A data transfer processing system constructed so that a transmission side system transfers continuously renewed data information disposed in a prescribed data pattern to a reception side system, wherein the transmission side system is provided with a functional part for specifying records containing the data information remaining as is as valid data even after renewal and a functional part for transferring pre-renewal and post-renewal disposition information of the specified records to the reception side system and transferring the records changed by the renewal to the reception side system in accordance with a prescribed order and wherein the reception side system is provided with a functional part for invalidating records other than the records which the transferred pre-renewal disposition information indicates, a functional part for rearranging the records not invalidated at locations indicated by the transferred post-renewal disposition information, and a functional part for writing the transferred records in empty disposition locations in accordance with a prescribed order.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data transfer processing system constructed so that a transmission side system transfers continuously renewed or update data information disposed in a prescribed data pattern to the reception side system, more particularly relates to a data transfer processing system which achieves high speed transfer of renewal or update data information.
In the field of data processing, sometimes processing is performed so that a transmission side system periodically transmits continuously renewed data information disposed in a prescribed data pattern to a reception side system. For example, in a dealing system handling foreign exchange, exchange transactions are realized by the host system transmitting constantly fluctuating rate information to the terminals in the dealing rooms.
In such a system, it is necessary to increase the system effectiveness by the high speed transfer of data information from the transmission side system to the reception side system.
2. Description of the Related art
In a data transfer processing system constructed so that the transmission side system transfers continuously renewed data information disposed in a prescribed data pattern to the reception side system, conventionally the transmission side system has sent all the renewed data information as is to the reception side system.
That is, the transmission side system has transferred the new present data information as is to the reception side system without considering the previous data information which had been sent to the reception side system.
In this related art, however, all the data information has to be sent each time, so there was the problem that the transfer of the data information took time. Therefore, there were the serious problems of a heavy load exerted on the transmission line and obstruction of exchange transactions in dealing systems.

Data transfer processing system achieving high speed transfer of continuously updated/renewed data using pre-renewal and post-renewal information


