The invention is related to a method for equalizing performance of traffic channels in a WDM system where means for controlling transmitters (12), amplifiers (38) and receivers (14) are provided. Potentially, a number of channels are defined as loading channels (100). The method follows the steps of measuring the optical power at the input (48) of the amplifier (38), setting the power levels of a predefined number of loading channels (100) to a high power level, setting the power level of the traffic channels (200) to a power level less then the power level of the loading channels (100), adjusting the power level of the traffic channels (200), adjusting the power level of the loading channels (100), stabilizing the sum of the optical power measured at the optical amplifier (38), continuing the process for each channel the receiver lock signal (75) is sent back to the transmitters.

The invention is based on a priority application EP 03 293 041.4 which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is a technique employed in high capacity optical transmission networks to increase their information carrying capacity. WDM systems transmit a plurality of channels, each at a different wavelength, over a single optical fiber. Typically, a WDM system comprises N optical transmitters for optically transmitting N channels of information, a wavelength multiplexer for combining the N channels on one optical fiber, optical amplifiers connected in series by optical fiber cable, a wavelength demultiplexer for separating the optical signal into N channels, and N receivers for detecting the information carried by the N channels. In network configurations having an add-drop multiplexer, the multiplexer is located at a position along the path of the serially connected amplifiers. The add-drop multiplexer is capable of extracting a channel from the network for directing it to an alternative receiver and may also insert into the network a new channel transmitted at the same wavelength as the extracted channel.
Performance of WDM systems is related to the optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR) at the receiver (among other things such as non accumulated non linear effects, or chromatic dispersion). Due to wavelength dependent gain profiles, noise profiles and saturation characteristics of the optical amplifiers and wavelength dependent gain of other components in the optical path, channel OSNR values at the receiver will be unequal for equal transmitter optical power levels. U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,922 Chraplyvy et al discloses a method for equalizing channel performances in point-to-point WDM systems using the optical power level of each channel transmitter and the OSNR measured at each channel receiver. New transmitter optical power levels for each channel are calculated from the optical power level and OSNR values using a specified formula. The channels' transmitters are then set to the new optical power levels. This process is repeated until the difference between the channel's OSNRs is within a predetermined range. Although this method can equalize the OSNR at the receivers within a few iterations, it requires the use of expensive instruments such as an optical spectrum analyzer to measure the OSNRs at the receivers. A further disadvantage of this method is that it is not easily adaptable to more complex optical network configurations such as those having an add-drop multiplexer. It appears that it would be advantageous to provide a less expensive and more flexible method of equalizing channel performance in WDM systems that is capable of equalizing performance in more complex networks such as those having an add-drop multiplexer.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,933 discloses a method and apparatus for channel performance equalization in wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) systems. The channel performance is estimated from from the optical power measurement of each transmitted signal. The measurements are taken at the inputs of the first optical amplifiers in the transmission path of the system. The channels are equalized by adjusting the optical power of the channel transmitters. The method is applicable to point-to-point networks as well as more complex network configurations such as those having an add-drop multiplexer (ADM) for inserting and extracting channels from the transmission path. The method can compensate for signals having different bit rates by applying an offset to the amount of optical power adjustment of the channel transmitters.
Furthermore, if different types of optical amplifiers are used in the transmission path, the method can accommodate different noise characteristics of the amplifiers by using their noise figures in determining the amount of optical power adjustment of the transmitters that is required to equalize channel performances.
This method is applicable for a new installation of a system but not for upgrading a system by channel provisioning.
Another way to measure performance of channels is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,471. In this prior art attenuating channels to set a uniform characteristic optimizes the system selected method. The channel's error rate is the relevant criterion to quantify the signal' quality. The measured error rate at the receiver is the relevant value to react on the channels. Bit error measurement is one possibility described. This system needs additional attenuating means and cannot be easily upgraded.

Transmission system and method for equalization of channels in the system


A semiconductor test device includes; a tester providing a first clock signal, first test data, a control signal and a first clock signal, a reference clock generating unit generating a reference clock signal, a clock converting unit receiving the reference clock signal and converting the frequency of the reference clock signal to a second clock signal in response to the control signal, and a test data converting unit receiving the first test data, converting the first test data to second test data synchronously with the second clock signal and providing the second test data to a semiconductor memory device under test.

The inventive concept relates to a semiconductor test device, and more particularly, to a semiconductor test device for testing a high-speed semiconductor memory device using a low-speed tester.
Many contemporary semiconductor memory devices are designed to operate at high speed. In particular, many of the clock signals used in such semiconductor memory devices are high-speed signals. Accordingly, in order to test high-speed semiconductor memory devices, semiconductor test devices capable of generating high-speed clock signals must be used. Unfortunately, high-speed semiconductor test devices are very expensive. Accordingly, there is a growing and unmet demand for test methods compatible with high-speed semiconductor memory devices, but which use an inexpensive low-speed tester.

High-speed semiconductor memory test device


A data recording disk file of the liquid-bearing type has an improved head-disk interface provided by a transducer carrier with new properties. The carrier supports a conventional head for reading and writing data to the disk. The carrier has an air-bearing surface near its front end, a ski pad near its rear end, and a plurality of ski feet or struts which support the air-bearing surface off the liquid film of the disk when the disk file is not operating. The air-bearing surface is in the form of a pair of air-bearing rails located forward and outboard of the rear ski pad so that no air-bearing effect occurs in the rearward region of the carrier to assure the skiing action of the rear ski pad. The struts are separated from the air-bearing rails to not interfere with their air-bearing performance and support the rails away from the liquid film on the disk. In one embodiment there are at least three struts arranged on the carrier so that both the air-bearing rails and the ski pad are supported off the liquid film when the disk file is not operating. As operational speed is approached the air-bearing effect causes the front end of the carrier to rotate about the two rear struts, thus raising the forward strut(s) and the air-bearing rails off the disk and lowering the rear ski pad into contact with the liquid film.

Disk files, also referred to as disk drives, are information storage devices which utilize a rotatable disk with concentric data tracks containing the information, a head or transducer for reading or writing data onto the various tracks, and an actuator connected to a carrier for the head for moving the head to the desired track and maintaining it over the track centerline during read or write operations. There are typically a plurality of disks separated by spacer rings and stacked on a hub which is rotated by a disk drive motor. A housing supports the drive motor and head actuator and surrounds the head and disk to provide a substantially sealed environment for the head-disk interface. In conventional magnetic recording disk files the head carrier is an air-bearing slider which rides on a bearing of air above the disk surface. The slider is maintained against the disk surface by a small force from a suspension which connects the slider to the actuator, so that the slider is in contact with the disk surface during start and stop operations when there is insufficient disk rotational speed to maintain the air-bearing. A lubricant is required on the disk surface to prevent damage to the head and disk during starting and stopping of the disk file.
There are several references which describe different types of head carriers and liquid-bearings as possible alternatives to the conventional air-bearing head-disk interface in magnetic recording disk files. In assignee's U.S. Pat. No. 2,969,435, a sled-type transducer carrier with a large flat surface rides on a layer of oil on the disk, the oil being supplied from an oil reservoir external to the disk file and discharged from a nozzle located ahead of the carrier. In assignee's pending application, U.S. Ser. No. 264,604, filed Oct. 31, 1988, and published May 9, 1990 as European published application EP 367510, a disk file utilizes a continuously recirculating low viscosity liquid lubricant, which is maintained as a relatively thick layer on the disk, and a transducer carrier which has triangular shaped feet to plow through the low viscosity liquid layer. The EP reference suggests that if the disk file is hermetically sealed with no air present the low vapor pressure lubricant can evaporate which allows the required recirculation of the lubricant to occur by distillation.
More recently, in assignee's co-pending applications U.S. Ser. Nos. 07/724,646 and 07/724,696, a liquid-bearing disk file and transducer carrier have been described wherein a non-recirculating high viscosity lubricant film is maintained on the disk and a transducer carrier, having specially adapted ski feet, skis on the liquid film as the disk rotates. The transducer carrier described in those applications is a modified three-rail air-bearing slider which has a forward ski foot formed on each of the outer rails and a rear ski foot formed on the center rail, the ends of the three ski feet being essentially coplanar. When the disk file reaches operating speed, the forward ski feet are raised above the liquid film due to the air-bearing effect of the slider rails, while the liquid lubricated rear ski foot skis on the liquid film.
There are several challenges facing the developers of improved liquid-bearing disk files with skiing transducer carriers. The carrier must provide a low static friction ("stiction") head-disk interface because liquid-bearing disk files generally have larger amounts of free lubricant and smoother disks than air-bearing disk files. The carrier must also be designed to minimize lubricant depletion from the disk. In addition, the carrier must be able to perform adequately over a wide range of relative carrier-disk velocities which occur at different disk radii. Thus, what is needed is a liquid-bearing disk file with an improved head-disk interface which reduces stiction, minimizes lubricant depletion from the disk, and permits the transducer carrier to ski over a wide range of velocities.

