In a data communication system such as a high capacity DBS system, dynamic mapping of broadcast resources is provided to exploit occasional redundancy in the program content of two or more input data streams, freeing at least one broadcast resource to carry alternate bitstreams, such as additional programs or existing programs at higher quality. Transmission maps defining the correspondence between input data streams and broadcast resources, and reception maps defining the correspondence between broadcast resources and output data streams, are updated as needed to dynamically modify broadcast resource mapping to increase effective utilization of available bandwidth. Beneficial n:n-y:m mapping in a high capacity consumer DBS entertainment system is provided. Apparatus and methods for efficiently generating, maintaining and updating allocation maps with reduced overhead requirements, are disclosed.

The present invention relates in general to the processing of high data rate information signals. In particular embodiments it relates to processing of video, audio and/or data information in a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) consumer entertainment system.
The information carrying capacity of any data network is limited by, among other things, its effective bandwidth. Limitations in available bandwidth, resulting from technical limitations of the processing and transmission elements (e.g. transmission line limitations), from government limitations (e.g. limited RF spectrum allocation), or otherwise, restrict the amount of information which can be carried by the related system. This may result in a limitation on the quantity or quality (or both) of the services which may be provided by the system, often requiring compromises or tradeoffs.
Transmission of television programming to home viewers has long been subject to the these limitations and tradeoffs. Terrestrial RF broadcasts are limited in a given locality to a few frequency bands (channels) allocated by government authority for television transmission, and selected to be non-interfering over the limited range of the transmission. The frequency band allocated to each channel was selected to accommodate the then-standard transmission scheme employed (e.g. NTSC in the United States), and to minimize or avoid out-of-band interference. Although additional frequencies (e.g. UHF in the United States) were later allocated, restrictions on available RF spectrum have long limited the number of programs which could be made available to the consumer.
Distribution of program material via cable networks provided additional bandwidth to broadcasters (i.e. cable operators), overcoming in part the restriction imposed by scarcity of available RF spectrum. However, cable systems are technically limited to the useable bandwidth of the network, including the transmission line and associated electronics.
Advances in signal processing technology have permitted more programming information, improved quality, and new services (e.g. data services) to be transmitted within a given available bandwidth. For example, digital processing of both video and audio signals, together with advances in encoding and compression techniques (e.g. MPEG and MPEG-2), have permitted a reduction in the bandwidth required for transmission of video and audio signals of acceptable quality, and/or transmission of higher quality video and audio signals. Together with advances in the associated transmission and reception equipment allowing greater utilization of available spectrum, a dramatic increase in the amount of user programming that can be transmitted over a given medium is possible. In addition, systems have been developed to utilize alternative delivery systems and other portions of the RF spectrum. For example, direct broadcast satellite (DBS) systems provide entertainment and information broadcasts directly to consumers, in some cases by means of high power satellite transponders and small (e.g. 18-inch) consumer receiving dishes. Although one such system is today capable of transmitting over 175 channels of video, audio and/or data programming at higher quality levels than previously known, there remains a desire to provide additional transmission capability and to fully utilize all available bandwidth for benefit of the consumer.
Distribution systems, whether broadcast (satellite or terrestrial), cable, optical, or otherwise, typically provide a plurality of accessible broadcast resources. In an early model, a terrestrial television broadcast system included a number of individual channels or frequency bands, selectable by the consumer. Taking the television system as a whole, each channel available in a given locality provided a broadcast resource accessible by the users in that region and capable of carrying a single video/audio program. Similar frequency division multiplexing on known analog cable systems provides a generally larger number of broadcast resources in the system, again each typically carrying a single program including both video and audio, selectable as a viewer channel. In a digital DBS system, frequency and phase division multiplexing (e.g. multiple transponders operating within assigned frequencies and with LHCP and RHCP polarization) and time division multiplexing (e.g. TDM within a given frequency) may be used. In this context, each individually addressable bitstream (i.e. each selectable time slot on each selectable frequency and phase) may be considered as a separate xe2x80x9cbroadcast resource.xe2x80x9d Where different satellite locations or different delivery media are also employed in an extended system, selection of the desired satellite and transmission media, etc., is also part of identifying an individual broadcast resource.
A broadcast service will therefore have available to it a limited number of broadcast resources. If the quality of individual transmissions can be acceptably reduced, additional broadcast resources might be supported within a given RF spectrum allocation. However, the number of broadcast resources available for transmitting high quality video, audio and data programming remains limited.
A broadcaster or service provider desires to transmit to its customers (e.g. subscribers) the maximum number of programs possible utilizing the available transmission system, at the highest relative quality. As used herein, xe2x80x9cprogramsxe2x80x9d shall include video programming, audio programs, and/or data transmission of various types (e.g. software, control codes, multimedia content, digitized pictures, data, etc.). A program may include more than one form of data, such as video and one or more audio, and in some embodiments, associated data. Each of these data streams may, in preferred embodiments, be transmitted over separate broadcast resources.
A large number of content providers exist today and make available to broadcasters one or more content streams comprising programs and related content (e.g. program IDs, commercials, etc.). Many of these streams are continuous or substantially continuous, and are distributed by the content provider through various distribution media (e.g. satellite, cable, or prerecorded media) to, among other potential recipients, other broadcast services for retransmission to their viewers. For example, numerous regional sports networks exist which assemble program streams containing sporting events, often with sports-related xe2x80x9cfillerxe2x80x9d in the times between individual sporting events.
Although content providers often generate original programs (e.g. by covering a live sporting event), it is common in the industry for one content provider to purchase programs or filler from another content provider. For example, a sports network might purchase retransmission rights to a sporting event being covered by another service provider. In these cases, the purchasing provider receives a program feed from the distribution medium (e.g. satellite) utilized by the originating provider, then retransmits this signal to its customers (e.g. cable system operators for further retransmission to consumers, or directly to consumers). The purchasing provider may insert its own commercials or identity, or may elect to use the purchased feed in its xe2x80x9crawxe2x80x9d form. Often several service providers will purchase and carry the same programming originated by another provider.
A multi-channel broadcast system will typically purchase a number of input program streams from a number of content providers, for retransmission to viewers or subscribers of that system. In a digital transmission system, each individual program stream can be viewed as a continuous input data stream, where the data represents video, audio, or other (e.g. multimedia or data) information, and will be referred to herein as an xe2x80x9cinput data stream.xe2x80x9d A given program may comprise one or more than one input data streams (e.g. one or more video inputs, one or more associated audio inputs, and associated data relating to the program content). Transmitting a given number of input data streams to a number of viewers, such that each data stream is potentially available to users at all times, has typically required at least an equal number of broadcast resources.
In particular, at the transmission end each input data stream is typically assigned to an available broadcast resource. Each input data stream is therefore allocated or xe2x80x9cmappedxe2x80x9d to a unique broadcast resource. The correspondence matrix identifying the input stream-to-broadcast resource relationships may be considered as a xe2x80x9cmapxe2x80x9d. Because the map used at the transmission end is remote from the user (e.g. subscriber), it will be referred to herein as a xe2x80x9cremotexe2x80x9d map.
At the receiving end, a similar map has been used to allocate the data streams received from the broadcast resources to unique, selectable outputs. Each individual output bitstream, corresponding to a particular broadcast resource bitstream, may be referred to as an xe2x80x9coutput data stream.xe2x80x9d When a user selects a particular channel (e.g. channel 101) they expect to receive a particular program at a particular time. The receiving device accomplishes this by maintaining a complimentary receiver or xe2x80x9clocalxe2x80x9d map which specifies the correspondence between broadcast resources and selectable outputs. In some instances, where the desired output consists of information carried over just one broadcast resource, the local map will specify correspondence between that broadcast resource and the selected output, which will consist of a single output data stream. For example, if the video and audio components of a program are encoded into a single input data stream, then selection of a program or viewer channel requires mapping of only one data stream, with the components being separated by other processors. In other instances (e.g. a movie having one or more video options, a plurality of selectable high quality audio, and/or optional related data), selection of a desired output may require mapping multiple output data streams to the corresponding broadcast resources. In these instances, the user selects a desired xe2x80x9cviewer channelxe2x80x9d (e.g. channel 101) and makes any optional selections (e.g. alternate audio), and the local map identifies the necessary output data streams and maps them to appropriate broadcast resources. These output data streams may be directed to an appropriate processing or performance device, such as (without limitation) a television display, audio processor, or computer. Where options are available (e.g. alternate audio), the selected option may be mapped to an output corresponding to a related processor based on a user select input, or all of the options may be mapped to a processor which itself isolates the appropriate output. In specific embodiments, components of different programs (e.g. video from a first program and audio from a different source) may be locally mapped to an output viewer channel, thereby creating a hybrid derived output.
It is important that both the remote and local maps correspond at any given time, so that selection by the user of a viewer channel will map the receiving circuitry to the correct broadcast resource(s) which, in turn, are mapped to the input data stream(s) desired by the user. It is known to modify the allocation maps from time to time. This may be done, for example, when a broadcast resource becomes unavailable, or when a reallocation of bandwidth provided by individual resources is required, such as when new input data streams are added to, or old ones removed from, a system. Such map changes have been infrequent, however, typically one to three times per day.
It is also known to locally generate derivative output data streams or viewer channels which do not correspond to any single input data stream. For example, a local processor may map a particular viewer channel to a first set of one or more broadcast resources during a first time period, then map that viewer channel to a different set of broadcast resources during a subsequent time period. In this manner, a processor has been able to provide viewers with a greater number of viewer channels than the number actually broadcast.
For purposes of the ensuing description and claims, the following notation convention may be useful. The numerical correspondence between individual input data streams and individual broadcast resources (related to the remote map), and the numerical correspondence between those broadcast resources and individual output data streams (related to the local map), may be given as IN:BR:OUT, where IN equals the number of discrete input data streams, BR represents the number of discrete broadcast resources, and OUT represents the number of discrete output data streams. In the simplest 1:1:1 correspondence, n input data streams are mapped to n broadcast resources, which are in turn mapped to n output data streams, or n:n:n. As previously noted, it is also known to generate derivative channels, which may be represented as n:n:n+x correspondence or mapping, where n and x are integers greater than or equal to one. In this example, although a 1:1 correspondence exists between input data streams and broadcast resources, a 1: greater than 1 mapping is performed by the local map, resulting in x derivative output channels.
Although revision of the maps to accommodate infrequent changes in the input data streams or active broadcast resources, and n:n:n+x mapping to locally generate derivative channels, have provided a useful degree of flexibility in the operation of existing systems (e.g. high capacity DBS), it would be useful to reduce the amount of bandwidth required to carry desired programming, thereby allowing additional services and/or higher quality services to be carried by the same broadcast resources.
Finally, it is known that certain control and configuration information must be transmitted, in addition to the desired input data streams. Using channel maps introduces difficulties in generating and maintaining an accurate local map which reflects the current utilization of broadcast resources. Changes in the utilization of resources over time require the local map to be updated, typically by transmitting or downloading a new map to a viewer""s receiver such as (for a typical DBS system) an integrated receiver/decoder (IRD). For a system having a large number of channels (i.e. 175 or more), the local map may comprise a matrix of several thousand bytes of data listing the appropriate broadcast resources for each viewer channel, for one or more time periods. Such xe2x80x9coverheadxe2x80x9d data transmission requires bandwidth which is therefore not available for delivery of desired consumer services. In the case of infrequent map updates, this overhead has been tolerable, although not desired. If the complexity or size of the local map were increased, or if revisions to the local map were frequent, the amount of overhead bandwidth required could become unacceptably large.
Transmission of local map data also requires time, the amount of which depends on the amount of map data and the allocated effective baud rate. Other sources of delay in generating and activating an updated map may also exist. For example, an IRD ordinarily continues to use a map until it determines the complete transmission of a more recent, updated map. Typically the IRD checks for the existence of an updated map at only predetermined intervals. Thus, another source of delay is introduced in activating a new local map.
