Disclosed is a process for producing composite board, and the said board is glass fiber reinforced magnesium cement board with wood grain. The process comprises two steps of preparing a mold with wood grain and preparing glass fiber reinforced magnesium cement board using the mold. The first step comprises forming film bearing wood grain, copying the wood grain onto mill rolls, and rolling the formwork with the mill rolls. The second step comprises steps of preparing MgCl2 solution, agitating the mixed raw materials to obtain slurry, conveying the molds, scratching the slurry, disposing the raw materials, rolling, separating, shelving, curing, impregnating the board into water to remove free MgCl2, cutting, spraying protecting-paint, and so on. The process can produce the board with three-dimensional appeal, wood grain similar to that of log, and beautiful appearance. The board produced by the process has advantages of fire proof, water proof, vermin proof, light weight, compression and bending resistant, high strength, no moss growing, and so on.

Exterior walls of modern buildings are mostly decorated with decorative bricks while exterior walls of some villas and wooden buildings are generally decorated with exterior wall siding. There are many types of exterior wall siding, mainly including natural wood board, plastic cladding, fiber-cement board, each of which presents respective disadvantages. The natural wood board is inflammable, is susceptible to insect infestation and rotting. The plastic cladding is inflammable, easily deformed and aged. The fiber-cement board is heavy in weight and is easily fractured and is difficult to install.
Since 1867, when Sorel, a French, invented magnesium oxychloride cement, to now, more than one hundred and twenty years has passed. The products made from magnesium oxychloride cement have excellent fire-resistance, low thermal conductivity, and high compressive strength and flexural strength. Glass magnesium siding (GM-Siding) is made from magnesium cement, which is a magnesia gel material. The main structure thereof is Magnesium oxide (MgO)—Magnesium Chloride (MgCl2) and water (H2O) ternary system incorporated with reinforced materials. Glass magnesium siding can be sawed, nailed and shaved and is light in weight and is insect-proof. Moreover, since it makes the full use of the waste of woods (for example sawdust, and wood shavings and the like), glass magnesium siding is a new type of material which can replace wood, and is also a satisfying means to save wood. In the prior art, the process for producing wood-grained glass magnesium siding is as yet immature and thus is not practical for producing glass magnesium siding of various wood grain patterns.
Contents of Invention
The object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing wood-grained glass magnesium siding, thereby qualified wood-grained glass magnesium siding can be manufactured.
The object of the present invention is carried out by the following technical scheme:
A process for producing wood-grained glass magnesium siding, including two procedures of manufacturing wood-grained templates and manufacturing wood-grained glass magnesium boards,
wherein the procedure of manufacturing wood-grained templates includes:
(1) capturing wood grain patterns on the surface of a natural wood panel with a digital camera or generating various wood grain patterns with a computer, and manufacturing a film of wood grain patterns which has the same dimension as the glass magnesium siding to be produced according to the wood grain patterns;
(2) manufacturing a roller, with the wood grain patterns in the film copied onto the roller using photographic projection method, and eroding the roller with a corrosive electrolyte to remove the unwanted portion and remain the wood grain patterns;
(3) treating the roller with hard chromium plating such that the hardness of the roller surface reaches an acceptable hardness to roll the templates;
(4) installing the roller to a device for rolling the templates, so as to produce templates of various materials according to the materials required;
(5) checking the produced templates to determine whether the wood grain patterns conform to those desired for the glass magnesium siding and to select qualified templates for use in the future;
and wherein the procedure of manufacturing wood-grained glass magnesium siding includes:
(1) preparing magnesium chloride (MgCl2) solution by pouring Magnesium Chloride in solid form into a water pool, adding water into the pool to dissolve Magnesium Chloride thoroughly and adjusting the concentration of the resulting solution to a desired concentration, and reducing the temperature of MgCl2 solution to less than 30° C.;
(2) mixing and agitating to prepare cement paste and cement material respectively, wherein cement paste is prepared by agitating the prepared MgCl2 solution and MgO in a blunger such that the resulting mixtures are mixed thoroughly, and wherein cement material is prepared by agitating wood chips or pearlite powder, MgO, prepared MgCl2 solution in a mixer such that the various ingredients are mixed thoroughly;
(3) feeding the templates, wherein the wood-grained templates on which a release agent has been sprayed are fed into a flow production line, on which each of the wood-grained templates contacts with the adjacent one end to end;
(4) scraping the cement paste, wherein a first layer of cement paste is scraped on the wood-grained templates, followed by overlaying a layer of glass fiber fabric, and then scraping a second layer of cement paste on the layer of glass fiber fabric;
(5) supplying the cement material, wherein a layer of cement material is overlaid on the second layer of cement paste scraped in step (4), and then one or more layers of glass fiber fabric are overlaid on the layer of cement material, and finally one or more layers of non-woven fabric are overlaid on the layer of glass fiber fabric;
(6) rolling, wherein the templates which have been supplied with the cement material are rolled into shape via the roller;
(7) disconnecting, wherein the shaped boards are disconnected along the joint between two adjacent wood-grained templates;
(8) mounting on brackets, wherein the disconnected boards are mounted on brackets and are pruned by scraping off fine wrinkles on the board surface and cement paste and cement material dropped from two ends by a scraper;
(9) curing, wherein the pruned boards are transported into a curing area to be solidified into shape and demoulded;
(10) soaking and drying to drive brine off, wherein the cured boards are placed into a brine-removing pool and clear water is added into the pool to soak the boards for 8 to 15 hours, followed by swabbing-off the waste water; after clear water is added again for soaking for 8 to 15 hours, the boards are lifted to be placed in a shining ground for drying;
(11) cutting, wherein the dried boards are cut according to desired dimensions;
(12) spraying with protective priming paint, wherein after the cut boards are cleaned to remove dust, protective priming paint is sprayed on the bottom of boards, and after staying at an environmental temperature between 10° C. and 35° C. for 2 to 6 hours, the finished products can be packaged after final examination.
The object of the present invention can be further carried out by incorporating the following technical measures:
In step (1) of the procedure of manufacturing wood-grained templates in the process for producing wood-grained glass magnesium siding, the following steps are performed when the wood grain patterns on the surface of natural wood panel are captured with a digital camera:
I) a natural wood panel which has similar patterns to those desired for the glass magnesium siding to be produced is selected; the selected natural wood panel is processed to have the same dimensions as the glass magnesium siding to be produced;
II) the upper layer of cork on the surface of the natural wood panel is removed so that the wood grain patterns on the surface of the natural wood panel appear; the depth of the wood grain patterns is processed suitably according to the effect desired for the glass magnesium siding;
III) the wood grain patterns on the surface of the natural wood panel are captured with a digital camera.
In the process for producing wood-grained glass magnesium siding, the concentration of MgCl2 solution in step (1) of the procedure of manufacturing wood-grained glass magnesium boards ranges from 20 Be to 30 Be.
In step (2) of the procedure of manufacturing wood-grained glass magnesium boards in the process for producing wood-grained glass magnesium siding, when preparing cement paste, MgCl2 solution is firstly poured into a blunger, and then MgO is added, wherein the ratio of MgCl2 solution to MgO is 1˜2 Kg of MgO in MgCl2 solution per liter; when preparing cement material, wood chips or pearlite powder is firstly poured into a mixer, after the mixer runs 3 to 5 revolutions, MgO is added; then the mixer starts running and MgCl2 solution is simultaneously added; 1 to 3 minutes later, additional wood chips or pearlite powder is added under agitation so that the ingredients are mixed thoroughly.
In step (2) of the procedure of manufacturing wood-grained glass magnesium boards in the said process for producing wood-grained glass magnesium siding, when preparing cement material, the ratio between wood chips or pearlite powder added in the first time, MgO, MgCl2 solution, wood chips or pearlite powder added in the second time is as follows: 1 Kg of wood chips or pearlite powder added in the first time, 4˜9 Kg of MgO, 8˜18 L of MgCl2 solution, 1˜3 Kg of wood chips or pearlite powder added in the second time.
In step (4) of the procedure of manufacturing wood-grained glass magnesium boards in the process for producing wood-grained glass magnesium siding, the thickness of the first layer of cement paste is from 0.2 to 0.5 mm, and the thickness of the second layer of cement is from 0.1 to 0.3 mm.
In step (5) of the procedure of manufacturing wood-grained glass magnesium boards in the process for producing wood-grained glass magnesium siding, a first layer of cement material is overlaid on the second layer of cement paste scraped in step (4), and then a layer of glass fiber fabric is overlaid on the first layer of cement material, and then a second layer of cement material is overlaid on the layer of glass fiber fabric, and then another layer of glass fiber fabric is overlaid on the second layer of cement material, finally, one or more layers of non-woven fabric are overlaid on the layer of glass fiber fabric.
In step (5) of the procedure of manufacturing wood-grained glass magnesium boards in the said process for producing wood-grained glass magnesium siding, the thickness of the layer of cement material is from 4 to 20 mm.
In step (9) of the procedure of manufacturing wood-grained glass magnesium boards in the process for producing wood-grained glass magnesium siding, when curing the boards, a primary curing is performed in a primary curing area at the environmental temperature of 20° C.˜30° C. for 18 to 24 hours; when the boards have a curing ratio of more than 90%, demoulding is performed; subsequently, a secondary curing is performed in a secondary curing area at the temperature of 10° C.˜35° C. for 10 to 28 days.
In step (10) of the procedure of manufacturing wood-grained glass magnesium boards in the process for producing wood-grained glass magnesium siding, the temperature for drying is between 20° C. and 40° C. for 7 to 9 days under ventilation and moisture removing.
The advantages of the present invention are as follows: with the present invention, qualified wood-grained templates for glass magnesium exterior siding can be manufactured, further more, glass magnesium siding having wood grain patterns and three dimensional effect can be manufactured using the wood-grained templates, wherein the wood grain patterns of the glass magnesium siding are similar to the patterns of the natural wood and have a good looking. The process for producing wood-grained glass magnesium siding according to the present invention is simple, and the wood-grained glass magnesium siding manufactured is fireproof, waterproof, insect-proof, and has light weight, high compressive strength and flexural strength with no moss growing. Since the wood-grained glass magnesium siding is prepared by hydration reaction between inorganic substances, such as MgCl2, MgO, and water, the constitution of the raw materials determines the properties such as waterproof and insect-proof. Its fire protection property meets the standards of Grade A incombustibility. Since soaking in water and driving brine off are performed during production process, the wood-grained glass magnesium siding according to the present invention has a property of waterproof. The test result shows that the density of the wood-grained glass magnesium siding according to the present invention is 0.9˜1.1 t/m3 (while the density of plasterboard and fiber-cement board is about 1.3˜1.5 t/m3), having more than 53 Mpa of anti-compressive strength and more than 80 Mpa of flexural strength. No moss is growing when used in humid environment for 3 years. Thanks to no formaldehyde and benzene in it, the wood-grained glass magnesium siding according to the present invention is environment-friendly.

