The food safety system and method of the present invention provides a comprehensive consumer risk distribution model, which can be applied to any food item. Additionally, the present invention automatically evaluates consumer risk based on how much contaminated food is at each stage of the food distribution process according to the consumer risk distribution model, allowing for quick and accurate determinations as to the efficacy of a trace recall effort. A further element of the present invention provides expert analysis of data to detect and identify food events from sporadic information. Finally, the real time detection system provides early warning data in order to intercept isolated food contamination events before the contaminated food products reach the consuming public.

The present invention relates to bacterial and microbial contamination of food items. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for identifying contaminated food products, tracing the contaminated food products within the food distribution chain, and facilitating actions such as recalling contaminated food items and alerting consumers through various media.
For the purpose of this invention, the term "pollutants" refers to toxins, harmful bacteria (such as e-coli, Coxiella burnetti, botulinum, thermosaccharolyticum, and the like), pathogens, contaminants, organic agents, inorganic agents, radiological agents, radiological agents or any other non-beneficial agents that find their way into food products. The term "harmful" is used herein means deleterious to human health. Such pollutants may be naturally occurring, maybe the result of a contamination event (such as introduction of the food product into a non-sterile environment), or may be the result of tampering with the food products (as when someone tampered with Tylenol brand of acetaminophen capsules in 1982).
Generally, much of the fresh food supply in the United States and around the world is perishable because of its moderate to high water content and because of its nutritious nature. The causes of deterioration in spoilage of food products include the growth of microorganisms (by far the most common cause), contamination (filth, absorption of odors, etc.), normal respiration (plant tissues), loss of water (sprouting), autolysis (especially fish), various chemical reactions such as oxidation, physiological disorders (such as scald of apples, cold shortening of muscle, chilling injury and anaerobic respiration of plant tissues), and mechanical damage (bruising, and the like).
Spoilage of perishable foods can be prevented only by prompt consumption, which often is not possible, or by prompt effective preservation. Effective preservation not only retards spoilage, but also helps reduce the possibility of contamination of the food product. The aim of commercial food preservation is to prevent undesirable changes in the wholesomeness, nutritive value, or sensory quality of food by economical methods which control growth of microorganisms, reduce chemical, physical, and physiological changes of an undesired nature, and obviate contamination.
Currently, preservation of food can be accomplished by chemical, biological, or physical means. Generally chemical preservation involves the addition to food of such substances as sugars, salts, or acids or exposure of food to chemicals such as smoke or fumigants. Biological preservation involves alcoholic or acidic fermentations. Physical approaches to preserving food include temporary increases in the products energy level (heating or irradiation), controlled reduction of the products temperature (chilling, freezing, and the like), controlled reduction in the products water content (concentration, air dehydration, freeze drying), and the use of productive packaging.
During preservation of moderately or highly perishable foods, the greatest concern is related to microorganisms. Physical methods of preservation result either in death of microorganisms (by temporarily increasing the energy level of a food which is suitably packaged to avoid recontamination), or suppression of their growth (by maintaining the food at sub-ambient temperatures or by removing water followed by packaging to avoid reabsorption of water).
Although certain physical methods of food preservation completely stop growth of microorganisms and greatly retard the rates of chemical reactions (and spoilage), it is important to recognize that none of these methods can completely prevent chemical and physical changes. For example, in frozen foods stored at a recommended temperature of −18 degrees Celsius, microorganisms cannot grow, but degradation of vitamin C, insolubilization of protein, oxidation of lipids, and recrystallization can occur at significant rates. Additionally, methods of preservation that successfully stop the growth of microorganisms sometimes have undesirable consequences with respect to the sensory and nutritional attributes of food. For example, thermal sterilization softens food tissues, degrades chlorophyls and anthocyanins alters flavors, and results in loss or degradation of vitamins.
One method of preservation of food products is called pasteurization. Pasteurization is a heat treatment that kills part but not all of the vegetable microorganisms present in the food, and consequently it is used for foods which are to be further handled and stored under conditions which minimize microbial growth. In many cases, the primary objective of pasteurization is to kill pathogenic microorganisms. Some vegetative spoilage organisms can survive this heat treatment, and thus more severe preservation methods are needed if microbial spoilage is to be prevented. In other cases, such as in beer, pasteurization serves primarily to kill vegetative spoilage organisms. Other preservation techniques used in conjunction with pasteurization typically include refrigeration, chemical additives, packaging, and fermentation.
Pasteurization generally involves heating the food product to a specific temperature for a period of time. The time temperature treatment used in pasteurization depends upon the heat resistance of the particular vegetative or pathogenic microorganism that the process is designed to destroy, and the sensitivity of the product quality to heat. In milk pasteurization for example, the high temperature and short time method involves a comparatively high temperature for a short period of time (e.g., 161 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds for milk), whereas the low temperature and long time procedure involves relatively low temperatures for longer periods of time (e.g., 145 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes for milk). Optimization of the pasteurization process depends on the relative destruction rate of various microorganisms as compared to quality factors of the food product. For market milk, pasteurization conditions are based on the thermal destruction of coxiella burnetti, the ricketsia organism responsible for Q fever. For high acid fruits such as cherries, the pasteurization process is based on successful destruction of yeast or molds. For fermented beverages such as wine or beer, the pasteurization criteria involves the destruction of wild yeasts.
In milk for example, the low temperature long time pasteurization process is targeted toward a particular organism. However, even with such pasteurization, contamination by other pollutants may occur from time to time. Additionally, storage conditions may contaminate the stored milk or provide an ambient condition for the microorganisms to reconstitute. Consequently, contamination of food products by pollutants occurs from time to time. Typically such occurrences are evidenced by sporadic outbreaks of illness among consumers and by occasional recall efforts. Whether the contamination is caused by E coli in tainted ground beef, by ricin in potatoes, or by various other pollutants on various types of food products, it is desirable to identify food contamination events quickly, and to take steps to contain the spread of the contamination so that the consumer impact is minimized.
Generally, once a food contamination is identified, food producers have few options. The food producers can recall all of the food items, assess the risk of not recalling the contaminated items against the costs associated with the recall effort, publically announce the contamination through media outlets, and destroy remaining produce. Typically, food producers employ one or more of these option for each food contamination event. Wrong decisions not only cost money, but may also cost lives (particularly if a recall effort is not mounted quickly).
Unfortunately, it has been found that public announcements of food contamination events are generally not very effective in reaching consumers. Additionally, since food producers are independent, there is no centralized or nation wide system for handling food contamination events. In fact, at present there is no standard method for addressing food contamination events.
Additionally, before remediating the food contamination event through one of the options described above, it is important that the source of the contamination is accurately identified. A misidentification of source can be very costly to food producers and may allow more time for the contaminated food items to circulate and to be consumed before the correct identification is made. Additionally, due to concerns about competition, food processing companies are reluctant to share information about distributors, harvesters and the like. This makes it very difficulty for public health officials to trace food contamination events to the source. Thus, even when the cause of an illness is properly identified by public health officials, reaching the affected consumers, distributors and other people in the food distribution chain can be extremely difficult.

System and method for identifying a food event, tracking the food product, and assessing risks and costs associated with intervention


A first valve of a manifold for a fluid distribution system may regulate a fluid flow to a first fluid handling device (“FHD”). A second valve of the manifold may communicate with a second FHD, a reservoir, or a recirculation line. A target flow condition for the manifold may be determined by a manifold control system (“MCS”) based on a device setting received for the first FHD. The MCS may determine a fluid distribution system operation for obtaining the target flow condition based on the target flow condition, a flowrate of the fluid flow, and an operational state of a supply device. The operation may include the MCS controlling at least one of the supply device, the first valve, and the second valve to change the flowrate. The MCS may continuously operate at least one manifold valve to maintain the target flow condition once exhibited by the manifold.