The time delays involved with transmitting updated local maps to IRDs have also made maintaining updated maps cumbersome. The transmission of updated maps has thus been typically limited to a fixed number of predetermined times during the broadcast day, e.g. two or three times per day. Changes in the utilization of broadcast resources are therefore limited by the practical ability to update the local map. Improved flexibility in updating channel maps would allow greater flexibility in maximizing the utilization of broadcast resources.
The present invention relates to a transmission distribution system which conserves transmission bandwidth by consolidating the broadcast of simultaneous common programming from a number of different program streams comprising a number of input data streams, onto a lesser number of broadcast resources by using a unique mapping scheme. Program information may include, but is not limited to, video programming, audio programming, and/or various data services.
For example, in a television system having a large number of viewer channels, a number of different input data (e.g. program) streams may include the same programming material at a given time or times. Such simultaneous common programming typically occurs during sporting events or other live telecasts (e.g. special news events). The present invention allows all or a portion of such simultaneous programming to be broadcast over a lesser number of allocated broadcast resources, preferably a single broadcast resource for each program or program component (e.g. video, audio1, audio2, etc.), and locally mapped to the appropriate multiple viewer channels. In this manner, output data streams can be generated locally which are identical or sufficiently identical in relevant content to the numerous input data streams, although a reduced number of broadcast resources are utilized. The difference between the number of broadcast resources previously required to transmit each input data stream separately (n), and the lesser number required by the present invention (nxe2x88x92y), represents newly-available broadcast resources (y) which may be used for beneficial purposes.
Use of such n:nxe2x88x92y:m mapping, where nxe2x89xa72,n greater than yxe2x89xa61, and mxe2x89xa7n, frees y broadcast resources during the periods of n:nxe2x88x92y remote mapping. These broadcast resources and bitstreams are thus available for transmission of alternate data (e.g. additional program information or data services) or higher-quality transmission of existing services (e.g. HDTV or AC3 audio).
In a preferred embodiment, the bitstreams thus made available for alternate use in successive time slots are concatenated to generate one or more substantially continuously available broadcast resources. For example, a first broadcast resource might be xe2x80x9cfreed-upxe2x80x9d as a result of the inventive mapping discussed above, from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. A second broadcast resource might be xe2x80x9cfreed-upxe2x80x9d from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., etc. A remote map can be generated to map the programming which would otherwise be allocated to a particular broadcast resource, instead onto these xe2x80x9cnewxe2x80x9d resources during these time periods, thus freeing that particular resource. By continuing to map all of the sequential programs normally allocated to that particular broadcast resource instead to the various freed-up resources in this manner, the particular broadcast resource can provide a continuously available resource to more conveniently support alternate program transmission or other data services. In other embodiments, the alternate programming or data service can itself be distributed among the several broadcast resources made available during individual time slots, and reconstructed by means of a suitable local map.
In aspects of the invention, the channel mapping described is dynamically updated. It may, for example, be synchronized to frequent (e.g. real-time) changes in the desired utilization of particular broadcast resources, to accommodate dynamically changing similarity or identity between certain input data streams. By way of example, the mapping may be modified as often as required, and when required, in order to generate at least n output data streams sufficiently identical in relevant content to n input data streams, by means (at least periodically) of fewer than n broadcast resources. By dynamically adjusting the necessary mapping as required to meet such changing circumstances (i.e. as redundant programs begin and end on one or more sets of input data streams, or as non-common content such as desired commercials or source identifications occur in programs involved in n:nxe2x88x92y remote mapping, or as load requirements on the transmission media vary), maximum utilization of available broadcast resources can be achieved.
To accomplish the flexibility of dynamic channel mapping, a channel map generator generates channel maps reflecting the assignment of broadcast resources during particular time periods or slots. The channel map generator may identify those time periods during which identical program material is or will be present in two or more input streams. The channel map generator may utilize, in certain embodiments, pre-arranged scheduling which is typically supplied by content providers to broadcasters, often days in advance. In other embodiments, a content comparitor may monitor two or more input data streams for sufficient correlation in content, automatically recognizing the occurrence of substantially identical input streams as they occur and making this information available to the channel map generator. For example, the input program streams may be monitored for ID sequences used by content providers to identify the subject programs. Occurrence of the same program IDs associated with two or more input programs or streams in a common time period (i.e. beginning at or near the same time) would signal occurrence of common content. In other embodiments, the program content itself could be compared. Where automatic correlation is utilized, a suitable delay period may be used such that the channel maps are not altered unless substantial identity between two or more input data streams is recognized for at least a selected time period, thereby indicating a substantial identity and not mere coincidence in content during a brief period.
In other embodiments, the broadcaster may have need for an available broadcast resource during particular time slots. The map generator may then be instructed to attempt to identify input data stream redundancies during the desired periods in order to free the needed broadcast resource(s), or may be instructed to eliminate less-desired programs if necessary and generate new maps to reflect these changes as needed in order to free the desired broadcast resources.
When the channel map generator has identified opportunities for beneficial n:nxe2x88x92y:m mapping, in any of the foregoing manners or otherwise, it will generate the necessary broadcast (remote) and receiver (local) maps required. The local map is then transmitted to the viewer or subscriber stations, typically by means of the broadcast medium itself. For example, the local channel maps may comprise part of a control data transmission on one or more dedicated broadcast resources. In a typical DBS system employing multiple transponders, the information may be included in an appropriate data transmission carried by each transponder so that it will be available to the IRD regardless of which transponder is tuned at any given time.
Transmission of the local map requires allocation of broadcast bandwidth, which can be counterproductive to the desired goal of maximizing bandwidth available for useful program transmission. This is particularly true in a fully dynamic system, which might require frequent transmission of new maps to accommodate changes in the program streams. For example, if the mapping scheme is accommodating numerous redundancies to free several broadcast resources, including some program streams which have relatively frequent requirements for remapping to a 1:1 correspondence (e.g. during desired commercials or source identifications), the transmission of map data could be a significant burden on the system. In other important aspects of the present invention, these difficulties are avoided by providing improved transmission and updating schemes for local maps. For example, in preferred embodiments the receiving apparatus which receives and stores the local map is adapted to receive updates to less than the complete map. In this manner, only the changed information, together with necessary overhead, is required for transmission when a map update is desired. In the case of a high capacity DBS system, this may result in significant bandwidth saving since the majority of programs, and therefore broadcast resources, will not be involved in dynamic re-mapping during most time slots. Therefore the majority of the local map may be relatively static (as in the prior art) while other portions can be dynamically updated in accordance with the present invention. Although the complete local map may preferably be transmitted occasionally (to permit activation of new equipment and provide a periodic integrity check to correct any errors), such full map transmissions are reduced.
To further minimize transmission requirements for map changes, a plurality of complete maps may be transmitted and stored locally. For example, a first complete map can be transmitted and stored, followed by a second complete map stored in other memory. The receiving apparatus includes a map selector (e.g. selection vector, multiplexor, etc.) which selects the stored map that is to be active at a given time. To accomplish a change in local mapping, it is then necessary only to cause the receiver to select the desired alternate map. More than one available map may be locally stored, and transitions between these maps may be made repeatedly. For example, one map might allocate viewer channels to the broadcast resources during normal program periods, while another map returns to 1:1 correspondence during commercials (e.g. where it is contractually required that the promotional content of an input data stream be made identically available to viewers). Although a given program might have many commercials, each requiring two map changes, only two map transmissions would be required, followed by suitable signals to initiate the necessary local map selections. These selection signals will typically require much less transmission bandwidth than a complete or partial map, resulting in significant bitstream savings.
To minimize memory requirements (e.g. in a DBS IRD), the map may be divided into individual regions or segments, such as a main map and a plurality of sub-maps. The main map (which may be considered as a specialized sub-map) can contain mapping information which is common to all of a plurality of selectable maps, while other sub-maps may include those portions of the mapping which are unique to individual selectable maps. Transition from one map to another would require selection only of the appropriate sub-map, while the main map would continue to be effective. In this manner, additional transmission resources are saved since the common portion of the several local maps need only be transmitted once, and map updates, selection and transitions are facilitated.
A standard IRD today typically includes only a single tuner. In such devices, only one LNB frequency (i.e. corresponding to a single transponder) can be selected and processed at a given time. Accordingly, only one set of entries in the local map corresponding to the broadcast resources supported by that transponder are relevant to operation of the IRD at any given time. The remaining entries are relevant only if the user selects a different viewer channel corresponding to a different transponder. Where the active local map (which may be one of a plurality of selectable maps in certain embodiments) is functionally divided into regions (e.g. a plurality of sub-maps), only one of the regions need be active at a given time. The active region will depend on the present viewer channel selected by the user. If the user selects another viewer channel supported by the same map region (e.g. another program carried by the same transponder), that region will remain active. If the user, however, selects a different viewer channel which is supported by a different region, then the latter region of the local map will become active. In other embodiments, the processing circuits and functions which maintain and update the local map(s) may recognize the active region in the local map, allowing updates to any other region or cell. In other embodiments, updates may be made to any cell of any map, including the presently active map, so long as map read cycles are preferably prohibited during any update cycles of at least the presently active cell or region.
The foregoing aspects of the present invention greatly reduce time delays and overhead requirements when making local map changes. Reducing at least some transmissions to only those portions of a map which must be updated, or eliminating at least some repetitive or redundant map information transmissions, not only reduces the amount of bandwidth required for transmitting the overhead information, but also reduces the time required for making the necessary data transmission. For example, the time required to send a complete channel map in a high capacity DBS system, utilizing generally allocated transmission resources and speeds, could be two to three seconds or longer. Typically a complete map must be received accurately before the new map can be implemented, thereby restricting how quickly the system can adapt to changing requirements. Further, certain receiving equipment may impose its own hardware or processing restrictions in activating newly delivered local maps. In other aspects of the present invention, these shortcomings are minimized or eliminated. For example, by sending only update portions of a local map (e.g. individual sub-maps), the transmission times required are significantly reduced. Further, by transmitting a plurality of alternate and/or sub-maps once, and storing them locally for later selection, subsequent transmission delays (e.g. when commercials occur during a program) are completely avoided.
To dynamically synchronize changes in the utilization of broadcast resources, the map system may include a synchronization mechanism to coordinate activation of maps. The synchronization mechanism may include a timestamp instructing map selectors when and/or how particular map information (whether complete or partial) is to become effective. By way of example, the timestamp may indicate immediate activation, or an absolute time (e.g. GMT) upon which the map is to become active. In aspects of the present invention, the timestamp may also comprise an offset or delay time after which it is to become active (e.g. two seconds after receipt, or ten frames after a trigger event, etc.); a trigger event which will cause the map to become effective (e.g. receipt of a command over a command data stream or as part of the program data stream); activation in response to action by a local user (e.g. manual selection of a local map by means of a control panel or remote control device); or other suitable means. Where an absolute timestamp is used, all apparatus can be synchronized to switch effective maps at the same instant. This will be particularly useful where changes in the input data streams are known in advance (e.g. program changes are scheduled in advance to occur at certain known times). The use of a trigger event permits greater flexibility to accommodate unscheduled changes (e.g. early or late game starts, game completions, or time-outs during a sporting event during which commercials must be 1:1 mapped to viewer channels, etc.). Where a plurality of selectable local maps are stored in local memory, they may be switched nearly instantaneously by the local apparatus on receipt of the appropriate time or trigger, resulting in a tightly synchronized and highly flexible dynamic mapping system.
Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments are exemplary and explanatory only, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. The invention will be further understood by reference to the following description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the description of preferred embodiments is not intended to be limiting, and the present invention and claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments as described.


