A current-steering digital-to-analog converter may include dual current switch modules configured to receive digital input bits representative of desired analog output, and each dual current switch module may be controlled by one of the digital input bits. Each digital input bit may be represented by differential signals. The positive input and the negative input to drive two separate current switches in the dual current switch module may be separated, which may make the switching transition noise generated in the two current switches have a 180 degree phase difference. The output currents of these two current switches may be summed in proper phase to add the in-phase signal currents while canceling out the 180 degree out-of-phase switching noises generated in the two current switches. The 2nd order harmonic distortion and other higher even order harmonic distortions due to the common mode switching noise may be greatly reduced.

Field of Invention
The present invention relates to digital-to-analog conversion, including methods and circuits to improve the spur-free-dynamic range (SFDR) and to minimize spurs associated with even harmonic distortions at high frequencies of a high speed current steering digital-to-analog converter (DAC).
Discussion of the Background
Recent advances in wireless communication systems and the unprecedented surge in demand for high data rates have led to developments of DACs in the Giga-Herz (GHz) space to generate wideband radio-frequency (RF) signals from digital inputs. These applications typically have great demand on the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) linearity at high speed to increase the spur-free-dynamic range (SFDR). The high-frequency behavior of the DAC is typically dominated by dynamic distortions, although static linearity is necessary but not sufficient. Those skilled in the art know that among the various existing DAC architectures, current-steering DAC architecture is the primary choice for the high frequency wideband applications. In such current steering architectures, for high speed operation, the most-significant bits (MSBs) are typically implemented with the thermometer-code decoder, while the least-significant bits (LSBs) are implemented with the R-2R binary-weighted design 102, as shown in FIG. 1, in which the incoming binary signals are translated into drive signals for the current switch modules 104. The differential digital drive signals steer the current source in each current switch module 104 to one of the DAC differential outputs OUTP and OUTN. Typically, these currents are converted to voltages outside the DAC cell using resistors, or a combination of resistors and other passive components such as transformers or balun, as represented by the output network 106 in FIG. 1.
Despite their popularity at high-speeds, current-steering DACs are affected by dynamic non-linearity. These are the dynamic errors caused by device and interconnect parasitic, finite output impedance of current sources, code-dependent output impedance of DAC, glitches due to timing mismatch between digital driving signals and glitches caused by asymmetry in the settling behavior of current sources. These dynamic errors cause the SFDR performance of current steering DAC to fall rapidly with increases in signal frequency and clock rate.
Research has focused on circuit architectures and designs to minimize the 3rd order harmonic (3 HD) distortion and its related odd harmonic spurs caused by those dynamic errors. Research has not focused on minimizing even order harmonic related spurs, mainly because the even harmonics of the differential output configuration can be cancelled out in theory using balun or transformers in the output network to combine DAC outputs differentially. These methods had been quite effective at relatively low speed DAC with lower output frequencies.
However, as the DAC speed increases, even order harmonic spurs, particularly second order harmonic distortion (2 HD) spur, increase rapidly and will be folded back into the Nyquist band. As examples, for output frequencies located between ½ to ½ of the Nyquist band, the 2 HD spurs will show up in the second half of the Nyquist band. For higher output frequencies located in the second half of the Nyquist band, the 2 HD spurs will be folded back into the whole Nyquist band. All the spurs inside the Nyquist band cannot be filtered out for wideband applications. Since even order harmonic distortions co-exist in both complementary DAC outputs, ideally any method in the output network that can combine the two DAC outputs differentially will cancel out those even harmonic distortions, assuming the time delays for both outputs to arrive at the output network are the same. The same amount of mismatch of those two time delays will induce more phase difference at high frequencies and greatly reduce the effectiveness of even harmonic cancellation relying on the output network. More than that, the designs of prior art methods, such as balun, transformer or active linear amplifiers at high frequencies with wide bandwidth, create challenges for advanced applications. As an example, high frequency broadband balun are not popularly available. Moreover, the frequency response of a wideband balun typically is not flat and has low cut-off frequency. Both of these characteristics are not desirable for many high frequency wideband applications.
The problems of SFDR of high speed DAC limited by even harmonic distortions has been discussed in the literature. For example, one of the state-of-the-art high speed DACs was discussed by Van de Sande, F. et al, "A 7.2 GSa/s, 14 Bit or 12 GSa/s, 12 Bit Signal Generator on a Chip in a 165 GHz ft BiCMOS Process," Solid-State Circuits, IEEE Journal of, vol. 47, no. 4, pp. 1003, 1012, April 2012 ("Sande"). The authors concluded from the measurement data that "For all FOUT, the SFDR is dominated by the (direct or folded) second or third harmonics: 2 FOUT, Fs−2 FOUT; 3 FOUT; Fs−3 FOUT". As shown in FIG. 11 of Sande, the highest spur is the folded 2 HD Fs−2 FOUT. Even the measured data was taken with cascaded stages of balun to cancel the even harmonic spurs and other common mode noise.
A similar problem exists in commercial high speed DAC products. One example is shown in the Analog Devices, "AD9119/AD9129 11-/14-Bit, 5.7 GSPS, RF Digital-to-Analog Converter Data Sheet [Rev. A]", September 2013 (the "AD9119/9129 data sheet") in which the folded 2HD spur limits the SFDR to be 50 dB. See AD9119/9129 data sheet at FIG. 13. Even a balun was used at the outputs in the measurement to reduce even harmonic spurs.
There exists a need in the art for an improved high speed high frequency digital to analog converter.

Current steering digital to analog converter with dual current switch modules


A two-wheeled skateboard includes a board which is generally planar between a first position and a second position. A front wheel assembly is attached to the board at the first position and consists of a single front wheel. The front wheel assembly includes a front wheel support connected to the front wheel, a tension member connected to the wheel support and connected to the board at a connected position between the first position and the second position, and a rear wheel assembly attached to the board at the second load bearing position consisting of a single rear wheel. A clevis is connected to the tension member by a first clevis axis and connected to the wheel support by a second clevis axis such that a restoring tension is applied to the front wheel towards a longitudinal axis of the board through the first and second clevis axis while the front wheel assembly pivots with respect to the board. An adjustable member is connected to the elastic tension member and the board such that the amount of force exerted by the tension member on the front wheel support may be increased or decreased through adjustment thereof. The skateboard may optionally provide attachment for a blade assembly and a ski assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the art of wheeled foot vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to the art of two-wheeled skateboards which do not require lifting of the rider's feet during operation thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
A number of wheeled foot vehicles are well known in the art. For example, roller skates, roller skis, skateboards and the like are well known and have been enjoyed by countless generations. Wheeled foot vehicles, in the form of roller skates, were used by young children in the late eighteen hundreds. In fact, J. Forsyth patented an improvement in roller skates in 1878 with U.S. Pat. No. 200,186.
During the early nineteen hundreds, boys and girls alike enjoyed riding two-wheeled coasters about their neighborhoods. Youthful interest laid the ground work for invention and by 1918, C. H. Johnson received U.S. Pat. No. 1,274,889 for a coaster having a board, two wheels and a handlebar.
During the early 1960's a number of improvements were made to the conventional "coaster." Adolescents soon discovered that wheeled surfboards or "skateboards" could be constructed by combining a relatively short wooden board with roller skate wheels. The early "roller skate wheels" eventually evolved into modern skateboard wheels which generally incorporate a polyurethane outer surface and sealed bearings. A conventional skateboard is set forth by Brand et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,181,316, wherein a front wheel mount and a rear wheel mount are permanently affixed to the same side of a generally flat board. A pair of wheels are rotatably affixed about each wheel mount such that the board rests upon four wheels. The four-wheeled construction of Brand et al. provides relative stability at slow velocities and while the skateboard is at rest.
Two-wheeled foot vehicles have existed since at least the 1970's, although they have not been as popular as the more traditional four-wheeled skateboards. Pantzar, U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,873, sets forth a "two-roller" skateboard having a flat board with a pair of steerable rollers disposed about an underside thereof. Each of the two rollers according to Pantzar's are quite substantial in width and at least as great as one half of the overall width of the skateboard. This wide pair of rollers offers stability to the rider at slower speeds and at rest.
Other skateboards have incorporated variations of the two-wheeled skateboard. Barachet, U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,155, sets forth a skateboard having two wheels mounted to an underside thereof. The rear wheel of Barachet is mounted with a fixed axis of rotation relative to the longitudinal axis of the skateboard. However, Barachet suffers from awkward foot placement because the rear wheel protrudes through the surface of the board. Barachet also requires wheels which are exceptionally wide to provide added support to the rider and requires a board which is not substantially planar between the wheel mounts.
Although a number of wheeled foot vehicles exist, young thrill seekers are continually searching for more aggressive and unique ways to develop their acrobatic skills. Further, young skateboard riders find conventional skateboards limiting due to a recurring need to remove the rider's feet from the skateboard in order to propel the skateboard forward.
As a further matter, skateboard technology has conventionally developed around the four-wheeled model. Accordingly, conventional wheels are generally quite wide in order to provide increased support to the rider.
More recently, roller-skating itself has found renewed interest among young people in the form of "in-line" skating. In-line skating requires a series of in-line wheels rotationally disposed about the bottom of a pair of roller skate boots. This growing trend of in-line skating has increased the technology for in-line wheels and has also created a demand for improvements in two-wheeled skateboards.


