A scanner for scanning items marked with near-infrared tags includes a laser configured to produce a narrowband near-infrared beam matched to a peak wavelength of near-infrared ink used to print the tags. A mirror assembly re-directs the beam. A deflecting arrangement receives the re-directed beam. A steering mirror steers the deflected beam. A scanning mirror directs the beam onto the tag to be scanned and a light collection system collects light reflected by the tags.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.
For the purposes of automatic identification, a product item is commonly identified by a 12-digit Universal Product Code (UPC), encoded machine-readably in the form of a printed bar code. The most common UPC numbering system incorporates a 5-digit manufacturer number and a 5-digit item number. Because of its limited precision, a UPC is used to identify a class of product rather than an individual product item. The Uniform Code Council and EAN International define and administer the UPC and related codes as subsets of the 14-digit Global Trade Item Number (GTIN).
Within supply chain management, there is considerable interest in expanding or replacing the UPC scheme to allow individual product items to be uniquely identified and thereby tracked. Individual item tagging can reduce "shrinkage" due to lost, stolen or spoiled goods, improve the efficiency of demand-driven manufacturing and supply, facilitate the profiling of product usage, and improve the customer experience.
There are two main contenders for individual item tagging: visible two-dimensional bar codes, and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. Bar codes have the advantage of being inexpensive, but require optical line-of-sight for reading and in some cases appropriate orientation of the bar code relative to the sensor. Additionally they often detract from the appearance of the product label or packaging. Finally, damage to even a relatively minor portion of the bar code can prevent successful detection and interpretation of the bar code.
RFID tags have the advantage of supporting omnidirectional reading, but are comparatively expensive. Additionally, the presence of metal or liquid can seriously interfere with RFID tag performance, undermining the omnidirectional reading advantage. Passive (reader-powered) RFID tags are projected to be priced at 10 cents each in multi-million quantities by the end of 2003, and at 5 cents each soon thereafter, but this still falls short of the sub-one-cent industry target for low-price items such as grocery. The read-only nature of most optical tags has been cited as a disadvantage, since status changes cannot be written to a tag as an item progresses through the supply chain. However, this disadvantage is mitigated by the fact that a read-only tag can refer to information maintained dynamically on a network.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Auto-ID Center has developed a standard for a 96-bit Electronic Product Code (EPC), coupled with an Internet-based Object Name Service (ONS) and a Product Markup Language (PML). Once an EPC is scanned or otherwise obtained, it is used to look up, possibly via the ONS, matching product information portably encoded in PML. The EPC consists of an 8-bit header, a 28-bit EPC manager, a 24-bit object class, and a 36-bit serial number. For a detailed description of the EPC, refer to Brock, D. L., The Electronic Product Code (EPC), MIT Auto-ID Center (January 2001), the contents of which are herein incorporated by cross-reference. The Auto-ID Center has defined a mapping of the GTIN onto the EPC to demonstrate compatibility between the EPC and current practices Brock, D. L., Integrating the Electronic Product Code (EPC) and the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), MIT Auto-ID Center (November 2001), the contents of which are herein incorporated by cross-reference. The EPC is administered by EPCglobal, an EAN-UCC joint venture.
EPCs EPCs are technology-neutral and can be encoded and carried in many forms. The Auto-ID Center strongly advocates the use of low-cost passive RFID tags to carry EPCs, and has defined a 64-bit version of the EPC to allow the cost of RFID tags to be minimized in the short term. For detailed description of low-cost RFID tag characteristics, refer to Sarma, S., Towards the 5c Tag, MIT Auto-ID Center (November 2001), the contents of which are herein incorporated by cross-reference. For a description of a commercially-available low-cost passive RFID tag, refer to 915 MHz RFID Tag, Alien Technology (2002), the contents of which are herein incorporated by cross-reference. For detailed description of the 64-bit EPC, refer to Brock, D. L., The Compact Electronic Product Code, MIT Auto-ID Center (November 2001), the contents of which are herein incorporated by cross-reference.
EPCs are intended not just for unique item-level tagging and tracking, but also for case-level and pallet-level tagging, and for tagging of other logistic units of shipping and transportation such as containers and trucks. The distributed PML database records dynamic relationships between items and higher-level containers in the packaging, shipping and transportation hierarchy.
IBM Business Consulting Services, in conjunction with the Auto-ID Center, has carried out a number of case studies analysing and quantifying the costs and benefits of RFID-carried EPCs in the supply chain. They distinguish the benefits which accrue at different stages in the supply chain (e.g. distribution versus retail), at different levels of tagging (i.e. pallet versus case versus item), in response to different sources of loss (e.g. shrinkage versus unsaleables), and across different product categories (e.g. grocery versus apparel versus consumer electronics).
Since the Auto-ID Center exclusively advocates RFID-carried EPCs, the case studies do not clearly distinguish the benefits which accrue from EPCs alone from the benefits which accrue specifically from RFID tags. In addition, the case studies implicitly adopt a very optimistic view of the omni-directional scanning performance of RFID in the presence of radiopaque product, i.e. typically liquid content and metal packaging. More broadly, the case studies do not clearly recognise benefits already beginning to accrue from systemic supply chain changes, such as better utilisation of UPC-based scan data collected at the point-of-sale, increasingly automated reordering and replenishment, and improving levels of communication and data sharing between different participants in the supply chain. In many cases these changes are presented as if predicated on Auto-ID technologies such as RFID-carried EPCs, when in fact they are not. This in turn tends to overstate the benefits of these technologies.
The case studies implicitly assume that tagged units can be accurately scanned in bulk, e.g. when a pallet-load of tagged cases is moved within a distribution center. However, a study by Alien Technology, the first manufacturer of RFID tags conforming to the Auto-ID Center's UHF RFID specifications, shows that cases of radiopaque product (such as soft drinks, shampoo, detergent, and coffee in metal containers) can only be effectively scanned when the case tags are within line-of-sight of tag readers as discussed in Alien Technology, "RFID Supply Chain Applications—Building Test 1", February 2002. In practice this means that pallets of radiopaque product must be split so that individual cases can be conveyed past tag readers, precluding pallet-level operations including storage and dock-to-dock transfer.
Although not directly explored in the Alien study, the same restrictions apply at the item level. For example, while the case study on obsolescence Alexander, K. et al., Applying Auto-ID to Reduce Losses Associated with Product Obsolescence, MIT Auto-ID Center, November 2002, assumes that shelf scanners in a retail store can perform a complete scan of shelf stock, and the case study on shrinkage Alexander, K. et al., Applying Auto-ID to Reduce Losses Associated with Shrink, MIT Auto-ID Center, November 2002, assumes that exit scanners in a retail store can successfully read items jumbled together in a shopping cart or in grocery bags, in reality the presence of radiopaque product is likely to undermine performance in these situations, thereby compromising some of the claimed benefits of RFID. The Auto-ID Center's own study of supermarket shelf reader design factors concludes that UHF radiopaque product items should have their RFID tags attached to their tops within line-of-sight of shelf readers Cole, P., A Study of Factors Affecting the Design of EPC Antennas & Readers for Supermarket Shelves, MIT Auto-ID Center, 1 Jun. 2002.
As with case-level RFID scanning in the distribution center, item-level RFID scanning in the retail store works best when items are handled individually, such as during stock movement to and from shelves, and during the checkout process, i.e. where each item is allowed to fall within line-of-sight of the reader.
The case studies generally conclude that benefits accrue predominantly from case-level tagging when the case is the primary unit of product movement, which remains true right through the supply chain to the retail store backroom.
Benefits from item-level tagging begin to accrue in the retail store once cases are split and product hits the shelves, and these benefits fall into three main categories: a reduced shrinkage rate; a reduced unsaleable rate; and reduced out-of-stocks (with less safety stock). These benefits are discussed in detail below.
Stage-relevant tagging levels are illustrated in FIG. 100.
The case studies assume seven product categories, summarised in Table 1. For every product category except grocery, the case studies conclude that item-level tagging is cost-effective. Specifically, the case studies do not consider item-level RFID tagging in grocery to be cost-effective because of the high cost of RFID tags relative to the average item price.
Note that if partial and incremental item-level RFID tagging of higher-value grocery items occurs (such as of packets of razor blades Alien Technology, "Alien Announces Major Order for Low-cost RFID Tags", 6 Jan. 2003, http://www.alientechnology.com/library/pr/alien_gillette.htm, then from the point of view of per-tag cost it becomes more difficult to justify item-level tagging of remaining products, since the average price of untagged items has been reduced. Conversely, it may become easier to justify from the point of view of sunk investment in reader infrastructure.
TABLE 1Product categories and average item pricesproduct categoryaverage item pricegrocery$1.75apparel$14consumer electronics$130 health & beauty $9music & video$18pharmacy$27toys$18
The case studies therefore make a convincing argument for case-level RFID tagging for all product categories. Additionally item-level RFID tagging may be used for more expensive items.
With item-level tagging, each product item is assigned a unique EPC at time of manufacture. The item's EPC then serves as a key into a distributed PML database which records the characteristics of the item and its evolving history as it proceeds through the supply chain. This includes the item's inclusion in a dynamic hierarchy of packaging, shipping and transportation units, each identified by its own unique EPC. Tracking of higher-level units through the supply chain implicitly support the tracking of lower-level units. For example, once a pallet is loaded and until it is unloaded and split, pallet-level tracking is sufficient to also track its case-level content. Similarly, once a carton is filled and until it is re-opened and split, case-level tracking is sufficient to also track its item-level content. Readers installed in entry and exit portals in factories, warehouses, distribution centers and retail stores can automatically track unit movements and update movement histories. Notwithstanding issues with automatically tracking radiopaque product, RFID readers have benefits for pallet-level and case-level tracking.
At the checkout, the unique EPC of the item prevents it from being recorded as a sale more than once. This allows the checkout to be partially or fully automated. Automatic scanning of a traditional UPC bar code, which only identifies item class, is problematic because multiple scans of the same item are difficult to avoid and impossible to detect from the bar code alone. In an automatic checkout the EPC of an item is typically read many times to ensure that the EPC is read at all, but is only recorded as a sale once. The unique EPC also prevents the checkout operator from multi-scanning a single item to account for a number of similar items, a common time-saving practice which can lead to inventory inaccuracy and thereby undermine automatic reordering and replenishment.
It has been suggested that an RFID-based automatic checkout process can be as simple as wheeling a shopping cart full of RFID-tagged product items through a checkout zone continuously scanned by one or more RFID readers.
In reality, due to issues with radiopaque grocery items, an RFID-based automatic checkout is likely to require each item to pass through the RFID reader's field individually. This may happen when the customer places the item in the cart, i.e. if the cart incorporates a reader, but is more likely to happen at the checkout where the operator or customer either places each item on a conveyor to transport the item through the reader's field, or manually presents each item to the reader's field.
Similarly, whilst the use of item-level RFID tagging arguably makes it possible to construct so-called smart shelves which incorporate RFID readers and continuously monitor RFID-tagged shelf content, practically this is once again subject to performance in the presence of radiopaque product.
The cost of the RFID tag approach is particularly of importance in the grocery sector which is characterised by high-volume sales of low-priced product items, coupled with low net margins. In 2001-2002 the United States grocery sector achieved net profits of 1.36% on net sales of roughly $500 billion.
During the same period the grocery sector experienced a shrinkage rate of 1.42% and an unsaleable rate of 0.95% Lightbum, A., 2002 Unsaleables Benchmark Report, Joint Industry Unsaleables Steering Committee 2002. Net profit and shrinkage were therefore roughly equal at $7 billion each, and unsaleables accounted for an additional $5 billion. Out-of-stocks were further estimated to result in a 3% loss in net sales Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA), Full-Shelf Satisfaction—Reducing Out-of-Stocks in the Grocery Channel (Executive Summary), 2002, which translates into a $200 million reduction in net profit. The grocery sector is also highly labour-intensive, with labour costs accounting for more than 50% of operating expenses.
Profitable operation in the grocery sector therefore relies on maximising efficiency, minimising losses due to shrinkage, minimising losses due to unsaleables, and minimising out-of-stocks while minimising levels of safety stock.
Table 2 summarises these sources of loss in the grocery sector.
TABLE 2Sources of loss in the grocery sectorapproximatecostsource of losscontribution($millions)shrinkage1.42%7,000unsaleables0.95%5,000out-of-stocks0.04%204total2.41%12,204
The grocery sector is likely to significantly reduce these sources of loss over the coming decade, independently of item-level tagging, by better utilising UPC-based scan data collected at the point-of-sale, by increasing the level of automation of reordering and replenishment, and by improving communication between different participants in the supply chain. Furthermore, the benefits of item-level tagging itself only accrue if such systemic changes actually take place.
However, the cost of apply RFID tags to provide item level tagging to further enhance loss reduction is currently cost prohibitive.
As shown in Table 2, the cost of shrinkage, unsaleables and out-of-stocks amounts to about 2.41% of net sales. Assuming an average grocery item price of $1.75, this cost equates to about 4.2 cents. Further assuming universal tagging of grocery items, and ignoring other costs and benefits of item-level tagging, such as the cost of the reader infrastructure and the benefit of an improved consumer experience, 4.2 cents represents an absolute upper limit on the threshold cost of a tag in the grocery sector.
The Auto-ID Center hopes to achieve a 5 cent EPC-compatible passive RFID tag within the next couple of years, and Alien Technology are moving towards that goal with a tag design which they expect to price at 10 cents in multi-billion tag volumes by the end of 2003. Alien Technology, 915 MHz RFID Tag, .Ghassali, M., Unsaleables "The U.S. Experience", Unilever Bestfoods North America, 27 Mar. 2001. However, the 5 cent tag goal is still highly speculative, and even in multi-billion tag volumes there is currently no projected timeline for achieving an RFID tag price lower than 5 cents. Despite this, the IBM Auto-ID case studies assume a two cent RFID tag within a couple of years in their most optimistic scenarios Alexander, K. et al., Applying Auto-ID to Reduce Losses Associated with Shrink, MIT Auto-ID Center, November 2002.
Since even wildly optimistic projected cost savings only marginally justify the cost of the most optimistically-priced RFID tags, it is unlikely that universal item-level RFID tagging in the grocery sector is justified in the foreseeable future.
In addition to this however, other disadvantages of the RFID tagging scheme, such as the difficulty of scanning in the presence of radiopaque products, and issues surrounding privacy, make the use of RFID tags undesirable in item-level tagging of more expensive products even where the RFID cost becomes negligible.
It is therefore desirable to find an alternative to the use of RFID tags for item level tagging which ensures reliable item identification, which does not suffer from drawbacks such as reduced privacy for the consumer. It is also preferable that the technique provides a lower cost alternative thereby allowing it to be economically used on grocery items.