A data transmission method includes the steps of: a) performing two-dimensional interleaving along a time axis and along a frequency axis; b) transmitting thus-obtained data by a multi-carrier transmission form; and c) producing, by channel copy operation, data which is short with respect to the required number of channels for fast inverse Fourier transform performed antecedent and subsequent to the step a).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data transmission method and a data transmission apparatus performing two-dimensional interleaving operation along a frequency axis and along a time axis on transmission data, and the data is transmitted according to a multi-carrier transmission form. The present invention may be applied not only to a power-line transmission field, but also, for a cable transmission field, ADSL, VDSL, CATV and so forth, and, for a wireless transmission field, wireless LAN of 2.4 GHz, digital broadcasting, and so forth, and, also, for an optical data transmission field, WDM, and so forth.
2. Description of the Related Art
A system for transmitting data through various kinds of transmission paths such as a cable, radio, and so forth, has been used, and improvement for stable data transmission and improvement of transmission rate are demanded. Moreover, various proposals also for a system for utilizing an existing telephone line or an existing power line as a cable data transmission system have been made. Moreover, for example, as there is an existing power distribution system by which electric power is supplied to each transformer through a 6.6 kV high-voltage power line, and the voltage is lowered to 100 V or 200 V by each transformer, and then, the electric power is supplied to consumers, such as each home, through a low-voltage power line, various proposals for a data transmission system utilizing this low-voltage power line as a data transmission path have been made.
In such a data transmission system utilizing a low-voltage power line, on the side of a high-voltage power line, an optical fiber transmission path is laid along the high-voltage power line, then, at a position of a transformer, a modem is used to connect the optical fiber transmission path with the low-voltage power line, and, also, a modem is used to connect between each terminal apparatus and the low-voltage power line. Thus, data transmission is performed by utilizing the low-voltage power line as a data transmission path.
In such a case, generally speaking, the low-voltage power line includes, for example, an inductance component on the order of 1 μH/m and a capacitance component on the order of 75 pF/m. Therefore, in a case of incoming lines of 150 m and 50 m×30 (houses), equivalently, an inductance of 150 μH and a capacitance of 0.1125 μF are connected. Further, as, in many cases, capacitors for noise prevention is connected to various kinds of household-electric-appliances, the impedance of the power line has a relatively large capacitance. Moreover, in many cases, an inverter drive form is applied to various kinds of household-electric-appliances, and, noises generated from the inverters are inserted into the power line.
Therefore, when using such a low-voltage power line as a data transmission path, data is transmitted through a low-path filter equivalently, thereby, a high-frequency component of the signal attenuates remarkably, and, the signal will contain various noises, in many cases. Moreover, in such a case, although there is comparatively little attenuation of a low-frequency component, noise occurring due to an inverter unit etc. may have many low-frequency components. Therefore, low-frequency components of a signal may include various noises. Moreover, as such a low-voltage power line branches to plurality of lines in general, and, also, no proper impedance matching is performed on each termination end, signal reflection may occur and also problems due to multipath phenomenon may occur.
A system for transmitting data in parallel using a multi-carrier transmission form for a provision for problem concerning mulitpath and line equalization is also known. For example, an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Divisional Multiplexing) transmission form, and a DMT (Discrete Multitone) transmission form are known. When such a multi-carrier transmission form is applied, as it is possible to assign a carrier avoiding a frequency band having a large noise level, it becomes possible to transmit data through a low-voltage power line even including many noise components mentioned above. Moreover, as a system in which parallel transmission of data is carried out by the multi-carrier transmission form, for example, an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) transmission form is known as a transmission form directed to a high-rate data transmission through a telephone line.
This multi-carrier transmission form is such that transmission data is transformed into parallel form, and modulation is performed by using each carrier having different narrow band, and, in general, a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) form is used. Thus, since transmission data is transmitted in parallel, it becomes possible to equivalently reduce the data band rate per channel, therefore to transmit the data by the data transmission path of the low-voltage power line even including much noise, etc.
In the above-mentioned DMT transmission form and OFDM transmission form, it is common to use an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) form and a fast Fourier transform (FFT) form. Moreover, while using error correction code, applying an interleaving technology is also known.
The applicant of the present application previously proposed a data transmission apparatus (modem) in which the function of a Hadamard transform needing processing easier as compared with the function of Fourier transform is used, and, also, a unit of performing two-dimensional interleaving operation along a time axis and along a frequency axis is employed. FIG. 1 illustrates this data transmission apparatus. In this figure, a transmission signal SD is input to a unit for code transformation such as scrambling (SCR), series-to-parallel conversion (S/P), (gray code)-to-(natural code) conversion (G/N), and summing processing. Further, a signal point generating unit 102, an ADM (Hadamard) multiplexing unit 103, a time-and-frequency interleaving unit 104, a DMT (Discrete Multitone) processing unit 105 having functions of inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) and guard-time adding, a D-A conversion unit (D/A) 106, and a low-path filter (LPF) 107 are provided. Therethrough, the data is sent out through a TX-line (transmission line).
In the same figure, a reception line, RX-line is connected to a band-path filter (BPF) 110. Further, an A-D conversion unit 111, a DMT processing unit 112 having functions of guard-time removal and fast Fourier transform (FFT), an amplitude-and-phase pulling unit 113, a time-and-frequency inverse fast Fourier transform unit 114, an ADM distribution unit 115, a decision unit (DEC) 116, a code transformation unit 117 having functions of differential processing, (natural code)-to-(gray code) conversion (N/G), parallel-to-series conversion (P/S) and descrambling (DISC), and a synchronization processing unit 118 having functions of sub-frame synchronization and master-frame synchronous function, are provided. Therethrough, a reception signal RD is obtained.
The code transformation unit 101 performs scrambling (SCR) operation and series-to-parallel conversion (S/P) operation on the transmission signal SD, and, then, performs (gray-code)-to-(natural code) conversion (G/N) thereon, so as to generate natural code which can be used for calculation, and, then performs summing operation thereon so that the reception part may perform phase identification by differential calculation. Then, signal points equivalent to sample points at Nyquist intervals are produced by the signal-point generating unit 102. Then, Hadamard transform is performed and, thus, the signal is multiplexed by the ADM multiplex part 103. Then, two-dimensional interleaving along the time axis and along the frequency axis is performed by the time-and-frequency interleaving unit 104. Then, quadrature amplitude modulation guard time addition are performed by the DMT processing unit 105. Then, the data is converted into an analog signal by the D-A conversion unit 106, and the low-path filter 107 passes therethrough only a signal having a frequency band between 10 kHz and 450 kHz, for example, and then, it is sent out to the transmitting line. Instead, a wide transmission band between 2 and 30 MHz may be employed.
The signal having the frequency band between 10 and 450 kHz of the signal received by the reception line RX-line is passed through by the band-pass filter 110 of the reception part, the signal is then converted into a digital signal by the A-D conversion unit 111, DMT demodulation and guard time removal are performed by the DMT processing unit 112, and, by the amplitude-and-phase pulling unit 113, synchronization operation is performed under control of the synchronization processing unit 118. The sub-frame synchronization and master-frame synchronous processing is performed by this synchronization processing part 118.
Then, by the time-and-frequency inverse interleaving unit 114, inverse interleaving operation inverse to the two-dimensional interleaving performed by the time-and-frequency interleaving unit 104 of the transmission end is performed. Then, the ADM distribution unit 115 performs operation inverse to the operation performed by ADM multiplexing unit 103 of the transmission end. Then, the decision unit 116 performs data decision operation and thus, restores the transmission data. Then, the code transformation unit 117 performs differential operation, (natural code)-to-(gray code) conversion (N/G), parallel-to-serial conversion (P/S), and descrambling (DSCR) operation. Thus, the reception signal RD is obtained.
As noise components problematically inserted into the data transmission path is of random ones. For example, FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate noise characteristics, where the vertical axis represents the signal power while the horizontal axis represents the frequency. As shown in FIG. 2A, the noise changes randomly along the time axis and frequency axis. Then, as mentioned above, by performing quadrature amplitude transform such as Hadamard transform (ADM) or Wavelet transform, etc., and two-dimensional interleaving at the transmission end, and performing inverse interleaving and inverse Hadamard transform etc. at the reception end, the noise components are averaged or equalized, and, thus, have an approximately uniform level, as shown in FIG. 2B. Therefore, since equalization of noise is thus attained, stable data transmission becomes possible.
FIG. 3 illustrates another example of a data transmission apparatus which the applicant of the present application proposed in the past. The same reference numerals are given to the same units as those of FIG. 1. In the configuration of FIG. 3, a roll-off filter and modulation unit (ROF MOD) 108 and a demodulation and roll-off filter unit (DEM ROF) 119 are provided. That is, the roll-off filter and modulation unit 108 is provided between the DMT processing unit 105 and D-A conversion unit 106 in the transmission part shown in FIG. 1, and the demodulation and roll-off filter unit 119 is provided between the A-D conversion unit 111 and the DMT processing unit 113 of the reception part thereof.
The roll-off filter and modulation unit 108 of this data transmission apparatus performs wave shaping operation and digital modulation such as quadrature amplitude modulation on the signal having undergone guard time addition by the DMT processing unit 105. Then, the signal is converted into an analog signal by the D-A converting unit 106, and, then, by the low-pass filter 107, the signal is made to have a predetermined frequency band, and is sent out to the transmission line TX-line. By the demodulation and roll-off filter unit 119, the digital demodulation of the digital signal obtained from the A-D conversion part 111 is carried out, wave shaping operation is carried out by the roll-off filter, and, then, it is input to the DMT processing unit 112.
Then, the DMT demodulation and removal of the guard time are performed by the DMT processing unit 112, synchronization pulling is performed by the amplitude-and-phase pulling unit 113, inverse interleaving is performed by the time-and-frequency inverse interleaving unit 114, operation inverse to the operation performed by the ADM multiplexing unit 103 of the transmission end is performed by the ADM distribution unit 115, the decision unit 116 performs data decision/restoration, and, by the code transformation unit 117, differential operation, (natural code)-to-(gray code) conversion (N/G), parallel-to-series conversion (P/S) and descrambling (DSCR) are performed. Thus, the reception signal RD is obtained.
FIG. 4 illustrates another data transmission apparatus employing a noise removal unit proposed by the applicant of the present application in the past. The same reference numerals as those of FIG. 3 are given to the same units. In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, a zero-point insertion unit 109 and a noise removal unit 120 are provided. The zero-point insertion unit 109 inserts one or a plurality of zeros (zero levels) between signal points of the signal output from the DMT processing unit 105. The noise removal unit 120 extracts noise components accompanying the zero points, obtains noise components accompanying the signal points by processing interpolation operation of the thus-obtained noise components of the zero points, and removes the noise components accompanying the signal points.
FIG. 5 illustrates the noise removal unit which includes a transmission signal generating unit 131 including the code conversion unit, time-and-frequency interleaving unit, etc. of the transmission part, a zero point insertion unit 132 equivalent to the zero point insertion unit 109 shown in FIG. 4, a data transmission paths 133 such as a low-voltage power line, a telephone line, a radio circuit, or the like, a reception signal reproduction unit 134 including the DMT processing unit, time-and-frequency inverse interleaving unit, etc. of the reception part, and the noise removal unit 120 shown in FIG. 4, a frequency shift unit 121, a thinning-out unit (DCM) 122, an interpolation unit (IPL) 123, and a frequency inverse shift unit 124, and a subtraction unit 125.
Into the signal S of 192 kB (bands) given from the transmission signal-generating unit 131 shown in FIG. 6, (1), one zero point is inserted between signal points by the zero point insertion unit 132, thus the transmission rate becomes equivalent to twice, 384 kB. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, (2), it corresponds to the case where the number of sample points thus becomes twice along the time axis. In the figure, curves shows a state of an example of amplitude-modulated signal.
When transmission of the transmission signal before zero point insertion is made by 192 kHz, it comes to have a twice frequency band, i.e., 384 kHz by the above-mentioned zero point insertion. Since the signal transmitted through the data transmission path 133 has noise added thereto due to various causes mentioned above, the noise N is added to each signal point and also to each zero point, as shown in FIG. 6, (3). With regard to the frequency axis, the signal inputted into the noise removal unit 120 shown in FIG. 4 is such as that shown in 'noise distribution', (1) of FIG. 5, for example. The signal components in this case are shown as a frequency band in a range between −192 kHz and +192 kHz assuming that the central frequency is 0 kHz. As described above, the level of the band components A, B, C, and D are such that A>B>C and D as the noise component in a lower frequency range is higher in level.
The noise removal unit 120 has a configuration including the frequency shift unit 121, thinning-out unit 122, interpolation unit 123, frequency inverse shift unit 124, and subtraction unit 125, and performs a (96 kHz) frequency shift by the frequency shift unit 121. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, (2) '+96 kHz shift', the output of the frequency shift unit 121 is such that, the band component A in the range between −192 kHz and −96 kHz is shifted to the range between −96 kHz and 0 kHz; the band component B in the range between −96 kHz and 0 kHz is shifted to the range between 0 and +96 kHz; the band component C in the range between 0 kHz and +96 kHz is shifted to the range between +96 kHz and +192 kHz; and, the band component D in the range between +96 kHz and +192 kHz is shifted to, by turning, the range between −192 kHz and −95 kHz.
Then, by the following thinning-out unit 122, the signal point shown as S+N of the reception signal of FIG. 6, (3), along the time axis, for example, is thinned out. Thereby, only the signal components at the zero points remain, as shown in FIG. 5, (3) 'thinning out (DCM)', along the frequency axis. Each arrow in this figure shows band component produced by turning. By the next interpolation unit 123, the noise at the signal point S is obtained by processing interpolation using the noise N at the zero points, and the noise N′ at the signal point between the zero points is obtained by the noise N at the zero points, as shown in FIG. 6, (4). Along the frequency axis, the band in the range between −192 kHz and +192 kHz becomes half, into the range between −96 kHz and +96 kHz, as shown in FIG. 5, (4) 'interpolation' (IPL).
In this case, since the frequency band of the noise components thus obtained by the interpolation process is different from the low-frequency band having much noise shown in FIG. 5, (1) 'noise distribution', the frequency inverse shift unit 124 performs a (96 kHz) frequency shift. Thereby, it is shifted to the frequency band in the range between −192 kHz and 0 kHz as shown in FIG. 5, (5) '−96 kHz shift', and is input to the subtraction unit 125. By this subtraction unit 125, the signal shown in FIG. 5, (5) '−96 kHz shift' of the output of the frequency inverse shift unit 124 is subtracted from the reception signal shown in FIG. 5, (1) 'noise distribution'. As a result, the low-frequency noise component is removed, as shown by the broken line shown in FIG. 5, (6) 'noise removal'. As shown in FIG. 6, (5), the output of the subtraction unit 125 is such that the noise has been removed, and only the signal components S remain. Thus, the transmission signal shown in FIG. 5, (1) 'transmission 192 kB' can be restored.
FIG. 7 shows one example of the sampled values and spectrums in the thinning-out unit 122 shown in FIG. 5. In the figure, the left parts of (1) through (4) show the sampled values in amplitude along the time axis while the right parts thereof show the spectrums. With regard to (1) 'sampled values and spectrums for the signal S(n)', a value A obtained by Z transform performed on the signal S(n) is expressed by the following formula:A=S(z)=ΣS(n)z−nThe thus-obtained spectrum is in the range between 0 and fs/2, where fs represents the sampling frequency.
With regard to (2) 'sampled values and spectrums for the signal (−1)n*S(n)', that is, the a value B obtained by Z transform of the inverted signal of the signal S(n) is expressed by the following formula:B=Z[(−1)nS(n)]=S(−z)In this case, only the signal components in the signal points are inverted, and, the spectrum obtained therefrom becomes the inverted one. When this inverted signal and the signal before the inversion are added together, (3) 'sampled value and spectrum of the signal t(n)' are obtained. A value C obtained from Z transform of the signal obtained through this addition is expressed by the following formula:C=Z[t(n)]=T(z)=(½)*[S(z)+S(−z)]where, as the signal t(n) is such that each of t(1), t(3), t(5), . . . is 0, it can be expressed as:T(z)=Σt(2n)*Z−2n.
A signal D obtained from thinning out each signal point at t(n) =0 can be expressed as:D=u(n)=T(z1/2)and the final signal E is expressed by the following formula:E=u(z)=[S(z1/2)+S(−z1/2)]/2
Thus, it becomes one shown in (4) 'sampled values and spectrum of the signal u(n)'. Thus, the frequency band is halved and, the result is inputted into the interpolation unit 123 (see FIG. 5).
FIG. 8 shows interpolation processing in the interpolation unit 123. (1) 'sampled values and spectrum of the signal u(n) corresponds to (4) ' sampled values and spectrum of the signal u(n) shown in FIG. 7. The signal u(n) from the thinning-out unit 122 only includes the noise components. When the zero points are inserted thereto, (2) 'the sampled values and spectrum of the signal t(n)' shown in the figure are obtained. A value F obtained from Z transform of this interpolated signal t(n) is expressed by the following formula:F=T(z)=Σt(n)z−nAs each of t(1), t(3), t(5), . . . , is 0,F=Σt(2n)z−n=u(n)z−2nAccordingly,T(z)=U(z2)and, thus, the spectrum comes to have a frequency band in the range between 0 and fs/2 by turning of the range between 0 and fs/4, as shown in the figure.
As this signal T(z) has the same rate as the signal S(n) and only includes the noise components, the noise components are removable from the reception signal by generating the signal therefrom only having the frequency band of the reception signal by the frequency inverse shift unit 124 (see FIG. 5), and carrying out the subtraction processing by the subtraction unit 125.
Furthermore, an example of a timing generating unit in the synchronization processing unit 118 (see FIG. 4) is shown in FIG. 9. As shown in this figure, a timing extraction unit 140, a phase synchronization unit 150, a power calculation unit (PWR) 141, a band-pass filter (BPF) 142, a vector-generation unit 143, a comparison unit 151, a D-A conversion unit (D/A) 154, a voltage control crystal oscillator (VCXO) 155, a low-path filter (LPF) 152, a frequency dividing unit 156, and a secondary phase synchronization circuit (secondary PLL) 153 are provided.
The vector signal inputted from the roll-off filter (ROF) (the roll-off filter of the demodulation and roll-off filter unit 119 shown in FIG. 4) is processed according to square operation by the power calculation unit 141, and, thus, the power thereof is calculated. Since the above-mentioned zero-point insertion is such that the zero points are inserted at fixed intervals, the frequency components thereof are extracted by the band-path filter 142. For example, the extraction is made where 192 kHz is regarded as the central frequency. Then, by the vector generation unit 143, a vector is generated, that is, combination with signal in quadrature phase is performed, and, then, the result is input to the phase synchronization unit 150.
The comparison unit 151 carries out phase comparison of the output signal of the timing extraction unit 140 with the frequency dividing output signal of the frequency divider 156, and inputs the difference therebetween into the secondary phase synchronization circuit 153 through the low-path filter 152. Two integrators may be included in this secondary phase synchronization circuit L53. The output signal of this secondary phase synchronization circuit 153 is converted into a control voltage of an analog signal by the D-A conversion unit 154, and, thereby, the oscillation frequency of the voltage-controlled crystal oscillator 155 is controlled. The output signal of this voltage-controlled crystal oscillator 155 is input to the A-D conversion unit 117 (see FIG. 4) as a sampling clock signal, and, also, this signal undergoes frequency division by the frequency divider 156, and is regarded as the zero point signal. That is, it is input to the noise removal unit 120 (see FIG. 4) as a timing signal of the zero points.
However, in a system for transmitting data by the multi-carrier transmission form, in order to perform link equation in a reception end, at least 16 channels are needed. In order to obtain two-dimensional interleaved output for these 16 channels, 256 channels of data is needed.
For example, FIG. 10 shows only a transmission part of the data transmission apparatus shown in FIG. 4. In the figure, the number of channels is added thereto for easy understanding, and since 16 channels of data after performing the two-dimensional interleaving operation is to be outputted from the time-and-frequency interleaving unit 104, the ADM multiplex unit 103 should process 256 channels of data and output 16 channels of data (on the input end, 1 sample is included in each channel while, on the output end, 16 samples are included in each channel there). As the zero point insertion unit 109 inserts the zero points between the signal points for 16 channels of data-given from the DMT processing unit 105, the zero point insertion unit 109 outputs 32 channels of data.
By the time-and-frequency interleaving unit 104, as shown in FIG. 11, two-dimensional interleaving processing of 256 points of data along the frequency axis in the range between CH1 and CH16 and along the time axis in the range between 1 and 16 is carried out, and 16 channels of data is outputted along the time axis, for example. Thus, since 256 points of data is needed in order to obtain the two-dimensional interleaved output of 16 channels, a problem in that PAR (Peak to Average Ratio) increases may occur. Assuming that the number of channels is n, as PAR=3.01+10 log n [dB], PAR=27[dB] when n=256. Then, in order to solve this problem, to reduce the level may be possible. However, the reception level is also reduced due to this level reduction, reception S/N is remarkably degraded thereby, and, thus, stable data transmission may become impossible.

