for a slide is assembled on holes 71 of a support 7 via a pair of studs 2 formed on an endplate 11. Wherein, as shown in FIG. 3, the studs 2 on the end plate 11 of the bracket 1 are respectively inserted into the holes 71 of the support 7 while the bracket positioning structure is assembled on the support 7. Moreover, a tooth 43 of an arm 42 of the bracket 1 is allowed to slide along an edge of the support 7 by means of a bevel edge 431 for shifting the arm 42. While the bracket 1 is moved to a position, as shown in FIG. 5, the tooth 43 of the arm 42 of the bracket 1 will hooks the support 7 and is secured thereat, whereby the bracket 1 can be firmly positioned on the support 7. However, the bracket positioning structure does not have an operation member by which a user can control the movements of the arm 42 of the bracket 1. As a consequence, the convenience in assembling the bracket 1 on the support 7 and disassembling the bracket 1 from the support 7 is still wanted.


Methods are given for improving discriminative training of hidden Markov models for continuous speech recognition. For a mixture component of a hidden Markov model state, a gradient adjustment is calculated of the standard deviation of the mixture component. If the calculated gradient adjustment is greater than a first threshold amount, an adjustment is performed of the standard deviation of the mixture component using the first threshold. If the calculated gradient adjustment is less than a second threshold amount, an adjustment is performed of the standard deviation of the mixture component using the second threshold. Otherwise, an adjustment is performed of the standard deviation of the mixture component using the calculated gradient adjustment.

Most speech recognition systems utilize a statistical model called the hidden Markov model (HMM). Such models consist of sequences of states connected by arcs, and a probability density function (pdf) associated with each state which describes the likelihood of observing any given feature vector at that state. A separate set of probabilities determines the transitions between the states. Most large vocabulary continuous recognition systems use continuous pdfs, which are parametric functions that describe the probability of any arbitrary input feature vector given a model state.
One drawback of using continuous pdfs is that the designer must make explicit assumptions about the nature of the pdfs being modeled—something which can be quite difficult since the true distribution form for the speech signal is not known. The most common class of functions used for this purpose is a mixture of Gaussians, where an arbitrary pdf is modeled by a weighted sum of normal distributions.
The model pdfs are most commonly trained using the maximum likelihood method. In this manner, the model parameters are adjusted so that the likelihood of observing the training data given the model is maximized. However, it is known that this approach does not necessarily lead to the best recognition performance. This problem can be addressed by discriminative training of the mixture models. The idea is to adjust the model parameters so as to minimize the number of recognition errors rather than fit the distributions to the data. One approach to discriminative training in a large vocabulary continuous speech recognition system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,490,555, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Discriminative training of hidden Markov models for continuous speech recognition


In a speedometer control system having wheel speed sensors as well as a vehicle speed sensor, both a PCM and a brake ECU are used to obtain vehicle speeds. Then, a signal corresponding to a vehicle speed is obtained basically from the PCM. However, if it is impossible to properly obtain a signal corresponding to a vehicle speed from the PCM, a signal corresponding to a vehicle speed is obtained from the brake ECU. Accordingly, even in the event that a signal corresponding to the vehicle speed is not obtained from the PCM, it is possible to obtain a signal corresponding to the vehicle speed from the brake ECU, and thus to display the vehicle speed on a speedometer.

Speedometer controllers are known that determine a vehicle speed displayed on a speedometer based on a detection signal from a vehicle speed sensor for detecting a vehicle speed based on rotation of a drive shaft transmitting engine drive force to driving wheels (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei. 05-162560).
In speedometer controllers of this type that use a detection signal from a vehicle speed sensor, the detection signal from the vehicle speed sensor is transmitted through a powertrain control module (hereinafter referred to as "PCM"). Hence, in the event of failure of the PCM or the like, a problem that displaying speeds is impossible arises because a signal corresponding to a vehicle speed obtained based on the detection signal from the vehicle speed sensor is not transmitted to the speedometer.

Speedometer control system and speedometer control method


A telescopic pipe structure for a marine light includes a telescopic pipe and a positioning device. The telescopic pipe includes a second pipe and a fixed pipe. The positioning device is used to control the telescopic pipe in a fixed status or in an adjustable status. The positioning device includes a rotatable lid, a resilient sleeve, and a metallic ring. When the rotatable lid is turned clockwise or counterclockwise, the metallic ring will be pushed by the top of the fixed tube or returned to its original position by the resilient sleeve for controlling the engagement or disengagement of an contracted opening of the resilient sleeve and the second pipe so as to change the telescopic pipe in a fixed status or in an adjustable status.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a telescopic pipe structure for a marine light, and more particularly to a positioning device composed of a rotatable lid, a resilient sleeve, and a metallic ring for changing the telescopic pipe in a fixed status or in an adjustable status by clockwise/counterclockwise rotation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a conventional telescopic pipe structure comprises a positioning seat 61 fitted on a fixed pipe 2, a tightening ring 62 inserted onto a locking ring 63, and a second pipe L1 inserted through the tightening ring 62. The locking ring 63 is screwed to the positioning seat 61 to be turned clockwise or counterclockwise for controlling engagement or disengagement of a slanting edge 621 at a lower section of the forcing ring 62 and an enlarged opening 611 formed at an upper section of the positioning seat 61 to be in a loosened status or in a tightened status. This structure has the shortcomings that the forcing ring 62 is exposed outside; the outer surfaces of the locking ring 63 and the positioning seat 61 are not even; the structure is complicated; and the appearance of the telescopic pipe is not perfect.

Telescopic pipe structure for a marine light


A robotic process automation system provides a capability to deploy software robots (bots) by receiving from a deployment user a bot deployment request comprising a bot identification that identifies a specific preexisting bot and an authorized class of user to execute the specific preexisting bot. Credentials of the deployment user are checked. An execution device upon which the specific preexisting bot will execute is identified from a set of available devices. An authorization token is issued for the execution device to uniquely identify the execution device and to authorize the execution device to communicate with the robotic process automation system. In response to a request by the execution device the specific preexisting bot and credentials corresponding to the authorized class of user are provided, wherein the specific preexisting bot executes on the execution device automatically without input from any individual corresponding to the authorized class of user.

Robotic process automation (RPA) is the application of technology that allows workers in an organization to configure a computer software or a "robot" (also referred to as a "bot") to capture and interpret existing applications for processing a transaction, manipulating data, triggering responses and communicating with other digital systems. Conventional RPA systems employ software robots to interpret the user interface of third-party applications and to execute steps identically to a human user. Typically, the bot will be initiated on a device by a human user who provides the bot with access credentials that the human user has to access certain systems and applications. For example, to complete its tasks, the bot may require login credentials to login as the human user onto a particular device, and then to login to various applications and other system services in order to access, store and/or modify certain data, send messages and perform other functions permitted by the applications. Although this process permits automation of a variety of manual tasks, it still requires a human user to deploy the bot with the user's own credentials.

Robotic process automation system with device user impersonation


System and method for traffic mapping service are disclosed for allowing plurality of users having each a navigation device to transmit their locations to a server and optionally to signal to the server their requested destination. The system and method are further capable of calculating traffic parameters such as current traffic speed at a given road based on the momentary locations of the users. The system and method of the invention may also calculate and advise the users of preferred roads to take in order to arrive at the requested location with minimum delay.