Fluid distribution systems, such as those employed to manage pool operations, can include one or more fluid handling devices—pumps (e.g., single speed, multi-step, variable speed, etc.), filters, valves, various plumbing components, cleaning systems, heaters, water features (e.g., fountains, sprays, etc.), and/or other types. In these fluid distribution systems, multiple valves and/or supply devices (e.g., pumps, valve-controlled bypass fluid circuits, and other devices) may be used to convey and/or direct flow from, to, and within the various fluid handling devices.
However, providing and installing fluid distribution systems with increased numbers of fluid handling devices can be costly and require a lot of space. Many of those fluid handling devices may require their own valve piped into a fluid circuit to serve that device. In other fluid distribution systems, multiple fluid handling devices may incorporate one or more supply devices to increase or decrease volume and/or flowrates of fluid delivered to those fluid handling devices. Yet, incorporation of such valves and supply devices can present multiple challenges to highly responsive and precise operation of fluid distribution systems due to operational limitations of the valves and supply devices and the complexities of coordinated control of large numbers thereof.
Example valves can be manually actuated, provided with automatic actuators (e.g., electric motors), capable of being actuated to operate in multiple positions, or have a combination of these operational features. Multiple valves with controlled actuators may be needed to divert fluid flow to and from fluid handling devices and different fluid circuits within respective fluid distribution systems. However, current valve actuators are limited in their respective abilities to precisely set flowrates due to the small ranges of available settings provided by their respective designs. In the case of a fluid distribution system for a pool, for example, an installer is very limited in how valves can be setup because each of the fluid handling devices in the fluid distribution system may require flow be supplied at predefined flowrates.
Normal continuous operation and maintenance of fluid handling devices and the valves and supply devices they may need, can require complex multi-component control systems. Each employed valve or supply device may include its own controller, with is own set of unique protocols and operational sequences that must be implemented to control that valve or supply device to provide fluid to the fluid handling device that valve or supply device serves. Various control schemes may be required to operate valves and supply devices so that fluid is directed to different components at one of two or three preset specific flowrates required for proper operation. However, these control schemes are not nimble nor responsive to specific volume and/or flowrate requirements that may result from operations of other FHDs of a fluid distribution system. Controlling each valve and supply device in these fluid distribution systems requires timely (e.g., real-time) delivery and processing of accurate values of flow parameters (e.g., flowrate, volume, etc.) for the fluid flowing to and from each valve and supply device. Current fluid distribution systems do not have these capabilities.
Compounding the challenge of controlling multiple valves and supply devices, is the variability in operational conditions a fluid distribution system can experience. Many of these systems may be used daily with overall flowrates reducing or increasing depending on a state of a given system that is subject to external conditions that vary in magnitude/effect and timing. For the valves and supply devices to operate correctly, constantly, timely, and accurately, communication is required between fluid handling devices, system flow sensors, and controllers and control systems for the valves and supply devices. In addition, for overall operations of a fluid distribution system to meet sanitary, safety, minimum performance, and user-desired performance requirements, the controllers and control systems have to be able coordinate with one another to execute complex sequences of operations.
In addition to the above challenges, fluid distribution systems that are required to be turned over, often perform fluid turnover processes that are inexact and inefficient. In some examples turning over a fluid distribution system may generally involve operating one or more supply devices to cycle fluid through the fluid distribution system for some period of time. During these operating periods, some FHDs, such as those including water features, may be operated in reduced capacities as a way to prioritize cycling fluid through the fluid distribution system so that the fluid therein it is filtered, treated (e.g., chlorinated), and/or heated. However, the turnover operating procedures mentioned above are often performed at preset times and for preset durations that a fluid distribution system has no control to modify or are difficult for fluid distribution system administrators to change. Furthermore, these procedures: do not involve accurately tracking how much fluid is being cycled through the fluid distribution system; are not readily adjustable from the standpoint of how much volume will be cycled and/or when the turnover operation will occur; and do not account for usage levels (real-time or cumulative) of the fluid distribution system.
As a result of these deficiencies, current fluid distribution systems lack a self-regulating ability to adjust how much fluid is turned over (also referred to as a turnover level) and a schedule for turning over the fluid distribution system based on increases or decreases in system usage as these usage changes occur. As a further result of the deficiencies mentioned above, current fluid distribution systems do not perform turnover operations that optimize: (A) power consumption by supply devices; (B) volumes of chemicals used for treatment; (C) usage of heat or lack of heat provided by an environment surrounding a fluid distribution system in obtaining a desired system fluid temperature; or (D) run times of supply devices.
Still further issues are often present for fluid distribution systems that employ higher order numbers of FHDs, valves, as well as multiple supply devices. Control, even between controllers and control systems that each direct the operations of larger sub-groups of FHDs, valves, and supply devices is complicated, difficult to plan, and arduous to install and monitor operation thereof. Real-time adjustments to one FHD, valve, or supply device, can result in cascading adjustments being required to supply adequate fluid flow to other FHDs, valves, or supply devices. As a result, the fluid distribution system reaching a steady state after an adjustment of just one FHD, valve, or supply device may be delayed by each of the other FHDs, valves, or supply devices reaching respective steady states after series of operations that take time and a significant degree of coordination between controllers and separate control systems.
In addition to, and in some instances as a byproduct of, enacting adjustments slowly, the fluid distribution systems mentioned immediately above are prone to high levels of inefficiencies. In particular, switching between entire fluid distribution system operating modes comes with a number of drawbacks stemming from the fact that some if not all of FHDs, valves, and supply devices largely operate according to a small number of settings that are pre-selected for implementation during set periods of time. The controllers and control systems for these fluid distribution systems lack the ability to respond quickly or efficiently to changing conditions. Furthermore, any remedial measures taken by these systems do no bring about rapid returns to steady state operations for many of the FHDs, valves, and supply devices of the fluid distribution system, let alone the fluid distribution system as a whole.
As a result, a need exists for systems and methods that include the use of a manifold for directing operations of a fluid distribution system. In particular a need exists for systems and methods that involve controlling operations of valves of a manifold in tandem with controlling operations of supply devices to deliver fluid flows to different fluid handling devices at precisely specified flowrates.
Further, a need exists for systems and methods that include the use of a manifold for efficiently turning over fluid distribution systems. More specifically, a need exists for systems and methods: in which a total volume of fluid cycled through a fluid distribution system is volumetrically tracked by a manifold; and in which the manifold is configured to direct and control the flow of that volume of fluid by controlling its respective valves and supply devices for the fluid distribution system. In addition, a need exists for a manifold that directs a specific volume of fluid based on a current usage of a fluid distribution system the manifold controls a cycling of the volume of fluid therethrough.
Still further, a need exists for systems and methods for controlling operations of fluid distribution systems with multiple manifolds. More specifically, a need exists for a manifold that can control operations of other manifolds and supply devices in order to be able to quickly change operating modes of a fluid distribution system.

Systems and methods for controlling operations of a fluid distribution system


A mobile apparatus for golf course or other turf maintenance. The apparatus includes a vehicle with powered drive, steering mechanism, and maintenance equipment support structures. The vehicle may be a forward unit and a trailer unit with an articulated joint between the units; the forward or trailer units may have one or more wheels. The wheels are wide tires with smooth tread and low pressure. The maintenance equipment may be an apparatus for injecting a coagulant material into the subsurface of a turf area, an apparatus for cutting and placing a putting cup, an apparatus for grooming a hazard, rollers for rolling a turf surface, and other forms of turf maintenance equipment. The cup cutting and placement apparatus is designed to cut a plumb vertical hole in a putting green at the same depth with each operation, to remove a core from the subsurface, and to place a core in a previously cut hole.

