A dispersing stabilizer suitable for suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride or a monomer mixture mainly composed of vinyl chloride which can be used in a hot water charging polymerization process without any problems, and which can produce vinyl chloride homopolymer or copolymers having a good porosity, a large bulk density, a very low content of coarse particles and good physical properties, the dispersing stabilizer comprising a polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of hydrolysis of 75 to 85% by mole, an absorbance of not less than 0.1 measured at a wavelength of 280 m.mu.with respect to the 0.1% by weight aqueous solution, a content of carboxyl group of 0.01 to 0.15% by mole and a cloud point of not less than 50.degree. C. measured with respect to the 0.1% by weight aqueous solution

The present invention relates to an agent for stabilizing dispersion (hereinafter referred to as "dispersing stabilizer") in suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride monomer alone or a mixture containing a major amount of the monomer, and a process for preparing the same. More particularly, the invention relates to a dispersing stabilizer for homo- or co-polymerization of vinyl chloride, which enables to produce a vinyl chloride resin having good physical properties such as a large porosity, a large bulk density and a uniform distribution of particle size with a less amount of coarse particles. Further, the invention relates to a process for the suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride or its mixture in the presence of the stabilizer, particularly the process which is improved in producibility by adopting a hot water charging polymerization manner to raise the efficiency of polymerization cycle.
In a suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride or a mixture of vinyl chloride and other monomers copolymerizable therewith, it is necessary to employ one or more of various dispersing stabilizers, e.g. polyvinyl alcohol, methylolcellulose, vinyl acetate/maleic anhydride copolymer, and gelatin. Above all, polyvinyl alcohols have excellent properties as the dispersing stabilizer, and are the most generally employed. While there are various polyvinyl alcohols, it is known that the physical or chemical characteristics of polyvinyl alcohols, such as average degree of polymerization and average degree of hydrolysis, have a delicate influence upon the produced vinyl chloride resins. So, a number of proposals have been made for the purpose, for example, (a) a polyvinyl alcohol defined by degree of hydrolysis, degree of polymerization, content of carbonyl group and content of vinylene group within specified ranges (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Kokai No. 45189/1976), and (b) a polyvinyl alcohol modified by maleic acid and/or an ester of maleic acid (Japanese Examined Patent Publication Kokoku No. 59242/1982).
In general, the suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride has been carried out in a batchwise operation, wherein a polymerization vessel is charged with a water medium, a dispersing stabilizer, a polymerization initiator, vinyl chloride or its mixture, and optionally other necessary additives, followed by gradually raising the temperature of the mixture up to the polymerization temperature to carry out the polymerization
Such a batchwise operation, however, requires a very long time to feed the ingredients and to raise the temperature, which may sometimes account for 10% or more of the polymerization time in one cycle. It is a cause of decrease in productivity of the polymerization, which is a problem long wanted to be solved in the art. In order to solve the problem, various processes have been proposed. Recently, there is proposed a "hot water charging polymerization process", in which a hot water heated at 50.degree. C. or higher temperature is employed. This process has great effects in points of process steps for polymerization and shortening of time.
However, when suspension polymerization is carried out in such a hot water charging manner employing the above-mentioned polyvinyl alcohol (a) or (b) as the dispersing stabilizer, on feeding hot water, the polyvinyl alcohol is partly deposited out to make the aqueous solution turbid. Thus, not only cannot the polyvinyl alcohol produce its excellent effects as the stabilizer, but also it often affect adversely the polymerization stability and physical properties of the produced polymers.
Accordingly, a dispersing stabilizer, suitable for use in the hot water charging polymerization process and always capable of yielding vinyl chloride resins having good qualities, has been strongly demanded, since it would enable to advantageously carry out the suspension polymerization.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispersing stabilizer suitable for suspension homo- or co-polymerization of vinyl chloride, which can be used in the hot water charging polymerization process without causing any problem and give vinyl chloride resins of high quality.
A further object of the invention is to provide a process for preparing the dispersing stabilizer for suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a process for the suspension homo- or copolymerization of vinyl chloride which can stably produce vinyl chloride resins having a high porosity, a high bulk density and a uniform distribution of particle size in a shortened period of time.
Another object of the invention is to provide a process for suspension-polymerizing vinyl chloride or its mixture with other copolymerizable monomers in hot water charging polymerization manner.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description hereinafter.

Process for suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride with carboxyl containing polyvinyl-alcohol

Nippon Gohsei Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha


Disclosed is a method for producing aromatic hydrocarbons, which comprises contacting a light hydrocarbon feedstock comprising olefins and/or paraffins with a zeolite catalyst in a fixed-bed, adiabatic reactor containing a fixed catalyst bed comprised of the zeolite catalyst, to thereby effect a catalytic cyclization reaction of the light hydrocarbon feedstock, wherein the catalytic cyclization reaction is performed under conditions which satisfy the following requirements: (1) the zeolite catalyst has an initial stage-catalytic activity of 0.2 (sec.sup.-1) or more in terms of the initial stage, first-order reaction rate constant of the decomposition of n-hexane catalyzed by the zeolite catalyst; (2) the catalyst bed has a temperature of from 450.degree. C. to 650.degree. C.; (3) the catalyst bed exhibits a temperature distribution with respect to the distance from an inlet to an outlet of the catalyst bed, wherein the temperature distribution has at least one maximum temperature value; and (4) the temperature of the outlet of the catalyst bed is .+-.40.degree. C. relative to the temperature of the inlet of the catalyst bed. By the method of the present invention, not only can aromatic hydrocarbons be produced in high yield, but also the lowering of the catalytic activity is small, so that the production of aromatic hydrocarbons can be stably conducted for a prolonged period of time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for producing aromatic hydrocarbons from light hydrocarbons. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a method for producing aromatic hydrocarbons from light hydrocarbons, which comprises supplying a light hydrocarbon feedstock comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of olefins and paraffins to a fixed-bed, adiabatic reactor containing a fixed catalyst bed comprised of a zeolite catalyst, to thereby contact the light hydrocarbon feedstock with the zeolite catalyst in the fixed-bed, adiabatic reactor and effect a catalytic cyclization reaction of the light hydrocarbon feedstock, wherein the zeolite catalyst has a specific activity, and the catalytic cyclization reaction is conducted under specific temperature conditions with respect to the catalyst bed.
By the method of the present invention, not only can aromatic hydrocarbons be produced in high yield, but also a lowering of the catalytic activity is small, so that the production of aromatic hydrocarbons can be stably conducted for a prolonged period of time. The method of the present invention can be advantageously used in the petrochemical industry and in petroleum refining, especially in the production of aromatic compounds and high-octane gasolines.
2. Prior Art
Various methods are conventionally known in which aromatic hydrocarbons are produced using as a catalyst a zeolite, such as ZSM-5. For example, Examined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 56-42639 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 3,756,942) discloses a method in which aromatic hydrocarbons are produced from a hydrocarbon feedstock which is comprised of paraffins, olefins and/or naphthenes, each having 5 or more carbon atoms, and which has an aromatic hydrocarbon content of 15% by weight or less, using a ZSM-5 type zeolite catalyst. Examined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-5712 discloses a method in which aromatic hydrocarbons are produced from a hydrocarbon feedstock containing saturated hydrocarbons having 4 or less carbon atoms, unsaturated hydrocarbons having 2 to 4 carbon atoms and a virgin naphtha in a specific amount ratio, using a ZSM-5 type zeolite catalyst.
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,150 discloses a process in which a hydrocarbon comprising 20 to 65% by weight of saturated hydrocarbons and 20 to 50% by weight of unsaturated hydrocarbons is contacted with a ZSM-5 type zeolite catalyst, so that the process involving the cyclization reaction (exothermic) of the unsaturated hydrocarbons and the cyclization reaction (endothermic) of the saturated hydrocarbons can be performed under heat balanced conditions, thereby producing aromatic hydrocarbons by an isothermal reaction.
Japanese Patent Application prior-to-examination Publication (kohyo) No. 3-503656 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,602) discloses a method in which a hydrocarbon feedstock containing lower alkanes and lower alkenes is contacted with a fluidized bed of an acid type zeolite catalyst having medium pores in a first conversion zone, thereby obtaining a reaction mixture (effluent stream) containing aromatic hydrocarbon-rich higher aliphatic hydrocarbons, and the obtained reaction mixture is contacted with a fluidized bed of an acid type zeolite catalyst having medium pores in a second conversion zone, thereby obtaining a product which is rich in alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons and which contains gasolines having 5 or more carbon atoms.
Further, Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. 63-69888 (corresponding-to U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,602) discloses a method in which a hydrocarbon feedstock containing at least 50% by weight of C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 aliphatic hydrocarbons is converted to aromatic compounds, using a crystalline zeolite catalyst having a specific activity.
Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. 63-14732 discloses a method in which aromatic hydrocarbons are produced from light hydrocarbons, using a ZSM-5 type zeolite catalyst containing zinc and having specific properties.
Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. 3-182592 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,420) discloses a method in which a hydrocarbon feedstock containing olefins is subjected to a hydrogenation reaction using hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst and then, the resultant product is subjected to a dehydrocyclodimerization reaction in a reactor containing a dehydrocyclodimerization catalyst, to thereby obtain aromatic hydrocarbons.
However, in the above-mentioned conventional methods, when it is attempted to produce aromatic hydrocarbons by using a fixed-bed, adiabatic reactor (which is commercially most advantageous because it is not only simple in structure but also has high efficiency), problems arise such that the yield of desired aromatic hydrocarbon product becomes low, or coking vigorously occurs, so that it becomes difficult to stably perform the process for the production of desired aromatic hydrocarbons. Therefore, it has conventionally been considered to be impossible to stably produce desired aromatic hydrocarbons in high yield by using a fixed-bed, adiabatic reactor. For producing aromatic hydrocarbons in high yield, some attempts have heretofore been made. For example, in Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. 3-182592, a process has been proposed in which olefins contained in a feedstock are first subjected to hydrogenation and then, the feedstock is subjected to a dehydrocyclodimerization reaction for the production of aromatic hydrocarbons. This process, however, is disadvantageous in that it needs to be carried out in two stages. Further, in some of the conventionally proposed methods for producing aromatic hydrocarbons in high yield, it is disadvantageously necessary to use reactors having complicated structures (such as an isothermal reactor, a moving-bed reactor and a fluidized-bed reactor).
As mentioned above, U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,150 discloses a process in which a feedstock containing saturated hydrocarbons and unsaturated hydrocarbons in a specific weight ratio is used so as to enable the process to be carried out under heat balanced conditions. In this process, although almost no heat is supplied from an external source, aromatic hydrocarbons are produced in substantially the same yield as in the case of a method in which a large amount of heat is supplied to the reaction system. However, in this prior art reference, there is no description concerning a temperature distribution in the reaction system or how to conduct a stable operation in which a lowering of the catalytic activity which is caused due to occurrence of coking on the catalyst, is suppressed. The above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application prior-to-examination Publication (kohyo) No. 3-103656 discloses a method in which a hydrocarbon feedstock containing lower alkanes and lower alkenes in such a weight ratio as to maintain almost isothermal reaction conditions in the conversion zone, is used to obtain a product which is rich in alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons and contains gasolines having 5 or more carbon atoms. In this method, a fluidized-bed reactor (in which both the catalytic reaction and the regeneration of the catalyst can be continuously conducted) is used to thereby prevent a lowering of the catalytic activity due to occurrence of coking on the catalyst. However, the fluidized-bed reactor used in this method has a complicated structure, so that the cost becomes high.