Data transmission method and data transmission apparatus


One control mode is selected from a plurality of control modes each setting a target value of a primary pulley revolution speed NIN and prioritized in a predetermined order. When the control mode is changed, the target value of the primary pulley revolution speed NIN is set so as to vary from the target value set in the control mode before change to the target value set in the control mode after change in accordance with the control mode that is higher in priority among the control modes before and after change. A continuously variable transmission is controlled such that the primary pulley revolution speed NIN reaches the set target value.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) which can continuously change a gear ratio is known. In the continuously variable transmission, for example, a metal belt or a chain is held by each of a primary pulley and a secondary pulley. Also in the continuously variable transmission, the gear ratio is changed generally by changing the hydraulic pressure supplied to the primary pulley, and more specifically, the hydraulic pressure supplied to a primary sheave of the primary pulley.
For example, as the hydraulic pressure supplied to the primary sheave of the primary pulley is increased, the groove width of the primary pulley is narrowed. Consequently, the effective diameter of the primary pulley is increased. In accordance with an increase in the effective diameter of the primary pulley, the groove width of the secondary pulley is increased and the effective diameter thereof is decreased, with the result that the continuously variable transmission upshifts.
In contrast, as the hydraulic pressure supplied to the primary sheave of the primary pulley is decreased, the groove width of the primary pulley is increased. Consequently, the effective diameter of the primary pulley is decreased. In accordance with a decrease in the effective diameter of the primary pulley, the groove width of the secondary pulley is narrowed and the effective diameter thereof is increased, with the result that the continuously variable transmission downshifts.
The gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is controlled based on the accelerator pedal position and the like. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 5-85228 (Patent Document 1) discloses a hierarchically configured electronic system in which a target output torque is determined based on the accelerator pedal position and the brake signal, and the target gear ratio is determined based on the determined target output torque and the vehicle speed.
Furthermore, the gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is generally controlled such that the input shaft revolution speed reaches the set target value. The target value of the input shaft revolution speed is set in accordance with various control modes. For example, in the normal control mode, the target value of the input shaft revolution speed is set based on the information such as an accelerator pedal position, a vehicle speed, a brake signal, and the like. In the control mode in which a driver operates a shift lever or a paddle switch to request an upshift or a downshift, the target value of the input shaft revolution speed is set to be increased in proportion to the vehicle speed. In the control mode in which the target value of the input shaft revolution speed is set in accordance with the road on which the vehicle travels, the target value of the input shaft revolution speed is appropriately set based on the gradient of the road and the information of the corner (shape and the like of the curve) from the navigation system mounted in the vehicle. In addition, various control modes for setting the target value of the input shaft revolution speed are being put into practical use. The target value that is to be finally used is selected from the target values that are set in these various control modes. In other words, the target value that is to be finally used is selected by arbitrating the target value that is set in each control mode.

Vehicle, control method for transmission and control device for transmission


Disclosed is a magenta toner, which contains magenta colorants composed of compound A represented by Formulas (1), (2) or (3) in an amount of mA and compound B selected from a group consisting of a mono-azo pigment, a naphthol pigment and rhodamine chelate pigment in an amount of mA, and a ratio of amount mA:mB is 90:10 to 55:45.

Colorization of a printer has been progressed and a high quality image is requested from a market.
Mono-azo pigments or quinacridone pigments have been used for a colorant of a magenta toner in general. However, these magenta colorants have a problem that they do not display a high durability against light and a broad color gamut with high brightness compatibly.
For dissolving these problems patent document No. 1 discloses to use a quinacridone pigment in combination with a rhodamine type compound, and patent document No. 2 discloses to use a colorant comprising a kind of rhodamine pigment and kind of rhodamine dye, as the magenta colorant.
However, the colorant disclosed in Patent Document No. 1 has a problem in color reproduction of human skin color because of strong fluorescence, and the colorant disclosed in Patent Document No. 2 has a disadvantage of sublimation problem because the magenta toner containing the colorant stains the printing apparatus during heat fixing by its sublimation and accumulation inside of the apparatus. These magenta toners still have a problem of adjustment of color hue and heat resistance property.
Patent Document 1: JP A H05-11504
Patent Document 2: JP A H05-34980

Magenta toner for developing electrostatic image

Abstract: are described in the specification.

