A data processing system generates recommendations for on-line shopping by scoring recommendations matching the customer's cart contents product page, configuration page, email and/or history using predetermined scoring criteria, such as item availability, item price, relevance of the item to the customer, item clarity, item exposure, total purchase amount in the cart, margin, recommendation confidence and lift, shopper profile matches, seasonality, customer history, time dependency, product marketing emphasis, substitutability, item popularity and/or product attributes associated with the recommended item. The scored recommendations may be ranked and/or filtered to prioritize the recommendations so that the best recommendation is selected for presentation to the customer. In addition, one or more scoring criteria or product attributes for the recommended item may be used to select a specific selling point/message text for inclusion with the selected recommendation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to the field of database analysis. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a system and method for generating purchase recommendations based on historical transaction data.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional sales practices often use sales or service representatives to assist in the customer's purchasing decisions by recommending particular products or features to the customer. An experienced sales or service representative will be able to recommend specific purchases by first taking into consideration the customer's stated preferences.
In addition, a vendor who sells computer systems to a variety of customers (e.g., individual home users interested in personal computers, businesses interested in client/server systems, etc.) must recommend an optimal configuration of computer features and/or related products to meet the customer's particular needs, where a "configuration" is a collection of constituent parts that comprise an end product or service, and a "product" may comprise one or more physical objects or one or more services or any combination of products and services. In this case, the recommendation of a particular system configuration may depend on the external needs of the customer, such that a recommended configuration has a certain amount of disk space storage, a certain number of disk drives, choice of monitor, and the like to meet the desired level of functionality or price/performance desired by the customer.
An experienced sales or service representative will also be able to recommend specific purchases by taking into consideration the historical purchasing patterns of other customers, such that a recommendation is based on historical transaction data indicating that, when other customers have purchased product or feature X, they also purchased product or feature Y (which would be recommended to the customer). Now that modern computers can assemble, record and analyze enormous amounts of data, historical transaction data can be collected and analyzed using data mining techniques to discover association relationships in a database by identifying frequently occurring patterns in the database. These association relationships or rules may be applied to extract useful information from large databases in a variety of fields, including selective marketing, market analysis and management applications (such as target marketing, customer relation management, market basket analysis, cross selling, market segmentation), risk analysis and management applications (such as forecasting, customer retention, improved underwriting, quality control, competitive analysis), fraud detection and management applications and other applications (such as text mining (news group, email, documents), stream data mining, web mining, DNA data analysis, etc.). Association rules have been applied to model and emulate consumer purchasing activities by describing how often items are purchased together. Typically, a rule consists of two conditions (e.g., antecedent and consequent) and is denoted as AC where A is the antecedent and C is the consequent. For example, an association rule, "laptopspeaker (80%)," states that four out of five customers that bought a laptop computer also bought speakers.
Conventional data mining approaches use generic item descriptions, such as the SKU (stock-keeping unit number) when identifying items or products in a transaction database. When these generic descriptions are used to identify frequent sets, the frequent sets are not large and power-set/rule generation is tractable. However, conventional data mining techniques using item data at the SKU level do not provide sufficient information to develop meaningful association rules for complex products. For example, if there are three transactions involving the purchase of a computer identified as "Desktop-SKU" with one of the transactions also involving the purchase of DVD disks, the product level of description used to identify the computer does not reveal that two of the computers did not include DVD drives, while the third computer (which was purchased with the DVD disks) did include a DVD drive. As this example demonstrates, this lack of granularity in the item description diminishes the quality of association rules that can be generated, resulting in limited pattern correlation.
The difficulty of making recommendations increases as the number and complexity of mined association rules increases, which in turn is caused by an increase in the number of services and/or products, where each service or product may itself comprise a number of constituent services and products. The complexity of recommending a suitable configuration grows further with the number of constituent parts, the external needs of the customer, and the internal needs of the parts when considered as a whole. With the increasing amount of transaction data that may be accumulated and processed to generate an increasing number of associations rules, there can be an overwhelming number of recommendations available for presentation to the customer. As a result, the customer can be confused or overwhelmed if too many recommendations are made, if the recommendation is not adequately explained or if the recommendation fails to take into account the customer's needs.
As seen from the conventional approaches, a need exists for methods and/or apparatuses for improving the use of data mining techniques in generating recommendations. There is also a need for finer granularity in the generation of frequent sets to better discover meaningful patterns without imposing the cost of a combinatorial explosion of the data that must be examined. In addition, there is a need for an improved method and system for efficiently generating retail recommendations which controls and focuses the presentation of recommendations to customers so that recommendations have an improved chance of being accepted by being presented in a compelling and coherent way. Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional systems will become apparent to one of skill in the art after reviewing the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings and detailed description which follow.

System and method for generating effective recommendations


A brazing process includes placing an accessory on a tube and interposing a brazing material between a bearing surface of the tube and a complementary bearing surface of the accessory. The brazing material is melted. The bearing surface and the complementary bearing surface together define a chamber having a converging portion whose height perpendicular to the bearing surface decreases radially away from the orifice. The converging portion of the chamber has a radial width greater than one times the thickness of the tube, so that the brazing material is distributed by capillary action in the chamber, and binds the bearing surface and the complementary bearing surface to one another.

The present invention generally relates to the brazing of parts on a thin tube.
It is known to fix an accessory on a tube using welding techniques such as MIG, MAG, or TIG. Such techniques cannot be used easily when the tube has a wall thickness of less than or equal to 0.6 mm. In fact, these techniques cause high energy transfer to the wall of the tube, which may lead to excessive deformation or to a fusion cut.
It is also possible to braze the accessory on the tube, in particular by using induction heating. A brazing material is interposed between the accessory and the tube. The brazing material is melted during heating. At that instant, the surfaces facing the accessory and the tube define a chamber. It is important to obtain a uniform distribution of the molten brazing material throughout the chamber in order to guarantee the quality of the connection between the accessory and the tube.

Process for brazing an accessory on a tube, and corresponding assembly


A system for installing a printer driver for a printer connected on a network includes a printer driver for the printer; an installer, located on a host device connected on the network, responsive to activation, for listening for the printer's identification, and responsive to receipt of the printer's identification, for installing the printer driver on the host device; and a beacon, located at the printer, responsive to an input, for broadcasting the printer's identification on the network.

Printers designed for use in a network environment offer greater functionality than the simple desktop printer. In addition to offering more printing and post-print options (collation, binding, etc.), network printers frequently come with built-in processors, hard drives for data storage, a web server for communicating on a network and sophisticated management software. For example, on certain Xerox brand network printers, CentreWare Internet Services provides a built-in web server and management software. Once the printer is physically connected to a network, such as an intranet, it can be managed directly from a standard web browser (such as Netscape 6.02, Internet Explorer 5.0, etc.) or any web-enabled application. This management software enables administrators to monitor, configure, and troubleshoot network printers from a web browser or a web enabled application. This management software also provides hotlinks to product information, software drivers, help-desk and customer support.
Once a printer is physically connected to a network, a user on the network must install a printer driver so that the user can send print jobs to the printer. In a networked print environment, installing a printer can be a troublesome task. Many installation programs search the network for all printers that match the one the user is trying to install. Printers with embedded web servers and hard disks can provide access to the printer driver installer through the printer's embedded web server. However, when the installer program is run from the printer, the installer program still searches for all printers of the selected type, since it does not know which printer it was run from. The installation program presents the user with a list of all printers of the particular type. The user must then pick out which printer it wants to install. This proves to be tedious for the user, since the list presented contains information not easily understood by the user, such as IP addresses or technical nomenclature established by the network administrator.

System for installing a printer driver on a network


This invention presents a sulphurous acid generator which employs a combination of novel blending contact and mixing mechanisms which maximize the efficiency and duration of contact between sulphur dioxide gas and water enriched with air/oxygen to form sulphurous acid in an open nonpressurized system, without employing a countercurrent absorption tower.