A sprayer system having a trailer, which is pulled by a tractor or other tow body, and has a tank carrying liquid to be sprayed and a spray head. The trailer has a peristaltic pump mounted on a frame and driving pumping power from the wheels of the trailer so that the sprayer is self pumping when the trailer is pulled. The peristaltic pump provides a smooth flow by providing a multiplicity of pulses of liquid produced by the pump from the rotation of the trailer wheels by wrapping the compressible tube of each pump around an assembly of rollers which are rotated by drive wheels. The tube is wrapped at least 360° around the rollers and is held stationary by being connected to fixed outlet and inlets of each pump. The tube lies side by side on at least one of the rollers of each assembly and overlaps that roller.

Most trailer carried spraying systems use separate independently driven electrical or mechanical pumps which are carried by the trailer. Such spraying systems are shown for example in the following U.S. Pat. No. 2,757,044 (Gerbracht), U.S. Pat. No. 2,975,940 (Nybakke), and U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,961 (Wilting).
It has been proposed to use the power from the tractor or other tow body to drive the pump for the sprayer system, and self pumping spraying systems using peristaltic pumps connected to the trailer drive wheels have been proposed. See the following U.S. Pat. No. 2,703,256 (Mascaro), U.S. Pat. No. 3,534,533 (Luoma), U.S. Pat. No. 3,807,605 (Meharry et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,583 (Hughes), U.S. Pat. No. 4,296,875 (Borglum), U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,486 (Magda), U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,188 (Ballu), U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,791 (Matsumoto et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,795 (Jessen). Such peristaltic pump equipped sprayers have not achieved commercial acceptance. It is believed this is because the spray is pumped in widely spaced pulses, rather than in a generally steady flow of liquid, as have been provided by separate electrical and mechanically driven pumps.

Peristaltic pump and trailer mounted self pumping sprayer system incorporating same


A safety device for detecting elastically scattered radiation comprises: an excitation source of substantially monochromatic radiation having a controllable output, a detector for detecting elastically scattered radiation collected from a specimen illuminated by the excitation source, and a signal conditioning circuit that comprises a transducer and a comparator. An output transducer signal representative of the elastically scattered radiation is compared with a predefined threshold signal. If the output transducer signal is less than the threshold signal, a control output signal coupled to the excitation source causes the output of the source to be reduced. The safety device is included in an analyzer apparatus, preferably a Raman spectrometry apparatus that further includes an optical probe. The probe comprises a fluid-tight body that encloses three optical channels, preferably comprising optical fibers, that carry monochromatic radiation to a specimen and separately collect inelastically and elastically scattered radiation from the illuminated specimen. In a method for controlling a radiation source in an analyzer apparatus, a specimen is analyzed by an excitation source having a controllable output, preferably a laser. Elastically scattered radiation from the illuminated specimen is collected, detected, and transduced into an output transducer signal representative of the scattered radiation. If the output transducer signal is less than a predefined threshold signal, a control output signal coupled to the laser causes its output to be reduced.