Processes are provided herein for producing naphtha boiling range products with a desired sulfur content by reducing the mercaptan content of the naphtha boiling range products after the products exit a hydroprocessing stage. Due to mercaptan reversion, naphtha boiling range products that contain even small amounts of olefins can have a higher than expected sulfur content after hydroprocessing. In order to reduce or mitigate the effects of mercaptan reversion, microchannel reactors (or microreactors) can be placed in a processing system downstream of a reactor that produces a low sulfur naphtha product. The microreactors can include a coating of metals that have activity for hydrodesulfurization. By passing at least a portion of the naphtha product through the downstream microreactors, the mercaptans formed by reversion reactions can be reduced or eliminated, resulting in a naphtha product with possessing a very low sulfur content.

One conventional technique for processing of cracked naphthas involves performing a selective hydrodesulfurization of the cracked naphtha. A selective hydrodesulfurization refers to a process where sulfur is removed from the naphtha while minimizing the amount of olefin saturation that occurs in the reaction. Avoiding olefin saturation is valuable, as it leads to a higher octane naphtha product. Retaining a higher octane value allows a selectively hydrodesulfurized feed to be used as a naphtha fuel stock without having to use a reforming step.
The catalysts used for a selective hydrodesulfurization process typically include a combination of a Group VI metal and a Group VIII metal on a suitable support, such as a catalyst including cobalt and molybdenum on an alumina support. A number of compounds have previously been identified as reaction inhibitors for selective hydrodesulfurization catalysts. These reaction inhibitors reduce the activity of the catalyst for performing hydrodesulfurization.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,507,328 describes a method for selective naphtha hydrodesulfurization and mercaptan decomposition. An olefinic naphtha stream is selectively desulfurized in a hydrodesulfurization reaction stage. The hydrodesulfurized effluent stream is separated into a light and heavy liquid fraction, and the heavier fraction is further processed in a mercaptan destruction stage to reduce the content of mercaptan sulfur in the final product.

ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company


A method is disclosed for Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) bulk information processing. A request for a plurality of object instances stored in a storage space is received. The request specifies a condition and a maximum number of repetitions. The values of one or more object instances of the plurality of object instances are retrieved. The retrieval of object instance values is terminated when the condition is satisfied even though the maximum number of repetitions is not reached. For example, the condition may be specified by one or more pairs of Object Identifier (OID) values, wherein each pair is represented by a starting OID value and an ending OID value. In this example, the condition is satisfied when an OID value of an object instance that is retrieved is not lexicographically between the starting OID value and the ending OID value of any pair of the one or more pairs.

The approaches described in this section could be pursued, but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a network protocol for exchanging network management information between network systems. The current version of the Protocol Operations for SNMP, version 2, is defined in RFC3416 published by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) in December 2002. According to the SNMP specification, network management information is exchanged in data units called Protocol Data Units (PDUs). Some of the PDUs defined in RFC3416 include GetRequest-PDU, GetNextRequest-PDU, GetBulkRequest-PDU, Response-PDU, SetRequest-PDU, InformRequest-PDU, SNMPv2-TrapPDU, and Report-PDU. The PDUs are included in messages exchanged between SNMP management systems and network elements that execute SNMP agents. For example, an SNMP management system, executing on a system connected to the network, requests in a message including a GetBulkRequest-PDU, network information from an SNMP agent that is executing on a network element which might be the same or a different system. The SNMP agent receives the message with the GetBulkRequest-PDU from the SNMP management system, retrieves the requested information in a Response-PDU, and returns the Response-PDU in a message to the SNMP management system.
The network management information exchanged over SNMP is usually stored in Management Information Bases (MIBs) that are typically managed by SNMP agents. The MIB is organized as a tree of objects of management information. A specific instance from an object of management information is called an SNMP variable or an object instance. An object in the MIB is identified by an object identifier (OID), and the value of the OID identifies an object instance. An OID value is an ordered sequence of at least two components: an OID prefix identifying an object, and an OID suffix identifying a particular instance of the object. A scalar object is an object that has exactly one instance at any one point in time. A columnar object is an object defined to have zero, one, or more instances at any given time, and usually represents a column in a table object that stores management information. An object instance has a value, and the pairing of the OID name of an object instance and the object instance's value is referred to as an SNMP variable binding (or a var-bind).
An object instance of a scalar object is identified by an OID value whose prefix is the OID of the object and whose suffix is the number zero. For example, the OID value for an object instance of the scalar object "sysUpTime" is "sysUpTime.0".
Identification of instances of columnar objects that are included in a table object is accomplished through indexing schemes. An indexing scheme uniquely identifies each instance of the columnar object. As an example, consider the "ipNetToMediaTable" table object defined in RFC1213, which was published by IETF in March 1991. The "ipNetToMediaTable" table object has as its columns the columnar objects "ipNetToMediaIfIndex", "ipNetToMediaNetAddress", "ipNetToMediaPhysAddress", and "ipNetToMediaType". The indexing scheme defined for this table object includes the columnar objects "ipNetToMedialfIndex" and "ipNetToMediaNetAddress". Referring to the example of an "ipNetToMediaTable" object depicted in FIG. 1A, under this indexing scheme the object instance value of columnar object "ipNetToMediaPhysAddress" in the second row of the table would be identified as "ipNetToMediaPhysAddress.18.104.22.168.2", where the prefix "ipNetToMediaPhysAddress" is the OID of columnar object "ipNetToMediaPhysAddress", and the suffix "18.104.22.168.2" is the concatenated combination of the values of columnar objects "ipNetToMediaIfIndex" and "ipNetToMediaNetAddress" for the second row in table object "ipNetToMediaTable".
SNMP provides the GetBulkRequest-PDU for retrieval in bulk of network management information from a MIB. The GetBulkRequest-PDU includes the following parameters: a non-repeaters counter (N), a max-repetitions counter (M), and a list of OIDs identifying the object instances whose values need to be retrieved. The GetBulkRequest-PDU is processed in the following way: one object instance value is retrieved for each of the first N OIDs in the request, and M object instance values are retrieved for each of the remaining OIDs in the request. As a result, the GetBulkRequest-PDU is useful for retrieving a potentially large amount of information, for example, from table objects in the MIB.
SNMP management systems often would prefer to use a single GetBulkRequest-PDU to an SNMP agent to retrieve all of the data of a table object in the MIB. However, most of the time an SNMP management system is unaware of the number of entries in a MIB table before the system sends a request to the SNMP agent. Thus, the selection of the max-repetitions counter (M) becomes relevant to the effective retrieval of information, especially when the information is stored in large tables. A max-repetitions counter (M) that is too small may cause the SNMP management system to send too many GetBulkRequest-PDU retrieval requests, which in turn would cause a non-optimal utilization of the network bandwidth and unnecessary processing overhead at both the SNMP management system and the SNMP agent.
A max-repetitions counter (M) that is too big may cause an SNMP agent to retrieve, process, and send back to the SNMP management system a large amount of information that was implicitly requested even though it was not wanted. This is known as the so-called "overshoot" problem. In some situations, the "overshoot" problem can cause significant processing overhead at both the SNMP agent and the SNMP management system, and can increase the information retrieval latency. The reason for the "overshoot" problem is that the number of retrieved object instance values is based only on the max-repetitions counter (M), and the GetBulkRequest-PDU processing always attempts to honor this value regardless of whether the end of a table is reached. For example, when M is large and the SNMP management system is attempting to retrieve a table that has only a few entries, GetBulkRequest-PDU processing does not stop at the end of the table, but continues to retrieve, until the value of M is reached or until the maximum allowed size for a Response-PDU is reached, the values of object instances having OID values that lexicographically follow the OID value of the last entry in the table. In other words, GetBulkRequest-PDU processing honors the value M of the max-repetitions counter by retrieving the object instance values for OIDs that follow, in dictionary order, the OIDs specified in the request.
Based on the foregoing, there is a clear need for an SNMP bulk processing technique that effectively optimizes the use of network bandwidth and that addresses the "overshoot" problem.

