An image processing apparatus includes an input unit configured to input image data to be processed, an determination unit configured to determine a region corresponding to local light in the image data input by the input unit, and a specification unit configured to determine a characteristic of the image data input by the input unit, wherein the determination unit changes, according to the characteristic of the image data specified by the specification unit, an determination criterion of the region corresponding to the local light.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing for input image data, an image processing method, and a storage medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has conventionally been known a photographing method for blurring a background by focusing on a main object when photographing is carried out by a digital camera. This photographing method enables acquisition of an image of a dreamy effect by blurring a point light source to generate a circular bokeh in a portion corresponding to the point light source. Such a circular bokeh is generated by characteristics of a lens of the digital camera. The point light source is a region where there is local light of a certain size. Bokeh is a term of art commonly used to describe the aesthetic quality of a blur in out of focus areas of images.
There are known methods for fetching image data and processing it into an image where a circular bokeh has seemingly been generated (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2009-003858 and 2009-218704).
When a point light source is processed by image processing as discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2009-003858 and 2009-218704, the point light source is required to be detected as a premise.
When an image is captured by a digital camera, how the point light source is seen greatly varies from one photographing condition to another. For example, between the case of capturing a nightscape and the case of photographing under daylight, characteristics of a difference of brightness between the point light source and other regions are different.
However, since the methods discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2009-003858 and 2009-218704 process the point light source without taking into consideration any characteristics of an image to be processed based on the photographing conditions, there is a possibility that the point light source may not be appropriately processed.

Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium capable of determining a region corresponding to local light from an image


A method for making a CMOS device includes: forming a PMOS region 60 of a first conductivity type; forming an NMOS region 62 of a second conductivity type adjacent the PMOS region 60; forming an insulating layer 64 and 66 over the PMOS region 60 and the NMOS region 62 such that the insulating layer is thinner over the PMOS region than over the NMOS region; forming a common gate 48 over the insulating layer 64 and 66; forming PMOS source/drain regions 40 and 42 of the second conductivity type in the PMOS region 60 and aligned to the common gate 48; and forming NMOS source/drain regions 44 and 46 of the first conductivity type in the NMOS region 62 and aligned to the common gate 48.

Most of the devices used in today's electronic components are based on Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS). The base building block of all digital CMOS circuits combines a PMOS and NMOS transistor to form an inverter. The CMOS circuit inverts the incoming signal with the complementary action of the NMOS and PMOS transistors. One issue with all CMOS circuits is the fact that the drive capability of the PMOS is several times lower than that of the NMOS device of the same geometry. This effect is due to the fact that the majority carriers in PMOS devices are holes which have lower mobility than electrons.
The most common solution to the asymmetry in PMOS and NMOS drive currents is to design the PMOS devices with wider gates to allow more drive current for a given gate voltage. This simple solution allows balancing of the NMOS and PMOS characteristics but at expense to silicon real estate. In typical implementations a balanced CMOS arrangement would be a PMOS with a gate width two to three times larger than that of the NMOS device, as shown by the prior art device in FIG. 1.
The prior art CMOS inverter layout, shown in FIG. 1, includes source and drain regions 20 and 22 for the PMOS transistor, source and drain regions 24 and 26 for the NMOS transistor, common gate 28, conductive lines 30, 32, and 34, input voltage V.sub.in, output voltage V.sub.out, and reference voltages V.sub.high and V.sub.low. The common gate 28 of the NMOS and PMOS serves as the input. The source 24 of the NMOS and the drain 22 of the PMOS are tied together by conductive line 30 which serves as the inverter output. Finally, conductive line 32 connects the source 20 of the PMOS transistor to voltage reference V.sub.high, and conductive line 34 connects the drain 26 of the NMOS transistor to voltage reference V.sub.low. In the prior art device of FIG. 1, the PMOS width W.sub.p is approximately 2.5 times the NMOS width W.sub.n.

High density CMOS circuit with split gate oxide


An organic electroluminescent device and a fabricating method thereof are provided. The organic electroluminescent device includes a plurality gate lines and data lines crossly arranged on a substrate for defining red, green and blue sub pixels of a pixel; a non-emitting region formed in each of the sub pixels and including a switching element and a driving element; and an emitting region formed in each of the sub pixels and including a pixel electrode connected to the corresponding driving element, wherein locations of at least two of the non-emitting regions are different from each other with respect to the corresponding sub pixels.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent device that can provide an improved image quality and have price competitiveness, and a fabrication method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, organic electroluminescent devices (OELD) emit light using energy released from exited electrons when the excitons transit from an excited state to a ground state after generating the excitons by injecting electros and holes from a cathode and an anode.
Since the organic electroluminescent device (OELD) emits light by itself, a separate light source is not required in the OELD, while a liquid crystal display device (LCD) requires a separate light source such as a backlight unit. Therefore a volume and a weight of a display device can be reduced using the organic electroluminescent device.
The organic electroluminescent device (OELD), furthermore, has high-quality panel characteristics such as low-power consumption, high-luminance, rapid response time, and being light-weight. Due to such high-quality panel characteristics, the OELD has been spotlighted as a next generation of a display device, which may be applied into consumer electronic devices such as a mobile communication terminal, a CHS, a PDA, a camcorder and a Palm PC.
Such an OELD may be manufactured through a simple fabricating method compared to other flat display devices. Accordingly, the manufacturing cost of the OELD may be significantly low compared to a conventional LCD device.
A driving mode of the OELD is classified into a passive matrix type and an active matrix type.
The passive matrix type OELD has a simple structure, and a fabrication method thereof is also simple. However, the passive matrix type OELD has disadvantages such as high power consumption, difficulty in embodying a large-screen OELD and a dropping of an opening-ratio in proportional to the number of lines.
The active matrix type OELD provides a high emitting ratio and a high-image quality.
FIG. 1 shows an organic electroluminescent device (OELD) according to a related art.
Referring to FIG. 1, the organic electroluminescent device (OELD) 10 includes a thin film transistor (TFT) array 14 formed on a first transparent substrate 12, a first electrode 16 formed on the TFT array 14, an organic light emitting layer 18 and a second electrode 20.
The light emitting layer 18 expresses red, green and blue colors. Such a light emitting layer 18 is generally formed by depositing organic materials emitting the red, green and blue colors at each of pixels P and patterning the organic materials.
The organic electroluminescent device 10 is fabricated in a capsulated shape by adhering the first substrate 12 to a second substrate 28 having a moisture absorption 22 through a sealant 26.
The moisture absorption 22 is for removing moisture and oxygen which may penetrate into the capsulated electroluminescent device 10. In order to form the moisture absorption 22 on the second substrate 28, a predetermined region of the substrate 28 is etched, the etched region is filled with the moisture absorption 22 and the moisture absorption 22 is fixed using a tape 25.
Hereinafter, a TFT array that is a pixel in an OELD according to a related art will be described with reference to FIG. 2.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a thin film transistor (TFT) array in an organic electroluminescent device (OELD) according to a related art.
An active matrix type TFT array includes a plurality of pixels defined on a substrate 12. Each of the pixels includes a switching thin film transistor (TFT) TS, a driving thin film transistor (TFT) TD and a storage capacitor CST. Each of the switching TFT TS and the driving TFT TD may be configured of one or more thin film transistors according to the driving characteristics.
The substrate 12 may be a transparent insulating substrate made of glass or plastic.
As shown in FIG. 2, a gate line 32 is arranged on the substrate 12 in one direction and a data line 34 is arranged to cross the gate line 32 with an insulating layer interposed.
At the same time, a power line 35 is formed to be separated from the data line 34 at a predetermine distance in parallel.
Thin film transistors configured of gate electrodes 36 and 38, active layers 40 and 42, source electrodes 46 and 48 and drain electrodes 50 and 52 are used as the switching TFT TS and the driving TFT TP.
As described above, the gate electrode 36 of the switching TFT TS is connected to the gate line 32, and the source electrode 46 is connected to the data line 34.
The drain electrode 50 of the switching TFT TS is connected to the gate electrode 38 of the driving TFT TD through a contact hole 54.
The source electrode 48 of the driving TFT TD is connected to the power line 36 through a contact hole 56.
The drain electrode 52 of the driving TFT TD is formed to contact the first electrode 16 formed at the pixel region P.
The power line 35 and the first electrode 16 which is a poly-crystal silicon layer formed under the power line 35 form the storage capacitor CST by being overlapped with one another with the insulating layer interposed therebetween.
Hereinafter, a pixel arrangement of the related art organic electroluminescent device (OELD) will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C.
FIGS. 3A to 3C show arrangements of sub pixels in an organic electroluminescent device according to a related art.
Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C, red, green and blue sub pixels are arranged based on a RGB stripe mode, a RGB mosaic mode and a RGB delta mode, respectively.
In the RGB strip mode as shown in FIG. 3A, the red, green and blue sub pixels of a pixel P are arranged in sequence at each of lines. In the RGB mosaic mode as shown in FIG. 3B, the red, green and blue sub pixels of a pixel P are arranged in sequence at a first line, and the green, the blue and red sub pixels of another pixel are arranged in sequence at a second line. At the third line, the blue, the red and green sub pixels of another pixel are arranged in sequence. In the R G B delta mode as shown in FIG. 3C, the red, green and blue sub pixels of a pixel P are arranged in sequence at each of the lines with the sub pixels of a pixel P arranged at even lines deviated from those of another pixel arranged at odd lines at a predetermined distance.
Each of the red, green and blue sub pixels in each pixel in the related art OELD is formed to have a vertical side longer than a horizontal side. Also each pixel in the related art OELD is formed by arranging the red, green and blue sub pixels in the horizontal direction, and the related OELD is formed by repeatedly arranging such pixels.
However, general visual information includes lots of horizontal movement compared to vertical movement. Therefore, the conventional arrangement of sub pixels cannot display images naturally.
In order to naturally display visual information having lots of horizontal movement through the conventional OELD, a resolution thereof must be increased.

