Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for receiving Multicast and Broadcast Service (MBS), include: adding information of a next MBS_MAP message in a current MBS_MAP message; determining receiving information of the next MBS_MAP message according to the current MBS_MAP message and the information added in the current MBS_MAP message, receiving the next MBS_MAP message according to the receiving information determined, and receiving the MBS service according to the next MBS_MAP message received. The embodiments of the present invention also provide two other methods, apparatus and a system for receiving the MBS service. The method, system and apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present invention implement the continuous receiving of the MBS service without the requirement of frequent receiving the DL_MAP message.

The IEEE 802.16 specifies a fixed Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) standard for a wireless Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). The IEEE 802.16 standard defines different physical layer technologies for different frequency bands, and is mainly applied to residential, Small Office/Home Office (SOHO), remote operators, and Small-Medium Enterprise (SME) markets.
In an IEEE 802.16 system, a Media Access Control (MAC) layer is able to support tough user environments, cope with an application environment that each channel may have hundreds of users, and support continuous and burst traffics. The IEEE 802.16 system has an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) Convergence Sublayer (CS) and a packet CS, provides encapsulation of multiple data units from an upper layer into one MAC Protocol Data Unit (PDU) for transmission, thereby realizing transparent processes of ATM, IP and Ethernet services.
It can be seen from the above descriptions that, the IEEE 802.16 system may have wide applications.
In current communication systems, multicast and broadcast are employed for transmitting data from one source to multiple destinations. In traditional mobile networks, a Cell Broadcast Service (CBS) allows transmission of low bit-rate data to all users through a common broadcast channel of a cell. The CBS service belongs to a message service.
In order to effectively utilize radio resources, the latest edition of the IEEE 802.16, i.e., IEEE 802.16e/D5, has introduced the MBS service which standardizes the Point to Multi-point transmission in the mobile network, thereby implementing network resources sharing and raising the utilizing rate of the network resources especially air interface. The newly-introduced MBS service may implement not only the multicast and broadcast of low bit-rate message services such as text, but also the multicast and broadcast of high bit-rate multimedia services, which is in the trend of development of future mobile data transmission.
A Mobile Service Station (MSS) receives the MBS service through an MBS_MAP message. Information Elements (IEs) of the MBS_MAP message are as shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1SyntaxSizeNotesMBS-MAP_Message_Format( ) {Management Message Type =8 bitsFrame number24 bits The frame number is identical to theframe number in the DL-MAPfor (i = 0; i < n; i++) {Multicast CID12 bits 12 LSB of CID for multicastMBS DIUC4 bitsOFDMA Symbol offset8 bitsOFDMA symbol offset with respect tostart of the MBS zoneSubchannel offset6 bitsBoosting3 bits000: normal (not boosted); +6 dB;010: −6 dB; 011: +9 dB; 100: +3 dB;101: −3 dB; 110: −9 dB; 111: −12 dB;No. OFDMA Symbols7 bitsNo. Subchannels6 bitsRepetition Coding Indication2 bits0b00 -No repetition coding0b01 -Repetition coding of 2 used0b10 - Repetition coding of 4 used0b11 -Repetition coding of 6 usedNext MBS frame offset8 bitsThe Next MBS frame offset value islower 8 bits of the frame number inwhich the BS shall transmit the nextMBS frame.Next MBS OFDMA Symbol8 bitsThe offset of the OFDMA symbol inoffsetwhich the next MBS zone starts,measured in OFDMA symbols from thebeginning of the downlink frame inwhich the MBS-MAP is transmitted.}if !(byte boundary) {Padding Nibble4 bitsPadding to reach byte boundary}}
It can be seen from Table 1 that, the MBS_MAP message provides physical channel resources allocated for a specific Multicast CID, i.e. an MBS service, in a given MBS ZONE. The physical channel resources include occupied OFDM symbols and used Subchannels. The MBS_MAP message also provides Downlink Interval Usage Code (DIUC) and Boosting for a given burst, and the Next MBS frame offset and the Next MBS OFDMA Symbol offset for determining the location of the next MBS frame.
Based on the above MBS_MAP message, when receiving the first MBS frame, the MSS needs to locate the MBS_MAP message according to an MBS_MAP Information Element (MBS_MAP_IE) in a DL_MAP message, and determines the physical channel resources occupied by the MBS_MAP message, the DIUC of the MBS_MAP message, and may also determine the start transmission point of the MBS Zone at the same time. And then the MSS determines the physical channel resources occupied by the first MBS frame and the DIUC of the first MBS frame according to MBS data resources and DIUC assigned by the MBS_MAP message, thereby receiving the first MBS frame in the MBS Zone. At the same time, the MSS may determine the location of the next MBS frame according to the Next MBS frame offset and the Next MBS OFDMA Symbol offset in the current MBS_MAP message. Thus, there is no need to receive the DL_MAP message to determine the location of the next MBS frame.
Although the location of the next MBS frame may be determined according to the current MBS_MAP message, the applicant finds out that the physical channel resources occupied by the next MBS frame and the DIUC of the next MBS frame further need to be determined to receive the next MBS frame. Therefore, it is necessary to acquire the MBS_MAP message associated with the next MBS frame before the arrival of the next MBS frame, so as to determine the physical channel resources occupied by the next MBS frame and the DIUC of the next MBS frame from the MBS-MAP message.
However in the MBS-MAP message defined by the current IEEE 802.16 standard, only the Next MBS frame offset and the Next MBS OFDMA Symbol offset are related with the next MBS frame. Although the location of the next MBS_MAP message may be determined according to the Next MBS OFDMA Symbol offset in the current MBS-MAP message, the physical channel resources occupied by the next MBS_MAP message and the DIUC of the next MBS_MAP message cannot be determined. Therefore, when the next MBS frame comes, the MSS cannot determine the physical channel resources occupied by the MBS_MAP message corresponding to the next MBS frame and the DIUC of the MBS_MAP message corresponding to the next MBS frame according to the current MBS_MAP message. Since the MSS cannot locate the next MBS_MAP message accurately, the physical channel resources occupied by the next MBS frame and the DIUC of the next MBS frame cannot be obtained from the MBS_MAP message.
To sum up, the applicant finds out that in the technical scheme taught by the current solution, the MSS cannot determine the physical channel resources occupied by the next MBS_MAP message and the DIUC of the next MBS_MAP message according to the current MBS_MAP message, therefore, the MSS cannot receive the MBS service directly.

Method, system and apparatus for receiving multicast and broadcast service


Providing a compact zoom lens exhibiting optical performance, of which a chromatic aberration in a telephoto state is well corrected. The zoom lens includes a plurality of lens groups, the plurality of lens groups includes at least three lens groups with positive refractive power, each of the three lens groups with positive refractive power has a positive lens, and given conditional expressions are satisfied.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a zoom lens and an optical apparatus having the zoom lens.
2. Related Background Art
The zoom lens employed for an electronic still camera has hitherto been proposed (refer to, e.g., Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-157279 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-295594).
A conventional zoom lens has problems of having a large telephoto ratio in a telephoto end state, a large total length and also a large chromatic aberration in a telescopic photographing area.

Zoom lens and optical apparatus having zoom lens


In a package including a base fixed with a solid image pickup element, a side wall rising up along the periphery of the base, and internal terminals arranged on a step of the side wall, a plurality of recesses are formed at certain intervals in a lower part of the step to prevent bleeding of an adhesive fixing the solid image pickup element from creeping up over the internal terminals. When the adhesive and bleeding thereof spread around the solid image pickup element during die bonding, they flow into the recesses, making even fast-flowing bleeding hardly creep up an inner surface of the side wall including the step, and enabling prevention of the adhesive from adhering to the internal terminal. Strength, questioned by the presence of the recesses upon wire bonding, can be secured by residual parts between the recesses, and defective wire bonding is less likely to occur.

There is a growing demand for a digital still camera, digital video camera (movie) or cellular phone with a built-in camera meeting not only high-pixel, high image quality but also downsizing requirements, and a solid image pickup device mounted on such an apparatus is becoming more compact in recent years.
FIG. 10 shows a conventional solid image pickup device. A solid image pickup element 51 is fixed to a base 11 of a concave package 100 using an adhesive 52, terminals of the solid image pickup element 51 are electrically connected to internal terminals 31 arranged on a step 13 of a side wall 12 of the package 100 using bonding wires 53, and a transparent member such as cover glass 54 to keep the interior of the package 100 airtight is adhered to the top face of the package 100.
Downsizing this solid image pickup device requires reduction to a minimum of a clearance between an inner surface 12a of the side wall 12 of the package 100 and the side of the solid image pickup element 51. However, with such setting, the distance between the solid image pickup element 51 and internal terminals 31 is shortened and if the adhesive 52 is extruded around when the solid image pickup element 51 is die-bonded to the base 11, the adhesive 52 would creep up over the internal terminals 31 and the terminals of the solid image pickup element 51, causing problems of short-circuit or the like.
As a measure for this problem, there has been proposed a method of optimizing a nozzle layout for applying the adhesive 52 and the amount of the adhesive applied, thereby minimizing the amount of the adhesive 52 extruded. However, though this method has an effect on suppressing the extrusion of the adhesive 52, bleeding of a solvent component generated from the adhesive 52 spreads faster than the adhesive 52, resulting in a situation that can hardly be handled.
As shown in FIG. 11, there is another proposal for a package 101 having a layered structure comprising ceramic boards 200A to 200D with the ceramic board 200C interposed between the ceramic board 200B which supports internal terminals 31 on the top face thereof and the ceramic board 200D which serves as a base 11, the ceramic board 200C having a smaller width than that of the ceramic board 200B such that a gap 201 is formed to collect therein an adhesive 52 extruded (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-53459). However, this method has a possibility of resulting in insufficient strengths of the protruding part of the ceramic board 200B and the internal terminals 31 thereon, threatening to cause deformation or damage due to load at the time of wire bonding, which may lead to defective wire bonding.