Method for producing aromatic hydrocarbons


A semiconductor device includes a device body including at least an LSI chip, and a lead structure having a base which is flexible and a plurality of pins which project from both sides of the base. The lead structure is integrated with the device body so that first ends of the plurality of pins are electrically connected to the LSI chip. The semiconductor device is manufactured in accordance with two steps of forming the lead structure and of integrating the lead structure with the deice body so that the first ends of the plurality of pins are electrically connected to the LSI chip.

(1) Field of the invention
The present invention generally relates to a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing such, and more particularly to a micro-semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing such.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, to miniaturize electronic equipment it is desired that micro-semiconductor devices which can be mounted on a narrow area have been developed. .mu.BGA (Ball Grid Array) semiconductor devices and CSP (Chip Size Package) semiconductor devices are examples of such micro-semiconductor device.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a conventional micro-semiconductor device 10.
The micro-semiconductor device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is referred to as a .mu.BGA semiconductor device. Referring to FIG. 1, the micro-semiconductor device has a LSI chip 11, a terminal member 12, a square protection frame 13 and an adhesive layer 14. The terminal member 12 has a structure in which a Cu-foil lead 15 is adhered to a polyimide film 16 provided with solder bumps 17. The diameter d.sub.1 of each of the solder bumps 17 is about 0.2 mm. The terminal member 12 is adhered to the LSI chip 11 by the adhesive layer 14. The adhesive layer 14 also has function of encapsulating a circuit portion of the LSI chip 11. The protection frame 13 surrounds the LSI chip 11 so as to protect it.
The solder bumps 17 and pads 21 on a printed circuit board 20 are soldered by reflow so that the micro-semiconductor device 10 is mounted on the printed circuit board 20. The area on which the micro-semiconductor device is mounted is substantially equal to a projected area of the LSI chip 11.
The terminal member 12 described above has a structure in which the Cu-foil 15 formed as an internal terminal and the solder bumps 17 formed as external terminals are integrated with each other. The terminal member 12 is manufactured in accordance with steps as shown in FIG. 3 (A), (B) and (C).
First, a Cu-foil 31 is formed on the polyimide film 16 through which holes 30 are formed, as shown in FIG. 3 (A). Second, the Cu-foil 31 is masked and etched so that fine Cu-foil leads 15 are formed as shown in FIG. 3 (B). As a result, an internal terminal member 32 in which the fine Cu-foil leads 15 are stuck on the polyimide film 16 having the holes is obtained.
Last, the internal terminal member 32 is masked and plated with solder so that the solder is connected to the Cu-foil leads 15. The holes formed through the polyimide film 16 are filled with the solder so that the solder projects above the rims of the holes. As a result, the solder bumps 17 are formed.
The conventional micro-semiconductor device as has been described above has the following two disadvantages.
First, the conventional micro-semiconductor device is apt to be defectively mounted on the printed circuit board.
The LSI chip 11 is made of silicon, the coefficient of thermal expansion being 3.5.times.10.sup.-6. On the other hand, the printed circuit board 20 is made of glass epoxy resin having a coefficient of thermal expansion of 14.times.10.sup.-6 which is four times as large as that of the LSI chip 11. The diameter d.sub.1 of each of the solder bumps 17 is about 0.2 mm which is only one third as large as that of a solder bump of a general BGA semiconductor device, so that each of the solder bumps 17 has limited ability for absorbing stress.
Thus, when there is stress caused by the difference between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the LSI chip 11 and the printed circuit board 20, the stress may be too large to be absorbed by the solder bumps 17. In this case, cracks may be generated in the solder bumps 17, so that the micro-semiconductor device may be defectively mounted on the printed circuit board.
Even if the cracks are not generated in the solder bumps 17, the reliability of the micro-semiconductor device mounted on the printed circuit board 20 is poor.
Second, the production cost of the micro-semiconductor device made in the above manner is high.
The terminal member 12 has the structure in which the Cu-foil leads 15 and the solder bumps 17 are integrated with each other. It is relatively difficult to form the fine Cu-foil leads 15 and the small solder bump 17. Thus, the terminal member 12 is apt to be defectively formed. Further, the yield in the etching step shown in FIG. 3 (B) and the yield in the solder plating step shown in FIG. 3 (C) are poor. The total yield of the terminal member 12 which is obtained by multiplying both the above yields in the etching step and the solder plating step is consequently poor.
As a result, the production cost of the terminal member 12 is high, and the total production cost of the micro-semiconductor device is high.

Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing such


An apparatus for a frequency characterization of an electronic system is provided. The apparatus includes two terminals configured to couple with the electronic system. Further, the apparatus includes a control circuit configured to generate a test signal. The apparatus further includes a coupling circuit including an adjustable impedance and a switch which are coupled in series. End nodes of the coupling circuit are coupled to the two terminals. The switch is configured here to electrically couple the two terminals with each other based on the test signal.

For the characterization of active and passive electronic systems, frequently zirp signals (sinusoidal signals with an alternating frequency) are used which are coupled into a measurement set-up either capacitively or inductively, depending on the application. The zirp signals are generated with the help of a signal generator, which is in most cases part of a network analyzer which is also used for evaluating the measurement signals. Such systems are e.g. Proposed in Y. Panov et al: "Practical Issues of Input/Output Impedance Measurements in Switching Power Supplies and Application of Measured Data to Stability Analysis" in Twentieth Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition, Austin, 2005 and also in L. Ott et al: "Modelling and Measuring Complex Impedances of Power Electronic Converters for Stability Assessment of Low-Voltage DC-Grids" in Proceedings IEEE First International Conference on DC Microgrids, Atlanta 2015.
In the above mentioned methods, the bandwidth of the measurement receiver for recording the measurements may be chosen clearly lower than the current frequency of the Zirp signal, so that the recording duration, in particular for low frequency ranges, is very long (e.g. in a range of several minutes). The capacitive and/or inductive coupling of the zirp signals further restricts the aforementioned methods to DC-based applications (DC=direct current). With an inductive coupling of the measurement signal, the measurement circuit has further to be disconnected to incorporate an inductive coupling member into the measurement set-up. With a capacitive coupling, due to the necessary coupling capacitor, no safe galvanic separation of measurement equipment and measurement set-up is possible, so that additional inductive transmission members are necessary for insulation purposes. Consequently, a high expenditure regarding the required hardware results. For both types of coupling, further the dimensioning of the passive circuit components for coupling with respect to the desired bandwidth is to be adapted to the specific application case, so that these methods may not be used universally. When measuring arrangements of higher power levels, the available signal levels of network analyzers are not sufficient any more to guarantee a sufficient interference distance. Consequently, external power amplifiers are required which increases both expenses regarding the required hardware and also costs.
Complex impedances of power-electronic systems may also be measured using an individual power-electronic converter which injects an alternating-frequency excitation signal into the distribution network to be examined and records the response of the system. The alternating-frequency signal is here either overplayed onto the current or voltage nominal value or directly onto the duty cycle signal of the used converter. Such systems are e.g. proposed in R. Button et al: "Stability Testing and Analysis of a PMAD DC Test Bed for the Space Station Freedom" NASA Technical Memorandum 105846, Cleveland, 1992 or also in A. Riccobono: "Stabilizing Controller Design for a DC Power Distribution System Using a Passivity-Based Stability Criterion", Columbia: College of Engineering and Computing, University of South Carolina, 2013.
With the mentioned methods, an additional power-electronic component has to be introduced into the measurement circuit so that the operating point and consequently also the frequency behavior of the complete measurement circuit may be distorted. The resolvable frequency range is restricted by the switching frequency and/or corner frequency of the output filter of the injection converter. An expansion of the resolvable frequency range is thus connected with high development expenses. As an additional power-electronic component is required, also the costs of the method are high.
There is thus a demand to provide a possibility for frequency characterization of electronic systems which at least avoids the aforementioned problems.