Process for producing GM-siding with wood grain


A method and system for providing content to a receiving device from a local headend is set forth. The local headend communicates channel data for content stored at a video server to a receiving device, receives a selection of the channel data to form selected content from the receiving device and communicates content corresponding to the selection to the receiving device. The local headend stores a purchase record corresponding to the selection at the local headend, associates the purchase record with the receiving device within the local headend and communicates a request for a callback from the local headend to the receiving device. The receiving device communicates a callback signal from the receiving device to an external headend comprising purchase data corresponding to the purchase record.

Satellite television has become increasingly popular due to the wide variety of programming available and the quality of service. Hospitality systems may offer various types of programming from cable systems or satellite systems to guests. Often times, the systems are provided without program guides or other amenities typically found in a home viewing experience.
Hotel owners and property managers are continually trying to provide a wide variety of services to guests to enhance their stay at the location. Pay-per-view and on-demand are typically provided in home-viewing cable and satellite systems. However, hotels using satellite systems do not offer such services.

Method and system for providing on-demand and pay-per-view content through a hospitality system


In an exemplary system, a first sampling circuit is coupled to a clock module to receive values therefrom. A second sampling circuit is coupled to the clock module to receive the values therefrom. The first sampling circuit includes a first converter, a first phase interpolator, and a first sampler. The first converter is coupled to replace the values with first replacement values for input to the first phase interpolator. The second sampling circuit includes a second converter, a second phase interpolator, and a second sampler. The second converter is coupled to replace the values with second replacement values for input to the second phase interpolator.

A phase interpolator may have a nonlinear relationship between input and output. Accordingly, output from such a phase interpolator may have distortion introduced due to such nonlinearity.
Accordingly, it would be both desirable and useful to reduce distortion in an output of a phase interpolator due to nonlinearity of such a phase interpolator.

Pre-distortion for a phase interpolator with nonlinearity


A new cultivar of Cannabis plant named ‘MR2018001’ that is characterized by about 9% THC and 9% CBD by dry weight and microbial resistance.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) cultivar designated as 'MR2018001'.
'MR2018001' is a selection resulting from a controlled-cross between the female Cannabis sativa variety 'Afghani Hawaiian' (unpatented) and the male Cannabis sativa variety 'Jamaican Landrace' (unpatented). The plants were grown at an indoor Cannabis facility in Markham, Ontario, Canada. The plants were flowered under standard indoor environment conditions with High Pressure Sodium lamps.
Seeds from the cross were sown in Markham, Ontario, Canada and plants were screened for a number of traits including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) levels, yield, flowering time, disease resistance and flower morphology. An individual plant having about 9% THC and about 9% CBD by dry weight and exhibiting resistance to microbial growth was chosen to be 'MR2018001'.
In February 2016, 'MR2018001' was first asexually propagated by apical stem cuttings approximately 10 cm long and having multiple auxiliary meristems, in Markham, Ontario, Canada. 'MR2018001' is stable and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction. This cultivar has increased resistance to microbial growth and higher flower yield for enhanced cultivation and production of flower yield and extracts thereof.


The present description relates to olefin block copolymers having excellent elasticity and processability in conjunction with enhanced heat resistance, and to a preparation method thereof. The olefin block copolymers comprise a plurality of blocks or segments that comprise ethylene or propylene repeating units and α-olefin repeating units at different mole fractions from one another, wherein the block copolymer shows peaks at the 2θ of 21.5±0.5° and 23.7±0.5° in a wide-angle x-ray diffraction (WAXD) pattern, and the peak ratio defined by (the peak area at 21.5±0.5°)/(the peak area at 23.7±0.5°) is no more than 3.0.

A block copolymer refers to a copolymer consisting of a plurality of blocks or segments of repeating units with different characteristics from one another. It tends to be superior to typical random copolymers or polymer blends in its properties. For example, the block copolymer may comprise both of soft elastic blocks (referred to as "soft segments") and hard crystalline blocks (referred to as "hard segments,") and this makes it possible for the polymer to exhibit properties such as excellent elasticity and heat resistance, together. More specifically, such block copolymers may have elasticity at a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition temperature of the soft segment and can have relatively good heat resistance because they do not show a thermoplastic behavior until they reach a temperature higher than their melting temperature.
Specific examples of the aforementioned block copolymer include triblock copolymer of styrene and butadiene (SBS) and its hydrogenated product, which have been known to find applications in many fields due to their superiority in heat resistance and elasticity.
Recently, olefin elastomers such as copolymers of α-olefins with ethylene or propylene have been intensively studied for their use. More specifically, many attempts have been reviewed to employ such olefin elastomers in various fields, for example, in different uses for substituting for rubber materials. In a bid to make improvements on heat resistance of the olefin elastomers, some attempts have also been made to adopt a block copolymer type elastomer in lieu of conventional random copolymer-based olefin elastomers (e.g., an ethylene-α-olefin random copolymer). Moreover, various approaches have come under review to prepare block copolymer type olefin elastomers with excellent processability through a simple process.

Olefin block copolymers and production methods thereof


An apparatus, method and program product create multiple copies of a clock signal, or phase, to analyze timing operations within a single timing run of a static timing analysis operation. At least one path comprising logical user defined delay segments and a timing point may be associated with both a common point and no delay. An original clock signal may propagate along the logical path without incurring delay until arriving back at the common point, along with the original signal. All other clocks may be ignored or prevented from propagating long the path. Multiple replicated copies may be accomplished without requiring additional hardware.

