A computed radiography plate including a substrate is provided. The computed radiography plate also includes at least one phosphor layer disposed above the substrate. The computed radiography plate also includes a protective layer disposed above the phosphor layer. The computed radiography plate further includes multiple patterns inscribed within at least one of the phosphor layer, the protective layer or the substrate.

The invention relates generally to computed radiography, and more particularly, to correction of spatial luminance variation in computed radiography plates.
Typically, a computed radiography plate acts as a reusable X-ray image storage device. The computed radiography plate is initially exposed to X-ray radiation and placed into a reader for read-out and erasure. The plate is ready for a new X-ray exposure after erasure. During read-out of a computed radiography plate, an initial pixel array representing stored X-ray intensities over the plate must be corrected to account for various stationary, spatial variations in a structure of the plate and additional optical system variations. For example, the size of phosphor grains typically may be of a similar size as that of the pixel that leads to small variations in image intensity if uncorrected. Further, it is required to minimize structure noise to less than +/−0.1% of peak signal levels.
One of the commonly known correction techniques includes scanning a generic test plate exposed with a uniform X-ray radiation pattern and further using resultant array of values to produce a calibration image. The calibration image is used to compensate for large-scale grain noise and variation in optical transmission in a detection system. To achieve a highest signal-to-noise ratio in a range of greater than 200-300 to 1, detector elements need to be repositioned exactly each time a specific plate is read. Further, each detector pixel needs to be placed within a small fraction of a phosphor grain diameter.
However, it is not possible to passively mechanically align a plate relative to the detector elements to guarantee translation errors and rotational errors less than a desirable range due to large size and inherent flexibility of the plate. Moreover, most fixturing methods in use typically cause damage to a surface of the plate if improperly adjusted, thus limiting reuse of the plate.
Therefore, an improved system and method for correcting spatial luminance variation is desirable to address one or more of the aforementioned issues.

System and method for correcting spatial luminance variation of computed radiography image plates


The invention relates to a reaction system and process for continuously preparing polymethoxy dimethyl ether (DMM3-8) by a continuous acetalization reaction between an aqueous formaldehyde solution or paraformaldehyde and methanol in the presence of a functionalized acidic ionic liquid as a catalyst. The reaction system of the invention preferably comprises a formaldehyde-concentrating unit, a vacuum-drying unit, an acetalization reaction unit, a product-separating unit and a catalyst-regenerating unit. The process of the invention uses aqueous formaldehyde solution as an initial raw material, which is concentrated in the formaldehyde-concentrating unit to a concentrated formaldehyde of 50˜80 wt. %, and vacuum-dried to paraformaldehyde, or uses paraformaldehyde as raw material directly, then obtains DMM3-8 by an acetalization reaction. The raw materials of the reaction used in the invention are cheap and available easily, and the utilization rate of formaldehyde is high; an efficient separation between the catalyst and product, as well as the reuse of the catalyst and raw materials, are realized by a separation mode of combining extraction and rectification together.

The middle part of polymethoxy dimethyl ether (CH3O(CH2O)nCH3, DMMn, n=1−8) is paraformaldehyde, and the both ends thereof are terminated by methyl groups. DMMn, wherein n is ≦5, has excellent solubility and very high permeability, is miscible with water and many organic solvents, and can be widely used in industrial solvents, pigment dispersants, or the like. DMMn is also an oxygen-containing blending component with great potential for diesel fuel, which has high cetane numbers (DMM2: 63, DMM3: 78, DMM4: 90, DMM5: 100) and high oxygen contents (42%-49%). Addition of DMMn in a amount of 10-20 v/v % to diesel fuel can improve the combustion characteristics of the diesel fuel significantly, increase the thermal efficiency effectively, and reduce the emission of NOx and carbon soot greatly. It was reported (U.S. Pat. No. 7,235,113) that the emission of the NOx, particulates and hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas can satisfy the Euro V criteria by adding 15 v/v % of DMM3-6 to diesel fuel.
A conventional process for synthesizing DMMn is by the acetalization reaction between a compound providing paraformaldehyde and a compound providing methyl groups for termination in the presence of an acidic catalyst. Since 2001, Snamprogetti S. P. A. (EP 1505049 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,534,685), BASF (WO 2006/045506 A1, CA 2581502 A1, US 20070260094 A1) and the like successively developed the processes for continuously preparing DMMn by the reaction between paraform or trioxymethylene and methanol, in which a liquid acid such as H2SO4 or CF3SO3H is employed as the catalyst; after the completion of the reaction, the catalyst and the by-product water were removed from the reaction liquid by adsorption with a silica gel or resin; then a two-stage rectification process is used to separate the unreacted raw materials, light components (DMM1-2), products (DMM3-5) and heavy components (DMMn≧5); and the raw materials of the reaction, the light components and the heavy components are recycled to the reactor for reuse. In the above-mentioned separation process, a great amount of adsorbents are used, the energy consumption is large, the catalyst cannot be recycled, and the cost of the raw materials is relatively high.
In 2008, BASF AG (US 20080207954 A1) investigated a process for preparing DMM1-5 by the reaction between formaldehyde and methanol in an aqueous solution, in which a liquid acid or a solid acid is used as a catalyst; the reaction liquids (DMM1-5, unreacted raw materials and water) are distilled out from the top of the rectification tower by the reaction rectification technique; then the light components (DMM1-2 and unreacted raw materials), the crude product (DMM3-4 and water) and the heavy components (DMMn>4) are separated by a multi-stage rectification process. DMM3-4 and water are separated by a phase separation technique from the crude product, and the light components and the heavy components are recycled to the reaction unit for reuse. During the practical operation, however, methanol, water and DMMn tend to form an azeotrope, so it is difficult to separate methanol from DMM3-4, and methanol has good miscibility with water together with DMM3-4, which renders the phase separation to be difficult.
In recent years, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences reported (U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,315,439, 13/164,677) a process for synthesizing DMMn by catalyzing the reaction between trioxymethylene and methanol with an ionic liquid, in which the reaction liquids were sequentially subjected to the following processes: flash distillation, thin film evaporation separation and phase separation, and thus the separation of the light components (DMM1-2, a portion of water, unreacted raw materials), the crude product DMM3-8, and the catalyst, are achieved. However, the crude product still contains a small amount of water and the catalyst, which need to be removed by adsorption with silica gel or an anion exchange resin in order to realize the refining of the product DMM3-8. In this process, the recovery rate of the catalyst is relatively low, the cost of the raw materials of the reaction is high, and the process flow is long.

Reaction system and process for preparing polymethoxy dimethyl ether

Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Of Sciences


An image processing device that performs color conversion processing using a lookup table (LUT) includes an acquiring unit that acquires an emulation LUT for applying emulation of a gamut to a target device from a device in use, the emulation LUT being generated using a device-in-use LUT for performing correction corresponding to input and output characteristics of the device in use and a target device LUT for performing correction corresponding to input and output characteristics of the target device, and a converting unit that performs gamut conversion in performing the emulation using the emulation LUT acquired by the LUT acquiring unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a color converting device that performs, when a first image processing device performs emulation for color reproduction using a second image processing device, color conversion for an image signal used in the first image processing device. The present invention also relates to a method for such emulation and a method of generating a three-dimensional lookup table used in the color conversion for the emulation. Moreover, the present invention relates to an image processing device including the three-dimensional lookup table for the emulation.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a patent document related to the present invention, there is JP-A-2006-19937.
In order to realize color reproduction between different kinds of devices or different kinds of media, it is necessary to correct a difference in a color range, i.e., a gamut, between input and output devices. A technique for the correction is called gamut conversion or gamut compression. For example, as a display output device that performs image display, there are a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a projector, a liquid crystal panel, and the like. As the projector, there are various projectors such as projectors of so-called DLP system and SXRD system and a film projector. As the liquid crystal panel, there are various liquid crystal panels such as a liquid crystal panel of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) backlight system. These display output devices have different gamuts as gamuts reproducible by the display output devices.
For example, in FIG. 21, a difference among gamuts of devices A to E, which represent the various display output devices, is shown as an XYZ chromaticity diagram.
Since the reproducible gamuts are different depending on the devices, for example, in order to cause a certain display output device to display a certain image signal, it is necessary to correct the image signal to be suitable for a gamut corresponding to the display output device.
When conversion of a gamut (compression of a gamut) is performed, it is a general practice to convert a color space with reference to a three-dimensional lookup table.
For example, as shown in FIG. 22, a three dimensional lookup table of a square cube having R, G, and B as axes (in the following explanation, lookup table may be referred to as "LUT" and three-dimensional lookup table may be referred to as "3DLUT") is conceivable. In this 3DLUT, R, G, and B values inputted are divided into seventeen coefficient points (lattice points of a 3D skeleton) on the axes, respectively, to form a table of 17×17×17 conversion table coefficients. There are 4913 (17×17×17) lattice points marked by black circles. Output R, G, and B values or coefficient values for deriving the output R, G, and B values are stored in the respective lattice points. In other words, an output RGB value is calculated from an input RGB value with reference to a certain lattice point.
An output value of an axis or a lattice point of the 3DLUT is not limited to an RGB value but may be values of other colorimetric systems.