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


The system includes an antenna posture detecting device for detecting an antenna posture condition where it is apparently impossible to receive the wave, and a received signal operation controlling device for temporarily interrupting the wave receiving operation, in the case where it is impossible for the antenna to receive the wave, until the wave receiving operation is again possible. The system may include a body movement detecting device for detecting an action of the user; an action judgement device for judging the action of the user on the basis of an output signal of the body movement detecting device; a signal receiving operation controlling device for controlling a signal receiving operation of the GPS receiving device from the judgement result of the action judgement device; a moving distance calculating device for calculating a moving distance of the user on the basis of an output signal of the body movement detecting device during a period of time when the GPS signal receiving operation is interrupted; and an alarm device for receiving a wave of a GPS receiving antenna on the basis of an output signal of the moving distance calculating device and for giving an alarm to the user for a position where it is easy for the GPS receiving antenna to receive the wave.

The present invention relates to a GPS (Global Positioning System, worldwide positioning system) device for receiving waves from a GPS satellite and measuring the position of the receiver and the moving speed. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wrist watch type GPS device which may be maintained and mounted on the a wrist of a human being for measuring his or her position and moving direction.
Conventionally, in a GPS receiver, as shown in FIG. 6, a GPS wave 61 emitted from a GPS satellite is received in the GPS receiver 62, the signal is processed at a high speed in a GPS received signal processing means 63 such as a frequency calculator, an orbit information calculator section or the like, and, as a result, the obtained measured data is displayed on a GPS data display means 64. If it is considered that such a GPS receiver is worn on the wrist, a receiving posture or position of an antenna becomes a problem. A conventional technology to keep the posture of the antenna in a constant position is shown in FIG. 7. In the prior art shown in FIG. 7, an antenna portion 71 and an operating section 72 may be integrally connected to each other by a support member 74 having a wave receiving surface 73 of the antenna portion 71 supported rotatably within a predetermined angle relative to a horizontal surface H, and, at the same time, the gravity position of the antenna portion 71 may be measured downwardly in the vertical direction below the rotational center of the gravity position of the antenna portion 71. Also, a weight (balancer) 75 is provided below the antenna portion 71, so that the antenna portion 71 is normally kept in the horizontal direction to thereby keep the antenna position where the wave may normally be received. Such a conventional example is shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. Hei 4-359179.
In general, in view of the fact that the angle of elevation of the antenna at which a signal may be received is 15 device or more relative to the horizontal surface, the position of the antenna when the wrist watch type GPS receiver is realized becomes a serious problem. In the case where the GPS antenna is arranged on the surface that is flush with the display means of the GPS receiver, when the GPS receiver is portable with the wrist in a natural posture, the GPS receiver takes an antenna posture in which the GPS receiving is impossible. The fact that the normal signal receiving operation is performed in such an antenna posture where the wave cannot definitely be received increases the power consumption rate. In particular, a high speed calculation process is required in the GPS received signal processing means of the GPS receiver, and an orbit calculating device having a very high speed processing ability is also required, resulting in an increase in power consumption. The fact that the operation of the GPS received signal processing means is continued for the antenna posture in which the wave cannot definitely be received leads to a large loss. On the other hand, there has been proposed a method for keeping the antenna posture in a constant position when the GPS signal is received. However, in order to keep the posture in a constant position, it is very difficult to use the device.


A method is provided for the high yield production of white, electrically conductive zinc oxide which comprises the simultaneous addition to a reactor of (1) an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble zinc compound and at least one water-soluble compound of a metal selected from the group consisting of tin, aluminum, gallium and indium, and (2) an aqueous alkaline solution, while maintaining the resulting neutralization reaction solution at a pH from 6 to 12.5 to obtain coprecipitates, and then calcining the coprecipitates in a reducing atmosphere to obtain said conductive zinc oxide.

A variety of methods for producing electrically conductive zinc oxide are known. For instance, Japanese Patent Laid Open Corresponding to OLS in Germany (hereunder referred to as "J.P. KOHKAI") Nos. Sho 58-161923, Sho 58-145620, Sho 55-162477, Sho 59-97531, Japanese Patent Publication corresponding to Auslege in Germany (hereinafter referred to as "J.P. KOHKOKU") No. Sho 55-19897 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,538,022 disclose methods which comprise adding to zinc oxide powder an oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gallium, indium, tin and the like as a dopant to admix them and then heating the mixture at a temperature ranging from 600.degree. C. to 1200.degree. C. In addition, there are also dry methods which are known such as those comprising heating a mixture of zinc oxide powder and a dopant in the presence of solid carbon to calcine the mixture; wet methods such as those disclosed in J.P. KOHKAI Nos. Sho 62-35970, Sho 61-86421 and Sho 61-40338, which comprise neutralizing a mixture of a solution of a water-soluble zinc compound and a solution of a water-soluble compound of the aforesaid metals with an aqueous solution of an alkali hydroxide or an alkali carbonate or the like to form co-precipitates and heating and calcining the co-precipitates at a temperature of 500.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C. in nitrogen atmosphere or in a reducing atmosphere after washing, drying or preheating the coprecipitates; and the like.
However, in order to impart sufficient electric conductivity to a calcined product a dry method is necessary to perform calcination at an elevated temperature under a reducing atmosphere. This is accompanied by volatilization of zinc oxide due to reduction. Consequently, the yield of the desired product is lowered remarkably. Moreover, there is sometimes observed secondary sintering of the products during the high temperature calcining step.
On the other hand, in all of the conventional wet methods for producing electrically conductive zinc oxide, neutralization is performed in a batchwise operation. More specifically, an aqueous solution of an alkali hydroxide or an alkali carbonate is gradually added to an aqueous solution of a water-soluble compound of zinc and a water-soluble compound of a metal as a dopant so that a final pH of the reaction system falls within the range within which zinc and the like cause precipitation. In such a method, pH at the beginning of the neutralization differs from that at the final stage. Therefore, it is difficult to coprecipitate two or more of products having different rates of hydrolysis or rates of dissolution in a desired ratio so as to achieve a homogeneous distribution of the production in the solid phase. Accordingly, to impart a desired degree of electric conductivity to the resulting product, calcination is inevitably carried out under a reducing condition at an elevated temperature. However, as set out above, such a calcination at an elevated temperature is accompanied by lowering of product yield as a result of volatilization of zinc oxide. Furthermore, the reducing atmosphere in which the calcination is carried out exerts influence on the product to thus cause partial reduction of the resulting metal oxide, which in turn is accompanied by deposition of metals in a trace amount. This causes the lowering in whiteness of the resultant calcined product.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing calcined products having a desired electrical conductivity with low temperature calcination.

Method for producing white electrically conductive zinc oxide


A container closure having an originality ring which can be attached to a container with little force and easily removed, while making certain that the originality ring either detaches completely from the closure cap or is at least damaged visibly. The retaining elements comprise a rocker having first and second legs connected to the originality ring via an elastic web. The first leg points obliquely inward and the second leg points outward.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a container closure comprising a closure cap which has at its free circumferential rim an originality ring with retaining elements which cooperate with an annular bead of the container.
2. Description of the Related Art including Information Disclosed under 37 CFR .sctn..sctn.1.97-1.99
Container closures are usually provided with originality rings which are damaged when the container is opened for the first time. Thus, the user can find out from the condition of the originality ring whether or not the bottle or the container is still in its originally packed state.
From the view of the filler who applies the container closures to the containers as well as from the view of the user, different, partly opposing, requirements must be met by such container closures.
The container closures are screwed onto the container at a great rate of speed, i.e. at a high r.p.m. The originality ring or its retaining elements must offer only slight counterforces to this screw-on operation, because otherwise the originality ring may tear off prematurely and/or the retaining elements may be damaged. Also, the force expended should be kept to a minimum. But at the same time it must be made certain that the retaining elements grip the bottle bead sufficiently in the screwed-on state to guarantee that when unscrewing the container closure, no detachment of the originality ring from the container closure or at least no visible damage to the-originality ring occurs. On the other hand, however, a rugged design of the originality ring or firm connection of the originality ring to the closure cap, as desired from this point of view, must not lead to the user having to expend too much force when removing the container closure for the first time to be able to remove the closure cap.
These problems were only solved in part by the known originality closures. But one substantial disadvantage of the known container closures was that when opening the container for the first time the originality ring remained on the screw cap without visible damage worth noting. A container closure screwed back on again and showing only slight damage to the originality ring does not let the consumer recognize immediately that the container had already been opened.
Known from DE 41 08 453 A1 is a container closure in which the retaining elements are held together all around in a circle mutually spaced so as to be movable within limits. The collar of retaining members is designed by means of the connecting elements so that it can snap between two stable positions, namely between an outer position extending further from the originality ring and an inner position which extends from the originality ring into the latter's inside, becoming conically narrower. The latter position has the effect that the retaining elements support themselves against the annular bead of the container, causing the originality ring to be torn off when the container is opened for the first time. But this is assured only if the container neck is shaped in adaptation to the shape of the retaining elements so as to prevent the retaining members from snapping over when first opening the container closure. Given the usual design of container necks with a free space between retaining elements and container, a snapping over of the retaining members during the first opening cannot be excluded, and therefore the closure cap can be removed without visible damage.
Due to the one-piece design of originality ring and screw cap, both parts are joined together relatively firmly so that the user must either exert much force in order to remove the container closure, or else the originality ring remains hanging on the container closure. Despite their elasticity, the connecting elements between the retaining elements lead to a stiffening of the entire collar of retaining elements so that relatively great forces are required to screw the container closure on.


