A steam generator has a heat exchange chamber with an upstream end and a downstream end. The steam generator further has a burner that injects primary reactants, including fuel and combustion air, into the chamber at the upstream end. A first branch of a once-through water line is located within the chamber downstream of the burner. A second branch of the once-through water line is connected in parallel with the first branch, and is located within the chamber downstream of the first branch. A fuel injector is arranged to inject staged fuel into the chamber at a staged location downstream of the first branch of the once-through water line.

As viewed from above in the schematic plan view of FIG. 1, a prior art steam generating plant may include multiple steam generators 10 arranged side-by-side. In the illustrated example, each steam generator 10 has a once-through water line 12. The water line 12 at each steam generator 10 has an inlet 14 for receiving a stream of liquid water, and has an outlet 16 for discharging a two-phase mixture of steam and liquid water. The output of the steam generators 10 may be used in processes such as, for example, the enhanced recovery of oil. The water lines 12 at the multiple steam generators 10 may share a common source 17 and one or more process locations 18.
Each steam generator 10 in the illustrated example further has a burner 20, a radiant heating portion 22, and a convective heating portion 24. The radiant heating portion 22 defines an upstream heat exchange chamber 25 with a cylindrical shape. The convective heating portion 24 defines a downstream heat exchange chamber 27 with a generally rectangular shape. The burner 20 fires into the upstream chamber 25. A port 29 communicates the upstream chamber 25 with the downstream chamber 27.
The respective water line 12 at each steam generator 10 first reaches into the downstream chamber 27. Typically, the water line 12 reaches through the downstream chamber 27 along a serpentine path in a stack-like arrangement of parallel sections 30. For example, a single section 30 of the water line 12 is shown in the top view of FIG. 1. Like the other sections 30, this individual section 30 reaches lengthwise in horizontal directions that alternate back and forth across the chamber 27, with multiple horizontal turns 32 of 180 degrees. As shown in the side view of FIG. 2, the multiple horizontal sections 30 of the water line 12 are interconnected by vertical turns 34, with each vertical turn 34 reaching from one horizontal section 30 to the next.
The water line 12 emerges from the downstream chamber 27, and then continues into and through the upstream chamber 25 along another serpentine path before reaching the outlet 16. However, the water line 12 does not reach significantly across the upstream chamber 25, but instead reaches primarily along the periphery of the upstream chamber 25. Specifically, horizontally elongated sections 40 of the water line 12 reach oppositely back and forth along the length of the chamber 25 at its periphery, with turns 42 that interconnect the sections 40 in an array reaching circumferentially around the chamber 25.
The interconnected sections 30 and 40 of each once-through water line 12 are thus arranged in series as heat exchange tubing within the two chambers 25 and 27 in the respective steam generator 10. In operation of the steam generator 10, the respective burner 20 provides gaseous products of combustion that flow through the chambers 25 and 27 and further outward through a stack 50. As the products of combustion flow through the downstream chamber 27, they flow around and against the water line sections 30 that reach across that chamber 27, which results in convective heating of the water flowing through those water line sections 30. The water that is preheated in this manner in the downstream chamber 27 next flows through the water line sections 40 in the upstream chamber 25, where it is further heated radiantly by the products of combustion flowing through the cylindrical space surrounded by those water line sections 40. The two-phase mixture of steam and liquid water is then discharged from the outlet 16.

Ultra low NOx combustion for steam generator


A web of adhesive, especially a normally tacky and pressure-sensitive adhesive, is rendered electrically conductive by imparting a pattern of electrically conductive elements that extend from slightly beyond one face of the web to slightly beyond the other face of the web. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive web is sandwiched between release liners formed of uniaxially oriented film and a conductive thread stitched through both the liners and the adhesive web. The liners can be removed, tearing along the stitch lines, to create an electrically conductive adhesive web.

For many years there have been attempts to devise adhesives that possess electrical conductivity, and numerous U.S. patents have been issued on such products, representative examples of which will now be mentioned For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,347,978 discloses electrically conductive joints and gaskets where an adhesive containing a mass of electrically conductive fibers is used to bond two metal members. U.S. Pat. No. 4,008,300 discloses a foraminous elastomeric film in which the perforations are filled with a hardened electrically conductive adhesive slurry that bulges beyond both faces of the elastomer. In the field of pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs), U.S. Pat. No. 2,822,509 discloses an adhesive plaster having a conductive backing and an adhesive containing conductive particles. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,762,946 and 4,548,862 teach the incorporation of chains of electrically conductive particles extending between the faces of a PSA layer. U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,962 describes a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer incorporating conductive metal-coated particles, somewhat thicker than the adhesive layer. U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,796 discloses a PSA transfer adhesive containing chopped metal fibers to impart localized electrical conductivity.
Where it is important to have an adhesive that possesses both good electrical conductivity and good adhesion, most of the adhesive constructions discussed in the preceding paragraph have been confronted by a serious problem. If a large quantity of conductive particles or fibers is blended with the adhesive, electrical conductivity is excellent, but adhesive properties are significantly reduced. On the other hand, if a small quantity of conductive fibers or particles is incorporated in the adhesive, adhesion properties may be adequate but electrical conductivity is often too low to be acceptable for the intended use. The foregoing problem is exacerbated as the adhesive layer increases in thickness.
In the manufacture of refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and the like, metal panels are typically spot welded or riveted together to form the enclosure for the appliance. While these methods of joining the panels provide both mechanical strength and electrical continuity, skilled operators are required, and the inevitable disruption of the metal surface requires an abrading operation to restore adequate smoothness. It has been recognized that an aggressive adhesive construction having excellent electrical conductivity would be more convenient to use, but no such adhesive construction has heretofore been available.

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company


The present disclosure relates to the technical field of fuel cells, in particular to an anode recirculation system with an ejector for a solid oxide fuel cell. The heat exchanger is adopted in the anode recirculation system for the solid oxide fuel cell, the temperature of the fuel gas can be increased through heat exchange between the fuel gas as the primary flow medium and the cell exhaust as the secondary flow medium. The fuel at room temperature stored in the fuel tank is used as the cooling medium of the valve core needle to cool the valve core needle, so that it is ensured that a temperature of the stepping motor does not exceed a failure temperature.

A solid oxide fuel cell (hereinafter referred to as SOFC) is a high-temperature fuel cell. The exhaust temperature of the fuel cell is up to more than 600° C. There is a large amount of potentially available heat energy in the fuel cell exhaust. Furthermore, oxygen ions of the fuel cell pass through the electrolyte layer and synthesize water with hydrogen ions at the anode, therefore, the anode exhaust is rich in water vapor. In the SOFC system, providing an anode recirculation system can make full use of heat and water vapor in the exhaust. As the ejector has no moving parts and it is simple to maintain, the ejector is often used to accomplish recirculation, pressurization and mixing process of the gas in the anode recirculation system of the SOFC.
An ejector is a key part for the anode recirculation system. In general, the entrainment ratio is a main index to evaluate the performance of the ejector. The entrainment ratio (ω) is a ratio of a mass flow rate of the secondary flow medium to a mass flow rate of the primary flow medium. The calculation equation is as follows:
   ω  =         m    S          m    P
Where mS and mP are mass flow rates of the secondary flow medium and the primary flow medium respectively, which are related to temperatures and pressures of the secondary flow medium and the primary flow medium.
According to published research results, increasing the temperature of the primary flow medium can effectively increase the entrainment ratio. However, simply increasing the temperature of the primary flow medium will cause the fact that the adjustable ejector cannot work normally. This is because the adjustable ejector adjusts the flow rate by driving the valve core needle to move through the stepping motor. Due to internal insulation performance required by the stepping motor, the motor temperature needs to be controlled at a certain temperature (about 130° C.). If the high-temperature primary flow medium flows directly through the valve core needle, the temperature of the valve core needle will be too high, thereby resulting in damage to the motor.

