A system and method for making bags in a continuous in-line process includes a central processing unit and a camera oriented to take an image of a bag based on a triggering signal. The camera provides an image to the central processing unit. The central processing unit is programmed to process the image and calculate a timing signal based on the image. A cylindrical rotatable drum having at least one seal bar provides a triggering signal to the central processing unit, to trigger when the camera should take the image. A perforation knife is controlled by a servo drive. The perforation knife is downstream of the drum. The servo drive receives the timing signal for activating the perforation knife from the central processing unit. The CPU uses the image and based on the distance between the seal region and the perforated line, counts pixels to result in an actual pixel count. The CPU then calculates a pixel count error by subtracting the actual pixel count from a predetermined pixel count setpoint. This information is then used by the CPU to either advance or retard the perforated knife in its perforation step. This results in a bag having a shorter skirt length, which reduces waste and cost. In another embodiment, the image taken is of the seal region only, and based on the image, the CPU either advances or retards the perforation knife in the perforation step, downstream of the point in which the image was taken.

A disposer bag is a bag typically made from a polymeric material which can be used for lining trash cans, or for holding groceries, or for any uses that need an inexpensive flexible bag.
These types of bags are often sold to consumers in a continuous roll, in which individual bags are separated from the remaining portion of the roll by tearing along a perforation line. The perforation line is placed adjacent to a seal, which can be either a bottom seal or a side seal. The amount of material between the perforation line and the seal is referred to as the "skirt." The skirt is usually wasted material. Improvements in methods and arrangements for manufacturing bags are desirable.

Method of making a bag using a vision system arrangement


A positioning device includes a moving amount determination section which determines a moving amount of the device in a period between a preceding positioning time and a present positioning time; a moving amount evaluation section which determines whether or not the moving amount is within a predetermined allowable moving range; a positioning section which locates a position of the device based on a satellite signal which is a signal from a positioning satellite; an average position calculation section which calculates an average position by averaging a preceding located position and a present located position when the moving amount evaluation section has determined that the moving amount is within the predetermined allowable moving range; and a position output section which outputs the average position.

The present invention relates to a positioning device using a signal from a positioning satellite, a method of controlling a positioning device, a positioning control program, and a computer-readable recording medium having a positioning control program recorded thereon.
A positioning system has been used which locates the present position of a GPS receiver utilizing a global positioning system (GPS) (satellite navigation system) or the like.
The GPS receiver receives signals from three or more GPS satellites, and calculates the distance between each GPS satellite and the GPS receiver (hereinafter called "pseudo-range") from the difference between the time at which the signal is transmitted from each GPS satellite and the time at which the signal reaches the GPS receiver (hereinafter called "delay time"), for example. The GPS receiver calculates (locates) the present position using the pseudo-range and satellite orbital information of each GPS satellite contained in the signal received from each GPS satellite.
However, when the signal from the GPS satellite reaches the GPS receiver after being reflected by a building or the like, or the signal strength is weak, or the dilution of precision (DOP) of the GPS satellite in the sky is low, the located position may significantly differ from the true position, whereby the accuracy of the located position may deteriorate.
On the other hand, technology has been proposed which calculates the present expected position (hereinafter called "expected position") from the velocity vector and the elapsed time based on the preceding position, and averages the expected position and the present located position (e.g. JP-A-8-68651 (e.g. FIG. 5)).
However, the GPS satellite moves in the satellite orbit even when the GPS receiver stands still, and the reception state of the satellite signal changes from moment to moment. Therefore, the velocity indicated by the velocity vector does not necessarily become zero.
According to the above technology, when the elapsed time is 10 seconds, the expected position differs from the preceding position at a distance corresponding to 10 seconds even when the GPS receiver stands still. As a result, the accuracy of the position after averaging deteriorates, whereby the output position may differ from the true position.
According to the above technology, when the GPS receiver stands still, the expected position cumulatively differs from the preceding position as the time elapsed from the preceding positioning increases, whereby the output position differs from the true position.
Moreover, the accuracy of the velocity vector calculated based on the signal from the GPS satellite deteriorates depending on the signal reception state and the like.

Positioning device, method of controlling positioning device, positioning control program, and computer-readable recording medium having positioning control program recorded thereon


A method of coating the junction area between elongated elements, in particular between electric cables. This method includes the steps of: arranging a rigid tubular support having two axially separable tubular halves; mounting an elastic tubular sleeve in an elastically radially expanded condition on an outer surface of the support; interposing a lubricating material between the support and sleeve; arranging a circumferentially continuous sealing element between the halves to prevent the lubricant from percolating between the halves; positioning the support around the junction area; and moving the halves apart from each other to enable the sleeve to collapse on the junction area. A device for coating the junction area between elongated elements and a method of making the device and a joint for electric cables.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and a device for coating the junction area between at least two elongated elements. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and a device for coating the junction area between at least two elongated elements by application of an elastic tubular sleeve.
In more detail, the present invention relates to a method and a device for coating the junction area between two electric cables.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a joint for electric cables comprising a device for coating the junction area between said cables.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the specific case of junctions between electric cables, the device of the invention can be used for low-, medium- or high-voltage cables. Preferably, this device is used for coating the junction area between medium- and high-voltage cables.
Generally, application of an elastic tubular sleeve in the junction area between two elongated elements is obtained by use of a rigid tubular support that can be preferably separated into two halves, on which the sleeve is positioned in a radially expanded condition.
The sleeve expanded on said support is first fitted on one end of one of the elongated elements and, once junction of said elongated elements or of part of the constituent elements thereof has been carried out, the support is caused to slide on the elongated element until bringing the sleeve in register with the junction area itself.
In the preferred case in which the support consists of two halves, once the sleeve is positioned at the junction area, the two halves are released from each other and axially moved apart so as to enable the sleeve to adhere to the underlying elongated elements at the junction area of same.
The two halves, before separating and moving apart from each other, can be maintained in mutual engagement through different typologies of constraints or links.
For example, the European Patent EP 917,269 shows a "trigger" connection in which a toothed ring, made at one end of a first half, engages a corresponding circumferential groove made at the axially faced end of a second half.
To facilitate mutual separation of the two halves, use of auxiliary elongated elements is provided, each of which has a first portion extending along the outer surface of one half and inserted between said half and the sleeve fitted thereon, and a second portion, contiguous to the first one that, stepping over the end profile of said half, axially extends within the half itself, afterwards projecting at least partly from the axially opposite end.
The above mentioned European patent further describes a mutual engagement between the halves that is obtained through a circumferential weakening line defined by through holes of different sizes.
An alternative structure facilitating removal of the two halves is described in the European Patent EP 541,000 and the U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,600 both in the name of the same Applicant, according to which each half has a continuous helical cut defining a spiralled tape that is gradually removed by the operator by exerting a pulling action on the tape itself or on grip elements connected with said tape, said tape or grip elements such projecting from the outer end of each half that gradual removal of the support (and consequent collapsing of the sleeve on the junction area) is carried out starting from the centre of the junction area.
In said U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,600 it is further contemplated that one of the two halves be provided, at one of its ends, with a plurality of protuberances extending in an inclined direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the support, whereas the other half has a plurality of corresponding recesses matching the shape of said protuberances.
In this way the two halves are maintained in mutual engagement, forming a single piece until the moment the sleeve, that is disposed in an expanded condition on the corresponding support, is positioned at the junction area. Subsequently, at the moment said halves must be separated, it is required that one half be rotated relative to the other around its longitudinal axis to disengage the above mentioned protuberances from the respective recesses.
A further embodiment described in said US patent consists in providing a frangible ring for connection between the two support halves, said ring being obtained through formation of through slits or welding points. In compliance with this embodiment, separation of the two halves is achieved by use of a string fastened to the ring itself and pulling of which by the operator triggers breaking of said ring thereby causing mutual moving away of said halves in an axial direction.
In order to promote mutual moving apart of the two halves, and in particular sliding of the halves relative to the sleeve, use of a lubricating material interposed between the support and sleeve may be provided. This lubricating material is applied at the moment the sleeve is positioned on the support in an expanded condition.
The Applicant could ascertain that the technical solutions adopted in the known art to link the two support halves together are not able to ensure that the lubricating material will remain correctly positioned between the support and sleeve until the sleeve is applied onto the junction area. In fact it is to be noted that generally between manufacturing of the junction device and use of said device medium-long periods of time even in the order of some months may elapse.
In particular, the Applicant has ascertained that if a support previously made up of two parts or separable into two halves at the moment of being extracted, is wished to be used, the solutions known in the art contemplate circumferential discontinuities causing percolation of the lubricant through the faced surfaces of the two halves so that, as a result, the lubricant is no longer in the region where it had been originally applied.
Lack of lubrication, even if partial, during the support-ejection step represents an important problem because it causes an unacceptable increase in the ejection times and can even involve stopping of said step.