Organic electroluminescent device and fabrication method thereof


A system and method are disclosed for generating a teleconference space for two or more teleconference devices, each teleconference device operatively associated with at least one user and comprising an audiovisual recording device and an audiovisual display device, using a computer coupled with a database and comprising a processor and memory. The computer generates a teleconference space and transmits requests to join the teleconference space to the two or more teleconference devices. The computer stores in memory identification data for each of the two or more teleconference devices. The computer receives inbound audiovisual display stream data, comprising audiovisual data recorded by the teleconference device audiovisual recording device, from each teleconference device. The computer transmits outbound audiovisual display stream data to one or more teleconference devices, and modulates the outbound audiovisual display stream data in response to user perspective data transmitted to the computer by the one or more teleconference devices.

Teleconference systems may utilize communication networks, including but not limited to the internet, to connect teleconference devices. Teleconference systems may permit teleconference devices to share visual imagery and audio data associated with a speaking user with other teleconference devices. However generating, connecting to, and disconnecting from high-fidelity teleconferences remains a complicated and time-consuming process, and teleconference systems may fail to account for and adjust teleconference imagery in response to user movement in order to approximate the subjective user experience of looking through a window instead of a teleconference device display screen.

Always-on teleconference communication hub


A system for improved window fall prevention provides removable attachment of a window screen frame to a window frame. Systems according to the disclosure provide removable attachment of a window screen frame to an anchor positioned in the window frame by means of a plurality of cables. The cables attach to the screen frame or rest against an exterior portion of the screen frame at an exterior end, are threaded through the screen frame, and include on an interior end, opposite the exterior end, a releasable attachment to the window frame anchor. The releasable attachment may be between a loop of cable formed at the interior end and the window frame anchor, where the window frame anchor may be a T-screw.

It is estimated that 15 to 20 children under 11 die in falls from windows each year in the United States, and nearly 15,000 are injured. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, "Window Fall Prevention", (July 2015) available at https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/w/window-falls. In 2008, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported from 2002-2004 it received an average of 25 reports a year of fatalities associated with falls from windows, with children younger than five accounting for approximately one-third. CPSC Release No. 08-270 (May 15, 2008). A 2011 study found that an estimated 98,415 children were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments for falls from windows from 1990-2008, an average of 5,180 annually. Of the 98,415 falls, in at least 16,235 a window screen was reportedly in place in the window. Vaughn A. Harris, et al., "Pediatric Injuries Attributable to Falls from Windows in the United States in 1990-2008," Pediatrics, 128:3, 455 (September 2011).
ASTM International has adopted a Standard Specification for Window Fall Prevention Devices with Emergency Escape (Egress) Release Mechanisms, Designation: F2090. The current edition, designated ASTM F2090-17, was approved in November 2017. According to ASTM F2090-17, "[t]he CPSC has advised caregivers to open windows less than 4 inches when children are present as one means to prevent child falls through open windows."
A variety of window opening control devices have been developed to limit window opening to less than 4 inches. Window opening control devices are the standard protection against child falls through a window. Window opening control devices must withstand a 75 lbf load in the opening direction of the window sash. Window opening control device are conventionally designed with a release mechanism for emergency escape or rescue. Despite the protection offered by the devices, people are known to release, remove, and/or disable window opening control devices so that they can open the window 4.0 inches or more, for example, for greater ventilation. Increased ventilation is often desired for greater personal comfort. Increased ventilation may be especially desirable in hot weather and where air conditioning is not available. The Centers for Disease Control have recommended increased ventilation in residential, commercial, and workplace environments to reduce spread of infections, including the coronavirus.
Conventional window screens are insufficient to protect against child falls through open windows. Indeed, of the 98,415 falls between 1990-2008 identified in the 2011 study, a conventional window screen was reportedly in the window in at least 16,235 of the falls, which corresponds to 82.8% of the falls for which information regarding presence or absence of a screen was reported. Vaughn A. Harris, et al., "Pediatric Injuries Attributable to Falls from Windows in the United States in 1990-2008," Pediatrics, 128:3, 455 (September 2011).
Fall prevention window guards are known and sometimes installed to prevent a child from passing or falling through a window that is open more than 4.0 inches. Fall prevention window guards typically attach to a window frame or window extension jamb and provide a plurality of elements that serve only to prevent a child from passing through the window opening. Fall prevention window guards can be expensive and people may not bother to install them. In particular, people may not enjoy looking through fall prevention window guards in their windows and may fail to install or may remove the guards.
In U.S. Pat. No. 9,617,784, the inventor disclosed a safety screen that in addition to providing the standard benefits of a window screen also provides some protection from child falls out of a window. The '784 patent is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The inventor recognized that improper installation of a safety screen in accordance with the '784 patent may compromise the safety offered by the safety screen. The inventor further recognized that a safety screen in accordance with the '784 patent alone may not satisfy all of the performance criteria of ASTM F2090-17. Accordingly, the inventor recognized a need for one or more additional safety devices for use with a window and a safety screen, to provide further protection against child falls through a window with a safety screen.

Systems and methods for improving window safety


A gas flow distribution system accumulates a sample from a sample bearing carrier gas in a micro-accumulator, delivers it using a carrier gas to a gas chromatography column, and supplies a carrier gas to the gas chromatography column to facilitate separation of the sample into sample components and transport the sample components to a mass spectrometer for trace vapor detection and analysis or testing in real time. The system is made of inert components and configured to have low dead volume for improved performance and accuracy of detection. External valves are employed for easy management and balance of the flow in the system to minimize operation time and facilitate continuous accumulation, delivery, and testing of the sample. The delivery of the sample to the gas chromatography column using an electrically heated cold trap as the micro-accumulator can be performed extremely fast. By further combining the sample accumulation phase and the sample testing phase, real time operation of trace vapor detection is achieved. Because the step of delivering the sample to the gas chromatography column is performed quickly, the accumulation of the sample can resume quickly and is nearly continuous for improved efficiency.

A gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC/MS) technique may be used for analyzing gas mixtures. In such an application, the gas chromatography (GC) column separates sample components from the sample gas mixture and the separated components are chemically analyzed in the mass spectrometer.
The application of the GC/MS technique to trace vapor detection and analysis imposes stringent requirements on the acquisition and introduction of the sample to the trace vapor detector. Gas chromatography requires the introduction of a sample in a concentrated pulse. The distribution of trace vapor in the sampling environment of ambient air, however, is extremely diffuse. Although fast gas chromatography employing a capillary column is available for separating sample components on the order of about ten seconds, limitations in commercially available equipment, especially the sample inlet system, have prevented general application of high-speed gas chromatography. In particular, traditional methods of accumulating a trace vapor sample with the proper pulse concentration for delivery to the GC column are too slow for realistic application in trace vapor detection.
One method to improve the inlet system is the use of a vapor collection cold trap as the inlet device. After accumulation of the trace vapor sample in the cold trap, the inlet device is heated to input quickly the collected sample to the GC column. See, e.g., R. F. Mouradian et al., Evaluation of a Nitrogen-Cooled, Electrically Heated Cold Trap Inlet for High-Speed Gas Chromatography, 28 J. CHROMATOGRAPIC SCIENCE 643-48 (Dec. 1990).
To achieve a practical GC/MS trace vapor detection system, the accumulation and delivery of the trace vapor sample to the GC column and the separation and analysis of the sample must occur in real time, i.e., in a matter of minutes or preferably seconds. However, even with the development of the cold trap inlet system, the GC/MS methodology has not been adapted for general application in trace vapor analysis and detection. Furthermore, existing methods of directing the sample flow through a collection device such as the cold trap and through the GC column to the mass spectrometer do not make full use of the speed of the individual instrument components to facilitate flow distribution and achieve real time trace vapor detection.