When incident radiation interacts with matter, it may undergo a process called scattering. As described in J. B. Ingle, Jr. and S. R. Crouch, "Molecular Scattering Methods," Chapter 16 in Spectrochemical Analysis, 1988, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliff N.J., pp 494-499, scattering may be elastic, i.e., the wavelength of the scattered radiation is unchanged from that of the incident radiation, or inelastic, i.e., the scattered radiation has a wavelength different from that of the incident radiation.
In one form of elastic radiation scattering, referred to as Rayleigh scatter, the dimensions of the scattering particles, i.e., atoms and molecules, are much smaller than the incident beam wavelength. In general, Rayleigh scatter is inversely proportional to the fourth power of the wavelength of the incident light. Liquids exhibit significantly stronger Rayleigh scatter than do gasses.
One type of inelastic radiation scattering is referred to as Raman scatter; incident photons are scattered with either a gain or loss of energy, and the energy difference between the scattered and incident radiation is commonly referred to as the Raman shift. The Raman shift spectrum represents the energy of various molecular vibrations and conveys chemical and molecular information regarding the matter studied. Raman spectrometry is widely used in the analysis of various materials and is capable of providing both qualitative and quantitative information about the composition and/or molecular structure of chemical substances.
Raman scattering signals are very weak, much weaker than Rayleigh scattering signals. Typically a few Raman scattering photons exist among millions of elastically scattered photons. This small Raman signal among the large elastically scattered signals places severe demands on the instrumentational design of any spectrometer used to collect Raman spectra.
A Raman spectrometry apparatus typically comprises a laser excitation source of monochromatic light, a probe, and a fiber optic cable that includes transmission and reception fiber channels connecting the laser with the probe. The probe may be remotely located from the laser light source; it may, for example, be situated within a chamber such as a reactor or a pipe where a chemical reaction involving solids, liquids, gasses, or mixtures thereof is occurring. The fiber optic cable includes transmission and reception fibers. The output of the laser is conveyed by a transmission fiber channel to the probe, exits the probe, and illuminates the material within the reaction chamber. Raman scattering resulting from irradiation of the material is conveyed by a reception fiber channel to a detector and spectrograph included in the spectrometry apparatus.
Lasers are classified according to their power output, from very low power "exempt" lasers of Class I to high power lasers of Classes III and IV, whose output range from about 1 mW to greater than 500 mW. Lasers used as excitation sources for Raman spectrometry are frequently Class III or IV and therefore have output energy levels that present a potential hazard. If the probe were inadvertently removed from a material being measured, the high laser output could damage the cornea or retina of an operator's eyes and could also ignite flammable substances in the vicinity, causing a fire or explosion. To ensure personnel safety and minimize the hazards of fire or explosion, it would be highly desirable to have a reliable control for automatically turning off the laser if the probe were to be removed from the material under examination or if a break were to occur in a fiber optic channel. Such a control is provided by the present invention.

Elastic radiation scatter-detecting safety device analyzer apparatus provided with safety device and method for controlling a laser excitation source


An electronic control system (24) for a vehicle seat is provided that includes a seat base (12), a seat back (14), an operator input device (30) and a control circuit (26). The seat base has a seat back motor (34) configured to move a seat base forward and backward. The seat back has a seat back motor (32) configured to adjust an angle of inclination of the seat back. The operator input (30) device is configured to received operator commands for movement of the vehicle seat. The control circuit is configured to receive the operator commands and to control the seat base motor and the seat back motor. The control circuit is also configured to move the seat base and the seat back at a ratio of approximately 1 degree of inclination to between approximately 1 mm to approximately 4 mm of forward or backward movement of the seat base.

Vehicle seats are often adjustable so that various drivers, passengers, and other users can adjust the seat to the individual's desires. Vehicle seats can be adjusted in a number of ways. One of the simplest ways to adjust a vehicle seat is by reclining. Another way to adjust the seat is by moving it forward or backward with respect to a fixed object such as, for example, a dashboard or a steering wheel. Providing the user with the option of adjusting the vehicle seat as described, allows the user greater flexibility as well as making the vehicle compatible with a larger number of users.
Often when a user adjusts a vehicle seat by, for example, reclining or inclining, the user will move toward or away from the steering wheel or dashboard. Typically, after reclining or inclining the vehicle seat, the user will want to adjust the seat forward or backward so that the user is brought back to his or her original position in relation to the steering wheel or dashboard. Unfortunately, this process has a number of disadvantages. For example, if the user is operating the vehicle while adjusting the seat, the user is not focusing on the task of operating the vehicle. The more time the user is spending adjusting the seat, the longer the user is distracted. Also, many times it is difficult for the user to gauge where the user's original position was in relation to the steering wheel or other fixed object.

Vehicle seat having an electronic control system


Embodiments of the present invention relate to polyarylene sulfide that may exhibit excellent processability at low temperature, decrease outgassing and flash or burr generation, and thus may satisfactorily mold a product requiring high molding accuracy, and a method for preparing the same. Specifically, the polyarylene sulfide includes an arylene sulfide repeat unit and an arylene disulfide repeat unit, wherein the weight ratio of the arylene sulfide repeat unit:arylene disulfide repeat unit is 1:0.0001 to 1:0.05.

Currently, polyarylene sulfide is representative engineering plastic, and is in great demand for high temperature and corrosive environment and electronic products due to high heat resistance, chemical resistance, flame resistance, and electric insulation. The major uses include computer accessories, automobile accessories, coating of the part contacting corrosive chemical materials, and industrial chemical resistant fiber, and the like.
Presently, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is the only commercially available polyarylene sulfide. According to the current commercial production process of PPS, p-dichlorobenzene (pDCB) and sodium sulfide are used as raw materials and reacted in a polar organic solvent such as N-methyl pyrrolidone, and the like. This method is known as a Macallum process, and the basic process is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,513,188 and 2,583,941, wherein some usable polar solvents are suggested, but N-methylpyrrolidone is currently most commonly used. This process uses dichloro aromatic compounds as raw material, and sodium chloride (NaCl) is generated as a by-product.
Meanwhile, since PPS obtained in the Macallum process generally has good flowability at high temperature, it may be molded even under low pressure and has good processability. However, if products requiring high accuracy or having flat shapes such as various computer accessories or electronic products are manufactured, flash or burr may be generated in the molded product, and thus, this process has a limitation in the manufacture of precision parts. In addition, since molding should be conducted at high temperature in order to apply for precision parts and improve flowability, a large amount of the generated outgas may injure operator's health, and it may cause air pollution.

Polyarylene sulfide having reduced outgassing and preparation method thereof


The present invention provides an apparatus and method for treating fluid media by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. A fluid flow path from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet is provided. The fluid flow path is proximate to a source of ultraviolet radiation. Reagents may be added to the system so that the reagent is present in the circulating fluid while the fluid is being exposed to the ultraviolet radiation. Samples of fluid may be withdrawn from the system so that process parameters may be adjusted. In a system in which the fluid flow path is defined by a plurality of interconnected pipes, a connecting means between the pipes includes a port through which reagent may be added or samples withdrawn from the system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fluid media treatment apparatus and process. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fluid media treatment apparatus and process utilizing a combination of ultraviolet light and a chemical reagent, such as an oxidizing agent, to treat contaminated fluid media, reducing the total microorganism count as well as decreasing the level of non-biological pollutants in the fluid.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Ultraviolet systems for the treatment of biological pollutants in fluid are known in the art. Such systems have found utility in disinfecting waste water effluent, drinking water, swimming pools, hot tubs and spas, membrane desalting systems, in producing high purity water for electronics, pharmaceuticals, dairies, cosmetics, hospitals, laboratories and beverages, in aquaculture, for fish hatcheries, aquariums and marine parks, and in treating recirculating water in cooling towers. In these systems, the water is disinfected by exposing it to ultraviolet light from low pressure mercury lamps generating ultraviolet light of 254 nanometers.
In maximizing the efficiency of such known apparatuses, it has been known to control the flow pattern of the fluid media, the time of exposure to the ultraviolet light, lamp temperature, and to maximize the exposure of the fluid media to the ultraviolet light.
Some fluid media treatment systems employing ultraviolet light have immersed the ultraviolet light source in the fluid media. Others have maintained a flow of the fluid media through pipes in close proximity to the ultraviolet light source.
Commercial waste water treatment systems have employed pipes made of quartz or polytetraflouroethylene (sold under the trademark "TEFLON" by the E.I. duPont de Nemours & Co.), both of which are materials which efficiently pass ultraviolet light. Polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE) pipes have been particularly useful: they pass ultraviolet light, they are not fragile and because of their non-sticking properties, contaminants in the fluid do not stick to the sides of the (PTFE) pipes.
Alternative methods of treating waste water to kill microorganisms include chemical treatment through materials such as chlorine. In some commercial waste water treatment systems, chemical treatment has been conducted serially with ultraviolet treatment, with materials such as chlorine being added before or after the ultraviolet treatment.
Yet another system introduces air bubbles into the waste water.

Apparatus for treatment of fluid media with ultraviolet irradiation


An advanced telecommunication system is provided for central control of electronic signs. A display development kit is provided to create binary display programs which create visual activity on one or more electronic signs. These display programs are stored on the disk drive of a system control computer which periodically runs a system control program to upload display programs to the electronic signs using radiopaging signals. The system control program employs a telephone modem to connect through a public switched telephone network (PSTN) to a paging terminal. In accordance with the system control program, the system control computer divides each display program into multiple packets which are transmitted to the paging terminal as alphanumeric radiopages. The paging terminal encodes the packets into radiopaging format, frequency shift key modulates the data, and transmits the pages on a radio frequency channel. Electronic signs decode the radiopages into data packets. A receiver subsystem in the electronic sign reconstructs the original display programs using the data packets. Data provided in a display program can span across more than one page. The system control program creates packets containing display program data such that blocks of display program data that are greater than one page are transmitted transparently to a paging terminal from the central computer, and from the paging terminal to a paging receiver without requiring hardware or software modification of existing paging terminals and paging central offices.