There are known services for traffic reporting, for example, radio traffic reporting and websites which provide such services.
Additionally, there are services which calculate estimated preferred routes, for example, based on pre-calculated stored data, such as, for example, data on traffic lights, average velocities, roads conditions and other suitable data. The calculation of the estimated preferred route by these services usually does not take into account the actual current traffic conditions.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

System and method for realtime community information exchange


A portable cooler with integrated, fold-down shelf adapted for storage within a sidewall of the cooler to facilitate portability and functionality of the cooler. The shelf articulates between a storage position within a recessed portion of the sidewall and a deployed position parallel to the cooler lid for holding food and drink objects. The shelf features a cut-out portion to accommodate use of both the handle and shelf on the same sidewall, and a user may ergonomically access the shelf with a hand and fingers at a lip region of the recessed portion of the sidewall to raise the shelf out of the recessed portion of the sidewall. The handle may be a deployable handle or slidable handle. The cut-out portion of the shelf features a dimensional tolerance to accommodate the functionality of the shelf and handle without either the shelf or handle disturbing or interfering with the other.

Coolers that hold food and drink objects at reduced temperatures are known in the art. Because such coolers must maintain the contents at reduced temperatures for prolonged periods of time while also providing additional functionality to access and use the contents, a significant aspect of a cooler involves enhanced accessibility to the items within the cooler without compromising the cooler's portability. A user generally consumes the contents of the cooler within close proximity to the cooler, itself, so the user's ability to enjoy the contents of the cooler, such as additional ice, food or mixers, is compromised when the body of the cooler is equipped with shelves that potentially require secondary assembly and that reside at inconvenient and cumbersome locations on the cooler body, such as on the front side of the cooler, where weight on the shelf may cause the cooler to tip over, or on the lid, such that items within the cooler cannot be accessed without first clearing and opening the lid. Accordingly, there is a need for a portable cooler that provides additional functionality via integrated, deployable shelves that also accommodate the user's manipulation and use of the handles on the sides of the cooler for purposes of portability. It would be advantageous if the portability of the cooler were also supplemented with integrated shelves that collapse and fit within recessed portions within the sides of the cooler body. The shelves of such cooler may allow ergonomic use of the handles and facilitate consumption of the cooler's contents without limitation due to any cumbersome orientation of the shelves on the cooler body.

Portable cooler with integrated fold down shelf


An improved truck container cover apparatus for covering the open top of a container positioned on a truck for transportation which includes a pair of hydraulically actuated arms which are positioned with the container therebetween. The arms carrying a covering means including a container cover and are provided with a pivotal linkage as well as a pivotal base so that the container cover can be extended or retracted over containers of various sizes.

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for attachment to the bed or frame of a truck for extending and retracting a flexible cover sheet over a container positioned on the truck bed in order that the contents of the container will not spill out or blow away during transport of the truck hauling the container. More specifically, this invention relates to an apparatus for extending and retracting a flexible cover sheet over open containers of various sizes which may at different times be positioned for hauling garbage and the like on the truck bed.
As is well understood in this art, it is advantageous for the truck and its bed or frame to be Capable of hauling various size containers for transporting garbage and the like. These containers can often range in size from about 20 cubic yards to about 40 cubic yards, that is from about 21 feet long .times.33/4 feet high to about 22 feet long .times.73/4 feet high, respectively. Therefore, it would be an advantage to have an apparatus which could be capable of covering such various size containers with a container cover. Also, it is often advantageous in either extending or retracting the container cover over the container to maintain as low a clearance as possible in order to minimize or prevent damage to the cover in the case of winds or other objects exerting high forces on the cover during its covering motion.
Within the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,317 discloses an apparatus wherein the spool is mounted for vertical movement so that containers having different heights may be properly closed. There is no disclosure within this patent of the capability of closing containers of different lengths or closing the containers with minimal clearance of the cover sheet as it moves across the container. U.S. Pat. No. 3,868,142 discloses an apparatus provided with support means, with vertical and horizontal, which are capable of covering a container of various heights and lengths. There is no disclosure within the patent of closing the containers with minimal clearance of the cover sheet as it moves across the container. U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,196 discloses an apparatus provided with telescopic arms which are capable of carrying a cover sheet across the container in a low trajectory resulting in minimal clearance of the container. There is no disclosure within the patent of closing containers of various sizes, that is, various heights and various lengths.
Therefore, it would represent an advancement in the art to provide an apparatus for attachment to the bed of a truck for moving a cover sheet over an open container positioned thereon with the apparatus capable of covering containers of various size heights or lengths and with, if desired, minimal clearance over the container; especially if such an apparatus has few structural members required for operation and is provided with structural members capable of achieving maximum flexibility of operation.


For an input value, conformity grades are computed and are displayed for established membership functions. Alternatively, conformity grades and change rates thereof developed when a fuzzy reasoning system is operated are displayed. Alternatively, a change with respect to time of the input value is displayed to be superimposed onto a table representing the established rules. Alternatively, an output value resultant from a fuzzy reasoning conducted with a particular rule removed is compared with a fuzzy reasoning achieved by using all rules, thereby displaying the difference on a rule table. As above, various features in the fuzzy reasoning are extracted and are displayed so as to check adequacy of the established membership functions and rules.

Apparatuses are being developed for conducting a fuzzy reasoning and having various names such as a fuzzy controller, a fuzzy computer, and fuzzy inference operation apparatus. Most of these apparatuses execute a fuzzy reasoning in accordance with modus ponens fuzzy reasoning rules, which are so-called If, then rules.
In applications of the fuzzy reasoning system, it is quite important to appropriately establish kinds of input variables to be detected from a control object, kinds and contours of membership functions, reasoning rules, etc. These various parameters for the fuzzy reasoning are determined in many cases in consideration of experiences of experts or experienced workers, accumulation of know-how, and the like. However, even when the accumulation of the knowledge in the past is taken into consideration, problems may occur, such that some input variables and rules are not fully utilized, an optimal control cannot be accomplished because of inappropriateness of rules and membership functions, and so on. In consequence, essential matters for improvement of a fuzzy reasoning control also include observating, analyzing and evaluating roles in a fuzzy reasoning of the input variables, membership functions and rules once established and mutual relationships of a plurality of rules.
However, the research of the fuzzy reasoning applications has just been started and there has not been accomplished a satisfactory research thereof in the present situation.

Method of and apparatus for evaluating membership functions or rules in fuzzy reasoning system


A method for polishing a semiconductor wafer is provided. A semiconductor wafer is detached from a polishing pad on a side of an upper polishing plate and is kept to be supported by a lower polishing plate. A contact area between the a wafer and the upper polishing plate is set to be less than a contact area between the wafer and the lower polishing plate. As a result, the wafer is definitely detached from the polishing pad on the side of the upper polishing plate and is to be kept supported by the lower polishing plate when the upper polishing plate is lifted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for polishing a semiconductor wafer, especially to a method for polishing the semiconductor wafer by using a both-sides polishing apparatus to polish both side surfaces of the semiconductor wafer simultaneously.
2. Description of Prior Art
The flatness requirements for a semiconductor wafer are stricter than ever before. One of methods for the flatness of the semiconductor wafer is using a both-sides wafer polishing apparatus to polish both side surfaces of the semiconductor wafer simultaneously.
While polishing on the method, water layers containing grinding grains are sometimes formed between the wafer carrier and the polishing pads of the wafer polishing apparatus. This causes the semiconductor wafer to move freely between the water layers or even fall between the wafer carrier and the polishing pads. Furthermore, the friction between the wafer and the wafer carrier may damage the surfaces of the wafer.
The semiconductor wafer is not easily detached from the polishing pad under the water tension on the surfaces of the polishing pad. This may result in that the semiconductor wafer can not be retrieved.
Japanese Patent Laid Open 2-294032 and 2-36066 disclose methods to overcome the above problems, in which grid grooves are provided on the polishing pads to discharge the water on the polishing pads into the periphery of the polishing pads.
Accordingly, water layers are not formed on the surfaces of the polishing pads, and the water tension between the pad and the wafer can be reduced.
By using the polishing pads provided with grid grooves on the surfaces thereof, the semiconductor wafer can be easily detached from the polishing pad on the side of a lower polishing plate. However, the wafer adheres to the polishing pad on the side of an upper polishing plate when the upper polishing plate is lifted. As a result, the wafer can not be retrieved by the retrieving apparatus. Consequently, the wafer may fall and break.

