A sealing assembly for a refrigerator which comprises a bellows-seal gasket and a profile as a single piece or as multiple pieces where the profile has a base having at opposite ends, sealing strips and has a groove for replacement of the bellows-seal gasket. The profile is provided with a side branch that terminates in a grooved seat having a C-shaped cross-section for receiving an edge of an inner door panel and having a sealing strip that is provided at the end of the grooved seat. The inner door panel is bent to ensure optimal contact with the sealing strip of the side branch.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved sealing assembly for refrigerator cabinets and the like with a profile made of plastic material.
(2) Description of Related Art
It is known from the Italian Patent No. 1281660 held by the present applicant, a profile made of plastic material for refrigerator cabinets and the like, where the said refrigerator cabinets are equipped with a door and an inner door panel constrained to the structure, said profile having a bellows-type gasket portion which provides a sealed closing between the door and the cabinet. In this embodiment, the profile and the gasket portion are coupled together or form a single integrated piece produced by co-extrusion of two materials having different degrees of rigidity so as to enable, if necessary, convenient detachment of the gasket portion from the profile along the area of their connection. In addition, the profile has at least one elastically compliant side branch which acts as a spring to connect together by snap action the profile and the inner door panel. In the aforesaid profile, a groove is present which is identified by a pair of walls that extend vertically or obliquely from a base which, in the operative position of coupling, overlaps the door and the inner door panel along their line of coupling.
For its installation, the profile, which carries the co-extruded gasket, is conveniently arranged in the form of a frame and is supplied to the manufacturer of the refrigerator cabinet in this form. As further references to the prior art, the following European patents held by the present applicant may be cited: EP 0 146 994 and EP 0 319 087.
The frame made of the profile is caused to descend, for example by means of an appropriate mechanical arm, towards the inner door panel, which is, for instance, suitably positioned on a support that blocks it in place. As soon as the arm of the side branch comes into contact with the edge of the inner door panel, under the thrust of the said edge it yields and starts to bend elastically inwards like a spring about its own flexible fulcrum. Once the compliant side branch has completed its travel along the edge of the inner door panel and when the said edge has reached the height of the above-mentioned groove, the branch, as a result of its own elastic return, snaps into position engaging the edge of the inner door panel, so blocking the said edge. Insertion of the frame welded on the inner door panel may be achieved with great ease even manually, provided that care is taken to engage first the corners, two at a time, and then complete the insertion in the points of the perimeter where the edge of the inner door panel has not yet completely entered the groove of the side branch.
The profile and the inner door panel thus assembled are then rested on the door (for example, by means of a robotized system), and the entire assembly is blocked by means of foam-injection into the gap between the door and the inner door panel, with functions of thermal insulation.
In the profile in question, the base extends on a single plane or on planes that are slightly staggered with respect to one another. The base terminates laterally with a pair of sealing strips made of a soft material co-extruded together with the rigid material of the profile. The said strips constitute the gaskets containing the foam. In particular, the sealing strip provided to ensure operative sealing on the inner door panel is made in such a way as to compensate for the distance between the base of the profile and the inner door panel itself, between which there remains identified a gap for the elastic return of the engaging tooth of the side branch, and in such a way as to facilitate the movement of engagement of the said branch on the inner door panel. The said sealing strip consequently also has the function of facilitating said movement of the side branch because it maintains the distance between the base of the profile and the inner door panel, leaving free play for said engagement tooth in the useful gap referred to above.
It should in any case be emphasized that leakage of foam along the perimeter of the door is very rare, whereas it is precisely the area of the corners where welding is carried out that proves particularly critical.
It has in fact been noted that in the welded corner, the side branch, which terminates with a grooved seat, must remain elastically mobile in order to guarantee functionality of the profile, and consequently must not be welded. To avoid welding, the side branch must be cut 2–3 mm more than the cutting plane of the entire section of the profile. Albeit preventing the branch from being welded, this solution, in the step of welding of the four sides of the frame, leads to the presence of a 2–3 mm slit along the entire length of the side branch.
If the dimensional tolerances of assembly of the three components making up the door—namely, inner door panel, frame, and steel-metal shell—are not optimal, this slit leads to leakage of foam. In an attempt to prevent such leakage, the slit is closed with adhesive tape by means of an operation that requires time and involves loss of productivity.
The purpose of the present invention is to further improve tightness of the seal to prevent any foam from leaking during the step of foam-injection in a profile of the type referred to.
The above requirement derives from the fact that the parts to be assembled, and in the first place the profile and inner door panel, are manufactured with dimensional tolerances that preferably tend to be increasingly wide.
It should therefore once again be emphasized that the sealing strip that extends from the base of the profile towards the inner door panel, as described in the Italian Patent No. 1281660 referred to previously, proves in practice frequently insufficient to contain the foam when the dimensional tolerances between the door and the inner door panel exceed a certain limit. This is especially true when the foam is injected in the liquid phase according to the system known as "foam chamber" system, the said chamber being closed and inclined on its longer side or on its shorter side. In this case, the liquid pours, in fact, immediately onto the side opposite to the one into which the foam is injected, and the seal between the elastic side branch of the profile and the inner door panel may prove insufficient.
The fact that the foam comes out during the stage of foam injection between the door and the inner door panel may mean damage of an aesthetic nature (the foam that comes out is visible), but, above all, serious functional damage (the foam that leaks through the passages on account of insufficient sealing solidifies and causes serious imbalance in the set of the assembled door-inner door panel system).

Refrigerator cabinet sealing assembly having a bellows-seal gasket


A method, system and computer program product for handling a session in a packed-based network is provided. The method involves the transmission of packets representing the session. A minimum and a maximum jitter delay value are set for the session. The minimum jitter delay value is based on the time taken by a tone detection algorithm to detect the end of a DTMF event and the maximum jitter delay value is based on the network delay the first packet has been subjected to. The transmitted packets are buffered in a jitter buffer, based on a pre-defined criterion. The packets are played out of the jitter buffer, based on the minimum and maximum jitter delay values.

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of packet-based networks. In particular, the embodiments relate to methods, systems, and computer program products for handling sessions in a packet-based network.
With the increasing use of high-performance programmable processors in media gateways, Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) systems, Voice-over Packet Network (VoPN) systems, and packet-based networks have adopted a modular approach. These programmable processors perform functions such as voice processing, event handling, and packetization. VoIP defines a way of handling voice calls and events over a packet-based network. A VoIP transmitter transmits these voice calls or events as packets over the packet-based network. Further, the packets are transmitted at a constant rate. The packets follow different paths on the packet-based network, and therefore, are subjected to different delays and might not reach a VoIP receiver at a constant rate. The delay in arrival of the packets to the VoIP receiver is referred to as a jitter delay. A jitter buffer in the VoIP receiver stores these packets taking into account the jitter delay so that the packets are played out at a constant rate.
Conventional VoIP systems, working in accordance with the Request for Comments (RFC) 2833 standard (RTP Payload for DTMF Digits, Telephony Tones and Telephony Signals, May 2000), transmit packets that represent a Dual-tone Multi-frequency (DTMF) event with the same timestamp. Further, the duration of these packets is incremented as long as the DTMF event continues. Examples of DTMF events include pressing digits 0-9, *, #, ring tones, busy tones, and the like. The last packet of the DTMF event has an end-bit value as one, to communicate to the VoIP receiver that the DTMF event has ended. The VoIP transmitter detects the end of the DTMF event by executing a tone-detection algorithm, which takes in the range of 20-30 milliseconds (ms) to detect the end of an event. During this period, the transmitter does not transmit any packet. However, if the jitter buffer holds the packets for a period of time that is less than 20-30 ms, the VoIP receiver may not receive the packet with the end-bit value as one. In this case, the VoIP receiver may consider that the packet with the end-bit value as one is lost, and extend the DTMF event beyond its actual duration. Moreover, if a new DTMF event starts during this period of 20-30 ms, the two DTMF events may get merged, and if the two DTMF events are the same, then the play out will look as if a single DTMF event has been transmitted.

Jitter buffer management in a packet-based network


A pair of electrodes are provided to sandwich an organic semiconductor layer. A lead-out electrode is provided to each of the organic semiconductor layer and the two electrodes constituting the pair of electrodes. Consequently, there is provided an organic semiconductor device having a simple configuration.

In recent years, there have been widely developed electronic devices using organic semiconductor materials. Reports have been made on development of organic EL (Electro-Luminescence), organic TFT (Thin Film Transistor), organic semiconductor laser, etc. as light emitting devices. Out of these, particular attention is paid to the organic TFT, a type of organic transistors, as a technology for forming integrated circuits on glass or plastic substrates at low cost.
With respect to the structure of the organic TFT, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 08-228034, 09-232589, 10-270712, etc. propose the devices having the source/drain electrodes and the gate insulating film, and the gate electrode.
It has been pointed out that the organic semiconductor shows a small mobility compared to Si semiconductors and cannot follow a high frequency. In order to improve this point, attempts are made to enhance the mobility by improving crystallinity of the organic semiconductor (C. Dimitrakopoulos et. al., Science, Vol. 283 (1999), P. 822), excessively shorten the gate length (J. H. Schon et. al., Nature, Vol. 413 (2001), P. 713), and the like.
However, any of these attempts necessitates complicated processes, leaving problems in the low cost strategy.

