Separate manifold blocks are connected to the ends of tubular piston rod end portions of linear hydraulic motors that are parts of a drive assembly for a reciprocating slat conveyor. The manifold blocks are removably connected together by bolts and when connected complete passageways in the manifold block assembly that connect the linear hydraulic motors with each other and with pressure and return conduits. The end portions of the linear hydraulic motors are connected to transverse mounting frame members by spaced apart clamp assemblies. The clamp connections stiffen the end portions of the linear hydraulic motors and minimize deflection at the centers of the linear hydraulic motors.

The present invention is an improvement on the drive/frame assemblies that are disclosed by my U.S. Pat. No. Re 35,022, granted Aug. 22, 1995, and entitled Reduced Size Drive/Frame Assembly For A Reciprocating Floor Conveyor; by my U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,467, granted Dec. 15, 1987, and entitled Combined Linear Hydraulic Motor And Transfer Valve; and by my U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,893, granted Jun. 7, 1988, and entitled Drive/Frame Assembly For A Reciprocating Floor.
U.S. Pat. No. Re 25,022, discloses fixed piston rods and piston heads and movable cylinders to which transverse drive beams are connected. In the illustrated embodiment, the piston rods are continuous and are clamped at their ends to transverse mounting beams 88, 90. In my U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,712,467 and 4,748,893 the piston rods are divided into first and second parts. The outer ends of the piston rod parts are bolted to transverse mounting frame members. A piston head is provided at the inner end of each piston rod part. The piston rod parts are hollow and serve as passageways for the motive fluid.
In the present invention, the piston rods are divided into two parts, each with a piston head at its inner end. The piston part rods are hollow and serve as passage ways for the motive fluid. A fluid supply and control system is provided that is simpler than the systems disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,712,467 and 4,748,893. The outer end portions of the piston rods are clamped to the transverse mounting frame members and sequencing valves are located endwise outwardly of the outer ends of the piston rods.
Providing an improved drive/frame assembly for a reciprocating slat conveyor is the principal object of the present invention. Another object is to provide an improved manifold of sectional instruction that can be easily assembled and disassembled.


A motorized vehicle having a wheel retraction apparatus, comprising: a plurality of rear wheels and at least one front wheel; a lower chassis having a foot surface mounted thereon; and a wheel retraction apparatus mechanically connected to said lower chassis and set to extract and retract said plurality of rear wheels from and towards said lower chassis and to fixate said plurality of rear wheels in a plurality of different widths from one another; wherein a distance between an axis passing through the centers of said plurality of rear wheels and said at least one front wheel is reduced when said plurality of rear wheels are retracted towards said lower chassis.

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to motorized vehicles and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a foldable motorized vehicle.
The popularity of personal mobility vehicles has dramatically increased over the last several decades. This increase in the popularity of personal mobility vehicles is due to many factors including the advent of new structural material as well as new manufacturing techniques.
Although known personal mobility vehicles provide the desired mobility to the user, the known personal mobility vehicles suffered from certain disadvantages. Firstly, the known personal mobility vehicles are difficult to store during nonuse of the personal mobility vehicle. In general, the size of the known personal mobility vehicles prohibited the storage of the personal mobility vehicle within a closet or a small room. Secondly, the known personal mobility vehicles are difficult to transport in a conventional automobile. In order to transport a personal mobility vehicle of the prior art in a conventional automobile, the personal mobility vehicle had to be dissembled prior to being placed into the luggage compartment of the conventional automobile. Thirdly, the known personal mobility vehicles are difficult to lift in an assembled condition. Known personal mobility vehicles art could be transported in a small truck, small van or a sports utility vehicle in an assembled form. Unfortunately, because of the overall size of the assembled known personal mobility vehicles, a lift, hoist or two individuals were required in order to lift the personal mobility vehicle from the ground to the luggage compartment of the small truck, small van or the sports utility vehicle.
Some in known personal mobility vehicles have attempted to solve the problems of the transportation and storage of a personal mobility vehicle by collapsing or folding the personal mobility vehicle. The following U.S. patents represent several attempts of the prior art to provide a collapsible or foldable personal mobility vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,002 B1 to Choi et al. discloses a wheelchair having a seat and a plurality of wheels for rolling the wheelchair along a ground surface. The seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat bottom. The seat back is movable between a folded position and an unfolded position. The seat bottom has a back end formed from a first curved shape, and the seat back has a bottom end formed from a second curved shape. The first curved shape of the seat bottom is sized to mate with the second curved shape of the seat back when the seat back is in the unfolded position. A motor coupled to each rear wheel and a control stick is in communication with each motor for independently operating each of the motors to drive and steer the wheel chair.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,252 B1 to Schaffner et al. discloses a power chair comprising a frame transversely foldable between operating and transport positions. A seat is connected to the frame, with a pair of drive wheels also connected to the frame. The drive wheels are rotatable about a transverse axis below a portion of the seat supporting an occupant's thighs. The power chair further includes motors for driving respective drive wheels. Perspective motor drive wheel combinations are pivotally connected to the frame. At least one ground-engaging idler wheel is connected to the frame, located rearward of the drive wheels. At least one anti-tip wheel is positioned above ground, forward of the drive wheels, and connected to the frame for movement relative to the frame upon encountering an obstacle.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,451,848 discloses a foldable personal mobility vehicle is disclosed comprising first and second units having first and second wheels being rotatable about first and second axles. A drive unit rotates the second wheel for moving the foldable personal mobility vehicle. A pivot disposed substantially parallel to the first and second axles pivotally connects the first unit to the second unit for folding the personal mobility vehicle. The foldable personal mobility vehicle may include a folding unit for automatically folding the foldable personal mobility vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,967,095 discloses a powered vehicle has a rear frame assembly and a front frame assembly that is pivotally attached to one another, and can be pivoted from a normal fully-extended operating position to a folded position in which the frame assemblies are positioned substantially adjacent to one another, effectively reducing overall vehicle length to about half. One or more latch members lock the front and rear frame assemblies in the fully-extended, normal operating position, and they may be used to lock the frame assemblies in the folded position. The seat support structure may be integrated with the front and rear frame assemblies such that pivoting the frame assemblies toward the folded position collapses the seat support. The steering tiller may also be collapsible toward the front frame assembly. The rear wheels may be mounted on a transaxle that is pivotally mounted on the rear frame assembly. An extendable handle may be provided to assist in the folding operation and to tow the collapsed vehicle on its anti-tip rollers.


A method for continuously producing a sheet of dough from a dough mass stored in a hopper comprises supplying the dough mass vertically downward toward a pair of opposing rollers located at the bottom of a dough-feeding hopper, rotating the rollers in opposite directions, and repeatedly increasing and decreasing a gap between the rollers to repeatedly alter the pressure applied to the dough passing therebetween.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for continuously and uniformly supplying highly viscous and elastic dough through a narrow space at the bottom of a hopper during a bread-making process.
2. Prior Art
Dough is a fluid material with a high viscosity and elasticity due to its gel structure. This high viscosity causes a dough mass to resist stretching into a sheet by uniform and continuous feeding from a hopper through a narrow space between opposing rotating rollers.
A conventional apparatus which may be used to form a dough sheet using opposing horizontal rollers is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 5-3253 and 6-37. Dough is continuously fed between the rollers, which press the dough to form a sheet having a constant thickness and width. However, this conventional apparatus cannot make a thin sheet of dough. Also, this conventional apparatus does not completely prevent the loss of elasticity of the dough.
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional apparatus. This conventional apparatus includes a hopper 1 which stores a dough mass 3. Rollers 2 and 2' are positioned below a bottom opening of the hopper. The rollers 2 and 2' are fixedly positioned opposite to each other and such that a fixed gap c is formed where the rollers 2 and 2' face each other.
The conventional apparatus cannot be used to form a sheet of high viscosity dough for the following reasons. A study revealed that, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when the rollers 2 and 2' are rotated in the direction of arrows a, the dough 3 in the hopper 1 flows in the directions of arrows b1 and b2 (that is, upward away from the gap c). This phenomenon is caused by stresses in the dough 3 which are located at and above the gap c. As the rollers 2 and 2' rotate in the directions of arrows a to push the dough 3 in opposite directions toward the gap c, the two flows collide with each other, and then flow together in the directions of arrows b1 and b2 (that is, away from the gap c between the rollers 2 and 2'). The reason why the dough 3 flows away from the gap c is that the amount of stress in the dough 3 adjacent the gap c is higher than that at an upper portion of the dough 3. Thus, it is difficult for the dough to flow toward the gap c between the rollers 2 and 2'.
In an alternative conventional method, in order to uniformly and continuously produce a sheet of dough, dough portions are separated from a dough mass prior to pressing between a pair of rollers. In particular, a piston and a cylinder are provided at the bottom of the hopper. A predetermined amount of dough mass is drawn by the piston into the cylinder, then the dough portion is separated (cut) from the remainder of the dough mass, and, finally, the separated dough portion is extruded by the piston from the cylinder such that it passes between a pair of opposing rollers. These steps are repeated such that a continuous dough sheet is produced by the rollers.
Several problems are associated with the above-mentioned conventional method. First, the piston and cylinder mechanism, along with the associated separating process, is complex. Further, the process steps repeatedly exert a shearing stress on the dough, thereby causing the dough to lose elasticity. Thus, a resting step is needed after the sheet is formed, and a chemical additive such as potassium bromide is typically used to allow the elasticity to recover before bread is made from the dough sheet.