Method for polishing the top and bottom of a semiconductor wafer simultaneously


Receive, by a central controller engine, a user request to perform one or more operations associated with user data, wherein the user data includes first data and second data. Select, by the central controller engine based on the user request, a first service provider interface (SPI) integrated into a first service, the first SPI being configured to operate on the first data in a first datastore associated with the first service. The first SPI including a first service interface component configured based on a uniform access specification. Obtain, by the first SPI, the first data, the first data being formatted according to a first service data specification. Transform, by the first SPI based on the uniform access specification, the first data, thereby generating transformed first data formatted according to the uniform access specification. Provide, by the first SPI, the transformed first data to a target service.

Under conventional approaches, a data layer may provide different application programming interfaces (APIs) for accessing disparate data sources. For example, a data layer may include fifty different APIs for accessing fifty different data sources However, such conventional data layers are typically difficult to implement and/or maintain, and they do not effectively scale. For example, changes to the data sources typically breaks the layer and/or API(s) of the layer.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Systems and methods for providing uniform access in a multi-tenant system


A frame isolation system is presented which enhances the ride quality of a terminal tractor. The isolation system includes an axle saddle provided with leading and trailing anti-torque links which permit the axle to move through a limited displacement to compensate for rough and uneven road surfaces. The terminal tractor includes a main frame and a rear axle, the axle saddle being rigidly coupled to the rear axle, and a resilient bumper positioned between the main frame and the axle saddle. The rear axle is also permitted to move through limited range of side to side oscillation because of the use of spherical bearings and ball joints between the anti-torque links and their respective connections with the axle saddle and the main frame.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns a load isolation system for a tractor which is used primarily for shuttling trailers attached to a fifth wheel boom. The isolation system serves to limit the shock ordinarily transferred from the rear axle to the main frame when the tractor moves over rough or uneven surfaces by including an axle saddle coupled to the main frame by anti-torque links.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Terminal tractors are vehicles which are typically used to shuttle trailers in a port, yard, or other terminal facility. The tractors attach and hold the trailers by a boom which carries a fifth wheel for coupling to the kingpin of the trailer. The boom is pivotally mounted to elevate a trailer carried by the fifth wheel so that the forward support legs are elevated above the ground. This permits the tractor to move the trailer without retracting the support legs which results in much more efficient operation. These tractors are used for only short trips and carry widely varying loads, and in order to reduce cost, are typically provided without dampening suspension systems, but instead the axle and fifth wheel are rigidly mounted to the frame. As a consequence, the cab and driver, as well as the engine, frame, and other components are subjected to continuous stress and strain as the tractor drives over the surface.
One effort to overcome these problems is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,820 to Renner, et al. This patent shows a suspension system for a tractor-trailer combination which uses an A type sub-frame connected to the main frame by a universally pivoting coupling at the front apex of the A-frame. The rear of the A-frame is coupled to the rear axle with the fifth wheel load being applied to the A-frame by the lift cylinders. Pneumatic cushions and shock absorbers are interposed between the A-frame and the main frame to cushion the tractor. While this tractor suspension presents certain advantages, certain problems have also been presented, such as overloading of the pneumatic cushions as a result of an overload on the fifth wheel, causing the cushions to burst. These problems include the necessity for providing plural suspension means such as pneumatic cushions and shock absorbers between the subframe and the main frame, maintenance difficulties in connection with the pneumatic cushions, clearance below the main frame of the tractor which may be limited by the forwardly extending A-frame, and stress on the driveshaft occasioned by the geometry of the A-frame. Additionally, the suspension system of the prior art requires an additional hydraulic system for controlling the amount of suspension for the load, and failed to provide any suspension effect when the fifth wheel boom was in a "down" position.
As a consequence, there has developed a real need for a rugged, reliable, load isolation system for a tractor which can avoid the aforementioned problems.


An entertainment system includes a digital television connected to a number of audio/video input devices. The television and at least two of the input devices support analog legacy communication schemes. The television is adapted to uniquely identify the analog output channels from each of the input devices. Uniquely identifying the analog output channels from each input device enables the television to automatically select the correct device output from among the numerous possibilities. This automation relieves the user of having to manually select the correct analog channel.