Apparatus and method for frequency characterization of an electronic system

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e. v.


A buffering apparatus for buffering context arrays of a multi-tile encoded picture having a plurality of tiles includes a first buffer and a second buffer. The first buffer is arranged to buffer a first context array referenced for performing entropy decoding upon a first tile of the multi-tile encoded picture. The second buffer is arranged to buffer a second context array referenced for performing entropy decoding upon a second tile of the multi-tile encoded picture. When the first tile is currently decoded according to the first context array buffered in the first buffer, the second context array is buffered in the second buffer.

As proposed in High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) specification, one picture can be partitioned into multiple tiles. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating tiles adopted in the HEVC specification. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a conventional decoding order of the tiles shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, one picture 10 is partitioned into a plurality of tiles T11′-T13′, T21′-T23′, T31′-T33′ separated by row boundaries (i.e., horizontal boundaries) HB1′, HB2′ and column boundaries (i.e., vertical boundaries) VB1′, VB2′. Inside each tile, largest coding units (LCUs)/treeblocks (TBs) are raster scanned, as shown in FIG. 2. For example, LCUs/TBs orderly indexed by the Arabic numbers in the same tile T11 are decoded sequentially. Inside each multi-tile picture, tiles are raster scanned, as shown in FIG. 2. For example, the tiles T11′-T13′, T21′-T23′ and T31′-T33′ are decoded sequentially. Specifically, one picture can be uniformly partitioned by tiles or partitioned into specified LCU-column-row tiles. A tile is a partition which has vertical and horizontal boundaries, and it is always rectangular with an integer number of LCUs/TBs included therein. Hence, tile boundaries must be LCU/TB boundaries.
There are two types of tiles, independent tiles and dependent tiles. As to the independent tiles, they are treated as sub-pictures/sub-streams. Hence, encoding/decoding LCUs/TBs of an independent tile (e.g., motion vector prediction, intra prediction, entropy coding, etc.) does not need data from other tiles. Besides, assume that data of the LCUs/TBs is encoded/decoded using arithmetic coding such as a context-based adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) algorithm. Regarding each independent tile, the CABAC statistics are initialized/re-initialized at the start of the tile, and the LCUs outside the tile boundaries of the tile are regarded as unavailable. For example, the CABAC statistics at the first LCU/TB indexed by "1" in the tile T11′ would be initialized when decoding of the tile T11′ is started, the CABAC statistics at the first LCU/TB indexed by "13" in the tile T12′ would be re-initialized when decoding of the tile T12′ is started, the CABAC statistics at the first LCU/TB indexed by "31" in the tile T13′ would be re-initialized when decoding of the tile T13′ is started, and the CABAC statistics at the first LCU/TB indexed by "40" in the tile T21′ would be re-initialized when decoding of the tile T21′ is started.
However, encoding/decoding LCUs/TBs of a dependent tile (e.g., motion vector prediction, intra prediction, entropy coding, etc.) has to consider data provided by other tiles. Hence, vertical and horizontal buffers are required for successfully decoding a multi-tile encoded picture/compressed frame having dependent tiles included therein. Specifically, the vertical buffer is used for buffering decoded information of LCUs/TBs of an adjacent tile beside a vertical boundary (e.g., a left vertical boundary) of a currently decoded tile, and the horizontal buffer is used for buffering decoded information of LCUs/TBs of another adjacent tile beside a horizontal boundary (e.g., a top horizontal boundary) of the currently decoded tile. As a result, the buffer size for decoding the multi-tile encoded picture/compressed frame would be large, leading to higher production cost. Besides, assume that data of the LCUs/TBs is encoded/decoded using arithmetic coding such as a CABAC algorithm. Regarding a dependent tile, the CABAC statistics may be initialized at the start of the tile or inherited from another tile. For example, the CABAC statistics at the first LCU/TB indexed by "1" in the tile T11′ would be initialized when decoding of the tile T11′ is started, the CABAC statistics at the first LCU/TB indexed by "13" in the tile T12′ would be inherited from the CABAC statistics at the last LCU/TB indexed by "12" in the tile T11′ when decoding of the tile T12′ is started, the CABAC statistics at the first LCU/TB indexed by "31" in the tile T13′ would be inherited from the CABAC statistics at the last LCU/TB indexed by "30" in the tile T12′ when decoding of the tile T13′ is started, and the CABAC statistics at the first LCU/TB indexed by "40" in the tile T21′ would be inherited from the CABAC statistics at the last LCU/TB indexed by "39" in the tile T13′ when decoding of the tile T21′ is started.
As the conventional decoder design employs a tile scan order for decoding a multi-tile encoded picture, the vertical buffer (column buffer) is necessitated by the tile scan order for buffering decoded information of LCUs/TBs of an adjacent tile beside a vertical boundary (e.g., a left vertical boundary) of a currently decoded dependent tile, which increases the production cost inevitably. Thus, there is a need for an innovative entropy decoder design which is capable of reducing or omitting the vertical buffer (column buffer) when decoding the multi-tile encoded picture/compressed frame.

Apparatus and method for buffering context arrays referenced for performing entropy decoding upon multi-tile encoded picture and related entropy decoder


A fastening assembly, comprising a first element forming a first contact surface and a second element forming a second contact surface, which for producing a clamping force may be moved relative to one another in an axial direction is disclosed. The fastening assembly also comprises a device for performing a relative motion of the two contact surfaces with respect to one another. The second element is provided in the form of a plastically deformable sleeve which may be detachably fastened to the first element designed as a pretensioning element. The disclosure further relates to a disposable sleeve for use in such a fastening assembly, and to a method for fixing and/or clamping at least one in particular multilayer component.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to a fastening assembly, in particular for clamping bodies to be joined together, comprising a first element forming a first contact surface and a second element forming a second contact surface, which for producing a clamping force may be moved relative to one another in an axial direction, and comprising a device for performing a relative motion of the two contact surfaces with respect to one another, at least the second element in its extension in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to the axial direction being convertible from a compressed state to an expanded state for forming the second contact surface. The disclosure further relates to a disposable sleeve for use in such a fastening assembly.
2. General Background
Sandwich components formed from multiple interconnected layers are often used in lightweight construction, for example for use in aircraft. These layers may be composed of light metal, fiber composites, or the like. In the assembly of aircraft components, structural parts and plates must be joined to one another in a superposed manner. A liquid sealant which adhesively bonds the layers to one another is generally applied between these components made of aluminum or carbon fiber composite. These components of the sandwich structure are joined by first prepositioning the components. Temporary fastening assemblies which are inserted into holes in the sandwich structure are used to precisely position the components relative to one another, to compensate for any deformations, and by means of a defined pretensioning to press the components together and displace excess sealant, so that excess sealant can emerge as a result of this pressing.
Screw fasteners have been frequently used heretofore for clamping the layers during curing of the sealant. A screw fastener is usually provided with, for example, two spring arms which closely contact one another in the unstressed state and form an expandable prong, and which are provided on one end with a hook-like projection or border lip.
In a tightly compressed state the spring arms may be passed through a borehole in the sandwich structure until the hook-like projections emerge at the underside of the layered structure. A central mandrel is then guided between the spring arms, causing the spring arms to spread apart and the hook-like projections to engage behind the lowest ply of the layered structure. The spring arms may then be tightened against a suitable contact surface of a counterelement of the screw fastener, thereby exerting an axial clamping force on the sandwich structure. After the sealant has cured, the mandrel is removed, allowing the spring arms to once again be moved radially inward so that the hook-like projections may again pass through the borehole when the screw fastener is withdrawn from the sandwich structure. Usually a blind rivet is then inserted into the borehole to keep the sandwich structure compressed, even during operation.
A disadvantage of such screw fasteners is that the sealant may also flow into the borehole as a result of the clamping force applied by the screw fastener, and the spring arms and the mandrel for the screw fastener come into contact with the sealant. The screw fastener must therefore be thoroughly cleaned after each use, which sometimes entails high logistical effort. In addition, there is a risk that the curing sealant may prevent the spring arms from springing back after the mandrel is withdrawn, thus preventing removal of the screw fastener from the borehole.

Fastening assembly and disposable sleeve for same


To display a row of characters in the VGA alphanumeric mode, the ASCII and attribute bits for all such characters are retrieved from the main memory and stored in a local cache memory. The font and unused bits that are also retrieved from the memory during the retrieval of ASCII and attribute bits are discarded. The stored ASCII and attribute bits for each such character is then used to compute the address of the associated font bits in the main memory. Next, for each character, the font bits are retrieved from the main memory using a burst read operation and using the computed address for that font. The font bits associated with all the characters in the row are stored in the local cache memory and are subsequently scanned out to be used in the display of the characters.