Organic semiconductor device, RF modulation circuit, and IC card


A fuel delivery device 11 has a delivery pipe 18, which supplies fuel to a fuel injection valve 21 of an internal combustion engine 10. An electromagnetic relief valve 22 releases the fuel from the delivery pipe 18 in response to an opening instruction and lowers the pressure of the fuel in the delivery pipe 18. A diagnosis device for the relief valve 22 has an electronic control unit 27 outputting the opening instruction to the relief valve 22 in response to a stopping instruction for stopping the engine 10. The unit 27 determines whether the relief valve 22 has a defect based on a manner in which the pressure of the fuel in the delivery pipe 18 changes after output of the stopping instruction. As a result, it is appropriately diagnosed whether the electromagnetic relief valve 22 has a defect.

A vehicle includes a fuel delivery device that draws fuel from a fuel tank under pressure through a fuel pump and sends the fuel to a delivery pipe. The fuel delivery device then distributes the fuel to fuel injection valves provided in respective cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The delivery pipe of the fuel delivery device has a relief valve that opens when the pressure of the fuel (the fuel pressure) in the delivery pipe exceeds a predetermined level. This releases the fuel and lowers the fuel pressure, which is excessively high.
Particularly, an in-cylinder injection type internal combustion engine, which injects high-pressure fuel directly into cylinders, employs as the relief valve an electromagnetic relief valve that selectively opens and closes in correspondence with the energization. The electromagnetic relief valve is maintained in an open state in a certain period after the engine stops. Specifically, if the fuel pressure is maintained at a high level after stopping of the engine, the fuel may leak from a fuel injection valve and deteriorate exhaust emission caused by subsequent starting of the engine. To avoid this problem, the electromagnetic relief valve is opened after the engine is stopped, as has been described, so that the fuel pressure in a delivery pipe decreases. This reduces the amount of the fuel leaking from the fuel injection valve and prevents deterioration of the exhaust emission.
However, if the electromagnetic relief valve of the aforementioned fuel delivery device is stuck and stops functioning normally, release of the fuel through the delivery pipe cannot be performed appropriately. To solve this problem, various techniques to diagnose the operating state of electromagnetic relief valves have been proposed conventionally.
For example, a diagnosis device described in Patent Document 1 determines the difference between the temperature of the fuel in the vicinity of a delivery pipe when a fuel bypass valve, which corresponds to the aforementioned electromagnetic relief valve, is closed and the temperature of the fuel in a fuel return passage in the vicinity of the fuel bypass valve. The diagnosis device determines that the fuel bypass valve is stuck in an open state if the difference is not greater than a predetermined value. Specifically, if the fuel bypass valve is stuck in the open state, the fuel gradually flows into the fuel bypass valve after having been heated by the internal combustion engine in the vicinity of the delivery pipe. This raises the temperature of the fuel in the vicinity of the fuel bypass valve to a value approximate to the fuel temperature in the vicinity of the delivery pipe (the difference between the fuel temperature in the vicinity of the fuel bypass valve and the fuel temperature in the vicinity of the delivery pipe decreases).
However, the target of diagnosis by the diagnosis device described in Patent Document 1 is an electromagnetic relief valve that opens when the internal combustion engine is started and is maintained in a closed state when the engine operates in a normal operating state, but not the above-described electromagnetic relief valve, which is maintained in a closed state when the engine operates in a normal operating state and opens when the engine stops. It is thus desirable to provide a diagnosis device suitable for diagnosis of the electromagnetic relief valve, which is operated to open after the engine is stopped.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-97374

Diagnosis device for electromagnetic relief valve in fuel delivery device


A mobile communication device having a first housing and a second housing proximally coupled to the first housing. The first housing and the second housing can be, for example, rotationally or translationally coupled. A clamshell form factor and a rotator form factor are rotationally coupled. In another example, a slider phone form factor is translationally coupled. In these examples, the devices are configured to have an open position and configured to have a closed position. A speakerphone microphone is located in the first housing. A speakerphone speaker is located in the second housing wherein the speakerphone microphone is substantially distal the speakerphone speaker.

Mobile communication devices, such as cellular telephones can include speakerphones. The requirement for full-duplex communication in handsfree mode is fairly recent. Handsfree mode refers to the ability to carry on communication without the need to hold the mobile communication device in one's hand, for example, by use of a car kit or a mobile communication device equipped with a speakerphone. In full-duplex communication the transmission of data occurs in two directions simultaneously. A wireline telephone is a full-duplex device because both parties can talk at once. In contrast a walkie-talkie is a half-duplex device because only one party can transmit at a time. Until the requirement for full-duplex communication was made in mobile communication devices, and in particular cellular telephones, echo algorithms were capable of handling the inherent feedback between the speaker and the microphone in a mobile communication device that is not a full-duplex device.
A difficulty with full-duplex communication in handsfree mode is that the microphone is expected to pickup and transmit what the user is saying while at the same time the loudspeaker or speakerphone speaker is presenting speech. The signals from the speakerphone speaker can travel through air and can be picked up by the microphone as it transmits signals. Therefore when a speakerphone speaker and a microphone are within close proximity or are in the same housing, substantially perfect sealing and/or echo algorithms may not sufficiently reduce echo.

Mobile communication device with dedicated speakerphone microphone


A system for protecting an electronic device from electromagnetic radiation is provided that receives electromagnetic radiation impinging on said electronic device, determines a value of a characteristic of said electromagnetic radiation, generates a testing signal when said value of said characteristics of said electromagnetic radiation is greater than a predetermined value, and tests said electronic device in response to said testing signal to determine if said electromagnetic radiation has affected said electronic device. A method for protecting an electronic device from electromagnetic radiation is also provided.

This invention relates generally to a system and method for detecting electromagnetic radiation interference and for protecting an electronic device from interference caused by the electromagnetic radiation.
Many electronic devices may be affected by radiation, especially electromagnetic radiation, because the electromagnetic radiation may disrupt the normal electrical signals within the electronic device. Electromagnetic radiation may be generated by a variety of devices, such as television transmitters, cellular telephones, florescent lights, and even computers. For some electronic devices, such as an electronic heart pacemaker for example, the interference of the electromagnetic radiation may be critical since the electronic device may stop functioning. A particular concern is a cellular phone within the immediate area of the pacemaker. Some electronic devices that emit electromagnetic radiation are themselves also affected adversely by electromagnetic radiation generated by other electronic devices.
The problem of electromagnetic radiation interference is especially a concern for electronic devices that affect the life of a person. For example, medical devices and flight avionics devices in an airplane may cause the death of a person if those devices malfunction. For example, if the flight avionics of an airplane malfunctions, the lives of the people on the airplane may be at risk. Thus, many electronic devices that cannot afford to be adversely affected by electromagnetic radiation.
Some conventional electromagnetic radiation detection systems, such as field strength detectors, can detect electromagnetic radiation in a particular area. These systems may be useful for ensuring that an electronic device does not emit more electromagnetic radiation than permitted by such governmental agencies as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These conventional systems are separate from the actual electronic device so that it is inconvenient to carry the electronic device as well as the detection system. In addition, while these field strength detectors detect electromagnetic radiation, they do not protect the electronic device from the interference caused by the electromagnetic radiation.
Thus, the conventional systems detect electromagnetic radiation in a particular area, but are not located within the electronic device and do not protect the electronic device from the interference caused by the electromagnetic radiation. Thus, there is a need for a system and method for detecting and protecting an electronic device from electromagnetic radiation interference which avoid these and other problems of known devices, and it is to this end that the present invention is directed.

System and method for protecting an electronic device from electromagnetic radiation interference


This invention concerns a method of operating a cryogenic cooling device (1) with a cylinder (4, 5) in which a piston (6, 7) reciprocates and with a gas drive (8, 9) which produces the motion of the piston. In order to reduce the vibrations which occur during operation, the invention proposes that the gas drive (8, 9) is controlled in such a way that the piston (6, 7) is only accelerated for part of the stroke.