A system and method for secure communication of access information codes to access a telecommunications network and use network services, such as a personal reach service. In that regard, the present invention communicates the access information with the network over a secure paging channel. When call for the user is received at a personal reach service node, a paging message is transmitted to the user through a paging system, the paging message indicating that the call has been received. The user then places a call to the personal reach service node. Upon receiving the call from the user, a request for access information is transmitted to the user. The user then transmits a paging signal from a two-way pager, the paging signal including an indicator of the access information. The personal reach service node receives the indicator of the access information from the user through the paging system and validates the indicated access information. If the indicated access information is valid access is granted to the personal reach service and the two calls are connected to each other.

Many telecommunications systems require that a person attempting to access the system be verified before access is granted. For example, user verification is required for accessing a personal reach service (PRS) that allows callers to reach service users at any location by dialing only one access telephone number. The personal reach service then automatically sends a message to the user's pager indicating that a caller is attempting to contact the user. If the caller has entered an optional personal identification number (PIN), the message sent to the user also includes that PIN number or the name of the caller. The user may then be connected to the caller by dialing an access number and by entering the user's PIN on the touch-tone keypad, for verifying the user. However, a problem arises when the user is using a cellular or other wireless telephone. The signal of a cellular phone may be intercepted and any information communicated by that signal may be obtained by unauthorized persons. Thus, unauthorized persons can obtain the user's PIN when it is entered on the touch-tone keypad. Consequently, a need arises for secure transmission of the PIN or other verification information to telecommunications services, such as a personal reach service.

Secure communication of access information


A system includes execution of a software application based on metadata defining a first plurality of software components, reception of second metadata defining the first plurality of software components, determination, based on the second metadata, of a second plurality of the first plurality of software components for which the second metadata is different from the first metadata, and for which the second metadata is associated with elements of the software application, and generation of the elements of the software application based on the second metadata of the second plurality of software components.

A backend service layer may implement metadata models to support different business solutions. Metadata models may include generic models of a business object, a floorplan (i.e., a user interface layout), user interface text, a process component, and a message type, among others. A business object, for example, is a software model representing real-world items used during the transaction of business. An instance of a business object metadata model may comprise a SalesOrder object model or an Organization object model. Instances of these object models, in turn, represent specific data (e.g., SalesOrder 4711, ACME corporation).
An instance of a business object metadata model (e.g., a SalesOrder object model or, more generically, a business object object model) may specify business logic and/or data having any suitable structure. The structure may be determined based on the requirements of a business scenario in which the instance is to be deployed. A business application for a particular business scenario may require many business object object models, where the structure of each has been determined based on the requirements of the particular business scenario.
A customer deploying a business application may desire changes to the business objects included in the business application. For example, a customer may require a field (e.g., "SerialNumber") which does not exist within the "Product" business object of a business application. A developer may therefore modify the metadata of the business object in the backend service layer to provide the additional field. A business application might also provide pre-defined user interfaces to interact with the business objects. A developer may similarly modify metadata of these user interfaces to add entities of a user interface data model and to bind these user interface data entities to business object entities.
The modified metadata must be imported by a backend service layer in order to take effect. Some systems provide a report which lists software components whose metadata has been modified. These software components may comprise business objects, user interface entities, etc., and the metadata modifications may affect certain elements of a software application which depend on the software components.
For example, according to role-based access management systems, a change pointer table lists any workcenters, workcenter views, floorplans, report usages and external user interface applications having changed metadata. Next, all workcenter views related to the changed UI entities are determined. Authorization policies are then regenerated for each determined workcenter view. However, some of the metadata modifications might not have any affect on authorization policies, so much of this policy regeneration might unnecessarily hamper runtime performance.

Processing changed application metadata based on relevance


A hydraulically setting mortar composition containing at least one hydraulically setting component, at least one lightweight filler, at least one cellulose ether, at least one setting retarder and optionally further additional additives, particularly fillers and/or dispersion powders. In addition, a premix for producing a hydraulically setting mortar composition is described containing at least one lightweight filler and at least one cellulose ether and/or a setting retarder. As a result of the inventive ratio of these components, it is possible with much lower lightweight filler contents to obtain more cost effective mortar formulations and/or improved use characteristics, such as e.g. increased adhesive tensile strengths and/or an increased open time. The hydraulically setting mortar composition can be used in gypsum, gypsum-lime, lime-cement, cement and/or thermal plasters, tile adhesives, masonry mortars, full heat protection mortars, surfacers, self-levelling floor materials or repair mortars.

Increasingly lightweight fillers have recently been used in the formulation of hydraulically setting mortars, such as tile adhesives. This makes it possible to increase the mixing water requirement and reduce the density of the mixed mortar, which gives rise to an easily appliable, very productive mass. In order to obtain such characteristics, generally use is made of higher proportions of up to 20% or higher of relatively expensive lightweight fillers.
EP 985 646 A1 describes Portland cement-based masonry mortars containing a lightweight aggregate. Through the choice of a suitable screen fraction of the dense rock and also the porous lightweight aggregate, it is possible to provide a mortar solving the hole bridging problem. Cellulose ethers and in particular setting retarders can be used, but are not absolutely necessary.
EP 990 628 A1 describes a dry mortar mixture for producing a lightweight masonry mortar, which essentially contains cement, air-entraining additives and selected lightweight aggregates such as perlite and expanding glass and in particular the bulk density and particle size of the perlite and expanding glass must satisfy narrow criteria and must always be used together in large quantities. This gives rise to a lightweight masonry mortar fulfilling the requisite compressive strength characteristics and which additionally has an improved thermal insulation capacity. Setting retarders are not used.
EP 646 100 A1 describes a plaster and/or a colouring product for use on a facade containing as the hydraulically setting component solely aluminate cement (high-alumina cement). In order to slow down the resulting very rapid hydration, use is also made of trisodium citrate as a setting retarder. As fillers it is inter alia possible to use lightweight fillers, the filler proportion of 60 to 95 wt.-% being very high. Efflorescences can be drastically reduced due to the rapid setting. No distinction is made between fillers and lightweight fillers and the quantity ranges of the individual components and precise formulation details are not given.
DE 103 15 865 B3 describes hydraulically setting tile adhesives containing a metakaolin component. This can also be used in formulations with lightweight fillers in order to obtain the requisite adhesive tensile strength characteristics and deformability characteristics according to DIN EN 12002 of 2.5 mm or higher. There is no need to use cellulose ethers and in particular lightweight fillers and setting retarders.
The problem of the present invention is to provide a hydraulically setting mortar composition in which the action of lightweight fillers is increased by a multiple without having to accept losses with regards to the freshly mixed mortar characteristics such as processability, stability, setting behaviour, high productiveness and increased mixing water requirement. This is intended to provide a cost effective formulation with constant characteristics, which also leads to logistic advantages, because the voluminous lightweight filler can e.g. be replaced by compact quartz sand. It must additionally be possible to improve the correctability, open time and/or physical mortar characteristics such as adhesive tensile strength and horizontal deformation of the completely hardened mortar. A premix is also to be made available by means of which the lightweight filler or a large part thereof in mortar compositions can be replaced in order to obtain the indicated advantages of the mortar composition in a simple manner, also in the case of existing formulations. By means of such a premix, a user must be able to bring about a formulation adjustment or adaptation with very low development costs, the use characteristics with lower raw material and production costs remaining the same or can even be improved. Such a premix is also to be used in order to significantly improve the characteristics profile of mortar formulations without lightweight fillers through the use of a premix and without high development costs, so that the typical processing characteristics for lightweight filler-containing mortars are maintained.

Adhesive composition with lightweight filler


An adjusting device for adjusting two vehicle parts relative to each other is provided. The adjusting device comprising a first guide rail, which is longitudinally extended along a longitudinal axis and which is formed by a base and lateral legs connected to the base, a second guide rail, which is movably arranged on the first guide rail and which is longitudinally extended along the longitudinal axis, an adjusting mechanism, which is arranged between the legs on the first guide rail and which comprises a spindle nut, which can be rotated about the longitudinal axis in order to drive the adjusting device, a spindle, which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the second guide rail and which is longitudinally extended along the longitudinal axis and which engages with the spindle nut in such a way that, when the spinal nut is rotated, the first guide rail is moved along the longitudinal axis relative to the second guide rail, and a fastening device for fastening the adjusting mechanism to the first guide rail.