The game of golf has been increasing in popularity for many years. Golf courses are being built throughout the world both as private clubs and as public facilities. The quality of course turf, greens and hazards have also increased as the players demand better and more attractive facilities. The increased play on the courses and the increased number of courses has placed in increased demand on the people and the equipment that are used to maintain the courses. The availability of skilled greenskeepers amd maintenance staff has placed a demand on the management of the courses for improved, more efficient and less labor intensive equipment for maintaining the courses. The present invention is directed to equipment for relieving that problem.
Golf is a game that is played to a set of rules; some of those rules apply to the construction of fairway, hazards and putting greens. One such set of rules is published in a booklet titles "THE RULES OF GOLF--as approved by THE UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION and THE ROYAL AND ANCIENT GOLF CLUB OF ST. ANDREWS, SCOTLAND" available from the USGA Order Department, P.O. Box 2000, Far Hills, N.J. 07931-2000. In those rules there are specific dimensions for putting cups and for the depth of placement of such putting cups. A hole as defined in the rules shall be 41/4 inches in diameter and at least 4 inches deep and if a lining is used, the lining shall be sunk at least 1 inch below the putting green. While not clearly stated in the rules, it is imperative that the putting cup be placed truly vertical in the putting green even though the putting green may slope with respect to the horizon. Hazards and particularly bunkers are defined in the rules; a bunker is defined as a hazard and as a prepared area of ground from which turf or soil has been removed and replaced with sand or the like. The players of the game, and particularly the tournament committees, have become more insistent on the quality of maintenance of the putting green, hazards and the course fairways. The placement of the cup on the putting green is moved regularly both to distribute the wear on the putting green and to change the line of putt to the hole from around the green. Hazards in the form of sand bunkers need raking and grooming to place them in the best condition for play.
The conventional way of placing and moving a putting cup on a putting green has been to use a hand powered cutting tool that takes a core from the putting green. In the usual procedure of moving a putting cup, the liner is removed from the hole that has been in use and then a new hole is hand cut taking a core from the new hole, that core is placed in the old hole and the liner that was in use is placed in the new hole. When cutting a new hole, it is the greenskeeper that attempts to keep all holes and therefore all cups the same vertical dimension. While there is no standard, the hole that is cut may vary from about 4 inches to about 81/2 inches. The liner placed in the hole is, however, to be placed in accord with the rules with its top 1 inch from the turf surface. Because there is no uniformity in hand cut holes, there is sometimes a need to fill or remove soil from a cut hole to bring the replaced core to the level of the putting green.
The greenskeeper that cut the new hole is also responsible for attempting to keep the new hole in a vertical plumb axis and to maintain the putting green surface around the newly placed putting cup. It is important to the pleasure of the golf game that the putting green surface is not damaged in the placement of the putting cup and that the putting cup is always the same depth within the subsurface.
The conventional way of maintaining a sand bunker has been to rake the surface in preparation for a day's play. Powered equipment has been developed to rake and "fluff" the sand. None are known that are mounted on a combination greenskeeping machine and a trap maintenance machine.
Most golf courses include hazards along the turf areas and around the putting surfaces and those hazards usually include sand areas commonly known as sand traps. The perimeters of the sand traps are usually irregular and their surface contours are usually not flat. Frequently the sand traps are at a different elevation from that of the surrounding turf area whether that surface is a putting green or a fairway, and there is usually some contoured area between the edges of the trap and the turf area. While some hazards include hard or crusted surfaces, the usual sand trap includes a somewhat soft layer of sand that supports a golf ball but prevents it from rolling easily. Golfers using a golf course prefer a well maintained hazard and the courtesies of golf play requires that the surface of the hazard be returned to its original condition when a golfer has had to enter the hazard to advance a golf ball. The quality of a golf course is frequently measured in the quality of the maintenance of its turf areas and its hazards.
Maintenance of a sand trap hazard is a daily routine for the greenskeeping crew of a golf course. Use and off-hour maintenance of a golf course frequently leaves the sand traps in rough condition. Hand grooming of a said trap can be difficult and time consuming and may require a large crew of greenskeepers to keep all hazards in desirable condition. Mechanized equipment for grooming said traps and hazards are known, but none are known to the present inventor that are adapted to easily follow the contour and perimeter of a sand trap behind a mobile apparatus. The present invention is directed to a golf course groomer that can be transported between hazards and can enter the hazard to groom its surface in a quick and expeditious manner.


A policing key for regulating the type of toner in a copying machine or other toner consuming machine includes a base mounted to the toner-consuming machine and a boss projecting from the base to a position between a port on the machine and a toner bottle cap prior to engagement. The boss protrudes above the periphery of the toner port that contacts an annular brim of the toner bottle cap, precluding the toner bottle from engaging the toner port while the key is in place. Only the annular brim of an approved toner bottle cap, which includes a notch associated with the boss for bypassing the policing key, can be used on in connection with the toner consuming machine. By varying the size and shape of the policing key, the restrictions on the type of toner used in a particular machine can be effectively controlled. In a preferred embodiment, a hardening gel is placed over the base of the policing key such that removal of the base will disturb the hardened gel and indicate a tampering of the key.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to toner consuming machines such as copiers, printers, facsimile machines, and the like, and more particularly to a policing key for regulating the type of toner introduced in the toner consuming machine.
2. Description of Related Art
The use of toner in paper processing machines to transfer text or images onto stock paper is now commonplace. Toner is a graphite based particulate that bonds to the paper upon application of heat, such as from a laser. Toner-based printing is used in copying machines, stand alone printers, facsimile machines, and a wide assortment of machines designed to process stock or blank paper into paper with print, images, text, or graphics. The methodology behind the laser printing technology is not necessary for an understanding of the present invention and will be omitted for simplicity.
Toner consuming machines can be expensive, requiring a substantial commitment of capital for the small business owner. Additionally, the advances in technology often make it impractical for a small business owner to invest in technology which may become outdated in the near future. For these reasons, many companies lease or rent printers, copying machines, and other toner consuming equipment from retailers or manufactures rather than purchase the equipment outright. A common practice in these arrangements is an agreement that repairs will be the responsibility of the leasor while the maintenance and its associated costs are borne by the small business leasing the equipment. Among the requirements of the machine's user is to replace the toner supply when it is depleted.
Some toner consuming machines require a special type of toner in order to function properly, and the use of a ordinary toner can damage the equipment or cause substandard performance and the need for servicing. Unfortunately, the leasee of the toner consuming machine may be tempted to use a toner which is less expensive or more readily available since initially the results may not demonstrate a difference in product quality. However, the use of non-approved toner in these machines eventually results in poor performance and customer dissatisfaction. The problem persists, however, because most varieties of toner (both "special" and standard) use a common bottle design suited for this particular application. These toner bottles features a cap specially sized to fit into a port on the machine and engage the port. The cap allows the toner bottle to be inverted for vertical delivery without spilling the toner prior to introduction. The use of this bottle cap on both special and standard toner bottles permits the inadvertent or misuse of non-approved toner in a machine requiring only special or approved toner. This results in significant costs to the party responsible for maintenance, which must continually repair the toner consuming machines due to the use of non-approved toner.

Policing key for a toner consuming machine


The object of the present invention is to provide a production method for a polyolefin, in which catalyst activity is improved, and a polyolefin such as a linear low density polyethylene can advantageously be industrially produced. The present invention relates to a production method for a polyolefin, in which in producing a polyolefin by the polymerization reaction of an olefin using a catalyst, an organohalide is present in the reaction system in an amount of from 0.05 to 10 ppm by weight in terms of the halogen atom as a concentration in a raw material olefin, and 1-hexene for linear low density polyethylene production raw material, containing an organohalide in an amount of from 0.05 to 10 ppm by weight in terms of the halogen atom.

A method of using a catalyst is known as a production method of a polyolefin. For example, where 1-hexene is used as a raw material olefin, a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) is obtained.
On the other hand, trimerization reaction of ethylene using a chromium series catalyst is known as a production method of 1-hexene. The representative chromium series catalyst is a chromium series catalyst comprising a combination of at least a chromium compound (a), a nitrogen-containing compound (b), an aluminum-containing compound (c) and a halogen-containing compound (d) (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Trimerization reaction of ethylene is conducted in the presence of a reaction solvent. After completion of the reaction, 1-hexene obtained is treated in a distillation column, and separated and recovered from the reaction solvent. In such a case, 1-hexene may contain a slight amount of an organohalide.
Conventionally, an organohalide in 1-hexene is removed from the fear that the organohalide adversely affects a catalyst for linear low density polyethylene production (single-site catalyst). From long ago, various methods are known as the removal method. For example, a method of using an ion-exchange resin (see Patent Document 2) and a method of using an adsorbent such as alumina, silica, silica-alumina or activated clay (see Patent Document 3) are known. Additionally, a method of using zeolite having a pore size of 5 angstroms or more as an adsorbent is known as a method which is improved so as to remove under mild conditions. By this method, 2-chlorobutane in 1-hexene is removed up to 0.1 ppm by weight or less (0.04 ppm by weight or less in terms of a chlorine atom) (see Patent Document 4).
Patent Document 1: JP-A-11-060511
Patent Document 2: JP-A-53-103411
Patent Document 3: JP-A-57-183726
Patent Document 4: JP-A-3-99024

Production method of polyolefin, polyolefin and 1-hexene for linear low density polyethylene production raw material


Provided herein is a method and apparatus for heterogeneous carrier aggregation, the method including calculating interferences regarding a plurality of interference paths between an adjacent cell and serving cell; determining weighted values for the plurality of interference paths in the serving cell; calculating an accumulated value (accumulated margin or accumulated interference) regarding the plurality of interference paths based on the weighted values in the serving cell; determining a component carrier to be used in the carrier aggregation based on the accumulated value calculated in the serving cell; and performing the carrier aggregation based on the component carrier determined.