Cryogenic cooling devices.sup.1) are low-temperature cooling machines in which a thermodynamic cyclic process is running. A single-stage refrigerator comprises a working space in which a displacer reciprocates between two dead centres OT and UT. Related to the displacer is a regenerator through which a working gas also reciprocates corresponding to the motion of the displacer. During the reciprocating motion of the displacer, heat is continually withdrawn from the housing of the refrigerator in the area of one of the two dead centres. With a single-stage refrigerator of this kind it is possible to generate temperatures down to about 30 K. Often refrigerators are of a dual-stage design (refer to DE-A-38 36 884, for example). With dual-stage or three-stage refrigerators it is possible to generate temperatures down to below 10 K. In the refrigerator according to the mentioned document, a gas drive is employed to produce the reciprocating motion of the displacer. For this, a cylinder and piston arrangement is related to the warm side of the displacer whereby said arrangement must be supplied with a driving gas. FNT .sup.1) Translator's note: The term .sub." refrigerator" is also used for these cryogenic cooling devices. The term .sub." refrigerator" will be used in this sense in this translation.
Refrigerators of the kind affected here must be equipped with additional control facilities, through which the supply of the working gas into the working cylinder and also the supply for the gas drive is controlled. It is common to employ helium both as the working gas and the driving gas. In designs of this kind, it is sufficient to equip the refrigerator with two connections, one of which is supplied with high pressure helium (20 bar, for example) and where the other is supplied with low pressure helium (5 bar, for example).
During the motion of the displacer, forces occur which are greatest at the dead centres. These forces are transferred to the housing of the refrigerator and thus also to any connected devices. Generally, such devices will be highly sensitive measuring instruments (nuclear magnetic resonance tomographs, electron beam microscopes, for example), the measurement results of which are adversely influenced by the occurring vibrations. In the past, several proposals have been made to dampen these interfering vibrations. From the European Patent 19 426 it is known to arrange a damping arrangement between a refrigerator and an electron beam microscope, but this arrangement is relatively involved. From European Patent Application 160 808 it is known to arrange a flat spring within the working space of a refrigerator. Said flat spring takes up a certain amount of space within the working space so that the efficiency of the refrigerating machine is reduced. In DE-A-38 36 884 it is proposed to separate, in time, the cooling process from the measurement process. This solution requires complex control arrangements and reduces the time available to the measurements.

Method of operating a cryogenic cooling device, and a cryogenic cooling device suitable for operation by this method


Systems and methods are disclosed, including a host interface circuit configured to control communication between a set of virtual functions (VFs) and a media management system (MMS). The host interface circuit can consolidate commands from the set of VFs, dynamically allocate write buffers (WBs) from a set of available WBs to the set of VFs using the commands, and manage WB access for the set of VFs and provide write data to the MMS using the allocated WBs. For each VF in the set of VFs, the host interface circuit can manage a submission queue (SQ) for a respective VF from the set of VFs, receive a command from the respective VF, including one or more submission queue entries (SQEs), and coordinate the one or more received SQEs with allocated WBs.

In modern computing technologies, memory devices are typically internal, semiconductor, integrated circuits in computers or other electronic devices, and can be categorized as either volatile memory or non-volatile memory (NVM).
Volatile memory requires power to maintain its data, and includes random-access memory (RAM), static random-access memory (SRAM), dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), or synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM), among others.
In contrast, non-volatile memory (NVM) can retain stored data when not powered, and includes flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), resistance variable memory, phase change random-access memory (PCRAM), resistive random-access memory (RRAM), or magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM), among others.
Each category or subcategory is advantageous in specific settings. For example, DRAM, typically comprising one transistor and one capacitor per bit, is structurally very simple in contrast to other memory types (SRAM, etc.), and as such, is widely used in applications requiring low cost or high capacity. In contrast, SRAM, typically comprising four to six transistors per bit, is faster than DRAM, and, as such, is typically used in applications where speed is a greater concern than cost.
For each category or subcategory, however, improved data transfer speeds, such as reduced latency, are desired.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A computer-implemented method includes monitoring a template registry for changes in the template registry. In response to detecting a new template in the template registry, the method includes analyzing the new template to identify explicit and implicit metadata corresponding to the new template. The method further includes determining one or more possible link dependencies between a container based on the new template and one or more other containers, respectively, based on the identified explicit and implicit metadata. In addition, the method includes providing container setting recommendations to a user based on the one or more possible link dependencies and the identified explicit and implicit metadata.

Use of cloud based application development platforms is increasing. One such cloud based application development platform is known as Docker. Docker technology enables the reuse of images or templates to develop applications. In order to enable communication and data sharing between Docker containers, the correct settings for the respective Docker containers need to be set.

Application development in cloud based environment

International Business Machines Corporation


A Monte Carlo simulation is performed based on a simulation model comprising a plurality of input variables and at least one output variable. The Monte Carlo simulation generates a large number of scenarios, each comprising random input values and resulting output values for the input and output variables. The input and output values for each scenario are stored in a suitable storage component. A plurality of icons, uniquely corresponding to and representative of at least a portion of the scenarios, are displayed in accordance with a displayed output variable. At least one of the displayed icons is selectable causing the underlying input and output values to be displayed. The icons may be displayed in a histogram form comprising a plurality of columns and, preferably, within each column, the corresponding icons may be sorted according to similarity of the input values for each icon to a plurality of target input values.

Computer-based modeling or simulation is well known in the art. Such simulations begin with the development of a model of a system that one wishes to test. Most often, the model comprises mathematical equations describing relationships between one or more input (independent) variables and one or more output (dependent) variables. By selecting specific values for the input variables, corresponding output values may be calculated for the output variables. In this manner, one can determine how the system, to the extent that it is accurately represented by the model, will respond to various situations represented by the input values. Note that, as used herein, a "system" may comprise virtually anything that can be represented by an appropriately constructed mathematical model, e.g., business processes, chemical reactions, financial transactions, etc.
One particularly powerful technique for use with simulations is the so-called Monte Carlo analysis technique. In Monte Carlo simulations, a range of plausible input values is designated for each input variable. Likewise, a distribution for each input variable (i.e., a probability distribution function) is also designated. Thereafter, the Monte Carlo simulation generates random inputs for each input variable based on the designated range of values and distributions for the corresponding variables. The random input values are then used to calculate corresponding output values that are thereafter saved, whereas the input values are thrown away. This process is repeated many times, typically numbering in the hundreds or thousands of repetitions, and is used to create statistically meaningful distributions of one or more of the output variables. In this manner, the analyst performing the Monte Carlo simulation (typically the designer of the simulation model) can develop insight into how the model will perform under certain sets of assumed input conditions.
While Monte Carlo simulation techniques are very valuable, beneficial use of the such techniques typically requires intimate knowledge of the underlying simulation model. Furthermore, to the extent that the output distributions are an aggregate of the multitude of tested scenarios, current Monte Carlo simulation tools provided only a limited opportunity to interact with, and therefore develop a true understanding of, the simulation model. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a technique for an improved simulation tool based on Monte Carlo analysis that additionally allows a user of the simulation tool to interact with the simulation model results in a relatively simple and intuitive manner.

Monte Carlo simulation and display of results thereof


A reader operable to read a mark on a substrate, the reader comprising a power source, operable to deliver a variable drive current or voltage, a light source operable to illuminate said mark with a sequence of illumination light pulses of different wavelength spectra, an intensity of said illumination light pulses varying according to the delivered drive current or voltage, a light sensor operable to measure an intensity of light received from said mark and to deliver a corresponding light intensity signal, and a control unit operable to control said power source and light sensor to control timings of said illumination light pulses according to a switching pattern and timings to acquire said light intensity signal for synchronizing acquisition of said light intensity signal with said sequence of illumination light pulses, said control unit being further operable to adjust a duty cycle of said switching pattern so as to maintain heat generation associated to each illumination light pulse below a given threshold value.

