The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for anchoring an expandable tubular within a wellbore prior to expanding the length of the expandable tubular into contact with the wellbore. An expandable system comprises the expandable tubular and a deployment tool, wherein the deployment tool exerts radial force against the expandable tubular to expand at least a portion of the expandable tubular into contact with the wellbore to anchor the expandable tubular prior to the expansion process. A method for anchoring an expandable tubular within a wellbore prior to the expansion process is also provided, wherein radial force expands the expandable tubular into contact with the wellbore to initially anchor the expandable tubular. A method for altering the shape of the anchor is also provided.

1 . Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a downhole tool for use in a wellbore. More particularly, the invention relates to isolating an area of interest within a wellbore. More particularly still, the invention relates to anchoring an expandable tubular within the wellbore prior to isolating the wellbore.
2 . Description of the Related Art
In the drilling of oil and gas wells, a wellbore is formed using a drill bit that is urged downwardly at a lower end of a drill string. After drilling a predetermined depth, the drill string and bit are removed, and the wellbore is typically lined with a string of steel pipe called casing. The casing provides support to the wellbore and facilitates the isolation of certain areas of the wellbore adjacent hydrocarbon bearing formations. The casing typically extends down the wellbore from the surface of the well to a designated depth. An annular area is thus defined between the outside of the casing and the earth formation. This annular area is filled with cement to permanently set the casing in the wellbore and to facilitate the isolation of production zones and fluids at different depths within the wellbore.
Generally, it is desirable to provide a flow path for hydrocarbons from the surrounding formation into the newly formed wellbore. Typically, perforations are formed in the casing or in the open hole portion of the wellbore at the anticipated depth of hydrocarbons. The perforations are strategically formed adjacent the hydrocarbon zones to limit the production of water from water rich zones that may be close to the hydrocarbon rich zones. However, a problem arises in a cased wellbore when the cement does not adhere to the wellbore properly to provide an effective fluid seal. The ineffective seal allows water to travel along the cement and wellbore interface to the hydrocarbon rich zone. As a result, water or gas may be produced along with the hydrocarbons.
One attempt to solve this problem is to employ a downhole packer, commonly an inflatable packer, to isolate specific portions of the wellbore. The downhole packer may be installed as an open-hole completion to isolate a portion of the wellbore and eliminate the need of cementing the annular area between the casing and the wellbore of the isolated portion. Typically, the downhole packer may be formed as an integral member of the existing casing and installed adjacent the desired production zone.
More recently, expandable tubular technology has been applied to downhole packers. Generally, expandable technology enables a smaller diameter tubular to pass through a larger diameter tubular, and thereafter expanded to a larger diameter. In this respect, expandable technology permits the formation of a tubular string having a substantially constant inner diameter. Accordingly, an expandable packer may be lowered into the wellbore and expanded into contact with the wellbore. By adopting the expandable technology, the expandable packer allows a larger diameter production tubing to be used because the conventional packer mandrel and valving system are no longer necessary.
When an expandable tubular is run into a wellbore, it must be anchored within the wellbore at the desired depth to prevent rotation of the expandable tubular during the expansion process. Anchoring the expandable tubular within the wellbore allows expansion of the length of the expandable tubular into the wellbore by an expander tool. The anchor must provide adequate frictional engagement between the expandable tubular and the inner diameter of the wellbore to stabilize the expandable tubular against rotational and longitudinal axial movement within the wellbore during the expansion process.
The expandable tubular used to isolate the area of interest is often run into the wellbore after previous strings of casing are already set within the wellbore. The expandable tubular for isolating the area of interest must be run through the inner diameter of the previous strings of casing to reach the portion of the open hole wellbore slated for isolation, which is located below the previously set strings of casing. Accordingly, the outer diameter of the anchor and the expandable tubular must be smaller than all previous casing strings lining the wellbore in order to run through the liner to the depth at which the open hole wellbore exists.
Additionally, once the expandable tubular reaches the open hole portion of the wellbore below the casing liner, the inner diameter of the open hole portion of the wellbore is often larger than the inner diameter of the casing liner. To hold the expandable tubular in place within the open hole portion of the wellbore before initiating the expansion process, the anchor must have a large enough outer diameter to sufficiently fix the expandable tubular at a position within the open hole wellbore before the expansion process begins.
There is a need for an anchor to support an expandable tubular used to isolate an area of interest within a wellbore prior to initiating and during the expansion of the expandable tubular. There is a need for an anchor which is small enough to run through the previous casing liner in the wellbore, capable of expanding to a large enough diameter to frictionally engage the inner diameter of the open hole wellbore below the casing liner, and capable of holding the expandable tubular in position axially and rotationally during the expansion of the length of the expandable tubular.


A method and a user node for enabling reception of a TV service. The user node operates in a first reception mode of receiving the TV service as signals broadcasted over the air and in a second reception mode of receiving the TV service as a media stream over an Internet Protocol Television, IPTV, link The user node monitors quality of the broadcasted signals when receiving the TV service in the first reception mode. The user node switches operation from the first reception mode to the second reception mode responsive to the monitored quality of the broadcasted signals being below a first threshold. Thereafter, the user node receives the TV service over the IPTV link in the second reception mode. The TV service can be properly received and played out with satisfying user experience irrespective of the broadcasted signals over the air not reaching the user node with sufficient quality.

Today, different types of devices are available for receiving and playing out a TV service, including a so-called "Set Top Box", STB, which receives digital TV signals and decodes the signals for playout on a playing entity typically comprising a viewing screen and a loudspeaker system. The TV service may be received as broadcasted signals over the air or as a media stream delivered through a cable based on the Internet Protocol IP thus forming a fixed IPTV link, the latter option being commonly referred to as "IPTV" for short. The TV service can be delivered from a TV service provider either by means of a broadcasting satellite or terrestrial antenna in the case of delivery over the air, or by means of an IPTV server or the like in the case of delivery over a fixed IPTV link. In the latter case, the TV service may be delivered as a multicast service to multiple receivers at the same time or as a unicast service to a single receiver at a time.
Some types of devices for receiving TV services have dual functionality and are capable of receiving the TV service both as broadcasted signals over the air and as a media stream over a digital IPTV link, which may be referred to as a hybrid TV solution and a dual mode device. If both delivery methods are available, it is generally most economical to receive the TV service as broadcasted signals over the air since the other alternative of receiving a media stream over IPTV link is associated with additional costs for transporting data over a distribution network comprising the fixed IPTV link. Depending on the capacity of that distribution network, it may sometimes be heavily loaded with bandwidth consuming data traffic or may even become congested, particularly if many users are watching TV at the same time with high resolution requiring a high data throughput for each user over the IPTV link.
However, the first option of receiving the TV service as broadcasted signals over the air may sometimes be subjected to deteriorated playout quality due to weak signal reception which may be caused by "bad" weather such as during heavy rains, snow or storms when the signals undergo severe losses when travelling from the broadcasting TV station to the receiving user's antenna. In some cases, the signal may even be completely lost such that the TV service is interrupted and the TV screen goes blank.
A typical reaction amongst users when the TV service quality goes down is to reboot the TV equipment, e.g. STB, in an attempt to regain better signal reception and quality. This reboot operation involves communication of configuration data with a server of the TV service provider and requires also some processing by the server, and if several users try to reboot their STBs at the same time, the server may become overloaded and may not be able to deliver its services properly. Typically, this reboot operation does not help when the received signals are too weak or too distorted anyway. It is thus a problem that users receiving a TV service over the air may experience bad quality or even interrupted service during conditions when the signal propagation is disturbed, e.g. by bad weather. It is also a problem that this situation may result in overloading the TV service provider's server due to many reboot operations at roughly the same time.

Method and user node for reception of a TV service


The patent provides the titanium alloy with extra-low modulus and superelasticity containing 20˜35 wt. % niobium, 2˜15 wt. % zirconium, balanced titanium and other unavoidable impurity elements. The advantages of the invention alloy are shown as follows: The invention titanium alloy has superior cold processing capacity and low work hardening rate; It can be severely deformed by cold rolling and cold drawing; It has superelasticity, shape memory effect, damping capacity, low modulus, high strength, good corrosion resistance and high biocompatibility; The invention titanium alloy can be made into nano-size materials by cold deformation and extra high strength can be achieved by heat treatment.