Field of Invention
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to wireless communication, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for determining a component carrier for heterogeneous carrier aggregation.
Description of Related Art
With the rapid diffusion of smart phones, mobile communication services that used to be mostly about providing voice services have now changed their focus to data-centric services providing wireless multimedia contents. Thus, mobile data traffic is increasing rapidly. Especially, since 2011 when the number of smart phone terminals provided reached 20 million units, various mobile environments are being provided where web contents can be used freely. Furthermore, as tablet PCs such as iPads and galaxy tabs are also increasing at a rapid pace, the growth of wireless traffic is accelerating even more. However, the rapid growth of mobile data traffic that is centered-around smart devices is slowing down the speed of wireless internet significantly, making it difficult to even access wireless internet.
Various communication technologies are being developed to accommodate the rapidly increasing mobile traffic. For example, for 3GPP LTE-Advanced, various technologies have been developed, such as the multiple antenna based MIMO technique for increasing the transmission capacity of base stations, ICIC (Inter-Cell Interference Coordination) which is a technology for an efficient control of interference to increase the capacity in edge of cells, CoMPT™which is a coordinate transmission and reception technology, device-to-device communication technology for distributing traffic load in base stations, and cognitive radio technology for using idle TV bands (UHF bands).
Transmitting and receiving data using a broadband is one way of satisfying the data transmission speed which is one of the requirements of the IMT-Advanced technology. Accordingly, 3GPP designated the maximum bandwidth of LTE-A to 100 MHz. However, since it is difficult to allocate a frequency bandwidth of 100 MHz in limited wireless frequency resources, CA (carrier aggregation) technology was introduced. CA technology is a 'communication technology of aggregating different frequency bands at the same time to create a broadband effect'.

Methods and an apparatus for carrier aggregation

ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE


In a self-healing communications network of meshed topology, wherein a group of network nodes form part of the network and support a communication route, a delay time period is established for each network node of the group in response to the occurrence of a failure in the communication route, the delay time period of each network node of the group being different from the delay time periods of other network nodes of the group. A self-healing fault restoration activity is initiated from each of the network nodes of the group when the amount of time elapsed from the time of occurrence of the failure equals the delay time period established for each network node. As a result, self-healing fault restoration activities are initiated from several network nodes at successively delayed instants, and control traffic is time-dispersed, preventing traffic concentration of fault restoration messages.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to self-healing communications networks and more specifically to the avoidance of traffic congestion during a fault restoration process.
2. Description of the Related Art
In conventional self-healing communications networks where a network node broadcasts a fault reservation message to adjacent nodes in response to the occurrence of a failure in a route terminating at the node, control messages are exchanged between nodes to secure a bandwidth for a new route. The network is thus flooded with such messages. One example of such networks is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,599 issued to Yasuyo Nishimura et al and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. Because of the meshed network topology, some of the propagating messages may converge to node, causing a traffic congestion which could lead to a prolonged restoration process.

Self-healing network initiating fault restoration activities from nodes at successively delayed instants


Provided is a method for measuring a substance in a blood sample, which allows avoidance of the influences of both of bilirubin and hemoglobin by simple operations.

Measurement of the concentration of various substances in a blood sample is important for diagnosis of various diseases or judgment of the treatment process. For example, measurement of substances such as cholesterol, uric acid, glucose, triglyceride, phospholipid, choline, creatine, creatinine, free cholesterol, and cholesterol ester in the blood is important. As a method for measuring them, widely used is a method (enzymatic method using an oxidizable color reagent) in which an oxidase is applied to these components or a derivative of these components, and hydrogen peroxide generated directly or indirectly from the enzymatic reaction is applied to an oxidizable color reagent, which is a coloring reagent of the hydrogen peroxide, and then the generated color is quantified.
However, reducing substances such as bilirubin, hemoglobin, and ascorbic acid exist in a blood sample, and existence of these substance greatly affect measurement values of the substances in the blood sample, which may cause errors in the measurement values. In addition, it is known that, for example, bilirubin or hemoglobin which also acts as a coloring matter causes errors depending on a measurement wavelength, and absorption of these coloring matters themselves temporally changes during the measurement because of the existence of, for example, light and components in the measurement reagent, and affects the measurement results.
As a method for avoiding the influences of bilirubin, among the above components, known is a method in which an amphoteric surfactant is added to a measurement reagent. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes that an amphoteric surfactant is added to a first reagent for the purpose of avoiding the influences of bilirubin. Patent Literature 2 describes a method for measuring a bio-component by detection of hydrogen peroxide produced from the enzymatic reaction with peroxidase and an oxidizable coloring agent in which an amphoteric surfactant and a ferrocyanide compound are allowed to exist together with a first reagent or both of the first reagent and a second reagent.
Further, Patent Literature 3 describes a method for measuring a substrate or an enzyme activity in the body fluid, in which an amphoteric surfactant (only alkyl betaine oxide (product name: AMPHITOL 20N) as used in Examples) is allowed to co-exist with a first reagent or a second reagent in a measurement system for the purpose of avoiding the influences of hemoglobin or/and bilirubin existing in the body fluid. However, in Patent Literature 3, there is no Example investigating the influences of both of total hemoglobin and bilirubin in the reagent at the same time under existence of the amphoteric surfactant. In addition, Patent Literature 4 describes a method using a peroxide and a non-ionic surfactant or/and an amphoteric ion surfactant as a method for avoiding the influences of both of hemoglobin and bilirubin. However, in Patent Literature 4, adjustment of the reagent is complicated such that the surfactant needs to be treated with, for example, light irradiation, and the peroxide concentration needs to be adjusted to a certain quantity.

Dual surfactant enzymatic method for measuring a substrate in a blood sample

Abstract: Provided is a method for measuring a substance in a blood sample by an enzymatic method using an oxidizable color reagent, the method including (1) bringing the blood sample into contact with a non-ionic surfactant; and then (2) bringing the resultant sample into contact with a betaine-type amphoteric surfactant, to perform an enzyme reaction and a color reaction by an oxidizable color reagent at the same time as the contact or after the contact.


An apparatus and method for sending and receiving fragmented Audio/Video Control packets using a communication software layer that is separate from a processing software layer. The method and apparatus may be used in a system for transferring copy protected digital audio/video signals between devices. In one embodiment of the present invention, a connection is established between a source and a sink device. Next, a communication layer of code on the source device receives at least one packet of data from the sink device. Next, the communication software on the source sends to the sink a response for each of the packets of data. Next, this embodiment of the source communication software sends all the packets as one group to a processing layer of code on the source device.

Recent advances in digital technology have led to impressive new devices, such as Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) players, Digital TVs, and PCs which are capable of playing movies. However, at the same time these gains have lead to increasing concerns regarding the transmission of copy-protected material between such devices. In particular, the unauthorized copying, intercepting, and tampering of audio and video content presents concerns. The specification entitled, 'The Digital Transmission Content Protection (DTCP) Specification' (developed by The Digital Transmission Licensing Administrator) defines a protocol for protecting against such concerns using cryptography.
In the conventional method described in the DTCP specification, when a receiving (sink) device wishes to receive a digital audio/video signal from a sending (source) device, the sink device must first be authenticated. After a device is authenticated, an encryption key is exchanged between the source and the sink device. This key is used to encrypt the signal at the source and decrypt the signal at the sink.
One conventional way to authenticate a device is for the source device to determine whether the sink device is compliant with a copy-protection protocol. In the conventional protocol defined in the DTCP specification, each compliant device is given a certificate, which the device stores and uses in the authentication process. For example, a source device, such as a television set-top box may wish to determine whether a receiving sink device, such as a DVD player or a VCR, complies with a copy protection protocol and hence warrants having copy-protected material sent to it.
Importantly, the conventional system described in the DTCP specification requires that the source and sink devices have the ability to send and receive packets of information of at least 32 bytes. As the certificates used in authentication are generally larger than this, the packets will generally be fragmented for transfer and de-fragmented upon reception. Sending and receiving these fragmented packets (e.g., AV/C commands and responses, as well as data such as certificates) complicates the programming when done conventionally.
One conventional method of implementing packet fragmentation and de-fragmentation is a state machine which moves through various states as the method proceeds. There may be a different set of states depending upon factors such as whether full or restricted authentication is being sought by a device. (For example, if the audio/video signal is to never be copied, the sink device may request full authentication. If the signal is copy-one-generation or no-more-copies, the sink may request either full or restricted authentication.) Sending and receiving fragmented packets only complicates the programming of the state machine. For a conventional method which integrates the function of sending and receiving packets of information into the authentication software, designing and testing the sending and receiving software is complex.
To simplify programming the devices, many software engineers fix the size of the packets which the device may send or receive. However, this can lead to performance problems. When two devices wish to exchange information, first they must determine the size of packets each is capable of exchanging. If one device has a fixed transfer size, naturally the other device will be limited to this size. Furthermore, in the future, the minimum size of packets which a device must be capable of transferring may be increased. Therefore, some conventional devices will fail to comply with the DTCP specification, and hence may be unable to operate with other devices.