1. Field of the Invention:
The invention relates generally to a telecommunication system, and more particularly to a computer controlled system for controlling electronic signs using radiopaging techniques.
2. Description of the Related Art:
A method of cost-efficient, centralized control of electronic displays that does not require a physical communication link between the displays and a central computer is advantageous because the method allows the placement of electronic information displays in areas where such a communication link is prohibitively costly and sometimes impossible. Several methods of centralized control of electronic signs exist. One method uses a standard telephone line to connect each electronic display to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Another telephone line connects a central control computer to the PSTN. The control computer and the electronic signs each use a telephone MODEM to send and receive data. In this configuration, the central computer can place a telephone call to each sign or a group of signs to upload programming information over the PSTN using an end-to-end protocol such as XMODEM or X.25. This method works well for a small number of signs. Large organizations of signs, however, require many dedicated telephone lines. The use of telephone lines with a large organization of signs is disadvantageous because communication cost increases linearly with the number of displays. Additionally, the telephone lines are inconvenient and sometimes impossible to install in some locations. Further, the use of telephone lines with electronic signs limits the mobility of the displays. Placing displays interconnected in such a fashion onto public transportation vehicles, for example, is impossible.
The mobility limitation can be eliminated by substituting a cellular or mobile telephone link for the conventional telephone line, allowing connection between a central controlling computer and electronic displays without a physical connection to each sign. This approach is nonetheless disadvantageous because a call over the mobile telephone link must still be completed for each sign receiving display data. Thus, line cost continues to increase linearly with the number of signs in the network.
A number of approaches for providing electronic signs with display data which address both sign mobility and communication cost exist. A first method places an FM receiver into each sign on the network and modulates the data intended for each sign onto the subcarrier of a commercial broadcasting station. This method offers fixed costs and mobility, but presents a number of disadvantages. First, the subcarrier signal carries only a fraction of the broadcast power of the commercial stations. Second, modulation of the data in this way reduces the power of the signal and degrades the overall signal quality. Third, FM broadcast paging companies generally do not perform simultaneous broadcasts of radiopage signals to a number of page receivers.
A second method uses existing radiopaging technology by placing an alphanumeric pager (i.e., pager receiver) within each electronic sign. Messages intended for the signs are then transmitted as alphanumeric radiopages that are received by pagers within the signs. The alphanumeric pager outputs the data onto its printer port, which is connected to a compatible port within the sign itself. The data is then received and stored in the sign's memory. This approach has the advantage that it does not interfere with the primary operation of the paging company, but it imposes the disadvantage of limiting messages to the length of an alphanumeric page and restricting characters outside the ASCII 7-bit printable character set. These restrictions preclude the transmission of large bit mapped graphic images.
Other methods for providing display data to electronic signs involve creating a format which either allows longer pages or allows messages to be spread over multiple pages. A method that allows messages of arbitrarily long duration is undesirable because long messages cause delay in transmitting other pages and thereby adversely effect the overall response time of the paging system. Spreading a long message over multiple pages is difficult because paging systems use time slot address selection to allow pagers to efficiently use their batteries. Paging systems often re-sort pages from their original chronological order before transmission to minimize transmission of idle code words. Thus, recovery of re-sorted data is rendered more difficult at the paging receiver. Some paging formats exist for creating long pages from several short pages; however, these formats do not allow for the reordering of the pages. Further, these paging formats would require paging companies to replace existing hardware and undergo extensive software upgrades.

Method and apparatus for controlling electronics signs using radiopaging signals


The disclosure provides a method and a device for controlling power of a cognitive radio system. The method comprises: measuring a system parameter of a cognitive radio system and a system parameter of a TV system located in an adjacent channel of the cognitive radio system; determining a maximum transmission power of the cognitive radio system according to the system parameter of the cognitive radio system and the system parameter of the TV system; controlling an actual transmission power of the cognitive radio system to be less than the maximum transmission power. In the disclosure, interference to the TV system can be reduced maximally, so that the sensitivity of a receiver inside the TV system is guaranteed.

At present, spectrum resources are divided to various radio operators in a fixed manner, wherein this manner specifies a corresponding frequency band, a used bandwidth and a Radio Access Technology (RAT). With a continuous increase in a use frequency, the number of users and a traffic amount of a radio network, spectrum resources for radio communications become more and more scarce. Simultaneously, related observations show that, in some time periods, a large amount of available spectrum resources are idle. Therefore, a possibility exists that, in some areas, in some time periods, idle spectrum resources can be borrowed for radio communications, in this way, the utilization of spectrum resources can be improved effectively, and the scarcity of spectrum resources can be relieved.
In the related technologies, when a CRS borrows idle spectrum resources, interference may be caused to adjacent (adjacent channel or adjacent frequency channel) primary user system or other CRSs, this is because a transmitter of the CRS generally has out-of-band leakage during an energy radiation.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a spectrum mask according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, in the related technologies, a Television (TV) system and a radio communication system generally have out-of-band leakage, wherein the TV system comprises a Digital Video Broadcast (DVB), and the radio communication system comprises a Global system for Mobile Communication (GSM), a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and a Long-Term Evolution (LTE).
Energy leaked to the adjacent channel causes interference to a TV system that is working on the adjacent channel, as a result, a floor noise of the TV system is increased, and the sensitivity of a receiver is influenced.

Method and device for controlling power of cognitive radio system


Heterochain aliphatic poly-N-oxide copolymers of general formula (1), where R═N, CH; x=2 or 4; y=0 or 2; n=10-1000; q=(0.1-0.9)n; z=(0.1-0.9)n, exhibit pharmacological activity, including an antioxidant effect and a therapeutic effect as a detoxicant and immunomodulating agent. The copolymer may be used as vaccinating agent also comprising an antigen and a vaccine against hepatitis A and hepatitis B, which contains a vaccine preparation comprising HVA Ag and HBsAg simultaneously or vaccine preparations against hepatitis A and against hepatitis B. The invention represents a new class of compounds that exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activity and a vaccination effect as well as increased safety in use, and is directed towards increasing manufacturability, cost efficiency and environmental safety in the production of drugs.

Known are synthetic polymers exhibiting physiological activity, for example, homo and acrylic and crotonic acid copolymers, N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymers with metacrylic and crotonic acids, acrolein, vinyl amine, maleic anhydride and other vinyl monomers (Polymers in Medicine, translated from English and edited by Plate N. A., Moscow, 1969, p. 38-76). Known are also some water-soluble carbonchain polymer derivatives (Plate N. A., Vasiliev A. E. "Physiologically Active Polymers", Moscow, Khimiya, 1986, p. 12-204; "Polymers for Medical Purposes" edited by Senoo Manabu, translated from Japanese, Moscow, 1981, 248 p.) comprising nitrogen in the side chain of a macromolecule such as polyvinyl pyridines and polyvinyl triazoles. All the above mentioned compounds are toxic and are not widely used as pharmacological preparations. Furthermore, carbonchain polymers do not fall in the organism into low molecular compounds, accumulate and cause undesired side effects.
Poly-1,4-ethylene piperazine derivatives are compounds closest in biological effect and chemical essence to the describable invention (RF patent No 2073031, IPC C 08 G 73/02 published in 1997). The known compounds are characterized by a broad spectrum of pharmacological activity and successfully used as carriers of vaccine agents or drugs, as well as in the complex therapy of diseases accompanied with immunodeficiency disorders. At the same time, the presence of ionogenic groups in these compounds reduces the rate of their destruction and elimination from an organism restricting thereby the use thereof for intravenous administration as a detoxicant if rapid elimination of high toxic compounds is required. Moreover, the technology of producing the known compounds supposes a multiple-stage process associated with a high expenditure of expensive chemical agents requiring mighty generating capacities and labor costs.

Heterochain aliphatic poly-N-oxide copolymers and vaccinating agents and drugs based thereon

OBCHTCHESTVO S OGRANITCHENNOI OTVESTVENNOSTYOU “NPO PETROVAKS FARM”


An item of winter sport equipment such as a ski including at least one sliding runner whose width or waisting can be at least in part varied. The variation in width and/or waisting of the sliding runner may be effected by the sliding runner having a plurality of individual parts whose relative positions are variable as by inward and outward displacement or pivotal adjustment.