Real-time gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry trace vapor detection

73
FSC 422
FSC 210
FSC 436
FSC 95
FSC 96
FSC 55


In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides an exemplary system that includes radio frequency (RF) tags; positioned at locations throughout a roof; a tag reader configured to: generate reader RF signals at one or more frequencies to read the plurality of RF tags, and detect return RF signals from the plurality of RF tags; where the RF signals carry tag data comprising impedance values and tag identifiers; a processor of a computing device, programmed to receive the tag data; determine corresponding locations of the plurality of RF tags; and determine a wet state or dry state of the roof at one or more corresponding locations, and output an indicator of the wet state or the dry state of the roof at the one or more corresponding locations.

Manual inspection of roofing can result in tedious, inefficient and error-prone identification of excess moisture in a roof and causes thereof, such as leaks, high humidity, and other causes. Such excess moisture can cause aesthetic and structural damage to the roof of structures and to items in the structure.
Attempts to automate or innovate on moisture detection in roofing have numerous shortcomings. For example, some attempts include sending an electrical current through an entire roof membrane to detect moisture. However, such an approach only works on consecutive membranes and on flat roofs. Moreover, these past attempts only detect damage to the membrane causing leaks but does not have any way to detect other avenues for excess moisture, such as humidity. Additionally, prior attempts require hard-wired electrical installations, which can be costly and inefficient, while failing to provide moisture detection during the installation process.

Moisture sensing roofing systems and methods thereof

Building Materials Investment Corporation


A method and system for thread scheduling for optimal heat dissipation are provided. Temperature sensors measure temperature throughout various parts of a processor chip. The temperatures detected are reported to an operating system or the like for scheduling threads. In one aspect, the observed temperature values are recorded on registers. An operating system or the like reads the registers and schedules threads based on the temperature values.

As the number of transistors placed on processor-chips and thus transistor density has increased, there has been an increasing need and thus emphasis put on heat and power dissipation. Previous work has focused on better power utilization through voltage scaling and other techniques. However, little work has been done to reduce hot spots by spreading heat dissipation. Part of what was lacking was feedback relating to temperature on various parts of the chip from the hardware. For the next generation chips, for example, with multiple cores per chip, the placement of threads and hence their interaction with the cache subsystem will have a significant impact on heat.
While next-generation chips may be designed to shutdown when overheating is detected, it would be desirable to have a method and system that would circumvent the overheating from happening in the first place. For instance, it would be desirable to have an operating system schedule threads in a manner that would avoid multiple threads executing at the same time on densely clustered cores or on those cores where temperature is already high or otherwise schedule threads so that heat condition on a chip is minimized. In conventional chip designs, hardware does not provide information about heat and temperature, for example, throughout the chip or related to given hardware threads. In addition, conventional operating systems are not designed to handle or consider temperature data when scheduling threads. Accordingly, what is needed is a method and system that allow hardware to consider and provide temperature information to software such as the operating system or the like, and for that software or operating system to use the temperature data when scheduling threads on execution cores.

Operating system thread scheduling for optimal heat dissipation

International Business Machines Corporation


Process for polymerizing ethylene in a reactor system containing one or more reactors in series, having a characteristic such that the average polymerization productivity [kgPE/kgcata] per unit ethylene per hour a1 during operation at any first residence time r1 is less than 1.7 (a2r2−a1r1)/(r2−r1), where a2 is the average polymerization productivity [kgPE/kgcata] per unit ethylene per hour during operation at any second residence time r2 where r2>r1, a2 and r2 being measured either in the same reactor in the case of a single reactor polymerization, or in a reactor subsequent to the reactor in which a1 and r1 are measured in the case where the polymerization takes place in more than one reactor. The specific yield of the reactor system is greater than 0.3 tonnes/m3. Operating the system under the above conditions results in improved productivity/unit ethylene.

Slurry phase polymerisation of olefins is well known wherein an olefin monomer and optionally olefin comonomer are polymerised in the presence of a catalyst in a diluent in which the solid polymer product is suspended and transported.
Polymerisation is typically carried out at temperatures in the range 50-125° C. and at pressures in the range 1-100 bara. The catalyst used can be any catalyst typically used for olefin polymerisation such as chromium oxide, Ziegler-Natta or metallocene-type catalysts.
Typically, in the slurry polymerisation process of polyethylene for example, the slurry in the reactor will comprise the particulate polymer, the hydrocarbon diluent(s), (co) monomer(s), catalyst, chain terminators such as hydrogen and other reactor additives In particular the slurry comprises 20-80 weight percent (based on the total weight of the slurry) of particulate polymer and 80-20 weight percent (based on the total weight of the slurry) of suspending medium, where the suspending medium is the sum of all the fluid components in the reactor and will comprise the diluent, olefin monomer and any additives; the diluent can be an inert diluent or it can be a reactive diluent in particular a liquid olefin monomer; where the principal diluent is an inert diluent the olefin monomer will typically comprise 2-20, preferably 4-10 weight percent of the slurry.
Slurry polymerisation processes are typically carried out in continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR) or loop reactors. Loop reactors are of a continuous tubular construction comprising at least two, for example four, vertical sections and at least two, for example four horizontal sections. The heat of polymerisation is typically removed using indirect exchange with a cooling medium, preferably water, in jackets surrounding at least part of the tubular loop reactor. The volume of each loop reactor of a multiple reactor system can vary but is typically in the range 10-200 m3, more typically 50-120 m3. The loop reactors employed in the present invention are of this generic type. The slurry is pumped around the relatively smooth path endless loop reaction system at fluid velocities sufficient to maintain the polymer in suspension in the slurry and to maintain acceptable cross-sectional concentration and solids loading gradients. Slurry is withdrawn from the polymerisation reactor containing the polymer together with the reagents and inert hydrocarbons, all of which mainly comprise inert diluent and unreacted monomer. The product slurry comprising polymer and diluent, and in most cases catalyst, olefin monomer and comonomer can be discharged intermittently or continuously, optionally using concentrating devices such as hydrocyclones or settling legs to minimise the quantity of fluids withdrawn with the polymer.
Control of the solids concentration in the reactor is important in order to avoid reactor blockage. Our own WO 2006/056761 discloses a polymerisation process in which the Froude number is maintained at or below 20 in order to operate at a relatively high solids concentration without employing high circulation velocities. The solids concentration in the reactor is typically 20-40 wt %.
Solids concentration has also been disclosed to influence the polymer properties in a process utilising two reactors in series. WO 02/29822 discloses a process in which the solids concentration of the first reactor is maintained at between 30 and 60 wt % for a Ziegler-Natta catalyst and between 35 and 60 wt % for a metallocene catalyst. This is claimed to result in improved product properties, as well as increased productivity. Both Ziegler-Natta catalysts (depending on the activator) and metallocene catalysts are known to have a "deactivating profile", which means that polymerisation activity decreases with time.


A method of forming a hydrogenated amorphous germanium carbon (α-GeCx:H) film on a surface of an infrared (IR) transmissive material such as a chalcogenide is provided. The method includes positioning an IR transmissive material in a reactor chamber of a parallel plate plasma reactor and thereafter depositing a hydrogenated amorphous germanium carbon (α-GeCx:H) film on a surface of the IR transmissive material. The depositing is performed at a substrate temperature of about 130° C. or less and in the presence of a plasma which is derived from a gas mixture including a source of germanium, an inert gas, and optionally hydrogen. Optical transmissive components, such as IR sensors and windows, that have improved abrasion-resistance are also provided.