Method and apparatus for processing simple network management protocol (SNMP) requests for bulk information


A computer enclosure includes a cage (10) and a front bezel (20). The cage includes a top panel (18), a bottom panel (17), and a pair of side panels (11). The top panel, the bottom panel, and the side panels are connected with each other to define an opening (15). The front bezel has securing structures (222) at opposite sides thereof for securing the front bezel to the cage. The front bezel is secured to the cage for covering the opening. The computer enclosure with direct-mounting front bezel has simple structures and is inexpensive.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to computer enclosures, more particularly to a computer enclosure with a removable front bezel.
2. General Background
A conventional computer enclosure includes a cage and a bezel. The cage includes a front plate defining a plurality of locking openings and locating holes, and a bottom plate defining a pair of locking apertures. The bezel has a plurality of engaging hooks engaging with the front plate in the corresponding locking openings, and locating posts received in the corresponding locating holes. The bezel also has a pair of arcuate supporting feet. Each supporting foot includes a horizontal surface abutting against a bottom surface of the bottom plate, and a catch abutting against a top surface of the bottom plate near the corresponding locking aperture. When the bezel is attached to the cage, the supporting feet are elastically deformed to cause the bezel to be firmly attached to the front plate of the cage.
However, the computer enclosure has an unduly complex structure, and the cost of manufacturing the computer enclosure is relatively high.
What is needed, therefore, is an inexpensive computer enclosure having a simple structure.

Computer enclosure with direct-mounting front bezel

Bao-an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.


A pore-free tire segmented mold pattern block (100) and a segmented mold are provided. The pore-free tire segmented mold pattern block (100) is used for forming a tire segmented mold. Also disclosed is a cleaning method for the pore-free tire segmented mold pattern block (100) and the segmented mold. When the mold is cleaned, the exhaust channel (20) is used as a cleaning channel, and the axial exhaust holes (27) of the exhaust channel are used as an entrance for a cleaning medium.

In the current tire vulcanization process, in order that the air in the mold cavity is released and the rubber could be uniformly distributed in the mold, the existing tire molds each has a plurality of exhaust holes on the mold cavity. The required exhaust holes are usually formed through drilling. However, the burrs of the holes need to be trimmed after the drilling process, which increases the mold manufacturing process and the mold manufacturing cost. On the other hand, in the vulcanization process, the exhaust gas in the tread region is discharged through circular exhaust holes usually located at the top of the inner tube of the mold and penetrating to the outer surface of the mold. Under the conditions of high temperature and high pressure, the unvulcanized raw rubber is extruded outside the top cavity of the mold. When the air is discharged from the mold, the rubber is extruded into the drilled exhaust holes to form rubber furs, some of which may be broken in the exhaust holes of the mold and hinder the air discharge from the cavity, thus the rubber cannot fully fill the entire mold cavity. In order to avoid this, the tire molds shall be removed from the production line for a cleaning. The common cleaning operation is to compel the rubber out of each pore with a drill bit, which consumes a lot of time and affects the production efficiency. Most of the rubber furs stand on the tire after demolding, and in order to remove the rubber furs, special persons and corresponding devices have to be required to trim the rubber furs, which not only affects the appearance quality of the tire, but also wastes the rubber material and increases the production cost.
In order to overcome the above defects, a pore-free technique for the tire segmented mold is proposed, such as the U.S. patent No. US20070009623, which mounts a mass of relatively thin annular plates side by side in the housing of two opposite half molds or a segmented mold, and forms gaps on one side or two sides of the ply. When the tire is vulcanized, gas is discharged via the gaps to ensure that the vulcanized tire has a smooth surface. However, the mold structure of US20070009623 has no a circumferential exhaust slot and its exhaust gas is discharged to the back of the pattern block through the radial exhaust slot. Thus the distance is long, the exhaust effect is poor, and a blocking easily occurs. Once a blocking occurs, it is difficult for cleaning as the distance is too long. In addition, the back of the pattern block fits the sliding block, and a lot of exhaust slots shall be machined on the fitting surface to guide air, which increases the machining cost.
In addition, there are many types of tire patterns, and being restricted by the professional requirements such as pitch and steel sheet embedding, most of the molds of pore-free structures divided transversely cannot be disassembled. In addition, the mold structure of US20070009623 is open around and cannot be blocked. Thus, if the mold structure cannot be disassembled, it cannot be cleaned once being blocked.
In conclusion, although the tire vulcanized with the existing pore-free technique has a good appearance and saves the rubber material, there are still significant technical difficulties that hinder the promotion and popularization of the pore-free technique, i.e., the exhaust effect of the pore-free mold is poor and the cleaning is difficult. Almost all of the pore-free molds have a complex cleaning process and a high cost, and mostly cannot be cleaned completely, thereby directly affecting the quality and cycle of the re-vulcanization of the mold.

Pore-free tire segmented mold pattern block, segmented mold, and cleaning methods therefor

Himile Mechanical Science and Technology (Shangdong) Co., Ltd.


This invention provides a modular jack receptacle connector (10) which has at least one light pipe (14) for transmitting light signals from a light emitting device receiving area (66) through an output face (76) along the mating face (24) of the modular jack receptacle (10).

Modular jack receptacle connectors are well known in the telecommunications industry and have been adapted for mounting to printed circuit boards. These connectors are typically used for electrical connection between two electrical communication devices. In order to ensure that a proper connection has been made and therefore a link is created between the electrical communication devices, indicators are often incorporated into circuits on the printed circuit board. These indicators are typically light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are turned on when a circuit is completed between the mating connectors and the communication devices. Additionally LEDs can be mounted on the printed circuit board to indicate a number of other conditions including the passage of communications signals between the two communication devices, indication of power, or indication that an error in transmitting the signals has occurred.
In an effort to miniaturize printed circuit boards and save board real estate, LED indicators have been integrated into these connectors. An example of such a connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,317 to Pocrass which teaches a connector for receiving a plug having a visual indicator positioned within the front wall of the electrical connector housing. Incorporation of the indicator into the electrical connector eliminates the need for a separate location on the printed circuit board for mounting of such an indicator. The LED indicator is inserted into a recess of the electrical connector such that its electrical leads pass through the recess and connect to the printed circuit board. The indicator is then cemented into the recess or attached using an appropriate adhesive. The LEDs may also be molded into the electrical connector during the molding process of the housing.
Keeping in mind the desire to save board real estate by incorporation of the indicator into the electrical connector, a problem arises with these connectors in that additional manufacturing steps are required for insertion and accurate positioning of the LEDs for mounting to corresponding openings in the printed circuit board. These additional manufacturing steps include first accurately positioning the LED in a recess of the connector and also securing the LED thereto by either cementing or otherwise adhering the LEDs to the housing. Also, for identification purposes, LEDs must be manufactured with the component being overmolded by a colored translucent material and having leads attached thereto for connection to the circuit board.

Electrical connector having a light indicator


In a balanced SAW filter, a second IDT and a fourth IDT of a five IDT type first longitudinally-coupled-resonator SAW filter element are connected via first and second wiring lines to a seventh IDT and a ninth IDT of a five IDT type second longitudinally-coupled-resonator SAW filter element, respectively. First, third, and fifth IDTs are connected to an unbalanced terminal. A sixth IDT and a first sub-IDT portion are connected to a first balanced terminal. A second sub-IDT portion and a tenth IDT are connected to a second balanced terminal. The IDTs are arranged such that the phase of an electrical signal transmitted through the first wiring line differs by 180 degrees from the phase of an electrical signal transmitted through the second wiring line.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a balanced SAW filter having a balanced-to-unbalanced transforming function, and in particular, the present invention relates to a balanced SAW filter including five IDT type first and second longitudinally-coupled-resonator SAW filter elements that are connected in a cascade arrangement.
2. Description of the Related Art
Surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters are widely used as band-pass filters in mobile communication devices, such as cellular phones. In particular, as cellular phones and other mobile communication devises become smaller and have higher performance, so-called balanced SAW filters with a balanced-to-unbalanced transforming function are used as RF band-pass filters connected to antenna terminals. An exemplary balanced SAW filter of this type is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-91883 (Patent Document 1), which will be described below.
As shown in FIG. 3, a balanced SAW filter 100 described in Patent Document 1 includes first and second longitudinally-coupled-resonator SAW filter elements 101 and 102, which are connected in a cascade arrangement. The first longitudinally-coupled-resonator SAW filter element 101 includes first to fifth IDTs 111 to 115 arranged in a propagation direction of surface acoustic waves. Reflectors 116 and 117 are disposed on either side of an area in which the IDTs 111 to 115 are disposed.
Similarly, the second longitudinally-coupled-resonator SAW filter element 102 includes sixth to tenth IDTs 121 to 125 arranged in the propagation direction of surface acoustic waves, and reflectors 126 and 127.
One end of each of the second and fourth IDTs 112 and 114 is commonly connected to an unbalanced terminal 131. One end of each of the first, third, and fifth IDTs is commonly connected. The other end of the first IDT 111 is connected via a first wiring line 141 to the sixth IDT 121. Similarly, the third and fifth IDTs 113 and 115 are connected via second and third wiring lines 142 and 143 to the eighth and tenth IDTs 123 and 125, respectively. In contrast, one end of the seventh IDT 122 is connected to a first balanced terminal 132, and the other end of the IDT 122 is commonly connected to one end of the IDT 124. The other end of the IDT 124 is connected to a second balanced terminal 133. Since the SAW filter 100 described in Patent Document 1 has the above-described structure, the SAW filter 100 can be miniaturized and can achieve lower insertion loss.
Although the balanced SAW filter 100 includes two cascaded five IDTs type longitudinally-coupled-resonator SAW filter elements 101 and 102, signals having the same phase flow through the first to third wiring lines 141 to 143.
In contrast, a wiring line 144 electrically connecting the second balanced terminal 133 to the ninth IDT 124 is, as shown in FIG. 3, extracted between the second and third wiring lines 142 and 143 beyond a portion in which the first and second wiring lines 141 and 142 are disposed. A wiring line 145 connecting the first balanced terminal 132 to the IDT 122 is disposed in an area separated from an area in which the first to third wiring lines 141 to 143 are disposed.
Therefore, direct waves based on stray capacitance between the first to third wiring lines 141 to 143 and the first and second balanced terminals 132 and 133 are strong, and the strong direct waves are applied to the balanced terminals 132 and 133. The strength of the direct waves applied to the balanced terminal 133 is considerably greater than the strength of the direct wave applied to the balanced terminal 132. As a result, the balance between the balanced terminals 132 and 133 is poor.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A surface treatment chemicals for aluminum or its alloy consisting essentially of 10-1000 parts by weight of niobium ion and/or tantalum ion, and 1-50 parts by weight of effective fluorine ion, and optionally 10-500 parts by weight of zirconium ion and/or titanium ion and 10-500 parts by weight of phosphate ion. A surface treatment bath is produced by diluting the surface treatment chemicals so as to have a pH of 1.5-4.0. Excellent resistance to blackening by boiling water and adhesion to an overlying polymer coating film can be obtained by a surface treatment using this bath.