Scanner for scanning items marked with near-infrared tags


A document management server according to the present invention acquires entity data of a plurality of content documents specified to be downloaded by the client, and stores the acquired entity data of each of the plurality of content documents in a different folder generated in an archive file when there are content documents having a same name among the specified plurality of content documents. Further, the document management server generates an information file in which path information in the document management server and path information in the archive file with respect to each of the plurality of content documents specified to be downloaded are described in association with the corresponding content document, and stores the generated information file in the archive file. Further, the document management server transmits the archive file storing the entity data of each of the plurality of content documents and the information file to the client.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a document management server configured to manage documents, and a document management method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional document management system that works on a web browser, a user can, for example, display, search for, and download folders and documents managed by a document management server, and upload documents and files to the document management server. Further, the document management system may have a function of allowing a user to archive a plurality of documents into a single file and then download them when collectively downloading the plurality of documents. For example, the user can download a plurality of files after putting them together into a single ZIP file by archiving them in the ZIP format.
Further, WO2008/029774 discusses a system allowing a user to drag and drop an object (an icon or a link) defined in HyperText Markup Language (HTML) onto an operating system (OS) of a local personal computer (PC) to easily download a file associated with the object.
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-126962 discusses a system in which, when a user edits a downloaded document and stores it, if there is another document that the user refers to, the user can store the document while embedding a full path of the document referred to therein, and view the document referred to previously from the full path embedded in the document when reopening the document.
A search for a document managed by the document management server may result in a discovery of a plurality of documents stored in a plurality of different storage locations (different directories and folders). At this time, identically named documents stored in different locations may be acquired as a search result. A standard client PC does not allow a user to store documents having a same name into a same folder as a download destination. Therefore, every time a user downloads each document having a same name, the user has to bother to rename the document or specify a folder into which the document is stored. Accordingly, the conventional document management system has such a problem that a user may have to perform a cumbersome operation to download a plurality of documents.