Liquid-bearing data recording disk file with transducer carrier having support struts

International Business Machines Corporation


An orally ingestible composition for the treatment of external personal odors can include about 35% w/w to about 50% w/w of the essential oil of lavender, about 1% w/w to about 10% w/w of the essential oil of rosemary, about 1% w/w to about 10% w/w of the essential oil of sage, and sufficient carrier medium to make up to 100% by weight.

The main function of an anti-odor composition is that of preventing or otherwise minimizing body malodor due to bacterial decompositions and to the oxidation of the organic substances that are components of perspiration. Previous methods of reducing and/or eliminating personal odors include perfumes, underarm deodorants and antiperspirants, vaginal douches and suppositories, and deodorant soaps. In addition, chlorophyll pills have been administered orally to reduce both internal and external body odors. Unfortunately, these products are not always effective.
Accordingly, a need exists for a new and improved composition and method for eliminating external personal odors, which overcome the above-referenced problems and others.

Composition and method for the treatment of personal odors


An electric storage device includes: an electrode assembly including a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate that are insulated from each other; a pair of current collectors each of which includes a connecting portion and is connected to a corresponding one of the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate at the connecting portion; a case that houses the electrode assembly and the pair of current collectors, the electrode assembly being supported by the pair of current collectors in the case; and a distance retaining member that retains a distance between portions more distal than the respective connecting portions of the pair of current collectors.

In recent years, electric storage devices capable of being recharged have been adopted as power sources of various devices. The electric storage device includes: an electrode assembly; a pair of current collectors electrically connected to the electrode assembly; a case housing the electrode assembly and the pair of current collectors; and a pair of external terminals disposed outside the case.
The electrode assembly includes: an electrically insulating separator; and a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate that are stacked together sandwiching the separator. The positive and negative electrode plates are disposed while being positionally displaced from each other in a first direction. Accordingly, a positive-electrode lead portion in which only the positive electrode plates are stacked is formed on one end portion of the electrode assembly in the first direction. Meanwhile, a negative-electrode lead portion in which only the negative electrode plates are stacked is formed on the other end portion of the electrode assembly in the first direction.
The current collector includes: a first connecting portion connected to the positive-electrode lead portion or the negative-electrode lead portion of the electrode assembly; and a second connecting portion that extends from the first connecting portion and is connected to an external terminal while being fixed to the case. This allows the positive electrode plate of the electrode assembly and the external terminal to conduct to each other via the current collector, and allows the negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly and the external terminal to conduct to each other via the current collector (Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2011-14276).
There are cases of mounting the electric storage devices as power sources of apparatuses that cause vibrations when being driven (e.g., various apparatuses, such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), electric vehicles (EV), electric motorcycles, aircraft, and vessels). Mounting of the electric storage device having the above configuration on such an apparatus causes a possibility that vibrations of the apparatus break the current collector or the electrode assembly.
More specifically, the electrode assembly is held suspended from the pair of current collectors fixed to the case. Accordingly, the electrode assembly sways in the case together with the current collectors due to the vibrations of apparatus. Along therewith, a bending stress (bending action) is repeatedly caused at the second connecting portion of each current collector or in proximity to a boundary between the second connecting portion and the first connecting portion. This causes a possibility of fatigue breakdown (rupture) of the current collectors.
As described above, when the electrode assembly sways together with the current collectors, the disposition between the electrode assembly and the first connecting portion of each current collector relatively vary. This twists the connecting portion between the electrode assembly and the first connecting portion of each current collector. Accordingly, there is a possibility that the positive electrode plate or the negative electrode plate is broken at this connecting portion.


A door step device for a vehicle includes: a step panel; a rack gear part which extends from the step panel and has a locking groove formed at a side thereof; a pinion gear part which gear-meshed with the rack gear part, and rotates by power from a driving motor; a tilting operation part including a projection pin and a solenoid adjusting a projected amount of the projection pin; and a control unit which controls the driving motor at the time of the operation of the step panel to draw the rack gear part and controls the solenoid to tilt the rack gear part and the step panel to the ground.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a door step device for a vehicle capable of offering improved convenience when passengers get in and out of a vehicle by providing a footboard between a vehicle floor and the ground.
2. Description of Related Art
In general, a recreational vehicle (RV) and some of the commercial vehicles has a footboard installed between the ground and a vehicle floor so as to offer improved convenience when passengers get in and out of a vehicle. Further, even in the case of a vehicle having a high ground clearance, a footboard is installed under a door due to inconvenience when passengers get in and out of a vehicle.
Since the footboard generally fixed to a vehicle frame by a welding or a bolt protrudes to the outside regardless of whether a passenger use the footboard, a passenger who does not use the footboard may be hindered at the time of getting in and out of a vehicle and a quality of an appearance design of a vehicle may be degraded. In addition, since the footboard protrudes to the outside, the footboard is bumped into pedestrians and structures outside a vehicle, such that a vehicle may be damaged or stability of a vehicle may be degraded.
Meanwhile, according to the related art, the footboard mounted at the vehicle door is fixed to the vehicle floor, and thus a height of the footboard may not be adjusted. Therefore, in the case of a vehicle of which the footboard is at a high position, passengers having a short height, such as a child, have inconvenience of using the footboard and in the case of a vehicle of which the footboard is at a low position, the footboard is bumped into protruding objects on the ground when a vehicle drives a rough road or an unpaved road, such that the footboard may be damaged.
Therefore, a need exists for a technology of adjusting the height of the footboard mounted in the vehicle and operating the footboard according to whether passengers use the footboard.
The information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.


A porphyrin-based compound is represented by Chemical Formula 1 or 2. A dye for a dye-sensitized solar cell includes the porphyrin-based compound so that the dye has improved photoelectric conversion efficiency. A dye-sensitized solar cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a dye layer formed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the dye layer includes the porphyrin-based compound.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a porphyrin-based compound, a dye including the same and a dye-sensitized solar cell, and more particularly, to a dye for a dye-sensitized solar cell, having improved photoelectric conversion efficiency, and to a dye-sensitized solar cell including the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A solar cell for converting light energy into electric energy using a photovoltaic effect is an eco-friendly energy source using infinite resources, unlike the other energy sources. It is known to be a silicon solar cell, a dye-sensitized solar cell, etc.
A silicon solar cell is manufactured at very high cost and is thus difficult to actually use, and its efficiency is also difficult to improve. On the other hand, because a dye-sensitized solar cell is much lower in manufacturing cost than the conventional silicon solar cell, it has the potential to replace the conventional amorphous silicon solar cell. The dye-sensitized solar cell has a mechanism of absorbing visible light energy to thus produce electron-hole pairs, and is a photoelectrochemical solar cell composed mainly of a transition metal oxide for transferring produced electrons and a photosensitive dye molecule.
Currently useful as a dye for a dye-sensitized solar cell, a ruthenium complex exhibits an energy conversion efficiency of more than 10% and thereby has received academic attention, but has not yet been commercialized due to low stability which is a major problem concerning the complex-based dye.
To overcome such a problem, novel organic compounds are being studied as the dye. Especially, thorough research into using, as a dye, a porphyrin compound well-known to be a photosynthesis material, has been carried out, but its efficiency is about 1 to 3% which is not high. Hence, the Durrant research team of Imperial College in the UK reported that the reason why the efficiency of the porphyrin dye is lower than that of the ruthenium complex is that the porphyrin dye in an excited state is converted into a ground state by dipole-dipole attraction between adjacent porphyrin compounds.
Meanwhile, Japanese Patent Publication Application No. 2002-063949 (2002 Feb. 28) discloses a porphyrin derivative having photoelectric conversion properties, wherein phenyl groups are substituted at 5, 10, 15 and 20 positions of porphyrin, as represented below. However, such a porphyrin compound suffers from low energy conversion efficiency because of recombination of excited electrons between porphyrin dyes.