This application claims the priority of German application 100 19 655.1, filed Apr. 20, 2000, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates generally to a winter sports device.
In this specification the term winter sports device is used to denote an item of sporting equipment with which the user thereof slides on a ground surface by means of one or more sliding runners. The term ground surface is used to include the surface for example of snow, ice and so forth on which the user of the equipment moves. The term sliding runner is used to denote a piece of equipment on which the user stands to move by what is essentially a sliding movement over the ground surface.
The traditionally best-known form of winter sports device is skis which are used in pairs, with a respective ski being individually secured to a respective one of the feet of the user. An alternative configuration of a winter sports device is a snowboard in which the user stands with both feet on one and the same board which is shorter and wider in relation to skis. There are however other less widely known forms of winter sports devices in which the individual sliding runners are connected together by way of suitable mechanisms and so forth.
In all cases involving winter sports devices, there are generally a number of different alternative forms of the respective device, which differ in terms of their configuration according to the respective purpose of use involved. In regard to the configuration of the device, an aspect which is often of crucial influence on the travel and control qualities is the width of the individual sliding runner and what is referred to as the waisting thereof, that is to say the relationship of the widths thereof at the widest point and the narrowest point relative to each other. The narrowest point is generally in a central region of the sliding runner, in relation to the longitudinal direction thereof, that is to say in the case for example of skis the narrowest point occurs in the region of the binding for fixing the foot of the user to the ski, while the wider locations of a ski are at the tip and the tail thereof.
The relationship between the narrowest and the widest parts for example of a ski may vary. Thus for example the design of ski known as a carving ski involves a greater degree of waisting and also a generally shorter length of ski in comparison with a more conventional ski with less sidecut, while in addition it also entails different damping properties, in comparison with a conventional style of ski in which the edges of the ski are generally more parallel by virtue of a lesser degree of waisting and therefore a smaller sidecut.
Likewise, a ski of somewhat greater width is preferred for skiing in deep snow or on powder, in comparison with skiing on a prepared piste or run.
An object of the present invention is to provide a winter sports device such as a ski which can be quickly and reversibly adapted to a respective purpose of use by the user even after purchase thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a winter sports device which includes versatile options of adjustment to differing conditions and differing user requirements.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a winter sports device which includes configurational adjustability for adapting the device to the style of use of a respective user in a simple and readily adjustable structure.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention the foregoing and other objects are attained by a winter sports device comprising at least one elongate sliding runner, such as a ski, wherein the width of the sliding runner is at least in part variable.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention the foregoing and other objects are also attained by a winter sports device comprising at least one sliding runner, such as a ski, wherein the waisting of the sliding runner is at least in part variable.
For the purposes of the description hereinafter reference will be made more specifically to skis as a particular form of the winter sports device with which the invention is concerned, in which respect it will be clear that the aspects, features and description set out hereinafter can be equally applied to any kind of winter sports devices involving sliding runners.
As will be noted from the description hereinafter of preferred embodiments, a variation in the width or the waisting of the skis, or both parameters, means that the basic shape of the ski can be adapted to any desired position of use. The nature of the variation in width and/or waisting can ensure that such variation can be effected very quickly and easily, that is to say even while the ski is in use, even if not necessarily while the user is moving on the ski, so that adaptation of the ski can be implemented quickly and as soon as the conditions of use at a respective location are known to the user.
Because of the high levels of mechanical loading which act on the sliding runner or ski, more particularly in the region of the outer edges which are generally at the outer edge portion of the underneath sole or ground-engaging surface of the ski, the edges of the ski generally comprise metal. For that reason, all structures which involve pivotal movement or displacement of individual parts of the ski relative to each other in relation to a basic position involve the mechanical connecting elements between the parts being of a highly stable and sturdy configuration.
A preferred option in that respect provides that the ski, as viewed in cross-section, comprises a plurality of individual parts, for example a central part and side parts, wherein the individual parts are adapted to be movable relative to each other to vary the width and/or waisting involved. For example the running surface or sole of the ski may comprise first and second parts which are movable relative to each other in a transverse direction and which are mounted displaceably to the underside of a central part which itself does not come into contact by means of a running surface or sole surface with the ground surface. In order to prevent snow from penetrating into the resulting gap when the side parts are moved away from each other in order thereby to increase the width of the ski, a further feature of the invention provides that a seal of a flexible material, for example a sheet or foil or a fabric material, can be disposed at that location. Movement of the two side parts towards and away from each other can be implemented by means of an adjusting screw having a screwthread which at the same time is of a self-locking action so that the adjustment once set is retained.
Another possible configuration provides that the central part and the side parts of the ski are adapted to be pivotable or tiltable relative to each other about axes which extend in the longitudinal direction of the ski.
In such an arrangement it is possible for the side parts which represent the increase in width of the ski to be taken fully out of operation, that is to say removed, or pivoted upwardly into a position on the top side of the central part of the ski, when the ski is to be in its narrowest configuration. It will be appreciated that in such a case the central part must be provided along its outside edge portions themselves with wear-resistant edges which are provided at that location to enable the ski to produce its edging effect for turning, when the ski is adjusted into its narrowest version. The increase in width of the ski can be achieved by pivoting the side portions down and fixing them in the downwardly pivoted position. That configuration does not allow a continuous, stepless increase in width of the ski.
In contrast, such a stepless variation in the width of the ski can be achieved if the individual parts which are movable relative to each other, that is to say for example the above-mentioned central part and side parts, are admittedly adapted to be pivotable relative to each other about axes directed in the longitudinal direction of the ski, but all individual parts of the ski, in use thereof, are in opposite relationship to the ground surface for engagement therewith, when the ski is in both the wide and also the narrow condition thereof. The variation in width of the ski is effected by altering the angular position of the individual parts thereof relative to each other, so that for example in the narrow condition the individual parts, as viewed in cross-section, form a zigzag-shaped or wave-shaped configuration, whereas in the wide condition of the ski in the transverse direction they are oriented in such a way as to afford in the transverse direction a straight and in particular flat underside and thus sole surface.
In a preferred feature of the invention, the individual parts of the ski are fixed in the desired relative position with respect to each other by virtue of fixing intermediate wedge members which extend in the longitudinal direction, between the individual parts, and spreading them apart in regard to their relative position with respect to each other in the desired manner. Depending on the respective number and configuration of the individual parts involved in the ski, such intermediate wedge members may also have arm portions which project in the transverse direction, for the purposes of fixing individual parts of the ski, which are disposed at more remote locations.
The central part itself may also in turn be of a multi-part nature, in particular comprising first and second parts.
A further preferred feature of the invention can provide that the increase in or reduction in width of the ski can be effected in spite of the ski being of a one-piece configuration in cross-section. One possible option in this respect involves the ski being of a wave-shaped or zigzag-shaped cross-sectional contour, wherein the ski is flattened out for the purposes of increasing its width while the wave shapes or raised portions and depressed portions are respectively higher and deeper when the ski is to be in a narrower condition. In that respect in particular the narrower condition is the initial condition and the ski can be moved into the flatter, wider condition by virtue of suitable spreading means, for example of mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic nature. It will be noted in this respect that in the above-outlined constructions involving increasing or reducing the width of the ski by extending or retracting side parts, extension and/or retraction can also be effected by mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic means.
In a preferred feature of the invention a sliding runner or ski may have a central part which is arranged from the point of view of height in the interior of the side parts at respective sides thereof so that, when the side parts are moved away from each other to increase the width of the ski, the inwardly disposed central part serves as a guide means. It is precisely in such cases that the central part can be used as a piston and the variation in width can be implemented by a procedure whereby a fluid such as air or a liquid such as oil can be introduced into or discharged from an empty space or chamber between the central part and the side parts in order thereby to vary the width of the ski and also fix it.
Depending on whether the variation in width is implemented uniformly over the entire length of the sliding runner or ski or in part in the front and rear regions thereof, it is thereby possible to vary not only the width but also the waisting of the ski when considered in plan. Preferably, in all structures involving mechanical adjustment, the ski has an axis of rotation for the individual parts which are displaceable or pivotable to provide for the variation in width of the ski, with respect to the central part, with the axis of rotation being disposed in the central region of the ski, in particular in the front and rear regions of the binding thereon. If in addition those axes of rotation are movable in a transverse direction relative to the ski, it is possible to choose between the waisting of the ski remaining the same and the waisting of the ski being varied, in addition to the variation in width of the ski.
Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description hereinafter of preferred embodiments.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


In a light amplifier device having a rare-earth element doped optical fiber to which an input light signal and an exciting light are applied, an exciting-light emitting part generates the exciting light. A variable attenuator which attenuates the exciting light applied. A driving part which supplies a driving current to the exciting light part. A monitor part monitors the input light signal. A light-emitting part generates a light in a wavelength band which includes a wavelength of the input light signal. A control part for controlling either the attenuator or driving part, when the monitor part detects a change in the input light signal, so that the light generated by the light-emitting part is applied to the rare-earth element doped optical fiber.