Package for solid image pickup element and solid image pickup device


A time slot for a connection request sent from a mobile station includes the mobile station ID and the application discrimination word of the object application for which the mobile station requests the connection. By referring to the database, a base station assigns a MDC preferentially to a mobile station issuing a connection request for calling a high priority application. The base station monitors the MDCs used for ongoing communications. If a MDC assigned to a mobile station does not satisfy a predetermined radio communication quality, other MDCs for lower priority application are freed and reassigned to the mobile station. A plurality of MDCs including the reassigned MDCs into which the same contents are encapsulated are transmitted to the mobile station.

The present invention relates to a digital radio transmission method for multi-applications, making it possible to accommodate a plurality of mobile terminals and provide a plurality of applications.
A personal Digital Cellular (PDC) and a Personal Handy-phone System (PHS) are currently available as digital radio communication systems. These systems adopt a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) method. This TDMA method operates as follows. A given channel is sectioned into time units called frames in the direction along time axis. Each frame is divided into time units called time slots. A base station assigns one of the time slots to a mobile station which is located within its service area and has requested use of a communication service. Then, the base station communicates with the mobile station within the time unit, called the time slot, that has been assigned to the mobile station every frame period. Generally, one time slot within one frame is assigned to one mobile station. As long as the communication service between the base station and the mobile station continues, that time slot is not assigned to any other mobile station to extend a communication service to another mobile station. This is because the TDMA was originally designed on a voice communication basis to provide a continuous data communication service. One time slot is considered sufficient to provide the communication channel capacity required for voice communication.
Meanwhile, a related technique has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-244791. In the radio communication method described in this publication, if a channel of poor radio communication quality is detected, a plurality of time slots, not one, are re-assigned to the mobile station using that channel, and the same signal data is encapsulated into these time slots and is transmitted to the mobile station. This method is designed to enhance data throughput at the receiving end by giving the receiving end the opportunity for receiving the same signal data multiple times.
As the area of multimedia has been entered, in the radio communications world as well, service-class-adaptive radio communication methods, such as Multimedia Mobile Access Communication (MMAC) high-speed radio access systems are currently being studied.

Digital radio communication system for multi-application


An injector bracket 10 is provided inside an air cleaner 5. The injector bracket 10 comprises a rectifying wall 10a bulging into a main chamber 5b, and a stream-line guide wall 10b in opposition to an air current M having passed through an element 8. The injector bracket 10 functions as a partition and forms a separate chamber 10e partitioned from the main chamber 5b in the air cleaner 5. An upstream injector unit 7 is arranged in the separate chamber 10e. The rectifying wall 10a is in the form of a symmetric blade.

Conventionally, with general fuel supply apparatuses, a throttle valve is provided on an intake passage extending toward an engine from an air cleaner and an injector for jetting of a fuel is arranged downstream of the throttle valve in an air current direction (referred below to as "downstream injector").
On the other hand, there is a fear that a fuel feed rate becomes short only with a downstream injector at the time of high rotation/high load of an engine. Therefore, an injector is in some cases arranged in an air cleaner connected to an upstream side of an intake passage in the air current direction (referred below to as "upstream injector"). In many cases, such upstream injector is provided in a state of projecting into the air cleaner in order to ensure a volume for the air cleaner and to reduce a distance between the upstream injector and an opening of the intake passage. A fuel is jetted not only from the downstream injector but also from the upstream injector at the time of high rotation/high load of the engine.
Such construction, that is, a construction, in which an injector is arranged in a space upstream of the intake passage, is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. With the construction disclosed in Patent Document 1, an injector is mounted in a chamber connected to an upstream side of an intake pipe.
More specifically, with the construction disclosed in Patent Document 1, a mount seat surface for mounting of an injector is formed on a side wall of the chamber. The mount seat surface projects into the chamber and the projecting portion thereof is formed with a hole. The injector mounted to the mount seat surface jets a fuel into the chamber through the hole.
Patent Document 1: JP-A-7-247924

Fuel supply apparatus and vehicle provided with the same


A rubber (elastic substance) is attached by vulcanization and an annular sealing member 4 is formed in an annular groove 3 having a step and provided in the bottom wall of a body 2 of a valve disc 1. The sealing member 4 has an annular portion 41 and an annular portion 42. Most of the annular portions 41, 42 are located in a deep groove portion 31 and a shallow groove portion 32, respectively, and the volume of the annular portion 41 is larger than the volume of the annular portion 42. Furthermore, an annular protrusion 43, which protrudes downward, is provided in the boundary region between the annular portions 41, 42. An inclined section that is inclined at the prescribed inner angle Q is also formed in the boundary region.

The present invention relates to a sealing member and a sealing structure provided in a valve installed, e.g., in a pressure vessel or a fluid flow path filled with fluid under a high pressure.
Gas tanks filled under a high pressure (high degree of compression) with hydrogen gas or natural gas as a fuel gas are carried on natural gas vehicles or fuel cell vehicles. For example, the filling amount of hydrogen gas of 35 MPa and 70 MPa is discussed within a framework of regulations relating to hydrogen gas supply stations and high-pressure hydrogen vessels based on high-pressure gas safety rules that have been studied in the governmental agencies. There are a variety of gas tanks filled with such high-pressure gases, e.g., metal or plastic tanks, but in the field of vehicles, pressure vessels made from a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) in which a liner is covered with an outer shell of a FRP are mainly used due to high strength and small weight thereof.
Valves for blocking the flow of fluid, which are called shut valves, are typically installed in intake and release openings for fluid in the pressure vessels for storing and discharging various high-pressure fluids (liquids, gases) in various applications including the above-mentioned automotive applications. Furthermore, a sealing structure having a sealing member is usually provided in the valve to ensure reliable sealing of the fluid. As an example of such a sealing structure, a structure for sealing a sleeve (mouthpiece) where a valve is installed by using an elastic sealing member such as an O ring is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 11-13995. Sealing structures using such O rings are widely used in the valves themselves. Furthermore, structures using angular rings rather than O rings and structures in which a rubber material serving as an elastic substance (material) is joined with the valve by vulcanization molding are also known.
However, if the pressure in the pressure vessel is increased, for example, to the above-mentioned 35 MPa or 70 MPa, the difference in pressure between the spaces that have to be separated and sealed with a valve becomes extremely high. As a result, in a sealing structure using the conventional sealing member such as an O ring, the sealing member is deformed by the difference in pressure and sometimes there is a risk of the sealing member being pushed out from the groove into which it was fit. Therefore, sufficient sealing performance cannot be achieved. Furthermore, in structures in which a rubber material is joined to a valve by vulcanization valve, the deformation caused by the aforementioned difference in pressure is also significant and a sufficient sealing performance cannot be attained.
In the latter case, a groove where the rubber material is vulcanized and joined can be made very shallow and a very thin rubber material can be used with the object of inhibiting the deformation of the rubber material. However, in order to conduct the vulcanization molding, a groove depth above a certain fixed value has to be ensured. Furthermore, increasing the hardness of the rubber material can be considered as means for improving resistance to deformation. However, rubbers with a certain high hardness tend to be difficult to unit each other by vulcanization molding. According to the information known to the inventors, if the difference in pressure between the spaces that have to be sealed with a valve exceeds approximately 20 MPa (or approximately several MPa for some valve sealing materials and structures), the required sufficient sealing performance is difficult to achieve and hermeticity of vessels is difficult to maintain with the above-described conventional sealing structures. Furthermore, the same problem is associated not only with the pressure vessels, but also with shut valves in fluid flow paths where a large pressure difference is generated between the spaces that have to be sealed.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and has for its object to provide a sealing member in which a sufficient sealing can be attained even when the difference in pressure between the spaces that have to be sealed with a valve exceeds several tens of MPa (or several MPa).


A process of preparing a photographically useful high chloride {100} tabular grain emulsion is disclosed that, following grain nucleation, introduces the total silver required for grain growth before undertaking ripening at a temperature of from 60 to 95.degree. C. The advantages attainable include a higher concentration of the silver in the final emulsion and high chloride tabular grains having larger mean grain sizes and higher average aspect ratios and accounting for a higher percentage of total grain projected area.