The proliferation of modern electronics is due in large part to the development of the integrated circuit. Integrated circuits allow many different circuit elements to be implemented on a single microchip. As technology advances, the number of circuit elements on a microchip continues to increase, which enhances the performance and reduces the cost of integrated circuits.
The design of integrated circuits is typically performed in three stages. The first stage includes logic design, where the desired operation of the integrated circuit is defined. The second stage, logic synthesis, involves translating the desired operation into the required circuit elements for a given technology. The third stage is physical design, which assigns the placement of these elements. Physical design also determines routing, which creates the wire interconnect of these elements on the integrated circuit.
Integrated circuits have traditionally been characterized by the clock frequency at which they operate. Gauging the ability of a circuit to operate at the specified speed requires the ability to measure its delay at numerous steps during the design process. Moreover, delay calculation must be incorporated into the inner loop of timing optimizers at various phases of the design, such as logic synthesis, layout (placement and routing), and in in-place optimizations performed late in the design cycle.
Some logic designs contain complex delay elements whose delay is a function of the state of the logic, rather than just a static value. In a synchronous digital system, data is supposed to move in lockstep, advancing one stage on each tick of the clock signal. This is enforced by synchronizing elements such as flip-flops or latches, which copy their input to their output when instructed to do so by the clock.
Many of the common problems in chip design relate to interface timing between different components of the design. The time when a signal arrives can vary for many reasons. For instance, the input data may vary, and/or the circuit may perform different operations. The temperature and voltage may change, the clock signal may be at an optimized frequency, and/or there may be manufacturing differences in the exact construction of each part. Other problems may stem from the simulation model being incomplete, or there may be a lack of test cases to properly verify interface timing. Synchronization requirements may vary, and/or there may be incorrect interface specifications, among other considerations.
Examples of problems that can occur from poor timing include a hold time violation, when a signal arrives too early and advances one clock cycle before it should. Another problem includes a setup time violation, when a signal arrives too late and misses the time when it should advance.
At the logic synthesis stage of integrated circuit design, a static timing tool is typically used to perform a static timing analysis to compute the expected timing of a digital circuit without requiring simulation. Static timing analysis generally takes into account best-case and worst-case delays of various circuit elements, thereby generating a list of problems that need to be corrected. As such, static timing analysis plays a vital role in facilitating the fast and reasonably accurate measurement of circuit timing.
The main goal of static timing analysis is to verify that despite possible variations, all signals will arrive neither too early nor too late, and hence proper circuit operation can be assured. In static timing analysis, the word static alludes to the fact that the timing analysis is carried out in an input-independent manner, and purports to find the worst-case delay of the circuit over all possible input combinations.
As previously stated, behavior of an electronic circuit is often dependent on various, variable factors in its environment. In such a case, either static timing analysis needs to be performed for more than one such set of conditions, or it must be prepared to work with a range of possible delays for each component, as opposed to a single value. If the design works at each extreme condition, then under the assumption of monotonic behavior, the design is also qualified for all intermediate points.
EinsTimer, developed by International Business Machines Corp. (IBM), uses a statistical engine to apply static timing analysis to critical paths in designs in order to derive models that are more silicon-accurate than most models used in static analysis. The models derived from the EinsTimer tool can then be applied to the rest of the paths in the design, improving the design's overall performance over traditional static timing analysis. Performance gain obtained will depend upon the chip and the length of paths on the chips.
EinsTimer additionally accounts for sources of variation and how the cells in the library have delays that depend on these process parameters. A characterization tool is used that analyzes every cell in the library to understand the sensitivity of cell delays to process. The characterization tool then outputs a modified library file that is used by the statistical tool for analysis. Reports and yield plots are also output in order to help users to better understand their design. For example, users can employ the tool after they have routed their design and created a clock tree in order to understand sensitivity to metal issues and transistor parameters. This feature provides designers with an idea of how robust their design is, and thus, what kind of yield to expect on a particular design. The design can then be modified to improve these timing characteristics prior to tapeout.
While the EinsTimer and other static timing analysis tools provide valuable information and are useful in the design of integrated circuits, these processes currently require significant amounts of processing and memory resources. For instance, a designer may wish to model the effects of multiple clock signals in a timing run. In one example, it may be desirable to see the affects of using clock signals with multiples of the same frequency. As such, different clock signals must be generated individually for use in modeling. Each individually generated clock signal, or phase, must then be separately modeled in a static timing analysis run. The generation and modeling phases can consume a considerable amount of the designer man-hours and computer resources.
Therefore, what is needed is a way to generate and analyze timing data in a manner that minimizes the computing resources, time or money costs conventionally associated with static timing analysis.

Replicating timing data in static timing analysis operation

International Business Machines Corporation


A memory managing method and memory manager for a multi processing environment are provided. The memory manager adjusts the number of processors assigned to a consumer process and/or an assignment unit size of data to be consumed by the consumer process based on a condition of a shared queue which is shared by a producer process producing data and the consumer process consuming the data.

1. Field
The following description relates to processing technology and, more particularly, to a method and memory manager for managing a memory in a multi-processing environment.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a multi-processing environment where a multi-core or multiprocessor exists, processes or threads assigned to the respective cores or processors share memory, such as queues, and process jobs stored in the queues.
In such a multi-processing environment, multiple processes may be used to perform a certain task. Examples of the processes include a producer process which produces data while performing a task, and a consumer process which consumes data while performing a task. For example, in a case of a video decoder which is implemented with a multiprocessor, variable length decoding corresponds to a producer process and macroblock processing corresponds to a consumer process.
In an environment where both the producer process and the consumer process are performed at the same time, to improve the overall work performance, a memory bandwidth shared by the producer process and the consumer process should be efficiently used.
In a traditional multi-processing environment, the number of processors assigned to consumer processes is increased to increase the parallel processing degree and thus to improve the work performance. However, in this set up, the increased number of processors assigned to the consumer processes can use up the memory bandwidth, and other processors may not have the chance to access the memory, thereby decreasing the overall work performance. The number of processors assigned to processes may be predetermined or limited to a predetermined number. In this case, the overall work performance may decrease since a predetermined number of processors are used without taking work conditions into account. Further, other traditional methods have been known to require alteration to memory bus architecture.

Method and memory manager for managing a memory in a multi-processing environment


The present invention relates to an electric vehicle and a charging control method for an auxiliary battery of the electric vehicle. According to the present invention, the electric vehicle comprises: a high-voltage battery which drives the electric vehicle; a plurality of electric field loads; the auxiliary battery which supplies driving power to the plurality of electric field loads; a first voltage detection unit which detects an output voltage of an auxiliary battery side; a converter which performs a PWM switching to convert the voltage of the high-voltage battery into a voltage required in the electric field loads; a plurality of relays; a power relay assembly (PRA) which is switched to supply the energy of the high-voltage battery to the converter according to whether or not the plurality of relays are in operation; and a vehicle control module (VCM) which controls the driving of the power relay assembly, wherein the converter includes a converter control unit, which sends a driving instruction signal requesting the vehicle control module to drive the power relay assembly depending on a magnitude change of the output voltage of the auxiliary battery side. Accordingly, discharging of the auxiliary battery in a starting-off state is prevented, which makes it possible to stably operate the electric vehicle system.

Electric vehicles (EVs) have been actively studied because they are the most promising solution to pollution and energy problems.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are mainly powered by an AC or DC motor using battery power. Electric vehicles are broadly classified into battery powered electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. In the battery powered electric vehicles, a motor is driven using power of a battery, and the battery is recharged after stored power is consumed. In hybrid electric vehicles, a battery is charged with electricity generated via engine driving, and an electric motor is driven using the electricity to realize vehicle movement.
The hybrid electric vehicles may further be classified into serial and parallel types. In the case of serial hybrid electric vehicles, mechanical energy output from an engine is changed into electric energy via a generator, and the electric energy is fed to a battery or motor. Thus, the serial hybrid electric vehicles are always driven by a motor similar to conventional electric vehicles, but an engine and generator are added for the purpose of increasing range. Parallel hybrid electric vehicles may be driven using two power sources, i.e. a battery and an engine (gasoline or diesel). Also, the parallel hybrid electric vehicles may be driven using both the engine and the motor according to traveling conditions.
With recent gradual development of motor/control technologies, small high-output and high-efficiency systems have been developed. Owing to replacing a DC motor by an AC motor, electric vehicles have accomplished considerably enhanced output and power performance (acceleration performance and maximum speed) comparable to those of gasoline vehicles. As a result of promoting a higher output and higher revolutions per minute, a motor has achieved reduction in weight and size, and consequently reduction in the weight and size of a vehicle provided with the motor.
A typical vehicle is configured to operate internal loads using a small-sized battery, or starts operation using energy of a small-sized battery. Although the electric vehicle includes a high-voltage battery for operating the vehicle, a small-sized auxiliary battery is discharged upon completion of starting of the electric vehicle. If a battery voltage reaches a discharge stop voltage, the battery is no longer used and it is impossible to resume the electric vehicle system.

Electric vehicle and charging control method for auxiliary battery thereof


A safety device for reducing risk of injury to a vehicle occupant in the event of lateral impact accidents, includes at least one cushion element which is arranged on the vehicle, laterally adjacent to an occupant position, and can be moved by an actuating device from a rest position into a deployed position in the direction of the occupant position. The actuating device is driven by a vehicle-mounted drive.

This application is a National Phase of PCT/EP2004/012001, filed Oct. 23, 2004, and claims the priority of German patent document DE 103 51 752.9, filed Nov. 6, 2003, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to a safety method and apparatus for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, for reducing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant in the event of lateral impact accidents. At least one cushion element is arranged on the vehicle laterally adjacent to an occupant position and can be moved by an actuating device from a rest position into a deployed position in the direction of the occupant position.
A safety device of such type is disclosed in German patent document DE 28 56 437 C2. The actuating device comprises a lever, which in the event of a lateral crash, moves a cushion element in the direction of an occupant position more quickly than the structure of the passenger compartment. The lever is arranged on the cushion element and moves in the same direction on account of the accidental impact. Although this arrangement improves occupant protection in lateral impact accidents, it does not achieve an optimum degree of protection because, despite the relatively fast deployment of the cushion element, the distance between the cushion element and the occupant is so large that a relative movement between the cushion element and the occupant cannot be eliminated completely.
One object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a safety device for a vehicle, which minimizes the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant in the event of lateral impact accidents.
This and other objects and advantages are achieved by the safety method and apparatus according to the invention in which the actuating device can be driven by a vehicle-mounted drive, and the cushion element can be moved with the aid of the actuating device from a rest position into a deployed position in the direction of the occupant position by means of the vehicle-mounted drive, without external action (for example by means of an accidental impact) being necessary. That is, the cushion element can be actively moved in the direction of an occupant position in order to reduce the distance between the occupant and the impact-absorbing cushion element in the event of an impending or imminent accident. On account of the short distance between the occupant and the cushion element, the occupant cannot reach any high speeds relative to the cushion element. Furthermore, the occupant can be cushioned by the cushion element, which is adjacent or at least situated in the direct vicinity, from the start of the accident onward.
The activation of the actuating device by a vehicle-mounted drive does not prevent the actuating device from also being moved in the direction of an occupant position by the action of a crash, in the same manner as the prior art.
The cushion element can be arranged in or on a door or in or on a body pillar of the vehicle, so that the pelvis and chest of a vehicle occupant can be protected to an optimum degree.
A plurality of cushion elements and/or additional foam elements which are arranged in series are advantageously provided, and can have an energy absorbing foam and/or honeycomb structure. The individual cushion elements and/or foam elements can also have a varied design, making possible a progressive absorption of impact energy.
The cushion elements and/or foam elements can be arranged such that they can be displaced with respect to one another and/or can be at least indirectly guided by linear guides. This arrangement helps to make the cushion element or elements moveable along a defined movement path in the direction of an occupant position.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cushion element can be locked in a deployed position, so that the impact energy can be dissipated in the deployed state of the cushion element.
The vehicle-mounted drive is advantageously embodied as an electric motor. This type of drive is comparatively cost-effective and can be powered by the electrical system of the vehicle at relatively low cost. The electric motor can drive the actuating device, which in turn moves the cushion element from a rest position into a deployed position in the direction of the occupant position.
The actuating device can have a traction means which is embodied as a cable or belt and is advantageously stored, at least in sections, in or on a store. The traction means can be wound in the store, which can be driven by the vehicle-mounted drive. This permits an actuating device for moving the cushion element to be formed with a particularly compact and simple mechanism.
According to another embodiment, an auxiliary drive is provided for moving the cushion element in the direction of the occupant position. Said auxiliary drive can be formed by a spring store and/or by pyrotechnic elements. Said elements can be used to bring about a further increase in movement speed relative to the actuation of the cushion element or elements activated by means of the vehicle-mounted drive.
It is particularly advantageous if the vehicle-mounted drive and/or the auxiliary drive are coupled to sensors for detecting the vehicle state and/or the state of the vehicle's surroundings. This makes it possible to control the vehicle-mounted drive for the actuating device in order to move the cushion element in the direction of the occupant position as early as before an impact against another party to an accident. Sensors for detecting the vehicle state can include wheel speed sensors or acceleration sensors, which are also used for controlling other safety systems such as ABS, ESP or airbags. The surroundings of the vehicle can, for example, be monitored by means of cameras or other sensors which detect the surroundings (for example radar or infra-red sensors), so that another party to an accident which is approaching the vehicle obstruction can be detected.
Preferably, at least one return element is provided for moving the at least one cushion element from a deployed position into the rest position, so that the system is reversible, and can be re-used. This is, for example, not possible in airbag systems, since they must be replaced after they have been triggered. In contrast, the cushion elements of the safety device according to the invention can be returned to the rest position after having been preventatively deployed, if no accident has occurred.
The return element advantageously comprises a tension spring, and the actuating device can move the cushion element from a rest position into a deployed position counter to the action of the spring. The cushion element can then be returned to its rest position by the action of the tension spring, alternatively it may be reset by the actuating device which is driven by the vehicle-mounted drive.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A base sequence detection apparatus is provided with a channel formed on a base sequence detection chip. Working electrodes are formed along the channel and include a probe immobilized thereon, counter electrodes are formed on the inner surface of the channel and, reference electrodes are formed on the inner surface of the channel. An introduction port introduces solution or air from the upstream side of the channel, a delivery port delivers the solution or air in the channel, and the sample is injected into the channel through a sample injection port.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a base sequence detection apparatus which detects a base sequence and a base sequence automatic analyzing apparatus which automatically controls the base sequence detection apparatus and automatically analyzes a measurement signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
There conventionally exist, e.g., apparatuses which execute only hybridization, apparatuses which execute only electrochemical measurement after hybridization and addition of intercalating agents, and apparatuses which automatically execute a whole process from hybridization to cleaning using buffers (e.g., patent document 1: Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOHYO Publication No. 9-504910).
Assume that measurement is executed by using the above-described apparatuses. Every time one process is ended, the operator must manually transfer the sample to the apparatus for the next process. This imposes restrictions on time. In addition, since the operator takes a hand in transfer between processes, the data reproducibility between samples is poor.
Furthermore, measurement results may vary depending on reaction conditions in a reaction cell. When measurement is performed using a 3-electrode unit including a plurality of working electrodes, the reaction environment varies between the working electrodes, and therefore, detection results also vary.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Base sequence detection apparatus and base sequence automatic analyzing apparatus


A reactor for the solution polymerization of volatile monomers equipped with an agitator to cause splashing and droplet formation to reduce volatile monomer accumulation in the vapor space.

The present invention relates to a process and reactor design for the polymerization of monomers in a nonaqueous system. More particularly the present invention relates to a reactor which is operated partially full, that is, a portion of the volume of the reactor is vapor space. The vapor space additionally contains an agitator which aids in reducing volatile monomer accumulating in the vapor space under certain reaction conditions. The reactor is particularly suited for use in an anionic polymerization process.
There are many known examples of solution polymerizations involving one or more volatile monomeric components. Often it is desired to control the degree of polymerization of one component of a reaction mixture. For example, in the polymerization of block copolymers containing one component that is relatively volatile, such as butadiene, it may be desired at some stage to polymerize a relatively pure block of such volatile monomer, and thereafter to continue the polymerization by adding a second monomer to the reactor to form a relatively pure second polymer block. In reactors containing a vapor space, it has been discovered that significant quantities of the volatile monomer may remain in the vapor space of the reactor after polymerization of the dissolved portion of the monomer is completed. Unless the quantity of monomer held in the vapor space is reduced, this remnant may subsequently reenter the reaction mixture and polymerize, thereby destroying the purity of later formed polymer blocks. This problem of residual volatile contamination may also occur in subsequent batch polymerizations utilizing the same reactor unless the reactor is thoroughly purged. In addition to the above problem of polymer contamination, the loss of quantities of volatile monomer into the vapor space of the reactor may result in an undesirable molecular weight variation from desired polymer composition and monomer contamination of the resulting polymer product.
Although a condenser may be employed to remove volatile components from the vapor space of a reactor, often even this technique is not adequate to completely remove the desired amount of volatile monomer. Thus, it would be desirable if there were provided a reactor having a vapor space suitable for use in the solution polymerization of volatile monomers that provides a means to reduce the concentration of such volatile monomers in the vapor space.
It would further be desirable if there were provided an anionic polymerization process that is characterized by a means for reducing the amount of volatile monomer that partitions into the vapor space.

Reactor with surface agitator for solution polymerization process


An audio, video, or multimedia control system and associated method are provided. The audio, video or multimedia control system preferably includes at least one keypad responsive to a user and a keypad controller responsive to the at least one keypad. The keypad controller preferably has a multiple vector command path protocol to operate the controller through a plurality of multiple vector command paths within an application or other equivalent layer of an audio, video, or multimedia communication network. The system also preferably has a plurality of communication channels connected to the at least one audio, video or multimedia keypad controller and a plurality of audio, video, or multimedia devices each connected to at least one of the plurality of communication channels and positioned within a plurality of rooms within a home or business so as to define the audio, video, or multimedia communications network.