1. Background of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a light amplifier device capable of suppressing a light surge.
A light amplifier device is known in which a signal light and an exciting light are applied to an optical fiber doped with a rare-earth element such as erbium (Er). Such an amplifier is capable of amplifying the signal light per se, and is thus applied to a repeater amplifier in a long-distance light transmission system. In the light amplifier device using a rare-earth element doped optical fiber, it is known that a light surge occurs when the light signal is recovered immediately after the light signal is broken down. Such a light surge may damage optical circuit components in parts of the subsequent stages. Hence, it is desired to suppress the light surge.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, the light amplifier device uses an erbium-doped optical fiber which amplifies a light signal in the 1.5 .mu.m band. Also, there are known light amplifier devices that utilize a neodymium-doped (Nd-doped) optical fiber capable of amplifying a light in the 1.06 .mu.m or 1.32 .mu.m band, and a praseodymium-doped (Pr-doped) optical fiber capable of amplifying a light in the 1.3 .mu.m band. Generally, the gain of the light amplifier device is controlled by controlling the power of the exciting light. Alternatively, the light amplifier device having an optical fiber as described above has a saturation characteristic, and therefore the gain thereof can be controlled with the power of the exciting light kept constant.
As described above, a light surge occurs when the light signal is recovered immediately after the light signal is broken down, for example, after a short period of approximately 10 .mu.s. Such a short-period breakdown results from, for example, an instantaneous breakdown of an electric signal on the transmit side, an inserting and detaching step of an optical connector, or bending of the optical fiber with a small radius of curvature. When the light signal is recovered after the short-period breakdown, energy of the exciting light or the like stored in the rare-earth-doped optical fiber produces a light surge. If the light surge is input to a photodiode which is a component of a light-receiving part, the photodiode may be destroyed. If an oil film is present between the interface of joined fibers in the optical connector, the optical fibers may be blackened and thus the optical connector may be damaged. If the light surge is emitted outside, humans or animals may be affected.
With the above in mind, a structure provided on the input side of the light amplifier device has been proposed in which a light component extracted from a received (input) light signal is converted into an electric signal, which is monitored in order to determine whether the input light signal is normal. If a breakdown of the input light signal is detected, the operation of a semiconductor laser which emits the exciting light is stopped. There is an alternative proposal in which when the breakdown of the input light signal is detected, a light switch is turned off in order to prevent the amplified light signal from being applied to a following stage.
Another alternative has been proposed in, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 6-204947. More particularly, the wavelength of the light signal is set outside of the maximum gain wavelength band of the light amplifier device using the rare-earth element doped optical fiber. An optical filter that has a blocking band including the above maximum gain wavelength is proposed. The optical filter functions to block the light surge because the light surge occurs at the maximum gain wavelength of the light amplifier device.
However, the above related art has the following disadvantages. As described above, the occurrence of the light surge is suppressed by stopping, in response to the detection of the breakdown of the input light signal, operation of the semiconductor laser which outputs the exciting light. When the input light signal is recovered, the semiconductor laser is driven again, and thus the input light signal is amplified. However, it takes a certain time to recover the normal amplifying gain. This is not good for a long-distance light transmission system which includes a plurality of light repeaters installed at given intervals. The time necessary to totally recover the normal gain in the whole system is increased in proportion to the number of repeaters. Further, the light amplifier device does not have any means for detecting the light surge although it has the function of detecting the breakdown of the input light signal. Hence, it is impossible to prevent the light surge from being amplified and output.
In the structure that uses the light switch which prevents the light signal and the light surge from being applied to a following stage, it is required that the light switch and its driving circuit operate at a high speed. However, in practice, it is not easy to provide a light switch which has a small insertion loss and a high operation speed.
In the structure that uses the light filter, it is required that the light filter has a sharp filter response capable of cutting off the maximum gain wavelength of the light amplifier device. However, in practice, it is not easy to provide a light filter having such a sharp cutoff response.

Light amplifier device capable of suppressing light surge


A sunshade structure is disclosed. The sunshade structure includes a sunshade; a guide rail; a sunshade stopper configured to stop a movement of the sunshade, the sunshade stopper including a first side wall and a second side wall; and an end cap configured to cap an end of the guide rail, the end cap including a bottom plate, a first sunshade stopper retention wall extending vertically from the bottom plate and configured to extend around the first side wall a second sunshade stopper retention wall extending vertically from the bottom plate and configured to extend around a junction of the first side wall and the second side wall a third sunshade stopper retention wall extending vertically from the bottom plate and configured to extend around the second side wall; and a fourth wall extending vertically from the bottom plate and configured to extend from an end of the second side wall to the end of the guide rail.

The "background" description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the present invention.
Sunshade stopper rear retention wall in an end cap in a sunshade structure typically has a certain height to capture the sunshade stopper. However, when the sunshade stopper has deflection, the height of the sunshade stopper rear retention wall is not enough to prevent the deflection. Furthermore, there is no feature to prevent rotation of the sunshade stopper when the sunshade stopper has deflection. In order to provide a robust sunshade stopper, an improvement for the end cap is needed.


A method of measurement is presented. A method of measurement according to some embodiments of the present invention includes obtaining a first measurement from a first imaging method; obtaining a second measurement from a second imaging method; combining the first and the second measurement to obtain a structural information and an image representation of a structure of an eye; calculating at least one shape parameter from the structural information; and displaying the image representation of the structure of the eye.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the field of optical coherence tomography and applications thereof. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate generally to methods and systems for measuring the geometric properties of the cornea.
2. Description of Related Art
The cornea and associated tear film are the primary refractive elements of the eye and the shape of the cornea is exceptionally important for vision. The shape of the cornea is commonly impacted in ectactic diseases, such as keratoconus, and in refractive and other surgical procedures.
Conventionally, the shape of the anterior surface of the cornea is measured using the principle of placido rings imaging. FIGS. 1A and 1B show an example of topographic imaging using the principle of placido rings imaging. As is commonly known in the arts, concentric rings 120 are projected onto the anterior corneal surface 110 of the eye 100, which is a convex and reflective surface. The variation in size of the virtual images of these reflected rings 120 can be used to derive the shape and refractive power of the anterior corneal surface, such as the axial map of the corneal curvature 150 derived using information from reflected ring positions as shown in FIG. 1B. Several corneal topography devices are commercially available using the placido rings imaging principle. In these devices, several topographic maps representing the derived anterior cornea surface are usually displayed, such as an axial/sagittal power or radius of curvature, tangential/instantaneous power or radius of curvature, and elevation relative to a reference surface. Although these topographic maps are commonly assumed to represent the shape of the anterior cornea surface, in actuality these topographic maps measure the shape of the corneal tear film, which is the first and primary reflective surface of the anterior surface of the eye. Therefore, topographic maps using the placido rings imaging principle can be disrupted in cases of poor or irregular tear film, especially those associated with dry eye conditions.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the anatomy of the cornea. The outer corneal epithelium 210 (or the anterior cornea), defining the outermost layer of the cornea 200, is a dynamic tissue which can remodel the cornea surface in the case of corneal ectactic disease or after refractive surgery. Changes in the thickness of the outer corneal epithelium 210 can mask changes in the underlying shape, such as the curvature of the corneal stroma 220 which is important in assessing corneal ectactic disease and corneal refractive surgical procedures. The inner corneal endothelium 230 defines the innermost layer of the cornea 200. In-between the outer corneal epithelium 210 and the corneal stroma 220 is the Bowman's membrane or the stromal-epithelial interface 215; while in-between the corneal stroma 220 and the inner corneal endothelium 230 is the Descemet's membrane 225. For example, epithelial thinning over an ectactic corneal stroma may prevent the detection of forme fruste keratoconus and other early ectactic disease important in the screening for refractive surgical procedures.
FIG. 3 is an exemplary schematic showing the effect of epithelial remodeling of the cornea. In the cornea 300 of FIG. 3, the corneal stroma 320 is deformed at deformation 350 due to some ectactic disease. However, the anterior corneal surface 340 is still relatively smooth and uniform due to the dynamic remodeling of the corneal epithelium 310. In these cases, measurement of the shape of the anterior corneal surface 340 alone, as performed by conventional placido topography, may not reveal the subtle changes in the shape of the corneal stroma, such as the damaged corneal stroma 320 in FIG. 3, as these changes may be masked by compensatory changes in the thickness of the corneal epithelium 310. On the other hand, an advantage of placido topography is its high sensitivity to small changes in corneal curvature as small changes in corneal height usually translates into larger measureable changes in the ring positions.
Epithelial remodeling may cause refractive regression after corneal laser refractive procedures. Also, refractive regression may be caused by changes in the shape of the cornea stroma which could indicate a structural weakness in the cornea. Measurements of the anterior corneal surface alone using conventional placido rings principles may not be able to distinguish these different causes of regression which are important in assessing corneal ectactic disease and corneal refractive surgical procedures.
One method of deriving additional information concerning the shape of the cornea stroma is to measure the shape of the posterior corneal surface, as the corneal endothelial thickness remains generally constant, contrary to the dynamic remodeling nature of the corneal epithelial layer as discussed above. Several commercially available clinical instruments attempted to measure the shape, such as curvature, of the posterior corneal surface. The Orbscan (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, N.Y.) uses placido rings to measure the anterior corneal surface, and a scanning slit beam to determine conical thickness. Both measurements are used to derive the posterior corneal topography. The Pentacam (Oculus, Arlington, Wash.) employs the principle of Scheimpflug photography to measure both the anterior and posterior surfaces of the cornea. The Galilei (Zeimer, Alton, Ill.) uses a combination of placido rings imaging and Scheimpflug photography to generate topographic maps of both the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces. However, the spatial resolution of all these instruments is inadequate to accurately measure the shape and thickness of various tissue layers, such as the corneal epithelium, the corneal stroma, and the stromal-epithelial interface.
High-resolution cross-sectional imaging techniques, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and high-frequency ultrasound, have been used to measure the corneal epithelial thickness. Corneal epithelial thickness may be measured directly from OCT images using a computer algorithm available in commercial instrumentation, for example, in the RTVue (Optovue, Fremont, Calif.). Some methods were proposed to guide laser corneal surgery using OCT measurements of the corneal epithelial thickness. Some other methods disclose using either OCT, ultrasound, or Scheimpflug photography to map corneal epithelial thickness prior to laser epithelial ablation. Apparatus was also proposed to use high frequency ultrasound to measure corneal tissues thicknesses, including the epithelium and stroma. However, clinically useful measurement and data representation and display of the shape, such as curvature, of the corneal stromal/epithelial interface, using topographic maps of axial/sagittal power or radius of curvature, tangential/instantaneous power or radius of curvature, mean curvature, elevation, and elevation relative to a reference surface, in a manner similar to what a clinician is accustomed to in a routine clinical practice, are not available.
Therefore, methods and apparatus to obtain measurements of the corneal stroma, and in particular, to derive the shape of the anterior stromal/epithelial interface, and to display them using a topographic map in a similar manner to conventional mapping of the anterior corneal air/tear film interface are needed.