1. The Field of the Invention
Only a fraction of the earth""s total water supply is available and suitable for agriculture, industry and domestic needs. The demand for water is great and new technologies together with growing populations increase the demand for water while pollution diminishes the limited supply of usable water. The growing demand for water requires efficient use of available water resources.
Agricultural use of water places a large demand on the world""s water supply. In some communities, the water supply may be adequate for farming but the quality of the water is unsuitable for agriculture because the water is alkaline. Alkalinity is an important factor affecting the quality, efficiency and performance of soil and irrigation water. A relative increase in irrigation alkalinity due to the water""s sodium to calcium ratio or a high pH renders irrigation water detrimental to soil, crop growth and irrigation water efficiency. Such water can be reclaimed for soil rehabilitation and irrigation by adding lower pH sulphurous acid to the alkaline water to reduce its alkalinity or pH.
The invention of this application is directed toward a device which generates sulphurous acid in a simplified, efficient way. In particular, it is directed toward a sulphurous acid generator which produces sulphurous acid by burning sulphur to produce sulphur dioxide gas. The sulphur dioxide gas is then drawn toward and held in contact with air-injected water eventually reacting with the water and producing sulphurous acid, while virtually eliminating dangerous emissions of sulphur dioxide gas to the air.
2. The Relevant Technology
There are several sulphurous acid generators in the art. The prior art devices utilize sulphur burn chambers and absorption towers. However, known systems utilize countercurrent current flow or pressurized systems as the principle means to accomplish the generation of sulphurous acid. For example, many devices employ the absorption tower to introduce the majority of the water to the system in countercurrent flow to the flow of sulphur dioxide gas. U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,771 teaches introducing 90% of the system water for the first time in countercurrent flow at the top of the absorption tower. In such devices, the integrity of the absorption towers is vital, and any deficiencies or inefficiencies of the absorption tower lead to diminished reaction and results. Other devices utilize pressurized gas to facilitate flow of gas through the system, see U.S. Pat. No. 3,226,201. Pressurized devices, however, require expensive manufacture to ensure the containment of dangerous sulphur dioxide gas to avoid leakage. Even negative pressure machines have the drawback of requiring a source of energy to power the negative pressure generator such as an exhaust fan. Still other devices rely upon secondary combustion chambers to further oxidize the sulphur, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,771. Many sulphurous acid generators emit significant or dangerous levels of unreacted sulphur dioxide gas, a harmful and noxious pollutant, into the surrounding environment.
The present invention is directed to a sulphurous acid generator which can be used to improve alkaline irrigation water by adding the sulphurous acid produced by the generator to alkaline water to reduce the alkalinity and/or pH of the water. In addition to making the water less alkaline, adding sulphurous acid to alkaline water increases the availability of sulphur in the water to act as a nutrient, improves capillary action of the soil, increases cation exchange capacity, and decreases tail water run-off and tillage and fertilizer costs.
In many agricultural settings, complicated farm machinery is not practical because it requires technical training to operate and special skills to service and maintain. For sulphur generators, improved design can reduce costs, simplify operation, service and maintenance and increase efficiency and safety thereby making the machine more practical for agricultural use. The present invention is directed toward a sulphurous acid generator that is simple to produce, operate, service and maintain, and which efficiency produces, contains and reacts sulphur dioxide gas and sulphurous acid without exposing the user or other living things in proximity to the machine to dangerous sulphur dioxide emissions.
It will be appreciated that a specific energy source is not necessarily required by the present invention, and therefore its use is not necessarily restricted to locations where a particular power source, like electricity, is available or can be generated for use. All of the above objectives are met by the present invention.
Unlike the prior art, the present invention is designed to maximize the amount of air/oxygen enriched water in contact with sulphur dioxide gas and the duration of the contact of water with sulphur dioxide gas without creating any significant back pressure in the system or relying upon pressurization or elevated temperature of the gas to cause the sulphur dioxide gas to flow through the sulphurous acid generator. This reduces the complexity of the sulphurous acid generator and the need for additional equipment such as air compressors used by prior art devices.
The invention primarily relates to a sulphur hopper, a burn chamber, an air injector, a gas pipeline, a mixing tank, and an exhaust pipeline.
The sulphur hopper preferably has a capacity of several hundred pounds of sulphur in powder or flake form. The sulphur hopper can be constructed of various materials or combinations thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the sulphur hopper is constructed of stainless steel and plastic. The sulphur hopper is connected to the burn chamber by a passageway positioned at the base of the sulphur hopper. The conduit joins the burn chamber at its base. The weight of the sulphur in the sulphur hopper forces sulphur through the passageway at the base and into the bum chamber, providing a continual supply of sulphur for burning. The flow of sulphur may be augmented using an anti-cavitation rake or scraper.
The burn chamber has an ignition inlet on the top of the bum chamber through which the sulphur is ignited and an air inlet on the side of the chamber through which oxygen enters to fuel the burning sulphur. The burning sulphur generates sulphur dioxide gas. In the preferred embodiment, the bottom of the chamber is removable, facilitating access to the chamber for maintenance and service. The burn chamber is constructed of material capable of withstanding the corrosiveness of the sulphur and the heat of combustion, preferably stainless steel.
Sulphur dioxide gas exits the burn chamber through an exhaust outlet on the top of the burn chamber and is drawn into a first conduit. The first conduit may be manufactured from stainless steel.
A supply of water is conducted by a second conduit and may be brought from a water source through the second conduit by any means capable of delivering sufficient water and pressure, such as an elevated water tank or a mechanical or electric pump. Along the length of the second conduit, air with its oxygen component is injected into the ambient water.
The first conduit and second conduit meet and couple with a third conduit. The third conduit comprises a blending portion, a contact containment portion, an agitation portion and a means for discharging the sulphurous acid and unreacted sulphur dioxide gas. In the third conduit, the sulphur dioxide gas and air/oxygen enriched water are brought in contact with each other to form sulphurous acid. The third conduit may be constructed of polyethylene plastic.
The blending portion of the third conduit comprises a means for bringing the sulphur dioxide gas in the first conduit and the water in the second conduit into contained, codirectional flow into contact with each other. The majority of water used to create sulphurous acid in the system and method is introduced into the third conduit and flows through one or more contact containment and agitation portions in the third conduit through the contact means. Thereafter, the water and sulphur dioxide gas flow through one or more contact containments, discharging naturally by gravity into a mixing tank.
Water is introduced into the third conduit in co-directional flow with the sulphur dioxide gas so as to create an annular column of water with the sulphur dioxide gas flowing inside the annular column of water thereby blending the water and sulphur dioxide gas together. In the preferred embodiment, water is introduced into the gas pipeline and passes through an eductor, which causes sulphur dioxide gas to be drawn through the first conduit without the need of pressuring the sulphur dioxide gas and without using an exhaust fan. The water and sulphur dioxide gas remain in contact with each other for the period of time it takes to flow through a portion of the third conduit. In the contact area, a portion of the sulphur dioxide gas reacts with the water, creating sulphurous acid.
The agitation portion comprises a means for mixing and agitating the codirectionally flowing sulphur dioxide gas and water/sulphurous acid. The agitation portions enhance sulphur dioxide gas reaction and dispersion. Bends in the third conduit or obstructions within the third conduit are contemplated as possible means for mixing and agitating in the agitation portion. Agitation of the co-directional flow of the sulphur dioxide gas and water further facilitates reaction of the sulphur dioxide gas with water into a mixing pool. Sulphurous acid and sulphur dioxide gas flow out of the third conduit through means for discharging the sulphurous acid and unreacted sulphur dioxide gas.
A discharge outlet represents a possible embodiment of means for discharging the sulphurous acid and unreacted sulphur dioxide gas. The discharge outlet permits conduit contents to enter a gas submersion zone.
The sulphurous acid and unreacted sulphur dioxide gas exit the third conduit through the discharge and enter a mixing tank. In one embodiment, a weir divides the mixing tank into two sections, namely a pooling section and an effluent or outlet section. Sulphurous acid and sulphur dioxide gas exit the discharge of the third conduit into the pooling section. As the sulphurous acid pours into the mixing tank, it creates a pool of sulphurous acid equal in depth to the height of the weir. At all times, the sulphurous acid and unreacted sulphur dioxide gas discharge from the third conduit above the level of the liquid in the pooling section of the mixing tank.
In other words, the discharge from the third conduit is positioned sufficiently above the surface of the pool, so that sulphur dioxide gas exiting the pipeline can pass directly into and be submerged within the pool while in an open (nonclosed) arrangement. In other words, the discharge from the third conduit does not create any significant back pressure on the flow of sulphurous acid or sulphur dioxide gas in the third conduit or gas pipeline. Nevertheless, the close vertical position of the discharge from the third conduit above the surface of the pool reduces the likelihood that the unreacted sulphur dioxide gas will exit from the discharge without being submerged in the pool. The discharge is removed a distance from the sidewall of the mixing tank toward the center of the pooling section to allow the pool to be efficiently churned by the inflow of sulphurous acid and unreacted sulphur dioxide gas from the third conduit.
As acidic water and gas continue to enter the mixing tank from the third conduit, the level of the pool eventually exceeds the height of the weir. Sulphurous acid spills over the weir and into the effluent or outlet section of the mixing tank where the sulphurous acid exits the mixing tank through an effluent outlet. The top of the effluent outlet is positioned below height of the weir and the discharge from the third conduit in order to reduce the amount of free floating unreacted sulphur dioxide gas exiting the chamber through the effluent outlet. Free floating, unreacted sulphur dioxide gas remaining in the mixing tank rises up to the top of the mixing tank. The top of the mixing tank is adapted with a lid. Under dissolved sulphur dioxide bubbles flowing through the affluent outlet are trapped by a standard u-trap, forcing accumulated bubbles back into the mixing tank while sulfurous acid exits the system through a first discharge pipe.
To ensure further elimination of any significant emissions of sulphur dioxide gas from the generator into the environment, the sulphur dioxide gas remaining in the mixing tank may be drawn into an exhaust conduit coupled with an exhaust vent on the lid of the mixing tank. The exhaust conduit defines a fourth conduit. Positioned in the fourth conduit is a means for introducing water into the fourth conduit. The water which enters the fourth conduit may be brought from a water source by any means capable of delivering sufficient water to the fourth conduit. As the water is introduced into the fourth conduit, it reacts with the sulphur dioxide gas that has migrated out through the lid of the mixing tank of the absorption tower, and creates sulphurous acid.
In the preferred embodiment, water introduced into the fourth conduit, passes through a second eductor causing the sulphur dioxide gas to be drawn through the vent and into the fourth conduit. The gas and water are contained in contact as they move through one or more contact containment and/or agitation portions of the fourth conduit. Sulphurous acid exits the fourth conduit through a second discharge pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the second discharge pipe also comprises a u-trap configuration, upstream from the u-trap, a thin stack permits reactive gases to discharge from the system.
The fourth conduit may be constructed of high density polyethylene plastic. High density polyethylene plastic is preferred for its durability and resistance to ultra violet ray degradation. It is another object of this invention to eliminate the countercurrent absorption powers of the prior art.
As mentioned, the water introduced into the system to the third conduit and fourth conduit may be brought from a water source to the system by any means capable of delivering sufficient water and pressure, such as a standing, elevated water tank, or mechanical, electric or diesel powered water pump.
It is an object of this invention to create a sulfurous acid generator that is simple to manufacture, use, maintain and service.
It is further an object of this invention to create a sulfurous acid generator that is capable of operating without any electrical equipment such as pumps, air compressor or exhaust fans requiring a specific energy source requirement, such as electricity or diesel fuels.
It is also an object of this invention to provided air/oxygen enriched water for reaction with the sulphur dioxide gas.
It is another object of this invention to produce a sulphurous acid generator which converts substantially all sulfur dioxide gas generated into sulphurous acid.
It is another object of the invention to produce a sulfurous acid generator which uses an induced draw created by the flow of water through the system to draw gases through the otherwise open system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sulphurous acid generator with one or more contact containment and/or agitation and mixing mechanisms to increase the duration of time during which the sulphur dioxide gas is in contact with and mixed with water.
It is an object of this invention to produce a sulphurous acid generator which substantially eliminates emission of harmful sulphur dioxide gas.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