Display monitors are often adapted to display characters using a number of different resolutions. Resolution refers to the number of pixels used within a given area to display an object or a character. A number of different standards are known. For example, the VGA standard requires a resolution of 640 pixels by 480 pixels.
FIG. 1 is a logic block diagram of a VGA controller 10, as known in the prior art. VGA controller 10 is shown as including a VGA core 14 that is coupled to shared host interface 12 and shared memory controller 16. As shown, shared host interface 12 and shared memory controller 16 are respectively coupled to a host bus interface and a memory interface. FIG. 2 is a logic block diagram of VGA core 14, as known in the prior art. VGA core 14 is shown as including a CRT controller 20, an attribute controller 24 and a VGA graphics controller 22 adapted to handle two-dimensional operations.
Referring to FIG. 1, VGA controller 10 often operates in one of two modes, namely an alphanumerical mode or a graphics mode. In the graphics mode, the display data is flat, therefore, the memory planes contain bit patterns for each pixel displayed on the screen. The color of each pixel is individually specified and supplied directly to the color look-up table and delivered to the monitor.
In the VGA alphanumerical mode, each character has an associated ASCII value, an attribute, a font, and an unused field. FIG. 3 shows the organization of memory bit planes associated with each character in the alphanumeric mode, as known in the prior art. The ASCII value associated with each character is typically represented by 8 bits ranging in value from, e.g., 00 Hex to FF Hex. For example, ASCII value for the alphabet "A" is represented by Hex value 20. Alphanumeric characters may be displayed in monochrome or a multitude of colors. The ASCII values are stored in plane 0 of the memory planes shown in FIG. 3.
In the monochrome alphanumerical mode, the characters may be represented, for example, in low or high intensity, or with underlines. In the color alphanumeric mode, one of a multitude of colors may be selected for the foreground as well as for the background. In addition, the characters in the color mode may be instructed to blink or be underlined. In either color or monochrome mode, a character attribute, which is typically represented in one byte, is stored in plane 1 of the memory planes shown in FIG. 3. The font associated with each character is stored in bit plane 2. Fields stored in bit plane 3 are not used in the standard VGA alphanumeric mode, but can be used to store proprietary information such as custom fonts, if necessary
Each addressable location of the memory accessed by shared memory controller 16 is typically configured to store 32 bits. The first 16 bits of each address store the ASCII and the attribute bits associated with the same character; the remaining 16 bits of each memory address store the font and the unused bits that may be associated with the same or a different character.
Assume that the character to be displayed next is "T". To display this character, the memory address containing the ASCII and the attribute parameter values associated with character "T" is first accessed, resulting in retrieval of 32 bits, 16 bits of which represent the ASCII and the attribute values for character "T". The remaining 16 bits are discarded. The ASCII and attribute values are subsequently used to compute the memory address that contains the font parameter value associated with character "T". The computed memory address is subsequently accessed to retrieve the font value for character "T". During the retrieval of the font parameter value for character "T", ASCII, attribute and unused parameter values are also retrieved, and are discarded.
As is known to those skilled in the art, in the alphanumeric mode, 80 characters are typically displayed in each row, although there are 132-wide alphanumeric modes as well. Assume that the character font height corresponds to 8 scan lines, i.e., there are 8 scan lines per row. To display the characters, during a first memory access, the display data associated with the first 8 adjacent characters in the first scan line of the row are retrieved from memory planes 0-3. The font and unused bits of the retrieved data are discarded since they may not be associated with the first 8 adjacent characters in the row. The retrieved ASCII and attribute bits are subsequently used to compute the memory locations in which the fonts associated with the first 8 adjacent characters are stored. Next, using the computed memory locations, the first scan line of fonts associated with the first 8 adjacent characters are retrieved. The ASCII, attribute and unused bits that are also retrieved during the retrieval of the font bits, are discarded. This process is repeated 10 times until the ASCII, attribute and fonts bits for all of the 80 characters in the current scan line of the row are so retrieved.
Next, this process is repeated for each of the scan lines 2 though 8 of the current row. Therefore, for each of scan lines 2 though 8, the ASCII and attribute bits for each character are retrieved again to enable the retrieval of the font bits for the characters in that scan line. It is understood that the ASCII and attribute bits for each character is the same in all scan lines. With each memory access, either the font and unused bits is discarded, or the ASCII, attribute and the unused bits are discarded. Accordingly, because there are 80 characters displayed in each row in the VGA alphanumeric mode, a total of at least 20 memory accesses are made to retrieve the ASCII, attribute and font parameter values associated with the characters in each scan line of the row. Consequently, total of at least 160 memory accesses are made to retrieve the ASCII, attribute and font parameter values associated with the 80 characters in the 8 scan lines that form the row, thus to enable the display of these characters.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart 100 of steps carried out by a VGA controller to display data in the alphanumeric mode, as known in the prior art. At step 102, a counter is reset to zero to indicate that processing of characters in the first scan line of a row is to begin. At step 104, the ASCII and attribute bits for the characters in the first row are fetched (i.e., retrieved) from the memory. At step 106, the font addresses for the characters in the first line are computed. At step 108, the fonts associated with the characters in the first line are fetched from the memory. At step 110, the fetched fonts are transmitted to the scan out buffer. At step 112, a determination is made as to whether the end of the current scan line has been reached. If not, then transition is made to 104, where more ASCII and attribute pairs are fetched. If yes, then transition is made to 114. At step 114, the counter's count is incremented to point to the next scan line. At step 116 a determination is made as to whether the data in all the scan lines have been processed. If not, transition is made to step 104 to fetch the ASCII and attribute bits associated with the next scan line of the row. If at step 116 it is determined that the data in all the scan lines of a current row have been processed, a transition is made to step 118 where the start address for the next row of characters is computed. From here, transition is made to 102 so as to allow the scan lines associated with the next row of characters to be processed and displayed on the monitor.
As seen from the above descriptions, in the prior art systems, the repeated retrieval and discard of the same ASCII and attribute data results in performance inefficiencies. Moreover, in such systems, font bits for each character is retrieved one scan line at a time further resulting in performance degradations. Furthermore, the multiple memory accesses required to fetch the font bits may cause the overall memory latency to become unacceptably large, thus resulting in screen tear. To handle this latency, the memory controller is often disposed in the same integrated circuit as that which includes the VGA controller, thus enabling the guarantee of a minimum read latency in such systems. This allows the requirements of isochronous clients, such as a VGA controller, to be built into the design of the memory controller. However, prior art systems are not adapted to support the relatively large latency that comes about if the VGA controller and the shared memory controller are formed in two separate integrated circuits.

Method and apparatus for display of data


A system that facilitates data mining comprises a reception component that receives command(s) in a declarative language that relate to utilizing an output of a first data mining model as an input to a second data mining model. An implementation component analyzes the received command(s) and implements the command(s) with respect to the first and second data mining models. In another aspect of the subject invention, the reception component can receive further command(s) in a declarative language with respect to causing one or more of the first and second data mining models to output a prediction, the prediction desirably generated without prediction input, the implementation component causes the one or more of the first and second data mining models to output the prediction.

Computers and computer-based devices have become a necessary tool for many applications throughout the world. Typewriters and slide rules have become obsolete in light of keyboards coupled with sophisticated word-processing applications and calculators that include advanced mathematical functions/capabilities. Thus, trending applications, analysis applications, and other applications that previously may have required a collection of mathematicians or other high-priced specialists to painstakingly complete by hand can now be accomplished through use of computer technology. For instance, due to ever-increasing processor and memory capabilities, if data is entered properly into an application/wizard, such application/wizard can automatically output a response nearly instantaneously (in comparison to hours or days generating such response by hand previously required).
Furthermore, through utilization of computers and computer-related devices, vast magnitudes of data can be obtained for analysis and predictive purposes. For example; a retail sales establishment can employ a data analysis application to track sales of a particular good given a particular type of customer, income level of customers, a time of year, advertising strategy, and the like. More particularly, patterns within collected data can be determined and analyzed, and predictions relating to future events can be generated based upon these patterns. While the above example describes utilizing data in connection with retail sales, it is understood that various applications and contexts can benefit from analysis of accumulated data.
The aforementioned analysis of data, recognition of patterns, and generation of predictions based at least in part upon the recognized patterns can be collectively referred to as data mining. Conventionally, to enable suitable data mining, various models must be programmed and trained by way of training data. For instance, data previously collected can be employed as training data for one or more data mining models. The data mining models can employ various decision tree structures to assist in generating predictions, and can further utilize suitable clustering algorithms to cluster data analyzed by the data mining models. Accordingly, these data mining models can be extremely complex and require significant programming from an expert computer programmer.
Due to complexity of data mining models and extensiveness of computations utilized in connection with such data mining models, there currently exists various deficiencies associated therewith. For example, once data mining models are created and applied to a particular context, it can be extremely difficult to alter such data mining models. In particular, disparate data mining models can be created to generate predictions relating to particular contexts and/or applications, where at the time of creation of such data mining models it was believed that the models were not substantially related. Over time, however, it can be determined that, in fact, the disparate models are substantially related, and therefore it is desirable to utilize an output of one model as an input for a second model (e.g., data output from one data mining model can be utilized as input data and/or training data for a second data mining model). Utilizing conventional systems and/or methodologies, enabling an output of one data mining model to be employed as an input to a second data mining model requires significant custom programming as well as a substantial amount of time.
Another deficiency associated with data mining applications is that data mining models often need a significant amount of training data to operate properly. For instance, a new customer at a retail sales establishment will not be associated with data relating to such establishment. Therefore, data mining applications have difficulty in providing predictions or other relevant information to assist the customer or the retail establishment in recommending items. Therefore, developers of the data mining applications/models must write extensive code for special instances where no data is associated with a subject of a data mining model. An alternative conventional approach is to generate a static rule for all cases where insufficient training data exists—for instance, an individual may be utilizing a web-based retail establishment for a first time. Often, such establishments utilize virtual "shopping baskets" and recommend items to be placed within the basket by way of data mining model(s). A static rule can dictate that no recommendations are to be provided to customers who have not previously viewed and/or purchased items. Such rules, however, are inflexible despite user context and global statistics.
Moreover, in conventional data mining models/applications, users and/or developers are forced to specify a type of output. Particularly, for example, if it is desired that a time-series prediction be generated with respect to a data mining model, then a function specific to that prediction must be designated in order to obtain such prediction. Human error with respect to selecting a proper function can cause a user to be inconvenienced and/or a mining model to fail.
Conventional data mining models and/or applications are also quite expensive in terms of network usage as well as processing power usage with respect to clients utilizing a data mining application resident upon a server. For example, training a data mining model occurs on a server, where particular patterns are recognized. Predictions are generated by mapping input data with respect to existent recognized patterns, which are typically housed upon a server. Clients generally wish to review visualizations of patterns to determine results of the training. Conventionally, this visualization occurs by delivering an entirety of mining model content (e.g., pattern content) from the server to the client. The client can then analyze such content and generate a graphical display of results of the analysis. This retrieval and analysis of data is expensive, as client computers typically are not associated with processing power and memory of servers. Furthermore, networks can be subject to substantial traffic when a significant amount of data is retrieved from a server.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for systems and/or methodologies for improving usage and development of data mining models/applications.