The present invention relates to a chemicals or bath for surface-treating aluminum or its alloy, and more particularly to a surface treatment chemicals or bath suitable for the surface treatment of aluminum cans for drinks.
Aluminum and its alloy are conventionally subjected to a chemical treatment to provide them with corrosion resistance and to form undercoating layers thereon. A typical example of such chemical treatment is a treatment with a solution containing chromic acid, phosphoric acid and hydrofluoric acid. This method can provide a coating having high resistance to blackening by boiling water and high adhesion to a polymer coating film formed thereon. However, since the solution contains chromium (VI), it is hazardous to health and also causes problems of waste water treatment. Thus, various surface treatment solutions containing no chromium (VI) have already been developed.
For instance, Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-33468 discloses a coating solution for the surface treatment of aluminum, which contains zirconium, phosphate and an effective fluoride and has a pH of 1.5-4.0. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-136978 discloses a chemical treatment solution for aluminum or its alloy containing a vanadium compound, and a zirconium compound or a silicon fluoride compound. Further, Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-13427 discloses an acidic aqueous composition containing hafnium ion and fluorine ion.
With respect to the coating solution disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-33468, it shows sufficient properties when it is a fresh solution, namely a newly prepared solution. However, after repeated use for chemical treatment, aluminum is accumulated in the solution by etching of the aluminum plates or sheets with fluorine. A conversion coating produced by such a coating solution does not show high resistance to blackening by boiling water which is used for sterilization, and it also has poor adhesion to a polymer coating film produced by paints, inks, lacquers, etc.
Further, the treatment solution disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-136978 needs a treatment at a relatively high temperature for a long period of time, preferably at 50.degree.-80.degree. C. for 3-5 minutes, and the formed conversion coating does not have sufficient resistance to blackening by boiling water and sufficient adhesion to a polymer coating film. In addition, since the formed conversion coating is grayish, it cannot be suitably applied to aluminum cans for drinks.
The composition disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-13427 is also insufficient in resistance to blackening by boiling water and adhesion to a polymer coating film.

Surface treatment chemicals and bath for aluminum or its alloy and surface treatment method


In a packet communication network in which a plurality of subscriber's lines are connected with a packet switching unit via a multiplexer and each of terminal units declares the packet rate on call request, a packet rate monitoring circuit is provided between the packet switching unit and the multiplexer. The packet rate monitoring circuit includes a circuit for monitoring the cell arrival rate, a circuit for detecting a packet cell violating the declared value which is transmitted from the terminal, a circuit for adding a mark representative of the violation cell to the violation packet which is detected by the detecting circuit, and a circuit for automatically modifying the declared parameter. The modifying circuit applies the declare parameter which was automatically modified in accordance with utilization condition (the number of multiplexings and the line utilization) of the multiplexer disposed between the subscriber's terminals and the rate monitoring circuit so that the detecting circuit detects the violation packets based upon the modified declared parameter.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of and a system for monitoring input packet rate in a packet network and in particular to a packet rate monitoring method and system for detecting the excessive transmitted packets (violation packets) which violate a contract, i.e., a preliminary agreement made between a subscriber and a network provider (communication network control system) for a communication network using Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM).
Description of the Related Art
ATM networks which have been studied in various research institutes as next generation prominent communication systems enable communication of information such as audio, video and data by various media having different transmission rates in the same network by transmitting information in packets having fixed lengths (hereinafter referred to as "cell") at a high rate.
Generally, the capacity of communication provided by a network has a limitation. Accordingly, a network control system (hereinafter referred as a network provider) has the subscriber declare the communication condition such as transmission rate, etc. when the system accepts a call request from the subscriber (terminal unit) and permits the call request when it determines that the passing cell rate will not exceed the communication capacity in the network if the call request is permitted.
However, since the utilization efficiency of resources is enhanced by commonly using resources such as communication nodes and links by a plurality of subscribers, the rate of cells passing through the network may exceed the communication capacity of the network under a circumstance if any of the subscribers transmit the excessive cells which violate his own declared parameter. For example, phenomena such as missing of a part of information or extension of delay time of transmission or switching of information may occur. This will deteriorate the communication quality of the other subscribers which do not violate their own declared parameters.
Therefore, the ATM network requires cell rate monitoring means which detects cells which are transmitted by a subscriber who violates the declared parameter (hereinafter referred to as "violation cells") for regulating the violation cells flowing into the network.
Such a technique for detecting violation packets in a packet communication network has been proposed by, for example, JA-P-A 2-220531 entitled "Call connection control system and rate monitoring system". In this proposed technique, the number of arrival packets within unit time .DELTA.t is counted and stored for each terminal every time the packets arrive at the network from each terminal. If the count exceeds the parameter (the maximum number m of the transmitted packets in unit time .DELTA.t) which the terminal declared on call request, the system determines that the transmission violets the contract and immediately regulates the arrival packets transmitted from the violation terminal.
In a ATM network, a multiplexer for accommodating a plurality of terminal units may be provided, for example, between the terminal units and a network terminating circuit which is an entrance of the network. In this case, the number of input lines of the multiplexer, the number of output lines of the multiplexer, the transmission speed on the input lines and the transmission speed on the output lines are represented as n (n=1,2,3, . . .), 1, v and kv, respectively. If cells from (k+1) or more terminal units simultaneously arrive at the multiplexer, the number of input cells exceeds the processing capacity of the multiplexer. Some of the arrival cells temporarily stay in a buffer memory in the multiplexer, resulting in delay of cells. This delay time is proportional to the number of cells which simultaneously arrive at the multiplexer.
Since the number of cells which simultaneously arrive at a multiplexer randomly changes, and the delay time correspondingly changes, the intervals between cells which have passed through the multiplexer are different from those between cells which pass through the terminal unit. In other words, a change in cell interval after passing through the multiplexer means a change in the number of arrival cells in unit time .DELTA.t. The change in cell interval depends upon the external condition in which the multiplexer is used. For example, the higher the utilization of the output lines of the multiplexer becomes, or the larger the number of terminal units to be multiplexed in the multiplexer becomes, the larger the change in cell interval becomes.
In accordance with the prior art packet rate monitoring method, every time when cells arrive at a network terminating unit, the number of arrival cells transmitted from a terminal in unit time .DELTA.t is counted and the arrival cells are regulated as violation cells at the time when the count exceeds the declared parameter (maximum rate m). However, if the above mentioned multiplexer is interposed between terminal units and a network terminating unit which monitors the cell rate and if the intervals between cells inputted to the network terminating unit becomes shorter due to changes in external condition, the number of arrival cells in unit time .DELTA.t which is monitored by a monitor is larger than the number of cells actually transmitted from the terminal unit. Accordingly, even if the terminal unit keep the declared parameter, the network terminating unit may erroneously determine that the terminal violates the declared parameter. Conversely, when the cell interval becomes longer by the influence of the change in cell interval, the number of cells which arrive at the network terminating unit in unit time .DELTA.t decreases. Even if the terminal unit violates the declared parameter, the network terminating unit may miss the violation.
It is necessary to control the detection error rate relating to the above mentioned declared parameter violation to sufficiently low in order to assure excellent communication quality. However, since factors which individual terminal units are not responsible for are not considered in accordance with the prior art method, an appropriate cell rate control can not be achieved.