Method and apparatus for transferring fragmented audio/video control commands using an independent software layer


Original source verifying data defining a first source verifying image are stored in memory. The first source verifying image can be produced by a human making marks by hand in a field of a form, which can then be provided by a scanner or a facsimile transmission through image input circuitry. If a second source verifying image is received that is the same as the first source verifying image, an operation is performed that would not be performed if the images were not the same, such as an operation accessing a related item of data. For example, the first source verifying image can be received with a document image, and data defining the document image and the original source verifying data can be stored so that a source verifying image that is the same as the first source verifying image must be received before an operation can access the document data and provide it to image output circuitry for printing or facsimile transmission. As a result, the marked form is analogous to a key: Only someone who possesses the marked form or a high quality copy can obtain access to the document data. If the marked form is lost or destroyed, the document data cannot be accessed.

The present invention relates to techniques for verifying the source of a signal, such as a signal requesting an operation.
Using PaperWorks.TM. on a PC., Xerox Corporation, 1992, pp. 1-4 and 71-121 describes features of PaperWorks .TM. software. Page 2 indicates that the software stores a document as an electronic image and that a document from a personal computer (PC) can be delivered to a fax machine, whether a document faxed to the PC or a version of a document created on the PC. Page 3 indicates that a user can set a security code and require that it be entered on forms for PaperWorks to process them. Page 73, near the bottom, shows an image of a window entitled "Marketing Reports" within which an image of a name that had been written on a form is shown for a document sent to a PC from a fax machine. Pages 88 and 116 show forms that include a security section. Page 101 shows how to add a security code request to a form; if a form includes boxes for a security code, PaperWorks processes the form only if the correct code has been marked on it. Page 120 explains that one can require entry of a security code on some or all of one's forms to help keep information on one's PC secure. Page 121 shows steps in setting a security code, including typing a code.
Using PaperWorks.TM. from a Fax Machine., Xerox Corporation, 1992, also describes features of the PaperWorks.TM. software. Pages 1 and 4 indicate that information on a PC is secure because one's version of PaperWorks works only with forms created on one's PC; PaperWorks prints a special code on each form so that a document on one's PC can only be accessed with a form from one's PC. Also, for complete security, one can establish a security code to prevent unauthorized use of PaperWorks; that code must be marked on a form before PaperWorks will process it. Pages 5, 15, 32, 35, and 42-43 show forms that include a security section. Page 8 explains that Universal forms are not encoded with a unique PaperWorks ID and can be used with any version of PaperWorks on any PC, but give access only to documents that come with PaperWorks; documents one has stored in PaperWorks or received from others by fax are accessible only with forms encoded with one's unique ID. Page 21 shows a form on which a user can write a name of a document. Page 40 mentions that if a security code is set, PaperWorks processes a starter form only when it's marked with the correct code. Page 41 warns that if the ID of a fax machine one is using is set to a number other than its own number, PaperWorks may send a starter form to a different fax machine, which could give someone unauthorized access to one's PC. Page 42 shows how a PaperWorks security code can be marked on the starter form.