An electronic cigarette is provided, which includes a connection structure between a battery assembly and an atomizer assembly. In the connection structure, a first connection member and a second connection member are connected. The second connection member defines a joint slot for receiving the first connection member. An elastic member includes a bulge radially protruding inward from an inner wall of the joint slot, or radially protruding outward from the first connection member. A buckle slot matched with the bulge is defined in an inner side of the second connection member or is defined in the outer side of the first connection member. The first connection member is inserted in the joint slot and is rotated to press and deform the bulge. When the bulge is rotated to enter the buckle slot, the bulge impacts an inner wall of the buckle slot to generate an indicating sound.

An electronic cigarette generally comprises a battery assembly and an atomizer assembly. In the prior art, the atomizer assembly is usually connected with the battery assembly by a threaded connection. However, in the threaded connection method, the battery assembly and/or the atomizer assembly need(s) to be rotated many circles in order to be fixed securely. In the rotating process, if the rotation is not sufficient, the connection may be insecure. On the other hand, if the rotation is excessive, the electronic cigarette may be damaged; however, users cannot hear any indication sound indicating that the rotation is sufficient in the rotating process. Furthermore, conventional connection methods for connecting the battery assembly with the atomizer assembly generally use complex structures and need complicated operations. Thus, electronic cigarettes using the conventional connection methods are generally inconvenient to use, unfavorable for quitting smoking, and have bad user experience.

HUIZHOU KIMREE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. SHENZHEN BRANCH


A display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a color filter layer, a first pixel unit, a second pixel unit, and a third pixel unit. The liquid crystal layer includes optically isotropic liquid crystals. The first pixel unit, the second pixel unit and the third pixel unit form a first electric field, a second electric field and a third electric filed in the liquid crystal layer. A first display light, a second display light and a third display light displayed by the first pixel unit, the second pixel unit and the third pixel unit have different wavelengths. The first electric field, the second electric field and the third electric field are different when the first pixel unit, the second pixel unit and the third pixel unit are applied by a same driving voltage set.

The thin-film-transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) industry has now dominated the flat panel display market. Generally, in a typical liquid crystal display (LCD), the liquid crystal layer is disposed between two glass substrates and the plural pixel units with switching thin-film-transistors (TFTs) are formed on the inner surface of one substrate to provide driving voltages. The liquid crystal (LC) cell together with the polarizers functions like a light valve to modulate amplitude for different grey levels. The LCD technology is fairly mature as the issues of viewing angle, color gamut, power consumption, and contrast ratio have been improved a lot. The response time is been improved to 2-5 ms (mini seconds) by using low viscosity LC materials and thinner cell gap fabrication techniques. However, to reduce the motion image blur, a faster molecular response is needed.
Recently, a blue-phase liquid crystal (BPLC) has been developed; it has a fast response time within submillisecond. In comparison to conventional nematic LCDs, the blue-phase LCD exhibits at least four features: 1) it does not require any alignment layer, such as polyimide, which not only simplifies the manufacturing processes but also reduces the cost; 2) its response time is in the submillisecond range, which helps to minimize the motion-image blur; 3) the dark state of the blue-phase LCD is optically isotropic so that its viewing angle is wide and symmetric, in which optical compensation films may or may not be needed, depending on the actual applications; 4) in an in-plane switching (IPS) like structure, the transmittance is insensitive to the cell gap, as long as the cell gap exceeds 2-3 μm depending on the birefringence of the LC composite employed. This cell-gap insensitivity is particularly attractive for fabricating large-panel or single-substrate LCDs, in which cell-gap uniformity is a big concern.
Blue-phase liquid crystal exists in a very narrow temperature range (1˜2° C.) between chiral nematic and isotropic phase; its molecular structure is comprised of double-twisted cylinders arranged in a cubic lattice with periods of ˜100 nm [Meiboom, et al., Theory of the blue phase of cholesteric liquid crystals, Phys. Rev. Lett. 46, 1216-1219 (1981)]. Blue-phase liquid crystals have been studied for several decades; however their mesogenic temperature range is too narrow for any practical applications. With the polymer-stabilization method, the mesogenic temperature range of blue phase can be widened, covering the room temperature [H. Kikuchi, et al., Polymer-stabilized liquid crystal blue phases, Nature Materials 1, 64-68 (2002)]. In the voltage-off state, blue-phase liquid crystal appears optically isotropic. As the voltage increases, based on Kerr effect, the LC refractive index distribution becomes anisotropic. The induced birefringence Δn is proportional to the incident wavelength λ, the Kerr constant K, and the square of the applied electric field E as Δn=λKE2. The induced Δn appears to change the blue-phase liquid crystal from the sphere into an ellipsoid like a uniaxial medium where the optic axis is along the electric field vector. In the IPS based electrode structure, the electric field in the direction parallel to the substrate is preferred so that the induced birefringence Δn will be along the horizontal direction that is parallel to the polarizer surface plane. For a transmissive display, when the device is interposed between two crossed polarizers, the transmittance increases gradually as the voltage increases. [Z. Ge, et al. Electro-optics of polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystal displays, Appl. Phys. Lett. 94, 101104 (2009); L. Rao, et al., Emerging liquid crystal displays based on the Kerr effect, Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst., 527, 186-198 (2010)]. Generally, for a uniaxial medium placed between two crossed linear polarizers, the output transmission is T=T0 sin(2φ)2 sin(δ/2)2, where φ is the angle between optic axis of the uniaxial media and the absorption axis of the polarizer, δ=2πdΔn/λ is the phase retardation of the uniaxial medium. Thus, φ needs to be 45° away from the linear polarizer's absorption axis. In other words, the induced birefringence Δn also needs to be along that direction to have maximum transmittance. Besides, the induced birefringence Δn should also be parallel to the substrate surface to have a maximum δ. For vertical field switching, to gain the phase retardation, the incident light direction should not be parallel to the field direction. [H. C. Cheng, J. Yan, T. Ishinabe, and S. T. Wu, Vertical field switching for blue-phase liquid crystal devices, Appl. Phys. Lett. 98, 261102 (2011).] Aside from blue-phase liquid crystal, other types of optically isotropic liquid crystal, e.g. polymer stabilized isotropic phase (PSIP) liquid crystal, is reported with similar electro-optic properties. [Y. Haseba, et al. Large electro-optic Kerr effect in nanostructured chiral liquid-crystal composites over a wide temperature range, Adv. Mater. 17, 2311 (2005)].
For blue-phase liquid crystals, or more generally the optically isotropic liquid crystals, the Kerr constant K is wavelength dependent. The Kerr constant decreases with the increment of the wavelength. [L. Rao, et al., "Emerging liquid crystal displays based on the Kerr effect", Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst., 527, 186-198 (2010); M. Jiao, et al., "Dispersion relation on the Kerr constant of a polymer-stabilized optically isotropic liquid crystal," Phys. Rev. E 83, 041706 (2011).] Therefore, the voltage-transmittance curves for red, blue and green three colors will not overlap.
A known IPS electrode driven BPLCD is shown in FIG. 1A, where a blue-phase liquid crystal layer 12 is inserted between two glass substrates 10a and 10b, and a pixel electrode 11a and a common electrode 11b are both formed on the bottom substrate 10a. Typically, the polarizers 14a and 14b interpose the substrates 10a and 10b and the blue-phase liquid crystal layer 12 therebetween. The electrodes 11a and 11b are made of metal or indium tin oxide (ITO) in a stripe shape, and the stripe width w is around 3 to 10 μm and the spacing 1 between two electrodes 11a and 11b is about 6 to 20 μm. In the related art, the thickness t of the metal or ITO electrodes 11a and 11b in the stripe shape are typically below 150 nm. And this low stripe electrode height confines the strong electric fields (as shown by the dash lines 13 in FIG. 1A) to mainly distribute near the bottom substrate surface. As shown in FIG. 1B, the dispersion for V-T (voltage versus normalized transmittance) curves R, G and B of red, green and blue three colors is quite severe, in which the IPS structure here has an electrode width w of 2 μm and gap 1 of 5 μm.

Industrial Technology Research Institute

University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.