Document management server and document management method


Resolution of thin beds made by a natural gamma ray logging tool is improved using a relation between the width of the response and the bed thickness. The peak gamma ray of the bed is determined using another relation between the measured gamma ray response and the bed thickness.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is in the field of gamma ray testing of geological formations. In particular, the invention delineates boundaries of a formation from recorded spectra.
2. Description of the Related Art
Well logging systems have been utilized in hydrocarbon exploration for many years. Such systems provide data for use by geologists and petroleum engineers in making many determinations pertinent to hydrocarbon exploration. In particular, these systems provide data for subsurface structural mapping, defining the lithology of subsurface formations, identifying hydrocarbon-productive zones, and interpreting reservoir characteristics and contents. Many types of well logging systems exist which measure different formation parameters such as conductivity, travel time of acoustic waves within the formation and the like.
One class of systems seeks to measure incidence of nuclear particles on the well logging tool from the formation for purposes well known in the art. These systems take various forms, including those measuring natural gamma rays from the formation. Still other systems measure gamma rays in the formation caused by bursts of neutrons into the formation by a neutron source carried by the tool and pulsed at a preselected interval. The natural gamma ray log is particularly useful since radioactivity in earth formations is primarily due to potassium in shales and clays, and thus serves as a lithology indicator.
In general, one such method and apparatus, when applied to the field of natural gamma ray well logging, has utilized channels of spectra including those of potassium-40, uranium and thorium. One such technique utilizes these natural gamma ray logs to determine characteristics of shale formations as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,071,755, to Supernaw et al. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to differentiate such shale formations from other formations having relatively high concentrations of uranium, such as uranium-rich sands or formations exhibiting uranium oxide plating as a result of fluid movement.
U.S. Pat. No. 612,439 to Chace provides methods and apparatus for evaluating subsurface formations utilizing natural gamma ray spectral logging. A high-resolution, gamma ray spectrometer incorporated in a well logging instrument traverses a borehole, whereby natural gamma radiation strikes a scintillation crystal contained therein. The detected gamma rays striking the crystal cause the crystal to emit photons in the visible energy region, the intensity of which is proportional to the energy lost in the crystal by the incident gamma ray. Light energy from the crystal is optically coupled to a photomultiplier tube where the energy is convened to a proportional electrical pulse signal which is amplified and transmitted to processing circuitry.
Due to the finite size of the gamma-ray tool, the measured gamma-ray count is an indicator for the formation properties integrated only over some finite volume. In many circumstances, these integrated count values are adequate for the spatial resolution of lithology. In certain exploration areas the geologic strata of interest are less than 1 m thick and in some cases may be composed of interleaving thin beds on the order of a few centimeters thick. In the former situation the spatial averaging effects of the tool may be substantial; in the latter, bearing in mind the normal detector length of 0.15 m (0.5 ft), they may cause a distorted picture of the lithology. Deconvolution can be used to reduce the averaging effects of the tool, thereby increasing the vertical resolution and accuracy of the log. For noiseless data, this deconvolution can be done by employing a least-squares method, and the results are then accurate regardless of the spatial resolution demanded, as long as it is greater than or equal to the measurement interval. On the other hand, in the presence of noise, the accompanying degradation of deconvolved results is a sensitive function of the resolution. As the resolution interval decreases, the mathematical process of deconvolution tends to increase the noise in the results.
Sheng et al. ("Bayesian deconvolution of gamma-ray logs," Geophysics. Vol. 52, No. 11 (November 1987): p. 1535-1546.) teach a Bayesian deconvolution method that takes into account the statistics of gamma-ray log measurements, is less sensitive to noise, and shows an improvement over the conventional least-squares deconvolution methods. Jacobson et al. ("Resolution Enhancement of Nuclear Measurements Through Deconvolution, "SPWLA 31st Annual Logging Symposium, Jun. 24-27, 1990. ) have developed a modified deconvolution method that is less sensitive to noise than the conventional least-squares methods. The method used in Jacobson is based on a model in which the spatial response function of a gamma ray detector is approximated by the convolution of a rectangular box whose length is equal to the length of the detector with an exponential cusp function whose decay constant is related to the average gamma-ray attenuation length in common reservoir formations.
One problem of particular interest is simply that of identification of bed boundaries, particularly those of shale layers in a sand-shale sequence. Accurate resolution of thin beds is more important than deconvolving the entire log accurately. For such applications, a commonly used method has been to identify bed boundaries from inflection points on the log. This approach works reasonably well if the thickness of the shale bed is sufficiently large and the log reading is within 5% of the fully developed API value. The method however is inaccurate in thin beds. It would be desirable to have an improved method and apparatus for resolution of thin beds from natural gamma ray measurements. The present invention satisfies this need.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for determining shale bed boundaries and gamma ray activity with gamma ray instrument


A system and method for self-diagnosing a likely cause of a system crash is disclosed. A mechanism within an operating system checks for the existence of a stop code at startup of the machine. The existence of the stop code indicates that the system crashed during the previous session, and the type of system crash. The mechanism may read the stop code and implement a self-diagnostic procedure that corresponds to that stop code. In this manner, the mechanism may automate many of the tasks normally performed by humans, such as a system administrator, to self-diagnose the likely cause of the crash. If the crash occurs again, the mechanism, through the tracking procedures automatically implemented, may identify and report to a system administrator the likely cause of the crash, e.g. the particular faulty driver or configuration error.

Today, diagnosing a computer system crash (due to operating system or device driver software bugs, hardware errors, configuration problems, or the like) is a very time consuming and expensive process. Typically, a system administrator or developer is left to access books, websites, or colleagues, and often resorts to trial and error to determine what exactly caused the system crash. The diagnosis is generally manual and involves setting particular diagnostic configurations, rebooting the system (likely many times), manually evaluating the diagnostic results, and attempting to reproduce the crash.
In some operating systems, when a crash occurs, a dump file may capture the operating state of the computer at the time of the crash. The traditional dump file helps solve the mystery of what caused the crash, but is typically a very large file. For instance, large systems may have several gigabytes of memory. Writing out the traditional dump file may take upwards of thirty minutes on such a system. Users typically disdain that much down time, and administrators prefer to avoid such time-consuming steps toward diagnosing the system crash.
Moreover, as suggested above, using the information stored in the dump file has traditionally been a time-intensive, manual process. A system administrator or developer is left to read many lines of information in an attempt to determine what caused the crash. Hours of human intervention may be spent simply identifying the diagnostic steps to be taken in search of the offending component that caused the crash.
Further complicating the diagnosis of system crashes is that they are often difficult to reproduce. For example, a device driver may have a bug that does not arise unless memory is low, and then possibly only intermittently. In that case, a test system may not be able to reproduce the error because it does not reproduce the conditions.
In sum, diagnosing system crashes has long vexed system administrators and users of computing systems. A system that overcomes the problems identified above has eluded those skilled in the art.

System and method for self-diagnosing system crashes


The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for producing carbon and syngas from carbon dioxide (CO2). The system includes a first reactor (7) for producing solid carbon (15) from a feed including CO2 and a volatile organic compound such as methane (1), and a second reactor (20) for producing syngas. Reactions in the first reactor (7) are conducted in a limited oxygen atmosphere. The second reactor (20) can use dry reforming, steam reforming, and/or partial oxidation reforming to produce the syngas (22).

The reforming of methane is one of the most common industrial processes for conversion of organic compounds (e.g., natural gas, which is composed primarily of methane) to synthesis gas (or "syngas") using an oxidant. Syngas, which is primarily a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, is an important feedstock for the production of a variety of value-added chemicals, particularly hydrocarbon cuts, such as liquid transportation fuels via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, methanol and dimethyl ether, for example. The oxidant used for reforming of the methane determines its type. For example, in the case of steam reforming, steam is used as the oxidant. Steam reforming of methane uses the following reaction, with ΔH298=206 kJ/mol:CH4+H2O⇄CO+3H2 In partial oxidation, oxygen is used as an oxidant to produce syngas. Partial oxidation of methane is performed as follows, with ΔH298=−36 kJ/mol:CH4+½O2⇄CO+2H2 In dry reforming, carbon dioxide is utilized for oxidation purposes, with ΔH298=247 kJ/mol:CH4+CO2⇄2CO+2H2
Most research in methane reforming is directed towards improvement in the reactant conversions, either through new catalyst materials or by optimization of the operating conditions for a set objective. Recently, attention has been directed towards the "dry" reforming of methane due to its ability to convert the two greenhouse gases (i.e., methane and carbon dioxide) to syngas. However, the commercial applicability of dry reforming of methane has been very limited due to its inherent process limitations, such as carbon deposition, high endothermicity of the reaction, and low values of synthesis gas yield ratios (H2:CO ratio). A well-accepted pathway for carbon formation, from methane, during the dry reforming reaction is given below:CH4(s)→CHx(s)+(4−x)H(s)  (1)CHx(s)→C(s)+xH(s)  (2)H(s)+H(s)→H2(g)  (3)A pathway for carbon formation, from carbon dioxide, during the dry reforming reaction is as follows:CO2(g)↔CO(s)+O(s)  (4)CO(s)↔C(s)+O(s)  (5)O(s)+O(s)↔O2(g)  (6)O(s)+H(s)+H(s)↔H2O(g)  (7)
Thus far, the implementation of such dry reforming reactions has typically suffered from carbon formation in the dry reforming reaction. The carbon formed on the surface of the catalyst deactivates the catalyst due to formation of the carbonate phase, thus either requiring frequent regeneration or, in certain cases, permanently destroying the active site. It would be desirable to design a reactor for implementing the dry reforming of methane with enhanced carbon dioxide fixation. Thus, a reactor system and process solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

System and method for carbon and syngas production

QATAR FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT


Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for determining a characteristic of an energy source. One exemplary method involves obtaining a measured current associated with the energy source using a current sensor and obtaining a measured voltage associated with the energy source. In response to identifying an absence of an anomalous condition of the current sensor based on the measured current, the method determines a current-compensated value for the characteristic based at least in part on the measured voltage and the measured current. In response to identifying the anomalous condition of the current sensor based on the measured current, the method determines an uncompensated value for the characteristic based at least in part on the measured voltage.