Titanium alloys have been widely used to replace damaged hard tissue due to their good biochemical compatibility, low density, low modulus, high strength and good corrosion resistance in human body. At present, the α+β type Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-6Al-7Nb are most widely used for medical application as they possess half modulus of stainless steel and cobalt alloys, which can reduce the "stress shielding" effect caused by the great difference in flexibility or stiffness between natural bone and the implant material and decrease the premature failure of the implant. Due to concerns on the release of toxic Al and V during long time implantation, new β type titanium alloys have been developed in the United States and Japan in the 1990's. These alloys include Ti-13Nb-13Zr, Ti-15Mo and Ti-35Nb-5Ta-7Zr developed in the US and Ti-29Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr, Ti-15Sn-4Nb-2Ta and Ti-15Zr-4Nb-4Ta developed in Japan etc. All above alloys have low modulus and high strength. The modulus is greater than 60 GPa in solution treated condition and 80 GPa in ageing condition. All these alloys are mainly used as artificial bone, articulation, dental implant and bone plate that can bear high stress loading.
As to Ti—Nb—Zr systems, there are many inventions about the low modulus medical implant. For example, the titanium alloys consisting of: from 10 to 20 wt. % niobium (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,545,227; 5,573,401; 5,169,597), from 35 to 50 wt. % niobium (U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,597) and less than 24 wt. % niobium and zirconium (U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,269). All above alloys belong to low modulus implants. However, there is no public report and inventions about the superelasticity of these alloys till now.
TiNi alloys are widely used in clinical fields because of excellent shape memory effect and superelasticity. However, allergic and toxic effects of Ni ions released from TiNi alloy to human body have been pointed out. Consequently, new Ni-free biomaterials has been developed in the middle 1990's, such as Ni-free stainless steel.
The shape memory effect of titanium alloys was first observed in Ti-35 wt. % Nb by Baker (Baker C, Shape memory effect in a titanium-35 wt % niobium alloy, Metal Sci J, 1971; 5: 92). Duerig also observed shape memory effect in Ti-1 OV-2Fe-3AI (Duerig T W, Richter D F,.Albrecht J, Shape memory in Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al, Acta Metall, 1982; 30: 2161). However, the shape memory phenomena of the above titanium alloy can only be observed when this alloy was immersed in quickly-heated salt solution at high temperature. Therefore, these alloys were not further investigated. Recently, a new class of titanium alloys with superelasticity, such as Ti—V—Al, Ti—V—Ga and Ti—V—Ge (U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,340) and Ti—Mo—Al, Ti—Mo—Ga and Ti—Mo—Ge (U.S. Pat. Application No. 20030188810), have been developed in Japan.
During investigation of metastable Beta type titanium alloys, Hao et al. suggested that controlling the grain size and the amount of α phase in alloy is an effective way to produce the low modulus and high strength titanium alloy. (Hao Y L, Niinomi M, Kuroda D, Fukunaga K, Zhou YL, Yang R, Suzuki A, Aging response of the Young's modulus and mechanical properties of Ti-29Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr for biomedical applications, Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 2003; 34: 1007). Therefore, producing bulk nano-size material is the key to resolve the above problem. However, the proper method of fabricating bulk nano-size metals has not been developed in industry up to now, which limited the application of nano-size materials. The investigations on nanomaterials were mainly focused on pure copper, iron, titanium and other structural alloys. Recently, it has been suggested that the nano-size materials can be easily fabricated in metastable metals. Because the metastable materials often possess superelasticity and damping property, they can be used widely.

Titanium alloy with extra-low modulus and superelasticity and its producing method and processing thereof

Institute of Metal Research Chinese Academy of Sciences


A YAG laser mask marker includes a YAG laser oscillator (1), a first deflector (3X, 3Y) for deflecting a laser beam from the YAG laser oscillator in X and Y directions, a liquid crystal mask (6) for displaying a predetermined pattern to be raster scanned by the laser beam from the first deflector, a second deflector (7X, 7Y) for deflecting in X and Y directions the raster scanned light which has passed through the liquid crystal mask, a work (10) on which the raster scanned light from the second deflector is illuminated to print the pattern on an surface thereof, and a controller (11). The controller stores an entire pattern as dot data, divides the stored entire pattern data into a plurality of block-shaped divided pattern data items, and performs printing on the work by lowering an intensity of laser beam by the Q switch, by selecting one divided pattern data item from the plurality of divided pattern data items together with the address data thereof, by displaying the divided pattern data item on the liquid crystal mask as a divided pattern portion, by moving the first deflector to a raster starting position, by moving the second deflector to a printing area on the work on the basis of the address data, and by pulse oscillating the YAG laser oscillator by the Q switch and thereby raster scanning the divided pattern portion displayed on the liquid crystal mask by the first deflector.

One example of a conventional laser mask marker of the above described type includes a fixed mask having a plurality of different fixed patterns on a surface thereof, a XY deflector disposed on the laser beam incident side of the fixed mask for illuminating a laser beam to a desired fixed pattern, and a XY deflector disposed on the laser beam emerging side of the fixed mask for illuminating the laser beam which has passed through the desired pattern to a desired position on a work, and performs synthetic printing of adequately combined fixed patterns on a large area of the work without shifting the work (see Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 2-15887).
In another example of such a conventional laser mask marker, an entire pattern is divided into a plurality of divided pattern portions, the divided pattern portions are displayed on a liquid crystal mask on a time division basis, and synthetic printing is performed on a work by shifting the work in one direction each time a laser beam is illuminated on the liquid crystal mask (see Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 2-187287).
Other laser mask markers are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 2-268988).
In recent years, there has been a demand for a YAG laser mask marker which can adequately and instantaneously change a pattern, including complicated and desired characters, symbols, figures and patterns, on a work made of a metal, resin, ceramic, paper or cloth, and which can perform clear, high speed printing over a large area without moving the work during printing and without generating variations using a small laser oscillator.
The aforementioned conventional laser mask markers cannot meet such a demand due to the following drawbacks.
In the laser mask marker disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 2-15887, when a pattern other than the plurality of fixed patterns on the fixed mask is to be printed, the fixed mask must be replaced with another one. Also, the XY deflector disposed on the laser beam incident side is considered to be used only for selective illumination of the fixed pattern and not for raster scanning. That is, the illumination of the laser beam conducted by the XY deflector is considered batch illumination of the fixed pattern with an enlarged laser beam. Thus, although this structure is advantageous in that synthetic printing can be conducted on a large area without shifting the work during printing, a complicated and desired pattern cannot be suitably and instantaneously changed, as clear, high speed printing which is free from variations cannot be conducted using a small laser oscillator.
The laser mask marker disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 2-187287 is an epoch making marker in terms of the display of the entire pattern on the liquid crystal mask on a time division basis. In this laser mask marker, a complicated pattern can be suitably and instantaneously changed, and synthetic printing can be performed on a large area. However, since the work is synchronously moved each time the laser beam is illuminated, clear, high speed printing free from variations cannot be performed without moving the work during printing using a small laser oscillator. The laser mask marker disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 2-268988 suffers from the same problem.


This disclosure is directed to an activity classifier system, for classifying human activities using 2D skeleton data. The system includes a skeleton preprocessor that transforms the 2D skeleton data into transformed skeleton data, the transformed skeleton data comprising scaled, relative joint positions and relative joint velocities. It also includes a gesture classifier comprising a first recurrent neural network that receives the transformed skeleton data, and is trained to identify the most probable of a plurality of gestures. There is also an action classifier comprising a second recurrent neural network that receives information from the first recurrent neural networks and is trained to identify the most probable of a plurality of actions.

Early approaches to recognising and classifying human activities from video data employed a variety of different strategies and inference methods, including simple classifiers such as support-vector machines (SVM) and statistical state models such as hidden Markov models (HMM). These methods were often applicable only to highly constrained use cases and were not robust to the variations present in real-world data.
Modern robust methods for performing human activity classification largely rely on deep neural networks; machine learning models that have been proven across a variety of application domains. Among these methods, activity classifiers can broadly be split into two categories:
a. Methods that directly consume video data as input.
b. Methods that consume skeleton data, representing the positions of human joints.
The first strategy is somewhat more general, as it requires no assumptions about the representation of humans in each frame. However, methods of this class may be more difficult to train, transfer to new application domains and may over-estimate the relationship between static visual cues and co-occurring human activities.
The second strategy decouples the problems of identifying humans in a frame and identifying their activities. This decoupling can be advantageous with respect to fast training of compact models and with respect to the portability of these models to other domains. The vast majority of these methods, however, require 3D skeleton data, which may be challenging to infer robustly and may require specialized hardware beyond standard RGB cameras. Another challenge faced by this strategy is the lack of contextual information available in the input skeleton data.
There is therefore a need for improved methods and systems for classifying activities from skeleton data.