The invention relates to an adjusting device for adjusting two vehicle parts relative to each other.
Such an adjusting device comprises a first guide rail longitudinally extending along a longitudinal axis and a second guide rail movably arranged on the first guide rail and longitudinally extending along the longitudinal axis. Both guide rails can, for instance, serve for connecting a vehicle seat to a vehicle floor and can allow a movement of the vehicle seat in vehicle longitudinal direction within a longitudinal adjustment of the vehicle seat. The first guide rail is essentially U-shaped in the cross section thereof transverse to the longitudinal axis and comprises for this purpose a base and two lateral legs extending essentially parallel to each other, which form the profile of the guide rail. The second guide rail is slidably mounted on the first guide rail, wherein for instance a ball bearing can be provided for a frictionless adjustability.
Both guide rails are adjustable relative to each other via a spindle gear. An adjusting mechanism is arranged for this purpose between the legs on the first guide rail, wherein said adjusting mechanism comprises a spindle nut, which can be set into a rotation about the longitudinal axis for driving the adjusting device and engages with a spindle arranged torque-proof on the second guide rail also longitudinally extending along the longitudinal axis. The spindle comprises for this purpose for instance an external thread on the outside surface thereof, which engages with an internal thread arranged on a drilled hole of the spindle nut in such a way that when rotating the spindle nut said spindle nut rolls off from the spindle and thus the first guide rail moves along the longitudinal axis relative to the second guide rail.
The adjusting mechanism is inserted into an interior space of the first guide rail formed between the legs of the first guide rail and is retained between the legs, wherein a fastening device for fastening the adjusting mechanism on the first guide rail is provided.
In case of an adjusting device known from DE 103 37 475 A1 an adjusting mechanism of this type is connected to the first guide rail via a fixing bracket, wherein the fixing bracket encompasses the adjusting mechanism in a U-shaped manner such that the adjusting mechanism is supported along the longitudinal axis. The fastening device is formed in this case by the fixing bracket with lateral legs encompassing the adjusting mechanism, wherein fastening flanges are aligned to the legs, via which the fastening bracket with fastening openings arranged thereon can be connected to the first guide rail via screw connections.
In case of an adjusting device known from DE 10 2006 011 718 A1 an adjusting mechanism is arranged on a first guide rail via a fastening bracket, wherein the adjusting mechanism projects through the first guide rail with a cone-like bulge and the fastening bracket is crimped on the first guide rail.
Further embodiments of adjusting mechanisms are for instance known from DE 10 2006 049 809 A1 and DE 10 2007 023 329 A1 and WO 2009/092946 A2 discloses another embodiment of a fastening bracket.
In case of the known adjusting devices a fastening device is provided in particular in form of a fastening bracket made of metal in order to provide a secure fastening of the adjusting mechanism on the first guide rail. During assembly, at first, the fastening bracket is arranged on the adjusting mechanism, the spindle is guided through openings on the fastening bracket and is positioned on the adjusting mechanism, and the provided component group consisting of adjusting mechanism, spindle and fastening bracket is inserted into the already assembled guide rail pair in order to connect the fastening bracket to the first guide rail by attaching screw connections or by crimping.
In case of the conventional adjusting devices the fastening bracket has to be designed to introduce forces acting when operating the adjusting device into the first guide rail and to guarantee a secure support in particular also in case of the crash, thus at an increased load, wherein for this purpose a targeted deformation of the fastening bracket can be provided, wherein as a result thereof the fastening bracket engages directly with the spindle and provides a support of the first guide rail on the spindle connected tightly to the second guide rail.
By providing such a fastening bracket, which is arranged in a separate assembly step together with the adjusting mechanism on the first guide rail, the component and material costs of the adjusting device increase, for instance due to the screws to be provided for the connection and the required component processing (conventionally the fastening bracket has to be reworked for instance by rolling over for chipless smoothing and solidifying the material surface). Furthermore, the assembly is complicated due to the comparably complicated connecting process of the fastening bracket to the first guide rail, for instance by screwing or crimping, requiring multiple assembly steps.

Adjusting device having an adjusting mechanism arranged on a guide rail

BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KG, COBURG


Provided is an image correction method and apparatus which can enhance the performance of image correction without deteriorating image quality. The image correction method includes creating a cumulative density function (CDF) based on a luminance histogram of an input image; calculating a plurality of correction parameters, which will be respectively applied to a plurality of different luminance adjustment functions, based on the CDF of the input image; and correcting luminance of the input image using the correction parameters and the luminance adjustment functions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image correction method and apparatus, and more particularly, to an image correction method and apparatus which can enhance the performance of image correction without deteriorating the image quality.
2. Description of the Related Art
Information provided to users by image acquisition apparatuses, such as digital cameras, includes not only text information but also various content such as still images, moving images and sounds. Of various forms of multimedia information, moving images, in particular, are a basis for video-on-demand (VOD) or interactive services. Therefore, relevant standardization proposals are being actively studied.
With the development of digital electronic engineering technology, conventional analog data is being converted into digital data. Accordingly, techniques to process various digital image data have been introduced to efficiently handle a huge amount of data. These digital image processing techniques have the following advantages.
First, when an analog image processing apparatus processes an analog signal, noise is inevitably added to the analog signal. Therefore, the deterioration of image quality cannot be avoided in the case of analog signals processed by the analog image processing apparatus. However, such deterioration of image quality does not occur when a digital image processing apparatus is used.
Second, since a signal is converted into a digital signal and processed accordingly, signal processing using a computer is possible. In other words, since an image signal is processed using a computer, various image processing operations, such as compressing image information, can be performed.
Currently, most of conventional digital image signal display apparatuses, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs) and organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), are adopting a red (R), green (G) and blue (B) color model.
A color model (or color space) is a method of representing the relationship between a color and other colors. Different image processing systems use different color models for different reasons. The RGB color model is composed of R, G and B, which are additive primary colors. Spectral elements of these primary colors are additionally combined to produce colors.
The RGB model is represented by a three-dimensional (3D) cube with R, G and B at edges of each axis. Black is located at the origin of the 3D cubic, and white is located at an opposite end of the 3D cubic. For example, in a 24-bit color graphic system having 8 bits per color channel, R is represented by (255,0,0).
The RGB model simplifies the design of computer graphic systems but is not ideal for all applications since there is a high correlation between R, G and B color components. Many image processing techniques, such as histogram equalization, process images using only the brightness thereof. Therefore, it is required to frequently convert an RGB image into a brightness image. In order to convert an RGB image to a grayscale image, a sum of the R, G and B color components respectively multiplied by ⅓, that is, a mean value of the R, G and B color components, may be used. However, the following equation may also be used according to a National Television Systems Committee (NTSC) standard.Y=0.288R+0.587G+0.114B  (1).
Technologies to improve image quality have been continuously studied as one of technological fields related to image representation techniques that are based on RGB sub-pixels. Conventional methods of improving image quality include adjusting the overall brightness of an image and performing histogram equalization.
If the overall brightness of an image is adjusted, the brightness of a dark area may be improved. However, since saturation occurs in a bright area, information is lost. In addition, although histogram equalization can be performed in a short period of time, the quality of an output image deteriorates after histogram equalization. A Retinex algorithm may also be used as another way to improve image quality. However, since a large-sized filter is needed to obtain an image of desired quality in the Retinex algorithm, the amount of calculation required increases.
In this regard, various inventions (for example, Korean Patent Publication No. 2004-080456, entitled "Method of Correcting Image Quality of Mobile Telecommunication Terminal with Built-in Camera") have been suggested but still fail to solve the above problems.


A process for making a cured plastics moulding by introducing a curable resin composition to a heated mould and supplying further resin under pressure to compensate for shrinkage of the composition including heating the curable resin composition either before entry or as quickly as possible on entry into the mould, or both to a temperature which permits the satisfactory filling of the mould before gelation and subsequent progressive gel from the point furthest from entry, back to the point of the mould entry, and wherein the entry parts of the mould are heated to a temperature at least as high as the temperature of the final fill point of the mould.

The automatic pressure gelation technique (APG) for moulding articles with thermosetting resins is well known and consists essentially of the supply of liquid curable resins under pressure into a mould and ensuring that the pressurised liquid supplied from outside the mould remains in contact with the liquid resin in the mould whilst it gels or solidifies from the furthest point or points from mould entry and or the last point to fill back to the mould entry. By ensuring this applied pressure is maintained on the liquid resin system and the gel progression follows this pattern excellent void and shrinkage free mouldings are obtained by compensating for polymerisation shrinkage with further liquid supplied from the external pressurised source.
This process is well proved in practice for the manufacture of both complex and simple shaped mouldings alike. The process can be used for long production runs of mouldings of high quality with very low rates of rejection. The production of such moulding has been described in Patents EP 0 333 456B1 and U.S. 5,064,585 and in these consists essentially of filling moulds that have temperature within the mould set in the range of from around 120.degree. C. to 160.degree. C. at the point of entry to 130.degree. C. to 170.degree. C. at the furthest point from entry where the furthest point is always the higher and with the ideal temperature at points furthest from resin entry being approximately 10.degree. C. higher than the temperatures at the entry point. Such positive temperature gradients had been stated to be important in order to obtain excellent mouldings from epoxy/anhydride curing compositions which are particularly suited to this process. The temperatures had been chosen to achieve a linear gradient in the moulding operation to ensure the desired gel sequence as stated
However, there is a great need to speed this moulding process to achieve the maximum possible use of capital equipment such as moulds and press machines, to reduce labour cost per unit and to approach or to exceed the speed of producing the equivalent item made by thermoplastic injection or dough or sheet moulding compound matched tool moulding. The conditions taught under the patents referenced above do not permit this speed of production with the desired type of resin system.
In order to increase the speed of the process, higher temperatures can be used. However using the known process where a temperature gradient is maintained the temperature gradient at the hotter end of the mould cannot be increased too much as this will result in decomposition of the resin hardener system.