In recent years, advances in technology have led to substantial changes in the design of automotive vehicles. In particular, electric motors (or electric machines) are finding an increasing number of applications in the automotive industry due to the electrification of the automotive drive system. Electric and/or hybrid vehicles utilize electric motors as either primary or supplemental torque sources in the automotive drive system. In electric and/or hybrid vehicles, the electric motor is typically powered by a rechargeable energy source, such as a battery, using one or more power conversion modules to produce the desired alternating current electrical signals across the stator windings of the electric motor. Additionally, the battery may provide power to other vehicle components, such as, for example, engine control units (ECUs), traction control systems, power steering systems, braking systems, climate control systems, navigation systems, infotainment systems, and the like.
During the operation of an electric and/or hybrid vehicle, it is often desirable to monitor or otherwise track the remaining energy potential of the energy source analogously to the fuel gauge in conventional vehicles. In practice, the current flowing to/from the vehicle batter is often used to determine the remaining state of charge (SOC) of the battery. However, the wide range of possible currents during vehicle operation generally requires the use of current sensors with a wide measurement range, which, in turn, increases costs and/or compromises fidelity. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide systems and methods for accurately determining the SOC while reducing cost. Other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

Methods and systems for determining a characteristic of a vehicle energy source


The present invention provides a method for synchronizing the transmission of real time synchronous data packets over asynchronous optical networks between at least two user terminal nodes. This methodology proposes to use a receiver and transmitter module implemented within intermediating communication devices that are connected between the TDM equipment and the asynchronous optical network. According to this method, sequence numbers are encapsulated within the data packets payload at the transmitter terminal node, and a Stratum 3 classified clock pulse is provided to the transmitter terminal node. At the receiver module the incoming data packets sequence number order is identified. In the case of detecting offsets of non-sequenced data packets, the clock rate of the receiving note is compensated. Finally the frequency rate of the incoming data signal is divided and the data transmission signal amplitude is attenuated for reducing jitter and wander in compliance with stratum 3 accuracy standards.

1. The Scope of the Invention
This invention relates to the synchronization of real-time data streams over asynchronous packet networks, and in particular to the synchronization of timing and data over Ethernet and IP optical networks.
2. Background
Industry experts recognize that Internet growth has created an unprecedented demand for additional core network capacity. The scalable and distributed nature of the Internet continues to contribute to it's growth on all of the fronts, including users, hosts, links and existing and emerging applications.
Internet users have been connecting at higher link speeds, and usage duration continues to grow, creating an exponential increase in traffic volumes.
Today's Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN) are based on SONET optical rings. The SONET protocol, originally designed for carrying voice, can no longer accommodate the requirements of a world that is becoming data-centric. The most suitable transport paradigm for the new packet-based traffic, increasing at a furious pace, is the Ethernet.
Though computing network environments have evolved and transmission rates have increased exponentially, the Ethernet network architecture has remained dominant. While a communication rate of 10 Mb/s was once considered as state-of-the-art technology, today an Ethernet local Area Network (LAN) may transmit at speeds of up to 10 Gbps, 20 Gbps and even more.
This is due to the development of optical fiber technologies that have enabled the transmission of digital data streams at rate of up to 10 gigabit/sec and more. This channel-to-channel technology involves the coupling of various computer systems together with optical fiber or with a fiber channel compatible electrically conductive (copper) cable, allowing data transmissions between machines separated by relatively great distances.
The existing switches and routers provide neither the performance nor the port density required to efficiently create a real-time simultaneous network with raw optical data.
One of the main characteristics of TERM (Time Division Multiplexing) networks is time synchronization, (a natural requirement of it's time slots multiplexing method). In the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or in SONET/SDH networks, a clock master provides a primary time reference for synchronizing all of the network nodes (the time discipline). This master clock has an extremely long term accuracy of one part in 10−11. This reference time, the accuracy of which is called stratum 1, provides the reference clock to secondary network nodes with stratum 2 accuracy, and these in turn provide a time reference to stratum 3 E and then stratum 3 nodes. This hierarchy of time synchronization is essential for the proper functioning of the TDM network as a whole.
A 10 gigabit optical network lacks the ability of transferring real-time synchronous data, since it is all based on a best effort from each of the routers within the Ethernet cloud and since the nature of pure packetized networks that cannot ensure a stable or expected delay. This current situation does not allow good quality telephone voice transmissions to be created.
One of the main drawbacks that prevent optical networks from providing real-time data transmissions is the lack of synchronization between clock frequencies of both, the receiving and transmitting terminals, which are connected to the optical network. In TDM applications, the transmitter and the receiver must share a common time base or at least be synchronized with one another in a Master/Slave chain, otherwise there cannot be a TDM connection.
This drawback results from several factors. The data Packets transmission in an asynchronous network suffers from random delays that are known as jitter and wander. The term "jitter" is used to describe short term signal variations, such as pulse position modulation frequencies that exceed frequencies of 10 Hz, The term "wander is used to describe longer term variations of significant digital signal properties (e.g., zero level crossings) from their ideal positions in time and is applied to pulse position modulation frequencies below 10 Hz.
Jitter is typically attributed to additive Gaussian noise, whereas wander is typically attributed to slower varying environmental conditions.
Prior art methods and systems overcome the mentioned deficiencies by using a methodology called phase locked loop (PLL) (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,246,738).
Another approach to overcoming this randomness when emulating TDM over an IP network is by using a buffer (FIFO) to smooth out all of the incoming data. This approach assumes that the proper time references are available. For the most part, however, the original time reference information is no longer available. The average time of emptying the buffer must be the same as the average rate of filling it up, otherwise we would be loosing data.
Another factor is known as packets slipping or the loss of data packets. This problem is more acute When relating to high rate data transfer networks such as an optical 10 gigabits network. Data packets arriving out of order result in substantial differences between the clock frequencies of the receiving device and transmitting device In this case, trying to restore a clock frequency according to the incoming packet rate, using it as a reference for the original transmission (+Jitter and −Wander caused by the network), the restored frequency is inaccurate, a result of the lost packets. Even the loss of only one packet out of a million packets creates a frequency error of 1 PPM (1×10−6), while the bit rate synchronization must satisfy 1×10−12 accuracy standards.
Prior art solutions, as proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,538, mainly address the problems of the actual loss of the data packets and methods for recovering them.
It was then suggested to provide time standards such as atomic clocks or GPS receivers to each edge terminal, thus relieving the IP network from the need to send and receive synchronization information. This suggestion does not provide any solution at all and would be a costly attempt. The incoming data has a certain momentary clock rate (according to the actual wander) that is dependent on routing interference, temperature effects, network delays etc. If we try to extract that data by using an external clock (such as a GPS clock) even as accurate as an atomic standard, when the data is coming in a different average frequency the slips and inaccuracy problems and loss of data remain the same, The local clock should represent the changing average of the incoming data at the time. This type of clock is called a "Breathing Networking Clock" that is capable of managing with the flexibility of the network (yet having a time discipline set to one central location, usually to the core switch that has the most accurate clock, and this accurate clock is also looked onto a better clock upstream.)
There is also another solution based on retrieving the clock data from the nearest PSTN using existing linkages to the PBX via SONET. Such a solution requires the use of two competing networks and is based on the assumption that the PSTN is the same on both sides of the network. This is a very dangerous assumption, especially in a wide IP network. Even if this assumption fulfills itself, the cost is still substantially high since the customer would have to pay for the use of two (and some times even four) different suppliers and networks.
Therefore, it is the primary object of this invention to avoid the limitations of the prior art and provide a real-time synchronous data transmission over asynchronous networks of at least 1 gigabit and faster (up to 10 GB/S)

System and method for synchronizing between communication terminals of asynchronous packets networks


Aspects of the present invention disclose a method for safeguarding an audio device by enabling the audio device to perform harm prevention and retrieval related task based on detecting a set of conditions within an operating environment of the audio device. The method includes one or more processors determining a freefall event of an audio device is occurring. The method further includes one or more processors determining an operating environment type of a surface the audio device contacts after the freefall event ends, wherein the operating environment type of the surface indicates liquid is present. The method further includes responsive to the indication that water is present one or more processors taking a liquid mitigation action.

The present invention relates generally to the field of communications devices, and more particularly to harm prevention of audio devices.
Headphones have long been used to play audio from electronic devices. More recently, wireless headphones have become more frequently used. Wireless headphones, however, that are known to an electronic device are tethered together. Additionally, wireless headphones that are known to an electronic device can be freely placed into a discovery mode that could be used to communicatively couple the wireless headphones with a new electronic device without erasing existing connection history.
Electroactive polymers (EAPs) are polymers that exhibit a change in size or shape when stimulated by an electric field. The most common applications of this type of material are in actuators and sensors. A typical characteristic property of an EAP is that the EAP will undergo a large amount of deformation while sustaining large forces. An EAP can have several configurations but are generally divided in two principal classes: Dielectric and Ionic.
A personal area network (PAN) is a computer network for interconnecting electronic devices centered on an individual person's workspace. A PAN provides data transmission among devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets and personal digital assistants. PANs can be used for communication among the personal devices themselves, or for connecting to a higher-level network and the Internet where one master device takes up the role as gateway. A PAN may be wireless or carried over wired interfaces. A wireless personal area network (WPAN) is a PAN carried over a low-powered, short-distance wireless network technology that varies from a few centimeters to a few meters.