Method of and system for monitoring packet rate in packet network


The present invention provides a unique system and method that facilitates remote browsing, viewing, and manipulating any suitable number of media items from a host location. In particular, the invention involves pulling desired media items from one or more host locations to view and/or edit them on a remote interactive media display, thereby freeing up use of the host location/computer. The media items sent to the remote interactive media display via wireless or wired connection are easily edited, organized, and viewed in any suitable order, arrangement, and timed-cycle with respect to per item viewing as well as viewing of items coincident with a real time calendar. The media items can be annotated and otherwise modified from the remote display and saved to the host location. The remote interactive media frame also includes a local storage for storing media items, thereby facilitating portability of the media frame when disconnected from the host.

As availability of media objects (e.g., movies, music, photographs, e-mail, video or sound cliplets, pictures, and/or messages) has increased, the task of effectively browsing, editing and retrieving media has become difficult and cumbersome. Conventional media systems for browsing, editing, viewing, modifying, sorting, and the like have provided limited ability for a user to access the media in a meaningful manner.
For example, photographs digitally scanned onto a computer processor typically have nonsensical filenames associated therewith, making it difficult to manipulate and organize them. Providing more meaningful information to each file or media object must be done individually and separately which is time-consuming and tedious for regular or frequent use involving editing, sampling, and viewing, for example. Further, conventional media systems are typically rigid and thus limit a user's ability to personalize such systems. Moreover, conventional media systems remain complex and incomprehensible for quick retrieval, use, and viewing of the media objects.
In addition, conventional media systems have limited options for displaying the media for prolonged enjoyment. For example, most consumers load their digital photos on to their computers in such a way as to view and/or display them in a slide show mode. Most digital photos are not printed but instead are primarily only viewed by a user on the computer. Thus, the user must open the respective files to view and/or edit the particular photos which can be a rather tedious series of tasks. In the case of a screensaver slide show of the user's photos, the user has to stop use of the computer to allow for the screensaver slide show to be activated to view his/her photos. However, as soon as the user resumes use of the computer, the screen saver turns off and photo viewing again is terminated. Moreover, display of digital media is restrictive, inconvenient, and even cumbersome to consumers in general.


The present invention relates to a DC-DC converter and to a method for controlling a DC-DC converter with high dielectric strength and reduced power losses. An optimized control of a potential-isolating multi-level half-bridge converter according to a phase-shifted full-bridge configuration with a novel modulation method is proposed.

The present invention relates to a DC-DC converter and to a method for controlling a DC-DC converter.
In addition to a low-voltage electrical system (12 V on-board electrical system), electric and hybrid vehicles generally also comprise a high-voltage electrical system. This high-voltage electrical system can be fed, for example, by a high-voltage battery, such as a traction battery of the electric or hybrid vehicle for example. The voltage in the high-voltage electrical system generally lies in the region of several 100 V. For the purpose of feeding electrical energy into the low-voltage electrical system, electrical energy can be transmitted from the high-voltage electrical system into the low-voltage electrical system.
Document DE 10 2012 204 029 A1 discloses a transmission apparatus for an electric vehicle with two voltage domains. The apparatus comprises a detection device which detects the state of charge of an energy store of the second voltage domain. The apparatus further comprises a DC-DC converter which transmits electrical power from the first voltage domain to the second voltage domain depending on the state of charge of the energy store in the second voltage domain.
When transmitting electrical energy between the high-voltage electrical system and the low-voltage electrical system, DC isolation is provided between the two electrical systems for safety reasons. Said DC isolation is generally realized by a transformer.

Soft switching full-bridge phase-shifted DC-DC converter


The present invention relates to a waste receptacle. More particularly, the invention is concerned with providing a waste receptacle wherein a fresh plastic garbage bag appears therein automatically upon the removal for disposal of a full bag by providing waste receptacle including a hollow container having a length and a width and featuring a substantially elongated aperture, having an outer edge, formed in a lower surface of the container. The aperture also communicating with a cavity in the hollow container, as well as the cavity having an entry facing vertically. The device further includes a base unit situated beneath the container and having a recess formed in the base unit for situating a plurality of interconnected bags.

The present invention relates to a waste receptacle. More particularly, the invention is concerned with providing a waste receptacle wherein a fresh plastic garbage bag appears therein automatically upon the removal for disposal of a full bag.
In developed countries where there is concern for keeping a clean, tidy and healthy home and environment, no more ubiquitous article than the waste receptacle exists. No home, office, factory or public building; no public garden, recreation area or nature reserve will be kept clean without a number of receptacles wherein people can dispose of the innumerable waste items which are generated as a result of eating, drinking, smoking and other day-to-day activities. Waste receptacles are therefore manufactured and distributed to suit all conceivable needs, ranging in size from about one liter--for use in cars and taxis, up to the 56-gallon (215 liter) size found in factories and large public kitchens.
The need for a waste receptacle is particularly felt where the waste generated is of a moist nature, such as in kitchens, or when the waste is contaminating or hazardous, such as waste from hospitals. It is, therefore, a common practice to line the inner faces of a waste bin with a plastic bag. Such bags are often made of low-density polyethylene or linear low-density polyethylene, and are manufactured and sold in packages of individually-cut bags, or in the form of rolls. Preferably, a convenient way to store such a role of bags would be in a roll of bags which is formed by a long, cylindrical, usually folded, flexible extrusion or sheet of bags. The length of the extrusion or sheet of bags is preferably partially subdivided by a pair of adjacent transverse lines every 50 to 100 centimeters, a first solid line serving to seal the base of one bag and a second, adjacent perforated line providing a convenient tear line for separating and opening the next bag.
It is common experience that changing a full garbage bag involves the following steps;
(1) removal of the full bag from the waste bin, and disposal thereof, PA1 (2) going to the location where new garbage bags are stored, separating and taking a single bag; PA1 (3) going back to the location of the waste bin; PA1 (4) if necessary, removing garbage which has meanwhile been deposited in the unlined receptacle; PA1 (5) opening the new bag, which is often surprisingly difficult, as it is frequently difficult to identify which side of the bag has to be opened; and PA1 (6) fitting the new bag in the waste bin and folding the upper edge of the new bag over the rim of the waste bin. PA1 (a) store a roll of plastic garbage bags; PA1 (b) automatically dispense a new bag, upon withdrawal of a full bag from the receptacle; PA1 (c) provide, in preferred embodiments, a gripping mechanism for the roll of the line of bags, thereby facilitating the easy separation of a full bag; PA1 (d) arrange receipt of a new bag within the receptacle; and PA1 (e) orientate the new bag correctly with the waste bin opening, to make the new bag ready for use.
In general, the overall tediousness of the above list, renders it understandable why individuals are not overly eager to perform such tasks. If the tasks were rendered easier, individuals would more readily agree to carry them out. It may also be noted that, in particular circumstances, the time expended in servicing waste receptacles is neither trivial nor unpaid. For example, cleaning personnel in a large public park or zoo may spend the major part of their time on servicing waste receptacles.
Dispensers for rolls of plastic bags are known, but the dispensers do little to alleviate the task of changing a full bag of waste, placing the new bag in the waste bin and the like, as described hereinabove.
It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to obviate the disadvantages of the prior art waste receptacles, and to provide a waste receptacle which is easily and conveniently provided with a fresh plastic bag immediately upon the removal of a bag that the user wishes to replace. Such a decision may be prompted by a bag becoming heavy or having a significant quantity of refuse therein. Alternatively such a decision may be prompted by a failure of the bag being defective or any other reason due to which the user elects to replace the bag presently used.

Waste receptacle and garbage bag holding device


The present invention provides a surgical illuminator. The surgical illuminator includes: a cylindrical lens barrel, a base, a printed circuit board, a light emitting diode, an aspheric lens, and a double-convex lens. Methods of using the surgical illuminator are also provided.