Various devices including aircraft and guided missiles which travel at high velocities are controlled by transmitting a signal from a remote station to an infrared (IR) sensor or window located on-board the device. While in operation, the IR sensor or window is exposed to considerable heat loading and erosion due to impact of particles. Such exposure oftentimes exceeds the working capabilities of the IR sensor or window. Even the smallest atmospheric dust particles can scratch the IR sensor or window; and over time, cause considerable erosion effects on the optical transmissivity of the IR sensors or windows. The term "optical transmissivity" is used herein to refer to the ability a material has to allow desired wavelengths of radiate energy, or light, to pass through it.
Materials which can be used to make IR sensors or windows include, but are not limited to: zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc selenide (ZnSe), germanium (Ge), silicon (Si), gallium arsenide (GaAs), gallium phosphide (GaP), fused silica, aluminum oxynitride (AlON), sapphire (Al2O3), magnesium oxide (MgO), spinel (MgO—Al2O3), cubic zirconia (c-ZrO2), lanthana-doped yttria, yttria (Y2O3), mixed fluoride glasses and other optical transmissive materials. These optical transmissive materials are generally temperature sensitive materials (i.e., they have a low softening temperature) that oftentimes fail due to thermal shock caused by atmospheric friction at high velocities. Additionally, optical transmissive materials are generally soft materials and therefore damage easily upon use.
Protective coatings and films are typically applied to protect optical transmissive materials from damage caused by thermal shock and erosion/abrasion. One coating that has been successfully employed in protecting optical transmissive materials is a hard carbon film that has diamond-like properties, e.g., a diamond-like carbon (DLC) film. However, DLC films often require high-temperatures and atomic hydrogen for deposition, both of which can degrade the optical transmissive material unless various interlayers are employed. Unfortunately, suitable interlayers are difficult to find and oftentimes the interlayer delaminates at high-temperatures, further complicating the process.
Furthermore, interlayers and DLC coatings may interfere with the high degree of optical transmissivity often required for such devices. To be useful, any protective coating, or interlayer for use with optical transmissive materials, must itself be highly optically transmissive. The optical transmissivity of the coating or interlayer itself must also be able to withstand high-operating temperatures.
Another known coating material is germanium-carbon. Germanium-carbon is a hard, amorphous material containing Ge, C and H, see, for example, A. H. Lettington, et al., Proc. SPIE 1112, 156–61 (1989), and J. M. Mackowski, et al., Proc. SPIE 1760, 201–9 (1992). Germanium-carbon can be made from GeH4 and C4H10 or CH4 by PECVD (at temperatures of about 350° C. or above), or by sputtering a Ge target in a hydrocarbon atmosphere. Because of relatively low intrinsic stress germanium-carbon can be grown in thick layers (>100 microns), but provides only modest rain erosion resistance.
The refractive index of germanium-carbon can be varied between 2 and 4 by changing the Ge:C ratio. The absorption coefficient of coatings deposited using one method was less than 10 cm−1 in the 3–12 micron range. A more Ge-rich preparation had an absorption coefficient in the 40–270 cm−1 range at 10.6 microns. Young's modulus for germanium-carbon is reported near 300 GPa with a nanoindentation hardness in the 14–20 GPa range. An abrasion-resistant, multilayer, dual-band (3–5 and 8–12 micron) antireflection coating on ZnS is based on several different layers of germanium-carbon.
Although germanium-carbon films are known, such films are typically formed at high-temperatures, which cause the film to delaminate from the IR transmissive material and/or effect the optical transmissivity of the IR transmissive material.
In view of the state of the art mentioned above, there is a need for providing a coating for protecting temperature sensitive optical materials, which is highly resistant to abrasion, yet is capable of being optically transmissive itself. Such an abrasion-resistant coating should be applied in a manner that does not adversely affect the transmissivity of the underlying optical material.

Low-temperature plasma deposited hydrogenated amorphous germanium carbon abrasion-resistant coatings


A jet engine component includes a body having a wall portion with an external surface exposed to hot gas flow and an internal surface exposed to a cooling air flow. The engine component incorporates an arrangement of cooling holes defined through the wall portion between the external and internal surfaces thereof to permit flow of cooling air from the hollow interior through the wall portion to the exterior of the component. Each cooling hole includes at least one flow inlet at the internal surface of the wall for receiving the cooling air flow, at least a pair of flow outlets at the external surface of the wall for discharging the cooling air flow, and at least a pair of flow branches extending through the wall portion and between the flow inlet and the flow outlets for permitting passage of the cooling air flow from the flow inlet to the flow outlets. In one V-shaped configuration, the flow branches merge and intersect with one another at the flow inlet. In another X-shaped configuration, there are a pair of flow inlets and the flow branches merge and intersect with one another at a location intermediate between and spaced from the flow inlets and outlets. The flow outlets are displaced preferably downstream of the flow inlet relative to the direction of gas flow past the external surface of the wall of the engine component.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to cooling of jet engine components having a surface exposed to a hot gas flow and, more particularly, to cooling arrangements providing a plurality of holes for passage of fluids for cooling of such components.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Gas turbine engines conventionally comprise an axial flow compressor which compresses air to the proper pressure required for supporting combustion of fuel in a combustion chamber. The combustion gases then pass to a turbine which powers the axial flow compressor. After passing through the turbine, the high energy combustion gas flow may be employed to drive a power turbine which is connected to an output shaft on which may be mounted a propeller, fan or other device. Alternatively, the high energy combustion gas flow may be utilized directly as a thrust to provide motive power, as in turbojet engines commonly used for aircraft.
It is well known that efficiency of jet engines, such as gas turbine, ramjet and scramjet engines used to power aircraft, ships, tanks, electric power generators, etc., increases with increase in temperature of the combustion gas flow. A limiting factor in the gas flow temperature is the high temperature capability of the various jet engine components, such as turbine, stator and rotor airfoils, exposed to a hot gas flow. Various approaches to internally cooling these engine components have been proposed to increase the upper operating temperature capability of the engines.
One advantageous approach is "film cooling" of the jet engine components exposed to the hot gas flow. The term "film cooling" refers to the technique of cooling the external surface of the engine component, being heated by the hot gas flow, by injecting a relatively cooled fluid, such as air, along the external surface. The cooled fluid moves sufficiently slow so that it acts as an insulative layer to reduce unwanted heating of the external surface of the engine component by the adjacent hot gas flow stream.
It is conventional to provide cooling holes and passages through a wall of the engine component to exhaust pressurized cooling air flow from an interior chamber through the wall of the engine component to the exterior surface which is exposed to the hot gas flows. Examples of different arrangements and configurations of cooling holes and passages that have been proposed in the prior art are disclosed in U.S. patents to Howald (3,527,543), Hauser et al (3,819,295 and 3,934,322), Corrigan (4,221,539), Durgin et al (4,297,077), Vehr (4,653,983) and Auxier et al (4,664,597), and in a European patent application to Marriage (EP 0 375 175 Al).
Although the hole and passage configurations of the cited documents are steps in the right direction for providing cooling of engine components exposed to the hot gas flow in order to increase the operating temperature and thereby the efficiency of the jet engines, a need for additional improvement still remains.

Cooling hole arrangements in jet engine components exposed to hot gas flow


The present invention relates to novel bisaminoquinoline compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these novel compounds and methods for inhibiting autophagy in biological systems. Methods of treating cancer in patients in need using compounds and/or compositions according to the present invention alone or in combination with at least one additional anticancer agent represent additional aspects of the invention. Methods of treating disease states and/or conditions in which inhibition of autophagy plays a favorable treatment role including rheumatoid arthritis, malaria, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, lupus, chronic urticaria and Sjogren's disease, with compounds according to the present invention represent additional aspects of the invention.