(wherein R is a hydrogen atom or an acidic substituent)
Also, Korean Patent No. 10-0809496 discloses a porphyrin derivative configured such that an amine group or an ether group is linked to phenyl groups substituted at 5, 10, 15 and 20 positions of porphyrin in order to extend conjugation, and Korean Patent Publication Application No. 10-2013-0066547 discloses a porphyrin derivative configured such that an amine group is substituted at 5 position of porphyrin and phenyl groups are substituted at 10, 15 and 20 positions of porphyrin.
Although the porphyrin compounds thus disclosed may prevent recombination between dyes compared to the porphyrin derivative of Japanese Patent Publication Application No. 2002-063949, only a single electron acceptor may be provided, making it difficult to increase adsorption of dye on the surface of TiO2, consequently showing low energy conversion efficiency.
Therefore, there is a need to develop a porphyrin derivative for a dye-sensitized solar cell, having superior long-term stability compared to a ruthenium complex and superior photoelectric conversion efficiency compared to conventional porphyrin dyes.

Porphyrin-based compound, dye and dye-sensitized solar cell comprising the same

Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology


A simulation system is provided for simulating operation of a plurality of hardware devices in combination with an instruction set simulator simulating execution of program instructions by a program core. A test scenario manager acts as a master and serves to command the hardware devices and the instruction set simulator with stimulus signals to simulate various specified activity.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of data processing systems. More particularly, this invention relates to the simulation of systems including a processor core and a plurality of hardware devices.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The ability to effectively and efficiently test and/or validate designs is becoming increasingly important. Typical data processing system designs are rapidly increasing in complexity and furthermore are including circuit blocks designed by a variety of different sources or companies. So called system-on-chip (SoC) designs that integrate a large number of functional elements on a single integrated circuit have strong advantages in terms of cost and performance, but require significant amounts of validation and testing before the designs can be reliably released for manufacture. This validation and testing requirement is becoming a bottleneck in getting new systems into the market place. Consequently, measures that can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of such validation and testing of designs are strongly advantageous.
There are currently 3 approaches that can be used to validate a SoC design:    (a) Build a software model of the design and run the same software when the hardware is complete. The problems here include that the hardware models are not fully represented in software in that there is no hardware feedback loop such that different hardware block models can interact fully.    (b) Build VHDL and/or Verilog (trickboxes) models to plug into the external interfaces of the SoC blocks to provide external stimulus to the SoC. This approach is commonly used but suffers from the problem that the code is not very re-usable, and a large amount of knowledge is required of the operation of each trickbox to create effective tests.    (c) Build models of each of the blocks (eVCs) in the SoC using an HVL (hardware verification language) such a Specman to replace existing hardware blocks in turn, such that the modelled blocks can provide stimulus into the system. Here a problem is that the integrity of the system is compromised as existing blocks need to be removed and re-inserted per test.
The copending U.S. patent application U.S. Ser. No. 09/994,023 filed on 27 Nov. 2001 with the same inventor and Assignee as the current application describes a mechanism for the coordinated validation of hardware devices. The disclosure of this earlier copending application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
The copending U.S. patent application entitled "Software and Hardware Simulation" filed on 22 Feb. 2002 describes a mechanism for testing software drivers and their associated hardware. The disclosure of this earlier copending application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

Simulating program instruction execution and hardware device operation


Each of D flip-flops (FFs) 13a to 13f constituting a scan path circuit has a normal operation input circuit to be selected in a normal operation and a test operation input circuit to be selected in a test operation, and a control signal having an intermediate voltage between a supply voltage and a ground voltage is sent from a voltage generating circuit 17 to the test operation input circuit of each FF in the test operation. In this case, the amount of an output change in data in each FF is smoother than that in the case in which the supply voltage is applied. Consequently, the delay time of the data is increased. The intermediate voltage to be applied to each FF in the test operation is determined based on a feedback signal sent from a test circuit 15 for checking whether scanned-out data have an error or not.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a scan path circuit constituted by a flip-flop having a scan function and a semiconductor integrated circuit comprising the scan path circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
At present, semiconductor integrated circuits having circuit scales extending over 2000000 to 3000000 gates are designed. If so many logic circuits are to be completely tested, the amount of a test pattern and a time required for the test are enormously demanded. Therefore, a so-called test facilitating design has been carried out. In the test facilitating design, the policy of a failure test is decided in the stage of a circuit design and a test circuit is fabricated into a semiconductor integrated circuit to predict the cause of a failure and the circuit design is carried out such that a failure portion can easily be detected and diagnosed.
Examples of a method of carrying out such a failure test include a "scan path method". In the scan path method, a sequential circuit is operated as a shift register to carry out a test. For example, in a conventional logic circuit shown in FIG. 14 which is constituted by D flip-flops 41 to 46 forming the sequential circuit and a combinational circuit 40, the flip-flops are connected to form a san path (a path for a test mode), thereby replacing each of the flip-flops with a scan flip-flop and operating the sequential circuit as a shift register. Then, data are scanned in and it is decided whether data scanned out are coincident with an expected value or not. Thus, the failure test is carried out.
The normal operation and test operation of the logic circuit shown in FIG. 14 will be described below.
First of all, during the normal operation, three sets of data are input from the D flip-flops (hereinafter referred to as "FFs") 41 to 43 to the combinational circuit 40. Therefore, the combinational circuit 40 carries out a logical operation for the three sets of data, thereby outputting the three sets of data. The FFs 44 to 46 send the three sets of outputs to the outside.
During the test operation, the FFs 41 to 46 form a scan flip-flop, that is, a so-called scan path. The FFs 41 to 43 sequentially shift data input from an external test device synchronously with a predetermined clock. The combinational circuit 40 carries out a logical operation for the data given from the FFs 41 to 43 and outputs three sets of results of the operation. The FFs 44 to 46 sequentially shift the results of the operation which are given from the combinational circuit 40 and output the results to the outside. Since the output data include the results of the operation of the combinational circuit 40, it is decided whether the same results are coincident with an expected value or not. Thus, the failure of the combinational circuit 40 is decided.
However, in the case in which a shift register is constituted by a flip-flop as described above in the progress of the microfabrication process of a semiconductor integrated circuit, there is a possibility that a malfunction such as a hold error (a shift omission) might be caused, during a scan shift operation, by a clock skew, a variation in a device, a variation in a wiring or a cross talk. When the malfunction is generated, the reliability of a failure test is deteriorated. Consequently, there is a problem in that a yield is deteriorated. Such a problem can be solved by increasing a delay time in the scan shift operation. Consequently, an inverter and a latch for delaying a signal are provided between the flip-flops.
However, a problem is pointed out such that the inverter and the latch cannot cope with a variation in the delay characteristic of a device because they carry out a fixed delay. When the microfabrication process progresses, the variation in the device is increased. If the delay characteristic is not fixed but variable, the delay characteristic can be changed corresponding to each circuit. Consequently, it is possible to reliably prevent a malfunction such as a hold error. Accordingly, there has been desired a scan path circuit capable of flexibly coping with the variation in the delay characteristic of the device.
In a scan path circuit comprising an inverter and a latch, moreover, an extra area for mounting the inverter or the latch is required. Consequently, there is a problem in that the mounting area is increased. Accordingly, there has been desired a scan path circuit having a small mounting area which can prevent the malfunction of a scan shift operation to reliably carry out a failure test even if the inverter and the latch are not provided.

Scan path circuit and semiconductor integrated circuit comprising the scan path circuit

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) module includes a number of circuit boards and a number of SATA devices. Each of the circuit boards includes an expansion microchip. The expansion microchip includes an input terminal, an output terminal and an expansion terminal. The expansion microchips are electrically connected in series with the input terminal of one expansion microchip connecting to the expansion terminal of another expansion microchip. The input terminal of a front expansion terminal positioned at a first end of the expansion microchips is configured to connect to a SATA controller. Each of the SATA devices is electrically connected to the output terminal of one expansion microchip and configured to transmit data with the SATA controller by the corresponding expansion microchip.

1. Technical Field
The disclosure generally relates to data transmitting devices, and particularly to a data transmitting device having a serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) device expansion function and a SATA assembly thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
A typical main board 100 of a computer commonly includes a SATA controller 11 is shown in FIG. 2. The SATA controller 11 includes a plurality of SATA interfaces 111. Each SATA interface 111 is configured to connect a corresponding SATA device 200 (e.g., a hard disk or a DVD drive, etc.) by a corresponding SATA bus to the SATA controller 11. Thus, the SATA controller 11 and the SATA devices 200 transmit data with each other.
However, the number of the SATA interfaces 111 is limited, commonly is four. When a large number of the SATA devices 200 (e.g. more than four) are needed to connect to the main board 100, more than one SATA controllers 11 are required to install on the main board 100 which may occupy layout space of the main board 100 and also increase cost of the main board 100.
Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

Data transmitting device having serial advanced technology attachment device expansion function and serial advanced technology attachment module thereof

HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.


An optical signal terminating apparatus for an optical path network includes: a variable filter selecting an optical signal of a predetermined wavelength path making up any one of a plurality of wavebands included in one wavelength division multiplexing light selected from a plurality of wavelength division multiplexing lights respectively transmitted in parallel via a plurality of optical fibers to a relay node in the optical path network, the variable filter dropping the optical signal to an electric layer, the variable filter including a waveband separator separating the wavelength division multiplexing light into a plurality of wavebands, a waveband selector selecting one waveband from a plurality of wavebands separated by the waveband separator, a wavelength separator separating one waveband selected by the waveband selector into wavelengths, and a drop wavelength selector.

An optical path network is known that transmits wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) light including a plurality of (M) wavebands each formed by combining lights of a plurality of, i.e., N, wavelengths respectively corresponding to a plurality of (N) wavelength channels (wave channels or light paths) divided by, for example, 100 GHz in a predetermined communication wavelength range via a plurality of (K) optical fibers in parallel. In each relay node of such an optical path network, wavelength division multiplexing lights respectively transmitted through the K optical fibers are subjected to route switching on the basis of a waveband or on the basis of a wavelength division multiplexing light group directly to an optical fiber in a predetermined transmission direction, and a wavelength (channel) included in the waveband is separated and dropped (output) to an electric layer as needed, or a waveband recombined into wavelength division multiplexing light including a wavelength channel acquired by converting a signal added from the electric layer into light is subjected to route switching to an optical fiber in a predetermined transmission direction. For example, this corresponds to an optical path cross-connect apparatus described in Patent Document 1.
It is desired to have a function enabling any wavelength channel in wavelength division multiplexing light in any input fiber to be dropped to a connection port to an arbitrary electric layer (electric level) EL and enabling an added wavelength channel to be allocated into an arbitrary wavelength division multiplexing light waveband between a wavelength level for transmission through optical paths and an electric level at the time of an optical signal termination process in a relay node of the optical path network, i.e., a colorless, directionless, and contentionless function.

Optical terminating apparatus for optical path network

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION NAGOYA UNIVERSITY


A hearing device includes: an antenna for receiving a first wireless input signal from an external device and providing an antenna output signal; a transceiver configured to provide a transceiver input signal; an input module for provision of a first input signal, the input module comprising a first microphone; a processor; a receiver configured to provide an audio output signal; a pre-processor for provision of a pre-processor output signal based on the first input signal; and a controller comprising a speech intelligibility estimator for determining a speech intelligibility indicator indicative of speech intelligibility based on the transceiver input signal and a first controller input signal, wherein the controller is configured to provide a controller output signal based on the speech intelligibility indicator; wherein the pre-processor is configured to apply, based on the controller output signal, a pre-processing scheme to the first input signal and/or the transceiver input signal.

External microphones, such as spouse microphones, are getting increasingly used in hearing systems for improving the experience of the hearing device user. This trend is also supported by the widespread use of wireless communications technology in hearing systems.
EP 2 840 807 A1 describes an external microphone array configured to be used with a hearing aid. The microphone array comprises a number of microphones configured to detect one or more sound signals from a sound source and means for wirelessly sending the detected sound signal to at least one hearing aid.
However, the use of external microphone still poses challenges to hearing device processing and does not always improve the hearing experience of the user, such as the intelligibility of the speech and of the acoustic environment.

Speech intelligibility-based hearing devices and associated methods


A device and method for processing a signal e.g. equalizing a signal, is disclosed. Such processing involves dividing a signal into two portions that each traverses a wavepath and then are combined. The respective wavepaths impose a non-linear frequency-versus-phase dependency on a signal portion. The frequency-versus-phase dependencies that characterize the respective wavepaths are similar in shape but inverted from each other. A processed signal has significantly improved signal-to-noise ratio.

Optical communication typically involves the transmission of light e.g. laser light in the wavelength range 800 nm to 1600 nm, over an optical pathway generally including optical fiber and suitable active and passive processing devices such as filters, amplifiers, cross connects, add-drop modules, and dispersion compensation units. A variety of protocols are employed to standardize the form of an optical signal. In a typical protocol, the signal is broken into time slots of between 1000 and 25 picoseconds. A digital 0 is represented by the substantial absence of detectable light during the time slot while a digital 1 corresponds to the presence of such light. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1 an exemplary signal might have the form shown with the corresponding digital signal above the light signal. Although the signal upon insertion into the optical system generally has a square wave pattern as demonstrated in FIG. 1 at 12, this pattern is corrupted both by traversal of the optical fiber and by interaction with the various active and passive devices in the optical system. Thus after such traversal the signal might have degraded as shown by the dotted waveform 10 in FIG. 1. Clearly, if this process continues the signal to noise ratio of the signal degrades and it will not be extractable from the surrounding noise. Thus, it is desirable to periodically reconstitute the wave shape and to amplify this reconstituted wave shape so that the original signal form as inserted in the system is replicated. The process of reshaping the waveform is generally denominated equalization.
In the equalization process not only is the shape of the waveform a concern, but also the nature of transmission on the carrier is also a significant concern. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 the waveform 36 in FIG. 1 is magnified in FIG. 2 to show the underlying carrier light 35. Thus the sine wave associated with electromagnetic carrier frequency of the signal has a specific perceived wavelength as shown in FIG. 2 across the profile of each pulse of light forming the optical signal. The perceived wavelength is the result of the summation of the frequency components that make up the pulse. As injected the perceived wavelength/carrier of this underlying carrier is typically constant throughout the pulse. However, the various distortions imposed on the signal also frequently cause this perceived carrier frequency to become non-constant. Thus as shown in FIG. 3, the distorted signal 36 for some forms of distortion has an underlying carrier with a varying perceived frequency e.g. the perceived frequency of the carrier 25 decreases (and thus the wavelength increases) starting in region 37 and continuing through region 38. This variation in the frequency of the underlying character is generally termed chirp. For many applications, e.g. ultra long haul transmission, signal chirp should be controlled for improved performance.
Thus to equalize the signal it is desirable to return it to its original shape, e.g. a square wave, and it is often desirable to either carefully control, or remove any chirp present. If no chirp is present avoiding the introduction of chirp during the equalization process is often desirable. These goals for equalization are complicated by the numerous systems presently employed for optical communication. For example, many systems use different time slot lengths. That is, the repetition rate (i.e. the bit rate) is generally lower in older systems relative to newer systems. For example, many systems that have been deployed for many years have a 2.5 Gb/s bit rate compared to many current systems having a 10 Gb/s or 40 Gb/s repetition rate. Additionally, many optical fiber pathways are subjected to signals of different repetition rates. It is therefore advantageous for a device designed to equalize a signal having one repetition rate not to produce an unacceptable affect on a signal with a different repetition rate. It is further desirable for the device to be tunable to allow flexibility in application.
The most common approach for equalization involves a two-stage device such as shown in FIG. 4. In this device, an incoming distorted wave is injected into waveguide 42. A small fraction (generally between 0.1 and 15 power percent) is diverted into waveguide 43 and delayed relative to the signal on wavepath 42 until it is then again injected at 44. In one circumstance, if the delay time is chosen appropriately, the two waveforms (one 47 on wavepath 43 and one 49 on wavepath 42) interact constructively as shown in FIG. 5. The combined pulse shown by dotted line 56 continues on wavepath 48 and a second small portion (typically 0.1 to 25 power percent) is diverted into wavepath 42. This diverted portion is advanced relative to that in wavepath 48 so that the two pulses combined at 46 interact constructively as shown in FIG. 6 to give the resultant curve shown by dotted line 50.
In this manner, the waveform is equalized acceptably. However, the wavepaths 48 and 43 used to provide the necessary time delays are relatively large constructs typically including between 1 and 20 centimeters of a monolithic optical waveguide as the delay path length. Thus such devices are relatively large. Additionally, the devices are constructed to process signals of a single repetition rate. That is, the time delays are established for a specific repetition rate to provide constructive (or destructive) interference at 44 and at 46 in FIG. 4. A signal having a different repetition rate requires a different delay time to provide appropriate interference. Thus such equalization devices unacceptably distort signals having a repetition rate significantly different from those intended to be processed. Finally, as discussed, such devices are fabricated for a specific repetition rate and are not adjustable for other repetition rates.
Thus it would be desirable to have an equalization device that is relatively compact, does not adversely affect signals deviating from those for which the device is configured, and which is tunable to equalize signals having different characteristics such as different repetition rates.


A device and method that simulates the squatting position for bowel elimination while still sitting on a toilet.

Field of the Invention
The field of this invention relates generally to the field of the elimination of human waste and more particularly toward a device that stimulates the colon for more efficient bowel movements.
Description of the Prior Art
Humans are designed to squat while evacuating the bowel. While squatting, the thighs come in contact with the abdominal wall placing beneficial pressure on the colon. This pressure helps to gently move waste through and out of the colon. The standard toilet is arguably the worst invention in the history of the modern man. While seated on the toilet, the body is upright and in the incorrect anatomical position for ease and efficiency during bowel evacuation. Without the support and beneficial pressure of the thighs contacting the abdominal wall, people are left to push and strain leading to a plethora of health related problems, i.e., hemorrhoids, constipation, etc.
It is the object of the instant invention to provide a means of simulating the more natural squatting pressure for bowel elimination while still using toilets and modern plumbing for the elimination of said waste.


A method for a relay terminal to transmit and receive signals in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a step for transmitting and receiving signals to and from an upper layer node through a backhaul link in a first interval; and a step for transmitting and receiving signals to and from at least one lower layer node through an access link in a second interval, wherein the first interval includes an interval in which signals can be transmitted to and received from the upper layer node and only a first specific signal can be transmitted to and received from the at least one lower layer node, and the second interval includes an interval in which signals can be transmitted to and received from the at least one lower layer node and only a second specific signal can be transmitted to and received from the upper layer node.

Mobile communication systems were developed to ensure user activity and provide voice service. However, mobile communication systems have extended their range to data service as well as voice, and currently the explosive increase in traffic is causing a lack of resources and there is a users' demand for faster services, which is creating a need for advanced mobile communication systems.
The requirements for next-generation mobile communication systems largely include coping with explosive data traffic, very high data rates per user, coping with a surprisingly large number of connected devices, very low end-to-end latency, and support for high energy efficiency. To this end, research is ongoing on a variety of technologies such as dual connectivity, massive MIMO (massive multiple input multiple output), in-band full duplex, NOMA (non-orthogonal multiple access), support for super wideband, and device networking.

Method for relay terminal to transmit and receive signals in wireless communication system, and device for same


In an Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system having at least two language models, a method is provided for combining language model scores generated by at least two language models. A list of most likely words is generated for a current word in a word sequence uttered by a speaker, and acoustic scores corresponding to the most likely words are also generated. Language model scores are computed for each of the most likely words in the list, for each of the at least two language models. A set of coefficients to be used to combine the language model scores of each of the most likely words in the list is respectively and dynamically determined, based on a context of the current word. The language model scores of each of the most likely words in the list are respectively combined to obtain a composite score for each of the most likely words in the list, using the set of coefficients determined therefor.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to speech recognition and, in particular, to a method and system for combining language model scores generated by a language model mixture in an Automatic Speech Recognition system.
2. Description of Related Art
In general, an Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system includes a vocabulary, an acoustic model, and a language model (LM). The vocabulary is a table of words, with each word represented as a sequence of phones which are combined to form the pronunciation of the word. The acoustic model constructs a list of candidate words given the acoustic data. The language model predicts the current word using its word context.
The language model generally includes a collection of conditional probabilities corresponding to the combining of words in the vocabulary. The task of the language model is to express the restrictions imposed on the way in which words can be combined to form sentences. Some of the most popular language models are n-gram models which make the assumption that the a priori probability of a word sequence can be decomposed into conditional probabilities of each word given the n words preceding it. In the context of n-gram language models, a trigram is a string of three consecutive words (denoted by w1 w2 w3). Similarly, a bigram is a string of two consecutive words, and a unigram is a single word. The conditional probability of the trigram model may be expressed as follows: Prob(w 3|w2w1).
Generally, a trigram language model is trained using a transcription consisting of a large text corpus. The corpus consists of sentences, which nominally correspond to individual utterances that a speaker might produce in the context of a particular task. The training involves inputting the sentences and determining statistics for each word model in a manner which enhances the probability of the correct word relative to the probabilities associated with other words. As is known, such training provides counts for all trigrams, bigrams and unigrams identified in the corpus. The count of a given n-gram is the number of occurrences of the given n-gram in the corpus (word frequency).
The training of the language model results in determining the likelihood of each ordered triplet of words, ordered pair of words, or single words in the vocabulary. From these likelihoods, a list of the most likely triplets of words and a list of the most likely pairs of words are formed. Additionally, the likelihood of a triplet not being in the triplet list and the likelihood of a pair not being in the pair list are determined.
The probability assigned by the language model to a subject word will now be described. When a subject word follows two words, a determination is made as to whether the subject word and the two preceding words are on the most likely triplet list described above with reference to the training of the language model. If so, the stored probability assigned to the triplet is indicated. If the subject word and its two predecessors are not on the triplet list, a determination is made as to whether the subject word and its adjacent predecessor are on the most likely pairs of words list described above. If so, the probability of the pair is multiplied by the probability of a triplet not being the triplet list, and the product is assigned to the subject word. If the subject word and its predecessor(s) are not on the triplet list or pair list, the probability of the subject word alone is multiplied by the likelihood of a triplet not being on the most likely triplet list and by the probability of a pair not being on the most likely pair list. The product is assigned to the subject word.
Thus, the language model is used to enhance the probability of a correct word selection during the decoding process. This is because while most of the candidate words selected by the fast match module (described below) will be acoustically similar to the correct word, some of the candidate words may be removed from further consideration based on linguistics. For example, in the context of the following two words by the (w1 w2), the acoustic fast match list for the correct word way (w3) might include linguistically unlikely words such as say, ray, and may.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system 100 having a language model mixture according to the prior art. The ASR system 100 includes: an acoustic front-end 110; a Fast Match (FM) 112; a set of language models 114; a first combining module 116; and a second combining module 118.
Acoustic data, produced by the acoustic front-end 110, is processed by the Fast Match module 112 to construct a list of probable words for the current position in a word sequence. Previously recognized words are used by the set of language models 114 to predict the current word. Each of the language models assigns a score to each of the words predicted by the Fast Match Module 112. The scores produced by the individual language models are combined by the first combining module 116 to produce a single language model score for each word predicted by the Fast Match Module 112. The language model score and fast match score for each word are then combined by the second combining module 118.
The interpolated trigram models used in IBM's VIA VOICE language models are a weighted mixture of a raw trigram, bigram, unigram and uniform probability model. The weights are dependent on "buckets" that depend on the immediate history w1w2 of a word w3 in a word triplet w1w2w3. The weights are expected to change for the different "buckets" so as to make the trigram model more important for word pairs w1w2 that were frequently seen and less important when w1w2 were less frequently seen in the training corpus. Similarly, it is known that weighted mixtures of language models can be formed and the weights estimated by the Baum Welch algorithm. However, to the extent that language model mixtures have been used in the prior art, such use has been limited to dynamically mixing the layers (e.g., trigram, bigram, unigram layers) of a single language model and then combining the scores.
Although ASR systems with language models mixtures generally have a lower word error rate (WER) than ASR systems with a single language model, it is nonetheless desirable that the WER of the former systems be even lower. Accordingly, there is a need for a method and/or system for decoding a speech utterance by an ASR system with a language model mixture that has a reduced WER with respect to the prior art.

Dynamic language model mixtures with history-based buckets

International Business Machines Corporation


A method and apparatus for determining embedded runout correction values uses a closed-loop system (with feedback) in a disk drive. Optionally, the embedded runout correction values may be determined after the disk drive has been manufactured and placed in the field. In addition, the embedded runout correction values may be updated after the disk drive has been manufactured and placed in the field.

A disk drive is a data storage device that stores digital data in tracks on the surface of a data storage disk. Data is read from or written to a track of the disk using a transducer, which includes a read element and a write element, that is held close to the track while the disk spins about its center at a substantially constant angular velocity. To properly locate the transducer near the desired track during a read or write operation, a closed-loop servo system is generally implemented. The servo system uses servo data read from the disk surface to align the transducer with the desired track. The servo data is generally written to the disk using a servo track writer (STW). However, there has been a movement towards having the disk drive self-servo write some portion or, in some cases, all of the servo data.
In an ideal disk drive, the tracks of the disk are non-perturbed circles situated about the center of the disk. As such, each of these ideal tracks includes a track centerline that is located at a known constant radius from the disk center. In an actual system, however, it is difficult to write non-perturbed circular tracks to the disk. That is, due to certain problems (e.g., vibration, bearing defects, inaccuracies in the STW and disk clamp slippage), tracks are generally written differently from the ideal non-perturbed circular track shape. Positioning errors created by the perturbed nature of these tracks are known as written-in repeatable runout (WRRO).
The perturbed shape of these tracks complicates the transducer positioning function during read and write operations because the servo system needs to continuously reposition the transducer during track following to keep up with the constantly changing radius of the track centerline with respect to the center of the spinning disk. Furthermore, the perturbed shape of these tracks can result in problems such as track squeeze and track misregistration errors during read and write operations.
In order to reduce such problems, disk drive manufacturers have developed techniques to measure the WRRO so that compensation values (also known as embedded runout correction values or ERC values) may be generated and used to position the transducer along an ideal track centerline. Examples of such techniques may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,165 to Case et al. entitled "Sampled Servo Position Control System," U.S. Pat. No. 6,115,203 to Ho et al. entitled "Efficient Drive-Level Estimation of Written-In Servo Position Error," and U.S. Pat. No. 6,549,362 to Melrose et al. entitled "Method and Apparatus for the Enhancement of Embedded Runout Correction in a Disk Drive," all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In general, correcting poorly-written tracks takes place in a self-test procedure at the factory (i.e., during the manufacturing process); that is, before the disk drive is delivered to an end user. Each disk drive is required to complete its self-test procedure within a predetermined period of time. If a disk drive does not complete its self-test procedure within the predetermined period of time, it fails the self-test procedure and is discarded.
As is understood by those skilled in the art, the process of determining ERC values during the manufacturing process is somewhat time consuming. While it would be beneficial to develop ERC values for each and every sector of each and every track of a disk drive during the manufacturing process, this is rarely done because the disk drive would likely fail its self-test procedure. Furthermore, manufacturing times would become excessive if ERC values were developed in such a manner.
Accordingly, disk drive manufacturers have developed techniques that are used in the manufacturing process, which attempt to correct only the most poorly-written tracks of a disk drive, instead of all of the tracks of each disk drive. In such techniques, an ERC threshold is used in determining which tracks are to be corrected.
More specifically, in one technique, a position error signal (PES) due to repeatable runout (PES RRO) is measured by track following and averaging the position error from the servo bursts in each servo sector associated with the track for multiple revolutions (e.g., 25 revolutions) of the disk. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the position error is averaged for multiple revolutions of the disk in an attempt to average-out the affects of non-repeatable runout (NRRO).
If the absolute value of the average PES RRO for any servo sector in the track exceeds the ERC threshold, the track is corrected. That is, ERC values are determined for all of the servo sectors of that track. However, if the absolute value of the average PES RRO for each of the servo sectors in the track is less than the ERC threshold, the track is not corrected.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/029,528 filed Dec. 20, 2001 describes a method and apparatus for automatically determining ERC thresholds on a drive-by-drive basis in order to make efficient use of the self-test time available to correct tracks. Such application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Since attempts are made to correct only the most poorly written tracks in a disk drive, many other poorly written tracks may still be included in a disk drive when it reaches an end user. Furthermore, a disk drive's parameters (e.g., flying height, head linearity, magnetic image, burst sizes, etc.) may change, which may require adjustment of the ERC values after a disk drive has left the factory and is in the possession of an end user. Accordingly, it would be desirable to correct the tracks after the disk drive has left the factory and been provided to an end user.
Prior techniques for correcting poorly-written tracks by generating ERC values have been open-loop techniques. One example of a prior open-loop technique is illustrated in FIG. 1, where the ERC values are determined using a batch process. That is, a PES associated with each servo sector of a track is collected over many revolutions of the disk and then averaged to obtain the PES RRO. The PES RRO is then circularly convolved with the inverse impulse response of the system to obtain the WRRO. The ERC values for the track are based on the WRRO. Importantly, the ERC values are generated once.
With reference to FIG. 1, in step 10, when following a track, the PES is measured and summed for each of the servo bursts associated with the track for N revolutions of the disk. Next, in step 15, the PES RRO is determined by dividing the sums by N to obtain the average PES associated with each of the servo bursts. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the position error is averaged for N revolutions of the disk in an attempt to average-out the affects of NRRO. However, this is performed in an open-loop manner.
In step 20, the inverse impulse response for the disk drive is obtained. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the inverse impulse response may be obtained in a variety of ways, including those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,115,203 and 6,549,362. Furthermore, the inverse impulse response may be obtained for each transducer in a disk drive as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,549,362.
Next, in step 25, the average PES RRO is circularly convolved with the inverse impulse response to obtain the WRRO. Finally, in step 30, the ERC values are determined and written to the disk surface based upon the WRRO.
While the technique of FIG. 1 has its advantages, it, along with other open-loop techniques, has its drawbacks. Specifically, the open-loop system cannot properly compensate for certain errors. For example, the open-loop system of FIG. 1 cannot properly compensate for PES non-linearities (e.g., due to read asymmetry and other non-linear error sources), errors in modeling the inverse impulse response (e.g., gain error), and errors introduced into the system by NRRO (e.g., noise when writing the ERC values).
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a method and apparatus for determining ERC values that overcomes the deficiencies of open-loop systems.

Method and apparatus for determining embedded runout correction values using feedback


A dynamic platoon formation method under a mixed autonomous vehicles flow is provided. The method implements dynamic platooning by taking into account a fact that a traffic flow is a mixture of HDVs and CAVs. The dynamic platoon formation method includes: selecting lanes as candidate lanes in turn; constructing a decision tree from a current moment to a moment of platoon formation according to the following process: constructing a decision space for each CAV, generating a compatible decision set, selecting and executing a compatible decision, and updating location and speed information of all vehicles; and selecting, according to a predetermined index (including TTP and DTP), an optimal decision sequence as a decision sequence corresponding to the candidate lane.

Autonomous driving is becoming increasingly common to the public. The composition of traffic flows gradually changes from total HDVs to a mixture of HDVs and CAVs, and then to total CAVs. In the foreseeable future, autonomous vehicles will be a main part of traffic flows.
Platooning is one of operation modes of autonomous vehicles. In the platooning process, the autonomous vehicles form a tight platoon. A short distance is maintained between adjacent autonomous vehicles. The benefit of platooning is obvious: the energy consumption of the vehicles is greatly reduced due to the reduction in wind resistance.
When a traffic flow consists of pure autonomous vehicles, all vehicles are under control and it is easy to form a platoon. However, in the mixed traffic flow, HDVs are not under control. Therefore, when the dispersed autonomous vehicles form a platoon, the actions of HDVs need to be considered. The designed platoon formation method can work properly only if the actions of HDVs are taken into account.

Dynamic platoon formation method under mixed autonomous vehicles flow


A corner hardware kit for completing a frame corner that is defined by a first frame element and a second frame element includes a corner bracket having a first portion for attachment to the first frame element and a second portion for attachment to the second frame element. The corner bracket has an upstanding foot that protrudes rearwardly therefrom and carries a coupling member at a distal end thereof. The kit also includes an elastic corner insert that has a curved outer surface and has a pair of first coupling elements for mating to a pair of second coupling elements that are associated with the first and second frame elements to complete the corner of the frame.