Sulphurous acid generator with air injector


In one embodiment, video is transmitted between a sending device and a receiving device. The sending device is configured to receive adjacent camera views and encode the adjacent camera views independently into video streams. The sending device performs an image analysis on the adjacent camera views in order to generate a projection matrix to relate the adjacent camera views. The projection matrix and the encoded video streams are sent to at least one receiver. The receiver is configured to receive the encoded video streams and the projection matrix relating the encoded video streams. The receiver calculates an aggregate video stream using the projection matrix. The aggregate video stream includes portions of at least two of the encoded video streams. Other receivers may receive the same encoded video streams and generate a different aggregate video stream having a varying size, resolution, or number of views.

Video conferencing includes a set of technologies to facilitate two-way audio and video communication between two endpoints or multidirectional communication between more than two endpoints. In some examples, videoconferencing is distinguished from videotelephony in that videotelephony is between individual users and videoconferencing is between multiple users or one or more groups of users.
Videoconferencing often requires specialized equipment. For example, some videoconferencing systems include oversized monitors, dedicated rooms, and/or high bandwidth communication equipment. These types of videoconferencing boardrooms may be very expensive. Simpler systems are less expensive but cannot provide the panoramic views of high end videoconferencing systems.


In an ATM exchange, a cell transmission control section transmits an ATM cell to a transmission path of an ATM network A traffic monitor monitors traffic of the cell transmissions. A statistical process section performs a temporal statistical process on the result of the traffic monitoring using a clock and a memory. A CAC produces an instruction for traffic control over a transmission terminal based on the result of the statistical process. A UPC controls traffic of a transmission path from the transmission terminal in accordance with the instruction.

This invention broadly relates to a method of controlling traffic between ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) exchanges in an ATM network having a plurality of terminals connected via the ATM exchanges, and in particular, to a method of effectively utilizing transmission paths of the ATM network.
In case where a transmission terminal communicates with another terminal via an ATM network connected to ATM exchanges, amount of transmission (traffic) is controlled between the transmission terminal and the ATM exchange. In general, the transmission terminal subscribes traffic bands to be used, and the ATM exchange controls so that the transmission terminal uses a transmission path within the transmission bands. The traffic bands are fixed to the bands at the time of subscription.
Under such circumstances, the ATM exchange includes a CAC (Connection Admission Controller) and a UPC (Usage Parameter Controller). With this structure, the CAC judges whether or not a band is held within the subscription bands of the transmission path connected to the UPC as well as whether or not the ATM exchange can be connected to the ATM network (in other words, whether it is a usable band or not). Therefore, the availability of the band depends on a traffic state of the ATM network at that time.


A TDD type transmitter-receiver capable of dividing one channel into a transmission slot and a reception slot with respect to time and performing time-divided transmission and reception of data during such slots respectively. The transmitter-receiver includes a transmitting circuit having the capacity to generate a carrier signal; a receiving circuit having an oscillator to generate an oscillation signal for converting a received signal into a predetermined intermediate frequency signal, and a mixer to mix the received signal with the oscillation signal; a signal line for supplying a leakage signal in the transmitting circuit to the receiving circuit; a frequency discriminator for converting into a voltage the frequency of the intermediate frequency signal obtained from the receiving circuit; a device for storing the voltage therein; and circuitry for controlling the oscillation frequency of the oscillator in accordance with the voltage. Since the frequency oscillation is controlled in conformity with the reference voltage, an exact AFC action can be executed under any environmental conditions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a TDD type transmitter-receiver for use in both home and public cordless telephone systems
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a digital cordless telephone system such as a telepoint system, there is generally employed a TDD or TDMA/TDD method which executes ping-pong transfer of signals by using one frequency for both transmission and reception.
According to the TDD method, as shown in FIG. 1 for example, a single channel (frequency) is divided into a transmission slot T and a reception slot R with respect to time, and such slots T and R are alternately repeated with a guard time Tg existent therebetween In an exemplary case, each of the transmission slots T and the reception slots R is 1 millisecond, and the guard time Tg is several ten microseconds. And a cordless telephone set (slave set) transmits a signal to a base station (master set) during the transmission slot T or receives a signal from the base station during the reception slot R.
In the TDD system which performs such transmission and reception, the transmitting and receiving circuits of the cordless telephone set are so constituted as shown in FIG. 2.
In this diagram, there are included a transmitting circuit 10, a receiving circuit 20, a system controller 31, and a clock generator 32. The system controller 31 serving to control the entire operation of the cordless telephone consists of a microcomputer. The clock generator 32 generates various timing clock signals and control signals The signals obtained from the system controller 31 and the clock generator 32 are supplied to unshown relevant circuits respectively.
In the transmitting circuit 10, a sound signal Sa is supplied to a transmission processor 11 which sequentially executes analog-to-digital (A-D) conversion, time base compression, addition of control data from the system controller 31, and division into two channels, so that digital data DI and DQ of I and Q channels are taken out every transmission slot T. Such data DI and DQ are supplied as modulating signals to an orthogonal modulator 12. Furthermore a carrier signal (oscillation signal) Si having a frequency fi of 80 MHz for example is outputted from an oscillator 13 every transmission slot T and then is supplied also to the modulator 12.
Thus, the orthogonal modulator 12 produces, during each transmission slot T, an intermediate frequency signal Sit (of intermediate frequency fi) modulated by the data DI and DQ.
The intermediate frequency signal Sit is supplied to a mixer 15, and a local oscillation signal Sc of a frequency fc is generated from a synthesizer oscillator 33 provided for selection of a transmission-reception channel. The signal Sc is supplied also to the mixer 15, while the signal Sit is frequency-converted into a transmission signal St of a frequency fs. In such frequency conversion, the following is executed. EQU fs=fi+fc
where fc=2.6 GHz
The frequency fc or channel is set by controlling the synthesizer oscillator 33 by means of the system controller 31.
The transmission signal St is supplied to an antenna 35 via a signal line of a band pass filter 16.fwdarw.a power amplifier 17.fwdarw.a high-frequency switch 34, whereby the signal St is transmitted to the base station or master set.
In this stage, the switch 34 is selectively changed to a transmission slot T or a reception slot R in response to a control signal obtained from the clock generator 32, and the antenna 35 is selectively used for both the transmitting circuit 10 and the receiving circuit 20.
Meanwhile in the receiving circuit 20, the signal Sr (frequency fs) transmitted from the base station or master set during the reception slot R is received at the antenna 35. The signal Sr thus received is supplied to a first mixer 23 via a signal line of the switch 34.fwdarw.the band pass filter 21.fwdarw.the high-frequency amplifier 22, while a local oscillation signal Sc outputted from an oscillator 33 is supplied to the first mixer 23, so that the signal Sr is converted into a first intermediate frequency signal Sir. In this case, the intermediate frequency of the signal Sir is equal to the frequency fi of the signal Sit.
The signal Sir thus produced is supplied via a band pass filter 24 to a second mixer 25, and simultaneously a second local oscillation signal Sj from a second local oscillator 26 is supplied also to the mixer 25, whereby the signal Sir is converted to a second intermediate frequency signal Sjr (intermediate frequency fj=450 kHz), which is then supplied via a band pass filter 27 to a demodulator 28 so as to be demodulated every reception slot R to become digital data DI and DQ. Thereafter such digital data DI and DQ are supplied to a reception processor 29 where a predetermined process for TDD reception is executed to regain the original sound signal Sb. Control data is also outputted from the processor 29 and is supplied to the system controller 31.
In the TDD type cordless telephone using a submicrowave band as mentioned above, there exists a problem with regard to the stability of the frequency. For example, the requisite frequency stability in transmission and reception is 1 ppm or so under the conditions including a line frequency fs of 2 GHz, .pi./4-shift QPSK modulation, a modulation speed of 80 kbps, delay detection for modulation, and a permissible C/N deterioration of 3 dB.
However, it is practically difficult to realize a quartz oscillator where the frequency stability is less than 1 ppm, and a considerable increase will be unavoidable in the production cost even if such oscillator can be realized.
Therefore an AFC function is a requisite for achieving a cordless telephone set which satisfies the above-described requirements in the submicrowave band.
However, in the TDD system where both the transmission signal St and the reception signal Sr have a burst waveform as shown also in FIG. 1, it is impossible to form an effective AFC circuit
Suppose now that, in the cordless telephone set shown in FIG. 2, a carrier signal St is outputted from the oscillator 13 even during each reception slot R. In this state, due to the frequency of the carrier signal Si and the circuit configuration, the signal Si comes to leak out to the band pass filter 27 via the signal line of oscillator 13.fwdarw.modulator 12.fwdarw.mixer 15.fwdarw.mixer 23 band pass filter 24.fwdarw.mixer 25, thereby causing a signal S39 which is denoted by a broken line in FIG. 2. (Therefore, in the telephone set mentioned above, the carrier signal Si is outputted merely during each transmission slot T.)
The signal S39 thus caused is such as ##EQU1## where .alpha. is a precision of the oscillation frequency fi of the oscillator 13; .beta. is a precision of the oscillation frequency (fi-fj) of the oscillator 26; f39 is the frequency of the leakage signal S39 (frequency in the intermediate amplifier 27); and .alpha.=.beta..
Accordingly the frequency error .DELTA.f of the leakage signal S39 is expressed as EQU .DELTA.f=.alpha.fj
If fi=450 kHz and .alpha.=5 ppm for example, ##EQU2##
The value of such error .DELTA.f is sufficiently small to be ignorable in comparison with the transmission-reception frequency fs.