Typical home entertainment systems include a television, a VHS tape machine, and some type of set-top box (e.g., a cable box). Sophisticated systems might also include such components as a radio receiver, a CD player, a pair of speakers, a karaoke, and a DVD player. The possibility of adding and combining many disparate audio and video input sources requires that at least one of the interconnected components enable users to select from various input sources and to appropriately configure the desired audio/video output source. Unfortunately, finding the correct configuration of components to display a desired audio/video presentation often requires a viewer to employ a number of different remote-control devices and user interfaces to arrive at the correct combination of device configurations. Experienced users of such systems can attest to the difficulty of finding the appropriate settings for each case; less experienced users find the task even more exasperating.
In view of the above, there is a need to provide consumers with simplified systems of devices, and preferably systems that can be controlled using a single, simple user interface. The IEEE 1394 system architecture, also known as the "FireWire® System Architecture," addresses this need. ("FireWire" is a registered trademark of Apple Computer.) FireWire®-compliant devices assign six-bit physical identifiers to each device connected to a FireWire® serial bus. The FireWire®-compliant devices then use these physical identifiers to uniquely identify themselves on the bus. Whenever a new device is added to the bus, an existing device is removed from the bus, or both, a bus reset initiates certain well-known bus recovery communications and functions in accordance with the FireWire® standard. The bus reset then repeats the process of uniquely identifying each device on the bus.
The ability to uniquely identify each device in a home entertainment system greatly reduces the complexity required to display a desired program. For example, if a viewer issues a command to a FireWire®-capable television (via an infrared remote control, for example) to play a video disk in a FireWire®-capable DVD player, then the television would automatically communicate with the appropriate player over the bus to receive and display the contents of the video disk.
Most consumers who might consider purchasing an advanced entertainment system already own one or more older "legacy" devices and may have content stored using a legacy format. For example, a consumer interested in purchasing a recent model digital television may have a VHS machine, a collection of analog VHS tape recordings, and a set-top box equipped to deliver analog broadcast programming. The consumer will not likely wish to part with some or all of these. It is therefore important for manufacturers of the latest consumer electronics to provide support for older "legacy" devices.
FIG. 1 (prior art) depicts a system 100 in which a digital television (DTV) 105 and digital VCR (DVCR) 110 communicate via a digital FireWire® channel 115 and, to support legacy VHS recordings, an analog channel 120. Both digital television 105 and digital VCR 110 are assumed to communicate using the IEEE 1394a standard. In one example, the devices of system 100 communicate in accordance with EIA 775, which defines a specification for a baseband digital interface to a digital television using the IEEE 1394 standard.
DTV 105 includes a display 125, a digital interface 130, and a switch 135. Interface 130 controls switch 135 to select between digital channel 115 and analog channel 120. DVCR 110 conventionally includes a panel subunit 140 and a VCR subunit 145. Panel subunit 140 communicates with digital interface 130 using the FireWire® standard, and VCR subunit 145 reads both analog and digital video recordings. VCR subunit 145 provides digital signals to DTV 105 via panel subunit 140 and digital channel 115, and provides analog signal to DTV 105 via analog channel 120.
In the absence of some sort of intelligent interface, the user of system 100 would have to know at any given moment whether the output of the DVCR 110 was an analog signal or a digital signal. The user would then have to instruct DTV 105 to select the appropriate analog or digital input. Requiring the user to make such decisions can be confusing, especially if DVCR 110 can play tapes that include both analog and digital information.
The FireWire® standard addresses this problem by providing an intelligent means of automatically switching between analog channel 120 and digital channel 115 without requiring user input. When switching between analog and digital outputs, DVCR 110 can issue a FireWire® standard "CONNECT" command over digital channel 115 to instruct digital interface 130 to issue the appropriate video-select command on port VS to switch 135. The user is thus relieved from the burden of having to manually switch between video signals. FireWire®-compliant systems that employ the EIA 775 protocol issue a CONNECT command with an EIA 775 "descriptor" specifying the analog_input_plug_ID as the destination plug.
FIG. 2 depicts an entertainment system 200 in which a digital television 205 is connected to two audio/video devices 210 and 215. In the depicted example, DTV 205 is a FireWire®-compliant digital television, and devices 210 and 215 are a FireWire®-compliant digital VCR and a FireWire®-compliant digital set-top box, respectively. All three devices include analog communication channels to support legacy communication.
DTV 205 includes an analog tuner 220, some FireWire®-compliant digital interface circuitry 225, a video selection circuit 230 controlled by a user interface 235, a video processor 242 to interpret incoming video signals, and a display 244 for presenting the interpreted video signals to users (i.e., viewers). Video selection circuit 230 includes three analog video channels AV0-AV2 connected to three respective analog input jacks 245. Video selection circuit 230 also includes a digital video channel DV# that receives digital video signals from three digital communication jacks 250 via digital interface circuitry 225 and a FireWire® bus 255.
User interface 235 receives commands from the control panel (not shown) on DTV 205 and via an infrared receiver 260 that receives infrared instructions from a remote control 265. User interface 235 connects to video selection circuit 230 and issues video select commands VS as directed by the user. In some embodiments, selection circuit 230 enables DTV 205 to simultaneously display the contents of more than one video input to selection circuit 230. For example, DTV 205 can simultaneously display a user interface and broadcast video from an analog or digital broadcast, and embodiments that support picture-in-picture (PIP) can simultaneously receive and display data from two analog channels, two digital channels, or one analog and one video channel.
Digital interface circuitry 225 communicates with devices 210 and 215 via digital video channels DV1 and DV2. Because interface circuitry 225 and devices 210 and 215 are all FireWire® compliant, interface circuitry 225 can distinguish between devices 210 and 215. User instructions received by user interface 235 can therefore be directed to the appropriate one of devices 210 and 215, and digital interface circuitry 225 can direct digital video streams from devices 210 and 215 to video selection circuit 230. Assuming, for example, that device 210 is a digital video recorder, a user can instruct DTV 205 to play videotape in device 210. Such an instruction would cause user interface 235 to command video selection circuit 230 to select digital video input DV# and to issue a "play" instruction to device 210 via digital interface circuitry 225 and bus 255. In this way, the user can specify the output of either device 210 or 215 with a simple command to DTV 205.
A problem can arise when one of devices 210 or 215 provides an analog output signal on its respective analog video output AV. As noted above, the FireWire® standard allows compliant devices to issue a "CONNECT" command causing DTV 205 to switch to an analog input. However, DTV 205 has no way of telling which of analog input jacks 245 is connected to the requesting device. Thus, a request to switch the input of DTV 205 to one of analog input jacks 245 may cause DTV 205 to display the correct video, video from the wrong device, or nothing at all. For example, if device 210 issues a command to switch to an analog input while device 215 is also active, DTV 205 might display broadcast video from antenna 270 or the analog signal from device 215. The user would then have to either physically swap analog input connectors to jacks 245 until the appropriate signal is displayed, or would have to employ user interface 235 to manipulate video selection circuit 230. The user would then have to repeat this process from time to time, depending on the selected device and the analog input currently selected by circuit 230.
Requiring the user to manually select the appropriate video input or rearrange physical connections can be confusing; indeed, this is part of the reason the FireWire® standard was adopted. Unfortunately, the unique identifiers used by FireWire®-compliant devices do not exist for analog signals. There is therefore a need for a way to uniquely identify a number of analog channels to relieve the user of the burden of manually selecting from among them.

Method and apparatus for automatically switching between analog and digital input signals


Centrally controlled wireless networks require reliable communications between the central controller and each of the stations within the wireless networks. The structure of a wireless network is often dynamic, or ad-hoc, as stations enter and exit the network, or are physically relocated. The selection of the central controller for the network may also be dynamic, either because the current central controller desires to exit the network, or because the communication between the current central controller and one or more of the stations is poor. This invention discloses a method and apparatus for assessing the quality of the communication paths among all stations in the network. This assessment is useful as a continual monitor of the quality of the network, and can be utilized to select an alternative central control station based upon the quality of communication paths to and from this station. Additionally, the quality assessment can be utilized to establish relay communication paths, as required.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the monitoring of peer to peer links in a wireless network, and in particular to the determination of an optimal network structure in dependence upon the monitored quality of these links. The invention is particularly well suited for wireless systems having a centralized control station, and is further well suited for wireless ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) networks.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
A communications network requires a network protocol to operate effectively and efficiently. One such protocol for a wireless network is a contention based protocol. In a contention based protocol network, any station is free to transmit whenever another station is not currently transmitting. Such a protocol, however, exhibits inefficiencies due to collisions, wherein two transmitters attempt to initiate transmission at the same time. The likelihood of collisions increase with an increase in network traffic, making contention based protocols inefficient for high traffic networks. Because collisions may occur, and will be undetectable by each of the transmitters, the contention based protocol typically requires an acknowledgment from the intended receiver to the transmitter, further limiting the network's efficiency, and further increasing the likelihood of collisions.
An alternative to a contention based protocol is a centralized control protocol, wherein one station in the network determines when each of the other stations may transmit. Each station transmits only during its allocated time, thereby eliminating the possibility of collisions, and thereby increasing the efficiency of the network. The communication of the information related to the control of the network incurs an overhead inefficiency, but this overhead is relatively independent of the quantity of communications on the network. Therefore, the centralized control protocol is particularly well suited for high traffic networks, or networks which require a deterministic quality of service (QoS), such as ATM.
An essential element to a centralized control protocol is that each station on the network must be able to communicate with the centralized controller. Wireless networks, however, often support mobile stations, and the ability to communicate between the controller and the mobile station must be assured regardless of the location of mobile station. One architecture commonly utilized is a cellular network, wherein central controllers are placed throughout a region, each central controller having a local transmission area, or cell, within which communications with a station can be expected to be reliable. The central controllers are placed such that any point in the region lies within at least one cell. Such a cellular approach, however, requires that the central controllers be stationary, and does not readily allow for a wireless communications network within which all stations may be mobile.
To support a wireless network having a centralized control structure, yet still allow for freedom of movement amongst all the stations on the network, the control structure should be reconfigurable, in dependence upon the changing environment. If communications within the current structure are poor, the structure should be changed to one which provides for a higher quality of communications. To effect such a reconfigurable network, a means must be provided to assess the quality of the existing network structure, and also to estimate the quality of an alternative network structure.