A computer system adapted for hot-pluggable components such as memory modules that may be replaced, upgraded and/or added without disturbing normal operation of the computer system. A failing memory module may be replaced by copying its contents to a new memory module in a background operation while the computer system runs its operating system and applications programs. When all contents are copied to the new memory module, the failing memory module may be removed without having to shut down the computer system. Computer system memory may be upgraded or added to by inserting the new memory module(s) into vacant disconnected memory connectors, whereupon the computer system automatically recognizes the new memory module(s), synchronously connects the new memory module(s) to the computer system memory bus, initializes the new memory module(s), and then notifies the operating system that the new memory module(s) is available, all without disturbing normal operation of the computer system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer system having hot-pluggable components such as memory modules, and more particularly, to replacing, upgrading and/or adding the hot-pluggable memory modules without disturbing operation of the computer system.
2. Description of the Related Technology
Use of computers, especially personal computers, in business and at home is becoming more and more pervasive because the computer has become an integral tool of most information workers who work in the fields of accounting, law, engineering, insurance, services, sales and the like. Rapid technological improvements in the field of computers have opened up many new applications heretofore unavailable or too expensive for the use of older technology mainframe computers. These personal computers may be used as stand-alone workstations (high end individual personal computers) or linked together in a network by a xe2x80x9cnetwork serverxe2x80x9d which is also a personal computer which may have a few additional features specific to its purpose in the network. The network server may be used to store massive amounts of data, and may facilitate interaction of the individual workstations connected to the network for electronic mail (xe2x80x9ce-mailxe2x80x9d), document databases, video teleconferencing, whiteboarding, integrated enterprise calendar, virtual engineering design and the like. Multiple network servers may also be interconnected by local area networks (xe2x80x9cLANxe2x80x9d) and wide area networks (xe2x80x9cWANxe2x80x9d).
A significant part of the ever increasing popularity of the personal computer, besides its low cost relative to just a few years ago, is its ability to run sophisticated programs and perform many useful and new tasks. The personal computer thus has become an indispensable part of business and the economy. The network server plays an even more critical part in business computing by tying together the personal computer workstations into a network (LAN and WAN), and for storing and/or forwarding critical business information. This business information may comprise for example: databases, word processing, spreadsheets, drawings, graphics, e-mail, graphics, pictures, and the like. Therefore, it is imperative that there be a high availability of the computer system.
Replacement of defective components in a computer system or expanding the capabilities thereof, typically requires shutting down the computer needing service. If a defective component or upgrade is required in a network server, the potential for rendering inoperative all of the personal computers depending on that server is very high. The necessity for high availability of server operation has created hot-pluggable component designs as more fully described in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/940,419, filed Sep. 30, 1997, entitled xe2x80x9cInstallation and Removal of Components of a Computerxe2x80x9d by Sompong P. Olarig, Kenneth A. Jansen and Paul A. Santeler, and is hereby incorporated by reference. Hot-pluggable component designs, however, have typically required specially designed hardware and software modifications to the operating system software for implementation thereof.
There are some components in a computer system that may become defective but still function for their intended purpose for a period of time. For example, system memory comprising a plurality of random access memory (RAM) devices may have added circuitry for error checking and correction (ECC) which allows memory storage bit errors to be corrected without the data stored therein being corrupted. ECC covers up memory storage bit errors, but it does not fix the RAM device(s) causing the problem. Ultimately, the defective RAM device(s) must be replaced before further degradation, which ECC cannot correct, causes the computer system to become inoperative. Upgrading and/or adding RAM devices without shutting down the computer system is also highly desirable.
What is needed is a system, method and apparatus for replacing failing but functional computer components, upgrading and/or adding components without disturbing the normal operation of the computer system, without requiring specially designed hot-pluggable components, and without installing special operating system software patches.
The present invention overcomes the above-identified problems as well as other shortcomings and deficiencies of existing technologies by providing in a computer system an apparatus, method and system for replacement of existing faulty components or expansion/addition of components without requiring the computer system to be brought off-line during operation thereof. Component replacement may be performed by logic and firmware within the computer system and requires no software operating system, application programming interface (API) or driver modifications. Industry standard components may be used with the present invention for the hot-pluggable capabilities.
An example of a replacement component is a random access memory (RAM) module that is plugged into a computer system memory connector. Other computer system components are contemplated herein and are within the scope of the invention. Some of these components may be, for example but not limitation: modem, network, video, SCSI, disk drive, and fibre channel interfaces; a processor in a multi-processor system, etc.
An embodiment of the present invention utilizes one or more RAM module connectors or memory connectors which may be electrically isolated from the computer system. Isolation, preferably, is obtained with field effect transistor (FET) signal isolation buffers interposed between the connector signal pins and a memory controller. Power FET switches are interposed between the connector power pins and the computer system power buses. Each isolatable memory connector may also contain one or more software and/or hardware controllable light emitting diodes (LEDs) of various colors (electronically controllable) to indicate the status of the corresponding memory connector. Control and sense logic is implemented to control the operation of the FET signal isolation buffers, power FET switches, LEDs, and memory bus operation between the system memory controller and the isolatable memory connectors. This control and sense logic may monitor (xe2x80x9csnoopxe2x80x9d) memory bus activity so that a memory connector may be brought on or off line only when the memory bus is inactive, i.e., no read or write activities.
When an undesirable number of correctable memory errors occur, the present invention enables on-line replacement of the faulty memory without disturbing the normal operation of the computer system. Correctable memory errors are the most prevalent errors encountered in a computer system having ECC memory. When a particular memory connector having faulty memory is detected, appropriate management traps and alerts are initiated through system software and/or hardware. An indicator LED associated with the faulty memory connector may be activated in such a way as to indicate the condition and location of that connector. In addition, another LED associated with a spare memory connector may indicate that the location of that spare connector has or is available for a replacement memory module. Due to the correctable nature of ECC memory, the faulty memory module will still continue to return correct data to the computer system. Upon inspection of the memory connectors and LEDs associated therewith, an operator or technician can see the status of each memory connector and may determine which connector has the faulty memory module and which memory connector has or can accept a new memory module to replace the faulty one.
The unused memory connector, as indicated by the associated LED, is completely isolated from the computer system memory by a set of FET isolation buffers and the computer system power buses by power FET switches. This unused memory connector either has or can accept insertion of a new memory module without affecting normal operation of the computer system. Upon need and detection of a new memory module in the spare memory connector, an interrupt may be generated to the computer system either by the user pressing an xe2x80x9cok to swap memoryxe2x80x9d switch, or by some automatic mechanism. This interrupt may be directed to a System Management Mode (SMM) interrupt handler. Upon receipt of this interrupt, SMM code, running above and protected from the operating system software, enables control and detection logic which causes all memory writes that are directed to the faulty memory module to also be directed to the new memory module recently detected and connected to the computer system. Memory system timing may be briefly relaxed to accommodate the increased bus loading of simultaneously addressing and accessing a second memory module.
In order to replace the faulty memory module, the contents of the faulty module must be copied to the replacement memory module. This may be accomplished by system management software (running in SMM) periodically interrupting the operating system software to copy a specified amount of data from the faulty memory module to the replacement memory module, and to enable and disable appropriate hardware to steer the data. Only a small portion of the faulty memory module is copied at a time so that critical operating system tasks are not suspended for too long. The SMM handler periodically invokes transfers of small portions of data from the faulty memory module to the new memory module until all of the data contained in the faulty memory module has been copied to the new memory module, i.e., the contents of the new memory module are fully synchronized with the contents of the old memory module. Then the faulty memory module is taken xe2x80x9coff-linexe2x80x9d and the new memory module is fully enabled to transact both read and write operations in the computer system. It is contemplated and within the scope of the embodiments of the invention that the contents of the faulty memory module may be transferred to the new memory module by the memory controller, independently of the normal operation of the computer system. The memory controller may synchronize the contents of the faulty and new memory modules when not being addressed by the processor(s) of the computer system (background mode of operation).
This xe2x80x9cbackground processxe2x80x9d insures that the entire contents of the faulty memory module are copied to the new xe2x80x9cgoodxe2x80x9d memory module. The control logic insures that all writes which may occur during the copying process are written to both the faulty and new memory modules. Consequently, the new replacement memory module will be completely data coherent (synchronized) once the SMM routine is finished copying all of the data from the faulty memory module.
As soon as all of the data in the faulty memory module is copied to the new memory module, the SMM process disables the memory connector containing the faulty memory module through the FET isolation buffers and FET power switch(es) and may use the associated LED to indicate that the copying and isolation processes have finished. The LED may also be used to indicate that the faulty memory module may be safely removed from the computer system without disturbing normal operation thereof. In addition, the control logic now steers all memory reads/writes to the new replacement memory connector and the memory bus timing may be restored to fall speed since only one memory module is now being addressed and accessed at a time. In this way, an entire memory module may be replaced without interruption of normal operation of the computer system.
The aforementioned embodiment of the invention also may be automatically performed if a xe2x80x9csparexe2x80x9d memory module has been previously installed into a xe2x80x9csparexe2x80x9d memory connector. In this case, the present invention may function as a transparent automatic memory fail-over. Upon detection of an undesirable amount of ECC errors from a particular memory module, the aforementioned data replication and isolation procedures may be invoked to copy the data from the failing or faulty memory module to the new memory module. This allows automatic unattended replacement of a faulty memory module(s) for remote and/or critical server applications.
Another embodiment of the invention allows on-line memory expansion. The operating system, however, needs to be notified of the added memory so that it can see and use it. The new memory module may be inserted into a spare memory connector, its presence is detected, tested and initialized then is made available to the operating system.
A combination of replacing a faulty memory module(s) and upgrading memory may also be performed by installing a new memory module having a larger capacity then the faulty module. The data from the faulty module is transferred to the new module, the remaining extra capacity of the new memory module is initialized, and the operating system is informed of the added memory capacity.
Upgrading the capacity of memory in a computer system may be easily performed, according to the present invention. Larger capacity memory module(s) may be installed into xe2x80x9csparexe2x80x9d memory connector(s) and the contents of the smaller capacity memory modules functioning in the computer system may be transferred to the new larger capacity memory modules as described above. When all data has been transferred, the lower capacity memory modules may be disabled and removed from the computer system memory connectors and the operating system informed of the increased memory capacity now available. The newly available memory connectors may then be subsequently used for adding or replacing memory modules as described above.
Upgrading or addition of a memory module(s) requires notification to the computer system operating software. This notification may preferably be done by system management software from a remote management console which may be, for example, windows based. It is also contemplated and within the scope of the embodiments of the invention to use hardware switches to designate the additional memory and size thereof.
An advantage of the present invention is that a faulty memory module may be replaced without disturbing the normal operation of the computer system, requiring specially designed memory modules, or modifying the operating system software or drivers.
Another advantage is that additional memory modules may be added to the computer system without having to shut down or disturb the normal operation thereof.
A feature of the present invention is that standard memory modules may be utilized.
Another feature is that standard memory module connectors may be utilized.
Still another feature is that LEDs may be used to indicate the location and status of faulty and/or new memory modules, and the location of an appropriate empty memory connector.
Other and further features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, given for the purpose of disclosure and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Replacement, upgrade and/or addition of hot-pluggable components in a computer system

Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P.


An energy recovery and cooling system for a hybrid machine is disclosed. The energy recovery and cooling system can include at least one circuit including at least one pump, at least one condenser, and at least one turbine, as well as a first flow path and a second flow path. The first flow path can be connected in fluid communication with the at least one pump, the at least one condenser, and the at least one turbine. The first flow path can additionally be in thermal communication with at least one internal combustion energy system component of the hybrid machine. The second flow path can be connected in fluid communication with the at least one pump, the at least one condenser, and the at least one turbine. The second flow path can additionally be in thermal communication with at least one electrical energy system component of the hybrid machine.