Method for continuously and uniformly supplying dough


A system and method for aligning data transferred across circuit boundaries having different clock domains. The system includes a buffer circuit comprising a latch for receiving data clocked in a first clock domain and latching the received data in a second clock domain by one of a first edge of a second clock signal, or a second opposite edge of the second clock signal. The first and second clock signals are of the same frequency but operating out of phase. A control circuit receives the first and second clock signals and determines a phase relationship therebetween. The control circuit generates a control signal based on the determined phase relationship which is implemented for selecting one of a rising edge of the second clock signal, or a falling edge of the second clock signal, for latching action in the second clock domain. Reliable data transfer operation is provided for all possible phase relationships of the first and second clock signals.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to high-speed, synchronous data transfer operations, and particularly, to a single stage delay clock crossing buffer circuit for enabling data transfer operations from a device being clocked at one domain, to another device clocked at a same frequency, but out of phase.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In many digital systems, there are often used independent clocks to drive different functional circuits. For example, certain processing blocks, e.g., bus, memory, I/O, may all operate on independent clocks. In complex logic designs having multiple clock domains, it is frequently required that data be transferred from one such clock domain to another such clock domain. Various techniques for such transfer are known to those skilled in the art; the technique selected being dependent on latency requirements, whether the clock frequencies are similar, etc.
A clock-domain crossing occurs when a signal data clocked by a first clock, e.g. a data transmit clock, is sampled by a register clocked by a second clock, e.g., receive clock, that is asynchronous to the transmit clock. FIG. 1(a) illustrates a circuit structure according to the prior art that includes an electronic flip-flop device 112, e.g., a D-flip flop, which is clocked in clock domain 110 by CLOCK_A, the output of which is connected to the input of another flip-flop device 124 which is clocked in a second clock domain 120 by CLOCK_B. If CLOCK_A and CLOCK_B are guaranteed to be the same frequency, then these domains are not asynchronous to each other, and for some phase relationships between CLOCK_A and CLOCK_B, the data transfer will function correctly. However for some phase relationships between CLOCK_A and CLOCK_B, the data will transition at the input to the second flip-flop device such that the setup and/or hold time of the flip-flop is violated. That is, the data signal may change value very close to the edge of the receive Clock_B, causing the output of the sampling device enter a meta-stable state or latch an erroneous value. As a result, the circuit will fail for these cases.
FIG. 1(b) illustrates a circuit structure according to the prior art that includes a flip-flop device 132 which is clocked in clock domain 130 by CLOCK_A, the output of which is connected to the input of another flip-flop device 142 which is clocked in a second clock domain 140 by CLOCK_B. Whereas the flip-flop device 124 in FIG. 1(a) was clocked by the rising edge of CLOCK_B, the flip-flop device 142 in FIG. 1(b) is clocked by the falling edge of CLOCK_B. The output of flip-flop 142 connects to an additional flip-flop device 144 which is clocked by the rising edge of CLOCK_B, thus providing equivalent phase alignment for the two cases. As in the circuit of FIG. 1(a), the circuit of FIG. 1(b) will work for some phase relationships between the clocks and will fail for other phase relationships.
For example, assuming that in each case (FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b)) the propagation delay of data from the rising edge of CLOCK_A, through the first flip-flop device, to the input of the second flip-flop device is less than one half of the clock cycle. Then, the phase relationships for which the circuit in FIG. 1(a) fails are mutually exclusive with the phase relationships for which the circuit in FIG. 1(b) fails. Since the phase relationship between CLOCK_A and CLOCK_B is unknown, neither circuit in FIG. 1 may be used reliably.
To avoid unpredictable behavior this instability, circuits must be designed to properly synchronize all signals that cross clock domain.
One typical solution to the problem, when transferring data from one clock domain to another of the same frequency, a large clock crossing buffer is provided with a write and read pointer incrementing from the respective clocks through the buffers. This approach has a data delay directly associated with the number of buffers. For instance, assuming that data must be transferred continuously across this clock domain crossing, one such solution is to implement a First-In First-Out (FIFO) register file. Data is written to the FIFO synchronous to CLOCK_A, and is read from the FIFO synchronous to CLOCK_B. The write address and read address are initialized such that at any given moment the FIFO register being written is never the same as the FIFO register being read. While effective, this solution requires a FIFO register N-deep and n-bit wide register file, where n is the width of the data path, and N is typically greater than or equal to 4. This solution also introduces approximately N/2 clock cycles of latency into the data path.
It would thus be highly desirable to provide a circuit structure and method for transferring data from one clock domain to another clock domain where the two clock domains are of the same frequency, and have fixed but unknown phase relationship to each other.
It would thus be highly desirable to provide a circuit structure and method for transferring data from one clock domain to another utilizing one or two buffers without violating set up and hold times.

System and method for data phase realignment

International Business Machines Corporation


An ultrasound simulator to train radiologists and technologists to locate and recognize patent and fused cranial sutures. The model is formed, for example, using specially fabricated heads or from life-sized plastic doll heads. Simulated suture lines are cut in the heads in anatomically correct positions. The typical end-to-end morphology of the sagittal and metopic sutures and the typical beveled appearance of the paired coronal and lambdoid sutures are created by angling the cutting blade. The hypoechoic appearance of patent sutures in ultrasound images is simulated by filling the gaps that were formed by cutting with a hypoechoic material. Fused echoic sutures are simulated by leaving that portion of the doll's head uncut, or by filling the openings with an echoic material. When imaged using ultrasound, the portions cut and filled with a hypoechoic material are readily distinguishable from uncut portions, and from portions cut and filled with an echoic material.

Abnormal head shapes in children can be caused by either positional molding (a change in head shape due to a child's preferential head position during sleep), or a more serious condition referred to as craniosynostosis (the premature fusion of a skull suture). The distinction is critical. Positional molding responds to minimally disruptive treatments such as frequent positional changes during sleep, or the use of a corrective helmet. On the other hand, craniosynostosis requires an extensive surgical procedure.
Computerized tomography (CT) is a diagnostic procedure that can be employed to determine if an abnormal head shape is caused by craniosynostosis. CT suffers from the disadvantages of relying on ionizing radiation (exposure to which in children is to be avoided when possible), frequently requiring the sedation of young children, and being expensive. An alternative screening method to detect and assess skull sutures in children with abnormally shaped heads would be desirable.
Ultrasound is a well accepted screening technology that uses sound waves, rather than ionizing radiation. In addition, ultrasound equipment is generally less costly than CT equipment, and much more readily available. Hence the cost of ultrasound screening is significantly less than CT screening. Sedation of patients is generally not required during ultrasound screening. However, as in any ultrasound screening procedure, thorough knowledge of anatomy and hands-on experience are important in acquiring accurate images and providing accurate interpretation. Medical training models that can be used to train radiologists and technicians to assess the skull sutures in children with abnormally shaped heads using ultrasound simply are not readily available.
It would be desirable to provide a lifelike model of an infant patient with fused and/or patent sutures that can be used to train radiologists and technicians to assess craniosynostosis in children using ultrasound. Such a model should enable trainees to acquire familiarity with the ultrasound scanning techniques and the required understanding of skull anatomy, and also to become familiar with the range of normal and abnormal findings they are likely to encounter with real patients.

Ultrasound simulator for craniosynostosis screening


A system including a radio frequency identification (RFID) network and a wireless local area network (WLAN). The RFID network transfers ultra-wide band signals between a reader and a tag. In the wireless local area network (WLAN) an access point communicates with a WLAN transceiver using WLAN signals. The reader is operatively attached to either the wireless access point or the WLAN transceiver and the WLAN is a back haul network of the RFID network. Co-existence of the two networks is provided either by time division between the ultra-wide band signals and WLAN signals; and/or receiver isolation of said RFID network from said WLAN signals.

Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) is a method of storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags. An RFID tag is a small object that can be attached to a product, animal, or person. RFID tags receive and respond to radio-frequency queries from an RFID reader. RFID tags can be either active or passive Passive tags require no internal power source, whereas active tags require a power source. Active RFID tags have an internal power source, and typically have longer range and larger memories than passive tags.
An RFID system includes several components including mobile tags, tag readers, and application software. The RFID system enables a query to be received by the mobile tag and the tag responds with data. The data is received by an REID reader and processed according to the needs of a particular application. The data transmitted by the tag may provide identification or location information, or specifics about the product tagged, such as price, color, date of purchase.
RF identification (RFID) systems are used to track objects, animals and/or people in a large range of applications. As an example, RFID is used to track books in a library. Security gates includes an RF transceiver as part of the RFID reader which detects whether or not a book has been properly checked out of the library. When the book returns, the tag attached to the book is detected and an appropriate record is updated in the library system. In another application, RFID readers previously located in a warehouse are used to identify certain objects (for example, on a track entering the warehouse), or to find the location of certain objects, by communicating with their tags and measuring the position of their tags.
A RFID system employs tags on various objects and readers of the tags in a given space. The main function of an RFID is to enable identifying the objects and possibly reading and writing data of the objects to and from the respective tags. Often the RFID system allows tracking the location of the objects via the respective tag location.
In certain RFID applications, it is important to ascertain that the identified tag is located within a certain distance from the reader. For example, the identification of the tag may be required in order to open a door to an access-limited area. If a tag which is positioned remotely from the reader is identified by the reader, the door may be opened to an unauthorized individual. Limiting transmission range of the reader is not a potential solution to this problem because near the limit of the transmission range tags may not be identified for instance due to different tag orientations and/or on occlusion between the tag and reader. Ultra-wide band communications is particularly useful for determining distance and location of RFID tags. PCT International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2003/098528, (PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL2003/00358), entitled "Method and system for distance determination of RF tags" is incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. PCT/IL2003/00358 discloses an RFID system having the capability of automatically identifying unknown tags by sending a broadcast interrogation ultra wide-band (UWB) message signal and receiving responses from tags that receive the message signal.
As known in the art of RFID systems, the Readers are devices which identify and concentrate the data from the tags. An RFID system is a useful tool to obtain resource and location information for resource management applications. Resource management applications are typically run at least in part using computers connected over a LAN. As an example, an aircraft is being assembled in a hangar. Information regarding each part both before and after assembly is collected using an RFID system and the information is collected using a computer resource management (CRM) application running on computers interconnected within the hangar using a wired LAN. Use of a wireless LAN in the hangar may be limited because of mutual RF interference between the RFID (UWB) network and the wireless LAN.
Thus, there is a need for and it would be advantageous to have WLAN and RFID system based on ultra wide operating in the same space without interfering with each other so that portable computers interconnected with a wireless LAN may be operated in the same space as the RFID/UWB network.
In FIG. 7, a graph illustrates schematically different emitted signal power levels including an ultra-wide band signal, a spread spectrum WLAN (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, IEEE 802.11a) signal with bandwidth about 5 MHz, and a narrow band modulated signal of 30 kHz bandwidth. The noise floor of the spread spectrum WLAN signal is illustrated at about the peak signal level of the ultra-wide band signal indicating that the narrow band and spread spectrum WLAN communications should have little difficulty operating within specifications in the presence of UWB signals. However, an RFID system using ultra wide band signaling is susceptible to receive high signal levels (up to for instance 18 dbm) from a WLAN operating in the same vicinity as the RFID/UWB network.
The term "ultra-wide band" (UWB) as used herein is defined (by FCC and ITU-R) in terms of a transmission from an antenna for which the emitted signal bandwidth exceeds the lesser of 500 MHz or 20% center frequency. Ultra-wide band (UWB) communication technology employs discrete pulses of electromagnetic energy that are emitted at, for example, picosecond to microsecond intervals. For this reason, ultra-wide band is often called "impulse radio." A UWB pulse is a single electromagnetic burst of energy. A UWB pulse can be either a single positive burst of electromagnetic energy, or a single negative burst of electromagnetic energy, or a series of pulses. Each pulse in al pulse-based UWB system occupies the entire UWB bandwidth, e.g. 3.1 to 10.6 GHz. thus having relative immunity to multipath fading (but not to intersymbol interference), unlike carrier-based systems that are subject to both deep fades and intersymbol interference. Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_wide band.
WLANs are local area networks that employ high-frequency radio waves rather than wires to exchange information between devices. IEEE 802.11 refers to a family of WLAN standards developed by the IEEE. In general, WLANs in the IEEE 802.11 family provide for 1 or 2 Mbps transmission in the 2.4 GHz band or 5.2 Ghz band using either frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) or direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) transmission techniques. IEEE 802.11b (also referred to as 802.11 High Rate or Wi-Fi) is an extension to IEEE 802.11 and provides for data rates of up to 11 Mbps in the 2.4 or 5 GHz band providing wireless functionality comparable to Ethernet. IEEE 802.11b employs only DSSS transmission techniques. IEEE 802.11g provides for data rates of up to 54 Mbps. For transmitting data at rates above 20 Mbps, IEEE 802.11g employs Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) transmission.
In order to reduce the probability of two stations colliding on a receiver because they cannot hear each other, the IEEE 802.11 standard uses a Request to Send/Clear to Send (RTS/CTS) handshake. A station requiring to transmit a packet first transmits a short control packet called RTS (Request To Send), which includes the source, destination, and the duration of the following frame; the target station replies (if the medium is free) with a control packet called CTS (Clear to Send), which includes the same duration information. All stations receiving either the RTS and/or the CTS, refrain transmission for the given duration. This mechanism reduces the probability of a collision on the receiver area by a station that is "hidden" from the transmitter (and it does not hear the RTS), since the station hears the CTS and "reserves" the medium as busy until the end of the transmission. The duration information on the RTS also protects the transmitter area from collisions during the ACK (from stations that are out of range of the acknowledging station).
IEEE 802.11e as of late 2005 has been approved as a standard that defines a set of Quality of Service enhancements for LAN applications, in particular the 802.11 WiFi standard. The standard is considered of critical importance for delay-sensitive applications, such as Voice over Wireless IP and Streaming Multimedia. The protocol enhances the IEEE 802.11 Media Access Control (MAC) layer.
The basic 802.11 MAC layer uses the Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) to share the medium between multiple stations. DCF relies on Carrier Sense Multiple Access With Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) and optional 802.11 RTS/CTS to share the medium between stations.
The original 802.11 MAC defines another coordination function called the Point Coordination Function (PCF): this is available only in "infrastructure" mode, where stations are connected to the network through an Access Point (AP). Access points send "beacon" frames at regular intervals (usually every 0.1 second). Between these beacon frames, PCF defines two periods: the Contention Free Period (CFP) and the Contention Period (CP). In CP, the DCF is simply used. In CFP, the access point sends Contention Free-Poll (CF-Poll) packets to each station, one at a time, to give them the right to send a packet.
The 802.11e enhances the DCF and the PCF, through a new coordination function: the Hybrid Coordination Function (HCF). Within the HCF, there are two methods of channel access, similar to those defined in the legacy 802.11 MAC: HCF Controlled Channel Access (HCCA) and Enhanced DCF Channel Access (EDCA). Both EDCA and HCCA define Traffic Classes (TC). For example, emails could be assigned to a low priority class, and Voice over Wireless IP (VoWIP) could be assigned to a high priority class.
With EDCA, high priority traffic has a higher chance of being sent than low priority traffic: a station with high priority traffic waits a little less before it sends its packet, on average, than a station with low priority traffic. In addition, each priority level is assigned a Transmit Opportunity (TXOP). A TXOP is a bounded time interval during which a station can send as many frames as possible (as long as the duration of the transmissions does not extend beyond the maximum duration of the TXOP). If a frame is too large to be transmitted in a single TXOP, it should be fragmented into smaller frames. The use of TXOPs reduces the problem of low rate stations gaining an inordinate amount of channel time in the legacy 802.11 DCF MAC.
Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) certified APs must be enabled for EDCA and TXOP. All other enhancements of the 802.11e amendment are optional.
The HCCA functions similarly to PCF: the interval between two beacon frames is divided into two periods, the contention free period (CFP) and the contention period (CP). During the CFP, the Hybrid Coordinator (HC) e.g. the access point, controls the access to the medium. During the CP, all stations function in EDCA. The main difference with the PCF is that Traffic Classes (TC) are defined. The HC can coordinate the traffic in any fashion it chooses (not just round-robin). Moreover, the stations give info about the lengths of their queues for each Traffic Class (TC). The HC can use this info to give priority to one station over another. Another difference is that stations are given a TXOP: they may send multiple packets in a row, for a given time period selected by the HC. During the CP, the HC allows stations to send data by sending CF-Poll frames.
HCCA is generally considered the most advanced (and complex) coordination function. With the HCCA, QoS can be configured with great precision. QoS-enabled stations have the ability to request specific transmission parameters (data rate, jitter, etc.) which should allow advanced applications like VoIP and video streaming to work more effectively on a Wi-Fi network
The term "frequency division" as used herein is a method to achieve radio frequency isolation between two RF communications systems or channels by separating the radio frequencies in use by the systems or channels.
The term "co-exist or co-existence" in the context of radio frequency systems, refers to the ability of the radio frequency systems to operate according to their respective specifications without interfering with each other typically by causing noise and/or distortion to each other.
The term "time division" as used herein is a method to achieve co-existence between two RF systems or channels by having the systems or channels operate in different time slots.                (Ref. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE—802.11e)
A known technique used to provided co-existence of different wireless networks is known as "detect and avoid". An example of "detect and avoid" is found in international patent application of Palin et al. (WO/2005/119924) entitled "Method and System for Interference Detection". Palin et al. disclose a wireless communications device in which static interference is detected so that frequencies in use are avoided. The system includes a first receiver configured to receive a first wireless signal (such as a Bluetooth or WLAN signal), and a second receiver configured to receive a second wireless signal (such as a UWB signal). The second receiver is configured to determine spectral characteristics of the first wireless signal. Based on these determined spectral characteristics, an interference detection module identifies interference in the first wireless signal.