Anode recirculation system with ejector for solid oxide fuel cell


Techniques are disclosed for generating stereoscopic images. The techniques include receiving a first image frame associated with a first eye, and receiving a first depth frame associated with the first eye. The techniques further include reprojecting the first image frame based on the first depth frame to create a second image frame associated with a second eye. The techniques further include identifying a first pixel in the second image frame that remains unwritten as a result of reprojecting the first image frame, and determining a value for the first pixel based on a corresponding pixel in a prior image frame associated with the second eye. One advantage of the disclosed techniques is that DIBR reprojected image frames have a more realistic appearance where gaps are filled using pixels from a prior image for the same eye.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to stereoscopic image processing, and, more particularly, to an interleaved approach to depth-image-based rendering of stereoscopic images.
2. Description of the Related Art
Stereoscopic imagery is created by generating separate image frames for the left eye and the right eye, creating a three-dimensional viewing experience. In order to reduce the rendering and transmission time needed to generate two separate image streams, stereoscopic imagery may be accomplished by rendering images and depth information for one eye. Images for the second eye are then generated using a post-rendering process called depth-image-based rendering (DIBR). With DIBR, images are rendered for only one eye, thus reducing rendering time as compared rendering images for both eyes. Additionally, depth information consumes less space and compresses more efficiently than image information. Therefore, transmission of images plus depth information for a single eye consumes less bandwidth than transmission of images for two eyes.
With DIBR, image picture elements (pixels) for one eye undergo a reprojection step utilizing the depth frame to create image pixels for the second eye. Because each eye sees a slightly different view of a scene, some of the pixels in the image generated for the second eye may not map to a corresponding pixel in the image for the first eye. When this occurs, holes or gaps appear in the image generated for the second eye. This phenomenon is called disocclusion. Various approaches are used to remedy disocclusion, including techniques to minimize creation of holes and techniques to fill such gaps with plausible color information.
Creation of gaps may be minimized by smoothing the data in the depth frame. Depth frame smoothing reduces high frequency noise, which is the primary cause of holes in the generated image. Depth frame smoothing may also blend surrounding silhouette colors into gaps. As a result, the gaps are less noticeable, but the generated image may appear blurry or objects in the image that are near the gaps may appear to be unnaturally stretched. Alternatively, gaps may be filled using various approaches such as inward painting (inpainting) the gaps using neighboring pixels, using averaging filters, or filling the holes with constant colors. One drawback with these approaches is that the gaps are filled with image data that is not actually seen by the second eye, resulting in a less realistic appearance. Artifacts of these approaches may be more noticeable where gaps are relatively large and where objects are close to the eyes.
As the foregoing illustrates, what is needed in the art is an improved technique for generating stereoscopic images using DIBR.

Interleaved approach to depth-image-based rendering of stereoscopic images


An underwater propulsion unit including a propeller, a motor, and a housing. The motor is disposed further forward in a propulsion direction than the propeller and drives the propeller into rotation. The housing that accommodates the motor and the propeller includes a first portion and a second portion. In the second portion disposed further rearward in the propulsion direction than the first portion, an introduction inlet and a spout outlet are provided. The introduction inlet introduces water into the housing, and water introduced from the introduction inlet and delivered by the propeller is spouted out of the housing. When viewed in a direction parallel to the propulsion direction, the introduction inlet is disposed further outward than the first portion and introduces water into the housing in a direction parallel to the axis of the propeller.

This type of underwater propulsion unit is disclosed in, for example, Patent Literature 1 (hereinafter, PTL 1) and Patent Literature 2 (hereinafter, PTL 2). In each of the hydrofoil watercrafts of PTL 1 and PTL 2, an electric motor and a propulsion system are integrated in a pod designed to be embedded in a hydrofoil. The propulsion system includes a propeller and a duct.


A periodical is shown having flexible pages whereon is affixed a thin flexible electronic display. The display includes a flexible membrane, control circuitry, and self-contained power source, which may be a thin flexible battery. A display may be affixed to one or more of the pages of the periodical for use in displaying dynamic information or video.

A. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses of displaying information on a thin, flexible display and more specifically to displaying dynamic video in a magazine or periodical.
B. Description of the Related Art
It is known in the art to publish various types of documents such as periodicals, magazines, manuals and the like. Typically, such published documents are printed on flexible pages, which may be comprised of varying paper thicknesses or weights. As is well known in the art, frequently pictures and/or words are arranged on the individual pages of the published document, which may be bound together at a binding. In any case, such published documents are widely known and publicly available for purchase on numerous topics. In a similar manner, instruction manuals are frequently printed with images and/or verbiage for use in guiding a user, for example, through a set up procedure for a purchased item. In all of these printed documents, the data displayed thereon is purely static in that the images do not move but rather are displayed in the typical form as is well known in the art. There are limitations of the static information printed on a flexible page to convey information to the user or viewer. Therefore, it would be useful to convey dynamic information in the form of video and/or audio signals to the user viewing a periodical, magazine, or instruction manual.
The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for displaying such dynamic information in a flexible periodical or manual.

Self contained device for displaying electronic information


A foldable treadmill includes a base for running or walking, a frame set pivotally connected with the base, and a folding mechanism for folding the frame set. The folding mechanism has a control assembly and a sliding rod connected with the frame set and capable of being locked or released by the control assembly. When the control assembly locks the sliding rod at a first position, the frame set cannot be rotated, and when the control assembly releases the sliding rod, the frame set can be rotated to a storage position thus pulling the sliding rod to a second position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to training machines, and more particularly relates to foldable treadmills.
2. Description of Related Art
Nowadays, people tend to lack adequate exercise due to busy lifestyles. To the extent running has become popular as a simple and effective means for squeezing physical activity into a tight schedule, it is not always practicable. When the weather is bad or during particular times (such as at night), running on a treadmill can be more convenient as compared to being outside.
A conventional treadmill, however, may suffer from being too large and thus inconvenient for regular usage which may require frequent commissioning of the device in and out of storage.
Prior treadmills, such as disclosed in Taiwan Patents I303571 and M339319, have sought to advance usability by providing foldability for enabling storage of the treadmills. Yet, the folding mechanisms of the resulting assemblies still have some deficiencies in need of improvement.


A semiconductor device including a gate insulation pattern on a substrate, and a semiconductor gate pattern including an amorphous silicon pattern and a polycrystalline silicon pattern stacked on a side of the gate insulation pattern opposite to the substrate. The amorphous silicon pattern includes anti-diffusion impurities that suppress diffusion of impurity ions in the semiconductor gate pattern.

Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the same and, more particularly, to semiconductor devices having polysilicon gate patterns and methods of fabricating the same.
Description of the Related Art
In general, semiconductor devices employ metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistors as active elements to reduce power consumption. Further, semiconductor devices may employ resistors and/or capacitors as passive elements together with the MOS transistors. The MOS transistors can be typically categorized as either N-channel MOS transistors or P-channel MOS transistors according to a conductivity type of inversion channel regions thereof. In some application fields of the MOS transistors, a metal layer has been used as gate electrode materials of the MOS transistors. However, in some other application fields of the MOS transistors, a polysilicon layer has been widely used as the gate electrode material of the MOS transistors.

Semiconductor devices having polysilicon gate patterns and methods of fabricating the same


A measuring method of a hole diameter of a holey optical fiber includes calculating an arithmetical mean value I(x) from two backscattering light intensities at a position x of two backscattering light waveforms of the holey optical fiber, in which the two backscattering light waveforms are obtained by OTDR measurement; and obtaining the hole diameter at the position x, based on a correlation between an arithmetical mean value I(x) and an hole diameter of the holey optical fiber that is obtained in advance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of non-destructively measuring a hole diameter, a hole position, a hole surface roughness, or a bending loss of a holey optical fiber, a manufacturing method of a holey optical fiber employing the measuring method, and a test method of an installed optical line having a holey optical fiber.
Priorities are claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-185319, filed Aug. 20, 2010, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-021886, filed Feb. 3, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
2. Description of Related Art
A holey optical fiber has a structure in which a plurality of holes is formed in an optical fiber made of quartz glass or the like, and these holes are extended along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber. The holey optical fiber can obtain optical properties that cannot be realized in conventional optical fibers due to the presence of the holes.
For example, as reported in Japanese Patent No. 3854627 and K. Nakajima et al., 58th IWCS, 9-3, 2009, in a hole assist optical fiber in which a plurality of holes is arranged around a core with a high refractive index, marked improvements of bending loss characteristics are expected due to the increase of an effective refractive index difference by the holes.
Such a holey optical fiber is obtained by drawing a holey optical fiber preform, for example, as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2002-145634 or the like. Additionally, the holey optical fiber preform is obtained by a hole opening method, such as a drilling method of performing drilling work on an optical fiber preform, thereby a hole opening is preformed.
The drawing of a holey optical fiber is performed by a method of injecting gas, such as nitrogen gas, into holes of a preform and pressurizing the gas, and a holey optical fiber with a desired hole diameter is obtained by controlling the pressure of the gas to be injected.
On the other hand, it is known that the hole diameter of the holey optical fiber influences the optical properties greatly. For example, it is known that, the smaller the hole diameter of the hole assist optical fiber, the weaker the light confinement effect, whereby the bending loss increases. As such, since the hole diameter is a factor that influences optical properties, it is necessary to maintain the hole diameter of the holey optical fiber at a constant value in the longitudinal direction.
As mentioned above, since the hole diameter of the holey optical fiber influences the optical properties greatly, it is necessary to evaluate the uniformity of the hole diameter in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, it is necessary to guarantee the quality by cutting the holey optical fibers along the longitudinal direction and measuring the hole diameter at the cutting end face and the optical properties.
In this method, since the length of the holey optical fiber is short, manufacture of a long optical cable is difficult, and additionally, this method is insufficient as a quality guarantee method of the optical properties in the longitudinal direction. In order to avoid such a problem, method for non-destructively measuring the hole diameter of the holey optical fiber in the longitudinal direction, and guaranteeing optical properties, such as bending loss, is needed.
As a solution, a method of measuring the hole diameter during a drawing process is proposed in Japanese Patent No. 4084762. This method makes light enter an optical fiber from one end thereof during the drawing process to perform OTDR measurement, and measures the attenuation amount of backscattering light caused by bending the optical fiber, thereby the internal diameter of the hole is estimated.
However, in this method, it is necessary to bend the holey optical fiber with a bending diameter of 10 to 20 mm during the drawing process. Therefore, the holey optical fiber may be locally broke due to a bending stress, and a problem such as a poor productivity occurs. Additionally, in case of a holey optical fiber which has a small bending loss like the hole assist optical fiber, measurement of the attenuation amount of the backscattering light becomes difficult.
Additionally, it is also necessary to know the values in the longitudinal direction of the hole position and hole surface roughness that affect the characteristics of the holey optical fiber.