Method and device for coating the junction area between at least two elongated elements, in particular between electric cables


A single V-shaped tube (1) is bent in a plane and has an inlet section (11), an outlet section (12), an inlet bend (13), an outlet bend (14); a vertex bend (15) and a respective tube section (16, 17) between the inlet bend and the outlet bend. The distance between the vertex of the vertex bend and the inlet/outlet axis can be great. Two clamping bodies (2, 3) are clamped onto the tube sections defining a tube section. Flat bodies (31, 32) are fixed onto the clamping bodies (2, 3). Fixed to the flat bodies is an opposed-action body (41) which extends along the axis of symmetry (Ixe2x80x94I) up to the vertex bend, where it supports a first portion of an exciter assembly (50) or a seismic exciter (50xe2x80x2) which excites the tube section in a third mode of vibration at an associated natural frequency f3. A sensor support (61) and a sensor support (62) are fixed to the flat body (31). A velocity or displacement sensor (71, 72) is fixed to the tube section and the sensor supports. Inlet section and outlet section are held by a supporting frame (35) to which a housing (8) is fixed.

This invention relates to a mass flow rate/density sensor working on the Coriolis principlexe2x80x94hereinafter referred to as a Coriolis mass flow rate/density sensorxe2x80x94for measuring the mass flow rate and/or the density of a fluid which flows at least temporarily through a pipe; the Coriolis mass flow rate/density sensor is inserted into the pipe and mounted therein in a pressure-tight manner, for instance via flanges.
WO-A 99/51946 corresponding to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/283,401 filed Apr. 1, 1999, particularly in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10, discloses a Coriolis mass flow rate sensor, which, of course, is also a density sensor, and which is designed to be installed in a pipe through which a fluid flows at least temporarily, with a single measuring tube bent in a plane with respect to an axis of symmetry and comprising:
a straight inlet section with an inlet axis lying in the plane;
a straight outlet section with an outlet axis lying in the plane and aligned with the inlet axis;
an inlet bend;
an outlet bend;
a vertex bend,
the inlet section being seamlessly connected with the inlet bend, and the outlet section being seamlessly connected with the outlet bend, and
the inlet bend merging seamlessly into the vertex bend, and the vertex bend merging seamlessly into the outlet bend,
onto which inlet section a first and a second clamping body are clamped opposite each other to define a first limit of a measuring length forming a tube section of the measuring tube, and
onto which outlet section a third and a fourth clamping body are clamped opposite each other to define a second limit of the measuring length,
each of the clamping bodies having an internal surface, which rests against the measuring tube, and an external surface, which is remote from the internal surface and the measuring tube,
said first and second clamping bodies having an inlet-side first sensor support fixed thereto, a longitudinal axis of which is parallel to the inlet axis, and
said third and fourth clamping bodies having an outlet-side second sensor support fixed thereto, a longitudinal axis of which is parallel to the outlet axis,
said vertex bend having a seismic exciter fixed thereto
which excites the tube section in a third mode of vibration at an associated natural frequency f3 which, if the tube section is filled with the fluid, lies between approximately 500 Hz and 1000 Hz,
a first velocity or displacement sensor being fixed to the first sensor support and the inlet bend and a second velocity or displacement sensor being fixed to the second sensor support and the outlet bend at positions where, if the tube section is excited in the third mode of vibration, a deflection of the tube section caused by a disturbance originating from the pipe has a first and a second zero, respectively.
The design principle of this prior-art Coriolis mass flow rate sensor only permits vertex bends that have a large radius of curvature, or in other words, where the distance between the vertex and the inlet/outlet axis is only on the order of about 10 cm. For greater distances, particularly for distances greater by an order of magnitude than the order of 10 cm, the design principle disclosed in WO-A 99/51946 is unsuitable.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a Coriolis mass flow rate/density sensor which is based on the design principle described in the above prior art and in which the distance between the vertex of the vertex bend and the inlet/outlet axis can be practically arbitrarily great. At the same time, high measurement accuracy, e.g., an accuracy of the order of xc2x10.5%, is to be attainable.
To attain these objects, a first variant of the invention consists in a Coriolis mass flow rate/density sensor to be installed in a pipe through which a fluid flows at least temporarily, said Coriolis mass flow rate/density sensor comprising a single, V-shaped measuring tube bent in a plane with respect to an axis of symmetry and comprising:
a straight inlet section with an inlet axis lying in the plane;
a straight outlet section with an outlet axis lying in the plane and aligned with the inlet axis;
an inlet bend;
an outlet bend;
a vertex bend,
the inlet section being seamlessly connected with the inlet bend, and the outlet section being seamlessly connected with the outlet bend;
a straight first tube section, which seamlessly connects the inlet bend with the vertex bend; and
a straight second tube section, which seamlessly connects the outlet bend with the vertex bend,
onto which first tube section a first and a second clamping body are clamped opposite each other near the inlet bend to define a first limit of a measuring length forming a tube section of the measuring tube,
onto which second tube section a third and a fourth clamping body are clamped opposite each other near the outlet bend to define a second limit of the measuring length,
each of the clamping bodies having an internal surface, which rests against the measuring tube, and an external surface, which is remote from the internal surface and the measuring tube,
which external surfaces of the first and third clamping bodies have a first flat body attached thereto, and
which external surfaces of the second and fourth clamping bodies have a second flat body attached thereto,
which two flat bodies are screwed together and to the clamping bodies, with a first spacing element interposed at a first long side and a second spacing element interposed at a second long side,
which two flat bodies have an opposed-action body fixed thereto which extends along the axis of symmetry up to the vertex bend, where it supports a first portion of an exciter assembly, which has a principal axis and a second portion of which is fixed to the vertex bend,
which exciter assembly excites the tube section in a third mode of vibration at an associated natural frequency f3,
to which first flat body are fixed an inlet-side first sensor support, a longitudinal axis of which is parallel to the first tube section, and an outlet-side second sensor support, a longitudinal axis of which is parallel to the second tube section, and
to which second flat body are fixed an inlet-side first mount, a longitudinal axis of which is parallel to the first sensor support, and an outlet-side second mount, a longitudinal axis of which is parallel to the second sensor support,
a first velocity or displacement sensor being fixed to the first tube section and the first sensor support and a second velocity or displacement sensor being fixed to the second tube section and the second sensor support at locations where, if the tube section is excited in the third mode of vibration, a deflection of the tube section caused by a disturbance originating from the pipe has a first and a second zero, respectively, and
said inlet section and said outlet section being held by a supporting frame
to which a housing is fixed which is attached to the mounts by means of a first spacer, lying opposite the first velocity or displacement sensor, and a second spacer, lying opposite the second velocity or displacement sensor, respectively.
To attain the above objects, a second variant of the invention consists in a Coriolis mass flow rate/density sensor to be installed in a pipe through which a fluid flows at least temporarily, said Coriolis mass flow rate/density sensor comprising a single, V-shaped measuring tube bent in a plane with respect to an axis of symmetry and comprising:
a straight inlet section with an inlet axis lying in the plane;
a straight outlet section with an outlet axis lying in the plane and aligned with the inlet axis;
an inlet bend;
an outlet bend;
a vertex bend,
the inlet section being seamlessly connected with the inlet bend, and the outlet section being seamlessly connected with the outlet bend;
a straight first tube section, which seamlessly connects the inlet bend with the vertex bend; and
a straight second tube section, which seamlessly connects the outlet bend with the vertex bend,
onto which first tube section a first and a second clamping body are clamped opposite each other near the inlet bend to define a first limit of a measuring length forming a tube section of the measuring tube,
onto which second tube section a third and a fourth clamping body are clamped opposite each other near the outlet bend to define a second limit of the measuring length,
each of the clamping bodies having an internal surface, which rests against the measuring tube, and an external surface, which is remote from the internal surface and the measuring tube,
which external surfaces of the first and third clamping bodies have a first flat body attached thereto, and
which external surfaces of the second and fourth clamping bodies have a second flat body attached thereto,
which two flat bodies are screwed together and to the clamping bodies with the interposition of a first spacing element at a first long side and of a second spacing element at a second long side,
to which two flat bodies an opposed-action body is fixed which extends along the axis of symmetry toward, and ends before, the vertex bend,
to which first flat body are fixed an inlet-side first sensor support, a longitudinal axis of which is parallel to the first tube section, and an outlet-side second sensor support, a longitudinal axis of which is parallel to the second tube section, and
to which second flat body are fixed an inlet-side first mount, a longitudinal axis of which is parallel to the first sensor support, and an outlet-side second mount, a longitudinal axis of which is parallel to the second sensor support,
which vertex bend has a seismic exciter fixed thereto
which excites the tube section in a third mode of vibration at an associated natural frequency f3,
a first velocity or displacement sensor being fixed to the first tube section and the first sensor support, and a second velocity or displacement sensor being fixed to the second tube section and the second sensor support at locations where, if the tube section is excited in the third mode of vibration, a deflection of the tube section caused by a disturbance originating from the pipe has a first and a second zero, respectively, and
said inlet section and said outlet section being held by a supporting frame
to which a housing is fixed which is attached to the mounts by means of a first spacer, lying opposite the first velocity or displacement sensor, and a second spacer, lying opposite the second velocity or displacement sensor, respectively.
According to a first development of the two variants of the invention, a first added material is fixed to the first tube section near the vertex bend approximately where a node of the third mode of vibration occurs, and a second added material is fixed to the second tube section symmetrically with respect to the axis of symmetry.
In a first preferred embodiment of the invention and/or of its first development, the exciter assembly is fixed to the vertex bend and the opposed-action body in such a way that the principal axis of the exciter assembly extends in the direction of a vertex bend diameter vertical to the axis of symmetry.
In a second preferred embodiment of the invention and/or of its first development, the exciter assembly is fixed to the vertex bend and the opposed-action body in such a way that a principal axis of the exciter assembly extends parallel to a vertex bend diameter vertical to the axis of symmetry and lies between the vertex bend and the housing.
According to a second development of the two variants of the invention, a compensation body, a longitudinal axis of which is perpendicular to the axis of symmetry and which serves to dynamically balance a Coriolis mode belonging to the third mode of vibration, is fixed to the opposed-action body near the flat bodies.
According to a third development of the two variants of the invention, the two flat bodies and the first spacing element are provided with a first recess along the axis of symmetry, and the two flat bodies, the second spacing element, and the opposed-action body are provided with a second recess along the access of symmetry, leaving respective torsion portions.
In a preferred embodiment of the third development of the invention, the torsion portions are designed as a common swivel joint.
In a preferred embodiment of the two variants of the invention as well as of their developments, the first, second, third, and fourth clamping bodies have the same mass.
In another preferred embodiment of the two variants of the invention as well as of their developments, the housing is composed of flat metal sheets and comprises:
a front sheet with a first middle plane;
a rear sheet with a second middle plane;
a vertex sheet with a third middle plane;
a first side sheet with a fourth middle plane; and
a second side sheet with a fifth middle plane, with
the first middle plane being parallel to the first tube section,
the second middle plane being parallel to the second tube section,
the third middle plane being perpendicular to the plane,
the fourth and fifth middle planes being parallel to the flat bodies, and
the rear sheet being fastened via the spacers to the mounts.
One advantage of the invention is that it allows the construction of Coriolis mass flow rate/density sensors whose overall length, i.e., the length along the inlet/outlet axis, is considerably less than the overall length of the prior-art arrangement disclosed in WO-A 99/51946. This is due to, among other things, the V-shape of the measuring tube. A compact sensor with the desired measurement accuracy is thus obtained.
Another advantage accrues because an effect that is possible with the prior-art arrangement does not occur. This effect consists in the fact that, because of the clamping bodies being mechanically interconnected only via the measuring tube, but otherwise being independent, the measuring tube can be excited by vibrations originating from the pipe into vibrations that have a lower frequency than the frequency of the third mode. These low-frequency vibrations, like the vibrations of the third mode, are converted by the sensors into electric signals and are contained in the latter as interfering signals. In the arrangement according to the invention, the clamping bodies on the inlet side are substantially rigidly connected with those on the outlet side via, among other things, the flat bodies, so that the excitation of the low-frequency vibrations is practically impossible.