Apparatus and method for peer-to-peer link monitoring of a wireless network with centralized control


A web site creation and maintenance system permits distributed control and centralized management of a web site. The physical implementation of the web site resides on a database maintained by a database administrator. The web site system permits a site administrator to construct the overall structure, design and style of the web site. This allows for a comprehensive design as well as a common look and feel for the web site. The web site system permits content for the web site to originate from multiple content contributors. The publication of content is controlled by content owners. This permits assignment of content control to those persons familiar with the content. The web site system is also a self service web site system for content contributors, content owners, and site administrators. The self service system displays to users one or more panels that contain input fields to permit the users to submit content and web site components for publication on the web site. The user, through use of only a web browser running on the user computer, transmits the parameter to the web site database. In response, the web site is updated at the database in accordance with the parameter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed toward the field of web sites, and more particularly toward designing, creating, and maintaining web sites.
2. Art Background
Generally, a web site is a collection of text and images configured for presentation in a predetermined way. A web site may be published by a single person or published by a group of people. A company or organization is an example of a group of people that publish a web site. For example, a company may have a web site for use by its customers (e.g., sale of products), and a company may have a web site for internal use (i.e., Intranet). Typically, web sites published by a group are created and maintained through a collaborative effort. For example, a company that sells hi-tech gadgets may include, on its web site, material that describes and shows uses for the hi-tech gadgets as well as content that describes the basic technology of the hi-tech gadgets. The material that discloses uses of the hi-tech gadgets may be submitted by the company's marketing department, whereas the content that describes the basic technology of the gadgets may be submitted by the company's engineering department. Thus, it is typical to assemble content for a web site from multiple sources when creating and maintaining a web site.
Typically, to create a web site, the person, referred to as the content contributor, submits the content (e.g., files and images) to the web site administrator for publication. The web site administrator assumes the role of both constructing the web site and maintaining the implementation of the web site. The task of constructing the web site includes using HTML to link the files and images. The task of maintaining the implementation of the web site includes ensuring proper operation of the host computer, such as a web server, as well as maintaining up to date back ups of the web site. The content contributor may not be technical and may not have any knowledge of HTML. Thus, the content contributors rely on the web site administrators to publish the content.
One problem associated with this traditional approach is that funneling all the content for publication through the site administrator creates a bottleneck. For example, if a web site has multiple content contributors, all of the content contributors must funnel the content through the web site administrator prior to publishing the content. Also, this approach places all of the responsibility of approving publication of content on the web site administrator when the web site administrator may have little or no knowledge of the content. Furthermore, under this approach, there is no single responsible person for ensuring that the content is up to date and accurate.
With the increased popularity of the Internet and corporate Intranets, there is an increased demand for tools that aid in the creation and maintenance of web sites. Accordingly, it is desirable to generate a web site creation and maintenance tool that permits non-technical people to publish content on a web site. It is also desirable to generate a web site creation and maintenance tool that apportions responsibility for web site creation and maintenance task to the most appropriate individuals.

System for creating and maintaining a website


A method for measuring a high-accuracy and real-time heart rate based on a continuous-wave radar is provided. The method includes receiving an in-phase (I) signal and a quadrature (Q) signal for a receive signal received through the continuous-wave radar, selecting any one signal by comparing magnitudes of the received I signal and the received Q signal, performing frequency transform of each of bases respectively having predetermined phases with respect to the any one selected signal, and determining a heart rate based on a magnitude response of each of the bases by the frequency transform.

Embodiments of the inventive concept described herein relate to technologies of measuring a heart rate using a continuous-wave Doppler radar, and more particularly, relate to a method for using a window of a short length and enhancing the accuracy of measuring a heart rate, using a polyphase basis discrete cosine transform (PB-DCT) to which DCT together with polyphase bases is applied and a radar system therefor.
Studies for detecting and analyzing cardiopulmonary movements using Doppler radar have been researched for many decades. Thanks to noncontact characteristics of the Doppler radar, there is no need to attach or detach the measurement auxiliary instrument from the body when inspecting heartbeat or respiration and there is no need to prepare and arrange the instruments. Furthermore, because there is no great loss when the electromagnetic wave penetrates clothing, patients do not need to takeoff clothes when measured. It could be helpful for patients suffering from burns, shingles, or complex regional pain syndrome, which should not be touched. Thanks to these advantages, studies for detecting and analyzing cardiopulmonary movements using the Doppler radar have continued to the present. There has been a growing demand to apply it to the real industry, for example, a medical bio-signal monitoring sensor and an bio-signal monitoring sensor for driver sleepiness prevention.
A continuous-wave Doppler radar with the characteristics of high sensitivity compared with the relatively simple system configuration is one of the types of radars primarily used in this field. Studies for measuring the heart rate in real time using the continuous-wave Doppler radar is one of the most recent issues in this field. The heart rate usually changes constantly, and sudden changes in heart rate occur in short time due to body internal and external factors. The heart rate should be measured to catch such a phenomenon and immediately determine the relationship with diseases or several physiological mechanisms.
There are two techniques used mainly in the signal processing method for measuring cardiopulmonary movements using the radar and computing the heart rate. One is a method called arctangent demodulation (AD) and the other is a method called complex signal demodulation (CSD). Because two methods are based on quadrature demodulation, they may resolve the null point problem which is the typical problem in this field. Furthermore, both the two methods have one thing in common that uses a peak-search method for using discrete Fourier transform (DFT) when transformed into the frequency domain, taking the absolute value after the transform, and analyzing the absolute value as the magnitude response to determine the frequency with the largest value in the heart rate range as the heart rate. In general, any method uses a window length of 10 seconds or more to enhance the resolution on the frequency spectrum.
There is an inverse relationship between the window length and main-lobe width (MLW) and side-lobe width (SLW) in the spectrum. Therefore, the longer the window length is, the shorter the MLW and the SLW are in the spectrum and the better the resolution is. In other words, the heartbeat signal, the respiration signal, and MLW and SLW of harmonic components and intermodulation components of these signals become short, and it is clear to classify the components. Due to this, as described above, the window length of 10 seconds or more is mainly used to increase the resolution in this field. In general, although real-time measurement is performed, the heart rate updated every several seconds is extracted by applying the sliding-window method using such a long window. However, technically, it cannot be called real-time measurement. Because of applying the long window, the past data is more dominant than the updated current data. In other words, although there is a momentary change in heart rate, because the rate of the amount of the past data on one window is snore dominant than the amount of the currently updated data, it is unable to sensitively inflect a change in heart rate in real time. Even so, when the window length is decreased, MLW and SLW of the above-mentioned components increase and the resolution problem of the spectrum occurs again. Thus, in the window length, there is the tradeoff between real-time measurement and resolution (the accuracy of measuring the heart rate).
There is a need for a technology capable of using the window of a short length and obtaining good spectrum resolution.