Measuring method of hole diameter, hole position, hole surface roughness, or bending loss of holey optical fiber, manufacturing method of holey optical fiber, and test method of optical line of holey optical fiber

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION


A method which allows standard telephone users to audio conference with video conferencing participants over IP networks in a private secure environment. A dial-out is performed from one or more conference client terminals bridging audio between the Internet and the PSTN networks. The process uses a mixed mode hybrid network architecture for call set-up, initialization and teardown including the method to mix audio at the desktop terminal instead of in a general purpose server as in the prior art. The method conferences video and audio between multiple clients and include audio from a standard telephone network within the conference. A virtual private network connects all of the IP clients together including the voice over IP server used to transcode the proprietary audio into the H.323 standard for transport into the telephony network.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to computer system architectures, and more particularly to audio and video telecommunications for collaboration over hybrid networks.
2. Description of the Related Art
Since their introduction in the early 1980's, audio/video conferencing systems ("video conferencing systems") have enabled users to communicate between remote sites using telephone lines based on dedicated or switched networks. Recently, technology and products to achieve the same over Internet Protocol have been attempted. Many such systems have emerged on the marketplace. Such systems produce low-frame-rate and low quality communications due to the unpredictable nature of the Internet. Such connections have been known to produce long latencies with limited bandwidth, resulting in jerky video, dropped audio and loss of lip sync.
Therefore, most video conferencing solutions have relied on dedicated switched networks such as T1/T3, ISDN or ATM. Theses systems have the disadvantage of higher cost and complexity and a lack of flexibility due largely to interoperability issues and higher cost client equipment. High costs are typically related to expensive conferencing hardware and dedicated pay-per-minute communications usage. Most often these dedicated communications circuits are switched circuits which use a fixed bandwidth allocation.
In most prior art systems the public switched telephone network (PSTN) is used to transfer audio during conferencing and collaboration with remote parties. It is known that quality of audio reception is poor over typical prior art Internet protocol (IP) systems. Prior art audio/video conferencing systems which use IP networks for audio and video transport lack the ability to terminate audio to client end systems through both PSTN and IP networks. Thus, it is desirable to achieve a hybrid mix of audio and video data over PSTN and IP based audio/video conferencing to achieve full duplex real-time operation for all conference participants.
Modern voice over IP telephony systems have used the H.323 standard from the international telecommunications union (ITU). The H.323 standard focuses on the transmission of audio and video information through the Internet or switched private networks. FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art H.323 system. The block diagram of FIG. 1 includes a number of major components, including the general Internet 435, Internet H.323 bridges or gateways 411, telecommunications PSTN 433 (Public Switched Telephone Network), wireless and land-line phone handsets 412/413, standard Internet router 453, an optional gatekeeper 205, a multipoint control unit 203, a standard local area network 457, a voice over IP server running the H.323 protocol 201, and multiple I/O and display terminals 455. FIG. 1 is an example of the prior art conferencing system used between hybrid networks connecting the PSTN and Internet. Hybrid networks are used to communicate audio on internal LAN and WAN networks as well as transfer of audio to the existing telephone or PSTN network. While the H.323 recommendation allows for video conferencing, the prior art systems use private switched networks to establish transport that require expensive H.323 bridges between dedicated networks and the PSTN. Each of the components in FIG. 3 serves this purpose to achieve audio telecommunications between multiple parties.
Referring again to FIG. 1, the components of FIG. 1 are interconnected as follows. Prior art technology uses PC or client terminals 455 connected through a local area network 457 to either a data server or a specialized audio/video server 201. The network server 201 contains the application necessary to generate the H.323 network protocol. The data server 201 may be connected to a local gatekeeper 205 that is responsible for management control functions. As known the gatekeeper 205 is responsible for various duties such as admission control, status determination, and bandwidth management. Data server 201 functions are specified and handled through the ITU-H.225.0RAS recommendations. In addition, management control unit (MCU) 203 is connected to the data server 201. The multipoint control unit of a 203 is required by the eight-step ITU-H.323 recommendation for flexibility to negotiate end points and determine compatible setups for any conference media correspondents. The multipoint control unit 203 enables communication between three or more end points. Similar to a multipoint bridge, the gatekeeper 205 and the multipoint control unit 203 are optional components of the H.323 enabled network. Another useful job of the multipoint control unit 203 is to determine whether to unicast or multicast the audio or video streams. As known by one skilled in the art, these decisions are dependent on the capability of the underlying network and the topology of the multipoint conference. The multipoint control unit 203 determines the capabilities of each client terminal 455 and status each of media stream.
Again referring to FIG. 1 a standard network router 453 is connected between the local area network 457 and the Internet 435. At the outer edges of the Internet, "points of presence" are located at multiple end-point or call termination sites. Gateways 411 are used to the transcode the H.323 network information onto the PSTN 433. Standard telephone handsets 413 or wireless phones 412 are connected to the PSTN telephony system.
FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment of the H.323 protocol stack 200, its components and their interfaces to the local area network computers at the network interface 300. The input and control devices 455 along with a local area network 457 of FIG. 1 are shown in FIG. 2, consisting of the audio input output block 452, the video input and output block 451, the system control unit and data collaboration unit 459. These input devices are largely responsible for the delivery of media data to the H.323 protocol stack 200 shown in FIG. 2.
Again referring to FIG. 2 the sub blocks of functionality that make up the H.323 protocol stack 200 is described. The H.323 protocol stack consists of an audio codec 211, a video CoDec 213 connected to the audio/video 452 451 input and output blocks. The audio and video CoDecs are responsible for compression and decompression of the audio and video sources. The real-time network protocol component 215 is connected to the audio video CoDecs and is also responsible for preparation of the media data for transport according to the RTP (real-time protocol) recommendations.
Again referring to the prior art system of FIG. 2, the H.323 protocol stack has a system control unit 459 which connects to multiple control blocks within the H.323 protocol stack 200. The system control unit connects to the RTC Protocol block 217 for real-time transport of the control information used to set-up and tear down the conference. The system control unit 459 also connects to the call-signaling units 221 and 219 for call signaling protocols and media stream packetization application used for packet based multimedia communications. The system control unit 459 also connects to the control signaling block 223 used for control of protocols for multimedia communications. Lastly, the H.323 recommendation defines a data collaboration capability as known and outlined in the T.120 data collaboration unit 225.
All of the defined blocks make up the H.323 protocol network interface to the Transport protocol and network interface unit 300 for transport of data through the modem or router 453 to the Internet 435.