Mass flow rate/density sensor with a single curved measuring tube


A mobile station (10) maintains a single, prioritized list of all available networks (i.e., all public, residential, and private networks). Access to the various networks is then based on the user's needs. A first type of access is an automatic access, that requires little or no user involvement. A second type of access is to a user-specified network. A third type of access is to a user-specified service (e.g., data, fax, e-mail, etc.) that is supported by at least one of the networks. The mobile station can search for additional networks, and can also search for additional networks that support only a specified type of service, or for a network that supports a service not supported by networks that are already in the list. All of the networks can be searched at once so that the user can readily make a selection from the single, prioritized network list. The network priorities are user programmable by moving network names up and down in the list using a mobile station user interface, such as the mobile station's keypad. The higher the network name is placed in the list, the higher is the priority of the network.

Communications between two cellular radiotelephone (also referred to herein as a mobile terminal and a mobile station) users is established using cellular systems. By example, in the Time Division, Multiple Access (TDMA) system known as IS-136 (IS-136.1, Rev. 0, May 17,1995) various network systems are classified into three groups: public, private, and residential networks. Private and residential networks may also be referred to as non-public networks. Typically, there are two public cellular systems in one geographical area. In addition, there may be one or more non-public cellular systems available to users within the same geographical area. Also, service providers operating in other bands, such as the 1900 MHz band, may also be available.
The two public cellular systems within one geographical area are conventionally referred to as the A-system and the B-system. For example, in both the New York and Los Angeles metropolitan areas there are two public cellular systems. Each of these systems has its own unique identity, referred to as the SID (System Identification).
Generally, the cellular radiotelephone can operate at any given time in one of the two available public systems, and a display of the radiotelephone will typically have indicators (i.e., A and B icons) for indicating to the user which system is currently being used.
One of the public systems is always referred to as the "home system" of the radiotelephone, or more specifically as the home system of the radiotelephone's Number Assignment Module (NAM). Whether the home system is A-type or B-type depends on the parameters of the currently selected NAM.
One purpose of non-public systems is to provide specialized telecommunications services to radiotelephone users. The primary non-public system types include Wireless Business Systems, Limited Service Areas, and Residential Cellular Telephones.
In the Wireless Business System (WBS) application, connections for a closed group of users are typically switched through an existing PBX or through the public switched telephone network (PSTN). This type of system provides capabilities for offering specific features that can be highly integrated with other telecommunications services used by the group, with the goal of providing all of the capabilities of a desk telephone. Examples of these services include: voice mail integrated into an existing wired PBX; centralized speed dial lists; and simplified private network access.
In the Limited Service Area (LSA) application, a closed group of users may receive special billing considerations and custom features and services while within the coverage range of the private or semi-private system. Public subscribers not belonging to the closed group would receive service at standard billing rates. An LSA may be deployed at shopping malls, airports, sports facilities, hotels, etc. Full-time staff at such a facility may subscribe to the LSA service, while customers and itinerant visitors receive standard public wireless service over the same network.
The Residential Cellular Telephone (RCT) application is intended for use within a residence, and functions as an enhanced wireless telephone set. The RCT application is intended to provide users with a single handset which can be used as a cordless telephone when operated in conjunction with a home or neighborhood base station within a residential or office environment. The RCT application is also intended to provide a standard cellular mobile station when operating within the cellular environment, or as part of a Wireless Business System (WBS). When the handset is used as a conventional cordless telephone, the associated home or neighborhood base station communicates with the cellular network to assure that a user's calls are automatically forwarded to the user's landline telephone number.
In a document entitled "TDMA Forum, Implementation Guide: Non-Public Mode Operation and Selection in IS-136 Compliant Mobile Stations", Version 2.0, Mar. 9, 1995, a number of system operators have described non-public mode and selection requirements for mobile stations compliant with TIA Interim Standards IS-136 and IS-137. The document is said not to mandate any specific implementation, but instead to promote a similar level of services for all mobile station users.
FIG. 1 is based on FIG. 1.3-1 of the above-referenced TDMA Forum document, and illustrates a mobile station reference model for non-public mode operation. More particularly, FIG. 1 illustrates the various elements required to support the loading and management of PSIDs/RSIDs in an IS-136 compatible mobile station. To facilitate the discussion, the following conventions are used.
PSID is the numeric value of a Private System ID. A PSID is always be associated with the appropriate System Identification Code (SID), System Operator Code (SOC), Mobile Country Code (MCC), or International status (Null), according to Section 8.3.4 of IS-136, during the process of storage or verification.
RSID is the numeric value of a Residential System ID. An RSID should always be associated with the appropriate SOC, MCC, or International status (Null), according to Section 8.3.5 of IS-136, during the process of storage or verification.
Alpha Tag is an alphanumeric designator associated with a PSID/RSID. This designator may be used when a user is alerted or is presented a choice regarding a specific PSID/RSID. The numeric PSID/RSID values are said to be used solely for the Selection/Reselection processes, and should not be presented to the user. The alphanumeric designator (i.e., the Alpha Tag) is derived from either a Test Registration Alphanumeric PSID/RSID, from an alphanumeric tag entered with the PSID/RSID during NAM programming, or from a default Alpha Tag used if neither of the previous two sources are available.
In a similar manner, the term Alpha Tag is used to refer to the alphanumeric designator associated with a given SID, whether the designation is derived from the Alphanumeric SID available from the system or is derived from an Alpha Tag entered during NAM programming. The numeric SID is not presented to the user, but rather, the Alpha Tag associated with the SID.
The MS Reference Model for Non-Public Mode Operation of FIG. 1 is divided into three major functions: (1) PSID/RSID acquisition, (2) user review and selection of PSIDs/RSIDs, and (3) the selection and reselection processes. These three elements are said to be administered by a common PSID/RSID Management Function. As presented, FIG. 1 is intended to aid in describing the storage, display, prioritization, and selection of PSIDs/RSIDs.
The management of the storing, displaying, selecting, and prioritizing PSIDs/RSIDs is facilitated by constructing a list within a PSID/RSID logical management block. Each list is NAM specific and is dynamic with respect to the fact that it is reconstructed or updated each time the contents of a corresponding NAM, Test Registration, or Registration Accept PSID/RSID list changes. The "common" PSID/RSID list is called upon to support the selection/reselection processes; for two user menu functions, System Select and Network Priority; and for a System ID display function. As previously described, the numeric PSIDs/RSIDs residing in this list are used for the selection/reselection process, while the Alpha Tags linked to these PSIDs/RSIDs are used for all user interactions.
The storage and purpose of each PSID/RSID acquisition method is unique. NAM programmed PSIDs/RSIDs are intended to be entered by a service technician and will be, in general, permanent, although their Alpha Tags may be updated. The Test Registration method is invoked by the user and is primarily used for acquiring new PSIDs/RSIDs. Each PSID/RSID acquired by a Test Registration is stored individually and replaces a previously stored PSID/RSID within the Test Registration storage area if the storage area is full. Finally, the Registration Accept method is system initiated and can automatically load a PSID/RSID set without any user interaction. For this method, a new list overwrites any previously stored PSIDs/RSIDs within the Registration Accept storage area. As FIG. 1 depicts, each NAM supporting non-public mode operation will have one of each of these three storage areas.
As can be appreciated, as the complexity of cellular telephone networks increases, and as user's are given more options for communicating through various systems, including public and non-public systems, it has become important to provide a simple and efficient user interface enabling a user to manage, prioritize, and select between available systems.