Autophagy consists of the sequestration of organelles and proteins in autophagic vesicles (AV) and degradation of this cargo through lysosomal fusion (1). Autophagy allows tumor cells to survive metabolic and therapeutic stresses (2-5). Multiple publications indicate therapy-induced autophagy is a key resistance mechanism to many anti-cancer agents. Chloroquine (CQ) (Compound 1, FIG. 1) derivatives block autophagy by inhibiting the lysosome (3, 6, 7). A randomized phase III trial of CQ versus placebo with carmustine and radiation in patients with glioma reported a trend towards a doubling in duration of survival in the patients treated with CQ (8). Based on these findings, clinical trials combining cancer therapies with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ; FIG. 1 Compound 2), (which is safer than CQ to dose escalate) have been launched. Preliminary results indicate these combinations have activity (9), but it is still unclear if this activity is consistently due to the addition of HCQ. High micromolar concentrations of HCQ are required to inhibit autophagy. While there is some pharmacodynamic evidence of autophagy inhibition with HCQ in cancer patients, it is inconsistent because adequate concentrations are not achieved in all patients (10). There is an unmet need to develop more potent inhibitors of autophagy. The design and synthesis of dimeric analogs of CQ, that exploit the thermodynamic advantages imparted by polyvalency (11, 12), has been a subject of intensive study for over 10 years (13-15). An early report by Vennerstrom (14) described the synthesis of heteroalkane-bridged bisquinolines as potential antimalarials, but none of the compounds had sufficient antimalarial activity to warrant further investigation. Subsequently, Sergheraert (13) reported that tetraquinolines, i.e., dimers of bisquinolines, afforded potent antimalarials, confirming the possibility that the application of the polyvalency strategy could afford increased potency, at least with respect to antimalarial activity.
More recently, Lee (16) has described the potentiation of AKT inhibitors by fluorinated quinoline analogs. Solomon (17) has reported the preparation of"repositioned" chloroquine dimers, based on the use of a piperazine connector. These results suggest that these chloroquine analogs could serve as bases for the development of a new group of effective cancer chemotherapeutics.

Bisaminoquinoline compounds, pharmaceutical compositions prepared therefrom and their use

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania


Multiple sensor signals are used to modulate an equal number of frequency-spaced carrier signals in a directional parametric upconverting amplifier. Basically, the carrier signals are separated in a cascaded or parallel configuration of narrow frequency passbands, which also modulate the carrier signals with low-frequency sensor signals. The modulated carrier signals are multiplexed and output over a single signal path, thereby reducing power dissipation. Preferably implemented in superconducting circuitry, the multiplexed amplifier facilitates multiplexing of as many as hundreds of sensor signals and achieves both amplification and upconverting with minimal dissipation of power.

This invention relates generally to multiplexed amplifiers and, more particularly, to multiplexed amplifiers that operate at very low temperatures and are suitable for use on a space platform. Various X-ray and millimeter-wave cameras are under development for use in earth observation and space exploration. The most sensitive of these cameras are cryogenic. If the detector elements of a camera can be cooled below 10 Kelvin, the thermal mass of the individual pixels can be reduced to such a degree that individual photons can be detected by the resulting temperature rise of the corresponding detector elements.
Low operating temperatures dictate low available cooling power on the sensor or detector stage of these low-temperature cameras. In a detector stage having thousands of pixels, meeting these cooling constraints requires controlling the amount of heat leaking through wires connecting to the detector elements, and controlling the amount of heat dissipated in detector readout amplifiers. It has been recognized that controlling the heat leaked through the detector connecting wires and the heat dissipated in detector readout amplifiers can be effected by minimizing the number of connecting wires and readout amplifiers. Efforts have been made to reduce heat loads by multiplexing multiple detectors to shared amplifiers and wiring. For example, it has been proposed to use time division multiplexing (TDM) to sample up to 32 pixels of a detector stage sequentially through a common Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) amplifier. Each pixel includes a SQUID on/off switch that performs the multiplexing operation. Another approach uses frequency domain multiplexing (FDM) to stimulate each of up to 32 pixels at a different frequency. The summed signal is amplified with a SQUID amplifier. Both these prior art techniques are significantly limited because only 32 pixels per amplifier may be multiplexed, and there is still a need to dissipate power in the SQUID circuitry.
Accordingly, what is needed is a multiplexer/amplifier that can handle many more than 32 pixels, can be conveniently located on the sensor platform, and will dissipate very low power. The present invention achieves these and other goals.


A method to recover wax from wax patterns used in investment casting using a lost wax technique without damaging incorporated ceramic cores is disclosed that includes subjecting the wax pattern to specific conditions. These conditions include chilling a casting tool including the wax pattern and ceramic cores such that a brittle transition temperature for the wax material is approached. Once chilled the wax pattern is subjected to brittle fracture release of the wax from the underlying ceramic cores without damage to those cores.

The present invention relates to a ceramic core recovery method and more particularly to such a recovery method utilised with regard to wax patterns used in investment or lost wax casting processes.
The process of investment casting utilising a lost wax technique is well known. Essentially, a wax pattern is created which is a facsimile of the component eventually to be manufactured and that wax lost to leave a mould for forming the component. Wax is used because of its ready mouldability and suitability for shaping.
With regard to formation of some components, it is necessary to incorporate ceramic cores or coring within the wax pattern. These ceramic cores allow the formation of cavities or passages within the eventual product. A typical investment moulding technique involves creation of the wax pattern with ceramic coring and then utilising that combination as a casting tool from which a mould is created from a ceramic slurry for subsequent casting of the final product. The ceramic cores remain in place in the mould for final component casting.
Unfortunately, the wax patterns may be improperly formed at the initial injection moulding stage and/or subsequently damaged during handling or wax transportation. Clearly, defective wax patterns are unsuitable for further processing and must be scrapped. Unfortunately, the ceramic cores or coring are relatively expensive but fragile so that they are easily damaged during any salvaging procedure. These problems are further exacerbated where bespoke ceramic coring is used with regard to prototype castings, etc.