Method for measuring high-accuracy realtime heart rate based on continuous-wave Doppler radar and radar system therefor

KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY


An inertia contact designed to co-operate with a contact in series with a component, such as a resistor or a varistor, is disposed in the interrupting chamber of a circuit-breaker so as to be inserted in parallel with the contacts of the circuit-breaker for a limited period of time. The circuit-breaker includes a tube supporting moving contacts and connected to a drive rod. The inertia contact comprises a circularly-symmetrical metal casing coaxial with the tube and surrounding the tube. The casing is substantially tubular in shape with a projection flanked by two rings fitting snugly and slidably against the tube. A first end of the inertia contact is made of an alloy that is resistant to the effects of arcing. A second end of the inertia contact serves to fix the inertia contact to a first end of at least one spring. A second end of the spring is fixed to the tube. A band having a conical inside cross-section is disposed at one end of the cavity formed by the projection and the tube engages a domed collar fixed to the tube to damp the shock during relative motion of the inertia contact and the tube during contact therebetween as a result of circuit-breaker opening.

The invention may be used, in particular, in high-tension circuit-breakers of the type in which a resistor or a varistor is inserted in parallel with the terminals of the arcing contacts for a relatively short period of time on circuit-breaker opening or on circuit-breaker closing.
Contact apparatus for such insertion is described in French Patent Application No. 91 06159, filed in the name of the Applicant. FIG. 1 of the present specification reproduces FIG. 1 of the above-mentioned document. FIG. 1 shows a circuit-breaker interrupting chamber comprising a gastight ceramic casing 1 delimiting a volume 2 filled with a gas under pressure and having good dielectric properties. The casing, which is closed at its top by a metal end plate 3, contains a fixed assembly comprising a first metal tube 6 constituting the fixed main contact, a second metal tube 7 constituting the fixed arcing contact, and contact fingers 31 connected to one end 20 of a varistor made up of a stack of disks 18 disposed in an insulating cylinder 19. The ends 31A of the arms 31 are made of an alloy that is resistant to the effects of electric arcing. The second end of the varistor, together with the fixed permanent contacts and the fixed arcing contacts are electrically connected via arms 5 to a first current terminal 4 of the circuit-breaker.
The moving assembly of the circuit-breaker comprises a cylinder 9 mechanically connected to a drive rod (not shown) and electrically connected to a second current terminal (not shown). A part 11 is fixed to the cylinder 9 and serves as a support for the fingers 12 constituting the moving permanent contact, for the fingers 14 constituting the moving arcing contact and disposed at the end of a tube 13, and for a blast nozzle 17. A cap 10 protects the fingers 12 from corona discharge. Holes 15 are provided in the part 11 to enable the blast gas to pass therethrough. The varistor is inserted in parallel with the arcing contacts on circuit-breaker opening by means of an inertia contact 43 in the form of a rod which is slidably mounted in a guide block 30 fixed to the cylinder 9, and which is provided with a cavity 32 in which the first end of a spring 34 surrounding the rod 43 bears, the other end of the spring abutting against a damping block 40 fixed to the end of the rod.
When the circuit-breaker opens, by means of the moving equipment being displaced, the rod 43 because of its inertia, remains stationary for a few instants against the pressure of the spring which is compressed. This enables the varistor to be inserted after the arcing contacts have moved apart, the varistor being inserted for the length of time required to attenuate any voltage surges. When the spring is fully compressed, the rod 43 is driven by the motion of the cylinder 9 and it moves away from the contact 31.
These dispositions also enable the varistor to be inserted on circuit-breaker closing, before the arcing contacts come together, by means of an appropriate choice of contact lengths.
The dielectric profile of the above-described apparatus is not suitable for very high tension equipment.

Circuit breaker inertia contact assembly for resistance insertion during opening and closing operations


A method of forecasting unscheduled component demand for a plurality of components in a fleet of assemblies includes establishing a set of models to be used for forecasting unscheduled component demand, selecting a best model for each component, and determining a date at which a cumulative probability of unscheduled component demand reaches a predetermined threshold.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to the field of planned maintenance and repair of components used in an assembly or collection of assemblies, such as an aircraft fleet, and more particularly, to a method and system of forecasting unscheduled component demand for such assemblies.
2. Description of the Related Art
The following terminology will be used throughout this application:    Assembly—a device or apparatus that includes a plurality of an individually replaceable and/or repairable portions;            Component (a.k.a. "part")—an individually replaceable and/or repairable portion of an assembly;        Fleet—collection of assemblies;        Part number—a unique identifier of an individual component included in an assembly;        Serviceable part—a particular component that can be used to replace a like component in an assembly;        Unserviceable part—a particular component that is in need of repair.
In the airline industry, a well-organized system and process for performing maintenance of an aircraft fleet is critical. Regularly scheduled routine maintenance of the aircraft fleet is carefully planned to meet governmental and company-established airline safety requirements, to minimize any disruption to revenue-generating flight schedules, and to contain inventory costs.
A typical aircraft fleet may consist of more than a dozen different types of aircraft (e.g., 18) having thousands of different types of components (e.g., more than 6700), and scheduled maintenance may be performed at dozens of different maintenance facilities located throughout the world.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of maintenance and repair facilities for an aircraft fleet. In a typical arrangement, an airline may have one or more centrally located maintenance facilities 110 for performing major routine scheduled maintenance jobs on the aircraft and/or components thereof. The airline also may have several satellite maintenance facilities 120, located at a number of different locations throughout its service area, for performing routine scheduled maintenance jobs. Typically, one or more repair depots 130 receive unserviceable parts from the various maintenance facilities 110, 120 and repair the unserviceable parts to produce serviceable parts. The serviceable parts are then kept in one or more central warehouses or stores 140 from which they are distributed to the maintenance facilities 110, 120.
To perform regularly scheduled routine maintenance, the proper serviceable parts must be made available at the various maintenance facilities 110, 120 at the scheduled time. Failure to have these serviceable parts available when and where they are needed can delay the scheduled maintenance, resulting in postponements or cancellations of revenue-generating flights. On the other hand, it is not cost effective to keep excess inventories of serviceable parts at each maintenance facility 110, 120 where routine maintenance is performed, or in the central stores 140.
Therefore, component repair schedules for the repair depot(s) 130 are carefully devised, considering many factors, including: the known routine maintenance schedules for all of the aircraft in the fleet; the locations of the maintenance facilities where the routine maintenance will be performed; the various components of each aircraft which will be replaced during the scheduled maintenance visits; the different personnel which are qualified to repair the various components; the typical time period required to repair each component; etc. Computer software has been developed to automate the process of preparing schedules for repairing the components needed for routine scheduled maintenance of the aircraft in the fleet.
However, routine scheduled maintenance is only one component of the overall problem of aircraft maintenance. The other major component is unscheduled, non-routine aircraft maintenance required by unexpected component failure. Unscheduled, non-routine aircraft maintenance in turn creates unscheduled component demand for serviceable parts.
Recently, it has been determined that as much as 80% of all component demand in an airline maintenance system is unscheduled component demand! Therefore, if such unscheduled component demand is not accounted for in the preparation of component repair schedules, serviceable parts will not be available when and where they are needed to perform unscheduled, non-routine aircraft maintenance. As noted above, the failure to have serviceable parts available when and where they are needed in turn will cause postponements or cancellations of revenue-generating flights.
However, until now there has not been a system or method for effectively or accurately forecasting and planning for such unscheduled component demand.
Meanwhile, it is also desired to produce a detailed work schedule for the repair depots 130. Such a detailed work schedule should preferably establish the exact order in which components are to be repaired. Ideally, a system and method for producing such a component repair schedule would instruct a component repair specialist as to exactly which component should be repaired next in order to optimize the availability of serviceable parts for the aircraft fleet. Such a system and method needs to consider many factors to produce the component repair schedule, including: a forecast of all unscheduled component demand for the aircraft fleet; the known routine maintenance schedules for all of the aircraft in the fleet; the locations of the maintenance facilities where the routine maintenance will be performed; the various components of each aircraft which will be replaced during the scheduled maintenance visits; the different personnel which are qualified to repair the various components; the typical time period required to repair each component; etc.
Similar problems to those described above exist in other industries and situations, for example: a trucking company having a fleet of trucks; a Navy having a fleet of ships; an emergency services (e.g., police) two-way radio communication system; an electric utility, a large computer network; etc. All of these situations, and others, could benefit from a system and method for effectively or accurately forecasting and planning for unscheduled component demand.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a system and method for effectively or accurately forecasting and planning for such unscheduled component demand. It would also be advantageous to provide a system and method for producing a component repair schedule that accounts for unscheduled component demand. Other and further objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