A shock absorbing device formed by a foldable card board sheet comprises a base portion, two wings extending perpendicularly from two opposite edges of the base portion, and two flaps extending perpendicularly from another two opposite edges of the base portion. The wings and the flaps are folded perpendicular to the base portion to enclose a space.

Many objects, such as notebooks, DVDs etc. are generally shipped in packing containers. Shock absorbing devices in the packing container provide protection against damage caused by outside impact and motion during conveyance and handling. However, most shock absorbing devices are generally made of plastic or foam, which is costly.
Therefore, what is desired is a low-cost shock absorbing device.

Shock absorbing device employed in packing


The present invention is a method and apparatus for measuring the total NOx concentration in a gas stream utilizing the principles of a NOx sensor, i.e., mixed potential sensor. The exhaust gas is first conditioned by a catalyst assembly that converts the various species of nitrogen oxide gases present to a fixed steady state concentration ratio of NO2/NO, where NO2 is approximately 0–10% of the total NOx concentration present in the gas exhaust, thereby enabling the NOx sensor to generate a meaningful and reproducible determination of the concentration of total NOx present in the gas being measured. The catalyst assembly also functions to oxidize any unburned combustibles such as CH4, CO, etc., and remove potential contaminants such as SO2.

One known NOx sensor is configured as a flat plate multilayer ceramic package design that includes two or more chambers. In the first chamber there are electrodes attached to an oxygen ion conducting electrolyte membrane, thereby forming an oxygen pump to remove the oxygen. In addition, NO2 is decomposed to NO and one-half O2. The free oxygen is removed in the first chamber so that theoretically the only gas that enters the second chamber is NO. Another oxygen pump is in the second chamber and is a NO decomposing element that removes the oxygen from the NO. The electrical current produced from the decomposition of NO and the transport of oxygen is correlated to the NO concentration.
There are a number of concerns that affect the commercial application of this known NOx sensor. For example, when the NOx concentration to be detected is low, there is significant interference from the residual oxygen. In addition, the signal current is very small, thus making it susceptible to electronic noise commonly found in an automobile. Also, the exhaust gas typically has pulsations in the flow rate caused by cylinder firings that influence the ability of the oxygen pump to effectively remove all of the free oxygen and may result in measurement error. This device may also contain a small diffusion hole that limits the passage of gas into the measurement chambers and is prone to clogging.
Another known NOx sensor utilizes a similar flat plate multilayer ceramic package design. There are a few significant differences in the operation principle for this sensor; namely, the sensor is a mixed potential type rather than amperometric, and the use of the first chamber is for converting NO to NO2 and vice versa. It is a well established phenomenon of mixed potential NOx sensors that the voltage signal generated from the gas species NO and NO2 are of opposite sign, thereby making it difficult to distinguish a meaningful voltage signal in the presence of both gases. Some sensors have attempted to overcome this problem by utilizing the flat plate multilayer package type design with two separate chambers built into the design. Attempts have also been made to convert all of the NOx gas species into a single species with the use of an electrochemical oxygen pump that pumps oxygen into the first chamber—thereby converting all of the gas to NO2—or conversely by removing oxygen from the chamber and reducing all of the NO2 to NO. This conditioned gas then passes into the second chamber where the NOx concentration is measured by the voltage signal generated from a mixed potential type sensor.
There are a number of limitations to this approach that have hampered the commercialization of this configuration. One significant concern is the reproducibility of the conversion system to completely convert all the NOx gases into a single species under varying gas concentration conditions. In addition, the oxygen pump conversion cell tends to degrade with time, further contributing to the issue of reproducibility. Because the effects of these concerns are magnified in the low concentration range, this measurement approach is not well suited for detecting low concentrations of NOx gases.
Additional drawbacks common to both of the sensor mechanisms disclosed above stem from the fundamental design of the flat plate ceramic multilayer system. Response times tend to be slow because of the complexity of the device where gas first enters a diffusion port, is conditioned in a first chamber, and then diffuses into a second chamber. Achieving rapid gas exchange that can keep up with the dynamic environment of the engine exhaust is difficult to achieve in these configurations. Also, the corrosiveness of the gas—along with fine particulates—may result in the clogging of the diffusion controlling port, or at the very least, changes in the gas flow dynamics with time. Finally, the pulsations in the gas flow rates due to cylinder firings and the accompanying electrical noise typical of automobiles make it difficult to control and monitor the low voltage and current circuits associated with these devices.
Another known NOx sensor utilizes a zeolite catalyst to condition the gas prior to being measured by the sensor. Although this catalyst has been demonstrated to be effective in controlled gas environments, no data has been reported wherein the catalyst has suitably performed in H2O containing gases. Exhaust gases from combustion processes such as diesel exhaust always contain some H2O vapor as this is one of the major chemical byproducts of combustion of hydrocarbon fuels along with CO2. As such, the utilization of the NOx sensor incorporating a zeolite catalyst in such applications is limited because of the catalyst's well known instability in the presence of H2O.
The present invention is provided to address these and other considerations.