Mobile terminal having enhanced system selection capability


A method for transmitting a software code from a control unit to a field device of process automation technology. The inventive method is characterized in that the software code is integrated into a software module which encapsulates data and functions of the field device and which requires an operator control program for field devices as the runtime environment and which establishes the communication link with the field device.

In process automation technology, field devices are often used for registering and/or influencing process variables. Examples of such field devices are fill level meters, mass flow measuring devices, pressure and temperature measuring devices, etc., which, as sensors, register the corresponding process variables fill level, flow rate, pressure and temperature.
Serving for the influencing of process variables are so-called actuators, e.g. valves, which alter the flow rate of a liquid in a section of a pipeline, or pumps, which alter fill level in a container.
A large number of such field devices are manufactured and sold by the firm Endress+Hauser.
As a rule, the field devices are connected via a fieldbus (Profibus®, Foundation® Fieldbus, etc.) with control systems or control units. These serve for process control, process visualization, process monitoring, as well as for configuring and parametering of the field devices.
The field devices perform various functions within the process control. For specific standard functions, so-called function blocks with defined communication interfaces are available. These function blocks form with corresponding algorithms, which are executed in the microprocessors of the individual field devices, special application functions. Field devices with microprocessors are referred to as intelligent, or smart, field devices. A significant aspect of the function blocks is that they have defined interfaces and, therewith, can be linked together by, from relatively simple up to very complex, control strategies, which are divided among different field devices.
In the Foundation Fieldbus Specifications, which are publicly available, various standard function blocks are specified. Typical function blocks for field devices are: "Analog Input"; "Analog Output"; "Discrete Input"; "Discrete Output"; "PID-Control". Along with these basic function blocks, there are also special function blocks: "Analog Alarm"; "Arithmetic"; "Device Control". Recently, also flexible function block are specified by Foundation Fieldbus (e.g. Supervisory Data Acquisition); these are freely programmable according to the IEC-Standard 61131. Reference is also made to the IEC-Standard 51158, in which, besides various fieldbus systems, also the Foundation® Fieldbus-technology is specified.
In order to change function blocks, the corresponding software code must be replaced in the memory of the field device. This is most often done by replacing the corresponding memory element (EEPROM). Another possibility is to transfer the new program part (i.e. the new software code), e.g. from a laptop, using a service-interface provided on the field device. To this end, however, manufacturer-specific programs, so-called (software-) tools are needed. As a rule, also the transmission protocols are proprietary.
Before a field device can be put in use, it must be configured and parametered. For this, among other things, the loading of the control strategy into the corresponding field devices is necessary. A known application, which enables this, is the SYSCON system of the company, SMAR. With this application, also the correct interconnecting of the individual function blocks, as well as the chronological sequencing of the control strategy, can be tested.
Often in process automation technology, field devices of different manufacturers are used, for whose complete parametering and configuring manufacturer-specific operating programs are required. These are generally also referred to as "tools", i.e. operating programs (e.g. CommuWin® of the firm Endress+Hauser), which run on computer units, such as e.g. workstations or laptops. In order to enable a universal operating of field devices of different manufacturers, an industry standard, FDT (Field Device Tool)-Specifications, was created by the PNO (Profibus® Nutzerorganisation). Device manufacturers provide their field devices with device-specific software modules, DTMs (Device Type Managers), which encapsulate all data and functions of a field device. Along with this, graphical operating elements are provided at the same time. For execution, the DTMs require, as runtime environment, an FDT frame application (FDT container). Such can be a simple operating program (configuring tool) or a control system application (engineering tool). The FDT Specifications only specify the interfaces, not, however, their implementation.
The underlying software-architecture is based on the Microsoft COM/DCOM technology. DTMs are implemented as COM components (COM server) and are the software interfaces via which the FDT frame application obtains access to the physical field device. The graphical operating elements are implemented as Microsoft ActiveX controls. Via these graphical interfaces, the user obtains a simple access to the physical field device. Besides the field devices, also other devices must be linked into the FDT-frame application. These devices, which, e.g. in the form of gateways and fieldbus adapters, assume communication tasks, require so-called communication-DTMs. A communication-DTM (CommDTM) contains all communication functions and dialogs, via which one can influence and activate the parameters of the network, or bus connection, as the case may be. These elements are normally likewise implemented as ActiveX controls. In the case of the standardized FDT-interface, the CommDTM replaces the currently usual manufacturer-specific configuration software of a network, or fieldbus interface, as the case may be. The communication channel CommChannel corresponds to the driver libraries.
Currently, for operating and configuring field devices and for changing software code in field devices, one needs different, manufacturer-specific programs (tools). Especially the changing of software code in field devices is very complex and can, as a rule, only be done by a technician on-sit, right at the field device. The programs required for this must be, with much effort, produced and tested. If the process automation installation of the user contains field devices of different manufacturers, then different operating programs and different programs for changing software code are needed. This is extremely unsatisfactory for the user.

Method for transmitting a software code from a control unit to a field device of process automation technology


A mobile X-ray imaging apparatus and a method of controlling the mobile X-ray imaging apparatus are provided. The mobile X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray source mounted in a movable main body, a battery configured to supply operating power to the X-ray source, a charger configured to supply charging power to charge the battery, and a controller configured to block charging of the battery while X-rays are radiated.

1. Field
Apparatuses and methods consistent with the exemplary embodiments relate to a mobile X-ray imaging apparatus for generating X-ray images by transmitting X-rays through an object and a method of controlling the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
An X-ray imaging apparatus is a non-invasive diagnostic apparatus that can image an internal structure of an object by radiating X-rays onto the object and detecting X-rays transmitted through the object. An object can include, for example, a body part of a patient, an animal or luggage.
In a general X-ray imaging apparatus, since an X-ray source and an X-ray detector are fixed in a predetermined location, a patient needs to move to a laboratory in which the X-ray imaging apparatus is provided. Further, the patient needs to move his or her body to accommodate the apparatus in order to perform X-ray imaging.
However, since it is difficult for patients who have difficulty moving to be imaged using the general X-ray imaging apparatus, a mobile X-ray imaging apparatus capable of performing X-ray imaging at any location has been developed.
Since the X-ray source is mounted in a movable main body and a portable X-ray detector is used in the mobile X-ray imaging apparatus, it is possible to perform X-ray imaging on patients who have difficulty moving by bringing the X-ray imaging apparatus directly to the patients.