The present invention introduces a wireless communication device comprising an input means to operate said wireless communication device, a microphone to input audio data to said wireless communication device, a speaker to output audio data from said wireless communication device, a video image generator to generate a plurality of images, and a display to display said plurality of images, wherein said video image generator functions under a first mode and a second mode, said video image generator processes a plurality of two-dimensional images and said plurality of two-dimensional images are displayed on said display under said first mode, and said video image generator processes a plurality of three-dimensional images and said plurality of three-dimensional images are displayed on said display under said second mode.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,320 introduces a system for tracking objects which includes a database for storing reference data as line segments corresponding to coordinate locations along environmental reference features; mobile units for connection to the objects for receiving coordinate object target point locations, and having means for receiving signals from an external location system and for generating the object data, and a wireless object data transmitter; and a computer having access to the database and to the object data, and generating an interpreted location of each of the objects in terms relative to automatically selected ones of the reference features. Also disclosed is a method for tracking the objects. Further disclosed is a computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium and having code segments for tracking objects according to the method. In this prior art, FIG. 2 illustrates the theory and/or the concept of producing and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images on a display of a wireless communication devise, however, does not introduce a wireless communication device which is capable of generating and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images and a plurality of three-dimensional images.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,317 introduces a navigation system for a mobile vehicle which includes a vehicle position data generator for generating signals indicating location of the mobile vehicle, and scene information provider which generates information representative of the layouts of local environs at various locations and a display. According to this prior art, a real environment scene generator, using position data acquired from the vehicle position data generator, acquires information from the local scene information provider representative of the local scene at the vehicle position indicated by the position data. The real environment scene generator generates location pertinent information which is used by the display to display a scene depicting the locality setting in a three dimensional format. The real environment scene generator also generates direction information which is used to display directions overlaid on the displayed local scene. The displayed scene and overlaid directions are constantly updated to reflect the changing locality as the position of the vehicle changes. In this prior art, FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7 illustrate the theory and/or the concept of producing and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images on a display of a wireless communication devise, however, does not introduce a wireless communication device which is capable of generating and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images and a plurality of three-dimensional images.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,278,499 introduces a remote control which includes a visual display, first wireless circuitry for receiving from a host device data in the form of selected information, e.g., an advertisement, to be displayed, stored or processed, second wireless circuitry for sending information, control circuitry and software for controlling operation of the remote control, and the software including and a display default routine for returning to the display the display of the selected information received by the first wireless circuitry. In this prior art, FIGS. 1, 6, and 7 illustrate the theory and/or the concept of producing and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images on a display of a wireless communication devise, however, does not introduce a wireless communication device which is capable of generating and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images and a plurality of three-dimensional images.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,134 introduces an invention which provides an information appliance and a network appliance (or telephone) that function independently as well as with each other as companion appliances. According to this prior art, the information appliance stores user information corresponding to a particular user. The telephone is linked to network. In some embodiments, the companion appliances are capable of simultaneously exchanging voice and data messages with devices connected to the network. The appliances are connected to each other physically through a communications port, and exchange data link layer formatted data corresponding to user personalized information, commands from the user, and responses including message status information corresponding to action of the network connected devices. The user information enables the telephone to perform network communications according to user specified settings, and enables the telephone to assume the user specific information appliance network identification. The information appliance is typically a portable computer and in some embodiments is a palm-sized computer. In some embodiments, the telephone is an Ethernet telephone. One aspect of the invention provides a method for transmitting data from a portable computer to a telephone. Other aspects of the invention include: a method for exchanging voice and data messages between a telephone and devices connected to a network, a portable computer adapted for connection to a telephone, a telephone adapted for connection to a portable computer, and a communications system including the telephone connected to the portable computer. In this prior art, FIGS. 10–35 illustrate the theory and/or the concept of producing and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images on a display of a wireless communication devise, however, does not introduce a wireless communication device which is capable of generating and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images and a plurality of three-dimensional images.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,097,399 introduces a method for visualizing time-varying data from one or more data streams at a different interval than the interval between acquisition of the individual data items in the data stream. According to this prior art, data received is combined, or aggregated, between updates of a display to retain some information from each element. The aggregated data is then displayed at the next update of the display in a number of display elements. The characteristics of the display elements, and the organization of the elements represent changes in the data streams. In this prior art, FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6–9F illustrate the theory and/or the concept of producing and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images on a display of a wireless communication devise, however, does not introduce a wireless communication device which is capable of generating and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images and a plurality of three-dimensional images.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,002,450 introduces a remote control which includes a visual display, first wireless circuitry for receiving from a host device data in the form of selected information, e.g., an advertisement, to be displayed, stored or processed, second wireless circuitry for sending information, control circuitry and software for controlling operation of the remote control, and the software including and a display default routine for returning to the display the display of the selected information received by the first wireless circuitry. In this prior art, FIGS. 1, 6, and 7 illustrate the theory and/or the concept of producing and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images on a display of a wireless communication devise, however, does not introduce a wireless communication device which is capable of generating and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images and a plurality of three-dimensional images.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,295 introduces a mobile radio terminal includes a display for outputting at least one menu. According to this prior art, the menu includes at least one branch for processing telephone calls. Each of the branches includes at least one option for choosing a corresponding action to be performed by the radio terminal, the corresponding actions including causing a successive branch to be displayed and performing a terminal function. The mobile terminal includes a selection mechanism for designating one of the options. A first key is included for confirming selection of the option designated by the selection means, so as to move forward through the menu to a succeeding branch and perform the corresponding action chosen by the confirmed option, and for originating and answering telephone calls. A second key is included for rejecting selection of the option designated by the selection mechanism, so as to move backward through the menu to a preceding branch, and for terminating telephone calls. In this prior art, FIGS. 2A, and 6A–9B illustrate the theory and/or the concept of producing and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images on a display of a wireless communication devise, however, does not introduce a wireless communication device which is capable of generating and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images and a plurality of three-dimensional images.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,138 introduces a wireless communication device (1) comprising a housing (2), a touch sensitive display (3) coupled to the housing (3), the display (3) comprising preferably a plurality of activation areas (3b–3d) for activating the functions of the wireless communication device (1) by pressing the activation areas (3b–3d), and a cover part (4) coupled to the housing (2) and arranged to move in relation to the touch sensitive display (3). According to this prior art, the cover part (4) comprises at least one activation means (5), wherein in the closed position of the cover part (4), the activation means (5) is arranged to transmit the pressing of the activation means (5) to the activation area (3b–3d) located at the activation means (5) In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the activation means (5) is formed advantageously to correspond in size to the touch sensitive display (3), advantageously to a completely transparent and flexible foil-like activation means (5). Further, with the cover part (4) in the closed position, the activation means (5) is adapted at a selected distance from the touch sensitive display (3), and in relation to the touch sensitive display (3) preferably substantially parallel. The present invention also relates to a method in manufacturing a wireless communication device (1). In this prior art, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the theory and/or the concept of producing and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images on a display of a wireless communication devise, however, does not introduce a wireless communication device which is capable of generating and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images and a plurality of three-dimensional images.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,366,302 introduces a radiotelephone (200) which has a display (208) that efficiently presents information such as lists and text fields. According to this prior art, the display (208) presents a title message (300) with unique identification markings (332, 334), an end-of-list indicator (340), and a dynamic scroll indicator (308) to indicate scrolling directions. A context-sensitive symbol (306) is displayed whenever a context sensitive menu is available for a highlighted item. A search function is incorporated to allow expert users to quickly find information. A notepad feature allows the most recent string of user input data to be stored and recalled so that the data is not accidentally appended to subsequently entered data. Specialized data entry modes such as an editor screen (900), an editor-with-list screen sequence, a set value list screen sequence, a toggle value screen sequence, and a form screen sequence provide efficient retrieval, display, and entry of information. In this prior art, FIGS. 3A–15 illustrate the theory and/or the concept of producing and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images on a display of a wireless communication devise, however, does not introduce a wireless communication device which is capable of generating and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images and a plurality of three-dimensional images.
JP2002-176632A introduces a registration means to register the 3-dimensional face picture by which the parts of a face were parts-ized, and a photography means to photo a telephone call person. According to this prior art, if change is shown in the expression of a telephone call person's face photoed by the above-mentioned photography means, the 3-dimensional face picture of the parts of the face corresponding to a portion with the change will be read from the above-mentioned registration means. The portable telephone equipped with a motion vector generation means to generate the motion vector of the parts of the face, and a transmitting means to transmit the motion vector generated by the above-mentioned motion vector generation means. In this prior art, FIGS. 1–6 illustrate the theory and/or the concept of producing and displaying a plurality of three-dimensional images on a display of a wireless communication devise, however, does not introduce a wireless communication device which is capable of generating and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images and a plurality of three-dimensional images.
JP2002-140726A introduces the Personal Digital Assistant comprising a storage means to memorize the configuration data and the data of operation of a character, a load means to download the configuration data of the above-mentioned character and to output the configuration data to the above-mentioned storage means, a display means to display a character according to the configuration data memorized by the above-mentioned storage means, a motion-control means to control the display posture of the character by the above-mentioned display means according to the data of operation memorized by the above-mentioned storage means. In this prior art, FIGS. 1–9 illustrate the theory and/or the concept of producing and displaying a plurality of three-dimensional images on a display of a wireless communication devise, however, does not introduce a wireless communication device which is capable of generating and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images and a plurality of three-dimensional images.
JP2001-087550A introduces a portable game machine capable of realizing a speedy game, a stereoscopic game or a game using multicharacter content by operating a plurality of characters by a player. According to this prior art, this game machine is constituted by including a storage means storing image data related to a plurality of characters, a plurality of input means performing an input operation for an operation of each image data, a control means reading each image data from the storage means and performing a control processing for each image data when, an operation processing of each image data from each input means is inputted and a display means displaying each image data operated by each operation means. In this prior art, FIGS. 1–3 illustrate the theory and/or the concept of producing and displaying a plurality of three-dimensional images on a display of a wireless communication devise, however, does not introduce a wireless communication device which is capable of generating and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images and a plurality of three-dimensional images.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,995,903 introduces a digital computer system for displaying a computer generated terrain representing a 3-dimensional depiction of the real world terrain surrounding a vehicle in real-time while the vehicle is in motion. According to this prior art, this 3-D (3-Dimensional) image is rendered in real time while the vehicle is in motion and uses Global Positioning System (GPS) or differential GPS (dGPS) data available from a GPS unit and translates that data into virtual space within an Image Generation Processing block of the digital computer system. The digital computer system generates a virtual world 3-D image representing the eye-point position of the vehicle and directional vector into a terrain database. Using the latitude, longitude, and altitude supplied from the GPS unit as the eye point position into a virtual world using a terrain database, the Image Generation Processing block has a render engine capable of rendering a depiction of the terrain outside of the vehicle, as would be seen in high visibility conditions, regardless of weather, lighting and atmospheric conditions. In this prior art, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the theory and/or the concept of producing and displaying a plurality of three-dimensional images on a display, however, does not introduce a wireless communication device which is capable of generating and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images and a plurality of three-dimensional images.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,097,393 introduces a three-dimensional space defined and displayed in a main window of a computer display. According to this prior art, navigation through the three-dimensional space occurs by user inputs correlated to the three-dimensional display of the space from the user's point of view within the space. Navigation also occurs from user inputs correlated to a secondary two-dimensional display of the user's position relative to two dimensions of the three-dimensional space. A three-dimensional environment defined by the space displays computer resource icons. Activation of a computer resource is achieved by navigation through the three-dimensional environment and selection of a displayed resource icon through manipulation of an input device. Resource icons may be displayed in the environment in various predetermined three-dimensional configurations to signify hierarchical relationships between the associated computer resources. A state defined by the position and point of view of the user within the three-dimensional environment, in combination with the user-defined arrangement of resource icons within the environment, may be saved and recalled for later use. In this prior art, FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate the theory and/or the concept of producing and displaying a plurality of three-dimensional images on a display, however, does not introduce a wireless communication device which is capable of generating and displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images and a plurality of three-dimensional images.