RFID-UWB system connected to WLAN infrastructure


A method, system, and apparatus are described for facilitating data roaming. The system is configured to monitor data usage by a mobile device associated with a first communication network when roaming on a second communication network. The system is further configured to receive a request initiated by the second communication network to allocate a roaming resource to the mobile device. The system is further configured to assess at least a portion of the data usage to determine whether or not to grant the request for a roaming resource. The system is further configured to, in response to a determination to grant the request, communicate a reply indicative of the determination.

Wireless roaming situations occur when a mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, or the like, roams away from its home communication network. Roaming allows a subscriber to obtain services from other networks in the absence of support from their home communication network. For example, a mobile device associated with a subscriber may exchange voice, video, or data using the resources of a roaming network when resources associated with their home network are not available.
From the perspective of subscribers to a wireless communication service, roaming increases the convenience and availability of the service. However, from the perspective of a service provider, roaming by subscribers may incur additional costs that would not otherwise be incurred when subscribers remain on their home networks. For example, a service provider may be obligated to remunerate other service providers when subscribers roam on their networks.
In one particular situation, charges are incurred each time a particular resource on a roaming network is allocated for use on behalf of a roaming subscriber. If normal data usage commences with respect to the resource, then such a situation is tenable as at least some of the incurred charges can be recouped. However, it has become increasingly common that abnormal data usage commences with respect to a resource. This may limit the ability of a service provider to recoup the associated roaming charges incurred when the resource is allocated.

Data usage assessment when allocating roaming resources


The present invention intends to provide a two-dimensional photonic crystal having a wide photonic band gap (PBG). In a slab-shaped body 31, a number of holes 32, whose sectional shape on a plane parallel to the slab surface is an equilateral triangle, are periodically arranged in a triangular lattice pattern. The upper and lower sides of the holes 32 are covered with the material of the body 31. The aforementioned sectional shape is uneven along the direction perpendicular to the slab surface. This construction expands the PBG for TM-polarized light and thereby increases its energy region overlapping with the PBG for TE-polarized light. This overlapping section is the complete PBG. If a ray of light whose wavelength corresponds to an energy level within the complete PBG, neither the TE-polarized nor TM-polarized component of the light can be propagated through the photonic crystal. Therefore, even if a waveguide and/or a resonator is provided in the photonic crystal, the light having the aforementioned wavelength will never leak from the waveguide or resonator into the photonic crystal.

Optical communication is a technique that could play a central role in future broadband communications. For widespread use of the optical communication, the optical components used in optical communication systems are required to be higher in performance, smaller in size and lower in price. Optical communication devices using photonic crystals are one of the leading candidates for the next-generation optical communication components that satisfy the aforementioned requirements. Some of these devices have already been put into practical use, an example of which is a photonic crystal fiber for polarization dispersion compensation. Furthermore, recent efforts have had a practical goal of developing optical multiplexers/demultiplexers and other devices that can be used in wavelength division multiplexing.
A photonic crystal is a dielectric object having an artificial periodic structure. Usually, the periodic structure is created by providing the dielectric body with a periodic arrangement of modified refractive index areas, i.e. the areas whose refractive index differs from that of the body. Within the crystal, the periodic structure creates a band structure with respect to the energy of light and thereby produces an energy region in which the light cannot be propagated. Such an energy region is called the "photonic band gap (PBG)". The energy region (or wavelength band) at which the PBG is created depends on the refractive index of the dielectric body and the period of the periodic structure.
Introducing an appropriate defect into the photonic crystal creates a specific energy level within the PBG ("defect level"), and only a ray of light having a wavelength corresponding to the defect level is allowed to be present in the vicinity of the defect. This means that a photonic crystal having such a defect will function as an optical resonator that resonates with light having a specific wavelength. Furthermore, forming a linear defect will enable the crystal to be used as a waveguide.
As an example of the above-described technique, Patent Document 1 discloses a two-dimensional photonic crystal having a body (or slab) provided with a periodic arrangement of modified refractive index areas, in which a linear defect of the periodic arrangement is created to form a waveguide and a point-like defect is created adjacent to the waveguide. This two-dimensional photonic crystal functions as the following two devices: a demultiplexer for extracting a ray of light whose wavelength equals the resonance frequency of the resonator from rays of light having various wavelengths and propagated through the waveguide and for sending the extracted light to the outside; and a multiplexer for introducing the same light from the outside into the waveguide.
Including the one disclosed in Patent Document 1, many two-dimensional photonic crystals are designed so that the PBG becomes effective for either a TE-polarized light, in which the electric field oscillates in the direction parallel to the body, or a TM-polarized light, in which the magnetic field oscillates in the direction parallel to the body. According to this design, if a ray of light containing both kinds of polarized light is introduced into the waveguide or resonator of the two-dimensional photonic crystal, the propagating efficiency of the waveguide deteriorates, since one of the two kinds of polarized light diffuses within the crystal body. For example, if the periodic structure has a triangular lattice pattern and each modified refractive index area is circular (or cylindrical), the PBG will be effective for only the TE-polarized light. A waveguide or resonator formed in this two-dimensional photonic crystal causes negligible loss of TE-polarized light. However, it allows the TM-polarized light to freely propagate through the body and be lost, because no PBG is created for the TM-polarized light.
Taking the above problem into account, studies have been conducted on a new design of two-dimensional photonic crystal having a PBG for each of the TE-polarized light and the TM-polarized light in which the two PBGs have a common band. This band is called a "complete photonic band gap (complete PBG)" hereinafter. For example, FIG. 1 is a plan view of a two-dimensional photonic crystal disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, which has a complete PBG created by periodically arranging triangular (or triangle-pole-shaped) holes 12 in a triangular lattice pattern in the slab 11. Within this two-dimensional photonic crystal, neither the TE-polarized light nor the TM-polarized light can leak from the waveguide, resonator or other device into the body as long as the wavelength of the light is within the complete PBG. Therefore, the propagating efficiency is maintained.
[Patent Document 1] Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-272555 ([0023]-[0027], [0032], FIGS. 1, and 5-6)
[Non-Patent Document 1] Hitoshi KITAGAWA et al. "Nijigen Fotonikku Kesshou Surabu Ni Okeru Kanzen Fotonikku Bando Gyappu ("Absolute Photonic Bandgap in Two-Dimensional Photonic Crystal Slabs)", Preprints of the 50th Joint Symposia on Applied Physics, Japan Society of Applied Physics, March 2003, p. 1129

Two-dimensional photonic crystal and optical device using the crystal


A method and system for selecting a healthcare provider includes a process for selecting a healthcare provider whereby healthcare provider list data is obtained, along with various data regarding the healthcare providers on the healthcare provider list, and the data is stored in a healthcare provider database. When a healthcare consumer initiates a healthcare provider search request, one or more healthcare consumer criteria for acceptable/desired healthcare providers and/or healthcare services needed is obtained and used to search the healthcare provider database to identify one or more healthcare providers most closely meeting the healthcare consumer's criteria. The availability of appointments and/or estimated wait times for the identified one or more healthcare providers are then obtained. The healthcare consumer is then provided information regarding the one or more identified healthcare providers along with the available appointments and/or estimated office wait times for the one or more identified healthcare providers.

Most healthcare consumers have local healthcare providers that they regularly use for obtaining healthcare services in and/or around their city of residence. Typically, healthcare consumers know where these local provider's offices/facilities are located along with various other information about a given local healthcare provider such as, but not limited to: whether the healthcare provider is in the healthcare consumer's healthcare insurance plan network and/or program, i.e., is a preferred provider for the healthcare consumer's healthcare insurance plan network and/or program; how much the healthcare provider charges; contact information for the healthcare provider such as phone number and address; the types of services provided by the healthcare provider; the fastest way to get to the healthcare provider's office/facilities; and, in many cases, how long the average wait time is for a given healthcare provider.
While the situation described above works quite well for healthcare consumers needing healthcare services in their local area from healthcare providers they regularly use, there are many instances where a healthcare consumer may need a healthcare provider other than their familiar local area healthcare providers. For instance, an injury or illness may occur while away from home. Likewise, prescriptions, medications and equipment may be needed while the healthcare consumer is away from home. In addition, a healthcare consumer may need to know the closest healthcare provider to the healthcare consumer's present location that can address the healthcare consumer's specific need, i.e., a specialist not normally or previously used by the healthcare consumer such as an allergist, surgeon, physical therapist, or other medical and/or therapy specialist. As another example, a healthcare provider may move, or retire, or a healthcare consumer may change healthcare insurance plans/networks. In any of these cases, the healthcare consumer may need to find new healthcare providers even in their area of residence.
In addition to wishing to obtain relatively immediate information about healthcare providers in, or around, a specific location, in many instances, healthcare consumers would like know the availability of appointments with a given healthcare provider and/or the wait time at a given healthcare provider's office between the scheduled appointment times and the times when patients are actually being seen.
In short, in many, if not most, instances, a healthcare consumer would like to know not only the closest healthcare provider in terms of time and/or distance, but also the healthcare provider that has the soonest available appointment and/or the shortest wait time in order to choose the healthcare provider offering the quickest opportunity for the healthcare consumer to actually receive healthcare services.