Method and system of forecasting unscheduled component demand


A sheet folding apparatus including a conveying roller pair, first and second folding roller pairs, and a control unit. The control unit controls the apparatus such that a sheet conveying speed or a sheet conveying amount of the conveying roller pair is different from a sheet conveying speed or a sheet conveying amount of the first folding roller pair or the second folding roller pair when the folded part of the folded sheet is guided between the first folding roller pair and the second folding roller pair.

In general, in an image forming apparatus capable of copying onto a large-sized sheet, such as A0, A1, etc., if such a large-sized sheet is stored as it is or if the large-sized sheet is handled as it is, the storage space required is large, or handling is inconvenient, and as such, normally, the sheet is folded for storing and handling.
However, if a sheet folding operation is performed manually, a significant amount of time is needed, so that a time required for folding a sheet may end up being longer than a time required for copying.
In light of the above, there is a system in which is arranged, in a sheet discharge path of an image forming apparatus, a sheet folding apparatus which can fold a sheet automatically, making it possible to automatically fold in succession large-sized sheets copied, as is discussed generally in JP 5-238635, JP 11-349218, JP 2004-67266, and JP 2006-335500.
In a sheet folding apparatus for use in such a system, there may be included a unit (an off-line operation) for folding a sheet which was inadvertently copied and discharged without folding in advance, or a large-sized sheet which was produced by a different image forming apparatus, as well as (an on-line operation of) automatically folding a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus.
When paper folding is actually performed by such a system, for a standard-sized sheet such as A0, A1, etc., paper folding can be performed using a predetermined size for each face of a sheet to be folded. In an image forming apparatus capable of copying onto the large-sized sheet, copying may be performed onto a long sheet such that a length in a sub-scanning direction amounts to several meters, so that it is required to perform paper folding even for such a non-standard long sheet.
A paper folding apparatus disclosed in JP 5-238635 automatically adjusts a folded length of each folded portion to fold even a sheet other than one having a standard length to a specified dimension.
JP 11-349218 discloses a paper folding method and a paper folding mechanism that orderly form a folding edge in a desired folding mode.
JP 2004-67266 discloses a paper folding machine which ensures that unnecessary folds are not produced when a folded sheet is discharged.
JP 2006-335500 discloses a paper folding apparatus which reduces unevenness in a folding dimension even for a large-sized sheet having a curled tip.
FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing an operation of a related-art sheet folding apparatus. In FIG. 23, the sheet folding apparatus 1 includes a conveying roller pair 3; a first folding roller pair 6 and a second folding roller pair 7 that are arranged in an opposing manner to the left and the right of a lower portion thereof; a first sheet guiding member 4 and a second sheet guiding member 5 that selectively guide a sheet P conveyed from the conveying roller pair 3 in each folding roller pair direction; and a lower sheet face guide 10 which guides a lower face of the sheet P. The sheet P is fed by the conveying roller pair 3 and conveyed, and selectively guided to the first folding roller pair 6 or the second folding roller pair 7 by an operation of the first sheet guiding member 4 or the second sheet guiding member 5. The guided sheet P is folded a predetermined number of times by being fed between the first folding roller pair 6 or the second folding roller pair 7 while sliding on an upper face of the lower sheet face guide 10. This is accomplished by an operation of the first sheet guiding member 4 or the second sheet guiding member 5 in alignment with repetition of forward and reverse rotations of the first folding roller pair 6 and the second folding roller pair 7.
A first sensor 8 is arranged downstream of the first folding roller pair 6 in the sheet conveyance direction. The first sensor 8 senses the front end of the sheet folded by the first folding roller pair 6. A second sensor 9 is arranged downstream of the second folding roller pair 7 in the sheet conveyance direction. The second sensor 9 senses the front end of the sheet folded by the second folding roller pair 7. In FIG. 23, a number 2 denotes an inlet sensor.
Another known folding method is one in which crest folding is repeated. A folding finishing state shown in FIG. 24A is a state in which an A0-sized sheet is folded, resulting in basic folding. In this case, crest folding is performed twice with a title column facing up. Moreover, in a similar manner, with respect to A0-sized bag folding, crest folding is performed twice with the title column facing up. This folding, which cannot be handled by the related-art sheet folding apparatus, is handled by performing crest folding and trough folding from the title column side as shown in FIG. 24B.
There are other folds which require finishing in which there are successive folds in the same direction. These are folds which are often used in notices, brochures, etc., including, for example, an inner three fold as shown in FIG. 24C and a gate fold as shown in FIG. 24D. A Z-fold shown in FIG. 24B is achieved by folding to successively perform trough folding or to successively perform crest folding.
However, the sheet folding apparatus 1 often causes displacement of the folded sheet shown in FIG. 23C when the apparatus transfers the folded sheet between rollers.
FIG. 23A shows a state in which a sheet is folded at first, the front end Pt of the folded sheet is guided to a conveying roller pair 3 by reversing the second folding roller pair 7 and with a second sheet guiding member 5. In this state, a gap occurs between an aspect from the front end Pt to the folded part Pb of the folded sheet and another aspect of the sheet part after the folded part Pb.
The diagram shown in FIG. 23B is a state in which the front end Pt of the folded sheet is inserted in the conveying roller pair 3 again in the state with the gap shown in FIG. 23A.
The diagram shown in FIG. 23C is a state in which the folded part Pb of the folded sheet is guided from the second folding roller pair 7 to the first folding roller pair 6. When the folded part Pb of the folded sheet is nipped and conveyed by the first folding roller pair 6 in this state. The folded part Pb of the folded sheet is formed to the displacement of the folded sheet.

Sheet folding apparatus and image forming system


This invention provides a light-concentrating structure with photosensitivity enhancing effect, including the substrate, buried layer, first electrode layer, second electrode layer, dielectric layer and interconnection structure. The substrate is equipped with a housing space; the buried layer is arranged above the substrate with the housing space; the first electrode layer is arranged above the buried layer; the second electrode layer is arranged in the middle of the first electrode layer; the dielectric layer is arranged above the second electrode layer; the interconnection structure is arranged above the substrate and the first electrode layer surrounding the dielectric layer, which forms an opening and a light-concentrating recess groove.