It is commonplace today to apply marks, such as one- or two dimensional bar codes, to objects, such as consumer products, food goods, beverage packs, cans and bottles, cigarette packages and other tobacco products, documents, certificates, money bills and the like. Marks can then serve the purpose of tracking, identifying, or authenticating the objects in the field, i.e. in the market, in a production or packaging line, at a retailer's place, during shipping, and the like.
Once a mark is applied to an object, the encoded information can then be later retrieved by means of mark (barcode) reading devices. Such devices usually first obtain said image data that was acquired using, for example, a digital camera. Other acquisition support may be provided by means of illumination devices, such as LEDs, lasers and other light sources. The reading devices may then employ processing resources, e.g. in the form of a microprocessor (CPU) and an associated memory, for processing the obtained image data. Usually, such processing involves isolating (identifying) the barcode in the image data and decoding the payload data. The decoded data can then be further processed, displayed, or transmitted to other entities.
Marks as such appear in various fashions, of which two examples are shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B: The common one-dimensional bar code 10′ of FIG. 1A usually comprises an arrangement of elements as, for example, black and while lines 1′, 2′. Information is encoded by concatenating pre-defined groups of black and white lines 1′, 2′ of varying thickness and distance. These groups are usually associated to a specific character or meaning by some kind of industry standard.
FIG. 1B shows a common two-dimensional bar code 10″ that encodes information by means of arranging, in general terms, first type elements 1″ and second type elements 2″, such as rectangles, dots, triangles and the like, along two dimensions in some sort of ordered grid. The example of FIG. 1B follows an implementation according to the GS1 (Trademark) DataMatrix ECC 200 standard (GS1 being an international association providing standards for two-dimensional barcodes). This standard, for example, employs a so-called "L finder pattern" 4 (also called L-shape solid line, L-line, solid line, etc.) and a so-called "clock track" 3 (also called clock line, L-shape clock line etc.) surrounding the data 5 that carries the actual payload data of the bar code.
In both cases of one-dimensional and two-dimensional bar codes, at least two distinguishable types of elements are used. For example, a white-printed square as a first type element may represent the information 0, whereas a black-printed square as a second type element represents the information 1. In any way, however, implementations by means of black and white lines or dots (elements) represent just one example.
Specifically, the bar codes can be well implemented also by using color and/or fluorescent dyes or inks, thermo printing on heat-sensitive paper, mechanical means, such as milling, embossing, grinding, or physical/chemical means, such as laser etching, acid etching, etc. Any type of implementation is possible as long as the elements can be distinguished into their respective type in, for example, image data that has been obtained from the two-dimensional bar code being normally applied to some kind of object (good). For example, a digital camera can obtain digital image data of the bar code that is printed on a paper document or laser-etched on a metal can.
As such, luminescent materials as such are commonly used in security marks to be disposed on documents or articles (object), or in the bulk material of documents or articles, as an authenticity feature. A luminescent material typically converts energy of an exciting radiation of a given wavelength into emitted light having another wavelength. Luminescence emission used for authentication of a mark can lie in the spectrum range from ultraviolet (UV) light (below 400 nm), visible light (400-700 nm) or near to mid infrared light (NIR, MIR, IR) (700-2500 nm). In this context, a so-called "up-converter" material emits radiation at a shorter wavelength than the exciting radiation. By contrast, a "down-converter" material emits radiation at a longer wavelength than the exciting radiation. Most luminescent materials can be excited at more than one wavelength, and some luminescent materials can emit simultaneously at more than one wavelength.
Luminescence may be divided in the so-called "phosphorescence", which relates to time-delayed radiation emission observable after the excitation radiation is removed (typically, with a decay lifetime from above about 1 μs to about 100 s), and so-called "fluorescence", which relates to prompt radiation emission upon excitation (typically, with a decay lifetime below 1 μs).
Thus, a luminescent material used for a mark, upon illumination with excitation light within an excitation wavelength range, typically emits luminescence light within an emission wavelength range, which may differ from or overlap with said excitation wavelength range (depending on the material used). The characteristic spectral properties of a luminescent material such as its emission light intensity profile with time, or its characteristic decay time after excitation has stopped, for example, can be employed as a signature of this material and may thus be further used as an security feature for detecting genuineness or forgery (authenticity).
Luminescent materials can thus be ingredients of security inks or coatings. For example, the following patents disclose luminescent substances (which may include mixtures of pigments having distinct decay time properties) and security paper including such substances: EP 0 066 854 B1, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,451,530, 4,452,843, 4,451,521. Processes and apparatuses for detecting luminescence light and authenticity of a marked item are also well known: see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,598,205, or 4,533,244 (which disclose sensing decay behavior of luminescence emissions). Luminescent coded symbols are known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,473,027, and an optical reader for luminescent codes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,663,813. The U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,996,252 B2, 7,213,757 B2 and 7,427,030 B2 disclose using two luminescent materials, having distinct decay time properties, for authenticating an item.
The great variety of possible implementations results also in widely varying optical properties of the mark. For example, barcodes can be printed using special inks, such as fluorescent or phosphorescent inks that emit light at different wavelengths (as compared to the wavelengths used for illumination) and/or with a delay. These specific characteristics of particular inks can be employed for authenticating a mark.
However, being able to detect specific characteristics of marks also requires proper illumination, so that the appropriate illumination wavelengths are available to which some mark responds. Usually, a high-intensity broadband light source is employed so as to ensure that sufficient intensity is provided in all wavelengths under consideration. Such prerogatives pose high demands on the corresponding light sources used for illuminating a mark, in that the emission power characteristics of a given light source are exploited to some maximum extent.
Such operation, however, may result in an increased or even impermissible generation of heat, so that additional means for cooling the light source may become necessary. Furthermore, light source operation close or even above the maximum power ratings can dramatically reduce the life-time of the involved components. Once the light-source becomes too hot or has even degraded, also the corresponding reading device will fail, since proper illumination is no longer possible.
At the same time, it is nowadays common to use handheld or even wireless reading devices that only feature power sources of limited capacity (battery). In this way, also a short-term effect can be observed in that excessive power consumption by the light source results in an increased downtime of the device, during which batteries have to be replaced or charged, and, in turn, the device cannot be used. Further, any additional measures for cooling a light source in handheld devices are clearly not desirable, since they add to the device weight, size, and—again—power consumption.
Conventional light sources for such readers include incandescent lamps (typically for wavelengths between about 400 nm to about 2500 nm), flash lamps (like Xenon high-pressure flash lamp, for example), laser or Light-Emitting-Diodes (LEDs, emitting in the UV, visible or IR regions, typically for wavelengths from about 250 nm to about 1 micron). Conventional light sources are powered via a drive current (a LED for example) or via drive voltage (discharge lamps, for example). As an example, composite light sources with multi-LED modules (equipped with collimating and mixing structure) are disclosed in the US patent application US 2009/0316393 A1 (see also the U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,143 B2 and the European patent EP 1 815 534 B1).
In other words, the light source should deliver illumination to a mark so that the emission light intensity is sufficient for measurement operations. Due to the fact that only a part of the illumination light corresponds to a sub-bandwidth that is actually used for excitation, a problem of heat dissipation can arise for the light source. This may require controlling the heat within the light source to avoid damages to the source and/or lifecycle decrease. Such techniques include, for example, a specific design of the LEDs themselves and/or their arrangement on adapted substrates, and also cooling systems.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved mark reader devices that avoids overheating of the light source, maximizes the life span of the light source and the mark device as a whole, and reduces the overall size, weight, and power consumption.

Sequenced illumination in mark reading devices


A signal analysis method of analyzing a performance of a device under test is described. A digitized input signal is obtained, wherein the digitized input signal is associated with the device under test. At least one characteristic quantity is determined via an artificial intelligence circuit. The artificial intelligence circuit includes at least one computing parameter. The at least one characteristic quantity is determined based on the digitized input signal and based on the at least one computing parameter. The at least one characteristic quantity is indicative of at least one performance property of the device under test. Further, a test system for analyzing a performance of a device under test as well as a computer program or program product are described.

In the state of the art, RF devices used for wireless transmission of information and data, for example mobile communication devices, are typically tested by a separately formed test and measurement device during or after production of the RF device.
The device under test may transmit a test signal for testing purposes wherein the test signal is received by the test and measurement device for analyzing purposes. However, such a testing system is usually complex, and a highly trained operator is necessary in order to obtain correct testing results.
Accordingly, there is a need for a signal analysis method as well as a testing system that are easier to operate.


A channel equalizer, method and computer program for equalizing a channel. The channel equalizer may include a feed forward filter and a switching unit. The switching unit may receive a signal input to the channel equalizer and an output signal from the feed forward filter, and may supply one of the input signal and output signal as an input to the feed forward filter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to a channel equalizer, a method and a computer program for equalizing a channel.
2. Description of the Related Art
A physical channel of a digital communication system such as a high definition television (HDTV) system generally exists in free space. An ideal channel may be implemented in a vacuum state, i.e., without a medium. However, since a transmission path of a channel signal may be refracted due to atmospheric changes, meteorological changes, etc., the signal may be transmitted to a receiver via multiple paths.
Multiple paths may include fixed multiple paths and time-dependent multiple paths, for example. Fixed multiple paths are paths on which a transmitted signal is reflected or refracted due to natural features or structures, such as a mountain, cliff, etc. Time-dependent multiple paths are paths by which a transmitted signal is propagated differently due to moving vehicles such as airplanes and cars, for example.
When a signal is transmitted over various paths with different propagation times, the signal (received through such multiple paths) may have inter symbol interference (ISI). ISI typically deteriorates performance of high-speed digital communication systems such as HDTV systems.
Accordingly, a channel may generate signal distortion. Since such signal distortion may cause bit detection errors in a receiving side when signals are transmitted according to conventional digital communication methodologies used in a HDTV, etc., an entire area of a picture may not be restored, and/or an erroneous picture may appear.
In an effort to solve these errors or problems with picture quality, an HDTV receiver may include a channel equalizer that processes transmission signals passed through a distorted channel, so as to compensate for the characteristic of the channel.