Mobile X-ray imaging apparatus and method of controlling the same


A device for heat supply is disclosed having a heat absorber connected to a heat emitter via a heat conductor. The heat absorber collects the throw-away heat bound in the vicinity of the ceiling and transfers it via insulated metal core (that is, the heat conductor) to be emitted proximate the floor. This makes a sizable energy saving while no maintenance is required, and cold feet at home or in the office can be avoided throughout the year.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to heat supply, particularly for creating more comfortable conditions for those inside a room or house.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A common winter season's complaint in many an apartment is on one's feet feeling "nearly frozen". At the same time, the upper space of that very apartment may be found overheated. As a matter of fact, a cold season temperature gap between the two levels often amounts to 8 to 12 degrees centigrade, the temperatures taken around the ceiling and floor levels, respectively.
The problem is that human beings cannot hover under the warm ceiling, rather their feet touch the cold floor.
Conventional heat supply devices exist which provide heat to different parts of a room. Some conventional heat supply devices achieve heat transportation by circulating a fluid or air, or perhaps by using a conveyor belt, wherein the circulating fluid, air, or conveyor belt transports heat from one location to another. However, such conventional heat supply devices are flawed because they require power for operation. Such conventional heat supply devices are further flawed because they require regular maintenance (since they contain moving parts).
Other conventional heat supply devices include particular heat sources and/or complicated, customized heat absorbers which are specifically adapted to absorb the heat generated by a particular heat source, such as a fluorescent light. Such conventional heat supply devices are flawed because they are limited to absorbing the heat from the particular heat source--they cannot absorb the heat from any other heat source. Such heat supply devices are further flawed because they require a separate power supply to power the heat generating source (such as the fluorescent light).
Therefore, what is required is a versatile heat supply device which:
(1) does not contain any moving parts, and does not run or circulate any heat exchange matters;
(2) does not require a power supply to achieve heat transportation, or to power a heat generating source.
Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a device for more efficient heat supply to those inside a room or house.
It is another important object of the invention to achieve the preceding object by providing an energy saving device which meets the above-mentioned requirements.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description of them.

Device for heat supply by conductive heat transfer


A portable electronic device (10) comprises a radio circuit (150) contained in a housing (152) having positive (156) and negative (158) contacts electrically coupled to the radio circuit (150). A substantially flat, elongated, flexible battery cell, forming a compliant energy storage device (32), provides a single, continuous wrist band (30) and has positive (160) and negative (162) terminals. A latch mechanism (176) releasably secures the housing (152) to the wrist band (30) between opposite ends (172, 174) of the wrist band (30), and permits the contacts (156, 158) of the housing (152) to align with and abut the respective terminals (160, 162) of the wrist band (30) while the wrist band (30) is worn on the user's wrist. Multiple housings (152, 180) may be stacked to add electrical functions. The contacts (156, 158) of the housing (152) and the terminals (160, 162) of the compliant energy storage device (32) are positioned to be substantially protected from contamination by the external environment and from contact with the user's wrist when the housing (152) is carried on the wrist band (30) and while the wrist band (30) is worn on the user's wrist.

Consumer markets continue to request smaller portable electronic devices which have greater functional features. Examples of such devices include two-way and broadcast radio receivers (i.e., Walkman.RTM.), compact disc players, cellular telephones, and computer devices to name but a few. As portable electronic devices have become smaller, a variety of carrying means have been developed. These carrying means have included belt-mounted carrying cases which have gained particular acceptance in applications such as portable radios and compact disc players. However, as devices have become smaller and smaller, carrying means such as belt clips have become less and less desirable. Further, as such devices have become smaller, they have become more compatible with wearing in more convenient places, such as, for example, on the wrist. An example of this type of device, might be, for example, a one-way call receiver, such as a portable paging device. Pagers which are worn on the wrist have long been incorporated into wristwatch type devices. In these devices, the pager and the watch are an integral unit. The battery powering the pager and the watch is incorporated into the back of the integral unit. Unfortunately, this type of device configuration with the battery in the back of the device would not work for other high power consumption personal communication devices, such as cellular phones. To incorporate the battery into this type of integral unit would expand the size of the phone itself making it bulky and unattractive. Further, the battery would use too much precious space which could be more efficiently used for customer feature electronics. Finally, placement of the battery in the integral unit itself would make battery replacement, even if it is a rechargeable battery, require disassembly of the device, thereby occasioning damage and inconvenience to the user.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. discloses a portable electronic device carried on the user's wrist by a wrist band and powered by a power supply in the wrist band. The portable electronic device includes two sets of contacts exposed on the exterior of each side of the portable electronic device and coupled to electronic circuitry inside the portable electronic device. The wrist band includes two wrist band portions wherein each wrist band portion has one set of contacts. The sets of contacts on each wrist band portion are exposed to the exterior of the wrist band and coupled to an energy storage device inside each wrist band portion. The two sets of contacts on the portable electronic device are electrically coupled to the set of contacts on each wrist band portion to transfer power from the energy storage devices to the portable electronic device. One disadvantage of the above-mentioned application is that the contacts on the portable electronic device and the contacts on the wrist band are exposed. Such exposure subjects the contacts to contamination from the environment and contact with the user. Another disadvantage of the above-mentioned application is that the linear space consumed by the portable electronic device limits linear space in the wrist band portions for the energy storage devices. Limitations on the energy storage devices reduces the amount of time that the portable electronic device can operate before the energy storage devices need recharging. Still another disadvantage of the above-mentioned application is that four contacts are provided on the portable electronic device for electrical coupling to four contacts provided on the wrist band portions. Multiple contacts increases piece part count and consumes valuable limited space on such a miniature portable electronic device.
Accordingly, there is a need for a portable electronic device carried on a user's wrist by a wrist band and powered by a electronic storage device in the wrist band, wherein the wrist band has contacts protected from environmental contamination and contact with the user's wrist, has increased space for additional energy storage capacity, and has a reduced number of contacts.


A coupling assembly includes an annular base which is connected with the first annular friction surface. An annular fluid extensible tube is disposed between the annular base and the first annular friction surface. A fitting is connected with the base and tube to conduct fluid pressure into a chamber in the tube. The fluid pressure extends the tube to press the first friction surface against the second friction surface. The fitting has a main section with a passage through which fluid pressure is conducted into the tube and a flange section which extends radially outward from the main section and is enclosed by material of the tube to retain the fitting in the tube. The main section and flange section of the fitting are integrally formed by a single piece of polymeric material. A plurality of openings are formed in the flange section and are filled with the material of the tube to interconnect the tube and the fitting.

The present invention relates to a new and improved component of a coupling assembly which may function as either a clutch or a brake between a pair of elements.
Known coupling assemblies which are used as either a clutch or a brake are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,897,924; 5,057,178; 5,086,899; and 5,366,055. Each of these coupling assemblies includes an annular rim or base which is connected to one of two elements between which force is transmitted. An annular array of friction shoes is engageable with a friction surface connected with the other element. An annular fluid extensible tube is disposed between the base and the annular array of friction shoes. A fitting is connected with the base and tube to enable fluid pressure to be conducted into an annular chamber in the tube. The fitting may be formed of metal and have a skirt which is formed of polymeric material and extends radially outward from the metal fitting in a manner 20 generally similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,897,924.


The present invention provides high strength welded steel pipe for line pipe inexpensive in cost and superior in low temperature toughness, and a method of production of the same, produced by forming a base material steel plate containing, by mass %, C: 0.010 to 0.050%, Si: 0.01 to 0.50%, Mn: 0.50 to 2.00%, S: 0.0001 to 0.0050%, and Ti: 0.003 to 0.030%, limiting Al to 0.020% or less and Mo to less than 0.10%, having a carbon equivalent Ceq of 0.30 to 0.53 and a crack susceptibility parameter Pcm of 0.10 to 0.20, comprised of polygonal ferrite and residual bainite of an area rate of 20% or less, and having an effective crystal grain size of 20 μm or less, into a pipe shape, then seam welding it and making the effective crystal grain size of the heat affected zone 150 μm or less.