Image sensors are semiconductors used not only on the home appliances such as smart phones and digital cameras, they are also used in car cameras and monitoring cameras as well. Image sensor is a device that converts optical signals to analog signals. The analog output signal of image sensor is transmitted to the image signal processor making analog/digital (A/D) conversion and color adjustment and then becomes the digital video data. The image sensor converts the light intensity of camera lens into electronic signals. Through the image sensor, the light entering the camera is presented as an image. The image sensor is one of the key components of imaging equipment such as digital cameras and web monitoring cameras. The most commonly used type is the "Charge Coupled Device" (CCD) or the "Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor" (CMOS)
The Charge Coupled Device (CCD) is an integrated circuit, a device based on analog signals. When the optical signal is projected on the surface, it will generate a charge signal, which is converted into a voltage and outputs the picture and image signal according to the specified timing. Other circuits on the motherboard convert the charge signals into digital signals for processing by the processor.
The Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) also is an integrated circuit, the basic devices of P-channel MOSFET (PMOS) and n-type MOSFET (NMOS) can be produced in silicon wafer; since P-channel MOSFET (PMOS) and n-type MOSFET (NMOS) are characteristically complementary, they are called the CMOS.
Today, Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) is also often used as the image sensors of digital imaging equipment, also known as an Active Pixel Sensor. There is a corresponding circuit near each photoelectric sensor to directly convert the light energy into a voltage signal. The difference between the Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) and the Charge Coupled Device (CCD) is that the Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) does not involve charge signals.
Both the Charge Coupled Device (CCD) sensors and the Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensors have their own advantages and disadvantages. The image of Charge Coupled Device (CCD) is superior to the image of Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS); yet, the Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) has the advantages of low cost, low power consumption, fast transmitting speed and high integration. With the progressing of technology, nowadays the industry has developed a Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor that can match the image quality of Charge Coupled Device (CCD), making the image sensor gradually transition from traditional Charge Coupled Device (CCD) to the Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS).
Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) can be used to make computer static random access memory, controllers, processors and other digital logic circuit systems, for example, Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) devices are very common in some high-level digital cameras, which make Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) synonymous with image sensor.
Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) can be installed in a digital camera. The digital camera is the camera that uses the photosensitive coupling element or the complementary metal oxide semiconductor sensor to replace the chemical photosensitive function of the traditional camera film. Unlike traditional cameras that record images through chemical changes on the film caused by light, the main components of the digital camera include the image sensor, dark room, photosensitive medium and control structure.
Continue to above, the darkroom connects its lens with the photosensitive medium to protect the photosensitive medium and ensure that the photosensitive medium will not be interfered by external light during the imaging process.
Continue to above, the photosensitive medium is responsible for capturing and recording images.
Continue to above, the control structure can control or change the way of capturing and recording the image and the final imaging effect of the image.
Continue to above, the image sensor is usually made of a lens group built by optical glass, called a lens.
The light sensor is a single module that integrates complex procedures and functions of the aforesaid optical sensing element, micro-lens light-concentrating structure, filter, optical reading circuit, and signal processing. Although the structure of modern light sensor can generally satisfy the originally intended purposes, yet, all modern light sensors need to be equipped with the light-concentrating elements, which lead to an increase in the overall thickness of the conventional light sensors. The industry's search for a design in further reducing the thickness of the conventional photoreceptor is still an urgent issue for the industry to work on.
In view of the aforesaid problems of the conventional technologies, this invention provides a light-concentrating structure with photosensitivity enhancing effect, which combines an interconnection structure with a light-concentrating element to further eliminate the light-concentrating element and reduce the thickness of the photoreceptor.

Light-concentrating structure with photosensitivity enhancing effect


Methods and apparatuses are provided that include determining resources over which to measure signals from a base station. One or more parameters related to a resource restriction pattern can be provided to the device for measuring signals over indicated resources. The resource restricted pattern can correspond to a bitmap where each bit relates to a time period over which signals can be transmitted by the base station, and the bit can specify whether a signal received over the resource should be measured. The resource restriction pattern can correspond to a set or protected resources negotiated using a resource partitioning scheme.

1. Field
The following description relates generally to wireless network communications, and more particularly to measuring interference from base stations while accounting for inter-cell coordination of resources.
2. Background
Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as, for example, voice, data, and so on. Typical wireless communication systems may be multiple-access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth, transmit power, . . . ). Examples of such multiple-access systems may include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, and the like. Additionally, the systems can conform to specifications such as third generation partnership project (3GPP) (e.g., 3GPP LTE (Long Term Evolution)/LTE-Advanced), ultra mobile broadband (UMB), evolution data optimized (EV-DO), etc.
Generally, wireless multiple-access communication systems may simultaneously support communication for multiple mobile devices. Each mobile device may communicate with one or more base stations via transmissions on forward and reverse links. The forward link (or downlink) refers to the communication link from base stations to mobile devices, and the reverse link (or uplink) refers to the communication link from mobile devices to base stations. Further, communications between mobile devices and base stations may be established via single-input single-output (SISO) systems, multiple-input single-output (MISO) systems, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, and so forth.
In addition, some wireless networks allow deployment of low power base stations (e.g., femto nodes, pico nodes, micro nodes, etc.), to which a device can connect to receive alternative wireless network access. For example, the low power base station can communicate with the wireless network over a broadband or other backhaul connection (e.g., a digital subscriber line (DSL) connection, T1 connection, cable connection, etc.), while also providing an access link over which devices can communicate therewith to receive access to the wireless network.
For example, low power base stations can be deployed within macrocell base station coverage areas, which can result in multiple levels of interference where the base stations operate in a similar and/or adjacent frequency spectrum, such as interference to devices communicating therewith, interference to the low power base stations and macrocell base station from devices communicating therewith, etc. Resource partitioning schemes, such as enhanced inter-cell interference coordination (eICIC), have been implemented to allow the low power base stations and macrocell base stations to negotiate transmission (and/or reception) radio resources to avoid such interference. In these schemes, a low power base station can schedule device communications in different time periods than the macrocell base station uses to schedule devices. Thus, interference for a given base station can vary over a given set of resources.

Method and apparatus for restricted measuring in a wireless network


A method for manufacturing a board includes step 1 to mix 49.8% to 97.8% of polyethylene, 50% to 2% of calcium carbonate and 0.2% of foaming agent, and step 2 to roll or press the mixture to become a board. The board can be burned without producing sticky remains.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a material that is composed of polyethylene, calcium carbonate and foaming agent. The material can be molded to be desired shapes and generates no sticky remains after being burned.
So many products are made by plastic which is easily shaped and manufactured in mass production. Nevertheless, plastic is not suitable to be burned and will generate sticky remains which is not friendly to the environment. Most of the metro cities use garbage burners to deal with the garbage and expect to reduce the amount of remains after burning the garbage. The plastic products leave sticky remains on the inside of the burners after burned and the sticky remains reduces the efficiency of the burners so that workers have to clean the sticky remains from the inside of the burners periodically. The sticky remains also shortens the life of use of the burners.
The present invention intends to provide a new material that replaces plastic material at a certain level and will not become sticky remains after being burned.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a board and including step 1 to mix 49.8% to 97.8% of polyethylene, 50% to 2% of calcium carbonate and 0.2% of foaming agent, and step 2 to roll or press the mixture to become a 1 mm board. The board can be burned without producing sticky remains.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a method for a new material that is easily to be shaped and board can be burn and produces no sticky remains.
These and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, several embodiments in accordance with the present invention.

Method for manufacturing an environmental friendly material

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