Image processing device and image processing method performing color conversion processing using a lookup table


A sink according to the present invention includes a sink basin having a bottom surface and a top surface with at least one side wall extending therebetween. The sink includes a divider that may be inserted into or removed from an interior area of the sink for selectively dividing the basin into multiple smaller compartments. An electromagnet is positioned beneath the bottom surface of the sink and is attracted to a ferrous material on the bottom of the divider for holding the divider securely when actuated. Channels defined by the sink side wall and other sealing components establish a watertight seal between compartments when the electromagnet is actuated. The electromagnet may be connected to the residential power source and may be activated by a user or, automatically, by a sensor. When the divider is removed, the larger single basin may be used for washing larger items.

This invention relates generally to plumbing fixtures and, more particularly, to a sink with a removable divider for selectively utilizing the entire basin or dividing the basin into two portions.
Most residential sinks have two adjacent basins and are particularly useful for washing and rinsing dishes in sequence. Many commercial sinks, on the other hand, present a single larger basin for washing larger items. In the residential context, however, it is often desirable to wash pets, infants, grills, or other large items. A bathtub is sometimes used for this purpose as it presents a much larger basin even though it would be desirable to accomplish this task in the kitchen where countertops could be used. Various sink designs have been proposed in the art. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, these sink designs do not provide for a selectively and conveniently removable divider or do not provide a mechanism for sealing and unsealing the divider.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a sink with a removable divider for selectively separating a large single basin into multiple compartments. Further, it would be desirable to have a sink with a removable divider having an electromagnet that seals the divider when actuated and unseals the divider when not actuated. In addition, it would be desirable to have a sink with a removable divider that is safe and easy to use.


Disclosed are a structure and a method of manufacture of a chip composite electronic component with improved moisture resistance. A pair of end electrodes are formed on a surface of the substrate at opposite end portions thereof. An intermediate electrode is formed at a location between the end electrodes on the surface of the substrate. The intermediate electrode includes a lower electrode, a resistor electrode and a pad electrode formed continuous therebetween. Another element is formed on the lower electrode so as to be electrically connected between the lower electrode and one of the end electrodes. A resistance element is formed between the other of the end electrodes and the resistor electrode. A glass layer is formed to cover another element, the resistance element and the pad electrode. A protective layer of a synthetic resin is formed to cover the entire surface of the glass layer and part of each the end electrode.

This invention relates to a chip composite electronic component having a capacitor and a resistor of the thick-film type formed on a chip insulator substrate, and a method of manufacturing the same.
The composite component of this type, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, is structured by a capacitor 8' and a resistor 10' formed on a ceramic insulator substrate 1'. That is, on the surface of the substrate 1'. opposite end electrodes 2', 3' are provided for external electrical connection. Between these end electrodes 2', 3' is provided continuous connection of a capacitor lower electrode 4a' and a resistor electrode 4b'. The capacitor lower electrode 4a' has a dielectric film 5' provided in a manner covering the same electrode 4a'. A capacitor upper electrode 6' is provided overlying the dielectric film 5' such that one end of the same electrode 6' is electrically connected to one end electrode 2', By covering these elements with a first glass layer 7', a thick-film capacitor is provided Meanwhile, a resistance element 9' is provided to bridge between the resistance electrode 4b' and the other end electrode 3', constituting a thick-film resistor 10' The thick-film capacitor 8' and the thick-film resistor 10' are covered at their entirety by a second glass layer 11' and further a synthetic resin protective coating 12'. Furthermore, side electrodes 13', 14' are provided at opposite end faces of the substrate 1'.
The composite component constructed as above is being manufactured by a method as follows.
(i) First, as shown in FIG. 13, on an insulator substrate 1' are formed respective end electrodes 2', 3', a capacitor lower electrode 4a' and a resistor electrode 4b' and a pad electrode 4c' continuous therebetween. Thereafter a dielectric film 5' is formed covering the capacitor lower electrode 4a'. PA1 (ii) As shown in FIG. 14, a capacitor upper electrode 6' and a first glass layer 7' covering the same are formed, and then a resistance element 9' is formed. PA1 (iii) As shown in FIG. 15, a second glass layer 11' is formed so as to cover the first glass layer 7' and the resistance element 9' except for the area of the pad electrode 4c'. Thereafter, a trimming groove 9a' is formed by irradiation of a laser beam to provide a predetermined resistance value to the resistance element 9' while measuring the resistance value by supplying an electric current through the resistance element 9' with electricity-supply probes A, B respectively contacted with the other end electrode 3' and the pad electrode 4c'. PA1 (iv) As shown in FIG. 16, a synthetic-resin protective coating 12' is formed over almost entire top surface of the substrate 1' Then side electrodes 13' 14' are formed at opposite end face-of the substrate 1'. PA1 an insulator substrate; PA1 a pair of end electrodes formed on a surface of the substrate at opposite end portions thereof; PA1 an intermediate electrode formed at a location between the end electrodes on the surface of the substrate, the intermediate electrode including a lower electrode, a resistor electrode and a pad electrode formed continuous therebetween; PA1 another element formed on the lower electrode so an to be electrically connected between the lower electrode and one of the end electrodes; PA1 a resistance element formed between the other of the end electrodes and the resistor electrode; PA1 a glass layer formed to cover the other element, the resistance element and the pad electrode; and PA1 a protective layer of a synthetic resin formed to cover the entire surface of the glass layer and part of each the end electrode. PA1 a step of forming a pair of end electrodes on a surface of an insulator substrate at opposite end portions thereof; PA1 a step of forming an intermediate electrode at a location between the end electrodes on the surface of the substrate so that the intermediate electrode includes a lower electrodes a resistor electrode and a pad electrode formed continuous therebetween; PA1 a step of forming an another element so as to be electrically connected between one of the end electrodes and the lower electrodee; PA1 a step of forming a resistance element between the other of the end electrodes and the resistor electrode; PA1 a step of forming a trimming groove in the resistance element to adjust the resistance value of the resistance element while measuring the resistance value with probes respectively contacted with the pad electrode and the other end electrode; PA1 a step of forming a glass layer to cover the other element, the resistance element and the pad electrode; and PA1 a step of forming a protective layer of a synthetic resin to cover the entire of the glass layer and part of each the end electrode.
In the conventional composite component, the second glass layer 11' is formed to cover the first glass layer 7' and the resistance element 9' except for the area of the pad electrode 4c'. In this state, a trimming groove 9a' is formed by a laser beam to trimming-adjust the resistance value of the resistance element 9' to a predetermined value while measuring the resistance with electricity-supply probes A, B respectively contacted with the other end electrode 3' and the pad electrode 4c'. Thereafter the surface of the substrate 1' is coated by the synthetic-resin protective coat 12'.
The conventional structure uses a synthetic resin of protective coat 12' so that there is an advantage that weight reduction is readily available as compared with the glass coating structure, with reduced cost. Furthermore, externally applied impact to the composite component is relieved by the synthetic-resin coating 12'.
On the contrary, the pad electrode 4c' for trimming-adjusting the resistance value is covered solely by the synthetic-resin coating 12'. However, if the synthetic-resin coat 12' deteriorates due to exposure to a high temperature (approximately 350.degree. C.) when the composite component is solder-mounted onto a circuit board, there often encounters a problem that moisture intrudes to the inside of the protective coat 12' to induce short circuit between the pad electrode 4c' and the other end electrode 3'.