Systems and methods that facilitate data mining


A process for the preparation of substituted 1,2,4-triazoline-3(2H)-ones of general formula (I) ##STR1## by reacting an amide of general formula (IV) ##STR2## with phosgen or thiophosgen or a phosgen substitute or thiophosgen substitute to a compound of general formula V ##STR3## and subsequent reaction of (V) with a compound of general formula (VI) or of an acid addition salt of (VI) EQU Q--NH--NH--CO--R.sup.26 (VI). to compounds of general formula (I).. Compounds of general formula (I) can be used as herbicides.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of 1,2,4-triazoline-3(2H)-ones, hereinafter also referred to in simplified form as triazolinones, a class of compound of general formula (I), ##STR4## where
X=O or S,
R.sup.1 =(C.sub.2 -C.sub.8) alkoxyalkyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.8) haloalkoxyalkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.8) alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.8) haloalkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.8) cyanoalkyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.8) alkylthioalkyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.8) alkylsulfinylalkyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.8) alkylsulfonylalkyl, (C.sub.7 -C.sub.8) arylalkyl for example benzyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.8) alkenyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.8) haloalkenyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.8) alkinyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.8) haloalkinyl, aryl for example naphthyl or phenyl, that may be substituted once or many times with halogen, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3) alkyl or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3) alkoxy, heteroaryl for example pyridine, where heteroaryl may optionally be substituted by halogen,
R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, independently of one another represent, H, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.6) alkoxyalkyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.6) haloalkoxyalkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) haloalkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) cyanoalkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) alkylthio, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.6) alkylthioalkyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.6) alkylsulfinylalkyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.6) alkylsulfonylalkyl, (C.sub.7 -C.sub.8) arylalkyl for example benzyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.6) alkenyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.6) haloalkenyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.6) alkinyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.6) haloalkinyl; aryl for example naphthyl or phenyl, that may be substituted once or many times with halogen, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3) alkyl or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3) alkoxy, heteroaryl for example pyridine, where
R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may also be associated to form a ring to produce structure (II), ##STR5## where
n and m independently of one another are 0, 1, 2 or 3,
Z=CR.sup.4 R.sup.5, O, S, S(O), S(O).sub.2, N((C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl), N((C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)haloalkyl), C.dbd.O, C.dbd.N--R.sup.4 or C.dbd.S,
R.sup.4 =H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3) alkyl, halogen, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) alkoxy, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) haloalkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) haloalkoxy, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.6) alkylcarbonyloxy or (C.sub.2 -C.sub.6) haloalkylcarbonyloxy,
R.sup.5 =H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3) alkyl or halogen, where R.sup.4 and R.sup.5, independently of one another, can substitute the ring once or many times and occupy up to 12 (m=3, n=3) positions,
Q stands for one of the radicals ##STR6## where
W=O or S,
R.sup.6 =H, halogen,
R.sup.7 =H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.8) alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.8) haloalkyl, halogen, OH, OR.sup.12, SH, S(O).sub.p R.sup.12, COR.sup.12, CO.sub.2 R.sup.12, C(O)SR.sup.12, C(O)NR.sup.14 R.sup.15, CHO, CR.sup.14 =NOR.sup.21, CHCR.sup.22 CO.sub.2 R.sup.12, CH.sub.2 CHR.sup.22 CO.sub.2 R.sup.12, CO.sub.2 N.dbd.CR.sup.16 R.sup.17, NO.sub.2, CN, NHSO.sub.2 R.sup.18, NHSO.sub.2 NHR.sup.18, NR.sup.12 R.sup.23, NH.sub.2 or phenyl, optionally substituted by R.sup.24,
p=0,1 or 2, R.sup.8 =(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2) alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.2) haloalkyl, OCH.sub.3, SCH.sub.3, OCHF.sub.2, halogen, CN or NO.sub.2,
R.sup.9 =H, (Cl-C.sub.3) alkyl or halogen,
R.sup.10 =H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3) alkyl, halogen, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3) haloalkyl, cyclopropyl, Vinyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 -alkinyl, CN, C(O)R.sup.23,CO.sub.2 R.sup.23, C(O)NR.sup.23 R.sup.25, CR.sup.19 R.sup.20 CN, CR.sup.19 R.sup.20 C(O)R.sup.23, CR.sup.19 R.sup.20 CO.sub.2 R.sup.23, CR.sup.19 R.sup.20 C(O)NR.sup.23 R.sup.25, CHR.sup.19 OH, CHR.sup.19 OC(O)R.sup.23 or OCHR.sup.19 OC(O)NR.sup.23 R.sup.25, or, when Q equals Q-2, R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 can together with the carbon atom to which they are bound be C.dbd.O,
R.sup.11 =H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) haloalkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6) haloalkenyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.6) alkoxyalkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6) alkenyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6) alkinyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6) haloalkinyl, (C.sub.4 -C.sub.7) cycloalkylalkyl, ##STR7##
R.sup.12 =(C.sub.1 -C.sub.8) alkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.8) cycloalkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.8) alkenyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.8) alkinyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.8) haloalkyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.8) alkoxyalkyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.8) alkylthioalkyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.8) alkylsulfinylalkyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.8) alkylsulfonylalkyl, (C.sub.4 -C.sub.8) alkoxyalkoxyalkyl, (C.sub.4 -C.sub.8) cycloalkylalkyl, (C.sub.6 -C.sub.8) cycloalkoxyalkyl, (C.sub.4 -C.sub.8) alkenyloxyalkyl, (C.sub.4 -C.sub.8) alkinyloxyalkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.8) haloalkoxyalkyl, (C.sub.4 -C.sub.8) haloalkenyloxyalkyl, (C.sub.4 -C.sub.8) haloalkinyloxyalkyl, (C.sub.6 -C.sub.8) cycloalkylthioalkyl, (C.sub.4 -C.sub.8) alkenylthioalkyl, (C.sub.4 -C.sub.8) alkinylthioalkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl, substituted by phenoxy or benzyloxy, each ring optionally substituted by halogen, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3) alkyl or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3) haloalkyl, (C.sub.4 -C.sub.8) trialkylsilylalkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.8) cyanoalkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.8) halocycloalkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.8) haloalkenyl, (C.sub.5 -C.sub.8) alkoxyalkenyl, (C.sub.5 -C.sub.8) haloalkoxyalkenyl, (C.sub.5 -C.sub.8) alkylthioalkenyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.8) haloalkinyl, (C.sub.5 -C.sub.8) alkoxyalkinyl, (C.sub.5 -C.sub.8) haloalkoxyalkinyl, (C.sub.5 -C.sub.8) alkylthioalkinyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.8) alkylcarbonyl, benzyl, optionally substituted by halogen, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3) alkyl or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3) haloalkyl, CHR.sup.19 COR.sup.13, CHR.sup.19 P(O)(OR.sup.13) CHR.sup.19 P(S) (OR.sup.13).sub.2, P(O) (OR.sup.13).sub.2, P(S)(OR.sup.13).sub.2, CHR.sup.19 C(O)NR.sup.14 R.sup.15, CHR.sup.19 C(O)NH.sub.2, CHR.sup.19 CO.sub.2 R.sup.13, CO.sub.2 R.sup.13, SO.sub.2 R.sup.13, phenyl, optionally substituted by R.sup.24, ##STR8##
R.sup.13 =(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) haloalkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6) alkenyl or (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6) alkinyl,
R.sup.14 and R.sup.16 =independently of one another, H or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl,
R.sup.15 and R.sup.17 =independently of one another, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl or phenyl, optionally substituted by halogen, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3) alkyl or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3) haloalkyl, or
R.sup.14 and R.sup.15 can, together with the nitrogen atom that binds them, form a piperidinyl-, pyrrolidinyl- or morpholinyl-ring, each ring optionally substituted by (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3) alkyl, phenyl or benzyl, or
R.sup.16 and R.sup.17 can, together with the carbon atom that binds them, be (C.sub.3 -C.sub.8) cycloalkyl,
R.sup.18 =(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) haloalkyl,
R.sup.19 and R.sup.20 =independently H or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5) alkyl,
R.sup.21 H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) alkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6) alkenyl or (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6) alkinyl,
R.sup.22 and R.sup.27 =independently of one another, H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl or halogen, or
R.sup.12 and R.sup.22 can together form a (C.sub.2 -C.sub.3) alkylen,
R.sup.23, R.sup.24 and R.sup.28 =independently of one another, H or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl,
R.sup.25 =(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2) alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.2) haloalkyl, OCH.sub.3, SCH.sub.3, OCHF.sub.2, halogen, CN or NO.sub.2 and
R.sup.26 =H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5) alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5) haloalkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6) cycloalkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6) halocycloalkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5) alkoxy, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5) haloalkoxy and phenyl, that may optionally be substituted up to three times optionally by halogen, NO.sub.2, cyano, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.2) alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.2) haloalkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.2) alkoxy or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.2) haloalkoxy,
R.sup.29 =H, halogen or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) alkyl,
R.sup.30 =H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl or halogen.
The compounds of formulae I or II are highly active herbicides, which act as protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor and control unwanted grasses and weeds, even when used in small amounts. I and II are, for example, of great interest for cultures with plantations where fast-growing and robust destructive plants impair the harvest. Thanks to the excellent selectivity of type I or II, these compounds can, however, also be used in cultivated plants, for example maize, soya, wheat or barley to combat destructive plants.
2. Related Art
Known processes for the preparation of compound I generally start with an appropriately substituted phenylhydrazine which is converted into the corresponding triazolidinone by reaction with an N-(1-alkoxy)alkylidene alkylcarbamate or with an .alpha.-ketocarboxylic acid derivative and by subsequent Schmidt rearrangement into the corresponding triazolidinones.
EP 0 220 952 for example describes the conversion carried out in xylene of 2-chlorophenyl hydrazine with N-(1-ethoxy)ethylidene ethylcarbamate into triazolinone unsubstituted in 4-position which is then alkylated in an independent reaction step in dimethylformamide into the tri-substituted triazolinone. It is very laborious to prepare bicyclic triazolinones in this manner.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,275 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,276 also describe processes for substituted triazolinones. Acid condensation of the phenyl hydrazine used with an a-ketocarboxylic acid first yields the hydrazone which undergoes Schmidt rearrangement by reaction with diphenyl phosphorylazide and is hereby converted into triazolinone. The triazolinone formed also has to be alkylated into the final compound in a subsequent reaction step. It is also very laborious to synthesise bicyclic triazolinones in this manner and the azide used causes problems of technical safety when the compounds are synthesised on an industrial scale.
In other known processes for the preparation of individual representatives of compound type II the reaction generally occurs via the corresponding amidrazone which is reacted to bicyclic compounds. ##STR9## DE 28 01 429 describes a process for the preparation of compounds of type II in which it is necessary to react 2-piperidone, that first has to be suitably activated using methods known from the literature (see Houben-Weyl, "Methoden der organischen Chemie", Vol. 11/2, p. 578; and DE-OS 19 12 739 and DE-OS 19 12 737) with the HCl-salt of the correspondingly substituted phenylhydrazine to amidrazone (III) (see DT-OS 22 35 177) and cyclisises the amidrazone formed with chloroformic acid methyl ester or phosgen into THF with addition of base to compounds of type II.
In another process (see PCT/WO 94/22828) N-carboxymethyl-2-iminopiperidine hydrochloride is described as activated intermediate compound. The hydrolysis-sensitive intermediate compound is coupled with the correspondingly substituted phenylhydrazine and then cyclisised by acid catalysis to form triazolinone.
The process according to EP 0 317 947 A2 for the synthesis of triazolinones includes the reaction of N-carboxyalkyl lactams with a phenylhydrazine to amidrazone by boiling under reflux in xylene. The bicyclic triazolinone is formed by reaction with phosgen. A disadvantage of the process is that the condensation step to amidrazone only produces a yield of 21 % in the presence of P.sub.4 O.sub.10 as dessicating agent.
The known processes have the disadvantages that they can, in part, only be realised via long synthesis routes which in part lead via intermediate steps that are laborious to produce and to treat, that they supply moderate yields and in part use costly and not always innocuous starting substances and that various by-products are formed which necessitate laborious purification steps.