The present invention relates to the home or business office automation industries and, more particularly, to an audio, video or multimedia control system for home or business offices and related methods.
In the past, much of home or office automation has been only on a theoretical basis. The cost, communication hardware and software requirements, and practicalities of such home automation have been unrealistic. Recently, however, various communication requirements have begun to be addressed and the cost of communicating within a network of devices has begun to decline in many homes and offices. Also, homes and offices have been initially wired in anticipation of home and office automation concepts. Some home automation systems, such as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,662 by Humphries et al. titled xe2x80x9cHome Automation System,xe2x80x9d generate messages within a network which include an address for indicating the destination of the message and a segment indicating the type of message. Other home automation systems, such as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,805,073 by Nagano et al. title xe2x80x9cApparatus For Connecting Electric Appliances,xe2x80x9d connect electric appliances by transmitting control signals using a multiple part code having a command field and a device field. Still other systems, such as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,687 by Sutton et al. titled xe2x80x9cUniversal Interface For Remotely Monitored Security Systems,xe2x80x9d use a universal interface for remotely monitoring components within a network and use look up tables for translating commands entered by a user on a keypad. Yet other systems have been developed, such as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,385 by Launey et al. titled xe2x80x9cExpandable Home Automation System,xe2x80x9d which requires a complex hardware network which uses two separate sets of switches to control a plurality of devices or appliances.
Little development effort continues to be exerted on an application or other equivalent layer of a home or office automation system, and especially on user interface to the home or office automation system such as through a keypad using the application or other equivalent layer. This lack of focus and understanding of the application or other equivalent layer makes it difficult to readily add-on additional or new audio, video, multimedia or other devices within a network without major software reprogramming tasks being required or major hardware rewiring or reconfiguration of a network being required as needed for these other systems.
With the foregoing in mind, the present invention advantageously provides an audio, video, or multimedia keypad controller and associated methods which is flexible so that additional audio, video or multimedia devices can readily be added to an audio, video or multimedia device communications network and so that the audio, video or multimedia keypad controller can readily handle both single and multiple zoned audio, video or multimedia device communication networks. The present invention also advantageously provides an audio, video or multimedia keypad controller which can readily handle tiered audio, video or multimedia device add-ons to an audio, video or multimedia device communications network system without major software reprogramming or major hardware rewiring or reconfiguration. The present invention further advantageously provides an audio, video or multimedia keypad controller and method of communicating within a network which uses a multi-dimensional vector table or analysis to more accurately and quickly locate and issue a command to an audio, video or multimedia related or other device within the network.
More particularly, the present invention provides an audio, video or multimedia control system which preferably has at least one keypad responsive to a user and an audio, video or multimedia keypad controller responsive to the at least one keypad. The audio, video or multimedia keypad controller preferably has multiple vector command path operating means for operating the controller with a multiple vector command path protocol in an application or other equivalent layer of an audio, video or multimedia device communications network. The audio, video or multimedia control system preferably also has a plurality of audio, video or multimedia communication channels connected to the at least one audio, video or multimedia keypad controller and a plurality of audio, video or multimedia devices each connected to at least one of the plurality of audio, video or multimedia communication channels and positioned within a plurality of rooms within a home or business so as to define the audio, video or multimedia device communications network.
The present invention also advantageously includes a method of communicating commands to a plurality of audio, video or multimedia devices positioned in a network having a keypad and a keypad controller positioned in communication with the keypad. The method preferably includes generating a communication code from the keypad responsive to a user interfacing with the keypad and operating the keypad controller in an application or other equivalent layer of the network with a multiple vector command path protocol responsive to the communication code from the keypad.

Audio, video, or multimedia system keypad controller having multiple vector control paths and associated methods


A method includes obtaining image data, selecting image datasets from the image data, creating three-dimensional (3D) matrices based on the selected image dataset, refining the 3D matrices, applying one or more matrix operations to the refined 3D matrices, selecting corresponding matrix columns from the 3D matrices, applying big data convolution algorithm to the selected corresponding matrix columns to create a two-dimensional (2D) matrix, and applying a reconstruction algorithm to create a super-resolution biomarker map image.

The following description is provided to assist the understanding of the reader. None of the information provided or references cited is admitted to be prior art.
Tumor heterogeneity refers to the propensity of different tumor cells to exhibit distinct morphological and phenotypical profiles. Such profiles may include cellular morphology, gene expression, metabolism, motility, proliferation, and metastatic potential. Recent advancements show that tumor heterogeneity is a major culprit in treatment failure for cancer. To date, no clinical imaging method exists to reliably characterize inter-tumor and intra-tumor heterogeneity. Accordingly, better techniques for understanding tumor heterogeneity would represent a major advance in the treatment of cancer.

System and method for forming a super-resolution biomarker map image


An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: based on received traveller data, the traveller data representing polled traveller usage of a particular traffic lane, designating the particular traffic lane as a restricted-use lane, the designation for use in subsequent navigation guidance.

An electronic device may provide navigation advice to a user. In some examples, a navigation device may provide advice based on whether a traffic lane is restricted to use by a particular type of vehicle. This may allow the device to provide navigation guidance that avoids directing a user to use a traffic lane that they are prohibited from using.
The listing or discussion of a prior-published document or any background in this specification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the document or background is part of the state of the art or is common general knowledge. One or more aspects/examples of the present disclosure may or may not address one or more of the background issues.

Apparatus and associated methods for designating a traffic lane


A heavy-duty adjustable length butt stock assembly for a firearm such as an AR15 rifle or any other firearm that is made to accept an AR15 butt stock. The stock is designed to be stronger than any existing production AR15 butt stock. The butt stock has three major components, the butt, the receiver extension tube and the clamping gusset The front end of the butt stock has a primary bore hole that extends inwardly from its front end to the rear end of the butt stock. The receiver extension tube is telescopically received in the primary bore hole. An adjustment push button lock extends inwardly from one of the lateral sides of the butt stock and it actuates locking plunger pin that can mate with various longitudinally spaced transversely extending grooves on the bottom surface of the receiver extension tube. Various sling mount structures can be formed on the butt stock or on a clamping gusset that is removably inserted over the receiver extension tube adjacent its front end.

The invention relates to firearms and more specifically to the AR15 series of rifles and subsequent firearms that are manufactured to receive an AR15 stock.
One of the age old problems that has existed with firearms such as shotguns and rifles is the fact that the physical size of the shooters varies greatly. One solution is to have a shooter buy a butt stock that is custom fitted to the shooter. Another solution is to have an adjustable length butt stock. None of the prior art butt stocks incorporate the unique structure that will be described henceforth.
Another problem exists with the AR15 type rifles; that is, if the receiver extension tube in which the adjustable butt-stock is attached to is bent or slightly damaged, then the AR15 will be disabled when the next round is fired. This aspect brings forth the need for heavy duty receiver extension tube and reinforced receiver.
It is an object of the invention to provide a novel butt stock length push adjustment push button lock having a special spring-loaded tapered locking plunger pin. The tapered locking plunger pin button locks into a corresponding tapered groove in the bottom surface of the receiver extension tube. This feature takes all of the "slop" or "play" out of the adjustable length butt stock assembly.
It is another object of the invention to provide a "countersink gate" around the adjustment push button that reduces the chances of the adjustment push button being accidently released.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide an integrated "battle hammer" integrally formed into the butt stock. The battle hammer feature is intended for hand to hand combat, breaching doors and other utilitarian needs.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a closed cell foam tube fitted to the outer surface of the receive extension tube that insulates the operator from the metal stock and also reduces felt vibration and recoil.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel gusset having an integrated sling mount and the gusset clamps to the receiver extension tube. In the second embodiment the clamping gusset screw/sling mount is reversible so that the sling mount can be mounted on either side. The gusset can be axially rotated so that the sling can be mounted on the left or right hand side of the shotgun or rifle. The gusset also reinforces the stock and receiver at its weakest point.
It is another object of the invention to utilize a receiver extension tube whose strength is much greater than existing receiver extension tubes. This feature enables the stock to be much stronger than current stock designs for the AR 15.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide a novel adjustable length butt stock assembly for a firearm that produces an audible click as well as a tactile click when it lines up with the adjustment groove. This indicates to the operator that the length the stock has been adjusted. This feature is especially valuable for low light conditions. Line and adjustment numbers can be applied to the receiver extension tube so that the operator can visually check to see if the stock is properly adjusted for his needs.

Adjustable length heavy duty butt stock assembly for a firearm


A set of objects associated with an incremental backup is determined where the set of objects includes one or more full backup objects associated with a full backup from which the incremental backup depends. A backup is performed using the set of objects, including by setting one or more timestamps associated with the one or more full backup objects to a time later than the full backup.

Incremental backups are attractive because they tend to use less storage and/or processing time than a full backup. Although incremental backups are able to be restored for some period of time, it would be desirable to extend this period of time. Extending the period of time during which an incremental backup is available reduces the likelihood that a particular incremental backup is desired but is unavailable. Furthermore, if a new technique which extended the period of time during which an incremental backup is available was able to do so without requiring changes to some component or device, it would be desirable.

Simplified database/log backup and restore


Heating element for user-touchable areas in a vehicle with a foamed carrier material in which at least one heating conductor, which comprises an electrical insulation, is embedded, and with connecting conductors which are electrically connected to the ends of the heating conductor via at least one connection part and form an electrical feed line. The at least one connection part is arranged within the foamed carrier material and the connection part is foam-covered in an electrically insulating manner by the carrier material. The connection part is brought into electrically conductive contact at least partially with the respective connection end of the heating conductor due to applied pressure and/or applied heat, at least partially destroying the electrical insulation in the region of the connection part. Furthermore, a method for producing such a heating element using a mold tool is indicated.

The present invention refers to a heating element for user-touchable areas in a vehicle and a method for producing such a heating element.
Such heating elements are used for seat heaters, steering wheel heaters, but also for paneling parts in a vehicle. In their basic structure, they comprise a foamed carrier material in which at least one heating conductor is embedded, which comprises electrical insulation and which extends straight, preferably undulating or meandering. The ends of the heating conductor are led out of the carrier material and form connections for an electrical connection or are connected to connecting conductors as an electrical feed line.
These heating elements are usually made of two layers of foam between which the heating conductor is embedded. In order to fix the heating conductor according to a required laying pattern, it is first fastened on a carrier or in any other way to at least one of the two foam layers.
DE 10 2014 005 190 A1 (corresponds to US 2015/291001 A1) is aimed at a method for producing an inner paneling part with a visible side and a planar heating element. The heating element is inserted into a mold cavity of a mold tool and foam-covered with a foam material.
WO 2006/015588 A1 (corresponds to US 2008/093890 A1) describes a component with a rigid foam body and an electrical and/or electronic functional element foam-encased therein, for example a light means or a heating device that can have the form of a foil heater, or a sensor. The corresponding functional element is electrically connected within the rigid foam body via an at least partially foam-encased flat conductor set which ends in a plug. The plug can be foam-encased at the edge of the rigid foam body so that the plug contacts are accessible for electrical connection.
DE 37 25 408 A1 refers to a heatable laid-on cover for a vehicle seat, in which an electric heating conductor is embedded in a foam laid-on cover. The cover can consist of a two-part foam body in which the heating conductor is inserted and/or held in a form-fitting manner, the two foam halves being glued together. The heating conductor can also be foam-encased in a foam.
DE 101 52 719 C1 (corresponds to US 2003/080455 A1) describes a process for foam-encasing cables, in particular for foam-covering a steering wheel skeleton equipped with cables. The mold tool has a cavity into which the ends of the electrical cables and a plug fastened thereto, which are used, for example, to connect a steering wheel heater, are inserted so that the connecting cable with the plug does not come into contact with foam when the steering wheel skeleton is foam-covered.

Heating element for user-touchable areas in a vehicle and method for producing such a heating element


Disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for authentication through generating and communicating encoded representations containing unique application fingerprints, e.g., metadata. Techniques include receiving an access request, receiving application metadata, identifying a unique verification token, generating an encoded visual representation including the metadata and verification token, making available to the encoded visual representation for scanning by a user for verification of the metadata. Further techniques include requesting access to a secure resource, transmitting metadata, scanning an encoded visual representation including the metadata and a verification token, and sending the verification token to a security server to complete an authentication process.

With the increased threat of hacking and phishing attacks to computer systems, there are greater needs for effective and efficient user authentication to prevent malicious users from gaining access to secure resources. Some methods for securing internet resources have been attempted, but these solutions are insufficiently secure, inefficient, or vulnerable to phishing attacks. Further, these methods may not provide a secure and efficient mode of authorization for user with a mobile device.
Metadata is data that provides information about other data, for example data relating to various parameters of software applications. Because some applications have a wide range of possible parameters and values, metadata can be useful to uniquely identify some computing devices. An identification based upon metadata can be useful in various devices or user authentication scenarios.
Barcodes and other encoded visual representations permit quick data transfer between mobile devices and other computing devices. Different systems currently use a variety of barcodes to transfer data, authenticate users, or identify products. Such barcodes permit mobile devices to interact directly with computing devices to quickly receive or transfer data. For example, a mobile device can scan a barcode displayed by the computing device, decode the barcode, and thereby obtain data for authorizing user access to certain restricted locations or systems. Because traditional barcodes can be scanned by many devices, they present security risks, including transfer of malicious data, exposure of private information, or granting of access to an unauthorized user. Traditional barcode authorization systems may also be susceptible to phishing attacks in which a malicious user attempts to access a restricted online resource and receives an authorization code. The malicious user may then use phishing techniques to send the barcode to an authorized user, who may scan the code and validate the authorization, thereby giving the malicious user access.
Accordingly, in view of these and other deficiencies in existing techniques, technological solutions are needed for effective and efficient secure authorization through encoded representations. Solutions should advantageously allow a user to be authenticated on a mobile device quickly and efficiently using an encoded visual representation containing unique metadata. Solutions should also guard against phishing attacks and other attempts by malicious users to gain access to secure locations. Such solutions should use metadata to determine if the device that requested access to a secure location is the same device that is being authorized for access. Solutions may also permit device identification with metadata that changes over time by employing fuzzy hashing techniques or periodically refreshing metadata.

Secure authentication through visual codes containing unique metadata


A red-eye detection device includes a red-eye candidate detection section, a red-eye pair specification section, and an isolated red-eye candidate check section. The red-eye candidate detection section detects a red-eye candidate that can be estimated to be a red-eye, by identifying a feature of the pupil that has a region displayed red from among features of an image. The red-eye pair specification section specifies the red-eye candidate as a pair of a right red-eye candidate equivalent to a right eye and a left red-eye candidate equivalent to a left eye, using information on a face region obtained from the image. The isolated red-eye candidate check section checks whether an isolated red-eye candidate, detected by the red-eye candidate detection section but not specified as the pair by the red-eye pair specification section, is a true red-eye.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the process of detecting a correction object when performing local color correction on a photographic image, and more particularly to a red-eye detection device, a red-eye detection method, and a red-eye detection program that detect red parts from a photographic image in which eyes are photographed red.
2. Description of the Related Art
If a flash photograph of a person or animal is taken at night or in poor light, there are cases where the pupil (or part of the pupil) will be photographed as red or gold. For this reason, a variety of methods have been proposed in which the pupil photographed as red or gold (hereinafter referred to as a red-eye, including the case of gold) is corrected to the original color, by digital image processing.
For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-013680 discloses a method of and a device for automatically recognizing a red-eye from among regions specified by an operator, based on the color, position, and size of the pupil. Also, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-148780 discloses a method of calculating a predetermined feature quantity of each pixel for a region specified by an operator and selecting as a correction object a part that has the most distinguishing feature of the pupil. However, in the recognition process based on only features of the pupil, it is difficult to discriminate a locally reddish object such as a red electrical decoration from a red-eye. Because of this, it is extremely difficult to automatically perform all operations without human intervention by an operator.
In contrast with this, a method of automatically detecting a red-eye is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,252,976 (corresponding to Japanese Publication No. 2000-125320). In this method, a face is detected and, based on features of the face, a pair of the right eye and the left eye is specified from among detected red-eye candidates. Then, based on the features of the face, it is evaluated whether or not the pair meets conditions of a red-eye. For instance, since a distance between both eyes is obtained from the size of the face, the upper limit of the size of the pupil is estimated from that distance, and it is confirmed that the size of a red-eye candidate detected does not exceed the upper limit. In this manner, accuracy of detection is enhanced. This method is effective when both eyes are red-eyes.
However, the phenomenon of a red-eye does not necessarily occur in both eyes. There are cases in which only one eye becomes a red-eye. In addition, when both eyes are red-eyes, there are cases where only one of the two eyes is detected as a red-eye candidate.
In the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,252,976, the evaluation of whether candidates meet conditions of a red-eye cannot be performed on red-eye candidates not specified as a pair. In this case, the judgment of whether to make a correction must be performed based on the result of detection, whose accuracy is low. As a result, objects other than a red-eye will be corrected. Also, when both eyes are red-eyes, only one eye will be corrected.

Red-eye detection device, red-eye detection method, and red-eye detection program


High-speed inference method and system for a production system represented by an expert system. A knowledge base comprised of a rule and a fact possessing a plurality of attributes is converted into machine language instructions executable by a processor to execute inference. The machine language instruction of the fact has the function of transferring a value of the fact to a specified location and the machine language instruction of the rule has the function of performing matching decision by referring to the specified location. The number of pattern matching operations can be decreased and the interpretation overhead can be reduced to ensure high-speed inference.

This invention relates to a production system represented by an expert system and more particularly to a tool for forward reasoning and a high-speed inference method using the tool.
In the past, the production system widely used as a tool for implementing the expert system includes, as shown in FIG. 2, a production memory 2-1 for storing rules, a working memory 2-2 for storing data necessary for execution of the rules, and an interpreter (inference engine) 2-3 which performs interpretation and execution by referring to or looking up the above two memories. Fundamentally, the interpreter repeats three cycles of pattern matching, conflict resolution and execution to perform execution processing repeatedly until no executable rule subsists. When data such as a frame representative of a fact is first supplied to the working memory, the pattern matching cycle proceeds wherein pattern matching is effected between a condition part of each of all the rules and the contents of the working memory at that time, so that for each rule, an executable condition constructed of a combination of facts may be created which makes the rule in question executable and satisfies the rule condition part. Subsequently, in the conflict resolution cycle, one executable condition is selected from the executable conditions of all rules in accordance with a certain strategy and a rule to which the selected executable condition belongs is selected. Finally, in the execution cycle, an execution part of the selected rule is executed on the basis of the selected executable condition to modify the facts stored in the working memory. The "certain strategy" referred to herein signifies a stipulation which determines the sequence of execution of rules in accordance with, for example, the time that the rule executable condition is created (time tag). The time-tag stipulation is derived from the thinking purporting that "inference based on a newly created executable condition (facts) can be done with higher efficiency".
In the production system outlined as above, the pattern matching processing is effected for all rules each time the pattern matching cycle is executed with the result that the same processing is repeated, thus degrading the processing efficiency. Under the circumstances, RETE algorithm has been proposed which is effective to reduce the number of operations of pattern matching between rule and fact. This algorithm is pattern matching algorithm practically used in many famous commercial tools such as OPS 5, ART, KBMS and ES/KERNEL.
Pursuant to the RETE algorithm, the rule condition part is converted into a data flow graph called a RETE network having nodes at which pattern decision commands are placed, and the data flow graph is so optimized as to eliminate the same pattern decision occurring among a plurality of rules. Further, the pattern decision is not repeated every cycle but the results obtained midway in calculation for the previous cycle are all conserved on the network, and only changes resulting from execution of the rules are subjected to pattern matching.
As is clear from the above, the RETE algorithm is highly efficient but conventionally, this algorithm has been practiced by expressing nodes of the network in terms of intermediate language form such as a list and a table and by causing an interpreter to perform interpretation and execution, thus raising a problem that satisfactory performance can not be realized.
To cope with this problem, a method such as OPS 83 has recently been employed by which the RETE network is converted into a direct procedure (Reference literature: Technique for Increasing the Speed of Production System by Tohru Ishida and Kazuhiro Kuwahara, Trans. Information Processing Society of Japan, Vol. 29, No. May 5, 1988).
The prior art described hereinbefore may be summarized as shown in FIG. 3. To explain, in place of decreasing the number of pattern matching operations at the condition part of each rule, an executable condition for the rule is conserved and besides intermediate results are also conserved on the RETE network as indicated at block 3-1 so that only modified frames may be again subjected to pattern matching. Also, by making a plurality of rules have common conditions in common in the network as indicated at block 3-2, the number of pattern decision operations can be reduced considerably to advantage.
However, where a great number of modified frames are present on the network, the prior art method suffers from a disadvantage that as indicated at block 3-3, all of the rule executable conditions and intermediate results must be modified and memory control is required for this purpose.
For example, a program consisting of rules and frames as shown in FIG. 4 can be converted into a RETE network, as shown in FIG. 5. A rule 1 of this program has the meaning of "If for an instance frame having a class name of fb, values of its attribute d are substituted into variables Y and X and for an instance having a class name of fa, the value of its attribute b is smaller than 10 and its frame name is substituted into variable Z" and statements following "then" constitute an execution part of the rule 1. A rule 2 is similar and its explanation will be omitted. As for the frame, there are two clase frames fa and fb and instance frames fa.sub.1, fb.sub.1 and fb.sub.2. The initial value of attribute of the instance frame is the same as that of the class frame.
When examining features of this program in view of the RETE algorithm, the program will be proved to feature that conditions in the rule 1 resemble those in rule 2, thus permitting the program to be converted into a highly efficient RETE network in which the rules 1 and 2 can have common conditions in common, and that the frame name referred to in the rule condition part is represented by the variable so as to generate a plurality of intermediate results to be conserved on the network frame, thus reducing the number of pattern matching operations greatly. In effect, on the FIG. 5 RETE network, the rules 1 and 2 have the first condition of the rule 1 and the second condition of the rule 2 as well as the second condition of the rule 1 and the first condition of the rule 2 in common and the pattern decision results are conserved as intermediate results at SUB-TERM's and MERGE's on the network.
Consequently, the number of pattern decision operations effected when a frame referred to by the rule condition part is modified can be reduced considerably. For example, when the instance frame fa.sub.1 is modified, one matching decision operation is carried out at INTRA 1 of the first condition of the rule 1 but in the rule 2, only reference to intermediate results is made at SUB-TERM and therefore no matching decision is carried out. Accordingly, the number of matching decision operations is one in total.
However, this program is considered as one of programs which degrade the performance pursuant to the RETE algorithm the most. This is because while the number of matching decision operations can be reduced, it takes a long time to modify the intermediate results. For example, when fa.sub.1 is modified, all intermediate results inclusive of fa.sub.1 and conserved on the RETE network at two SUB-TERM's, MERGE, and RULE-TERM in the rule 1 and at MERGE and RULE-TERM in the rule 2 must be retrieved and deleted and besides new intermediate results must be prepared on the network.
As is clear from the above, the conservation of the intermediate results on the network is good for one thing but bad for another thing and it is risky to simply use only the number of pattern decision operations as an evaluation criterion for algorithm. Thus, in order to evaluate the RETE algorithm, two evaluation criteria are required including the number of pattern decision operations and the amount of modification of the intermediate results.
Another problem is encountered in the RETE algorithm in connection with implementation of the algorithm. Since in the RETE algorithm a data driving type execution mechanism is employed in which a modified frame is "drawn" into the network in accordance with a data flow model, a data flows computer must be realized virtually with an interpreter program (inference engine program) in implementing the RETE algorithm on an ordinary pipe-line computer and virtual instructions arranged on a rule network must be interpreted and executed by means of the interpreter. Thus, the virtual instructions have to be executed through the medium of the interpreter and disadvantageously, inference can not be executed with high efficiency. Under the circumstances, a system for increasing the processing speed has hitherto been available wherein pattern decision commands on the RETE network are converted into a machine language instruction set for computer. However, in a large-scale system in which the number of frames amounts up to several of thousands to several of ten thousands, the frame per se is expressed in terms of a table form such as a list and data, and therefore pointers are frequently brought into use in order to make reference to a frame and the frame reference operation disadvantageously causes a bottleneck in attaining satisfactory inference performance.

Compile type knowledge processing tool, a high-speed inference method therefor and a system using the tool


A method of fabricating a flash memory. A heavily doped region with the opposite polarity of the drain region is formed between the channel region and the drain region. The heavily doped region is in a bar shape extending towards both the drain and the source regions along a side of the floating gate. Furthermore, the reading operation is performed in reverse by applying a zero voltage to the drain region, and a non-zero voltage to the source region.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method of fabricating a flash memory cell, and more particularly to a method of fabricating Zener breakdown based flash memory.
2. Description of the Related Art
The conventional flash memory is an electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (E.sup.2 PROM), which is a non-volatile memory. Normally, a conventional flash memory comprises two gates. One is a floating gate formed of poly-silicon for the purpose of data storage, the other is a control gate for controlling data access. The floating gate is formed under the control gate without direct connecting to the control gate. The characteristic of the flash memory is to erase data block by block. Compared to the conventional E.sup.2 PROM which erases data bit by bit, the data erase is completed in a much shorter time, for example, from a few minutes to one to two seconds. The operation speed of flash memory is thus much faster than the operation speed of the conventional E.sup.2 PROM.
Referring to FIG. 1, on a first type semiconductor substrate 10, a floating gate 18 is formed. Two second type doped regions are formed in the substrate 10 in each side of the floating gate 18. These two second type doped regions include a source region 12 and a drain region 14. On the floating gate 18, a control gate 16 is formed with a bar shape extending on the substrate 10.
As the dimension of devices reduces, it is more and more difficult to fabricate a flash memory with a high programming speed. The process of fabricating a flash memory with a high programming current and a high programming speed is under development.


A battery-powered lap-top computer has a main battery for ordinarily supplying power to the computer circuitry. A reserve battery is connected through a manual switch to the circuitry. When the main battery starts to lose its charge, the manual switch is operated to connect the reserve battery to the circuitry prior to removal of the main battery. A new main battery is installed and the switch is operated to disconnect the reserve battery from the circuitry. Provision is made for the main battery to slowly charge the reserve battery.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to battery-powered electronic devices. More specifically, it relates to a battery replacement system for battery-powered digital data handling devices.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When the battery in a battery-operated computer becomes discharged while the computer is in use, the battery has to be replaced. To replace the battery in prior art systems, the following steps ordinarily had to be taken:
(a) Save the work file. PA0 (b) Exit the current program. PA0 (c) Turn the computer off. PA0 (d) Remove the discharged battery. PA0 (e) Replace with a new battery. PA0 (f) Apply power to the computer. PA0 (g) Wait for the power-up sequences of tests and initialization. PA0 (h) Invoke the current program. PA0 (i) Load the work file.
This prior art procedure can take appreciable time, depending on the complexity of the program.
To overcome the disadvantages of this procedure, prior art lap-top computers have made use of a special memory for storing the contents of the main memory and also that of the contents of the internal registers of the microprocessor component of the computer. This special memory is a very low-powered, expensive static-type memory typically limited, by cost, to approximately 640 K bytes. As battery-powered computers have become more complex, the memory size has increased to where those computers with 640 K bytes are impractical since the state-of-the-art capacity is now up to 8 megabytes. Static memory of this size would be prohibitive in cost and would be physically too large.
Another prior art system is involved with writing the contents of the registers and the main memory into a disk memory before the computer is shut down for battery replacement. However, the power requirement in that type of system is high and, furthermore, all of the registers in the current microprocessor structures are not susceptible of being read out and preserved. Therefore, the exact state of the microprocessor cannot be saved before turning the power off for battery replacement.
According to the present invention, the power is maintained throughout the battery replacement process, insuring preservation of all memory and contents of operational registers.

Battery replacement system for battery-powered digital data handling devices


A computerized technique for performing a medical outcomes analysis is disclosed including methods for quantifying a patients state of health to facilitate an increased quality of patient care and improving diagnostic techniques.

In one aspect, this invention relates to the use of computers to carry out methods useful in the practice of medicine. In another aspect, this invention relates to the use of computers to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. In another aspect, this invention relates to the use of computers to assist in managing patient care.
Computers are well suited for the analysis of outcomes. However, a computer program to perform medical outcomes analysis is not available. This is very unfortunate, because a medical outcomes analysis is vital for the prevention of development of illness, the improvement in the quality of care, the reduction of the costs of care, the restoration of health of the individual, and the prevention of the loss of useful work. A computer program to carry out an outcome analysis useful in the practice of medicine would be extremely desirable.

Computer assisted method for the diagnosis and treatment of illness


To accurately perform a process of natural language information, such as a process for generating a sentence from a concept, or a process for recognizing each character which constitutes a sentence, if, after input information is processed and the processed results thereof are output, a part of the output processed results is corrected, the process for the entire input information is reviewed on the basis of the corrected result. As a result, the corrected results of a certain portion can be reflected in another portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for reviewing its processing which is run once on the basis of corrections for processing results and a method therefor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hitherto, a system for completely replacing the values of defaults in the system has been proposed.
For example, in a Japanese front end processor (FEP), for an input pronunciation of kanji, the system first displays a default kanji of a first candidate. With regard to this, when the user requests another candidate, the system replaces the displayed candidate with another candidate and displays it.
Also, in an optical character recognition (OCR) apparatus, and a character recognition apparatus, such as an online or offline handwriting character recognition apparatus, a plurality of possible candidates are sought beforehand for the character to be recognized, the apparatus outputs the most probable candidate from among the candidates, and is able to replace it with another candidate if the user makes a request.
In another example, in a feedback system relating to temperature, water pressure or the like, feedback for controlling a process for a next input is performed. Further, there is a system for pointing out errors in an input, such as a spell checker.
As described above, there has been an increasing need for correcting the results of the process performed by the system. However, in the above-described conventional system, changing of the output default value to another value by the user, may affect a portion which is logically dependent on the portion which is currently being changed but which has been already processed, and therefore merely the changing of that portion is insufficient.
For example, in the case of the above-described FEP, the change of one kanji or word affects the selection of another word before or after the kanji or the word. With regard to this, hitherto, only what is commonly called learning, for example, the contents of this selection are memorized, and these contents are used for later processes, is performed. However, regarding the effect on the already selected kanji or word, no correction can be made.
In a similar manner, also in respect of character recognition, the change of an output candidate should be a clue to the recognition of the adjacent portion. However, it is not possible to change the portion on the basis of such change of another portion.
On the other hand, in the control system for performing feedback, the process of an input after the current input is affected, and no influence is exerted upon the results of the input process before the current input.

System for reviewing its processing and method therefor


A variety of Texas Redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis) having alternating stem branching with the orientation of shoot tip growth approximately - 45.degree. from the horizon with occasional arching shoots eventually reorienting downward. The leaves are cauline, petiolate with petioles glabrous and terete. Emerging foilage is red in color.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Texas Redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis) which was discovered from selection of some 10,000 seedlings grown from seed obtained from a wild stand of Cercis canadensis var. texensis in Blanco County, Tex. The discovery has been entitled Texas Redbud Tree named "Traveller". The seedlings were grown in San Marcos, Hays County, Tex. Seed was collected in Blanco County in the state of Texas; specifically at the junction of the little Blanco River and U.S. 281. Seed was cleaned, scarified and germinated at a nursery located at 2318 Hilliard Road in Hays County, Tex. Asexual propagation by both tip cuttings and by grafting were also done at the same location.


An inline roller skate includes a large number of small, light weight wheels arranged along a downwardly convex arcuate line to form a rocker. Braking elements are disposed along a common axis with at least some of the wheels, the braking elements may take the form of various surfaces of revolution, such as conical, cylindrical, ellipsoidal or semispherical. The braking elements are arranged to contact the skating surface when the skater shifts his foot to a direction perpendicular to his direction of movement and leans back on his skate so as to perform an "ice skating" type braking action.

This invention relates to tandem or inline roller skates which are particularly suitable for playing hockey. Hockey has long been a popular game on ice and, of course, hockey players are most familiar with ice skates and the particular type of ice skate used in playing hockey. Such hockey ice skates provide a great deal of maneuverability to permit a skater to change directions and stop frequently. This is in contrast with the normal recreational ice skating as well as the normal recreational roller skating. Inline roller skates have been developed primarily for recreational use although inline roller skates have been used for playing hockey for over 20 years; see, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,880,441 for a Tandem Roller Hockey Skate.
During the long history of inline hockey skates many changes have been made but in all instances the inline hockey skate is substantially different from the ice hockey skate due principally to the natural differences between the thin blade of the ice skate as opposed to the rollers required for the inline skate. One substantial difference is the weight of the skate. The inline skate, even today after more than 20 years of improvement, is approximately 65% heavier than an ice skate of the same size and general boot construction. Moreover, the inline hockey skates developed to date are constructed such that the soles of the skater's feet are positioned much higher from the skating surface than is the case with the ice skates. Ice skates normally position the sole of the boot only about 6 cm above the ice whereas the inline hockey skate places the sole approximately 8 cm above the skating surface. This is due to the fact that the wheels for inline hockey skates normally have a 72 to 80 mm tread diameter.
Ice hockey skates also differ from most roller skates in that the blade is normally ground to a curvature having a radius of about 3 meters so as to provide what is generally known as a "rocker." Such a rocker curved shape permits the skater to tip his foot forward or backward to a moderate extent and still maintain the same contact with the ice. This has been accomplished only somewhat with inline hockey skates to date wherein three to five wheels are employed and positioned at two different levels from the sole of the boot. Such an arrangement permits the skater to set the sole of his foot at any of three different angles with the skating surface. One such configuration is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,470. In other arrangements, the various inline wheels are placed on pivoting carriages which likewise permits three possible angles with the skating surface. Such a construction is offered by BMR Manufacturing which calls the arrangement a "floating rocker system."
Another important difference between ice hockey skates and inline hockey skates is the manner and ability of stopping. In ice skating the skater ordinarily comes to a quick stop by shifting the blade of his skates to a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement and lean back thereby providing sufficiently high friction scraping to come to a quick stop. With inline skates the usual manner of stopping is to use a brake snubber on the heel or toe of the boot to provide braking friction while the skate is still directed in the line of movement. Even so, many users of inline hockey skates attempt to stop in the ice skating manner using not only the normal roller blade wheels but also more spherically shaped wheels such as skates offered by RollerBall International, Inc. of Los Angeles, Calif. Other forms of braking have also been considered and tried such as hand operated application of friction on the wheels themselves.