Production of thermoset pressure gelation castings


Disclosed is a hydraulic control system. The system includes an oil pump; a pressure regulator valve; a torque converter which converts engine power to torque; a converter clutch regulator valve; a solenoid supply valve; a manual valve which is indexed by a selector lever; a torque control regulator valve for supplying drive pressure from the manual valve to friction elements in each shift stage; first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth friction elements, one or more of which are operated to control each stage; a control switch valve; 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, and 4-5 shift valves receiving torque pressure or line pressure and selectively supplying drive pressure from the manual valve to the friction elements; second and third clutch valves, a fourth band valve, and an overdrive unit valve controlled by torque pressure and which supply drive pressure to the friction elements and drive pressure of a subsequent shift stage to the shift valves; and a N-D control valve which receives line pressure, drive pressure, and torque pressure to control the first friction element using line pressure in a neutral N range, the first friction element using torque pressure and the third friction element using first torque pressure then drive pressure when shifting from the neutral N range to a drive D range.

Generally, an automatic transmission for vehicles includes a torque converter which is a fluid link between an engine and the transmission acting as both a torque multiplier and fluid coupling, a multi-stage gear shift mechanism connected to the torque converter, and a plurality of friction elements actuated by hydraulic pressure and which select and control one gear stage of the gear shift mechanism depending on road load and engine throttle opening of the vehicle.
The friction elements are provided enabling control of each gear stage of the multi-stage gear shift mechanism, comprised of a planetary gearset, and the friction elements are selectively activated/deactivated by the hydraulic control system which controls the hydraulic pressure generated by an oil pump, and, as a result, shift ratios of the planetary gearsets are changed to realize automatic shifting.
Also, the friction elements are selectively operated by the changing of hydraulic pressure directional flow by a plurality of valves provided in the hydraulic control system. A position of a manual valve is indexed with a driver selector lever position to realize port conversion, receives hydraulic pressure from the oil pump, and communicates with a line to supply the hydraulic pressure to a shift control valve.
The above hydraulic control system for automatic transmissions includes first to fourth shift mechanisms and first to ninth friction elements. A plurality of shift ranges can be realized by selectively operating the friction elements.
However, with the conventional hydraulic control system, because line pressure is reduced during N to D control, and shifting into the low L range is done mechanically, operational pressure of the operating friction element is reduced and the friction element slips such that control precision and responsiveness of the friction element is reduced.

Hydraulic control system for automatic transmissions


A method and apparatus for dechucking a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, a processing chamber is provided that includes a grounded chamber body having a substrate support assembly disposed in an interior volume. A dechucking circuit selectively couples the substrate support assembly to ground or to a power source. In another embodiment of the invention, a method for dechucking a substrate includes the steps of completing a plasma process on a substrate disposed on a grounded substrate support assembly, disconnecting the substrate support assembly from ground, and applying a dechucking voltage to the substrate support assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
The embodiments of the invention generally relate to a method and apparatus for dechucking a substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
Liquid crystal displays or flat panels are commonly used for active matrix displays such as computer and television monitors. Generally, flat panels comprise two plates having a layer of liquid crystal material sandwiched therebetween. At least one of the plates includes at least one conductive film disposed thereon that is coupled to a power source. Power, supplied to the conductive film from the power supply, changes the orientation of the crystal material, creating a patterned display.
In order to manufacture these displays, a substrate, such as a glass or polymer workpiece, is typically subjected to a plurality of sequential processes to create devices, conductors and insulators on the substrate. Each of these processes is generally performed in a process chamber configured to perform a single step of the production process. In order to efficiently complete the entire sequence of processing steps, a number of process chambers are typically coupled to a central transfer chamber that houses a robot to facilitate transfer of the substrate between the process chambers. A processing platform having this configuration is generally known as a cluster tool, examples of which are the families of AKT plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposing (PECVD) processing platforms available from AKT America, Inc., of Santa Clara, Calif.
During operation, the robot disposed in the transfer chamber moves substrates between the chambers on an end effector. The robot positions the substrate over a substrate support disposed in the process chamber. The substrate support includes a transfer mechanism, such as a plurality of lift pins, that facilitates exchange of the substrate between the end effector and the substrate support.
As demand for flat panels has increased, so has the demand for larger sized substrates. For example, large area substrates utilized for flat panel fabrication have increased in area from 550 mm by 650 mm to over 1,500 mm by 1,800 mm in just a few years and are envisioned to exceed four square meters in the near future. This growth in the size of the large area substrates has presented new challenges in handling and production. For example, the larger contact surfaces between the substrate support and the substrate has increased the amount of static attraction of the substrate to substrate support after processing. This increased attraction between the substrate and substrate support requires more force to separate the substrate from the substrate support. The increased force exerted by the lift pins on the substrate, counteracted by the high attraction between the substrate and substrate support, results in an increased potential for substrate damage while being lifted (e.g., separated) from the substrate support. Moreover, in instances where the attraction between the substrate support and substrate is high, the center of the substrate may remain in contact with the substrate support as the lift pins begin to separate the substrate from the substrate support, thereby excessively deflecting the substrate. As the substrate deflects, the lift pins may slide along the bottom surface of the substrate, creating a scratch which may cause substrate breakage. Additionally, if the substrate "springs" back to its natural shape as the center of the substrate comes free of the substrate support, the substrate may jump and/or walk on the lift pins, potentially creating particles or substrate damage. Furthermore, if the substrate moves laterally relative to the lift pins, the substrate may become misaligned on the robot's end effector, thereby increasing the probability of substrate damage or poor processing results in subsequent processes due to substrate misalignment.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved method and apparatus for dechucking a substrate.

Method and apparatus for dechucking a substrate


A method and an apparatus for providing a flexible secondary data path control, said method comprising the steps of: detecting (S1) a primary data path failure of a primary data path between a customer premise site (3) and a central office site (4); initiating (S2) a corresponding secondary data path if a primary data path failure of said primary data path has been detected; initiating (S3) a measurement of data path characteristics of said initiated secondary path or utilizing constantly monitored data path characteristics of paths for an available secondary data path; and determining (S4) services to be provided via said secondary data path depending on the measured data path characteristics of said secondary data path.

In many applications the service provider provides a service to a client via a network. The service provider can have a server offering the services via the network to a client connected to the network. The client can be terminal being connected to a customer premise site which in turn is connected to a central office site by means of a primary network infrastructure such as a fiber or wholesale Ethernet. Several office sites can be connected for example via the Internet to the server of the service provider. The primary infrastructure can consist of one or several links. These links can be constituted by a wireless or wired links such as fibers or cables transporting for example data packets and messages bidirectional between the customer premise site and the central office. Consequently, the client is connected via a primary data path to a server of a service provider. This data path may include one or several physical links or generic data transmission circuitry. The data packets transported via the primary infrastructure comprise header and payload and are transported according to a predetermined protocol. For example, the data packets may comprise Ethernet packets which are transported accordingly to an Ethernet based protocol. The data path between a terminal or client device and the entity providing the service can comprise one or more logical and/or physical connections between the two data endpoints having a direct data connectivity. The data exchange between the two data endpoints is transported with a data rate such as a bit-rate or a data packet rate. Since the traffic flow between the data endpoints varies under changing conditions the associated traffic flows must cope with these changes. Changing conditions can cause variable bit or data packet rates transporting the data via the primary infrastructure.
Furthermore, the bit rate between an uplink and a downlink can be asymmetric and have the same or different changing conditions. It can happen that in the primary data path having one or more physical links a link loss occurs, i.e. a physical link may be interrupted. If the data path only has one physical link this link loss causes a complete interruption of the respective data path. If the data path comprises more than one link the interruption of one physical link will change the bandwidth or data rate of the primary data path transporting bidirectional data between the two endpoints. The service provider often has a service level agreement SLA with the customer guaranteeing the customer to receive services at a certain bandwidth or within a certain time limit.
Consequently, when a link loss in the primary data path occurs it is necessary to shift at least a portion of the data traffic which has been transported via the primary data path to at least one other secondary data path which can also include one or more physical and/or logical links. After initiating a secondary data path the provided bandwidth must be sufficient to provide the client device with the desired service according to the service requirements of the service level agreement SLA between the client and the service provider.
Accordingly, there is a need for a mechanism or method which supplies a flexible backup bandwidth control taking into account changing conditions in the network infrastructure.