Process for the preparation of triazolinone herbicides


The present invention relates to a portable card reader for communication with card provided with a chip, such as so called smart cards. The reader comprises processing means, a card holder for holding the card in contact with connection means to form a connection between said chip and said processing means, a display and entering means for manually entering information into the reader. The entering means comprises a roller for scrolling a predetermined set of input items, simultaneously being displayed on the display, and an entry key for selecting a presently chosen one of said input item.

The need for secure electronic transactions involving a user and a transaction system such as an Internet based shopping site or an automatic teller machine (ATM) at a bank, has increased dramatically during recent years. A major question relating to secure transactions is that of authentication of the user to the system. That is, how to identify a user as being the owner of, e.g., a bank account from which the user is to withdraw money from when using an ATM.
A well-established method of authenticating users in such systems is that of providing the user with an electronically readable device containing information about the user and his account. Such cards are common and contain magnetically stored information. In order to allow the user to use his card in an ATM, the issuer (e.g. the bank) has provided the user with a secret code to be supplied to the ATM when using the card. The code is used to "unlock" the card for use by the user every time the user makes use of his card.
However, a drawback of such a method is that one and the same code is used every time a user authenticates with a system. This increases the risk of unauthorized use of the card if the user loses the card.
To this end, portable code-generating devices has been developed, in which a new code is generated each time it is used, based on personalizing information provided by the user, such as a personal PIN-code. Such devices are generally of two types. A first type is specifically developed gadgets with entering means such as a keyboard, a display, a processor for generating the code, etc. However, the problems with such devices are that they are complicated and expensive to manufacture. A second type relates to so called smart cards or integrated circuit card (ICC), i.e. cards provided with a chip. Such cards are preferably in the size of a credit card, and comprising a plastic substrate and an integrated chip with an electric interface surface arranged on one side of the card. However, in order to access the information and/or services on the card, a card reader is needed, and such devices has hitherto been expensive, complicated to use and/or big and difficult to bring along. Accordingly, there is a need for a truly portable card reader, which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and easy and convenient to use.
Cards of the above-mentioned type have many further possible applications in which similar problems and drawbacks regarding the accessing means are present.

Card reader and a method for reading of cards


A motor control system is provided, and includes a motor, at least one differential amplifier configured to monitor phase current applied to the motor, and a current compensation controller. The current compensation controller is in communication with the at least one differential amplifier, and is configured to periodically determine a common-mode voltage of the at least one differential amplifier. The current compensation controller is also configured to determine a corrected phase current value based on the common mode voltage.

Closed loop current mode control of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), a surface permanent magnet (SPM) motor, or an interior permanent magnet (IPM) motor generally requires relatively accurate measurement of the phase current in order to maintain torque ripple created by the motor within specific limits. The phase current may be measured using a precision shunt resistor and a current sense differential amplifier. However, differential amplifiers not only amplify the differential voltage, but also some amount of common-mode voltage at the inputs. Therefore, when the phase current is calculated using the output voltage of the differential amplifier, the resulting current measurement has error due to the common-mode voltage present at the inputs at the time of the measurement.
If an anti-alias filter is used at the output of the differential amplifier, the effects of the common-mode voltage will vary as a function of a pulse width modulation (PWM) cycle. It should also be noted that the amount of common-mode voltage varies from part to part, and may be different depending on a specific differential amplifier. All of these factors present challenges when attempting to compensate for the common-mode voltage in a differential amplifier.

Motor control system having common-mode voltage compensation

Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation


A storage control apparatus comprising a plurality of channel control units each having an interface with an information processor; a disk control unit having an interface with a storage device for storing data; a cache memory for storing temporarily data to be interchanged between the information processor and the storage device; and an internal connector unit for connecting mutually the plurality of channel control units and the disk control unit, wherein the cache memory is disposed in each of the plurality of channel control units that are connected to one another through a dedicated data transfer path used for storing mutually the data stored in the cache memories.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a storage control apparatus, a storage system, a control method of the storage control apparatus, and a channel control unit.
2. Description of the Related Arts
Various devices have hitherto been used to improve the access speed of large-capacity storage devices employing magnetic disks as their storage media. As one of the devices, disposing a cache memory, which uses a semiconductor device as its storage medium, inside a storage control apparatus for controlling accesses to a storage device has been practiced. Thereby, once data has been read out from a magnetic disk, write/read can be carried out to the cache memory. Therefore, the access speed can be improved.
In a conventional storage control apparatus, configuration is such that a channel control unit for controlling input/output to a host computer and a disk control unit for controlling input/output to a storage device are connected via a network, with a cache memory being deployed on the network. The cache memory is often duplicated providing for loss of data.
However, such a configuration can be a factor preventing the improvement of performance because data accesses are concentrated to the cache memory when the scale of the computer system has been expanded and the numbers of host computers connected and magnetic disks in the storage device have been increased.
In order to avoid the above situation, it is effective that the band of the access path to the cache memory is shifted to a higher region. However, in this case, it is necessary to employ high-performance hardware, resulting in increased costs. Furthermore, as the scale of the system becomes larger, an access path of a higher band is necessary.
As a technique for avoiding such a problem, it was proposed that cache memories were deployed in a distributed manner (Refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 11-203201 for example).
However, though in the conventional art described above, the concentration of accesses to a cache memory can be alleviated by the distributed deployment of cache memories, paths on a data-path switch compete and this can be a factor for preventing the improvement of the performance of access when a multiplicity of accesses occur simultaneously since the accesses to the cache memories are made through the data-path switch (the network connecting the channel control unit and the disk control unit).
Furthermore, in a configuration wherein a plurality of cache memories are deployed in a distributed manner on the network connecting the channel control unit and the disk control unit, activity ratio of the network is increased and data competition tends to occur on the network since data transfers between the cache memories carried out for duplication and storage of data are carried out through the network.

Storage control apparatus, storage system, control method of storage control apparatus, channel control unit and program


In implementations of glyph weight modification, a glyph modification system represents an outline of an unmodified glyph as segments having start points and endpoints. The segments have directions based on the start points and the endpoints such that an endpoint of a segment is a start point of another segment. The system identifies features of the unmodified glyph based on the segment directions. A property of the unmodified glyph can be modified by changing coordinates of points of the segments based on the identified features. The glyph modification system generates a modified glyph having the modified property using the points of the segments with the changed coordinates.