A method and a system for a distributed streaming service of portable devices forming a short-distance communication network. A buffer size and a priority of each of the portable devices are determined according to their remaining memory capacity, respectively. Each portable device calculates a buffering time using the buffer size and the priority, and receives sub-contents, corresponding to the buffering time, of a streaming content from a streaming server. A master device of the portable devices plays the sub-contents by acquiring them from the other portable devices.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a streaming service for portable devices and, more particularly, to distributed streaming service for portable devices belonging to a service group in a short-distance communication network, enabling each portable device to receive, based on its remaining memory capacity, parts of streaming contents from a streaming server, and enabling a master device of portable devices to play contents by acquiring sub-contents from the other portable devices in a service group.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many Internet users do not have fast enough access to the Internet to quickly download large multimedia files. Streaming is a technique for delivering web-based multimedia files such as video, audio, animation, etc., so that these files can be processed as a steady and continuous stream at the requesting client. A streaming service provides a multimedia content to Internet users, without the users having to wait until content completely downloads to their memory devices. Through caching, content is played as it is received, and buffering mechanisms ensure that content is played smoothly.
Theoretically, a streaming content plays to the end user, or viewer, as an immediate and ongoing broadcast. Practically, a small-sized content such as audio realizes a real-time delivery and play because this content does not require a large bandwidth and a large memory. However, large-sized content, such as video, is often affected by the state of a delivery network or the performance of end user devices. Further, receiving and playing video with high density (or high definition) utilizes a faster data-transmission network and a higher performance device.
When streaming service for portable devices, a mobile communication network has a relatively smaller bandwidth, and most portable devices have a relatively lower performance. Therefore, it is difficult for portable devices to receive and play a high quality video in real-time without a break in displaying the video.

Method and system for distributed streaming service of portable devices


A method for transmitting a broadcast signal including generating display control information for a plurality of broadcast objects to be displayed on a receiving terminal, and transmitting the broadcasting signal including both the plurality of broadcast objects and the display control information to the receiving terminal. Further, the display control information includes instructions on how the receiving terminal is to display the plurality of images.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for transmitting and receiving a broadcast signal and a data structure thereof.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
A digital broadcasting system can transmit not only broadcasting data originally transmitted by an analog broadcasting system, but also additional information such as text, images, etc. However, the amount of data transmitted is limited by the particular bandwidth of the digital broadcasting system. Further, the broadcasting system transmits images or data in predetermined time intervals and the images are sequentially received in the same time intervals. The images are also displayed in the same order as they are received.
In more detail, FIG. 1 is a timing diagram illustrating how images are sequentially transmitted, received and displayed according to a predetermined time interval. In FIG. 1, "n" denotes a time interval in which an image is transmitted and received. The horizontal line also corresponds to a time axis and each vertical line corresponds to a point in time in which each image is transmitted and received. As shown in FIG. 1, images A, B, C, D, E and F are sequentially transmitted every "n" time interval.
Further, as shown in the bottom of FIG. 1, the images A-F are sequentially received and displayed in the same order. However, there is a slight time delay between when the images are transmitted and displayed (see in particular the time delay of image F).
Accordingly, when images are transmitted in a narrow band, the images are displayed in the receiver very slowly, because the speed at which the broadcast objects are displayed can not be equal to a speed at which the broadcast objects are transmitted. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the images are displayed in the same order that they were transmitted. That is, the receiver does not have any control over how the images are displayed. Rather, the way the images are displayed is strictly controlled by the transmitter.
Therefore, three-dimensional images or other types of video contents can not be normally displayed normally due to a limited bandwidth of the broadcasting system.

Apparatus and a method for transmitting and receiving a broadcast signal and a data structure thereof


The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of CNG3B, antibodies to CNG3B, methods of detecting CNG3B, and methods of screening for modulators of cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels using biologically active CNG3B. The invention further provides, in a computer system, a method of screening for mutations of human CNG3B genes as well as a method for identifying a three-dimensional structure of human CNG3B polypeptides.

Cyclic nucleotide gated cation channels (CNG) are a class of non-selective cation channels that are opened by direct binding of cyclic nucleotides such as cGMP and cAMP. CNG channels are highly permeable to Na+ and Ca2+, and their activation leads to depolarization and increases in internal Ca2+ concentrations. These channels can link changes in cytoplasmic cyclic nucleotide levels to changes in cellular excitability, secretion of neurotransmitters and the stimulation of calcium-dependent pathways.
CNG family channel proteins are multimers and can be formed by at least two functionally distinct classes of subunits. The two classes of subunits, alpha and beta, share a common motif of 6 transmembrane domains, a pore motif and a cytoplasmic cyclic nucleotide binding domain (Finn et al, Annu. Rev. Physiol. 58:395–426:1996). CNG alpha subunits can form functional channels as homomultimers, i.e., all subunits contributing to the channel pore are identical. Beta subunits, in contrast, can only form functional channels when expressed with an alpha subunit. These heteromultimeric channels show functional properties consistent with native CNG channels (Gerstner, A., et al, J. Neurosci. 20(4):1324–1332, 2000; Finn J T, et al, Annu. Rev. Physiol. 58:395–426, 1996). For example, coexpression of alpha and beta subunits occurs in retinal rod cells where the alpha subunit CNGA1 forms a heteromultimer with the beta subunit CNGB1 (CNG4) (Gerstner, A., et al, J. Neurosci. 20(4):1324–1332, Feb. 15, 2000).
CNG channels are important for sensory signal transduction in retinal and olfactory and taste bud cells in response to primary sensory stimuli such as light and aerosolized or dissolved molecules (Ding, C, et al, Am. J. Physiol. 272 (Cell Physiol. 41): C1335–C1344, 1997). In photoreceptor cells, CNG channels are open in darkness due to a high basal concentration of cGMP. This causes a tonic depolarization of the membrane and constitutive neurotransmitter release. Upon stimulation by light, cGMP levels drop, closing the CNG channels. This in turn causes a hyperpolarization of the membrane, a drop in the internal Ca2+ concentration, and a decrease in the release of neurotransmitter (Finn, J T, et al, Annu. Rev. Physiol. 58:395–426, 1996).
CNG channels have been found in a number of tissues, suggesting that these channels may link a variety of stimuli to changes in membrane potential and cytoplasmic calcium levels (Ding, C, et al, Am. J. Physiol. 272 (Cell Physiol. 41):C1335–C1344, 1997; Kingston P, Synapse 32:1–12, 1999). For instance, retinal and olfactory CNG channels are expressed in various parts of the brain (Ding, C, et al, Am. J. Physiol. 272 (Cell Physiol. 41):C1335–C1344, 1997; Kingston P, Synapse 32:1–12, 1999). Because these channels are highly permeable to Ca2+, they may stimulate Ca2+-dependent pathways that have significant effects on neuronal activity. More directly, they may contribute to neuronal activity by providing excitatory depolarizations. CNG channels may also interact with other second messenger systems such as the Nitric Oxide-pathway to provide the longer lasting changes that are important mechanisms in learning and memory (Kingston P, Synapse 32:1–12, 1999). CNG channels have been found in the testis, and through the regulation of the internal Ca2+ concentration, may be involved in chemotaxis of sperm (Weyand, I., et al, Nature 368:859–863, 1994). Expression of CNG channels has also been noted in heart, aorta and kidney, where they may play a role in the regulation of heart rate, blood pressure and electrolyte transport, respectively (Finn et al., Ann. Rev. Physiol. 1996, 58:395–426). The full scope of CNG channel function is not yet entirely understood, but it is clear that they play a key role in many physiological processes.

Isolated nucleic acids encoding cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel subunit 3B (CNG3B) polypeptides


A high temperature probe for sampling, for example, smokestack fumes, and is able to withstand temperatures of 3000.degree. F. The probe is constructed so as to prevent leakage via the seal by placing the seal inside the water jacket whereby the seal is not exposed to high temperature, which destroys the seal. The sample inlet of the probe is also provided with cooling fins about the area of the seal to provide additional cooling to prevent the seal from being destroyed. Also, a heated jacket is provided for maintaining the temperature of the gas being tested as it passes through the probe. The probe includes pressure sensing means for determining the flow velocity of an efficient being sampled. In addition, thermocouples are located in various places on the probe to monitor the temperature of the gas passing there through.

The present invention relates to temperature sensors, particularly to high temperature probes for sampling gases for analysis, and more particularly to probe for sampling high temperature stack emissions, such as smokestack fumes.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires the monitoring of smoke stack emissions. The monitoring and analysis of smokestack effluent generally utilizes probes inserted at various locations and depths in the smokestack. The effluent passing through the smokestack may have temperatures of several thousand degrees Fahrenheit (F.).
The temperature and/or effluent sensing and/or analysis systems have utilized water cooled probes which are inserted into the smokestack at selected locations and at various depths. The prior known probes utilize pressure differential devices, such as Pitot tubes, and a nozzle to draw a sample from the smokestack for analysis and/or measurement. In certain of the prior known probes, the nozzle draws the sample through a quartz liner in the water jacket connected to a device which collects the sample. These prior art probes use a Teflon seal between the metallic sampling nozzle and the end of the quartz liner located at the end of the water jacket adjacent the stack. Due to the closeness of the seals to the stack, they are exposed to high temperatures which causes degradation of the seal components and eventual leakage of the effluent being sampled.
The EPA requires that after the probe completes sampling of a smokestack effluent, the nozzle be sealed and a vacuum applied to the probe to test for air leaks, as leaks would create errors in measuring and/or analysis or the sample, and such is unacceptable to the EPA. It has been determined that the major cause of the leaks in the sampling probes was the seal which would decay at high temperatures.
Thus, there is a need in the art of sampling and monitoring of smokestack effluent, for example, or other high temperature fluids, for a probe which is not subject to leakage caused by degradation of components due to high temperatures of fluids being sampled by the probe. The present invention provides an effluent sampling probe that will not develop leaks due to high temperature degradation of components, such as a seal, can be moved to different regions of effluent flow, and thus meets EPA standards.

