A reference image and an index image are displayed on a three-dimensional display device with either one of the images taken as a left eye image and the other image taken as a right eye image. When a movement command to move a display position of the index image is inputted by a person to be inspected in order that a predetermined reference position of the reference image and the display position of the index image coincide with each other, the display position of the index image is moved on the basis of the movement command. The amount of deviation of the index image from the reference position of the reference image is calculated by the person to be inspected visually recognizing that the reference position of the reference image and the display position of the index image coincide with each other when confirmation input indicating that the person to be inspected visually recognizes the coincidence is provided by the person to be inspected.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a binocular view function inspecting apparatus and a binocular view function inspecting method for measuring a binocular view function and particularly measuring a self-conscious strabismic angle of heterophoria.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Examples of a method of measuring a self-conscious strabismic angle of heterophoria include a so-called Maddox test. In this test, an apparatus called a Maddox wing having a partition plate for separating a left eye field of view and a right eye field of view so that a horizontal scale 101 shown in FIG. 23 and a vertical bar 102 shown in FIG. 24 are respectively seen with the left eye and the right eye. When a person to be inspected is normal, the vertical bar 102 is so seen as to coincide with the reference position "0" of the horizontal scale 101, as shown in FIG. 25. When the person to be inspected has a squint, the vertical bar 102 is seen in a position deviating from the reference position "0" of the horizontal scale 101, as shown in FIG. 26.
In this test, the person to be inspected answers a position, where the vertical bar 102 is seen, on the horizontal scale 101, and an inspecting person judges whether or not the person to be inspected is normal on the basis of the answer. Therefore, the amount of deviation of the vertical bar 102 from the reference position of the horizontal scale 101 cannot be objectively or automatically measured. That is, the degree of strabismus cannot be objectively or automatically measured.

Binocular view function inspecting apparatus and inspecting method


A self-driving or autonomous vehicle has a traffic-prioritization processor to send or receive a payment to or from a central server to obtain a traffic prioritization for a route or to accept a traffic de-prioritization for the route. The central server receives and distributes payments to other vehicles traveling the route. The vehicle communicates with the central server to receive a plurality of levels of prioritization which range from a highest prioritization to a lowest prioritization, and the costs or payouts associated with each of the levels.

Autonomous or self-driving vehicles use sensors such as RADAR, LIDAR and/or cameras to provide signals to a processor or controller that generates and outputs steering, acceleration and braking signals to the vehicle. A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver is also used for navigation. As the self-driving vehicle drives autonomously toward a destination, the vehicle will encounter other self-driving vehicles. Self-driving vehicles in a given area of a road mutually sense each other's presence using various sensors for collision avoidance and may communicate, via vehicle-to-vehicle messaging protocols, with each other to avoid collisions.
There is a need for a system and method for giving priority, in certain circumstances, to one autonomous vehicle over another.

Vehicle-to-vehicle payment system for traffic prioritization in self-driving vehicles


A system for melting a substance may be provided. The system may include a crucible insulated with fused silica, a microwave generator configured to supply microwaves, and at least one burner probe extending into the crucible. The at least one burner probe may include a wave guide. The wave guide may be configured to receive microwaves from the microwave generator and transmit the microwaves. The at least one burner probe may further include an absorber. The absorber may have a geometry configured to cause a minimal amount of microwave energy to be reflected back into the wave guide. In addition, the absorber may include a one piece cast of silicon carbide configured to dissipate heat along an exterior of the absorber. The absorber may be further configured to receive the microwaves from the wave guide and convert energy from the microwaves into the heat.

Metal melting is performed in a furnace. Virgin material, external scrap, internal scrap, and alloying elements are used to charge the furnace. Virgin material refers to commercially pure forms of the primary metal used to form a particular alloy. Alloying elements are either pure forms of an alloying element, like electrolytic nickel, or alloys of limited composition, such as ferroalloys or master alloys. External scrap is material from other forming processes such as punching, forging, or machining. Internal scrap consists of the gates, risers, or defective castings.
Furnaces are refractory lined vessels that contain the material to be melted and provide the energy to melt it. Modern furnace types include electric arc furnaces (EAF), induction furnaces, cupolas, reverberatory, and crucible furnaces. Furnace choice is dependent on the alloy system and quantities produced. Furnace design is a complex process, and the design can be optimized based on multiple factors.


A cleaning glove includes a waterproof glove having at least one finger stall and a thumb stall, a mounting plate attached to the thumb stall, an artificial thumbnail connected to the mounting plate, a first scouring surface positioned on a thumbward side and an outer end of a first finger stall, a second scouring surface positioned on an exterior side of an outermost finger stall, a cleaning material, and an arm portion. The thumbnail has a generally crescent-shaped configuration protruding from the thumb stall for scraping objects when a wearer's thumb moves in a back and forth motion. The configuration and the positioning of the thumbnail provide the user with leverage when cleaning and take advantage of the hand's natural movements. The mounting plate distributes the thumbnail's forces on the waterproof glove, keeping the waterproof glove from tearing. The first and second scouring surfaces may be used cooperatively for cleaning.

This invention relates generally to a glove with specialized cleaning surfaces. In particular, the present invention relates to a specialized glove for cleaning dishes and performing similar tasks.
There is always room to improve the tedious job of dishwashing. Even after the introduction of automatic dishwashing machines, the extreme versatility of the human hand remains the primary weapon in the war against the daily onslaught of dirty dishes. There are special tools for jobs that a scrub pad won't handle, but finding and storing these articles is a chore in itself. Some people, especially those affected by arthritis, find grasping a dishrag difficult. A single tool that uses the inherent agility and flexibility of the hand to handle common dishwashing situations is unavailable. The glove disclosed herein provides the necessary tools and keeps them literally at a user's fingertips. As such, the dishrag, scouring pad, cup brush, and other tools may be discarded as unnecessary. Furthermore, because the cleaning glove fits around the hand instead of being grasped, individuals with arthritis may use the device without pain.
Various proposals for cleaning gloves are found in the art. Such gloves are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,227,707; 2,745,128; 3,643,386; 4,038,787; 4,107,840; 4,621,388; 6,000,060; 6,016,571; and 6,018,837. While assumably effective for their intended purposes, the existing devices do not provide a cleaning glove with an artificial thumbnail and other strategically placed cleaning members for washing cups and dishes. The artificial thumbnail incorporated in the current invention provides a user with natural leverage when cleaning, and it is designed to be easily used. In fact, all of the features of the current invention are designed to take advantage of the hand's natural movements. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a cleaning glove having an artificial thumbnail and other strategically placed cleaning members for washing cups and dishes.


A method and system for enhancing permeability of a subterranean zone at a horizontal well bore includes determining a drilling profile for the horizontal well bore. At least one characteristic of the drilling profile is selected to aid in stabilizing the horizontal well bore during drilling. A liner is inserted into the horizontal well bore. The well bore is collapsed to increase permeability of the subterranean zone at the horizontal well bore.

Reservoirs are subterranean formations of rock containing oil, gas, and/or water. Unconventional reservoirs include coal and shale formations containing gas and, in some cases, water. A coal bed, for example, may contain natural gas and water.
Coal bed methane (CBM) is often produced using vertical wells drilled from the surface into a coal bed. Vertical wells drain a very small radius of methane gas in low permeability formations. As a result, after gas in the vicinity of the vertical well has been produced, further production from the coal seam through the vertical well is limited.
To enhance production through vertical wells, the wells have been fractured using conventional and/or other stimulation techniques. Horizontal patterns have also been formed in coal seams to increase and/or accelerate gas production.