Chip composite electronic component with improved moisture resistance and method of manufacturing the same


Provided is a semiconductor substrate including a seed layer disposed on a substrate, a buffer layer disposed on the seed layer, a plurality of nitride semiconductor layers disposed on the buffer layer, and at least one stress control layer between the plurality of nitride semiconductor layers. The buffer layer includes a plurality of step regions and at least one heterogeneous region. The plurality of step regions includes the same nitride semiconductor material. The heterogeneous region includes a different nitride semiconductor material from the step regions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various electronic devices using compound semiconductor materials have been developed.
Solar cells, photodetectors, and light-emitting devices may be used as electronic devices.
Such electronic devices may be fabricated on the basis of a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate includes a growth substrate and a compound semiconductor layer grown thereon.
In the semiconductor substrate, various defects may be formed due to a difference in lattice constants, thermal expansion coefficients, or strains between the growth substrate and the compound semiconductor layer.
A typical semiconductor substrate has limitations in that crystallinity may be decreased by the generation of dislocations caused by the difference in the lattice constants between the growth substrate and the compound semiconductor layer.
In addition, the differences in the lattice constants and the thermal expansion coefficients between the growth substrate and the compound semiconductor layer cause strain. That is, a balance between compressive strain during the growth of compound semiconductors and tensile strain during cooling to room temperature after the growth does not match, and eventually, cracks may occur in the compound semiconductor layer or the growth substrate may be broken.
With respect to a typical semiconductor substrate, since cracks may occur in the compound semiconductor layer, a high-quality, thick semiconductor layer substantially functioning as an electronic device may not be grown.


A product which contains acid magnesium pyrophosphate (magnesium dihydrogen diphosphate) and at least magnesium orthophosphate, producible by removal of water from an aqueous solution or suspension of a magnesium phosphate compound which has a molar ratio of Mg:P of 0.4-0.6:I, wherein the product has a loss on ignition of 7.5 to 13.5% and its method of preparation and its use in a leavening agent for bakery products.

The invention concerns a product which contains acid magnesium pyrophosphate (magnesium dihydrogen diphosphate) and at least magnesium orthophosphate, as well as the production thereof and the use thereof as a raising acid in a leavening agent for the production of bakery products.
In the production of bakery products, added to the mass or dough are leavening agents which during production of the bakery products liberate gas, generally carbon dioxide gas, which causes the mass or dough to rise and thus loosens it. Thermally induced gas carriers or chemical leavening (raising) systems can be used for that purpose. In the case of the chemical bakery leavening systems a carbon dioxide carrier reacts with an acid carrier (raising acid), with liberation of carbon dioxide CO2.
Sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3; sodium bicarbonate) is very frequently used as the carbon dioxide carrier, but other carbon dioxide carriers are also employed such as potassium hydrogen carbonate, potassium carbonate (potash), ammonium hydrogen carbonate (ABC raising agent) and baker's salt, a mixture of ammonium compounds of carbonic and carbamic acid, sodium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydrogen carbonate, calcium carbonate, calcium hydrogen carbonate, aluminum carbonate, aluminum hydrogen carbonate, iron carbonate, iron hydrogen carbonate, ammonium carbonate or ammonium carbamate.
Various acids and acid salts are known as acid carriers (raising acids). A list of the most important raising acids is to be found for example in the 'Richtlinie fur Backtriebmittel, Backpulver, Hirschhornsalz and Pottasche' [Guidelines for Bakery Raising Agents, Baking Powder, Baker's Salt and Potash] (BLL 1962) and in the literature at Brose et al. 'Chemische Backtriebmittel'; 2nd edition, 2007.
Some raising acids suffer from the disadvantage that they already react very quickly with the carbon dioxide carrier in the preparation of mass or dough, when water is added, and then there is no longer any carbon dioxide available for the leavening action during the standing time or during baking That is a problem in particular for bakery products involving a prolonged baking time. For that purpose acid sodium pyrophosphate (SAPP) is frequently used as a raising acid in bakery leavening systems as it reacts with a delay. That however can adversely affect the baking result by virtue of a typical, frequently undesired particular taste (pyrophosphate taste) which occurs in particular when a large amount is involved.
Further examples of phosphate-bearing and phosphate-free raising acids are monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM), anhydrous monocalcium phosphate (AMCP), dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD), acid calcium pyrophosphate (CAPP), acid sodium aluminum phosphate (SALP), sodium aluminum sulphate (SAS), tartar (acid potassium tartrate), gluconic acid delta lactone (GDL), citric acid, tartaric acid, and fumaric acid.
EP-A-O 648 421 describes a bakery leavening system which as the raising acid contains dimagnesium phosphates, namely a mixture of dimagnesium phosphate trihydrate, amorphous dimagnesium phosphate and optionally a small amount of dimagnesium pyrophosphate. In the baking test the mixture of dimagnesium phosphate trihydrate and amorphous dimagnesium phosphate did not exhibit sufficiently good baking products. The bakery products obtained were scarcely loosened, they had an excessively dense pore configuration, sticky chewing properties and an unpleasant strange taste. The strange taste was caused by an excessively slight neutralization reaction with the carbon dioxide carrier, which was confirmed by measurement of the pH-value of the bakery product which was excessively alkaline with a value of 8.4.
Two particularly important factors for characterizing raising acids are the neutralization value (NV) and the rate of reaction (ROR).
The neutralization value (NV) specifies how much acid carrier is required to neutralize a given carbon dioxide carrier. It is obtained by dividing the amount of carbon dioxide carrier by the amount of acid carrier which is used for neutralization of the carbon dioxide carrier, and multiplying the resulting quotient by 100. Where neutralization values are specified, they always relate to sodium hydrogen carbonate as the carbon dioxide carrier unless something different is expressly specified.
The rate of reaction is the percentage of the amount of carbon dioxide gas which actually occurs, in comparison with the amount of carbon dioxide gas that can be theoretically obtained upon complete reaction, in the reaction of carbon dioxide carrier and acid carrier at a temperature of 27° C. for a period of 8 minutes. If this patent application specifies values for the rate of reaction, they always relate to sodium hydrogen carbonate as the carbon dioxide carrier unless something different is expressly specified.
Leavening systems for the production of bakery products are frequently of such a composition that upon storage prior to use at ambient temperature, as far as possible, they do not undergo reaction, with the formation of carbon dioxide gas. The liberation of carbon dioxide gas should preferably only occur at elevated temperature, generally at baking temperature. In addition to the choice of carbon dioxide carrier or carriers and acid carrier or carriers, the properties and the reactivity of the leavening system can be influenced by additives such as, for example, separating agent for preventing or delaying premature reaction between the carbon dioxide carrier and the acid carrier. Suitable substances for that purposes are, for example, grain starch such as maize starch, rice starch or wheat starch, modified meal flour, silicon dioxide, tricalcium phosphates, calcium carbonate, calcium sulphate, fats and mixtures of the aforementioned substances.
The raising acids are frequently used individually in the leavening systems; however, they can also be used as mixtures, so-called 'double acting baking powder', in which case the selection of raising acids with different rates of reaction makes it possible to influence the foaming properties in order to achieve particularly homogeneous pore formation. It is assumed that the combination of a slow reacting and a fast-reacting acid carrier initially provides for the formation of a multiplicity of small foam bubbles by virtue of the acid carrier which reacts more quickly, at a relatively high speed, the foam bubbles then being filled up in the reaction with the more slowly reacting acid carrier at relatively low speed. In that case highly uniform foaming and pore formation are observed.
A problem of the invention was that of providing a product which is also suitable as a raising acid for the production of bakery products, with which disadvantages of the known raising acids are overcome and which achieves a good loosening and pore formation effect in respect of the bakery products at advantageous rates of reaction.

Product containing magnesium pyrophosphate and use thereof as a raising acid for the production of bakery products


When carrying out directive reception using an adaptive array antenna apparatus, a plurality of diversity reception circuits which differ in communication environment follow-up performance are used for reception and the reception output with the best reception quality is selected. The environment follow-up performance of the other non-selected diversity reception circuits is dynamically changed, preferably every time a selection is made by a selector based on the environment follow-up performance of a selected diversity reception circuit.