Hybrid machines and vehicles may include an internal combustion engine in addition to electrical energy power, storage and drive components which may work independently, simultaneously, cooperatively, and/or integrally to supply power to a drive system to propel the machine. Although such hybrid propulsion machines and vehicles may provide reduced emissions and higher fuel economy in comparison to traditional machines and vehicles powered exclusively by an internal combustion engine, hybrid vehicles and machines may present a variety of limitations, drawbacks, and challenges. In particular, hybrid vehicles and propulsion machines may be characterized by higher costs and complexity. In addition, although hybrid machines and vehicles may provide reduced emissions and higher fuel economy in comparison to traditional machines and vehicles powered exclusively by an internal combustion engine, the operation of many hybrid machines and vehicles nonetheless may utilize an internal combustion engine, and thus may at least in part be dependent upon the consumption and combustion of fuels such as fossil fuels, as well as the attendant constraints and inefficiencies related thereto. Furthermore, the practical and widespread utilization and implementation of hybrid technology as well as demands for increased efficiency, power output, and/or operational features and functionalities may be confounded by various limitations of the systems and components of existing hybrid machines.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,000 (the '000 patent) to Dauksis, discloses a hybrid internal combustion engine and electrical motor ground vehicle propulsion system. In the system, a fluid is first heated in an internal combustion engine cylinder water jacket and then converted to its gaseous phase in a double walled manifold enshrouding the exhaust manifold. The gas then turns a turbine, exits to a condenser where the gas is condensed to a liquid, and then the fluid is returned to a radiator to await the next cycle. The turbine is rotatably connected to a generator which produces electrical energy when the turbine turns. This electrical energy is used to charge a bank of batteries. The bank of batteries is used to supply an electrical motor which may be used as a complimentary or alternate source of propulsion for a ground vehicle.
The present disclosure is directed to mitigating or eliminating one or more of the drawbacks discussed above.

Energy recovery and cooling system for hybrid machine powertrain


An integrated circuit may include a floating-point adder. The adder may be implemented using a dual-path adder architecture having a near path and a far path. The near path may include a leading zero anticipator (LZA), a comparison circuit for comparing an exponent value to an LZA count, and associated circuitry for handling subnormal numbers. The far path may include a subtraction circuit for computing the difference between a received exponent value and a minimum exponent value, at least two shifters for shifting far greater and far lesser mantissa values in parallel, and associated circuitry for handling subnormal numbers. The adder may be dynamically configured to support a first mode that processes FP16 at inputs and outputs, a second mode that processes modified FP16′ inputs, and a third mode that processes FP16′ at inputs and outputs.

This invention relates generally to integrated circuits and in particular, to integrated circuits with floating-point arithmetic circuitry.
Programmable logic devices (PLDs) include logic circuitry such as look-up tables (LUTs) and sum-of-product based logic that are configurable to allow a user to customize the circuitry to the use particular needs. In addition to this configurable logic, PLDs also include programmable interconnect or routing circuitry that is used to connect the inputs and outputs of the LEs and LABs. The combination of this programmable logic and routing circuitry is referred to as soft logic.
Besides soft logic, PLDs also include specialized processing blocks that implements specific predefined logic functions and thus cannot be configured by the user. Such specialized processing blocks may include a concentration of circuitry on a PLD that has been partly or fully hardwired to perform one or more specific tasks, such as a logical or a mathematical operation.
One particularly useful type of specialized processing block that has been provided on PLDs is a digital signal processing (DSP) block. A conventional DSP block includes a floating-point adder that only supports "normal" numbers but not "subnormal" numbers. In contrast with normal numbers, subnormal numbers are numbers that are specially encoded, with a predetermined minimum exponent and a mantissa component with an implied leading zero. Due to this special encoding, floating-point adders must handle subnormal numbers differently.
It is within this context that the embodiments described herein arise.

Floating-point adder circuitry with subnormal support


A closure apparatus that has a base having an interior surface, a lid having an interior surface, and a plurality of compartments within the apparatus. The lid is rotatably connected to the base, and a first compartment of the plurality of compartments has a wall secured to the interior surface of the lid and a wall of a second component is secured to the face such that, upon rotation of the lid, at least some of the compartments rise open from a relatively compressed state. The compartments removably straw an eating utensil which are easily displayed in and removed from their respective compartments.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to storage devices, such as gift boxes and secure-hold shipping boxes and more particularly to closure apparatus in which eating utensils may be stored in such a manner as to prevent contamination and/or to dynamically display in an attractive manner, as well as methods for making and using such closure apparatus.
2. Prior Art
Various types of cutlery holding devices are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,220,559 entitled "Holder for Tableware" issued to Riebe on Mar. 27, 1917, a soft fabric holder for tableware of a type from which tableware utensils are inserted or withdrawn is described. The holder described in the '559 patent can be constructed of a suitable soft material and has a number of compartments adapted to receive an article of tableware. However, the disclosed tableware holder has side walls into which the utensils must be placed and from which they must be removed, which may not be regarded as convenient to manufacture today or into which to insert an item of tableware. Furthermore, the space on top of the disclosed tableware holder for insertion and removal of utensils is limited and less convenient than may be desired in a modern holder.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,729,258 entitled "Silver Flat-Ware Case" issued Jan. 3, 1956 to Pentland et al. describes a silver flatware case for use in the home wherein multiple place-settings may be conveniently stored and retained when not in use. The apparatus described in the '258 patent is a flexible multi-compartmented or multi-partitioned expansible and collapsible case having partitions of gradually varying height. The case will stand up on its base with the partitions in a vertical position. However, the disclosed case does not scale well to single person place settings, and it may be considered inconvenient at a meal to stand the case upright on its base to remove the utensils from the case at a meal.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,213 entitled "Silverware Holder" issued Oct. 28, 1975 to Graham, Jr., discloses what appears to be a silverware holder having rigid compartments. The size, rigidity and weight of such an apparatus may also make such a holder inconvenient for use to enclose a place setting at a table.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,290,661 entitled "Cutlery Tray with Roll-Top Enclosure" issued Nov. 6, 2007 to DeFino discloses a cutlery receptacle that includes a housing having a roll-top cover movable between an open and a closed position with mating members of a locking mechanism incorporated respectively in the housing and cover. Although this type of enclosure might, in principle, provide a convenient holder for a place setting at a table, its construction is rather complex and the apparatus itself may be so expensive as not to be considered disposable.
It would thus be desirable to provide a closure or a box that can be used as a holder for a place setting at a table, and yet is attractive and simple to make while being inexpensive enough to be considered disposable.

Closure apparatus suitable for eating utensils and methods of making and using same