System and method for enhancing permeability of a subterranean zone at a horizontal well bore


A cleaning blade member for use in a cleaning section for removing toner on a toner-deposited body, the cleaning blade member comprising: an edge layer contacting the toner-deposited body; and a back layer provided on a back side of the edge layer, and wherein the edge layer has a Young's modulus of 8 to 20 MPa and an impact resilience at 25° C. of 20 to 40%, and when the Young's modulus of the edge layer is designated as Ea, a Young's modulus of the back layer is designated as Eb, a thickness of the edge layer is designated as Ta, and a thickness of the back layer is designated as Tb, a ratio (Rb/Ra) between a contribution rate Ra of the Young's modulus of the edge layer represented by the following equation (1), and a contribution rate Rb of the Young's modulus of the back layer represented by the following equation (2) is 0.01 to 6.0, and a total Young's modulus (Ra+Rb) of the edge layer and the back layer is 7 to 14 MPa:Ra=[TaEa/(Ta+Tb)]  (1)Rb=[TbEb/(Ta+Tb)].  (2)

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a cleaning blade member, and more particularly, to a cleaning blade member for removing a toner on a toner image bearing body, on which a toner image is formed and from which the toner image is transferred onto a material for receiving the toner image, such as a photoconductor or a transfer belt in electrophotography.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the electrophotographic process, a cleaning blade for removing a toner is generally used to use an electrophotographic photoconductor or a transfer belt repeatedly. Since the cleaning blade makes contact with the photoconductor for a long term, it is required to have satisfactory wear resistance and a low coefficient of friction. In recent years, as the life of the unit lengthens, the photoconductor has become a product with high durability, and the cleaning blade has also been required to have high durability.
To impart high durability to the blade, it is necessary for the blade to have a high degree of hardness. However, a high degree of hardness of the cleaning blade of a single-layer structure leads to too high a pressure of contact with the photoconductor, posing the problem that a film on the surface of the photoconductor peels off, or the edge of the blade droops. That is, when the blade is supported horizontally in a cantilevered manner at an end portion thereof on the side opposite to its side in contact with the photoconductor, the height of the leading end of the blade decreases. Thus, proposals have been made for cleaning blades each having a plural-layer structure (see, for example, Japanese Patent No. 2542204, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-214989, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-214990).
Since these cleaning blades use plural types of materials, a layer in contact with the photoconductor, and other layers make up for each other's characteristics, thereby showing excellent characteristics as a whole. However, they exhibit satisfactory characteristics in either a high temperature environment or a low temperature environment, and do not show satisfactory characteristics in an environment at high temperatures to low temperatures.
Hence, there has been an intense demand for a cleaning blade which maintains sufficiently stable mechanical characteristics even if a temperature environment changes in a range involving high temperatures to low temperatures.
The present invention has been accomplished in the light of the above-mentioned circumstances. It is an object of the present invention to provide a high durability cleaning blade member having excellent mechanical characteristics, such as wear resistance and resistance to edge drooping (edge drooping resistance), in any environment.


Passenger transportation system (4) including a hallway (2) providing access to at least one transport car (6, 8, 10, 12) and a control for controlling the movement of the cars, characterized by a passenger trajectory tracking device (16) including a data processing means for monitoring the access areas to the cars (6, 8, 10, 12).

The present invention relates to a passenger transportation system, for example an elevator system including a bank of elevators servicing a building, including a hallway providing access to at least one transport car and a control for controlling the movement of the car.
One of the main issues with such elevator systems is the control of the individual elevator cars so as to transport the passengers to the desired destination with a minimum waiting time in the hallway and with as few as possible intermediate stops before reaching the destination. Prolonged waiting time and an excess of intermediate stops are among the most dissatisfying conditions for the individual passenger. There are elevator systems which allow the passenger at the hallway not only to input his destination direction, i.e. upwards or downwards, but also the input of his precise destination, for example the input of the destination floor. Together with an indication to the passengers of the destination floors to be served by any car, i.e. "this car serves floors 23, 34, and 46", a control using such input information can be substantially improved as compared to a control which uses only the destination direction. However, particularly with heavy traffic such system has disadvantages insofar as the system has no control over the actual number of destination calls which have been served and which are still not served, etc. Thus, it is the object of the present invention to provide a passenger transportation system as specified above having an improved elevator control which receives more detailed information with respect to the respective passengers.

Passenger guiding system for a passenger transportation system


A container filler indexing counter is provided for an automatic filling machine, which consists of a conveyor having a belt and guide rail for carrying a plurality of containers therealong. Two cylinders are spaced apart and adjustably mounted to the conveyor, in which the first cylinder is positioned as an incoming stop gate, while the second cylinder is positioned as an exit stop gate to form a filling area therebetween. Two fiber optic sensors are spaced apart and adjustably mounted to the guide rail of the conveyor, in which the first fiber optic sensor is positioned as a counter for the containers entering the filling area, while the second fiber optic sensor is positioned as a counter for the containers leaving the filling area. A device is for operating the two cylinders by count information received from the two fiber optic sensors, so that at least one container entering the filling area on the belt of the conveyor can be automatically filled by a filler mechanism and then removed therefrom on the belt of the conveyor.

The instant invention relates generally to automatic filling machines and more specifically it relates to a container filler indexing counter for an automatic filling machine, having a pair of fiber optic sensors that contain and count out containers at a filling area, so that the containers can be immediately filled and conveyed therefrom on a conveyor.
There are available various conventional automatic filling machines which do not provide the novel improvements of the invention herein disclosed.


An apparatus is provided that includes a set of antenna elements and switching nodes. Each switching node has physical interconnects to a sub-set of the antenna elements for transferring communication signals and the switching nodes have physical interconnects to other switching nodes forming a network of switching nodes for transferring communication signals between switching nodes. The apparatus also includes a controller for controlling operation of switching nodes to control use of the physical interconnects between switching nodes and control creation of different patterns of antenna elements operationally interconnected via multiple operationally interconnected switching nodes.

Antenna arrangements comprise one or more antenna elements that are designed for transmission/reception of radio waves.
In some mobile cellular telephones, the antenna arrangement comprises multiple antenna elements that are spatially separated. The antenna arrangement is configurable. Switching from using one antenna element to using another antenna element can be used to avoid local interference and improve signal quality.


A method and a device for controlling an electrically actuated wear adjuster of a brake application device for vehicles, in particular rail vehicles. Said method comprises the following steps: a) determination of an actual application stroke of brake linings against an allocated brake disc or brake drum during service braking, in accordance with at least one measured brake application path that is traversed by the brake linings and with a measured braking force value that is allocated to said brake application path; b) comparison of the actual application stroke with a desired brake application stroke or a desired application stroke tolerance range and if the actual application stroke deviates from said stroke or range: calculation of an adjustment path from said deviation; c) electronic control of the wear adjuster in accordance with the calculated adjustment path.

The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling an electrically actuated wear adjusting device of a brake application system for vehicles, particularly rail vehicles.
European Patent Document EP 0 699 846 A2 describes a brake application system for rail vehicles, having a caliper-type brake linkage for a disc brake which has, as the screw drive between two brake linkage parts, a mechanically actuated wear adjuster constructed as a thrust rod actuator or as a brake rod actuator. The wear adjuster keeps the brake pad play constant in the event of a wearing of the pad or the brake disc. This takes place by a change of length of the screw drive, in the case of thrust rod actuators, an increasing actuator length causing a reduction of the brake pad play. The drive of the known screw drive takes place mechanically by a brake linkage with a thrust rod which, in the event of an excess stroke of a brake actuator constructed as a pneumatic cylinder—piston driving gear, is operated by a rocker lever. An emergency release of the brake, that is, an emergency-caused braking force reduction of the brake being affected by braking force, takes place by the pneumatic brake actuator. For the auxiliary release of the brake not affected by braking force for maintenance work, for example, for changing the brake pads, the threaded spindle is rotated manually.
The present method and system in one embodiment measured values for the application path, and the assigned braking force values are used as the starting basis for the calculation of the actual application stroke and of the adjusting path that may be required.
The method according to another embodiment is based on a predetermined desired application point in which the brake pad play should be equal to zero. This desired application point is approached and then the wear adjuster, if necessary, is actuated until a measured electric braking force signal is present for the first time and the actual application point has been reached. The covered path between the desired application point and the actual application point of the brake pads will then correspond to the adjusting path. The subsequent restoring of the brake application system into the release position therefore starts out from the actual application point, so that the brake pad play caused by wear will no longer exist for future application movements.
The wear adjuster of all of the embodiments, instead of being mechanically actuated, is electrically actuated. Thus, the known mechanical large-size actuating mechanism is eliminated, which results in a smaller size. In addition, a more precise adjusting of the brake pad play than previously can be achieved. This increases the dynamics of the brake application system.
In the first embodiment, the covered application path of the brake pads during the service braking is directly or indirectly measured on a moved component of the brake application system.
During a service braking taking place with a higher braking force, the brake force value and the respectively assigned covered application path of the brake pads may be measured several times successively. By means of the supporting points obtained therefrom, an essentially linear braking force—application path course can be shown, from which the actual application stroke is mathematically extrapolated. Braking at a higher braking force in this case is a braking during which braking force values of approximately more than 3% to 20% of a maximally possible braking force value occur.
In contrast, during a service braking which took place at a lower braking force, only the braking force value occurring once and the assigned covered application path of the brake pads are used for determining the actual application stroke. Braking at a lower braking force is a braking during which braking force values of approximately less than or equal to 3% to 20% of a maximally possible braking force value occur. At lower braking force values, this method is more precise because no strictly linear braking force—application path relationship is yet present from which the application point could be extrapolated.
The adjusting of the brake pad play may take place in the not-applied condition of the brake application system. A relatively low and cost-effective drive of the wear adjuster will then be sufficient for generating only the braking force required for producing a measurable braking force signal.
The second embodiment is implemented at least during the upgrading or initializing from a emergency-released or auxiliary release position of the brake application system together with a test run.
These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of the disclosure, when considered in conjunction with accompanying drawings.