As steel pipe for line pipe used for trunk lines of pipelines important as methods for transporting crude oil, natural gas, and other materials over long distances, high strength, high toughness steel pipe for line pipe has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). Up to now, steel pipe for line pipe of the American Petroleum Institute (API) standard X70 (tensile strength 564 MPa or higher) or higher and up to X80 (tensile strength 620 MPa or higher) has been put into practical use, but for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of transport of crude oil and natural gas, studies have been made on increasing the internal pressure of pipelines. Along with this, X70 or higher or further X80 or higher high strength steel pipe for line pipe having a tensile strength of 600 MPa or more is being required to be made further higher in strength and greater in thickness.
Regarding higher strength, for example, if using X120 class line pipe having 900 MPa or higher tensile strength, it is possible to raise the internal pressure, that is, the pressure of the crude oil or natural gas, to about double that of X65 class line pipe, so it becomes possible to transport about double the amount of crude oil or natural gas. Further, if raising the strength of the line pipe and raising the internal pressure resistance strength, compared with increasing the thickness, it becomes possible to slash the material costs, transport costs, and on-site welding costs and possible to greatly raise the pipeline laying costs.
Further, a pipeline has to be superior in low temperature toughness since it is often laid in cold regions. Further, at the time of installation, the ends of the line pipes are joined together, so superior on-site weldability is also demanded. X120 class steel pipe for line pipe satisfying such demands and higher in strength than even the steel pipe for line pipe proposed in Japanese Patent Publication (A) No. 62-4826 is being proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Publication (A) No. 2004-52104). This is high strength steel pipe for line pipe of a microstructure of the base material mainly comprised of a mixed structure of bainite and martensite. Further, for increased thickness, methods of production of thick-gauge steel plate with a metal structure made fine bainite by controlled rolling and controlled cooling and having a good strength and toughness is being proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Publication (A) No. 2000-256777, Japanese Patent Publication (A) No. 2004-76101, and Japanese Patent Publication (A) No. 2004-143509).
Steel pipe for line pipe is produced by forming thick-gauge steel plate into a pipe shape by the UO process, making the ends abut against each other, and seam welding them. When toughness and productivity are demanded such as in high strength steel pipe for line pipe, the seam welding is preferably submerged arc welding from the inner surface and outer surface. When welding a steel material a plurality of times in this way, there is the problem that the weld heat affected zone (called the "HAZ") coarsened by the heat input in the preceding welding is reheated by the heat input of the subsequent heat input and therefore the toughness drops.
As technology for improving the low temperature toughness of the HAZ of high strength steel pipe for line pipe, the method of utilizing intragranular transformation to make the structure of the HAZ finer has been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Publication (A) No. 8-325635, Japanese Patent Publication (A) No. 2001-355039, and Japanese Patent Publication (A) No. 2003-138340). The method proposed in Japanese Patent Publication (A) No. 8-325635 causes the formation of acicular ferrite as nuclei for oxides. The method proposed in Japanese Patent Publication (A) No. 2001-355039 and Japanese Patent Publication (A) No. 2003-138340 forms intragranular bainite using composite inclusions of oxides and sulfides as nuclei.
Most such conventional high strength steel pipes for line pipe increase the hardenability, increase the Mo effective for raising the strength, and obtain a mainly bainite metal structure to improve the toughness, but recently a reduction in the content of the expensive element Mo is being sought. However, if reducing the Mo, the hardenability easily falls and intragranular bainite becomes harder to obtain, so securing low temperature toughness of the HAZ has been difficult. Further, conventional high strength line pipe has a thickness of at most less than 25 mm. Thick line pipe of 25 mm or more or 30 mm or more is being demanded.

Welded steel pipe for high strength line pipe superior in low temperature toughness and method of production of the same


Flexible printed circuit structures may be provided that have regions with different electrical and mechanical properties. A flexible printed circuit substrate may be formed from a sheet of polymer having different regions with different thicknesses. The flexible printed circuit substrate may be bent in a thin region of the substrate. Additional flexible printed circuit substrate portions may be coupled to the flexible printed circuit substrate. The additional portions may have different substrate thicknesses. A groove or other recess may be formed in a flexible printed circuit substrate to promote bending. Openings may also be formed in the substrate to promote bending.

This relates generally to printed circuit structures and, more particularly, to flexible printed circuit structures.
Electronic devices such as computers, cellular telephones, and other equipment contain electrical components. Electrical components may be mounted on printed circuits. Printed circuits may also be used to form structures such as antennas, transmission lines, and signal buses.
Some printed circuits are formed using flexible substrate materials. For example, flexible printed circuits may be formed using sheets of a flexible polymer such as polyimide. Layers of patterned metal traces may be formed on the flexible polyimide substrate material.
In some devices, flexible printed circuits are mounted in a planar configuration. In other devices, flexible printed circuits are bent. For example, a flexible printed circuit antenna or flexible printed circuit signal bus may be bent. It may be desirable to form a bend in a flexible printed circuit to allow the flexible printed circuit to be incorporated within the potentially tight confines of an electronic device housing or to better utilize available volume within the device housing.
It can be challenging to form bends in flexible printed circuits, particularly when the flexible printed circuits include relatively thick substrate material.
It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide improved flexible printed circuit structures.


Network nodes engage in an asymmetric transactional session. The nodes negotiate transactional role reversal and further communication under a reversed asymmetric transactional session.

HyperTextTransferProtocol (HTTP), e.g., RFC 2616 HTTP/1.1 June 1998, makes a desirable communication protocol because it is well understood, well documented, proven robust, and it is flourishing. A communication method operating under HTTP finds compatibility with existing standards such as the following HTTP extensions: Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), eXtensible Markup Language (XML), Distributed Authoring and Versioning (DAV), Web Services Description Language (WSDL), Universal Description Discovery & Integration (UDDI), as well as security standards such as Secure HTTP (S-HTTP), and other standards likely to emerge to extend existing web client browsers and servers providing HTTP communication. These extensions to HTTP are confined by and limited to the asymmetries of HTTP as discussed more fully hereafter. HTTP protocol and its extensions will likely enjoy continued success by sheer volume of use and momentum of use as the dominant method of communication on, for example, the Internet.
HTTP transactions, or sessions, consist of a series of requests and responses. A session originates with a client request and concludes with a server response. A variety of additional rules dictate the sequence of transactional interchange occurring in an HTTP session. Overall, however, HTTP sessions follow a client request and server response transaction scenario. A session can terminate following completion of an HTTP transaction sequence, or after a time-out period in the event of no server response. A KEEP ALIVE request from the client may increase a given session timeout period by requesting that server not terminate the connection. However, once a transaction is completed the server is not obligated to maintain the connection.
By nature, an HTTP session is transactional, e.g., exists for, and substantially only during, a given transaction scenario. Furthermore, the relationship is highly asymmetrical, e.g., the client dictates the time of initiating each session. The server has no such ability.
The HTTP protocol has been implemented generally over the TCP/IP network protocol. As such, TCP/IP provides an underlying transport connection between HTTP client and server including network node addressing and data packet exchange. The TCP/IP network protocol has proven itself an enormous success as applied not only in a global network application, e.g., the Internet, but also across a wide spectrum of private networks. TCP/IP constitutes by sheer volume of use and momentum a virtually universal mode of interaction between users and computing devices operated by such users.
The TCP/IP network address space is generally partitioned into a single public address space and numerous private address spaces connected to this public address space by means of Network Address Translation or proxy servers. A typical TCP/IP connection traverses not only public/private address space boundaries but multiple organizational jurisdictions, encountering different equipment configurations, bandwidth management policies and security policies implemented in hardware and software, all of which must be successfully negotiated at the TCP/IP layer for the overlaying HTTP or other protocol to be successful in establishing and maintaining end-to-end communication.
Because of the nature of TCP/IP networks described above, there is a fundamental problem to be solved for applications that desire to take advantage of HTTP and its extensions to negotiate the labyrinth of network jurisdictions and permissions, while treating all network nodes as functional peers. Under HTTP, participating network nodes play asymmetric roles where one, the client, initiates a conversation by making a request and the other, the server, responds. Common understanding of the HTTP protocol suggests a public node, e.g., having a published or known, routable network address, is always the server, while a private node, e.g., having a generally unknown and/or unpredictably dynamic local network address, is generally the client. The client polls the server with requests and the server responds. The two nodes do not act as functional peers. The server node cannot initiate a spontaneous request and a client node cannot receive a spontaneous request.
Thus, as the Internet has developed, certain roles have evolved rigidly and asymmetrically with respect to HTTP communication. Certain computing devices assume exclusively the role of "server" and receive requests for information, e.g., documents maintained under the HTTP protocol, and other devices assume exclusively the role of "client" and request such documents. Under such evolution, therefore, HTTP communication has evolved in an asymmetrical fashion with respect to the underlying TCP/IP network, which is generally symmetrical. More particularly, clients request information from servers and servers provide, when possible, the requested information. A device assumes a "server" role and does not initiate communications, but rather stands ready and accessible to others sending requests thereto. A server does not initiate HTTP communication with a client. For this reason, HTTP communication between a server and a client is limited to those communications initiated by a client, i.e., initiated by a request originating from a client and directed toward a particular server.
This strong correlation of the role of devices with the asymmetrical HTTP model has also become fixed in network hardware, software and corporate network security policies. When two or more nodes do not share a common Internet address space, they encounter Network Address Translation, or proxying, both of which typically depend upon the private address device being the client and the public address device being the server. Security restrictions, in the form of firewalls, deployed at one or more routers operating between nodes, typically enforce similar asymmetries, rendering useful symmetrical bi-directional HTTP communication unavailable.
Thus, the Internet is built around the asymmetrical private client-public server description of HTTP. In practice heretofore, a peer-based model of communicating on the Internet was likely blocked from using HTTP and its extension and likely blocked from taking advantage of all the benefits surrounding it.
Asymmetrical HTTP communication in both directions has been addressed, but it is inefficient and unsuitable for peer-based networks. For example, a "polling" method of HTTP communication has been proposed where a client intermittently asks or polls a server, the client inquiring whether or not the server needs to communicate with the client. Under this arrangement, the server does not initiate communications, but rather waits for a request from a client. This request opens communications and permits the server to provide any pending communication to the client. For example, HTTP GET and PUT commands facilitating bi-directional file exchange between the client and server can then commence.
Polling for information on the server undesirably wastes network bandwidth. Most requests will evoke a null response. Given a peer-based network topology providing many-to-many peer connections, and multiplying the number of nodes by the number of connections by the number of different types of requests likely to be generated by each peer, a polling solution does not scale into a useable model. An overwhelming amount of network traffic consists of request-response pairs characterized by: "Now? No!". More importantly, because server nodes cannot initiate connections with client nodes under HTTP, a peer-based network based upon HTTP would require that all client nodes always poll all server nodes to maintain complete network connectivity, incurring the worst-case bandwidth penalty described above.
Thus, as server and client roles evolved and the use of HTTP communication therebetween grew rapidly, symmetrical communication between entities operating on, for example, the Internet has been limited. It would be desirable, therefore, to provide improved symmetrical communication compatible with the HTTP protocol. The subject matter of the present invention provides such symmetrical communication.