A ball-hitting trainer is provided with a base combined with a flexible shaft that may bend in all directions. The flexible shaft is structured with a helical spring and a flexible wire. The flexible wire is wound around an outside gap of the helical spring so as to make the flexible wire helical and wrap the whole helical spring. The body of flexible shaft is covered by a plurality of shock absorbers, and a free end of the flexible shaft is connected to a cup-shaped body; thus the ball-hitting trainer is formed and a ball may be placed in the cup-shaped body for practice of ball hitting.

(a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a ball-hitting trainer and particularly to a ball hitting trainer designed for people who practice hitting balls or who play for fun.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
A conventional ball-hitting trainer is a machine that is provided to practice to wave a bat and strike, and may also be an interesting game machine. A professional ball hitting trainer is bulky and complicated that may shoot baseballs or softballs for a user to hit for practice, so the manufacturing cost is higher, the operation modes are numerous, and it is not suitable for children and ordinary people. The ball-hitting trainer like the game machine carries on the head the baseball or softball or hangs it at a stationary position for the user to strike for practice, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,372 or 5,100,134. However, the conventional ball-hitting trainer used for the game merely carries on the head the baseball or softball or hangs it at a height of position, which is difficult in adjusting the position and height in the 3D space, so it cannot meet the requests of people of all ages; for example, due to the heights of a child and a teenager that are different, the trainer is not practical. Besides, when the bat hits a portion where the ball is carried or hanged, the trainer or the ball bat is easily damaged. Thus, the conventional ball-hitting trainer used for the game must still be improved for the structure.
Consequently, because of the technical defects of described above, the applicant keeps on carving unflaggingly through wholehearted experience and research to develop the present invention, which can effectively improve the defects described above.


Disclosed is a multiprojection system in which an image can be freely projected by plural projectors so that projected images of the plural projectors are arranged in lines longitudinally and laterally and all of the projected images become one image; an entirely enlarged image or divided images can be projected; or an individual image can be projected, which comprises each of the plural projectors being provided independently with a pan driving device and a tilt driving device so that the direction of projection can be freely changed; and having at least one of functions of changing the direction of projection, the position of a projected image, the synthesis, shape or arrangement of an image and/or the size of an image and displaying each image in a flying state to constitute a screen image system harmonized with lighting in a representation space.

This invention relates to a multiprojection system using plural projectors, in which the arrangement and size of images can be freely changed and each image can be freely flown, and particularly to a multiprojection system which enables changeful representation as a new screen image system in which a screen image is harmonized with lighting in a representation space.
In a conventional multiprojection system, as shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), projection planes of plural projectors are closely contacted with each other so that the projection planes can be regarded as one large image plane, which is called a projection cube system, a multivision system, videowalls or the like.
In one example of the multiprojection system, as shown in FIG. 7(a), 12 projector units 96 each having an image plane size of 600 mm (length).times.800 mm (width) are superposed so that three projector units 96 are arranged in lines longitudinally and four projector units 96 are arranged in lines laterally. By such superposing, entire image planes form a large image plane having a size of 1,800 mm (length).times.3,200 mm (width).
As shown in FIG. 7(b), a projector 97 is provided in each projector unit 96. There is a screen 98 in front of each projector 97, and an image is projected from the inside by the projector 97.
In these systems, there are some systems in which joints of overlapped portions (including unevenness of luminance) cannot be completely prevented. However, irrespective of this disadvantage, these systems have frequently been used for the following reasons.
That is, most of projectors used in this kind of system are liquid crystal projectors or three tube type projectors using the RGB calorimetric system, or television monitors (CRT) themselves are used. However, in generally used projectors, brightness is limited under the present technology. When an image is enlarged on the above large image plane having a size of 1,800 mm (length).times.3,200 mm (width) by one projector, it is difficult to ensure the brightness of the large image plane, so that a screen image cannot be seen clearly when a surrounding space is not made dark.
Therefore, it is attempted to obtain an entirely bright large image plane by making the area of one image plane smaller to ensure each brightness and arranging a large number of small image planes in lines. As a matter of course, this system is not limited to the above system using 12 projectors, and by arranging more than 12 projectors in lines longitudinally and laterally, a larger bright image plane can be constituted.
When a large-sized projection system is used, a large image plane can be obtained by one projector. However, the large-sized projection system is extremely expensive and is not convenient for a representation space which should be moved.
The interesting point of the above system resides in that, for example, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the same image or different images can be projected by each of the above twelve projectors, or one image can be projected by assigning divided images to all or some of the twelve projectors and arranging and compositing the divided images, so that representation of changeful and various combinations can be provided as compared with a system in which an image is projected on a large image plane only by one projector.
Therefore, these systems have frequently been used for a representation space since not only images for presentation in a conference hall and explanation in an exhibition hall can be provided, but also impressive and changeful representation can be made by a large image plane.
However, these systems have, in addition to the above problem that joints cannot be completely prevented, a disadvantage that a representation effect is limited since the size and position of an image of each projector are fixed or since the image of the projector is merely a flat image.
On the other hand, as one means for heightening a representation effect, which is different from a multiprojection system, a technique of moving an image to make representation changeful has been developed. For example, there may be mentioned a technique of arranging a rotating mirror immediately in front of a projection lens of an image to change the projection direction of the image. At the time of projection, if the image is moved merely by rotation of one mirror, there is a drawback that the image is inclined in a reverse direction by the angle of a pan angle of the mirror. Therefore, in order to always move the image in a horizontal state, it is necessary to further use a technique of preventing or correcting inclination of the image.
As a method for projecting an image, in which this disad vantageous inclination of an image is prevented, there has been published, for example, "IMAGE MOVER" disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,288. According to the above U.S. patent, "a K mirror in which mirrors are arranged in a K-shaped state" or "a dope prism" is arranged near to an image device of a rotating projection mirror, and the K mirror is rotated in a reverse direction by an angle of 1/2 of the pan angle of the projection mirror, whereby inclination of a projected image is prevented.
A problem in the method of the above U.S. patent is that five reflecting planes including the K mirror are given in the example of the above U.S. patent, so that when the reflection efficiencies of the respective mirrors are multiplied, loss of about 50% of light brightness is caused. That is, when this method is employed in the system of the present invention, brightness is reduced by half to cause a result which is contrary to one object of a multiprojection system, i.e., "a multiprojection system is used in order to ensure brightness".
This method is mechanically complicated and requires a large-sized apparatus, makes it difficult to introduce a multiprojection system and results in extremely expensive installation. The object of the above U.S. patent is only to move an image singly, and in the above U.S. patent, there is not any concept regarding the multiprojection system of the present invention.
In the screen image market, particularly in a representation space, further changeful representation has been desired accompanied with diversification of representation. That is, in a representation space, an image for presentation to be used as supplement of explanation in a large conference hall or an image merely like an enlarged telescreen is insufficient, and not only an impressive large image plane is required, but also further changeful and artistic representation should be made.
Further, in a representation space, lighting has an important meaning. In the prior art, a screen image and lighting have been considered to be separate from each other and planned and made by different producers. However, in a future representation space, it is an important task to provide new representation by harmonization a screen image with lighting. For example, among lighting equipments, there are a moving light and a mirror scan. In such light equipments, a starting sheet or a color foil having a pattern which is called GOBO is provided, and the above pattern can be projected as light while the color of the pattern is changed.
Since its light can be freely moved, a changeful and dynamic representation effect can be obtained as compared with simple lighting, so that the MOVING LIGHT and the MIRROR SCAN have frequently been used in a representation space.
These moving light and mirror scan can be regarded as one step of harmonization of a screen image with lighting. However, in a future new representation space, it is an important task to heighten the level of such a simple pattern and introduce a screen image which enables more complicated and effective representation into the field of lighting.
In relation to the foregoing, an image control system and a lighting control system have completely been separated in the prior art. Since the interface of signal systems becomes complicated even in one representation, a long preparation time is required. In order to solve such a problem, it is also an important task to enable easy preparation by harmonization of a screen image with lighting.
Further, as a precondition to a method for achieving the above tasks, it is required to supply an inexpensive and simple system and to provide a system satisfying a requirement that joints and uneveness of luminance of each screen image be made as inconspicuous as possible.