Method and system for selecting a healthcare provider with minimal office wait times


This microstrip comb line filter includes a planar dielectric substrate, and a planar ground member positioned on one side of the dielectric substrate and extending along a first portion of the substrate. There is a second portion of the substrate along which the ground member does not extend, thereby forming a cavity filled with air. A plurality of generally parallel, electromagnetically coupled and spaced-apart, elongate microstrip conductors are positioned on the other side of the dielectric substrate. One end of each of the conductors is positioned adjacent to the first portion of the substrate and connected to the ground member. The other end of each of the conductors is electrically spaced from the ground member and positioned adjacent to the second portion of the substrate. The air cavity extends along at least half the length of the conductors.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to microstrip filters, and more specifically, to such filters having cascaded coupled microstrips transverse of a transmission line.
2. Description of Related Art
In most microstrip filters, the velocity inequalities between the odd and even modes are tolerated, or they can be equalized to improve harmonic responses. In these filters, the relative velocities are modified to allow the placement of stop band zeroes where they are desired.
It is known that cascaded equal length parallel microstrips shorted at one end and open at the other end, form an all-stop structure, even when they are one-quarter wavelength long. When these strips are end loaded with capacitance, as what is referred to as a comb-line filter, the pass band and stop bands separate. Typical comb-line filters use approximately one-eighth wavelength strips, and exhibit band-stop characteristics at about twice the pass band frequency.
Comb-line or similar filters are well established for use in wave guides. For instance, Hensel, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,213,382 entitled "Broadband Coupling to Comb Filter", discloses a filter formed of a plurality of conductive rods transverse to the wave guide for providing control of the upper and lower cut-off frequencies by varying the capacitances of the relevant circuits.
It is known to vary the coupling between comb elements by applying different structure to different sections of the elements. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,582,841 entitled "Ladder Line Elliptic Function Filter", Rhodes discloses changing the size and/or relative position of the parallel elements between connected sections. This approach is also developed in different ways by Makimoto et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,587 entitled "Comb-line Bandpass Filter", Rhodes in U.S. Pat. No. 3,525,954 entitled "Stepped Digital Filter", and by Levy et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,617,954 entitled "Semilumped Comb Line Filter".
Young et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,130 entitled "Microwave Integrated Circuit, Bandpass Filter" discloses the use of resonators extending from a wave guide, which resonators have sections with different shapes.
Other types of microstrip filters are also well known. Hattersley, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,915,716 entitled "Microstrip Filters", discloses the use of a plurality of tabs disposed along a conductor, with stubs extending from one end of the tabs connected to a ground-plane conductor. Vinding, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,566,315 entitled "Strip Line Electrical Filter Element", discloses using the capacitance of opposing fan-shaped conductive elements distributed along a conductor relative to a ground plane as a filter. Ishikawa in Japanese Pat. No. 62-163401 discloses omitting a narrow portion of the ground plane under tips of an interdigitated microstrip filter, which decreases the capacitance between alternate electrodes more than the capacitance between adjacent electrodes.
Cohen et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,467,296 entitled "Integrated Electronic Controlled Diode Filter Microwave Networks", disclose using bias-controlled diodes connected to resonant conductors to vary dynamically the filter characteristics. Similarly, in Soviet Union Pat. No. 1465925, a narrow section of the ground plane under the open ends of resonator conductors of a comb line filter is replaced with a conductive plate spaced by a narrow gap from the ground plane. This narrow gap is spanned by diodes that are biased to control the band-pass width of the resulting filter. This structure allows the pass band to be selected between a narrow pass-band when the diodes do not conduct to a wider pass-band when they do conduct.
The need for controlling filter characteristics, including characteristics of comb line microstrip filters, is thus well established.

Microstrip filter with reduced ground plane


A system for, and method of, emulating, on a non-native computer, a native environment for a visual display object file for a real time process control system and a real time process control system employing the emulator. The visual display object file contains a drawing command, an address pointer for communicating data with the real time process control system and a rule for interpreting data received from a touch-sensitive screen. The system includes: (1) a display routine that causes the non-native computer to control a non-native visual display coupled thereto to display an image thereon as a function of the drawing command, (2) an address mapping routine that communicates the data between the visual display object file and the real time process control system as a function of the address pointer and (3) an input translation routine that translates data received into the non-native computer from a non-native pointing device coupled thereto into data suitable for interpretation by the rule, the system thereby allowing the non-native computer to display the image, communicate the data with the real time process control system and interpret the data received from the non-native pointing device.

Automated plant control systems (e.g., TDC 2000 or TDC 3000 Industrial Automation Systems manufactured by, and commercially available from, HONEYWELL INCORPORATED of Phoenix, Ariz.) include a comprehensive set of algorithms and auxiliaries to control and monitor various processes within, for instance, a manufacturing facility. The control systems can be tailored to satisfy a wide range of process requirements globally or within specified portions of the facility. Conventionally, the control systems include a plurality of modules, each having its own hardware, firmware and software, linked together by a communication bus thereby resulting in a distributed process control system. The distributed nature of the system affords high performance with the capability to expand the system incrementally to satisfy growth or modifications in the facility.
A first objective of automated plant management is to provide a control scheme that synthesizes plant-wide control of all processes therein to improve an overall efficiency of the facility. A second objective is to couple the control scheme to the facility by providing a real time data acquisition and monitoring scheme that monitors the operation of the facility by collecting historical and real time data and responding to deviations from desired operation that may arise and displaying the data for the benefit of an operator.
Regarding the first objective, U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,256 (previously incorporated) provides a plant-wide system for monitoring and controlling an industrial and electrical utility plant, including communication within the system and the related management of the processes within the plant. More specifically, the plant management system incorporates a "token-passing" arrangement employing separate modules of various types. A module transmits information to or receives information from another module located on a common bus. Each of the modules functions as a peer within the network and is assigned an individual network address. A token passed among the modules gives the module that possesses the token the right to access the bus and transmit a signal to the address of another module located on the bus. Automated control systems, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,256, are well known in the art.
Regarding the second objective, it is important to have access to current data concerning the operation of the plant and to display that data in a meaningful and useful manner to the operator. Toward this objective, the prior art has provided user interfaces that include visual displays that are graphical in nature, keyboards, pointers, touch-sensitive screens and the like. The conventional displays, as an example, contain graphical representations of devices in the plant (such as vats, pipes, pumps, etc.); operational or historical data associated with the devices are associated with the graphical representations to complete a visual paradigm for the operator.
Unfortunately, the process of creating routines or files to generate user interfaces, such as visual displays, historically has been complex and involved. To continue with the visual display example, it requires the use of conventional computer languages wherein basic graphical elements (such as points, lines or curves) are first required to be defined and then placed relative to one another to represent the devices in the plant (such as the vats, pipes or pumps). Even with the advent of conventional object-oriented programming languages, wherein the process plant devices are represented as objects consisting of their constituent basic graphical elements and wherein devices are recursively grouped into sets to form an entire visual display object file, the process of creating the file to generate a visual display has remained difficult and expensive. Of course a similar scenario may be delineated for any conventional user interface.
A substantial number of existing plant control systems use user interfaces object files developed by means of the conventional object-oriented programming languages. When considering whether to upgrade these existing systems, owners of the existing systems are reluctant to dispose of the object files in which they have invested heavily and that are reassuringly familiar to system operators. The owners would much rather upgrade invisibly and automatically to a different, possibly more technologically advanced or user friendly, retaining the "look and feel" of the user interface of their existing systems at minimal cost.
What is needed in the art is a system and method for emulating the existing system on which the object files were designed to run to avoid the expense of manual translation or redevelopment of the same.