Media based collaboration using mixed-mode PSTN and internet networks


An inverse discrete cosine transform (IDCT) apparatus is disclosed. The inverse discrete cosine transform (IDCT) apparatus can satisfy the bit accuracy of the standard recommendation and enable implementation of the ASIC by a smaller logic circuit, and simplify an interface between another sections of a video decoder. According to the present invention the image recovering performance of the video decoder installed to a digital TV receiver can be enhanced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital TV receiver, and more particularly, to an inverse discrete cosine transform (IDCT) apparatus.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, a moving picture experts group (MPEG)-2 specification is used for compression encoding of a digital image of a digital TV. In a basic concept of image compression, discrete cosine transform (DCT) and quantization are used to remove spatial redundancy. Also, a motion estimation-compensation method is used to remove temporal redundancy. The DCT is a method of removing correlation of spatial data through 2-dimensional orthogonal transform. After dividing an image frame into blocks having a uniform size, which do not overlap, pixels of the respective blocks are converted into a frequency region.
In the MPEG-2 specification, the size of such a DCT block is defined as 8*8 (block). The characteristic of the DCT block converted into the frequency region is that coefficients are mainly distributed in a low frequency region. This means that it is possible to compress data to be encoded by appropriate quantization and run-level coding of the DCT coefficients.
Therefore, in the digital TV receiver, an original image is recovered through performing of motion compensation, inverse quantization, and IDCT using motion vectors and DCT coefficients transmitted from a transmitter.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a video decoder of a common digital TV receiver for recovering a video stream.
The function of the video decoder as shown in FIG. 1 is divided into the decompression with respect to the temporal compression and the recover with respect to space compress. The recover for the time compress is a portion performing the motion estimation-compensation by using a motion vector outputted from a variable length decoder (hereinafter refer to "VLD") 101. The decompression for the spatial compression is a portion performing the IDCT after performing the inverse scan and the inverse quantization by using the DCT coefficient and the quantization value outputted from the VLD 101.
By referring to FIG. 1, a transmitted video bit stream is variable length decoded by a VLD 101 and is divided into the motion vectors, the quantization values, and the DCT coefficients. The quantization values and the DCT coefficients are outputted to an inverse scanner/inverse quantizer (IS/IQ) 102. The motion vectors are outputted to a motion compensation section 105.
The IS/IQ 102 uses a zigzag scan manner or an alternate scan. The IS/IQ 102 performs an inverse scan of inputted DCT coefficients in a raster scan manner, performs an inverse quantization of the inversely scanned DCT coefficients according to the quantization values, and outputs the inversely quantized DCT coefficients to an IDCT apparatus 104 through a coefficient buffer 103.
The IDCT apparatus 104 performs an inverse discrete cosine transform (herein after refer to 'IDCT') of the inversely quantized DCT coefficients, and outputs the DCT coefficients to an MB adder 107. A value outputted from the IDCT apparatus 104 to the MB adder 107 is a difference value between the pixels of the prior block and the pixels of present block.
The motion compensation section 105 performs motion compensation of the current pixel value using the motion vector and a previous frame pre-stored in a frame memory 100, and outputs the current pixel value to the MB adder 107 through a prediction buffer 106. At that time, the output value from prediction buffer 106 to the MB adder 107 is a compensated value for the present pixel.
The MB adder 107 adds the inverse discrete cosine transformed result value to the motion compensated result value in the unit of macro block and outputs the same. Thus, a recovered complete image corresponding to the final pixel value is outputted to a display device, and is stored in the frame memory 100 through a storage buffer 108 for motion compensation for the next block pixels. Here, the frame memory 100 has a storage capacity as the unit of frame.
At this time, a 54 MHz clock is used as a overall operation clock of the video decoder of FIG. 1 for high-speed image recovery of the digital TV receiver excluding the IDCT apparatus 104. In the video decoder, image recovery is consisted of the unit of macro blocks and the recovering process of data is basically performed in the unit of four pixels and four coefficients. However, regardless of following detailed description, the IDCT apparatus 104 performs the IDCT in a eight-coefficient unit.
The IDCT of the IDCT device will be described in detail as follow.
The IDCT apparatus 104 mainly performs 2-dimensional IDCT of the inputted DCT coefficients. The IDCT is a main factor of affecting image recovering performance of the digital TV set.
However, in the 2-dimensional IDCT, a plurality of mathematical operations should be performed.
The 2-dimensional IDCT performs 1-dimensional IDCT with respect to a column, transposes the column, and then also performs 1-dimensional IDCT with respect to a row.
The following equation 1 is a matrix expression of 2-dimensional IDCT.Z=ATXA  [Equation 1]
The equation 1 illustrates the 2-dimensional IDCT. In the equation 1, if "ATX" is transposed into "Y", the equation 1 comes to "Z=YA=(ATYT)T". then if the 2-dimensional IDCT is divided into 1-dimensional IDCT respectively, each 1-dimensional IDCT is illustrated as shown below.
Column IDCT(1-dimension): Y=ATX
Row IDCT(1-dimension): Z=(ATYT)T
In the equation 1, A is a cosine constant matrix and AT is a transpose matrix of the cosine constant matrix.
Return to the description of the 2-dimensional IDCT, the 2-dimensional IDCT is performed by performing the 1-dimensional IDCT using the transpose matrix(AT) of a cosine constant for a column as illustrated in the Equation 1, transposing the result of the above-performed 1-dimensional IDCT, and is completed by performing the 1-dimensional IDCT on a row. At this time, the matrix expression of the IDCT is divided into an even matrix and an odd matrix by using orthogonality and symmetry of the transpose matrix of the cosine constant.
The following Equation 2 represents a cosine constant value. The equation 3 illustrates the 1-dimensional IDCT represented by the even matrix and the odd matrix.
                              [          abcdefg          ]                =                  [                      cos                                      π              4                                    cos                                      π              16                                    cos                                      π              8                                    cos                                                      3                                π                            16                                    cos                                                      5                                π                            16                                    cos                                                      3                                π                            8                                    cos                        7                                      π              16                                ]                                    [Equation 2]                                          [                                                                                Y                                                              (                      0                      )                                                        ,                                      Y                                                              (                      7                      )                                                                                Y                                                              (                      1                      )                                                        ,                                      Y                                                              (                      6                      )                                                                                Y                                                              (                      2                      )                                                        ,                                      Y                                                              (                      5                      )                                                                                Y                                                              (                      3                      )                                                        ,                                      Y                                                              (                      4                      )                                                                                ]                =                                                            1                2                                                          [                                                                            a                                                              c                                                              a                                                              f                                                                                a                                                              f                                                                                -                        a                                                                                -                        c                                                                                a                                                                                -                        f                                                                                -                        a                                                                                c                                                                                a                                                                                -                        c                                                                                a                                                                                -                        f                                                                                ]                                                                [                                                                                X                                                                    (                        o                        )                                                                                X                                                                    (                        2                        )                                                                                X                                                                    (                        4                        )                                                                                X                                                                    (                        6                        )                                                                                ]                                ±                                                    1                2                                                          [                                                                            b                                                              d                                                              e                                                              g                                                                                d                                                                                -                        g                                                                                -                        b                                                                                -                        e                                                                                e                                                                                -                        b                                                                                g                                                              d                                                                                g                                                                                -                        e                                                                                d                                                                                -                        b                                                                                ]                                                                [                                                                                X                                                                    (                        1                        )                                                                                X                                                                    (                        3                        )                                                                                X                                                                    (                        5                        )                                                                                X                                                                    (                        7                        )                                                                                ]                                                          [Equation 3]
As descibed above, the IDCT appartaus 104 for the 1-dimensional IDCT represented by the multiplication of the even matrix by the odd matrix simultaneously receives eight coefficients as inputs and performs the corresponding multiplication.
Therefore, the IDCT apparatus 104 used in a conventional video decoder has a plurality of multiplexers that are arranged in parallel through various stages in order to satisfy a digital TV image recovery performance.
At this time, an algorithm for fast calculation of a multiplexer may be used. A Booth algorithm or an improved radix-2 multi-bit coding algorithm may be used.
If the IDCT apparatus 104 as described in FIG. 1 supports a high-speed IDCT, the IDCT apparatus 104 operates in 50 MHz and can perform up to a performance of 400M samples/sec. However, for the operation of the high-speed IDCT, the size of a circuit is very large.
However, since the performance of the IDCT apparatus satisfying the performance of the digital TV receiver is enough when it is 200M samples/sec, in the conventional video decoder mounted in the digital TV receiver, 27 MHz as an operation clock of the IDCT apparatus is used. Then, it is possible to obtain 216 sample rate
Like this, in the event of using 27 MHz as the operation clock of the IDCT apparatus, the size of the logic circuit necessary to obtain the required sample/sec is reduced.
However, there are still problems to satisfy the digital TV receiver image recovery performance by the IDCT apparatus operated by 27 MHz.
The problem is that a section 202 for performing the IDCT receives and processes data inputted in the unit of eight coefficients.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the IDCT apparatus installed inside the conventional video decoder must demultiplex four data items by eight data items in an input and must multiplex eight data items by four data items in an output using a demultiplexer 201 and a multiplexer 203 again. Here, the demultiplexer 201 demultiplexes the four data to be inputted into eight data, while the multiplexer 203 multiplxes the eight data to be outputted into four, data.
FIG. 3 illustrates a timing chart of the demultiplexer 201 for controlling the input of an IDCT section 202. FIG. 4 illustrates a timing chart of the multiplexer 203 for controlling the output of the IDCT section 202.
By referring FIGS. 2 and 3, coefficient data items c_d0 to c_d3 inputted to the demultiplexer 201 by an overall operation clock vdclk of the apparatus are demultiplexed to eight data x0 to x7 by the clock idctclk of the IDCT section 202.
By referring FIGS. 2 and 4, the pixel values z0 to z7 outputted from the IDCT section 202 by the clock idctclk of the IDCT section 202 are multiplexed to four pixel data items I_d0 to I_d3 by an overall operation clock vdclk. The multiplexed data are outputted to the MB adder 107 as shown in FIG. 1.
Here, the overall operation clock vdclk is 54 MHz and the operation clock idctclk of the IDCT section 202 is 27 MHz.
Summing up, the IDCT apparatus performing the IDCT through the mathematical operation such as equation 3 in the conventional video decoder simultaneously receives eight inputs using the demultiplexer 201, performs the multiplication operations of the even matrix and the odd matrix, and outputs eight inverse discrete cosine transformed pixels every clock through the multiplexer 203 in order to satisfy the required performance of the digital TV receiver.
As described above, by the addition of the demultiplexer and the multiplexer to the IDCT apparatus causes an amount of logic to significantly increase in implementing the circuit. Also, as the IDCT apparatus uses the operation clock different from operation clock of another sections of the overall video decoder, timing control must be performed, while paying much attention to an interface with the IDCT apparatus and another sections. Further, there is a need of a further clock generator.
The IDCT apparatus of the conventional video decoder has disadvantages that multiplier is increased according to the processing of eight coefficients and a logic circuit is increased in implementing an ASIC as unnecessary multiplexer and demultiplexer are added.