An apparatus and method for determining real time location of assets by calculating the relative position of a plurality of GPS enabled devices transported together, taking advantage of multiple GPS enable devices being transported together including dual band GPS and averaging location data between US and European GPS data. Additionally, an IMB acts to receive GPS data from multiple devices in a shipment and IMB combines and averages data from both GPS systems to create more liable location determination.

1. Field of the Present Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus to determine asset location by calculating the relative position of a plurality of GPS enabled devices transported together. More particularly, the present invention derives the most accurate GPS position data to create a real time location system to find the exact location of a single box.
2. Description of Related Art
In automotive GPS receivers, metallic features in windshields, such as defrosters or car window tinting films, can act as a Faraday cage, degrading reception inside the car. Man-made electromagnetic interference (EMI) can also disrupt or GPS signals. In one well-documented case it was impossible to receive GPS signals in the entire harbor of Moss Landing, Calif. due to unintentional jamming caused by malfunctioning TV antenna preamplifiers. Intentional jamming is also possible. Generally, stronger signals can interfere with GPS receivers when they are within radio range or line of sight.
In 2002, a detailed description of how to build a short-range GPS L1 C/A jammer was published in the online magazine. The U.S. government believes that such jammers were used occasionally during the 2001 war in Afghanistan, and the U.S. military claims to have destroyed six GPS jammers during the Iraq War, including one that was destroyed with a GPS-guided bomb. A GPS jammer is relatively easy to detect and locate, making it an attractive target for anti-radiation missiles.
Some countries allow GPS repeaters to facilitate the reception of GPS signals indoors and in obscured locations; however, under European Union and U.K. laws, these are prohibited because the signals can interfere with other GPS receivers that receive data from both satellites and the repeater.
Various techniques can address interference. One is to not rely on GPS as a sole source. According to John Ruley, "IFR pilots should have a fallback plan in case of a GPS malfunction" Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) is included in some receivers, to warn if jamming or another problem is detected. The U.S. military has also deployed since 2004 their Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) in the Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR). DAGR detects jamming and maintains its lock on encrypted GPS signals during interference.
Real time location systems improve how companies locate, track, and manage high value assets. Modern asset management requires tracking the location of containers and cargo. Currently, various types of Real Time Location Systems (RTLS) such as ISO/IEC 24730-2, Cisco, CCX Wi-Fi, precision GPS and Ultra-Wideband are being used to fit the operational needs of the customer.
The present application discloses a method and apparatus designed to increase reliability location data by creating a GPS mesh network device to communicate with existing GPS devices and coordinate data to improve visibility into the exact location and status of assets. This increased visibility will enable the customer to pinpoint the real time location of a single box more accurately and efficiently than the prior art. This level of real time asset management translates into greater operational efficiency and performance, cost reductions, and improved safety and security.

Method and apparatus for establishing meshed GPS network


The invention relates to a damping device for a gas turbine combustor with significantly reduced cooling air mass flow requirements. The damping device includes a wall with a first inner wall and a second outer wall, arranged in a distance to each other. The inner wall is subjected to high temperatures on a side with a hot gas flow. A plurality of cooling channels extend essentially parallel between the first inner wall and the second outer wall, and at least one damping volume bordered by cooling channels. Furthermore, the damping device includes a first passage for supplying a cooling medium from a cooling channel into the damping volume and a second passage for connecting the damping volume to the combustion chamber. An end plate, fixed to the inner wall, separates the damping volume from the combustion chamber.

A drawback of lean premixed, low emission combustion systems in gas turbines is that they exhibit an increased risk in generating thermo-acoustically induced combustion oscillations. Such oscillations, which have been a well-known problem since the early days of gas turbine development, are due to the strong coupling between fluctuations of heat release rate and pressure and can cause mechanical and thermal damages and limit the operating regime.
A possibility to suppress such oscillations consists in attaching damping devices, such as quarter wave tubes, Helmholtz dampers or acoustic screens.
A reheat combustion system for a gas turbine with sequential combustion including an acoustic screen is described in the document US 2005/229581 A1. The acoustic screen, which is provided inside the mixing zone and/or the combustion chamber, consists of two perforated walls. The volume between both can be seen as multiple integrated Helmholtz volumes. The backward perforated plate allows an impingement cooling of the plate facing the hot combustion chamber.
To prevent hot gases to enter from the combustion chamber into the damping volume, an impingement cooling mass flow is required, which decreases the damping efficiency. If the impingement mass flow is too small, the hot gases recirculate passing through the adjacent holes of the acoustic screen. This phenomenon is known as hot gas ingestion. In case of hot gas ingestion the temperature rises in the damping volume. This leads to an increase of the speed of sound and finally to a shift of the frequency, for which the damping system has been designed. The frequency shift can lead to a strong decrease in damping efficiency. In addition, as the hot gas recirculates in the damping volume, the cooling efficiency is decreased, which can lead to thermal damage of the damping device. Moreover, using a high cooling mass flow, increases the amount of air, which does not take part in the combustion. This results in a higher firing temperature and thus leads to an increase of the NOx emissions.
A solution to the mentioned issues is described, for example, in the document EP 2295864. Here, a multitude of layers are braced together to form single compact Helmholtz dampers, which are cooled using an internal near-wall cooling technique close to the hot combustion chamber. Therefore, the cooling mass flow can be drastically reduced without facing the problem of hot gas ingestion, leading to less emissions and a higher damping efficiency. As single Helmholtz dampers are used, different frequencies can be addressed separately. Whether single or a cluster of Helmholtz dampers is used, the design is based on an appropriate implementation of a near wall cooling.
Another solution of a high-frequency damping system for a combustor in a gas turbine with a cooled wall part is disclosed in EP 2402658. A plurality of cooling paths extending in axial direction are formed in the combustor wall. The cooling paths are connected to a source of cooling medium, such as steam or cooling air, at the one end and to a cooling medium discharge channel at the other end. The cooling medium flowing through the cooling paths cools the peripheral portions of the through holes to avoid or minimize thermal stress, caused by the hot combustion gases when passing the through holes in case of hot gas ingestion.
The document EP 2362147 describes various solutions on how the near-wall cooling can be realized. The near-wall cooling passages are either straight passages or show coil shaped structures parallel to the laminated plates. A drawback of this solution is that due to the shape of the near wall cooling channels, the component is to be made from several layers, which in the end have to be brazed together. Brazing itself is a well-known technique in the turbo machinery business, but inherits disadvantages while compared to other joining methods.
Another way to realize different shapes of near wall cooling channels in wall structures would be to use a so-called "lost wax casting process". With this technique, which is widely used to manufacture cooling passages in turbine blades, a ceramic core is used during the casting process to realize the later cooling channels. Compared to casting processes that can avoid the usage of ceramic cores, the production costs are multiple times higher.

Damping device for a gas turbine combustor


The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for reconstructing a three-dimensional image volume from two-dimensional projection images of a subject which have been taken from different projection directions by rotating the recording system around the subject, wherein the grayscale values of the voxels of the image volume are calculated by back projection of the projection images. The invention is characterized in that prior to back projection at least one projection image is modified in such a way that it corresponds to a projection image taken with a virtual detector whose axes are aligned parallel to the rotational axis of the recording system.