There are many reasons for believing high chloride {100} tabular grain emulsions, the invention of Maskasky U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,264,337 and 5,292,632, to be ideal for a variety of photographic applications. Tabular grain emulsions are well known to offer improved sharpness and an improved speed-granularity relationship. Silver chloride emulsions are recognized to be ecologically attractive and to possess the capability of rapid processing. Silver chloride grains with predominantly {100} crystal faces are recognized to have a high degree of shape stability, allowing morphologically stable {100} tabular grains to be formed.
House et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,938 disclosed a process of preparing high chloride {100} tabular grain emulsions that employs iodide during grain nucleation. Subsequently Chang et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,904 disclosed an improvement in the House et al process resulting from delaying iodide addition in the nucleation step for a short period after initial silver and chloride ion addition.
Japanese origin patent disclosures (e.g., Saitou European patent applications 0 645 670 and 0 670 515 as well as Yamashita et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,620 and Oyamada et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,530) modified the Chang et al process by substituting bromide for iodide in grain nucleation. These processes for preparing high chloride {100} tabular grain emulsions rely on an AgCI/AgBr/AgCl precipitation sequence (described as creating a "halide gap") during grain nucleation to create the crystal lattice dislocations that promote {100} tabular grain growth. Grain nuclei formation is undertaken at a lower temperature while grain growth is undertaken by adding silver and halide ions as required after raising the temperature of the emulsion containing the grain nuclei. It is also taught to employ during grain nucleation a gelatin peptizer containing at least 10 micromoles of methionine per gram of gelatin.

Process for preparing high chloride (100) tabular grain emulsions


A defect analysis system for a xerographic print engine includes a residual mass sensor that senses the two-dimensional signature structure of residual mass remaining on a photoconductive or other substrate surface after image transfer. Preferably, the sensor is a full width array that spans substantially an entire width of the photoconductive surface. This information is then processed and analyzed to determine a specific type of transfer defect present. This may include the quantified level of defect for each detected type. The defect analysis system may also include a closed-loop control system that can adjust various xerographic process parameters using feedback based on the identification and optionally magnitude of each specific defect type. The identified print quality defect, such as mottle, streaks, point deletions, graininess, etc. can then be used to determine a customized corrective control action to be taken by the feedback control of the xerographic print engine to remedy or compensate for the defect(s).

Sensing of two-dimensional residual mass structure on a photoreceptor after transfer is used to identify specific types of transfer defects. Upon identification, closed-loop control of the transfer process can be performed taking into account the identified defect types, as well as their magnitudes, to correct or compensate for the defects.
The use of sensors to detect the toner mass levels on a photoreceptor, or other substrate, in a post-development position (detection of developed mass) in a xerographic engine is known. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,221 to Grace; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,896 to Mestha; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,109 to Donaldson et al. The use of sensors to detect residual toner mass levels post-cleaning device is also known. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,295 to Lindblad et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,797 to Daniels et al. It is also known to measure the residual mass after transfer but before the cleaning device (post transfer residual mass).
Previous post-transfer residual mass sensors have provided information about the average transfer efficiency and could enable limited closed loop control of the transfer system. For example, some teach use of an Extended Toner Area Coverage (ETAC) sensor to measure residual mass per unit area (RMA) during xerographic setup. The data from the sensor in this case is used to adjust the transfer shield current setpoint to obtain optimal performance prior to the submission of the customer's job.
The information provided by measuring the RMA with a point sensor like an ETAC is limited to an average measurement of transfer performance. In addition, because a point sensor typically only measures the transfer efficiency at one isolated location in the cross process direction, variations that occur across the belt are not captured by this type of sensor. Therefore, typical ETAC sensors provide only minimal information that is relevant to control of the transfer performance.
To overcome this problem, subsequent implementations have used sensors containing arrays of optical sensing elements. In many of these devices, the array of sensing elements provides information across the entire surface of the photoconductor or other substrate of interest. Such optical sensing array devices are termed full-width array (FWA) sensors. These FWA sensors have been used for measuring RMA across all or a majority of the photoreceptor surface. This method eliminated concerns of the point-sensing nature of ETAC RMA sensors because the residual mass content of the entire image area of the photoreceptor could now be captured. However, such prior methods were still only concerned with measuring average transfer efficiency. Thus, although the RMA value obtained may be more sensitive or accurate than prior point sensors because it averages over a larger area, such sensing systems are still not fully utilizing the information that is available from the FWA sensor.

Full-width array sensing of two-dimensional residual mass structure to enable mitigation of specific defects


A prepreg containing fibers and a curable matrix, the prepreg having a core and a surface part encasing the core, where the matrix of the core and of the surface part are made of the same material and where the proportion of the matrix to the fibers is higher in the core than in the surface part. A composite obtainable from the prepreg as well as the use of the composite or prepreg are also disclosed.

Many dental and medical devices made from polymers or composites need to bond or adhere to other materials, such as other resins or composites, or to living tissue, such as bone. In dentistry, it has been found that the adhesion of polymerised fiber reinforced composite having a thermosetting polymer matrix made for example of a copolymer of 2,2-bis(4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxy)phenyl)propane (BisGMA) and triethyleneglycoldimethacrylate (TEGDMA) to a new polymeric material is difficult to obtain. Poor adhesion can result in e.g. debonding of parts of the composite, loosening or delamination of a root canal post made from said composite.
The problem has partly been resolved by the invention described in patent application WO 99/45890 (Vallittu et al.) where a thermoplastic membrane was used to cover the thermosetting polymer matrix of the prepreg. The thermoplastic membrane allowed adhesion of the new polymeric material by means of interdiffusion (interpenetrating polymer network).
In other medical applications of fiber-reinforced composites, like in orthopaedic implants (e.g. hip prostheses), there is a need to achieve bonding of bone to the implant. The technique of roughening the surface of the implant has most widely been used to increase the bonding of the metal surface of the implant to the bone, together with the help of acrylic bone cements. Clinical experience has shown that a relatively great number of detachments of endosseus implant prostheses occur after five to ten years use of the prosthesis.
Numerous publications disclose the use of prepregs and composites in medicine. U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,012 discloses passive dental appliances of fiber-reinforced composites being fully impregnated with composite. U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,778 discloses a hybrid woven material formed of glass yarns and synthetic yarns to prevent fray upon cutting. U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,044 discloses a flexible post in a dental post and core system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,816 discloses a method of producing a dental post for use in restoring or stabilizing one or more teeth. The method includes the steps of creating a hole in a tooth and obtaining a woven hollow rope, which is mounted over a mandrel and inserted into the hole. Patent application DE 29 32 435 discloses a hip joint and a dental implant having fiber structure on a metal core.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,723,007 discloses a biocompatible composite material with a plastic matrix having a felt of collagen fibers contained therein, wherein the collagen fibers project out from the surface of the material so that it can be colonized with human cells prior to implantation. The material is manufactured by impregnating collagen fibers with a matrix, partially curing said matrix and removing the unpolymerized matrix. The fibers that project out from the surface of the material are thus partially covered by said matrix.
GB 2 214 087 discloses a composite canal post wherein the surface is mechanically roughened in order to increase the bonding strength of the surface. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,900 a dental prosthesis is proposed in which the surface is treated by abrasion or erosion to expose the fibers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,546 discloses partial and full prosthetic denture plates and processes to make them. A partial denture plate comprised of a denture base formed of a composite laminate having an intermediate layer of a woven fabric with non-woven veils disposed on opposite sides thereof is encapsulated in a polymeric resin. The denture base is moulded to conform to a shape of a patient's mouth. The denture base has at least one tab extending from the denture base. The tab is oriented to be in alignment with the patient's natural teeth. A synthetic tooth is moulded on each tab resulting in a denture device having a fiber-reinforced composite base and a synthetic tooth, or teeth, moulded on each tab, the tab or tabs made of and extending from the fiber-reinforced composite. Similarly, a full denture plate is disclosed. A rib is positioned on a parabolic strip of the composite laminate, the rib generally conforming to a patient's gum line. Artificial teeth are then moulded on the rib resulting in a full, prosthetic, denture plate.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,906,550 discloses a prosthetic devices for replacement, attachment and reconstruction of bone structure in skeletal systems of humans and animals. The prosthetic devices may be a fiber-metal structure of sufficient section to support loads adequately or may include a solid load-carrying member having a fiber-metal structure secured to the surface thereof. The fiber-metal structure is sintered and open-pored so that the bone and tissue into which the prosthetic device is implanted will grow into such fiber metal structure.
DE 41 33 690 discloses ready-made dental crowns and mastication surfaces, the occlusal halves of one or more crowns are moulded in the form of a plastic covering to existing metallic dental crowns, or to prosthetic constructions, and are applied to them by pressing with a finger or an instrument. The crowns have projections and depressions and are hardened after forming by polymerisation or sintering. The crown consists preferably of only a reinforcing layer between 0.5 and 5 mm thick in the shape of the mechanism surface. The plastic material may be pressure-, temperature- or light-hardening composites, or a plastic, or sintered metals or plastic-metal composites. In particular inorganic substances are used, and the material is reinforced with fibers or fabric preferably made of synthetic or natural fibers.
Some prior art documents thus disclose prepregs and composites wherein the reinforcing fibers project out from the surface. The drawbacks of the proposed prepregs and composites are however that either the fibers are at least partially covered by the matrix or the fibers have been revealed using mechanical treatment that partly destroys the fibers and in consequence decreases the mechanical strength of the fibers. The mechanical strength of a product manufactured by using such a prepreg is thus not accurate and specified.