Inverse discrete cosine transform apparatus


Some embodiments are directed to a cover assembly for a fuel filler pipe that is disposed adjacent vehicle suspension components. The cover assembly can include a first cover portion that includes a first extension that extends in a first direction and a second extension that extends in a second direction that intersects the first extension at an angle, the first cover portion forming a channel defined by a first cover portion wall that is configured to wrap around a portion of an outer perimeter of the fuel filler pipe so as to leave a section of the outer perimeter of the fuel filler pipe exposed so as to permit movement of the exposed outer perimeter section, the first cover portion being configured to extend more than half a length of the fuel filler pipe.

The disclosed subject matter relates to a vehicle fuel storage system and methods of use and manufacture thereof. In particular, the disclosed subject matter relates to methods and apparatus for controlling a layout of a fuel storage system pipe and providing barriers to impede damage to fuel storage system piping.
Many types of vehicles, such as those that travel on land, through water, by air, etc. require a supply of fuel to power an internal combustion engine. The transport of fuel from one storage location to another requires the use a fuel supply system, which generally can be configured with piping or other conduit that extends from the location of fuel take-on to a fuel storage tank. The route of travel of such a conduit can be a generally straight pathway, or it can include one or more elbow(s) or other turn(s) in order to accommodate vehicle structures and components. Fuel supply systems on vehicles typically include a filler tube or pipe fluidly connected to a fuel tank for refilling the fuel tank.

Vehicle fuel storage system, and methods of use and manufacture thereof


A digital motion picture decoding apparatus comprising an input buffer memory for storing coded data to be decoded, a reproduced picture memory for storing the decoded picture data to be displayed, and a display picture deciding means for deciding a reproduced picture to be output from the picture data stored in the reproduced picture memory, further comprises: a program changing means for changing the type of the coded data to be decoded; a program change detecting means for detecting from the output of the program changing means that the type of the coded data to be decoded is changed; and a display state maintaining means for controlling the picture data output from the reproduced picture memory so as to maintain the display state of the reproduced picture which is currently displayed according to the decision of the display picture deciding means, when it is detected from the output of the program change detecting means that the change of the type of the coded data to be decoded makes the coded data not continuous in time sequence.

Nowadays, demands for general method for coding motion picture and its attached sound are increasing for various applications including digital storage media, or television broadcasting and communication. Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) of International Standardization Organization (ISO) has proceeded International standardization of motion picture coding method and already standardized several methods including ISO/IEC 13818-2 (MPEG2video).
Here a description is given, with reference to FIG. 9, of a conventional digital motion picture decoding apparatus for decoding the data coded by the MPEG coding method which is disclosed by Japanese Published Patent Application Number H8-32927, for example.
Reference numeral 900 designates a conventional digital motion picture decoding apparatus, numeral 911 designates a channel selecting means which takes coded video streams corresponding to plural programs as inputs and, in response to a program select signal input by a user, selects a bit stream corresponding to one of the plural programs to output the bit stream as coded picture data 901. This means is also configured to output a program change signal at the same time. The output coded picture data 901 passes through a code pattern detecting means 903 which is described later and is sequentially stored in an input buffer memory 902.
The code pattern detecting means 903 is a block which inhibits data from passing through to the input buffer memory 902 until a prescribed code pattern, I picture (intra-coded picture) of GOP (Group of pictures), is detected based on a change detection signal from the coded data change detecting means 904, and this means normally allows the data to pass through during the reproduction processing.
Reference numeral 905 designates a decoding means which makes a request for data to the input buffer memory 902, where the data obtained is subjected to decoding processing and then successively stored into a predetermined reproduced picture area in a reproduced picture memory 907.
A display picture deciding means 906 decides a reproduced picture to be displayed according to time information of each reproduced picture and the information about the data stored in the reproduced picture memory 907 obtained from a time information managing means 908 and a reproduced picture area managing means 909, outputting the picture as a reproduced picture data 910 for reproduction and display.
Next, a description is given of the operation for a transition from normal reproduction mode to special reproduction mode in which reproduction speed is changed to realize high-speed reproduction.
In response to a request for high-speed reproduction from a user, the coded picture data 901 is transmitted to the code pattern detecting means 903 in a format which comprises only an intra-frame coded picture (I picture) extracted from the bit stream recorded in record medium, and by detecting a pattern of contiguous I pictures, it is detected that the transition to special reproduction mode has been completed. Following this, sending data through to the input buffer memory 902 is stopped and a clear signal is output from the code pattern detecting means 903 to the input buffer memory 902, whereby the data stored in the input buffer memory 902 is erased.
When the code pattern detecting means 903 detects normal pattern again, cancel of the special reproduction mode is recognized and a blue-back processing which is described later is canceled, whereby sending data to the input buffer memory 902 is resumed.
Next, a description is given of the operation in the above-described configuration when the coded data in the process of reproduction becomes partially discontinuous due to change of program.
After detecting based on a program change detection signal that change of the coded data to be input has been performed, the coded data change detecting means 904 sends a clear signal to the input buffer memory 902 to clear all the data stored in the memory 902, while sending a data passing inhibit signal to the code pattern detecting means 903 in order to inhibit data from passing through to the input buffer memory 902 until a start code (I picture) of an intra-frame coded picture is detected by the code pattern detecting means 903.
At this time, blank pictures (Bu pictures) are inserted following a bidirectional predictive coded picture B3 (B picture), resulting in blue-back processing which provides a screen turned to blue.
Then, when the code pattern detecting means 903 detects the start code (I picture) of the intra-frame coded picture from the coded picture data after the change, passing data through to the input buffer memory 902 is permitted again and the blue-back processing is canceled, whereby reproduction operation is started again.
The decoding apparatus is configured to prevent reference picture error caused by connecting data arrays of different types at the change of coded data and avoid decoding the data left in the buffer at the change of the coded picture data, by performing the above-described processing.
The prior art digital motion picture decoding apparatus and the digital motion picture decoding method have the above-described construction which prevents reference picture error caused by connecting different types of data arrays at the change of coded data, but both the conventional decoding apparatus and the method have a problem that when the coded data is changed due to the change of program or other causes, blue-back screen is maintained during a prescribed period of time, making a viewer feel unconformable.
Moreover, in the case that change of coded data is not performed on a single piece of picture data basis and the coded data to be input is changed in the process of decoding a single piece of picture data by means of the decoding means 905, the operation of changing program in the middle of decoding processing as shown in FIG. 8(a) allows a situation as shown in FIG. 8(b) which is equal to the situation caused by inputting a data array to which a different type of data array is connected, resulting in decoding error and the considerably confused display resulted from error picture.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, since the structure of the data coded by a method employing bidirectional coding such as MPEG coding has an order different from both the order in which the picture data of the coded data is placed and the display order for reproducing pictures, forward predictive coded picture (P pictures), which is to be displayed following a sequence of bidirectional predictive coded pictures (B pictures), is decoded before decoding of the bidirectional predictive coded pictures (B pictures), and the resultant decoded data is stored in the reproduced picture memory 907. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6), in the configuration only capable of clearing the data in the input buffer memory at the last stage, when the decoding processing has been already completed at the change of the coded picture data to be input and reproduced picture data which is not displayed yet (P6) is stored in the reproduced picture memory because the display time is not reached, that reproduced picture data is certainly displayed when the display time based on time information of the reproduced picture is reached. Therefore, with a long interval between each display time of reproduced pictures, an extended period of time is required before displaying the reproduced picture data which is unnecessary (P6) and it takes much time to change the coded picture data in the process of reproduction, whereby the blue-back screen is displayed for an extended period of time and makes a viewer feel uncomfortable.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Digital motion picture decoding apparatus and digital motion picture decoding method