Channel equalizer, method and computer program for equalizing a channel


In a method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle during a driving maneuver, the surroundings of the motor vehicle are initially detected, at least one suitable trajectory for carrying out the driving maneuver is computed based on the detected surroundings, and the motor vehicle is automatically steered in order to carry out the driving maneuver. If there is a malfunction, the driver is informed, the automatic steering operation is terminated, and the driver receives information on the basis of which the driver may continue the driving maneuver.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle during a driving maneuver.
2. Description of the Related Art
Methods for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle include in particular methods which assist the driver during complex maneuvers, for example while parking in a parking space. Parking in a parking space may occur either in the forward or the backward direction. Assistance is usually provided for backing-up parking operations.
For systems which assist the driver during driving maneuvers, a distinction is made between systems which indicate to the driver only the distance from objects in the surroundings of the vehicle, the indication generally being provided visually and/or acoustically, and systems which either indicate necessary interventions to the driver or which automatically take over the steering. Longitudinal guidance may also be taken over.
Also for systems in which the steering and optionally also the longitudinal guidance are taken over by the assistance system, it is advantageous to indicate to the driver distances from objects in the surroundings of the vehicle. The indication is usually provided acoustically by repetitive signal tones, the pause between two tones decreasing as the distance from an object decreases. If the distance is less than a predefined minimum distance, a continuous tone sounds which prompts the driver to stop the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, an visual display, for example with the aid of LEDs, may be provided. Usually, the number of LEDs that light up increases as the distance decreases. It is also possible to use differently colored LEDs if the distance is less than a predefined distance. In addition to the display by LEDs, a two-dimensional top-view representation on a display unit of an onboard computer, for example a monitor, is also possible.
In order to carry out an automatic steering intervention only when all systems of the driver assistance system are ready, as known from published German patent application document 10 2005 017 359, a check is initially made as to whether the control unit of the parking assistance system is not reporting errors, the control unit of the steering actuator is not reporting errors, and the communication between the two control units has no errors. No automatic steering intervention is carried out if all of the conditions are not met. However, this has the disadvantage that if there is a malfunction in a device, the assistance to the driver ceases completely. Thus, no more assistance is provided to the driver during a driving maneuver.

Method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle


A composite brake adapter for a caliper disc brake assembly is made up of a first pre-stamped part of a sheet of metal adapted to match an axle housing of the assembly, and of a second part cast onto an upper surface of the first part to adhere thereto, additional structural elements providing matching of the second part with a caliper of the assembly being made an integral part of the second part. A method of making a composite brake adapter for a caliper disc brake assembly comprises the steps of providing a first part of the adapter, the first part being provided with mounting holes to match an axle housing of the assembly and being made of a sheet of metal; placing the first part into a mold, and casting a second part of the adapter into the mold onto a surface of the first part. To incorporate additional structural elements of the adapter with a caliper of the assembly, the additional structural elements are placed into a precision fixture and secured within the mold prior to casting the second part.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to vehicle brake apparatus, and is particularly concerned with caliper disc brakes for rear drive vehicles. Still more particularly, the invention relates to disc brake adapter comprised of a composite structure.
2. Description of Related Art
Caliper disc brakes are well known in the art. Presented schematically in FIG. 1 and presented in a spatial arrangement in FIG. 2 are illustrations of a typical prior art structure of caliper disc brakes. Drive axle 10 is operatively connected to revolving disc 11 which is also connected to wheel lugs 12. As drive axle 10 rotates, wheel lugs 12 which are connected to a vehicle wheel 13 by means of a wheel hub 14 rotate wheel 13. Axle housing 15 encloses drive axle 10 which is suitably mounted therein by means of axle bearing 16.
Secured to drive axle housing 15 by way of brake adapter 17 is brake caliper 18. Brake caliper 18 functions to transmit braking forces from brake pads 23 to housing 15. Brake adapter 17 is typically bolted to drive axle housing 15 and is fitted to accept caliper 18. Caliper 18 is comprised of casting 19 accommodating at least one brake cylinder 20 in which piston 21, which is adapted for a reciprocal movement, is mounted. Cylinder 20 and piston 21 cooperate to define pressure chamber 22 which is pressurized by hydraulic fluid when the brake is actuated. Brake pad (or lining) assembly 23 is mounted on caliper 18 and is moved toward revolving disc 11 when piston 21 is moved outwardly in cylinder 20 due to brake pressure in chamber 22. In so doing, piston 21 and brake lining 23 cooperatively exert a friction force on the disc 11.
It has been general practice to use stamped sheet metal to form a brake adapter. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,949,839 and 4,031,986 disclose such a practice.
The adapter usually carries slide pins and torque rails for the caliper. In the case of the caliper disc brakes used for rear drive vehicles, the adapter also carries a bushing for the parking (emergency) brake cable and torque rails for the parking brake. The adapter transmits all braking loads to the drive axle tube. When all of these elements are mounted on the adapter, it must possess substantially higher rigidity than an adapter made of a relatively thin sheet metal. If sheet metal is used, it must be of sufficient thickness to meet the rigidity demands of the application, and the sheet metal which would meet these demands is generally not cost effective. The required strength/rigidity can be achieved through making the adapter of nodular iron or some other material that is easily cast. However, to properly attach the cast brake adapter to the drive axle housing, several machining steps are necessary in order to conform the casting to its precise dimensions so that it can be accurately aligned and fitted to the housing. These machining operations add to the overall cost of the vehicle.


A temporal engaging portion is provided at a bin. Therefore, by engaging a bin-side arm with a bin-side engaging portion and temporally engaging a panel-side arm with the temporal engaging portion after elastically deforming the panel-side arm, a torsion spring can be set to the bin before the bin is coupled with a panel. The bin set with the torsion spring is inserted into a recess of the panel. During rotation of the bin toward a closed position, a temporal engagement of the panel-side arm with the temporal engaging portion is released, and upon being released, the panel-side arm is elastically sprung-back to be finally engaged with the panel-side engaging portion. As a result, by only coupling the bin set with the torsion spring with the panel, the bin and the torsion spring can be coupled with the panel so that coupling work is improved.

Japanese Patent Publication 2007-223355 discloses a conventional coupling method of an overhead console where after coupling a bin with a panel from a design surface side, a torsion spring is set to the panel and the bin from a side surface of the panel.
However, there is a problem with the coupling method of the conventional overhead console. More particularly, it is difficult to set the torsion spring to a space between the bin and the panel after coupling the bin with the panel. Therefore, it is desirable to improve the conventional coupling method of an overhead console.

Overhead console and a coupling method thereof


In a mobile communication system for authenticating a communicating party when communication is performed between a mobile terminal and a device on the side of a network, the mobile terminal, upon receiving a request signal requesting operation execution from the network device, sends the network device an authentication request signal in order to determine whether the request signal is a request signal from an authorized network device, and performs an authentication operation. The network device executes an authentication operation based upon the authentication request signal received from the mobile terminal and sends a result of the authentication operation to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal compares the result of its own authentication operation and the result of the authentication operation sent from the network device and executes an operation that is in accordance with the request signal only if authentication that the network device is an authorized network device is obtained based upon agreement of results.

This invention relates to a mobile communication system in which a communicating party is authenticated when communication is performed between a mobile terminal and a device on the side of a network, and to an apparatus constituting this system. More particularly, the invention relates to a mobile communication system in which, when a signal requesting execution of a prescribed operation is received from a device on the side of a network, whether the device on the network side is an authorized device is authenticated at a mobile terminal, and to an apparatus constituting this system.
Various authentication methods in mobile communication systems have been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-336744 discloses an authentication technique whereby the validity of a mobile station that has attempted to place a call is authenticated on the side of the base station. According to this prior art, (A) when a call starts to be originated from a mobile station to a base station, (B) the base-station side transmits to the mobile station a first random number that specifies one code key number among a plurality (N-number) of shared code key numbers. (C) From the first random number received the base-station side, the mobile station identifies one code key number from among a plurality (N-number) of code key numbers and sends the base-station side a second random number representing this code key number. (D) The base-station side compares the code key number identified by the second random number transmitted from the mobile-station side and the code key number specified by the first random number, and the base station verifies that the mobile station that attempted to originate the call is authentic only if the two code key numbers match.
Further, an authentication technique for checking the authenticity of a base station on the side of a mobile station has been disclosed in the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,250 (Jan. 25, 1994). If a large number of corresponding relationships between a random number issued by an authorized base station at the time of authentication in response to an originated call and results of an authentication operation with which mobile stations respond to this random number are accumulated and copied to an unauthorized terminal, it will be possible to make a telephone call using this unauthorized terminal without being billed. Hence a malicious base station may perform a false authentication operation in order to acquire these corresponding relationships unjustly. The above-cited U.S. Pat. No. is a technique whereby the authenticity of a base station is checked on the side of the mobile station in order to prevent a false authentication operation from being carried out by a malicious base station.
Further, the specification of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-42362 discloses a technique whereby transmission of radio waves from a mobile station is halted in accordance with a request signal from the network side in order to prevent medical equipment and other devices from being adversely affected by emission of radio waves in a hospital or the like. FIG. 14 illustrates an example of prior art in a case where a base station requests the halting of radio-wave emissions from a mobile station. When a mobile station 1 receives a signal (request signal C), which requests the halting of radio-wave transmission, from a base station (not shown), a controller 1b recognizes receipt of the request signal through a receiver (RX) 1a. In response, the controller 1b issues a switch (SW) 1c an OFF signal in order to halt transmission. In response to the OFF signal, the switch 1c stops a transmit signal, which is produced by a transmitter (TX) 1d, from entering an antenna ATN. Thus, when requested by the base station, the mobile station 1 halts the emission of radio waves regardless of user intentions.
The halting of radio-wave emissions from a mobile station or the provision of internal information of a mobile station based upon a request on the side of the base station regardless of user intentions does not pose a problem so long as the requesting base station is an authorized base station based upon an agreement with the user. If the requesting base station is a malicious base station, however, this does pose a problem because there is the danger that implementation of communication will be obstructed wrongfully or that terminal information concerning the mobile station or personal information set by the user will be used secretly.