In a networked system having a protected central server network connected to one or more satellite servers, the central server includes master data, and each satellite system includes replicated data derived from the master data. A corruption of at least a portion of the replicated data in one of the satellite servers is determined. Responsive to determining the corruption, at least the corrupted portion of the replicated data is replaced in the satellite server with data derived from the master data of the central server.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a method and system for protecting data from being lost or damaged, accidentally or by sabotage.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is difficult to protect network-accessible data from being lost or damaged, accidentally or by sabotage. It is particularly difficult to protect data that is replicated over multiple network-accessible locations. A failure of the system to protect the data at any one or more of the locations needs to be rapidly known, and corrective measures need to be taken promptly.
This situation is becoming more difficult to deal with because data is more widely disseminated among more computers, each of which is potentially vulnerable. Accidents are more likely to happen with this increased degree of complexity. Skilled crackers (malevolent hackers), viruses (programs that "infect" other programs by embedding into them), worms (programs that self-reproduce and propagate over a network) and Trojan horses (security-breaking programs disguised as something benign) are becoming more capable and numerous. Defending every computer from every type of accident and attack has had limited success. In theory each computer can be maintained with the latest security patches and with adequate staff on hand to defend against attacks, however, this rarely happens because it is prohibitively expensive.
It is therefore desirable to provide an improved method, system and article of manufacture for maintaining the integrity of network-accessible data.

System for maintaining the integrity of remote data by making it disposable

International Business Machines Corporation


A method of switching a combustion mode of a diesel engine may include determining a carbon dioxide concentration in an intake manifold of a diesel engine, operating the diesel engine in a first combustion mode, and operating the diesel engine in a second combustion mode when the determined carbon dioxide concentration is greater than a predetermined carbon dioxide concentration value.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Diesel engines may be operated in a conventional combustion mode and a Premixed Compression Ignition (PCI) combustion mode. PCI is an advanced diesel combustion technique that may reduce diesel engine emissions. With PCI, fuel is injected into the combustion chamber of the cylinder much earlier in the combustion stroke than would be done for conventional diesel combustion. The desired fuel amount is supplied significantly before the piston reaches the compression top dead center (TDC). The early injected fuel is mixed sufficiently with the air before the piston reaches the compression TDC. Thus, the technique provides a lean and well mixed state of air/fuel mixture before ignition.
A diesel engine may be switched from a conventional combustion mode to PCI combustion mode during low-load operating conditions. Therefore, engine load conditions may be monitored to ensure that the combustion mode is switched to PCI combustion mode at low load conditions. However, switching to PCI combustion mode even at low engine load conditions may result in high NOx emissions without appropriate combustion gas conditions.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Diesel combustion mode switching control based on intake carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration


The present disclosure describes an exemplary asymmetric CPP layout for a semiconductor structure with a different gate pitch over the source and the drain regions to mitigate gate-to-gate parasitic capacitances over the drain region, thus improving cutoff frequency. For example, the semiconductor structure can include a fin on a substrate. The semiconductor structure can also include first and second gate structures formed on the fin and separated by a first space. The semiconductor structure can also include a third gate structure formed on the fin between the first and the second gate structures. The third gate structure can be separated from the first gate structure by a second pitch and separated from the second gate structure by a third pitch that is greater than the second pitch. The semiconductor structure further includes a source region formed between the first and third gate structures, and a drain region formed between the third and the second gate structures.

Fin field effect transistors (finFETs) demonstrate several advantages over planar FETs in terms of, for example, (i) reduced power consumption, (ii) improved threshold voltage control, (iii) channel control, and (iv) leakage current characteristics. However, due to the surface area between the fin and the gate, parasitic capacitances (e.g., between the source/drain (S/D) contacts and the gate structure) may be larger for finFETs as compared to planar FETs. Parasitic capacitances can adversely impact the finFET's cutoff frequency (fT), which sets a boundary for the finFET's frequency response.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


In a mode in which a lens barrel need not be extended, if it is determined that a vibration is larger than a reference value, the lens barrel is driven so as to be retracted to a predetermined position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control apparatus, an imaging apparatus, and a control method for the imaging apparatus, and more particularly to technology for detecting an instruction to the imaging apparatus using a vibration applied to the imaging apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, downsizing has been advancing in portable information processing apparatuses, such as personal digital assistants (PDA) and digital cameras, to improve user-friendliness, including better portability.
On the other hand, progress has been made in sensor technology used to detect vibration applied to an apparatus. The vibration or an amount of a swing applied to an apparatus, for example, can be detected by an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor. In Japanese Patent No. 4009887 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-049290, it is discussed that a swinging operation of an apparatus or a change in the position of the apparatus is detected by using the sensors, and an operation instruction to the apparatus is given according to a detection result.
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-061869 discusses a camera structure configured to protect the lens barrel by retracting the lens barrel into the camera main body when vibration is given thereto that is relatively larger than a hand-shake of a camera. However, if a predetermined operation is performed when an amount of a swing is detected by an apparatus, an amount of vibration is larger than an amount of a camera shake. Therefore, if a threshold value of determination is set at a similar value to that of a camera shake, the lens barrel tends to retract easily. In other words, even when vibration applied to the camera is not so large, the lens barrel retracts easily, and if this retraction happens during image capturing, the user needs to operate a switch to extend the lens barrel.
In a structure in which the imaging apparatus is operated according to an amount of a swing that occurs when a user swings the apparatus or according to an amount of displacement when the user changes the position of the apparatus, it is necessary to protect the lens barrel.
More specifically, when the lens barrel is extended forwards from the apparatus main body, it is desirable to protect the lens barrel from being broken by mistake. The lens barrel should preferably be protected by retracting it during a reproduction display operation when image capturing is not performed. However, if the lens barrel is retracted during shooting, an image capturing action cannot be started immediately.

Control apparatus, imaging apparatus, and control method for the imaging apparatus


The present invention relates to a high-speed dewatering and pulverizing turbine (1) for obtaining solid pulverized particles and dissociating the water present, which is formed by: a) a stator (6) having circular geometry with a duct at one end (7) for the outlet of the solid pulverized particles and a duct in the bottom part (10) for the inlet of solid particles to be pulverized; b) a wheel or rotor with vanes or blades, located inside the stator; and c) a central securing assembly for adjusting and securing all the elements that form the wheel or rotor. Also described is a method for obtaining solid pulverized and dewatered particles, wherein the water present is separated.

The basic element of a turbine is its wheel or rotor which comprises vanes, blades or propellers placed around the circumference of the rotor wheel.
The best-known turbines are the water turbines and the steam turbines.
US2006051210 describes a Francis turbine, and a water turbine comprising a Francis turbine. A Francis turbine, comprising a lid and a blade belt that extend between the lid and the blade belt and which define a fluid flow channel, is described. A value from 0.1 to 0.2 for the maximum thickness ratio of each blade/average length is defined. The blades or vanes have a curvature, and are smooth on their surface with no crevices or holes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,935 describes a turbine system that has a hollow base member and a flared fluid outlet located above the inlet fluid conduit. A turbine runner is mounted over the fluid outlet and includes a vertical shaft connected to a generator. Additionally, a plurality of turbine blades is on the lower end of the shaft adjacent to the fluid outlet. The upper edges of the blades are parabolic.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,704,045 describes a turbine rotor blade comprising a squealer pocket on the blade tip to provide a seal between the blade tip and the outer shroud of the engine. Additionally, the blades have a row of holes extending along the pressure side wall and notches associated to each hole.
US2012057985 describes a turbine stator blade including a blade which is formed of a ceramic matrix, and a band supporting the blade. The blades are concave in shape, smooth in the inner wall, and convex in the outer wall.
WO2009/048313 describes a turbine/cyclone assembly which is intended for separating particles, from more dense to less dense, e.g., suitable for removing water from an organic product (such as grain, cereal), and also for purifying the different fluids, e.g., removing impurities from a combustion fluid. WO2009/048313 turbine removes the humidity within the particle by cavitation.
GB19540024360 mentions an aerodynamic profile designed to be used in a fluid current flowing at sound speed, e.g. a turbine or compressor wing or blade. The purpose of the teeth, which can be triangular, sinusoidal, semi-circular or trapezoidal in shape, is preventing the boundary layer detachment, thus reducing vortex formation, which consequently diminishes efficiency and speed.
In the state of the art, there are different types of blades for turbines, each one based on the function of the turbine. However, no turbines that provide the appropriate blades for pulverizing particles were found. Therefore, there is the need for having a turbine with special blades that are appropriate for attaining the best particle pulverization and dissociation of the water therein.
The object of the present invention is providing a dewatering and pulverizing turbine that is capable of breaking up solid particles and inducing dissociation of the water therein.
A further object of the present invention is providing a procedure for breaking up solid particles and dissociating the water therein.

High-speed dewatering and pulverizing turbine


A fitness station and resistance band assembly and a method of using the same. The station includes a base; a support extending upwardly from the base; a first arm extending outwardly from the support; and a plurality of attachment members provided on one or more of the base, the support or the first arm. The assembly is selectively engageable with one of the attachment members and is operable to apply a resistive force during a performance of an exercise. The assembly includes a housing that is at least partially rigid and a first resilient member for providing the resistive force located within the housing. The assembly is attached to one of the attachment members on the fitness station. A pulling motion is applied to the assembly during the performance of an exercise. A resistive force is generated within the assembly in response to the applied pulling motion.