Method and system for activity classification


Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for increasing mobile device security are provided herein. A method includes establishing a pre-determined set of cryptographic information, wherein said pre-determined set of cryptographic information comprises one or more user-selected non-alphanumeric input elements applied to one or more visual components; generating a prompt via a computing device interface in connection with an authentication request to access a protected resource associated with the computing device; processing input cryptographic information entered via the computing device interface in response to the prompt against the pre-determined set of cryptographic information; and resolving the authentication request based on said processing.

Many mobile phones and other mobile devices in the current marketplace commonly offer the ability to use a numeric personal identification number (PIN) to unlock the device or otherwise enable some portion of device functionality. Such a security provision can prevent some rudimentary attackers from maliciously accessing the contents of the device. However, users commonly dislike PINs and also have a tendency to forget the PINs associated with their respective devices.
Additionally, the level of security afforded by a numeric PIN can be limited. A traditional four-digit PIN can take one of 10,000 different values. At first glance, one might expect, for example, needing to attempt 5000 guesses before successfully finding the correct PIN. However, this would be true only if PINs were randomly generated, and usability concerns generally result in most systems and devices permitting users to manually select their own PIN (which is very unlikely to be selected in a random fashion).
Accordingly, relying on the user to generate the PIN trades security for usability. With traditional alphanumeric passwords, dictionary attacks result largely from the observation that some PINs are chosen often by users. For example, 123456 is commonly identified as a commonly-chosen (six-digit) password. In addition, a user often resorts to basing a PIN on obvious personal information, such as a year in which he or she was born or experienced another significant life event such as marriage or birth of a child.
This deficiency in existing security approaches with respect to mobile devices is often reflected in a metric referred to as entropy. Accordingly, a need exists for techniques that add entropy and/or otherwise increase security measures in connection with mobile devices.

Techniques for increasing mobile device security


An image processor keeps itself capable of executing a communication process with an external apparatus even in an energy-saving state, and offers a job reservation function while reducing power consumption as much as possible. The image processor has an energization switching circuit that makes switchover separately in energizing/deenergizing each of a plurality of function blocks, which execute a job, independent of energization of a Network Interface Card (NIC). The NIC has functions of counting the present time, obtaining a scheduled time and reserved job information on a reserved job to be executed at the scheduled time, identifying the reserved job to be started for execution on the basis of a counted time and the scheduled time included in the reserved job information, and starting up a function block needed for execution of the identified reserved job through control over the energization switching circuit.

Generally, an image processor, such as a printer, scanner, fax machine, copier, and multifunctional peripheral (MFP) combining functions of those equipments, has a communication unit (NIC (Network Interface Card), modem (Modulator-Demodulator), etc.) that communicates with an external apparatus (computer, another image processor, etc.) via a communication medium such as a network and telephone circuit. Such an image processor may have a function of changing its operation state to a power-saving state (generally called sleep mode), where the processor consumes less power than power consumed in a regular operation state, when a given sleep condition is satisfied in the regular operation state.
The sleep condition, for example, includes a condition that an operation input unit incorporated into the image processor has received no operation input and the processor has received no data from an external apparatus through the communication unit for a given time or longer. The sleep condition may also include a condition that the present time is in a time zone that is set in a predetermined time schedule (e.g., weekly schedule).
For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-172869 discloses a digital MFP that has a weekly timer function of turning on and off the power supply for the MFP according to a predetermined weekly schedule. This function allows the image processor to automatically change its operation state into an energy-saving state in a time zone where a possibility of use of the image processor is extremely low, such as nighttime and holiday, and to automatically return to a regular operation state in other time zones. As a result, the image processor becomes capable of saving more power.
In another example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-092254 discloses a fax machine that appoints a time and that transmits predesignated image data by fax when the appointed time has come. Hereinafter, such a function of appointing a scheduled time for executing a job (such as data transmission process) and executing the job at the scheduled time is called a job reservation function. An image processor having this job reservation function executes a job not particularly urgent in avoidance of a time of load concentration or executes such a job at a time of lower power cost, thus offers great convenience.
An image processor has a controlling unit that controls various devices of the processor. This controlling unit (usually a main controlling unit that assumes overall control over the entire part of the processor) controls energization of each device, thus controlling transfer to the energy-saving state and return to a regular state from the energy-saving state. The job reservation function is also realized by the controlling unit of the image processor.
The image processor so structured as to cause the controlling unit to realize the job reservation function, however, must keep the multifunctional controlling unit energized even in the energy-saving state, which poses a problem of difficulty in achieving a sufficient energy-saving effect.
Meanwhile, even when the image processor is in the energy-saving state, the communication unit (NIC, etc.) should desirably be kept energized so that the image processor at least sends back any form of reply in response to a given request, such as printing request, from an external apparatus. This is because of a necessity for preventing a user from having a wrong idea that the image processor is developing trouble.


Compositions and methods related to transgenic plants comprising seed production technology are provided. Specifically, maize plants having a E6611.32.1.38 event which confers seed production technology are provided. The plant harboring the E6611.32.1.38 event at the recited chromosomal location comprises the genomic/transgene junctions described. The plant genomic DNA flanking the integrated E6611.32.1.38 event can be used to design assays that will be specific for the E6611.32.1.38 event. The characterization of the genomic insertion site of the E6611.32.1.38 event provides for an enhanced breeding efficiency and enables the use of molecular markers to track the transgene insert in the breeding populations and progeny thereof. Various methods and compositions for the identification, detection, and use of the maize E6611.32.1.38 event are provided.

The expression of foreign genes in plants is known to be influenced by their location in the plant genome, perhaps due to chromatin structure (e.g., heterochromatin) or the proximity of transcriptional regulatory elements (e.g., enhancers) close to the integration site (Weising, et al., (1988) Ann. Rev. Genet 22:421-477). At the same time the presence of the transgene at different locations in the genome influences the overall phenotype of the plant in different ways. For this reason, it is often necessary to screen a large number of events in order to identify an event characterized by optimal expression of an introduced gene of interest. For example, it has been observed in plants and in other organisms that there may be a wide variation in levels of expression of an introduced gene among events. There may also be differences in spatial or temporal patterns of expression, for example, differences in the relative expression of a transgene in various plant tissues, that may not correspond to the patterns expected from transcriptional regulatory elements present in the introduced gene construct. It is also observed that the transgene insertion can affect the endogenous gene expression. For these reasons, it is common to produce hundreds to thousands of different events and screen those events for a single event that has desired transgene expression levels and patterns for commercial purposes. An event that has desired levels or patterns of transgene expression is useful for introgressing the transgene into other genetic backgrounds by sexual outcrossing using conventional breeding methods. Progeny of such crosses maintain the transgene expression characteristics of the original transformant. This strategy is used to ensure reliable gene expression in a number of varieties that are well adapted to local growing conditions.
It would be advantageous to be able to detect the presence or absence of a particular event in a plant or seed, or progeny of such plants or seeds, not only with respect to the transgene itself, but also with respect to its location in the genome of a host plant or seed. It would be particularly advantageous to be able to detect the presence of an event in order to determine whether progeny of a sexual cross contain a transgene of interest. In addition, a method for detecting a particular event would be helpful for complying with regulations requiring the pre-market approval and labeling of foods derived from recombinant crop plants, or for use in environmental monitoring, monitoring traits in crops in the field, or monitoring products derived from a crop harvest, as well as, for use in ensuring compliance of parties subject to regulatory or contractual terms. Event-specific detection methods can identify a unique junction between the inserted DNA and the recipient genome.

Plant genomic DNA flanking SPT event and methods for identifying SPT event


This invention relates to a reproducing apparatus compatible with a storage medium storing copyright-protected and copyright-unprotected files, the reproducing apparatus being capable of reproducing any one of the files stored on the medium, the reproducing apparatus comprising: demodulating means for demodulating any one of the copyright-protected files in one way and any one of the copyright-unprotected files in a different way; selective operation executing means operated to select either any one of the copyright-protected files or any one of the copyright-unprotected files as a file to be reproduced; and controlling means for causing the demodulating means to select one of the two different ways of demodulation depending on whether a copyright-protected file or a copyright-unprotected file has been selected by operation of the selective operation executing means.

The present invention relates to a reproducing apparatus and a recording apparatus used in conjunction with storage media. More particularly, the invention relates to a reproducing apparatus and a recording apparatus for handling copyright-protected and copyright-unprotected files as data to be recorded to a storage medium.
Today, recording and reproducing apparatuses capable of recording and reproducing various kinds of audio information as digital data have gained widespread use.
Audio information recorded and reproduced by such recording and reproducing apparatus is of high sound quality because the information is composed of digital data. With no deterioration in sound quality after repeated copying, such digital data need to be protected for copyrights particularly in the case of pieces of music created by artists. Arrangements have been proposed to encrypt audio information of high sound quality such as music requiring copyright protection (simply called the music information hereunder) upon recording, and to decrypt the encrypted music information for playback. The proposed arrangements protect copyrights illustratively by preventing any illegal or inappropriate device with no decryption function from recording or reproducing data correctly or from copying data illegally.
On the other hand, there is little need to maintain high sound quality or to protect copyrights regarding audio information acquired by users recording their own voice as a way of taking notes (the information will be called the voice information hereunder as opposed to the music information).
Under these circumstances, it has been possible to envisage a recording and reproducing system capable of recording copyright-protected, encrypted music information and copyright-unprotected, unencrypted voice information to a single storage medium in a mixed manner, and of reproducing such information from the storage medium.
One suitable way to manage such music and voice information held mixedly on the same storage medium is by adopting a directory management scheme used by personal computers. That is, a group of music information files and a group of voice information files are placed under a different directory each for separated information management.

Reproducing apparatus and recording apparatus


A game input device and game apparatus are provided in which a beginner can easily control the position of an object to be controlled and which can actually cause players to feel shocks produced when a plurality of objects to be controlled collide against one another through a simplified structure. Arcuate rotary type controllers are provided which comprise two controllers 30-1 and 30-2 rotatably moved along an arc in the lateral direction. Two players can perform input by using these controllers 30-1 and 30-2. Each of the players can simply move the corresponding one of the controllers 30-1 and 30-2 in the lateral direction. The objects controlled by one of the players will never move beyond the objects controlled by the other player. Thus, a collision occurs between the controlled objects. The present invention causes a collision between the controllers 30-1 and 30-2 to be transmitted directly to the players as collision between the controlled objects. Therefore, the players can enjoy the game while actually feeling the violent impact between the controlled objects.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a game input device and game apparatus and particularly to such a game input device and game apparatus which can simultaneously be played by a plurality of players.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In arcade games and others, a player manipulates a controller to control the position, direction and the like of a character within a game space. For example, a driving game includes a steering wheel which is manipulated by a player to control a motor car. A dogfight game includes levers and others to control a fighter.
When such a controller is used, however, the player has to make a difficult apprehension of its own objective position. The player must get the feel of the game until he or she grasps the control sensation of that game. Therefore, a beginner cannot simply and easily enjoy the game.
When game characters controlled by the respective players collide against one another within a game space of a multi-player game, it is required that the controller manipulated by each of the players has a special shock generator or the like for actually causing the player to sense that collision. Such shock generators make the game system expensive.


An image forming apparatus including: an image forming device for forming a toner image on an image bearing member by using a developer contained in a developing container; a density sensor for detecting a density of a detection toner image formed by the image forming device; a control device for controlling an amount of the developer to be supplied from a developer supplying container into the developing container in accordance with an output of the density sensor and a target value; a correcting device for correcting the output of the density sensor in accordance with an ambient environment; and a setting device for setting a value obtained by the correcting device as the target value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus employing an electrostatic recording process or an electrophotographic process. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a fax machine.
2. Related Background Art
In the image forming apparatuses such as laser beam printers using a two-component developer mainly composed of toner and carrier, toner is consumed each time an image is formed so that the developer density (mixture ratio between toner and carrier) within a developing device varies. For this reason, in order to maintain the developer density constant, a technique for accurately detecting the developer density becomes important.
The detection of the developer density is usually performed by an optical sensor. A patch latent image is formed on an electrically charged photosensitive drum (drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member) at a predetermined latent image contrast. The patch latent image is then developed using a two-component developer contained in a developing device to obtain a patch image. Light is irradiated to the patch image formed on the photosensitive drum by an optical sensor to detect the developer density based on the magnitude of reflected light obtained at this time.
An initial density, which serves as the reference for the magnitude of reflected light, is set when installing the image forming apparatus and when replacing the developer. The initial density is set to such a density (hereinafter referred to as the "reference density") that allows the sensitivity of the optical sensor to be optimized. When installing the image forming apparatus and when replacing the developer, developer is fed from a sealed container into a developing container of the developing device. The developer within the sealed container is moisture-conditioned to the moisture content within the sealed container (hereinafter referred to as the "container moisture content"). While the developer is being fed into the developing container of the developing device, however, it comes into contact with the outside air so that it is moisture-conditioned to a moisture content (hereinafter referred to as the "ambient moisture content") detected by an environmental sensor provided in the image forming apparatus.
In the meantime, the triboelectricity (triboelectrification charge amount) of the developer also changes from a value corresponding to the container moisture content to a value corresponding to the ambient moisture content. Accordingly, it is common that the initial density is so controlled as to become the reference density in all environments, by changing the latent image contrast in accordance with a detected value of the environmental sensor.
In recent years, in order to achieve higher image quality, toner and carrier contained in developer tend to be reduced in particle size. Such developer including toner and carrier with reduced particle sizes have a larger surface area as a whole as compared with developers having the same weight but larger particle sizes. An increased surface area means a longer time required for moisture-conditioning the developer. Accordingly, when installing an image forming apparatus and when replacing developer, the developer is not sufficiently moisture-conditioned before setting the initial density of a patch image, so that the initial density is set before the triboelectricity of the developer becomes a value corresponding to the moisture content detected by the environmental sensor.
A moisture content (the mass of water contained in 1 m3 of air) within a sealed container is dependent on the environment under which a developer is filled into the sealed container. It is generally about 10 g. Since a sealed container is hermetically sealed, the container moisture content varies little even after passage of a long period of time. For instance, consider a case where the moisture content in the sealed container is 10 g and the moisture content detected by the environmental sensor when installing the image forming apparatus and when replacing developer is 1 g. In this case, the latent image contrast is set to a value corresponding to the moisture content of 1 g, whereas the triboelectrification charge amount of the developer is determined to a value corresponding to the moisture content of 10 g, causing a phenomenon in which the density of the patch image largely deviates from the reference density.
As a result, it is impossible to perform the setting of the initial density, or even if it is possible, the initial density largely deviates from the reference density.
As in the latter case, if an initial density deviates largely from a reference density, the density detection by a density sensor is performed within a density range where the sensor sensitivity is poor, so that the control of the developer density becomes unstable. Consequently, the density of a patch image, which is formed when developer is moisture-conditioned and thus the triboelectricity thereof changes, becomes low and due to an output from the density sensor that has detected this, toner is supplied into the developer so as to increase the developer density, with the result that the developer density is raised to an abnormally high level. This results in fogging or toner scattering, or in some extreme cases, even an overflow of developer from the developing device.

Image forming apparatus with developer supply amount target value correcting feature using detected data relating to apparatus ambient environment and information relating to a sealed developer supply container environment


Automatic vision system object indexing and image database query system using both path-dependent and path-independent features of moving objects within a sequence of images. Feature vectors of both average over frames of an object traversing the field of view plus average over blocks of a grid for a path association. Color histograms may be an included feature.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to image processing, and more particularly, to video object tracking and storage and retrieval.
2. Background Art
An image indexing system can be useful in situations that require automatic visual monitoring. A vision system can take a snapshot of each object that occupies the field of view and collect an appropriate set of features for each object in addition to the storage on videotape or digitally on hard drives or rewritable DVDs. At the end of the monitoring an investigator can use image indexing algorithms to search for particular occurrences of an object. An image indexing system allows the investigator to estimate results without having to watch the entire videotape and without having to sequentially view each image in the database.
Image indexing is important because it allows people to quickly retrieve interesting images form large databases. Image databases have become common with the growth of the Internet, advances in video technology, and efficient digital video capture and storage. The technology allows people to automatically monitor scenes and store visual records in databases. In many cases it is time consuming for a human to view each image in the database; and therefore, some computer assistance is necessary to access the images in an efficient manner.
A quality image indexing system reduces the total number of images a user must view before the user sees images of interest. This reduces the amount of time a user must spend sorting through extraneous images. Image indexing algorithms must determine which objects in the database are similar. The algorithm must be robust to varying lighting conditions, varying image resolution, viewing the object from various viewpoints, and distractions present in the object's background. The image indexing technique must also be computationally simple to decrease the time it takes to return information to the user.
The Query By Image Content (QBIC) system allows users to query an image database for scenes, objects or a combination of scenes and objects. Some features used by the system include colors, textures, shapes, and edges. The system is capable of computing similarity using multiple features in combination. The similarity metrics used by QBIC are mostly Euclidean based. The QBIC system does not automatically generate features over the entire video sequence of a particular object. Instead, QBIC relies on features of an object in isolated images. QBIC is capable of two types of image queries: query by object and query by scene. A scene is defined to be a color image or single frame of video. An object is defined to be any part of a scene. Each scene has zero or more objects within it. Also the objects contained in a scene are identified semi-automatically or manually. To segment an object from an image a user outlines the object using QBICS user interface tools. Object features include average color, color histogram, texture, shape, and location within the scene. The features calculated for scenes include average color, color histogram, texture, positional edges, and positional color. A QBIC query can be for an object, a scene, or a combination of objects and scenes.
An object's center of mass in image coordinates is the object's location. Location is normalized by the width and height of the image to account for varying image sizes. To calculate shape features QBIC assumes that a binary mask sufficiently represents shapes, and that the shapes are non-occluded and planar. The shape is represented parametrically using heuristic shape features and moments, Hausdorff distance, parametric curves represented by the curves' spline control points, first and second derivatives of the parametric curves, and turning angles along the object's perimeter.
Texture features include contrast, coarseness, and directionality features. Contrast measures the range of lightness and darkness within a texture pattern. Coarseness measures the relative scale of a texture pattern. The directionality specifies the average direction of the pattern. To quantify color, QBIC calculates a k-element color histogram and uses a three-element vector of average Munsell color coordinates. The color histogram is usually quantized to 64 or 256 bins. The system also allows users to retrieve images based on features extracted from a rough sketch drawn by the user. The sketch is represented by a lower resolution edge map and stored in a 64×64×1 bit array.
Most QBIC features are calculated using weighted Euclidean distance metrics. The weights of each Euclidean component are equal to the inverse variance of each component. To calculate similarity between two color histograms X and Y, QBIC uses a quadratic-form S distance measure. The matrix S is a symmetric, positive definite color similarity matrix that transforms color differences such that distance is directly related to the perceptual difference between colors. This metric is∥Z∥=(ZTSZ)1/2,where Z=X−Y and S>0.The similarity measure calculated from parametric spline curves and derivatives calculated from the spline control points using Euclidean distance and quadratic forms with pre-computed terms. To calculate distance between the turning angles, QBIC uses a dynamic programming algorithm.
To calculate the similarity between a user drawn sketch and a scene, QBIC has developed a matching algorithm that compares the drawn edges to the automatically extracted edges.
At the MIT Artificial Intelligence laboratory, Stauffer developed an adaptive, visual tracking system to classify and monitor activities in a scene. As objects traverse the scene, Stauffer's system tracks these objects and records an object's location, speed, direction, and size. The system also stores an image of the object and a binary motion silhouette. The silhouette is obtained from difference imaging. Stauffer's method consists of three main parts, codebook generation, co-occurrence matrix definition, and hierarchical classification.
The first step develops a codebook of representations using Linear Vector Quantization (LVQ) on a large set of data collected by the tracker. A typical codebook size is 400. A codebook uses a set of prototypes to represent each input. After the codebook has been generated, each new input is mapped to symbols defined in the codebook. The input is mapped to the set of symbols that are the shortest distance away from the input. Large codebooks are needed to accurately represent complex inputs. The technique fails if there are not enough symbols to represent measured differences. As codebook size, M, increases the number of data samples needed to generate working codebooks is on the order of M and the data needed to accumulate co-occurrence statistics is on the order of M2.
After the codebook has been generated, the system creates an M×M co-occurrence matrix. Assuming that there are N classes represented by the data, class c has some prior probability Πc and some probability distribution pc( ). The distribution pc( ) represents the probability that class c will produce each of the symbols of the prototype. The co-occurrence matrix, C, consists of elements, Ci,j, such that Ci,j is equal to the probability that a pair of symbols {Oi,Oj} occur in an equivalency set.
            C              i        ,        j              =                  ∑        k                                    Π          k                                  (                                                    P                k                                                          (                                  O                  i                                )                                      *                                          P                k                                                          (                                  O                  j                                )                                              )                      ,where Πk is the prior probability of class k, and Pk is the probability mass function (pmf) of class k.
Phase three of Stauffer's system is to separate the sample space into N distinct classes. The method successively splits the co-occurrence matrix into two new co-occurrence matrices, and the result is a full binary tree. The process uses the co-occurrence matrix, calculated in step two, to calculate two new probability mass functions that approximate the co-occurrence matrix. This process continues recursively down the binary tree. Given a co-occurrence matrix with element Ci,j, the two new pmfs are iteratively solved by minimizing the sum of squared error. Note N=1 in the following equations, since the goal is to split the pmf into two distinct classes.
            E      =                        ∑                      u            ,            v                    N                                              (                                          C                                  u                  ,                  v                                            -                              C                                  u                  ,                  v                                e                                      )                    2                      ,                      when                      C                  i          ,          j                e            =                        ∑          c          N                                              Π            c                                          (                                                            p                  c                                                                  (                  i                  )                                            *                                                p                  c                                                                  (                  j                  )                                                      )                                ,                                    Π        c            =                                    (                          1              -                              α                π                                      )                    *                      Π            c                          +                              (                          α              π                        )                    *                                    ∑                              i                ,                j                                                                                Π                c                                                          (                                                                            p                      c                                                                                (                      i                      )                                                        *                                                            p                      c                                                                                (                      j                      )                                                                      )                                                          ,                                    p        c            =                                    (                          1              -                              α                p                                      )                    *                                    p              c                                                  (              i              )                                      +                              (                          α              p                        )                    *                                    ∑              j                                                                                Π                  c                                                                  (                                                            p                      c                                                                                (                      j                      )                                                        )                                            .                                          To calculate the co-occurrence matrices of the left and right children the following equations are used, respectivelyCi,j0=Ci,j*p0(i)*p0(j),Ci,j1=Ci,j*p1(i)*p1(j).
Stauffer's method successfully measures similarity in terms of probability instead of Euclidean distances. This allows Stauffer to easily combine multiple features into a single metric. However, Stauffer's method requires a large amount of memory and computing time to create and split co-occurrence matrices and to generate codebook statistics.
A color histogram is a measure of how often each color occurs in an image. Given a discrete m-dimensional color space, the color histogram is obtained by discretizing the colors present in the image and counting the number of times each color occurs in the image. Often the color space has dimension 3, and the image colors mapped to a given discrete color are contained in a 3-dimensional bin centered at that color. A successful color-matching algorithm will overcome most or all of the following problems that often degrade image indexing systems.                Distractions present in the object's background        Occlusions        Viewing the object from various viewpoints        Varying image resolution        Varying lighting conditionsDistractions in the object's background occur when parts of the background match the object. Often the military will camouflage tanks and jeeps to match the surrounding terrain. This type of distraction can severely degrade similarity metrics. An object becomes occluded when an object in the foreground blocks all or part of the object. The imaging sensor cannot detect occluded parts of an object. Also, since objects look different from various viewpoints, attempting to compare images of objects captured from different viewpoints can quickly degrade similarity metrics. In such cases multiple models of a particular object may need to be collected for accurate matching. For example, it may be difficult to match an image showing a person facing a camera with a picture of the same person facing away from the camera. Similarity metrics must also be able to identify objects that are rotated and translated within an image. This causes many template-matching algorithms to be computationally expensive.
Changing image resolution can also hinder similarity metrics. As an object's distance from a camera increases, information about that object decreases. It is also difficult for humans to recognize low-resolution images. Varying lighting conditions can cause an object's appearance to change. Lights oscillating at some frequencies cause the specular reflectance of the object to vary with time. Outside brightness and shadow patterns change continuously. Color-constancy algorithms make it possible to perceive a constant color despite light variations. For most color histogram similarity metrics it is desirable to create histograms from color spaces that are uniform, compact, complete, and compatible with human perception of color. Common color spaces include                HSV        OPP        RGB        YUV        Munsell systemIn a uniform color space, distance between colors is directly proportional to the psychological similarity between the colors. A color space is compact when there is a perceptual difference between each color. A complete color space contains all perceptible colors. Finally, color spaces that appeal to the human visual system represent colors in a human perceptual way. Representing colors by hue, saturation, and intensity often does this.
Quantization is an important issue to consider when choosing a color space for object similarity matching via histogram matching. Uniform quantization of individual color space components is the most obvious quantization scheme and most reasonable method when no a prior knowledge of the color space exists. However color distributions are not uniform. Uniform quantization can be inefficient and it can degrade the performance of the similarity metric. Use Vector Quantization (VQ) to quantize the color space in a manner that minimizes the mean-squared quantization error between pixels in the images and pixels in the quantized images. Minimization is based on quantizing the color space into a new set of N color points. Note that this technique becomes impractical for large images databases.
Mathias performed several experiments to determine what combination of color spaces, quantization schemes, and similarity metrics work best for image indexing systems. To evaluate and compare each set, Mathias developed a criterion function based on the number of false negatives, search efficiency, and computational complexity. A false negative occurs when the system has not located every image that contains visually similar colors. Visually similar images correspond to human perceptual similarity. Efficiency measures the average number of images that must be viewed to see a given number of correct images. Computational complexity is measured by the amount of time it takes to calculate similarity metrics and to index the image database. Mathias results showed that histogram intersection and the city-block metric provided the most accurate results with the best response times. These results were obtained when using the HSV color space quantized to 216 bins. Twenty combinations of color spaces, quantization schemes, and similarity metrics were evaluated in the study.
Five similarity metrics were analyzed:                City-block metric        Euclidean metric        Histogram Intersection        Average color distance        Quadratic distance measure
Three-color spaces were analyzed                CIEL*u*v*        HSV        OPPEach space was uniformly quantized. The CIEL*u*v* space was quantized into 4×8×8 partitions, which corresponds to a 256 bin histogram. The HSV space was quantized into 18×3×3 (162 bins) and also 24×3×3 (216 bins). The opponent space was partitioned into 256 bins, where the wb, rb, and by coordinates were divided into 4, 8, and 8 bins respectively.
Histogram Intersection is a similarity metric used to compare an image or object within an image to every model in a database. Given two histograms, P and M, containing n bins, Histogram Intersection is defined asd(P,M)=Σl=1n min(p1, m1).This is the number of pixels from the model, M, that have corresponding pixels of the same color in the image, P. When images contained within the database vary in size the metric is normalized.
      d              (              P        ,        M            )        =                    ∑                  1          =          1                n                          min                          (                                    p              1                        ,                          m              1                                )                                    ∑                  1          =          1                n                          m        1            Histogram Intersection is robust to the following problems that often degrade image indexing algorithms                Distractions present in the object's background        Occlusions        Viewing the object from various viewpoints        Varying image resolution
The similarity is only increased when a given pixel has the same color as one of the colors in the model, or when the total number of pixels used to represent that color in the object is less than the number of pixels of that color in the model. The method is robust to scale changes, but not independent of such changes. Histogram Intersection is not robust to varying lighting conditions. Various histogram intersection algorithms employ color constancy techniques.
Histogram Intersection can be related to the city-block similarity metric on an n dimensional feature space. When the histograms are scaled to be the same size, Histogram Intersection is equivalent to the city-block distance metric.
      1    -          d                    (                  P          ,          M                )              =                    1                  2                    T                                            ∑                      1            =            1                    n                                                                                        p                1                            -                              m                1                                                                                                              where                                                              T                      =                            ∑                      1            =            1                    n                                  p          1                    =                        ∑                      1            =            1                    n                                              m            1                    .
However, the foregoing image sorting and matching methods fail to provide a simple object recognition method for an automatic vision system.


Human M-CSF preparations and recombinant human M-CSF preparations against myelodysplastic syndrome, malignant tumor and hyperlipemia and auxiliary therapeutic preparations to be dosed along with platinum-complex anticancer preparations.

Colony stimulating factors (hereinafter abbreviated as CSFs) are known as substances which stimulate proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells, and they are categolized into following four items:
(1) factors which act on monocyte-macrophage lineage (M-CSFs), PA0 (2) factors which act on granulocyte-monocyte lineage (GM-CSFs), PA0 (3) factors which act on granulocyte lineage (G-CSFs), and PA0 (4) factors which act on multipotential stem cells (multi-CSFs)
Human M-CSFs are already isolated and purified, and their protein structures and genetic structure which participates production of M-CSFs or which encode amino acid sequence of M-CSFs have been described (cf: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Gazette No. 64(1989)/22899).
Regarding tumoricidal activity of a CSF is described by A. Samson-Johannes et al (cf: Journal of Immunology, Vol. 141, 3680-3686, No. 10, Nov. 15, 1988).
It is also described that an hM-CSF may stimulate matured human monocyte-macrophage to produce various cytokines (cf: K. Motoyoshi et al, Experimental Hematology, Vol. 17, 68-71, 1989), that a human urinary M-CSF is clinically effective on granulocytopenia (cf: K. Motoyoshi et al, Experimental Hematology, Vol. 14, 1069-1075, 1986), and that a human urinary M-CSF is clinically effective in recovery of leukocyte and granulocyte numbers after bone marrow transplantation (cf: T. Masaoka et al, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Vol. 3, 121-127, 1988). Therefore, human M-CSFs have been highly expected to be used as a drug.
With respect to the safeness and scarce side effects in dosage of hM-CSFs have been clinically confirmed (cf: K. Motoyoshi et al, Immunobiology, Vol. 172, 205-212, 1986).
It has been known that monocyte-macrophage lineage is significantly related with hyperlipemia and arteriosclerosis.


A process for preparing aerated ice confection particles by manufacturing an aerated ice confection in a mass; further freezing the mass cryogenically to a temperature close to the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the aerated ice confection to form a aerated frozen mass, and comminuting the frozen mass to aerated ice confection particles with a high surface area to volume ratio. These particles can be used for a variety of purposes but preferably are used for forming frozen ice drinks in a simple, rapid and convenient manner. This is particularly useful when a single serving of such drinks is desired as no special equipment to make the drink is required. The invention also relates to packaging for the aerated ice confection particles and methods of making frozen ice drinks from the aerated ice confection particles.

The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a frozen base composition having a high surface area to volume ratio to facilitate easy mixing with added liquid to make frozen beverages such as milk shakes or smoothies or other frozen ice drinks such as frozen margueritas or daiquiris. In particular, the use of a post-extrusion, secondary freezing step to further cool a frozen aerated ice confection or dessert to a temperature near its glass transition temperature followed by the alteration of the physical dimensions of the further cooled product results in aerated ice confection particles having a substantial increase in the surface area to volume ratio such that they are highly useful for forming such frozen beverages.
Ice particles are needed in order to form frozen ice drinks. Various mechanical means are used to crush ice cubes or blocks to the desired size for use in such products. Alternatively, ice particles can be made by cooling water droplets to low temperatures. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of pure water is −130° C. but the formation of a solution by the addition of solutes such as sugars will elevate this value substantially. The numerical value of Tg is a function of the weighted average molecular weight of the solutes in the solution.
Traditional ice cream manufacturing practice advocates the forming, shaping and packaging of the product close to the extrusion temperature (−4° C. to −7° C.) of ice cream when about 40 to 60% of the water in the product is frozen. In this state the product is still relatively soft and pliable and exhibits strong surface-adhesive properties. When this frozen mass is cooled further to lower temperatures a greater percentage of the water is frozen to ice and the product becomes hard and less pliable. A frozen beverage like a milkshake or smoothie is often prepared by mixing handscooped ice cream or sherbet with milk or water followed by blending using various mechanical means. While this technique is well established, it is generally conducted in fast food or restaurant establishments and not convenient for a user in the home due to the amount of equipment and effort needed to prepare a single serving.
A relatively recent trend has been towards the use of cryogenic freezing to make small beads or discrete particles or beads of predominantly spherical shape by immersion or exposure to a very cold environment such as liquid nitrogen. During these processes small droplets of liquid mix undergo a very rapid or instant drop in temperature which freezes them to a temperature below the glass transition temperature. Examples of this are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,982,577, 5,438,839 and 6,223,542; US patent publications 2005/0008754A1 and 2006/0196194A1; and PCT publication WO2006/007922. As long as these cryogenically frozen particles are stored below the Tg, they will remain free flowing and not stick to each other.
Attempts have been made to use these particles for the preparation of frozen beverages in individual portions by adding a liquid such as milk to a container partially filled with these particles and shaking vigorously by hand after closing with a lid. This has not been satisfactory to date since the ice particles tend to clump together or adhere after contact with liquid. This detracts from the organoleptic properties that are desired in such products and requires further attention to break up these clumps. Generally, the level or degree of hand shaking that is necessary to break up these clumps is too high for the ordinary user, and while agitation with a spoon, whisk or manual or automatic mixing device can break up the clumps, this defeats the purpose of trying to make the product in a simple manner.
To facilitate easier mixing of the ice particles with a liquid it was thought to be desirable to provide the particles with a finer size and higher surface area to volume ratio. One way of achieving this is by converting the liquid mix to smaller entities like droplets or mist before rapidly freezing by exposing to a cryogenic medium such as liquid nitrogen. This is described in German patent DE 197 50 679, which relates to the production of ice particles from an aerated liquid mix or foam. Even though finer particles do mix more easily with a liquid, there remains a tendency for clumping or sticking after contact with the liquid and agitation still is required to make the final product.
Accordingly, there is a need for ice containing particles having enhanced properties for use in making frozen ice drink products without requiring extensive mixing, and these are now provided by the present invention.

Particles of aerated ice confection products for frozen ice drinks


An image forming apparatus includes a generation tendency determining section to determine, before execution of a job, whether or not this job is a large-amount generation tendency job that is likely to generate a large amount of ultrafine particles. When the current job is determined to be the large-amount generation tendency job and a toner adhesion status value is equal to or higher than a first predetermined threshold representing an amount of toner adhering to a surface of a fixing member, cleaning of the fixing unit is performed before execution of the job. On the other hand, when the current job is determined to be a small-amount generation tendency job or the toner adhesion status value is less than the predetermined first threshold, the job is executed without cleaning the fixing unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus configured to minimize by-product material to be inevitably generated in a fixing unit for fixing a toner image on a paper sheet by pressing under heating.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, a fax machine, or a multifunction machine that combines their functions, a toner image transferred on a recording paper sheet is fixed by a fixing unit and thus an image is formed on the sheet. Specifically, the fixing unit carries out a fixing process to cause the sheet to pass through a fixing nip formed by a pair of fixing members placed in pressure contact with each other and press the sheet under heating at the time when the sheet passes through the fixing nip. The fixing members include a cylindrical roller, an endless belt member, and others.
Relating to the fixing unit, it is recently known that ultrafine particles (UFP) are generated in the fixing process. To be concrete, UFP are conceived to be generated from silicone material forming the fixing members, toner melted under heating, and others in the fixing process. To address this disadvantage, for example, JP-A-2012-32663 discloses a technique to collect UFP generated near a fixing unit. In JP-A-2012-32663, a filter impregnated with silicone oil is provided in an exhaust duct of the fixing unit. According to JP-A-2012-32663, it is expected that this filter impregnated with silicone oil can efficiently collect the generated UFP from the fixing unit.
Furthermore, JP-A-2008-40310 discloses an image forming apparatus in which one of a pair of fixing members of a fixing unit is provided with a cleaning member for cleaning the surface of the one fixing member placed in contact with a toner image bearing surface of a recording sheet. This cleaning member is switched by a changeover means between a pressure-contact position in which the cleaning member is placed in pressure contact with the fixing member and a separated position in which the cleaning member is separated from the fixing member. In a case where a large amount of toner adheres or sticks to the fixing member, the toner adhering to the fixing member is removed at the pressure-contact position. This is to prevent the toner adhering to the fixing member from transferring to a recording sheet passing through a fixing nip, thereby preventing generation of noticeable stains or smudges on the sheet. By cleaning using such a cleaning member, the UFP to be generated from the fixing unit is suppressed to a certain extent. This is because the toner adhering to the fixing member is removed and thus the toner to be heated in the fixing process is reduced.
Meanwhile, in order to collect the UFP by the aforementioned conventional method in JP-A-2012-32663, special components for collecting UFP such as a fan and a filter are required. This would cause a problem with complexity of the image forming apparatus due to those components for collecting UFP. Further, completely collecting all the generated UFP is difficult. It is thus preferred to reduce the amount of UFP to be generated.
The technique in JP-A-2008-40310 is directed to clean the fixing member to prevent the generation of noticeable stains on the recording sheet. In other words, the fixing member may be adhered with toner of such a degree that will be unnoticeable when the toner transfers to the recording sheet. The amount of UFP to be generated from the fixing unit differs according to conditions of jobs to be executed. Thus, if even the toner of an amount to the extent that will be unnoticeable when the toner transfers to the recording sheet adhere to the fixing member, this would cause a problem with the generation of a large amount of UFP in executing a job that is liable to cause an increase in generation amount of UFP.
Moreover, the generation amount of UFP can be reduced by frequently cleaning the fixing member. However, such frequent cleaning may deteriorate the productivity of image formation in the image forming apparatus configured to disable the image formation during cleaning of the fixing member. Cleaning also would cause a certain degree of load on the fixing member. Consequently, highly-frequent cleaning may shorten the life of the fixing unit.
The present invention has been made to solve the above conventional problems and has a purpose to provide an image forming apparatus configured to suppress a generation amount of UFP and also prevent deterioration in productivity of image formation and life of a fixing unit.

Image forming apparatus which determines ultra-fine particle generation


A horizontal well completion apparatus and method for heavy, viscous oil in a producing zone (14) are disclosed using a single well. Hot injection fluid is injected into an injection string (20), reduced to a lower pressure by passing the injection fluid through a choke (22). A packer (26) separates the upper well annulus (40) from the lower well annulus (42). Insulation (21) surrounds injection tubing string (20) between the packer (26) and the well head (11). Perforations (18) in the horizontal portion (12) of the well allow heated oil to flow into the lower annulus 42 in the horizontal portion (12) of the well where is picked up by the injected fluid and lifted to the surface of the well by a jet pump (28). Temperature and pressure in the lower well annulus 42 are controlled by the temperature and pressure of the injection fluid, and the pumping rate of the produced fluids.

The Field of the Invention relates to the drilling, completion and production of wells drilled into formations containing heavy, viscous hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons may be referred to as bitumen or tar. The invention relates to the drilling of a well bore substantially vertically downwardly, then curving the well bore out into a substantially horizontal portion, then thermal treatment and production of the viscous hydrocarbons from the producing formation.
The heavy, viscous hydrocarbons are valuable for refining. The refined products can be used as the basis for road paving and plastics. Such formations as may be near the earth surface can be strip mined to recover the hydrocarbons. Many producing zones, however, are deeper, and may be a few hundred feet or several thousand feet below the earth surface. For purposes of this specification, producing zone and producing formation have the same meaning. For purposes of this specification, tubing placed in a well casing may also be referred to as a tubing string, and surface means at or near the earth surface unless otherwise referenced.
Heavy hydrocarbon, also known as heavy crude oil, can have American Petroleum Institute (API) density from about 8 up to 20 or more. Lower API density numbers indicate greater specific gravity. API 10 has a specific gravity of 1. Such heavy crude oils are very viscous, and are essentially solid at in situ (in place) temperatures.
Recovery of such heavy crude oil has been accomplished in the past by heating. Steam is been injected through a well into a producing formation for a time, then the well is produced.
This process is referred to as the "huff and puff" method. With several vertical wells drilled into a zone, several wells may be produced with the "huff and puff" process. After sufficient oil has been removed from the formation, communication may be established from one well to another. Then a continuous flood of steam may be injected into one well. A mixture of heated oil, condensate and steam may then be produced from an adjacent well. This process is known a continuous steam flood.
The Related Prior Art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,245, in which Mims et al. teach the method and apparatus of a system of single well completion for carrying a hot stimulating agent into a tar sand from the remote end of the well. A progressively movable barrier is used to extend the flow path pattern in the producing formation. No provision is made to lift fluids from the remote end of the casing. The use of a barrier in the casing indicates the use of a heated flooding process rather than the use of heat conduction in combination with gravity in this invention to cause hydrocarbons to flow to the well bore. Mims also teaches that movement of the barrier is needed during the producing life of the formation.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,359, Livesay teaches the method and apparatus for use in a single well for conducting a hot thermal stimulating medium to the remote end of the well. An expandable diverter forms a barrier which is progressively lengthened to cause the stimulating medium to sweep progressively increasing lengths of the producing formation.


A microprocessor used in solid state products has multiple interrupts and a single read only memory (ROM) masked for two or more product programs. The logic state of an input pin is set to select the appropriate program. If there is an error in one program or it becomes obsolete, the microprocessor does not have to be scrapped, but can be used to execute the other (another) product program. Separate interrupt selection routines for each interrupt, addressed from a common interrupt vector table, direct program execution to an interrupt branch table for the product indicated by the input pin. The product branch table contains addresses for the interrupt service routines for the selected product. The product programs are first separately linked with the interrupt branch table for the corresponding product. The common interrupt vector table and the interrupt selection routines are then linked with one product program and its interrupt branch table, before final linkage of all software components to avoid conflicts should a program be changed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to a microprocessor having a single read only memory (ROM) which is masked to handle interrupts for two or more separate application programs so that the microprocessor may be used interchangably in different solid-state products.
2. Background Information
The development of microprocessors implemented by an integrated circuit, the "computer on a chip", has contributed greatly to the expansion of functions that can be performed by many products. Not only has the variety of functions of such products been expanded by these microprocessors, but the specific functions, or combinations of functions, can be tailored to the application. This versatility is realized through programming of the microprocessor. The program is stored in a nonvolatile memory. For large volume products, a read only memory (ROM) in which the program is permanently etched into the integrated circuit is used to store the program. A microprocessor which is programmed in this manner is referred to as a "masked microprocessor" in reference to the processing techniques by which the appropriate circuit configuration is established. While programmable memories can be used for storing programs which are likely to be modified, either from application to application or for enhancements, the ROMs of the masked microprocessor are much less costly when implemented in large numbers. On the other hand, the use of masked microprocessors in solid state products has always presented the risk that if programming bugs exist, or a change in the program is required, all instock processors have to be scrapped.
The microprocessor conventionally has available several interrupts which allow the program to leave a routine to perform a task with a higher priority and then to resume the original routine. These interrupts can be in response to internal signals such as from a timer, a counter, a reset module or an input/output device, or from external signals such as a signal from the operation of contacts or from a sensor. Typically, these interrupts are implemented by an interrupt vector table in memory which stores an address for branching to an appropriate interrupt service routine. The service routines are the sets of instructions to be carried out by the processor in response to the interrupts.
There remains a need for a mass produced multiple interrupt microprocessor with an inexpensive masked memory which does not have to be scrapped if there is an error in the program etched into the masked memory or if the program is later changed.

Microprocessor system with multiple interrupts masked for use in electronic control or monitoring of various solid-state products


This is a method for adjusting output device profiles for four-color devices such as offset presses. The user of this invention starts by selecting a base profile. This base profile produces satisfactory color but does not have the desired amount of Gray Component Replacement (GCR). The user of this invention makes use of this invention to adjust the GCR of the output profile until it is at some desired level. The invention then produces a new output profile which produces the same color as the base profile but which has the desired degree of GCR.

This invention has to do with the field of color reproduction in general and, in particular to the process of producing hardcopy output on a four-color device from a digital image. Examples of four-color devices are: offset lithography in which the "four-color process" employs printing inks as colorants applied to paper, in a halftone screen pattern, by a printing press; gravure printing, which also employs printing inks applied to paper, off-press proofing systems, which employ toners as colorants to simulate the effect of an offset press; and computer-driven printers, which use a variety of technologies and colorants, such as jettable inks, toners, and dyes, applied in various continuous-tone, halftone, or dithered patterns.
These processes use three chromatic colorants which are commonly chosen to be the subtractive primaries cyan, magenta, and yellow (abbreviated as C, M, and Y). In addition, they may use an achromatic, or black, colorant (abbreviated as K).
In order to print digital images on these devices, it is necessary to be able to convert colors among different device color spaces. For example, consider a person who wishes to scan in a picture, view the picture on a monitor, and then write out the picture on a four-color offset press. In order to do this in such a way that the original picture, monitor image, and printed copy look the same, it is necessary to convert between the color spaces defined by the RGB measured by the scanner, the RGB used by the monitor, and CMYK used by the press. In order to produce this conversion, color management systems have been developed by a number of companies. These color management systems use device profiles to describe the colorimetric properties of devices. Each profile contains transformations between the device color space (i.e., the space defined by the amounts of each colorant used by the device) and a profile connection space (PCS). Standard choices for the PCS are the CIELAB and CIEXYZ color spaces defined by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE). In addition, profiles for output devices contain a simulation transform which maps from the PCS to the PCS for describing how out of gamut colors are mapped into the gamut of the output device before being printed. Thus each profile contains the following transforms:
(a) an input transform which maps the device color space to the profile connection space; PA1 (b) an output transform which maps the profile connection space to the device space; PA1 (c) a simulation transform which maps the PCS to the PCS, and describes how colors which are outside the gamut of the device are to be printed; and PA1 (d) a gamut alarm transform which maps the PCS to a single number and indicates whether or not a given color is within the gamut of the device.
The format for these profiles has been standardized by the International Color Consortium (ICC). A number of companies have produced and sold profiles which conform to this standard, and have also produced and sold applications which create ICC conforming profiles from measurement data. Thus, each owner of color processing equipment has available an increasing number of profiles from an increasing number of different sources.
In the case of a four-color device, such as an offset press, the output transform is not determined solely by the calorimetric properties of the output process. These processes are undetermined or, in other words, most printable colors can be printed with a variety of different combinations of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colorants (CMYK). In general, these options can be thought of as different balances between the amount of black colorant (K) and the amount of a neutral combination (CMY) of the primary colorants. Since the printed colors are (or can be) identical, the choice among these options is made, not on the basis of colorimetry, but according to considerations of process control and repeatability, limits of the printing technology, cost, aesthetic taste, and the like. Some of the common approaches to the usage of K versus CMY are referred to in the art as Under-Color Removal (UCR) and Gray-Component Replacement (GCR).
Under current methods of generating profiles for output devices, the choice of GCR is one component of the process for generating the profile. An operator writes out a set of patches; measures those patches with a colorimeter; and gives those measured values to a computer program. The operator also gives parameters specifying the desired degree of GCR to that program. The computer program then uses the measured data and the choice of GCR to compute the profile. If the operator wishes a different amount of GCR, it is necessary to re-run the program. This is not too inconvenient if the operator has access to the software and to the measurement data which had been used in creating the output profile. However, in many cases, a person might own a profile which was generated by somebody else. In those cases there isn't any current method for the owner of such a profile to change its level of GCR.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,436 by Dichter discloses a method of recomputing black for a picture which has had its CMY values readjusted. This patent, however, does not base its recomputation of black ink on a colorimetric model for a specific output device so that the recomputation is characteristic of that device. Rather it assumes a simple standardized model for how black is replaced by cyan, magenta, and yellow. Thus, it cannot, in general, guarantee that the color of a picture will be the same after the black ink has been recomputed.
Consequently, a need exists for improvements in the presently known and utilized method and apparatus for constructing a profile for a four-color output device.

Computer program product for modifying the black channel of an output device profile without altering its colorimetric accuracy


In some implementations, a method includes compensating for timing misalignment of subframes associated with at least one of first user equipment (UE) or a second UE. The first UE and the second UE are in an inter-device session (IDS) for direct UE-to-UE communication, and timing for the first UE and a timing for the second UE is derived from an eNode B (eNB).

An inter-device session (IDS) encompasses scenarios where two or more devices directly communicate data through a shared radio channel. For a given IDS resource allocation, one User Equipment (UE) device in the session transmits data in the allotted resource, and another UE in the session receives data in that allotted resource. An associate wireless network may allocate the IDS resource from uplink (UL) or from downlink (DL) resources or from both.
In a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, an evolved Node B (eNB) allocates resources for the IDS to UEs. Using the allocated resources, the UEs directly transmit data traffic for the IDS, and the eNB may control operational aspects of the IDS. For example, the eNB may transmit, to the UEs, control information using a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), or other downlink signal. The control information can include a resource allocation, a Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) for traffic, a power control command, or other information.
In LTE DL transmissions, the data of different UEs are multiplexed in the frequency domain (subcarriers), and a single OFDM symbol is formed by applying an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) across all subcarriers and appending a cyclic prefix (CP). At the receiver (UE) side, the CP of the OFDM symbol is discarded and FFT is applied to the remaining portion of the received symbol to convert the data from the time domain to the frequency domain. The UE demultiplexes the converted data in the frequency domain. The time-window over which the FFT is applied should be aligned with the received OFDM symbol to avoid inter-symbol interference (ISI) and inter-carrier interference (ICI). Each UE may execute time-alignment (or time-synchronization) to DL signals from the eNB in an open loop manner using the synchronization signals that the eNB broadcasts.
Time-alignment for UL signals is different than for DL signals. At the receiver side for UL signals, i.e., at eNB, OFDM symbols from multiple UEs are superimposed and processed at the same time. Although different UEs are orthogonal in the frequency domain, for the receiver to be able to detect all UEs' data with a single FFT operation, all the OFDM symbols should arrive at the eNB approximately time-aligned. Misalignment of different OFDM symbols can cause ICI and performance degradation. Time-alignment for UL signals in LTE systems is carried out in a closed loop manner. At initial access to the LTE system, which uses a physical random access channel (PRACH), each UE's transmission is based on the DL timing acquired through DL synchronization signal. Due to a round-trip delay, the initial transmission of the UE arrives with some delay relative to UL timing for the eNB. The eNB measures this delay based on the PRACH signal received from the UE and transmits a timing advance command to the UE to advance UL transmissions by a certain amount of time. The timing advance is an integer multiple of 16Ts (or about 0.52 μsec), where Ts is the sampling period of the OFDM system. Using the timing advance command, the UE corrects the transmission timing and the next transmission arrives at the eNB approximately aligned with the UL symbol timing of the eNB. As the UE may move and the propagation delay may change, the time alignment procedure periodically repeats. After the initial access using PRACH, the delay may be later measured using PRACH signals or the SRS.

Aligning timing for direct communications