Mobile communication system and apparatus constituting same


An echelle spectroscope has one or more echelle diffraction gratings, one or more elements for separating dispersed light into portions corresponding to different orders of diffraction and one or more imaging means such as imaging mirrors but there is only one image detector. These components are so designed and arranged with respect to one another that the total range of wavelength to be analyzed is divided into a plurality of smaller ranges and the portions of the spectral light from a source corresponding to different ones of these divided wavelength ranges travel on different paths but would each form an image on the same image detector. A shutter is provided so as to selectively allow one of these portions of spectral light corresponding to one of different wavelength ranges to pass through.

This invention relates to spectroscopes which are used in different kinds of apparatus for spectral analyses such as emission and absorption spectral analyses. In particular, this invention relates to echelle spectroscopes which make use of an echelle diffraction grating.
Echelle diffraction gratings for use as a light-dispersing element for an echelle spectroscope are conventionally designed so as to have a larger blaze angle .theta. than ordinary echelle diffraction gratings, their free spectral range being shorter on the short-wavelength side and longer on the long-wavelength side so as to provide high dispersion and high resolving power. On the other hand, it has been known to be advantageous to use an image detector comprising a CCD or an array of photo-diodes as a light detector for detecting spectral light dispersed by a diffraction grating because the spectral light of each wavelength is detected in units of pixels and hence the structure of the light detector can be made simpler than if a conventional photo-multiplier or the like is used for the detection of light.
FIG. 6 shows an example of conventional echelle spectroscope comprised as a combination of an echelle diffraction grating and an image detector having such characteristics according to the so-called Czerny-Turner type arrangement. Light from a source 1 is passed through an entrance slit 2 and is directed to an echelle diffraction grating 4 after it is made into a parallel beam by means of a collimation mirror 3. Since the dispersed light from the echelle diffraction grating 4 includes overlapping among spectral light portions of different orders, it is further dispersed by a separating element 7 into these spectral light portions of different orders in a direction perpendicular to the dispersion direction by the echelle diffraction grating 4. The separated spectral light portions thus obtained are then reflected by an imaging mirror 9 such that they form images on an image detector 10. An ordinary echellette grating or prism may be used as the aforementioned separating element 7.
With the image detector 10 in an arrangement as shown in FIG. 6, however, it is difficult, as a practical matter, to increase the length of its light-receiving surface due to technical limitations on the production of semiconductor elements. As a result, a high resolving power could not be obtained if a measurement was to be made over a wide range of wavelengths. It may be attempted to produce an element with a long light-receiving surface but such an element would be very expensive and, since the aberration would be large accordingly, it would not be a practical solution.
In view of the above, there have been attempts to provide means for spectral analyses over a wide range of wavelengths with a high resolving power. U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,048, for example, disclosed an arrangement of a plurality of image detectors in order to cover wavelengths over a wide range. Another attempt was to provide a mechanism for shifting an image detector in several steps in the direction of wavelengths of the spectral light. Each of these attempts, however, has its own problems. If a plurality of image detectors must be used, for example, the total cost of the apparatus becomes high. If the image detector must be shifted from one position to another, the mechanism for effecting the shift is required to have the accuracy on the order of less than several .mu.m both in the horizontal and vertical directions in order to maintain reproducibility of the position of the spectral images. This again increases the overall cost of the apparatus. Since the shifting will be by mechanical means, furthermore, there will also arise the problem of stability. If an image detector with insufficient positional accuracy is shifted back and forth in the direction of the wavelength, the result of the measurements may in reality be as shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C due, for example, to a backlash, the actual measurements having been taken at slightly different wavelengths (with errors from the original wavelength .lambda.i shown by .increment..lambda. and .increment..lambda.') and thereby obtaining different measured intensities (with errors from the originally measured intensity Ii shown by .increment.I and .increment.I').


A method comprising mixing a wellbore servicing composition comprising Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensors in surface wellbore operating equipment at the surface of a wellsite. An interrogator retrieves data regarding a parameter sensed by the MEMS sensor.

This disclosure relates to the field of drilling, completing, servicing, and treating a subterranean well such as a hydrocarbon recovery well. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods for detecting and/or monitoring the position and/or condition of wellbore servicing compositions, for example wellbore sealants such as cement, using data sensors (for example, MEMS-based sensors) coated with an elastomer. Still more particularly, the present disclosure describes methods of monitoring the integrity and performance of wellbore servicing compositions over the life of the well using data sensors (for example, MEMS-based sensors) coated with an elastomer. Additionally, the present disclosure describes methods of monitoring conditions and/or parameters of wellbore servicing compositions during wellbore operations at the surface of a wellsite and before placement into the wellbore.
Natural resources such as gas, oil, and water residing in a subterranean formation or zone are usually recovered by drilling a wellbore into the subterranean formation while circulating a drilling fluid in the wellbore. After terminating the circulation of the drilling fluid, a string of pipe (e.g., casing) is run in the wellbore. The drilling fluid is then usually circulated downward through the interior of the pipe and upward through the annulus, which is located between the exterior of the pipe and the walls of the wellbore. Next, primary cementing is typically performed whereby a cement slurry is placed in the annulus and permitted to set into a hard mass (i.e., sheath) to thereby attach the string of pipe to the walls of the wellbore and seal the annulus. Subsequent secondary cementing operations may also be performed. One example of a secondary cementing operation is squeeze cementing whereby a cement slurry is employed to plug and seal off undesirable flow passages in the cement sheath and/or the casing. Non-cementitious sealants are also utilized in preparing a wellbore. For example, polymer, resin, or latex-based sealants may be desirable for placement behind casing.
To enhance the life of the well and minimize costs, sealant slurries are chosen based on calculated stresses and characteristics of the formation to be serviced. Suitable sealants are selected based on the conditions that are expected to be encountered during the sealant service life. Once a sealant is chosen, it is desirable to monitor and/or evaluate the health of the sealant so that timely maintenance can be performed and the service life maximized. The integrity of sealant can be adversely affected by conditions in the well. For example, cracks in cement may allow water influx while acid conditions may degrade cement. The initial strength and the service life of cement can be significantly affected by its moisture content from the time that it is placed. Moisture and temperature are the primary drivers for the hydration of many cements and are critical factors in the most prevalent deteriorative processes, including damage due to freezing and thawing, alkali-aggregate reaction, sulfate attack and delayed Ettringite (hexacalcium aluminate trisulfate) formation. Thus, it is desirable to measure one or more sealant parameters (e.g., moisture content, temperature, pH and ion concentration) in order to monitor sealant integrity.
Active, embeddable sensors can involve drawbacks that make them undesirable for use in a wellbore environment. For example, low-powered (e.g., nanowatt) electronic moisture sensors are available, but have inherent limitations when embedded within cement. The highly alkali environment can damage their electronics, and they are sensitive to electromagnetic noise. Additionally, power must be provided from an internal battery to activate the sensor and transmit data, which increases sensor size and decreases useful life of the sensor. Accordingly, an ongoing need exists for improved methods of monitoring wellbore servicing compositions, for example a sealant condition.

Surface wellbore operating equipment utilizing MEMS sensors


In some embodiments, methods or systems may be provided for an imaging system including an imaging sensor, wherein frames or sub-frames of intensity data may be acquired from some or all pixels of the frame, and a moving kernel, smaller than the frame or sub-frame, is moved over the frame for analysis. The values of the center column of the kernel may be compared to the outer column values of the kernel and a column offset for the center column may be determined. Only one offset value may be stored at any one time for each pixel in the frame or sub-frame.