High quality illumination is essential in medical applications, particularly in a surgical environment. Uneven illumination over the field of view may cause a surgeon to perceive problems that do not actually exist in the patient. Further, illumination anomalies and artifacts clutter and may distort the doctor's field of view, and may thus cause the doctor to miss details critical to the doctor's performance. Stray light beyond the desired illumination field distracts the doctor. Also, it is highly desirable to be able to adjust the spot of the illumination, so that only the area under consideration is seen by the doctor. Thus, medical professionals have long sought the best possible illumination in pursuit of the best possible outcomes.
With the advent of high power, light emitting diodes (LEDs), medical illuminators have used these devices as a light source. The light emitting diode based systems have the difficulty that the light source, the light emitting diode die, is typically square. Moreover, the top of the light emitting diode die invariably has some form of connecting wires, metallization or other structures to conduct electricity into the silicon. These conductors are generally not visible in typical light emitting diodes deployments where light emitting diodes illuminate a broad field. In a surgical illuminator, however, that images the light emitting diode onto the viewing surface, the light emitting diode die conductors are clearly visible and they degrade the light quality. The light emitting diode based surgical illuminators typically image the light emitting diode die onto the viewing plane to achieve a small spot size, and thus the spot is either a square or show at least the remnants of that square. Most doctors that use illuminators have been trained using fiber-optic illumination systems that emit circular illuminated spots. They are used to seeing bright circles, and prefer them.
While light emitting diodes are generally more efficient than incandescent sources, they still generate considerable heat. Inefficient dissipation of the heat can cause failure or degradation of the light emitting diode. Further, if the case of the illuminator gets hot, it can become difficult to touch. This can cause operator discomfort, as well as making it difficult to adjust or aim the beam by touching and moving the case.
What is needed is a surgical illuminator that avoids the deficiencies of the prior art.


Systems and methods for multi-attendee video conferencing are described. A system can receive a request to stream video associated with a first attendee for a high-resolution display region and video associated with a second attendee for a low-resolution display region at a client device. The system can generate a first video stream for the first attendee at a first resolution for the high-resolution display region. The system can determine a second resolution for a second video stream for the second attendee that is larger than a requested resolution for the low-resolution display region. The system can determine a video quality for the second video stream at the second resolution based on maximizing use of a bandwidth. The system can generate the second video stream for the client device.

Multi-attendee video conferencing techniques can provide video streams to a client device for multiple attendees of a video conference. As an example, a speaking attendee may be displayed in a high-resolution display region while non-speaking attendees may be displayed in low-resolution display regions. When a non-speaking attendee switches to a speaking role, the new speaking attendee video can be provided in the high-resolution display region. If a low-resolution video stream is enlarged to match the resolution of the high-resolution display region, a low quality video stream may be provided.

Dynamic video resolution and quality for improved video conferencing


The disclosure provides for a layered metal with resistance to hydrogen induced cracking and method of production thereof, comprising a core metal alloy and a skin metal alloy. The core metal alloy comprises twinned boundaries. The core metal alloy has undergone plastic deformation and a heat treatment. The core metal alloy comprises nickel and cobalt. The skin metal alloy is disposed on the core metal alloy, wherein the skin metal alloy comprises an entropy greater than the core metal alloy. The core metal alloy comprises a greater density of twinned boundaries than the skin metal alloy. The skin metal alloy comprises a stacking fault energy of at least about 50 mJ/m2, and the skin metal alloy comprises iron, aluminum, and boron.

Hydrogen induced cracking (HIC) can cause unexpected fracture of metallic components used in oil and gas operations. A vast majority of metals used in the industry are susceptible to HIC. Despite losses resulting from premature failures, part repairs, and replacements, high strength metallic alloys specifically designed for HIC-prone environments are not available.
While embodiments of this disclosure have been depicted and described and are defined by reference to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, such references do not imply a limitation on the disclosure, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those skilled in the pertinent art and having the benefit of this disclosure. The depicted and described embodiments of this disclosure are examples only, and not exhaustive of the scope of the disclosure.

Functionally graded variable entropy alloys with resistance to hydrogen induced cracking


An optical field sensing system and an associated method are provided that are tolerant of scintillation. The system includes a wavefront sensor that measures gradients across a wavefront at a first resolution defined by the subapertures of the wavefront sensor. The system also includes an intensity sensor that measures the intensity across the wavefront at a higher resolution. The system further includes a wavefront processor that determines respective phases across the wavefront. In addition to the gradients and the intensity measurements, the wavefront processor may determine the respective phases based also upon the noise affiliated with the measurements. In this regard, the wavefront processor may determine the respective phases across the wavefront at least partially based upon the gradients as adjusted by weights that are based upon the intensity measured by the intensity sensor and are influenced by evidence of scintillation.

Wavefront detection and analysis are desirable for many applications. For example, telescopes and other optical sensing systems desirably measure an optical wavefront in an accurate fashion. Additionally, directed energy weapons, such as high energy lasers and the like, often require an associated optical sensing system for detecting the optical wavefront returning from a target. In addition to astronomy and directed energy weapons systems, a number of other applications utilize or will utilize optical wavefront detection including scientific measurement systems, optical communications systems (such as those utilizing free space lasers) and medical imaging including vision correction, ophthalmology and microscopy.
An optical sensing system generally determines the phase of the optical wavefront. By analyzing the phase of the optical wavefront, sources of optical disturbances can be characterized. For example, common sources of optical disturbances include atmospheric turbulence or other disturbances in the atmospheric path. Additionally, the phase of an optical wavefront can help to characterize the optical system itself, such as for diagnostic purposes. In this regard, the phase of the optical wavefront can provide the information identifying imperfections in the optics, imperfections with the laser or the like. In addition to merely identifying the optical disturbances and/or characterizing the optical system, the wavefront measurement can be utilized to provide wavefront compensation, such as by reshaping a deformable mirror, by post-processing the optical signals or both.
A typical optical sensing system includes a collection telescope and a wavefront sensor for receiving an optical image that is directly related to and that characterizes aspects of the field at the collection telescope. Conventional wavefront sensors include Shack-Hartmann sensors and Shearing sensors. By way of example, a Shack-Hartmann sensor includes an array of lenses and a charge coupled device (CCD) camera. The array of lenses effectively divides the optical wavefront into a plurality of subapertures. The output of each lens is directed onto a plurality of pixels of the CCD camera. In one common embodiment, the output of each lens is directed onto a group of sixteen pixels, generally arranged in a four-by-four block and said to be associated with the subaperture.
As known to those skilled in the art, a wavefront sensor, such as a Shack-Hartmann sensor, typically determines the wavefront gradient for each subaperture. Based upon the gradients, the phase of the optical wavefront may be determined. The most common approach, as known to those skilled in the art, is to make the phase a least squares fit to the measured gradients. This approach is implemented by multiplying the gradients by a precomputed matrix, which associates the gradient measurements with various parts of the wavefront. In one much discussed enhancement to this approach to determining the phase of the wavefront, a weighted least squares reconstruction technique is employed in which the gradients of the optical wavefront are weighted to emphasize the impact of those gradients predicted to be the most accurate and having the highest information content. A common method is to assign a weight to a gradient that equals the average intensity of the portion of the optical wavefront captured by the respective subaperture raised to some power. This average intensity is proportional to the sum of the values of the CCD pixels corresponding to the subaperture, minus any background level. Alternatively the value of the maximum pixel in the subaperture region can serve as a similar measure to be assigned as a weight. Note that for weighted least-squares methods the important feature is the relative magnitudes of the weights to each other, e.g. multiplying all weights by some positive constant would not influence the solution. Processing-time considerations have heretofore limited the actual implementation of said approach, but a recent reformulation of the weighted least squares technique as a Lagrange constraint problem has put it in a form susceptible to rapid Cholesky decomposition techniques. See, for example, D. R. Gerwe, "Closed Loop Control for Adaptive Optics Wavefront Compensation in Highly Scintillated Conditions", SPIE Proc. 5087 (2003).
Based upon the phase of the optical wavefront, the optical sensing system can address the effect of any optical disturbances, such as atmospheric turbulence and imperfections in the optics. For example, the optical sensing system may include a deformable mirror that is controllably deformed in response to the detected phase of the optical wavefront to accommodate or offset the effect that optical disturbances have had on the optical wavefront. In addition to or instead of the controlled deformation of a deformable mirror, the optical sensing system may subject the signals representative of the optical wavefront to post processing to similarly reduce, if not eliminate, the effects of optical disturbances upon images or other measurements made by the optical system.
One type of optical disturbance that is particularly difficult to address is scintillation, that is, spatio-temporal fluctuations in the intensity of the optical wavefront. Scintillation generally induces three types of performance loss. One type of performance loss is directly associated with the scintillated intensity profile. For imaging applications this profile should ideally be flat, while for high-energy laser applications, the laser should ideally match this scintillated profile, but typically does not. The second type of performance loss relates to the degradation of the wavefront sensor itself. Optical wavefronts having increased scintillation generally have regions in which the intensity varies greatly. The quantity measured by a subaperture of a wavefront sensor is the spatial average of the phase or phase gradient within the subaperture region and weighted by the corresponding spatial distribution of the amplitude or intensity of the optical field. Increased scintillation therefore generally reduces the accuracy of the phase measurement of the optical wavefront. The third type of performance loss is associated with wavefront singularities. In this regard, optical wavefronts having increased scintillation generally have increased numbers of wavefront singularities, which are intensity nulls generally referred to as branch points. The performance losses associated with branch points depend on methods used to process the measurements. By way of example, FIG. 1 depicts the performance of various optical sensing systems, such as Shack-Hartmann (shack) and Schearing (shear) sensors, as expressed by the Strehl ratio, a common measure of the performance of an adaptive optics system, as a function of the Rytov number, a common measure of scintillation strength. As shown, the performance of the wavefront sensors decreases significantly as the Rytov number increases. As denoted by the legend associated with FIG. 1, the optical sensing systems may include either a Shack-Hartmann (shack) or shearing (shear) wavefront sensor and either a faceplate or conventional deformable mirror (CVDM) or a piston segment deformable mirror (PSDM) and may employ either a least squares reconstruction algorithm (LS) or a weighted least squares (WLS) reconstruction algorithm in which the gradients of the wavefront are weighted by some measure of the intensity of the wavefront.
Accordingly, optical sensing/wavefront processing systems are available that determine the phase of an optical wavefront and, based upon the phase, controllably position a deformable mirror and/or appropriately process the signals representative of the optical wavefront. However, the performance of these systems is somewhat degraded by scintillation. As such, it would be advantageous to design an optical sensing system that was tolerant of scintillation and that provided an accurate measurement of the phase of an optical wavefront even if the optical wavefront experienced scintillation, thereby permitting appropriate wavefront compensation to be provided, such as by means of properly shaping a deformable mirror or by properly processing the signals representative of the optical wavefront.