The present invention relates to a directive reception method using an array antenna and an adaptive array antenna apparatus.
One of directivity antennas used in the digital radio communication field such as CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) is an adaptive array antenna.
The adaptive array antenna is an antenna system that allows directivity to be changed by adaptively controlling the amplitude and phase of signals received through a plurality of antennas placed at regular intervals or signals to be transmitted through those antennas according to the communication environment. This provides effects such as enhancing the effect of eliminating interference or selectively receiving only a radio wave coming from a specific direction via a predetermined path, that is, reception based on a RAKE system.
However, implementing a practical adaptive array antenna requires overcoming numerous problems. In mobile bodies such as automobiles in particular, which change their position each moment, it is not easy to achieve high-speed and high-accuracy adaptation to a communication environment at the same time.
That is, if a mobile body on the transmitting side is moving, the receiving side must change reception directivity quickly to adapt itself to changes in the communication environment. However, the greater the variation in reception directivity per unit time by attaching importance to high-speed follow-up, the lower the accuracy of convergence to a target control value becomes. On the contrary, attaching importance to the accuracy of convergence may allow accurate convergence to a target control value, but would require longer time to converge.
Thus, when carrying out adaptive diversity reception, it is an important issue to determine the level of adaptability to the communication environment. However, a mobile body in mobile ratio communications may be stationary or moving slowly or fast and the direction of an incoming radio wave changes all the time, which makes it difficult to implement optimum follow-up to the communication environment.
It is one of the objectives of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus that will quickly follow up changes in a communication environment in mobile radio communications, etc. and realize accurate directive reception at the same time.
A directive reception method using an array antenna system of the present invention operates a plurality of diversity reception circuits with different environment follow-up characteristics placed in parallel and selects one of the outputs of the diversity reception circuits as a reception signal. Each of a group of diversity reception circuits with different communication environment follow-up characteristics operates so as to follow up the communication environment and the most appropriate one of the resultant reception signals is selected, achieving high-speed and high-accuracy directive reception.
A preferred mode of the present invention dynamically updates the environment follow-up characteristics of other diversity reception circuits based on the environment follow-up characteristic of the selected diversity reception circuit. The environment follow-up characteristics can be updated by changing parameter values that determine the environment follow-up characteristics.
In another preferred mode of the present invention, when changing the values of parameters that determine the environment follow-up characteristics, suppose the value of a basic parameter is xcexc1, and xcexcA and xcexcB that satisfy a relationship of xcexcA less than xcexc1 less than xcexcB are obtained and at least one of xcexcA or xcexcB is used as a parameter value of another diversity reception circuit. It is desirable that both xcexcA and xcexcB be values close to xcexc1. This makes the follow-up performance of a plurality of diversity reception circuits adaptively change while maintaining close correlation with each other, enabling quick formation of desired directivity.
In still another preferred mode of the present invention, only a diversity reception circuit with high environment follow-up capability is operated in an initial state of directivity formation, then the environment follow-up characteristics of other non-operating diversity reception circuits are updated and their operations started based on its environment follow-up characteristic. This reduces power consumption of the circuits.
The directive reception mode using the adaptive array antenna of the present invention multiplies reception signals of a plurality of antenna elements by weighting coefficients, then uses a plurality of diversity reception circuits that combine those signals as the reception output to carry out directive reception and selects the optimum signal from the reception signals output in parallel. It is possible to update weighting coefficients step by step and change the environment follow-up characteristic of each diversity reception circuit by changing the amount of update per step. It is desirable that the amount of update per step of the weighting coefficient in a non-selected diversity reception circuit be changed based on the amount of update of the selected diversity reception circuit.
It is also possible to receive a baseband-spread signal transmitted from a mobile body using the adaptive directive reception method of the present invention and restrain the field intensity of the transmission wave to reduce interference between signals on a same frequency band.
The directivity communication method using the adaptive array antenna of the present invention not only performs high-speed reception directivity formation by selecting the outputs of a plurality of diversity reception circuits but also carries out directivity transmission using directivity formation information of a selected diversity reception circuit.
The adaptive array antenna apparatus of the present invention comprises at least one directive reception circuit that selectively receives only radio waves passing through a specific path from among incoming radio waves via a plurality of antenna elements and a plurality of paths. The directive reception circuit comprises a plurality of diversity reception circuits operating in parallel each having a different environment follow-up characteristic and selects the most appropriate output from the outputs of those diversity reception circuits as a reception signal. It is desirable to update the environment follow-up characteristics of diversity reception circuits which have not been selected in every selection. It is also possible to operate only diversity reception circuits with higher environment follow-up performance in an initial stage of the reception directivity formation and make other diversity reception circuits non-operable, thus reducing power consumption of the circuit.
Another mode of the present invention provides a combination circuit that applies RAKE-combination to the reception outputs of a plurality of directive reception circuits. This makes it possible to increase reception power.
Still another mode of the present invention also carries out directivity transmission using information to form reception directivity. This improves the communication quality in mobile communications.
The adaptive array antenna apparatus of the present invention can be used for a CDMA-based communication apparatus and a base station apparatus for CDMA communications.

Method of directional reception using array antenna, and adaptive array antenna unit

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A latch has a pop-up knob that provides a handle for pulling on a door when the knob is extended. The door can be closed with the knob either up or down. With the knob up, the latch pawl can be disengaged from a keeper attached to the door frame by pulling the door open. With the knob down, the latch pawl remains in an extended position behind the keeper and the door cannot be pulled open. The knob can be selectively retained in the down position, and placing the knob in the down position results in the rotational movement of the latch pawl being blocked.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to the field of latch assemblies.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Latch assemblies are relied on in many applications for securing items, such as panels, doors, and doorframes together. Various latches for panel closures have been employed where one of the panels such as a swinging door or the like is to be fastened or secured to a stationary panel, doorframe, or compartment. Although many latch assemblies are known in the prior art, none are seen to teach or suggest the unique features of the present invention or to achieve the advantages of the present invention.


Provided are a light emitting device, a light emitting device package, and a lighting system. The light emitting device includes a light emitting structure comprising a first conductive type semiconductor layer, a second conductive type semiconductor layer, and an active layer between the first conductive type semiconductor layer and the second conductive type semiconductor layer, and a passivation layer protecting a surface of the light emitting structure. The passivation layer includes a first passivation layer on a top surface of the light emitting structure and a second passivation layer having a refractive index different from that of the first passivation layer, the second passivation layer being disposed on a side surface of the light emitting structure. The second passivation layer has a refractive index greater than that of the first passivation layer.

Embodiments relate to a light emitting device, a light emitting device package, and a lighting system.
In light emitting devices, P-N junction diodes having the properties of converting electrical energy into light energy may be formed by combining group III and V elements on the periodic table. Light emitting devices may realize various colors by controlling the composition ratio of compound semiconductors.
Nitride semiconductors are attracting much attention in the fields of optical devices and high-power electronic devices because of their high thermal stability and wide band gap energy. In particular, blue light emitting devices, green light emitting devices, and UV light emitting devices, which use nitride semiconductors have been commercialized and are widely used.
According to related art, a passivation layer is disposed on a side surface of a light emitting device. When a single-layered passivation layer having the same refractive index is disposed on a side surface and a top surface of the light emitting device, it is difficult to obtain an optimized light output. This is because a reflective index layer satisfying an anti-reflection coating condition is disposed on a side surface and an optimized reflective index layer on the top surface is changed according to a period of a light extraction pattern.
Since diffraction efficiency of the light extraction pattern depends on a refractive index at an interface, a refractive index of the passivation layer filling the pattern may become an important parameter.

Light emitting device having a lateral passivation layer


The method of using soap as a fluid loss additive in the hydraulic fracturing treatment of oil and gas wells includes choosing a soap having a titre value which will insure that the soap will dissolve and liquify at the formation temperature in the area where fluid loss is to be reduced. The formation temperature in this area is reduced to an extent where the soap will not liquify, while the soap is introduced into the area under pressure, and this lower temperature is maintained while a fracturing or cementing process is carried out. Subsequently, the temperature in the area where fluid loss is to be reduced is permitted to rise and liquify the soap which is then removed from the well.

Hydraulic fracturing was developed approximately fifty years ago as a means of stimulating the production of oil or gas wells. A hydraulic fracturing stimulation treatment is achieved by pumping a selected fractionating fluid ("frac fluid") into the formation zone of interest at a pressure that exceeds the tensil strength of the rock formation plus its closure or stress pressure. The formation will thus be caused to rupture and the fracture will extend in a plane that is perpendicular to the direction of the least stress at that point.
Over the years, the magnitude of hydraulic fracturing stimulation treatments has increased to a point where thousands of gallons of fluid carring many tons of proppant, such as sand, are used for some treatments. Fracture length is very important to the success of the treatment, and as the size of the treatments increased in an attempt to extend a newly created fracture farther and farther from the well bore and deeper into the matrix of the formation, a fluid loss problem became prevalent. Fracture extension can only be achieved with fluid which is retained in the fracture, but since pressure is greater in the fracture than it is in the surrounding formation, the frac fluid tends to leak off into the matrix of the formation. This leakage not only reduced significantly the fracture length or extension which could be attained with a given amount of frac fluid, but the fluid lost into the formation can, in some instances, damage the permeability of the rock. Also, the loss of fluid from the fracture may increase the proppant to fluid ratio to the extent that a "screen out" occurs. A screen out is a condition where the proppant concentration becomes too high for the fluid to carry which in turn causes the pumping pressure to become excessive. When this happens, the treatment must be terminated and the clean-up required is both time consuming and expensive.
To combat frac fluid leakage, various fluid loss additives have been incorporated into the fluid used in the fracturing treatment. Often, these fluid loss additives consist of a finely ground or powdered material, and very few insoluble granular materials have escaped having been employed as a fluid loss aid at one time or another. The theory behind the use of such materials is that the individual particles will plug the pore spaces in the fracture wall, thereby restricting the flow of frac fluid from the fracture into the formation matrix.
The problem experienced with insoluble fluid loss additives is that once the pressure within the fracture is released, and as the well begins to produce, these additives are seldom flushed out of the formation. To be effective, the fluid loss material must wash off the fracture face, thereby clearing the pore spaces in the formation to permit the flow of hydrocarbon materials from the formation in to the fracture and from there to the surface. However, many insoluble fluid loss additives continue to plug the matrix to reduce hydrocarbon flow, and that which is washed off the fracture face during clean-up often falls into the proppant bed and remains in the well. Fluid loss additives trapped in the proppant bed reduce the permeability of the bed and in turn the production of the well is reduced.
A further disadvantage of insoluble granular materials when used as a fluid loss additive is their lack of malleability. The pores in a rock formation matrix are of irregular shape and are often difficult to plug with non-malleable particles. More malleable materials, such as starches, waxes and gels have been used as fluid loss additives in place of insoluble granular materials, but again these materials have properties which, for some applications, prove to be disadvantageous. Starches require the addition of a breaker material before they can be removed from the fracture wall, while waxes leave a residue which restricts hydrocarbon flow. Also, wax particles tend to stick under the valve seats of pumps for the frac fluid causing pump malfunction. Finally, gels, such as guar gel, form a filter cake or thick coating of dehydrated gel on the fracture face which is harmful to hydrocarbon production and very difficult to remove.
Attempts have been made to use water soluble, oil insoluble soap to plug the porous water-rich strata of a subterranean formation so that water from these strata will not be selectively produced by driving fluid to adversely affect oil-to-water ratios. However, as indicated by U.S. Pat. No. 3,865,189 to Friedman, a soap is used for this purpose which chemically reacts in the subterranean formation with reactants either already present in the formation or with reactants injected with the soap to produce a water insoluble, oil soluble soap. The use of a soap which becomes water insoluble is not suitable for use as a fluid loss additive in a hydraulic fracturing stimulation treatment, for such soap becomes an insoluble fluid loss additive which cannot be removed by water at the end of the fractionating process. Instead it would remain to block oil flow until ultimately it would dissolve to foul the oil with soap.
Practically all known fluid loss additives presently in use tend to damage the "regain" or production of a well to some degree. However, the fracture or fracture extension created by a hydraulic fracturing treatment greatly increases the relative hydrocarbon drainage area, and thus total production from the enlarged drainage area is usually much greater than it was prior to treatment. The amount of damage which may result is always a matter of great concern during the selection of a fluid loss additive material for a particular application, and there is an on-going quest to find economical, less damaging, biodegradable and non-residue forming materials which may be effectively used for this purpose.

Method for using soap as a soluable fluid loss additive in the hydraulic fracturing treatment of oil and gas wells


A brake system includes a brake adapted to receive a brake fluid. The brake is in fluid communication with a brake fluid conduit. The brake system includes a pressure accumulator adapted to store the brake fluid under pressure. The pressure accumulator is in fluid communication with a supply conduit. The brake system includes a pump in fluid communication with the brake fluid conduit and the supply conduit. The brake system includes a bypass valve in fluid communication with the brake fluid conduit and the supply conduit. The bypass valve is positioned to allow the brake fluid to flow from the pressure accumulator to the brake without flowing through the pump.

This invention relates to an apparatus for improving response time of a vehicle stability control (VSC) brake system. This invention relates to an apparatus for evacuating an isolated circuit in a VSC brake system.
Vehicles are commonly slowed and stopped with hydraulic brake systems. While these systems vary in complexity, a typical base brake system includes a tandem master cylinder, a fluid conduit arranged in two similar but separate brake circuits, and wheel brakes in each circuit. The master cylinder generates hydraulic forces in both brake circuits by pressurizing brake fluid when the driver steps on the brake pedal. The pressurized fluid travels through the fluid conduit in both circuits to actuate brake cylinders at the wheels and slow the vehicle.
Braking a vehicle in a controlled manner under adverse conditions requires precise application of the brakes by the driver. Under these conditions, a driver can easily apply excessive brake pressure thus causing one or more wheels to lock, resulting in excessive slippage between the wheel and road surface. Such wheel lock-up conditions can lead to greater stopping distances and possible loss of directional control.
Advances in braking technology have led to the introduction of anti-lock brake systems (ABS). An ABS monitors wheel rotational behavior and selectively applies and relieves brake pressure in the corresponding wheel brakes in order to maintain the wheel speed within a selected slip range while achieving maximum braking forces. While such systems are typically adapted to control the braking of each braked wheel of the vehicle, some systems have been developed for controlling the braking of only a portion of the braked wheels.
Electronically controlled ABS valves, comprising apply (isolation) valves and dump valves, are located between the master cylinder and the wheel brakes and perform the pressure regulation. Typically, when activated, these ABS valves operate in three pressure control modes: pressure apply, pressure dump and pressure hold. The apply valves allow brake pressure into the wheel brakes to increase pressure during the apply mode, and the dump valves release pressure from the wheel cylinders during the dump mode. Wheel cylinder pressure is held constant during the hold mode.
A further development in braking technology has led to the introduction of traction control (TC) systems. Additional valves have been added to existing ABS systems to provide a brake system that controls wheel speed during acceleration. Excessive wheel speed during vehicle acceleration leads to wheel slippage and a loss of traction. An electronic control system senses this condition and automatically applies braking pressure to the wheel cylinders of the slipping wheel to reduce the slippage and increase the traction available. In order to achieve optimal vehicle acceleration, braking pressures greater than the master cylinder pressure must quickly be available when the vehicle is accelerating.
During vehicle motion such as cornering, dynamic forces are generated which can reduce vehicle stability. A VSC brake system improves the stability of the vehicle by counteracting these forces through selective brake actuation. These forces and other vehicle parameters are detected by sensors that signal an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit automatically operates pressure control devices to regulate the amount of hydraulic pressure applied to specific individual wheel brakes. In order to achieve optimum vehicle stability, brake pressures greater than the master cylinder pressure may be required in a very short time. However, a brake system that generates high pressures very quickly typically has high power requirements or uses a large high pressure accumulator.
During installation of a brake system, an evacuation process removes air trapped in the system. In order to reduce installation time, it is desirable to perform an evacuation process without opening otherwise normally closed valves, particularly solenoid actuated valves which would require electrical connection. In a VSC system, it is desirable to also evacuate isolated circuits without electrically connecting supply valves. During operation of a motor vehicle using a VSC, it is desirable to bypass time-consuming pump assemblies when providing VSC control.
The above objects as well as other objects not specifically enumerated are achieved by a brake system. The brake system includes a brake adapted to receive a brake fluid. The brake is in fluid communication with a brake fluid conduit. The brake system includes a pressure accumulator adapted to store the brake fluid under pressure. The pressure accumulator is in fluid communication with a supply conduit. The brake system includes a pump in fluid communication with the brake fluid conduit and the supply conduit. The brake system includes a bypass valve in fluid communication with the brake fluid conduit and the supply conduit. The bypass valve is positioned to allow the brake fluid to flow from the pressure accumulator to the brake without flowing through the pump.
Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.


A mobile harvesting unit which utilizes a high volume fan to separate crops from foreign matter, has a dust suppression system which substantially reduces particulates which are discharged with the fan exhaust. The dust suppression system has two stages. The first stage separates larger particles of foreign matter by deploying an air stream cleaning chain upstream of the fan. The second stage is contained within a air stream discharge duct. Within the air stream discharge duct, a liquid, such as water, is sprayed into the dust entrained air stream. The moistened air stream flows through a plurality of collection members which extend radially from a brush drum, where the moistened dust particles are accumulated on the collection members, such that the volume of dust particles contained within the air discharged from the harvesting unit is substantially reduced.

The present invention generally relates to agricultural equipment, and devices which are utilized with agricultural equipment for controlling dust and other particulates generated from operation of the equipment. In particular, a mobile harvester is disclosed which is used for harvesting crops, such as nuts and/or fruits, where the harvester utilizes high volume air generated by an on-board fan to separate crops from foreign matter. The disclosed harvester addresses problems presented by the deposition of particulate matter into the air through the air exhaust of the harvester. The disclosed harvester comprises means for reducing dust and other particulate matter generated by the operation of the machinery which, by the nature of its operation, would otherwise generate substantial quantities of dust and disperse it into the atmosphere. The general mechanisms employed by the disclosed harvester capture and immobilize dust particles before the particles are dispersed into the atmosphere by the fan exhaust emitted from the machinery.
Dust generation by agricultural and construction machinery is a known problem, particularly in arid areas. To name just a few problems caused by the dust generation, dust particles result in air pollution, water pollution, soil loss, human and animal health problems, and potentially hazardous reductions in visibility. In addition, the dust can adversely impact the health of various plants. In an effort to reduce dust production, some air pollution control districts impose various operating limitations on farm machinery or otherwise impose different dust control measures.
Dust generation from nut and fruit harvesting equipment can be particularly problematic. These devices typically utilize high volume fans to separate nuts and/or fruit from the debris which may be picked up by the harvesting equipment, including leaves, branches, dirt clods, soil, etc. (collectively, "foreign material"). However, a large portion of the foreign material is typically blown out through the fan discharge, resulting in the dispersion of a large volume of dust into the atmosphere. An example of such a harvester is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,222, which is incorporated herein by this reference. In these devices, a mixture of fruit or nuts (generally referred to as "crops") and foreign material is picked up and deposited on conveyors enclosed by a housing connected to a fan inducing a vigorous flow of air through the conveyors. Various baffles, walls and guide plates direct the air so as to enhance the separation of the desirable crops from the foreign material. However, a substantial volume of foreign material is typically discharged into the atmosphere with a minimum amount of processing, thus creating a large discharge of dust.

Mobile machinery having a dust suppression system


The invention relates to a computer system having a chassis with an access door allowing a user to access the computer circuitry. The computer circuitry has a plurality of critical circuit boards and an interlock circuit routed through connectors and cables associated with the critical circuitry. If any of the connectors are not connected or connected improperly the main power is prevented from turning on or the main power to the computer is turned off and auxiliary power is used to power indicator lights which aid a user determine which connector is not connected or improperly connected.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer system incorporating a serial circuit routed through various connectors in the computer system that will inhibit a power supply from providing main power to the computer system circuits if any of the various connectors are not connected properly. Furthermore, the present invention provides indicator lights to aid a person servicing the computer system in determining which connector is not seated properly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Networks serve the purpose of connecting many different personal computers, workstations, or terminals to each other, and to host computers, printers, file servers etc., so that expensive computing assets, programs, files and other data may be shared among many users.
In a network utilizing a client/server architecture, the client (a personal computer or workstation) is the requesting machine and the server is the supplying machine, both of which are connected via the network. The network can be a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). This is in contrast to early network systems that utilized a mainframe with dedicated terminals.
In a client/server network, the client contains the user interface. The user interface may perform some or all of the application processing and, as mentioned above, the user interface can include a personal computer or a workstation. The server in a client/server network can be a high-speed microcomputer or minicomputer and, in the case of a high-end server, can include multiple processors and mass data storage devices. The mass storage devices could include multiple hard drives and multiple CD-ROM drives. A database server maintains the databases and processes requests from the client to extract data from or update the databases. An application server provides additional business processing for the clients. The network operating system (NOS) together with the database management system (DBMS) and transaction monitor (TP monitor) are responsible for the integrity and security of the server. Client/server networks are widely used throughout many different industries and business organizations. The mass storage and multi-processing capabilities provided by current client/server network systems (i.e., high-end servers) permit a wide range of essential services and functions to be provided through its use.
As can be appreciated, many businesses are highly dependent upon the availability of their client/server network systems. The client/server networks permit essential network services and functions to be carried out. As these client/server network systems become increasingly essential to everyday operations of businesses, additional steps should be taken in the design and construction of the server in the client/server network system to ensure continuous availability to the clients. In other words, the design and construction of a server should include elements that ensure that the server can be operated with little or no down time.
Server reliability and serviceability are two valuable design requirements help ensure that a server will operate with little or no down time. The modularity of components within a server is recognized as an important design consideration. Modularity ensures that the down time of a server will be minimized. Modules can be removed and examined for operability or other purposes. Removal of modules is much easier and less time consuming than permanently mounted fixtures within a server chassis. When various components of a server are in a modular form, they can also be readily replaced to maintain the operational status of the server.
Removable modular components include disc drives, power supplies fans, and memory boards. As referenced above, the removability of modular components allows for better overall serviceability of the computer system which is a distinct advantage. For example, a defective power supply in the server generally requires prompt replacement in order to limit downtime. Modular components and connectors facilitate prompt replacement and are thus popular in many computer designs.
Originally, a rule of practice in the maintenance of modular components or printed circuit boards of a server was that of always turning the power to the server off before any modular components or printed circuit boards were removed or added from the chassis or support frame of the server. Recent innovations have addressed the desirability to insert and remove modular components and printed cards from the chassis of the server when the server is electrically connected and operational. These innovations include "hot-pluggable" components which can be plugged into a computer system that is electrically connected and operational.
Hot-pluggable components today include storage or disc drives, drive cages, fans, power supplies, system I/O boards, control boards, processor boards, and other subassemblies. The hot removability of these server components allows for better overall serviceability of the computer system, which is a distinct advantage to both the user and the maintenance technician.
Component redundancy has also been recognized as an important design consideration when designing a server that will operate with little or no down time. Component redundancy is sometimes provided to better ensure that at least one of the redundant components is operable. With component redundancy, at least two components are provided that can perform the same function. If one of the redundant components fails, the operation switches over to the other redundant component. When at least one of the redundant components is operable, continued operation of the computer system is possible. To further enhance reliability and serviceability, redundant components have been made hot-pluggable.
Reconfiguration of the server system can also be accomplished with upgradable modular components. This can be accomplished by the addition or substitution of components having different circuits disposed thereupon. When components are redundant and hot-pluggable, reconfiguration of the server is often possible without taking the server offline.
Another important design aspect with redundant and hot-pluggable components is to ensure and maintain a safe working environment while the server is operating and being repaired or upgraded. Therefore the exposure of hot connectors and contacts should be kept to a minimum.
Steps are similarly taken in the design and construction of the server system to ensure that the server system is readily serviceable such that when the client/server network system must be serviced the down time can thereby be minimized. In existing client/server network systems it is often difficult to obtain important data corresponding to a component failure in order to facilitate the quick serviceability of the server. Therefore, the more information that can be readily provided to a user to locate a defective component or problem with the server minimizes the amount of time that the server is down can be minimized.
A computer server is an exemplary computer system. A computer server is typically utilized when a group of discretely-positioned computer systems are connected together in a networked fashion. The computer server, and files contained therein, is selectively accessible by any of the computers in the networked connection with the computer server. When access to the files stored at the computer server is essential to perform a particular service or function, it is imperative that the computer servers be online and available so that the files stored therein can be accessed.
A user interface for a computer system provides selected information relating to the computer system in human perceptible form to a user of the computer system. A user interface sometimes also permits a user of the computer system to input commands to the computer system. A computer keyboard and a video display terminal are exemplary of the user interfaces conventionally used in conjunction with a computer system.
In a computer system, such as a network server computer, a variety of circuit cards and system components are installed. Many of the circuit cards (circuit boards) have edge connectors that plug into a backplane or connectors attached to other circuit cards. Cables are connected between various components and from circuit card to circuit card. One or more power supplies provide power to the various components throughout the computer system.
In a computer server where multiple circuit cards and multiple connections are made from component to component it is critical that all the connections are properly made so that voltage, current and data signals are routed properly. Furthermore, if a circuit card or connector is not properly connected to a connector, it would be advantageous for there to be indicators within the computer system to aid a user to determine which connection is faulty.
In a large computer system, the current required to operate the multitudes of circuitry can be large and dangerous if misdirected. Thus, there is a need for an apparatus to aid a user in making sure that all crucial circuit boards are connected properly. Furthermore, if a crucial circuit board or cable is not connected properly, there is a need for circuitry that will turn off the main power to the computer and also aid a person servicing the computer to determine where the improper connection is made so that serviceability is made simpler and down-time of the computer is minimized.

Power interlock with fault indicators for computer system


Apparatus and methods to perform hydrogen/deuterium exchange using semipermeable membranes are described. The system has two channels separated by a semipermeable membrane. One channel comprises a flow carrying the analyte of interest, and the second channel comprises a solution comprising a deuterated solvent (e.g. deuterium oxide). The system does not require an external electric field gradient across the membrane to perform the hydrogen-deuterium exchange procedure. The present invention facilitates sample and reagent handling as well as simplifies manufacture of devices and/or instrumentation related to deuterium exchange.

I. Some molecules have hydrogen atoms bound to their structure which—under some conditions—are continuously exchanged with hydrogen atoms present in the surrounding solvent (e.g. water). A typical example of this phenomenon is the hydrogen present at the amide group in the peptide bond. This particular amide hydrogen can be exchanged with other hydrogens present in the surrounding water. One characteristic of this phenomenon is that hydrogens present in peptide bonds more accessible to the water (e.g. those present in the in the surface of the protein) present faster exchange rates than those localized in the inner part of three-dimensional structure of the protein or belong to peptides bond where solvent accessibility is restricted by another protein and/or peptide and/or other portions of its three-dimensional structure. Now, if the solvent in which the protein is dissolved in changed from water (H2O) to deuterium oxide (D2O), the protein will exchange its amide hydrogen for deuterium. Deuterium, also called heavy hydrogen, is a stable isotope of hydrogen. Even though deuterium presents some difference in its physicochemical properties than hydrogen, proteins incorporate deuterium in their peptide bonds without significant disturbances in their structure and function. Because deuterium is heavier than hydrogen, the amount of deuterium incorporation into a polypeptide can be monitored by mass spectrometry. By measuring the amount of deuterium incorporated into the protein (e.g. deuterium incorporated versus incubation time), valuable information can be obtained about for example: protein/protein interactions, protein/drug interactions, protein/peptide interactions, protein/DNA interactions, protein/RNA interactions and peptide/peptide interactions.
When analyzing amide hydrogen exchange samples, some important technical issues need to be considered. Since after the exchange reaction, the sample is normally subjected to liquid chromatography or acidification using solvents containing water (H2O), the sample can easily reverse its deuteration state (the back change of deuterium to hydrogen) if the necessary precautions are taken. Because the exchange reaction is strongly pH dependent, the minimum exchange rate occurs at approximately pH 2.6 (for backbone amide hydrogen—or deuterium—of polypeptides). By performing the exchange at neutral pH and then rapidly drop the pH between 3 or 2, the back exchange rates of the deuterated polypeptides can be dramatically slowed, or quenched.
Hydrogen-deuterium exchange has taken an increasingly important role in drug development. Mapping the conformational changes of a target protein upon the binding of a ligand can accelerate the drug discovery pipeline by giving supplementary data to x-ray crystallography experiments for computational drug design. In addition, since hydrogen-deuterium exchange data gives information about conformational of the protein in solvent—and over time—, it is highly informative when combined with x-ray crystallography.
The following section describes the state-of-the art methodologies to perform hydrogen/deuterium exchange. The section only discusses technical issues relevant to the present invention. A detail explanation of the technique can be found in scientific literature. The aim of this section is to evaluate the differences and advantages of the present invention over the existing technologies. The advantages of the present invention over the state-of-the-art methodologies are explained on the "Description of the Invention" section. The state-of-the-art methodologies can be classified under the following groups:
1. Online Mixing of Target Molecule with Deuterated Solvent.                This system consists in mixing two flow streams using a T-connector. One flow stream carries the sample and the other carries the deuterated solvent (e.g. deuterium oxide). The exchange reaction starts as soon as both streams are mixed. The exchange reaction is analyzed by connecting the outlet of the system to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and/or collecting the reaction products at the outlet of the system for further analysis. Using this method, the incubation time of the exchange reaction is inversely proportional to the overall flow rate of the system, thus deuteration level versus time graphs can be obtained using different flow rates. The main disadvantage of this approach is the necessary dilution of the sample in the deuterated solvent, since about 90 percent of total volume of reacting solution should correspond to the deuterated solvent. The later is an important problem, since the necessary dilution forces the user to utilize a high amount of sample for each analysis.
2. In-Tube Mixing of Target Molecule with Deuterated Solvent Followed by Reverse-Phase Liquid chromatography.                The sample is mixed with a deuterated solvent (e.g. deuterium oxide), and aliquots of the reaction are taken over time followed by online or off line mass spectrometry (e.g. 10 aliquots over a time period from 0 to 3 hrs). The laborious and meticulous nature of the sample-handling (in order to avoid back exchange) is the mayor drawback of this approach. Immediately after collection, the samples need to be mixed with acid (e.g. trifluoroacetic acid) in order to drop the pH to levels where the back exchange is minimized Additionally, directly after the acidification step samples are dipped in liquid nitrogen to promote rapid freezing to further minimize the back exchange. For analysis, samples are defrosted and quickly analyzed by online LC MS. Besides the labor-intensive characteristics of this technique, each step can potentially add errors to the reaction (e.g. lack of reproducibility in the collection-timing, acidification and froze/defrost procedures).
3. In-Tube Mixing of Target Molecule with Deuterated Solvent Followed by Pepsin Digestion and Reverse-Phase Liquid Chromatography.                This methodology is similar to the explained in the previous methodology (entitled: "In-tube mixing of target molecule with deuterated solvent followed by reverse-phase liquid chromatography"). In brief, the sample is mixed with a deuterated solvent (e.g. deuterium oxide), and aliquots of the reaction are taken at different times followed by acidification/freezing. After, posterior online pepsin digestion and reverse-phase chromatography (e.g. 10 aliquots over a time period from the beginning of the experiment to 3 hrs). This technique shares the same drawback from the previous paragraph (entitled: "In-tube mixing of target molecule with deuterated solvent followed by reverse-phase liquid chromatography"). Briefly, labor-intensive and potentially prompt to errors due to the many sample-handling steps (e.g. lack of reproducibility in the collection-timing, acidification and froze/defrost procedures).
Other Considerations.
An important characteristic shared by all the methodologies described above is the following. In order to obtain an efficient deuteration reaction, the target molecule needs to be dissolved in an excess of a given deuterated solvent (e.g. deuterium oxide). Now, since most of target molecules are dissolved in aqueous buffers (or pure water), the necessary dilution of the sample in the deuterated solvent—normally using dilution factors between 4 to 10 times—is detrimental for the overall sensitivity of the technique, requiring the use of a higher amount of sample per experiment.
II. Chemical analysis lies at the heart of modern science. Advances in analytical chemistry provide the scientific community with tools to advance in their respective research field, as from example in the drug development and pharmacokinetics, toxicology, diagnostics, environmental analysis, and in any other field were a chemical analysis is needed.
One powerful method of chemical analysis is mass spectrometry, in which ionized molecules or fragments thereof are analysed in order to obtain their mass-to-charge ratio based on their translational behaviour in an electric, magnetic or electromagnetic field. Various forms of mass spectrometers are known, such as quadrupole MS, quadrupole ion trap MS, time of flight MS, sector MS, and others. Depending on the method of ionization the molecule may undergo different amounts of fragmentation. By detecting ionized molecule or fragments thereof and comparing with databases on known molecules the chemist may be able to discern the identity of the molecule. For certain molecules however, there may be problems in that the fragment distributions may be very similar, so that it is almost impossible to guess at its identity.
In later years new methods of ionizations have been developed increasing the utility of MS. Most notably there has been developed ionization methods that lets the target molecule remain intact. One such method is APCI (atmospheric pressure chemical ionization), in which excited inert molecules are brought in contact with the target compound, so that the excitation energy ionizes the target. Examples of such ionization devices can be found in documents US 2007/0187589, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,949,741 which are hereby incorporated by reference. Another example can be found in "Design and Performance of a New Combination Electro Spray and Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Source", Victor V. Laiko and Craig M. Whitehouse, Proceedings of the 56th ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, Denver Colo., Jun. 1-5, 2008.
III. Molecular interaction studies are important in drug development and diagnostics as well as for the understanding of diseases at the molecular level. Most of the technologies utilized to investigate molecular interactions are based either on labeling of the target molecule (or the ligands) with a fluorescent dye, radioactive or UV/visible absorbing molecule or on attaching the target molecule to a solid surface, as in surface plasmon resonance or quartz crystal microbalance. The necessary modification of the target molecule (or ligand) and the blockade of the structure of the target molecule (or ligand) involved in linking it to the solid surface are the main problems of these technologies. First of all, the chemical modification of the target molecule (or ligand) has the potential to modify the interaction by giving false-positive binding, decreased or weaker binding or by totally suppressing the binding of the ligand. Also, the hiding or blocking of the molecular structures of the target molecule (or ligand) that are associated with the linkage onto the solid support has the potential to interfere with the normal interaction of the target molecule with the ligand.
Combinatorial chemistry is a technique by which large numbers of structurally distinct molecules may be synthesized at a time. The key of combinatorial chemistry is that a large range of analogues is synthesised using the same reaction conditions, in the same reaction vessels. In this way, the chemist can synthesise many hundreds or thousands of compounds in one time instead of preparing only a few by simple methodology. In its modern form, combinatorial chemistry has probably had its biggest impact in the pharmaceutical industry. Researchers attempting to optimize the activity profile of a compound create a "library" of many different but related compounds. Advances in robotics have led to an industrial approach to combinatorial synthesis, enabling companies to routinely produce over 100,000 new and unique compounds per year.
A challenge to the pharmaceutical industry is how to analyze such libraries comprising a vast number of compounds. Their potential interactions with target molecules of interest need to be analyzed as accurately and as early as possible in the research process.