Technical Field
This invention relates generally to exercise equipment. More particularly, this invention is directed to customizable and ergonomically designed exercise equipment used for strength training and stretching. Most specifically, this invention is directed to a fitness station that may be installed in a commercial gym, a home gym, or in an outdoor exercise area and a detachable resistance band assembly for use therewith. The fitness station allows a user to conveniently and effectively perform and track with precision a variety of different exercises that engage multiple muscle groups using the resistance band assembly. The resistance band assembly is selectively engageable with one of a plurality of attachment members provided on the fitness station. The resistance band assembly may be adjusted to provide a variable resistive force to exercises performed using the fitness station.
Background Information
It is well known that in order to keep oneself healthy and active, it is necessary to incorporate exercise into one's daily routine. Many people join gyms to help them exercise on a regular basis. A typical gym will include a number of machines or large equipment systems which are dedicated to exercise one or another part of the body. The user will have to move from machine to machine in order to exercise their entire body. Most of these machines utilize weights which the user will selectively engage with the machine in order to achieve the intensity of workout that they desire. If the user is inexperienced, there is the tendency to avoid particular machines simply because it is difficult to figure out what one is supposed to do on that machine. An inexperienced user or someone who is too ambitious may inadvertently injure themselves if too much weight is applied to any particular exercise. Additionally, in busier gyms, the wait time for particular machines may be long enough that it tends to discourage people from undertaking a full exercise routine. There is therefore the tendency to pick one or two favorite machines and exercises and simply overlook the rest of the body.
Another arena that is becoming increasingly popular for people to exercise in is outdoor "exercise parks". Unlike gyms, these locations have fewer pieces of equipment for the user to use and most often there is no way to increase the intensity of the workout as the user gets fitter.
Because of the issue with weight-based equipment and the tendency of inexperienced users to accidentally injure themselves thereon, there has been a rise in the interest of using resistance bands during exercise. Resistance bands are elongated elastic or resilient member which may be stretched to greater or lesser degrees. They can be incorporated into an exercise routine for anyone from beginners through to experienced athletes.
The bands themselves may come in a variety of different lengths, diameters, wall thicknesses and different resistances and may include handles or loops at either end. The user will select the appropriate length and resistance for the exercises they wish to perform. A user may initially begin exercising with a low resistance band and progressively change to resistance bands of higher resistance as they gain strength.
During an exercise routine, the user will grasp the handles in either hand and stretch the resistance band, or they may hold part of the resistance band using one or both feet, or they may pass the resistance band around a substantially immovable object, such as a pole or a support for a piece of heavy gym equipment. They may, alternatively, anchor one end of the resistance band by tying it off to a pole or fitness equipment support.
If a person is performing a variety of different exercises it may be desirable to use a different resistance for each different exercise. Repeatedly having to swap out the resistance band for different exercises can be frustrating and time-consuming.

Strength training and stretching system and resistance band assembly for use therewith


A solar roofing panel has a rectangular body with solar cells exposed on the upper surface of the body and an electrical junction box on the lower surface of body along the forward edge portion thereof. A cutout is formed in the upper edge portion of the rectangular body at a corner thereof. When a plurality of solar panels are arranged on a roof in courses with an upper course partially overlapping a lower course, the junction boxes of roofing panels in the upper course are disposed in the cutouts of roofing panels of the lower course. Accordingly, the solar roofing panels present a low profile mimicking the profile of slate-style shingles.

Slate is one of the finest roofing materials because, among other things, it is fireproof, resists hail damage, and can have a service life of 100 years or more. While natural slate has been common for decades, resent years have seen the immergence of man-made slate roofing that can rival the look and durability of natural slate. Slate roofing also is considered an architectural match for certain home styles.
Slate roofing can be installed in a variety of ways. Traditionally, slate shingles were installed on roof decks with nails driven through holes in the shingles. However, this proved to present certain problems related, among other things, to the weight of the shingles and the consequent enhanced framing required, as well as other factors, which often caused cracking of the brittle slate material. More recently, an improved slate roof installation system has been developed by Elk Premium Building Products, Inc. (now GAF) and is marketed under the trademark TruSlate™. Generally speaking, the TruSlate™ roofing system involves the installation of underlayment and spaced apart metal battens extending horizontally along a roof deck. Spring tempered hangers are attached to the battens and extend down the roof deck to upwardly hooked ends. A waterproof membrane or liner is laid along a row of hangers and individual slate shingles are hung on the hangers in overlapping rows or courses along the roof deck. The result is a classic and stately slate roof that does not exhibit problems caused by stress and roof deck movement. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,448,177 and 7,454,873 disclose the TruSlate™ roofing system in detail and the entire contents of these patents is hereby incorporated by reference.
Solar electrical energy also is becoming more common as energy prices rise and cultural trends toward greener ways of life are more prevalent. One way of supplementing electrical needs with solar energy is to mount arrays of photovoltaic solar panels on one's roof. The panels often are mounted within frames and are electrically coupled together and connected to a home's electrical service and/or to battery banks to provide electrical energy from the sun. While such arrays of solar panels indeed provide supplemental electricity, many consider them unsightly on a roof and therefore would not invest in such a system. This may be particularly true for homeowners with slate or slate-style roofs, which represent a large investment to obtain the architectural appearance of slate.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,215,070 (incorporated herein by reference and owned by the assignee of the present disclosure) discloses a TruSlate™ type roofing system that includes solar panels that tend to blend into the architecture of surrounding field slates of a slate roof. However, even with the system disclosed in said patent, the solar panels when installed may not blend ideally into architecture of the roof. More particularly, the solar panels may not be completely flush with surrounding field slates because sufficient space for junction boxes and wiring must be provided beneath each of the solar panels. U.S. Pat. No. 8,215,070 suggests incorporating some of the wiring into the battens of the system, but junction boxes of individual solar panels and perhaps nano-inverters still must be accommodated in some fashion, which may prevent the solar panels from lying flush with surrounding shingles and thereby forming a low profile installation.
A need exists for a roof-mounted photovoltaic solar energy collection system particularly for slate-style roofs that is straightforward to install, easily updated to higher electrical production levels, and that is more fully building integrated, meaning that it blends into the architecture of the building and is low profile to blend with surrounding field shingles of the roof. It is to the provision of such a system that the present invention is primarily directed.

Low profile slate-style solar roofing system

Building Materials Investment Corporation


A disposable lighter having a safety function for preventing unwanted ignition, which eliminates the two driving wheels provided in conventional gas lighter and renders a radius of a striking wheel approximately equal to a curved corner formed at a top end corner of each wing portion of a wind shield so as to sidewardly cover the striking wheel. Therefore, the disposable lighter may only be ignited by the user's thumb on purpose that can prevent the striking wheel from being rubbed with any object to accidentally ignite. Moreover, an underage kid is also unable to ignite the disposable lighter without any adult supervision by preventing the striking wheel be stuck by a minor's thumb.

Today, almost every common household own at least a couple of gas lighters for fire lighting conveniences. Disposable gas lighters have always been well recognized as convenient and inexpensive lighting gadgets. It is small and handy and a smooth thumb strike against the striking wheel may simply ignite and light-up.
As shown in FIG. 1, a traditional disposable gas lighter is illustrated, which comprises a lighter body 1 to receive liquefied fuel, a mounting frame 2 sealedly equipped on top of the lighter body 1, a gas lever 3 which is accessibly attached between a first and a second vertical supporting tower 4, 5, having a central cutout 6 allowing the pass through of a spring chamber head 7, wherein the gas lever 3 is adapted to shift a gas nozzle 8 to release gas from the interior of the lighter body 1 via a gas valve 9, and an ignition device comprising a spring A1 entirely received inside the spring chamber head 7, a flint A2 supporting on top of the spring A1 and having a bottom portion inserted into the spring chamber head 7, and a striking wheel A31 rotatably mounted between the first and second vertical supporting towers 4, 5 which comprises an striking wheel A31 and two driving wheels A32, A33 coaxially disposed on two sides of the striking wheel A31 respectively, and a U-shaped wind shield is mounted on the mounting frame 2 to cover the gas nozzle 8 and the ignition device A3. The flint A2 must be upwardly pressed against the striking wheel A31. The two driving wheels A32, A33 are integrally engaged with the smaller striking wheel A31 so that when the two driving wheels A32, A33 are struck to rotate by a user, the striking wheel A31 will be driven to rotate simultaneously by the two driving wheel A32, A33 to strike against the flint A2 to generate spark for igniting the gas released from the gas nozzle 8 when the gas lever 3 is downwardly pushed by the user.
To those cigarette smokers and countryside travelers, such traditional disposable gas lighter is one of the necessities to be carrier in the user's pocket or baggage. However, in order to facilitate the igniting operation, the top portions of the two driving wheels A32, A33 are arranged protruding upwardly from the wind shield A4 thereof and in free and easy rotating manner that even a slight and smooth rotation of the two driving wheels A32, A33 will drive the striking wheel A31 to successfully strike on the flint A2 provided underneath to ignite and generate flame. It is extremely dangerous if the two driving wheel A32, A33 are accidentally rubbed by object, unwanted flame will be ignited to burn the user's pocket or baggage.
Another big concern of such traditional fire lighting gadgets is that, it may fall into a hand of an underage minor who is unfamiliar with the safety of the gadget, but yet focusing on the fun of spark igniting.
Over the recent years, fire accidents have destroyed thousands of families, it burned down many homes and business buildings. As we know fire is one of the mother nature's great element that destroy without any mercy. Local communities tried very hard to enforce selling gas lighters to any underage minor, but somehow a gas lighter just seems to fall into a minor's hand and usually the adults discover it after an accident occurred.
Out in the market today, there are a numerous types of safety gas lighters being manufactured and distributed, but these conventional gas lighters utilize complicate safety switches and safety hiding triggers which may largely increase the number of parts and the manufacturing cost and labor.