Safeguarding audio device based on detection of freefall or lost scenarios

International Business Machines Corporation


A server rack for supporting a plurality of servers of varying heights includes opposing side walls each including one or more vertical tracks. A first column of holes is disposed in one of the vertical tracks and a second column of holes disposed in a corresponding opposing vertical track of the opposing side wall. A third and fourth column of holes are disposed adjacent to and corresponding to the first column of holes and the second column of holes. A first pair of opposing rails are each disposed on the opposing side walls. Each of the opposing rails are mechanically secured to the one or more vertical tracks at the first and second columns of holes. The first pair of opposing rails are configured to support a first server having a first height. For the first and second columns of holes, the spacing between holes is predefined to accommodate opposing rails to support servers of the first height. For the third and fourth columns of holes, the spacing between holes is predefined to accommodate rails to support servers of a second different height and a different size than the first server.

Rackmounted computing devices, such as rackmounted servers, are employed in large numbers for high demand applications such as network based systems or data centers. Server racks are used to store and organize server equipment. One type of server rack is referred to as a U space or Rack Unit ("RU"), where vertical hole spacing for one U space or RU is defined having a height of 1.75 inches. Another type of server rack is referred to as OpenU ("OU"), where vertical hole spacing is also defined having a height of 1.89 inches that is slightly taller than RU and allows for improved air flow and cable management in a rack. Server racks are fabricated to accommodate a single pitch or single height server only. The present disclosure is directed to server rack systems that increase efficiency in accommodating servers.

Rack for supporting servers of varying heights


A direct injection ignition engine includes a piston with a cavity on a top surface thereof, an injector arranged at a peripheral portion of a combustion chamber to be faced to the combustion chamber for injecting a fuel directly into the combustion chamber, an ignition plug arranged to be projected to the combustion chamber for igniting the fuel introduced into the combustion chamber, an intake passage connected to the combustion chamber for introducing an intake air to the combustion chamber, intake air flow control valve arranged in the intake passage for controlling an intake air flow of an inclined vortex including a tumble component and swirl component produced in the combustion chamber, an actuator for driving the control valve, engine load detecting sensor for detecting an engine load, engine speed detecting sensor for detecting an engine speed, fuel supply controller, based on the output signals from the engine load detecting sensor and the engine speed detecting sensor, for producing control signals for the injector which include a fuel injection amount and fuel injection timing in a compression stroke for accomplishing a stratified combustion condition in which an air fuel mixture with an air fuel ratio greater than a theoretical one is concentrated around the ignition plug when an operating condition is in at least a low engine load and low engine speed condition, and, the fuel injection amount and fuel injection timing in an intake stroke for accomplishing a uniform combustion condition in which an air fuel mixture with an air fuel ratio greater than a theoretical one is uniformly and entirely dispersed in the combustion chamber when the operating condition is at least in a condition beyond said low engine load and engine speed condition with regard to the engine load and engine speed, and, producing control signals for the actuator to produce the inclined vortex of the air fuel mixture in the operating condition from the stratified combustion condition to the uniform combustion condition.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a direct fuel injection ignition engine in which a cavity is formed on a top of a piston and a fuel injector which injects a fuel directly into an engine combustion chamber is disposed on a peripheral portion of an ignition chamber.
2. Related Art
Conventionally, as shown in Japanese Patent Un-examined Application Publication No.7-286520, a direct fuel injection ignition engine has been known that an ignition plug is disposed in a middle portion of a combustion chamber and that an injector is disposed at a peripheral portion of the combustion chamber so as to inject a fuel directly into the combustion chamber. In this type of engine, the injector is disposed at the peripheral portion of the combustion chamber so that the fuel is injected obliquely downwardly toward the piston top. When the fuel is injected in a compression stroke, the fuel reflected on the top surface of the piston is provided around the ignition plug to accomplish a stratification combustion and when the fuel injection is made during an intake stroke, an air fuel combustion gas is dispersed in the whole combustion chamber to accomplish a uniform combustion.
A control has been done in a manner that a fuel injection pattern is changed in accordance with an operating condition. For example, a stratified combustion is made on a low engine load and low engine speed condition through a compression stroke injection in which the fuel injection is made during the engine compression stroke. The fuel injection is made during the intake stroke when the operating condition is in a high engine load and/or a high engine speed condition. In addition, an air fuel ratio is controlled in accordance with the fuel injection pattern control. For example, the air fuel ratio is controlled to provide a lean air fuel mixture when the stratified combustion is executed. The air fuel ratio is controlled to provide a lean air fuel mixture in a lower engine load condition in the case where the uniform combustion is established while the air fuel ratio is controlled to provide a rich air fuel mixture in a high engine load condition.
It is proposed that a cavity is formed on the top of the piston in order to facilitate the stratification so that the fuel injected in the compression stroke is introduced to the ignition plug by way of the cavity.
However, in the conventional engine, there has been a problem that when an inclination angle of the injector to a plane perpendicular to an axis of a cylinder bore is too small, a significant amount of the fuel injected from the injector is not trapped in the cavity and dispersed outside of the cavity of the top surface of the piston resulting in a deterioration of a fuel combustion efficiency and combustion stability. In addition, when the uniform combustion is executed in the intake stroke injection, the amount of the fuel attached to a cylinder wall surface is increased to increase the amount of hydrocarbon emission and incur a dilution of a lubrication oil.
If the inclination angle of the injector is increased, the above problem is eliminated. However, if the inclination angle is increased, it would be difficult to form properly intake ports due to the interference with the injector. Thus, the increase of the inclination angle of the injector is impossible due to the above problem in layout.
In order to solve the above problem, forming a tumble in the combustion chamber would be effective. The tumble would orient the atomization from the injector downward so that the trapping of the injected fuel by the cavity is facilitated in the course of the stratified combustion. In addition, the amount of the fuel attached to the wall surface of the cylinder can be reduced. However, it is not enough for the tumble to introduce the trapped air fuel mixture to the ignition plug so that the air fuel ratio of the air fuel mixture around the ignition plug becomes unstable. In addition, the tumble component tends to be reduced and collapsed. As a result, the air fuel mixture cannot be properly dispersed in the stratified combustion of a middle engine load condition in which the fuel injection amount is fairly large, and resulting in a deterioration of the fuel consumption efficiency.
Alternatively, it would be proposed that an intake system is constituted to facilitate a swirl. However, the sole swirl formation may produce an inversed stratified condition in which the fuel air fuel mixture is concentrated around the peripheral portion of the combustion chamber rather than around the ignition plug. Thus, the combustion performance cannot be improved.


The invention relates to an automatic packing system including a station at which a serial stream of articles are placed into stacks (one on top of another) or groups and discharged into a transversely moving tray-type package, or the like. The system includes a conveyor belt for transporting the articles, one by one, while they lie in a horizontal plane. The articles are transferred by another conveyor to a station at the end of the conveyor where the articles are stopped by protruding pins, picked up by a vacuum holding device, transferred by lever mechanisms and carried to a loading station where the articles are dropped one upon another in a stacked manner until an appropriate group has accumulated. When the appropriate group has been accumulated, the bottom of the loading station opens to release the stacked group of articles to fall into its tray-type package, which is moved transversely under the loading station in synchrony with the accumulated articles so as to be directly under the group of dropped articles.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to an apparatus for conveying and packaging articles. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus for and process of removing food items from a stream of such items and placing them horizontally one upon another for subsequent packaging in a tray-like package and the like.
2. Background of the Invention
In the preparation of food items such as cookies, candies, and the like, after the cookies have been baked, they are transferred from an oven to a conveyor belt to be conveyed thereby to a packaging station. When the cookies are dropped onto the conveyor belt from the oven, they are arranged randomly. It was the prior practice in the baking industry to manually remove the cookies from the conveyor belt and stack them in appropriate groups (e.g., a group of three stacks, each stack having four cookies) for packaging in a tray- or cup-type package. Obviously, such practice is rather labor-intensive and time consuming.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,328 to Mims, the Inventor of the present invention, successfully automated the process of removing cookies from the moving conveyor belt and aligning them in a single group for placement in a tray-package. The disclosed system, known as the TRAY PACKER.TM. packing system, transports the cookies from the oven and drops them from the conveyor belt, one by one, along a slide. The cookies temporarily vertically lay to rest on an abutment surface and are then stacked vertically by a flipper mechanism. When the appropriate group is accumulated, the cookies are allowed to fall in their vertically stacked positions into a tray-type package. The TRAY PACKER.TM. packing system, however, requires that the cookies be dropped one by one from the conveyor belt, to form a single stack of cookies. Moreover, the system does not allow the cookies to be placed in packages in horizontal groups.