Scintillation tolerant optical field sensing system and associated method


A frequency multiplication circuit includes a delay circuit that has a clock signal having a period input thereto and delays the signal by a time, an exclusive OR circuit that has the clock signal and a signal from the delay circuit input thereto and outputs a signal serving as an exclusive OR between the clock signal and the signal from the delay circuit, and a signal correction circuit that has a signal from the exclusive OR circuit input thereto and corrects the input signal to output the resultant. The length of the time is a length other than n×T/4 (n is an integer). The signal correction circuit attenuates a signal having a second frequency based on T/2, rather than a signal having a first frequency based on the time τ.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a frequency multiplication circuit, an electronic device and a moving object.
2. Related Art
A clock signal generated from an oscillation signal which is output by an oscillation circuit is used in various products. When a high-frequency clock signal is generated, a frequency multiplication circuit that multiplies the frequency of an oscillation signal is used.
JP-A-7-22919 discloses a frequency multiplier using a delay circuit and a circuit that outputs an exclusive OR.
In the frequency multiplier disclosed in JP-A-7-22919, since multiple stages of delay circuits and circuits that output an exclusive OR have to be used in order to apply a multiplication number larger than 2-multiplication, there is the possibility of a circuit configuration being complicated.

Frequency multiplication circuit, electronic device and moving object


A base station device including: a transmitter configured to transmit a transport block that includes a plurality of code block groups; and a receiver configured to receive a confirmation signal which indicates that one or more code block groups of the plurality of code block groups has not been successfully received, wherein the transmitter transmits a control signal when the receiver receives the confirmation signal, and the control signal comprises first information that indicates the one or more code block groups to be retransmitted and second information that indicates data is combined with the one or more code block groups being retransmitted and earlier received one or more code block groups stored in a buffer.

Traffic for mobile terminals (such as smartphones, feature phones, etc.) occupies most resources of recent networks. The amount of traffic used by mobile terminals tends to increase in the future as well.
Meanwhile, there is an increasing demand for a capability to respond to services with various requirement conditions, accompanying the development of IoT (Internet of things) services (such as transportation systems, smart meters, monitoring systems for devices, etc.). This leads to a demand for a technique that achieves a higher data rate, a greater capacity, and a smaller delay in a next-generation communication standard (for example 5G (Fifth Generation Mobile Communications)) in addition to the 4G (Fourth Generation Mobile Communications) standard techniques (for example Non-Patent Documents 1 through 11). Note that working groups of the 3GPP are discussing next-generation communication standards (such as for example TSG-RAN WG1, TSG-RANWG2, etc.) (Non-Patent Documents 12 through 18).
Further, in order to provide a variety kinds of services, many use cases that are classified into Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC), Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communication (URLLC), and others are proposed to be supported in the 5G.
LTE (Fourth Generation Communications scheme) etc. employ a technique of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) to implement highly efficient data transport. According to HARQ, for example, a receiver requests a source device to perform a retransmission when received data was not successfully decoded in a process based on a layer-1 protocol such as LTE etc. In response to the request for the data retransmission, the source device transmits retransmission data corresponding to the data that was not successfully decoded in the receiver. The receiver combines the data that was not successfully decoded and the retransmission data so as to decode the data. This enables highly efficient and highly accurate retransmission control. Note that when the receiver decodes data successfully, the receiver transmits ACK information to the source device, and when the receiver fails to decode data successfully, the receiver transmits NACK information to the source device.
Incidentally, 1-bit feedback information that represents ACK/NACK is reported for, for example, a 14-symbol Transmission Time Interval (TTI) in recent LTE-based wireless communication systems. Also, a group of the 3GPP agreed to a scheme in which feedback information that represents ACK/NACK is reported for each code block group (Code Block Group or CBG) (Non-Patent Document 13). In that case, feedback information for each code block group uses one bit. Also, the number of symbols that forms a code block group is for example smaller than or equal to 14.

Base station device, user equipment, wireless communication system, and communication method


5-phenyl-substituted N-(tetrazol-5-yl)- and N-(triazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamides of the general formula (I) are described as herbicides.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the technical field of herbicides, especially that of herbicides for selective control of broad-leaved weeds and weed grasses in crops of useful plants.
2. Description of Related Art
WO2003010143 and WO2003010153 disclose particular N-(tetrazol-5-yl)- and N-(triazol-5-yl)benzamides and the pharmacological action thereof. EP 0 049 071 A1 discloses herbicidally active N-arylbenzamides. Specifically, this publication mentions the compounds N-[5-(1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethoxybenzamide (Example No. 118) and N-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-2,6-dimethoxybenzamide (Example No. 119). However, these compounds have insufficient herbicidal activity. In particular at low application rates, the herbicidal activity of the compounds known from EP 0 049 071 A1 is unsatisfactory.

5-phenyl-substituted N-(tetrazol-5-yl) aryl carboxylic acid amides and N-(triazol-5-yl) aryl carboxylic acid amides, and use thereof as herbicides

Abstract: In this formula (I), W, X, Y, Z and R are radicals such as hydrogen, organic radicals such as alkyl, and other radicals such as halogen. A and B are N and CY.


A multi-layer article to protect a patient from laser radiation during surgery comprises two metallic layers sandwiching a flame-resistant, radiation absorbing layer. The facing surfaces of the metallic layers, adjoining the middle layer, are reflective. The top surface of the upper metallic layer has a non-reflective, flame-resistant coating. The radiation-absorbing layer is preferably a hydrogel. The lower metallic layer is preferably thicker than the upper layer and/or is of a metal that has a higher melting temperature than that of the upper layer. The article protects the patient by harmlessly dissipating the energy in a misdirected laser beam for a period of time that will permit a healthcare worker to take corrective action.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an article, such as a drape, worn by a patient for protection from stray radiation during laser surgery.
2. Description of the Related Art
Lasers are finding ever increasing use in medical and dental applications. They are being used by ophthalmologists, dermatologists, obstetrician/gynecologists, dentists, and others in "traditional" open surgery, endoscopic surgery, and non-surgical procedures. Lasers have found application in hemostasis, tissue welding and cutting, tissue ablation, photodynamic therapy, etc. With the increasing use of lasers in medical procedures comes a corresponding increase in the need for protection from the potentially harmful effects of stray radiation. If a laser beam that is intended to be directed to a surgical site is instead misdirected, there is risk of harm to the patient as well as to healthcare workers. The harm can be caused either directly, for example, laser-caused burns, or indirectly, if the laser beam strikes a flammable article. A number of drapes and other articles have been developed to protect against these risks.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,286, issued Jul. 22, 1986, to J. W. Kaufman, discloses a surgical drape for protecting healthy tissue from damage due to laser exposure during surgery. The drape comprises an adhesive-backed hydrogel layer. In another embodiment of the drape, an adhesive-backed hydrogel layer and a second layer of hydrogel sandwich a metallic sheet. In each case, the adhesive permits the drape to be adhered to the patient. Drapes of the first embodiment withstand laser exposure for only a rather short period of time. Drapes of the embodiment that include the metallic sheet tend to quickly reflect laser radiation, endangering healthcare workers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,604,998, issued Aug. 12, 1986, to J. H. Bellina, discloses a multi-layered drape to protect a patient during laser surgery. The drape has a non-metallic layer laminated to the top, blackened surface of a first metallic layer. A second metallic layer is separated from the first metallic layer by an air gap. A laser beam enters the drape through the laminated layers and is repeatedly reflected between the facing surfaces of the two metallic layers. A shortcoming of the drape is the difficulty of maintaining the air space between the facing metallic layers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,014,723, issued May 14, 1991, to J. W. Kaufman, discloses two-layer laser protection article that consists of a xerogel, on the side proximal to the laser beam, and a non-reflective metallic layer on the distal side. In tests, drapes made in accordance with the specification prevented potentially harmful reflection of laser radiation for only a brief period of exposure.