Disposable lighter having a safety function of preventing unwanted ignition


A hearing aid (50) comprises means (55, 56, 57, 58) for reproducing frequencies above the upper frequency limit of a hearing impaired user. The hearing aid (50) according to the invention comprises means (55, 57) for transposing higher bands of frequencies from outside the upper frequency limit of a hearing impaired user down in frequency based on a detected frequency in order to coincide with a lower band of frequencies within the frequency range perceivable by the hearing impaired user. The transposing means (55, 57) comprise an adaptive notch filter (15) for detecting a dominant frequency in the lower band of frequencies, adaptation means (16) controlled by the adaptive notch filter (15), an oscillator (3) controlled by the adaptation means (16), and a multiplier (4) for performing the actual frequency transposition of the signal. The invention further provides a method for processing a signal in a hearing aid.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to hearing aids. More specifically it relates to hearing aids having means for altering the spectral distribution of the audio signals to be reproduced by the hearing aid. The invention further relates to methods for processing signals in hearing aids.
Individuals with a degraded auditory perception are in many ways inconvenienced or disadvantaged in life. Provided a residue of perception exists they may, however, benefit from using a hearing aid, i.e. an electronic device adapted for amplifying the ambient sound suitably to offset the hearing deficiency. Usually, the hearing deficiency will be established at various frequencies and the hearing aid will be tailored to provide selective amplification as a function of frequency in order to compensate the hearing loss according to those frequencies.
2. The Prior Art
However, there are individuals with a very profound hearing loss at high frequencies who do not gain any improvement in speech perception by amplification of those frequencies. These steeply sloping hearing losses are also referred to as ski-slope hearing losses due to the very characteristic curve for representing such a loss has in an audiogram. Hearing ability could be close to normal at low frequencies but decreases dramatically at high frequencies. Steeply sloping hearing losses are of the sensorineural type, which is the result of damaged hair cells in the cochlea. Some possible causes of steeply sloping hearing losses are: long-term exposure to loud sound (e.g. noisy work), temporary and very loud sounds (e.g. an explosion or a gunshot), lack of sufficient oxygen supply at birth, various types of hereditary disorder, certain rare virus infections, or possible side effect of certain types of strong medicine. Characteristic signs of steeply sloping hearing loss are the inability to perceive sounds in the high frequencies and a reduced tolerance to loud, high-frequency sounds (sensitivity to sound).
People without acoustic perception in the higher frequencies (typically from between 2-8 kHz and above) have difficulties regarding not only their perception of speech, but also their perception of other useful sounds occurring in a modern society. Sounds of this kind may be alarm sounds, doorbells, ringing telephones, birds singing, or they may be certain traffic sounds, or changes in sounds from machinery demanding immediate attention. For instance, unusual squeaking sounds from a bearing in a washing machine may attract the attention of a person with normal hearing so that measures may be taken in order to get the bearing fixed or replaced before fire or another hazardous condition occurs. A person with a profound high frequency hearing loss, beyond the capabilities of the latest state-of-the-art hearing aid, may let this sound go on completely unnoticed because the main frequency components in the sound lie outside the person's effective auditory range even when aided. No matter how powerful the hearing aid is, the high frequency sounds cannot be perceived by a person with no residual hearing sensation left in the upper frequencies. A method of conveying high frequency information to a person incapable of perceiving acoustic energy in the upper frequencies would thus be useful.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,319 proposes a digital hearing aid comprising a frequency analyzer and means for compressing the input frequency band in such a way that the resulting, compressed output frequency band lies within the perceivable frequency range of the hearing aid user. The purpose of this system, known as digital frequency transposition (DFC), is to enhance phonemes with significant high frequency content, especially plosives and diphthongs, in speech by compressing the upper frequency band in such a manner that the frequencies where the plosives and diphthongs occur are moved sufficiently downward in frequency to allow them to be perceived by a hearing impaired hearing aid user. The system is dependent on the characteristics in the incoming signal and the frequency analyzer in order to function properly. Other sounds in the upper frequency band are not detected by the frequency analyzer, and their frequencies are therefore not compressed and thus remain undetectable by the user. The frequency analyzer has to be very sensitive in order for phonemes to be correctly recognized. This puts a great strain on the hearing aid signal processor.
EP 1 441 562 A2 discloses a method for frequency transposition in a hearing aid. A frequency transposition is applied to the spectrum of a signal, using a nonlinear frequency transposition function so that all frequencies above a selected frequency fG are compressed in a nonlinear manner and all frequencies below the selected frequency fG are compressed in a linear manner. Although the lower frequencies are compressed in a linear manner in order to avoid transposition artifacts, the whole useable audio spectrum is nonetheless compressed, and this may lead to unwanted side effects and an unnaturally sounding reproduction. The method is also very processor intensive, involving FFT-transformation of the signal to and from the frequency domain.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,273 B1 discloses a method for providing auditory correction for hearing impaired individuals by extracting pitch, voicing, energy and spectrum characteristics of an input speech signal, modifying the pitch, voicing, energy and spectrum characteristics independently of each other, and presenting the modified speech signal to the hearing impaired individual. This method is elaborate and cumbersome, and appears to affect the sound image in a negative way because the entire perceivable frequency spectrum is processed. This kind of intensive processing inevitably distorts the overall sound image, perhaps even beyond recognition, and thus presents the user with perceivable, but unrecognizable, sound.
The methods of frequency transposition known in the prior art all affect the low frequency content of the processed signal in some form. Although these methods render high frequency components in the signal audible to persons with steep hearing losses, they also compromise the integrity of the overall signal, making a lot of well-known sounds hard to recognize with this system. In particular, the amplitude-modulated envelope of the input signal is deteriorated badly with any of the known methods. An effective, fast and reliable method for making high frequency sounds available to hearing impaired people, without compromising the quality of the result significantly, is thus desirable.

Hearing aid with enhanced high frequency reproduction and method for processing an audio signal


This invention relates to a compact wide-angle lens which consists of five members. The first member and the last member are each divergent lenses of low deviation, which consist of low refractivity crown glass. The second member and the third member are convergent lenses made of high refractivity crown glass. The fourth member, which is the final member of the lens according to the invention, consists of a convergent lens and a divergent lens which are cemented to each other. Type of glass are used for this cemented member which have a very low difference in refractive index but a very high difference in dispersion. The convergent lens has a low dispersion and the divergent lens has a high dispersion. One of the two glass/air surfaces of the cemented member is aspherical. A lens such as this according to the invention has a maximum aperture ratio of at least 1:5.6 and an image angle of 105.degree.. The chromatic correction is well defined and is very substantially independent of the distance of the object. Amongst other effects, this results in scarcely any losses of image quality occurring, even at short range. The distortion of the object is very low.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a compact wide-angle lens having a meniscus lens on the object side and a meniscus lens on the image side, which consists of five members and has a diaphragm between the third and fourth members.
2. Description of Related Art
Compact wide-angle lenses of this type are increasingly being used in the field of large-negative photography. Compared with conventional wide-angle lenses, they have shorter overall lengths, smaller lens diameters and a reduced weight. These advantages permit better utilisation of the adjustment options of a large-negative camera. The sensitivity to scale of compact wide-angle lenses is also less than that of conventional wide-angle lenses.
Compact wide-angle lenses are already known which comprise a dispersive meniscus lens both on the object side and on the image side.
DD WP 148 391 describes a wide-angle lens such as this, in which the central convergent lens part is constructed from four individual upright lens members. A meniscus lens with a cemented face is disposed in front of the diaphragm space in the direction of light. A disadvantage of this lens is that its unsymmetrical construction does not permit very large image angles.
Another compact wide-angle lens, which consists of six members with eight lenses, is claimed in EP 0 262 407. In this lens, the first lens member is constructed as a convex negative meniscus lens on the object side and the sixth lens member is of biconcave construction. This is claimed to result in a reduced overall length, and installation in cameras is improved due to the smaller lens diameter.
An approximately symmetrical wide-angle lens which is a double anastigmatic lens and which is described in DE OS 1 572 576 has a long overall length due to its eight lenses and is thus not a compact wide-angle lens in the actual sense of this term. Lenses of this type do in fact exhibit good sharpness and image field flatness, but do not permit high aperture numbers to be employed.
All these known compact wide-angle lenses are burdened with disadvantages. Thus troublesome chromatic aberrations, particularly colour defects, occur as magnifications become higher. Moreover, these compact wide-angle lenses do not enable such large image angles to be employed as those which are possible with conventional wide-angle lenses.
The aim of the present invention is therefore to create a compact wide-angle lens for which the said weaknesses of this type of lens do not arise.