Field
The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for image adjustments for imaging systems such as cameras including infrared cameras for thermal imaging systems, and in particular to systems and methods for adjusting for row column noise in a manner that is efficient both computationally and with respect to memory usage.
Description of Related Art
The increasing availability of high-performance, low-cost uncooled infrared imaging devices, such as bolometer focal plane arrays, is enabling the design and production of mass-produced, consumer-oriented infrared cameras capable of quality thermal imaging. Such thermal imaging sensors have long been expensive and difficult to produce, thus limiting the employment of high-performance, long-wave imaging to high-value instruments, such as aerospace, military, or large-scale commercial applications. Mass-produced IR cameras may have different design requirements than complex military or industrial systems. New approaches to image processing including noise filtering may be desirable for lower-cost, mass-produced systems.

Compact row column noise filter for an imaging system


A step assembly for a vehicle comprising an elongated main body having a substantially straight portion and two end portions; a generally U-shaped step bar having a substantially straight portion parallel to the main body and two bent portions, the bent portions welded to the main body and a step surface having a plurality of apertures that is affixed to the step bar to provide traction to the user. The main body is preferably welded to at least one support bracket. The installation of the step assembly is a two step process that comprises engagably attaching at least one mounting bracket to a vehicle and then engagably attaching the support bracket, which is preferably welded to the main body, to the mounting bracket.

The present invention relates generally to a vehicle accessory and more specifically to a vehicular side step and its method of installation.
A side step is a common accessory on a number of vehicles, such as a pick-up truck, a sports utility vehicle, a large utility truck or a jeep. The side step is multi-purpose in that it can be used for appearance and/or protection of the vehicle. For example, a side step may provide protection to both the door and side of the vehicle. Specifically, certain vehicles are commonly used for off-road activities, which often involve maneuvering through all types of conditions including dirt, uneven terrain, mud, bodies of water, snow and ice. Driving through these conditions may cause debris, such as dirt, rocks and other particles to be projected onto the vehicle causing dents, nicks and other similar damage both to the vehicle and paint. A side step may deflect the various types of debris before contact is made with the vehicle.
In addition, a vehicle that is utilized for off-road activities may have an elevated chassis to prevent the possibility of damage to the underside of the vehicle. In general, any elevated vehicle having a high road clearance may present difficulty to an individual when exiting and entering the passenger compartment. Many vehicles having an elevated chassis are equipped with some form of an externally mounted step assembly, for example, a side board, a running board, a side step or a side bar onto which a person may step or stand in an attempt to access the passenger compartment.
Finally, a step assembly may be attached to the side of a vehicle for appearance purposes. Many vehicle owners choose to install an externally mounted step assembly to enhance the appearance of the vehicle. In particular owners who display their vehicles at shows or use the vehicle for activities such as racing often add a step assembly to impart a certain character to the vehicle.
With regard to the installation of a step assembly, each of the identified step assemblies are constructed in such a manner that makes installation difficult and cumbersome. The process of installation generally requires two individuals because a step assembly is usually a one-piece large, bulky article. Specifically, one person is required to hold the step assembly while the other person prepares the vehicle for attachment of the assembly so that the installation is precise.
In addition, many step assemblies include a stepping surface. The stepping surface generally takes the form of a rubber pad that is affixed to the step portion of the step assembly. One disadvantage of the convention rubber material from which a step surface is typically constructed is that the material often deteriorates quickly. Specifically, if a vehicle is utilized for off-road purposes, the vehicle may encounter a wide variety of environmental conditions, including heat, moisture, snow, ice and rain. Moreover, depending on the geographic location of the vehicle, extreme environmental conditions, such as in the desert or in subzero temperatures, may be the norm rather than an exception. Thus, a stepping surface constructed from rubber or other similar material may become weakened and tear, rip or erode.
A need exists for a step assembly for a vehicle that is easy to install. The step assembly should have a simple construction so that only one person is required for installation. The step assembly should be strong and durable and further provide an appropriate stepping surface that is not affected by normal weather conditions and use. In addition, the stepping surface should not easily deteriorate.


A system and method of improving fault-based multi-page pre-fetches are provided. When a request to read data randomly from a file is received, a determination is made as to whether previous data has been read from memory (i.e., RAM) or from a storage device. If the data has been read from memory, an attempt is made to read the present requested data from memory. If the data is in memory it is provided to the requester. If the data is not in memory, a page fault occurs. If the requested data has a range that spans more than one page, the entire range is read in by a page fault handler. If previous data has not been read from memory, it will be assumed that the present requested data is not in memory. Hence, the present requested data will be loaded into memory. Loading random data that spans a range of more than one page all at once into memory inhibits the system from pre-fetching on the range due to fault-based sequential data accesses.

1. Technical Field
The present invention is directed to accesses to memory by input/output devices. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a system and method of improving fault-based multi-page pre-fetches.
2. Description of Related Art
Operating systems (OSs) as well as application programs are increasingly getting larger in size. Correspondingly, the amount of physical memory (i.e., random access memory or RAM) space they need to properly execute is also increasingly growing larger. However, to provide enough RAM space for simultaneous executions of an OS and an indeterminate number of application programs is unfeasible. Consequently, virtual memory is used.
Virtual memory is imaginary memory and is supported by most operating systems. (OSs and application programs will henceforth be referred to as programs.) Each executing program, which includes code and data, is allocated a certain amount of virtual memory space. For example in Windows-based systems, each executing program is allocated 2 GB of virtual memory space. Thus, virtual memory is ostensibly limitless.
Each executing program is also allocated a certain amount of RAM space since a program must physically be in RAM in order to execute. However, allocated virtual memory space is usually much larger than allocated RAM space. Hence, a program that fits into its allocated virtual memory space may not all fit (especially its data) into its allocated RAM space. Since virtual memory does not really exist, the portion of the program that does not fit into the RAM is placed in a storage device (e.g., disk, tape, cartridge etc.). This allows the system to nonetheless execute the program by copying into RAM sections of the program needed at any given point during its execution.
To facilitate copying sections of a program into RAM, the operating system divides the virtual memory into virtual pages and the RAM into physical pages (also known as page frames). Each virtual page contains a fixed amount of space. Each physical page contains an equally fixed amount of space. Addresses of virtual pages are called virtual addresses and those of the physical pages are called physical addresses.
Thus, a page of data may either be in RAM or in a storage device. To keep track of which pages are in RAM, a virtual memory manager (VMM) is used. The VMM is a process that is primarily responsible for managing the use of both the RAM and the virtual memory. To do so, the VMM keeps track of each page that is in RAM and swaps pages to and from the storage device both on demand and routinely.
An on-demand swap occurs when an executing instruction of a program requests data that is not already in RAM. Particularly, when requesting data an executing program will provide the virtual address of the data. The virtual address is then translated into its physical address equivalent. If after the address translation the page on which the data is located is identified as being absent from the RAM, a page-fault exception is raised. A page fault results in switching immediately to a page fault handler. Using a replacement algorithm (e.g., a least recently used algorithm or LRU) a page of data in RAM is transferred onto the storage device. The page fault handler then loads the page onto which the requested data is located into the now-vacant page in RAM and, upon return, the instruction that generated the page fault is re-executed. This is a relatively fast process, but accumulating many page faults can have a drastic impact on performance.
Consequently, to reduce the number of page faults that may occur during the execution of a program, a method known as read-ahead or data pre-fetching is used. As the name suggests, data pre-fetching involves obtaining data before it is needed. Various types of data pre-fetching techniques have been developed. One of these techniques is called spatial data pre-fetching.
Spatial data pre-fetching is based on the likelihood that once data is referenced, nearby data is also likely to be referenced. That is, the decision to pre-fetch data is determined by the current data block access (e.g., fetching the data block adjacent to the data block currently being accessed).
Spatial data pre-fetching works splendidly when data is being read sequentially. For example, after two consecutive page faults of sequentially stored data, a block of sequential pages of data will be pre-fetched through normal data read-ahead. Hence, if future referenced pages are part of the pre-fetched block, which is highly likely when data is being read sequentially, the data will have already been in RAM when needed.
However, if data is being read randomly, spatial data pre-fetching may not work as well. For example, suppose an executing program is randomly reading data. Suppose further that the executing program makes a request to read a certain amount of data that resides on two sequential pages. If the data is not already in RAM, two page faults will be raised in order to load the two pages in the RAM. Because the pages are sequential, the system may infer that data is being read sequentially; and hence, pre-fetch a block of sequential pages of data. Since data is being read randomly, it is highly unlikely that future needed data will be on the pre-fetched block of pages. Thus, the block of pages may have been pre-fetched in vain and the physical pages onto which they are placed wasted. As will be explained later, continually pre-fetching unneeded pages of data may place an undue pressure on RAM space.
Thus a need exists for a system and method of improving multi-page fault-based data pre-fetches.