Method and apparatus to perform hydrogen-deuterium exchange

Abstract: Further described is a chemical analyzation device for analyzing chemical compositions and/or compounds, and a method for analyzing chemical compounds and a computer program product for inducing a computer to perform steps in the method. Also described is a method for analyzing interactions between analytes and charged molecules, and calculating binding coefficients of the analytes with respect to the charged molecules.


An apparatus that provides for a conveniently removable mounting stirrup that assists a rider in climbing into a riding saddle, and provides for compact storage. The removable mounting stirrup includes features for a convenient saddle attachment and removal while on top of the riding animal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is a portable and retractable stirrup especially useful for equestrian riding. The retractable stirrup is an additional stirrup temporarily attached to the saddle of a riding animal, such as a horse. It allows a rider a method to assume the correct riding position on a horse when the normal riding stirrup is too high for the rider to conveniently place his foot into the stirrup. The retractable stirrup provides a type of stair movement that greatly assists a rider with limited leg movement such as the elderly, with a smaller size such as children, or when the horse is at a higher elevation than the rider. The stirrup has been particularly designed to require a very small storage space, as storage on a riding saddle is normally very limited.
2. Discussion of Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,088 describes a horse mounting aid method that includes a second smaller stirrup that is mounted just below the horse mounting stirrup. This additional stirrup has practical problems in actual use. The stirrup may be drawn up under the fender and/or side jockey when not used. This places the equipment in contact with the horse causing chafing and injury. It is difficult and dangerous for the rider to actually remove the temporary stirrup without falling to the ground because the rider must lean over to remove it. Finally, there is no provision to securely lock the temporary stirrup to the stirrup leather.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,957 describes an extendible stirrup for a horse. One of the saddle riding stirrups is mounted on a spring loaded mechanism. Since the mechanism is designed to serve two purposes, which allow a rider to easily mount onto the horse, and also provide for a secured riding position, the retraction mechanism is overly complicated with a long list of many moving parts (col. 11, 12).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,797 describes a temporary mounting stirrup for a horse. The temporary mounting stirrup is looped around the saddle horn and provides a lower stirrup for the rider to lift upwardly to a higher elevation with the right foot. The storage of the temporary mounting stirrup is poorly designed, by looping the strap and securing the loop with a D ring and clip. The temporary stirrup remains hanging from the saddle, and creates a hazard of catching on objects, such as brush or tree limbs. It may be removed by lifting the strap over the horn, but the strap does not loop conveniently into a compact storage. It is difficult for a rider to place a foot into the strap when the rider has limited leg movement. The strap does not have a defined opening for the foot, which is inconvenient for the rider and, when used, causes painful side pressure on the foot. The strap is not secured to the saddle horn and there is the likelihood of the strap falling off when riding hard. There is no provision for placing the strap immediately behind the normal riding stirrup. A person with poor leg motion will find it hard to cross the legs in the cramped space between stirrups to get the correct leg into the normal riding stirrup.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,938 describes a stirrup extension that hooks onto the existing riding stirrup, but there is no safe and convenient method for the rider to remove the extension without leaning over severely to reach the top of the device. It has limited use as it is dangerous to leave the extension on the riding stirrup as it may catch on tree limbs and bush, and further, it is liable to fall off.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,161 describes a leg up strap that is designed to assist the rider in climbing onto a horse. The strap has limited use as there is no provision for the rider to remove the strap from the horse when mounted. It is hazardous to leave the strap in place while riding, and the flexible foot opening creates unwanted side pressure on the foot as already mentioned in previous discussions on other patents.

Retractable stirrup designed for compact storage


A transformer driver having an unlimited duty cycle capability is disclosed herein. The transformer driver 10 of the present invention is coupled to an output circuit 20 and includes a transformer 32 having primary winding and secondary windings 30 and 34. The inventive driver 10 further includes a generator 26 for applying a plurality of charging pulses P1, P2 to the primary transformer winding 30 to keep the transformer from being saturated. A transistor buffer network 36 selectively electrically isolates the output circuit 20 from the transformer. In a particular embodiment the charging pulses P1, P2 serve to maintain the voltage at the control terminal 38 of a power transistor included within the output circuit.

Field of the Invention
This invention relates to buffer circuits. More specifically, this invention relates to buffer circuits operative to isolate low voltage control networks from relatively high voltage devices such as transistor power switches and the like.
While the present invention is described herein with reference to a particular embodiment, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional embodiments within the scope thereof.

Transformer driver having unlimited duty cycle capability by inserting narrow pulses during unlimited duty cycles


The present invention discloses a power supply system with modularized and integrated cable interface configuration for providing power from an external power source to a plurality of subsystems in a personal computer. The power supply system includes a power cable for connecting the power supply system to the external power source. The power supply system further includes an output (O/P) cable having a first end and second end, the O/P cable including a plurality of cable groups wherein each of the cable groups including a subsystem plug module on the first end for connecting to a corresponding PC subsystems. The power supply system further includes an integrated PC receptive module for providing an interface with the O/P cable. The O/P cable further including an integrated O/P cable plug module on the second end for plugging the O/P cable into the integrated receptive module, wherein the integrated O/P plug module being in electric connection to each of the cable groups. The O/P cable of the power supply system may be conveniently removed and separately designed and manufactured for connection to different types of the personal computers. In another preferred embodiment, the integrated PC receptive module is a standardized module suitable for providing power to many different types for the PC subsystems by utilizing different designs and combinations of the O/P cable groups.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to an power supply system for a personal computer. More particularly, this invention relates to a new design approach to power supply system with a modularized and integrated cable interface for connecting a plurality of interface cable-groups to an external power source for providing power to each subsystem of a personal computer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The power supply system for a personal computer are required to provide power to increasingly more `peripheral equipment`, such as modem-facsimile, compact disk (C-D) driver, scanners, hard-disk drives, floppy disk drives, etc. Due to current trend of development in personal computers, it can be expected that such trend will continue. Especially when the microprocessor which is generally referred to as the central processing unit (CPU) are becoming more powerful to manage multi-media, multi-task functions. In addition to the this trend, each type and model of personal computers often has unique arrangement and configuration by placing these peripheral equipments in different locations. In order to satisfy this very complicate power supply requirements, a power supply system including the power cable and the interface connectors are required to be custom designed to uniquely meet the specifications of each model of computer system design.
FIG. 1 shows a prior art power supply system 10 which includes several groups of output (O/P) cables, i.e., cable groups 15-1, 15-2, 15-3, and 15-4 for connecting to the CPU and various different peripheral equipments such as hard-disk derive, floppy disk drive, monitor, and modem-facsimile board. The power supply system also has a power cable 20 for connecting to an external power source connector 25. The external power source connector is typically installed at the back-panel of a personal computer for connecting to an external source via a power line (not shown). Depending on the internal space arrangement, the power supply system 10 for a personal computer can be located at different positions in a personal computer system. The length of the power cable 20 and those of the O/P cable groups 15-1, 15-2, 15-3, and 15-4 are all different. For this reason, the general practice in manufacturing the power supply system for a personal computer is to custom design and then `tailor-make` those cables and group them in accordance with the specifications of each purchase order.
One example of these power supply systems is ASTEC's power supply Model AS145-3420 which has output cable connection and output cable groups as that shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B for an IBM personal computer. FIG. 2A is a side view of a power supply wherein a plurality of output cables from the AS145-3420 power supply is connected directly from the power supply unit near the top of the panel along a surface in the A-A' direction. The output-cable connection 40 of this power supply AS145-3420 unit is the same as that shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2B shows the detail groupings of these output cables, i.e., cable groups 45-1 to 45-6. Since the groupings of these output cables 45-1 to 45-6 may be different for different model of computers, this Model AS145-3420 power supply shows a typical design approach generally used. Because ASTEC is one of the major power supply companies for the personal computers worldwide while IBM has continuously dominated the PC market share, the design method as shown for ASTEC145-3420 demonstrates the level of ordinary skill in the art of power supply design in the particular field pertinent to the personal computer systems.
Therefore, there is still a need for a new system configuration and design method in the art of power-supply design and manufacture in order to resolve these difficulties and limitations. Specifically, this new system configuration and design approach must be able to provide a more flexible scheme to satisfy different customer's requirements in providing power to many subsystems in a personal computer which may be arranged in many different ways according to the packaging layout, the level of integration, the performance level, the intended computer functions and a wide variety of other design considerations that the computer system designer may take into account.

Method of making personal computer power supply systems