Method and a system for providing a flexible secondary data path


An instrumentation receiver architecture for processing an RF signal has a dual-IF channel architecture, a low-band IF channel and a high-band IF channel, and a tunable oscillator, such as a yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG) tunable oscillator (YTO), a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), a bank of VCOs and the like, providing a different mixing frequency range to each channel, generally a higher frequency range to the high-band IF channel than to the low-band IF channel. At the input to the high-band IF channel is a bank of preselection filters for selecting a frequency band from the RF signal for processing by the high-band IF channel. A switch selects the output from one of the low-band and high-band IF channels for further processing.

The present invention relates to spectrum analysis, and more particularly to an instrumentation receiver using a preselection filter bank and a switched local oscillator counter.
A known instrumentation receiver described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,316,928 incorporates a yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG) tuned oscillator (YTO) as a sweep frequency local oscillator and a YIG tuned filter (YTF) as a frequency preselector for an incoming RF signal. The YTF is used to remove image products in a high frequency band before a first conversion stage. However the YTF has the disadvantages of high cost and limited bandwidth. The architecture disclosed in the '928 patent is a dual-IF architecture having a baseband IF channel and a high-band IF channel both using the same YTO. The baseband IF channel upconverts the RF signal to a first IF frequency, bandpass filters the first IF frequency and downconverts to a second IF frequency. The high-band IF channel preselects a frequency band using the YTF and downconverts directly to the second IF frequency. An input switch allows the RF signal to be processed by either the baseband or high-band IF channel, with a corresponding output switch selecting the selected IF channel for further processing. This architecture provides a two-octave bandwidth from a one-octave YTO rather than using a more expensive two-octave YTO.
What is desired is an instrumentation receiver that has a lower cost while providing a greater bandwidth.

Use of a preselection filter bank and switched local oscillator counter in an instrumentation receiver


A medical appliance for plugging a hole in a nasal septum that includes a central member that has an irregular cross section where its major axis is longer than its minor axis and where the appliance is sized such that the length of the central portion major axis is the same or slightly shorter than a major axis of an irregularly shaped nasal septum hole, and with opposing disks secured across the opposite central member opposite ends that each have a like diameter that is greater than the length of the nasal septum hole major axis. The medical appliance is formed as a single unit from a flexible material to human body compatible material where at least one of the disks can be folded upon itself and will return to its original shape when released.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to medical appliances and in particular to an appliance for use in a medical procedure for closing or "plugging" a hole in a patient's nasal septum.
2. Prior Art
The invention is a medical appliance for insertion into, so as to close off, a hole or aperture as has formed in a medical patient's nasal septum as a result of a secondary infection resulting from an infectious disease like tuberculosis; from a nasal trauma; chronic nose picking; as a result of septal surgery, or the like. Such a hole can be a round hole, but is rarely a perfect circle. Where earlier devices, such as a plug developed by H. John Jacob, U. S. Pat. No. 4,031,569, have recognized a need for a septal plug, such medical appliance has not effectively taken into account septum holes that are other than circular. In practice, therefore, such earlier plug has been used successfully for circular or nearly circular holes, such plug cylindrical member has tended to turn or move in an irregular septal hole, eroding and thus enlarging that hole, or has often been displaced to one end of the hole or the other, as in the case of a elliptical hole in the nasal septum. Accordingly, such member displacement has often opened the hole to air flow, and movement of the member across the hole has often caused hole erosion, bleeding, breathing problems and infection requiring additional medical attention.
The invention is in a utilization of a center post that is irregular in shape, preferably elliptical rather than cylindrical and axially maintains flexible disks across its ends. The irregular center post is to seat in a septum hole with its longest cross sectional axis, or major axis, fitted into a longest segment of that septum hole, and with the post minor axis fitting in the minor or shortest hole axis. So arranged, the center post cross section major and minor axis fit closely to the septum hole edge discouraging plug rotation and movement as has been common with the septum plug of the '569patent.
Additional to the '569 patent, a number of other medical appliances have been developed for closure of holes and wounds. None of such devices, however, involves a center post, or the like, that has an irregular cross section, preferably an ellipse. Examples of such earlier devices are shown in U. S. Pat. Nos. 4,836,204; 5,108,420; 5,192,301; 5,258,000; 5,334,217; 5,366,478; 5,501,700; 5,634,936 and 5,690,674, with the above cited '569 being the closest art to the invention.


An illumination device includes a waveguide body, a source of illumination, a triggering mechanism, a battery, a connecting ring, and controlling circuitry. The device is attached to an article (such as a set of keys) using the connecting ring. The source of illumination includes at least one light emitting diode (LED) whose output is in optical communication with the waveguide body so that when lit, the LED's output illumination is transmitted throughout the waveguide body. Power to the LED(s) is supplied by the battery and is controlled by the controlling circuitry and the triggering mechanism. The triggering mechanism includes a motion or movement detector, preferably based on an electro-mechanical spring-switch. The light from the LED transmits throughout the waveguide body creating an even, soft glow-like illumination through the entire body thereby illuminating the relatively large waveguide body of the device. In other aspect, the illumination device includes two or more LEDs with at least two being primary colors such that in one mode of operation of the illumination module, the two LEDs are illuminated simultaneously to form a secondary color that is illuminated in the waveguide body. In another operating mode, the LEDs are illuminated successively.

In this complex world, it is not uncommon to misplace any of a variety of articles we tend to use each day, such as keys, eyeglasses, and wallets. We often misplace these articles because we put them down at a particular location, become distracted, and then leave the area probably thinking about something else. These items are rarely actually lost, just misplaced and their owner typically won't realize that an item is missing until, of course, they need to use it.
To overcome this problem and to help people keep tract of their everyday belongings, a variety of devices have been developed, many of which are based on radio frequency transponder technology. These prior art locating devices usually include a transponder and a transmitter. The user would attach the transponder to an article that he or she wishes to keep track of (prior to it being lost). Should the item become misplaced, the owner simple activates the transmitter so that a radio frequency signal is transmitted within a prescribed area. If the transponder (and therefore, the attached item) is within that area, the RF signal will cause the transponder to "respond", usually audibly, such as a beeping sound, but may also include an appropriate illumination source as well.
These prior art item-locating devices are unnecessarily complex and require that the user carry the transmitter portion, which is yet another small item to keep track of and which will probably just get lost, anyway. Also, these RF item-locating devices of the prior art are only useful at finding items that have been misplaced in a relatively open and spacious environment, such as on a desk or in a car. These devices fail to help locate an item that is among many other items in a relatively closed and small environment, such as finding a set of keys in a purse filled with other items.
Applicant has recognized the need to provide a simple illumination device that may be attached to an item so that upon the activation of the device, the item may be easily found.


A cutting machine, particularly for leather and similar materials, comprising a pair of shoulders which are connected by a system of guides arranged so as to lie above a conveyor belt, at least one cutting head being movable along the guide system, the movement of the cutting head in the same advancement direction as the conveyor belt and at right angles to the guide system being distributed on two or more elements, at least one of which is cantilevered.

As is known, cutting machines for leather and similar materials have a layout area, on which contours are arranged by projection, a cutting area, with one or more cutting heads, and finally an area for unloading the cut parts.
The mentioned areas lie along a conveyor belt on which the parts to be cut are arranged.
However, currently there are limitations as to the depth of the layout and to the cutting areas.
In known solutions, the cutting area is covered by two cutting heads, each of which is mounted so as to be jointly connected to the end of a system of guides which slides, in a cantilever arrangement along a longitudinal direction Y, i.e., transversely to the advancement direction of the belt, within a carriage which moves along beams in the transverse direction X.
This structure has the advantage of leaving clear the portion of the cutting area that is not occupied in each instant by the heads, allowing to surmount it with the layout area, in order to allow the operator greater closeness and visibility of the cutting area, which are required in order to keep control over any breakages or operating problems which require prompt intervention in order to limit damage to the process or to the very working parts of the machine.
However, the force of the cutting head on the plane during cutting imparts a vertical force to the guides along the direction Y, which generates a flexing thereof which increases as the cantilever with which the heads work increases, consequently degrading the quality and continuity of the cutting action. For this reason, the depth of the cantilever, and accordingly of the cutting area, has been contained within a level at which such flexing is acceptable, setting however limitations to the maximum depth of the parts that can be cut in a single pass (without pickups, which can cause problems in realignment precision) and forcing frequent interruptions of the cutting action to perform the advancement of the belt, to the detriment of productivity.
In another known type of solution, the cutting heads move along the direction Y along guides which are supported substantially at both ends and are connected to carriages for movement along the direction X.
This solution has the advantage of not having cantilever elements and of thus being able to cover a greater depth of the cutting area, with the advantage of being able to cut deeper parts without pickups and of consequently reducing the number of interruptions of the cutting process for belt advancement, improving productivity.
However, the presence of guides which are supported at both ends constitutes a space occupation which prevents the projection from surmounting the cutting area significantly. Since in order to take advantage of the entire depth of the cutting area it is necessary to have a layout area which has at least the same depth, the operator is at a considerable distance from the cutting area, thus losing the possibility to monitor effectively the cutting operations, where occasional breakages of tools, lifting of the material et cetera can cause damage to the process or to the cutting unit proper, which must be remedied promptly.

Cutting machine, particularly for leather and similar materials