In a system and method for providing a television broadcast that displays different content for different viewers, a pool of content items, or particular items from a pool of content items is/are integrated with a signal for a television program. The combined signal is transmitted or broadcast in any suitable way, such as by satellite, antenna, cable, or the like. Once the combined signal has been transmitted, or while the signal is being transmitted, different items from the pool of content items are displayed to different viewers. The items may be displayed to viewers during a broadcast of a pre-recorded television program. Rules may be integrated into the combined signal governing how and when items from the pool of content items are displayed. The rules may also govern which items from the pool of content items are displayed. A return channel may be provided so that a viewer may communicate to a content provider.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, generally, to a system and method for integrating additional content into a broadcast of a pre-recorded television program such that different content is displayed to different viewers, and, in particular embodiments, by way of example, for integrating different puzzles into a broadcast of a pre-recorded game show that are displayed for different viewers, to give each viewer or player a potentially unique game-playing experience.
2. Description of Related Art
Television traditionally has been a one-way communication link from a content provider, such as a television network, to a television viewer. Television shows, such as news broadcasts, situation comedies, and game shows, are generally pre-recorded and broadcast at a later time. Even sporting events, which are often broadcast live, may be recorded and broadcast at a later time. Since programs are often pre-recorded, a content provider may broadcast a pre-recorded program in the same time slot, for example, 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in multiple time zones.
A disadvantage with broadcasting pre-recorded television programs is that a viewer's interest in the program may diminish after the viewer has already watched the program or has otherwise learned of the outcome. In other words, for certain viewers, a given television program may be non-unique. For example, in the case of a game show, a viewer may have minimal interest in watching the same pre-recorded game show twice or watching a game show after learning of the outcome or answers to puzzles from a friend in another (later) time zone. Similarly, in the case of a sporting event, a viewer may have little interest in watching the sporting event if the event was aired earlier or otherwise pre-recorded and the viewer is already aware of the outcome. The same can be said for news broadcasts, situation comedies, and the like. Moreover, since content providers often cater to an extremely broad audience, it may be difficult to tailor the content of a given television program to a particular audience, demographic, or geographic region.
Recently, advances in television systems include viewer return channels. A return channel provides a way for a viewer to communicate back to a service provider. A television system which includes a return channel is referred to generally as interactive television.
An example of an implementation of a return channel is synchronized television. Companies, including GoldPocket Interactive of Medford, Mass., or Spiderdance, Inc., of Venice, Calif., have developed a synchronized television system (also known as a two-screen experience) in which a viewer may use a personal computer connected to the Internet to view a web-page that is synchronized to a particular pre-recorded television program. A disadvantage of the synchronized television configuration is that a viewer is required to operate a personal computer within a reasonable proximity of a television. Also, in a synchronized television configuration, a pre-recorded broadcast remains fixed and cannot be varied or changed over time or for different viewers.
Another company, Wink Communications, Inc., of Alameda, Calif., provides viewers with a return channel by way of a modem connected to a telephone line. In an interactive television system employing a modem, a viewer may use a remote control device and a set top box to communicate back to a service provider, usually in response to graphics that are displayed on the television screen. With this type of television system, a viewer may, for example, view news headlines on his or her television screen while watching a pre-recorded news broadcast or purchase a product while watching a commercial advertising that product.
It remains a disadvantage of the conventional broadcasting and interactive television systems, however, that broadcast programs are the same for all viewers, including repeat viewers and viewers in different time zones. Multiple broadcasts of a pre-recorded show in multiple time zones, or multiple broadcasts of the same show in a single time zone at different times, may render the program non-unique to certain users. This may cause viewers to lose interest in the show, as discussed above.
Moreover, in the case of a game show, multiple broadcasts of a non-unique show may give certain viewers an unfair advantage while playing along with the game show. For example, viewers may enjoy the challenge of trying to solve puzzles presented to pre-recorded contestants on a game show before the contestants are able to solve the puzzles. With an interactive television system, viewers may also be able to communicate responses to a scoring entity. However, since a pre-recorded game show may be broadcast in different time zones or at different times, a viewer in a later-airing time zone may have access to the puzzles and the answers to the puzzles before actually viewing the show or playing along with the show. Also, with access to a digital television recording medium, for example, the personal video recording system provided by TiVo, Inc., of San Jose, Calif., a viewer may be able to rewind a television program after hearing answers to puzzles. Accordingly, even though television viewers may have access to a return channel through which they may provide responses to game show puzzles and possibly even compete with other viewers based on those responses, a true competition may not be feasible.
In addition, it may be advantageous for a content provider to award prizes to viewers who play along with a game show in an interactive environment, for example, to entice more viewers or repeat viewers to play along with the show. However, some jurisdictions restrict the awarding of prizes for games of chance, but allow awards for games of skill. If answers to game show puzzles are sufficiently available before the game show is broadcast, then the show may be effectively reduced to a game of chance. Multiple viewers could have all of the correct answers without exhibiting any appreciable skill. Accordingly, there is a demand in the industry for an interactive broadcast format which avoids problems discussed above with respect to conventional interactive television systems.

Interactive broadcast system and method with different content displayed to different viewers


A hydrogen permeable membrane (10) for selectively allowing hydrogen to permeate therethrough includes a metal base layer (12) containing vanadium (V), a metal coating layer (16) containing palladium (Pd), and an intermediate layer (14) that is formed between the metal base layer (12) and the metal coating layer (16) and made of a metal having a higher melting point than the metal base layer (12) and the metal coating layer (16) and possessing hydrogen permeability.

In order to extract hydrogen from a hydrogen-containing gas, a hydrogen permeable membrane provided with a layer containing a hydrogen permeable metal has been used. For example, there is known a hydrogen permeable membrane having a five-layer structure in which hydrogen permeable metal coating layers containing palladium (Pd) or the like are provided on both faces of a hydrogen permeable metal base layer made of vanadium (V) or the like via hydrogen permeable intermediate layers made of a ceramic material or the like, respectively (Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-185277 A). In the hydrogen permeable membrane thus constructed, by providing the hydrogen permeable intermediate layers, hydrogen permeability is prevented from deteriorating due to diffusion of a metal coating into the metal base layer.
However, the hydrogen permeable intermediate layers made of the ceramic material as described above allow hydrogen in a molecular state to permeate therethrough. Thus, when hydrogen moves between the hydrogen permeable metal base layer and the hydrogen permeable intermediate layers or between the hydrogen permeable metal coating layers and the hydrogen permeable intermediate layers, a dissociative or recombination reaction of hydrogen is required. This prevents the hydrogen permeation performance in the entire hydrogen permeable membrane from improving.

Hydrogen permeable membrane, fuel cell and hydrogen extracting apparatus equipped with the hydrogen permeable membrane, and method of manufacturing the hydrogen permeable membrane


A mechanical tensioner for elongating and relaxing a stud having an axis and arranged in an object, comprises at least two parts including a first part connectable with the stud and a second part connected with the first part, and a friction element which cooperates with at least one of the parts so as to change a coefficient of friction between the parts so that one of the parts has a higher coefficient of friction than another part and when a force is applied to at least one of the parts in a transverse direction to the axis, the second part moves only in the transverse direction and the first part moves only in an axial direction to move the stud in the axial direction.

The present invention relates to a mechanical tensioner for elongating and relaxing a stud arranged in an object, such as for example a flange and the like.
Tensioners of the above mentioned general type are known in form for example of a mechanical nut which has two elements movable relative to one another in opposite axial directions to elongate or relax a stud. There are however many applications where no gaskets are used to seal the two flange portions or where the stud is oversized relative to the required clamping force. Therefore, with a steel-to-steel flange connection there is no compression feasible, and with an oversized stud there is no stud elongation feasible, and thus axial movement of one of the parts becomes possible.


A gate signal is generated by summation of multiple signal profiles. The gate signal is applied to a switching device to switch the switching device between an off state and an on state. While the gate signal is applied to the switching device, at least an n-th order derivative of a load signal of the switching device is detected, with n being an integer which is equal to or larger than 2. Depending on the detected n-th order derivative, one or more of the signal profiles are adapted.

For electronically switching a signal applied to a load between an on state and an off state, various kinds of switching devices may be used. For example, in the field of high-power electronics, transistor-based power devices may be employed for such switching tasks. Such power devices may for example be implemented on the basis of a Metal Oxide Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) or on the basis of a Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT).
However, in particular when performing the switching at high frequencies, e.g., in the range of 100 kHz, electromagnetic interference (EMI) may be generated and affect the power device itself or other devices. Accordingly, it may be necessary to limit EMI to meet technical standards, such as CISPR 25, and/or to achieve a desired level of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
Accordingly there is a need for techniques which allow for efficient and reliable operation of a switching device.

Gate signal generation with adaptive signal profiles


A network and a method for transmitting processes in a network are disclosed, where a randomized coding approach is provided. Network nodes transmit on each outgoing link a linear combination of incoming signals, specified by independently and randomly chosen code coefficients from a finite field. The approach allows robust, distributed transmission and compression of information in networks and is advantageous over routing-based approaches.

1. Technical Field
Nodes in a computer network can also function as encoders. In particular, a node operating as encoder does not just relay or replicate information received from an input link (switch behavior), it also encodes such information. Coding at a node in a network is known as network coding.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Throughout the description of the present disclosure, reference will be made to the enclosed Annexes A1, A2, A3 and A4, which make part of the present disclosure.
Network coding enables connections that are not possible with just routing. In particular, it has been shown R. Ahlswede, N. Cai, S.-Y. R. Li, and R. W. Yeung, "Network Information Flow", IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, vol. 46, pp. 1204-1216 (2000), that it is in general not optimal to simply route or replicate the information to be multicast. Rather, by employing coding at the nodes, bandwidth can generally be saved.
A network can be represented as a directed graph, as shown in R. Koetter and M. Medard, "Beyond Routing: An Algebraic Approach to Network Coding", Proceedings of the 2002 IEEE Infocom (2002). The graph comprises source nodes and receiver nodes, where discrete independent random processes (source processes) are observable at one or more of the source nodes and output processes are observable at the receiver nodes. In the above reference, an algorithm for finding a linear coding solution to a given multicast problem, using knowledge of the entire network topology is disclosed.
However, in applications where communication is limited or expensive, it may be preferable to determine each node's behavior in a distributed manner.

Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois