A continuous system for the heat treatment of divided solids, combined with a gas-solid reaction for the debacterization especially of food products, such as herbs, spices, powders. The system includes a unit for supplying the product a debacterization unit having a fluidized bed moving the particles by means of vibration associated with a feed of steam or other gas, a cooling drying unit, and a packaging unit. The debacterization unit comprises a vibro-fluidized stepped bed for enabling the transport of the product that is carried out successively according to a generally horizontal first transport phase, and at least one second vertical transport phase during which steam or another gas is injected, acting in such a way as to decontaminate the product as it moves from the horizontal phase to the vertical phase and to the following horizontal phase.

By way of example, currently the demand for decontaminated food products is increasingly higher, as demonstrated by the recalls of products contaminated with listeria, and the costs generated are often enormous.
The cost for obtaining quality is currently a hindrance that European Community regulations are in the process of correcting by requiring increasingly substantial guarantees.
Being able to propose "pasteurized" products instead of "sterile" or at least "decontaminated" has become a requirement in the worldwide market.
The targets are: enterobacteria of the Escherichia Coli type, total flora, yeasts and molds.
In the production method, the major actors in the market are for the moment still in "westernized" countries. They purchase herbs and spices produced in the various countries of the world, and the latter, often contaminated, must then be "debacterized". Indeed, the steps of drying are often carried out directly on the ground in some countries, for economical reasons.
Currently, there are various technologies available on the market that make it possible to decontaminate the products in various forms.
Irradiation, microwaves, ionization, ozone, gases of the polypropylene oxide type, depositing decontaminating substances, generally speaking all of the solutions other than water vapor are not solutions that have a future, for the moment, because they are subject to specific markings on the final packaging which is a genuine hindrance to marketing (a product decontaminated via irradiation is harder to sell).
Other systems using steam are differentiated into two sub-categories:
"batch" systems of the autoclave type: batches are treated unitarily, which allows for perfect traceability but which requires high manpower costs. These systems are used extensively in the pharmaceutical industry.
Continuous systems.
The fundamental parameters in decontamination via steam are:
The temperature of the product
The method of transport of the product
The temperature of the steam
The passage time of the product
The quantity of steam used
Indeed, a passage time of a few seconds at a high temperature can have the same effect as a time of 3 minutes at a lower temperature. But the product can be altered by the temperature. The quantity of steam used will remove essential oils and flavorings from the product, which alters the final quality of the product in terms of color as well as taste.
The method of transport of the divided solids and the method of treatment and heating greatly affect the cost of the installation, the quality of the treatment and the quality of the final product.
The compromise between what the customer can accept in terms of color, taste, and the level of contamination with regards to the cost of the treatment provides the technical-economical compromise to be found.
Decontamination must be as thorough as possible, in such a way as to achieve the acceptable levels of contamination, without degrading or destroying the organoleptic characteristics of the products, having the smallest possible degree of alteration of the products in terms of color and taste; using the most economical method of heating possible and a method of transport which makes it possible to satisfy all of these imperatives.
A continuous decontamination unit is comprised of a product supply, a debacterization unit, a cooling drying unit and a packaging unit.
The system for supplying the product is often an option available to the users.
The debacterization via steam portion obviously requires steam. A boiler to produce this steam is an option that few users choose; indeed industrialists in the agro-foods industry are generally equipped with steam in their factories. However, vigilance must be taken concerning the fact that a unit requires regulated steam and also often superheated between 100 and 140° C. This implies an option with a superheater.
Then, also, the portion concerning extracting the steam to the exterior must also be provided. The latter will in general also be used for extracting the cold and dry air used in the cooling portion which reduces issues concerning condensation.
Customers often have in their factories extractions systems nearby that they can connect to.
When the product exits the debacterization unit it is hot and wet. So that it is not immediately recontaminated by the air it is imperative to dry it and cool it.
The product is then brought to the cooling-drying unit.
That is why having cold, dry and filtered (not contaminated) air is required and often the users are equipped with this. These installations are very expensive and greatly affect the cost of the installation.
The cost largely depends on the demand from the user: what temperature of the product in relation to the exterior temperature can be accepted at the exit of cooling, keeping in mind that the last 5° C. are the most difficult to obtain and that the difference in relation to the ambient conditions is often substantial (in Malaysia, the temperature is 30° C. and the humidity is 95%, in Greece 35° C. and very dry. The imperatives are different).
When the product is dry, debacterized and at a temperature which allows it to be packaged without immediate recontamination it is stored or packaged. A "big bag" bagging system, simple and inexpensive, is a commonly proposed option.
The main systems known on the market consist in creating:
a fluidized bed (transport by vibrations) moving the particles on a metal plate pierced with a multitude of holes and the steam is used to heat the particles and debacterize them.
Advantages: high degree of homogeneity of the treatment and possibility of treating all the sizes of particles but the price of the installation is very expensive and there is a lot of steam which substantially degrades the products.
A system is also known that consists in using a stainless steel tube wrapped as a spiral around a tower heated via the Joule effect, with this tower subjected to a vibration which makes it possible to raise the product. Steam is injected from one side of the spires and extracted from the other.
Advantages: approximately 10 times less steam is needed than previously because the particles are heated by contact on the tube, the steam is used only for the debacterization. But the disadvantage resides in the very high price for small capacities because this makes use of electrical power, powders are not sufficiently decontaminated, caking at the input and output i.e. in the cold zones, and the vibro-fluidized bed of the tube does not guarantee homogeneity of the treatment.
A third known system consists in using a worm screw in a trough, with both heated by the Joule effect, the screw causes the product to move forward. Steam is injected all along the trough, in order to decontaminate the product.
Advantages: approximately 10 times less steam than in the first case as the particles are heated by contact with the screw and the trough, but the price of the installation is substantially affected by the electrical power. The space between the trough and the screw leaves a bed of untreated product which limits the effectiveness of the treatment by not guaranteeing its homogeneity.
The study of concurrent systems shows that electrical power should not be used which requires the use of expensive electrical transformers.
The transport system must not be carried out by a screw as it does not guarantee homogeneity for the treatment.
The vibrating tower is too expensive to be used as such.
The particles have to be heated (before debacterization) other than with steam otherwise the products are degraded.
In fact:
The transport must be carried out via a "converted" fluidized bed.
The steam has to be superheated in order to decontaminate faster
The heating of the fluidized bed shall be carried out by off-the-shelf electrical resistances.
The system must be able to treat all particle sizes including powders.

Continuous treatment system for the debacterization of divided solids, especially food products


The electrophoretic display panel (1) for displaying a picture, has a first and a second opposed substrate (8,9), an electrophoretic medium (5) between the substrates (8,9), a plurality of pixels (2), a first and a second electrode (3,4) associated with each pixel (2), drive means (100) and a temperature probe (11). The electrophoretic medium (5) has charged particles (6) in a fluid. The first and the second electrode (3,4) are able to receive a potential difference having a duration and a level. The drive means (100) are able to control the potential differences for displaying the picture, and the temperature probe (11) is able to measure a temperature indicative for the medium temperature. For the display panel (1) to be able to have pixels (2) with substantially reproducible appearances requiring relatively little energy independent of the ambient temperature, the drive means (100) are able to receive the measured temperature from the temperature probe (11) and to control the potential differences in dependence of the measured temperature.

An embodiment of the electrophoretic display panel of the type mentioned in the opening paragraph is described in non-prepublished European Patent application 02078456.7 (PHNL020754).
In the described electrophoretic display panel, each pixel of the plurality of pixels has, during the display of the picture, an appearance determined by the position of the charged particles between the electrodes. The position of the particles depends on the potential difference as the particles migrate through the fluid as a consequence of the potential difference. The migration of the particles through the fluid also depends on the viscosity of the fluid. As the viscosity of the fluid is determined by the medium temperature, the position of the particles depends not only on the potential difference, but also on the medium temperature. The display panel comprises heating means and is thereby able to have a predetermined substantially constant medium temperature above ambient temperature. As a result, the display panel is able to have pixels with substantially reproducible appearances at the predetermined medium temperature. The heating means heat the medium to the predetermined medium temperature, which may be relatively highly power consuming, e.g. if the predetermined medium temperature is substantially higher than the ambient temperature. The predetermined medium temperature is chosen relatively high to be able to change the appearances of the pixels in a relatively short interval.
It is a drawback of the described display panel that it requires relatively high energy to obtain therewith pixels with substantially reproducible appearances independent of the ambient temperature.
It is an object of the invention to provide a display panel of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph which is able to have pixels with substantially reproducible appearances requiring relatively little energy independent of the ambient temperature.
To achieve this object, the display panel in accordance with the invention is specified in claim 1.
The invention is based on the insight that, if the dependency of the appearances of the pixels on the medium temperature is compensated for by the potential differences, the appearances of the pixels are substantially reproducible. This dependency is compensated for by the potential differences without the need for heating means regulating the medium temperature. As relatively low power consuming electrical circuits can be used to perform the compensation, the appearances of the pixels are substantially reproducible requiring relatively little energy independent of the ambient temperature. As the drive means are able to receive the measured temperature indicative for the medium temperature from the temperature probe and to control the potential differences in dependence of the measured temperature, the display panel is able to have pixels with substantially reproducible appearances requiring relatively little energy independent of the ambient temperature. This is in contrast to the display panel described in non-prepublished European Patent application 02078456.7 (PHNL020754) which requires, due to the relatively high power consuming heating means, relatively high energy to have pixels with substantially reproducible appearances if the predetermined medium temperature is maintained at a substantially higher level than the ambient temperature. Furthermore, the prior art display panel does not have pixels with substantially reproducible appearances at an ambient temperature above the predetermined medium temperature, because the heating means are unable to cool the medium to the predetermined medium temperature.
In an embodiment the drive means are able to control the durations in dependence of the measured temperature. The durations are relatively short if the medium is able to change relatively fast between two appearances and relatively long if the medium is only able to change relatively slow between two appearances. For instance, as the medium at 60° C. is able to change faster between two appearances than at 20° C., the durations at the higher temperature are shorter than the durations at the lower temperature.
In a modification of the last embodiment the drive means are able to control each duration to consist of a number of intervals of equal time period, the number being determined by the picture to be displayed and the measured temperature, and the time period being constant Then only the number of intervals has a different value if the measured temperature has changed.
In another modification of the last embodiment the drive means are able to control each duration to consist of a number of intervals of equal time period, the number being determined by the picture to be displayed and the time period being determined by the measured temperature. Then only the time period has a different value if the measured temperature has changed.
In another embodiment the drive means are able to control the levels in dependence of the measured temperature. The levels are relatively low if the medium is able to change relatively fast between two appearances and relatively high if the medium is only able to change relatively slow between two appearances. For instance, as the medium having a temperature of 60° C. is able to change faster between two appearances than the medium having a temperature of 20° C., the levels at the higher temperature are shorter than the levels at the lower temperature.
If the first substrate comprises the first electrodes, and the second substrate comprises the second electrodes, the appearances of the pixels can relatively easy be changed compared to the display panel having one of the substrates comprising the first and the second electrode.
In all the Figures corresponding parts are referenced to by the same reference numerals.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show the first embodiment of the display panel 1 having a second substrate 9 and a plurality of pixels 2. The pixels 2 are arranged along substantially straight lines in a two-dimensional structure. Other arrangements of the pixels 2 are also possible, e.g. a honeycomb arrangement. The display panel 1 has a first substrate 8 and a second opposed substrate 9. An electrophoretic medium 5 is present between the substrates 8,9. The electrophoretic medium 5 comprises for instance negatively charged black particles 6 in a white fluid. Electrophoretic media are known per se from e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,804, U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,839 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,130,774 and can e.g. be obtained from E Ink Corporation. A first and a second electrode 3,4 are associated with each pixel 2. The electrodes 3,4 are able to receive a potential difference. In FIG. 2 the first substrate 8 has for each pixel 2 a first electrode 3, and the second substrate 9 has for each pixel 2 a second electrode 4. When the charged particles 6 are positioned near the first electrode 3 due to a potential difference having a level of 15 Volts, the pixel 2 has a first appearance, i.e. white. When the charged particles 6 are positioned near the second electrode 4, due to a potential difference of opposite polarity, having a level of −15 Volts, the pixel 2 has a second appearance, i.e. black. A temperature probe 11, e.g. present on the surface of the first substrate 8 facing the medium, is able to measure a temperature indicative for the medium temperature. Furthermore, the drive means 100 are able to control the potential differences for displaying the picture, to receive the measured temperature from the temperature probe 11, and to control the potential differences in dependence of the measured temperature.
FIG. 3 shows the relation between the measured temperature and the durations of the potential differences for the first embodiment. The levels of the potential differences are 15 Volts. The distance between the electrodes 3,4 is about 80 micrometer. The layer of electrophoretic medium 5 has a thickness of about 50 micrometer. Furthermore, a layer of polymer binder material having a thickness of about 30 micrometer is present between the electrodes 3,4. The line 'a' is related to a change in appearance of the pixel from black to white, denoted as transition B-W, and the line 'b' is related to a change in appearance of the pixel from dark gray to light gray, denoted as transition DG-LG. The durations decrease with increasing measured temperature. In the first embodiment the drive means 100 are able to control durations of the potential differences in dependence of the measured temperature according to FIG. 3. Therefore, the dependency of the appearances of the pixels on the medium temperature is compensated for by the potential differences and the display panel 1 is able to have pixels 2 with substantially reproducible appearances requiring relatively little energy independent of the ambient temperature. The relation between the measured temperature and the durations may be incorporated in the drive means 100 by means of a look-up-table. Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows that the duration of the transition B-W is substantially proportional to the duration of the transition DG-LG. Therefore, in a variation of the first embodiment the drive means 100 are able to control each duration to consist of a number of intervals of equal time period, the number being determined by the picture to be displayed and the measured temperature, and the time period being constant. In another variation of the first embodiment the drive means 100 are able to control each duration to consist of a number of intervals of equal time period, the number being determined by the picture to be displayed and the time period being determined by the measured temperature.
FIG. 4 shows the relation between the measured temperature and the levels of the potential differences for a second embodiment. The durations of the potential differences are 200 ms. The distance between the electrodes 3,4 is about 80 micrometer. The layer of electrophoretic medium 5 has a thickness of about 50 micrometer. Furthermore, a layer of polymer binder material having a thickness of about 30 micrometer is present between the electrodes 3,4. The relation is related to the transition B-W. The levels decrease with increasing measured temperature. In the second embodiment the drive means 100 are able to control levels of the potential differences in dependence of the measured temperature according to FIG. 4. The relation between the measured temperature and the levels may be incorporated in the drive means 100 by means of a look-up-table.


A modular burner/blower system and method directed to an independently operable direct fired burner unit and an independently operable blower unit that are also configured to be interconnected to one another and to operate together. The direct fired burner unit includes a burner casing and a direct fired burner mounted within the burner casing. The blower unit includes a blower casing configured to interconnect with the burner casing and a blower mounted within the blower casing. The burner unit may be interconnected to the blower unit in a vertical or horizontal configuration and includes heating components and controls.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to heating and ventilating systems, and particularly to a modular burner/blower system and method directed to an independently operable direct fired burner unit and an independently operable blower unit that are also configured to be interconnected to one another and to operate together.
2. Description of the Related Art
Spray booths, factories, plants, restaurants and other buildings in which work takes place that may contaminate the air with fumes, dirt, odors or solvents need exhaust systems to pump out the contaminated air. Unless an air make-up system is installed, the exhaust system alone will lower the air pressure in the structure. The resulting negative pressure carries a number of undesirable consequences, such as difficulty in opening doors, slamming doors shut, and drawing in dust and debris from outside the building as air rushes in through an open window or door, a particularly troubling effect in a painting or food-related environment.
An air make-up system is needed to blow in air (often filtered) from outside to stabilize the pressure inside in order to avoid these problems. However, an air make-up system introduces a new problem. At various times during the year the air from outside the building will offset the desired temperature of the air inside. In order to prevent this from happening, most air make-up systems include a built in heater to warm the air entering from outside the building during the cold winter months. Many include an air cooling system for the summer months as well.
These measures maintain comfortable temperatures inside, but the cost of the system increases anywhere from four to seven fold with the inclusion of a heating unit alone. In addition, many of the available heating systems use indirect fired heaters, or heat exchange systems to heat the air instead of the more efficient direct fired method. There is a need for a modular set of independently operable direct fired burner units and independently operable blower units which may be purchased on a unit-by-unit basis as the customer can afford to do so, but in which the units are designed to operate together, facilitating easy installation when future units are purchased.
The related art is represented by the following references of interest.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0084896 A1, published May 8, 2003 for Laurent Gierula et al. describes a multi-stage gas fired heat exchanger system with one or more heat transfer tubes. U.S. Pat. No. 2,464,473, issued Mar. 15, 1949 to John H. Wessel, describes a blower installation where a blower assembly is mounted on suitable track means including tracks which support the blower assembly in a positive manner while permitting ready installation and removal thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 2,798,660, issued Jul. 9, 1957 to Elwin E. Flynn, describes a mounting mechanism for a blower.
Additional related art includes U.S. Pat. No. 3,012,762, issued Dec. 12, 1961 to John W. Norris, that describes modular units for air heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. U.S. Pat. No. 3,103,924, issued Sep. 17, 1963 to Robert D. Porter, describes methods of installing floor furnaces and also to furnaces constructed to enable them to be readily assembled. U.S. Pat. No. 3,140,706, issued Jul. 14, 1964 to Leo Block et al., describes a horizontal air furnace that may readily lend itself to different attic arrangements and thus be capable of installation in crawl spaces in order to accomplish servicing of the unit.
Additional related art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,376, issued Dec. 19, 1978 to Robert J. Dietsche, that describes a fan mounting arrangement of the type in which slide rails on the fan housing are received in sliding relation by track means underlying a base plate provided with-an opening to register with the discharge opening of the fan. U.S. Pat. No. 4,149,671, issued Apr. 17, 1979 to Bunyan B. Cagle, describes a solid fuel furnace including a firebox disposed inside of a heating chamber through which air to be heated is passed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,817, issued Mar. 3, 1987 to Dirk Van Ee, describes the structure and construction of a frame and panels for an air to air heat exchanger.
Additional related art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,036, issued Jan. 11, 1994 to John J. Dieckmann, that describes a modular air conditioning system with adjustable capacity that includes a cooling module, a heating module, and a blower module, and can be assembled in any of a plurality of configurations. U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,106, issued Dec. 6, 1994 to Scott A. Beck et al., describes a furnace of the type having a blower shelf with a blower attached to one surface and a heat exchanger unit located proximate a second surface thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,199, issued May 23, 1995 to Donald R. Jamieson et al., describes a combustion furnace which is convertible in the filed for upflow or downflow operaton.
Additional related art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,263, issued Aug. 1, 1995 to Jeffrey R. Ellingham et al., that describes an upflow/downflow high efficiency furnace with means for mounting a secondary heat exchanger by use of a hinge member. U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,329 B1, issued Nov. 5, 2002 to Merle D. Sears et al., describes a one piece cell panel for a forced air furnace which is designed for ease of removal without the necessity of having to dismantle the furnace cabinet. Germany Patent Application Publication No. DE 33 03 125 A1, published Aug. 2, 1984, describes an air/water heat pump suitable for interior and exterior placement.
None of the above references, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a modular burner/blower system and method solving the aforementioned problems is desired.


A cover intended for use in conjunction with the outside enclosure, usually containing the outside heat exchanger and compressor, of an air conditioning system. The cover features a recessed rainproof compartment in which may be located electrical and other components of the system, eliminating the need for and expense of an unsightly or inaccessible equipment box to house those components. The compartmented cover is intended for fabrication from plastic materials by a molding process to minimize cost and weight, maximize strength and durability and to present an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

This invention relates generally to air conditioning systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a cover for the enclosure that houses the outside heat exchanger of what is known as a "split" vapor compression air conditioning or heat pump system.
In a split air conditioning system, one of the air-to-refrigerant heat exchangers of the system is located outside the space (usually outside the building) to be conditioned. The outside heat exchanger is usually contained in an enclosure. A fan in the enclosure forces a flow of air through the heat exchanger to promote heat transfer between the air and the refrigerant. The outside enclosure usually has a cover that serves to provide structural strength to the enclosure, prevent debris and direct rain and snow entry as well as perform other functions.
The outside enclosure usually contains the system compressor as well as a heat exchanger. The presence of the compressor and the heat exchanger fan and motor usually results in certain other system components such as controllers, switches, sensors and the like being located on or in the outside enclosure. These components may be located in a box mounted on or near the outside of the enclosure or in the interior of the enclosure with the compressor.
Advances in materials technology and fabrication techniques have led to the use of plastics in a wide variety of new applications. Modern plastics can be strong, durable, damage resistant, lightweight and competitive in manufacturing cost with other materials. Moreover, the ability to easily mold plastic material has enabled the production of components in complex shapes that have previously been difficult and uneconomical to manufacture.

Cover for the outside enclosure of an air conditioning system


A management system includes: an image forming apparatus including a toner storage unit storing toner used in a developing unit, and a toner-transporting unit transporting the toner from the toner storage unit to the developing unit; and a management device connected to the apparatus through a communication unit, and managing a toner-remaining amount in the toner storage unit. The management device includes: an acquiring unit acquiring, from the apparatus, information on toner transportation time and characteristic quantities concerning variation in toner consumption in the developing unit and representing environment in the apparatus; a predicting unit calculating a predicted value of the toner-remaining amount with the acquired information on toner transportation time; a memory storing correspondence between the predicted value and a measured value of the toner-remaining amount; and a correcting unit correcting the correspondence according to the characteristic quantities, and correcting the predicted value with the corrected correspondence.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a management system, a management device, a management method and a computer readable medium storing a program.
2. Related Art
There has been proposed a technique that predicts the remaining amount of toner in an image forming apparatus such as a copy machine and a printer.

Management system, management device, management method and computer readable medium


A method and apparatus for market-based document layout selection use an automated auction or bartering system, i.e., an automated page layout system, to place objects within a page and automatically generate a page layout that is pleasing to a user. An object refers to any item that can be individually selected and manipulated, and may include shapes and pictures that appear on a display screen. The method and apparatus improve the quality of page layout in terms of user preferences, and optimize the speed at which various objects are arranged on a page in a pleasing manner. In addition, the resulting page layout may be consistent among pages because all pages are arranged according to a common algorithm.

Page layout is important for document creation or other applications that display pages of information to users. A page layout system arranges and places information to include text and/or pictures in a manner that is pleasing to the users. Current page layout systems require the users to either use standard form software to drag and drop objects into desired places or use pre-designed templates. These approaches typically require extensive user interaction. For example, the drag and drop solution is time consuming, whereas the template limits page layout options.
Some current solutions also focus on complicated rule sets that are difficult to maintain and understand. For example, since many page layout circumstances cannot be known in advance, a rule-based approach may easily cause error when unanticipated situations occur. Furthermore, while contingencies can in principle be codified, the resulting page layout system is not easily maintainable because the rules can interact with each other in complicated and unforeseen ways.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Apparatus and method for market-based document layout selection

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A communication control apparatus controls the transmission of data between client and server applications in a client/server system. The alteration to the system of a server machine does not affect the client application by temporarily storing the data in an internal database.. The communication control apparatus contains a queue-structure entry table or response table as the database storing data notified of by the client application or the response data by the server application. It also stores the table defining information which defines the format of each table. The data transmitted between the client application and the server application is queued and retrieved on each of the tables.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a client/server computer system. In particular, the present invention relates to a communication control apparatus for controlling message exchange in a client/server computer system having a front-end process application (client application) that is disposed in a client machine and a back-end process application (server application) that is disposed in a server machine and a client/server system thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Personal-computer-based LANs have been widely used as information systems for companies. In addition, client/server systems, in particular, client/server type database systems have become popular.
The client/server type database systems have various advantages over host type centralized database systems. In a multiple vendor environment, database applications can be accomplished. Since the server side and client side can share a process, the performance is high. The end users can develop applications suitable for their job using 4 GL (fourth generation language). The users can edit the results retrieved from the database server using commercial software (packaged software), such as spreadsheet software, through middle-ware. When a distributed database is constructed, data can be distributed. With a mirror function, the loss of data due to the system going down can be minimized. Since a low cost personal computer can be used as a client machine, the total cost of the system can be reduced. When a personal computer is used for a client machine that performs a main job, the efficiency of the job can be improved.
In the client/server type database system, database access types of a database server (computer) machine (referred to as a database server) by a client application mounted on a client machine can be categorized as RDA (Remote Database Access) and RPC (Remote Procedure Call).
In the RDA type of database access, a client application accesses a database using the RDA protocol established by the ISO (International Organization for Standardization). In this case, the client application directly sends a structured query language (SQL) statement that is received through a network to a DBMS (Data Base Management System). The results retrieved from the DBMS is sent to the client application by middle-ware (referred to as the RDA server). Thus, the designer of the client application should know the construction of the database on the database server.
On the other hand, in the RPC type of database access, a server application mounted on the database server is called as a subroutine through the network so as to execute a part (procedure) of a job process. The results are received from the server application, and thereby a distributed application is executed. When the RPC function is used, a harmoniously distributed process can be easily accomplished. In the harmoniously distributed process, one transaction process is distributed into a client machine and one or a plurality of database servers. Thus, with a plurality of UNIX database servers that are relatively smaller machines, a large OLTP (On Line Transaction Process) system can be constructed.
First, a problem of a C/S database system (client/server type database system) in which a client application accesses the database server corresponding to the RDA will be described.
In this type, the developer of the client application should know the construction of the database on the database server. Thus, the database manager who designs the database and the designer who designs the client application should work in liaison with each other.
In addition, the content of the client application mutually affects the construction of the database. Thus, when the manager of the database changes the construction of the database, the manager should consider the influence of the change against the existing client application. Consequently, the database manager should be familiar with the content of the client application.
In such a construction, when the construction of the database is changed (for example, the database is divided or data position is changed), the client application should be inevitably modified.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are an example of a change of the construction of the database. In this case, since the number of items of a table 2 (TABLE1) of a database DB1 of a database server 1 is increased due to an increase of transactions, the access performance is deteriorated. To improve the access performance, as shown in FIG. 1B, the table 2(TABLE1) is divided into a table 3 (TABLE1-1) and a table 4 (TABLE1-2). Thus, a part of a client application 7 on a client machine 6 is corrected from a content (INSERT TABLE1) shown in FIG. 1A to a content (INSERT TABLE1-1, INSERT TABLE1-2) shown in FIG. 1B. Thus, the correcting work results in an increase of the cost. In addition, the client machine cannot be temporarily used.
In addition, the manager of the database server should preform a modification work such as dispersion of load of the database and change of data management unit when the client application is changed. Thus, the period for the modification work available for the manager of the database server is restricted.
To directly open the construction of the table of the database to the user, the table of the database should be designed in consideration of both the use state of the data of the user and the management state of the database. Thus, the table design is very difficult to construct in the system.
As shown in FIG. 2, when an order process is performed in the RDA, a client application 11 requests a database server 20 to perform a process such as a customer check, an inventory check, an inventory update, or an order registration with an SQL statement. Each SQL statement is issued after a response to the former SQL statement has been received from the database server 20. Thus, while the order process is being executed, data is repeatedly exchanged between the client machine 10 and the database sever 20. Consequently, the traffic amount of the network may increases, thereby decreasing the process performance of the system.
In the RDA, a request of an SQL statement from the client application is immediately sent to the DBMS through the RDA server. Thus, even if the system manager establishes the following rules (1) to (4) as database operation rules, he cannot substantially manage/control the operation of the system.
(1) restricts access time (to prohibit the user from accessing a large amount of data and from leaving his seat while accessing the data).
(2) restricts access time zone (to allow the manager to have maintenance time for the database).
(3) controls overload (to prohibit the user to access the database when the database server is overloaded).
(4) controls priority (to dynamically control the execution of each service corresponding to the priority).
Other than the process request method using the SQL statement for accessing the client application corresponding to the RDA, a so-called stored procedure call method is available. In the stored procedure call method, a sequence of transaction processes (procedures) are pre-registered in the database server. By calling a procedure, a predetermined database process is performed. However, in the present situation, since the client application should generate a job logic by accessing the database with the SQL statement and using the stored procedure call, the job logic becomes complicated, thereby preventing the productivity from being improved.
The security function for accessing the database of the existing DBMS is performed for each table and for each column (item). Thus, when each item of data is open to the user, as shown in FIG. 3, the designation of the access right becomes complicated. When a job system is constructed, the access right of the database is usually designated for each user (end user, job manager, etc.). Thus, when the same user works as an end user and a job manager, the access right should be changed for each item of the user. However, the security designator may designate the same user the same right for all items of the same user.
Next, a so-called C/S application type database system will be described. In this database system, applications are categorized as a client application that performs input/output processes for the user interface and a server application that executes job logic for database access. The client application and the server application are mounted on a client machine and a database server, respectively. The client application calls the server application corresponding to the RPC so as to execute the job process. This C/S application type database system has the following problems.
When applications are developed, the format of data exchanged between both the applications, the process time of the server application, and the operation time zone of the server application should be considered.
As the above-described process type, real communication and delayed communication are known. In the real communication, when the server application has completed a process requested by the client application, the client application is informed of the completion of the process.
On the other hand, in the delayed communication, when a message (data) received from the client application is stored without need to wait until the process of the server application has been completed, the client application is informed of the completion of the process.
Thus, when the client application performs the collecting type process that collects data for the sever application on a real time communication basis, if the process time of the server application becomes very long, the reply time for the client application is delayed. In this case, the collecting type process should be changed from "real communication" to "delayed communication". Thus, the development of both the applications has a close relationship to each other. Consequently, it is very difficult to independently develop them. In addition, since the change of the process type affects the logic of the application, both the applications should be changed in many situations, thereby deteriorating the productivity.
Since the client application performs a process for the user interface, the attribute (type) of data to be processed should be suitable for a screen process. On the other hand, since the server application accesses the database and edits the data thereof, the application should be preferably processed with attributes suitable for such processes. Thus, when data is exchanged between the client application and the server application, the data attribute changing process is required on either side.
This process results in an increase of the work load, thereby lowering the productivity of the application.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the operation test for an application that is newly developed cannot be performed unless both the client application 31 and the server application 32 are provided. For a test in the RPC, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, a driver 36 and a stub 37 should be provided.
In other words, when only the server application 32 is tested, a driver that issues a request to the server application 32 instead of the client application 31 should be provided (FIG. 4B). On the other hand, when only the client application 31 is tested, the stub 37 that receives a request from the client application 31 instead of the server application 32 should be provided (FIG. 4C).
On the other hand, an original test supporting tool may be used. In this case, the operation of the tool should be well known.
In addition, since the client application and the server application are in liaison with each other through a TP monitor, they should be generated corresponding to an API (Application Programming Interface) of the TP monitor. Thus, in this situation, it is impossible to construct the C/S application type database system corresponding to the RPC using commercial package software (such as spreadsheet software, database, or access software) mounted on a PC (personal computer) as a client application.
In addition, in the existing C/S application type database system, the server application designated by the client application corresponding to the RPC is operated only in the same executing environment on the database server. In other words, the same server application can be used in one job process. Thus, when the existing server application is used for a new job process, the name should be changed. Consequently, various jobs involving the name change are required.
In other words, as shown in FIG. 5, in a system that is operating, a client application 41 calls a server application A. Thereafter, so as to extend the job, using the server application A, a new client application 42 is developed (1). Since the new job process becomes another executing environment, the server application A should be managed by a server application A' with another name (2). However, in this case, when the server application A is corrected due to an occurrence of a trouble, not only the server application A, but the server application A' should be corrected (3). In other words, the same server application A should be dually managed, thereby increasing the maintenance work.

Communications control apparatus and client/server computer system


Systems and methods for distributing thread instructions in the pipeline of a multi-threading digital processor are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and software are disclosed for successively selecting threads in an ordered sequence for execution in the processor pipeline. If a thread to be selected cannot execute, then a complementary thread is selected for execution.

Many different types of computing systems have attained widespread use around the world. These computing systems include personal computers, servers, mainframes and a wide variety of stand-alone and embedded computing devices. Sprawling client-server systems exist, with applications and information spread across many Personal Computer PC networks, mainframes and minicomputers. In a distributed system connected by networks, a user may access many application programs, databases, network systems, operating systems and mainframe applications. Computers provide individuals and businesses with a host of software applications including word processing, spreadsheet, accounting, e-mail, voice over Internet protocol telecommunications, and facsimile.
Users of digital processors such as computers continue to demand greater and greater performance from such systems for handling increasingly complex and difficult tasks. In addition, processing speed has increased much more quickly than that of main memory accesses. As a result, cache memories, or caches, are often used in many such systems to increase performance in a relatively cost-effective manner. Many modern computers also support "multi-tasking" in which two or more programs are run at the same time. An operating system controls the alternation between the programs, and a switch between the programs or between the operating system and one of the programs is called a "context switch."
Additionally, multi-tasking can be performed in a single program, and is typically referred to as "multi-threading." Multiple program actions can be processed concurrently using multi-threading. Most multi-threading processors work exclusively on one thread at a time. For example, a multi-threading processor may execute n instructions from thread a, then execute n instructions from thread b, where n is an integer and threads a and b are instructions for two different programs or from the same program. There also exist fine-grain multi-threading processors that interleave different threads on a cycle-by-cycle basis, i.e., n=1. Both types of multi-threading interleave the instructions of different threads on long-latency events.
Modern computers include at least a first level cache L1 and typically a second level cache L2. This dual cache memory system enables storing frequently accessed data and instructions close to the execution units of the processor to minimize the time required to transmit data to and from memory. L1 cache is typically on the same chip as the execution units. L2 cache is external to the processor chip but physically close to it. Ideally, as the time for execution of an instruction nears, instructions and data are moved to the L2 cache from a more distant memory. When the time for executing the instruction is near imminent, the instruction and its data, if any, is advanced to the L1 cache.
As the processor operates in response to a clock, data and instructions are accessed from the L1 cache for execution. A cache miss occurs if the data or instructions sought are not in the cache. The processor would then seek the data or instructions in the L2 cache. A cache miss may occur at this level as well. The processor would then seek the data or instructions from other memory located further away. Thus, each time a memory reference occurs which is not present within the first level of cache the processor attempts to obtain that memory reference from a second or higher level of cache. The benefits of a cache are maximized whenever the number of cache hits greatly exceeds the number of cache misses. When a cache miss occurs, execution of the instructions of the current thread is suspended while awaiting retrieval of the expected data or instructions. During this time, while the system is awaiting the data or instructions for the thread, the processor execution units could be operating on another thread. In a multi-threading system the processor would switch to another thread and execute its instructions while operation on the first thread is suspended. Thus, thread selection logic is provided to determine which thread to be next executed by the processor.
A common architecture for high performance, single-chip microprocessors is the reduced instruction set computer (RISC) architecture characterized by a small simplified set of frequently used instructions for rapid execution. Thus, in a RISC architecture, a complex instruction comprises a small set of simple instructions that are executed in steps very rapidly. As semiconductor technology has advanced, the goal of RISC architecture has been to develop processors capable of executing one or more instructions on each clock cycle of the machine. Execution units of modern processors therefore have multiple stages forming an execution pipeline. On each cycle of processor operation, each stage performs a step in the execution of an instruction. Thus, as a processor cycles, an instruction advances through the stages of the pipeline. As it advances it is executed. Pipeline instruction execution allows subsequent instructions to begin execution before previously issued instructions have finished. A cache miss may occur when an instruction is at any stage of the pipeline. Ideally, when this occurs, an instruction of a different thread is placed in the pipeline at the next processor cycle and the suspended thread is advanced without execution.
Multithreading permits the processors' pipeline to do useful work on different threads when a pipeline stall condition is detected for the current thread. Various thread selection logic units have been proposed for controlling the order in which thread instructions are sent to be executed. For example, a task-level dynamic scheme would entail continual execution of a first thread until a long latency event, such as a cache miss, occurs. Then, execution of the first thread is stopped and execution of a second thread commences. Execution of the second thread would continue until another long-latency event occurs. The objective of this scheme is to keep the processor as busy as possible executing instructions. However, the processor is required to handle data hazards because the same thread is likely to execute for many cycles. A data hazard occurs when data in a stage of the pipeline is required by another stage. Data forwarding between the stages of the processor pipeline is then necessary to ensure that data from one stage of the pipeline is available to another stage.
An instruction level dynamic scheme for thread selection is also known in the art. In this scheme, when a thread is dispatched, it remains active for only one cycle. The objective is to share the processor pipeline as fairly as possible between active threads, even if it increases the likelihood of all threads waiting simultaneously. The processor pipeline is still required to handle data hazards because the same thread can execute for many cycles back-to-back when only one thread is active.
Another scheme for thread selection is cycle-level Time Division Multiplex (TDM). In this method, all threads are dispatched in a fixed time division multiplexed pattern at each cycle. If a thread waits, (for example, because of a long latency read), its assigned cycle is lost. The objective is to eliminate data hazards in the processor pipeline. This is achieved when the number of multiplexed threads is at least equal to the number of stages in the pipeline. Note that processor use is not optimal because the wait cycles are multiplexed among the execution cycles causing idle cycles in the processor pipeline.
Thus, there is a need for a thread-switching method that minimizes data hazards and makes optimal use of the processor.

Systems and methods for time division multiplex multithreading

International Business Machines Corporation


Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer storage media directed to facilitating corpus-based content generation, in particular, using graph-based multi-sentence compression to generate a final content output. In one embodiment, pre-existing source content is identified and retrieved from a corpus. The source content is then parsed into sentence tokens, mapped and weighted. The sentence tokens are further parsed into word tokens and weighted. The mapped word tokens are then compressed into candidate sentences to be used in a final content. The final content is assembled using ranked candidate sentences, such that the final content is organized to reduce information redundancy and optimize content cohesion.

With the proliferation in the number of channels on which content is consumed, a content writer (e.g., author) engaged in writing textual content (e.g., articles) for various purposes needs to ensure that their generated content caters to the requirements of their chosen channel of content distribution and the needs of their desired target audience. For example, while certain channels like social media platforms may require shorter content representations, other channels such as newsletters, informational pamphlets, newspapers, and websites may allow for more elaborate content representations.
To cater to the demands of specifically chosen channels and target audiences, content authors often search for pre-existing content that can be re-purposed to generate new content or to elaborate on content. Often, the additional information for which the author is searching already exists, for example, on the Internet or in an enterprise setting (e.g., a company's document database), in various manifestations. In the absence of suitable assistance, content authors manually curate such content from a corpus, thereby reducing their productivity. For example, it can be time intensive to search for relevant information, analyze the relevant information to remove duplicative information and ensure coverage of various topics, and thereafter prepare well-written content. In some cases, the tedium of manual content curation from pre-existing content leads an author to generate content from scratch, rather than spending time searching for difficult-to-locate pre-existing content to repurpose. Such manual content curation, however, can result in various errors and inconsistencies.

Constructing content based on multi-sentence compression of source content


A multi-socket electricity outlet includes a top member and a bottom member with at least one recess defined in an underside thereof. The recess is defined by a casing which extends into the multi-socket electricity outlet. At least one of the top member and the bottom member has an outlet defined therein for an engagement with a plug. The casing has a plurality of first plates extending therefrom At least one module member is replaceably received in the recess and has at least one board replaceably received therein which has a plurality of second plates extending therefrom so as to be connected to the first plates to form a circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric outlet, and, more particularly, to a multi-socket electricity outlet having at least one circuit protection module replaceably disposed therein.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Multi-socket electricity outlets are developed to include a plurality of types of sockets so as to connect various plugs to a single device. Some features such as reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI) and preventing current overload and surge, are required for such devices by users so as to have multi-functions. In order to achieve these requirements, many necessary parts such as EMI filters, non-fuse breakers (NFB) and surge absorbing members are disposed in the multi-socket electricity outlet. However, in some situations, the multi-socket electricity outlet could be damaged because of the above-mentioned reasons and once this multi-socket electricity outlet damage happens, the users generally discard it and buy a new one.
The present invention intends to provide an improved multi-socket electricity outlet which has at least one circuit protection module which is replaceable when needed such that the above-mentioned problems can be mitigated and/or obviated.

Multi-socket electricity outlet having at least one circuit protection module

Apollo Resources & Developement Co., LTD


A system and method is provided that provides tools to consumers to help consumers understand their credit scores and how to take action to improve their credit scores. A system and method for each of and for a combination of a score estimating tool, a best action simulation tool, an easy error correction tool, and a score improvement tool are provided.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to providing tools for consumers to aid them in understanding their credit scores and how to take action to improve their credit scores. More particularly, the invention relates to a score estimating tool, a best action simulation tool, an easy error correction tool, and a score improvement tool.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is well known that when a consumer applies for credit, financial institutions look to three major credit bureaus to generate credit reports on that individual. They are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Also used in evaluating the likelihood that a consumer will make good on his or her credit is a metric known as a credit score. Fair Isaac Corporation's FICO® score has become a standard score used in such evaluations. Given that consumers are becoming more and more technically and financially sophisticated, what is lacking are tools that keep up with such increase in sophistication. What is lacking are tools, put into the hands of consumers, that use data from actual bureau credit reports and actual FICO® scores of consumers to help them understand better how their behaviors affect their score and how to take action to improve their score.
It would be advantageous to provide a system and method that allows a user to easily dispute contents in bureau credit reports where logic component is linked to the user's actual credit report from the bureau.
It would be advantageous to provide a system and method that takes recent information from a consumer's credit reports as well as the consumer's credit score, e.g. FICO score, and generates a plan that the consumer can take to maximize the score.
It would be advantageous to provide a score estimator that allows consumers, by generating an estimate score, to glean a rough idea of their credit health. It would further be advantageous to configure such estimator such that it can be easily embedded into a partner's web site.
It would be advantageous to provide a system and method that determines the best action simulation, i.e. is the single most effective action of a set of actions to take by a consumer to increase the consumer's credit score.

System and method for helping consumers understand and interpret credit scores


A firecracker simulating device includes a plate, an actuating device attached to the plate and extended outwardly from the plate, a number of balloons are strung together, and a forcing device may be used for forcing the balloons to engage with the actuating device, to have the balloons to be pierced by the actuating device, and to generate sounds of explosion. The balloons may be strung together with a wire. The wire may be engaged through an opening of the plate and pulled by the users. A bar may be attached to the plate, for attaching the plate to supporting members, and includes a ring, the wire may be engaged through the ring. A weight member or a flag may be attached to the wire.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a firecracker simulating device, and more particularly to a firecracker simulating device for generating explosion or firing of firecrackers without generating smoke or gunpowder and dirt.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typical firecrackers comprise explosive charges or dynamite disposed therein which are dangerous and which may have a good chance to be exploded or fired inadvertently by fire or even by sun shine. In addition, after explosion or firing, poisonous niter, or smoke of gunpowder, and/or sulphur materials, carbon chips, and paper chips may be generated, which may pollute our environment, and/or may hurt people.
Due to the dangerous explosive charges or dynamite, and due to the explosive characteristics, the typical firecrackers have been banned in many countries. However, explosion or firing of the firecrackers is normally required for ceremonies.
For avoiding the poisonous niter, or smoke of gunpowder, and/or sulphur materials, carbon chips, and paper chips, an electric firecracker simulating device has been developed and includes a tape recorded explosion or firing of the firecrackers, which may be selectively played by users. However, people may not feel the explosion or firing of the firecrackers with the tape recorded explosion or firing of the firecrackers.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional firecracker simulating devices.


The present embodiments relate to static timing analysis (STA) of circuits. The STA can be carried out concurrently for multiple-mode-multiple-corners (MMMC) for circuits including combinational loops. The STA includes determining hard breaking points in the loop associated with each single-mode-single-corner (SMSC) view. The STA also includes merging constraints of all SMSC views to generate a merged set of constraints. The STA includes running MMMC STA for the circuit based on the merged set of constraints. The STA also includes determining a soft breaking point for the loop in the MMMC view for timing propagation and settling. The STA maintains consistency of breaking points across SMSC and MMMC views.

Electronic design automation (EDA) tools are used to design integrated circuits. Integrated circuits can include many thousands and perhaps millions of circuit elements (e.g., transistors, logic gates, diodes) and interconnecting wires and busses. Prior to fabrication of the integrated circuit design, the design can be analyzed to ensure that it meets design constraints. The design constraints can include, for example, signal propagation delays through one or more portions of the designed integrated circuit and power consumption of the designed integrated circuit. The EDA tools can analyze timing delays in the designed integrated circuit. For example, static timing analysis (STA) tools simulate the designed integrated circuit to determine timing characteristics throughout the designed integrated circuit. Designers can, based on the STA analysis, make changes to the design such that that the designed integrated circuit meets the specified design constraints.

Deterministic loop breaking in multi-mode multi-corner static timing analysis of integrated circuits


A phase-change disk has first and second disk sections each including a recording layer and a reflective layer. The first disk section includes a transmission-factor control film including first through third dielectric layers having refractive indexes of n1, n2 and n3, where n1>n2<n3, for improving the transmission factor of the first disk section, which increases the optical intensity of the reflected light from the second disk section.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical recording medium having a plurality of recording layers and, more particularly, to an optical recording medium having a plurality of recording layers consecutively arranged from a light-incident side of the optical recording medium.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Optical recording media include a phase-change optical recording disk (phase-change disk), wherein irradiation of a laser beam forms and erases a recorded mark on a recording layer in a reversible way to change the optical property of the recording layer between the recorded state and the erased state. Upon reproducing data recorded in the phase-change disk, a reproducing laser beam is irradiated onto the disk and the reflected laser beam is examined to detect the optical intensity or phase thereof for judging the data.
A multiple-recording-layer phase-change disk is known which includes a plurality of recording layers layered one on another for increasing the recording capacity. Data are recorded and reproduced to/from the multiple-recording-layer phase-change disk by irradiating a laser beam through one of the surfaces of the phase-change disk. A two-recording-layer phase-change disk, for example, theoretically has a recording capacity substantially double the recording capacity of a single-layer phase-change disk.
FIG. 4 shows a layered structure of a conventional two-recording-layer phase-change disk 50, which includes, consecutively from the light-incident side, a first disk section 51, an optical separation layer 52 and a second disk section 53. The first disk section 51 includes a substrate 55, and a combination of recording layer 56 and reflective layer 57, which are consecutively formed on the surface of the substrate 55 far from a light-incident side of the phase-change disk 50. The second disk section 53 includes a substrate 31, and a combination of reflective layer 59 and recording layer 60, which are consecutively formed on the surface of the substrate 58 near the light-incident side.
The recording layers 56, 60 are made of a material having a reversible phase-change property changing between a crystal phase and an amorphous phase, which have different optical transmission factors (referred to as simply transmission factors hereinafter). A laser beam 54 is irradiated onto the recording disk 50 so as to be focused in the vicinity of the recording layer 56 or 60, to obtain a reflected laser beam from the corresponding reflective layer 57 or 59. The reflected laser beam is examined for the optical intensity thereof to reproduce the data recorded on the recording layer 56 or 60.
In order for obtaining a sufficient optical intensity for the laser beam reflected from the second disk section 53 in the two-recording-layer phase-change disk 50, the first disk section 51 should have a higher transmission factor. This is because the optical beam reflected from the second disk section 53 passes twice through the first disk section 51. If the first disk section 51 has a transmission factor of T0 and the second disk section 53 has a reflectivity of R1, the reflected beam from the second disk section 53 has an optical intensity down to T02×R1 of the original optical intensity. Thus, it is desired that the first disk section 51 have a transmission factor of 50% or above for obtaining a practically sufficient optical intensity for the laser beam reflected from the second disk section 53.
In the conventional two-recording-layer phase-change disk 50, the reflective layer 57 in the first disk section 51 has a relatively small thickness to thereby suppress the reflection by the reflective layer 57. It may be considered to reduce the thickness of the recording layer 56 in the first disk section 51 in order to compensate a shortage of the transmission factor, instead of the smaller thickness of the reflective layer 57. However, the smaller thickness of the recording layer 56 in the phase-change disk 10 makes it difficult to crystallize the recording layer 56, thereby degrading the performance for forming and erasing a recorded mark on the recording layer 56.
Patent Publication JP-2004-310992A describes a technique for improving the transmission factor of the first disk section, wherein a single dielectric layer having a higher refractive index is provided on the surface of the reflective layer in the first disk section far from the light-incident side of the phase-change disk.
The technique described in the patent publication may improve the transmission factor of the first disk section by 2 to 10%, if the single dielectric layer has a refractive index of 2.0 or above. However, such an improvement is insufficient for the first disk section to have a transmission factor of 50% or above.

Optical recording medium having a plurality of recording layers


A tail chase guidance system for directing a steerable object, such as a pedo, to a contact along a final approach course. The guidance system senses a bearing from the steerable object to the contact and the course of the steerable object. If the contact is moving, the system determines a contact course as a final approach course; if stationary, a value is provided for the final approach course. Various signals are then generated based upon these bearings and courses and classified into sensed linguistic variables based on membership functions from the different sensed variable membership function sets to become fuzzy inputs to a controller that produces fuzzy control output linguistic variables and associated membership functions from a control output membership function set based upon logical manipulation of the fuzzy inputs. These fuzzy control output membership functions are converted into an output having an appropriate form for controlling the trajectory so that the steerable object intercepts the contact along the final approach course.

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a control system located at a first, or reference, site for guiding a steerable object from that site toward a contact or target. More specifically this invention relates to such a control system that guides the steerable object to a predetermined final approach course to the contact.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Real time control systems based upon sensory inputs find application in air-, land- and underwater-based vehicles. If the range, course, speed and bearing of a target are known, a "target intercept" control mode can be used. In the target intercept control mode, a control system predicts the trajectory of the target and directs the torpedo to an anticipated intercept point. A control system operating in a "target pursuit" mode directs the torpedo so that it always points toward the target. In a "beam riders" control mode the control system directs the torpedo along a bearing between the submarine and the target. U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,556 to Bessacini (1994) discloses adaptive trajectory apparatus for selecting one of these control modes based upon information available during each update cycle for a given situation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,832 to Bessacini et al. (1995) discloses guidance system based upon beam rider control using fuzzy control logic. U.S. Pat. No. (Ser. No. 08/498,810 filed Jul. 6, 1995) by Bessacini et al. for a Fuzzy Controller for Acoustic Vehicle Target Intercept Guidance discloses one version of a target intercept guidance system.
The foregoing control systems direct a steerable object, such as a torpedo, to intercept a contact at an arbitrary angle. However many contacts have different sensitivities to noise in different directions. For example, a target constituted by a moving submarine is least likely to detect a torpedo approaching along its course line from the stern. The noise that the contact produces through propeller and other noise tends to be masking and minimize the chance of such detection. Moreover if a torpedo approaches the stern of a submarine it is more likely to cripple the submarine by damaging the propellers and or steering mechanisms with a minimal torpedo detonation. It is also characteristic of such an approach that the torpedo tends to move away initially from the bearing between the launching vehicle and the contact thereby to minimize any chance that the torpedo or other steerable object will mask signals used to provide contact state.
Such a trajectory, called a "tail chase" trajectory is highly desirable. Prior fuzzy controllers have the ability to achieve such a trajectory, but only if a launching vehicle is properly positioned relative to the contact at the time of launch. Other classical approaches that produce a target pursuit trajectory are more likely to produce a tail chase trajectory. However, in actual practice it has been found that, under certain circumstances, turn rates required by such classical techniques have not been attainable. Consequently the classical methods do not produce a tail chase trajectory as a standard final approach to a target. Consequently none of the control systems including those implemented in accordance with classical approaches or the foregoing Bessacini et al. patents (and applications) incorporate any mechanism for readily producing a tail chase trajectory.

Final approach trajectory control with fuzzy controller

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A circuit board assembly for use in a vehicle immobilizer system in accordance with the present invention includes a printed circuit board for mounting in an interior portion of the vehicle and having an aperture formed therethrough. The aperture is defined by an interior wall of the printed circuit board. An antenna trace is printed on the circuit board proximate to the interior wall defining the aperture. An ignition switch assembly extends through the aperture of the circuit board. The ignition switch is operable to receive a key having a transponder disposed thereon, and the antenna trace is operable to alternately transmit a signal to and receive a signal from the transponder when the key is positioned in the ignition switch.

The present invention relates generally to communications, security, and immobilizer systems for vehicles and, in particular, to a circuit board assembly including an integral antenna printed thereon for use in a vehicle immobilizer system.
A vehicle engine is typically started by inserting an ignition key into an ignition lock cylinder of an ignition switch assembly and then turning the ignition key. In order to prevent unauthorized use of a vehicle, electronic immobilizer systems are installed in conjunction with the vehicle's ignition system. The immobilizer system uses an inductive link between a transponder contained in the ignition key and an antenna placed adjacent the ignition lock cylinder. After receiving a signal from the antenna, the transponder contained in the key transmits an immobilizer identification code, which is received by the antenna and transmitted to the vehicle controller. When an identification code transmitted from the transponder of the key matches an identification code preset in the vehicle's controller, the controller allows the engine to be started. The engine, therefore, may only be started by the use of a key incorporating a transponder that transmits a proper identification code.
A continuing goal in immobilizer system design is to efficiently couple energy between the transponder and the antenna and minimize interference with other devices. The optimum means for achieving this is to locate the antenna closer to the key and preferably surrounding the key.
From a manufacturing perspective, it is desirable to locate the antenna on the circuit board that includes the transceiver components that are driving the antenna. Even when installed within the steering column, the circuit board and the antenna have been relatively farther away from the key. This traditionally requires mechanical antenna components, which are disadvantageously costly.
It is desirable to obtain improved antenna performance while lowering the cost of the antenna and improving packaging of the circuit board including the transceiver components that drive the antenna.

Circuit board assembly with integral antenna


A system that includes at least one processor, at least one subscriber identification module connected to the at least one processor, wherein the at least one subscriber identification module is operative to store a plurality of subscriber identities that are each associated with a unique telephone number, respectively, at least one location determination module connected to the at least one processor, and computer executable instructions readable by the at least one processor and operative to use the at least one location determination module to determine at least one location of the at least one location determination module, at least one processor, or at least one subscriber identification module, and select at least one of the plurality of subscriber identities based on the at least one location.

Many people often have trouble managing more than one mobile phone number, since it traditionally requires having a separate phone for each SIM card associated with a phone number. People have gone around this by swapping out SIM cards from a single phone, or by purchasing dual-SIM card phones.
More recently, there have been advancements in SIM card technology, allowing users to store multiple phone numbers on a single SIM card, however such systems require users to manually change phone numbers by removing the SIM card, using a SIM card reader connected to a computer and a computer application to manually switch phone numbers, which remains a cumbersome and inconvenient task.

Smart subscriber identification module system and method


A first and a second power roller supported by trunnions are gripped between an input disc and an output disc disposed on an identical rotation axis. The gyration angles of the power rollers are varied by driving the trunnions in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis by an oil pressure actuator. The oil pressure of the actuator is controlled based on a target gyration angle, and the gyration angle of the first power roller is fed back to the oil pressure control. Vibration of the first power roller due to external disturbance is prevented from affecting the second power roller via oil pressure control by making a force according to a displacement of the first power roller in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, act only on the trunnion supporting the first power roller.

In a toroidal type continuously variable transmission for a vehicle as disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,890, a speed change ratio varies according to a gyration angle of a plurality of power rollers gripped between an input disc and an output disc. These power rollers are each supported by a trunnion.
The gyration angle of the power roller varies when a force in a specified direction at right angles to both the power roller rotation axis and the disc rotation axis, acts upon the trunnion.
This variation depends on a load applied by the input disc and output disc to the power roller due to a displacement of the power roller in the aforementioned specified direction. The dynamics of this gyration angle variation is explained for example in SAE Technical Paper NO. 901761.
In such a transmission, when an external force in the specified direction acts on one of the power rollers due to an unexpected disturbance, the gyration angle of the power roller varies as a result.
When the gyration angle changes, the transmission torque of this power roller varies, and the force exerted by the input and output discs on the power roller also varies. In this way, torque is transmitted from the input disc to the output disc at a new balance point when the force due to the external disturbance, the force applied by the input and output discs to the power roller depending on the transmitted torque and the oil pressure supporting the power roller via the trunnion, are in equilibrium.
In a power roller control mechanism, e.g. as disclosed in Tokkai Hei 3-89066 published by the Japanese Patent Office in 1991, a plurality of power rollers are supported by an identical oil pressure controlled by a control valve. A gyration angle and offset amount of a specific power roller is fed back to the control valve via a precess cam which responds to both of these parameters.
The reason why the offset amount of the rotation axis is fed back in addition to the gyration angle in this way, is because if only the gyration angle were fed back, hunting of the controlled oil pressure would easily occur.
The purpose of this feedback control is to maintain the gyration angles of all the power rollers identical. However when the above specified power roller is displaced in the offset direction due to an external disturbance, it also affects the oil pressure supporting other power rollers not subject to the effect of the disturbance, because oil pressure control of all the power rollers is performed based on the offset amount of the specified power roller.
As a result, synchronous operation of the power rollers may collapse, and this may lead to vibration of the power rollers.

Toroidal type continuously variable transmission


A switching power supply circuit has an energy storage component, a synchronous rectifier switch and a synchronous rectifier control circuit. The synchronous rectifier switch is coupled to a secondary side of the energy storage component, and the synchronous rectifier control circuit turns ON the synchronous rectifier switch based on a drain-source voltage across the synchronous rectifier switch when a primary switch is judged as turned ON. When the switching power supply circuit is not operating in a preset mode, the primary switch is judged as turned ON when the drain-source voltage remains larger than a dynamic reference voltage during a preset window time period, and when the switching power supply circuit is operating in the preset mode, the primary switch is judged as turned ON once the drain-source voltage is larger than the dynamic reference voltage.

With the development of electronic technology, because of a high conversion efficiency, synchronous rectifier is widely used in devices sensitive to power efficiency, such as laptop adapters, wireless equipment, LCD power management modules, power over Ethernet, and so on.
Generally speaking, a switching power supply circuit with synchronous rectifier receives an input voltage at a primary side of a transformer, and provide an output voltage at a secondary side of the transformer, a synchronous rectifier switch is used at the secondary side of the transformer instead of a diode. Flyback topology is one of a typical scheme, and as an example, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a flyback converter with synchronous rectifier. The flyback converter shown in FIG. 1 has a transformer T1, a primary switch SR1 coupled to a primary side of transformer T1, and a synchronous rectifier switch SR2 coupled to a secondary side of transformer T1. The primary side of transformer T1 receives an input voltage Vin, and the secondary side of transformer T1 provides an output voltage Vo.
In the switching power supply circuit with synchronous rectifier, a drain-source voltage across the synchronous rectifier switch may be adopted to determine the on and off of the synchronous rectifier switch. To avoid mis-trigger of the synchronous rectifier switch caused by a ring of the drain-source voltage, a slew rate of the drain-source voltage is detected meanwhile. However, with switching frequency increasing, a slew rate of the ring becomes closer to the slew rate of the drain-source voltage when it is normally turned ON. As a result, accurate turning ON of the synchronous rectifier switch is in demand for application with increased switching frequency.

Switching power supply circuit with synchronous rectifier and associated control circuit and control method

Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.


The present invention relates to veneered paneled elements such as doors. For example, a veneered raised panel door could include two vertically-oriented framing members (e.g., stiles) and two horizontally-oriented framing members (e.g., rails). These members are combined with a center panel to create a door frame. Each exposed edge of the door is layered with an edge banding. This edge banding (e.g., a wood or plastic veneer) covers any joints between the vertically-oriented and horizontally oriented framing members.

The invention relates generally to the manufacture of elements such as doors and more particularly to a veneered raised panel element such as a door and method of manufacturing thereof.
Raised panel doors have been a part of the building and cabinet industries for many years. As shown in FIG. 1, a raised panel door 10 generally includes five components: two rails 12, two stiles 14, and a center panel 16. When the rails 12 and stiles 14 are assembled, the resulting structure is the outer frame 22 of door 10. The rails 12 form the horizontal portions of the door 10 and the stiles 14 form the vertical portions of door 10.
During manufacture, the rails 12 and stiles 14 may be processed by a machine, such as a soft former (not shown), which machines grooves on the inside edges 18 of stiles 14 and rails 12 while a double-end tennoner machines a cope on the ends of rails 12. The copes on rails 12 fit into the patterns comprising grooves on stiles 14 for connecting the two components together. Glue may then be applied to the intersecting portions of the stiles and rails, and the pieces assembled together as a frame around center panel 16. The center panel 16, as well as the stiles 14 and rails 12, are traditionally held in place with staples (not shown) to provide strength while the glue cures. Although machines may be used to perform some of the processes used in forming raised panel door 10, many processes are performed by humans, resulting in a labor-intensive and expensive manufacturing process.
For many years, each of the five components of the raised panel door 10 was made of solid wood materials, which may be quite costly and often lack uniformity in color and grain patterns. With the invention of the vacuum press, however, the industry has moved to manufacturing raised panel doors 10 in which the center panel 16 is made of a veneered panel. Such technology has enabled manufacturers to press and bend veneer over the gently sloping surface of a core material, making the. manufacturing of the door more cost effective. These doors are still labor intensive and costly, however, because the rails 12 and stiles 14 are still manufactured out of solid wood materials.
Manufacturing raised panel doors 10 with solid wood materials has resulted in disadvantages that affect the manufacturing process, the consumer, and the environment. One disadvantage of raised panel doors 10 utilizing solid wood materials is the amount of wood that is required during manufacturing. It is increasingly becoming more difficult to obtain solid stock without blemishes such as knots and which has consistent color. These characteristics are undesirable to manufacturers because they compromise the high quality door desired by consumers. The scarcity of wood stock possessing desirable characteristics is further exacerbated as this stock has become scarcer due to the stock being sold for veneers and at a higher price. Thus, generally the only material left for stiles and rails on raised panel doors 10 is stock that is rejected for veneers. An entire manufacturing process may be needed to provide acceptable wood for the stiles and rails, and much of the original wood stock (e.g., 50-60%) may be wasted in the process.
Although the manufacturing of the center panel 16 out of a veneered substrate has alleviated some of the effects of wood shortages, other problems arise from the incorporation of different products into a single raised panel door 10. First, the veneered center panel 16 of the door 10 may stain to different color than the solid wood stiles and rails. Secondly, the veneered center panel 16 may have a more uniform pattern than the rails 12 and stiles 14 because of the different wood stock used for the veneer and for the solid wood rails 12 and stiles 14. As explained above, the veneer will generally be of a better quality wood stock. Thirdly, the door 10 has a tendency to expand and contract more because of the solid wood materials used in the manufacturing of the stiles and rails. This necessitates the need to staple the center panel into position to allow for the relative movement between the different pieces.
Stapling also results in unsightly staple holes for the manufacturer to fill and evidence of the staple may still be seen in the finished product. Warping of the solid wood pieces may also occur. Furthermore, the assembled door 10 results in a product in which the seams of the cope and groove 20 may be seen along the outer edges of the door 10. In addition, the ends of stiles 14 next to the cope of rails 12 exposes the cross grain of the wood, which does not match and is not as aesthetically pleasing as the wood on the side of the adjacent rails. Also, the end grain generally allows a faster rate of moisture absorption than the edge grain, thereby increasing the risk of warping and instability.
These and other problems are generally solved or circumvented, and technical advantages are generally achieved by preferred embodiments of the present invention. In one preferred embodiment, the raised panel door comprises at least two vertically-oriented framing members, each vertically-oriented framing member having a cavity within the framing member along a first of two elongated sides forming a top edge and a bottom edge and having a first pattern profile along the top edge. The door also comprises at least two horizontally-oriented framing members disposed between the at least two vertically-oriented framing members, each horizontally-oriented framing member having a cope at each of two horizontal ends which is shaped to fit within the cavity of the vertically-oriented framing members to form a door frame, and having a second pattern profile along one of two vertical ends, the second pattern profile designed to tranversely align with the first profile to form a consistent pattern profile around the door frame. A center panel is disposed within the door frame. Edge banding is applied to each of the outer edges. Each of the at least two vertically-oriented members, at least two horizontally-oriented members, and center panel comprise a veneered layered substrate.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for making a door comprises forming pieces of a substrate into at least two vertically-oriented members having a cavity within the vertically-oriented members, at least two horizontally-oriented members having a cope at each of two vertical ends, the cope designed to fit within the cavity of each of the vertically oriented members, and a center panel, each member having profiled inner edges and outer edges; assembling the members together to form the door utilizing the cavity of the vertically-oriented members, the cope of the horizontally-oriented members, and applicable glue; and edge banding the outer edges of the door with an edge band such as veneer or a plastic band.
In another preferred embodiment method, the forming of the members comprises machining strips of veneer covered substrate to the proper size for forming each of the members, forming the cavity and a pattern profile on the at least two vertically-oriented members, forming the cavity, cope and the pattern on the at least two horizontally-oriented members, and veneering the pattern profile on each of the at least two vertically-oriented members and each of the at least two horizontally-oriented members.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a cabinet having the inventive door of the present invention comprises a housing and a raised panel door comprising veneer and attached to a side of the housing, the raised panel door having at least two horizontally-oriented framing members disposed between two vertically-oriented framing members to form a door frame, and having a center panel disposed within the door frame, each exposed edge of the door having edge banding applied to the exposed edge.
An advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is the avoidance of costly solid wood materials requiring costly and labor intensive manufacturing, and the decrease in the amount of wood stock taken from the environment.
Another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that a less costly, high quality raised panel door may be offered to the consumer.
A further advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a more aesthetically pleasing raised panel door, with uniform staining, decreased warping, and better uniformity of appearance due to elimination of staples and visible cope and groove seams.
Yet another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is improved structural stability and strength of the door through the use of edge banding across the cope and groove joints between the stiles and rails.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures or processes for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Veneered raised panel element and method of manufacturing thereof