Method and device for controlling an electrically actuated wear adjuster

Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH


Broadly speaking, an apparatus and associated method of operation is provided for controlling alignment signal transmission in an electronic communication process. More specifically, a programmable control is provided for controlling transmission of alignment signals in either a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) or Serial ATA (SATA) communication process. The programmable control includes a counter operated to sequentially modify a count value. When the count value is equal to a programmed alignment trigger value, the programmable control is configured to generate and transmit an alignment signal through the initiator transceiver to the target transceiver. Thus, the apparatus and associated method of operation controls a rate at which alignment signals are transmitted in a SAS/SATA communication process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electronic device communication.
2. Description of the Related Art
Modern computing systems generally include a number of devices in communication with each other. For example, one device may be a host computer and another device may be a hard drive connected as a peripheral device. Communication (i.e., data transfer) protocols are used to enable communication between the devices. In addition, standard communication protocols have been developed to ensure communication compatibility between various devices. The standard communication protocols provide rigid frameworks and processes for conducting data transfers between devices.
For example, the standard communication protocols provide clock frequency tolerances and clock skew management requirements for devices involved in the communication process. The clock frequency tolerances and clock skew management requirements are intended to prevent compliant devices from experiencing overrun conditions during the communication process. However, devices involved in the communication process may not always be fully compliant with the governing communication protocol, particularly in an area as sensitive as clock signal behavior. Unfortunately, since the standard communication protocols are quite rigid with respect to clock skew management requirements, devices that are intended to operate in conjunction with the standard communication protocol but fail to comply with the clock frequency tolerances are subject to overrun conditions.
In view of the foregoing, a solution is needed to allow for flexibility in clock skew management between devices in a communication process, wherein the communication process is otherwise governed by a standard communication protocol.

Alignment signal control apparatus and method for operating the same


A device for determining the abnormal degree of deterioration of catalyst of a catalytic converter arranged in an internal combustion engine exhaust system is disclosed. The device comprises ability value grasping means for grasping an ability value in relation with a current purification ability of the catalyst and varying amount grasping means for grasping a varying amount of the ability value grasped by the ability value grasping means. It is determined that the degree of deterioration of the catalyst is abnormal when the varying amount grasped by the varying amount grasping means is smaller than a predetermined value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for determining an abnormal degree of deterioration of a catalyst.
2. Description of the Related Art
A catalyst system is usually arranged in an exhaust passage to purify an exhaust gas. Once the catalyst system deteriorates excessively, the catalyst system cannot purify the exhaust gas sufficiently. Accordingly, it is necessary to determine an abnormal degree of deterioration of the catalyst, to inform the driver about the deterioration, and to urge the driver to exchange the catalyst for a new one.
The exchange requires much cost and much time that must be minimized. Accordingly, it is necessary to determine the abnormal degree of deterioration of a catalyst precisely.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-26944 discloses a device for determining the abnormal degree of deterioration of a catalyst. The device grasps a variation of the degree of deterioration of the catalyst against the temperature thereof by using air-fuel ratio sensors. The device graphs the variation and compares the graph with a prepared threshold graph. The device determines that the degree of deterioration of the catalyst is abnormal when the graph of variation is positioned generally above the threshold graph.
The deterioration of the catalyst progresses from the upstream portion thereof to the downstream portion thereof because the upstream portion is always exposed to the non-purified exhaust gas. Accordingly, only the degree of deterioration of the upstream portion of the catalyst may be abnormal. In this case, if the temperature of the catalyst is very high and the catalyst is generally activated, the general purification ability thereof drops little. However, in the initial stage of the activation of the catalyst in which the upstream portion thereof ought to activate, the upstream portion does not activate so that the purification reaction does not start. Therefore, the catalyst is not heated by the reaction heat and the time till the catalyst is activated completely becomes long so that during this time, the purification of the exhaust gas deteriorates considerably. The above-mentioned device merely compares the variation of the degree of deterioration of the catalyst with the threshold graph. Accordingly, in such case, the device cannot accurately determine that the degree of deterioration of the catalyst is abnormal.

Device for determining an abnormal degree of deterioration of a catalyst


A truck cargo-moving tool combines an elongated extendable arm having at least two telescopically connected rigid coaxial tubes and a substantially rigid head having two faces, at least one substantially flat edge, a blunt heel, and an arcuate toe curved toward the axis of the extendable arm. The extendable arm is attached generally perpendicular to the head proximal the heel in order to form a tool useful for moving items resting on a long horizontal surface. There is at least one locking mechanism attached or built into the extendable arm for securing the coaxial tubes at a desired operating arm length.

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, pick-up truck users have had to endure cumbersome ways to move items in the bed of the truck from near the cab to the tailgate. One common way is to climb inside and walk to the item and then push or pull it. Another is to stand on something outside the bed and reach over the side wall to reach the item. The task becomes even harder or more time consuming if the bed is extra long or has a tonneau cover. Some, such as Frerichs in U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,064, have devised ways to make access easier, in Frerichs' case a pull-out step.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,338, Lemke discloses a multi-purpose adjustable pole for use in pick-up trucks that serves as a hanging or restraint bar across the width of the bed. Also, it can be used to move cargo around in the bed of the truck. However, the many parts and features of the Lemke design are likely to make it costly for someone who wants to just pull or push items around the bed. Also, the cargo arm in Lemke is slanted away from the user and has no hook near the tip, thus making it prone to slipping off many items which the user wants to pull in his direction.
In U.S. Pat. Application Publication 2006/0249963, a pole-mounted load handling apparatus with a claw-like head is disclosed. It is not telescopically extendable, and a primary feature is a built in adjustable loop for grabbing certain types of items. This makes the device somewhat complex to manufacture and consequently more expensive than some pick-up owners are willing to pay.


An elevator car includes a roof deck; a plurality of walls; a floor; one or more doors; and a transport space bordered by the roof deck, the plurality of walls, the floor, and at least one openable and closable door for allowing access to said transport space. The roof deck is vertically movable from a first normal use position upwards to a second cargo use position for increasing the height of the transport space, and from the second position downwards back to the first position for reducing the height of the transport space. An elevator and a method implementing the elevator car are also disclosed.

During construction of a building, people and goods need to move vertically for enabling construction work in the upper parts of the building under construction. For example, construction workers need to move to the floor where their construction site is located, as well as away from that floor. Likewise, goods, such as tools, equipment and construction material need to move to the floor where the construction site of the respective tools, equipment and construction material is located. Also, people not participating in the construction work may need to move between floors.
In prior art, transportation of large construction material has been performed by lifting with a building crane and/or by temporary hoists and/or by a temporary elevator installed outside a building under construction. People have been transported by a car operating in a hoistway of the building.
A drawback of said known solutions for transporting goods and people has been that they have not been optimized in terms of efficiency of flow of both people and goods.


A record carrier (1) has a servo track (4) indicating an information track (9) intended for recording information blocks represented by marks, this servo track (4) having a periodic variation of a physical parameter. Due to cross-talk, there exists a variation in the wobble signal called wobble beat. The track pitch t and the wobble period p, p being the length of a wobble period, are chosen in such a way that 2πt/p≈n+ 1/2 where n is 10 integer. The choice results in a reduced wobble beat. A recording and/or playback device has apparatus for recording/reading the information blocks and for generating a wobble signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a record carrier comprising a servo track indicating an information track intended for recording information blocks represented by marks having lengths expressed in channel bits, this servo track having a wobble being a periodic variation of a physical parameter, and the servo track constituting a concentric or spiral pattern of substantially parallel tracks at a track pitch t.
The invention further relates to recording and/or playback device comprising means for writing and/or reading information blocks represented by marks having lengths expressed in channel bits in an information track on the record carrier, which device comprises means for scanning the servo track and retrieving the record carrier information.
The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing the record carrier.
2. Description of the Related Art
A record carrier and device of the type defined in the opening paragraph, for reading and/or writing information, are known from International Patent Application No. WO 00/43996, corresponding to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,538,982 and 6,765,861. The information is encoded into an information signal which includes time codes and may be subdivided in accordance with these time codes into information blocks, the time codes being used as addresses, such as, with CD-ROM or DVD+RW. The record carrier has a servo track, usually called pre-groove, for causing servo signals to be generated when scanning the track. A physical parameter, e.g., the radial position, of the pre-groove periodically varies constituting a so-called wobble. During the scanning of the track, this wobble leads to a variation of the servo signals and a wobble signal can be generated.
A problem of the known system is that the wobble signal is disturbed by cross-talk. This problem become increasingly important in newer optical recording systems, such as, DVD and DVR, because the tracks are closer together in these higher density systems (even when scaling with the optical parameter is taken into account), and thus, the cross-talk between tracks increases.

Record carrier with a servo track having wobble with reduced cross-talk and an apparatus for scanning the record carrier


A door (20) for a separation table (10) is pivotably installed within discharge chute (12). The door is pivotable between a closed position and an open position. The door has a distal planar section (24) that lies horizontally against the floor wall (38) of the discharge chute when in a closed position. The door when in the open position has a curved contour section (26) that defines the lowest extent (47) of the door and upper wall of opening (47). A stop limit mechanism (50) includes a bar 52 that is adjustably mounted within discharge chute (12) to limit the opening of the door (20).