A photoelectric element includes a first region having a light-receiving surface. A second region having a short side length not greater than twice the minority carrier diffusion length of the first region is provided on at least one portion of the first region to form a photovoltaic mechanism in conjunction with the first region. A barrier layer is provided to cover at least those portions of the light-receiving surface of the first region not covered by the second region, and a transparent conductive film is provided on the barrier layer and electrically connected to at least one second region. The voltage of the second region generated by incident light is applied through the transparent conductive film to the light-receiving surface of the first region to produce an electric field in the direction inducing majority carriers.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a photoelectric element
2. Description of the Prior Art
Improvement of the performance characteristics of photoelectric elements has been approached from various angles. Of particular note regarding techniques for enhancing the conversion efficiency of such an element by increasing its open-circuit voltage are those disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 57-103371 and Appl. Phys. Lett., Vol. 54, No. 15, 1989, pp. 1460-1462.
The former of these teaches improvement of the open-circuit voltage and the fill factor of a SnO.sub.2 /Si heterojunction solar cell by a technique related to a method for depositing the SnO.sub.2.
The latter aims at achieving an efficiency improvement by forming junctions referred to as point contacts on the major surface of the substrate opposite the light-receiving surface (i.e. the rear surface) What this amounts to structurally is forming point-like P.sup.+ regions for junction formation at a prescribed pitch on the rear surface of a high-resistance n-type substrate and connecting the P.sup.+ regions of each row thereof by forming a plurality of stripe-like positive electrodes on the rear surface of the substrate. Moreover, stripe-like negative electrodes are formed interdigitedly adjacent to the stripe-like positive electrodes and good ohmic contacts are established between the negative electrodes and the high-resistance n-type substrate through point-like n.sub.+ contact regions formed at a prescribed pitch also on the rear surface of the substrate.
The method disclosed in the aforesaid Laid-Open Patent document focuses on improving the efficiency of the heterojunction itself and, as such, does not take the shape and layout on the light-receiving side of the element into consideration as factors in enhancing the open-circuit voltage and conversion efficiency.
On the other hand, while the teaching of the Appl. Phys. Lett. article aims at a structural improvement, the element structure that it proposes involves problems that derive from the fact that the positive and negative electrodes are present only on the rear surface of the substrate and that the two types of electrodes are formed alternately by connecting the members of each type with a plurality of stripes. For example, there is a high risk of shorting owing to thick solder joints, the adherence of electrically conductive foreign matter, and other such causes. The structure also has a drawback from the materials aspect. Specifically, since the current collection junctions are formed only on the rear surface of the substrate opposite from the light-receiving surface, the efficiency decreases, not increases, unless a material is used in which the carrier diffusion length is sufficiently greater than the substrate thickness.

Agency of Industrial Science and Technology

Ministry of International Trade and Industry


The present invention is related to an improvement in the positioning system for the arm of ore transport car turning equipment which comprises a laser emitter device and a laser detection device, the first one placed on the arm of the car turning equipment, and comprising a collimator, a laser diode, a laser control circuit chip and power cable, while the detector is attached to the appropriate base at an adequate distance from the aforementioned arm.

In accordance with the knowledge of the experts in this matter, the arms designed for the turning equipment of loaded ore transport cars are correctly positioned so as to couple with the respective transport cars, either through a photoelectric positioning system, or through a magnetic sensor, or still by laser detection on a scale of sensors.
Nevertheless, all of these known systems show functional problems or disadvantages in its application such as, the photoelectric positioner when covered with ore dust becomes inoperative and may even cause accidents. Also the vibrations may cause a maladjustment of the photoelectric cells which by virtue of operating on invisible light requires a substantial amount of time to be readjusted. On the other hand, the magnetic sensor presents the disadvantage of varying according to the temperature and by the fact to allow for irregular readings due to the presence of metallic materials. In addition, the laser sensor scale by requiring a large number of sensors has the inconvenience of being rather expensive.

Positioning system for the arm of ore car turning equipment


L-Alanyl-L-proline is stereoselectively prepared catalytically hydrogenating an N-(2-iminopropionyl)-L-proline in the presence of a metal hydrogenolysis catalyst and at a pH of less than about 4. Also disclosed are improved processes for production of pyruvylproline in which L-proline and a 2,2-disubstituted propionyl halide are allowed to react at a pH of at least 9 to produce an L-proline intermediate which is hydrolyzed at a pH range of from about 6.5 to about 8.5 to yield N-pyruvyl-L-proline.

The dipeptide L-alanyl-L-proline is a known chemical intermediate useful in the preparation of various pharmaceutical agents having enzyme inhibiting properties. Angiotensin converting enzyme for example is a carboxyl terminal dipeptidyl exopeptidase [E.C. 220.127.116.11] which converts angiotensin I into angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. Numerous compounds have been described which reduce blood pressure in humans by inhibiting the renin-angiotensin system (generally referred to as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or simply ACE inhibitors).
Many of these synthetic ACE inhibitors have a dipeptide or tripeptide-type structure, typically but not invariable including an alanine component bound through its carboxy group to a nitrogen containing heterocyclic group in which a carboxy group is in the .alpha.-position to the nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic group. Two examples of such compounds are enalapril, which is N.sup.2 -[(S)-1-ethoxycarbonyl-3-phenyl-propyl]-L-alanyl-L-proline, and enalaprilat, which is N.sup.2 -[(S)-1-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl]-L-alanyl-L-proline.
In one reported synthesis of enalapril, L-alanyl-L-proline is coupled with an alkyl ester of 2-oxo-4-phenyl-butyrate; see Blacklock et al., J. Org. Chem. 3, 836-841 (1988). L-Alanyl-L-proline contains two chiral centers and a third chiral center is generated in this condensation. Although the condensation is reported to provide high diastereoselectivity, the ratio of the desired SSS diastereoisomer to the unwanted RSS diastereoisomer is reported to be 87:13.
The classical dipeptide synthesis in which the two amino acids in the form of protected derivatives are coupled and the two protecting groups are then removed also has been used in the preparation of L-alanyl-L-proline. For example, N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-alanine can be coupled with the benzyl ester of L-proline in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and the resulting benzyl ester of N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-alanyl-L-proline treated with trifluoroacetic acid to remove the N-(t-butoxycarbonyl) group. Hydrolysis to cleave the benzyl ester then yields L-alanyl-L-proline. See Kleemann et al., Pharmazeutische Wirkstoffe, 1154 (1987).
Blacklock et al., supra, describe the preparation of L-alanyl-L-proline through the reaction of the unprotected proline (as the potassium salt) with a cyclic L-alanine N-carboxyanhydride, a 2,6-dioxo-4-substituted oxazolidine formed by the reaction of L-alanine and phosgene. While this so-called NCA chemistry offers many advantages, it requires the use of phosgene and careful control of the reactants during the course of the reaction.
Mukaiyama et al., Chemistry Letters, 1992, pages 181-184, describe the stereoselective preparation of various dipeptides through the reduction of 2-hydroxyimino amides with the lanthanide samarium diiodide.

Process for the stereoselective preparation of L-alanyl-L-proline


A method of delivering signatures to a finishing line includes generating an assembly order. The assembly order is provided to a controller that is operatively associated with a feeder that comprises a print-on-demand printer. Paper is provided to the print-on-demand printer. The controller controls printing on a signature with the print-on-demand printer according to the assembly order. The controller controls feeding the signature to a first pocket on the finishing line and delivering the signature from the first pocket to the finishing line according to the assembly order. The controller controls printing on an additional signature with the print-on-demand printer according to the assembly order. The controller controls feeding the additional signature to the first pocket, and delivering the additional signature from the first pocket to the finishing line according to the assembly order.

The present invention relates to a method of delivering a printed product to a binding or mailing line, and more particularly to a method of sequentially delivering printed products to a binding or mailing line.
Book as used herein refers to books, catalogs, magazines, pamphlets, envelopes and other printed materials. Books are typically assembled through either conventional saddle stitch or perfect binding processes and it should be noted that the present invention may be used in conjunction with saddle stitch, perfect binding, and other binding methods.
Publishers of printed media are continually looking to gain market share by maintaining and increasing the number of subscribers to its printed media. To help the publishers achieve their goals, printers provide publishers the capability of customizing printed media based on general demographic regions, the particular recipient, and the recipient's interests.
Books are generally comprised of one or more signatures. Signature as used herein generically refers to paper pages and/or packaging inserts. A signature may be printed by a printing press, a laser printer, an ink jet printer, a non-contact printer or any other type of printer. Printed products include both books and signature.
A book may be customized by including particular signatures within the book based on the location where the book will be sold. Books may be customized by including particular signatures within the book based on characteristics and interests of the recipient. Books may also be customized with the addition of inserts, inserts, electronic media, and the like.
A book may be further customized by including unique personalized information or indicia related to the recipient. A common way to personalize the book is to print the recipient's name and address information on the cover of the book once the book is assembled. The book may be further personalized by printing personalized indicia onto one or more signatures before or after the signatures are assembled into a book.
Signatures are often personalized while they are on the binding line by using an ink jet printer positioned near the binding line. As the signatures pass the ink jet printer, personalized information or indicia is printed onto one or more of the signatures or covers. Signatures may also be pre-personalized in a separate off-line printing process prior to being fed onto the binding line.

Method of delivering a printed product to a binding or mailing line


A method system, and apparatus for virtual modeling of biological tissue yields virtual multicellular individuals that exhibit adaptive emergent functionality in response to environmental stimuli. Virtual environmental parameters and cells with genomes are generated, and modified by genetic operations. Cells are developed into generations of multicellular individuals, which are evaluated and selected via evolutionary search according to fitness criteria, and individuals exhibiting adaptive emergent functionality, such as self-repair, are developed and identified.