Jos. Schneider Optische Werke Kreuznach GmbH & Co. KG


Drilling system and method for drilling a bore hole into an earth formation, the bore hole having an inside wall. A drill string reaches into the bore hole and leaves a drilling fluid return passage between the drill string and the bore hole inside wall. A drilling fluid discharge conduit is in fluid communication with the drilling fluid return passage, and pump means are provided for pumping a drilling fluid through the drill string into the bore hole and to the drilling fluid discharge conduit via the drilling fluid return passage. The drilling fluid back pressure is controlled utilizing back pressure control means for controlling back pressure means. The system further provides fluid injection means comprising an injection fluid supply passage fluidly connecting an injection fluid supply with the drilling fluid return passage and further comprising an injection fluid pressure sensor arranged to provide a pressure signal in accordance with an injection fluid pressure in the injection fluid supply passage. The back pressure control means is arranged to receive the pressure signal and to regulate the back pressure means in dependence of at least the pressure signal.

The exploration and production of hydrocarbons from subsurface formations ultimately requires a method to reach for and extract the hydrocarbons from the formation. This is typically achieved by drilling a well with a drilling rig. In its simplest form, this constitutes a land-based drilling rig that is used to support and rotate a drill string, comprised of a series of drill tubulars with a drill bit mounted at the end. Furthermore, a pumping system is used to circulate a fluid, comprised of a base fluid, typically water or oil, and various additives down the drill string, the fluid then exits through the rotating drill bit and flows back to surface via the annular space formed between the borehole wall and the drill string. The drilling fluid serves the following purposes: (a) provide support to the borehole wall, (b) prevent or, in case of under balanced drilling (UBD), control formation fluids or gasses from entering the well, (c) transport the cuttings produced by the drill bit to surface, (d) provide hydraulic power to tools fixed in the drill string and (e) cooling of the bit. After being circulated through the well, the drilling fluid flows back into a mud handling system, generally comprised of a shaker table, to remove solids, a mud pit and a manual or automatic means for addition of various chemicals or additives to keep the properties of the returned fluid as required for the drilling operation. Once the fluid has been treated, it is circulated back into the well via re-injection into the top of the drill string with the pumping system.
During drilling operations, the drilling fluid exerts a pressure against the well bore inside wall that is mainly built-up of a hydrostatic part, related to the weight of the mud column, and a dynamic part related frictional pressure losses caused by, for instance, the fluid circulation rate or movement of the drill string.
The fluid pressure in the well is selected such that, while the fluid is static or circulated during drilling operations, it does not exceed the formation fracture pressure or formation strength. If the formation strength is exceeded, formation fractures will occur which will create drilling problems such as fluid losses and borehole instability. On the other hand, in overbalanced drilling the fluid density is chosen such that the pressure in the well is always maintained above the pore pressure to avoid formation fluids entering the well, while during UBD the pressure in the well is maintained just below the power pressure to controllably allow formation fluids entering the well (primary well control).
The pressure margin with on one side the pore pressure and on the other side the formation strength is known as the "Operational Window".
For reasons of safety and pressure control, a Blow-Out Preventer (BOP) can be mounted on the well head, below the rig floor, which BOP can shut off the wellbore in case formation fluids or gas should enter the wellbore (secondary well control) in an unwanted or uncontrolled way. Such unwanted inflows are commonly referred to as "kicks". The BOP will normally only be used in emergency i.e. well-control situations.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,952, to Bradfield et al. and assigned to Baker Hughes Incorporated, a closed well bore system is used for the purposes of underbalanced drilling, i.e., the annular pressure is maintained below the formation pore pressure.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,129 (Shell Oil Company) a method and system are described to control the fluid pressure in a well bore during drilling, using a back pressure pump in fluid communication with an annulus discharge conduit, in addition to a primary pump for circulating drilling fluid through the annulus via the drill string.
An accurate control of the fluid pressure in the well bore is facilitated by an accurate knowledge of the down hole pressure. However, in a borehole with a variably rotating drill string, and with possibly all kinds of down hole subs that are driven by the drilling fluid circulation flow, it is a problem to monitor the down hole pressure in real time. Measurements of the pressure of the drilling fluid in the drill string, or in the bore hole, close to the surface level are often too far removed from the lower end of the bore hole to provide an accurate basis for calculating or estimating the actual down hole pressure. On the other hand, the currently available data transfer rates are too low for using direct down hole pressure data taken by a measurement while drilling sensor as a real-time feed back control signal.
It is thus an object of the invention to provide a system and a method for drilling a bore hole into an earth formation that allows for improved control of the fluid pressure in the well bore.


An analysis method of a lamp member for a vehicle, includes (1) the point group data generation step of generating point group data that represents a region to be analyzed, on the basis of CAD data of a lamp member for a vehicle, (2) the analysis parameter extraction step of extracting analysis parameters required for analysis from a storage device, (3) the analysis parameter accept step of accepting input of the analysis parameters, and (4) the analysis execution step of executing analysis in accordance with a program corresponding to a structure of the lamp member for a vehicle on the basis of the generated point group data, and the accepted analysis parameters.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an analysis method and system of a lamp member for a vehicle using a computer.
2. Related Background Art
Conventionally, upon executing thermal analysis of a lamp member for a vehicle on a computer, a skilled person simplifies CAD data by himself or herself via various steps so as to be able to use the CAD data in analysis, specifies meshes to form a mesh model, and gives analysis parameters to the mesh model, thus executing analysis.

Analysis method and system of lamp member for vehicle


To provide a SRAM wherein high-speed and low-voltage operation can be achieved with a small and simple circuit configuration, in a memory cell of the SRAM comprising a pair of MOS driver transistors (23 and 24) and a pair of MOS access transistors (21 and 22), well potential of the MOS driver transistors (23 and 24) and the MOS access transistors (21 and 22) is controlled to be the same with potential of gate electrodes of the MOS access transistors (21 and 22) connected to a word line (WL0) for selecting said each of said memory cells.