A power supply and distribution device for solar-powered aircraft includes at least two power supply and distribution sub-systems having same configurations. A disconnection of an electrical connection between a plurality of components of each power supply and distribution sub-system can be controlled through a first switch. An electrical connection between the same components of the power supply and distribution sub-systems can be established by controlling a second switch. The power supply and distribution device for solar-powered aircraft has a centralized-distribution design. Specifically, each power supply and distribution sub-system is designed in a centralized mounting manner and has separated power supply and power distribution functions that can work separately. The power supply and distribution systems are designed in a distributed mounting manner which is suitable for solar aircrafts having characteristics of large wingspan and distributed propulsion system, thereby effectively reducing the concentrated stress.

The solar-powered aircrafts are powerful, adaptable, flexible, and cost-effective. The wide use of solar-powered aircrafts is increasing. In order to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of solar-powered aircrafts, wings with a high aspect ratio and a design of distributed propulsion system are usually used, which raises new requirements for the weight distribution and long-term stable operation of the power distribution system of aircrafts. The design of the power distribution of the traditional centralized aircraft cannot meet such requirements.

Power supply and distribution device for solar-powered aircraft


Provided is a management device maintaining communication qualities while accommodating a changeable communication environment. Based on correspondence between each geographical position of plural managed devices and available frequencies thereat, pair available frequencies available in common by arbitrary two managed devices are specified for each pair, and notified to the arbitrary two devices. From managed devices, acquiring pair communication qualities obtained when the pair available frequencies is used, defined is a best pair available frequency capable of obtaining a best pair communication quality. Specifying all of candidate paths connecting the each pair, relaying other managed devices, calculated are, based on the best pair communication quality, path communication qualities in the candidate paths connecting the each pair using the best pair available frequency. Selecting for the each pair a use path having a best quality in the path communication qualities, communication between the each pair is performed by using the use path.

Standards of wireless communication to use the same frequency band as that of a television broadcast being a licensed business and to be capable of being operated with no such a license, have been investigated. In these standards, a television broadcaster is regarded as a primary user, and only when a licensed frequency band of the primary user is not used, a secondary user is allowed to operate wireless communication in the frequency band (the licensed frequency band that is not used=white space).
In order to confirm that no TV signals exist, a communication device being the secondary user used under such an environment inquires of a dedicated database about TV channels, for example. That is, current position information of the communication device is transmitted to the database, and a list of frequencies available (effective) at the position is obtained from the database. Then, a frequency to be used is selected from the frequencies of the list and as the secondary user, wireless communication is operated.
On the other hand, as one embodiment of the secondary user, there is conceived an embodiment in which a plurality of communication devices are connected to one another in a manner to form a mesh, and even when only one of the communication devices has a function to communicate with the Internet and the like, all the communication devices can be connected to the Internet and the like through a meshed network. Further, as long as the plurality of communication devices form a mesh as above, when these communication devices perform communication with one another, the communication is completed in the network (the mesh network), so that it is efficient.
With regard to the secondary users that can form a mesh network, management for maintaining the mesh network is required, and further, communication is performed by using the white space, so that management for the communication is also required. Particularly, it is conceived that well maintaining communication qualities while accommodating a change in momentarily changeable communication environment is important for the secondary users capable of forming a mesh network in the white space.

Communication management device and communication management method

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY


A system according to this invention converts a full-copy snapshot into a differential snapshot. The system is composed of a storage subsystem and a server subsystem. The storage subsystem comprises a disk drive and a disk controller. The server subsystem comprises an interface, a processor, and a memory. The disk controller provides storage areas of the disk drive as logical volumes, and stores a differential block bitmap. The processor obtains the differential block bitmap, and identifies a block from the differential block bitmap. The processor obtains, from a full-copy snapshot volume, differential data that is stored in the identified block. The processor stores the obtained differential data in a differential volume. The processor stores, in differential block arrangement information, the location of the differential data stored in the differential volume.

This invention relates to a system including a storage subsystem and a server subsystem, and more specifically to a snapshot management technique.
SAN-NAS integrated storage systems which high-performance SAN and easy-to-manage NAS are lately becoming popular.
SAN-NAS integrated storage systems have a snapshot function in order to protect data stored in a primary volume. Using the snapshot function, a SAN-NAS integrated storage system takes a snapshot which is a still image of a primary volume at a specific point in time. Known snapshot technologies include full-copy snapshot and differential snapshot.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,497 discloses a technique related to full-copy snapshot. A SAN-NAS integrated storage system creates a mirror volume synchronized with a primary volume. The SAN-NAS integrated storage system creates a full-copy snapshot by performing splitting processing in which the created mirror volume is split physically.
A drawback of full-copy snapshot is large consumption of disk resource, which means that fewer generations are provided. An advantage of full-copy snapshot is very high access performance owing to physical separation from primary volumes. Full-copy snapshot is therefore used as snapshot of which high access performance is demanded, for example, as snapshot for online backup.
US 2004/01896900 discloses a technique related to differential snapshot. A SAN-NAS integrated storage system stores only differential data which is the difference between a differential snapshot and a primary volume. The SAN-NAS integrated storage system combines the stored differential data with the primary volume, to thereby provide a virtual differential snapshot.
Created by combining differential data with a primary volume, differential snapshot does not have as high access performance as full-copy snapshot. On the other hand, differential snapshot uses a small amount of disk resource and therefore can provide more generations than full-copy snapshot. For instance, differential snapshot is employed as snapshot for regular backup of a shared file server.
The full-copy snapshot and differential snapshot functions enable SAN-NAS integrated storage systems to provide snapshots suited to access performance requirements and disk resource usage requirements.
JP 2005-267569 A discloses a storage system that utilizes a snapshot function in remote copy. This storage system copies differential data from a primary volume to a copy volume while referring to a bitmap.

Snapshot format conversion method and apparatus


A storage device control apparatus includes a mounting part and an internal connection part. The mounting part can removably mount channel control unit, each with a host interface controller formed therein for receiving data I/O requests, disk control units, each with a disk interface controller formed therein for performing I/O control of the data to storage volumes storing data in response to the data I/O requests, cache memory units, each with a memory formed therein for storing the data, and storage control units, each with the host interface controller, the disk interface controller, and the memory formed therein. The internal connection part connects the channel control units, the disk control units, the cache memory units, and the storage control units in a communicable manner.

A variety of storage systems used as data storage apparatuses in computer systems have been proposed. The storage systems range from small to large systems.
The storage system for a small computer system is provided as an apparatus with a minimum of features as a storage system, aiming at facilitating the introduction and reducing the cost at the time of initial introduction.
On the other hand, the storage system for a large computer system is adopting a different architecture from that for the small computer system. The large storage system is designed to have high expandability so it can respond to the needs of users who want to operate the largest system.
However, when the storage capacity needs increasing or the storage system needs scaling up due to integration with another storage system, the storage system for a small computer system may have to be replaced by a large storage system, or add another storage system.
In addition, the storage system for a large computer system, which has been designed from the outset to have high expandability, would place enormous cost pressures from the initial phase of introduction.

Storage device control apparatus and control method for the storage device control apparatus


A surface inspection apparatus for inspecting a surface of an object to be inspected, includes: a projecting optical system which projects an inspection light to the object surface via a reference surface; a pick up unit which picks up surface interference fringes formed by reflected light from the reference surface and reflected light from the object surface; and an arithmetic unit which calculates a shape of the surface of the object based on the picked up interference fringes. The projecting optical system includes a laser light source that emits, as the inspection light, pulsed laser light having a pulse width and a pulse quiescent time capable of preventing formation of rear face interference fringes which are formed by the reflected light from the object surface and reflected light caused by the inspection light being reflected from its rear face, the object allowing the inspection light to pass therethrough.

The present invention relates to a surface inspection apparatus for inspecting a surface of an object to be inspected.
A known surface inspection apparatus projects inspection light on a surface (hereinafter also referred to as an object surface) of an object to be inspected (test object) such as a semiconductor wafer and a glass mask via a reference surface to pick up interference (Moire) fringes formed (occurring) by reflected light from the reference surface and reflected light from the object surface using a pick up device such as a CCD camera, thereby inspecting the object surface (a shape of the object surface) based on the picked up interference fringes.
By the way, when the object allows the inspection light to pass therethrough, interference fringes (hereinafter also referred to as rear face interference fringes) are formed by the reflected light from the object surface and a reflected light from a rear face of the object, and these interference fringes cause noise (disturbance) during the inspection of the object surface.