Attempts have been made to model virtual biological tissues exhibiting adequate fidelity with living tissue. [Stylapaulas, N., Cotin, S., Dawson, S., Ottensmeyer, M., Neumann, P., Bardsley, R., Russell, M., Jackson, P., Rattner, D. (2002) CELTS: A Clinically-Based Computer Enhanced Laparoscopic Training System, The Simulation Group Massachusetts General Hospital-CIMIT, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Mass. 02139: 2-3, 6-7; Crossman, A., Brewster, S., Reid, S., Mellor, D. (2000) Multi-Session VR Medical Training—The HOPS Simulator, Department of Computing Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow G12 8QQ, Glasgow, UK: 3; Chabanas, M., Payan, Y., Marecaux, C., Swider, P., Boutault, F. (2003) Comparison of Linear and Non-Linear Soft Tissue Models with Post-Operative CT Scan in Maxillofacial Surgery, Laboratoire TIMC-IMAG, CNRS UMR 5525, Université Joseph Fourier—Grenoble Institut d'Ingénierie de l'Information de Santé (In3S), 38706 La Tronche cedex, France Service de chirurgie maxillo-faciale et plastique de la face, Hôpital Purpan Toulouse Place Baylac BP 3103, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 3, France Laboratoire de Biomécanique, EA 3697, Université P. Sabatier, Hôpital Purpan Amphithéâtre Laporte, Place Baylac BP 3103-31059 Toulouse cedex 3, France: 1; Sengers, B. G. (2005) Modeling the development of tissue engineered cartilage, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Eindhoven, Nev.: 5; ElHelw, M. A., Lo, B. P., Darzi, A., Yang, G. (2004) Real-Time Photo-Realistic Rendering for Surgical Simulations with Graphics Hardware, Royal Society/Wolfson Medical Image Computing Laboratory, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom: 2] Lack of adequate fidelity hinders medical and biological research, simulation, and practice. Lack of fidelity is realized in two distinct ways:                poor or limited simulation of tissue response to or recovery from external stimuli (e.g., surgery, drug treatment), and        poor or limited simulation of tissue development and internal processes (e.g., metabolism, homeostasis, aging, disease).Further, current models and their computational engines lack a comprehensive and biologically realistic basis and instead rely on incomplete, static, or otherwise inadequate assumptions that do not encompass the range or complexity of biological relationships necessary to properly generate the models. Specifically, lack of such support in current genetic algorithm (GA), evolutionary computing (EC), and biologically inspired computing (BIC) techniques and practices provides an opportunity for improving both the art of biological tissue modeling and the state of computer science and technology.Tissue Modeling Fidelity:
Most models of biological tissues are based on principles of systems engineering [Sun and Lal, 2004]. For example, tissue structure and elasticity can be modeled as dampened springs, electrically excitable tissues as core conductors, and tissues such as blood according to principles of fluid mechanics. As different as these models are, they share a number of general features: they are constructed from the perspective of an external observer and designer of the system; they are grounded in laws (Hook, Kirchoff, Ohm, Bernoulli, etc.) that describe predictable behavior of the physical world in a manner that can be verified empirically, by measurement; they incorporate feedback controls to optimize system performance by tuning of adjustable elements; their complexity requires some kind of computational approach.
Although models based on a systems engineering approach contain a few features that mimic the way that natural living systems are built and how they function, such models fail to capture important emergent properties of natural systems.
Current tissue models are based on a deterministic, top-down approach, whereby all features must be incorporated into a pre-specified plan conceived and constructed by an intelligent designer. Top-down tissue models are based on analysis of static or time-averaged images using zoom focus, viewing an object with increasingly fine resolution where the locations of certain attributes or properties are plotted at specific locations on a map of the object of interest. They emphasize the anatomy of the organ as it exists, but they fail to capture where the organ came from and how it developed. Top-down modeling is appropriate for designing buildings, machines, or other objects of human engineering wherein form and function are imposed by external agents. However, living organisms are not machines and so top-down approaches fail to capture and leverage essential emergent functions of self-organizing systems such as self-construction via development (ontogeny), self-repair, metabolism, homeostasis, and adaptability (the ability to monitor and respond to complex, unpredictable environments).
TABLE AGeneral features of natural systems compared to human-designed systemsNatural SystemsHuman-engineered SystemsDesignSelection by evolutionaryOptimization by architectprocessConstructionSelf-constructs byBuilt by a separate processdevelopment; continuousand apparatus prior toturnover of componentsoperationControlFeedback, homeostasis,Automated feedbackself-repair, regenerationTuning/Contingent, adaptable andTask-specific; monitors onlyOperationplastic; monitors complex,a few parametersunpredictable environmentEvolutionary Computing and Biologically Inspired Computing:
Existing computational models for virtual representation of biological designs rely on relatively simplistic, not fully accurate, or narrow perspectives about living organisms and the processes by which they are constructed. Existing models appear to incorporate genes, genotype, phenotype, emergence, self-repair, and other biologically derived features, but upon closer inspection definitions of these terms have been broadened or changed so that their meaning and relevance to living systems is lowered [Forbes, 2004; Otter and Davis, 2004]. For example, the "crossover" mechanism used in evolutionary computation to effect reshuffling of genes between individuals bears little resemblance to any biological process: crossover conflates three different biological processes, namely, random segregation of chromosomes during meiosis, random fertilization, and a phenomenon that biologists call "crossing over" which takes place within a single individual [Hartwell et al., 2004]. Thus, the term "crossover" has been assimilated without the underlying complexity and richness of biological mechanisms [Back et al., 1997].
Deficiencies in terminology are particularly noticeable regarding the cellular basis of development, which is the primary domain of biology that supports the present invention. A few examples are outlined below.
Genotype→Phenotype Mapping
A fundamental shortcoming of conventional GA approaches is simplistic modeling of the relationship between phenotype and genotype. Problems with genotype-phenotype mapping can be traced to two main sources:                1. Inconsistent and broad usage of the term 'gene', and its derivatives (genetic);        2. Inadequate models for extrapolating from a single gene and what it encodes to a complete set of genes and what they specify collectively.
In evolutionary computation the term "gene" refers to a broad range of objects, including: simple bit strings where each position is equivalent; coded representations of phenotypic characters; representations of characters that are subject to control, as individual genes or in groups; genes that encode either phenotypic characters or agents that control the activity of other genes. These are not equivalent meanings, yet they are grouped under the heading of genetic encodings.
The above definitions are based on simple, direct mapping of genotype onto phenotype, a corollary to the dogma that genotype defines the phenotype. The central dogma outlines the steps involved in expression of a single gene, but this simple 1:1 mapping does not explain the global relationship between genotype and phenotype. As recent cloning experiments confirm [Shin et al., 2002], genotype is not adequate to specify phenotype. Genotype does not specify when or where genes are transcribed, how proteins assemble into macromolecules, signaling or metabolic networks, nor any other aspect of cellular function on a higher level of organization. In modeling, a simple gene-based perspective is not adequate because it fails to capture the interaction of gene products, control of gene expression, cell signaling, epigenetic processes, and other complexities of biological systems.
Developmental Paradigms
Biological development is the process that best captures the power of biology. During human development a single cell, the fertilized egg, is transformed over a period of 38 weeks into a complex, integrated creature containing ˜10 trillion (1013) cells, as the simple instructions encoded in the egg and sperm produce a fully formed, if miniature, human being [Boal, 2002]. This description highlights two aspects, the potential of scale, and the potential of building complexity from simplicity. As seductive as this view may be, taken literally it is misleading and untrue, because it suggests that all of the complexity of a human being is bound up in its genetic code.
During development the embryo is constructing itself, and part of this process involves shaping an environment suitable for development and monitoring it. Genes determine the types of sensors a cell can make, but once a cell builds and deploys sensors, it begins to collect information that is not genetically encoded. Living organisms produce, detect, and record such signals and recognize patterns that are crucial to survival and reproduction. The complex relationships among genetically encoded components, development, and phenotypic plasticity of living organisms are not captured in current models, primarily because the models have been designed from a gene-centered perspective.
A living body, once constructed, remains in a dynamic, continual state of renewal and repair, in spite of its deceptively static appearance [Harris, 1987]. As old parts wear out or become damaged, they must be replaced. This implies that there is a turnover of materials and even more, mechanisms for checking the condition of parts (damage or error detection/proofreading), mechanisms to remove the damaged ones, and mechanisms to replace them. Current tissue models do not include these functions.
While in a sense biological development is the process of constructing an organism, construction usually is directed by an intelligent agent, whereby shape is imposed. Using this convention, top-down models appear more like buildings or perhaps blueprints of buildings than they do living organisms. Yet living systems are capable of self-construction using available resources, and the continuous recycling and replacement of old, worn, or damaged components produces "anatomical homeostasis" [Harris, 1987]. Accordingly, a living organism is more a fountain than a statue: both have definite form, but the fountain's form is incidental to the flow of materials though it, and in the statue, form is primary and static. Current models rely on form to map function. A failure to recognize the inadequacy of the statue metaphor impedes the ability to construct appropriate models of living organisms. A living body remains in a dynamic state, and so too, should virtual tissues generated by modeling.
Living organisms are remarkably resilient, fault tolerant, and during development, convergent on a desirable outcome, healthy offspring. In contrast, systems such as L-systems (grammar based), Turing Machines, and Cellular Automata (CAs) are typically not fault tolerant or robust in function. These systems are brittle in the sense that a slight perturbation in either initial conditions or in the rules of the system often leads to drastic changes in final outcome. Current computational systems lack fault tolerance because they are based on prescribed functions rather than processes that derive from interaction of versatile components.
The present invention represents an improvement over prior disclosures primarily from the perspective of higher ordered emergent functionality having been achieved. For example, it is submitted that the term "emerge" and its derivatives as used in U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,191 refers principally to the fact that a suitable solution to a design problem was found ("emerged" as stated in the patent) through an evolutionary search process. By contrast, the present invention has achieved truly adaptive emergent functionality in the forms of cell signaling, feedback, repair and even oscillatory behavior in accordance with biological fidelity.
Additionally, the disclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,191 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,397, referenced therein, imply that there is a limited and direct correspondence between genotype and phenotype, whereas the instant invention improves the representation of environmental factors and the delicate balance that exists as feedback between genome, environment and phenotype as manifest in gene expression, metabolism, cell signaling, sensory processes and gene regulation that actually form the basis for the present invention's premise, and upon which substantial genetic and biological evidence exists.
While the relatively straight-forward process of chromosomal-like splicing and resulting sexual "crossover" of U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,191 fit the genetic programming (referred to therein as a hierarchical genetic algorithm) process, the instant invention is submitted to improve the level of reference to the broader effect of environmental factors providing a more complete and descriptive genetic operation, with a broader approach as compared to the prior disclosures' narrower field of complex structural design achieved through a simulated natural selection process.
As in the above discussion of U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,191, the present invention is contrasted with U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,274 primarily from the perspective that the instant invention is seen to provide improvement in that adaptive emergent functionality was achieved. Also, as compared to the disclosure thereof, the instant invention provides a more logically faithful process by which the present invention carries out its evolutionary search function. In contrast, the disclosure of the referenced patent obtains solution vectors such as those deduced from user preferences and through the use of optimization adjustment techniques, the methods therein disclosed aspire to enhance local solution search abilities within the conventional genetic algorithm framework.
Furthermore, the referenced disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,274 deals principally with the view that biological evolution occurs solely within a sexual "crossover" context, which is not accepted as a supported premise in the model of the instant invention.
The present invention is distinct from U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,231 based on its stated field of application, namely the optimization of control systems as well as its fundamental approach toward solving that class of problems. Specifically, the referenced patent attempts to solve a class of feedback processes through the deployment of a neural network that is trained by a genetic analyzer. The instant invention also is distinct over the disclosure in the improved fidelity of its model to the biological principles and related phenomena in question. The cited disclosure does not solve the problem of developing emergent behavior or provide a bottom-up approach to problem solving as in the instant invention.
The present invention is distinguished from U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,918 primarily on the basis that the patent's disclosure deals with abstractions of collected data structures at presumed and various levels of scale. The process described therein deals more with a systems engineering approach to simulation and is submitted to be top down and reductionist in nature, in contrast to the present invention's method of utilizing biological primitives in conjunction with the ontogeny engine in the example embodiment and an advanced evolutionary search method to achieve biologically accurate and adaptive emergent functionalities in the form of derived virtual tissue. Additionally, the disclosure of the patent does not provide for emergent functionality, behavior or properties, features, which comprise a fundamental principle of biological development and are an object of the present invention.
The present invention differs from U.S. Pat. No. 6,556,961 in several ways. The most significant is the field of application, namely the systems engineering approach to solving differential equations as a modeling concept and as incorporated within a cellular automata framework. Aside from the lack of any feature within the referenced patent which would support a truly emergent property or function, the sheer reliance on partial differential equations as the backbone for a proposed solution space to the class of problems which the present invention addresses is in a different context altogether. Since the thrust of the referenced patent is a somewhat automated solution for partial differential equations couched in a cellular automata environment, the prospect of achieving truly emergent functionalities, properties or behavior by the referenced patent and as required and demonstrated by the present invention is remote.
TABLE BContrast of Evolutionary Search Characteristics To Present InventionConventional GeneticImproved Model For EvolutionaryCharacteristicAlgorithmSearch In the Present InventionPopulation SizeLarge (typically 250 to 10,000+)Small (5 to 250)Mutation RateVery Low (typically 0.001% toVery Large (1.0% to 50%+)1.000%)RecombinationSexual "Crossover" At EveryRare or no sexual "crossover"GenerationEnvironmentFixed or undefinedMutable and searchableAdaptive EmergentNoneDemonstrated With ContinualFunctionalityDevelopment and RepairThe present invention exploits this advanced evolutionary search model to bring an improved result in a realistic and effective approach for virtual tissue modeling.