In more recent years, home entertainment design has become more detailed and complex as there are more and more consumers who want a home theater that provides a theater-like experience in the comfort of their home. A home theater can be as simple as a few AV components in a living room or as complex as a custom designed home theater including a high-resolution video projector, surround-sound speaker system, theater seating and other amenities. At its core, a home theater system should provide a high-quality video experience and an immersive audio experience that breathes life into movies, sporting events and other video content played on the display, e.g., screen, of the home theater.
The main AV devices (components) of the home theater are a video display that produces rich, high-resolution images and a speaker system that immerses the audience in sound that comes at the audience from all directions. Traditional video systems consisted of a projection system and a very large screen, while the more recent trend is to employ large sized flat-panel television (flat-panel video display). Two more recent trends in the television world are: 1) smart TVs that connect to your home network and stream content services like Netflix, Hulu, and Spotify; and 2) Ultra HD or 4K TV, which offers four times the resolution of 1080p and can include advanced technologies like High Dynamic Range and a Wide Color Gamut.
The creation of a great home theater goes far beyond the selection of AV equipment since there are many considerations that must be taken into account for home theater room design. For example, to bring out the very best in one's audio system, many people apply acoustic treatments onto the walls and ceiling to help reduce reflections and correct other anomalies caused by the size and shape of the room, as well as the materials used to construct the room. Many professional installers offer advanced acoustic calibration, in which they measure the system's audio characteristics and place acoustic products (diffusers, absorbers, bass traps) exactly where they're needed in the room.
In addition, the number of design elements and accessories that can be incorporated into a dedicated home theater space is endless. For example, the type of seating and the location of the seats influences the overall comfort and appeal of the home theater. Another aspect of the dedicated home theater space is lighting and what's more theater-like than a lighting system that automatically dims when you command the movie to start by using a touch-screen remote control or the like. Additional lighting, such as track lights overhead and colored LED wall lighting, provides additional ambience.
There is a need and desire for a modular wall overlay system to hide the acoustical treatment panels, speakers, lighting controls and all the wiring to support these elements, a system, that is easy to install and provides all the features sought after in today's specialized interior spaces, such as home theaters, corporate board rooms and wellness rooms.

Corner assembly for a modular wall overlay system


The invention relates to the manufacture of dimethyl disulphide from methyl mercaptan and sulphur. The process according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises:. (a) a first reaction zone in which the methyl mercaptan and sulphur are introduced and reacted in the presence of a catalyst, PA0 (b) a degassing zone in which the products originating from the first reaction zone are treated to remove at least partially the dissolved hydrogen sulphide, and PA0 (c) a second reaction zone in which the products originating from the degassing zone are brought into contact with a catalyst.

An important access route to organic disulphides consists of the oxidation of mercaptans with sulphur in the presence of a catalyst.
When a mercaptan (RSH) and sulphur are brought into contact with a catalyst, the corresponding disulphide is obtained according to the following reaction scheme: ##STR1## using one sulphur atom S per two molecules of mercaptan.
The formation of the disulphide R--SS--R is generally accompanied by the formation of secondary products, namely polysulphides of analogous structure to the disulphide, but containing a larger number of combined sulphur atoms (R--S.sub.a --R with n>2).
The reactions which lead to the polysulphides can be denoted by the following equations: ##STR2##
It is known that polysulphides (R--S.sub.a --R) can be converted into disulphides (R--SS--R) by reaction with the mercaptan RSH. These reactions may be denoted as follows: ##STR3##
In the case where the polysulphides are completely converted to disulphides, the general equation for this conversion can be outlined as follows: ##STR4##
This reaction of conversion of a polysulphide to disulphide has been exploited in U.S. Pat. No. 3,299,146 in a process for the preparation of dimethyl disulphide, which consists in reacting methyl mercaptan with dimethyl trisulphide: EQU CH.sub.3 --SH.sub.3 --CH.sub.3 +2 CH.sub.3 SH.fwdarw.2 CH.sub.3 --SS--CH.sub.3 +H.sub.2 S
The processes for continuous manufacture of dialkyl disulphides from alkyl mercaptans and sulphur, which are described in European Patent No. 202,420 and European Patent No. 337,839 make use of a synthesis reactor in which the mercaptan and sulphur are introduced. The polysulphides formed in the reaction of oxidation of the mercaptan with sulphur are separated from the disulphides by distillation, then they are recycled to the synthesis reactor to be converted to disulphide. This continuous recycling results in increasing the amount of polysulphides in the reactor and in decreasing the disulphide yield, as well as making needful a distillation column with sizes and characteristics adapted to reaction product compositions rich in polysulphides. For the manufacture of dimethyl disulphide from methyl mercaptan and sulphur, the examples of the above-cited cited European patents show readily that the synthesis reactor produces rather large amounts of dimethyl polysulphides.

Process for the manufacture of dimethyl disulphide


Nucleic acid sequences and insecticidal proteins encoded from these sequences are provided. Insecticidal proteins encoded by large operons situated within the primary sequence of large extrachromosomal plasmids present in Bacillus thuringiensis are disclosed. Methods for making transgenic plants resistant to insect infestation as a result of expression of one or more of these proteins is disclosed. Bacillus thuringiensis strains exhibiting broad host range insecticidal specificity are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences from Bacillus thuringiensis, and, in particular, to genomic DNA sequences that encode insecticidal proteins from B. thuringiensis strains EG5858, EG4332 and EG4096. In addition, proteins and fragments thereof and antibodies capable of binding specifically to the proteins and methods of using the disclosed nucleic acid molecules, proteins, protein fragments and antibodies are encompassed by the present invention.
The gram-positive bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis is well known as a source of insecticidal proteins, most of which accumulate in crystalline inclusions during sporulation (Crickmore et al., Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. 62:807-813, 1998; de Maagd, et al., Annu. Rev. Genet. 37:409-433, 2003; Schnepf et al., Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. 62:775-806, 1998). These crystal proteins, or Cry proteins, are diverse and include distinct protein families as judged by amino acid sequence analysis and structural information derived from X-ray crystallography. A comprehensive listing of known BT insecticidal proteins, genes, and information about the nomenclature associated with these genes and proteins can be accessed at the web site biols.susx.ac.uk/home/Neil_Crickmore/Bt/index.htmL. A variety of crystalline Bt insecticidal proteins are known. These proteins collectively display a wide range of activity against insect pests, including those from the orders Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, and Heteroptera. In addition to the delta-endotoxin crystal proteins, B. thuringiensis strains also produce secreted insecticidal proteins that are expressed during vegetative growth, including VIP1-, Vip2-, and Vip3-type proteins, TIC901 and related proteins, and TIC900 and related proteins.
The use of Cry proteins in agriculture for insect control has been advanced by the development of transgenic crops. Transgenic crops expressing B. thuringiensis cry genes have enjoyed an unprecedented rate of adoption by farmers in the United States and elsewhere since their introduction in the 1990s. Worldwide acreage of all transgenic crops in 2002 was reported to be approximately 58.7 million hectares, or 145 million acres, representing a 12% increase over year 2001 acreage (James C., ISAAA Briefs No. 27. ISAAA, Ithaca, N.Y., 2002). The long term success of this transgenic approach to insect control will depend on appropriate insect resistance management (IRM) strategies. An important component of a sustainable IRM strategy is the discovery and deployment of new insecticidal proteins with distinct modes-of-action that either prevent or significantly delay the development of widespread resistance among insect pest populations.
Other bacteria besides B. thuringiensis display insecticidal properties that may in part be attributed to insecticidal proteins. The gram-negative bacteria Photorhabdus luminescens, Xenorhabdus nematophilus and related species, Serratia entomophila, Pseudomonas syringae, and Yersinia pestis all express insecticidal proteins. Each of these species have also been shown to produce a large extracellular multi-protein complex consisting primarily of TC proteins (toxin complex). Each of the proteins within the complex individually have generally failed to display insecticidal activity (ffrench-Constant and Bowen, Curr. Opin. Microbiol. 2:284-2880, 1999; ffrench-Constant et al., FEMS Microbiol. Rev. 759:1-24, 2002; Waterfield et al., Trends Microbiol. 9:185-191, 2001). In addition to the tc-like genes, other insect virulence genes such as the mcf genes have been discovered (Waterfield, et al., FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 229:265-270, 2003). The tc homologs and mcf genes could be a valuable source of insect-resistance traits for future transgenic crops because they are unrelated to the B. thuringiensis cry genes and therefore likely exhibit different modes of action. Recently, genes encoding proteins that exhibited similarity to the TC proteins were also identified in a gram-positive bacterium identified as a Paenibacillus species (US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0110184). Paenibacillus bacteria have been determined to be phylogenetically unrelated with any other bacteria including other aerobic, endospore-forming bacilli based upon rRNA and phenotypic characteristics (Ash et al., Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 64:253-260, 1993).
There is a continuing need to identify additional genes that encode insecticidal proteins useful in producing insect resistant transgenic plants. With few exceptions, Bt crystalline insecticidal proteins all seem to exhibit a similar structural and functional motif. The proteins generally exhibit a conserved three-dimensional structure based on x-ray crystallographic studies of several members of the Bt delta-endotoxin family. Generally, the proteins also exhibit a similar mode of action in that they all bind in a specific fashion to membranes surfaces within the midgut of the larval form of a particular target insect species and subsequently form ion-channel pores that result in a disruption of the membrane potential along the surfaces of the membrane, which generally results in the death or incapacitation of the larval form of the target insect. Transgenic plants expressing these proteins have been demonstrated to be effective in minimizing insect infestation, however, there is a concern that insect populations repeatedly exposed to these insect resistant plants could develop resistance to the Bt toxin produced within the plants. Therefore, there is a need to identify additional insecticidal proteins that are different from the typical Bt insecticidal crystal protein and that exert their insecticidal effects through a mode of action that is also different from the typical Bt insecticidal crystal protein.
Bacillus thuringiensis strains are not known that exhibit insecticidal activity against a diversity of insect targets. Generally, B. thuringiensis strains exhibit insecticidal activity against one or at most two orders of insect species, such as for example, against Dipteran and Lepidopteran insect species. The inventors herein have identified three strains of B. thuringiensis that surprisingly exhibit insecticidal activity against a diversity of insect orders including Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, and Hemiptera. Bt insecticidal proteins are known to be expressed from genes located on extrachromosomal megadalton plasmids. It was believed that such broad insecticidal diversity exhibited by these strains was a result of expression of one or more toxin genes located within one or more megadalton plasmids in each of these strains. The inventors herein have identified an operon within one of these strains that contains genes encoding proteins that exhibit similarity to the gram-negative TC proteins. In addition, the genes within the B. thuringiensis operon substantially maintain the order of expression of the gram-negative genes described above.