A data processor and a data processing method are provided. The data processor is arranged between a client and a database system to determine in advance whether a user instruction sent from the client updates data of the database system. When the data processor determines that the user instruction does not update data of the database system, the data processor sends the predefined data to the client and restrains the user instruction to the database system. Accordingly, the data processor can assist the database system to process the user instruction, so as to reduce in advance the enormous volume of data processing that the database system is requested upon.

1. Technical Field
The instant disclosure relates to a data processor and a data processing method; in particular, to a data processor and a data processing method for improving the loading capacity of a database system.
2. Description of Related Art
In terms of database systems, processing instructions or data are inherently time consuming. Each time the database system processes an instruction or command or data, time is consumed by the database system. Take a ticket reservation system as an example, when a user provides a request for ticket reservation in the ticket reservation system, the system sends a ticket reservation request to the database system such that the database system can update or confirm data in the database according to the ticket reservation request. Whether or not the ticket request updates the data in the database, the request provided by the user will be sent to and executed in the database system, thus time and resources of the database system are ineffectively consumed.
If the database system is applied in a larger public setting, which is available for a larger quantity of users (for example. 10,000 users and above), such as a movie ticket reservation system, and the 10,000 users simultaneously send instructions such as ticket reservations, returns, and modification requests to the database system, the database system has to process the enormous volume of data simultaneously. If the database system is overloaded, the system is prone to crashing. Typically, additional hardware or revision of software commands in the database system is required to enhance loading capacity of the database system, however, both of which increase operational costs.
Moreover, when an enormous volume of instructions swamps the database system, the database system is still required to process the instructions whether or not the instructions will update the data (such as whether or not to reserve tickets) in the database system. The indiscriminating database system will lead to relatively low processing efficiency such that instructions which are not necessary for execution will affect the execution of the relatively more preferred instructions. For example, during ticket reservation, a certain amount of tickets are no longer available for sale, yet the ticket reservation system still processes the instructions requesting for the tickets that are no longer available. Thus, users who wish to request for available tickets is prevented from smoothly accessing the ticket reservation system, which is inconvenient to other users. If the processing can be made in advance between the client and the database system to block ticket reservations for tickets that are clearly not available, the overall load of the database system can be reduced while enhancing the processing speed of the available ticket reservations instructions.
To address the above issues, the inventor strives via associated experience and research to present the instant disclosure, which can effectively improve the limitation described above.

Data processor and a data processing method


A multi-functional hand tool that has releasable tool attachments that affix to a pair of articulating handles that provide for gripping, rotating, twisting, cutting, pounding, and performing other functions commonly done using a number of different tools. The multi-functional hand tool having a locking mechanism that provides for manipulating a workpiece, without damage or marring of the workpiece.

Hand tools of infinite varieties to grip, cut, pound, twist, and perform other functions are well known. Vise grips or other locking pliers provide a mechanism to grip and secure a work piece between a set of jaws. The jaws are normally partially rounded to fit around a pipe or stud and may be knurled or have ridges or grooves to grip the workpiece. An adjustment screw sets the distance between the jaws and a locking mechanism may be set by closing the pliers around a workpiece. However, in rotating or twisting the jaws around, the pipe, stud or other workpiece, the workpiece may be marred, crushed or otherwise damaged. What is needed is a gripping tool that may rotate, twist or otherwise manipulate a workpiece without damage.
Tool attachment pieces having different functions or sizes such as screwdriver heads, sockets, and wrenches are also known with the piece being releasably affixed to a single handle. These devices provide for a single tool to be multi-functional. What is not known is a multi-function tool having tool attachments that releasably mount on a pair of articulating handles as described in the present invention.

Gripper tool with multi-function attachments


A process comprising contacting a reaction fluid, which contains at least one phosphorus acidic compound, with a buffer solution to neutralize at least some amount of the phosphorus acidic compound, wherein the buffer solution comprises at least one salt of an unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acid.

This invention relates to hydroformylation processes. In one aspect, the invention relates to a process for the mitigation of catalyst inhibition and ligand degradation.
In the rhodium/phosphite-catalyzed hydroformylation of olefins, the hydrolyzable ligand slowly and inexorably degrades to a number of by-products. Some of these by-products are acidic, and may be removed by contacting the reaction solution with an aqueous buffer (e.g. sodium phosphate). The resulting metal salts are appreciably soluble in water, and can be effectively removed, e.g. by extraction, from the organic phase. This extraction process is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,944.
An additional problem inherent to rhodium-phosphite hydroformylation processes involves a loss of catalytic activity due to the formation of a class of diorganophosphite by-products. These compounds can coordinate to the active rhodium-phosphite catalyst and form new complexes that are less reactive. Fortunately, these diorganophosphite by-products may be preferentially hydrolyzed by contacting them with a buffer as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,944.
Phosphate salts are recognized in the art as being preferred buffers. However, environmental agencies in some geographies have placed strict limits on the phosphorous content of plant effluent streams.
The preferred pH range of the aqueous buffer employed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,944 is 6-8. One set of phosphorous-free, buffer salts that buffer in this range are the maleates and fumarates. However, it has been reported that some α,β-unsaturated carbonyls are catalyst inhibitors (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,918, U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,743 and EP 0 306 094 B1). Since these species can coordinate to rhodium in a bidentate fashion via their olefin and carbonyl moieties, it is generally believed that they inhibit the reaction by forming inactive complexes until such time as they are slowly reacted off the catalyst and the active site is thus made available for reaction. For example, hydroformylating acetylene gives acrolein, an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde product that inhibits the catalyst until it is subsequently hydrogenated or hydroformylated to a bis-aldehyde (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,041 and WO 2010/030339). In another example, U.S. 2011/0028746 describes this type of interaction in a Rh-catalyzed decarboxylative hydroformylation, wherein extremely high concentrations of Rh (4600 ppm) were required. A list of expected rhodium hydroformylation poisons was tested in GB 1,497,627.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,644 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,304 teach the addition of maleic acid to destroy phosphorous-based ligands via a Michael addition reaction. In particular, '304 teaches that washing out any residual maleic acid is desirable, especially for commercial operations. Based on these two patents, a continuous extractor process, which would be expected to have traces of maleate going into the reaction system, would be expected to significantly impact ligand degradation via the Michael addition reaction. In systems with expensive ligands, increased ligand decomposition is not commercially acceptable.
It would be desirable to have an effective non-phosphorous based buffer that buffers in the range of pH 6 to 8 and is not detrimental to the hydroformylation process.


A method and an apparatus for detecting inter-cell interference in a mobile communication system are provided. A base station receives a reference signal (RS) from a terminal, generate one or more interference candidate RSs, calculate a cross correlation of the one or more interference candidate RSs and the received RS, estimate at least one of a size of a Resource Block (RB) an offset of the RB, a group index (U), and a cyclic shift (CS) by using a preset number of interference candidate RSs in an order of the large cross correlation. The base station further removes an interference signal or performs a direct reduction by using at least one of the estimated RB size, the RB offset, the timing offset, and the group index (U). According to the present disclosure, it is beneficial to mitigate or cancel inter-cell interference problem on an uplink transmission without any assistance of neighbor base stations and/or adjacent cells in a wireless communication system.

An inter-cell interference (ICI) reduction technique has been evolved in a wireless communication system. For example, an indirect interference rejection and combining (IRC) technique uses information derived from a target user equipment (UE) in lieu of ICI information that is measured between cells or devices to cancel and/or mitigate interferences. Accordingly, the indirect IRC technique requires lower implementation complexity and overhead information, but the indirect IRC technique may not guarantee a higher performance. Conversely, a direct IRC technique may provide a higher performance gain than an indirect IRC technique because the direct IRC technique directly uses ICI information that is received from neighbor base stations and/or adjacent cells or blindly detected in order to mitigate or cancel interferences. In addition, the direct IRC technique adopts a decoding and/or a demodulation technique to mitigate or cancel interferences. Accordingly, the direct IRC technique may require a larger amount of information than the indirect IRC technique to provide a higher performance gain. For example, the direct IRC technique that is defined in the long term evolution (LTE) specification may require resource blocks (RBs) information, interference modulation information, and a cell identification (ID) information for a demodulation operation, and code rate information for a decoding operation in order to mitigate or cancel interferences. Accordingly, an interference reduction technique not requiring larger amount of overhead but providing a higher performance gain is needed to cancel and/or mitigate inter-cell interference in a wireless communication system.

Method and apparatus for detecting inter-cell interference in mobile communication system