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


Tractor drives of a high speed printer move a length of continuous-form paper longitudinally up from a box of fanfold stacked paper, through a print mechanism and downward to refold onto a fanfold stack. A set of bead or link chains hang vertically from the printer on each respective major side of the descending paper. The chains are positioned to interact with the folding paper. The chains swing against the paper to aid in creasing the paper at the folds in the proper fanfold direction. One or more chains have pendants attached at the chain's lower swinging end. The pendants are sufficiently long, stiff and light weight to prevent the lower ends of the chains from getting caught in the refolding stack of paper which could lead to jamming the travel of paper through the tractor drives. Preferably, the pendants are produced from 7 inch long segments of approximately 25 mil. diameter piano wire, bent at mid length to form a wide tip loop that prevents the pendant from falling into sprocket holes along each longitudinal edge of the length of paper, and both ends of the wire loop are soldered to the lower end of the chain.

Information handling systems utilize high speed printers for rapidly generating printed information in a tangible form. High speed printers generally utilize xerographic or impact printing technologies. Impact printers are desirable for low cost and requested where the option to print multipart forms is desired. Printing mechanisms for impact printers generally transfers ink or other material from a print ribbon onto paper to form images on one major surface of the paper.
Continuous-form paper is usually supplied from a box in which the paper is stacked in a fan-fold pattern. The paper may be single layer or may be multi-layer to provide multi-part forms. Continuous-form paper is perforated along lateral lines to divide the continuous length into separable sheets or forms. Each of the separable sheets is rectangular and is typically 11.5 inches high by 14 and 7/8 inches wide. The paper is folded along the perforations in a zigzag manner reminiscent of oriental hand fans in which each lateral perforation is folded in the opposite direction from the preceding fold to form a stack.
Tractor drives engage a longitudinal row of holes along each edge of the paper for moving the paper longitudinally from the source box of paper, through the printing mechanism and downward toward a horizontal surface upon which it refolds in an output stack of printed, continuous forms. The tractor drives tend to distort the paper at the tractor holes in the edges of the paper so the refold stack is bowed upward at the edges. Typically, the paper length remains slightly folded along the lateral perforations after unstacking and printing and the descending paper length naturally tends to refold onto the stack at each lateral perforation in the same direction that it was originally folded.
Since the introduction of fanfold paper refolding, practitioners have faced the problem that occasionally the paper will fail to refold along the lateral perforations in the proper direction. The misfolding results in a jumble of output and for enclosed printers often results in an output paper jam and loss of data. It is known that the misfolding and jamming are related to the bowing of the stack due to the damage of the sprocket holes by the tractor drive and to the height of the paper discharge above the top of the stack and is also related to the intermittent characteristics of feeding of the paper through the printer.
The longitudinal movement of the paper through the printer is not continuous. Usually the movements is stopped as each line is printed on the sheets. Also, the paper tends to move quickly through blank lines and even more quickly through blank pages. For a very high speed paper tractor, the paper output is often accelerated so that descending paper bends as it falls into the stack and fails to properly refold onto the stack.
Also, the printer does not usually operate continuously. The output typically consists of separate reports which are sent to the printer as desired so that the printer is idle for minutes or even for hours between jobs. In addition, information handling systems tend to be idle for long periods due to schedules of working shifts, weekends and holidays. The paper in the printer may be idle with a lateral perforation in a straightened configuration so as to forget the original fold direction at the perforation; or the paper may be idle in a bent configuration and retain the bend so that it does not properly refold onto the output stack.
Once the stack is started in the proper location with the continuous length of paper refolding in the previous fan-fold directions, proper refolding tends to continue without any additional aid. However, occasionally the paper fails to refold in the desired direction which produces an unfolded jumble of printed output, and eventually applies forces to the paper moving through the tractor. The tractor tears out the sprocket holes in the paper causing the paper to stop moving through the printer.
In an effort to further prevent these occasional output jams, and to aid in starting the stack in the proper position and folding in the correct direction, some printers have utilized chains hanging vertically down from the printer frame on each major side of the descending length of folding paper. Typically the lower ends of the chains hang between 0 and 4 inches above the horizontal surface upon which the paper is refolded. At the beginning of folding, the lower chains position the paper stack symmetrically about the center between the chains. The paper pushes the lower chains outward to swing, and the swinging chains sweep against the forms to aid in refolding the continuous length of paper.
However, these swinging chains result in another mechanism for causing paper jams. The lower ends of the chains become caught in the sprocket holes along the edge of the paper or become caught between the folding layers of paper as they sweep against the folding paper. The caught chain bows the paper stack resulting in misfolds which cause paper jams. Customers, recognizing this problem, have hung small paper clips from the lower ends of the chains to extend the chains so they don't swing in order to prevent these types of jams. However this defeats the purpose of the chains. A previous printer, designated 4235, marketed by International Business Machines Corporation provided swinging chains above the highest stack height and strings with weights hanging at the lower ends of the strings. In that printer the weights hang below the horizontal surface on which the paper is stacked. The weights remain below the top of the stack and the strings don't swing against the folding paper.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,779,450 to Mecum et al. discloses "an attachment for guiding continuous prefolded forms used in connection with form stands for accounting and typewriting machines." The apparatus includes weights suspended by extra fine wire such that "the weights and string means will swing in harmony with [the movement of] said forms." U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,235 to Witcher discloses "apparatus to separate multiple sheet feeds from fanfold paper being moved from an input paper stack upwardly to a print station." U.S. Pat. No. 4,559,031 to Gysling et al. dive arresters that are suspended by chains each "having a projecting ledge . . . that upon catching the diving fold [of paper] . . . swings in reaction to the weight of the paper and releases the diving fold when the outward swinging motion of the ledge has displaced the diving fold to a position from which the fold will fall substantially into alignment with folds of previously stacked pages." U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,894 to Bergeman discloses "the lower ends of the two flexible straps 22 and 24 are secured to the ends of the narrow plate or bracket member 44." An English abstract for Japanese patent J03047773 discloses "a rod-form member 9 is swingingly suspended by wire materials 8 . . . paper 2 delivered from a paper discharge port 1a of a printer 1 abuts on the rod-form member."

Printer and folder with chains having light weight pendants hanging therefrom


A light intensity control device of the present invention includes a light source for outputting a plurality of types of light beams having different wavelengths; a light receiving section for receiving and converting the light beams into an electric signal in accordance with the intensity of the respective light beam; and a polarization separation section provided between the light source and the light receiving section. The plurality of types of light beams include a first light beam and a second light beam having a longer wavelength than that of the first light beam. The polarization separation section guides both a first polarization direction light component of the second light beam and a second polarization direction light component, perpendicular to the first polarization direction, of the second light beam to the light receiving section. The polarization separation section guides a first polarization direction light component of the first light beam to the light receiving section, and suppresses a second polarization direction component, perpendicular to the first polarization direction, of the first light beam from advancing to the light receiving section.