The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy


A method and apparatus for facilitating interaction in a learning environment is provided. Based on the subject matter that a student is working on, another student is selected for interaction with the student.

Intelligent learning systems are systems that attempt to assist students in achieving specific learning goals. To date, these systems have mainly used a computerized teaching approach that minors the approach taken in brick-and-mortar classrooms. Each student is presented with the same lecture, content, and assessment, regardless of learning style, intelligence, or cognitive characteristics.
Advances in intelligent learning systems have been limited to approaches such as "adaptive learning." These approaches are usually applied to logic-based topics such as mathematics, where the content that is served to each student is based on a pre-determined course-specific decision tree that is hard-coded into the system. If a first student and a second student each fail the same assessment by missing the same questions, both students will be presented with the same remedial materials as dictated by the decision tree.
Online courses are examples of "containers" that may employ adaptive learning technology to achieve a specific goal. For any given container, the adaptive learning technology used by the container is largely self-contained. That is, the adaptive learning technology employed by a container is programmed for a singular unchanging goal associated with the container.
For example, an adaptive learning tool may be designed to teach a student a course on the fundamentals of calculus. The designer of the tool will assume that the student possesses the foundational knowledge of mathematics required to begin the course, but the tool may provide a certain amount of "review" information as a means of calibration. In addition, the tool will not take into consideration the goals of any other course in which the student may be engaged. Instead, the tool will be designed to help the student achieve a particular level of proficiency in calculus. Once that level of efficiency is obtained by the student, the tool becomes useless. While data, such as assessment scores, may be saved, the core logic of the adaptive learning tool provides no additional benefit to the student unless the student decides to re-take the course or a portion of the course.
The illusion of adaptivity in "adaptive learning" tools is achieved by providing a dynamic experience for the student. This experience is based on the relationship between the assessment scores of the student and the pre-programmed hierarchy included in the tool. However, existing tools do not actually "adapt" to the student. Instead, by performing in a particular way, the student merely traverses down a pre-existing path through the tool's hierarchy.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

Facilitating targeted interaction in a networked learning environment


A device (1) for improving the threading of thread-guides (5) for warp linear knitting machines (10), comprising at least a first support (6) that is associated or coupled to a supporting structure (11) of a warp linear knitting machine (10), a second support (7) operatively placed between the first support (6) and the supporting structure (11), a plurality of thread-guides (5) designed to guide threads while knitting a knitted item, and at least one thread-guide (5) bar (2) operatively associated or coupled to the first support (6) to which the thread-guides (5) are associated or coupled. The first (6) and the second (7) support are movable with respect to the supporting structure (11) between an operating position, in which the thread-guides (5) are active for the formation of the knitting item, and at least one threading position, angularly rotated with respect to the operating position, in which the threading of the thread-guides (5) takes place.

Generally speaking, Raschel-type warp looms with double or single needlebed are multibar, i.e. they comprise a plurality of thread-guide bars, from a minimum of two to eight and more, placed one beside the other so as to be basically parallel to one another.
As is known, each bar is associated to a plurality of thread-guides whose function is to guide threads during the knitting process. As a rule, each bar is associated to a number of thread-guides corresponding to the number of needles of a single needlebed. For instance, in a knitting machine with a needlebed of about 3.5 meters and a fineness of 24 (i.e. 24 needles pro inch of length), each bar can carry 3,312 thread-guides.
In order to perform their function, the thread-guides have to be threaded with the threads taking part in the knitting process. The threading of each thread-guide depends on the kind of fabric to be obtained. It should be pointed out that not all thread-guides are threaded simultaneously; generally, half of them are threaded, i.e. one or two thread-guide bars of the machine have full threading and the other variable threading.
The threading of the thread-guides is carried out only by hand by the personnel working in the knitwear factory, depending on the technical specifications required by the knitted item.
Threading is an extremely critical and difficult operation due to the large number of thread-guides to be threaded and since the useful space between two adjacent thread-guides is very narrow (less than one millimeter in case of fineness 24). For instance, fully threading a machine equipped with eight thread-guide bars can require a time of about 3 hours for 4 operators working simultaneously.
As is known, in order to facilitate threading combs are used having a plurality of teeth embedded into a lead block and ending up into a hook so as to thread simultaneously more thread-guides, as a rule ten to twenty. Each tooth is led through the eyelet of the thread-guide to be threaded, so as to intercept by means of the hook a thread and introduce it into the eyelet of the thread-guide.
The use of such threading combs enables to make the thread-guide threading process faster but requires that only one clean thread-guide bar gets before the operator. As a consequence, in order to carry out this operation, as a rule the outer bars are dismounted temporarily and threading starts from the inner ones.
This involves an increase of time and costs for dismounting the bars, subsequently re-mounting them and, if necessary, re-calibrating the machine. Moreover, there are still significant problems in case of thread breaks during the knitting step, since the thread has to be threaded again with the bars mounted, thus in a small operating space and trying not to damage the fabric. These drawbacks have been partially solved by known devices, such as the one described in document U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,703, involving the vertical lifting of the thread-guide bars, of the support thereof and of the oscillating shaft, around which said support moves with an oscillating motion for carrying out the "swing" movement and bringing alternatively the threads before and behind the needle hook. The accessibility of the thread-guides is thus improved, especially of those associated to the inner bars, and therefore threading does not require operations involving the temporary dismounting of the outer bars.
However, also these solutions are not without drawbacks. First of all, the structure of the machine becomes very solid and bulky due to the large size of the mechanisms designed to lift the devices dedicated to the "swing" movement since the masses to be lifted are quite high. The lifting of the mechanisms performing the "swing" movement further involves modifications of the anchoring positions of said mechanisms and, therefore, there are inevitably clearances affecting the accuracy of the machine and increasing vibrations, which are already quite difficult to control in case of supports and oscillating shafts firmly anchored to the machine.
As a consequence, the machine becomes more expensive, complicated and difficult to manage and handle.
Moreover, the lifting of the mechanisms dedicated to the "swing" movement is quite small, generally around 10-20 mm, i.e. enough to give a minimum access to the thread-guides of the innermost bars. As a consequence, there is still the problem of the full accessibility and visibility of the inner thread-guides, which, although being lifted with respect to the needles, are parallel to the latter and in order to carry out threading the operators have to work in an uncomfortable and little safe position, since they have to physically lower their heads under the plane of the needles so as to be able to see.

Device to improve the yarn threading of the thread guides for warp linear knitting machines


A method for communicating a wheel speed sensor fault in an anti-lock braking system (ABS) for a road vehicle, especially for an ABS with voltage supply controlled by the brake light switch, is provided. If, during monitoring of the wheel speed sensors, a sensor fault is detected in at least one of the sensors, a warning light is actuated and a sensor fault bit is set in the ABS fault memory. The already lighted warning light is turned off and the sensor fault bit is deleted only when the wheel speed sensor in question delivers, at a predefined (low) vehicle limit speed, a voltage signal having an amplitude greater than a predefined voltage threshold.