In radiology the need often exists to reconstruct a three-dimensional (3D) image from two-dimensional (2D) images for diagnosis, therapy planning and during interventional procedures. The problem arises with so-called C-arm x-ray systems, for example, in which the x-ray tube and detector are mounted on a C-arm which is freely maneuverable around the patient. It is often desirable to reconstruct a three-dimensional image volume from two-dimensional x-ray images or projection images thus obtained. However, in this case the projection geometry is more complex than with a computer tomograph, as the latter x-rays the subject under examination section by section with a fan beam, whereas the beam is cone-shaped in the case of a c-arm machine. This statement is not true of multislice CT. For example, for 64-row scanners an algorithm for cone-beam projection geometry is also required. Moreover, C-arm systems are often mechanically unstable and do not move exactly on a circular orbit around the subject, but produce e.g. slight vibrations.
For reconstructing structures with low x-ray contrast (e.g. soft parts in medical data) a large number of projection images are required, which greatly increases the computational cost/complexity and may therefore negatively impact the usability of the system. For example, during an interventional catheter treatment, the reconstruction must if possible be complete within a few seconds or a few minutes at the most.
A method for such a reconstruction is disclosed in the article "Practical cone-beam algorithm" by L. A. Feldkamp, L. C. Davis and J. W. Kress, Journal of the Optical Society of America 1, 612-619 (1984). An implementation and adaptation of this system for use in C-arm systems is described in "Enhanced 3-D-reconstruction algorithm for C-arm systems suitable for interventional procedures" by K. Wiesent, K. Barth, M. Navab, P. Durlak, T. Brunner, O. Schütz and W. Seissl, IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging, Vol. 19, No. 5 (2000). This method is based on back projection, i.e. the grayscale values of the projection images are summed for each voxel in the image volume at the corresponding image points. For each projection image, the image volume to be reconstructed is run through voxel by voxel, the projection of the voxel is computed and the grayscale value of the corresponding pixel of the projection image is added to the voxel value.
This method requires that the projection geometry of the recording system has been separately determined in advance for each recording position by means of a calibrating method, allowing for any deformations and dynamic movements of the recording system, which means that in general the main axes of the volume to be reconstructed do not have a uniform orientation in the projection images. In general it must therefore be assumed for each projection that the spacings of adjacent voxels in the projection are not uniform in any direction.
For the general projection geometry occurring in C-arm systems, at least three additions and two divisions must be carried out for each voxel, see e.g. page 395 of the abovementioned article by K. Wiesent et al. in IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging. In the algorithm specified there, the voxels of the image volume are sampled in three nested loops in the x-, y-and z-direction. In the innermost loop, the relevant z-coordinate is then multiplied by the projection matrix and the homogeneous pixel coordinates (r, s, t) thereby obtained are normalized so that the position of the corresponding pixel in the image coordinates is finally yielded as u=r/t and v=s/t. Finally the pixel closest to the position (u, v) must be determined and accumulated to the grayscale value of the voxel at the position (x, y, z). As these operations must be performed in the innermost loop, this results in considerable computational cost/complexity. In addition, random memory access to the projection data is required which negatively impacts the necessary memory transfer between main memory and cache.
Pared down to its essential algorithmic processing steps, the known back-projection algorithm can be described as follows:
For each slice of the 3D volume (with uniform z-value)  Determine the projection of the vertex of the slice  For each row of the slice (with uniform y-value)   Determine the projection of the row start point as a function   of the slice vertex   For each voxel of the row (x-direction)    Determine the projection of the voxel as function of the start    point of the row (3 additions and 2 divisions)    Accumulate the grayscale value of the image point to the    voxel value (1 addition)   End  EndEnd.

Method and apparatus for reconstructing a three-dimensional image volume from two-dimensional projection images


A dispensing device for providing premoistened wipes from the conventional toilet-tissue roll holder so that dry and moist cleaning material is available from the same convenient location. The dispensing device comprising an upper container section with sidewalls and backwall extending underneath the container section. Lid exit provided in endwall of the container section for removal of premoistened wipes. Sufficient space provided underneath container section for placement of toilet-tissue roll between the lower sidewalls and backwall. Mounting holes provided in lower sidewalls for mounting the dispenser on the roll holder spindle. The dispensing device conveniently provides premoistened wipes in the space above the toilet-tissue roll.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a dispensing device for premoistened wipes, specifically a dispenser which mounts and attaches to a conventional toilet-tissue roll holder for providing premoistened wipes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Bathrooms are generally equipped with conventional toilet-tissue roll holders. These holders are designed to support, display, and provide convenient access to the typical toilet-tissue roll. The conventional holder is composed of a telescoping spring biased retractable spindle mounted between a pair of forwardly projecting posts. Bearing sockets are located on the posts which receive the journal ends of the spindle. The toilet-tissue roll is supported by the spindle.
The normal bathroom toilet routine is for using dry toilet-tissue for cleaning. But it has become apparent that this routine is often insufficient for the elevated concern of personal hygiene and personal needs of many individuals. To solve these concerns and needs, products of premoistened tissues, cloths, sheets, wipes, and towelettes are now a common and welcomed consumer product. However, even though premoistened wipes are available, there is no generally accepted or commercially successful dispenser for combining the premoistened wipes and dry toilet-tissue on the conventional toilet-tissue roll holder. Therefore, the consumer available premoistened wipe dispensers are separate stand alone dispensing units which must be placed or stored at inconvenient locations within bathrooms.
By way of representation of the typical prior art structures which have attempted to solve the identified problem, the following U.S. Patents are representative of premoistened wipe dispensers associated with conventional toilet-tissue roll holders.
A number of various patents were issued to Boone in his attempts to find a feasible and workable solution of providing moistened and dry tissue in combination from different types of dispensers. Boone, U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,687 (1977), discloses several dispenser holding devices which attach by sliding them onto one post of a standard roll-type toilet tissue holder for positioning a cylindrical container adjacent to one end of the holder. Similiarly, Boone, U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,616 (1978), reveals several devices which attach by various arm members to a standard toilet-tissue dispenser for positioning containers adjacent to the dispenser. Both of the above referenced patents illustrate awkward means of attachment for holding dispensers, and require additional manufactured hardware and parts for suspending the dispensers. The above mentioned dispensers with their supporting parts are not aesthetically pleasing since they lack visual continuity and balance. Furthermore, these dispensers are deficient in their support means, and lack simplicity for acceptance by consumers.
Boone in both U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,617 (1978) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,333 (1980), describes bathroom fixtures which make available both conventional toilet-tissue and supplemental premoistened sheets. The objections to these fixtures are that the consumer must purchase a new expensive and elaborate permanent fixture, incur cost and time expenditures with the installation of a complicated fixture, and discard the useful standard conventional toilet-tissue fixture. A further deficiency of the fixtures by Boone is that the fixtures require approximately twice the mounting space as compared to the conventional fixtures. Therefore, the fixtures that Boone describes do not provide a cost effective solution to the identified problem. Also, Boones' fixtures are not compact and they over utilize the limited space which is available in the proximity of toilets in most bathrooms. Furthermore, tens of millions of existing useful conventional toilet-tissue dispensers would have to be discarded and replaced if the general public accepted Boones' solutions to the problem.
Phillips, U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,095 (1990), illustrates and describes a harness for hitching a moistened-tissue dispenser onto and underneath a conventional toilet-tissue roll holder so that a user has ready access to either type of tissue. The harness as described for supporting the cylindrical dispenser is made from synthetic plastic sheeting. Phillip's invention has deficiencies in function and appearance in providing a workable and acceptable solution to the identified problem. The harness as described would be unable to support the upward removal of tissues from the cylindrical dispenser since the dispenser dangles from the harness. A user would have to inconveniently bend over and hold the dispenser in one hand while removing tissue with the other hand. Also, a user would usually inadvertently touch the dry tissue with the moistened tissue because of the upward removal of tissue from the inferior positioned moistened tissue dispenser. Furthermore, the device by Phillips has an unappealing appearance because of the cylindrical dispenser hanging underneath the toilet-tissue roll holder. This arrangement does not exhibit a harmonious blending of the dispenser and roll holder since it does not appear as a combined and integral dispensing device in combination with the roll holder. Also, Phillips harness must be connected to the dispenser by removing the lid to the premoistened wipe dispenser, fitting the hoop of the harness onto the dispenser, installing the lid back on the dispenser, and then the harness must be hitched to the journal ends of the roll holder. Therefore, the harness is also inconvenient and time consuming in its installation.
Madison, Great Britain Pat. No. 2,113,655 (1983), describes a tissue dispenser so dimensioned and arranged as to supported on and by a bracket of a toilet roll holder. The dispenser as described will only function properly with a toilet roll holder which is specifically designed for use with Madison's dispenser. The majority of roll holders which are in use do not have flattened horizontal surfaces on the top of the posts and the back plate to support the dispenser of Madison. The dispenser also interferes with the unwinding of the toilet tissue roll since it rests on the top of the roll in an awkward tipped forwardly position. Furthermore, Madison shows the toilet tissue roll mounted on the spindle so that the roll will unwind in a counter clockwise direction. If the toilet roll is mounted to unwind in a clockwise direction, Madison's dispenser would ride upward on the roll and would not be held firmly. The dispenser has insufficient support to function satisfactorily if the roll is mounted to unwind clockwise. Therefore, Madison's tissue dispenser has functional deficiencies and it can only be used with a limited number of roll holders.
Harkins in U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,317 (1980) describes a toilet paper unrolling fixture which enables the user to quickly tear a length of toilet paper from the roll. The fixture as described and illustrated by Harkins is incapable of providing supplemental products such as premoistened wipes and other accessory toiletry products from the toilet tissue roll holder. Harkins does not teach, show, or suggest that his fixture can be redesigned and used for solving other problems.

Premoistened wipe dispenser for conventional toilet-tissue roll holders