Method, system, and apparatus for virtual modeling of biological tissue with adaptive emergent functionality


An airbag arrangement includes an airbag with at least one inflatable chamber and a first opening; and a cover that at least partially covers the first opening of the airbag and that comprises a second opening. The first and second openings are designed such that the chamber of the airbag is accessible through the first and second openings. The first opening is designed in a first layer of an airbag material and the second opening is designed in a second layer of an airbag material. At least one part projects into the airbag through the first and the second opening, whereby the first and the second layer are restrained by the part projecting into the airbag in the area of the openings such that a section of the rim of the first and a section of the rim of the second opening rest closely against the part.

The application relates to an airbag arrangement for a vehicle occupant restraint system and a method for the production of an airbag module.
It is known to provide an outflow opening or multiple outflow openings in an airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint system for discharging gas from the partially or completely inflated airbag in a controlled manner. The controlled discharging of gas has the purpose to fill the airbag adaptively for instance in dependency of body parameters (weight, height) of an occupant. An airbag with an outflow opening for an adaptive inflation is for instance described in EP 0 670 247 A 1.

Airbag arrangement for a vehicle occupant restraint system and a method for the production of an airbag module


A wideband electronically scanned cylindrical array includes an array of end-fire radiating elements, the elements arranged in a first plurality of columns, the columns arranged radially about a center axis of the array. A beamforming network is connected to the array of radiating elements. The beamforming network includes a power divider circuit for dividing an input RF drive signal into a second plurality of drive signals, and a matrix of electronically controlled transfer switches. A true time delay network comprising a third plurality of delay lines couples respective ones of the drive signals to the matrix of transfer switches. A third plurality of transmit amplifiers is coupled to the matrix of transfer switches, each amplifier for amplifying a respective one of the drive signals. The beamforming network further includes apparatus for coupling the amplified drive signals to selected ones of the columns of radiating elements. A beamforming controller is connected to the coupling apparatus and the matrix of transfer switches for selecting sectors of the columns of radiating elements to be driven by the drive signals to form a desired beam. The columns of radiating elements are arranged in a circularly symmetric fashion about the axis in the disclosed embodiment.

Naval vessels face a complex hostile environment represented by a variety of emerging threats, among which is the small and low flying cruise missile (CM). It is important to detect, track, and classify these small targets with sufficient range to deploy CM defense.
A known antenna for an airborne early warning (AEW) radar is a passive array housed in a 24 ft rotadome mounted atop an aircraft fuselage and mechanically turned at a slow rate of 10 seconds per revolution. Its performance is inadequate to detect, track, and classify small, fast, and low flying cruise missiles.


Disclosed herein are techniques and systems to guide a visually impaired user through an urban area, such as, across a crosswalk. A mobile device may receive messages broadcast by wireless beacons deployed in an area and determine a path, for example, across a crosswalk, based on the messages. The mobile device can then provide feedback to guide a visually impaired user across the crosswalk.

Some estimates indicate there are approximately 40 million people who are blind and approximately 290 million people who are visually impaired worldwide. One of the challenges for blind and/or visually impaired users is navigating urban areas. Particularly difficult is navigating urban areas the blind and/or visually impaired person is unfamiliar with. It is noted, there are a number of difficult and potentially dangerous areas for a person to navigate, one of which is crossing a road.
Traditionally, blind and visually impaired users are assisted with crossing a road by audio guidance that is triggered by pressing a button. For example, at a crosswalk, a button may be present that allows a person to indicate an intent to cross the road (e.g., by pressing the button). Pressing the button may trigger an audible indication at a particular time to alert the person that the lights are such that crossing the street is appropriate at that time. However, some research suggests that only 16 percent of blind and visually impaired users are able to find the crosswalk button. Furthermore, when the button is found and pressed, 27 percent of the time, the blind and visually impaired persons is still in the crosswalk when the traffic lights change, due, for example, to the difficulty in finding the crosswalk area, the start of the audible signal, or the like.
This can present a major challenge for blind and/or visually impaired users, particularly in major metropolitan areas where there are hundreds of thousands of crosswalks and a person may navigate multiple crosswalks in a single trip through the urban area. The present disclosure is directed to the above.

Road crossing assistance for the visually impaired using two transmitted messages from beacons