Recycling waste trim is becoming more economically feasible due to the increasing value of the waste material, the increasing costs of solid waste disposal, and the decreasing availability of landfills. Many plastic articles are composite in nature. Articles, for example, automotive instrument panels may have a shell of harder denser plastic material, for example polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and a backing made from a less dense foam material such as urethane. After formation of the article, the article is trimmed or cut into its final shape. Excess trim results from each article. It has been proposed to recycle the excess trim and reclaim the component plastic materials.
Reclaiming plastic materials have difficulties not found for other types of materials. Plastic material is not magnetic, therefor, the use of magnetic fields often used in the reclamation of ferrous materials is useless. It has been proposed to recycle the material of the composite plastic by chopping the composite plastic into smaller fragments and sorting the fragments by the type of plastic. Liquid float tanks have been proposed where less dense foam particles float and dense vinyl particles sink. This method requires de-watering of the particles and subsequent drying which adds to the recycling costs. Furthermore many plastics have a density near that of water and thus the liquid float tanks do not adequately sort out these types of plastic materials.
Another process is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,725 issued to Robert A. Grimmer on Aug. 27, 1991. The Grimmer patent discloses a process for separating urethane foam and PVC particles from composite plastic parts by granulation of the composite parts to constituent foam and PVC particles. Larger particles are then separated from smaller particles by a screen. After the particles are sized, the foam and PVC particles are then separated by passing them through a separation table. The table uses air flow to levitate the less dense foam particles and allows the PVC particles to be at a lower level. The table is vibrated to direct the foam and PVC particles to different ducts.
The separation table described in the Grimmer patent has been utilized with flap doors at the duct for the discharge of the denser particles. The flap doors are aligned adjacent each other along the width of the duct and each is hinged at its top edge. Each flap door can independently swing to let the denser plastic material be discharged thereunder. However, some particles of less dense material are discharged between the openings created between the adjacent flap doors. Secondly, the flap doors may be prone to excess opening thereby allowing the less dense material to be discharged under the flap doors and contaminating the reclaimed PVC.
It has been found that the presence of only a small percentage of foam in the reclaimed PVC is enough to contaminate the reclaimed material such that it becomes unacceptable for known subsequent manufacturing processes. Furthermore only a small percentage of contamination is enough to render the reclaimed foam useless for further processing.
What is needed is an expediate reclamation process for composite urethane foam and PVC plastic parts that produces sufficiently pure reclaimed PVC and foam for subsequent known recycling processes.


An asphaltene dispersant composition is provided. The composition may contain an alkylphenol copolymer having the following repeating units (A) and (B):

Various types of petroleum sources, such as heavy crude oils and residual fuel oils, may be rich in asphaltenes. Asphaltenes are heterocyclic unsaturated macromolecules that are primarily formed of carbon and hydrogen, but also contain other minor components, such as sulphur, oxygen, nitrogen, and various heavy metals. Due to their chemical complexity, asphaltenes are generally classified by their insolubility in n-alkane fluids, in which they are usually present as a colloidal dispersion. Under normal reservoir conditions, asphaltenes are in equilibrium in the crude oil. As crude oil is produced, however, the equilibrium may be altered by a number of factors, such as by carbon dioxide injection, pH change, pressure drop, shear, streaming potential through porous media, etc., which can ultimately result in precipitation and possibly deposition of the asphaltenes onto surfaces. Asphaltene deposition can occur at any location of a crude oil production cycle, such as in perforations, tubing, downhole and surface chokes, or surface flowlines. Regardless of where it occurs, asphaltene sludging or deposition may cause significant operational problems during production and processing of crude oils. To help minimize these problems, various asphaltene dispersants or deposition inhibitors have been employed in an attempt to inhibit the precipitation of asphaltenes and/or disperse any asphaltene precipitates formed in a petroleum source. Unfortunately, conventional asphaltene dispersants are still not completely effective.
As such, a need continues to exist for an asphaltene dispersant composition that can exhibit improved performance.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Abstract: wherein,                x is an integer from 1 to 200;        y is an integer from 2 to 200;        R1 is a straight or branched C1-C15 alkyl; and        R2 is a straight or branched C2-C40 alkyl, wherein R2 is different than R1.


An operating process of an organic device includes performing a programming process and an erasing process. The programming process includes steps of applying a first positive bias from the first electrode to the second electrode on the organic device so that a conductive state of the organic device is switched to be a first turn-on state when the organic device is in a turn-off state and applying a negative bias from the first electrode to the second electrode on the organic device so that the conductive state of the organic device is switched to be a second turn-on state when the organic device is in the first turn-on state. The erasing process includes a step of applying a second positive bias from the first electrode to the second electrode on the organic device so that the conductive state of the organic device is switched to be the turn-off state.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an organic memory device and method for manufacturing the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to an organic multi-stable device and the method for manufacturing the same.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, a bi-stable device switched between the high and low resistivity states is applied in manufacturing a memory device and the switch according to different applied voltages. The material with the switch property and storage ability includes inorganic and organic materials. It should be noticed that the bi-stable memory device manufactured by applying such materials between two electrodes has got the potential of becoming a new-generation non-volatile memory device.
The bi-stable memory, the common memory device and the switch are single-bit structure. That is, one device only possesses two states which are 0 and 1. If single device can express multiple states, the numbers of the devices and the area for the devices for storing a fix amount of the memory can be decreased. Moreover, the organic light emitting diode can be driven by a single device to achieve the gray scale control.
Hence, how to manufacture a multi-stable memory and a multi-stable switch becomes one of the important development tasks.

Industrial Technology Research Institute


In one embodiment, the invention relates to a serial line circuit that comprises a serial information (SI) bus and at most two isolators interposed between a pair of programmable devices. In the TRANSMIT direction, a first programmable device is configured to multiplex serial data received from a plurality of serial UARTs and to route such data to the second programmable device over the SI bus and through a first isolator. In the RECEIVE direction, the second programmable device is configured to sample data from a plurality of serial interconnects and to route the sampled data to the first programmable device. The sampled data is routed over the SI bus and through a second isolator. The data transmission over the SI bus is in accordance with a proprietary serial transmission protocol described below.

For decades, servers and other types of electronic devices have been implemented with input/output (I/O) devices. One type of I/O device is a serial port, which is normally a 9-pin or 25-pin connector positioned along a physically accessible portion of the electronic device. Since data is normally processed in parallel within an electronic device, the serial port is adapted to convert data from a parallel format into a serial format. A serial universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (hereinafter referred to as a "UART") normally performs this format conversion.
As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional multi-port serial line circuit 110 implemented within an electronic device is shown. The conventional serial line circuit 110 features a plurality of serial UARTs 1201-1208 as well as corresponding dual channel opto-isolators 1301-1308 and serial line drivers 1401-1408.
As shown, each serial UART 1201, . . . , or 1208 is configured to convert bytes received from internal circuitry of the electronic device into a serial bitstream. The serial bitstream is routed to corresponding serial line drivers 1401-1408, which buffer incoming data, as needed, and drive the data onto a serial interconnect coupled thereto.
In order to provide voltage isolation, a single opto-isolator 1301, . . . , or 1308 is positioned between a serial UART 1201-1208 and its corresponding serial line driver 1401-1408, respectively. An "opto-isolator" is a semiconductor device that allows signals to be transferred between circuits, but keeping those circuits electrically isolated from each other. This protects the circuitry from damage from electrical transients (e.g., electrical surges, ground potential differences, etc.).
Herein, each opto-isolator 1301, . . . , or 1308 comprises a diode (e.g., light-emitting diode "LED", infrared-emitting diode "IRED" or laser diode) for signal transmission, and a photosensor for signal reception. The diode converts an electrical signal into a beam of visible, modulated light or infrared (IR). The beam crosses a transparent gap and is picked up by the photosensor. The photosensor converts the light beam or IR back into an output electrical signal. The output electrical signal is identical to the input electrical signal, although the input and output amplitudes may differ. Normally, the opto-isolator 1301, . . . , or 1308 is enclosed in a single package appearing as an integrated circuit or a canned transistor with extra leads.
This architecture poses a number of disadvantages, especially for electronic devices having multiple serial ports. For instance, one disadvantage is that the total costs incurred in supporting multiple serial ports, such as a 24-serial port terminal server for example, is substantial. For instance, 24 opto-isolators generally cost around $54 in today's market. These costs normally prompt manufacturers to discontinue using such circuits and provide consumers with inferior electronic devices, or such costs are passed on to consumers.
Another disadvantage is that these opto-isolators occupy a substantial amount of real estate when mounted on a circuit board. Thus, any reduction in the number of requisite opto-isolators would free board area and enable smaller electronic devices.
Yet another disadvantage is that these opto-isolators require power at the electrically isolated side, which is expensive to supply. Thus, any reduction in the number of opto-isolators would provide useful power and cost savings.

Serial line circuit, an apparatus implemented with a serial line circuit, and method thereof


A line of sight antenna supported in an upturned terminal winglet or similar vertical member of an aircraft is disclosed. An aperture is formed in the conductive winglet or vertical member, and the antenna is supported within the aperture by a support mechanism such that the antenna is exposed to the line of sight transmissions. A non-conductive covering may also be used for the aperture. Using the cover, the antenna within the winglet can be configured so that it does not alter the appearance or aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft. Alternatively, the antenna can be coupled to the outside of the winglet or vertical member if cosmetics are not a concern. The frequency range of the antenna can be tuned to cover desired frequency ranges. The antenna position at the winglet maintains a large physical separation from fuselage-mounted antennas thereby reducing interference.

Certain antennas installed within aircraft exist in the prior art. However, current art aircraft antennas have a co-location interference problem with other radios and their antennas that occur, mainly due to their location in the aircraft fuselage. When antennas are added to an aircraft fuselage an extensive coupling analysis is required, and subsequent relocation of several existing antennas usually has to occur. Further, the addition of current art antennas can alter the cosmetic appearance of the aircraft, or can alter or degrade the aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft. Other attempts to add a line of sight antenna involve installation of monopole antennas to the aircraft fuselage. As the number of antennas increases, reduced spacing with consequential reduction of electrical isolation must be accepted. One current state of art High Frequency (HF) antenna installed in a right winglet of a GIII aircraft has a ⅝ inch diameter curved tube, but is not appropriate to service a Very High Frequency (VHF) radio.

Very high frequency line of sight winglet antenna

L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, L.P.


A switching device for connections between electric circuits is provided, which comprises a toggle contact element oscillatably movable about a fulcrum, an operating push-button, and spring means interposed between the toggle element and the operating push-button and having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the fulcrum and susceptible of being elastically deformed by the operating push-button according to a side deflection relative to its own longitudinal axis.

The present invention relates to a switching device for connections between electric circuits comprising at least one toggle contact element oscillatably movable about a fulcrum between two operating end positions, one operating push-button adapted to exert a command force on said toggle element, said push-button being movable between two control positions corresponding to said two operating positions of the toggle element, and spring means interposed between said toggle contact element and operating push-button and adapted to exert an elastic thrust for locking said push-button to either one of said control positions and said toggle element to a corresponding one of the operating positions thereof.
It is known that switching devices for connections between electric circuits can, depending on their construction mode, perform various different functions, as on-off switches, double-throw switches and the like, for example.
Practically, each of said devices generally has, in addition to fixed contacts necessary for carrying out the intended function and integral with a support structure, a toggle contact element, that is an element oscillatably movable about a fulcrum between two operating end positions, each adapted to create an electric continuity for example, between the toggle element itself and one of the fixed contacts.
Displacement of the toggle element to either one of its operating positions is caused by an operating push-button manually operable between two stable control positions, each corresponding to one of the two operating positions of said toggle element.
The operating push-button, by interposition of appropriate actuator elements and spring means, is caused to exert an elastic command force on the toggle element which, when said toggle element is in its operating positions, is converted into an elastic locking thrust adapted to carry out a mating load between the movable and fixed contacts, which load should never be under a preestablished minimum value.
For example, in a first device of known type, the spring means consists of a spiral spring fitted in the operating push-button and having its longitudinal axis lying in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the toggle element fulcrum. Interposed between the spring, subjected to deformation in terms of shortening and lengthening along its own longitudinal axis, and the toggle element is a thrust element in the form of a ball or a runner which, during displacement of the push-button between its control positions, slides over a portion of the toggle element itself causing it to oscillate from one to the other of its operating positions.
In a second device of known type, the spring means consists of a longitudinal portion of the toggle element itself cut in the form of a blade so that it acts as a leaf spring, that is as a flexible element put into contact with a control finger or pin projecting inwardly from the operating push-button and integral therewith. In this second type of device as well, the end of the control pin, as the push-button is pressed and rotates, slides along the leaf-spring blade exploiting the elastic deformation in a plane transverse to the fulcrum and causes passage of the toggle element to a new operating position.
The known art briefly described above has some important limits and drawbacks.
In fact, first of all, both the above mentioned devices have elements that, by sliding on a portion of the toggle element, cause a friction force thereon of a non-negligible amount and corresponding to the elastic reaction exerted by the spring or the leaf-spring blade. This friction force inhibits an immediate tripping or jumping from one end position to the other of the push-button and therefore of the toggle element operated thereby, so that a user is obliged to press the push-button for some time in order to follow its movement for part of its displacement. Practically, above all after many operating cycles and consequently due to a partial yielding of the elastic elements, in some cases one or more unstable balance positions intermediate the end stability positions of the push-button and related toggle element can occur, thereby producing clear damages from the point of view of the electric operability.
In addition, the mentioned friction force gives rise to wear of the sliding elements in time and therefore limits the efficient operating duration of the device. On the other hand, in the known art it is impossible to select springs or leaf springs of lower elastic stiffness to limit sliding frictions, because electrically appropriate mating thrusts are to be ensured between the movable contact and fixed contacts.
It is to be added that the devices of known type, due to their structural conformation, carry out elastic thrusts of less amount on the toggle element, as the toggle element moves close to its operating end positions. In fact, for example, in the first-mentioned device the spiral spring of the compression type is more elongated at said end positions and therefore in this situation exerts less elastic force. Possible additional pressures on the command key that has already reached a stability end position lead to a further elongation of the elastic element and, instead of increasing the contact or mating force between the contacts, bring about a reduction in said force, that is a partial discharge between the contacts that can even give rise in some cases to formation of sparks and electric arcs.
This situation, which is particularly dangerous, may also occur in the case of devices subjected to vibrations, as it often happens in applications to apparatuses of various kinds which, by causing slight oscillations of the push-button and the toggle element about their operating positions, can give rise to reductions in the contact forces applied through the elastic elements.
From a construction point of view too the devices of known type have a structure which, for the purpose of keeping an assembled condition and therefore being able to be easily transported, requires a complete mounting of all its component parts and in particular the operating push-button. Under some situations this represents a serious limit because in this case it is necessary for said push-button to be selected already during the initial production step and cannot be optionally added in a subsequent time depending on the specific personalization requirements or operating needs.

Switching device for connections between electric circuits


A paging system using synchronized transmission protocol and pagers active during monitor intervals to receive data transmitted during corresponding message intervals is provided with adaptive on-off radio receiver control for reducing monitor interval duration to conserve battery power. The adaptive on-off control is a function of recent timing errors and thereby accounts for environmental conditions.

Many radio pagers are small portable devices carried by individuals. Since they are portable devices, pagers carry a battery power source requiring replacement or recharge. In order to avoid frequent charging it is desirable that pager radio receivers be power efficient.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,808, issued Dec. 15, 1987 to Gaskill, et al., pager power consumption is greatly reduced by a transmission protocol wherein radio receivers of individual pagers are only active during predetermined time slots. The broadcast stations which transmit messages are programmed to broadcast message data for a each pager during the time slots associated with that pager.
Transmission protocols, such as the above described Gaskill system, necessarily use a monitor interval longer than the associated time slot to compensate for unpredicted timing errors or inaccuracies. A longer monitor interval increases the probability that the radio receiver will be turned on to capture radio transmitted message data during the associated time slot. Since the monitor interval is longer than the time slot, the radio receiver is on for a time before the associated time slot. Such additional radio receiver on time contributes to inefficient power consumption. It is, therefore, desirable that the monitor interval be long enough to reliably receive message data, yet short enough to improve power conservation.
As the operating environment for each pager changes, its timing circuitry is affected and its timing or synchronization capability is thereby degraded and a monitor interval longer than the associated time slot is necessary. More particularly, to maintain high message reliability, it has been necessary to initiate the monitor interval in advance of the target time slot to accommodate a broad range of potential variations in environmental conditions through the lifetime of the pager. At one extreme of this range, prevailing environmental conditions cause the monitor interval to begin just before the target time slot. At the opposite extreme, prevailing conditions cause initiation of the monitor interval long before the target time slot. Such conservative measures taken to insure message reliability, however, contribute to excess power consumption.

Adaptive on-off control for radio receiver


A vehicle operation assembly comprising: stairs including a step; and a vehicle operation system positioned behind the stairs such that the step of the stairs is exposed for use in front of the vehicle operation system, the stairs being adapted to permit access to the vehicle operation system. The vehicle operation system may include a sleeper cab heater, a hydraulic system, a diesel generator, or a fuel supplement system such as a hydrogen generating system.

Transport trucks have limited available space for vehicle operation systems and equipment. While it would be desirable to provide various vehicle operational systems on a transport truck, space limitations often restrict the optional equipment that can be installed thereon. As such, many vehicle operation systems that are optional are eliminated in favor of allotting space to more critical vehicle operation systems. Some vehicle operation systems include, for example, sleeper compartment heaters, hydraulic power packs, diesel generators, and fuel supplement systems, such as hydrogen generating apparatus.
Hydrogen generating apparatus have been used on motor vehicles to supplement the fuel used to drive the vehicle. The use of hydrogen as a supplemental fuel in motor vehicle engines has been proposed to increase the performance of the engine. Hydrogen and oxygen, when used as part of the air/fuel mixture for the operation of the engine, have been found to increase the performance of the engine by increasing the mileage and by reducing the amount of emissions from the engine. The hydrogen and oxygen may be generated through electrolysis of an aqueous solution with the gases given off being mixed with the charge of fuel and air supplied to the engine.
Although hydrogen generating apparatus have proven useful, some vehicles such as larger trucks simply don't have the room to accommodate the apparatus. This disadvantage has limited the widespread acceptance of hydrogen generating apparatus.


An apparatus can withdraw a sample from a vessel or conduit or provide a sample to this vessel or conduit. This apparatus includes a main body with an inlet passage and drain passage. The main body has a longitudinal axis with the axes of the drain passage and inlet passage being inclined relative thereto. A flexible bellows is positioned within an internal cavity of the main body. A sealing tip of the bellows is movable by a valve operating rod to close an orifice to a sample cavity within the body. A sample can be taken from the vessel or conduit, through this sample cavity and out the drain passage to a sampling device when the apparatus is used as a sampler. On the other hand, a sample can be fed through the inlet passage, sample cavity and orifice to the vessel or conduit when the apparatus is used as a feeder/inoculator. Steam, pure dry air and/or a wash medium can be provided through the inlet passage to cleanse the apparatus. Crevices and exposure to moving parts are avoided in the apparatus to prevent contamination of the sample. This apparatus can be retrofitted to existing containers or vessels and can be automatically controlled and monitored.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automated sample extractor or feeder/inoculator for a vessel or conduit. This vessel or conduit can be a bioreactor or other similar equipment.
2. Description of the Background Art
Development of new or more efficient commercialization of existing products requires faster and more effective methods to measure process variables. This is particularly true in processes which require cell culture and fermentation processes conducted in bioreactors where the accuracy of measurements in the research and development are critical for achieving economic production of high purity and highly refined end products.
Some factors which must be controlled include temperature and pressure. These factors are easily measured by utilizing standard sensors. However, many other factors can be measured only by removing samples for external laboratory analysis. The frequency of sample extraction for testing and measurement, number of tests on each sample and the time constraints on the process vary widely as do the methods and equipment used to obtain the samples.
In most cases, measurement processes for variables do not lend themselves to in-situ measurement by remote sensors directly in the process. Instead, samples must be physically extracted from the process and examined and manipulated outside the vessel or conduit. Before this examination and manipulation process can be effectively carried out either in a manual or automated fashion, a safe, effective means of sample extraction must be made available. This sampling process must provide a product that is an accurate subsample of the process composition.
Furthermore, since prior art designs do not lend themselves to use in existing systems, substantial modification to the system is required. The apparatus needs to minimize or eliminate the dangers associated with the sampling process in an efficient and cost effective manner while providing quality, reproducible results in order to be of value for commercial application.
One danger which must be avoided is danger to the operator or environment. When working with samples and especially hazardous samples, it is necessary to remove or feed/inoculate a sample without endangering the integrity of the process, subsequent samples, the operator or the outside environment. Many prior art devices are unsatisfactory in this area.
Also, some prior art systems are not automated. Therefore, there is potential danger posed by human procedural errors and operator and environmental exposure. Accordingly, a need exists for an automatable apparatus with the capacity for independent verification of equipment operation built in.
The materials being sampled themselves are often expensive. Therefore, excessive removal of sample should be avoided.
When taking samples, it is often important to maintain an aseptic environment. It is important that contamination from previous sampling or from the environment not contaminate the current sample or the process being sampled. Loss of a sample run or contamination of the process can have extremely expensive ramifications. Therefore, it is important to obtain a sample without the sampling procedure causing contamination.
Many prior art devices permit accumulation or pooling of samples or cleansing medium. When the device is first used this may not create a problem; however, upon subsequent runs, the samples will be contaminated or at least diluted.
Additionally in the prior art, technology used for taking samples is generally unsatisfactory for feeding/inoculating the vessel or container.

Automated sample extractor or feeder/inoculator for bioreactors and similar equipment


Systems and methods are provided for performing signal processing on communication data utilizing scale reduced Fast Fourier Transform computations. The present invention provides scaling in a Fast Fourier Transform computation at stages where it is determined that bit growth is present and omits scaling at stages where it is determined that bit growth is absent. The determination is based on the characteristics of the input signal. The determination can be made off-line by modeling and/or simulation or in real-time by analyzing the input signal to determine stages at which bit growth is present and/or absent and setting the stage scaling accordingly.

In most real time communication systems, digital signal processing algorithms are implemented using finite precision arithmetic. Data is often mapped from the time domain to the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The FFT is a generic name for a class of computationally efficient computations that implement the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and are widely utilized in digital signal processing. The FFT computation or operation can occur several times during a signal processing portion of a communication system. In signal processing, input signals are a sample of data points that represent amplitude and phase information, which are then reduced to complex numbers that are processed to extract weighted impulse function values. The FFT processing is performed by combinations of complex multiplications and complex additions. Each time FFT computations are performed bit growth can occur, which can compromise signal fidelity if not properly addressed with corrective measures (e.g., scaling).
Many real time communication systems utilize fixed-point digital signal processors (DSPs) to perform the FFT computations. The fixed-point DSP is highly programmable and cost efficient. However, a drawback is that the fixed-point DSP has limited dynamic range, which can be worsened by summation overflow problems that occur in FFT computations. It is common to break a FFT computation into a series of stages when implementing a FFT in a fixed-point processor such as a DSP. The simplest stage is commonly referred to as a Radix-2 stage. A FFT operation can be expressed in terms of only Radix-2 stages by taking advantage of the twiddle factor periodicity. The FFT is simply divided into two smaller FFTs, each of which is then divided into two smaller FFTs. This process is repeated until each FFT operates on only two data values. This simplified FFT can be graphically represented with a Radix-2 butterflies. A FFT consisting of only Radix-2 butterflies contains Log2(N) stages and each stage contains N/2 butterflies, with N being the number of input data values for the FFT operation.
Each Radix-2 butterfly contains two nodes for complex addition and one node for a twiddle factor multiplication. Since each real addition can potentially result in one bit of growth, the input data is scaled so that the result from the addition does not exceed the permissible number of bits. For example, if 16 bits are used to represent data, then the data must first be scaled by ½ so that the result can be represented by a 16-bit value. For each additional Radix-2 stage, an additional scale factor usually is required. In general, a scale factor for 1/Log2(N) is created for a N-point FFT to account for the potential bit growth in all of the associated stages.
However, the employment of FFTs and IFFTs on signals is computationally expensive. Furthermore, many DSPs are not equipped to handle FFT computations in a timely manner to accommodate for other computations being performed on data. In some circumstances, parallel processing has been employed to handle the computations, but generally requires additional system costs and/or system real estate. Therefore, any reduction in computations of a FFT is desirable.

Systems and methods for improving FFT signal-to-noise ratio by identifying stage without bit growth


A pipe coupler for use in connecting a pair of automotive exhaust pipe ends each having a circumferential rib. The pipe coupler includes a ribbed band and internal split sealing sleeve along with a tightening mechanism for clamping the band and sleeve over the pipe ends. The sealing sleeve fits within the band and both the sleeve and band have a pair of ribs positioned to fit over the ribs on the pipe ends. The sleeve extends circumferentially from a first end to a second end, and includes a tongue-and-groove sealing configuration located axially inwardly of the ribs at the first and second ends. Each tongue has a particular construction that accommodates larger clamp opening dimensions required to fit the coupler over the pipe ribs during assembly. The sleeve can include inwardly protruding sealing beads that help prevent leakage of exhaust gases from the pipe junction.

A typical vehicle exhaust system includes an assembly of tubes, or pipes, that provide transport of engine exhaust gases. Each individual pipe section is connected to another pipe section to form a complete exhaust system assembly. Such connections are usually either telescopic or as an end-to-end abutting connection. To be effective, the connection formed between these pipes should provide a suitable fluid-tight seal against exhaust gas leakage. The connection should also have a high degree of mechanical strength and be capable of being disassembled for possible maintenance and repair.
Pipe couplers are often used for exhaust systems where the pipe sections are axially joined in an end-to-end configuration. A conventional pipe coupler includes a band having a generally circular conformation and terminating in opposing connecting flanges that can be drawn together or loosened via a fastener or other tightening mechanism. A reaction member can be provided between the flanges to help provide an even distribution of circumferential forces on the pipes as the band is tightened. Often, the pipe coupler will include an internal split sealing sleeve with mating circumferential ends that engage each other during tightening to produce a gas-tight seal. U.S. application Publication No. 2002/0014772 A1 published Feb. 7, 2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,501 to Amedure et al.) is an example of such a pipe coupler having a split sealing sleeve, and the entire contents of that published application are hereby incorporated by reference.
In the Amedure patent, each tongue of the split sealing sleeve shown in FIGS. 3-7 comprises a pair of spring members that during tightening engage converging side edges of their associated groove with the spring members being deflected inwardly towards each other as they are forced farther into the groove. The outward force of the spring arms against the angled side edges of the groove maintain good contact with the groove side edges to provide a seal against gas leakage. In this Amedure patent, the tongue-and-groove mating portions are located towards the axial extents of the sleeve. In particular, the center of each tongue-and-groove mating portion is spaced in from its nearest axial end of the sealing sleeve by a distance of about 17-22% of the total axial width of the sleeve.
Ribbed band clamps that were originally designed for catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters having diameters much larger than typical automotive exhaust pipes are shown and described in U.S. patent application Publication No. 2003/0015872 A1 published Jan. 23, 2003 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,780 to Potts et al.), the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The ribs of the band clamp engage corresponding beads or ribs of the exhaust system canisters (or other tubular bodies) being joined to provide the joint with good strength against tensile (pull-apart) forces. For protection against gas leakage, one of the disclosed clamps uses a gasket along with a version of the tongue-and-groove sealing structure from Amedure's patent in which the circumferential ends of the band itself have a tongue-and-groove mating structure located within ribs of a separate pair of strap sections that are provided as a part of the tightening mechanism.
Although the band clamps of the Potts patent can be used for exhaust component canisters and smaller diameter pipes as well, the inventors have found that the design of the band clamps disclosed in the Potts patent do not provide a sufficiently strong and gas-tight connection for certain automotive exhaust applications. Similarly, although the pipe coupler of the Amedure patent is suitable for many automotive applications, there continues to be a demand within the automotive industry to develop pipe couplers that offer increased performance in terms of pull-apart strength, gas tightness, and/or various other parameters.


The present invention relates to a recording/reproducing apparatus which records an effective transmit information signal on a recording medium in a high-efficiency coded form and decodes the high-efficiency coded signal read from the recording medium to recover the original information signal. At the time of recording or dubbing of the recovered information signal on another recording medium, the information signal, a control signal indicating whether or not the information signal has been subjected to high-efficiency coding and decoding processes and a specific signal indicating a specific value used in the high-efficiency coding and decoding processes when the information signal has been subjected to the high-efficiency coding and decoding processes are transmitted, thereby preventing the deterioration of data due to the high-efficiency coding.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recording/reproducing apparatus for recording transmitted information signals, such as digital picture data, on a recording medium in a high-efficiency coded form and reproducing the original information signals by decoding high-efficiency coded signals read from the magnetic medium. More specifically, the present invention relates to a recording/reproducing apparatus which prevents data deterioration due to the high-efficiency coding at a time of double recording (hereinafter referred to as dubbing) for recording information signals reproduced from a recording medium to another recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is well known, the standardization of techniques of high-efficiency coding of digital data is being pushed actively. At present there are three standards: Recommendation H261 for television conference/television telephone; JPEG (Joint Picture Experts Group) for color still pictures; and MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) for storage media such as CD (Compact Disc)--ROM (Read Only Memory) (NIKKEI ELECTRONICS, 1990. 10. 15 (No. 511) P.124-P.129). On the other hand, digital recording/reproducing apparatus is also being developed which records information signals on recording medium in a high-efficiency coded form and decoding high-efficiency coded information signals read from the recording medium to thereby reproduce original information signals. As such a digital recording/reproducing apparatus, video cassette recorders (VCRs) using magnetic tape as recording medium and IC (Integrated Circuit) memory devices using semiconductor memories as recording media have been developed.
At present the leading high-efficiency coding technique uses orthogonal transformation which is referred to as DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform).
FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art high-efficiency coding system using the DCT technique. In FIG. 1, an input terminal 11 is supplied with a digital picture signal as an effective transmission information signal. The digital picture data is transmitted on a field-sequential basis in the NTSC system. Thus, a successive two fields stored in a frame memory 12 produce one frame of digital picture signal. In this case, the digital picture data is produced by encoding a luminance signal Y, a red signal component Cr and a blue signal component Cb. Unless otherwise specified, the luminance signal Y is taken as an example in the following description.
When one frame of digital picture data is sampled at, for example, 4 fsc (14.3 MHz), the number of pixels on one horizontal line is 910 because there are 910 samples in the horizontal direction. There are 525 lines in the vertical direction and thus the number of pixels in the vertical direction is 525. That is, the total number of pixels at the time of sampling is 910.times.525. However, only about 80% of the total number of pixels (768 pixels in the horizontal direction.times.488 pixels in the vertical direction) can be watched on the screen as effective pixels. The effective pixels form digital picture data applied to the input terminal as an effective transmit information signal. One frame of digital picture data stored in the frame memory 12 is read in blocks of four pixels (horizontal).times.four pixels (vertical) and applied to a DCT circuit 13 where the digital data is subjected to an orthogonal transformation process on a block-by-block basis.
The orthogonal transformation transforms digital picture data from time axis to frequency axis on a block basis and produces low frequency components and high frequency components in the order of increasing frequency two-dimensionally in the horizontal and vertical directions. The data is arranged such that it changes from direct current through low frequency to high frequency as an arrow indicating a zigzag scan shown in FIG. 2 advances in the horizontal and vertical directions. The data subjected to the orthogonal transformation is delayed by a frame delay circuit 14 by a one-frame period of time corresponding to a calculating time of an activity calculation circuit 22 described later and then applied to a scan conversion circuit 15.
The scan conversion circuit 15 scans data of a block in such a zigzag manner as indicated by an arrow of FIG. 2 on the basis of the contents recorded in a standard scan table 16 and rearranges them one-dimensionally so that direct current components and high frequency components can be output in sequence in the order of increasing frequency in the horizontal and vertical directions. This is because, from the standpoint of reproduction of an original image when the bit rate is decreased, sequential transmission of a direct current component and a high frequency component in the order of increasing frequency can reproduce a visually good image at a lower bit rate and, hence, with higher efficiency. The data scanned and converted in such a manner is generally larger in data amount than the original digital image data. Thus, data compression is not achieved without modification. For this reason, a quantization circuit 17 is used for requantization.
The quantization circuit 17 decreases data amount by dividing the scan-converted data by the result of multiplication of the contents recorded in a basic quantization table 18 and a coefficient a, which will be described later, by a multiplication circuit 19. The data requantized by the quantization circuit 17 is further applied to a variable-length coding circuit 20 for efficient transmission coding. The coding technique, which is most used by the variable-length coding circuit 20 is the Huffman coding or Run length coding, in which the number of successive 0s and the number of the following digits other than 0 in a requantized output are combined to allocate fewer bits in the order of decreasing probability of its occurrence. The number of bits is two at a minimum and several tens at a maximum. Thus, the data compression is performed on the digital image data. The data subjected to the data compression is taken from an output terminal 21 and then recorded on a recording medium (not shown).
In order to compress data while keeping picture quality, the requantizing process by the quantization circuit 17 is the most important. The performance of the requantization depends on calculation of the coefficient a, by which the basic quantization table 18 is multiplied, according to the basic quantization table 18 and the input digital image data. The picture definition (a rate at which fine detail and high frequency components are contained in a picture) is used for the calculation. That is, the coefficient a is calculated by the activity calculation circuit 22 using, as a measure of evaluation, a standard deviation or a quantity extracted from high frequency components output from the DCT circuit 13. The result of this calculation is converted to the coefficient a by a coefficient conversion circuit 23, which is in turn applied to a multiplication circuit 19.
At the time of reproducing of the high-efficiency coded data from the recording medium, the variable-length coded data is read from the recording medium and then subjected to processes which are the inverse of those at the time of the coding of data, i.e., inverse quantization, inverse scan conversion and inverse DCT processing. Thereby, the original digital picture data is recovered and displayed as a picture.
However, the conventional high-efficiency coding system using the DCT technique described above suffers from the following problems. Suppose now that an original picture signal is recorded on a first recording medium in the high-efficiency coded form. Further suppose that such outputs of the scan conversion circuit 15 as shown in FIG. 3A are applied to the quantization circuit 17, such contents as shown in FIG. 3B are recorded in the basic quantization table 18 and the coefficient a at this time is 2. Then, the quantization circuit 17, which multiplies each of the values of the basic quantization circuit 18 by the coefficient "2" and divides a corresponding input value of the quantization circuit 17 by each of the multiplication results. As shown in FIG. 3C, therefore, each output of the quantization circuit 17 is decreased in quantity of data. The data compressed as shown in FIG. 3C is subjected to the variable-length coding process and then recorded on the first recording medium.
At the time of reproducing of the first recording medium, expansion of data is performed by the inverse quantization processing of multiplying each input value of the basic quantization table 18 by the coefficient "2" used at the time of the compression and multiplying each value compressed as shown in FIG. 3C by a corresponding one of the multiplication results. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3D, of the results of the inverse quantization, the portions marked with .times.have values smaller than corresponding original values shown in FIG. 3A. That is, data deterioration occurs in those portions. However, with the high-efficiency coding process using the DCT technique, such a degree of data deterioration is inevitable because it is an irreversible coding system and is not a problem to be solved by the present invention (at this time, truncating process is used for the calculation, discarding the decimal fractions).
A problem to be solved by the present invention arises when data is reproduced from the first recording medium and then recorded on a second recording medium, namely, at a time of dubbing. Suppose now that the outputs of FIG. 3D obtained by inverse quantization of the reproduced data from the first recording medium are recorded on the second recording medium. Suppose that, in the apparatus for recording data on the second recording medium, the coefficient a is calculated on the basis of the reduced data shown in FIG. 3D to be "1.8" which is 10% smaller than "2". Then, the recording apparatus multiplies each value of the basic quantization table 18 shown in FIG. 3B by the coefficient "1.8" and divides each value of FIG. 3D by a corresponding one of the multiplication results. As a result, values shown in FIG. 4A are obtained. The data compressed as shown in FIG. 4A is recorded variable-length coded on the second recording medium.
At the time of reproducing of the second recording medium, the apparatus performs data expansion by the inverse quantizing process of multiplying each value of the basic quantization table by the coefficient "1.8" used at the time of the data compression and multiplying each of the values compressed as shown in FIG. 4A by a corresponding one of the multiplication results. FIG. 4B shows the results of the inverse quantization. All the values are smaller than corresponding values of FIG. 3D and data is deteriorated considerably. If data reproduced from the second recording medium is dubbed onto a third recording medium, more serious data deterioration will occur.
That is, a problem arises in the case of dubbing digital data reproduced from a recording medium onto another recording medium using the high-efficiency coding and decoding system in that the more the number of times of the dubbing increases, the greater is the data deterioration due to the use of the irreversible high-efficiency coding and decoding system.