The present invention relates to a SRAM (Static Random Acess Memory) having a high operational speed.
FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram illustrating a first conventional example of a memory cell configuration of the SRAM.
Referring to FIG. 9, the memory cell 200 has an inverter latch configured with a pair of nMOS (n-channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor) driver transistors 23 and 24 together with a pair of pMOS (p-channel MOS) load transistors 25 and 26. Each of a pair of memory terminals of the inverter latch is connected to each of a pair of bit lines D0 and D0 though each of nMOS access transistors 21 and 22. Gates of the nMOS access transistors 21 and 22 are connected a word line WL0.
A plurality of memory cells having the same configuration with the memory cell 200 are arrayed in lateral and longitudinal directions of FIG. 9 sharing each word line laterally, and each pair of bit lines longitudinally.
Although not depicted in the drawing, a common well of the nMOS access transistors 21 and 22 and the nMOS driver transistors 23 and 24 is fixed to a ground voltage, and a common well of the pMOS load transistors 25 and 26 are fixed to a power supply voltage, in the same way with ordinary CMOS (Complementary MOS) cirucits.
When the memory cell 200 is selected, that is, the word line WL0 is turned to HIGH by a word driver 10, data latched in the inverter 25 latch is exchanged with outside by way of the nMOS access transistors 21 and 22 becoming ON through the pair of bit lines D0 and D0, which means that the read/wirte speed of the memory cell 200 depends on the on-current of the nMOS access transistors 21 and 22. Therefore, in many conventional SRAMs, a boosted voltage Vpp higher than the power supply voltage is supplied to the word driver 10 in order to improve the read/write speed by raising the word line voltage to be supplied to gate terminals of the nMOS access transistors 21 and 22, such as shown in FIG. 10 illustrating a second conventional example of the memory cell configuration.
On the other hand, the on-current of the nMOS driver transistors 23 and 24 should be sufficiently large compared to the on-current of the nMOS access transistors 21 and 22, for stably maintaining latched status during reading operation of the memory cell 200. However, while the on-current of the nMOS access transistors 21 and 22 is increased in the second conventional example of FIG. 10 compared to the first conventional example of FIG. 9, the on-current of the nMOS driver transistors 23 and 24 is left to be the same. Therefore, the data maintenance stability is degraded in the second conventional example of FIG. 10.
Furthermore, the boosted voltage Vpp, which is usually generated by way of a charge pump circuit, for example, needs large capacitors, requiring considerable LSI chip areas.
FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating a third conventional example of the memory cell configuration, which is disclosed in a Japanese patent application laid open as a Provisional Publication No. 211079/'95.
In the third conventional example of FIG. 11, a back-bias supplier circuit 13 is provided for supplying a back-bias voltage to the wells of nMOS access transistors 21 and 22 and the nMOS driver transistors 23 and 24 of the memory cells. The back-bias supplier circuit 13 outputs either the ground voltage or a negative voltage (-2V, for example,) which is generated by a charge pump circuit.
Another characteristic of the memory cell 201 of FIG. 11 is that the transistors having low threshold voltage (0.4V, for example,) are applied there.
When the threshold voltage becomes low, the on-current of the MOS transistor becomes large, and, at the same time, the sub-threshold current, that is, the leak current flowing through the MOS transistor of OFF state, increses more sharply than the on-current. Therefore, a high-speed read/write operation is realized making use of the large on-current of the low threshold voltage MOS transistors, in the memory cell 201 of the third conventional example, and when the memory cell 201 is not in operation, the threshold voltage of the nMOS access transistors 21 and 22 and the nMOS driver transistors 23 and 24 is made high (0.9V, for example) by supplying the negative voltage to p-well thereof from the back-bias supplier circuit 13, for reducing the sub-threshold voltage flowing through them.
However, the negative voltage should be supplied to p-wells of all memory cells in the third conventional example of FIG. 11, while boosted voltage Vpp is sufficient to be supplied to a single selected word line. Therefore, a high power is needed for switching the SRAM from operation mode into non-operation mode, in the third conventional example of FIG. 11, together with a long time needed for mode switching, which restricts flexible switching into the non-operation mode.
Furthermore, the back-bias supplier circuit 13 should continue to generate the negative voltage during the non-operation mode of the SRAM, which counteracts a part of the effect of reducing the sub-threshold current.
FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram illustrating a fourth conventional example of the memory cell configuration disclosed in a Japanese patent application laid open as a Provisional Publication No. 296587/'95.
In this memory cell 202 of FIG. 12, source terminals of the nMOS driver transistors 23 and 24 are connected to a common source line Vss, and the well of the nMOS access transistors 21 and 22 and nMOS driver transistors 23 and 24 is connected to a ground line GND. Between the common source line Vss and the ground line GND, an nMOS transistor 36 and a high-resistance element 37 are connected in parallel.
Also in the memory cell 202, the low threshold voltage MOS transistors are used for the nMOS access transistors 21 and 22 and the nMOS driver transistors 23 and 24.
In the read/write operation, the nMOS transistor 36 is turned to ON by a chip enable signal CE supplied to its gate terminal. Therefore, the potential of the common source line Vss becomes the same with the potential of the ground line GND, and the nMOS access transistors 21 and 22 and the NMOS driver transistors 23 and 24 operate at high speed as ordinary low threshold voltage MOS transistors.
When the memory cell 202 is not in operation, the nMOS transistor 36 is controlled to be OFF, and the common source line Vss is connected to the ground line GND only through the high-resistance element 37. The unnecessary sub-threshold current leaking through the nMOS driver transistors 23 and 24 flows to the ground line GND through the high-resistance element 37. By the sub-threshold current flowing through the high-resistance element 37, the potential of the common source line Vss is made somewhat higher than the ground line GND. Therefore, the well potential of the nMOS driver transistors 23 and 24 is made substantially lower than potential of their source terminals, and makes their threshold voltage high, restricting the sub-threshold current.
However, for realizing the above high-speed operation, the nMOS transistor 36 should be large enough to give a sufficiently low on-resistance, and should have a sufficiently small sub-threshold current, at the same time.
As heretofore described, various devices have been disclosed for improving operational speed of the SRAM memory cell. However, there are problems left in the conventional examples.
A problem is increase of the number of circuit elements, such as charge pump circuits provided in the second and the third conventional examples of FIGS. 10 and 11, or the nMOS transistor 36 and the high-resistance element 37 for controlling standby current provided in the fourth conventional example of FIG. 12.
Another problem is increase of the chip size because of the additional elements, such as the large capacitors to be used in the charge pump circuits of the second and the third conventional examples, or the nMOS transistor 36, used for a chip enable switch in the fourth conventional example, which requires a considerably large chip space because it must shunt the high-resistance element 37 with very little voltage difference between its source terminal and drain terminal.
Another problem is intricacy of circuit designing, because precise consideration of characteristic dispersion of elements accompanying fabrication processes is to be required for designing analog circuits, such as the charge pump circuits of the second and the third conventional examples, or the standby current control circuit of the fourth conventional example.
Still another problem is the sub-threshold current still flowing through un-selected memory cells in the SRAMs of the third and the fourth conventional examples. The sub-threshold current of the nMOS access transistors may result in charge exchange between the bit-lines and the un-selected memory cells, without saying of the unnecessary power consumption. Usually, several hundreds to several thousands un-selected memory cells are connected to a pair of bit-lines. Therefore, the charge exchange of the un-selected memory cells may become not negligible compared to on-current of the selected memory cell. This means the reading speed of the SRAM varies depending on data pattern stored in the memory cells.


The center of a reference mark is located by decreasing the range of pixel values defining an image defect. The pixel values defining the digital image are then enhanced to amplify the pixel values representing the reference mark and decrease the pixel values representing the background. The center of the digital image of the reference mark is determined from the altered image.

The present invention relates to the fields of dynamic tomography and computed tomography. More particularly, its pertains to a method for high resolution digital image registration within a computerized dynamic tomography system.
Accurate and detailed visual information about the internal structure of an object is extremely valuable in a variety of applications. In the practice of medicine for example, visual examination of internal organs or bones is necessary to properly diagnose many ailments or to prepare for surgery. Non-invasive techniques, such as x-ray examination, often provide the only means of obtaining such visual information. As another example, quality control analysis of manufactured products requires inspection of internal parts.
Several techniques have been employed to obtain visual information about the internal structure of an object, without opening the object. Generally, penetrating radiation, such as x-rays or gamma rays, are directed at an object and the radiation which is transmitted through the object is recorded either on radiographic film or with electronic radiation detectors employing scintillation crystals. According to one known technique, "Computed Tomography" (CT), a radiation source is mounted in rotatable relation to a row of radiation detectors and an object is placed therebetween. The radiation source is then rotated to expose a section of the object to radiation from several angles and radiation measurements made by the radiation detectors are processed by a computer to generate a two-dimensional "slice", representative of the internal structure of the exposed section of the object.
This limitation of a single slice for each section of the object presents several problems if more than one slice is desired, as, for example, in generating a three-dimensional internal image of the object. First, the object must be moved discrete distances at discrete time intervals, corresponding to the "thickness" of each slice and the amount of time required to rotate the radiation source, thus requiring a complicated and expensive mechanical system to move the object in coordination with the rotating radiation source. Second, the object must be exposed to additional radiation for each additional slice, resulting in increased radiation dosage in proportion to the number of slices desired. Additionally, the amount of time required to complete the procedure is prolonged by each slice.
According to another known technique, "Dynamic Tomography", see, e.g., Richards, U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,672, a set of radiographs of an object is produced by exposing the object to radiation from a plurality of angles and recording each exposure on a separate piece of radiographic film. The set of radiographs can be superimposed in a stack for viewing, and by shifting alignment can produce a virtual focus of any image plane parallel to the plane of each film. This technique solves the single slice problem presented by computed tomography because the entire internal structure of the object can be displayed with a small number of radiographs. However, several other problems are presented. First, a complicated mechanical viewing system is required to achieve proper alignment while shifting the stack of radiographs. Second, the accuracy of alignment is restricted by the limitations of the physical components of a mechanical viewing system and the film itself. Third, image enhancement and manipulation are not possible with a stack of radiographs. Additionally, image planes non-parallel to the plane of each film cannot be adequately displayed by mechanical means.
A computerized dynamic tomography system, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. 172,609 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,051,904 can display any image plane or series of image planes of an object, for any desired angle, from a small number of radiographic images of the object. A radiation source exposes the object to penetrating radiation at a plurality of partial rotations of the object on a platform assembly. Reference marks are maintained in a constant position adjacent to a radiographic film to facilitate registration of the object. A separate radiographic film records the transmitted radiation at each partial rotation and each film is digitized by a digitizing camera. The digitized images are then supplied to a computer which registers each object image using the digitized reference mark image and with minimal assistance from a human operator.
The operator selects a level or series of levels desired for viewing and the computer displaces and selectively combines pixel values of the digitized images to produce selected images of the internal structure of the object. Interactive enhancement and manipulation of images is provided and compression of images is done to minimize the memory requirements of the invention.
The present invention provides an accurate method of locating the center of digital images by a computerized dynamic tomography system. Specifically, the present invention comprises a method for locating the center of a reference mark image within a high resolution digital image containing the reference mark image and image defects, represented by pixel values, in which: The pixel values defining an image defect are altered to reduce the range of pixel values representing the image defect; the pixel values defining the digital image are altered to reduce the range of pixel values representing the digital image; and a center of the resulting reference mark image is located.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a method of enhancing the digital image of a reference mark and providing for accurate location of the center of a reference mark. Reference mark enhancement is a two step process requiring the removal of internal image defects contained within a reference mark image and enhancement of the pixel value contrast. The presence of internal defects and vague edges within a reference mark decreases the accuracy of known methods for locating the center of the mark. If the pixel value contrast is increased without removal of internal defects, some of the internal defects are enhanced rather than eliminated. If the center of a reference mark is located without enhancement of pixel values, accurate determination of the center of reference marks with poor edge quality is difficult. The present invention provides for accurate location of the center of reference marks with internal defects and vague edges by producing an image of a reference mark in which the interior is uniformly bright and the edge is sharp.

High resolution digital image registration