When communicating a message using text, a visual appearance of the text is often an important part of the message being communicated. In some cases, the visual appearance of the text can be as important to the message as the substance of the text. As a result, type designers have created thousands of different typefaces, many of which include multiple fonts. Some conventional systems for changing a visual appearance of text enable graphic designers to convert the text to outlines which can then be modified on an individual basis to generate modified glyphs. For example, a graphic designer may modify individual glyphs to adjust a slant angle or modify a thickness of stems to change the visual appearance of the text. However, these conventional systems are undesirable because the modification of individual glyphs is labor intensive and the modified glyphs do not maintain important properties of text such as searchability.
Other conventional systems for modifying a visual appearance of text require at least two master fonts which are original fonts. These conventional systems can generate a new font by interpolating between the at least two master fonts. The visual appearance of the new font differs from a visual appearance of the at least two master fonts based on the interpolation. However, these systems require multiple font files and the generation of a new font file to change the visual appearance of the text. Conventional systems which allow a single font file to store a continuous range of design variants may also be used to change a visual appearance of text. However, these systems are limited to changing visual appearance using modification values of the single font file which may be limited in terms of the functionality which they can provide. For example, the modification values may only allow modification of a single visual feature of the text.


A discrete air bag tear seam is provided in the finishing cover of an interior component of an automotive vehicle. An applique installed on the cover has an elongated external decorator head concealing the tear seam. Elongated and laterally spaced retention flanges of the applique stabilize and releasably retain the cover at the tear seam. The applique is secured to a fixed retainer part of the component and operates by releasing the cover at the tear seam to form an air bag door in response to the forced outward movement of an underlying door substrate on air bag deployment. The underlying door substrate exerts a force on the cover and particularly the outer skin thereof and causes it to pull away from the applique starting at the concealed tear seam to establish an opening for improved air bag deployment.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to applique enhanced finishing covers for interior components of vehicles in which an air bag restraint is stored. More particularly, this invention relates to a new and improved applique for finishing covers having a discrete air bag door tear seam therein which is retained and hidden by the applique secured on the component. In this invention, the cover pulls away from the applique starting from the tear seam that forms a free edge of air bag door on air bag deployment.
2. Description of Related Art
Prior to the present invention various finishing covers have been provided for interior components such as instrument panels and steering wheels of automotive vehicles, which overlie air bags in their stored position. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,564 issued Mar 18, 1997 for "Method and Treatment for Forming an Air Bag Deployment opening in Leather Covered Trim", a pretreatment for decorative leather in an automotive trim piece produces an effective pre-weakening of the leather so that it can be readily severed by the forced opening of an underlying hinged door panel from a deploying air bag.
Moreover, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,557 issued Jan. 30, 1996 for "Air Bag Cover Having an Applique Fastened Thereto and Method of Manufacturing Same", an automotive air bag cover is provided with an air bag tear seam and a decorative fastened thereto. The cover encloses a stored and collapsed air bag. The decorative applique is fastened to the front cover adjacent the tear seam therein in a non-overlapping fashion such that the decorative applique does not interfere with the egress of the inflating air bag from the cover.
While these and other prior disclosures provide various arrangements for covering air bags in their stored condition and allow for subsequent air bag deployment, they do not disclose or suggest any applique for effectively holding a finishing cover in position or releasably retaining and concealing the tear seam of the cover for augmenting air bag deployment as in the present invention.

Applique for concealing and retaining cover tear seam for air bag


The present invention is directed to dietary compositions for treating patients having phenylketonuria and methods for making the dietary compositions. The compositions comprise a natural protein modified to eliminate phenylalanine from the protein's amino acid sequence. These modified proteins are synthesized from genes modified to eliminate phenylalanine codons from the reading frame of the native genes.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited metabolic disease of humans caused by the deficiency of, or low activity of, the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase. Phenylalanine hydroxylase normally functions in the human body to convert the amino acid phenylalanine to tyrosine. When this enzyme is deficient, phenylalanine and its abnormal breakdown products accumulate in the bloodstream. These breakdown products are harmful to developing cells of central nervous system, resulting in symptoms of mental retardation, developmental delay, and seizures. PKU is caused by recessive mutations in a single allele in the homozygous state. About 1 in every 15,000 infants born in the United States is homozygous for this allele.
Dietary therapies have been used to effectively treat infants with PKU and prevent PKU symptoms from appearing. All states require routine tests of all newborn babies to detect PKU homozygotes. Those identified at birth are put on a special diet containing low amounts of phenylalanine. These diets provide enough phenylalanine (an essential amino acid) to supply dietary needs but not enough to permit toxic accumulations.
On the basis of 32 years of experience, it is now clear that administration of low phenylalanine diets, especially during at least the first fifteen years of life (when brain development is still in progress), allow PKU individuals to develop normally. However, PKU individuals must continue to maintain a diet low in phenylalanine throughout their entire life to avoid intellectual impairment and behavioral or psychological disorders caused by elevated blood levels of phenylalanine.
Dietary compliance of a pregnant PKU female is particularly important to ensure normal development of her child. Since phenylalanine is selectively concentrated by the placenta in the amniotic fluid of a pregnant female, maternal blood levels as low as 3-4 times normal levels can harm the developing fetus and lead to birth defects (heart and brain defects). The occurrence of birth defects arising from the mother's elevated phenylalanine levels is typically referred to as Maternal PKU Syndrome. To prevent Maternal PKU Syndrome, a PKU mother-to-be must be placed on a low phenylalanine diet prior to conception.
Dietary therapy using phenylalanine-deficient amino acid mixtures was first reported in 1953 by Bickel et al. Current treatment focuses upon the use of a low-phenylalanine diet consisting of a special metabolic formula with supplemental low-protein foods. The metabolic formulas are composed of crystalline amino acids, fats, carbohydrate sources, trace minerals and vitamins to provide a food with high amino acid content that is low or totally deficient in phenylalanine. The total dietary phenylalanine intake of a phenylketonuria individual receiving the special formulas is determined by the content of the table foods other than formula. Since dietary treatment is mandatory for the life of the individual and all high-quality protein has a substantial content of phenylalanine, intake of meats and dairy products is prohibited. Unfortunately, the administration of metabolic formulas to PKU individuals is complicated by poor palatability and odor, limited solubility of certain amino acids, and inadequate resistance to thermal degradation associated with baking or cooking.
Previous workers have altered the amino acid composition of the formulas to reduce the content of methionine and increase the amount of glutamine to improve the taste and odor, in an attempt to enhance not only the palatability of the product but also the social acceptance of medical food by family members. Other producers have also packaged the formula in fruit bar form to help disguise the taste.
The present invention solves the problem of poor palatability, taste, and processibility by utilizing an intact phenylalanine-deficient protein that supplies most of the required essential amino acids in a form (a protein) that does not have an appreciably bad taste or odor. The phenylalanine-deficient proteins of the present invention are intact natural proteins, most typically native plant proteins, that have been modified, other than by hydrolysis, to reduce or eliminate phenylalanine from the amino acid sequence of the protein. The term "intact protein" as used in accordance with the present invention is defined as an unhydrolyzed natural/native protein comprising a continuous series of amino acids linked together through peptide bonds. The term is used to distinguish the present phenylalanine deficient protein compositions over compositions comprising hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed proteins. The intact, modified natural proteins of the present invention may be used as a supplement in formulas or combined with protein deficient products and cooked in a manner similar to traditional foods.
Advantageously, the intact modified proteins retain many physical properties of the parent protein, including solubility characteristics, low odor and minimal taste, which allow it to be mixed into liquids, baked, or cooked in traditional mixtures. These properties make the protein products of the present invention superior to crystalline amino acid formulations, fractionated protein hydrolysis products or synthetic polypeptides.
One object of the present invention is to modify the amino acid sequence of a natural protein to reduce or eliminate phenylalanine from the amino acid sequence of the protein. These intact, modified natural proteins provide a protein supplement for use in dietary therapies for PKU patients to minimize the physiological symptoms of PKU.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a method for synthesizing phenylalanine free protein.
Many protein sources are nutritionally incomplete in that they lack one or more of the essentials amino acids for proper nutrition of higher animals. A further object of the present invention is to increase the nutritional content of natural proteins by modifying the amino acid content of the intact protein to provide a protein that contains all the essential amino acids except phenylalanine.