Recording/reproducing apparatus including control signal indicating high-efficiency coding


An inflatable boat includes a hull-bottom backing sheet member, a hull-bottom top sheet member, transom strips bonded between the hull-bottom backing sheet member and the hull-bottom top sheet member, left and right sheet members bonded to the hull-bottom backing sheet member outside the hull-bottom top sheet member to form two lateral air chambers and to have the bonding areas between the hull-bottom backing sheet member and the left and right sheet members be kept above the waterline, and a V-shaped front piece formed on the middle of the front side of the hull bottom of the inflatable boat for breaking water (waves).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to inflatable technology and more particularly, to an inflatable board, which comprises a relatively larger hull-bottom backing sheet member for hull bottom, a relatively smaller hull-bottom top sheet member for hull top, transom strips bonded between the hull-bottom backing sheet member and the hull-bottom top sheet member, left and right sheet members bonded to opposing protruding side edges of the hull-bottom backing sheet member outside the hull-bottom top sheet member to form two lateral air chambers to let the bonding areas between the two opposite side edges of the hull-bottom backing sheet member and the two opposite outer side edges of the left and right sheet members be kept above the waterline of the inflatable boat, wherein the hull-bottom backing sheet member has a V-cut located in a front side thereof on the middle, and the internal margin of the V-cut is sealed with a sealing strip to form a V-shaped front piece on the middle of the front side of the hull bottom of the inflatable boat for breaking water (waves).
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional inflatable boats commonly have the hull made by bonding plastic or rubber sheet members together to form air chambers therein for floating on water. In these conventional inflatable boats, the hull comprises a hull bottom, and two lateral air chambers bonded to two opposite lateral sides of the hull bottom. The bonding areas between the hull bottom and the lateral air chambers are disposed at the bottom side of the lateral air chamber under the waterline of the boat. If the boat is soaked in water for a long period of time, the bonded seam between the hull bottom and each lateral air chamber will break, leading to leakage. When leaks developed, an expensive maintenance work must be taken, and the lifespan of the boat can be shortened.
There are two different structures of inflatable boats commercially available, namely, the flat hull bottom type and the V-shaped hull bottom type. An inflatable boat of flat hull bottom is easy to fabricate, however, it has the drawback of bad turning flexibility. When changing the sailing direction of the boat at a high speed, the center of gravity of the hull cannot be automatically balanced, and the crew can be thrown out of the boat if the centrifugal force experienced by the crew.
A float of V-shaped hull bottom is complicated to fabricate. However, when changing the sailing direction of the boat at a high speed, due to the design of the V-shaped hull bottom, the hull will incline inwards, causing the induced centrifugal force to be set off by the V-shaped hull bottom and the buoyancy of water, and thus, the crew will not be thrown out of the boat.
The hull of an inflatable boat of either flat hull bottom type or V-shaped hull bottom type must have a certain degree of stiffness so that the hull will not be forced to deform when it withstands a thrust or the resistance of water.
In order to enhance the stiffness of the hull, a solid material can be attached to the hull bottom. A normal inflatable boat is characterized by the advantages of convenience in use, less storage occupation, no need of installation skill. Adding a solid material to the hull bottom will destruct the aforesaid three advantages.


The present invention discloses a method and device for transmitting ACK/NACK indication information. A network-side device configures at least two carriers for a UE; transmits PDCCH information to the UE; selects one of at least two timing relationships as a first timing relationship; determines a corresponding third uplink subframe and first carrier; indicate related information corresponding to the third uplink subframe and the first carrier to the UE; in the third uplink subframe of the first carrier, determines a first channel resource, and indicates the first channel resource to the UE; and receives an ACK/NACK fed back by the UE on the allocated resource.

In an LTE (Long Term Evolution, long term evolution) TDD (Time Division Duplex, time division duplex) or FDD (Frequency Division Duplex, frequency division duplex) system, or a system where TDD and FDD carriers are aggregated, a base station may configure at least two carriers for a UE (User Equipment, user equipment), and transmit data to the UE through at least two carriers, where the configuration is referred to as carrier aggregation. The base station transmits PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel, physical downlink control channel) information to the UE in a downlink subframe, where the PDCCH information indicates scheduling information of a PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel, physical downlink shared channel) carried in the downlink subframe. The UE determines an uplink subframe according to a timing relationship between the subframe carrying the PDSCH and a subframe carrying an ACK (acknowledgement) or NACK (negative acknowledgement) corresponding to the PDSCH, and feeds back the ACK/NACK corresponding to the PDSCH in the uplink subframe of a primary carrier.
For carrier aggregation, after the base station transmits downlink data to the UE, the UE needs to feed back a corresponding ACK/NACK to the base station, where, if the UE feeds back an ACK, it indicates that data transmission is correct, or if the UE feeds back a NACK, the base station initiates corresponding retransmission.
However, the conventional ACK/NACK transmission method is applicable to only carrier aggregation of at least two TDD carriers with the same uplink and downlink subframe configurations, or carrier aggregation of at least two FDD carriers. When at least two TDD carriers of different uplink and downlink subframe configurations are aggregated, or at least one FDD carrier and at least one TDD carrier are aggregated, especially when a TDD carrier is used as a primary carrier, it is possible that an ACK/NACK cannot be fed back on the primary carrier, and no solution for feeding back the ACK/NACK is available at present.

Method and device for transmitting acknowledgement or negative acknowledgement indication information


A portable communication device with multi-touch input detects one or more multi-touch contacts and motions and performs one or more operations on an object based on the one or more multi-touch contacts and/or motions. The object has a resolution that is less than a pre-determined threshold when the operation is performed on the object, and the object has a resolution that is greater than the pre-determined threshold at other times.

As portable devices become more compact, and the amount of information to be processed and stored increases, it has become a significant challenge to design a user interface that allows users to easily interact with the device. This is unfortunate because the user interface is the gateway through which users receive not only content but also responses to user actions or behaviors, including user attempts to access a device's features or tools. Some portable electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones) have resorted to adding more pushbuttons, overloading the functions of pushbuttons, or using complex menu systems to allow a user to access, store and manipulate data. These conventional interfaces often result in complex key sequences and menu hierarchies that must be memorized by the user. Indeed, some key sequences are so complex as to require two hands to complete.
Accordingly, there is a need for simpler, more intuitive user interfaces for portable devices that will enable a user to access, store and manipulate graphical objects and data without memorizing key sequences or menu hierarchies.

Portable electronic device with multi-touch input