Nucleotide and amino acid sequences from


A small diameter vascular prosthesis includes an outer textile graft, an intermediate self-supporting coil or stent and an inner microporous layer. The outer textile graft allows for tissue ingrowth. The inner microporous layer provides blood impermeability without preclotting the prosthesis. The coil or stent provides kink resistance and resistance again collapsing of the outer textile graft and the inner microporous layer.

Small diameter vascular grafts typically have poor resistance to collapsing and poor kink resistance. Further, typical small diameter prostheses typically require preclotting, for example with collagen, prior to use.
Stent-grafts have been used in large diameter vessels. In small diameter, non-vascular vessels, such as in the brain, ePTFE stent-grafts have been proposed. Such stent-grafts however do not general provide for tissue ingrowth on the exterior surfaces of the stent-grafts.
As such, there is a need in the art for a small diameter vascular prosthesis that allows tissue ingrowth about its exterior, has kink resistance, has resistance against collapse, and is blood tight without the need for preclotting.


A gas flow sensor system, and method for gas flow rate measurement and self-calibration to overcome problems caused by degradation. Gas flow rate is accurately measured by determining the power dissipated at a constant differential temperature of a gas flow sensor, under conditions where its power dissipation is independent of its resistance. The gas flow sensor is adjusted to a predefined differential temperature compared to the temperature of the gas. In addition, variations in heat transfer coefficient (h) of a gas flow sensor are corrected by self-calibration of the gas flow sensor system. Experimentally established correction factors are applied to the gas flow sensor, to compensate for changes in its heat transfer coefficient (h) caused by degradation of the gas flow sensor. This offsets the adverse effects of use and aging of the gas flow sensor, thus reducing errors in gas flow measurement.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to gas flow sensors, or exhaust gas mass flow sensors using thin or thick film resistor heaters, otherwise known as hot film anemometers. More particularly, the invention relates a gas mass flow sensor system and the self-calibration of gas mass flow sensors.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various applications require measurement of the mass flow rate of a gas or a mixture of gases at ambient or elevated temperatures. In particular, automotive applications measure exhaust gas mass flow rates or fresh air mass flow rates, for example in engine control.
Hot film anemometers are often used in gas flow measurement equipment, wherein they are suitably packaged within a protective housing, and placed in a gas exhaust pipe, or the like, within the gas flow path a definite direction, typically either parallel or perpendicular or at any angle to the gas flow. Previously, gas flow rates have been determined by first measuring an anemometer's resistance, then estimating its temperature from the resistance, and measuring its voltage or current to calculate velocity or average mass flow rate of the gas. However, certain problems arise when measuring the mass flow rate of hot exhaust gas whose temperature and density varies with engine performance and other operating conditions. Specifically, since exhaust gas temperatures vary over different operating ranges, error may be introduced into the gas flow rate measurement.
A variety of problems exist with conventional gas flow rate measurement techniques. For example, anemometers have been known to degrade in the exhaust gas environment over time, due to thermal cycling and soiling by dust transported by the exhaust gas. Because of this degradation, the heat transfer coefficient of the anemometer varies over time and introduces error into the gas mass flow rate measurement. Also, since an anemometer is present in a harsh and elevated temperature environment, electronic components attached thereto are placed outside this harsh environment and are connected to the anemometer via connection cables or the like. Variations in resistance of the anemometer and the connecting cables, especially during equipment changes, introduce error into gas flow rate measurements. That is, the anemometer and any connected electronics are not interdependent. Furthermore, mounting and orientation of the anemometer, i.e. in parallel to or in perpendicular or in any other fixed angle to gas flow, may also introduce error if it is not mounted in a gas tight, leak proof manner in its harsh, high temperature and high pressure environment. Another problem is that since the exhaust gas may comprise a mixture of different gases such as CO, CO2, oxides of nitrogen (NOx), HC, carbon soot, particulates, water, oxides of sulfur (SOx), and the like, and have concentrations which vary by engine type, engine performance, fuel quality and operating conditions, the density of the exhaust gas varies and may cause errors in the gas mass flow rate measurement. Furthermore, errors in gas mass flow rate measurement may occur due to variation in diameter of exhaust gas pipes or manifolds and the location of the anemometer in the exhaust gas pipe.
The present invention provides a gas mass flow sensor system and a self-calibration method to overcome the problems of conventional sensors, particularly those caused by degradation due to long term use in harsh, corrosive, high temperature, high pressure, varying gas density exhaust gas environments.
It has been found that accurate calculation of gas flow rate can be achieved by determining the power dissipated in a gas flow sensor, rather than its voltage or current. This is because, under certain conditions, power dissipated in the gas flow sensor may be independent of the gas flow sensor's resistance, as well as the resistance of any cables or connections between the gas flow sensor and other components of a gas flow sensor system.
Also, power dissipated by the gas flow sensor varies with gas flow rate and gas temperature. Thus, when the gas flow sensor is maintained at a predefined differential temperature, as compared to the temperature of the gas or other medium, the power dissipated by the gas flow sensor is proportional to the gas flow rate. Thus, to reduce error in gas flow rate measurement, the present invention uses this method to determine power use or power dissipated by of the gas flow sensor, independently of its resistance.
Additionally, degradation of a gas flow sensor causes changes in heat transfer coefficient (h) of the sensor over time, resulting in changes in power dissipation of the gas flow sensor. The gas flow sensor system of this invention applies experimentally established correction factors to the gas flow sensor, to compensate for changes in the heat transfer coefficient (h) caused by degradation. This self-calibration offsets the adverse effects of use, aging, and the like of the gas flow sensor, thus reducing errors in gas flow measurement.

Gas flow sensor system and method of self-calibration