The present invention is directed generally to an improved method for communicating a wheel speed sensor fault in an anti-lock braking system (ABS) for a road vehicle having a warning light.
Warning light activation in an ABS is generally described in German Patent A1 4106704. In such prior art, the ABS fault lamp or warning light turns on when the vehicle ignition is turned on. Thereupon, the wiring of the ABS and other hardware are tested. If this test does not detect any faults, the fault lamp goes out, otherwise it remains on and the fault is stored in a fault memory of the ABS.
Thereafter, while the vehicle is moving, i.e., when the vehicle speed is greater than a limit speed, the wheel speed sensors are checked for correct function and voltage output. If this check does not detect any faults, the fault lamp remains off. If a fault is detected, however, the light goes on again and the fault is stored in a fault memory of the ABS. The same procedure takes place for other faults recognized during driving, including hardware faults and loose contacts.
If an old sensor fault, i.e., a fault from a previous operating cycle, is still stored in the ABS electronics when the vehicle is started, the fault lamp remains on after the wiring test. Now, the result of the actual sensor test conducted when the vehicle is being driven is awaited. If, now, the sensor in question is recognized to be fault free on this occasion, the fault lamp goes out and the fault memory in question is cleared.
The prior art ABS described above is commonly available in two versions as regards its voltage supply.
In one version, the voltage supply is turned on and off with the ignition switch of the vehicle. In this case, the ABS is functional during the entire operating time of the vehicle (permanent supply).
In the other version, the brake light switch of the vehicle controls (directly or indirectly) the voltage supply. In this case, the ABS is in operation only when the driver has depressed the brake pedal, whereupon the ABS performs its function of monitoring and, if necessary, regulating the braking action.
Anti-lock braking systems of the latter version therefore have much smaller current consumption. Indeed, they do not consume any current while the vehicle is stationary with the ignition turned on. Moreover, if such systems are disposed in trailers, they do not need their own power supply lines from the towing vehicles. However, fault recognition in such systems with brake light supply is more difficult, especially for the wheel speed sensors, since they are energized only briefly, namely during braking, and it is only then that they are able to be tested for faults.
Generally speaking, in accordance with the present invention, an improved method for communicating a wheel speed sensor fault in a vehicle ABS is provided which overcomes disadvantages associated with prior art methods.
The method according to the present invention is carried out in a conventional vehicle ABS (including in an ABS in which voltage supply is controlled by the brake light switch) having wheel speed sensors for monitoring the speed of the vehicle wheels, a warning light and a fault memory for storing sensor fault bits. In such an ABS, the warning light is actuated and a sensor fault bit is set in fault memory when a wheel speed sensor is recognized as faulty with respect to its voltage signal. The warning light is deactivated and the fault bit is deleted from memory when the wheel speed sensor has been recognized as fault free.
The method according to the present invention improves over such conventional systems by deactivating the warning light and deleting the associated fault bit from fault memory when the voltage signal previously recognized as faulty is higher than a predefined voltage threshold when the vehicle is moving at a predefined low limit speed.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for communicating a wheel speed sensor fault in an ABS, and for checking the function of the wheel speed sensors in the ABS, whereby a fault of a wheel speed sensor will be accurately signaled to the driver of the vehicle.
Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.
The present invention accordingly comprises the several steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others, and embodies features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which are adapted to effect such steps, all as exemplified in the detailed disclosure hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

Method for communicating a wheel speed sensor fault in a vehicle anti-lock braking system


An apparatus for self cleaning a thermal oxidizer that is thermally treating and decontaminating gases is disclosed. The apparatus for self cleaning the thermal oxidizer can clean the accumulated dust out from inside the thermal oxidizer without requiring disassembly of the unit. The apparatus for self cleaning can also accomplish this cleaning cycle without interrupting the normal operation of the thermal oxidizer. Dust cleaned out from the apparatus for self cleaning the thermal oxidizer is decontaminated by the same thermal treatment that decontaminates the gases processed by the thermal oxidizer. Many of the existing thermal oxidizers already in operation can be retrofitted to become self cleaning thermal oxidizers. It is also possible to include the apparatus for self cleaning in a new thermal oxidizer.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning out particulate matter (dust) that accumulates inside of thermal oxidizers. This invention proposes a means for cleaning the dust out of a thermal oxidizer, without disassembly, during or while the thermal oxidizer is shut down.
2. Description of the Related Art
Thermal oxidizers are used in a variety of systems and processes to decontaminate exhaust and waste gases produced elsewhere in a system or process. Increasingly, thermal oxidizers are being used to treat exhaust gases generated by the thermal treatment of contaminated soil by soil remediation systems. The soil remediation process creates exhaust gases containing much more very fine particulate matter (dust of 150 microns or less in diameter) than previously encountered in other, non-soil, remediation systems that use thermal oxidizers. This application of thermal oxidizers in soil remediation systems requires much more frequent cleaning of dust out from their interiors than previously encountered by other thermal oxidizers used for other processes. Prior to this invention thermal oxidizers had dust cleaned out of them by means that required the unit to be shut down, cooled down (usually taking 4 to 6 days), disassembled, and then manually cleaned out. Another previous practice was the inclusion of separate and additional mechanisms and/or apparatuses to physically remove the dust from the flue gases prior to its entry into the thermal oxidizer.
Krigmont et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,839) disclose a system for the removal of particulate matter (dust) from combustion flue gases. In practice, systems like this are used to remove dust from the flue gases prior to its entry into a thermal oxidizer for thermal treatment. This system relies upon the addition of a conditioning agent into the gas stream prior to its passing through an electrostatic precipitator. The conditioning agent is used to enhance removal of unwanted dust.
Reducing dust accumulation inside the thermal oxidizer by having dust removed from the flue gases before it enters the thermal oxidizer has the undesirable effect of preventing this dust from being decontaminated by the action of the thermal oxidizer. Consequently this contaminated dust must be further treated and decontaminated before it is disposed of, requiring additional effort and expense.
The addition of a conditioning agent to the flue gases also increases the total amount of particulate matter that the electrostatic precipitator must remove in order to prevent fouling of the thermal oxidizer. This system is an additional and separate device from the thermal oxidizer that has its own effort and expense required to fabricate and operate it. There is also the additional cost of supplying the conditioning agent which is constantly consumed during operation. Electrostatic precipitators also restrict the flow of flue gases through the system. This flow restriction reduces the entire system's throughput and efficiency.
Von Seebach et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,566) disclose an apparatus for treating the exhaust flow from a modified cement kiln burning hazardous waste. Their system for treating exhaust gases is directed at the problems caused by the formation and accumulation of low-melting point alkali chloride salts. This was done by using a number of cyclonic separators connected to each other by a system of ducts. The scale and complexity of this method limits its cost effectiveness and makes it impractical for use in smaller or portable systems. These same factors also reduce this system's cost effectiveness when it is used in larger stationary installations.
Cyclone separators in general have been observed to have difficulty in removing dust particles smaller than 150 microns in size. This leaves the smaller dust particles suspended in the gas stream until it enters the thermal oxidizer where the gas stream loses velocity as a result of increased cross sectional area. At the lower velocity inside the thermal oxidizer, the gas stream can no longer carry these smaller dust particles along with it. These smaller dust particles then separate out of the gas stream to accumulate on the bottom inside the thermal oxidizer.
When cyclone separators are used in conjunction with thermal oxidizers, there is a pressure drop of 20 to 30 percent across the cyclone separator. This was observed by the inventors when they attempted to solve their dust accumulation problem by using cyclone separators. This pressure drop directly translates into a reduction of flue gas throughput by 20 to 30 percent which degrades system efficiency accordingly. Another problem observed when using cyclone separators is that the dust removed from the flue gases before treatment in the thermal oxidizer has yet to be decontaminated. This dust has its own additional treatment and disposal problems.
Wager et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,161) disclose a process that uses a filter to remove the dust from a gas stream that is at a sufficiently high temperature to treat certain particulate matter contaminants that are in the dust. This process was never meant to treat and decontaminate flue gases sufficiently for discharge out to the atmosphere nor does it effectively deal with dust removal from a gas treatment device such as a thermal oxidizer. As is the case with prior practice thermal oxidizers, this system must periodically be shut down, allowed to cool down (a process that can take as long as six days), and then disassembled to be cleaned manually. Another problem with this apparatus is the expense of filter elements made to withstand the high temperatures at which this system operates.
Birmingham et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,735), Bayer et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,376,340), and Klobucar (U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,115) all disclose heat exchangers incorporated as an integral part into a thermal oxidizer. Most thermal oxidizers in use today have some kind of heat exchanger or multiple heat exchangers incorporated into the overall system or into the thermal oxidizer itself. Heat exchangers of a variety of types and designs for use with or in thermal oxidizers are commercially available.
Although not directly related to the removal of dust that accumulates inside thermal oxidizers, investors such as Falla (U.S. Pat. No. 1,794,006), Maxwell (U.S. Pat. No. 2,242,653), Reilly (U.S. Pat. No. 2,983,234) disclose a variety of mechanical means to remove ash from various combustion systems. When we tried a number of these mechanical devices to remove dust from a thermal oxidizer, we found them to all have a number of problems in common with each other.
The very hot and very fine dust that accumulates inside a thermal oxidizer tends to stay put unless it is directly pushed. Gravity is insufficient to get the dust to fall by itself into these various mechanical devices. When the dust was directly moved by mechanical means, the heat of the dust warped the moving parts and its abrasive qualities caused rapid wear. This breakage and wear of mechanical dust removal devices built into the thermal oxidizer was a problem directly experienced in our early dust removal experiments.
We also experienced the loss of system efficiency coupled with the problem of contaminated dust disposal that was presented by devices that remove dust prior to treatment of flue gases and the high cost of fabrication and maintenance for all of these systems.