Emulator for visual display object files and method of operation thereof


A semiconductor device includes memory blocks MB1 and MB2 and redundancy determination circuit 25 that can enter a normal operation mode that accesses either memory block MB1 or memory block MB2 and a refresh mode that simultaneously accesses both memory block MB1 and memory block MB2. In response to normal memory cell NMC that belongs to at least one of memory blocks MB1 and MB2 being replaced by redundant memory cell RMC in the refresh mode, redundancy determination circuit 25 deactivates normal cell area NCA to which normal memory cell NMC that is a source of replacement belongs, and activates redundant cell area RCA to which redundant memory cell RMC that is to be replaced belongs and normal cell area NCA to which normal memory cell NMC that is not being replaced belongs.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device that simultaneously activates more word lines during a refresh operation than during a normal operation.
2. Description of Related Art
The storage capacities of semiconductor memory devices as typified by a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) are increasing year by year, and accompanying such increases the area occupied by a single memory cell is being reduced more and more. Consequently, it is difficult to manufacture all the memory cells without any defects, and in practice a large number of defective memory cells are produced in the manufacturing stage. The addresses of defective memory cells are detected by an operation test that is conducted when semiconductor memory devices are in a wafer state, and are written in a non-volatile memory element such as a fuse circuit. Subsequently, when an access is requested to an address of a defective memory cell, an alternate access is made to a redundant memory cell and not to the defective memory cell, and thus the operation to access the relevant address is remedied.
A memory cell of a DRAM comprises one cell capacitor and one cell transistor, and stores information by means of a charge amount stored in the cell capacitor. Charging and discharging with respect to the cell capacitor is controlled by the cell transistor that is connected to a word line. When the cell transistor is turned on, a storage electrode of the cell capacitor is connected to a bit line and thus reading out or writing of information can be performed.
Because a memory cell of a DRAM stores information based on the amount of a charge stored in a cell capacitor in this way, the information will be eliminated by a leak current unless a refresh operation is performed regularly. Thus, it is necessary to refresh all memory cells before the information is eliminated by a leak current, and a cycle (=tREF) at which all memory cells are to be refreshed is defined by the standards as, for example, 64 msec. The standard for this cycle is described in JP2003-187578A.
For many DRAMs, a method is adopted that reduces the frequency of refresh operations by simultaneously activating a larger number of word lines at the time when a refresh operation is performed than at the time when a normal operation is performed. According to this method, at the time when a refresh operation is performed, for example, by disabling the most significant bit of the row address, it is possible to simultaneously activate twice the number of word lines compared to the time when normal access is executed. In this case, how to handle the refresh operation when a refresh address is the address of a defective memory cell is a problem. More specifically, at the time when a refresh operation is performed, for example, since the most significant bit of a row address is disabled, if an alternate access is merely performed in the same way as at the time when a normal operation is performed, even a word line without a defect will be regarded as the source of replacement, and thus the problem will arise in which word lines without a defect will no longer be selected at the time when a refresh operation is performed.
To solve this problem, a method may be considered that activates all word lines that are the source of replacement and that are to be replaced irrespective of whether or not there is a replacement at the time when a refresh operation is performed. However, according to this method, since even defective word lines are activated although there is no need to activate them, there is the problem in which electric current consumption will increase at the time when a refresh operation is performed. Moreover, since it is necessary to enable both an address corresponding to a word line that is the source of replacement and an address corresponding to a word line that is to be replaced, in a case where addresses are divided into a plurality of portions and decoded (predecoded), an unintended word line may be activated.
For example, when a case is considered in which a word line that is not being replaced is selected by means of a first mat address and a first word line address, and a word line that is to be replaced is selected by a second mat address and a second word line address, it is found that the first word line address is enabled with respect to the second mat address and the second word line address is enabled with respect to the first mat address. Thus, a case arises in which two word lines are activated within the same memory mat. In that case, data is destroyed.
Thus, when simultaneously activating more word lines at the time when a refresh operation is performed than at the time when a normal operation is performed, there has been a problem with respect to the method of handling a replacement operation when a refresh address is the address of a defective memory cell or a defective word line.

Semiconductor device enabling refreshing of redundant memory cell instead of defective memory cell


A method for language-independent, non-semantic speech analytics that may analyze spoken utterances without regard for the language or speakers, comprising the steps of receiving an audio input containing human speech, analyzing the audio to identify the waveform pattern, and analyzing the waveform to identify periods of silence, and additional methods for alternative non-speech-based speech analysis, and a system for non-speech-based analysis comprising a media server that receives audio input, an analytics server that processes the audio input, and a management server that configures operation of the analytics server.

1. Field of the Art
The disclosure relates to the field of speech analytics, and more particularly to the field of analyzing speech patterns using language-independent, non-semantic speech analytics.
2. Discussion of the State of the Art
In the field of speech analytics, much progress has been made in recognizing and processing natural spoken language effectively. However, current approaches focus on language-specific analytics, such as processing for words, phrases, or phonemes that are tied to a particular world language.
There are some efforts to monitor or interpret speech patterns without regard for the content being spoken (thus, a language-independent approach), but the current methods focus on speech analysis only insofar as monitoring simple metrics such as speech rate of a telephone call participant, or comparing a speaker's voice patterns when calm against patterns when emotional, such as to determine when they are in an emotional state (such as for truth detection, for example). These approaches offer only a simplistic approach to speech analytics, measuring a single metric or focusing on a specific speaker or use case rather than answering a broader need for language-independent speech analytics in general.
What is needed is a means to analyze speech using means that are not tied to any specific language, instead focusing on non-semantic elements of spoken language, and that may be applied broadly to existing or novel speech analysis systems or hardware and in various use cases as needed.

Language-independent, non-semantic speech analytics


Disclosed is a position-variable coupling structure for a liquid crystal panel, capable of assembling the liquid crystal panel with an external device by varying a position of a guide groove formed in a top case surrounding the liquid crystal panel according to a position of a guide groove formed in the external device. The guide groove is formed at both lateral portions of the top case surrounding the liquid crystal panel in a length direction of the lateral portions. A bracket is coupled to the top case in such a manner that the bracket moves along the guide groove. A screw is provided to couple the top case with an external device coupling bar.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a position-variable locking structure for a liquid crystal panel, and more particularly to a position-variable locking structure for a liquid crystal panel, capable of assembling the liquid crystal panel with an external device by varying a position of a guide groove formed in a top case surrounding the liquid crystal panel depending on a position of a guide groove formed in the external device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A liquid crystal display device is different from a CRT in that the liquid crystal display device does not generate light by itself. Accordingly, a light source is provided at a rear portion of a liquid crystal display panel so as to visually display an image in the liquid crystal display panel. Such a light source of the liquid crystal display device may include a backlight unit using a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL). The backlight unit transmits light radiated from the cold cathode fluorescent lamp through a lightguide plate in such a manner that the light is radiated onto a surface of a liquid crystal device from beneath the liquid crystal device. In order to efficiently transfer the light radiated from the cold cathode fluorescent lamp into the lightguide plate, a lamp reflective member is provided.
The lamp reflective member is integrally formed with the cold cathode fluorescent lamp and is assembled with the backlight unit.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional liquid crystal panel 102 assembled with an external device, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the conventional liquid crystal panel 102 assembled with the external device.
The liquid crystal panel 102 is positioned above a backlight unit, and a top case 104 made from a metal is installed along an outer peripheral portion of the liquid crystal panel 102 in order to protect components from external impact applied thereto. A guide groove 106 is formed at a side of the top case 104 and a screw 112 is screw coupled into the guide groove 106 by passing through hole 110 Of coupling bar 108 so as to fixedly couple the top case 104 with a coupling bar 108, which is used for coupling the external device.
The guide groove 106 formed in the top case 104 must match with a hole of the external device, that is, a hole 110 of the coupling bar 108. Accordingly, if a position of the hole formed in the external device is changed, a position of the guide groove 106 formed in the top case 104 also must be changed. For this reason, the top case is not adaptable for assembling the liquid crystal panel with various external devices. Therefore, there is necessary to provide a top case capable of assembling a liquid crystal panel with various external devices.

Position-variable locking structure for liquid crystal panel


An optical connector assembly has a plug connector having a first optical element for performing emission or receipt of light and a first lens. It also has a receptacle connector having a second optical element for performing receipt or emission of light and a second lens. The plug connector includes a convex portion having sectional configuration of round arch and the first lens, and a plug portion formed on a forward end of the convex portion. The plug portion is perpendicular to first optical axis of the first optical element and the first lens. The receptacle connector includes a concave portion into which the convex portion is inserted and a receptacle portion in a bottom of the concave portion. The receptacle portion is perpendicular to second optical axis of the second optical element and the second lens. The plug or receptacle connector has supporting mechanism that supports the connector movably.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to optical connector assembly for connecting optical communication devices detachably to each other.
2. Related Art
Optical module having light-emitting element such as laser diode and light-receiving element such as photodetector has been known. Such the optical module has optical connector assembly to be connected to another apparatus (see Japanese unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-126098.
FIG. 1 illustrates a side sectional view showing a configuration of the past optical connector assembly. The past optical connector assembly 1 includes a plug connector 2 having a laser diode 3, for example, and a receptacle connector 4 having a photodetector 5, for example. The plug connector 2 has a lens 6 inside a cylindrical body 7 thereof. An axis of the body 7 is parallel with an optical axis of the lens 6. The receptacle connector 4 has a lens 8 inside a cylindrical body 9 into which the body 7 is inserted. An axis of the body 9 is parallel with an optical axis of the lens 8.
Accuracy of an outer diameter φd of the body 7 and an inner diameter φD of the body 9 is adjusted to a micron-order. A length of a part L in the body 9 into which the body 7 is inserted is made longer to prevent the optical axis of the receptacle connector 4 from being inclined with respect to the plug connector 2.
FIGS. 2A through 2C illustrate connection of such the optical connector assembly to describe accuracy necessary for fitting optical axes of their lenses. Herein, it is assumed that the optical connector assembly includes an output optical system 10 having the laser diode 3 and the lens 6 and an input optical system 11 having the photodetector 5 and the lens 8.
As shown in FIG. 2A, if optical axis P1 of the output optical system 10 coincides with optical axis P2 of the input optical system 11, laser light emitted from the laser diode 3 is focused on the photodetector 5.
As shown in FIG. 2B, however, if the optical axis P1 of the output optical system 10 is parallel shifted to the optical axis P2 of the input optical system 11, laser light emitted from the laser diode 3 is focused on the photodetector 5 with an amount of light received by the photodetector 5 being decreased.
As shown in FIG. 2C, if the optical axis P1 of the output optical system 10 is shifted to the optical axis P2 of the input optical system 11 in their inclined manner, laser light emitted from the laser diode 3 cannot be focused on the photodetector 5.
What is necessary is rigid accuracy on inclination between the optical axes in the optical connector assembly.


A method of collapsing a communication path among at least two communication units (104-107) reduces the number of sites normally required to provide a communication. Each of a plurality of site controllers (103) in a radio communications system has a corresponding coverage area (100, 101), and at least some of the coverage areas (710-712) overlap one another. The method includes the step of determining (402) whether the communication units are currently being serviced by different sites, and then determining (405) whether they can be serviced by a common site. When the communication units are serviceable by a common site, the call might be established (406) through the common site, resulting in a reduced number of sites required to complete a call.

Today's radio communications systems are able to provide communication coverage to communication units located throughout a large geographical area. Generally, this is accomplished by a plurality of smaller coverage areas, or sites, whose site controllers are linked via a regional network, to provide continuous coverage across the combined coverage areas. In multi-site arrangements, such as the one described, it is typical for the coverage areas of adjacent sites to overlap. That is, a communication unit located within the overlapped area may be able to communicate with the site controllers from either of two, or more, coverage areas.
When a trunked communication call is initiated, the voice signals for the call must reach each of the communication units which are to receive the call. That is, the voice path must traverse through each of the site controllers currently being used by the target communication units. For example, if each of five communication units are using different site controllers, a communication among these five communication units would necessarily include the participation of each of the five site controllers. However, because of overlapping coverage areas and the location of the communication units within such coverage areas, the required number of site controllers is often less than the total number being used at the time the call is made. Referring again to the example, suppose that three of the five communication units are located in an overlap coverage area which can be serviced by the same site controller. Note that this scenario, which is not at all uncommon, actually requires the use of only three site controllers to complete the call (i.e., one each for two isolated units, and one for the three units in the overlap area). Unfortunately, today's trunked communication systems make no attempt to reduce the number of site controllers needed to establish a voice path.
Accordingly, a trunked communications system which provided the ability to determine a reduced number of site controllers necessary to complete a call would be an advantage over the prior art. Further, a method which could be employed to collapse trunked calls to a reduced number of sites would enhance the efficiency, and hence through put of the communication system.

Method and apparatus for providing a communication path using common sites


A structure of a new active pixel sensor cell formed in a semiconductor substrate is disclosed. An n-type region is formed in the substrate extending to the surface. Two p+ regions are formed in the n-type region, both extending to the surface and covering almost all the active area of the new active pixel sensor cell. The p+ region forming the p+ node of the photodiode has a substantially larger surface area than the p+ region forming the p+ node of the output diode. Isolation regions are formed over those portions of the new active pixel cell periphery that will not be adjacent to other new active pixel sensor cells. A polysilicon floating gate is disposed over a dielectric layer formed over the surface. The floating gate overlaps portions of both p+ regions and the floating gate is connected to photodiode p+ region by a conducting region passing through the dielectric layer. A control gate is disposed over the photodiode p+ region and over the floating gate and is separated from the photodiode p+ region and the floating gate by dielectric layers. A metal layer, disposed over a dielectric layer, is connected to the output diode p+ region by a conductive region passing through the dielectric layers.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to semiconductor integrated circuit technology and more particularly to active pixel sensor (APS) technology.
(2) Description of Prior Art
There are two major categories of APS: active CMOS pixels and active bipolar pixels. Conventional active CMOS pixels are discussed by Fossum in paper BI, Proceedings of International Conference on VLSIxe2x80x94technology, systems and applications; Taipei, 1997. Active bipolar pixels are described in Mead, U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,592 and in Chi et al., paper B2, Proceedings of International Conference on VLSIxe2x80x94technology, systems and applications; Taipei, 1997. The active bipolar pixel size is about 5 times smaller than the active CMOS pixel, but there are blooming and image-lag limitations.
A popular conventional active pixel based on CMOS, shown in FIG. 1, contains one photo-diode and three n-channel MOS transistors (for reset, source follower, and row access). The xe2x80x9creset transistorxe2x80x9d, 10, is used for resetting the potential of the floating-node of photo-diode 12 to Vcc. The floating-node of the photo-diode is connected to the gate of xe2x80x9csource followerxe2x80x9d 14, where its conductance is modulated by the floating-node potential. After reset operation, the potential of photo-diode is modulated (decreasing) by accumulating electrons generated by image light (or photons) during the xe2x80x9cimage integrationxe2x80x9d period. After turning on the row access transistor, 16, Vo is read out (one VT below the floating-node potential) as the output of the image signal. The output is essentially linear with the photo-signal (i.e. floating-node potential). In short, one basic CMOS pixel needs one diode (for light collection) and 3 transistors for implementing functions of reset, image integration, and read (or sensing).
A popular conventional bipolar active pixel, shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, contains a vertical bipolar (npn) transistor, 8o, with a capacitor, 82, coupled to the base, as is indicated in FIG. 2b. It has simple layout and can be fabricated by typical CMOS technology processing (FIG. 2b). The p base, 18, to n+ emitter, 20, junction is used for collecting image light (or photons), and the n-well region 26 is the transistor""s collector region. The base coupled capacitor is simply a gate capacitor formed between the poly, 22, and the p-base, 18, across the gate oxide layer, 24. It is used for switching the base potential toward reverse-bias for xe2x80x9cimage integrationxe2x80x9d and forward-bias with respect to the emitter for xe2x80x9creadxe2x80x9d operation. Region 28 is a dielectric layer, region 30 is dielectric spacers as used in LDD structures of CMOS transistors and 32 is a metal region providing contact to the emitter. The charge generated by photons during image integration period is amplified by the bipolar action during a read (or sensing) period and collected by the column (charge) sense amplifier (SA). The output of such a bipolar active pixel, which is the bipolar amplified charge generated by photons, is also essentially linear with the photo-signal (i.e. the floating p-base potential. The active bipolar pixel is known to have more image-lag and blooming limitations and is more useful for high resolution still photography. As a comparison, the CMOS active pixel has much less blooming and image-lag problems although its pixel size is about 5 times larger than that of an active bipolar pixel.
Chi et al., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,587,596 and 5,68,243, describe single transistor active pixel sensor cells that provide automatic anti-blooming and wide dynamic range, and reduce the size of conventional active pixel cells. U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,686 to Chou et al. provides a salient integration mode active pixel sensor that is compatible with CMOS fabrication processes. A color active pixel sensor cell with oxide color filters is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,722 to Tsui et al. Layouts that increase the photon induced current of metal oxide semiconductor image sensors are described by Yang et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,147,372.
It is a primary objective of the invention to provide a new type of active pixel structure that uses a gated junction""s gate-induced-drain-leakage (GIDL) current, which is triggered by band-to-band tunneling, as the sensing mechanism. It is also a primary objective to provide a method to fabricate these new structures.
The new pixel has one photo-diode for light collection, usually the larger in area, and one floating-gated output diode for output GIDL current to a SA for sensing the current. The floating-gate (poly-1) is connected to the floating-node of the photo-diode. Thus, the potential of the floating-gate (and floating-node) represents the image photo-signal, which has exponential effect on the output GIDL current to SA. A control-gate (poly-2), which is coupled to the floating-gate, provides switching capabilities to all operations (for reset, integration, and read) of the new pixel. The new pixel has small size, good anti-blooming and image-lag performance, and, for the first time, is capable of exponential output (i.e. GIDL current) with respect to the photo-signal (i.e. the floating-node potential).
A structure of a new active pixel sensor cell formed in a semiconductor substrate is disclosed. An n-type region is formed in the substrate extending to the surface. Two p+ regions are formed in the n-type region, both extending to the surface and covering almost all the active area of the new active pixel sensor cell. The p+ region forming the p+ node of the photodiode has a substantially larger surface area than the p+ region forming the p+ node of the output diode. Isolation regions are formed over those portions of the new active pixel cell periphery that will not be adjacent to other new active pixel sensor cells. A polysilicon floating gate is disposed over a dielectric layer formed over the surface. The floating gate overlaps portions of both p+ regions and the floating-gate is connected to photodiode p+ region by a conducting region passing through the dielectric layer. A control gate is disposed over the photodiode p+ region and over the floating-gate and is separated from the photodiode p+ region and the floating-gate by dielectric layers. A metal layer, disposed over a dielectric layer, is connected to the output diode p+ region by a conductive region passing through the dielectric layers.

Active CMOS pixel with exponential output based on the GIDL mechanism

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company


An integrated optical system includes a wavelength tunable optical source and a photonic integrated circuit (PIC). The PIC includes a set of spatial waveguide switches having an input optically coupled to the wavelength tunable optical source and a plurality of outputs. The PIC also includes an optical emitter having a plurality of inputs, each being coupled to a respective one of the plurality of outputs of the set of spatial waveguide switches, the optical emitter configured to produce at an output an optical beam having a wavelength dependent emission direction that changes as light is switched by the set of spatial waveguide switches such that the optical beam may be steered in two dimensions.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is now known to be a minimally invasive optical imaging technique that provides high-resolution, cross-sectional images of tissues and turbid media and which can seamlessly integrates into other diagnostic procedures. OCT can provide real-time images of tissues in situ and can advantageously be used where conventional excisional biopsy is hazardous or impossible, to reduce sampling errors associated with conventional excisional biopsy, or to guide further interventional procedures. Given its exceptional promise, systems and methods for improved OCT, as well as ranging and imaging represent a welcome addition to the art.
Unfortunately prior art OCT systems oftentimes require complex probe module(s) that is used to guide light to/from a sample of interest. Such prior-art systems may employ rotating fibers, or galvanometric or MEMS-driven mirror assemblies or other actuators along with complex optical lens arrangements.

Integrated optical system with wavelength tuning and spatial switching


A symbol multiplied by a first constant amplitude zero autocorrelation code CAZAC reference signal RS is transmitted in a timeslot from a first antenna of a user equipment on a first physical uplink control channel in a manner that multiplexes with other user equipments. A symbol multiplied by a second CAZAC RS is transmitted in the timeslot from a second antenna of the user equipment on a second physical uplink control channel in a manner that multiplexes with other user equipments. The first and second CAZAC RSs are orthogonal to one another by at least one of the cyclic shifts or a cover code applied to at least one of the first and the second CAZAC RSs. The symbols may be the same or different, and may represent an ACK, a NACK, or a scheduling request indicator. These teachings extend to more than two transmit antennas.

Various abbreviations that appear in the specificaton and/or in the drawing figures are defined as follows:
3GPP third generation partnership project
ACK acknowledge
CAZAC constant amplitude zero autocorrelation code
CCE control channel element
CDM code division multiplex
CQI channel quality indicator
DL downlink
DM demultiplex
eNode B base station of an EUTRAN/LTE system
EUTRAN evolved UTRAN (also referred to as LTE or 3.9G)
FDD frequency division duplex
LTE long term evolution
ITU international telecommunication union
ITU-R ITU radiocommunication sector
LA location area
NACK negative ACK
OFDMA orthogonal frequency division multiple access
PUCCH physical uplink control channel
PDCCH physical downlink control channel
Rel. 8 3GPP Release 8
Rel. 9 3GPP Release 9
SRI scheduling request indicator
UE user equipment
UL uplink
UTRA universal mobile telecommunication system terrestrial radio access
UTRAN UTRA network
A proposed communication system known as evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN, also referred to as UTRAN-LTE, E-UTRA or 3.9G) is currently under development within the 3GPP. The current working assumption is that the DL access technique will be OFDMA, and the UL access technique will be SC-FDMA.
One specification of interest to these and other issues related to the invention is 3GPP TS 36.211, V8.2.0 (2008-03), 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Access Network (E-UTRAN); Physical Channels and Modulation (Release 8), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
There is an increased focus on extending and optimizing the 3GPP LTE Rel. 8 radio access technologies for providing higher data rates at very low cost. These teachings are relevant to LTE-Advanced system (LTE-A) which will most likely be part of LTE Rel. 10. LTE-A will be a local area optimized radio system fulfilling the ITU-R requirements for IMT-Advanced while keeping the backward compatibility with LTE Rel 8. 3GPP has initiated a study item on LTE-A. It is commonly understood that SU-MIMO with 2 or 4 transmission antennas at the UE will be part of LTE-A [see for example LTE Advanced Workshop; Summary of LTE Advanced Requirements presented at the Workshop, Source: 3GPP TSG RAN Chairman; Doc. Number REV-080058].
It can be assumed that higher data rates set also increased requirement for control signalling. The UL control signals such as ACK/NACK, CQI and Scheduling request are transmitted on PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel) in the absence of UL data. On PUCCH different UEs are multiplexed in the same frequency- and time resource by means of CDM. The above referenced 3GPP TS 36.211 describes two ways of achieving that multiplexing: using different cyclic shifts of the same base CAZAC sequence (which is described with reference to PUCCH formats 2a and 2b); and/or using different time domain spreading code between blocks of symbols (which is described with reference to PUCCH formats 1a and 1b). These formats are detailed at Appendix A, which includes the relevant sections 5.4.1 through 5.4.3 of the above-referenced 3GPP TS 36.211 document and definitions, symbols and abbreviations used therein.
Instantaneous channel state required for closed loop schemes is not available on PUCCH (FDD mode), and so open loop transmission is considered herein. Such an implementation needs to address two issues: UL measurement capability; and DL signalling arrangement. It is noted that it may be possible to arrange a few closed-loop signalling bits in the DL resource allocation grant transmitted on PDCCH (at the expense of system complexity and DL overhead), at least in the case when ACK/NACK signalling is related to dynamically scheduled DL data. However, economical arrangement of the needed measurement capability appears difficult if not impossible.
Open loop transmit diversity needs orthogonal resources for different transmit antennas (otherwise, the transmit antennas will interfere each other). Due to the fact that CDM type of access is being used in the Rel. 8 PUCCH there is no additional (symbol) space available for the space time coding (this is the case in both frequency and time domain). Multiplexing capacity of ACK/NACK channel is limited by the number of reference signal (RS) sequences. The parallel ACK/NACK channels per slot (normal CP) equals to 3×12=36. This number equals to the number of RS symbols transmitted on PUCCH during one slot.
To the inventors' knowledge there is no specific proposals regarding open loop transmission diversity transmission in the UL for the PUCCH. The well-known Alamouti scheme (used e.g., in the DL of WCDMA systems) can be applied between two consecutive OFDMA symbols. However, as mentioned this technique cannot be used on the PUCCH, due to the fact that the available symbol space has been used to separate different UEs.

Method, apparatus and computer program for open loop transmission diversity


A composition comprising lignosulfonate, sugar and optionally urea useful in preventing the formation of dust and caking of granular fertilizer particles. The composition has a lower viscosity at room temperature, is more effective in preventing dust and caking than lignosulfonate, urea, or sugar alone or mixtures of lignosulfonate and sugar, and mixtures of lignosulfonate and urea. The composition is preferably sprayed on the fertilizer after granulation, or when blending of the fertilizer particles is completed.

Inorganic fertilizers such as ammonium phosphates, ammonium nitrates, potassium nitrates, potassium chlorides, potassium sulfates, and the like, all are well known. Methods of manufacturing these inorganic fertilizers, as well as methods of processing the fertilizers into particles via prill and granulation techniques, also are well known. The resulting particulate fertilizers, however, often exhibit an undesirable level of dust formation. The fertilizer granular particles easily break into smaller particles resulting in a substantial amount of dust being created when handled, transported, and when eventually applied to the soil. Also, the granular fertilizer particles often tend to cake when stored and transported in bulk such that substantial amounts of the initial free flowing particulate fertilizer agglomerates into solid, substantially integral masses.
Fertilizer dust emission is an increasingly serious problem creating a growing concern about atmospheric pollution and its possible ecological and toxicological effects. While it is preferable to produce non-dusty fertilizer particles, it often is necessary to resort to special antidust treatments due to the difficulty in manufacturing useable particulate fertilizer that do not emit dust.
The prior art has focused primarily on the treatment of particulate fertilizers with petroleum oils and waxes. However, there are disadvantages involved in using these treatment methods. Oils tend to volatilize and/or soak into the fertilizer with time and lose their effectiveness, while waxes are difficult to handle and often require special heated application equipment. Other proposed treatment methods involve application of an aqueous lignosulfonate solution, other liquid fertilizers, or water to the fertilizer particles. While liquid treatment compositions, such as these, may reduce the fertilizer dust levels, the liquid compositions coated on the fertilizer particles tend to promote caking of the granular fertilizer particles. Therefore, there still exists a need to provide a method of treating granular (particulate) fertilizer particles which not only reduces the amount of dust produced when the fertilizer particles are manufactured, handled, transported, and applied to the soil, but also lessens the fertilizer particles' tendency to cake during storage and bulk transport.


A method includes characterizing the effects of an electric field on a first set of printed wiring boards (PWBs) by testing the first set of PWBs to generate test data, using the test data to determine a dielectric life curve of the first set of PWBs, and based on the dielectric life curve, defining a screening time and a screening voltage to screen for premature failures in a second set of PWBs due to electric fields.

Embodiments of the invention relate to printed wiring boards and in particular to the detection of early failures in printed wiring boards due to the influence of electric fields.
Failures in printed wiring boards (PWBs), such as PWBs used for motherboards, have been associated with the motherboard having signals passing through laminated layers of copper traces separated by dielectric material. In other words, electric fields caused by electrical signals may damage the PWBs, leading to PWB failure.
Conventional burn-in techniques stress circuit components by subjecting the components to increased stress levels, such as increased heat and/or increased voltages for a relatively short period of time, relative to a life span of the components. The burn-in is designed to detect components that would fail prematurely during normal operation.

Detecting early failures in printed wiring boards