An optical pickup apparatus used for reading or writing information from or on an information layer of an optical disc medium includes a light intensity control device for monitoring a part of a laser beam output from a light source and controlling the light intensity thereof, such that the laser beam can be directed to the information layer of the optical disc medium at an appropriate light intensity.
FIG. 8 shows an optical pickup apparatus 400 disclosed in Patent Document 1. Referring to FIG. 8, an information medium 109 is a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a CD (Compact Disc), and the optical pickup apparatus 400 records or reproduces information on or from the information medium 109.
The optical pickup apparatus 400 includes a DVD light source 101 for outputting a light beam 121 for DVDs having a wavelength of 650 nm, a CD light source 102 for outputting a light beam 122 for CDs having a wavelength of 780 nm, a beam splitter 103, a ½ waveplate 104, a polarizing beam splitter 105, a ¼ waveplate 106, a collimator lens 107, an objective lens 108, a sensor lens 110, a light detection section 111, and a light receiving element 112.
The beam splitter 103 transmits the entirety of a P-wave component and the entirety of an S-wave component of the light beam 121 for DVDs, and reflects the entirety of a P-wave component and the entirety of an S-wave component of the light beam 122 for CDs. The polarizing beam splitter 105 transmits the P-wave components of the light beams and reflects the S-wave components of the light beams. The light detection section 111 detects a tracking error signal, an information signal or the like from light reflected by the information medium 109. The light receiving element 112 outputs an electric signal to be fedback to a light source driving circuit (not shown) in accordance with the light intensity, and is referred to as the "front monitor".
An optical path for the light beam 122 for CDs is drawn as being offset from an optical path for the light beam 121 for DVDs, but is actually the same. The ½ waveplate 104 is located so as to receive light outside an effective luminous flux of the light beam 121 for DVDs and the light beam 122 for CDs.
Now, an operation of the optical pickup apparatus will be described. The light beam 121 for DVDs which is output by the light source 101 is transmitted through the beam splitter 103. Only the P-wave component of the effective luminous flux of the light beam 121 is selected by the polarizing beam splitter 105 and converted into circular polarization by the ¼ waveplate 106. The light beam 121 transmitted through the ¼ waveplate 106 passes through the collimator lens 107 and the objective lens 108, and then forms a light spot on the information layer of the DVD disc 109. The light reflected by the information layer is transmitted through the objective lens 108 and the collimator lens 107, is converted back into the P-wave component by the ¼ waveplate 106, is reflected by the polarizing beam splitter 105, and is guided to the sensor lens 110. The reflected light which is passed through the sensor lens 110 is received by the light detection section 111.
The light beam 122 for CDs which is output by the light source 102 is totally reflected by the beam splitter to be a light beam of the P-wave component. Like the light beam 121, the effective luminous flux of the light beam passes through the polarizing beam splitter 105, the ¼ waveplate 106, the collimator lens 107 and the objective lens 108, and then forms a light spot on the information layer of the CD disc 109. The light reflected by the information layer passes through the objective lens 108, the collimator lens 107, the ¼ waveplate 106, the polarizing beam splitter 105 and the sensor lens 110, and is received by the light detection section 111.
By contrast, the light outside the effective luminous flux of the light beam 121 for DVDs passes through the ½ waveplate 104 to be polarized to S-wave component light, is totally reflected by the polarizing beam splitter 105, and is received by the light receiving element 112. The light receiving element 112 outputs an electric signal in accordance with the light amount of the received light, and feeds the electric signal back to the light source driving circuit (not shown).
The light outside the effective luminous flux of the light beam 122 for CDs also passes through the ½ waveplate 104 to be polarized to S-wave component light, is totally reflected by the polarizing beam splitter 105, and is received by the light receiving element 112. The light receiving element 112 outputs an electric signal in accordance with the light amount of the received light, and feeds the electric signal back to the light source driving circuit.
As described above, the optical pickup apparatus 400 including the light sources 101 and 102 for independently outputting light beams of different wavelengths can change the polarization direction of the light beams independently. Therefore, the intensity of the light beam 121 for DVDs and the intensity of the light beam 122 for CDs can be controlled independently.
However, as recordable DVDs have become common and a higher recording speed of the optical disc apparatus has been demanded recently, the optical disc apparatus are desired to be stable against a temperature change. Also, the optical disc apparatus is strongly desired to be reduced in size. It has been proposed to adopt a single light source for outputting a plurality of types of light beams having different wavelengths in order to reduce the size of the optical disc apparatus.
However, where a single light source which accommodates an active layer for outputting a light beam for DVDs and an active layer for outputting a light beam for CDs in one package is adopted, a problem occurs that the polarization direction of each light beam cannot be independently changed unlike in the above-described structure. In addition, there is another problem that a temperature change, caused by the output of the light beam, changes the polarization ratio and the polarization angle of the light beams. As a result, the intensity of the light beam directed to the optical disc medium is changed. In order to solve the inability to freely change the polarization direction and prevent the intensity of the light beam from being changed, Patent Document 2 discloses an optical pickup apparatus which uses a polarization separation element for separating light intensity-controlling light (hereinafter, referred to as "monitoring light") into a P-wave component and an S-wave component and controls the light intensity for the light source with the P-wave component.
FIG. 9 shows a conventional optical pickup apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2. A semiconductor laser element 201 includes two active layers 201a and 201b for outputting two light beams having different wavelengths. The first active layer 201a outputs a light beam 221 having a wavelength of 650 nm for DVDs (hereinafter, referred to as the "DVD wavelength"), and the second active layer 201b outputs a light beam 222 having a wavelength of 780 nm for CDs (hereinafter, referred to as the "CD wavelength").
The light beam 221 or 222 which is output from the semiconductor laser element 201 reaches a polarizing beam splitter (hereinafter, referred to as the "PBS") 206 as parallel light via a collimator lens 204. The PBS 206 transmits a majority (e.g., 90%) of the P-wave component of the light beam incident thereon, and reflects a part thereof (e.g., 10%) by a polarization separation face 206a. The PBS 206 also transmits a part (e.g., 10%) of the S-wave component of the light beam incident thereon, and transmits a majority thereof (e.g., 90%).
The light beam which is passed through the PBS 206 passes through a ¼ waveplate 209 to be converted into circular polarization, reaches an optical disc 211 via an objective lens 210, and is reflected by a recording face thereof. The light reflected by the recording face of the optical disc 211 returns to the PBS 206 via the objective lens 210 and the ¼ waveplate 209. The ¼ waveplate 209 converts the circular polarization of the reflected light beam into linear polarization. The PBS 206 reflects the light beam on the return path by the polarization separation face 206a, and the reflected light beam reaches a light receiving face of a light detector 213 via a light collection lens 205 and a multi-lens 212.
In a direction in which the light reflected by the PBS 206 is directed, another PBS 207 is provided. The PBS 207 is located in a direction in which the light beam incident from the collimator lens 204 and reflected by the PBS 206 is directed. On the PBS 207, such reflected light beam for front monitoring is incident. The PBS 207 passes approximately 100% of the P-wave component of the incident light beam, and reflects approximately 100% of the S-wave component of the incident light by a polarization separation face 207a. Almost 0% of the P-wave component is reflected by the PBS 207, and approximately 100% of the S-wave component passes through the PBS 207. In a direction in which the light passed through the PBS 207 is directed, a front monitor 208 is provided. Only the P-polarization component, which is passed through the PBS 207, is received by the front monitor 208. Thus, laser output power control is performed. In an optical pickup 500 using a light source accommodating two active layers for respectively outputting a light beam for DVDs and a light beam for CDs in one package, the P-wave component is used as the monitoring light for controlling the light intensity for the light source.
By adopting the P-wave component of the light beam output by the semiconductor laser element 201 as the monitoring light, the intensity of the light output by the semiconductor laser element 201 can be stably controlled.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-110897
Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-109773

Light intensity controller and optical pickup device


A motor structure includes a housing having a shaft tube receiving a shaft retaining assembly. The shaft tube includes a positioning member on an outer periphery thereof. A rotor includes a shaft rotatably extending through the bearing. A stator is mounted around the shaft tube, couples with the positioning member, and includes a bobbin having an abutting portion pressing a top face of the shaft retaining assembly by a free end thereof. Specifically, the positioning member is distant from the top face by a first distance in an axial direction of the shaft tube, the abutting portion is made of elastic material, the positioning member is distant from the free end by a second distance in an axial direction of the assembling hole is defined, and the second distance is smaller than the first distance when the stator is separate from the shaft tube.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a conventional motor structure disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,654,213, which includes a housing 70, a rotor 80, and a stator 90. Referring to FIG. 1, the housing 70 includes a hollow shaft tube 71 receiving a bearing 72. The shaft tube 71 has an opening 711 at an upper end thereof for the bearing 72 to be inserted into the shaft tube 71, while the shaft tube 71 peripherally has a support face 712 facing upwards. The rotor 80 includes a shaft 81 rotatably extending through the bearing 72. The stator 90 is mounted around the shaft tube 71 and includes an upper bobbin 91, a lower bobbin 92, a plurality of silicon steel plates 93 sandwiched between the upper and lower bobbins 91 and 92, and a winding 94 wound around the silicon steel plates 93. The upper bobbin 91 includes an abutting portion 911 in the form of an annular ring extending inwards radially to block an outer rim of the opening 711, preventing disengagement of the bearing 72 from the shaft tube 71 via the opening 711. The bearing 72 and shaft tube 71 are in loose coupling with each other and have a small gap therebetween to allow easy assembly and to prevent the shaft tube 71 from being squeezed and thus deformed by the bearing 72. Furthermore, the support face 712 of the shaft tube 71 faces and abuts against the silicon steel plates 93 so as to support and position the stator 90 relatively to the housing 70.
However, referring to FIG. 2 showing a cross sectional view of the conventional motor structure while the housing 70, rotor 80, and stator 90 are assembled, it is apparent that, in an axial direction along the shaft tube 71, a first distance between the abutting portion 911 and a lower end of the plurality of silicon steel plates 93 must be equal to a second distance between the opening 711 and support face 712, or the stator 90 cannot surely rest on the support face 712 if the first distance is shorter than the second distance, or the abutting portion 911 is unable to firmly block the outer rim of the opening 711 if the first distance is longer than the second distance. Therefore, the accuracy in sizes of the housing 70 and stator 90 is extremely required. Similarly, since the abutting portion 911 merely extends inwards in radial directions of the shaft tube 71 to block the outer rim of the opening 711, a top end of the bearing 72 must just locate at the opening 711 for the abutting portion 911 to abut against. It should be noted that all of the above requirements have to be extremely fulfilled, or damages to the stator 90, especially to the abutting portion 911, or axial vibration of the bearing 72 will be caused. Accordingly, the manufacture cost of this conventional motor structure is high, in particular to those applied to miniature motors, for exactly making the housing 70, rotor 80 and stator 90 by precision machines and processes. As a result, it is necessary to improve the conventional motor structure for a lower cost of manufacture and a desirable positioning performance.

Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.


A near field communication (NFC) method includes activating an NFC device second device in response to a first electromagnetic field generated by a nearby NFC device. The NFC device generates a second electromagnetic field after being activated. The first NFC device can detect the second electromagnetic field and initiate a near field communication process.

Communication systems with electromagnetic transponders are increasingly commonplace, particularly since the development of near field communication (NFC) technologies.
These systems exploit a radiofrequency electromagnetic field via a device (terminal or reader) to communicate with another device (card).
In the recent systems, one and the same NFC device can operate in card mode or in read mode (for example in the case of a near field communication between two mobile phones). It is then commonplace for the devices to be powered by batteries and for their functions and circuits to be set to standby so as not to consume energy between periods of use. The devices then have to be "woken up" when they are located within range of one another.

STMICROELECTRONiCS RAZVOJ POLPREVODNIKOV D.O.O.


For building a representation of behavior of a container, an apparatus is able to:                inject a probe in an operating system associated with the container to monitor system calls coming from the container,        produce records for respective system calls, each record containing an identifier of a system call and a stack size used by the container for the system call, the records being put in an ordered queue,        process the records in the ordered queue into a graph comprising nodes respectively associated with used stack sizes and edges respectively associated with identifiers of system call between nodes,        wherein an edge from one record is associated with the identifier of the system call of the one record and links a node associated with a previous record to the node associated with the one record.

5G networks are moving towards flexible platform with native microservice support. The 3GPP standards for 5G are using Service Based Architecture to define the interaction between Network Functions. This Service Based Architecture is conducive to the use of microservices for implementing Network Functions. Microservice based design is a method of design that depart from the traditional monolithic design approach, by dividing the service into multiple components that could be designed, implemented, distributed and deployed independently from each other's. The service becomes modularized, flexible and adaptable.
It allows for fast deployment cycles and updates as well as for launching services on demand in the network. In terms of packaging, Microservices are typically deployed as containers in the context of cloud native. Multiple distinct parties could intervene in the lifecycle of a microservice from development, packaging, distribution and updates. This create an attack surface that could potentially be exploited by a bad actor.
Once deployed, and during their operations, containers may get compromised either through the exploitation of a vulnerability in the running software, or through the update mechanisms for example. It can still provide the intended service but will also have an additional unintended behavior.
Lots of attention in the past have been focused on misuse detection, which is to learn the bad behavior and then try to detect it, this could be done through static or dynamic signatures, this approach is subject to polymorphism attacks (the bad actors keep making small changes to the malware in order to avoid detection).
There is a need to define and build the behavior of a running container, allowing to detect such a deviation from the baseline during operation.


A weighing device includes a supply unit, a weighing unit, a stock unit, a discharge unit, a transfer unit, and a revolving mechanism. The supply unit supplies a target object to a container revolving in the weighing unit. The weighing unit weighs the container while revolving the same. The stock unit stocks a plurality of containers while holding the plurality of containers three-dimensionally and revolving them. The discharge unit discharges the target object from the container while revolving the container.

Conventionally, a weighing device is used for weighing a target object placed in a container, stocking a plurality of containers after the weight of each container is subtracted in order to obtain the weight of the target object, and retrieving a selected container to discharge the target object from the container.
For example, Japan Published Patent Application No. 8-29242 (published Feb. 2, 1996) discloses a combination weighing device which performs combination weighing by weighing a plurality of containers which each contain a target object, storing the weights, and stocking the plurality of containers.
However, the above-described conventional weighing device has the following problems.
The weighing device disclosed in patent document 1 performs weighing, stocking, and discharging while the containers are stationary. Therefore, time is wasted from the point at which a target object contained in one container is weighed until the target object is discharged. This makes it impossible to drive the conventional weighing device at high speeds.
An object of the present invention is to provide a weighing device capable of expediting the process of weighing to discharging, a combination weighing device including the same, and a weighing method.

Weighing device for weighing target object in container, combination weighing device including the same, and weighing method


A gain quantization method, in analysis-by-synthesis linear predictive speech coding, includes these steps: determine a first gain for an optimal excitation vector from a first code book; quantize the first gain; determine an optimal second gain for an optimal excitation vector from a second code book; determine a linear prediction of the logarithm of the second gain from the quantized first gain; and quantize the difference between the logarithm of the second gain and the linear prediction.

Analysis-by-synthesis linear predictive speech coders usually have a long-term predictor or adaptive code book followed by one or several fixed code books. Such speech coders are for example described in [1]. The total excitation vector in such speech coders may be described as a linear combination of code book vectors V.sub.i, such that each code book vector V.sub.i is multiplied by a corresponding gain g.sub.i. The code books are searched sequentially. Normally the excitation from the first code book is subtracted from the target signal (speech signal) before the next code book is searched. Another method is the orthogonal search, where all the vectors in later code books are orthogonalized by the selected code book vectors. Thus, the code books are made independent and can all be searched towards the same target signal.
Search methods and gain quantization for a generalized CELP coder having an arbitrary number of code books are discussed in [2].
The gains of the code books are normally quantized separately, but can also be vector quantized together.
In the coder described in [3], two fixed code books are used together with an adaptive code book. The fixed code books are searched orthogonalized. The fixed code book gains are vector quantized together with the adaptive code book gain, after transformation to a suitable domain. The best quantizer index is found by testing all possibilities in a new analysis-by-synthesis loop. A similar quantization method is used in the ACELP coder [4], but in this case the standard code book search method is used.
A method to calculate the quantization boundaries adaptively, using the selected LTP vector and, for the second code book, the selected vector from the first code book, is described in [5, 6].
In [2] a method is suggested, according to which the LTP code book gains are quantized relative to normalized code book vectors. The adaptive code book gain is quantized relative to the frame energy. The ratios g.sub.2 /g.sub.1, g.sub.3 /g.sub.2, . . . are quantized in non-uniform quantizers. To use vector quantization of the gains, the gains must be quantized after the excitation vectors have been selected. This means that the exact gain of the first searched code books are not known at the time of the later code book searches. If the traditional search method is used, the correct target signal cannot be calculated for the later code books, and the later searches are therefore not optimal.
If the orthogonal search method is used, the code book searches are independent of previous code book gains. The gains are thus quantized after the code book searches, and vector quantization may be used. However, the orthogonalization of the code books is often very complex, and it is usually not feasible, unless as in [3], the code books are specially designed to make the orthogonalization efficient. When vector quantization is used, the best gains are normally selected in a new analysis-by-synthesis loop. Since the gains are scalar quantities, they can be moved outside the filtering process, which simplifies the computations as compared to the analysis-by-synthesis loops in the code book searches, but the method is still much more complex than independent quantization. Another drawback is that the vector index is very vulnerable to channel errors, since an error in one bit in the index gives a completely different set of gains. In this respect independent quantization is a better choice.
However, for this method more bits must be used to achieve the same performance as other quantization methods.
The method with adapted quantization limits described in [5, 6] involves complex computations and is not feasible in a low complexity system as mobile telephony. Also, since the decoding of the last code book gain is dependent on correct transmission of all previous gains and vectors, the method is expected to be very sensitive to channel errors.
Quantization of gain ratios, as described in [2], is robust to channel errors and not very complex. However, the methods requires the training of a non uniform quantizer, which might make the coder less robust to other signals not used in the training. The method is also very inflexible.

Gain quantization in analysis-by-synthesis linear predicted speech coding using linear intercodebook logarithmic gain prediction