System and method of improving fault-based multi-page pre-fetches

International Business Machinces Corporation


A remote monitor for wild animal trap, including a receiving monitoring host, a transmitting apparatus and a magnetic-sensitive switch. The host includes a VHF/VHF receiving module, LED state indicator lamps for indicating trap states and a first single chip microcomputer for processing signals, which are electrically connected. Each host can be connected with more than one transmitting apparatus through a wireless communication technology. The transmitting apparatus includes a VHF/UHF transmitting module, electric quantity indicator lamps and a second single chip microcomputer for processing signals.

At present, an animal trap is usually placed in the wild to protect an animal through its mechanism, and meanwhile, the animal can adapt to wild environment and climate, which facilitates later-period release. However, due to the lack of a monitoring mechanism in the current animal trap, it is easy for the animal to escape, which is dangerous to the health of a breeder; besides, the survival rate of the animal will be reduced because of the failure of the animal to adapt to the wild.


The present invention provides an image display device which can obtain a sufficient writing time of video signals for one line and thus can perform display of high resolution or display of fast animation image. To achieve this object, the image display device is configured such that on a pixel-forming-side surface of a substrate, respective drain signal lines which extend in one direction and are arranged in parallel in another direction which crosses one direction are formed, the respective drain signal lines are separated at approximately center portions thereof, video signals are supplied to the drain signal lines at one side from a first video signal drive circuit and video signals are supplied to the drain signal lines at another side from a second video signal drive circuit, and separated end portions of respective drain signal lines constitute inspection terminals.

The present invention relates to an image display device, and more specifically to an image display device such as a liquid crystal display device or the like.
In an active matrix type liquid crystal display device, out of respective substrates which are arranged to face each other in an opposed manner while sandwiching liquid crystal therebetween, on a liquid-crystal-side surface of one substrate, a plurality of gate signal lines which are arranged in parallel and a plurality of drain signal lines which cross these gate signal lines and are arranged in parallel are formed. Each pixel region surrounded by respective signal lines includes a switching element which is operated in response to a scanning signal from the gate signal line and a pixel electrode to which a video signal is supplied from the drain signal line through the switching element.
Due to such a constitution, with respect to respective gate signal lines GL, in response to scanning signals supplied to respective gate signal lines, the gate signal lines are selected sequentially one by one, while video signals are supplied to the respective drain signal lines at the timing of selecting gate signal lines GL.


Device for carrying out surface treatment on large objects, such as spray-painting of ships. In the prior art, a substantial proportion of the spray mist is deposited elsewhere, which is unwanted. The device proposes an enclosure which is movable along the hull of the ship, from which the spray-painting operation can be carried out through an opening disposed in the enclosure. An air curtain extending to the hull of the ship is present around this opening, through which it is not possible for spray to escape between the enclosure and the ship's hull. An extraction facility for mist is present in the enclosure and supply openings for air are provided. The enclosure consists of a housing which is accessible via a door.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for carrying out a surface treatment on objects such as ships. A surface treatment of this type may involve the spray-painting of the hulls of ships, but may also comprise any other surface treatment on objects, such as the blasting of, for example, bridge parts.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the prior art, the hulls of ships are painted by moving a person along the ship's hull with, for example, a hydraulic platform. The person operates a spray-gun, with which atomised paint is applied to the ship's hull from a relatively short distance.
However, due to wind and other environmental factors, a substantial part of the atomised paint escapes and is deposited on areas where it is not wanted. As a result, on the one hand, the efficiency of the application of the paint is relatively low and, on the other hand, problems arise for the environment.
An enclosure is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,323 which is disposed at a very short distance from the wall to be treated, and wherein a person is located with the upper body inside the enclosure and with the lower body outside it. A vacuum is created in the enclosure with a fan, wherein air is drawn out from the slit between the enclosure and the surface to be processed.


A vehicle seat assembly is disclosed containing an integrated child seat having a child seat cushion and headrest stored within the seat back of the seat assembly. The child seat is deployed by raising the child seat headrest from an upper portion of the seat back and rotating the child seat cushion from the seat back forward to a generally horizontal use position overlying the adult seat cushion. The seat assembly of the present invention includes a floating pivot axis for the child seat cushion to enable the seat cushion attaching hardware to be placed rearward from the face of the seat back to improve adult seating comfort. The buckle for the child seat restraint system is pivotally mounted directly to the child seat cushion enabling a user to easily insert a latch plate of the restraint system into the buckle with one hand freeing the other hand for restraining the child. The child seat further includes a protective flap extending forward from the child seat cushion to protect the upholstery of the adult seat cushion from wear and dirt from the shoes of a child seat occupant.

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat assembly and in particular to a seat assembly having an integral child seat. The child seat is conveniently stored within the seat assembly, enabling the seat assembly to be used by an adult passenger. When desired, the child seat can be deployed for use in providing a seat for a small child.
Several seat assemblies with integral child seats have been developed or proposed. However, many of these suffer from one or more deficiencies that compromise the usefulness of the seat assembly and/or its comfort. In particular, due to the added mechanical features of the child seat, comfort of the seat assembly when used by the adult is reduced. This is particularly true in the case where the child seat is contained solely within the seat back of a seat assembly, where limited space is available for packaging of the child seat.
Child seats, whether integrated with a vehicle seat or a separate seat assembly, typically include a restraint system for the child occupant that includes a buckle mounted to the child seat between the legs of the child occupant. These buckles are sometimes attached by a short piece of belt webbing to allow movement of the buckle while the restraint system is being positioned around the child. However, such a flexible mounting of the buckle necessitates that two hands be used by the person buckling the child into the child seat. One hand is used to hold the buckle in place while the other hand is used to insert the belt latch plate into the buckle.
Another problem often found with integral child seats is the placement of the child's shoes on top of the adult seat cushion of the seat assembly. This results in additional wear and soiling of the adult seat cushion cover by the child's shoes.
Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to improve upon seat assemblies with integral child seats by overcoming the above problems.
It is a feature of the seat assembly of the present invention to improve the adult seating comfort by moving the child seat hardware, particularly the pivotal attachment of the child seat cushion, as far rearward from the face surface of the adult seat back as possible. This is accomplished through a floating pivot axis for the child seat cushion by providing the child seat cushion with a pair of attaching pins contained within slots formed in the seat back frame. This allows the effective pivot point to rise as the child seat cushion is lowered. The child seat cushion is free to float vertically as the foam on the child seat cushion and the adult seat cushion is compressed.
It is an advantage that the packaging of the child seat cushion is enhanced within the adult seat back, ensuring that the bite line between the adult seat cushion and adult seat back is maintained and also enables the child seat hardware to be packaged as far from the face surface of the seat back as possible to improve adult seating comfort.
It is another advantage of the present invention that the restraint system buckle is pivotally mounted directly to the child seat cushion for rotation about a fixed axis. This rigidly supports the buckle, enabling a user to insert the latch plate into the buckle with only one hand by merely pushing the latch plate into the buckle, freeing the other hand to restrain the child, etc.
It is yet another feature of the invention to provide protection for the adult seat cushion from the child's shoes. This is accomplished by providing a removable protective flap of either vinyl or fabric material overlying the adult seat cushion forwardly of the child seat cushion.
Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the appended claims when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Vehicle seat assembly with integral child seat


An endoscope includes a scope provided with a hard portion at a distal end of a long flexible portion having flexibility; an image capturing portion housed in the hard portion and having an image sensor; a transmission cable inserted into the scope and conductively connected to the image sensor at a distal end via a substrate, and a voltage conversion device mounted on the substrate and outputting a constant voltage to the image sensor with respect to a input voltage input to the transmission cable.

In an endoscope, a reflection signal obtained from an image sensor may be transmitted by a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) signal from a camera head including an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) to a camera control unit (CCU) that controls an operation of the camera head, LVDS is said to be capable of signal processing with high-speed transmission, small signal amplitude, low power consumption, and small electromagnetic interference. In a case where the LVDS signal is adopted, when a transmission cable length is long, not only a Low side voltage specification of the image capturing device itself cannot be satisfied by a voltage drop due to internal resistance of a transmission cable, a phenomenon occurs in which amplitude of a differential signal is small, frequency characteristics deteriorate, and rise time and fall time of the differential signal is long. Therefore, there is a problem that accurate information cannot be transmitted without satisfying data reproduction conditions in the CCU.
Therefore, in a camera head separated camera device disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a camera control unit includes a control means that transmits a predetermined direct current (DC) voltage to the camera head in the camera head separated camera device that connects a camera head and a camera control unit via a cable. The camera head includes an LVDS conversion driver that transmits the LVDS signal to be transmitted to the camera control unit, an LVDS control portion that controls the LVDS conversion driver portion, and a correction control portion that outputs a correction value of the LVDS signal to be supplied to the LVDS control portion. According to the camera head separated camera device, the LVDS signal can be stably transmitted from the camera head to the CCU regardless of the length of the transmission cable, and stable video can be output.

PANASONIC l-PRO SENSING SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.