Technologies for generating a graph containing clusters of feature attribute values for training a machine learning model for content item selection and delivery are provided. The disclosed techniques include, for each entity, of a plurality of entities, a system identifies transitions from one geographic location to another geographic location. A graph is generated based on the transitions associated with each entity. The graph comprises nodes representing geographic locations and edges connecting the nodes. Each of the edges connects two nodes, represents a transition from one geographic location to another geographic location, and each edge represents an edge weight value that is based on frequencies of transitions between geographic locations represented by the two connected nodes. The system generates a plurality of clusters from the nodes based upon the edge weight value of each edge. The system includes the plurality of clusters as features in a machine learning model.

Content management systems are designed to provide content items to users for consumption. Content items may represent content such as photos, video, job posts, news articles, documents, user posts, audio, and many more. Content management systems may implement various machine learning models to assist in determining which content items to present to users based upon content delivery objectives of the content providers. For example, content delivery objectives may be optimized for content delivery that results in maximizing duration of user sessions or maximizing click through rates.
The machine learning models are trained to select content items that satisfy the delivery objectives based upon the type of content items, the target users, and historical user data and historical user interaction data. For example, a machine learning model may select content items, representing job posts, for delivery based upon historical user data, such as user education, skills, current job title, current job location, current user residence, years of experience, and any other job-related user attributes. The machine learning algorithm may use the user profile data as training data of the content management system. Different attributes may be used as multiple features in a training data set for training the machine learning model. However, training machine learning models generally requires a training dataset that has representative data covering the possible values within a dimensional feature space. For example, if the dimensional feature space includes values for features covering users' residence location, employment location, job title, experience, education, training certificates, etc. then the representative training dataset will need to include data for users that have feature values covering each of the possible features in order to be statistically significant. In order to adequately train the machine learning model using high-dimensional feature space data, the sample size of the training data needs to be sufficiently large in order to avoid data from becoming sparse. Training data that is sparse with respect to the high-dimensional feature space may result in a poorly trained machine learning model that has not been trained with statistically significant data.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

Location dimension reduction using graph techniques


A smoothing iron has a water reservoir with a water discharge valve and drip valve. The water discharge valve includes a motion-dependent weight for inhibiting the passage of water from the water reservoir to the steam chamber of the iron when the iron is in a position of rest. When the valve is opened by the pressing motion, water is passed around the valve and through a water conduit to the drip valve which allows passage of the water to the steam chamber. To increase the degree of responsiveness of the water discharge valve, the weight is connected to a sealing body by a connecting rod.

Smoothing irons which include a water reservoir, a drip valve and a water discharge valve are known. The water discharge valve controls the flow of water from the water reservoir which is directed to the drip valve. From DE-36 07 291 C2 a water discharge valve is known having a weight which is displaceable from its position by ironing movements and, as this occurs, operates to open and close a valve bore. On movement of the iron, the weight configured as a ball rolls away from the valve bore, releasing the passage of water to the drip valve. When the iron is not manipulated, the ball will roll back to the valve bore on an inclined plane, shutting off the passage of water. This mechanism prevents steam from being delivered during moments when the smoothing iron is not in operation.
However, it is a disadvantage in the smoothing iron disclosed in DE-36 07 291 C2 that the sensitivity of the ball within the water discharge valve is very low as regards its response to ironing movements. As a result of the reduced sensitivity, the discharge of water is affected during ironing movements. In addition, movement of the ball is impeded by the water surrounding the ball.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a smoothing iron having an improved water discharge valve with a higher degree of responsiveness to ironing movements.

Steam iron with fluidly communicated drip and weighted valves


A digital device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed, in which a scroll bar different from that provided when a user input for a front side is detected is provided to control the front side if a digital device, which enables double-sided touch recognition, detects a user input for a rear side.

Field of the Invention
The present specification relates to a digital device and a method for controlling the same, and more particularly, to a digital device and a method for controlling the same, in which a scroll bar different from that provided when a user input for a front side is detected is provided to control the front side if a digital device, which enables double-sided touch recognition, detects a user input for a rear side.
Discussion of the Related Art
With the development of the technology, various digital devices such as a smart TV, a smart phone, and a tablet PC have been generally used. Recently, a digital device operated in accordance with a touch input of a user has been widely used. In this case, if the digital device detects a touch input of a user, a scroll bar may be provided to scroll displayed contents in accordance with the touch input.
However, if the user intends to scroll contents displayed on a front side in accordance with a touch input for a rear side of the digital device, since the user cannot view a touch means (this is because that the touch means is located on the rear side) directly, a problem occurs in that it is difficult for the user to perform detailed scrolling.
In the meantime, if the digital device is a mobile device, it may provide a scroll bar by detecting a touch input of a user. However, the user of the digital device cannot control the scroll bar directly. In other words, the mobile device is only to scroll contents in accordance with the touch input of the user and thus display the scroll bar to allow the user to recognize that a portion currently viewed by the user corresponds to which portion of full contents. Accordingly, even though the user of the digital device performs the touch input for the scroll bar, the user cannot move the scroll bar and has no option but to scroll the contents. For this reason, the user may suffer inconvenience in that the user cannot move the scroll bar to scroll the contents quickly.

Digital device and method for controlling the same that enable touch recognition from front and rear sides of the digital device


A control method for suppressing a blow-up phenomenon during a power-on 2-3 upshift is provided. Disclosed steps include determining whether a predetermined shift compensation control entrance condition exists, determining whether a blow-up occurs if it is determined that the predetermined shift compensation control entrance condition exists, calculating an amount of the blow-up if it is determined that the blow-up occurs, performing a hydraulic duty compensation for an off-going friction element based on the amount of the blow-up, and performing an engine torque compensation based on a transmission output shaft rpm and a turbine torque. A system employing the method is also disclosed.

Generally, a phenomenon that an engine rpm or a turbine rpm increases abruptly due to a delay in an increase of hydraulic pressure, which is caused by a shortage of hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic pressure control line in an automatic transmission of a vehicle, is generally referred to as a blow-up phenomenon. For example, during a power-on 2-3 upshift, if hydraulic pressure for off-going friction element, which is to be released in a target shift ratio, is previously released in a state that hydraulic pressure for on-coming friction element, which is going to be engaged in a target shift ratio, is not sufficiently increased to a level in which the on-coming friction element is able to cover an input torque, a turbine rpm may abruptly increase.
In order to prevent such blow-up phenomenon, a compensation is generally performed with respect to the hydraulic pressure acting on the on-coming friction element.
However, when there is an excessive blow-up, such conventional hydraulic pressure compensation is not sufficient for suppressing the blow-up phenomenon. In addition, if an additional shift control for suppressing the blow-up phenomenon is performed, an overall shift control becomes complex and an unexpected shift shock may occur.
The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art that is already known to a person skilled in the art.

Control method for suppressing blow-up phenomenon during power-on 2-3 upshift of automatic transmission


To provide a solid oxide fuel cell system with which the durable lifespan of the reformer can be extended by suppressing temperature unevenness in the reformer. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell, including a fuel cell module, a reformer for producing hydrogen by POX, ATR, and SR steps; a fuel supply apparatus, a reform air supply apparatus, a water supply apparatus, a generating air supply apparatus, and a control device which, as the temperature inside the fuel cell module rises, executes in sequence POX, ATR and SR steps at predetermined respective temperature bands, and causes a rise in temperature at which electrical generation is possible; wherein the control device comprises a localized temperature rise suppression circuit which, by causing steam reforming to occur locally within the reformer in the POX step, suppresses localized temperature rises in the reformer.

Conventionally, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are constituted so that in the startup step, multiple steps for reforming fuel in the reformer are passed through, being the partial oxidation reforming reaction step (the POX step), the auto-thermal reforming reaction step (the ATR step), and the steam reforming reaction step (the SR step); there is then a transition to electrical power generation (see Patent Document 1, for example).
In an SOFC, by executing these steps in sequence, the temperature of the reformer, fuel cell stack, and the like disposed within a fuel cell module housing chamber can be raised to an operating temperature. I.e., at startup of the solid oxide fuel cell, once the reformer is heated by combustion of fuel and the reformer temperature rises somewhat, the partial oxidation reforming reaction (POX step), which is an exothermic reaction, is generated by the reaction of fuel and reforming air in the reformer. Next, when the reformer temperature rises further due to the fuel combustion heat and reaction heat from the partial oxidation reforming reaction, water is introduced into the reformer, and the endothermic steam reforming reaction (the ATR step) is occurring in addition to the partial oxidation reforming reaction. Also, when the reformer temperature rises, the supply of air for reforming is stopped, and only the steam reforming reaction (the SR step) occurs inside the reformer. Electricity is generated in the fuel cell stack using hydrogen produced by this steam reforming reaction.    Patent Document 1: JP 2004-319420 A