A damping member includes a damper bracket fixed to an upper link bracket, a mass bracket Joined to the damper bracket via an elastic body, and a mass for vibration control supported by the mass bracket, an upper link bracket is provided on a rear axle housing for supporting one end of the upper link supported at another end thereof relative to a vehicle body, the upper link bracket has a wall portion for accommodating the damping member therein, and a stopper portion is provided on the damper bracket in oposition to an end part of the mass for enclosing the mass in cooperation with the wall portion of the upper link bracket.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dynamic damper structure for controlling vibrations of a vehicle body.
2. Description of Relevant Art
There has conventionally been a problem such that vibrations from a power train are transmitted to a vehicle body through a propeller shaft, axle shafts and upper links.
A particular conventional example will be explained with reference to a rear suspension apparatus shown in FIG. 1 (Structure of Chassis (I), New Edition: Published by Sankaido in 1995). A rear differential apparatus connected to a rear end of an unshown propeller shaft is accommodated in and supported by a rear differential housing 1. Right and left rear axles are connected to both side gears of the rear differential apparatus. The right and left rear axles are accommodated in and supported by rear axle housings 3 integral with the rear differential housing 1. Right and left rear wheel hubs 5 are connected to ends of the right and left rear axles in an interlocking manner. Upper link brackets 7 are mounted on the rear axle housings 3. Each upper link bracket 7 supports one end of an upper link 9 that constitutes a suspension link of which another end is supported relative to a vehicle body. Designated at reference character 11 is a shock absorber, 13 is a coil spring, 15 is a lower control arm, and 17 is a lateral control rod.
The rear axle housing 3 accommodating the rear axle is supported relative to the vehicle body via the upper link 9, lower control arm 15 and lateral control rod 17. Accordingly, when a driving force is transmitted from a power train end through the propeller shaft, rear differential apparatus and rear axle to the rear wheel hub 5, vibrations at the power train end are transmitted from the rear axle housing 3 to the vehicle body, via the upper link bracket 7 and the upper link 9. To this point, an improvement has been desired.
In such the case, a so-called dynamic damper structure may be provided in the rear axle housing 3 and the like. In a peripheral portion of a typical rear axle housing 3, however, there are crowded with many parts such as brake horses so that it is spatially difficult to install a dynamic damper structure.
Further, since the dynamic damper structure has a mass for control, it is required to limit a motion of the mass at a time of rear end collision of the vehicle and the like so as to control effects to the other parts. The provision of a special member results in an unfavorable increase in number of parts.


A method for confirmation of an electronic transaction using a blockchain includes: receiving transaction data, the transaction data including a transaction amount and currency code; generating a transaction message formatted based on one or more standards including a first data element configured to store the transaction amount, a second data element configured to store the currency code, and a third data element configured to store an invoice identifier; transmitting the transaction message to a financial institution via a payment network; receiving a return message from the financial institution via the payment network formatted based on the one or more standards and including a data element configured to store the transaction amount, currency code, and invoice identifier; and generating a hash value based on application of hashing algorithms to the transaction amount, currency code, and invoice identifier stored in the data element included in the received return message.

When an electronic transaction is conducted between two parties, such as a consumer and a merchant, the consumer may provide their payment information to the merchant in return for goods or services. The merchant may run the payment information immediately, and the consumer may receive their purchase moments after. However, in many systems, settlement of the transaction between financial institutions on behalf of each of the two parties may take a considerably longer amount of time, often measured in days. Until the settlement is completed, the merchant does not receive their payment from their financial institution, and the charge on the consumer's account with their financial institution is listed as pending.
As a result, it may be beneficial to all entities involved if the settlement process could be completed faster, as the consumer's account would be up-to-date sooner and the merchant would receive their funds more quickly. However, existing settlement processes often include the relaying of several transaction messages back and forth across a payment network. Payment networks typically process hundreds of millions of transactions each day, each of which requires the routing of at least two transaction messages: an authorization request from an acquirer to an issuer and an authorization response from the issuer back to the acquirer. Due to the urgency of transaction processing, which is often measured in nano- or milliseconds for consumer and merchant convenience, settlement is often not performed as quickly due to bandwidth and performance issues, and instead is typically performed during times when transactions are conducted less frequently.
Thus, existing payment network systems are often unable to perform immediate settlement for electronic transactions due to the vast number of transactions being processed and bandwidth and resource limits of existing systems. As a result, there is a need for a technical solution where settlement of electronic transactions can be performed quickly and without added stress on existing payment rails.

Method and system for gross settlement by use of an opaque blockchain


A telephone-answering device responsive to human speech answers a telephone with a pre-recorded message and places the caller on hold until the called party can physically reach a telephone.

The present invention relates generally to voice-activated switches and telephone answering devices, specifically, the present invention relates to a voice-activated switch that answers the telephone with a pre-recorded message and places the caller on hold.
Telephones traditionally use sound (e.g. ringing) to notify people that a caller is trying to connect to them, thereby notifying all people within hearing distance of the telephone. Furthermore, a limited amount of time is normally provided for answering the telephone, either by the calling party, by telephone answering devices or by the telephone network itself. Since traditionally, answering the telephone requires physically handling the telephone, time pressure is created by the need to move from a location within hearing distance of the telephone""s ringing to the telephone itself. The effect of this time pressure ranges from occasional inconvenience for people who can move quickly, to frequently being unusable for people who""s physical ability limits the speed with which they can answer the telephone. Other factors which add to the time pressure are being involved in a task which it is difficult or costly to immediately set aside when the phone rings, or tasks requiring hand washing prior to handling a telephone.
One commonplace response to these problems has been the cordless phone, which, if it is always kept close-by, eliminates the potential distance between the telephone and the called party. Limitations of this answer to the problem include the inconvenience of carrying the cordless phone with you, the need to eventually recharge it in its cradle (during which time it is not addressing the problem stated above), and the typical problem of forgetting where one has left it, potentially increasing the standard amount of time pressure to answer the phone.
Another widely available response to these problems is the return-call service provided by many local exchange carriers. This service allows one to easily call back a party who recently called, but you were unable to speak with due to difficulty in answering the phone in time. Disadvantages of this solution include additional fees payable to the carrier, limitations on its ability to return long-distance calls, inconvenience for the caller if they have needlessly left a recorded message, and some modest inconvenience and wasted time for the called party.
Telephone answering devices (TADs) are another partial solution to these problems by allowing extra time to pick up the phone while a caller leaves a message. Problems with this approach include the inconvenience caused to callers who needlessly attempt to create a message, the variable and potentially short amount of time gained while they are leaving the message, commonplace problems getting the TAD to stop when the phone is picked up, and the cases where callers hang up rather than needing to formulate and leave a message.
Several prior art devices attempt to solve these problems through the use of a remote-control switch, including U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,593 and German patent 2918494. As was noted regarding cordless phones, the need to carry around a device is in of itself an inconvenience, and sometimes results in the need to search for the remote control device. Furthermore, in an area where multiple people, including visitors may need to answer a phone, it is impractical to outfit all of them with remote control devices.
A commercial device that answers some of the issues raised in this discussion is a speakerphone by Southwestern Bell(trademark), which answers incoming calls if it detects a sequence of handclaps. Disadvantages of this device, however, are the need to free the hands in order to clap, the physical skill required to clap loudly enough in the correct pattern, and the need to begin the conversation immediately, even if the called party does not want the caller to hear the other sounds that may be present in the area of the speakerphone.
Several objects and advantages of the present invention are:
(1) To provide physically disabled or elderly people with additional time to move to the location of a ringing telephone;
(2) To provide people with additional time to answer a ringing telephone even if they are a large distance from the location of the telephone;
(3) To provide people with additional time to answer a ringing telephone when they are performing a task that they do not want to immediately cease, or a task that requires hand washing prior to touching the telephone;
(4) To provide people with the opportunity to answer a telephone call in time, yet also have the time required to walk to a telephone extension of their choosing prior to beginning their conversation;
(5) To clearly relate to the calling party what is occurring when the phone is answered and placed on hold until the caller can arrive;
(6) To diminish the time pressure associated with answering a ringing telephone without requiring the called party to carry a physical device with them;
(7) To allow a ringing telephone to be answered from a distance without exposing the calling party to all of the sounds present in the vicinity of the telephone or telephone answering device;
(8) To diminish the time pressure associated with answering a ringing telephone without requiring the payment of per-use or subscription fees;
(9) To assist in the answering of a ringing telephone while minimizing the need to learn new physical skills toward this end;
(10) To provide a predictable additional period of time for answering a ringing telephone when it is desired, while minimizing the inconvenience on the calling party;
(11) To provide a method of remotely answering a ringing telephone while minimizing the likelihood of inadvertently triggering the answering device.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a telephone-answering device is responsive to human speech, provides a message to callers, and places them on hold until the called party can physically reach a telephone.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent when the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention are considered in conjunction with the drawings which should be construed in an illustrative and not limiting sense as follows:

Method and apparatus for answering a telephone with speech


A grating coupler may be fabricated by exposing a photopolymer layer to grating forming light for forming periodic refractive index variations in the photopolymer layer. The photopolymer layer may be exposed to apodization light for reducing an amplitude of the periodic refractive index variations in a spatially-selective manner. The apodization may also be achieved or facilitated by subjecting outer surface(s) of the photopolymer layer to a chemically reactive agent that causes the refractive index contrast to be reduced near the surface(s) of application. The apodized refractive index profile of the gratings facilitates the reduction of optical crosstalk between different gratings of the grating coupler.

An artificial reality system may include a near-eye display (e.g., a headset or a pair of glasses) configured to present content to a user. The near-eye display may display virtual objects or combine images of real objects with virtual objects, as in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), or mixed reality (MR) applications. For example, in an AR system, a user may view both images of virtual objects (e.g., computer-generated images (CGIs)) and the surrounding environment by seeing through a "combiner" component, which is a physical structure where display light and environmental light merge as one within the user's field of view. The combiner of a wearable heads-up display is typically transparent to environmental light but includes some light routing optic to direct the display light into the user's field of view.
Wearable heads-up displays may employ lightguides as transparent or translucent combiners. Lightguides typically consist of plates of a transparent material with a higher refractive index then the surrounding medium, usually air. Light input into the plate propagates along the length of the plate as long as the light continues to be incident at boundaries between the plate and the surrounding medium at an angle above the critical angle. Lightguides employ in-coupling and out-coupling elements to ensure that light follows a specific path along the waveguide and then exits the waveguide at specific location(s) to create an image visible to the user. The in-coupling and out-coupling elements need to accurately convey the angular distribution of brightness of the in-coupled light beam to the user's eyes to prevent distortion and splitting of the displayed images.

Apodization of refractive index profile in volume gratings